A Young Love Story...

Part 14 - Soul-Mate

Within the next few days, both Ananya and Vishesh got busy with their studies. They also helped each other study, by motivating the each other when either of them was not keen on studying. They met once in a few days, but managed to speak to each other regularly. 

Vishesh was very caring, and Ananya had absolutely no complains. In fact, she thanked her stars for having found the TRUE LOVE of her life. 

Rishi, on the other hand, was busy with the hospital visits. His father's health was getting worse by the day. The doctors finally nailed it. He had been suffering from stomach cancer. Rishi and his family were heartbroken and devastated. The doctors had given a time-frame of a month or two, at max. Rishi desperately needed someone to talk to. He missed Ananya. Though they had hardly spent time together, he missed talking to her. And he had gotten over his anger and pain. He decided he should call Ananya, because he needed her. If not for anything else, he needed a friend to talk to. 

He called Ananya's residence, and her mom received the call. Upon getting to know it was Rishi, she started talking to him. She asked about him, and then about his studies. Rishi answered as if everything was normal. Then she asked him how are his parents. He just could not hold himself back, and he started crying. He forgot he was talking on the phone, and started crying badly. Ananya's mom sensed something wrong, but did not want to prod, so she requested Rishi that he compose himself while she called out for Ananya. 

Ananya received the call from her room, and her mother hung up the main line. She was genuinely surprised that Rishi had called. Her mother had only mentioned Rishi had called, nothing else. So, Ananya was quite unaware that he was not fine. She started talking normally. "Hey Rishi... how are you? How come you called?"By this time, Rishi had composed himself. He replied, "Ananya, I am fine. How are you? How is your preparation going?"

Ananya replied in one word, or short sentences for a few questions that followed, asking her about her health, her parents, Vishesh and so on. "Hey, how is your father now?"she suddenly asked. Rishi was choked again, but he spoke.."He is not fine Ananya.. He is on his deathbed. He is counting his last few days, or months! He has stomach cancer!" he said, and broke down again. 

Ananya was shocked at hearing this. "Oh my God, Rishi.. I am so sorry!! Please don't be sad, don't cry.. You must stay strong. for your mom, for your dad, for your own self. Rishi..." she called out, since she did not hear a sound from the other end. 

"Yes, I am here" said Rishi in a groggy voice. "Ananya, will you please meet me? I need you..  I want to meet you, please!" he pleaded. "I know, your preparations must be going on. I am only asking you to meet me for an hour.. please!" he persuaded. 

Ananya was genuinely sad for Rishi, and was concerned about his own well-being too. She agreed to meet him. She promised a coffee meet-up the next day, by 4. She was meeting Vishu in the morning, and they had planned to have lunch after a long time. Rishi, oblivious to her plan, insisted on meeting her in the morning. He just said that he could not wait till next evening. Ananya did not want to hurt him at this point in time. She agreed to see him at 11. She thought she would meet him, and then see Vishu by 12 or so, and the plan wouldn't change. They hung up after a few minutes. 

Ananya's mom was waiting for the call to get over. She came into Ananya's room, and asked her, "why was Rishi crying? Is everything okay?"Ananya broke the news about Rishi's father. Her mother was shocked and felt bad, not just for Mr. Jain but also for Rishi's mom and Rishi, who would be rendered lonely and orphaned! Ananya then took advantage of the situation and gained permission to have lunch outside the next afternoon. She lied to her mom, that she is meeting Rishi for lunch, to cheer him up. It was a part truth, she tried to convince herself. 

As soon as her mom left, she immediately called Vishesh. Nobody picked the phone. She tried a few times but looked like no one was home! She decided she would call him early the next morning. 

She slept, she woke up early. It was about 8.30, she decided to call Vishesh now. She kept dialing but nobody picked up the phone. She finished her chores and studied a little. She tried calling again by 9.30. When no one received, she got very worried. All negative thoughts started running in her mind. She thought of calling off the meeting with Rishi. She almost dialed his number and then realized, it will be mean on her part to ditch him again. He needs her now, and as a friend, she should be by his side. She got ready, and had a light breakfast. She waved at her mother, and reminded she would be getting late. She was wondering what would have happened at Vishu's place, that no one is receiving their landline. She desperately wanted to ask her father to get her a cell-phone now! She took an auto and reached the Cafe Coffee day, at about 11. 

She was feeling worried about Vishesh's whereabouts. At the same time, she felt guilty that she is having a coffee date while there are no updates about Vishesh. She waited for Rishi, and in the time he came, Ananya had tried calling Vishu many times, from a public phone nearby. Finally, Rishi came, and greeted Ananya. 

"Thanks for coming Ananya..." he said. "Sorry, I am late. I got held up at the hospital." Ananya said she did not mind it. Her mind was lost in Vishu's thoughts. It was 11.30 already, and she had to meet him by 12, but she was unsure that it would happen as planned. Seeing her lost, Rishi said, "Ananya, you seem lost. Is it meeting me that is disturbing you, or is it something else?" Ananya did not want to lie to him, and thought of telling him the truth, as a friend. 

"Rishi, actually, I am worried about Vishu. We were supposed to meet for a lunch now. We had decided to meet at 12 at this place itself. But since last night his residence number is ringing and no one is receiving the call. I am worried. Though I am here with you, I am continuously thinking about Vishu. Even before you came, I tried calling him from that phone there, but no one is home. And that is not possible unless something untoward has happened. I am worried, Rishi..." she said and was almost in tears. 

Rishi got up from the chair opposite to Ananya's and came and sat on the chair next to her. He put his hand around her shoulder to console her, and just then Vishesh walked in to the coffee parlor. He was shocked to see Anu crying. He immediately walked to the table, and said, "Anu...what happened, why are you crying?" Both Rishi and Ananya immediately looked up. Both were surprised. Ananya immediately got up and hugged Vishesh, and cried. "I was so worried... how are you? Idiot! I tried calling you so many times, and..." she cried some more. 

"Ohhho Anu...silly you are! You overthink and assume a lot. Our phone is glitched since yesterday noon! What did you think, I died?" he chuckled. Ananya hit him in the chest with her fist. "Shut up Vishu. Never talk such nonsense again! She hugged him again. Rishi felt awkward being an audience to their private moments. He was about to get up and walk out when Ananya saw him. "Rishi...sorry! I didn't mean to do this, or hurt you. Please wait. I was here to cheer you up, and instead ended up bothering you. Let us sit and talk...". She felt confident saying this, for she knew Vishu was her support system. He was her pillar of strength. 

Ananya quickly updated Vishu about the happenings in Rishi's life. They both felt bad for him. Both of cheered him up, and gave him strength. Vishesh also tried to convince Rishi to appear for the exams, with whatever he had prepared. He made him understand that sitting through the exam was important, even if it meant a short while. Rishi felt happy that he had Vishesh also as a friend. Despite his own feelings for Ananya, he was happy she had found someone who loved her so deeply. He was happy for Ananya and Vishesh. 

That afternoon, the three of them had their lunch together. The lunch and the evening ended on a happy note. 

Ananya was happy because Vishesh understood her thoughts, emotions, confusions and dilemma even without her saying it. She could trust him blindly. She knew, no matter what she thought in the past, now, she had to make this work, and convince her parents for Vishu! She had found her true love, her soul-mate, and she was not one bit prepared to lose him!