Aditya
We went for dinner at our neighbors. I saw her there. Is she the one my family is ranting non-stop? Why does everyone around me know her before me?
Everyone around us is busy talking to each other. She is looking around like a lost puppy. I am habituated to this in the last three years. I don't find their business talks and ladies' talks interesting. So, I just have my dinner silently. But she is new to these dinners so she might be feeling different. I want to talk to her but I don't want to get teased by these people without any reason. So, I sat silently.
After dinner maa invited their family for breakfast the next morning. It's common between these besties and we are obliged to follow as they neither cook once they plan something nor let anyone else cook.
We went back to our home and departed to our respective rooms.
The next morning I woke up at 5'o clock. I finished my workout and went for a jog.
I saw her there jogging with her bhai.
"Hey! Aditya!" Bhavya wished seeing me.
"Hi!" I waved at them.
"Wanna join?" she asked and we started running together.
Soon Prisha and Advith joined us.
After 2 rounds Advith got a call and had to leave. Bhavya too left with him. Now it's only two of us.
"How many more?" She asked looking at me.
"10! Then we can go home!" I said and her eyes widened.
"10! We already did 5! I am not going to do that! You go ahead, I will sit after 5 more." She said looking at the size of the park.
"Just kidding! It's just 5 more!" I said and she huffed.
"I didn't expect this side of you!" She exclaimed looking at me.
"Which side of me?" I asked getting amused.
"The fun-loving and carefree one! I thought you are a grumpy and angry officer!" She said matching my pace.
"I have to be like that for duty! But here I am not on duty and you are not some criminal." I replied honestly.
"So who am I?" She asked stopping.
"My neighbor," I replied with a smile but she didn't smile back.
She just nodded and started to run again. What's her problem? Isn't she my neighbor?
We both completed our jog in silence thereafter.
I went home took a shower and came down to have breakfast.
Her family is already here but she is not here yet. Why isn't she here? Is she going to come late?
"Adhi! Come sit!" Bhabi said breaking my chain of thoughts.
I nodded and took my seat after wishing everyone good morning.
"Where is Prisha?" Maa asked Aunty.
"She said she isn't feeling good. She asked me to apologize to you!" Aunty said.
"How can she skip this? I prepared everything for her! Wait, I will go get her!" Maa was about to turn but Bhavya stopped her.
"You stay Aunty, I will go call her!" She said and got up from her place with a smile and left.
She was just fine a while ago! What happened to her suddenly?
After some time they both came back but she isn't smiling. Not even a bit.
"What happened beta?" Papa asked patting her head.
"Nothing Uncle!" She faked a smile. I know it's fake as there is no spark in her eyes that she gets when she genuinely smiles.
I guess everyone understood that but they don't want to push this matter so we just had our breakfast. She left immediately after her breakfast and she didn't even eat much.
"What's wrong with her?" Bhabi asked no one in particular.
"She is disturbed about something," Bhavya replied.
"What happened?" Maa asked this time.
"One of our best friends is having cancer. It's diagnosed very late and now her survival chances are practically zero and everyone accepted it except her!"Â Bhavya replied in a sad tone.
"She got the results a while ago and she is like that since then." Ragini Aunty said.
I left for my work after that but her sad face is constantly on my mind. We solved the suicide case and I left for home as there is not much work to do.
I bought her a bouquet and wrote a note.
Note:Â I know you are feeling defeated but trust me you are the best doctor I know and Aarav calls you an angel for a reason.
Even the sun can't shine all the time! The result might not be in our hands but we can try!
Keep trying champ but first, keep smiling! We are all proud of what you are!
I went to their home first and knocked. Prisha opened the door after a few seconds.
"Hey!" I said with a smile.
"Hi!" she smiled weekly.
"For you!" I forwarded the bouquet and she took them and moved aside to allow me in. She read the note and looked at me.
"Are you really proud of me even when I failed miserably to save my friend?" She asked with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, Prisha! Not only me everyone who knows your potential is proud of you. What happened to your friend is not your fault! And you still have time to save her! You can always try!" I said looking straight into her eyes.
"Thank you!" She said sobbing. I stood there unaware of how to react.
"I will try every possible way to save her!" She said wiping her tears. There is a new determination in her voice.
"I'll leave then!" I said and was about to move but she held my arm. I raised my eyebrows in a questioning manner.
"Thank you!" She said again.
"You are welcome!" I replied.
"Have something! Coffee?" She offered.
"I don't like coffee!" I replied.
"Well, you need to try it first to know whether you like it or not!" She said and went into the kitchen after mouthing 2 min.
I sat on the sofa and waited for her. She came back with 2 cups of coffee. It smells great.
"Where is everyone else?" I asked noticing the empty house.
"Hospital!" She replied taking a sip of her coffee.
I took a sip from my cup. It tasted divine.
"How is it?" she asked looking up from her cup.
"Not bad!" I replied to which she smiled. She doesn't need to know it was the best coffee I had. I will say her when we become a little more closer. What if she thinks I am trying to flirt with her?
After having coffee I left for my home. I opened the window at night and noticed her already standing on the balcony. So, her room is beside mine. We can see each other through windows. I stood by the railing observing her. I don't know why I was doing that but it felt nice.