It was the same corridor which she had traversed every day for the past two months. Light blue door adorned its walls while the faded white wooden doors lined on both the sides. In the night, the four tube-lights lit it up and in the morning, it glowed with the sunlight pouring in through the window at the far end. And at times of dusk like this, it had that uncharacteristic glow of the evening hue. Everything was the same as always, and yet, it had a new refreshing emotion in its air.

And why wouldn't it be? Her friend had returned after a two-month exile. Nature had every reason to celebrate.

Riya walked down its length to open the second last door on the right. No sooner did she open it, she had the glimpse of her friend. There was a look of amazement on Natasha's face as she watched the sunlight play hide and seek with her. The modest outside wind was just enough to keep the curtains aloft, allowing the light to filter in through them. Natasha looked exactly like a little child who was witnessing this mesmerizing play for the first time. She can't be blamed too though. God knows if she even had light in whatever world she had been these two months. And now when she had it, she was trying to cash in each and every ounce of it.

Riya smiled at the innocent gesture.

It took a moment for Natasha to register Riya's presence. When she finally did, she stared at Riya with the same blank expression she had done last evening. Riya was starting to feel it'd be an action replay of the events when Natasha gave her an assuring smile. That one smile melted all the doubts and fears which Riya's mind had started to gather. All of them vanished in the dying rays of the sun.

It wasn't the same a day before.

Riya had just got home from college when her phone buzzed with a call. It was Natasha's mom calling from the hospital. Even before receiving it, sad thoughts had raced towards her heart. In those initial days following that dreadful accident, Riya would spend days and nights in the hospital. Once that shock passed over, her life began to regain some normalcy. Yet, even after that, she had made it a habit to visit the hospital every day after her college. And so, that call from Natasha's mother felt odd because she'd be at the hospital in an hour anyway.

She just needs you to bring some fruits, the cheerful part of her mind tried to console, but the worst of thoughts never left her side. She had hoped that time would heal the fear she had of losing her friend any second. The doctor's words of her friend being out of danger were supposed to do the trick. Her brain didn't just remember it all, but it made sure that she didn't forget those worst of possibilities. Did Nat leave me alone? Did she lose her battle after all this time?

However, all those questions had been put to rest when she talked with Natasha's mom.

"She has regained consciousness beta. Our Natasha is back. Nat...come beta. Come fast."

Riya's happiness had known no bounds after that. Much to her parent's surprise, she performed a little happy dance and jumped around the house. She hadn't bothered to change her dress or put something in her grumbling stomach. She just dumped her bag on the couch and ran to the hospital, shouting the good news to her parents. Those fifteen minutes of her life were the longest she had ever experienced. She was ready to go through it though. Because she knew that at the end of that tunnel, a bundle of light awaited her. A light of happiness which she had longed to embrace for an eternity now. And that moment, she felt as if she had finally reached the end of eternity.

When she had reached the hospital and opened this door, she was greeted with the same blank expression which she saw for a moment again today. However, the consequences of that expression weren't the same the last evening. A silence had lingered between them for a time which was uncomfortably long. Tears had threatened to spill out of Riya's eyes but she somehow kept them locked inside her. Has she lost her memory? That question had propelled itself above everything else and just like the way it arrived, it went away as well.

They had been granted another chance at friendship and Riya would have never wished to spoil it with nasty thoughts such as that. It was like a 2.0 version of their friendship and she'd only adorn it with the cheerful thoughts.

Even though Natasha's face didn't change a shade, Riya just hadn't been ready to give away her hope that easily. If silence was supposed to be the sound amongst them, then she was happy to share that orchestra with her best friend. Riya had taken those next few steps tentatively before she sat down beside Natasha on her bed. Natasha wasn't just lying lifelessly on that bed anymore. Intact, she was half-sitting up, which in Riya's eyes was a great recovery. But when her best friend had failed to strike any conversation at all, the dam of Riya's resistance had broken. And that time, she didn't hold back her tears at all.

On the other hand, Natasha was in a turmoil of her own. When you've been in darkness for long, even that tiny glimpse of light is enough to leave you bewildered. And when the whole world gets illuminated erasing all traces of darkness in an instant, it is normal to be unsure of what to do. Natasha felt as if she had been through a long darkness, both physically and socially. While she knew that it hadn't been the same always, that it was just a phase of her life which was over for good now; she still feared for it all to be just a dream and vanish if she tried to chase it too hard. And so, the internal defense systems in her had put up that blank expression on her face in order to save her from mockery in case the events were to take an unexpected turn.

It wasn't as if Natasha didn't know who all the people were or didn't recognize them. She did. She knew exactly who that girl sitting beside her was and what importance she had in her life. She did. And yet, she was just afraid to express her emotions to the world. She had heard somewhere that a touch of affection from your loved ones can do wonders and magic. Yesterday, Natasha got the best example of that. The firewall of her insecurities was hacked into pieces when Riya took one of her hand in hers and rest her head on it. The tears in Riya's eyes damped her hand in an instant and at that moment, Natasha had let it all go.

"Riya..." she had whispered, her breath heavy and loud.

The two girls had then engulfed each other in a hug before crying their hearts out for as long as they can remember. No words were spoken, but then, none were needed as well. Their tears were talking to each other and their happiness was dancing in the other's embrace.

Today, when Riya was again greeted with that blank expression, she feared Natasha had once again gone into a shell. But that smile after that spoke volumes to her. She may have been in a coma for two months, but Riya was glad her friend hadn't forgotten to tease her.

Riya went on to sit beside Natasha once again before taking Natasha's hand in hers. As the duo began their conversation about the lost time, both knew it was going to be a long night.

***

21st July 2017

This was a bit boring chapter, wasn't it?

I don't know about you, but as a writer, I did feel like it. If you need a confirmation of it, then you'll be glad to know that I actually fell asleep while writing it.

But then, I guess such quiet phases are necessary if you're to enjoy the sound of a storm.

So, did you like this reunion?
What are they going to talk about?

Well, stay tuned...