It was a cloudy day. Not too gloomy; the clouds were just the perfect shade of grey. I was getting ready to spend my day off laying on my couch, reading ‘Hold Still’ for the umpteenth time. It was Sunday, the beloved day for all to go hang out with their friends and family. But I had none, at least not where I lived.

I lived in Bengaluru then, working my new job. It was a great offer; so, even though I had to leave my family back in Odisha, I decided to take the job. The first few weeks were manageable; I was busy with shifting and putting things in order in my tiny new apartment. But after everything was settled, I started feeling the initial pangs of homesickness. I started missing my mom’s cooking, my sister’s annoying giggles, and even our street dogs’ unending howling. In short, I missed even the most annoying things about my hometown.

Work was good, though it was tiring. We had to work continuously for five hours before getting a one-hour break, and then again work for four long hours. The compensation we got wasn’t bad either; uninterrupted weekends at home, and a decent salary along with social benefits. The toil was worth the fruit.

I sat down with my breakfast tray, the T.V. remote in hand. I surfed channels until I reached the news channel. Just when I was about to take a bite out of the aloo paratha, I got a call. A smile spread on my lips as I saw the name on the screen, ‘Rashmi Aunty’. I picked up the call after pressing ‘Mute’ on the remote.

“Hello, Aunty! Namaste!”

“Yes, beti. Namaste. How are you?”

“I’m good, Aunty. How about you?”

“Yes, dear. I’m all fit. By the way, I have a favour to ask.”

“Sure, Aunty. What is it?”

“Can you call Priyal to check where she’s reached? That brat isn’t picking up my call. She left home yesterday to give you a surprise visit.”

“What- O-Okay aunty. I’ll call her right away. Bye!”

“Bye, beti.”

Priyal is my best friend. We’ve been friends since kindergarten. And yes, she lived back in Odisha. I really had no idea that she was visiting. I was happy and, at the same time, was a bit disappointed that Aunty spoilt the surprise. I smiled and picked up the phone, hiding my excitement even though I lived alone. I turned my back to the T.V. as I walked into the kitchen, ignoring the news playing on the channel.

I scrolled through my contacts and pressed Priyal’s name. The call rang for a few moments, but it was unanswered. I tried her other number; that too was unanswered.

“My girl is so dedicated to surprise me. Poor child! I’m just gonna act surprised,” I said aloud.

“Ah, dumb me forgot to ask Aunty how she’s getting here,” I said with a facepalm.

After another call with Rashmi Aunty, I got to know that Priyal had boarded a train to Bengaluru which was to arrive that day at 10.30 a.m. I looked at my watch, it read 9.55 a.m. I decided to go pick her up from the station myself, intending to surprise her instead.

I changed into a pair of denim jeans and a black oversized hoodie before hopping on my scooty and starting for the station. On reaching the station, I saw that the entrance was unnaturally crowded. People were screaming, yelling, and rushing in and out of the station. There were multiple ambulances with sirens on, the medical staff were rushing into the station with stretchers. Many people were pouring out with bloodied clothes. I began panicking.

I parked my scooty hastily and ran over to an ambulance. I went up to a nurse and asked, “Sister, what is this situation?” The maiden, who had just finished writing something in a register, looked up at me with distressed eyes and replied, “There has been a severe train accident a few metres from the station, ma’am. There have been many casualties. Please move out of the way and make way for the patients!”

I stumbled aside as I saw a severely wounded person being brought on a stretcher into the ambulance.

My mind went blank for a few moments. The only image that came to my mind was that of Priyal; she had boarded a train to visit me.

She had boarded a train to visit me.

I rushed into the station and started screaming out Priyal’s name like a mad woman. I collided with many people, some desperately searching for a loved one, some desperately wanting a loved one to find them. Everyone was in hysterics; the atmosphere was one of pure chaos. The air was heavy with dust and the pungent smell of blood. As I neared the edge of the platform, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. A great relief washed over me as I saw the name ‘Piyaaa’ flashing on the screen.

“Hello, Piya?! Are you fine? Where are you right now?” I yelled into the phone the moment I picked up the call.

“Hello? Am I speaking to Miss Nayani?” came an unfamiliar voice from the other side.

“Yes? Who is this and where is Priyal?” I screamed into the phone, my voice getting louder with each word.

“I am very sorry to inform you this, Miss, but your friend Priyal…”

———————————————–

I ran to the reception and asked for the whereabouts of Priyal. The receptionist gave me a room number and a floor number which I blindly jabbed into the elevator. My legs seemed to have a brain of their own as they carried me to a large crowded room. There were around 30 beds in that room. Each bed was occupied by a patient, maimed and still. And beside almost every bed was that loved one who was waiting for their surprise visit. I scanned the room for the face I was looking for; I found it in a corner. I rushed over to her side. A doctor had just finished examining Priyal and was moving on to the next patient with a disheartened look.

“Doctor, doctor! What is wrong with her? She will survive, right?” I asked desperately, grabbing the doctor’s arm. She held my hand gently and said, “I’m afraid, Miss. You don’t have much time together. We tried all we could. Her spine is badly damaged and 20 of her vertebrae have been crushed. I’m really sorry.”

These words fell on my ears like lightning bolts. I felt my phone vibrate in my hand. ‘Rashmi Aunty’ was the name on the screen. The phone dropped from my hand. I slowly walked up to Priyal’s bed. She had the same face twinkling with mischief, only it was covered with dried blood and hastily wrapped with bandages. Her whole body was bloodied; her arms and legs were covered with bandages. Her purple tee was discoloured with blood and was torn in many places. The doctors probably shifted her to this room after examining her condition, and ascertaining that there was no hope of saving her.

There was a drip attached to Priyal, but there was no oxygen mask. The doctors probably didn’t want to waste the precious gas on a lost cause. There was a heart monitor, however, with a feeble reading. I kneeled beside her and took her hand gently.

“Piya?” I called quietly. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at me blankly. After a few seconds, a light of recognition flashed in her eyes as she squeezed my hand. Tears started blurring my vision as I squeezed her hand back.

“Why… Why didn’t you wait for a few more days… Why you…?” I muttered in between sobs. Priyal’s pale lips curled into a weak smile.

“Surprise, honey!” She whispered using all her strength. I could say nothing; all I could do was hold her hand and cry my heart out.

“Heiii! Now don’t send me off all messy like that,” I heard Priyal’s feeble voice again. I looked up at her. Her eyes were filled with the same innocence that she had when we were kids. I made a shaky attempt to wipe my tears. Putting on a smile as best as I could, I said, “Shut up, dummy. You’re getting back on your feet within days and we’re celebrating my birthday at my place. No excuses now!”

She chuckled, and I giggled. Tears spilt out of our eyes without us realising. She tightened her grip on my hand.

“Nayani yaar… Tell maa and baba that I’m sorry for not being able to see them for the last time,” Priyal said, sniffing while smiling.

“Don’t talk rubbish, Piya! You’re walking out of this horrid place,” I said as if I was consoling myself.

She smiled wider as I felt her grip loosen.

“I love you, Nayani. I’m really happy to have you here with me now. I’m at rest and remember, I’ll be watching over you always…” said my best friend on her deathbed.

“I love you more, Piya. I always will…” I muttered. Priyal’s smile never faltered, but the heart monitor did. It showed a flat line.

——————————–

It’s a cloudy day, even after 10 years. The clouds are the perfect shade of grey, yet it feels too gloomy. It’s Sunday, and I’m on my couch, reading ‘Hold Still’ for the umpteenth time. I’m still in Bengaluru, with no family or friends to visit me, except for the bright jolly girl in a purple tee who still watches over me.

My phone rings, and a smile spreads on my lips as I see the name on the screen, ‘Rashmi Aunty’.

“Hello, Aunty. Namaste!”

“Yes, beti. How are you?”

“I’m good, Aunty. How about you?”

“Yes, dear. I’m all fit… I have a favour to ask, by the way.”

“Sure, Aunty. What is it?”

“Please live well, my child, and be happy.”

“I will, Aunty. I definitely will…”