Is forever for R.E.A.L?

Chapter 22- End of R.E.A.L

Esha’s father walked up without a word, held Esha’s arm and despite her trying to be free, took her outside. All that time, he was looking straight at me but, for a change, I didn’t even budge. There was not a shred of fear for that person in me. All that remained was disgust for him.
Surprisingly, Esha returned back into the room and sat beside me. His father too came back after a while and sat far from us.
“What happened?” I asked her.
“I threatened him that I will tell everyone what he does to mom.” She said.
“Did it work?” Ashish asked from beside me.
“Would I have been here if it didn’t?”
“Good point.” I said and looked over at his father. I wanted to ask why was he here but I thought praying for Rehan was more important.
“Why is he here?” Ashish asked.
“Who?” Esha said despite knowing to whom Ashish is referring.
“Your father. Who else would I refer to?” Ashish said trying to hide the already evident frustration in his voice. I don’t blame him though. It was our fault Rehan was here.
“He said he wanted to keep an eye on me. I didn’t argue because I didn’t want him to get angry and take me home.” She said replying with just as same frustration.
“I am sorry for talking harshly. I am frustrated.” Ashish apologized.
“I am sorry too. It’s my fault we are here.” She said.
“No. It’s not true.” I said. The last thing I wanted was Esha blaming herself.
“We wouldn’t be here if all this didn’t happen. It’s all my fault. He was my boyfriend and I cheated on him.” She literally screamed and those around started looking at her. I could sense them calling her names and judging her behind our back. Bloody losers!
“It’s both of our fault. You shouldn’t blame yourself alone. I cheated on him too.” I said and started crying.
“Please don’t blame yourself. Everything will be okay.” Ashish assured us.
Just then the doctor came outside. We all rushed to him and asked him about Rehan’s condition.
“I came here to inform you that though he is recovering, it’s not sure what will happen.”
“Please. Please do anything. Just save him.” I pleaded.
“He is still alive because we tried our best. I don’t know if we can do anything more than this than pray.”
“Can we meet him?” Ashish asked and I realized though I wanted to meet him, I was scared.
“Yes. But take someone elder with you.”
“We don’t have anyone.” Esha said.
“I saw your father waiting outside.” The doctor smiled.
The doctor left the room followed by our steely glare. Esha called her father who even though didn’t seem, but was afraid of Esha’s threats. We entered the room and saw Rehan in the worst state we had ever seen him in.
“Is he awake?” I asked the nurse who nodded.
“Can we talk to him?” Ashish asked. Even though sometime, I had to face him again, I was too afraid.
“Yes. It’s not sure though that he will respond.”
“Hmm.” I said with guilt.
We saw Rehan lay at the hospital bed covered in bandages and surviving through a ventilator. The boy who grew up alone, was surviving with the help of machines.
“Rehan.” Esha said and we all fell silent. All of us were speechless. Rehan looked at us with his brown eyes. He had a small smile on his face. I wished it was genuine rather than sarcastic.
But all of a sudden his expression changed and he pointed a finger towards me and tried to say something. It took us a while to decipher that he was saying killer. He thought I tried to kill him. He didn’t forgive me. I felt my stomach churn when I realized I would be no more his best friend. Everything would be back to the time when I broke his trust first time. But I deserved it. He forgave me once and I broke his trust again. I was the worst friend in the history of friendship.
“It’s not his fault. You have to talk to them once.” Ashish said but by that time Rehan had fallen fast asleep.
“Go out now.” The nurse said. Esha’s father was not in the room then. Maybe he left when Rehan pointed finger on me. He wouldn’t be interested in this friendship conflict for all I know. He wasn’t even interested in his daughter.
 
Hours passed and the day ended. Ashish had a call from home, asking him to return but he denied and disconnected the call. After a few attempts by his parents, he switched off the phone and sat on the seats. I didn’t realize dozing off but I remember being shaken when Ashish tried to wake me up. Wake me and give the worse news I could ever get.
“Rehan is no more.” Ashish said and hugged me trying to control his tears. It was a dream, right? It couldn’t be real. Rehan can’t die. He is the strongest of us. He should have been recovered by now.
“Don’t joke.” I chuckled nervously.
“I am not joking.” He said with a serious tone.
I saw beyond his shoulder. Esha was crying her heart out while her father sat there expressionless. Slowly I figured out it was reality. Bitter reality.
“How? What is going on?” 
“He gave up. His mask was removed midnight and he suffocated to death.”
“Rehan is dead. No. I don’t want to believe it. Is this a prank?”
“I wish it was.
“Esha.” I said to which she looked towards me.
“Larry. Sorry.”
“It’s my fault.”
“I mean I am sorry but we can’t see each other anymore. It would not be right for Rehan’s murderers to go back to the way we were before. I can’t see you again. I hope you understand.”
I couldn’t say anything. What she said was right. No matter how much I despised the truth, I killed Rehan.
And killed R.E.A.L.