Tumbleweeds ...24th Update.. Pg 45 - Page 5

The party had been a success. Young men and women ate, drank and made merry. Soon it was way past midnight. The nightclub was a popular place for young people to hang out and Sachin and his gang of friends were enjoying every moment of it.

"Sachin, tell me one thing……." said Harry, "what do you see in this Shravani?"

"Oh now don't you start like my mother……" Sachin replied. "She's fun to be with. A bit moody, a bit haughty …….."

"And lots stupid. Really yaar, I just don't know what you see in her. But hey, each to his own!" Harry put up his arms in defeat. "I think I need to call it a day…."

"C'mon don't go, it's too early yet."

"I have to work tomorrow." Harry grimaced. He tossed his keys up and caught them. "See you soon, pal."

Slowly the friends left one by one. Sachin took Shravani's elbow and began to lead her towards the door.

"Let's go……everyone has gone."

Sachin took the wheel and swung the car out of the underground parking lot. They were slowly cruising along in the deserted streets. There was a sudden clap of thunder and Sachin gave a start. Was it going to rain? What a pain! Maybe if he hurried a bit, he could drop Shravani before it really began to pour. He turned to take the fastest route to her house.

Arch looked at her hands. What beautiful motifs had been painted on them! The green paste had dried and was cracking between. But she wasn't going to wash it off. No way! She wanted to see how red the mehendi would colour her hands. She smiled widely. Music was on full blast. She was dancing to almost every song that was being played. Her ready smile, her sweet chatter and general disposition had young men clamour for attention. Mothers of eligible sons wanted to know who this pretty girl was. Little children clutched at her skirts insisting that she dance with them.

Suresh looked proudly at Arch thanking his stars that he had met her and that she had accepted him. He knew there was a problem. Her family didn't care for him. But with Arch by his side, that problem would get resolved easily.

Vaishu's mother came to where all the girls were sitting and eating.

"Thank God you girls have finally decided to eat. I was worried that none of you would touch the food after the amount you have danced."

"Auntie, the night is still young and the dancing is not over----- not by a long shot."

"Okay you enjoy yourselves. I have made arrangements for all of you to spend the night here. The car will drop you home tomorrow.."

"Yayyyyyyyyy!" screamed the girls childishly and then burst into laughter.

There was a sense of carefree-ness in them and Vaishu's mother smiled in understanding. This was the best time of a girl's life. Young and hassle-free!

She turned to see Suresh. Who was this? Oh yes……. Archu's escort. What a nice man he seemed! She smiled at him.

"Could I help you?"

"I'd like to take Arch home."

"Why? I thought she was staying here……"

"Oh I thought she wanted to return home."

"Well she's over there. You'd better speak to her. In a few days Vaishali will be married. It would be nice if her friends stayed around her. Once married, no one knows if such a chance will come soon enough."

Suresh spoke to Arch and asked if he could drop her home.

"Why shouldn't I stay here? Give me one good reason."

"I like your company and I will be able to spend some time with you."

Arch laughed. "Your arguments are weak, but it makes me feel good. I'll return home with you although my mother has told me to stay here."

Arch said goodbye and promised the disappointed crowd of friends that she'd be there the next morning. Vaishu's father disapproved of Arch returning home. He frowned but said nothing.

Outside, a light drizzle had started. Suresh drove through the sleeping city. Soon the rain began to come down heavily. Vision in the night was not good with sheets of rain coming down. They were on the fly over when a car hastily overtook them. Suresh slowed down. As the car went past them, the driver lost control and hit the oncoming car from the opposite direction. That car smashed into the side of the bridge. The rogue car sped backward due to the impact and careened into Suresh's moving car. He lost control and the car was flung up before it fell like a toy car on its side and slid across to hit the road divider. The was no movement for a while. Then doors opened and some of the inmates started pulling themselves out.

"Help," someone was screaming.

Sachin carefully helped Shravani out. Their car seemed the least damaged. He turned to see the wreckage of the other two cars. Who was asking for help? There was pain in his head and he wasn't able to think.

"Help….." came the plea again. It was a female voice. He went to the upturned car. A hand was lying limp from under the seat and a lady was stuck there. How on earth was he going to pull her out? Who was with her? Where was he? He couldn't reach out to her. He was numb with shock. Those were his last thoughts before he too sank to the ground, unconscious.

The phone rang. Savita Deshmukh picked up the phone.

"Hello?" Her sleepy eyes rounded in shock. "What????"

Manohar Karanjkar was near the fridge to take a cold sip of water. The ringing of the phone startled him. Who could it be at this time of the night? A little nervous, he picked up the receiver.

"Yes, who is this?"

"It's the City Hospital. One Archana Karanjkar has been brought in by the Police in a critical state. It is an accident case. If you are a relative, please come here immediately."

The receiver dropped from Baba's hands. "Vinod………" he screamed.

Manav finished his discussions about spinal microsurgery with Dr Fennerton. It had been very fruitful. All the points he had put forward were accepted. He smiled. He decided to call his father and talk to him.

Loved it!!

waiting for next part..

I have doubt,Dana asked Manav for a drink that night for which he accepted,but in next part u told that Manav just finished his meeting with Dr Fennerton does,so did he cancel his meeting with Dana??

skepy dear..thank you so much for letting me know about this..i have always loved ur writing skills,ur short stories r awsome re........

Originally posted by: nishr

Loved it!!

waiting for next part..

I have doubt,Dana asked Manav for a drink that night for which he accepted,but in next part u told that Manav just finished his meeting with Dr Fennerton does,so did he cancel his meeting with Dana??