Keeping the Promises (14 page)

At night, after having sweet corn soup cooked by mom and me, we both lay on our bed with the notebook in my hand. In a way, it was the first narration to her so we both were exited.

And I started reading.

On the way to Cafe Piano, Ansh was sitting sombrely, wanting to have no conversation at all. And Dhruv – knowing his friend regardless of any explanations – was giving him what he needed the most, silence-the only thing he could offer to his friend at the moment. Had he been in Ansh’s shoes, he knew he wouldn’t be as calm as Ansh was. He’d have smashed all the obstacles that would come between him and his love. At least that’s what he believed then, not knowing that the obstacles were on their way and there was nothing he could do about it.

Once they reached there and faced Mr. Shah, both couldn’t help but notice his red, swollen eyes. Dhruv and Ansh felt like someone
has backed over them with a truck. Angie, who held a special position in their lives, felt cursed after seeing her father like that.

Without uttering a word, both took their respective seats.

“Hello sons!” Even with so much pain, Mr. Shah was kind enough to greet them with a smile, but boys being boys merely nodded.

“I guess Ansh, your girlfriend has already told you what happened yesterday,” he continued, understanding and ignoring their despondence.

“Yes, sir! And you are not leaving the house, not for us,” he ordained. Mr. Shah welcomed it with a smile.

“I expected this from you and that’s why I called you. Forget about Angie; tell me, will you be able to see someone else after her?”

The question struck him hard inside, something that stirred everything inside of him, something sudden and unexpected. And before he could stop the words, they were out.

“No!” And tears started pricking his eyes, knowing that it was true. Somewhere between when he saw Angie for the first time and they made love for the first time, he’d learned that life without Angie was hopeless and meaningless. Even though he hadn’t thought about it since last night, the very first thought irked by Mr. Shah frightened him. It was a nightmare he did not want to live.

“I know and you won’t have to. Trust me.”

“How, sir?” That’s all he could say.

“Angel is twenty-one now. I’ve seen her growing up in front of my eyes. Since her childhood, she has been a “grown-up” kid. Usually, kids have their own needs. When they see various dolls and toys in fellow children’s hands, an urge to have the same bubbles in them. But, she was different. She knew what things I could afford and what I couldn’t. She never allowed herself to get fascinated by those luxuries I couldn’t afford, but as a father you must know what your child needs. During her ‘Athai Tap’, for the first time she asked for something –
you! Now she thinks that she asked for too much and you are one of those luxuries which I cannot afford. But she is wrong. I can, and I will. And as I see you, I can say that I’m proud of my upbringing. She could not have asked for anything better than you. You are one good man Ansh and I promise I’ll fix this. All I’m asking for is some time. Can you two give that to me?” Ansh nodded, with tears in his eyes – just like Mr. Shah. Dhruv, who was listening to the conversation all ears, cleared his throat,

“Of course, Mr. Shah! I know my friends Ansh and Angie and I know that breaking apart is the last thing they want from life. And we will not let them.” He said firmly, meaning it. Ansh knew he did not need to say anything; all he needed to do was trust his best friend and a great man sitting in front of him.

After finishing his coffee, Mr. Shah asked for the cheque to which both Dhruv and Ansh refused as they were going to have their lunch there. Mr. Shah hugged both of them and left.

“Accident!” The doorkeeper screamed and ran out. Ansh and Dhruv didn’t want to hear it, as they already had a thunderstorm to deal with.

After five minutes, the manager ran inside and reached towards them.

“Excuse me, sir! I think he’s the gentleman who was sitting with you earlier, who met with an accident.”

“What???” Ansh squeaked and ran out. Dhruv followed him.

They saw Mr. Shah on the ground, full of blood and wounded, his tibial bone was broken and displaced. He was partially conscious, which undoubtedly was a good sign. He was shaking his hands in pain.

“Please call 108 Gajju!” Ansh cried out.

Dhruv somehow was able to compose himself.

“Calm down, Ansh. 108 will take minimum ten-fifteen minutes to come. Let me call Bhai. I think he is somewhere nearby.”

He immediately took out his phone and called his brother.

“Where are you Bhai?”

“At my friend’s hospital, what happened?”

“Is it nearby SG road? Angie’s father had an accident; we are at the Cafe Piano-TGB.”

“Shit! Listen, don’t panic and drive him here. Make sure he remains conscious. I’m texting you the address. It’s just five minutes away from there.”

“Okay Bhai! Coming!”

He ended the call and turned to Ansh.

“Ansh! Go and get my car from basement,” he threw the car keys at Ansh which he took and ran away.

“Excuse me, sir!” A voice came from behind. Dhruv turned around and saw the doorkeeper standing. “This is the number of that Audi car. The entire accident might have been caught in front door’s CCTV as well.”

Dhruv thanked him for that but at that time Mr. Shah’s treatment was the first concern for them. Ansh drove the car near to where Dhruv and Mr. Shah were and was quick in opening the back door. Dhruv lifted Mr. Shah and placed him in the backseat, while Ansh remained on the driving paddle. Within five minutes, they reached the given address and saw Dhruv’s brother standing at the gate with a stretcher held by other doctors and nurses. They took charge as he lifted him out and put him on the stretcher. They drew Mr. Shah inside while Dr. Brijesh was standing, helping them to clean up the blood in the backseat.

“How did it occur?” Dr. Brijesh asked.

“An Audi hit him on the service road. I guess whoever was on the driver’s seat, was completely drunk.” Dhruv shrugged his shoulder, a wave of nausea sweeping through his head.

“Okay. I’ll have to inform the police first,” he said and pulled out his phone, but before he could dial the number, Dhruv interfered.

“This is the car number and accident is recorded in the front camera of TGB. And Bhai…”

“What Dhruv?”

“That bastard must not get away.”

“He will not. Don’t worry.” His brother ensured him.

Angie and her family arrived at the hospital within an hour.

“Where is he?” Her mother – whose eyes were still wet and widened by shock – asked.

“Inside, let’s go!” Dhruv answered and led them inside.

When they reached inside, they saw a lower extremity cast on his right foot. Mr. Shah was still unconscious. Dhruv started observing everyone’s faces. Angie and her mother were weeping, their eyes moistened and swollen. The rest were just standing quietly. Angie’s Badepapa was looking at him with ignominy. Only then did Dhruv realise that he wasn’t enjoying Dhruv’s leadership for sure. Dhruv somehow ignored him and saw some police officers coming.

“Where is Dr. Brijesh Gajjar?” The inspector asked.

“Just a moment, sir!” Dhruv said and asked a nurse to call his brother.

He came out and shook hands with the inspector.

“Here are the detailed reports of the patient, inspector! His name is Prasoon Shah and this is his family. You can get further details from them and any progress on the accused driver?”

“Yes, Dr. Gajjar! He was arrested at Thaltej Circle where he got involved in another accident. His name is Vishal Shah, son of the famous businessman, Akhilesh Shah. He was completely drunk while driving.”

“Excuse me? Did you say Akhilesh shah?” Angie’s Badepapa emerged from nowhere.

“Yes, who are you?” The inspector asked. He didn’t like to get interrupted.

“I’m Prasoon’s elder brother.” He answered and looked at Dhruv with an unspoken indication.

“Yes, do you know them?”

“Very well. He is the most reputed person of our community.”

“We all know about his reputation. He is nothing but just a goon with lots of money,” the inspector snapped at him.

“Whoever he is, file the strongest charge sheet against him inspector!” Dr. Brijesh said.

‘And that’s why he is my big B. Proud of you brother!’
Dhruv kept his words to himself.

“We do not want any complaint against him from our side,” Angie’s Badepapa said. Everyone, even the inspector was stunned by his response.

“What? You want to let the person who almost killed your brother walk free?” Dr. Brijesh groaned.

“My brother is alive. So we do not want any complaints.”

“He is alive because we brought him here in time,” Dhruv growled at him with anger.

“And I thank you for that, but our decision is final. We don’t want to file any complaint.” He said with folded hands and clenched teeth.

“Let me tell you something, whatever you are doing is not going to help him much. He was caught drunk. So he is going to jail anyway,” the inspector said and it somehow pleased Dhruv.

“Excuse me inspector, I need to go to another hospital. I’ll be in touch with you for further updates.” Dhruv could sense some disappointment in his brother’s voice, as he also had his limitations as a doctor.

“Okay, Dr. Gajjar. We are also leaving. I think we are done with this case.” The inspector said and snapped at Angie’s Badepapa again before leaving.

Dhruv again gazed at everyone. Angie’s mother and Angie were crying, just crying. Her Badepapa and Rishi were still giving him that
ignominious look. Ansh was standing too, but still as a rock with a frowned face. Everything seemed to play with his emotions – first disbelief, then grief and finally anger.

“Guys, you are going to succumb to these bastards? You are going to sacrifice each other for people like them?” Dhruv groaned.

Ansh and Angie looked up in shock, unable to find any words. Angie’s cousin Rishi got closer to him.

“Don’t you dare to talk about my father like that!”

“What would you do? And tell me what can you do? Look at me, I’m not Anshul Bhatt. I’m Dhruv Gajjar and you don’t know what I can make out of you. I have been teaching lessons to losers of your kind since very long and believe me, I’m best at it.” Dhruv clenched his fists and shot at him with his eyes. His father probably noticed Dhruv’s red ears and burning face. He knew if he and his son got involved in a duel, his son did not stand a chance. He too came forward.

“Rishi, let’s go. We will meet my brother after his discharge. We don’t need to deal with these goons. And Angel, if you still want to be with this boy, then prepare yourself along with your father to leave our house.” Both walked out of the hospital tapping their feet in anger. Dhruv stared at Ansh who was staring at Angie. Perhaps he was expecting her to say something. Actually they both were. But all they could see was a girl crying voraciously on her mother’s shoulder.

“Seems like you both have given up, but I won’t. They will have to pay for this and I’ll make them,” Dhruv scoffed.

“This is none of your business, Gajju! You should stay in your limits,” Ansh said. The words hit him with a great physical force. He felt breathless, unable to feel his body and a riot of warring thoughts and overwhelming anger filled his mind.

“Excuse me! Are you talking to me? And what the fuck is this limitation thing?”

Ansh made an abortive attempt to calm Dhruv by putting his hand on his shoulder, which Dhruv deflected and pushed away before
he could reach. Ansh ignored it and continued, “We must understand each other’s limitations, Gajju! This is neither your family matter nor mine. We all should leave them alone. Can’t you see that she doesn’t want us? Can’t you see that she doesn’t even consider our help? And apart from that, we are friends, not each other’s guardians. You are not my father who can protect me from this bad world.” Dhruv wasn’t convinced by any of his words. He was blindfolded with his anger.

“From now on, you two better stay away from me.” He said before walking out.

She was looking at me with a stunned face when I finished. I reached for her hand and gently placed it on my lap.

“Pretty messy it went,” she said.

“Yeah, it did!”

“You didn’t mention me anywhere today.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll tell you how we broke up.”

“Oh, was it hard to get through?”

“Yes, it took our seven months away from each other.”

“Oh, well, then I hope I see tomorrow!”

Tears started pricking my eyes as her words punched me hard in my gut.

“You will. Trust me,”

She then picked up the envelopes and started reading something from them. I wanted to see what’s inside, but I wasn’t allowed to.
‘May be when she sleeps,’
I thought, but didn’t know what was coming.

“It says I have to take a promise from you now,” she softly said.

“I know, go on!” I again bowed my head.

“Promise me! You’ll never touch these envelopes even after my death.”

“I promise!”

And those colourful envelopes remain an unsolved mystery to me. Even today.