Sparsh (An SS)--- Part XIV (Pg 130) - Page 99

Yash came back with the medicine just as the local temple announced midnight by ringing the temple bell. He gave the medicine to Supriya and told her he wanted an urgent word with Aartiji. She told him that Ma'am was in Ansh baba's room. He thanked her and said he will see himself out after meeting Aartiji. He entered Ansh's room to find Mishti sitting on the ground next to Ansh's bed holding his hand, head on her arm; she was fast asleep. Slowly disengaging her hand from Ansh's he picked her up, and walking over to the other side of the bed lay her down, tucking them both with the duvet. His fingers trembled with extreme tenderness as he removed a straying strand of hair from her cheek. He stood looking at her for a long moment and then proceeded to take out a single red rose from inside his jacket pocket and placed it on the bedside table. Bending down he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiled in her sleep as he whispered, "Happy Birthday, Mishti!!"

The first thing that Mishti saw when she opened her eyes was the rose. She picked it up and found a note attached to it: This rose is for Mishti from her Yashji on her birthday. (PS…Aartiji, please convey her my love and best wishes!!!)…..Tears glistened her eyes as Mishti kissed the rose and held it to her bosom. Suddenly she realized where she was. "How did I get here? Last I remember was sitting next to Anshu." She got down and tiptoed out. Supriya was taking tea for babuji when she stopped her.

"I can imagine…We men like to flaunt our wounds and scars…..probably to get attention…especially the female ones. (A short pause as she wondered what happened)…You know Mishti was different…she would kill my ego by being completely unimpressed about my bandaged self; my wounds hurt her more than me. In fact, she was so sure of me that even the touch of other nurses didn't bother her…"

He had to sit down as he heard her break into laughter….his heart danced once again listening to the musical lilt after a lifetime.

"Yes….thank you. I didn't think you would remember her birthday."

"One only remembers what one forgets, Aartiji…everything about Mishti is etched in my heart. What I don't remember is her telling me that you and she shared this day. (He waited for her to say something…and when she didn't, he wished her)…Happy birthday, Aartiji!!"