He kept driving for what seemed like a long time.I could hardly keep track of the time.My heartbeat thudded rapidly in fear as I frantically looked out to find out which part of Mumbai I was in.Although I'm not too thorough with the map of Mumbai,I've now got a mild idea about it.After going round the city for a day and work for two months,I've learnt a bit.Just a bit,though.But my knowledge about the city seemed to be too poor.I could hardly guess a thing.
"How long is it going to take?Where are we now?"
"Madam,Shastri nagar is one hour from Ghansoli.We'll be there in ten minutes."
I nodded and sat a bit relaxed.After another few minutes,I began to recognize the surroundings and felt safe.Luckily,I had my purse stuffed in my pocket and had taken five hundred rupees with me,in case of emergency.But never expected this sort of emergency to come up.I ran up the stairs,two at a time and was breathing heavily when I rang the bell.
Meghna opened the door and hugged me hard,as soon as she opened the door.She might have seen me through the peep hole.I hugged her back as the tears of relief flowed endlessly.
"Meghna....Lets go inside first.",I said,wiping my tears as I abruptly pulled back from her.
We went inside and I made sure we were locked inside,carefully.
"Aarthi..what hap..",Meghna began.
"Is anyone there here?",I asked,whispering in her ears.
She shook her head.
"Its just you and me,right?"
She nodded.
I heaved a sign of relief and fell on the sofa,trying to release the tension that I've been holding back ever since I planned to flee.Closing my eyes,I took a few deep breaths,ignoring the distraught questions from Meghna.
"Aarthi,you're ok!Right..??",Meghna said,shaking me.
She was now sitting beside me,with concern in her eyes.I could see it,feel it.I remained silent,wishing to give her the answer she would want to hear,heartfully.I could feel her gaze staring at me intently,waiting for an answer.
I hung my head down and barely nodded my head.
She lifted my chin and asked softly,"Sure?"
I freed myself from her grip and kept trying to avoid her eyes.
What can I tell her?That I'm fantastic?That I actually feel like floating in air?Well,I still can but how can I lie to my own soul?Meghna means the world to me ever since I came to Mumbai.Even Virat comes only after her.She has offered me a place to live,food to eat and on top of all that she has showered me with kindness and love ever since we met.And she expected nothing in return.Nothing.How can I lie to a person like that?
I looked up at her directly in her eyes this time and I couldn't even fake being less hysterical anymore.I broke down and fell on her shoulders.She stroked my hair tenderly and kept saying something,but I could hardly hear it all.My mind kept playing memories of Virat and me together and our very little and cute love story.I just couldn't forget him nor the memories he has given me.I thought it would be a bundle of delightful times with him but now,my life has become nothing but a horrific tragedy.
"No...Meghna!I'm not ok...I'm not....",I said between my loud wails.
"I wish I could forget him but I just....I never thought he'd leave me half way through my life,Meghna!I...don't know what to do.I feel like dying!"
She pulled me back from her and said,"Don't say that,Aarthi.Never ever."
"He doesn't know your worth.It was a stupid decision by him...He should have known better.You shouldn't lose your life because of him.If he doesn't need you,let it be.You don't need him either.If he can manage to forget the times he had with you and start a new life,so can you.You can start a happy,brand new life right here,in front of his eyes and show him how well you can manage without him",she said,wiping my tears.
"No,I can't.I can't stay here anymore.Its not safe.They'd kill me and my child.",I said,clutching my tummy.
Meghna looked at my stomach,confused.
"What do you mean?Why would they kill you or your child?And who?"
I told her all that happened and all the minute things I could remember.She listened with utmost patience,shooting a few questions every now and then.
"In Ghansoli?",Meghna asked.
"Yes,that's what the auto driver said."
"But Virat's father stays here in New Mhada Towers when he comes to Mumbai."
We sat in silence for a few minutes.The fact that I can't stay here,with Meghna began to sink in.But where would I go?There's not a chance in hell that I'd go back to my parents.Especially not in this condition.But where else,then?Again,what would I do for a living?I don't think I'd be lucky enough to get as nice a friend as Meghna.
She got up and went somewhere and didn't come back for a long time.I went tracing her path and found her in her room,packing all her clothes in a suitcase.
"What are you doing?",I asked.
"Pack your clothes and get ready.We're leaving.",she said.
"Where?"
Wait!What did she say?What does she mean by 'we' are leaving?
"I'll tell you,you first pack your clothes.Fast,we gotto leave.",she said,without looking at me.
"What do you mean 'we',Meghna?You're not coming,are you?"
"Of course,I'm coming.",she said matter of factly.
"Noway.I've lost my life totally and now I don't want you to lose yours too.You have your college and Abishek here.I'm not gonna let you leave it all for ME."
"Come on.I'd do anything for you.Like ANYTHING.That's what sisters are for.",she said,smiling.
How could she convince herself to sacrifice everything for ME and still be smiling like nothing has changed in her life?I can't believe that.I really don't know if I can bring myself to do that if I were her.Does she realize that her whole life is gonna change after this decision of hers?
"Meghna,whatever you say,I'm not gonna let you do this.I'm not gonna let you ruin your life just because I ruined mine so shamelessly.I don't want you running with me just because we are friends or sisters or whatever.We may be anything but its still my life and yours is still yours.You are not going anywhere leaving everything behind for ME.You have a wonderful life,live it.You've done so much for me even when you didn't have to and this is too much a sacrifice even for a sister.So please!",I said and stormed out of her room,hoping she'd understand what I said.
I made some coffee and sat on the dining table,sipping it little by little.I really don't know where to go.Wherever I go,how will I manage?I have saved most of my salary but that surly won't be enough.Forget about my career,I'm now bearing a child.It needs proper nourishing and safety.Am I really good enough to handle all this?I poured more coffee but the caffeine didn't help me answer the questions that my mind kept asking me.
I went to Meghna's room to see if she has gained back her senses.She was sitting on the bed,staring at her feet.I touched her shoulders and she jerked a little.She looked at me but didn't smile.Se had a sad look on her face and her mind seemed to be far off.
"I'm sorry.I didn't mean to blast out like that.Its just that....I don't want to burden you."
"You were never a burden and you can never be a burden to me,Aarthi.Please understand that.I've already lost a sister,I can't lose you too."
I shot her a questioning look.
"Yes...I had a sister,Shruthi.She was twelve and I was sixteen when she died.Dad told her not to ride the scooty but she begged me to let her go,so I did after dad went to work.A bus hit her and she was spot dead.It was so hard for me to even look at her body.With the wounds,I could hardly recognize her.She was in such a bad shape.It took me real long to get over that guilt.I used to love her a lot.She used to look so cute and we always got along so well.And now,I think of you as my sister.As Shruthi.I can't lose you like how I lost her.I'd never forgive myself if I let you go all alone and if something happens to you...I'd die."
A cool drop of tear hit my legs.
"Sh...Meghna.Its ok...",I said kneeling down in front of her.
"I have wished to have Shruthi back but she didn't come instead you did.I could see her in you.You have the same smile,the same eyes.I don't know,maybe its my illusion but I somehow feel that way.Nothing matter more to me than you...my studies,Abi...Everything is secondary to me.You are the only thing that matters the most to me."
I was touched,overwhelmed.I thought that God made just me to suffer in the past.But everyone seems to have come across some tragedy or the other.Its such a nice feeling when you know that someone truly cares for you out there.And if Meghna is willing to sacrifice so much for me,the least I can do is be the sister she sees in me.If this is gonna give her happiness,I'll let her do it.
"I'm sorry.I never thought you'd have gone through so much."
She cried softly.
"Look,we'll do this together....Yes,we will.I'm not going anywhere without you.",I said,squeezing her hand.
She quickly looked up at me,"Really?You'll let me come with you?",she said with a smile through her tears.
I nodded frantically and she hugged me.
"Lets pack then.",she said,after little more tears and a few exchanges of solace.
"But where are going?"
"Wait,darling.Pack up,first.We must leave early tomorrow."