Tragic End of Friendship

It was a cold Sunday. Rakesh woke up and checked his cell phone as usual. There was a

missed call from Swati Ma'am. He thought to call back her, but it was already 9:30AM and the sun is

over the horizon. So, he thought to finish his routine works and then call and ask Swati Ma'am if

there is any urgency for which she had called him so early in the morning.

Usually, Rakesh woke up late on Sundays. Weekly holiday is to be spent with family and

enjoy tasty food especially non-veg cooked by mummy or ordered from restaurant. But the

thought of the call continued in the mind of Rakesh. Unconsciously he finished his daily works,

took bath and got ready to spend the holiday watching T.V. with family.

Swati Ma'am was his colleague and also a well-wisher and a good friend. They spent time

together at office and also help each other in need. They share their tiffin during the lunch break

and never mind sharing each and everything even about family problems.

Rakesh called Swati Ma'am after being ready. The phone rang and after one ring Sweta

received the call.

– Good morning, Ma'am.

– Very Good Morning Sir.

– How are you? What's going on?

– I am fine, and you?

– I am also fine. You have called me; I am sorry I couldn't respond.

– It's fine Sir. I have called you to ask you something. I have bad news for you.

– What! I mean is everything fine?

– Do you remember! You have once told me about my old neighbor Aruna?

– Yeah Ma'am. She was my collegemate and one of my close friends. What happened to her?

– Was she suffering from any disease?

– Yeah, she was suffering from influenza. What happened to her!

– She has expired just today morning.

– What!

– Hello Sir! Are you alright?

– Y...e...s... M...a...a...d...a...m...

– Take care of yourself Sir. Talk to you later. Bye.

Then she disconnected the call. Rakesh could not bear the stress of the sudden demise of

Aruna.

He took out his bike and drove towards Aruna's quarters. No one was there. The door was

locked. He asked one of her neighbors, she told that all her family members went to the

hospital in another city where Aruna had been admitted.

Rakesh came back disheartened. He only had memories of Aruna. She once asked him

that 'Shall I be fine my dearest friend?'

Rakesh's reply was, 'Yes dear. You will be fine very soon, then we will go to a restaurant only

to have a long talk, we will spend time together as we used to be.'