Night Changes

CHAPTER 26

  "Aly, don't worry, Jassi will be fine,"

Ritz comforted me as I sat beside her in her car and looked out of the window.

Everybody is in pain.
Life doesn't spare anyone.

I felt the breeze hit my face. I closed my eyes and took in as much fresh air as I could.

I missed my mom. She died young. I wonder how she would be if she was alive now? I never got a chance to serve her, Jassi is still lucky to be with his mom.

"I don't wanna be alone, Aly. I just can't take this anymore, "

He was scared to be alone. And what I did, was made him feel that he can never be with the girl he likes.

"Aly? Are you okay?"

"Yes, Ritz, I- I'm fine,"

"Juhi and Ro are there to take care of him, okay? And we'll visit her as soon as she gets conscious tomorrow, don't worry,"

"How come I never knew about Jassi's mum? Did you guys know?"

"Yes, we did. I don't know why, this topic never came up. And he didn't like to share this with anyone, so- I feel so bad for him and Juhi. Their mom is in this condition after every few months, and they break down every time something like that happens. Life can be so tough at times,"

Apparently, Juhika was Jassi's sister, and the man I saw was her husband. The fact that I didn't know about his sister made me feel even dumb. I know Shrey has a sister, though I never met her.

Wait..Shrey?

"Oh no, Ritz. I stood up on Shrey,"

"What! Call him right now and apologise, Aly. But hasn't he called you to ask?"

"He called me at the hospital but I had kept my phone on silent mode. And he hasn't called me since,"

"He must be really mad, Aly. C'mon call him, "

I nodded and called Shrey.

"Shrey?"

Silence.

"Shrey?? Are you listening?"

"Is there anything left to listen or say? You STOOD ME UP! I just don't understand you girl, what the hell is your problem? You ditch me at the middle of our date, you disconnect yourself for 4 days and now you stood me up!"

"I'm really sorry, Shrey, it was an emergency, "

"Emergency? Hah! You always have emergencies, especially when you have a date with me,"

"I swear it was an emergency, Shrey!"

"Oh really? What kind?"

"Jassi's mum had a brain stroke and I had to go to meet him,"

Silence again.

"Shreyas?"

"He had his family and friends to be there with him, you could have gone later!"

"Of course not, Shrey! He needed me and I had to be there for him!"

"Excuse me?  Why would he need YOU! Did he say he needs you by his side? Who are you to give him company!"

"I am his FRIEND, Shreyas. For God's sake try to understand!  He was shattered and I had to go,"

Pause.

In a really calm voice, Shreyas asked me
"Which hospital is she in?"

"HRM hospital,  why?"

"Nothing. Give me his number, I want to pay my condolences to him,"