That night....

I looked at my friend, Diya who was at the driver seat of her Mercedes, no sorry, her precious Merc. She was high and happy. We were returning from a small party including my close friends and me, thrown by Diya herself. Occasion- I had received my visa to US and I was to travel by the month end. I was the only one sober, others hooting and singing away. I was annoyed at Diya, for driving the car under the influence of alcohol and Diya was aware of it. She continued singing away which irritated me even more. I always stood by rules and Diya..well..never. She faced life as if there was no tomorrow. And me? Lived all my life following principles, rules and my mom’s dreams. Diya and I argued a lot on this. Diya..my chuddy buddy..since 5^th grade. Only daughter of Mr. Natesh P ,a popular businessman in Bangalore, a simple , billionaire! So Diya had no qualms in spending any amount on herself and..me. I would never accept anything from her, my ego obviously, which she of course didn’t care about.

I was looking at the speedometer. It was a constant 130-140. I was getting tensed. I offered to drive a million times. Diya hated babysitting and was stubborn to give me the wheel. I turned away and looked outside. I thought about my struggle at the office to get my visa and the drama I had staged. Finally I did  it and I was happy. I whistled to myself, treating myself to be easy for once. It was dark outside and raining hard. I again looked at Diya and the speedometer. Somehow both of them were getting better at annoying me now and then. Diya looked at me and said: ‘Nisha, chill man! Loosen up for once!’ Suddenly Susan, my colleague, who was also in the car at the back, screamed ‘LOOK OUT!!’ We both looked ahead and amidst the rain I saw a faint figure on the road. I watched in horror as Diya slammed the brakes and the car skidded. ‘THUD’ came the sound as we hit that figure. The car swirled around and hit the divider and stopped. I jumped out of the car and ran out to check what we had hit. Just as I feared, we had hit a person, a woman. She was lying on the road, in a pool of blood, her back facing me. I felt a throbbing pain at the back of my head and my left arm was numb. But I managed to kneel down and just when I was about to touch her, Diya tugged at my arm “Nisha, Come on! Let’s go from here before any one sees us. Susan and Akki (Akriti , another friend who was with us) are hurt and we need to get ourselves to a hospital. We don’t need a case now, Dad will kill me!Lets go and ..’ she went on and on as she led me away from the scene. I barely heard what she had said. I was looking at that body on the road, my heart plunging into guilt and my ‘always right ‘ subconscious nudging me to take that woman to the hospital. By then people had begun gathering and we got into the car and scooted.

I woke up two days later at the hospital, feeling wobbly and woozy. I saw my parents looking anxiously at me along with my brother, Nihal. Diya was at the other end of my bed , her arm in a sling and a band on her head, probably from a head wound at the accident. Suddenly my thoughts went back to that night. ‘Diya, that girl..that girl..’ I started. Diya stopped me half way ‘Nisha, come on , you are stressed and you need rest ,so stop speaking and go to sleep.’ I felt she was right since I had already began feeling sleepy and dozed off slowly as I heard my mom asking Diya , ‘what girl, which girl’ ..

I woke up again, this time to see Diya only. I looked around and saw no one else. ‘I sent them home. They were here for two straight days and they needed to take a break. I told I will look after you.’ ‘hmm’ I murmured and sat up. I was kind of not wanting to sit alone with Diya. I was angry with her. ‘Listen, Nisha. I have no idea about that girl and neither am I interested. No one else knows about her except you and me. Let’s keep it mum. If this news leaks, media will link this to Dad and I don’t want that. ’ ‘What? You are talking about your Dad ? What about that girl? What if she is dead? Do you realize that we would be freaking murderers??’ I was hysterical. ‘Shushh…’ Diya hissed. ‘You will let the whole world know?’ ‘That’s it’ I said. ‘Get out!’ Diya was taken aback. ‘What?’ she asked , her voice barely audible. ‘Ya you heard me. Please go. I really need some time alone.’ Having said that I turned and shut my eyes down. I was so mad. Mad at her. I loved her all right, because despite all the spite , she had some humanity. And now? It’s vanished. No, I needed some time to clear my head. I heard my room door open and shut.

I got discharged from the hospital a week after. As soon as I reached home, I changed to some cleaner clothes and left home, amidst all the cacophony at home for me not being well and all. I took my scooty and raced to that exact, same spot, yes! Where I last saw her body. I stood there. It was midafternoon and the roads were filled with trucks and cars speeding down, since it was a highway. I looked around and I couldn’t see anybody I could recognize from that night. I returned home.

For the next three days, I kept returning back to the same spot. I stood at the same spot, stared and then came back. On the fourth day, I heard someone stand by me when I was at the spot. I looked up. A very pretty girl was standing by me, her left open, a yellow kurti and off white leggings. She had worn long earrings and her face was so perfect as if she was fresh out of a painting. ‘Listen’ she said. ‘What are you doing here every day? What’s so interesting that you see here on this spot?’ I got scared. But I regained my composure and said ‘That’s none of your business’ I said haughtily. She smiled. ‘Do you know, there are people who are regulars here, including me, and it’s pretty weird seeing you come here, stare at this spot and then go away. Some people are also saying , an accident had happened at this very same spot and a girl was almost killed. Do you have anything to do with that?’ ‘Almost? She didn't die?’ I asked, but almost too quickly. She said ‘haa.. So you do have something to do with it. Did your car hit her? Did you see which car at least?’ and she bombarded me with questions. I ran to my scooty , started it while she continued stalking me with her questions while I sped away.

I reached home and went up to my room. Her questions were pummeling my brains. I noticed I was sweating. ‘Nisha..NISHA!’ I turned to see my mom. She was holding a plate of some toast and milk. She looked worried. ‘What happened beta, tell me. You look flustered.’  I didn’t say anything.

For the next two days, I didn’t go to that spot thinking of someone else coming to bother me around. I started going to office and gradually things were getting ok for me. My day of travel was nearing. I wasn’t still talking to Diya and neither she was interested in calling me. Twice I picked up my phone to whatsapp Diya, but then thought otherwise.

One day, while returning from office, I came down the same road where the accident had happened. I slowed down at the same spot and when I looked ahead I saw that girl again. It was as if she was expecting me. She came to me. ‘Hello. I scared you off last time. Let me not this time. Hi, I am Medha. What’s your name?’ I hesitated. Should I leave or stay? I switched off my engine, took a deep breath and said ‘Sorry for running off last time. My name is Nisha.’

We hit off good and from that day we met everyday for the next three days.  Infact, I liked her.She had a way of talking less and listening more. She was very patient unlike Diya and I was getting comfortable with her. One day we chatted about that night. I felt good talking to somebody about that night, to someone who would not judge me and just simply listen, I even talked about Diya shushing me. I really didn’t know why I was spilling all the beans to this person, one I didn’t know much, but somehow, I craved for some peace. Someone to tell me I didn't do anything wrong. I ranted and then kept quiet, waiting for Medha to tell something. ‘Did you visit her at the hospital?’ she asked. I shook my head. She said ‘Let’s go there.’ I denied. She insisted. I denied and left her.

Again the next day, she insisted. I denied again. The following day, I relented and together we went to the hospital. We checked for the accident victim at the reception and found she was at the ICU. We walked towards the ICU. I could see people seated outside the ICU. ‘ There she is. Anjali’s mom.’ Medha pointed out. I turned and asked. ‘Who is Anjali? Is that her name? And how do you know her mother?’ Medha said ‘Her pic was all over the paper!’ ‘Hmm, possible’ I said. I walked towards the mother and introduced myself as Anjali’s friend. Her mother gathered herself up. I looked at her sad, disheveled face probably from days of crying. She folder her hands to a Namaste and fresh tears rolled out.  ‘Since 15 days I am waiting for my daughter to wake up and call me.’  Apparently she was still in comma. Behind Anjali’s mother, I saw another pretty face of a nine year old. She was Aarti, Anjali’s little sister as introduced by her mother. I looked at the little one and smiled. I beckoned her to come and gave her a toffee I had with me. She gave me a small smile and took the toffee. Anjali’s father was out collecting money for his daughter’s operation, which was now a daunting task her entire family was facing. Anjali was unemployed and didn’t have a medical insurance. I was so over whelmed, that I started crying and hugging Anjali’s mom. Medha was standing there all this time, letting me do all the talking. After sometime, I turned around to go and I found Medha missing.Shit! I didn't have her number!

I got out of the hospital, took my scooty and drove straight home. I couldn't get Anjali’s mom’s face out of my mind. I had to do something. After all I was responsible for this. I made up mind, to go to Diya’s house, not to see Diya, but her father.

Natesh uncle, Diya’s father was a reputed businessman. He was very temperamental and was known to be outspoken. Diya was outright scared of him, what with the military regime they follow at home. I rang the doorbell. The door was open by one of the 100 maids he had at his home. They recognized me quickly and informed Diya, who came sprinting down the stairs. ‘Hiya bestyy…I knew you would come looking for me..’ she said coming down. I avoided her and continued towards her Dad’s study room. It was a Sunday, and I knew her Dad would be at his study doing something or the other. Diya stopped me , but I just shoved her aside and continued. Suddenly I was pulled back by my hair by Diya and punched. I was furious and punched her back.’ You can’t go in there.’ She screamed. ‘I need to do this’ I insisted, trying to save myself from her powerful blows. The cat fight continued until uncle himself came out and took us both into his study room. ‘Now tell me , what’s going on with you two. You two are obviously not getting along well.’ I looked at Diya. ‘She wouldn't budge from there until I ask her to. You go ahead and tell me.’

I blurted out to uncle everything. He listened and remained silent. He looked at us both. ‘Thank you Nisha, for bringing this up to me. Now go home and don’t tell anyone else about this. I will see what can be done from my side.’ Rest assured, I went back home, bruised, by my best friend. I smiled, but I felt a lot lighter.

I went to the hospital the next day to see Anjali’s parents. They looked better and happier. I learnt from them that someone had come in and sponsored all of Anjali’s medical expenses. I was very happy. I told them about my travel to USA and sought their blessings. I went back to the spot to find Medha and tell her the news. But she was nowhere to be found. I went to the bus stop to ask about her but they said they knew no one like her. I was puzzled. Maybe she didn’t come here today.

I came back home. For the next couple of days I finished some of the pending work at office and closed my bank accounts here. I called up my relatives and told them of my departure. I still didn't call Diya. I wanted her to call me. Man , she had punched me hard that day. I can’t keep bearing her stubbornness to this extent. Why can’t she call me? I also wanted to meet Medha to thank her for taking me to the hospital and making things easier for me. But somehow she disappeared.

Wednesday morning, D-Day. All my stuff were packed. I loaded my bags and trunks into my Dad’s car. Nihal was my driver today. Just as I was about to get into the car I heard an ‘OYE!’ I looked up. Diya.

‘You would leave without calling me, you sucked up, bitch!’ she yelled. I smiled. My besty jumped towards me , hugged and cried. I knew she was crying out all the guilt and frustration that she had all this time, except for the fact I wasn't there to babysit her this time. I hugged her tight and gave a peck on her wet cheek. ‘I will call you every day from the US yaar. Chill man! Loosen up!’ and we both laughed . My mom closed the main door. I noticed the morning paper lying outside the door. I picked them up and was just about to put them through the window when I noticed a picture.

 Of Medha’s.

I opened the paper and read what was written above her photo.

‘ANJALI’S LIFE SAVED BY UNKNOWN BENEFACTOR. ANJALI UP AFTER THREE WEEK COMA.’

‘What??’ I shouted. ‘Diya, get into the car. Nihal, go to Fortis now.’ ‘Why? What’s happening Nisha?’ Asked Diya and Mom.

We raced to Fortis, thanks to my brother’s reckless driving and I ran to the ICU. Anjali’s mother was coming out of the ICU and stopped after seeing me. ‘Beta, you were supposed to travel today na?’ she asked. ‘Aunty, Can I see Anjali please?’ I pleaded. ‘Beta, only one visitor is allowed to visit the patient during the visiting hours and that's done. I don’t think they would allow anymore.’ I ran to the duty nurse standing by the ICU door side and begged her to send me inside. She didn't allow. Hearing the commotion, the duty Doctor came out. We tried to reason out with him. He looked at me and Diya. He took a long pause before he said ‘Listen lady, only one of you can see her through a glass just outside her bed. That’s all’ I accepted that and went inside.

Inside, I could hear the beeps of the machines at the bedsides in the ICU chamber and the same, strange hospital odor. I was escorted by the Doctor himself. We stopped by the glass near Anjali’s bedside. There she was. Anjali..no Medha.. the same pretty face... how was this possible? How did I meet her, if she was in here all this time? I looked at her long time. She was sleeping, peacefully. The Dr. beckoned me to come out and just when I turned to leave, Anjali opened her eyes.  I stopped. She turned her head towards me. We looked at each other and then….

She smiled…

                                                                                      - Please do not drink and drive.