Miles to Marvel Part 10
The room was dreadfully silent. Two minutes had passed since I revealed the truth to my mother. She hadn't said anything. Her silence was killing me, literally. I wanted her to scream, shout, scold, weep, do whatever or show any signs of emotions. At last, when I just couldn't take it anymore 'Ma, please!' I said. Her eyes widened, reality struck her. She didn't say anything and went inside her room. I followed. 'Ma, please, don't do this to me. Say something!'
'Don't this to you? Don't do what Rishi!'
I remained silent, finally she spoke. Her eyes became sorrowful. 'Do you know how your father really died?' she asked
I took a moment to digest those lines. What did she mean by really died? To my knowledge it was a serious heart attack.
'Ma, what are you trying to say? He died because of heart attack, didn't he?'
'That's what I told you but did you know that it was all because of his state of depression. Your father didn't want to live anymore. For months he only wanted to die. He wouldn't take his medicines, he wouldn't have his food, I was worried sick and had no idea what to do!' my mother sobbed and said. I looked at her angrily, 'Why didn't you tell me!' I shouted, though I shouldn't have done that, it made my mother weep more. 'Rishi, all your life your dad wanted you to have a good life. The only reason he survived depression for some time because he knew you were happy' she explained. I was speechless, my father, whom I respected and loved throughout my entire life was suffering and I couldn't do anything. I felt guilty and disturbed.
'Why was he depressed?'
My mother didn't answer, maybe she didn't know it herself.
'Why are you telling this to me now ?' I asked
'Because my son, my well accomplished son could do something so stupid as to commit suicide?'
'Why Rishi? Just because you lost you job? or your life turned difficult? Did you think of me?! Or your father who just lived so that he could see you happy?'
I wish I could explain my mother, but was there anything to explain? All these days I had wondered why I decided to take such a drastic step. 'Giving up your life' The idea seemed so crazy now. 'Rishi'
I looked at my mother, 'Whatever happens now, no matter how difficult your life becomes, promise me, you won't give up' she concluded, not stretching the topic any further.
I didn't have to think for the answer, if in these five-six days I had learnt anything, it was never to loose faith and learn to cherish the little life we have. 'I promise'
We both hugged each other, tears ran down from my eyes. 'Whatever happens son, I am there for you'
***
Sunaina had been patiently waiting in the balcony. The weather had been pleasent, most likely it was about to rain. 'Thank you' I said finally.
'For what?' she asked
'For bringing me here, had I not come I wouldn't have known so many things'
'Rishi, life is too short to live in misery and doubt. We both have had our low points, but that doesn't mean that we give up'
'And I wouldn't'
'Also that its getting late for me, I just wanted to say goodbye and leave'
'What? Why are you leaving?'
'I have to reach Bombay today itself'
'But can't you stay?I mean we just came here, at least spend the night'
She hesitated and made it very clear to leave, honestly I didn't want her too but she had made up her mind.We both hugged each other.
'I am going to miss you' she said
'Me too'. Watching her leave just like that didn't feel right. 'I will be in touch' I said, she nodded.
Soon, she was gone. The girl who saved me.
***
Six months later...
A lot of time had passed since my last adventure, a lot of things had changed too! In the past six months, I had relocated to Pune and lived happily with my mother. I got a great job in one of India's leading company. Also, Riana and I had been constantly in touch. But there was someone who I missed, Sunaina. I thought of her many times but couldn't reach her, I knew she was on another life changing experience. On Siddhartha's wedding in Bangalore, I thought I would finally meet her.
'Congratulations' I said to him and his beautiful bride. 'Thanks brother'
'Sid, where is Sunaina? I couldn't find her anywhere?'. Suddenly, Siddhartha's expression became grim. Something was wrong, I guessed. 'I am sorry Rishi but she especially asked me not to tell you'
'Tell me what?' I asked nervously. He hesitated but then he told me.
In those two minutes, all my happiness faded. His words stung me like poison.
'Where is she?' I asked desperately
'Bombay'
***
Six hours had passed since, my flight was to reach Bombay in another five minutes. I prayed to god hoping to be there on time. Why didn't she tell me? The question popped so many times in my head. Siddhartha had messaged me her whereabouts. 'Why Su' I whimpered. At last, I reached Bombay and rushed with time hoping it wasn't too late. I summoned a taxi 'Sacred Heart Hospital, rush!' I ordered. The driver drove at its fastest speed, my situation was like a hindi's film's climax. As soon as I reached the hospital, I asked for Sunaina on the reception. 'Room number twenty six' she said.
I hurried myself, the corridor was silent. Finally I reached. I opened the door, two people were there.
'Sunaina?' I asked
'Yes, but who are you?'
'Who are you?'
'I am her mother'
'Rishi' said a voice from behind, it was Sunaina. Her face looked so pale and weak. Till now, I hadn't accepted it. But after watching her on the bed like this I knew.
Her mom left us both to talk. I looked at her, I tried my best not to cry.
'So Siddhartha told you' I didn't say anything, I was still mad at her for keeping her situation a secret.
'Why didn't you tell me?' I asked
'Tell you what? You couldn't have done anything anyway'
'I would have gone on an another trip with you'. She laughed, something I long desired for.
'How long have you known about this?'
'Since the time I first try to...'
I kept silent, she needed time to say 'You know Rishi, I thank my stars that I didn't give up that time, in these two years I have had so many memories.' She had problem speaking but that didn't stop her from completing.
'My illness had depressed me, true. But it also helped me to respect life. Now that I am finally going to di-'
'Don't say it'. She gave me a faint smile.
'I am not afraid Rishi, It was meant to happen this way'
I wished for some magic to happen right now and bring Sunaina back to health. I held her hand.
'I love you, Rishi' she whispered.
'I love you too' I replied. Her eyes closed, the moment froze. I remembered all the time spent with her, she helped me, she saved me. And now, she was leaving me. Was she? I started to weep, the moment had passed and she had gone, forever and for the better.
The End
'Don't this to you? Don't do what Rishi!'
I remained silent, finally she spoke. Her eyes became sorrowful. 'Do you know how your father really died?' she asked
I took a moment to digest those lines. What did she mean by really died? To my knowledge it was a serious heart attack.
'Ma, what are you trying to say? He died because of heart attack, didn't he?'
'That's what I told you but did you know that it was all because of his state of depression. Your father didn't want to live anymore. For months he only wanted to die. He wouldn't take his medicines, he wouldn't have his food, I was worried sick and had no idea what to do!' my mother sobbed and said. I looked at her angrily, 'Why didn't you tell me!' I shouted, though I shouldn't have done that, it made my mother weep more. 'Rishi, all your life your dad wanted you to have a good life. The only reason he survived depression for some time because he knew you were happy' she explained. I was speechless, my father, whom I respected and loved throughout my entire life was suffering and I couldn't do anything. I felt guilty and disturbed.
'Why was he depressed?'
My mother didn't answer, maybe she didn't know it herself.
'Why are you telling this to me now ?' I asked
'Because my son, my well accomplished son could do something so stupid as to commit suicide?'
'Why Rishi? Just because you lost you job? or your life turned difficult? Did you think of me?! Or your father who just lived so that he could see you happy?'
I wish I could explain my mother, but was there anything to explain? All these days I had wondered why I decided to take such a drastic step. 'Giving up your life' The idea seemed so crazy now. 'Rishi'
I looked at my mother, 'Whatever happens now, no matter how difficult your life becomes, promise me, you won't give up' she concluded, not stretching the topic any further.
I didn't have to think for the answer, if in these five-six days I had learnt anything, it was never to loose faith and learn to cherish the little life we have. 'I promise'
We both hugged each other, tears ran down from my eyes. 'Whatever happens son, I am there for you'
***
Sunaina had been patiently waiting in the balcony. The weather had been pleasent, most likely it was about to rain. 'Thank you' I said finally.
'For what?' she asked
'For bringing me here, had I not come I wouldn't have known so many things'
'Rishi, life is too short to live in misery and doubt. We both have had our low points, but that doesn't mean that we give up'
'And I wouldn't'
'Also that its getting late for me, I just wanted to say goodbye and leave'
'What? Why are you leaving?'
'I have to reach Bombay today itself'
'But can't you stay?I mean we just came here, at least spend the night'
She hesitated and made it very clear to leave, honestly I didn't want her too but she had made up her mind.We both hugged each other.
'I am going to miss you' she said
'Me too'. Watching her leave just like that didn't feel right. 'I will be in touch' I said, she nodded.
Soon, she was gone. The girl who saved me.
***
Six months later...
A lot of time had passed since my last adventure, a lot of things had changed too! In the past six months, I had relocated to Pune and lived happily with my mother. I got a great job in one of India's leading company. Also, Riana and I had been constantly in touch. But there was someone who I missed, Sunaina. I thought of her many times but couldn't reach her, I knew she was on another life changing experience. On Siddhartha's wedding in Bangalore, I thought I would finally meet her.
'Congratulations' I said to him and his beautiful bride. 'Thanks brother'
'Sid, where is Sunaina? I couldn't find her anywhere?'. Suddenly, Siddhartha's expression became grim. Something was wrong, I guessed. 'I am sorry Rishi but she especially asked me not to tell you'
'Tell me what?' I asked nervously. He hesitated but then he told me.
In those two minutes, all my happiness faded. His words stung me like poison.
'Where is she?' I asked desperately
'Bombay'
***
Six hours had passed since, my flight was to reach Bombay in another five minutes. I prayed to god hoping to be there on time. Why didn't she tell me? The question popped so many times in my head. Siddhartha had messaged me her whereabouts. 'Why Su' I whimpered. At last, I reached Bombay and rushed with time hoping it wasn't too late. I summoned a taxi 'Sacred Heart Hospital, rush!' I ordered. The driver drove at its fastest speed, my situation was like a hindi's film's climax. As soon as I reached the hospital, I asked for Sunaina on the reception. 'Room number twenty six' she said.
I hurried myself, the corridor was silent. Finally I reached. I opened the door, two people were there.
'Sunaina?' I asked
'Yes, but who are you?'
'Who are you?'
'I am her mother'
'Rishi' said a voice from behind, it was Sunaina. Her face looked so pale and weak. Till now, I hadn't accepted it. But after watching her on the bed like this I knew.
Her mom left us both to talk. I looked at her, I tried my best not to cry.
'So Siddhartha told you' I didn't say anything, I was still mad at her for keeping her situation a secret.
'Why didn't you tell me?' I asked
'Tell you what? You couldn't have done anything anyway'
'I would have gone on an another trip with you'. She laughed, something I long desired for.
'How long have you known about this?'
'Since the time I first try to...'
I kept silent, she needed time to say 'You know Rishi, I thank my stars that I didn't give up that time, in these two years I have had so many memories.' She had problem speaking but that didn't stop her from completing.
'My illness had depressed me, true. But it also helped me to respect life. Now that I am finally going to di-'
'Don't say it'. She gave me a faint smile.'I am not afraid Rishi, It was meant to happen this way'
I wished for some magic to happen right now and bring Sunaina back to health. I held her hand.
'I love you, Rishi' she whispered.
'I love you too' I replied. Her eyes closed, the moment froze. I remembered all the time spent with her, she helped me, she saved me. And now, she was leaving me. Was she? I started to weep, the moment had passed and she had gone, forever and for the better.
The End
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