A Happy Friendship Day Gappu !!

-Story by Gaurav Gopal Naik

Saarika was suffering from a typhoid fever from the last few days. Yesterday itself, she had got discharged from hospital. Today in the early morning her parents had gone to the medical store which was far from her town, to buy the prescribed antibiotics which had got over. But while returning after buying the antibiotics their bike was punctured. Raghav aka gattu is Saarika’s younger brother. He was studying in class V. He was dressed in a white cotton Mandarin collar shirt and a black narrow fit mid-rise trouser as today was his annual festival on the occasion of the friendship day. He was suppose to get the ‘Best Student award 2019’ and so he had a special performance too, for which he was practicing very hard from last many days. Raghav was enthusiastically waiting for his school bus to come and then to board the bus.

“Gattu……Gattu……Where are you? Take your bag. Chocolates and friendship day belts have been put in the front pocket of your bag. Mom and dad would be coming bit late as their bike has been punctured near Bir colony. Take this umbrella too, as its raining heavily.  Ekdum hero lag raha tu.’’ Saarika said while handling the red bag which had a Spiderman logo on it to Raghav.

“Gappu!!!… You have a high fever!! Didn’t you take your medicines? Your eyes have become red too.’’ Raghav said while placing his little palms on Saarika’s forehead.

“Kuch hua nahi hai humhe. I’m alright. Look… Your bus is coming. Go run. And all the best for your performance. Aag laga dena.. aag’’ Saarika said, twinkling her eyes.

Raghav confiscated bag from saarika’s hand and ran towards the school bus, which was just a few meters away.

Meanwhile Saarika went to her dim room. Her fever was gradually rising. Being unable to bear the pain she thought of taking a rest on her bed. She was feeling giddy, nausea. She was waiting for her parents who had gone at a medical store to get some antibiotics for her. But soon she heard Raghav’s calling.

“Gappuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu……Gappu…Where are You?..Ohh you are there?’’ Raghav said while switching on the lights.

“Gattu you didn’t go to school. You will miss your annual friendship day feast. Wait I’ll drop you. Go get the bike keys which are placed on the right side of the fridge.” Saarika said while getting up from her double timber coloured bed.

“Gappu…Wait…Look whom I have called’’… Gappu said while pointing towards Dr. Bhardwaj, who was their family doctor much before even Saarika was born.

Dr. Bhardwaj checked Saarika, gave her some tablets and he left after a while.

“Gattu why didn’t you go for annual feast? You would miss receiving ‘Best student award’ at the hands of your Principal madam. And so you will now miss your special performance too..’’ Saarika said while drying Raghav’s wet hair.

“You know today is my very special day? Today is friendship day! The day merely not about tying the friendship belts and distributing chocolates. It's more than that. My class-teacher Thomas Ma’m had told us once that the best friend is not the one who just promise you to be with you in your good and bad times, but he is the one who actually proves it through their actions and care. Though I have missed my annual friendship day fast, but I am grateful that I got an opportunity to celebrate it with my best friend and that’s you Gappu. If I had gone, leaving you alone in this condition then I would have never forgiven myself. You have always been there for me. I always have your back. Well, you protected me from mom’s beatings too. You gave me chocolates, sweets of your share, and how can you expect me to leave you alone when you actually need someone to take care of you. I know sometimes we fight, sometimes we don’t talk but at the end, I know that I can’t stay without you. Happy friendship day Gappu….’’ Raghav said while tying the red coloured belt to Saarkia’s wrist.

“Bas kar pagale..Ab rulayeega kya’’…Saarika said while taking little Raghav into her arms. Tears were still rolling down from their eyes.

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