Miles to Marvel Part 9

There was something that Su was hiding from me. I am sure she knew what was going on with her but she refused to tell and I didn’t further question her. It did make me anxious though. Goa to Bombay was a long journey, since she was in no condition to drive, I did the driving. We left Goa early evening and stopped for a halt at Mahabaleshwar, a hill station midway. We got ourselves a room at a motel for rest. Her face grew paler than before

‘C’mon Sunaina, tell me what is wrong?’

‘Nothing Rishi, I am going to be fine’

I touched her forehead, it was burning hot

‘You have fever, why didn’t you say something in the car?’ my voice raised

‘I thought it will go away’ she cried

This was crisis time, she was burning with fever and we had no medicines with us

‘Have you eaten anything?’

She didn’t say anything

‘Are you out of your mind!’

I rushed to the reception and asked for water and something to eat. I asked if they had some medicines. Luckily the motel was well supplied with antibiotics. I hurried myself, Su was lying on the bed. She ate some fruits and medicines. I spent the entire night nursing her. Thankfully, the temperature reduced. I checked my watch and it was four in the morning, my eyes were all sleepy, Su looked at me.

‘Why are you doing this?’ she managed to say

‘Su shut up and rest’

‘No, tell me why?’

‘Because you are my friend and wouldn’t you do the same if I had fever?’

She sat quiet.

Few more minutes and I dozed off.

***

The sun was shining brightly. When I woke up, I found the bed empty. I checked my watch, it was eleven in the morning. I slept for good seven hours! Where was Su?! I almost panicked, then I heard the shower inside the bathroom

‘Su?’ I asked

‘Coming Rishi!’

Within a few minutes, Su emerged out of the bathroom, all dressed and ready to move. Magically, her face was lit up like usual. She bore a wide smile which honestly, I had missed.

‘Look at you, all shining and smiling’

She gave me a smile and hugged me

‘Thank you for yesterday’

I didn't say anything, just embraced her tightly.

Suddenly I thought of Riana, I had left Goa in such hurry that I forgot to leave a note for her. We left the motel by noon. Bombay, our last stop wasn’t far.

‘What are you going to do in Bombay?’ I asked Su

‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I will travel somewhere else’

‘Wait, aren’t you going to look for a job for yourself’

‘Why will I do that?’

I stared at her with a blank face, she noticed how I reacted.

‘That’s what I do Rishi, live life. Each day is like a gift’

‘You talk as if you are going to die’

She remained quiet. ‘You know what! Come with me, a new adventure and new life experience.

‘I’d love to but I can’t’

‘Why can’t you?’

‘I need a job’

‘We can find that later, come please’

‘Sorry but I can’t’

‘Think about it’

‘Maybe I will’

‘You said your mother lives in Pune’ she said to change the topic.

‘Yes, so?’

‘Lets go and meet her’

Sunaina did her very best to pursuade me and she did it by emotionally blackmailing me.

'Who knows what happens next?' 

Meeting my mother. I would love that alone but not with a girl and especially a one like Sunaina. How do you think I reached one of the top business institutes in India? My mother has to be given credit for that. She had set me straight right from my childhood. It was only after my studies that I could enjoy my life on my own. She hated Natasha, she refused to speak to me once. But I assured her that everything was going to be alright.

'Rishi, she will leave you and go' she had said bitterly. Sadly, she was right. My mother had an instinct for people. I thought she will become softer after my father's demise. Though, nothing much happened. She remained strong like a rock. On the other hand, her son turned out to be a weakling and decided to give up his life because it was difficult?

***

I hadn't seen my mother after my father's death. That was almost a year ago. I'd asked her to come and live with me but she refused. One of the root cause; Natasha. I rang the bell, Sunaina improved her get up, there was no way my mother was going to meet a goth, or for her a lunatic. 

'Rishi!' my mother said with amazement. She hugged me tightly 'How have you been?' she asked

'I am good' I said as I entered the house. Sunaina hadn't been back, did she leave me? I thought. Suddenly she emerged and then let herself inside the house. 'Who is this?' my mother asked with a firm expression. 'Namaste Aunty' she greeted my mother. Sunaina looked normal, she dressed herself in a decent, non-goth attire. 'Ma this is Sunaina, she accompanied me on the road trip' 'This is the cousin?' my mother asked, confused and terrified. 'Yes' Su replied and then she did the most unexpected thing, she touched my mother's feet. My mother caught her midway. She was impressed as her wrinkled face turned into a smooth one. One thing, my mother had a liking for courteous girls. And she couldn't stop admiring at Sunaina's long hair. My mother gave Sunaina her blessings. They talked for a while. 'So you live in Bangalore?' 'No Aunty, I actually travel a lot, so no specific home' 'Because of work?' '

I quit my work'. My mother didn't say anything, she excused herself and went inside the kitchen. 

'Is she your girlfriend?' she asked me

'No Ma, we are just friends'

'Is she close? I thought you were with that one'

'Natasha and I broke up Ma'

'Really?!' a sudden jolliness in her tone.

'I mean I am sorry. What happened?' she said

'Ma, its okay. You were right, she left me'

'See thats why I tell you to listen to me' she said in the typical motherly tone.

As my mother served us snacks to eat, Sunaina and I sat awkwardly. We didn't talk much and just exchanged a few glances. Though my mother took all opportunities to talk to Sunaina. They talked about various stuff. Apparently, Sunaina loved cooking and so did my mother. When my mother went away, she grabbed my hand

'What are you doing?'

'Go and tell her'

'Tell her what?'

'Your suicide'

'What? No! Are you crazy?'

'YES I AM'

'Did you tell yours?'

'No, but this is different'

'How? Please explain!'

'You tell her or I will'

'You wouldn't dare to'

And she had a sudden evil like face. I stood terrified, what was she doing? Was this her plan anyway?'

'Sunaina stop! YOU WILL NOT SAY ANYTHING!' I shouted, quite loud.

'Say what?' my mother emerged out of nowhere.

'Oh my god! Oh I knew it, you have already gotten married, haven't you? That is why you have come, is she pregnant too?' my mother cried. And tears weren't far away. I felt like drowning myself at the very moment.

'Ma! Nothing like that. WE ARE NOT MARRIED AND SHE IS NOT EVEN PREGNANT' I said firm and clear. My mother was confused and Sunaina stood straight with a firm expression. I knew its time, I had to accept it. 'Ma I lost my job and-' Dramatic pause 'I tried to take my life'. And the bomb had been dropped.

(Will conclude in Part 10. Keep Reading!)