SS- Two tales- updated pg 48 18/1/14 - Page 8

From then stretch, three years have passed and things are very different, today. After a year of waiting, Jeevika received a kidney from a donor through a domino surgery. She and Viren married not soon later. Maanvi and Virat are still together, however both stories did not finish here and not did they start here.

Present day

"Viren hurry up, we getting late!" Viren rushed out of the room, tucking in his shirt as he skidded up to the door. He grabbed Jeevika by the waist as they scooted out before sneaking a kiss.

"Is everything set?" They whispered in the back seat of the cab, as they approached the venue. Jeevika finished setting up the room, not before long Viren rushed her out as Maanvi and Virat were fast approaching.

The room was set up with many empty tables, but there was the one drink one every table, the same one. As they entered, music started to play. He offered out his hand, to which Maanvi accepted. He placed his hands in her waist and she comfortably placed her hands on his shoulders as they started to dance.

"Many years ago, we met in a small room not unlike this one. With music playing, pushed tables in the corner and let's not forget our drinks. The shot that brought us together - the falling star. I'm not sure about the star but I know we both fell that night. I fell for you and you well ... fell ... on the ground." He chuckled. Trying to control his emotions, he continued,

"I fell for you the moment I first saw you and that night I even helped you up. From that night till now, we have been through a lot and today," He reached into in inside pocket and pulled out a little box.

"I won't get down on one knee as I know you hate that but..." He takes her hands and places them back onto his shoulders, as he moves towards her and whispers,

"Will you be happy to spend the rest of your life with me?" Flabbergasted by the proposal Maanvi stood in utter shock. All she could do was pull Virat closer and give him the longest kiss of their lives.

Later that night Maanvi rested in Virat's arms. Thinking about their journey - from the drunken night to a marriage proposal. She slipped out of bed, and covered herself with a night grown and made a cup a tea, as she snuggled on the sofa, thinking about the last few years.

****

That night was unforgettable, the night Maanvi and Virat's relationship almost broke. It has been two months since Jeevika's diagnoses and except for that one drunken night, Maanvi kept Virat at arm's length. Since that night, Virat needed answers, answers that Maanvi could not give him.

Maanvi had been invited to a friend's party after much convincing by Viren and Jeevika, Maanvi left for the night she would not forget. Somehow, these parties felt different now, not because she wasn't drinking but the fact that she constant thought about life and death and this was the opposite. She chatted away with old friends and this finally seemed to lighten her mood and outlook.

Out of nowhere, she felt someone grab her waist from behind, he leant against her and placed his hands around her shoulders, covered her chest. She pushed forwards, snapped his hands off her, shockingly she turned to see Virat standing before her.

He was dressed as if he came straight from work, but nothing about his current appearance was attractive. Normally a man in a suit had an attractive quality and Virat was no exception. Yet tonight was a different story, blazer was missing, hair was a mess, shirt was rugged and half hanging out, with stains down it. Some looked like sweat others just looked like alcohol. His tie was loosened and was half way down his shirt, as his top bottom was undone. He looked down at Maanvi and he reached around her and topped up his drink with the bottle behind her. She noted his glassy eyes that were beginning to turn red. His face was a pasty colour and he wobbled to the side. After a moment, they gave each other a look of disgust; he left and headed back to the lads and drinks whilst he chugged down the one in his hand.

Virat watched as Maanvi continued to gossip to her friends, every few moments she turned to look at him. At that moment, he always turned away and drank whatever was in front of him. He wondered if this was the same women that wouldn't string together a sentence in front of him, or the one who couldn't even pick up the phone to text him once a day. Today she was here enjoying herself while Virat stood on the sidelines. He downed the next shot as Chris collected the next round of drinks. When he was passed his drink, he doubled it up with the vodka bottle on the side. He looked up at Maanvi who seemed to care less and less in every moment.

Virat stumbled forward and grabbed onto the doorframe for support. He put one foot forward and tried to get to the back door. He held his drink firmly in his hand, making sure not to spill that. As he passed through the kitchen, he tripped and reached the breakfast bar. He clung here, waiting for his head to catch up with his body. He slumped over for a while the rest of the house spun out of control. He took a deep breath, to try to calm his disorientation; he took a sip of his drink before he stood to leave. The moment he stepped out, the cold air rushed through his body straight to his veins. Making him feel alive once again, leaving the disorientation behind.

In the distance, he saw a girl sitting on the bench. He stood tall, wiped his face and fixing his hair before venturing over. However, he tripped and stumbled the entire way. It took him a while to walk the three feet towards her and was more of a mess now, then when he entered the garden.

"What is it you WANT?" Virat shouted at the top of his voice, wailing out all of his pain. The girl stood up, and turned to see Virat swaying from side to side. His eyes were bloodshot and the pain could be felt. His stench could be smelt for a mile away, because he had spilt Vodka down himself, he was barely able to stand still. Maanvi tried to take his hand and get him to sit but he instantly pushed them off and wobbled backwards.

"What is it you want?" He repeated again and again, his voice getting louder each time. She continued to try to help him as he flapped his hands away. She tried to get him to sit on the bench. She could sense that his body felt warm. He finished the drink in his hand and collected the one from the bench.

"No! Get off. You think all about you. Fine, leave just alone. I'm happy... this," he realised that the glass was empty and waved down Chris to get him another.

"Enough, you've had enough. You can't stand still or even string a coherent sentence together and you want to drink more. Do you want to drown yourself in it?"

Maanvi walked away, but Virat stumbled up, grabbed her from behind, and pulled her close. His grip was tight and Maanvi couldn't loosen it. He had bewildered expression for a brief moment, as he began to whisper in her ear, Maanvi tried to back off,

"No this not happening, your terms." His entire weight was now on Maanvi, and her support that was keeping him up.

"I love you, I love you. I just help but you won't let me. Just... " Virat started feel that pain again, the pain he was trying to drown. He placed his hands around Maanvi's neck.

"I just want to," Maanvi sensed all of his pain and knew it too well. She could no longer keep that river inside of her but Virat was in no condition for anything. A tear started to fall, slowly he let her go, his vision blurred and he tipped backwards. Maanvi quickly grabbed him. His head began to spin once again as he fell onto the grass. He yelled to the heavens to save him from his destruction. Maanvi quickly rushed back into the house get her things, only to find Virat drinking once again. She tried to take the glass from him but he had a firm grip and pushed her off. Once he had finished it, he went to stand with the aid of the bench. He pushed up and slouched onto the bench. He lay on his back with his legs dangling off. He started yelling obscenities as loud as anyone could hear him. Maanvi tried shut him up and pulled him off; as she did, he moaned and groaned, until she made him stand. "Get off - bitch," he shouted continuously.

Maanvi helped him into a cab and they went home. She supported him up to his room and placed him on his side as he passed out, on his bed.

"She doesn't care or love me, why should I? I hate her," mumbled Virat. Maanvi removed his shoes and socks and tried to take off his shirt, his skin was still warm so she got some wet cloths and dapped his skin to try to cool him.

The next morning, Maanvi woke up on Virat's sofa. She went into his bedroom to check on him. He was still asleep, but stunk the hell. The smell of alcohol was seeping through him into the entire room. She checked on his temperature with seemed to be normal now. She let him sleep and headed back out. She wasn't sure what to do. Should she leave? Should she leave a note or note? On the other hand, did she wait and see? Last night Virat had be a little sweet, honest but also cruel. Yet he wasn't in his senses when he said that. Could she hold that against him?

She wanted to let him back in but she couldn't. They had spoken last week where she said she would try and as much as she did. She couldn't do it. However, she didn't know his to fix it. As she took a shower, she collected some of her clothes that were still here. As she made breakfast, she thought about the last two months and how she had treated Virat. After making a cup of tea, she headed to living room. As she past the table, she brushed some papers on the ground. Maanvi reached down to collect them, underneath she saw a picture of herself. As she picked it up, she saw the pictures of her and Virat from there nights out and then saw a little book. She didn't need to open it - she knew what was inside.

That moment she heard a crash coming from the bedroom, as she rushed towards it. She saw Virat trying to get out of bed. He rubbed his head as he had a pounding headache, he could only remember little bits of last night, the pain, the confusion, the disorientation. It was a hazy picture. However, he knew it had something to do with Maanvi. He lay on his back, reached towards his side draw, and stretched for the Nurofen. He took out two tablets from the packed, when he was faced with a glass of water from above. He thought it was his imagination until he found out it was fact.

She sat on the bed beside him as he lifted himself up. She took his hand, as he tried to open his eyes.

"I know that I have been... I don't know if there is a word for it. I understand that this isn't the relationship you wanted. I won't hold it against you at all. It's just the way it is." Her eyes were moist and were glassed over. "I'm sorry," letting go of his hand she rushed out of his room and wiped away her tears.

Suddenly Maanvi felt a pull. He pulled her from behind and brought her close. Slowly he stepped forward, wiped away the tears that were left and kissed her lightly on the cheek. She caresses her fingers across his face. He had not felt this loving touch in so long that he couldn't control himself. He had his answer. Pulling her even closer, he ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her like he never had before. All her inhibitions had vanished.

Part 8- page 14

***

It had been two years since Jeevika and Viren were married in holy matrimony, and from that date, life has almost been perfect. It seemed that after her transplant there were no more major troubles in their lives.

It was midnight and Viren pulled Jeevika closer in bed; his reached over and stoked her stomach. He nuzzles into her neck and nibbled there for a few moments before she brushed him off in her sleep. As he ran down his fingers, he reached Jeevika's scar. The scar, from her incision from her surgery.

Jeevika had been on the waiting list for over a year. She had dialysis three times a week, everything was ten times harder and life was uncertain until a rare opportunity arose, changing all of their lives.

On July 5th Maanvi, Jeevika and Viren were called into Dr Guy's office. She was Jeevika's consultant. They waited outside her office for 20 minutes. Maanvi sat impatiently, shaking her leg, every extra minute they waited her shaking got faster. Jeevika placed her hand on Maanvi's knee and stopped her, before looking up at her frightened face. She just hoped that the news they were getting was worth the wait.

"Jeevika Chaudhry?" All three of the stood as Maanvi went forward, Jeevika followed behind coupled with Viren supportive hand.

"We have a rare opportunity for you all. I believe we might have found Jeevika a donor match." The three of them were delighted by the news, "However... Viren as you know you tested yourself and placed yourself on the donor list. There has been a match with your kidney for patient in Richmond. They are on a scheme called a domino surgery." The three of them looked at each other with confusion. They were unsure what the doctor was proposing.

"What that means is that, we follow a procedure, called kidney paired donation. We take a group of incompatible donor-recipient pairs and match them with other pairs in a similar predicament. By exchanging kidneys between the pairs, it is possible to give each recipient a compatible kidney. In this way each recipient receives a kidney from a stranger and transplants are enabled that otherwise would not have taken place. It so that it all works out for everyone, that is if Viren you are willing to donate your kidney?"

That evening all three sat down and had a lengthy and loud discussion about what the doctor had told them and about all of their options. Even though Maanvi and Viren had minimal reservations, Jeevika was still cautious about the situation even after hours of conversation.

"I get it but I don't want it this way." Snapped Jeevika as left the room, Maanvi followed her but Viren knew he needed to talk to her.

He saw Jeevika lying in the bed on her side in the darkness as he entered. He climbed into bed, laid on front of her, and took her hands. He lifted them up and kissed them.

"If I get to continue doing this, I can give away both kidneys. I can happily live with one kidney but without a healthy one, sooner or later..." he paused for a second and moved in closer to her, "This is the best thing we could have hoped for. Getting a kidney from a living donor and one that matches. What's the difference if I give one of mine away in the process? If I could give it to you I would, but I can't. This way someone who needs it gets one and so do you!" He looked down at their hands and he tipped his head up, leant in, and kissed him.

As Viren remembered that night, he ran his fingers across her scar, before falling back asleep, beside his beautiful wife.

****

Laughing and giggling Maanvi and Jeevika walked in from an afternoon of shopping. They had started wedding shopping and were checking out a range of different caterers. Who knew planning a wedding would have so many minor details. They put down their bags to find their respective partners watching some sort of sport on TV. They ignored them at first and went into the bedroom to sort some further things out.

Jeevika pulled out a small but thick book. Maanvi knew exactly what it was. Jeevika's wedding planner book. Jeevika had made a book with all of the options she went though during her wedding. It had everything from flowers to name cards. It stored all the shops and business they would have all those items and even some outdated prices.

As they flicked through the pages, Maanvi stole the ideas that she liked. By that evening, they had settled on a colour scheme of the whole wedding. (This inevitably would change.)

As they re-entered the living room, Viren and Virat were still glued to the TV, holding a cold beer in their hands. Annoyed that they had spend the entire afternoon sitting there Maanvi started to shuffle the papers on the coffee table in front of them, blocking their view. They ducked from side to side trying to catch a glimpse.

"Maanvi!" Viren called out, "Move!"

"Why? It's only the Ferrari guy again,"

"It's Federer, not Ferrari and he's losing which is a good thing cos Nadal is going to thrash him. But you're in the way!" Virat groaned as Maanvi continued to be a pest. Jeevika slowly walked behind the sofa and leant down towards Viren. She placed her arms over his shoulder and tried to whisper in his ear, but he brushed her off.

Irritated with their behaviour, Maanvi and Jeevika started to hatch a plan. Nadal was one set up in the fourth set and was on form to win this Grand Slam. As he won the next game he grunted, to which they both followed. Every time Nadal made a slight grunt, Maanvi and Jeevika were not far behind. They stood behind the boys and peered over the sofa.

"Maanvi, you know we could start a new drinking game. Whenever a tennis player grunts, you down a shot. People would get smashed when watching some players," Maanvi nodded in agreement as Viren and Virat looked up at them with abhorrently. They carried on doing small little things to wind up their men. It was the final set, two sets a piece it was coming to the tiebreaker when the game was stopped for rain.

The sisters looked at each other with sarcastic disappointed faces. They walked around,

"Oh well, guess we won't know who will win. That's a real shame. By the way, Di, I love the drinking game idea. I know we don't drink anymore but I'm sure we can start it off with some other people. What do you think Virat?"

Suddenly the boys grabbed their girls. Virat lifted Maanvi up before dropping back down on the sofa. Viren lifted Jeevika up, making her giggle and scream. She took her straight out of the room and when into the bedroom.

"Oi, where you going, there about to start again?" Bellowed Virat and Maanvi. He threw her onto the bed and shut the door. With a cheeky grin on her face, she edged back off the bed. Viren pounced, seized her hand, and lifted her on top of him. With a naughty grin, he inclined in and whispered into her ear,

"I'm gonna see Nadal win another Grand Slam," shifting his eyes up and thinking for a brief minute, "We might carry on later," he slid her off and hurried out, leaving Jeevika irritated but slightly amused.