Tryst with friendship ( the ultimate end)

Aaban's eyes opened to find Abhirup sitting on a bed reading a newspaper. He was not wearing his usual clothes but seemed to be wearing hospital type clothes, the one which a patient wears. When Aaban tried to get up, a piercing pain shot through his head and he shouted with pain. Abhirup quickly put his head down and called out to the doctor and began stroking Aaban's hair, trying to soothe him down. When the doctor cam he checked Aaban's pulse and asked him how he was feeling. Aaban told that he wanted to get up but couldn't due to the anguishing pain inside his head. The doctor helped him sit on his bed and gave him a pain killer. He assured Aaban of him getting well soon and left him. Aaban remembered the night before but could not understand how he had got here. Before Aaban could ask anything to Abhirup, he answered, " Thank God you are alive. Do you know that small glass pieces had perforated into your head. The doctor's had to surgically htake out the glass. I have only minor injuries on my head but, my arm's broken.". He showed Aaban his arm. " How long have we been here?", asked Aaban. " For quite some time. The doctors here are very good. They say they will shift us to some nearby hospital in a matter of time.", answered Abhirup, looking sadly at his broken arm. " No. I don't have much time. I have to be in Kolkata for Abbu. I have to-". " What are you saying Aaban? are you in your right senses? should I call the doctor?". Aaban had not told Abhirup the true reason for going to Kolkata. He felt guilty. He told Abhirup everything that had happened, that he feared was going to happen. He buried his face and started crying. Abhirup felt immense sympathy for him, deep in his heart he never wished the train had derailed and Aaban would have been by his fathers side. Suddenly an idea struck him. He made Aaban stand up and gave him a walking stick kept beside his bed. " I forgot to tell you, you have fractured your knee". As they were moving out, a nurse caught them. " Oh, nothing Ma'am. Just out for some fresh air.", said Abhirup. The nurse left them. They started walking at a slow pace at first and then picked it up when they were not within the site of the medical camp. Soon Abhirup found a rickshaw puller and then helped Aaban climb the rickshaw. " What are you doing? ", asked a confused Aaban. " You need to be with your family rather than in this medical camp. I will explain the doctors of your absence. Surely they would understand. This place is called Bordhoman. it is near to Kolkata. A one hour ride and you've reached. Don't worry about your belongings, I will make sure you get it. I have saved my number in your mobile phone, when you reach Kolkata, give me a call. Have a safe journey, dear brother.", Abhirup had tears in his eyes. Aaban leaned forward and hugged him, " Good bye brother and thank you.". The rickshaw puller started his rickshaw while Abhirup stood there, waving his brother Good Bye.

THE END.