Twice in a blue moon

PART 2

She looked at me and smiled just the way she did in the days that were long gone. "So, what's up?" I asked. "Living life, I guess...." She said sarcastically. "Um, what did you want to tell me?" I asked. "Well, I needed to tell you that...." she spoke as if the words just won't fit in her voice, "I've been going through a treatment at the Life spring hospital. It's lung cancer. So...." she left it hanging there in the air between us where a thousand emotions rushed to me because I had no idea of what I was supposed to feel or say. I finally understood why 'living life' was what was up; it was temporary.

She tried to lighten up the mood by joking how she hated the doctor at the hospital and how a disease had brought her back here. She said that I could come over to meet her sometimes at her old home where she was staying currently. She didn't want to become a burden. All that she wanted was a friend to talk to. Of course, there couldn't be a better option for a friend.

We talked for a while about random interesting things like books, movies, shows, etc. to lighten up the heaviness which could never be forgotten ever again. I dropped her off at her house where her parents were waiting for her and I went back home.

I couldn't take her off my mind. She had been in another city for two long years and I had been fine with not caring or thinking about her. But her being here and dying a little each minute was just a lot to get used to for it could take a longer time than her lifetime for me to accept this fact. Nevertheless, I knew that I had to tell Samaira about this.

The next day was a clouded one, just like my thoughts. I met Samaira at a café and told her all about meeting with Mihika. Samaira had always hated cloudy days- she said they were indecisive when it came to rainfall- and I had given her another reason to hate this gloomy day. She sat there quietly, looking out of the window, her dark and straight hair resting on her shoulders, peacefully, unlike her thoughts. I am not a mind-reader but I knew that she was in a dilemma. She didn't encourage me to go and visit Mihika because she knew that Mihika didn't care for me. On the other hand, she knew that stopping me would be cruel because Mihika was not going to be around for another lifetime and we both knew this. Hence, she excused herself and decided to leave; she decided to leave me on that crossroad feeling more lost than the boy who had been betrayed by his best friend. But I did not consider her action to be rude because we both understood that this was not easy for either of us.

On the next day, I went to Mihika's home with a bouquet for our first meeting. Although I didn't know why I felt the urge to meet her after all that had happened between us, I felt that if this was the last thing that she wanted from me then refusing it would be wrong in every way. I rang the doorbell and her mother let me in. I had not met her after the whole incident as I didn't want to see anyone from Mihika's family. She looked as innocent and feminine as always. She offered some fresh juice but I politely declined. She led me to Mihika's room which was on the first floor and left. I knocked on the door and Mihika opened it, rather surprised. "You're early", she said. Her room was completely tidy which was surprising as she had been really messy when we were children; she was messy in every way. She must have sensed the surprise for she said, "I knew you'd find it weird that my room is clean. But...I like to keep it clean nowadays. Sometimes, I rearrange things even if they are not out of order. It's good for passing time and to take my mind off other things. Sometimes, I paint or write but I can't afford to have creativity all the time, right?" and she laughed. I did too. It was the first time in 3 years that we had laughed together so carelessly, something which felt so alien now.

She showed me some of her artworks which were not great but just enough to let her pour her imagination into something for that moment. I stayed there for about an hour and then excused myself. An overwhelming feeling had taken over me and I didn't know if it was because Mihika, the wanderer was back or because, just like every wanderer, she won't stay for long.

This was the beginning of my visits. Her health had worsened a bit so they had shifted her permanently to the hospital. She would have to undergo chemotherapy about 5weeks later. I visited her ever weekend with chocolates or my laptop to watch movies together. Samaira went to a French class on weekends and that was the major time that I spent with Mihika. I had asked Samaira to visit Mihika with me because I wanted to introduce her to Mihika but she had always had one excuse or the other. I could sense a little bit of tension between us but we didn't address it. Yet.