Posted:
Chapter 6
Three months later.
9.00 am:
I sat in the canteen, drinking my coffee and trying to focus on the conversation between Atul and Muskaan, when I felt his hands on my shoulder.
"Missed me?" He bend down to plant a soft kiss on my cheeks, making me smile.
"Good morning!" I greeted him cheerfully. God, I needed to get out of his place right now. It was killing me.
"How is Sunaina, now?" Aditya, my three months old boyfriend, asked me seriously. He knew well about my patient Sunaina, a mere 10 year old who was diagnosed with brain tumor.
When I shook my head softly at that, looking away, he took me in his arms. How I needed that right now.
"When is the operation scheduled?" He asked me.
"Tomorrow." Saying so, I pulled him closer to me, resting my head on his shoulder. His hands smoothly ran down my hair, something that has always made me feel better.
"You'll do great, okay? Don't worry." He said softly, whilst I nodded.
"Are you ready? Do you want me to take you home?" He asked me, and I nodded again.
"Guys" I called out softly to get Muskaan and Atul's attention, but as it turns out, they were busy staring at us already.
"Um, hey Adi!" Muskaan pulled out of her tranced state and greeted Aditya.
"Hello, Muskaan. Are you alright?" Aditya teased.
"Um, yeah, yes!" Muskaan sounded hesitant to me, though she tried to sound enthusiastic, which made me feel that I was missing out on something.
"Hie, Atul!" Aditya then greeted Atul, who was extra quiet for his personality.
"Hie, buddy! How are you doing?" He managed to speak.
"I'm great, dude." What was bothering Atul & Muskaan so much? I did not understand. I followed there gazes to finally understand the scenario, when I saw Rahul standing at the door, his expression tight and least happy.
Rahul, my best bud, was not talking to me since the incident. He was the only person I could really talk to. I care for him, but only as a friend. I tried to explain him that innumerable times, but he simply avoided me and that hurt. Often, I found myself locked in my bedroom, crying for some shoulder to lean upon, someone who can listen to me, and I found myself thinking about Rahul, who was by then, long gone.
Rahul conveniently distanced himself from our group (or me, to be specific), when I started dating Aditya. Aditya, who was very sweet to Rahul always got a bitter or rude response, which hurt me even more. Did I not want my best friend and boyfriend to get along well?
I put on my best smile and waved at Rahul, mouthing a "Hie". In response, he simply looked away, sitting himself somewhere else.
"Are you ready to go home?" Aditya asked me, knowing that I wanted to get some air right now.
"Yep." I managed to speak, not able to meet his gaze.
"Bye, Ridzie." Atul and Muskaan spoke in unison, when I walked out of the cafeteria. I smiled and waved back at them and soon I was out of sight.
"Are you alright?" In the elevator, Aditya asked me, concerned.
"Yes. How is your book going?"
"Ah! Not good."
"Whats wrong?" The look on his face bothered me.
"I could hardly write 2 pages yesterday and the deadline is nearing." He told me sadly.
"Aw, thats okay! I'm sure you will manage, 'cause you're a brilliant writer!"
"Really?" He looked at me, as if that meant a lot to me.
"Yep. My favorite writer." I smiled, and finally saw him smile.
"Thanks." He bend down to kiss me again.
2.00 pm:
Having done narrating the entire tale to Dadi, who was busy having her lunch, I asked her the question my life depended on: "Main kya karu, Dadi?"
"Usse todha time de, beta. Usse apne aap ko sambhal ne ke liye." Dadi advised me. But how could I just leave Rahul alone and get the hell out of his life? He's always there for me, when I need him; and I want to be there for him. The only problem here is that he neither wants to see my face, nor wants to hear my voice, OR wants to talk to me. I sighed.
5.00 pm:
He stood at the door, his face drenched in tears. The sudden silence in the room made him uneasy. He turned around to find his mother lying unconsciously on the floor, a pool of blood around her. Dreadful fears etched on his fathers face was clear. 'Mumma?' He bend down to take his mother in his lap. 'Mumma?' He repeated, crying softly this time. He bend down carefully, trying to feel her breathe. But he couldn't.
I woke up with a jerk, sweating from head to toe. Oh, not the same dream again! This dream-of the boy at the door-never left my sleep. And the feeling, as I was present there, made me feel miserable, although I have no idea who they are. Who is this poor boy? What does this dream again? Do I know them? Do I know him? I tried to think harder this time.
My cell phone rang this time, and it very much to my relief, it was Atul.
"Hello?"
"Hie, Ridzie!" The tone he spoke in was itself indicative of a bed news.
"Whats up?"
"Uh, Dr. Kirti told me to inform you something." He said, unsure.
"Yeah, say."
"Um, you have been chosen to attend the annual doctors conference in Singapore. YAY!" He said, unsure again. That made me jump up from my bed.
"WHAT?" I hissed angrily.
"Ridzie, I tried to explain her that you wouldn't leave and stuff but-"
"Oh, my god! How can I leave Dadi and Snoopy here? GOD, What should I do now?"
I paced around the room, frantic.
"Ridzie, relax. We'll figure something out, okay? We all will come to your place once our shifts are over. Okay?"
"Uh-huh. Okay. Bye." Saying so, I disconnected the call, thinking what to do now?
At that time, this was the biggest problem I had in my life. What did I know, that I my life was much more messed than I had thought it would be.
Tum Se Tum Tak
Ganesh Kartikeya
193