Together

07

Exhaling a deep drawn breath, Sumedh walked out of the Emergency Department, taking slow and cautious steps as he found his way to the waiting area. His eyes, which he desperately wanted to close for atleast a few minutes, scanned the spacious room and caught glance of the one whose image had covered every inch of his mind's wall. His heart, however, didn't need any sort of image; feelings were enough.

"Ouch!" Sumedh shrieked, startling Mallika who had probably fallen into a light slumber. Unfortunately, his right leg didn't permit him to sit down without a surging pain.

With his arms crossed over his chest, Sumedh rested his head against the wall and squeezed his eyes shut, bearing the pain which he had thought to be unbearable. Mallika silently stared at the wall in front, her gaze absolutely unwavering.

After about five minutes of deafening silence, Sumedh whispered, "We survived?" He didn't feel the need to open his eyes.

In a voice which wasn't any less monotonous than his, she answered, "Yes, lol."

"I still can't believe this happened."

"Really? Why? I knew we were in for something like this."

Opening his eyes, he tilted his head to get a view of her face. Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Excuse me?"

"What?"

"You don't trust me?"

"Of course I trust you. I just don't trust your driving skills, you know?"

"Mallika, it-"

"-you guys are literally crazy!" Basant, who had just walked in, stated.

"Dau? You got the medicines?" Sumedh questioned, looking up at him.

"And the award for the most careless driver goes to Mr. Sumedh Mudgalkar," Basant flashed a taunting smile as he handed over the two dangerously white polybags to Sumedh.

After fumbling in the bags, Sumedh frowned, "God, these are a hell lot of medicines."

"And that's because you guys have got a hell lot of injuries. Mallika has fractured her arm, Sumedh," Basant said, disappointment evident in his voice.

"Yeh taufa humne khud ko diya hai," Mallika giggled, eventually dragging Basant's frustration to another level.

"I'm serious guys! And Sumedh you, how can you be so damn careless while driving?"

"Exactly Dau! I'll complain to Aai."

"Wait, what?" Sumedh glared at Mallika, his pupils widening with shock.

"What what?" she asked, wearing the most innocent expression she could manage to bring out at that moment.

"Oh madam, I lost my balance because you tickled me so damn badly," Sumedh justified.

"So? You should have controlled yourself."

"For God's sake, Mallika! How can anyone not lose balance on being tickled while driving?"

"For God's sake, Sumedh! How can anyone not have a firm focus while driving?"

"For God's sake, Mallika! How can you expect such a damn ticklish person to not respond to your damn unbearable tickling?"

"For God's sake, Sumedh! How can-"

"-for God's sake, guys!" Basant interrupted, intensely exasperated, "Can you both just stop fighting?"

"Wait, who's fighting?" Sumedh asked, glancing at Basant and then at Mallika.

"I need an explanation,” Basant demanded.