Meant To Be

Chapter 20. The Shocking News

Sam and Nish, sat on a half - broken bench, which was at a little distance from the place where the buses stood, to either drop the passengers or to let the passengers board the bus. Sam's mouth was filled with sandwich, which Nish had purchased for her from the food stall near the bus station.

      "Come on now! Eat fast!" Nish said, slapping Sam's thighs continuously, her eyes fixed on the Khuri bus, which stood there, waiting for the passengers to board the bus.

      "I'm hungry! Let me eat in peace. I haven't eaten anything since morning. I told you right?" Sam said, gulping down the sandwich and taking a bite of the second sandwich. 

       Nish turned her head, looked at the paper plate in Sam's hands and then at her. She put her hand in the front pocket of her jeans and pulled out a small biscuit packet.

      "Take this. You will need this." she said, thrusting the packet in Sam's hands. "I only have this much, so don't finish it at once. Eat some while going and keep the rest." she continued.

       Sam kept the paper plate on her lap and held the biscuit in both her hands. It was one of her favourite biscuits. Her favourite flavour: Strawberry.

      She looked up and opened her mouth to thank Nish, but didn't find her. She turned her head to search for her, panic building inside her. She turned her head towards her right and saw to her relief, Nish standing in front of a food stall, her back facing Sam. She kept looking at her, waiting for her to turn back. Sam frowned her brows and saw Nish extending her hand and taking something from the shopkeeper. She turned back and started walking towards Sam.

      Nish came and sat beside her, handing her a medium- sized bottle of water.

       "And listen, keep drinking water. Or you will - "

        "Fine momma!" Sam said raising both her hands  slightly in the air, the bottle held with the thumb and index finger of her left hand.

       Nish nodded absent- mindedly, going on with her instructions. She stopped abruptly and looked at Sam, realising what Sam had said.

       Sam burst out laughing. It was the first time, in many months, that she'd laughed so much. She felt as if all her problems had been lifted temporarily from her head. She felt light, as if floating in the air. She could feel her cheek bones loosen up. Her eyes were filled with tears of laughter. She wiped her tears and looked at Nish, trying to control her laughter. Nish slapped her playfully on the shoulder.

      "Still a child!" she chuckled. Sam shrugged, continuing to laugh.

        Nish held her cheeks. "Keep smiling like this. You look really beautiful. And remember, you're a really strong girl. This time will soon pass. We all are there with you and for you." Sam stopped laughing. "You know life had become so different without you. No evening walks. No jokes. No fun. Nothing. It was as if, there was no happiness in our world. I am so happy to see you. I really can't express it in words." 

     The words touched her heart. She nodded her head continuously, avoiding Nish's gaze, for she knew that she was about to cry now.

       "Now don't make me shed tears once again!" she said, giving a half laugh, her voice hoarse. Nish pulled her into a one arm hug. Sam too hugged her.

       "Here, take this." Nish said, pulling out a piece of paper from her jeans pocket and handing it to her. "My number. Call me before you leave from there. You will find a lot of PCO's there. Just use a coin." she continued, handing her some coins.

       Sam nodded. She opened her mouth again, but before she could utter a word, she heard a whistle. She saw, the conductor of the Khuri bus, signalling the passengers to board the bus quickly. Nish got up and so did Sam. She threw the paper plate in the dustbin and put on her shoulder bag. Nish was already wheeling her suitcase towards the bus. Sam sighed and started taking long strides towards the bus.