Her Best Friend’s D-day:
©All rights reserved
Author: Rhituparna Chakraborty
#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction with no relation to any person/organism living or dead. Any resemblance to any person, organism, place, character or situation is purely coincidental. There is no intention to hurt or rebuke anyone or any profession through this work. This story/episode cannot be copied, published or reproduced without the permission of the author RhituparnaChakraborty.
Her Best Friend’s D-day:
Pritisha looked at the calendar. The entire month was booked with meetings except for the weekends. And she was the one who had scheduled those meetings. Being the team lead, she had to conduct the meetings. Those were necessary because the clients came up with questions any time. Now, how was she going to make it to her best friend Jisha’s D-day. Pritisha cannot miss it no matter what. How was Pritisha going to manage things? Three kids, husband on official tours, unreliable house help, the kids had full offline school and to add to that, office responsibilities. Pritisha’s kids, Saina (10), Rihaan(7) and Samaira(4) were pretty independent for their age. Since Pritisha was a working mom, the kids were okay with Pritisha travelling for work. However, Pritisha and her husband took turns when it came to travelling for official trips. When Pritisha had to travel, her husband would work from home for a week or two depending on Pritisha’s travel schedule. If her husband had to travel, Pritisha would work from home for a week for two. However, this time her husband had go on a long trip and Pritisha was not comfortable leaving her kids with the househelp.
Pritisha brushed her head, tied her wavy hair into a messy ponytail and stood up from her desk and stretched her hands. She walked up to the coffeemaker to get some coffee when she heard a beep on her phone. Pritisha checked. There was a message from Jisha.
Jisha: You reaching when?
Pritisha read the text. Her husband Sarthak won’t be home for the next 15 days and Jisha’s D Day was next week. Damn! There was no way, Pritisha could text back ‘Sorry Jisha, I won’t be able to make it.’ If Pritisha texted that, there were chances of Jisha cancelling the event. Yes, Jisha can do that. And Pritisha cannot let that happen. Pritisha cannot ruin Jisha’s special day.
Pritisha texted back: Hey Girl, I will be there. Sorting some things in office. You concentrate on the preparations. I promise I will be there.
Jisha: I know you will be here. My bridal dress is here. The jewelries are here too. I have spoken with a mehendi artist as well. She is good. Oh Pritisha! I can’t wait. Come soon!
Pritisha: Yes Sweetheart. I will be there. Promise!
Jisha: Cool! Bye now! See you!
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Saira, Rihaan and Samaira were at the garden playing. The house help watched the kids. The house help, Sunita, was good, but she had this habit of taking leaves frequently. Pritisha was watching the kids play sipping her cup of tea. She then took her phone and dialed Sarthak’s number.
Sarthak: Hey
Pritisha: All good?
Sarthak: Yes. Called me early in the morning. All good?
Pritisha: Hmm. I know it’s around 7 am there. But help me find a solution.
Sarthak (Yawning): For what?
Pritisha: Jisha messaged. I have to go.
Sarthak: Hmm.
Pritisha: I thought I will tell her all my problems and I know she would understand but you know I….I just can’t miss this.
Sarthak: Hmm…
Pritisha: What do I do? How do I manage things here? You know Sunita. She is good. But what if she suddenly goes on leave?
Sarthak(thinking for a while): You go. I will arrange something. When do you need to leave?
Pritisha: By Wednesday next week.
Sarthak: And when will you be back?
Pritisha: In 4 days.
Sarthak: Okay! I will book the tickets. You settle your office chores. I will arrange something for the kids. They will be safe. Don’t worry.
Pritisha(smiling): Thank you!
Sarthak: Love you.
Pritisha: Love you too.
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Sarthak booked Pritisha’s tickets. He requested his younger sister Sanjana to be with the kids till Pritisha was out of town. Sanjana was a university student. Her classes were on. Pritisha did not want to trouble her. However, Sanjana had the option of attending online classes. And it was a matter of just 4 days. She was more than happy to help Pritisha.
Pritisha thanked Sanjana profusely and left for Dibrugarh.
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The doorbell rang. Jisha’s mother Yamini answered the door. Seeing Pritisha, Yamini beamed and said, ‘Oh my darling! So nice to see you!’. Yamini hugged Pritisha and continued, ‘I am so glad you took out time from your busy schedule to come here.’ Pritisha smiled warmly and said, ‘How could I not come on Jisha’s D Day!’ Yamini’s eyes became moist. Yamini called the house help and told him to keep Pritisha’s luggage in the guest room. Yamini then escorted Pritisha to Jisha’s room. A little girl was applying nail paint on Jisha’s toenails. Yamini told Jisha, ‘Jisha…. Look, who is here…..’ Jisha looked up and the moment she saw Pritisha she was about to run to her when Yamini said, ‘Girl, be careful. You are the bride. No rush rush.’ Jisha laughed. The little girl smiled and said, ‘She must be Pritisha aunty, right Jisha Pehi? Jisha smiled and said, ‘Yes Sumi. She is my best friend.’ Sumi went to Yamini and said, ‘Aaita, now Jisha Pehi will forget all of us.’ Yamini smiled and said, ‘Hahah. Let’s go now and leave these best friends alone. Let the girls be. You go and ask your dad if catering, photographer, everything is all set.’
After Yamini and Sumi left, Pritisha went to Jisha and hugged her. Just then Jisha’s elder brother Jiyesh came and told Pritisha, ‘Be careful girll! She has nail paints on her toenails and fingernails.’ Pritisha laughed and said, ‘I am careful bro.’ Jiyesh then said, ‘Pritisha, we do have a make up artist, but Jisha is insisting you can do her make up way better than anyone else. Are you okay with it?’ Before Pritisha could say something, Jisha said, ‘Ofcourse she has to be okay with it. She is the best make up artist I know. I need her to do my make up.’ Pritisha held Jisha’s hand and said, ‘Yes sweetheart, I will take care of your make up. Now show me your dress.’ Jisha giggled and said, ‘Right away My Lord.’ Jiyesh said, I will ask Nimisha to take out the dress. You and Pritisha talk and relax. I will send something to eat as well.
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The D Day dawned. Pritisha wore her prettiest Saador Mekhela. After all it was her best friend’s D day. Pritisha got Jisha ready. Right from draping the mekhela saador to makeup, Pritisha ensured, everything was perfect for Jisha. Jisha wore a pretty red Assam Silk Mekhela Saador with golden embroidery work. Right from eye make up to blush to lipcolour, everything was perfect. Jisha looked like a fairy from heaven. Yamini kissed Jisha’s forehead with moist eyes. Jiyesh looked at Nimisha and said, ‘Isn’t my sister looking like an angel?’ Nimisha held Jiyesh’s hand, smiled and said, ‘Yes. She is.’ Sumi stood near Jisha and said, ‘Pehi, I also want to be a bride someday just like you.’ Jisha said, ‘Sumi, you will become a bride. But may you never ever become a bride like me. Never.’ Everyone went quiet.
The photographer came, clicked beautiful pictures of Jisha. Jisha was immensely happy. She asked the photographer to click a lot of pictures of her with Pritisha. It was a beautiful wedding with everything a bride desires.
There were only two things missing in the wedding. The Groom and the Priest.
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Pritisha came home after the event. A week later she got the news which she knew would have come any time. Jisha left for her heavenly abode. She was in the last stage of a terminal disease and her last wish was to become a bride. Jisha had become so weak that all her organs including her bones had become so fragile that no one was allowed to hug her tight lest her bones fractured.
Pritisha looked at the pictures of Jisha and her, clasped the phone on her chest, knelt down and howled. Her best friend was gone forever…………..
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