The Shy Extrovert

Chapter2

Finally the D-day arrived. Sunday it was. I got ready and called Ashish to pick me up. Why should I take a cab when my best friend is a billionaire? He picked me up. I asked him pick Vrishti too. First he hesitated but he could not deny my words. We picked up Vrishti and we headed towards the New York café. Vrishti wore a red sari and was looking wonderful; so good that Ashish could not keep his eyes off her the entire journey.

We reached café and Ashish was uneasy because Vrishti was there. I initiated the conversation, "Ashu, she is Vrishti; the girl who lives last in my lane. She is pursuing MBA in management. She wants to do an internship with you. I mean with Divyashree events."

"Okay. So Ms. Vrishti, why have you chosen Divyashree for your internship program?"He enquired.

"I chose Divyashree because I wanted to work with someone like you who is so successful and modest." Vrishti replied smiling.

"Okay start from tomorrow." Ashish said.

"You won't take any interview?" she enquired.

Ashish had a look at me and said, "No, I have supreme commands to hire you."

"I did not understand." She felt amused.

He smiled at me and looked down. The way he was looking Vrishti I was sure this shy extrovert had violins playing in his mind. He was an extrovert when it came to parents, me and his presentations. I was glad my dumb friend was adding one more name in his subconscious mind, but it had miles to go before today came; the day they are getting married. I am taking care of arrangements. After all I am the best friend of both people. And their marriage was my dream, my perfect duo.

Their first formal meet was arranged by me but next day onwards destiny arranged their meeting. She was working directly under ashu and that made a change. She was a constant chirper and he was a good listener until he was comfortable with someone. Months passed on and they finally became good friends.

It was in august when they were planning my birthday surprise. Vrishti went to market and met an accident while returning with cake. We rushed to city hospital after a call from there.

It was a severe accident. She had to undergo an operation. I was shocked when I saw him signing as husband. He explained that this was an urgent operation and nothing should happen to her. I knew what had happened to my satyavaadi harishchandra's reincarnation but I refrained myself from telling him.

Those four hours were heavy for me but I had never seen Ashish so impatient. He stood at corner for five minutes then started walking. Then stood at another corner and again started walking. Clock was going tick tock tick tock for him. He was sweating heavily in the air conditioned chamber as if he will lose everything if Vrishti lost her game of life. I was getting surprised by his behavior and he; he was just passing every second like a century. He came to me and held me tight and hugged me. He was in tears. He cried like a baby. Those four hours he did not know what to react and how to react. I could feel his heartbeat and pain in eyes. He was fearful to lose Vrishti. His eyes were sore in just four hours.

Doctors came and his eager eyes saw them with a sparkle of hope. "THE OPERATION WAS SUCCESSFUL!" and these magical words made him grin from right ear to left ear. Happiness could be seen on his face. He asked doctors, "When can I see her? Is she alright?"

"We are shifting her to ICU and you will be able to see her in an hour." the doctors answered and the ward attendants brought Vrishti on the stretchers.

She was unconscious and Ashish just kept his hand on her face. They took her to the ICU. I could not stop myself. I asked him, "So, do you love her?" he just gave me a silent look and melted into tears, "I don't know." he answered. His eyes told me more than he spoke. I had been doing this for years since I had met him. His eyes were screaming the truth. "Yes Vaishnavi, I love her. I do. I love her beyond words, beyond emotions, beyond life and beyond death."

Vrishti did not open her eyes until morning. Ashish sat besides her staring her and lost in memories. He started narrating, "She banged up the file shelf on very first day. Your warning was true; a hurricane is going to hit Divyashree events. She is mess but she is a masterpiece. I must admit she works as dedicatedly as me. I mean I own the company so I work like that but she never considered herself a normal employee. Perhaps she wanted to prove that I am eligible for this job and don't feel a burden you had to follow vaishu. She understood everything in a week; fastest of all in these years. Then we used to work over themes and ideas till midnight. As a month passed I realized I got one more friend. I don't know she is so weird but I cannot resist her. She made me feel completed. I don't know how to explain but the thought of losing her made me scared. She is the sparkle to the sunshine. You were true Vaishnavi, I actually needed someone more than you."

"So you won't miss me if I disappear some day?" I mocked him. He gave me furious looks telling me how important I am to him. He continued, "She was my new friend and we started to spend time other than work. I never knew your birthday surprise will do this. I must have gone to bring the cake. I curse myself for letting her go." I was smiling at his words and said, "It was not your fault. It had to happen it is destiny Ashu." He smiled blankly.

It was morning. Vrishti opened her eyes and talked to me but she did not recognize ashu. Doctors told us she is a couple of years back in her brain due to traumatic amnesia. Land slipped beneath Ashish's feet. He had lost his whole world.