Viki and Siya

Who is it?

Is anyone there? he asked in void.

He was not alone, though only one in his house, but not alone.

Being available doesn’t make a person alone, lonely or separated.

Viki came near the window to confirm if someone is there.

There was no one!! he came back to his chair, took his book, opened the page where he left

His eyes go steady on a name that read “Siya” in his book

Placing the book close to his chest he closes his eyes.

He could listen some sounds slowly getting closer and clear.

“Viki? Viki? Where are you?” Siya looking for him here and there and suddenly found him on his chair in study room.

“Oh god Viki, you and your books”, she was looking angry.

“Come on we are getting late”, says Siya and pulled the book from Viki’s hand and put it aside.

“What’s this Siya???”, asked Viki with fake anger but cute smile.

“Aye Mr. Reader, don’t you dare show me your attitude! I know all your drama, now come on get up, get up.” Siya said while pulling Viki’s hand to make him get up.

Siya looked at Viki’s face and noticed that he was getting angry and irritated. She knew Viki gets angry when someone splits him from his loved one, the books!!

But Siya never did extra to make Viki even more angry by turning the situation light and there is a reason behind it.

Viki had sudden panic attacks. And any small anger or irritation will give him the attack and, in that situation, he screams, throw things here and there and become like monster for a while. It’s too difficult and dangerous to handle him at that time.

Siya had confronted the truth 2 years ago after 1 year of their marriage. Viki had tried to explain his condition when they were dating but Siya always took it lightly. During first year of their marriage Viki was on the ninth could with Siya that he didn’t get panic attack and he himself start thinking that he got cured with the love of Siya.

But then one evening Viki came late from office and was not in good mood. Siya on the other hand was angry because they planned a movie and Viki came late. The little argument soon turned into fight. That day Siya noticed that Viki is completely out of control and doing things she never seen which was scary for her.

Next day when Viki apologized to Siya and she understood the situation and decided not to stretch any argument in such a way, that make Viki little bit angry.

Viki woke Siya up from bed with a smile & said, “So ma’am, where we are going today?”

Siya paused for a moment and said, “Cafe, and one of my friend also going to join us. He wanted to meet you?”

“He?”, Viki asked with naughty smile.

“Oye! Mr. Jealous, he is friend only”, Siya said it with narrow eyes, as she knew Viki was jealous freak nor a possessive guy.

“Ok then, let’s go, lets meet your ‘friend’ “, Viki laughed and took his car keys.

They reached at cafe a little late, and one decent not so old but around the age of 40 - 42 guy was waiting for them.

Viki and the guy exchanged strange looks as Siya introduced them.

“Viki he is D…. Rajat, I mean my friend from college”, Siya carefully completed her statement.

“Rajat he is Viki, my husband”

Both smiled at each other and had casual handshake. And silently occupying their seats.

Rajat was looking around and observing fine ambience; Viki took a hold of what was going on and started conversation

“Nice Cafe right?”, “I and Siya had spent long time here when we were dating each other.

“Ohh Yeah, Nice ambience”, Rajat replied with blank expression.

Viki with some confusion!!! Siya noticed it, so she broke the silence and asked, “What you guys going to order?”

“Well I will order our favourite cold coffee, what Rajat want to have?”, Viki continued

“Ohh Sorry I hope you don’t mind calling you Rajat”, Viki added.

Rajat laugh and nodded.

Siya trying to understand the looks and Viki added, “No, but I think Dr. Rajat would be better, right?”

“Viki?” Siya asked with amaze.

Rajat and Viki both smiled.

Holding Siya’s hand Viki said, “Siya, I know you love me a lot, and you want me to overcome my stupid attacks, but I already have list of doctors”

“But Viki, Dr. Rajat is ….”, Siya tried to explain, but Viki interrupted

“Your Friend Dr. Rajat, famous psychiatrist is on top of the list”, Viki exclaimed with a smile.

Siya understood that her idea to make Viki consult Dr. Rajat without telling him has failed miserably.

Rajat smiled at Siya, turned to Viki and asked, “Are you doing your breathing exercises daily?”

Viki said, “Yes Dr. just the way it was told.”

“Rajat?”, Siya amazed again.

“Yes Siya, Viki has already consulted me and following my prescriptions”, Rajat and Viki both smiled.

“You never told me???”, Siya asked Viki angrily.

“Siya, I have bothered you a lot because of my attacks, I just wanted to keep you away from it and I asked Rajat, to help me out of this condition”, Viki getting numb eyes .

Rajat added, “And you know Siya? Viki is always in pressure that his anger may harm you someday.”

“You both? Ahhhh .. Shit”, Siya smiled with her childish expression, then shouted, “Now you both go and bring me my coffee, huhh”

“Rajat, let’s run” Viki signals Rajat and both went to get coffee.

Siya kept starring at Viki with a smile and thought in mind this is what we call friendship, when we genuinely want to make the person happy and solve all of their problems. The other knows but doesn’t want to ruin the effort of the other person. Viki help me to maintain my fantasies and excitement.

Suddenly Viki opened his eyes, book still on his chest, lying on his chair. Viki coming to present here and now, Siya’s voice echoing room, which he could hear clearly.

He can still smell the Coffee, can still listen Siya’s laughter. And again he shouts,

“Who is it?”

“Is anyone there?”

His eyes again get steady on Siya’s photo with garland on the wall.

She was handling so many things he didn’t know about,

She never wanted him to get panic.

She never wanted him to know about the truth.

- SIFAR