Chapter 22 One Call Away

It was time for them to leave. Ishita and I had gone to see them off and were standing with them at the airport entry gate. God only knew what was going on inside my mind then. It was difficult for me to see them leaving me—Utkarsh, Saanvi, Dad, and Uncle. My heart kept skipping a beat every now and then. I was broken from inside. The memories of all the time we had spent together were constantly flashing in my mind and the pain I was carrying in my chest was indescribable. Watching them go away was hurting me a lot. I wished that I could hold them back and keep them by my side but my life was now drifting miles apart from them. As far as I was concerned, I wanted them to start a new life and I was happy for them. much as I know they should start a new life; I was happy for them too. I felt empty and conflicted but still, I had a big smile on my face. I said goodbye to everyone and said, “I am letting you all go but I want a promise from you.”

Utkarsh stepped forward and said, “Tell me brother, what do you want?”

“If I ever fall in trouble, please be by my side.” I requested with folded hands as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Brother, I told you this before and I am saying it again. If you are in any problem, I am just one call away.” He projected a sober confidence in his words. I wiped off my tears and changed the entire topic. I took out a gift for all of them from my bag. It was a picture of all of us together, clicked on the wedding day of Utkarsh.

“Keep it with you. I hope it reminds you of me,” I said to them, as parting words. Meanwhile, as we were having a talk, Aparna arrived. She met everyone and wished them a safe journey. She also got a gift for Utkarsh and Saanvi. It was the same picture framed in a distinct style. Everyone laughed on seeing it.

“Haha, it is good. Better framed then Avi’s!” Dad exclaimed.

“Let me keep this, Utkarsh. You keep that one,” he added.

It was now time for them to go. Their flight got announced and they re-gathered the luggage, all set to board it. I said goodbye to them with such affection that I wished I could stop them from leaving at all but I swallowed it instead. I tried hiding the tears in my eyes as I waved them goodbye but there was such a flood of them at times that I just couldn’t control them. They entered the check-in gate and I walked away immediately for I wanted to leave the place as soon as possible. I bare the sight of them leaving anymore.

“Bhai, why are you crying?” Aparna said and hugged me. “It’s nothing, Aparna. Just feeling a little emotional, you

know me,” I replied.

“Yeah, I know. I am with you, don’t worry. Moreover,

Ishita is family now. You can be with her too,” Aparna said “Yes.”

Aparna was getting Pratham’s call and so she had to leave. “Okay bhai. Pratham is calling, I have to go.” Aparna said.

“Okay, but how will you go? We will drop you,” I told

“Yes, come with us, Ishita added

“No, you are going to Powai while I am heading to Andheri. It’s completely in the opposite direction. Pratham has sent his car, I’ll be okay,” Aparna stated.

“Text us when you reach home,” I said, and she walked away towards the taxi stand after saying goodbye.

“Avi, why don’t you spend the night at my place? It will be good. I know you’re feeling a little low and I don’t want to leave you alone. Let’s hang out at my house tonight. What say?” Ishita asked.

“Okay, as you say,” I responded.

We went to the parking area and drove back home.

...

I glanced through the old pictures of Utkarsh and me on my mobile sitting in the house’s balcony. The memories and emotions dominated my strength, and made me feel all alone. It was just an hour since they left and I was already missing them. I could hear the wind howling a strange tune and it felt like it was singing a song of despair and melancholy making me miss them even more. I pulled a bed-sheet over an over my body and closed my eyes, dreaming about the moments spent with Utkarsh and Saanvi. I found myself suddenly smiling and felt a little relaxed.

“Avi, here is your coffee.” Ishita got a cup of hot coffee for me and sat on the chair next to me.

I opened my eyes and lifting myself up on the chair, took a sip of it.

“How’s it?” she asked.

“It’s amazing. Just the way I like it.” “Missing them?”

“Yes, a little bit. I was seeing some old photos of them.”

I showed her the mobile and she came in closer to me to see them.

“These are lovely,” she said, and held my hand.

“Yes,” I smiled, and we started talking about my childhood memories. I told her everything- from the first standard till college’s first day. She was fascinated by all of it as she listened to them one by one. I kept furnishing her about all the stories that I had of me and Utkarsh and then suddenly, out of nowhere, she said,

“I like you, Avi.”

I was in a deep state of confusion moment. I didn’t know how to react, what to say, or what not to. She came close to me and kissed me on my lips. It happened like magic. Ishita was confident about me. She curled her fingers on my neck and, positioning herself on my body, kissed me passionately. I was still confused about what was going on Her body was turning cold like metal. She wanted to explore my love too. I just closed my eyes and moved with her rhythm. I kissed her back with, perhaps, even more passion. She then took me inside the bedroom and it was clear that both of us wanted to take this further.

She removed her clothes and lay down naked on the bed. Then she held my shirt and began to unbutton it. She was radiating with a desire of love and was soaking in it. She pulled me over closer and we got indulged in a passionate kiss. Then, I lowered myself and she turned coming into just the right position to fulfill our desires. I worked towards a perfect orgasm for her and we made love deep into the night. I made love to her.

...

I woke up around eight in the morning and found Ishita still sleeping in my arms. She looked so beautiful at that time that my heart got filled with love for her and I kissed her on her forehead.

“I love you, too,” I replied to her proposal of the previous night. She was half-awake and was listening to my words. She touched my cheeks with her left hand and I moved her a little to the side to go to the washroom. I was brushing my teeth when my phone rang. Ishita was now awake and I told her to pick it up. I thought it might be Aparna. Then as I came out of the washroom, I saw Ishita holding my phone to her ear. She turned towards me. The shine on her face was all gone. she looked bleak and was very still. It gave me a sudden stomp. I nudged her on her back.

“What happened, Ishita?” I asked. She didn’t reply but just handed me the phone.

“What happened, Ishita?” I asked her again. This time she replied.

“Aparna met with an accident,” she said, and in a split of second, my entire life turned upside side down.