The Shy Extrovert

Chapter 5

The party was a part of plan. Never knew, that day would mess everything up. The day I had been waiting would turn up so dramatic that I had to rethink everything. Ashish was planning to propose Vrishti. I had to be happy but knowing this I was not as happy as I wanted to be. I was happy for my best friend but I was not happy for myself. I did not know why?

A beautifully carved diamond and platinum ring it was, decent as my Mr. Shy. "I wonder how I would express my feelings. You know me Vaishnavi, please help me out. Help me out with words I am going blank. I don't know how I somehow manage my presentations but this is real deal. Real deal for life!" he exclaimed. I tried to calm him down but he was nervous.

In midst of the party, Ashish went on his knees before Vrishti and said, "You will find planets and you will find moons, but you won't find someone who loves to the moon and back! I don't know what will you say but I definitely know you will smile whenever you will hear my name! I love you! I love you Vrishti. Please be mine. Forever beyond eternity." Vrishti broke into tears. Her voice choked while saying, "Yes! I do." Everyone gave them blessings with a round of applause while Ashish slipped the ring into Vrishti's finger.

The crowd had hot news to talk over. "Mr. Raichand engaged." This was the headlines of next day's newspaper which broke millions of girls' hearts including mine. Perhaps I was in love with my best friend but I could not accept it.

They are getting married today. I am in charge of keeping everything at place up to the mark of Divyashree events. Neither as owner nor as employee but as the couples best friend. The Maurya's banquet hall is ready for a big fat Indian wedding, not any ordinary but of the richest man of town. Decorated in red and golden, with roses and balloons the hall is waiting for the groom and bride to arrive. Ashish reached now. He is looking fabulous.

He is wearing a maroon sherwani and a golden sehra. The most awaited bachelor is getting married at the age of 23. He is the best looking bridegroom I have ever seen. He said to me, "How I am looking?" "Perfect!" I answered as a drop of tear rolled down my cheeks. "Hey, are you crying?" he questioned with amazement. "No, it might be dust." I tried to explain.

"I have some work. You go to your greenroom and enjoy your last moments of bachelorhood." I tried to ignore him and left. I overheard him saying, "I don't understand this girl." I smiled. Everyone was waiting for Vrishti when her doctor called me.

DOCTOR: "Vrishti's medical condition is not okay. She is suffering from slow inflammation of brain and minor bleeding. it is a sort of hemorrhage which may lead to death but after a short period of time. Where is she? I need to talk to her. She is not answering calls."

VAISHNAVI: "I will look into this, doctor. Thank you for informing."

The doctor's were howling my brain. Where is Vrishti? Why is she not answering calls? She might have reached till now. Why is she not here yet? I am constantly trying to contact her. Bad omens are haunting me. Where is Vrishti? I have called her over 100 times in last one hour. I am going to see her. I just hope she is alright. Constantly calling her, I am hoping to see her in pink health.

She is my childhood friend. I have laughed and cried with her. I just hope she is fine. Hope is everything I have right now. Ashish is calling me. I did not answer. Worthless of everything, I don't know what I am trying to do? I am happily making arrangements of my perfect duo's marriage, the bride is missing and groom is calling me constantly. Everything feels so messed up. I reached vrishti's house and saw her lying on floor in bride's costume. She was bleeding through her ears. "Vrishti... Vrishti..." I called her name but she did not answer. I had a call from Ashish. "Ashu, Vrishti... Vrishti is lying on floor... Ashu... I don't know anything and I started crying."

Vrishti is no more. I just cannot believe anything. My mind has gone blank. Ashish called the doctor and rushed here. Doctor could not help us. She is not here anymore. I cried while I narrated the phone call.