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Pratibha
Pratibha shivered in the cold breeze that entered through the window of her flat. She sipped her coffee and then placed the cup on the table. "It had been a tiresome day at the office.” She smiled at Simran and stretched out her legs to unwind.
Simran took the TV remote, holding the cup in the other hand, and tuned to a music channel. "You take additional work and no doubt it will increase your stress. Why did you ask Sai to assign more responsibilities?”
“There is a reason behind it, you know. I’m eager to go back to Bangalore after finishing this project. I want Sai to write a good report about me and he sends me contented.”
“But we don't know what's awaiting next, right?" Simran said. "Let's pray to God Sai will send us back home.”
Pratibha finished her drink in silence.
“By the way, " said Simran, "I really enjoyed the outing with you and Rahul. You're lucky to have Rahul as your boyfriend.”
Pratibha straightened in her seat. "Yes, I agree that we spent quality time together. I knew you would like Rahul; he is quite accommodating and friendly.”
“When will you talk to your parents about Rahul?” Simran asked.
“Rahul was not that insistent when he was here. However, I’ve promised him I'll talk to my mother very soon.”
Simran smiled.
"What do you suggest?" asked Pratibha. "Should I rush speaking to my parents? Is it okay to discuss such an important matter over the phone?”
Simran lowered the TV volume. She looked at Pratibha. “You said Rahul didn’t raise the matter again, right?”
Pratibha nodded. "No. He didn't."
“You better talk to your parents when you return to Bangalore as Rahul is not insistent," Simran said. "It’s indeed an important matter to talk about in person.”
“Thanks for the advice,” Pratibha heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m eager to see my parents and unhappy over Sai’s insistence on working on the weekends.”
“My fiancé is eager to see me, too.” Simran fidgeted with the remote. “Let's be patient for a few more weeks.”
Pratibha nodded.
“I’ve told my fiancé to visit Hyderabad soon.”
“Really?” Pratibha’s heart lightened. “When is he coming?”
“He said he will let me know soon. He is too busy to commit to a date.” Simran paused. "How is Murali? Did you meet him after your trip to Mysore?”
Pratibha told Simran she had met him in the apartment building along with Rahul.
She hadn’t received any calls from Murali. He used to call her almost every evening before their Mysore trip. A sense of compassion filled her mind. She blamed herself for Murali’s situation. She needed to call him.
"Let's call him and find out how he is doing," Pratibha said. She grabbed her phone from the table and swiped the screen. The phone rang and rang; Murali didn’t pick his phone; Pratibha tried again; no response.
"He is not answering." She placed the phone back on the table. "Maybe he is busy at work."
Pratibha hastened to don a red mixed purple salwar kameez. She had another ten minutes to go before catching the office cab. Simran shouted from the living room asking Pratibha if she was ready. Pratibha told her she would be there in a couple of minutes.
Pratibha’s phone rang. Who might it be? She fished the phone out of her purse. An unknown number lit the screen. Damn it! She tossed the phone on the dresser table and hastened to apply lip gloss and mascara; she went to the living room.
Her phone rang again and the same unknown number lit the screen. She whispered to Simran about the anonymous caller and swiped the green button.
“Hello, Pratibha here.”
She heard a rustling sound and then a male voice said, “Hi, Pratibha. I’m Prakash, Murali’s friend. I hope Murali has told you about me.”
Pratibha remembered Murali talking about him. She whispered to Simran, who was gesturing to hurry, that Murali’s friend was speaking.
“Yes,” Pratibha said.
“How are you?” Prakash asked.
Damn it! Has he called to find out about my well-being? “I’m doing well.” Pratibha sounded impatient. “I need to go to work. Is there a particular reason why you called?”
“Yes, and please be patient. May I know when you met Murali last?”
Goosebumps popped up on Pratibha’s skin. Prakash really tested her patience. “Why are you asking this?”
“Well," said Prakash, his voice raised. "Murali hasn't answered my calls since last night.”
“He may be busy," Pratibha looked at Simran before shifting her gaze back on the floor. "Is it a matter to worry about?”
“Yes, it is. When I met him yesterday, he was quite disappointed. He has been drinking the past few days.”
Pratibha’s heart sank. No doubt Murali was hurt after she refused his proposal. “Did you call his brother or mother?” she said, sounding astonished.
“Yes, I did. He hasn’t gone there. They too are concerned about why Murali is not answering their calls.”
Something bad had happened with Murali. Pratibha needed to take some initiative now. She turned to Simran and said, "You please proceed to the office. I'll come by taxi."
Simran nodded and walked out.
“Let me check if his balcony door or window of his flat is open.” Pratibha hustled to her balcony.
“Prakash,” she sounded shocked. “The door is open. Murali must be inside his flat.” She walked back to the living room. “I’ll go to his flat and check if he is inside.”
“That will be good," said Prakash. "I appreciate your concern.”
Pratibha locked her flat door and went to Murali’s house. Her heart racing, she rang the doorbell and waited for Murali to open the door. She grew curious when no one appeared. She rang the bell again a few more times. No response. Her pulse quickened, she rang Prakash.
“Yes, tell me." He sounded curious. "Is Murali there?”
“He is not opening the door. I'm don't know if he is inside or not.”
“I think he is inside," Prakash said. "You talk to security. I should be there in ten minutes.”
“Sure, I’ll talk to the security guards.” She ended the call.
She walked towards a security guard, lost in contemplation. Is Murali inside? Prakash had told her Murali hadn’t gone to his mother’s home either. What has happened to him? Did he forget to close the balcony door? What if he has gone to his office? And why didn’t he answer the phone?
She approached the security office and briefed them about the matter.
"Please be waited," the guard said. "I'll find a duplicate key for you."
A car arrived just outside the main gate. The security guard questioned the man behind the wheel. Is he Prakash?
The man waved at Pratibha. He must be Prakash.
Security opened the gate. Prakash eased his car inside the parking lot. He parked his vehicle and approached her.
“Hello, Pratibha,” he said.
“Hi.”
“What did the security say?” he asked.
“He’s trying to find a duplicate key.”
He looked at the guard who opened the gate. “Can you get the key fast?” He darted his gaze between her and the guard. “We don’t know what's happened to our friend.”
“Don’t worry, Sahib,” the security person said. “Let's pray to God that your friend is alright.”
Pratibha grew more curious over the matter. “Where do you think Murali is?” She locked her eyes onto Prakash's.
“Well,” he said, his eyes widened. “We ate dinner last night at my home. He was overly drunk and must be at home.”
“Did he mention anything problematic?” She bit her lips. She knew Murali was upset because she had refused his proposal.
“He consumed alcohol more than he could handle when he came to my home yesterday. I sensed he wasn’t happy.”
Pratibha controlled her urge to enquire further. She realized everything was not right with Murali.
“Did he take you to Mysore?” Prakash asked.
Pratibha swallowed; Murali did tell Prakash about their trip. “Though I was not interested, he insisted I join him.” She needed to know if Murali had told him about his proposal.
“Did he mention anything else?” she asked.
Prakash narrowed his brows. He stared down for a while before fixing his gaze back on Pratibha. "Yes. He was upset over his proposal to you.”
Pratibha sighed. "I hadn't expected he would misunderstand my friendship. I feel sorry for him.”
“Why didn’t you tell Murali about Rahul early?"
"Well, you know-" she stumbled for words.
"He wouldn't have faced all this had you told him before.”
Pratibha’s chest tightened. Everyone blamed her for the mistake which Murali had committed.
"The only reason why I became close to him is that I wanted him to come out of his depression. I didn’t want him to get upset. He often told me I resembled his deceased girlfriend, Falguni. But I never thought he would misunderstand our friendship.”
The security came to them. “You can try these keys, sir.”
“Why don’t you join us?” Prakash said, looking at the guard.
The security person told his subordinate to stay there until he returned. He walked Pratibha and Prakash to Murali’s apartment.
Pratibha remained silent, contemplating what Murali might have done. Had he attempted to commit suicide? A cold shiver went down her spine. If Murali had tried to end his life, everyone would point at her. She prayed to God to keep Murali safe and alive.
“I hope he is alright,” Prakash said while the guard keyed in.
They entered the living room. A reek of alcohol and the pungent odor of burnt cigarettes hit her nostrils. The TV was on, telecasting a Hindi movie. Standing near the door, Pratibha quickly glanced at the couches. No one was around. She held her hanky to her nose to avoid inhaling the stench.
“Oh, my God,” Prakash shouted. He sat on the floor next to the larger couch. He darted his gaze between Pratibha and the guard.
Her pulse quickening, Pratibha approached Prakash. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
Murali was lying on the floor. His face had become pale and foam oozed out of his mouth. A bottle of sleeping pills caught Pratibha's attention.
Prakash held Murali’s wrist and checked the pulse. He looked at Pratibha with an expression that said 'Murali is still alive'. Prakash listened to Murali's heartbeat. He looked up at the security guard.
“Should we call an ambulance?” the guard asked.
“Yes. We should,” Pratibha added.
Prakash looked sideways for a moment. “It will take time for the ambulance to arrive. Let’s not delay taking him to the hospital.” He rose and stood to face the guard. "We both will lift him downstairs and take him to the Apollo Hospital.”
Pratibha admired Prakash’s decision. “Yes, that makes more sense.”
She walked behind the guard and Prakash who carried Murali towards the lift. They descended and walked towards the parking lot; they eased Murali on the rear side seat of Prakash’s car.
“Are you joining us?” Prakash asked as he closed the rear side door.
Pratibha needed to attend her work as Sai would get upset. She already had taken the time-off the previous week. But she shouldn't act ruthlessly. She would accompany Murali and admit him to the hospital before going to her office. Sai Krishna wouldn’t get angry as she had a genuine reason.
"Yes, I'll come with you." She sat beside Murali.
Prakash drove his car out of the main gate. The guard sat in the passenger’s seat.
Prakash took them to the casualty section of the Apollo Hospital. A couple of paramedics helped Prakash put Murali on a stretcher and took them inside.
A pang of guilt coursed through Pratibha's mind. Did Murali try to commit suicide? He shouldn't have acted so irresponsibly. She chanted a prayer as she continued to glance at his face which had turned ashen. She hoped he would survive.