MaYal Fiction | Humsafars - Upd Chapt 2 (Pg 4) 13/12 - Page 3

"KOYAL!! What are you doing?" I heard Maddy scream bring me out of the thoughts. I could smell something burning, "What happened Maddy? Wait, I can smell something burning." And that's when I looked down to see the iron on Maddy's office shirt. I picked up the iron, pulled of the wire and kept it aside. I picked the shirt and held it high in front of me that I could see Maddy standing with his hands on his hip, through the burnt hole exactly in the middle.

I looked shocked and Maddy looked furious. We looked at each others' faces for a while when Maddy took the shirt from me and examined it. That was it. The limit. And we both burst out laughing hard. "I'm... I'm so sorry Maddy. I didn't real--" I apologized laughing.

"Seriously Koyal? What were you thinking? It's good that it's not Amma or Appa's clothes." He replied.

"Okay, so now what?" I asked trying to be serious.

"Now what?"

"What are you going to do? The interview is in the evening and I just burnt your shirt."

"Yeah I know. But I have other formal shirts. I'll wear on of them. And I guess I'll iron them this time." He whispered.

"Ok fine." I muttered.

Then Maddy went off to get ready for his interview and I went to prepare dinner. Amma and Appa had left for work and we were alone at home.

Maddy came out dressed and was wearing his shoes, "Koyal I'm leaving" when I called out from the kitchen. "You aren't forgetting anything na?"

"I don't think so" he replied going through his files and clothes and pockets again.

"Then what about this?" I asked holding out the tie in my hand. " You forgot to wear your tie!" I went near him and fixed the tie around his neck.

"Okay thank you. Now I'm leaving. I'm getting late and then there'll be traffic too."

"Wait, one second." I rushed to the kitchen and grabbed the bowl of curd and sugar to give it to Maddy.

"Take this." I gave Maddy a spoon of it. "Thank you Koyal." He side hugged me and left as I waved at him.

It was getting quite late and I was getting worried. Amma and Appa had called to say that they'll be back late as the owner of the factory, Mr. Samar had come all the way from Canada and had called for an urgent meeting. And Maddy, it had been four hours since he left and still hasn't returned. I called him but he wasn't picking up the phone. I was worried.

I went to the temple and prayed. I could feel hot tears flowing down my face when I felt my phone vibrate. I saw that it was a message from Maddy and I straight away opened it.

Madhavan has met with an accident and he has been taken to City Hospital. Please come here immediately as they need someone of his family to sign the forms and start the treatment.

I couldn't understand anything but rushed to an auto to go to the hospital. I cried even more, thinking about what could have happened to Maddy. I remembered us taking the 7 vows around the holy fire. Him applying sindoor on my forehead.

I paid the auto driver and rushed inside the hospital. I asked the receptionist about a patient being admitted in the hospital due to an accident. "That patient? I'm so sorry we couldn't save him. His body has been shifted to the mortuary. He was admitted----" I heard no more. I had collapsed on the floor and I cried harder as I hugged my knees tightly. What had happened? This couldn't be true. I wiped away the tears and asked her about the patients belongings. She pulled out a transparent holder and gave it to me. I saw a phone, ring and a purse in it. I recognized the phone as Maddy. Anyone could have the same phone. And the ring! That ring was our engagement ring.

The ward boy took me to the mortuary. I could feel a chill run down my spine. The ward boy pointed out to a particular body. It was covered with a white sheet. My whole body was shaking. I slowly stepped towards the body and with my shivering hand I pulled away the sheet.