Sachin looked back and found Vineet fainting, and falling down. He held him before he could fall and made him lie on the bed. Vineet was unconscious, and Sachin worried. He sprinkled some water on his face and massaged his palm.

Sachin shaked him.. “Vineet wake up! “ he said.

Slowly, Vineet opened his eyes, his hand reached his head, and a painful sigh escaped his lips.

“Sar Dard. “ he said.

“Ab chot lagi hai, toh dard toh hoga hi na. “ Sachin said, and made him sit, and settled a pillow behind Vineet’s back.

Vineet glanced back at Sachin..

“Tum daantoge toh takleef toh hogi na. “ He said.

“Dantun nahi toh kya karu? Agar kal tumhe kuch ho jata toh kya karta main? Ek phone toh karna chahiye tha ki Mumbai aa gaye ho aur thik ho. “ Sachin said angrily.

“Ab mujhe nahi pata tha na ki aisa kuch hoga aur mujhe hospital jana padega. Mujhe jaldi thi tumse milne ki. “ Vineet replied while looking at his buddy keenly.

Sachin shaked his head…”Mere khayal se tumhe aaram karna chahiye. Hum kal subah baat karenge. “ he said.

“Tum naraz rahoge toh neend bhi nahi aayegi. “ Vineet said holding his hand.

Sachin sat beside him.. “Tum so jao, main yahin hoon tumhare paas. “ he said softly, now because,he couldn't see his buddy in pain.

“Naraz toh nahi ho? “ he asked.

Sachin smiled lightly..

“So jao Vineet. Tumhe aaram ki zarurat hai. “ he said smearing his head.

A small smile appeared on Vineet’s lips, and he closed his eyes, holding Sachin’s hand with one hand. Within no time, he was asleep, all due to the medicinal effects. Sachin was looking at his buddy, and in order to not to disturb him, he rested his head on the backrest and slept off.

Next Morning, Sachin woke up to some sounds. He saw Vineet speaking in his sleep, and was trying to get off something, and shouting his name as well. Sachin immediately held his hands patted his cheek…

“Vineet sab thik hain. Main yahin hu tumhare paas. Tumhe kuch nhi hua hai. Tum apne ghar mein ho. Kuch nahi hua hai tumhe.” he spoke patting his cheeks continuously.

Vineet  opened his eyes and looked at Sachin. His image was blurry. Vineet was breathing heavily making Sachin, a little tensed.

“Tum thik ho na Vineet? “ he asked.

Vineet just nodded affirmatively.

Sachin knew that his buddy will not share his pain with him. So , he decided to ask him about it later.

“tum fresh ho jao. Main Coffee banakar aata hoon. “ sachin said.

Sachin left the room and Vineet  was left in his thinking.

“ Ye kya hua tha mujhe ….kyun chillaya main.  Mujhe kuch yaad kyun nhi aa rha. Sachin waise bhi mere liye itna pareshan hai…..main usey aur pareshan nhi karna chahta. Abse khayal rakhunga. Meri wajah se kisi ko takleef nhi honi chahiye.” he thought so and freshened up.

Meanwhile, in kitchen, Sachin was making coffee and thinking about Vineet….

“Vineet, is baar tum apna dard mat chupao.Har baar tum mujhse aur hum sabse apna dard chupa lete ho, lekin is baar nahi yaar…..Main hua na tumhara dhyan rakhne ke liye. Main ab tumhe kuch nhi hone dunga.

Tears formed in his eyes but he rubbed them off and poured the coffee in two mugs and moved into Vineet’s room. They enjoyed coffee together and talked casually. Due to weakness, Vineet was feeling tired. Sachin asked him to rest and moved to attend some calls.

He was handling office from home, and was busy with a call, when something shocked him again, making him worried.

To be continued.