Like Me, Please

Chapter 4

Next day, Astha, resumed being kind to Sneha. She helped her with her notes, made her have lunch with her friends and even smiled whenever they spoke. The only difference, she no longer expected her to give her something back for her kindness.

Astha had truly realised the freedom of giving without expecting anything in return.

During the break, Astha asked Sneha about Tanya, she knew that Astha and Tanya were pretty close for they always hung together. " How is Tanya by the way? The smallpox must be really bad if she will have to skip this grade."

For the first time, Astha noticed some emotion on Sneha's face. She could see pain and sadness.

Sneha replied, " Yes, she is still struggling."

With that, Sneha excused herself and rushed to the bathroom, Astha was taken aback. Suddenly, she realised how selfish she had been! In the midst of being liked, she had forgotten, that Astha was replacing Sneha's best friend Tanya who was sick. How ignorant had she been!

From then on, Astha made sure that they spoke of Tanya, brought her in conversations and spoke of their friendship. The change was extraordinary! Astha noticed the flicker of light back in the eyes of her classmate. When talking about an exceptionally interesting incident, Astha even saw Sneha laugh!

Finally, when the final bell rung for them to go home, Astha wondered aloud if they should go see Tanya. She gleefully smiled and added, " I have already had my smallpox, so it should be okay!"

Sneha froze. Looking at the sudden change, Astha said " Oh, you don't want me to come? That's alright."

Sneha shook her head and said " No, it's not that..."

" Oh, then have you not had smallpox yet?"

"No, no- I visit her every day."

Astha looked at Sneha again and realised that she had started crying! 

Shocked, Astha took her in her arms. Sneha continued crying for a while. After some time, she found her composure and between sobs said " Tanya...Tanya doesn't have smallpox. She has cancer!"