Chapter 7 – Mahe’s Men

All the characters in this series are fictional. Any resemblance whatsoever is purely incidental/unintentional.

“Hey chill. I was just joking. He’s not married yet, you dumbo.” Suchitra said assuredly.

“Hmmmm.” Suzanne didn’t know what to say as she felt humiliated.

Suchitra sported a faint smile on her face as she continued.

“You know what Suz? You have in one way helped me come out of the trauma. I have been going through a lot of pain and though I feel the situation is slightly better, I am still unable to come out of this state. But thanks to you, I have been able to stay calm for some time. John has been extremely supportive in this regard. I don’t know what I’d be able to do in return. And trust me Suz, if you ever feel you like John, or you feel something more than that, I’d say, that is by far the best decision you will have ever made in your life.”

Revathy who was watching all this patiently suddenly intruded, “Now people, what’s going on here? I’d be glad if you could acknowledge my presence here.  Is there some rom-com going on there?”

“Hey sorry buddy. I just needed a stress-buster and it came out this way.” Suchitra giggled as she said that.

“Why don’t we just go upstairs and see what’s happening? I mean, Suchi should be there is what I feel.” Suzanne suggested.

“Yes, let’s go.” Suchitra nodded.

The three of them went towards the second floor. As they walked they saw Neelima coming towards them.

“I was just coming down to meet you.” Neelima told Suzanne.

“What’s it like in there?” Suzanne asked with a troubled expression on her face.

“Everything normal. Your bro is fine. He is itching to go home at the earliest. At least that is what John told me.”

“Did you ask John to inform my parents about the developments?”

“Yes I did. But he was against it. He asked us to keep the matter only among ourselves and not discuss it with anyone.”

“Well, maybe I should go and talk to him. How can I keep this away from them?”

They kept walking towards Sridhar’s ward and as they approached the place, John appeared.

“Did Neelima tell you what I had told her?”

“Yes she did. But why….?”

He didn’t let Suchitra complete her sentence as he interrupted.

“I know that it might sound harsh. But I felt it would be better if they do not know about any developments that are happening here.”

“All right. But why are you saying this? Do you suspect them?”

“Isn’t it too obvious?”

“But why? I find no reason why they should be doing this.”

Suchitra broke down after that. Suzanne tried her best to console her and so did Revathy and Neelima. But Suchitra was inconsolable.  Suchi, Crying isn’t going to solve any problems. Now please go inside and talk to your brother. He doesn’t know the truth. I have just told him that he had fainted due to excessive strain by playing cricket.”

“Okay, I’ll go see him now.”

“Wipe your tears before you go inside.”

She did as John had asked her to. She went inside the room to find Sridhar seated on the bed munching on an apple.

“Sridhar.” She called out trying to sound excited.

“Welcome my dear sister. So finally I get to see you.”

“So nice to see you sitting up.” As she spoke she went towards his bed and sat near him. She poured him a glass of water as finished the apple.

“Suchi.”

“Yes Sri. Tell me.”

“I need to ask you something.”

“What’s it?”

“Yes. That’s the question. What is it? What is going on around me?”

“Nothing. You fainted. So we had to bring you to the hospital. Nothing serious, don’t worry man.” She tried to sound as jovial and casual as possible trying not to show her disappointment and agony. She felt as if she was betrayed by her own parents. She couldn’t fathom the fact that her own parents had turned their back to her. Till the very moment she was of the opinion that her parents were next only to the Almighty. But now, she felt devastated by her parents’ act.

“I know that there is something fishy going on here. John doesn’t look good. He isn’t even talking to me properly. The doctor isn’t saying anything. Tell me what it is Suchi. What’s all this suspense about?”

“Hey it’s nothing.”

“You think I’m a fool? Do you think I’ll just remain quiet and listen to whatever you say?” Sridhar raised his voice and his face turned red with fury. He seemed calm all this while and suddenly he turned wild. Suchitra was puzzled and equally shocked at his reaction.

“Sridhar relax. There’s seriously nothing going on here. John is just upset that you fell ill suddenly.”

“Stop it right there.” Sridhar interrupted her. “Just get out of here. I can’t take any more lies.”

“Sridhar please.” Suchitra tried her best to maintain her composure and not give vent to her emotions. Unfortunately for her she was not successful. She succumbed to her emotions and started crying again.

“I cannot handle this anymore Sridhar. Please leave it here.”

“Just get out Suchi. I’m sick of all your crying. And now you’ve started lying to me which is worse.”

Suchitra ran outside the room crying. She went straight to her friends and sat with them.

“Hey hey what happened? Don’t cry dear.” Suzanne was the first to console her.

“What happened Suchi?” it was John out of nowhere. “I hope you haven’t told him the truth.”

“Not sure John. She just came out crying.” Suzanne answered, not letting Suchitra say anything.”

“Suchi, why don’t you stop crying for a while and tell me what happened inside?” John was a little puzzled and angry as well.

 “John, please. Why don’t you give her some time?”

John turned away and tried to regain his composure. He then turned around again and apologized to the girls.

“Okay okay. I’m sorry. Apologies for losing it. Whatever is happening around me doesn’t even look real to me. I am just hoping all this is a dream. But it’s all real.”

“It isn’t a dream John and it is not going to be one however much you try.” Suchitra finally gathered strength to talk. “I maybe crying all day but I know my responsibilities. I haven’t told my brother the truth. He thinks I am hiding something from him and that’s the reason he is angry about it. I will talk to mom and dad once we take Sridhar home and ensure everything is smooth.”

“Thank you for understanding Suchi. It’s already late now. Let’s go.”

“Girls. I’m afraid I’ll need to go home now. Thank you so much for being around when I needed you most.”

Again it was Suzanne to respond quickly, “Don’t be so formal sweetie. We are always there for you. Call me once you’re home.”

Suzanne, Revathy and Neelima  bid farewell and left for their home. John went to meet Sridhar to convince him that nothing had happened.

“John, please don’t join the club and start bluffing. I am sure there is something fishy going on here and that’s the reason why I am admitted. Please speak the truth.”

“Dude! Mr. Strike bowler! Now stop doubting your stand-in captain. Nothing’s going on here. You’re alive and kicking and we are playing another game this weekend. Tell me if you’re in for it. But before that let’s head straight home.”

“Okay okay. Chill John. Not that I mean to offend you, but I just wanted to clarify. By the way did Sushil call any of our team-mates? He left so angrily, God knows why he is so hot-headed. By the way, when did I become a strike bowler?” he started giggling after saying that.

John smiled too and replied

“Not as yet. I’ll call him myself. And enough of our talking. Let’s start now. Your sister is ready to leave.”

“I feel bad for having shouted at her. I couldn’t stand her crying because that’s how most girls react when the truth is written. Crazy isn’t it?”

“That’s okay. She’ll understand. Let’s go.”

After the brief conversation, both of them came out of the room. Suchitra was waiting outside the ward and as she met Sridhar she turned aside. Sridhar came to her and said

“Sorry Suchi. I shouldn’t have talked to you that way. I hope you’ll accept my apologies as you usually do.” And he winked at her saying so.

“Huh. Finally you realize.” Suchitra also smiled at him.

The three of them headed towards John’s car. All of them seemed to have been relieved considering Sridhar’s health and his doubts being cleared temporarily.

They reached the car and John took the wheel. Sridhar sat with him in the front and Suchitra took the back seat. John and Sridhar were engrossed in a deep discussion about their forthcoming cricket matches while Suchitra fell asleep.

When everything seemed to be going fine, Suchitra suddenly woke up startled. She heard Sridhar utter something to John as John looked on equally shocked.

To be continued……

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