I was wrong about him.
1152 Words
“Tap.. tap..tap” A heavy footstep.
“Piya!”
“Piya?”
“Piya pick-up the phone, damn it.”
"Sir, this is a hospital. Please maintain silence.”
“Sorry, sister.”
“Bam” Jayesh slams the door.
“Why are you not picking my calls?”
Everyone stares at Jayesh. He is so furious. But he waited till I give him an answer.
“My phone is in silent mode.”
“Why did you visit Seema’s house?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“It is my business, Piya. It is our business. I am your partner.” He says in a frustrating tone. “You said to cancel the deal. And you went to meet her. Why?”
“Tell me why?” He shouted.
Everyone glares at us. I gesture him to leave the room. We step out to the terrace.
"Now will you just tell me?"
“It's nothing to do with our deal.”
"Then why you visited her?”
"Look, I am sorry, because of me our institute’s reputation got ruined. Sorry about that.”
“What about your reputation? The video of them trashing you out got viral. You are the burning topic now.”
"Nothing you to concern. Say our partnership ended any, I am not the part of the institute. Everything will solve.”
“Piya!”
“Don’t touch me.”
"What happened to you? Have I done something wrong to you? Why are you like this?”
“I gave you the solution so now leave.”
“No”
“Why are you so stubborn?”
“I am stubborn, Piya? I am? Gosh, I can’t believe it.”
I make a move, but he stops me by blocking my way with his arm.
"What are you doing, Jayesh?”
“What are you doing, Piya? Why are you ruining your life?"
"It's my life. You stay out of this."
"I won't." His voice is so determined.
"Jayesh, don't create a scene."
"I am here for you and you think I am creating a scene." He says with disappointment.
"Then why are you here. Did I tell you? Why are you here? To see I broke down or not? To blame me, yell at me. Why? To laugh at me. To see how pathetic I am now?"
"No"
"To troll me. To see how sad I am." My voice shakes.
"No...No Piya"
"Then why? For what reason you are here? Tell me why?"
"Because I care for you, damn it." He shouted.
"I care for you." His voice got soft.
"I can't see you like this. I am not only your partner, I am your friend as well. If you have any issues, just tell me. Please. For god’s sake."
"What will change, even if I tell you." I could not control it. My eyes got filled with tears. I look at him.
"Hey Piya... No"
I start sobbing.
"Shushh..." He hugs me. Slowly pat my head.
"Shush.. Everything's gonna be alright. Don't worry, haan. I am here na."
"Nothings gonna be alright. Everything is ruined."
"I'll take care of everything okay. Don't cry."
***
Jayesh decided to stay at the hospital overnight.
"Knock .. knock"
I turn. There Jayesh standing with two coffee mugs seeking permission to get in.
I nodded, and he enters.
"Here"
He passes the coffee to me.
"Your video is no longer available to anyone. I've taken care of it."
"But how?"
"You need not think about that."
"You don't have to stay, Jayesh."
"Nikita is not only your staff. She is my staff too. I hired her. I should take her responsibility as well."
"She is not my staff anymore."
"Why?"
"I am leaving the institute."
"Piya! You made that institute by your hand. You can't give up like that. I won't let you do that."
"Jayesh but."
"You are my partner and you will always be my partner. Got it."
I sigh.
"Yes, I know I am too stubborn."
He chuckles.
***
Jayesh slept outside of the room as it was a female ward.
When I woke up, I found his shirt around me. He wrapped me while I was sleeping. I went outside and saw him sleeping on the bench so clumsily.
I took out the shawl and draped his body.
I was so wrong about him. He is such a gentleman.
In my hard time, I get to know that I have two best buddies on whom I can rely on.
Everyone looks at me with sympathy. Deepak and Jayesh make me feel they had no difference in their behavior.
Especially Jayesh. He became a pillar to support me. Became a wall to protect me. He manages the work in the day and at night he comes to accompany me.
We talk little. You can say we don't talk at all. But still, we understand each other. We sit beside each other in silence. His presence makes me comfortably breathe. Having him by my side feels secure. I want to lean on him.
"Piya, what is this?"
Deepak shows the phone screen with anxiety.
"Breaking news! The issue between Miss Seema Gupta and a lady who allegedly enters her house took a weird turn. In an exclusive interview, Miss Seema Gupta said. 'She was a crazy girl. She came to my house and said someone will kill me. My life is in danger.' What is the truth behind this....."
"What is this, Piya?"
"Nothing. It's that I am crazy. That's it."
"Is she really in danger? Are you in danger too?"
Deepak shows concern.
I didn't give him any answer.
"Piya?"
"Nicky?... Doctor!" I shout.
A few moments later.
"She is recovering faster now. She gains consciousness. Soon she will be able to move, sit, and eat too."
Oh, thank god.
I don't know why I am back at this time again. Maybe God has given me a chance. A chance to know who are my true friends. Being an orphan, I thought my life is so miserable. Now when I saw how life could be so much worse. I realize I was not that pitiable, ever. I had friends. I had Deepak. I still have him.
And Jayesh. I had the impression that he is so irritating, careless, ignorant, etc. I was so wrong. What happened that night was weird, but maybe he had a mistake then. A mistake that could be rectified. As he doesn't remember and the situation is different, I should forgive him totally.
I am glad I have them. I am glad I have Jayesh.
I was so wrong about him.
- Writer
