When Friendship Never Fades-8
Just as Chirant had said, Tulasi called Prakash.
“Sir, namaste. I am Dr. Tulasi speaking from Tulasi Nidhi Hospital in Madikeri.”
The moment he heard “hospital in Madikeri,” Prakash panicked for a second.
“What? You’re calling from a hospital in Madikeri?” he asked anxiously.
“Yes, sir, please don’t worry. I am Nidhi’s mother—Meera’s friend. I wanted to speak to you about something, so I called.”
“Tell me, madam… what is the matter?” he asked, still a bit concerned.
“Sir, we were looking for a boy for a medical assistant job in our hospital. I came to know that your son is at home, so I thought of calling you.”
“Oh no, madam… he is not a burden to me. I don’t want to become rich from my son’s hard-earned money. I will take care of him well as long as I live. He is my son, after all,” Prakash said emotionally.
“Sir, you just said you will take care of him as long as you live. But after you… who will take care of him? On whose earnings will he depend then? Please think about it. Don’t say no, sir. Give him a chance to stand on his own feet.”
Prakash thought for a moment.
Who will take care of Chirant after I’m gone? She is right… he should learn to stand on his own.
“Alright… I will send him,” he said, agreeing.
“But it would be better if you discuss this with Chirant and Meera first before deciding,” Prakash added.
“Okay, sir. I will speak to them,” Tulasi said and ended the call.
Turning to Chirant, she said,
“Chiru, everything is set now. The only thing left is convincing Meera.”
“I’ll take responsibility for convincing Meera,” Nidhi said confidently and decided to call her.
Just then, her phone rang—it was Meera.
Picking up the call, Nidhi said playfully,
“Wow, you must have a long life! I was just about to call you, and you called me first.”
Ignoring that, Meera asked directly,
“How is Chirant? When are they discharging him?”
“Chirant is fine… but they’re not discharging him from the hospital.”
“What do you mean? Say it clearly,” Meera said.
“Mom has given him a job as a medical assistant in our hospital. From now on, he’ll stay here. I was about to call and tell you this, but you called first.”
“Oh really? Does he like it? We should have asked uncle once,” Meera said.
“We already spoke to him. He said to discuss it with you and Chirant. Now only your approval is left—and Chirant has already agreed.”
“If he has agreed, what’s left for me? Let him do what he likes. But one more thing… since he’ll be here from now on, tell him not to keep trying to talk to me again and again,” Meera said firmly.
“Okay, Meera. I’ll tell him. See you in college. Bye,” Nidhi said and cut the call.
As soon as she ended the call, Nidhi turned to Tulasi.
“Mom, Meera agreed. What should we do next?”
“After the diagnosis, Chirant needs at least one week of bed rest. During that time, Meera might find out. So for that one week, you and your friends go on a trip. That will help.”
“A trip?! We’ve been planning to go for so long but never could. And now you’re telling us to go? You’re the best, mom!” Nidhi said happily, hugging and kissing her.
Meanwhile, as Meera was getting ready for college, Nakul called.
Picking up, she said teasingly,
“What’s this, sir? Calling at college time—what’s the matter?”
“I just called because you were upset about Chirant last night. I wanted to check if you’re okay now. How is he?”
“He’s fine now. They’re discharging him today. And there’s good news too—he got a job as a medical assistant in the same hospital. He got a chance to stand on his own feet. I’m really happy,” Meera said.
“Oh… that’s good, Meera. What else?”
“You tell me.”
“Nothing much… can you give the phone to Manya?”
“Why? Talk to me. You can talk to her later,” Meera replied.
“No, Meera… I needed to tell her something, that’s why.”
“Then you should have called her directly. Why did you call me? Don’t call me again like this,” Meera said with a hint of annoyance and cut the call.
Manya, who was sitting beside her and listening, started laughing.
After the call got cut, Nakul wondered,
Why does she behave like this?
He tried calling again, but Meera didn’t respond. So he called Manya.
“Hello, Nakul?” Manya answered.
“That Meera is there, right? Why is she so angry? I just asked her to give the phone to you, and she cut the call saying I should have called you directly.”
“I know. I’m right beside her. She’s just like that. Tell me, what is it?”
“Come a little away from her. I need to talk personally.”
Manya stepped aside to talk. Meera, who noticed this, sat there with an annoyed expression.
“What is it?” Manya asked.
“I called to ask about Chirant and Meera. Did you find out why they fought?”
“Yes… I did. But I can’t tell now. Tomorrow evening at Nidhi’s birthday party, I’ll tell you everything. Okay?”
“Okay,” Nakul said and cut the call.
Coming back to the room, Manya saw Meera staring at her.
“What was so personal that I shouldn’t know?” Meera asked.
“Oh, nothing… it’s just between me and him. Why do you care?” Manya teased.
“Tell me now… or else…”
“Hello madam, calm down. What will you do if I don’t tell?”
“Nothing… I’ll just feel bad and then stay quiet,” Meera said, turning her face away.
“When did you become this selfish, Meera? So I shouldn’t talk to your guy now?” Manya teased again.
“You can talk… it’s not that. But when you’re talking to me, and he asks for you, it annoys me,” Meera admitted.
“Miss Meera… remember, Nakul was my friend even before he became your lover,” Manya said.
“Maybe… but as a lover, I like him more than you like him as a friend,” Meera replied.
“Alright, alright… let your love win. Now shall we go to college?” Manya asked.
“Hmm, let’s go. Tomorrow is Nidhi’s birthday, right? We haven’t bought a gift yet. Let’s buy one in the evening, okay?”
“Okay,” Manya agreed, and both left for college together.
When Friendship Never Fades–8 To be continued…
You can also read this story When Friendship Never Fades–8 in Kannada.
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When Friendship Never Fades-8
