D-20

Continues

Day 12:

My focus was on Deepak. I was tired of convincing him to take Nikita's ticket and join us. But he was upset for her, he said, how could he take advantage of a friend's misfortune. 

I discussed it with Seema too.

"Such a stubborn guy is Deepak. He is not listening to me at all." I complained in front of her.

"I think he has a point. "

"Seema, you are supporting him. Wait! You can convince him. Please!."

I tried hard to make a puppy face it didn't work. 

"You convince your boyfriend like this also?" She asked.

"My boyfriend is not childish at all like him. He is a well mannered, understanding, and mature guy. "

"Really, I am so curious about it now. Tell me about him. And how did you meet?" Seema shows her interest in my love life.

"His name is Sumit. Four months ago, I was hiding from the loan shark. I bump into him. I was about to shout, but he stopped me from making noise by placing his hand over my lips, firmly pressing it. He shields me so that they couldn't notice me. "

"Oh wow, so he saved you like a hero."

"Yes, he did. And guess what, after that, we bumped into each other often. Just like destiny. He showed up when I needed him. We interacted and started dating. I fell in love with him at the first sight only."

"Love at first sight?" 

"Yes"

I was blushing while we were talking.

"Wow, now where is he?"

"He has a meeting in Delhi, so he went there for a month."

"Your staff know about it?" She asked.

"No"

"Why? Are you not serious?"

"It's not like that. He said not to do our relationship public. It's been only four months yet. We have much more to do. We need to stabilize our careers first. Then he'll propose me directly."

"Oh my god, so romantic."

I felt shy.

"You are asking me only. Tell me about your na." I said.

"My? We knew each other since we were kids. I was working hard to earn for a living. He was also doing so. I became a star, and he felt he was nothing in comparison with me. So he wanted to stay away from the limelight. For that, he tried to stay away from me. But he couldn't. Love dragged him towards me. He wanted to be something and the day he succeeds he'll come forward in public with me. He doesn't want to embarrass me." 

"Wow, sounds familiar. Our guys are somewhat like-minded. " I said.

We giggled. 

After the session, we went to another restaurant. Not the usual one she prefers.

There she looked tense.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing."

She was looking through the window all the time. 

"Is there any problem?" I questioned.

"Nothing, just that crazy fan of me is stalking me." She answered.

"Who?"

"That tall guy with a mustache. " 

She pointed through the window at the guy really tall approx 6,8'. I can say that because he was about your height, Jayesh. I noticed that guy was roaming there for no reason if not stalking them. But get confirmed when he followed us way back to the institute. 

She was tensed, so I made a mischievous plan. That guy was stalking her. So I told her to send her car back to her house and wait till my next session ends. After an evening snack, she could call her driver to pick her up. 

She liked it. And did the same. But instead of calling her driver, she accompanies me home.  It thrilled her that she thought she'll have a sleepover at my place. It does, but we two were not alone. My neighbor Anita saw her and tagged along with us. Seema's plan didn't work as she thought, but the unexpected things give more happiness than the planned one. It's my opinion, by the way.

Day 13:

The morning was not that good because I was up all night. Anita's snore made us awake the whole night. I won't say it was a bad thing because I and Seema had a gossip night together. 

We went to the institute together. I gave my clothes to her to wear. 

Seema wanted another sleepover but without Anita that night. But I got a call from Nikita's mother requesting me to stay at the hospital for a night. 

Though I was tired and even didn't have proper sleep before, I agreed to her request. 

I explained everything to Seema. She calls her car and went to her home. I saw that tall guy in front of our institute again. This time he didn't follow her car. Perfect, she escaped from him again.

It's not that I wasn't visiting Nikita, but I wasn't properly meeting her. I had to stay at night, so I prepared a basket full of fruits. A bouquet of her favorite stargazer. 

 When I entered her ward, I felt bad for her. Such a sweet girl who was always smiling was lying on the bed. 

I was there for her. She had recovered, so we talked a lot. I told her about what going on at the institute. And many other things. 

I got a call from Sumit. So I went to the terrace to have a chat with him and not to disturb her.

"Hey, baby."

"Hi, love."

"So, having another sleepover?"

"Yes but not like that."

"Means?"

"I am here to accompany Nick at the hospital."

"Oh,"

"Hm.."

"How's she?"

"She is fine now. Recovered a lot. I made her have fruits and gave her medicine too. Now she is sleeping in her bed. I felt bad for her."

"Why? Is she in a bad condition?" 

"Not like that, but, what can I say. Her room provided is on the floor with the majority of rooms are labs only so it remains empty at night. And the most scary part is the patient next to her got discharged today only. So her entire floor is empty with we two alone in a room."

"Oh my god! Baby, take care of yourself. Close the door and stay inside the room only." 

"Don't worry, nurses come for rounds sometimes."

"Even though, keeping safety measures are more important na."

"Sure I will."

"That's my good girl. Now, look at her okay. Love you bye."

"Love you, my love."

I hang up the call and went downstairs to Nikita's room. I found her on the chair instead of being on the bed. I gave her a little nudge, and she started moaning. She must be fed up with lying all the time. 

So I let her be like that. Because the patient was gone, I took the advantage to sleep on the bed next to Nikita. I haven't had a night of proper sleep, so I fell into a deep sleep as soon as I lay on the bed.

At the midnight maybe at 2 or 3 o'clock. I felt the breeze, and that waked me up. I found the window was open. I get up and closed it. The door was open. The nurse must have come for a round-check. I didn't lock the room carelessly. But I had closed it. The nurse left it open. From that chilly breeze was entering. 

I went to close the door again. I saw Nikita was still on the chair. I thought her neck will get stiff, so I tried to wake her up. I tried, but there was no response from her. I got scared and I call out for nurses and doctors. Soon everyone gathered and examined her. She was no more. He had a heart attack. I lost her.

I was there. But I couldn't do anything. She must be in such pain, but I didn't check on her. All I did was to have a nap. That's all I was worried about. Such a terrible friend I am. It's all my fault. I should have to more attentive. I was there to look at her but failed. I blamed myself for that.

***

"Shushhh...."

Jayesh hugs me when I started weeping in the middle. 

"Shush.. It was not your fault. Don't blame yourself."

He gently embarrasses me to calm me down.