FIFTEEN
Asthaa was ringing the doorbell for quite a long time… there wasn't any response though.
Asthaa was anxious… what must have happened to the girl, was she alright?
She started banging the door loudly.
… how could she get up if she was sick?
Some faint noise was ringing into Urmil's ears as if it was coming from some far away land. Urmil tried to sit up but failed... she felt giddy and nauseous. The blood from the wound on her forehead had dried up.
Her eyes caught the burnt mark on the couch… Oh Jesus! The cigarette in her hand had burnt down the sofa cover… God saved her, it could have been worse.
There was a loud knock on the door.
Urmil somehow pulled herself up and reached the door to open it.
On seeing Asthaa, Urmil breathed a sigh of relief. She hugged her and started crying.
Asthaa entered the drawing room, arming Urmil.
Settling Urmil down on the sofa, Asthaa sat at her feet and hugged her knees. She looked at her friend with eager eyes and tried to gauge what had happened to her.
"You don't look well baby... how did you get hurt?"
As Urmil caressed her wound, Sanjay's dreadful appearance emerged before her.
She wiped away her tears and said "I don't know… my head might have reeled and I got injured. Just see, the sofa cover has burn marks on it… how should I face my Landlady?"
Astha lifted the cover and found that the sofa was stained, not burnt.
"Don't worry, the cover could be changed… will you have coffee?"
After Sanjay had left the previous night, Urmil longed for Asthaa… was it telepathy? Asthaa was there to stand by her the next day.
"Why weren't you receiving my calls?"
"God knows, I must have slept like dead… I could neither hear the phone ring nor the doorbell… don't be angry, my dear." Urmil hugged Asthaa.
"What's the time Asthaa?" Urmil looked at the clock. "It's two… day or night? I don't have any idea."
"Two o'clock in the morning. Come, let's take a nap."
"But what about you… why are you here at this inopportune time?"
"Nothing special, I couldn't sleep and I missed you so much that I am here. Will you drive me away?"
Urmil stood up and embraced Asthaa.
"Don’t talk rubbish! You have no idea how much I missed you and wanted you by my side... you are a God sent… my guardian angel."
Urmil kissed Astha on her forehead.
Urmil fell asleep. Asthaa appreciated her innocent face. Asthaa was sleepless. She caressed Urmil's head… how long have you not slept so peacefully?
Asthaa wanted to kiss her soft, pink lips.
... Who is there in your life Urmil… for whom do you suffer so much? A little of your love could have blessed my life.
Urmil was muttering something in her sleep.
Asthaa tried to listen.
"... don't leave me... I'm in danger. I have no one but you."
"Where shall I go dear? I have no one in my life either… honey!"
Asthaa left the bed. She wouldn’t be able to control herself if she stayed in the same bed with Urmil.
She wanted to value Urmil's wishes and remain a friend all her life.
She came out to spend the rest of the night on the sofa.
The morning light woke up Asthaa. She peeped into the bedroom to look at Urmil who was sleeping soundly.
Asthaa got freshened up and left a note on the kitchen slab before leaving Urmil's flat.
Urmil woke up late. She looked at the clock and smiled… I could sleep so soundly after such a long time… because Asthaa was here with me?
She came out but couldn’t find Asthaa. She entered the kitchen to have some coffee and found the note.
"Sleep well princess. I.am leaving… have to attend an important meeting… will meet up soon. Call me."
The handset vibrated on the centre table… Sanjay's message.
"Reminding you of tomorrow's work… perform well."
The threat was clear as crystal.
"Will be done." She replied.
Urmil rested on the sofa with a cup of coffee.
She was thoughtful about her future… she wanted to end her life but was not courageous enough to do so.
Urmil remembered Latecia at the orphanage, she slashed her wrist to commit suicide… Urmil was very young to realise… Latecia returned home after recovery.
Urmil didn’t want to live a crippled or a shameful life... she wanted to be hundred percent sure about her death.
Urmil sipped the coffee
... huh! It's cold.
