Love Story 2

MURALI

Murali’s glance shifted to his buzzing cell phone placed on his desk at his office. His close friend, Prakash’s name lit the screen. He grabbed the phone and pressed the green button.

“Hey, Prakash,” Murali said, his chest lightened. It had been more than a week since they spoke last.

“Where are…” Prakash mumbled.

What has happened to Prakash? Why is he mumbling? “Yes, tell me, Prakash. Is everything all right with you?”

“You need to brace yourself, Murali. I have bad news.”

Murali’s heart started racing. What had really happened? “Yes, go ahead.”

“Your fiancée, Falguni -”

“What about Falguni?” Murali asked.

“She had an accident.”

Murali’s heart sank; he was nauseated and everything around twirled; his vision blurred. He composed and then said, “Where is she now?”

“She is battling for her life in the Apollo Hospital.”

“How did you get to know this?” Murali asked.

“Falguni’s friend called and told me the news a while ago. She wanted me to tell you the matter. She couldn’t dare to speak directly with you.”

Murali’s breath caught in his chest. “What are the doctors saying?”

“They don't want to say anything at this stage.”

Murali longed to see his fiancée. “I'll leave for the hospital immediately.” He paused for a moment. “Why don’t you join me?”

“But Falguni’s brother, Hemant-” Prakash stopped short of his words.

Even though Murali feared her brother, Hemant, who had been trying to break their love affair, Murali needed to go there and see her.

“I want to see Falguni, Prakash. And I’m not scared of her brother.” He composed. "And I want you to join me."

“Okay." Prakash sighed. "I'm at home. Call me when you arrive here.”

“I will.”

Murali pressed the red button and gently tossed his phone on his desk. He hadn’t expected things would turn so unfavorable to him. He had been dating Falguni for two years and they had been trying to convince their parents for the union. Everything turned upside down because of this accident. He hoped Almighty would save Falguni’s life. And he would unite with her.

Murali would’ve married to Falguni had they both belonged to the same caste. He hated Falguni’s parents for their stubborn stance over their friendship. Her parents and her brother, Hemant, were a hindrance to their efforts to unite. Falguni’s parents were a hard nut to crack.

He shifted his glance to the computer clock. It was just before noon, and he would ask his manager, Vikram, for a half-day leave. He needed to see Falguni. I am sure she will survive and she will feel relieved after seeing me.

He crossed a few cubicles and approached Vikram, whose eyes were glued to his laptop screen; he was busy reading a technical document.

Murali cleared his throat. “Hello, Vikram.”

Vikram turned around. “Hey, Murali. What’s up?” His cheerfulness faded after seeing Murali.

“I am taking time off this afternoon.”

“Time-off? Why?” Vikram sounded curious. “Is there anything urgent?”

“Yes. I need to go to the Apollo Hospital.”

“Apollo Hospital?” Vikram looked sideways. “Is someone not well?”

“My girlfriend, Falguni, is admitted there.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Vikram knotted his brows. “What has happened to her?”

“Well-” Murali swallowed a lump in his throat. He wasn’t sure how to tell him the news.

“Yes, tell me, Murali,” Vikram said, his tone reassuring. “I’ll try to help you.”

“Falguni met with an accident.” Murali stared down at the floor.

 “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Vikram paused. “Yes, you can go and see her.”

 “Thank you, Vikram. I will keep you updated.”

“Alright.” Vikram raised his palm, gesturing him the best.

Murali stepped out of his office. The moderate, cold winter breeze made him shiver; the sun glowed in the center of the clear, blue sky. The puff of air obscured the warmth of the intense sun rays. Murali crossed his arms to feel warm as he strode towards his car.

He had enough courage to face Hemant, who hated him. But Murali was going there with Prakash and need not be apprehensive of any backlashes.

The afternoon traffic was heavy. He waited at the intersection with patience for the red light to turn green. Traffic police tried to ease the congestion in spite of the signal lights.

Murali accelerated to cross the intersection and headed down the street. He parked his car outside Prakash’s house and called him. Prakash arrived and sat in the passenger’s seat. Murali drove out of the residential area and steered towards the main road.

 “You better be calm if Hemant tries to brawl with you,” Prakash said, gingerly.

Murali looked at Prakash for a moment before he fixed his gaze back on the road. “I don’t think he will argue with me as Falguni is admitted to the hospital. He will stay calm to keep up his dignity.”

Prakash remained silent. He evidently agreed to what Murali said.

“Do you know how and where it happened?” Murali asked.

Prakash remained silent.

Murali waited for Prakash to answer; he continued looking ahead at the road.

“She was driving her scooter on the state highway,” Prakash said. “And she tried to pass a heavy vehicle.”

Murali’s heart sank. She was hit by a truck!

 “Perhaps, it was Falguni’s fault as well. She didn’t slow her scooter even though the driver signaled her not to pass. The truck driver has confessed these facts with the police.”

Murali couldn’t believe Falguni made a mistake. She drove her scooter with care. She had been driving for the past five years. There must be some other reason for the accident. “What else her friend said?”

“Well-” Prakash stumbled for words.

“Yes, tell me. What else she told?” Murali repeated.

Prakash remained silent.

Prakash must be hiding something from me.

The hospital neared. Murali didn’t want to pursue the matter. There is no point in knowing the past. I will meet Falguni and see how she is doing. God, give Falguni enough strength so that she becomes all right.

The parking lot was almost full. Murali drove past the parked vehicles and found a vacant slot. He slotted his car and stepped out.

“Where has she been admitted?” Murali asked as they marched towards the main entrance.

“In the ICU.”

Murali’s chest constricted. He hoped Almighty would be kind to Falguni.

 “We will check with the receptionist,” Murali said. He walked along with Prakash to the help desk located at the center of the hall.

An attendant, in his white uniform, shifted his gaze from his computer screen to Murali.

Murali cleared his throat. “I would like to meet a patient admitted to the ICU.”

The man behind the counter took a register book. “What’s the name of the patient?”

“Falguni.”

He opened the book and glanced at the contents. “She is no longer here.”

“Has she become alright?” Murali sounded excited.

The man paused. He started down for a moment and then said, “I am sorry. She is no more.”

Murali’s breath caught in his chest. He looked at Prakash with his eyes widened; he tried to say something but words failed him; he went to a nearby seat and collapsed on it.

Tears touched Murali’s lashes. He blamed God for snatching his girlfriend from him. He couldn’t believe Falguni died. He had taken her to the Chat Bandar at Koti the previous evening. What had happened now? I don’t think she is no more. I’ll go to her home and see she is still alive. God can’t snatch my love from me.

He buried his face in his palms and cried. He cried and cried until Prakash put his hand on Murali’s shoulder.

“Murali, please console yourself. We don’t have any control over these happenings. It’s all in His hands.”

“No, Prakash. I can’t believe Falguni is no more. She is still alive. I want to go to her home and see her alive. She can’t leave me alone.”

“I told you to relieve yourself. You need to believe what the hospital staff said.” Prakash paused, holding Murali’s hand. “It is better you don’t go to her home.”

“How can I-”

“I know,” Prakash said. “I know you loved her and want to see her. But you need to safeguard yourself. Hemant has already threatened you not to see her, right?”

Murali stared down, contemplating. He was afraid when Hemant had cautioned him to stay away from her. But Falguni loved Murali; she had told him not to care about what her brother had said. And her assurance had made Murali continue his friendship. “Let him do whatever he wants to. I would like to see my friend.” Murali rose. He waited for Prakash to join him.

But Prakash remained seated on the chair. Maybe, he was scared of possible backlashes.

“I can go alone if you don’t want to join me.” Murali grimaced.

Prakash stared down; he sighed; he shifted his glance back on Murali. “Okay, let’s go.”

Murali slid behind the wheel and drove towards Falguni’s home. He glanced inside her home premises through the main gate. A few people, in their white dresses, stood in groups. Murali parked his car.

His heart sank and it pounded in his ribcage. Falguni really went to the Almighty. Many people had gathered to pay their homage.

“I still suggest you not to attend the funeral, Murali,” Prakash said.

“You are too scared, Prakash.” Murali stepped out of his car. He pressed the remote to lock the doors

He went past the people in white dresses and stepped into the porch. Prakash followed him. Murali’s eyes welled with tears. The body was laid on the floor inside the living room with a white sheet draped on it. Murali wailed aloud and hid his face in Prakash’s chest. Prakash rubbed his back and tried to take him to the living room.

“Don’t go inside.” Someone shouted while Murali approached the main door.

He shifted his glace towards the source, his eyes widened. Hemant, his nostrils flared, looked at Murali. His breath increased when Murali continued looking at him.

“It’s all because of you, you know that?” Hemant approached and held Murali’s collar tight. “I told you to leave my sister alone. Had you listened, my sister would’ve been alive now.”

Murali held Hemant's hands and tried to loosen his clutches. He wondered how he was responsible for Falguni’s death. Falguni too loved him and she often told him not to care what her brother had said. Hemant’s claim that Murali was responsible for her death puzzled him.

Hemant dragged Murali by his collar. “Leave the premises, now.”

“But what's my role-” Murali mumbled.

“I don’t want to listen to your words anymore.” Hemant pulled him towards the porch steps.

Prakash held Hemant's hand. “Let me take him outside.” He freed Murali from Hemant's clutches. He shoved Murali out of the scene by placing his hands on Murali’s back.

Murali continued looking back at the porch as they went out of the main gate.

“I told you not to attend the funeral,” Prakash breathed heavy. “Thank God I’m with you.”

Murali remained silent. He wiped his tears with a hanky. “I never expected Falguni's life would end like this.” He composed himself, seated in the car.

Hemant had complained that Murali was responsible for her death. Murali tried hard to understand his words. “Did you hear what her brother said?” Murali sounded astonished.

Prakash avoided his gaze.

Murali suspected something took place before Falguni met with an accident. “Prakash, do you know what really has happened before the accident?” He waited, hoping for Murali, to tell the truth.

Prakash continued staring down for a moment and then said, “She argued with her parents and brother about your affair before she met with the accident.”

Murali’s blood rushed into his veins. Falguni has been trying to seek her parents’ consent to marry me. It is her parents and brother who are responsible for her death, and not me.

Murali prayed God would put Falguni’s soul to rest in peace. Her death had put an end to his marital aspirations.

What should he do to fill the void left by her? He would concentrate on office work and try to forget the loss. But it wouldn't be an easy task for him to erase the sweet memories of their togetherness.