Chapter 1: The Beginning from End!
A mountain afternoon covered in dense clouds. The air is heavy, as if nature itself might burst into tears at any moment.
On the peak of a deserted mountain stands a woman—Ishani. There is a strange emptiness in her eyes. Some papers in her hand, questions in her eyes, suppressed anxiety on her face.
From behind, a male figure slowly approaches. His face is not clear, his shadow long and grim. He is wearing a long coat, his head slightly lowered. Ishani senses his presence only from the sound of his shoes.
“What are these??!... These are my company’s handover papers!... How is my signature on these??!... I didn’t give my company to anyone!” (Ishani shouted)
The shadowy figure gives no answer. He slowly moves closer to her.
“You cheated me, you took advantage of my trust!!... Why did you do this to me??!!” (Ishani said, looking at the shadowy figure with tear-filled eyes)
Suddenly the shadowy man snatches all the papers from Ishani’s hand. His face is still unseen, but his eyes are burning and merciless!
“Why are you staying silent??!... Why did you do this to me??!!” (Ishani)
The man tightly grips Ishani’s hand and slowly starts pushing her backward. Ishani’s eyes widen. She struggles, and when she tries to scream, the man clamps his hand over her mouth.
Then suddenly—a shove! Ishani is thrown off the mountain and falls into the darkness below, her scream dissolving into the air!
The man stands silently for a while. Then he slowly steps back, a shadow of a dark smile on his face. On the mountain top, only a mournful silence remains.
---
---
Four years later…
A luxurious corporate office in Kolkata, “Ardor Enterprises.”
Aditya Roy, the present CEO of the company, is staring gravely at his laptop. On the wall of the room hangs Ishani’s photograph, below which is written:
“Our beloved founder Miss Ishani Sengupta (1994–2021)”
Suddenly Aditya’s secretary Riyan rushes into the room.
“Sir, Ishani ma’am has come!... Ma’am has returned, sir!” (Riyan)
Aditya stands up from his chair.
“What nonsense are you talking about!” (Aditya)
“I’m telling the truth, sir! I myself was shocked. She looks exactly like ma’am… no, not looks like—she is ma’am!” (Riyan said excitedly)
“How is this possible??!... Ishani committed suicide!... She jumped from the mountain and ended her life!... Then how—!” (Aditya murmured)
Aditya rushes out. In his eyes—mixed astonishment, fear, and somewhere a flash of joy. He comes outside the office and sees Ishani standing amidst the crowd of employees! Suppressed excitement and amazement among everyone!
Aditya moves toward Ishani with tears in his eyes. But seeing her closely, he becomes a little surprised. Her eyes lack the former confidence; there is confusion on her face. She gives a faint smile.
“I am Ishani… I am the owner of this company!” (Ishani murmured)
Aditya stares at Ishani in shock.
“Isha, where were you all these years??!... I can’t believe you’re alive… it feels like I’m dreaming!... Why did you return so late??!” (Aditya said, holding Ishani’s hand)
Ishani looks helplessly at Aditya.
“Who are you??!... I can’t recognize you!” (Ishani)
Aditya jerks as if struck by lightning.
“What are you saying??!... I’m your Adi, Isha!... We loved each other!... And you don’t recognize me!” (Aditya)
Ishani clutches her head.
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember anything… I had an accident. I forgot everything… I only know that my name is Ishani Sengupta, I was the CEO of this company… I am the founder, the owner of this company. I know nothing else!... I’m in pain that this much itself I could remember!” (Ishani)
Aditya keeps staring at Ishani, as if his world has frozen.
“You forgot everything!!... You remember that this company is yours, but you don’t remember how much we loved each other!... I still love you!... Why did you forget me, Ishani??!...” (Aditya said in a crying voice)
“I remember nothing… I try but I can’t remember anything else!” (Ishani)
Aditya remains silent, as if he wants to say something but cannot.
“I… I want my company back!... Everything is mine!” (Ishani murmured)
“Yes, everything is yours!... In your absence for these four years, I handled the company. Now that you’ve returned, everything is yours!... Come with me.” (Aditya)
Holding Ishani’s hand, Aditya takes her inside. All the staff, servants, secretaries, employees—everyone is stunned!
As they enter the CEO’s room, Ishani comes face to face with Riyan.
“How are you, ma’am??!... A lot has changed in these four years!... We are so happy to have you back, words can’t express it!... It feels really good!... After you left, our company suffered huge losses, ma’am. During that time, Aditya sir handled everything. Even amidst the grief of losing you, sir managed everything efficiently!... That’s why he is sitting in your place today. Though the most deserving is you, ma’am! You were the soul of Ardor Enterprises!” (Riyan)
“Riyan, Ishani has returned!... I’m very happy! Now everything will be fine again… You will control this company just like before, Ishani!” (Aditya)
“I remember nothing… I know nothing. Will I be able to do it??!” (Ishani said fearfully)
“You will, Isha!... Don’t forget, you are the great Ishani Sengupta. You can do everything... You ran this company yourself. At that time I was only your ordinary secretary, and I loved you deeply! Unfortunately, you forgot me... But I know my love is true, and with that true love, you will remember me… and everything from the past.” (Aditya)
Ishani moves forward and sits on the CEO’s chair where she used to sit earlier, the chair from which she once controlled the entire company herself!
“This company is for you... I took care of it all this time. Now that you’ve returned, everything is yours!... I’ll return your responsibility to you.” (Aditya said smiling)
“Ma’am, where were you all these years??” (Riyan)
“I was in Kalimpong!” (Ishani)
“What! Kalimpong!... That’s where you jumped from the mountain and killed yourself!... We knew you committed suicide!” (Aditya)
“I lived all these years with a doctor’s family in Kalimpong. That doctor has come with me to this city and is staying in a flat. She is like my elder sister!... Whatever little I could remember over the years is all because of her.” (Ishani)
“I’m grateful to her!... But why did you try to commit suicide, Ishani??!... How could you leave me!” (Aditya)
“I don’t know… Did I commit suicide??!... I only know I had an accident, and for several months I was unconscious!... When I regained consciousness, I couldn’t even recognize myself!” (Ishani)
“Everything will be fine, Isha. I’m with you.” (Aditya)
“I am sorry… I can’t recognize you, but I understand that you are very close to me!” (Ishani)
Aditya embraces Ishani. But Ishani’s eyes fall on her own photograph hanging on the wall. She keeps staring at it, as if trying to measure or understand something through the picture.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To be continued…
(What happened to Ishani four years ago?? Did she really forget her past memories?? Will Ishani be able to remember everything from her past?? To know, keep reading "Dual Shadows" with me.)
