The girl who made my life heaven and hell like

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

My fear of visiting Pia remained as strong as the first poignant occurrence, in the days that followed. Mom looked helpless too. I was facing a battle everyday within myself, between two conflicting solutions for my dubious state - visit Pia, hell! no. But how long could I play hide and seek from my love!  I finally made up my mind to undergo the pain of my life, once again.

I visited Pia at the hospital, after five days. She had been shifted to the general ward. Once again, it was Riya who was staying with her, when I went.

"Someone has decided to come, at last!", Riya said, smiling at me.

I returned a weak smile and gave Pia a bouquet of her favorite gerbera flowers. My body trembled when I saw the expression return on her eyes.

"Busy week at work, Varun?", Riya asked.

Before I could answer, Riya and I were distracted, when Pia held her head in her hands.

"Pia?". I sensed Riya panicking. She rushed to the bedside, spoke nothing but simply was assessing her sister.

"I feel, kind of, tingling in my head", said Pia.

I knew what it was and I stood petrified. I was witnessing the scene, once again. Pia continued to speak to her sister, like I never existed there.

"Listen, I am very sorry to say this, Riya. But I feel this tingling sensation has got everything to do with him. I felt the same the last time I saw him, too." Both of them were looking at me - Pia, furious due to her pain and Riya, confused.

"He may be your friend. I did not want to say this, but… he is making things not better. The way he looks at me is making me feel uncomfortable. So, could you please ask him to visit me after I recovered completely?"

All the mental stamina I had cooked up for myself, before coming here, was beginning to lose strength. I sat on the chair, unable to hold my trembling legs anymore.

Riya was looking from Pia to me. She comprehended something had gone wrong, but she looked like she was afraid to admit it. I nodded in response. It was time for me to speak up; I beckoned Riya outside.

"Varun, please tell me it is not what I think", Riya said, as soon as we stepped out.

I did not want to break down in front of Riya too. I spoke with all my left out strength.

"You are right, didi. Pia has forgotten me."

Riya looked like someone slapped right across her face. "When did you know this? Why did you not tell me, Varun? Is that why you did not come visit her?"

Tears began to flow, but this time, I was able to talk without stuttering.

"Yes. I came today, false assuring me that she would have recovered by now. I was so wrong. I knew this ever since I first visited her, after she gained consciousness."

Her parents came when we were talking.

"I can't believe this. Dr. Rammohan, who examined here is here. Let's go check with him, come."

Her father noticed the worried expression on her face. Riya answered coolly before he asked her anything, "Not now, dad. I will tell you as soon as I am back. But nothing to worry, really. So, chill."

My heart felt light after confessing to Riya. I was not crying anymore, rather an inexplicable, blind confidence crept inside me. Riya and I told Dr. Rammohan what we saw. I was the one to do most of the talking, as I experienced it better than Riya. After so many days, I was able to talk about Pia, without crying. I felt good. I felt a ray of hope, when the doctor prepared to retake the tests. I waited with anxiety for the results of the tests, with my fingers crossed, while Riya told her parents, not the whole story, but just that Pia was missing some memories of her past. Because, they, unlike Riya, did not know about me and Pia, so Riya did not want to trigger an unnecessary chaos in this situation.