The Summer We Met

Chapter 10: Raj

After ending the call, I was left stunned and speechless. The first thought that crossed my mind was Sam. I knew he must have gotten the news by now. It scared me. Although he never showed it but the two people who had really been there for him through thick and thin, even when I had ignored him, they had been there.

I realised that Mr Sea had been the last one to ever know Adam and he too has left the world. Left us. Just like Adam. His last wish had been to be reunited with his family again. Now he has got what he wanted.

But Room 23 ringed a bell. I had heard it before somewhere. Wait. It was where Adam had been admitted before-.Damn. This was not good.
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The next day , I left early and straight away went to the hospital. Sam was already there. It looked like he had not slept all night. But that wasn't what worried me or tensed my shoulders. It was the fact that he was still smiling and thanking all the doctors and bowing to each of them.

The last goodbyes had been said. Many distant relatives had arrived to bid him goodbye. Regret really is more powerful than gratitude. I also noticed how Sam had not even once looked at Mr Sea. He was facing his back towards the still corpse. Everyone was shedding tears while he was in another room preparing flowers. I guess this is how Sam says good bye.

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"Hi. You good?", I asked Sam.
" Hmm."
"Its not a crime to cry you know."
"I know", his voice barely a whisper.
" Then."
"I just can't. I don't know why but I can't."
I just nodded.

We sat there in silence for a while. Then I looked at him with an idea. I felt into the pocket of my bag and said ,"Come."
"Where?"
I grabbed his hand and smiled at him. He looked at me all surprised and shocked.
"Do you trust me?"
"Am I dreaming?"
"Then come with me."
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"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
"I know you are trying to be all mysterious and all but I am not in the mood right now."
"Yeah I know and neither am I."
"Then where are we going?"
I kept silent this time. He too followed along.

"Two tickets to the gallery please."
"Here you go sir have a great day."
"Thank you."
"So you take me to a gallery of all places?",said Sam.
" Not just any gallery. I know this was the first gallery you came to. I also know that Mr Sea had taken you here."
"How did you?"
"I know everything. Don't doubt the extent of my knowledge."
Sam smiled. "What? I ain't kidding."
"Oh I know you are not kidding. It was just good to see that you still care."
"I don't. I just brought you here since I wanted to go and I needed an excuse hence."
"Oh. Okay."
"Yeah that is what happened."
"I believe you. I trust you, Raj."
"Can we walk faster? At this rate the gallery will close before we even get to see it."
"After you, sir."
"Gentleman", I mocked him.
" Thank you", he teased me back.
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I would have never expected Sam to know so much about the paintings and sculptures. He seemed really intrigued and interested. I was just relieved to see he seemed less worried  and sad.

After roaming around for almost an hour my legs ached too much. I sat down on a bench at the canteen near by. Sam had gone to buy us some food. He returned with a two hotdogs and an ice popsicle. I eyed the ice popsicle like a greedy kid.
"No need to glare at it. Here you go. It is for you only."
"But I didn't ask for it."
"We might not have been in touch for a long time but I have known you for quite a long time now. I know how grumpy you get when tired. So I got you an ice popsicle to energize yourself. I know how much you like them."
"Oh." He remembers.

A message popped up on my phone. It was from my mom. It said that someone had come asking for the tapes. She had told him off but he insists on waiting till I came back.

I took the first bus home after rejecting Sam's offer of dropping me off. I didn't want my mom to be anymore distressed than she already is.

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A man was sitting outside. He stood up on seeing me. "Hi I am Pat. I know you have the tapes. I beg you please give me those tapes . I really need them. Please. Atleast let me save my daughter.

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