Friendship, Love and Trust

It was one of those beautiful nights in which the sky was filled with umpteen diamonds, all shining brightly. Ragini gazed up from her roof and tried to find the brightest star. “People turn into stars after they die and are brightest when they see us happy”, her grandmother told Ragini when her parents left her. She believed firmly in those words when she was a child. As she grew up, her mind started giving her logical reason to contradict her grandmother fairy tales If it were true, almost every star will be the same. Although, she always felt a strange comfort when she smiled at the brightest star in sky. Lost in thoughts and dim memories of her parents, she felt asleep, smiling.

After ten continuous missed calls, she finally picked up the phone, lying below the pillow. “Where the hell have you been Ragini? I have been calling you since hour. “I am so sorry Vishal. I felt asleep. Give me 10 minutes, I will be at your doorstep in no time.", She rushed to pick the keys and sped away. Her feet pushed the break peddle only when she reached Vishal's home. She was about to honk when she saw him already standing on the road side. “Finally, you are here. I have been waiting for so long!”, grumbled Vishal, adjusting himself on the back seat. As they were on the way to airport, Ragini teased Vishal for his continuous fear of her rash driving. Surprisingly, Vishal didn’t’t respond and was sitting silently.

"You look upset. What’s the matter?”, she asked him.

Vishal took some time and finally spoke, “Raggu, you were right. She was cheating on me.” Ragini applied sudden breaks, almost bumping her head into the dashboard. She shouted, "I told you she's a vixen. I have seen her with that douche bag several times."

"Yeah. I cannot believe that she did not show slightest of shame in her eyes when I caught her red handed.” Vishal sighed.

He was truly in love for the first time in his life. Love makes people do strange things and Vishal was no exception. Now, when he was about to leave to Bangalore for his dream job, he was devastated and heartbroken. After all, he agreed to do it for his love and to make up for everything he could not afford with his current job in Delhi. The prime reason to relocate vanished into thin air, leaving behind sadness. Vishal was lost in his thoughts waiting at the red-light, when he heard the screeching sound of a SUV coming from opposite side. It was right in front of them.

***

Ragini opened her eyes and found her-self cozy at her bed. Her favorite bunny was there by her side and the book she was reading also rested on the side table.  She shivered at the thought of nightmare she just saw and was relieved at the same time. As she tried to get up and drink water, Vishal ran towards her and handed her the glass. "You? How come you are here? Please do not tell me that you again climbed by balcony. The neighbours could mistake you for a thief and call police someday. Let's rush or you would miss your flight. I have some interesting thing I saw in the dream about that dumb girl you are running behind", she was speaking non-stop. It was when she tried to stretch her body that she realized that she could not feel her right leg. She was terrified. She touched her leg underneath the blanket and was relieved to find it there and without bandages. Irritated, she tried harder and was confused at the total numbness.

A stranger who looked educated enough entered her room along with Vishal and sat on the chair besides her bed. Vishal held her hand and finally spoke, “It was not a dream Raggu. We had an accident and you have been unconscious for a week".

Ragini could not believe her ears and checked her phone for the date. Now, she could not believe her eyes. She suddenly went furious, "Why can't I move my leg. Please tell me everything is ok. Please Vishal".

The stranger finally introduced himself as the doctor and offered to examine her. He checked her and said that some more tests need to be done before he could say anything. Ragini was terrified. Labeled as handicap was the last thing on earth she could ever think of herself.

Vishal tried hard to convince his parents why he missed the flight. Rather than the lost job and his future, Vishal’s parents were worried for their son and his love for an orphan. It was not accepted in their community. After some retrospect, Vishal was able to assure his parents that she is just a good friend. May be more than a friend, but they were not into any serious relationship.

Since Vishal was not working during that time, he took care of Ragini. He also found enough time for himself and resurfaced his lost passion - writing. While browsing one day, he came across the web site, writeupcafe.com, and registered himself. His poems and stories were loved by many and he received huge responses, which in-turn made him write more. One of his series included occasional writings of ''Dear Diary' where he penned down his broken heart. He got several replies on this section. But there was one reader who replied promptly on each one of  without fail.

***

Tests finally concluded that Ragini was paralysed and that there was little doctors could do except physiotherapy training. Another week passed and Ragini was slowly getting used to walk with support. Vishal decided to move in with her since her grandmother was too old to be called upon for help. One afternoon while Vishal was out for an interview, Ragini opened his laptop to kill time over Internet. She opened the browser and noticed some frequently visited sites and clicked on the first one.

'Writeupcafe- make your words count', she read and smiled to herself. Vishal had the habit of saving his passwords on his laptop and so opening the site auto logged in. Ragini read his latest dear diaries and was touched deeply. She always knew Vishal cared for her like no one else, but the public display of affection always make you more worthwhile. She could not help but be amused by one faithful reader on his posts. Something mischievous came up her mind and she sent a personal message from Vishal's id to her asking about her real name and other general things. The reply was prompt.

"Hi Vishal,

Nice to see you email. I am Tanya from Noida. I am a painter by profession and live to read. I really like your simple and direct-from-heart writing style. Just a personal question - 'How is your friend who met with an accident? Hope she is doing well.'

-Tanya"

Ragini was excited like a child. She was enjoying her naughty act. She sent some more emails and was laughing her wits out.  She was surprised and  thrilled to set up a blind date for her best friend in the evening. All she had to do was get him to venue.

It was not difficult. She simply called him and asked for a dinner outside. She convinced him that she would reach the restaurant by a taxi and Vishal need not come back home to pick her up. Luckily, Tanya worked in Gurgaon, where Vishal had gone for the interview. It all worked well for her.

She waited patiently in the evening when her phone rang. She did not even looked at the caller name and flirtingly said, “Hellooo Mr.! ””What is this Ragini? How can you trap me like this?", Vishal shouted from the other end.

Ragini giggled, "Enjoy buddy! You need to get over that vixen.”

"Oh! So now, you would do the favour of cheering me up and that too with these stupid blind dates. Who are you to do this dear? Is this what  you think all day with your paralysed leg at home?".

Before Vishal could swallow his words, he knew the damage was done. There was complete silence over the call. 'Think before you speak', this was all he could say to himself in anger at the moment. He immediately disconnected the call and rushed home after making some excuse to Tanya.

As he drove back home, his car looked like a mad dog running dig-zag on busy Delhi roads. He reached the door and found a letter titled 'SORRY'. His worst fear just turned into reality. With eyes full of tears and hands shivering, he opened the letter.

I am sorry Vishal.

I know I should have acted sensibly, but I was really worried about you. I just wanted you to smile.

The smile which went missing ever since the day we met with the accident. You are trying your best to keep the things normal, but I can see the pain in your eyes.

But your sudden outburst today made me realise that I am a actually the burden on you. Yes buddy, that's what I think all day sitting at home with my paralysed leg.

Now, before you go mad, let me remind you that I haven't left the house. I am just going - somewhere. Believe me, I have no idea where and for how long. But, I would be back.

I am sorry again. Trust me, I totally understand your situation.

-Raggu

***

Two days had passed but no news of Ragini. Vishal got another call for an interview. When he heard the company name, he rejoiced at once, but went again into depression thinking of Ragini. He thought of not attending it, but it has been long since he was unemployed. He had to attend this one - the call was from Deloitte.

First round was always a breeze for Vishal. He was waiting anxiously for the next round in the closed room and was only thinking of Ragini. It was at this moment, his life was about to change. The interviewer, flipping a bunch of loose sheets, entered the room and sat next to Vishal without even looking at him. Vishal tried to make eye contact and greet but as he looked up, he could not utter a word. He thought he should just leave, immediately. Awestruck and shaken, he just froze in his chair. Silence for ten seconds. To Vishal those  ten seconds seem like ten years. She finally looked up. “Good Morni..!!”, was all she could say. They looked at each other for a minute, comprehending the situation. Tanya wanted to say, “You are Hired.”, but she held herself and tried to complete the job for which she came. It was the coincidence that happens on rare eclipses. They completed the formality of professionalism, and Vishal was asked to join Deloitte within a week.  After the interview and other formalities, Vishal and Tanya went for a coffee and he told what happened on their blind date. This time, they talked for two hours. A lot can happen over a coffee, but mostly they were thinking of how to find Ragini.

While he was returning home, Vishal kept thinking what actually happened today. He was amused by the professionalism of Tanya, and at the same time by the simplicity and maturity of the lady. As he opened the door, he found the lights on. He rushed to Ragini’s room and found her sleeping. For once he thought let her sleep, but could not control himself and rushed and hugged her tight. As he held her close to his chest, "Sorry" was all he could speak continuously. He had no idea that she meant him so much. We realise the importance of light “only” when we see the darkness. We all know how the saying goes, but in our lives, we realise the importance of some people “only” when we “really” lose them.

Ragini gestured back when he calmed down. It was when he realised that what a amazing day it has been. He finally spoke something other than sorry, "I have a surprise for you."

Ragini asked in amusement - "Surprise! Please I hope you are not proposing me".

"Shut up.", said Vishal, reaching out for his hand bag. He held out the offer letter and said, “Well, this is one part, the real part of surprise will take some time to arrive.” She didn't bother much at that time, because the news of his dearest friend joining Deloitte was more than enough to make her happy. They drank wine that night and passed out late night.

**

As the days past, Ragini kept asking about the real surprise. Vishal tried not to tell her now, as he was also not sure about this. He started to like Tanya and he knew she also liked him. Same office, same team. They almost spent seven to eight hours together every day.

It was just a few days before Raggu’s birthday, but the news was the best in all the recent painful months. Her physiotherapist has finally confirmed Raggu might be able to walk one day, not so soon though. He wanted to go straight to home and celebrate the news with yet another wine session. But he made a plan.

Vishal made sure that the decorations were perfect. Ragini kept asking him about the reason of such grand celebrations. Vishal tried to make excuses but he knew Ragini was not satisfied. Finally, at exact midnight, Vishal bumped into Ragini's room without knock and wished her happy birthday. He asked her to change her pyjamas and come to drawing room for the party. Ragini had no choice. She got ready and was surprised to see her physiotherapist and an unknown woman in the room.

"Meet Tanya", Vishal gestured his hand towards her and the girl turned around. She was smiling and said hello.

Ragini could not believe her eyes. He actually made friends with her. They must be more than friends since he got her home. Vishal sat on his knees and held Ragini'd hand.

"I so want to thank you for your concern Raggu. I know I reacted in the worst possible manner. But after you left, I realised your place in my life. You have been and will be my best friend forever. Frankly speaking, I decided to give your choice a shot and see, here we are. All in love again"

"Love! I heard that love an happen more than once, but so quick!", said Ragini.

Ragini then looked at the doctor and the doctor finally spoke,"Ragini, I have a good news for you. Your last tests justify that you would be able to walk just like before." Ragini almost dropped her support and was smiling in tears. The doctor continued,"it would take some time, but the results are positive and your leg would be fine someday.".

Ragini hugged Vishal as he suddenly realised that Tanya was completely in shock after his indirect proposal. He looked at her and saw her smiling. Before he could say anything, she shook her head in a yes.

The triple celebrations called for glasses of wine.

Tanya and Ragini hugged, laughed and vanished to her bedroom whispering something in ears. They completely forgot that Vishal was also with them. Vishal was happy to see them getting along and sat on sofa deciding not to intervene them.

Ragini was healed gradually as told by doctor. Vishal and Tanya married after an year and decided to move in with Ragini. They had difficulties initially pertaining to orthodox neighbourhood comments, but they decided to ignore them.

Every time they remember their adventurous meet up and stupidity, their eyes were filled with tears. Not because they cried, but because, All three of them laughed their hearts out and hugged each other. People say that a group of three makes best pair for fights. They ruled out all odds and emerged out to be the "Awesome Threesome".

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