Strange Meeting

The moment was momentous. In the hospital room, there were two souls. They knew each other for years. Madhav was under observation for 24 hours. Anuradha was there when he met with the accident. It was she who brought him to the hospital.

                 They had so many things to ask each other. But they took the pilgrimage of silence. Even if they talk, a day won't be enough. They had years to be answered. 

               The air was sullen. But they experienced pure serenity. The silence took over the reign of time. If there was any other soul, they  would have broken that deadly silence, because it was unbearable for anyone; except these souls. Brain fills silence with vague mutterings. But their brain and soul was filled with memories. For them silence was the way of endless dialogue.

               Anuradha stood near the window, looking outside. She looked at him"poor soul",she thought. At that moment itself he looked at her, sensing her.  She couldn't get her eye back from him. He was going to say something. Like all other times, she bursted with something entirely different.

"Do you want coffee or something?"

"No"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I don't want anything."

She again looked outside.

"Anuradha"

It was him. He  has called her name!  She quivered. It has been a long time... hearing her name, called by him... Memories heaped down on her chest. 

"Anu.. please come and sit next to me",he was begging. This time the ice melted. She came and sat near him. 

"I have informed Mitra",she said more plainly than ever."She'll be coming"

"Hmm"he looked down and sighed. He pursued courage to look at her once more. She sat there like iron. 

"Why are you always like this?" He didn't dare to voice his thoughts. But his eyes were killing her with strokes of helplessness. Flood of teardrops was trembling inside her. 

           Suddenly the door was knocked. She knew who it could be. He was also expecting that arrival.

           Anuradha opened the door. It was Mitra. She dashed to him, leaving Anuradha quite unnoticed. 

"Are you alright Madhav!" She galloped into the bed.

"Yes. I'm perfectly fine. It's just hospital procedures."

"I was almost dead "

She sighed and only after that did  she notice Anuradha.

"Hey, you! You were here!"

"Yes. I was there then."

"It was she who called you",Madhav said

"Oh! I didn't hear half of it"

"It's okay. I'll get you tea"

Anuradha was taking her complete consciousness in pouring the tea. It was her innate ability, to hide, to endure with a smile on her face. Deep in her heart, she was just taking a diversion. Echoes of sorrows and relief filled the room.

When Anuradha handed over the cup, Mitra said,"well... I'm here... We won't be any further trouble for you.

In Anuradha’s heart, a hurricane of undefined emotion rushed in. How in heaven it can be a trouble! She had a perfect composure and she smiled 

"Okay. Then, I can leave you."

"Oh can you please wait for a minute dear? My baggage is in my car. I'll go and get them. Can you please take care of him until then?  I won't be so late."

She smiled and nodded. 

Mitra took her wallet from the table and went out in a hurry. Anuradha watched the doorway for sometime until he started speaking. 

"I know what you are thinking now"

"What!" She smiled in confusion.

"I won't say that" He brewed a smile.

She replied with a smile even more painful.

She slowly walked and sat near him. She vaguely looked at him.

"So.You are going... leaving me?!, he asked, looking directly into her eyes.

"I must leave, mustn't I?" She looked into the heart of his eyes. She saw something and looked down.

 He sighed.

She said, "it's okay,you are in safe hands... I mean... right hands. Tears hugged their eyes. They looked at each other like never before. They never had the courage to face the truth. So they abstained from talking. She had the ability to act paradoxical to her feelings. But now, he could clearly see the sorrow in her eyes.  

"Do you want to ask me something?", he asked.

In a second, she sank into their past. It took more time for her to reply. 

Her eyes were filled with tears. Her lips vibrated. 

She said,"No".

      It was a hard question for him; even though her reply was a clear answer. She never gave him apt answers. Her eyes and lips spoke entirely different languages. He had never managed to see which one is more true. 

        They looked at each other for some time. He had foreseen such a day of meeting again. He had mustered up enough answers for her. But now...she is not willing to ask questions. Also, she is resisting his questions."She won't ask anything. She can't" he thought.  

She stood up and walked to the window on the other side of the bed. 

Now, they were mere strangers tangled only with the knot of time.  She was looking at the cars rushing on the street. She felt that they all moved more silently than ever. 

          It is time to leave; time to leave everything that the heart knows. It is the truth. But sometimes truth does not hold a position. Sometimes truth is not desired. She'll be here at any moment! Anuradha looked at the half-living creature on the bed. Miserable! Not his body; but his soul. Only she knows that. 

              Mitra rushed in with greater speed. Anuradha shuddered and exploded like she was in a hurry,"I'm leaving. Take care...both of you", she ended it within a breath. 

"Thank you dear. We are so grateful" Mitra said, holding his hands.

Anuradha looked at him and said to both of them,"bye".

While closing the door, she looked at him once more.His eyes were saying something. She bursted out from its spell.