The Hardest Choice

The Bridge Between The Verses(Edited)

Last night, after Nikhil called Mridul, his eyes were heavy and he felt a gnawing headache. He closed his eyes and didn't know when he fell into the world of sleep. He woke up and tried to recall how had the things turned topsy turvy for him. It was early as the sun had just rose. He opened the windows of his room so that some fresh air could come in. The cool breeze had its effect on him and he felt more calm than before. He decided to go for a walk, to reach to the farther road of serenity.

After the walk he saw Mridul's message on his phone, saying that he should get ready by 10. He called Mridul asking him for what he had to be ready. It was then Mridul reminded him that they had to visit Anukriti. He told his brother would be coming to pick him up sharp at 10. 'Damn how could I forget this? My mind is totally out.' he thought.
************

He waited for Mridul's car for ten minutes before getting seated at the back. Though the day was a sunny one, but Nikhil was sunk in gloom. He didn't know when they reached the hospital and so Mridul had to tap him on his shoulder.

They found the room quickly. Mridul asked his brother to come with them but he declined and said that he needed to talk to Anukriti's sister. It pained Nikhil to see Anu in such a wretched condition. She had various pipes piercing through her body. The smell of the medicines was strong. When they entered Anukriti was awake and greeted them with a slight smile.

"Hey guys. How are you doing?"she asked, smiling. For her, seeing them was a flicker of cheer in her otherwise painful life.

Nikhil didn't respond. Mridul looked at him for a split second and continued, "Hey Anu, how are you doing?"

"I am getting bored to be frank", she replied. She looked at Nikhil. He was completely lost in his own world.

"You look good today. Orange suits you Nikhil", she said facing him.

He was brought back to the reality by her words. He had donned on an orange check tee with a black jeans. He responded, "Thanks. By the way how are you?"

"Dude, are you okay? What has happened? Why are you asking me the same question?", she held his wrist and questioned him with concern.

"Um.......yeah.... I am okay", he answered, stammering.

She didn't leave the grip of his left wrist. Staring coldly into his eyes, she said, "Why are you behaving like this? Why are you shying away from me? I partially remember what had happened yesterday. You know what, it pained me to see you and Satvik fight. I don't give a fuck about the reason you guys fought like madmen. Have you stupids even thought about me? I don't get what you were trying to show. I just know that it wasn't love. Not even nearby. As far as I know, love unites people, not break them into pieces. First of all having mind numbing pain, and secondly seeing the breakup of best friends because of me, is there anything worse a person can witness before dying?" Nikhil looked blankly at her as she sobbed at the last words. She was right, he felt, when she blurted out that they hadn't thought about her. He shook his head keeping his hand 'what were they giving her? A guilt feeling? This wasn't something the way in which things were supposed to conclude. Goddamn.'

What they failed to notice is that Satvik had also peeped in through her room and heard what she had said. By the time Anu could see him, Satvik was already proceeding to leave. She called him out but he didn't heed to her call. She tried to get up and walk towards him, but then realised that she can't get up without support, so she remained in her bed. Nikhil also went to his father's cabin.
*********

Samarth declined to go inside Anukriti's room after seeing Shaily's tear stricken face. Till now the facade of 'Oh I hate you so much that I can't bear your presence' had worked. But from inside she was kickboxing with her emotions. She loved her younger sister, although she wasn't very willing to admit it.

"Hey Shaily. How are you?"Samarth greeted her while she was walking around the corridor of the second floor.

"I am fine."she answered giving a fake smile.

"I think we need to talk. Come to the cafeteria with me."he said in an authoritative tone. She agreed.
**********

"What should I bring for you?" Sam asked.

"Nothing. I am full."she responded.

"Done with your drama? Or do I need to see more of it? I know you very well, you know, since school days. I know that you haven't done your breakfast. So tell me what should I bring for you?"

"A vegetarian sandwich will do."she droned in an emotionless voice.

He offered her the sandwich and sat down in the opposite chair. While she was nibbling, he asked, "Shaily what is the problem? You always hated her, right? Then now why are you being so emotional now?"

"Sam, ever since I was born, there was a regret that I wasn't a boy. Though they did everything for me but then I listened to the constant taunting of the relatives. In school, I wasn't the topper child. I was good in dance and sports but my parents failed to notice that. Constant comparisons were made with.... you know what I mean", she took a long pause, sniffed her tears and resumed, "All this had made me insolent, and since there was no outlet for me to vent out my frustration, Anukriti became my victim. Moreover she was the ideal girl, and that frustrated me more. When I said that I wanted to pursue modelling as my profession, they were apprehensive about it, and didn't support my decision. They said that I would bring shame to the family name and all that stuff. The constant jibes were unbearable and I finally decided to leave the home. Eventually they had to accept it, and they did it with reluctance. The affection and love that I wanted always went to Anukriti. You know what, the emotion of jealousy is dangerous. It destroys everything and in our case it destroyed our relationship. "

"Hmm... I can understand you. But don't you think it is unjustified? Anu has no fault. You have to take the initiative. You know what, regret and guilt are the two emotions that eat you up everyday. Do you want that 'I wish I could say her sorry' resonate in your mind everyday after she dies? "He replied calmly, offering Shaily tissues.

" Shaily, don't waste time. Go to her room and say her sorry. This would lift off the heaviest load off your heart. This would be the biggest happiness that you can give to her. Remember it is now or never", he completed. At this point of time, she covered her face with hand and broke down. He helped her to stand up and she hugged him tightly, seeking for an emotional support.

"Shaily, please control yourself. Don't show all this in front of Anukriti. She is already going through a lot. Seeing you like this would further assuage her hurt", he whispered it in her ear and then took leave.
******

Shaily pondered upon the way in which she would start this conversation with Anukriti. There was a large gap to fill in a short time. Saying sorry at this point of time would be weird, she thought. But then all the thoughts superseded and she just muttered, "Chak De Phatte, jo hogi dekhi jaayegi."

Anukriti was engrossed in watching Friends TV series on her phone when Shaily entered, so she didn't notice her presence before she called out her name loudly.

"Anukriti I need to talk to you. Can you pause your series for a while?", she said nervously.

"Is sun rising from the west? How can this 'beauty queen' talk to me so politely?", Anukriti taunted back.

"I am sorry for the way I treated you. I know sorry won't heal all the wounds inflicted but at least you would know that I am ashamed of the way I treated you. I love you, and would be there for you whenever you want me to be",  Shaily said. She felt each of the word she spoke.

Anu couldn't help but stare at Shaily. There were just both of them and the ocean of silence. She was finally getting the sister she always wanted. Her eyes were watery and then she hugged Shaily tightly, ignoring the pain.