"I know I haven't cleared many things for you, but come quickly with me, we've to be back before Viru reaches here. And anyway, don't you want to meet Sneha?" Nisha teased Saurav.
"We're really going to meet Sneha??" He suspiciously queried.
"Of course Dumbo!" She laughed, smacked his head and ran to bring out the scooty.
On their way to the newspaper office, Saurav started firing his questions at Nisha. She patiently answered each one of them. He asked her, "Why Nisha? Why not Aarti? Look Nishu, we both know that Aarti is in a far better position as compared to Nisha to influence Virus's decision." "Not any more. Viru has obviously not liked the distant Aarti. And 2 reasons - first - Aarti was supposed to be a help and solace. Not a life line. Some or the other day he is bound to know the truth. If Aarti becomes his lifeline, he will be vulnerable when the truth is out. I don't want that. I want him to be strong. Second - Viru needs to find out solutions on his own. I will have limitations some time. What will he do then? I would've liked to help him for lifetime but he doesn't want Nisha in that way. To him, it may be Nisha and Aarti but to me? Both are parts of me."
Saurav felt like he was seeing an altogether new person in front of him. "When did you grow up so much?" He asked.
To that, she only smiled. I grew up this much when I was 13 years old...I learnt the hard way that you've to fight your own battles. I can't see Viru fail. I would love to stand by him for eternity, but he has some other ideas...
They reached the newspaper office of Jaipur's most widely read newspaper. Saurav was confused seeing the grand building and the name on it. "Weren't we meeting Sneha?"
" Patience, lover boy!" Nisha replied as she waved to a pretty girl who was standing inside the lobby. Saurav's jaw dropped to the floor when he saw how much more prettier Sneha had become. After sharing a quick hug, Nisha and Sneha began the usual "long time...you've changed a lot..." talks. Saurav was too busy staring at Sneha to contribute. Sneha saw that and asked him if he was okay. Receiving no reply, she raised her eyebrows at Nisha.
"He has always been a little crazy about y -- Owww!!" She exclaimed as Saurav stomped on her foot. While Sneha laughed and Nisha glared at Saurav, he decided to take charge.
"Come on Sneha, let's sit and talk? The canteen?" Saurav dragged Nisha to the canteen. Over cups of coffee, Nisha outlined her plan to Sneha. Sneha was surprised that the prankster Nisha was going to do something so big. "Nisha, I'm impressed with your courage. And I'd love to support BUT my editor will want my head on a platter if I do that!"
"Where's your editor? I'll talk to him. I'll request him, beg him to do it, whatever it is takes. Take me to him." Sneha was surprised again with her intensity. She took her to the editor's office and warned, "Look Nisha, he is a rough man. Has genuine respect for authentic news but hates rumours."
"Don't worry. I know how to deal with this." Nisha knocked and went inside his cabin with a confident smile. After the introductions, the editor asked her to outline her proposition. When he heard the whole story, he replied with a set jaw, "Miss Ganghwal, we're supposed to report facts in the sports column, not bullshit. This sort of nonsense belongs to the gossip columns. Though it's another matter that the gossip column has more readers..."
Nisha pleaded, "Sir but please consider. This is a genuine cause. Please Sir?" "Miss Ganghwal, I heard you out only because I understood that this is a genuine cause. I would be one of the happiest people if Mr Rathor returns to shooting. I personally think he belonged to a different league, far better than the shooters of today. But, I have a duty to report only the truth. The most I can do is give your news a place in the gossip column." Nisha thought for a moment. Something is better than nothing. Viru is a popular man. It's possible that other newspapers might pick up the news and get me the desired effect.
"Okay sir. I'm ready for that. Only, can Sneha Gupta report this news?" "Miss Gupta? Okay. I'll ask her to do it."
Nisha thanked him profusely and left the cabin.
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