One day when I actually couldn't handle myself, I was just getting more emotional when Krish's memories were automatically replaying themselves in my head. At that point of time, dad had got shifted to Chennai, and Riya was also off to Pune to meet Rachael, and both of them were very busy and they neither answered my calls nor returned them. I felt very lonely at that time.
That day evening I was completely sad I couldn't control myself. I take walk to the park nearby, I pass a bar and walk in and start drinking. As people say the alcohol inside me was dancing soothing my grief. I went there to barely have a drink or two but I had lost count of how much I was drinking, I slowly lost my senses and soon got drunk. I walked out of the bar without steadiness, I tripped and a guy held me and it was Charlie.
"Hey, Megha", he said
"Heell-lloo", I said
"You seem super drunk, come let need drop you home"
"Noo, I handle me, you go", the alcohol inside me was dancing so amazing that even there was its effect on my language also
"I can't leave you alone like this in this state"
"I say you listen. You go your home, I go my home"
"Shut up, shh", he shushed me and took me with him.
We walked for some distance, it started raining. Getting drenched in the rain helped me to become sober and I realized that this is not the correct route and that he wasn't taking me to my place.
"Charlie where are we going?" I question him
"Home" he replied
"But this is not the way to my house", I said struggling to free my wrist from his tight grip. All goes in vain because he tightened the hold.
"I know that, just come with me", he said and dragged me along with him.
He took me to an apartment, we took the lift to the 7th floor, and stood in front of a house. Charlie knocked on the door continuously, while I was trying to pull my hand away from him.
"Who's house is this?" I ask him
"Jones Mathew", he replied and chuckled
"What the heck! Why on earth did you bring me here?" I ask as Mathew opens the door
"Hello Megha and Charlie, come in", he invited us in with a very polite voice.
We walk in and at last Charlie leaves my hand and takes Mathew alone. They both spoke for a few minutes and then suddenly Mathew started to lash out at Charlie.
"Charlie after whatever stupid thing you have done today, it is very clear that we both cannot be friends anymore. Never show me your face ever.", he said as he pushed Charlie out of the house and closed the door with a bang.
I woke up, I had no idea when did I fall asleep, the time was 2:30 in the morning. I realized that I was still in Mathew's place. I looked around and saw him walking here and there, I fake coughed to gain his attention and I succeeded. As he saw me he came nearer and sat next to me.
"Hey, Megha", he said
"Hello", I replied
"Megha, have some more sleep, don't worry I would not disturb you."
"Why did you behave so rudely with Charlie"
"He wanted me to take advantage of the situation, which is not ethical. Also, I beg your pardon on behalf of Charlie."
"A lot of changes in your behavior"
"Good changes right"
"Yes reason behind it"
"After getting expelled from college I went to Sydney back to stay with my family."
"How did your parents react after getting to know what happened?"
"They feel that whatever happen was because of you and they are very angry with you. I am the pampered kid in the house so spoilt I am and even after this my parents believe that I am right. Ugh!"
"Ohh"
"Yeah and there I met my childhood sweetheart Catherine, I narrated to her everything that had happened here in Bangalore. Then she explained to me how wrong I was, she made me understand that I should have moved aside as soon as you said that you are not interested in me. I am really very sorry for acting so immature pin the past"
"You have realized your mistake right, that's more than enough"
"Hmm, and forgot to tell my parents have fixed my marriage with Catherine"
"Wow! Congratulations. When are you getting married?"
"Mostly next year"
"So Jones Mathew weds Catherine"
"Yeah you know I thought she was just my best friend but now she is going to be my life partner I am happy"
"Someone blushing"
"Forget it, by the way, why did you drink?"
"Because of Krish"
"Don't tell me that you guys fought"
"No, we didn't fight..."
"Then, no reason what Krish does. There isn't a single chance that he would ever do something that will disappoint you"
"Mathew allow me to complete"
"Okay sorry, continue"
"Krish passed away a few months ago"
"What are you kidding me?"
"I'm afraid that I'm not", I said and narrated to him the complete accident as my eyes started to produce tears.
Mathew stood up, walked s little here and there around the house for a few minutes, and then got me a glass of water and sat next to me.
"Take drink some water, Megha I really don't know how to console you," he said
"I'm okay, calm down", I said him faking a smile
I looked at him, he was looking down, pressing his fingers, his face expressed how shocked he was, and I could notice a few drops of tears rolling down his cheeks, which he tried hard to hide. He wiped his tears and looked up at me as I held his hand and gave him an assuring look.
"Are you okay, Mathew?", I asked him
"You know although Krish and I always fought, but he still inspired me in a lot of ways. He was like my secret role model", he said
Then he told me how much he always admired Krish, in education, sports responsibilities, and in many more ways, continuously speaking about this topic got me choked. Then, he asked me sorry for the loss and told me that he would always be there for me. He softly sobbed, seemed like he was the one who needs to be consoled right now.
"Megha you take a rest, I'll drop you at your house tomorrow morning. I'll be back after some time", he said
"Where are you going?", I asked
"Just I want to be alone," he said and walked out of the house
I sat alone in the house, I wasn't able to sleep. I took a stroll around the house, I found the house keys so I locked the house and went upstairs to the terrace to spend some time watching the stars. I found Mathew sitting there, he looked completely devastated and he had a cigarette lit up in between his fingers. I walked next to him and tapped on his shoulder. He looked up put off the cigarette and looked at me.
"I did not know that you were this sensitive", I said
"You know life is so unpredictable, I was going to meet Krish and you next week and apologize properly to you both", he said
"Mathew calm..."
"And now it seems like I can never do that, I should have met you both as soon as I reached India. This guilt is going to stay with me forever. Megha I was the reason why he got expelled and I couldn't even say sorry for spoiling his future."
"Calm down"
"Chuck it, you know this really gonna be very hard to digest", he chuckled
"Hmm-mm"
"I know I can't replace Krish but I can assure you that I Jones Mathew, will play the role of your brother and will always be there to have your back."
"Do you seriously have to take this path in the middle of the night"
"Yes, and I will always be with maybe protecting you and keeping you happy might help me with my guilt"
"Don't you feel cold",
"A little, come let us go home," he said and we walked down.
As soon as we entered the home he went and prepared some coffee and gave me we drank it and we spent the whole night without even taking a nap.
The next day morning we were on the way back to my house. I was scrolling through Instagram when I received a message from Riya.
Riya: Hey, sorry couldn't pick up your calls yesterday. Any problem!!
Me: That's fine, relax no problem
Riya: Listen, I have got caught up with a few commitments.
Me: Okay
Riya: You know what my parents have agreed to meet Rachael.
Me: Congrats dude!
Riya: I want you to visit the hospital regularly and take care of work okay?
Me: No problem I will take care. When are you returning?
Riya: 5-6 months or more maybe
Me: 5-6 months?
Riya: Yeah, Rachael wants me to take care of some coma patient here. You know I can't deny him so take care of yourself and the hospital
Me: Okay fine, take care
Riya: Bye
Me: Bye
I informed Mathew about Riya's long visit to Pune and about that dad got shifted to Chennai. He dropped me home and told me to call him whenever anything is needed without any hesitation.