The Last Conversation

It was somewhere around 2AM in the Night and I was in a deep sleep when my phone rang. I looked at it and it was Bonnie. She never calls this late until its way too urgent. “Yeah Bon Bon!” I answered the call.

“It's about Rose. She might be gone anytime. It’s about time you should see her.” Said Bonnie as I can feel she was sobbing heavily.

“I’ll be there in a while.” I said and hung up the call.

I sprung out of my bed, got ready and left for the hospital. I had flashbacks while I was on my way to see her. I still remember how we two met 5 years back at my workplace and how the romance bloomed between us. Everyone loved being around this happy go lucky girl. She had a fascination for tattoos and bikes. So, whenever we used to hang out together, she was the one who used to ride my bike while I used to be the pillion rider. Apart from that she had all sorts of tattoos on her hand. She had some deep meaningful experiences LURKing behind those inks.

We dated for about 6 months until things started to sore between us and then broke up when I got to know that she was already dating another guy for a while now. I was angry and upset for a while. It took some time but I came to terms with it and whatever happened in the last 15 days towards the end of whatever relationship we had, does not changes the fact that I had the best time of my life with her and will always cherish it for the rest of my life. We finally spoke for the last time on her last day at the office for a while about our individual futures. She said she was moving to her hometown for MBA and had to take care of her father there who was not keeping well. I bid goodbye to her and escorted her to the cab zone like old times.

We were connected on social media after that and I regularly used to check about her dad’s health. I got to know about her dad passing away and gave my condolence to her. However, we got busy with our lives and work and were not much in touch after that until I got to know that she came back to the city. I checked with Bonnie who used to be our common friend and got to know that she was suffering from Final Stage of Cancer and was here for her treatment. I was left heartbroken after I heard that. I did not want to meet her because I didn’t know how I would react. Maybe I was too weak to face her in that situation. I couldn't see her that way. But after Bonnie's Call today, I couldn’t help myself from rushing to see her maybe for the last time.

I entered the Hospital. Bonnie and others were standing there. “Where is she?” I asked Bonnie. She just pointed towards a room with tears rolling down her eyes. That was supposed to be the ward where Rose was kept. I entered the ward and was shocked to see Rose in this situation. Tears rolled down my cheeks and kept soaking all over my facemask as I slowly moved towards her. I wasn't used to seeing her this way.

She had lost immense amount of weight. There were no more hairs or eyebrows on her because of the chemotherapy she had to go through. She opened her eyes and looked towards me. There were tears in her eyes. She extended her hand towards me. I hold her hand and went towards her as she sat up. We looked into each other’s teary eyes as we hugged lightly. There was yet no word spoken between us. I was about to release her from the hug when I heard her whisper “No! Stay this way.”

“Okay!” I replied.

“What took you so long to come?” She asked.

“I was scared.” Was all I could say.

“Don’t worry. I’ll not bite you.” She said while we smiled and cried at the same time.

“I couldn't see you this way.” I sobbed and told her. She hugged me more tightly from the back as she cried.

“It pains. It pains a lot. And I want this to end now. I want all this suffering to stop.” She said as she kept crying keeping her head on my shoulder. We spoke in the same way until we dozed off in the same position.

I slowly opened my eyes and suddenly I was outside my office with Rose standing next to me. With all her hairs back in her usual attire and a happy smiling face. The sun was shining brighter and the surrounding looked greener than usual today. The breeze that was touching our faces felt much more cool and pleasant.

“Finally I get to see Rose... In all her glory.” I said admiring her look.

“So, here we are… Where it all started.” Rose Said.

“Yep! Its where we first met.” I said as we both sat on the stairs.

“Seriously! I still remember how we two met and started talking. I just got attracted to your good-looking physique. Nothing else was much impressive about you.” Rose said playfully.

“And I got attracted to your tattoos. Nothing else was much impressive about you too.” I replied while we had a great laugh.

“You’re going to remember all that aren’t you?” She asked.

“Till eternity. How about you?” I asked.

“I’ll keep watching you.” She said as I stared at her.

“Stop staring at me. You make me nervous.” Rose said.

“Oh, I don’t mean to make you feel nervous.” I replied.

“Oh, you do Sir. No one knows you the way I do. But I feel good now. No more pain. No more suffering. No more fear. I’m happy... Content. I feel I have lived long enough now and its time to see dad.” She said as she took a deep breath of relief. "I'll be able to see him, right?" She asked looking at me. "You'll be able to see anybody and anything you want." I replied.

“Let’s go! I’ll drop you till the exit. For old times sake?” I offered her my hand.

“For old times sake!” she said and gave me her hand.

We slowly walked towards the cab zone like I used to drop her every night after she logged out. “And... Stop being an asshole with people now. Its high time you show some real emotions than covering up with your shitty behavior.” Rose said while we walked. “I’ve been hearing a lot of that nowadays. Boring stuff! But still I’m working on it.” I said. "But don't stop being childish. It suits you." She added. "I was waiting to hear that." I smiled.

“That’s good.” She said as we moved towards the cab zone which looked more brighter now. There was a huge horse carriage waiting for her. The horse was as white as snow. “I can see dad sitting in there for me.” Said Rose as we stopped in front of the cab zone. Holding each other’s hands, we looked into each other’s eyes for the final time. We had tears. “Always be happy and be the way you are. You’re doing good. Be stronger. Don’t hate anyone for longer time. It will be exhausting. And most importantly, never feel alone. Always remember, I’m watching you.” She said. “You’ve been the most special person I’ve ever had. I’ll always cherish every moment I spent with you and You’ll always be there with me.” Was all I could say.

“Now its time for me to go.” She said and turned towards the cab zone. Slowly our hands separated, and I could see her walking towards the carriage. She opened the door and was about to sit inside when she turned back and asked, “We’ll still be a couple in the next life?” and that got me thinking for a while. “Best friends would be much better!” I said with a smile on my face. "Best friends!!! It is then!" She agreed to it with a smile and sat inside the horse cart and went towards her destination. I just stood there till the carriage disappeared.

I then turned to go back and a white light flashed in front of my eyes. Waking up to reality, I felt Rose’s hand on my back just slipping off, her body getting heavier than usual and heard a long beep from the machine attached to her heart. I opened my eyes and we were back in the hospital. I was holding Rose and I just looked at her face. Her eyes were closed and had a smile on her face. She had left the world. While I carefully made her lie down on the bed once again, I could see the doctor and nurses rushing to the sound of the Heartbeat machine inside the ward. I went out to inform the doctor, Bonnie and other friends waiting that Rose has left.

I felt as if she had been delaying her eternal rest just to see me. I felt devastated that she was gone but at the same time I felt happy that Rose found me worthy enough to spend her final minutes with me. As I told her, I will never forget her and will always cherish every moment that I have spent with her. And unlike all the Souls that I have encountered and forgotten; I will carry her with me… Always and Forever.