Chapter 30:- Epilogue(I)- Journey Towards Independence.

Dragging the suitcase along, Khwaab reached the garden, their secret place and tapped Armaan's shoulder who was glaring at his watch because she was late.

"You are late." He voiced out angrily, turning around but his voice died down as his eyes roamed over her attire.

"Why are you wearing this blazer? From whom you'd borrowed this?" He asked all his queries in a go seeing her dressed up in a blazer of the school uniform that reached her knees and was double her size, over her casual dress. Khwaab sighed. This boy and his questions can never end.

“Armaan these many questions aren't even asked in our viva.” He made a bad face hearing her taunt and stated," Fine, I won't ask questions anymore. Now when I won't be a part of this school anymore, you won't miss me either.”

Khwaab hid her smile seeing his grumpy face with arms locked on his chest. She found him cute.

"Ofcourse why would I miss you? I've so many things to give me company. Stars, books and now this blazer." Khwaab exclaimed hugging that blazer close to her body.

Armaan fumed hearing this and again had another question set on his tongue but refrained himself from asking, because of her taunt.

"Fine. Bye." With his brows twitched in a frown he walked towards the hostel but Khwaab ran ahead and stretched her arms to block his way and said,

"Ayee Armaan, don't be angry, I was just teasing you." She conceded making a sorry face but Armaan changed his way without bothering to listen her explanation.

Perceiving his actions she held his hand and said , "I swear", pinching her throat.

"Will you forget me, amidst your studies and these stars?"He whispered gloomily, as he had already believed that she won't even remember him.

"The day I'll forget you will be my last day on earth." He grinned hearing her response.

"Do you know the name of my favourite star?" He furrowed his brows in confusion as he didn't know she had one favourite star in particular.

"Sirius?"

"No."

"Arcturus maybe?"

"Armaan Malik." Her loud and clear words astounded him. He felt special and a shy smile adorned his lips unknowingly. All his doubts and insecurities evaporated in thin air.

"Armaan our friendship is forever and dare you doubt that." He nodded in no immediately and reaffirmed, making her grin ear to ear.

"Always.”

"Btw honestly this blazer is yours?" He couldn't stop himself from asking her making her giggle.

“No, this blazer belongs to my bestfriend."

"Mine?" His confusion increased more.

"Hmm mmm." Khwaab opened the right lapel of his coat and there was a stitched pattern with his initials 'AM' which his mother has sewed because of his habit of mislaying his blazer here and there.

"This blazer... that was you?" He was shocked as he remembered why and when he had lend this blazer to a girl. He never knew she was his best friend now.

"I tried so many ways to know who was that boy who helped me that day but I never knew that destiny will itself make him my seatmate and my best friend too."

"How you came to know this? You didn't see my face right?"

"I matched your handwriting from your English notebook with that note and I knew it even before we became friends and that is why I didn't want to leave any chance to befriend you and regret later for not knowing you." She beamed affectionately at him.

"Actually I didn't understand what to do at that moment and you wouldn't have come out because of those boys. I felt like beating them and I'm so sorry that because of us, you girls feel so awful and uncomfortable, for something which is natural and important." He said cautiously rubbing his nape due to hesitation, not willing to make her uncomfortable.

"Changing someone's mentality isn't easy and I'm glad you aren't one of them."

"So ready to go home?"

"Yeah. Where are your parents? Hadn't they come?"

"They are here- in the princi's office. I hope they don't get to hear complaints about me." Armaan said with tensed lines on his forehead since the time his parents informed him about the call from Principal's office.

"Don't take stress. There is nothing to complain. Your boards went well and you came first in interschool music competition. Principal ma'am must've called them to praise about you."

"I hope so. Anyways leave all that. After getting settled in the train the first thing you are gonna do is call me and respond to all my calls. I'll call after every hour, okay? And when you reach home don't forget to call me. No messages, just call me. Don't talk to strangers but then you don't speak much anyway. And eat those snacks only which we had handpicked yesterday or ask Sakshi's parents. Don't go out of the train to eat something. And keep your phone with you always." He briefed her all the instructions again as if she is a kid because her parents weren't coming and she was going with Sakshi's parents for she lived in Delhi too.

While she was listening everything very carefully for it is the last time she will be seeing him like this. Only her God knew when they'll meet again, like this. She wished to capture every moment for a lifetime.

"Okay My Lord! Anything else I need to take care of." She said bowing down dramatically but he didn't comment instead chuckled. He was definitely rubbing off on her and he felt good about that.

"Yes ofcourse. Just because you are at your home I'll not spare you. We will talk daily, only if it is for two minutes but daily. Promise me?"

Khwaab shook her head in disbelief but kept her palm on his, anyway.

"Promise. Now you've given me the longgg list of instructions that I need to follow so will you hear my one suggestion."

"I know that. I'll behave calmly with my parents and grand mom, won't stress myself unnecessarily. Fine? And this is also a list only." He grumbled in a complaining tone and she sighed.

"Your learning abilities are improving day by day but you still need to work on it. You forgot one thing- you've to call me instantly if you feel stressed or angry. Remember that?"

"It's obvious. I've only you." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"You've your parents also. Anyways I need to leave. Sakshi must be waiting for me. Bye!" Her voice came as a whisper as the moment came close. How much she tried to hide her low spirits but her eyes said it all. Her best friend is leaving this boarding school so that he could fulfill his dreams, to become a musician. She should be happy for him but deep down her feelings are mixed. She doesn't want him to go. He is her only friend. Armaan's condition is just as Khwaab, the only difference is he didn't hide it from her.

His face was sad and eyes gloomy as she bid him bye.

"Bye!" He whispered back without meeting her eyes. Glancing at him one last time she stalked towards the parking area dragging her suitcase along.

Her feet froze as Armaan called her, "Talwar!"

She turned back and saw him running towards her and embraced her swiftly making her smile, amidst her unshed tears.

He wanted to stop her but understanding the situation he broke the hug with a teary smile. Kissing her forehead for the first time, he mumbled,

"Take care. I'll miss you best friend."

She sniffed and tip toed her feet reaching his cheek and pecked him softly.

"You also have to take care of my best friend."

A red hue was spread over his cheeks and he nodded with a shy smile, causing a flutter in her heart. Her eyes were glued over his face until her phone rang displaying Sakshi's name.

"I need to go."

Armaan kept staring at her retreating figure until she was out of his line of vision and his tears which were at bay cascaded down his cheeks swiftly.

_ _ _

"Good morning Armaan." Her cheerful voice pulled him out of his memories.

"Good morning Talwar." He beamed with a brighter smile which surprised Khwaab.

"How did you wake up so early today?" She asked astonished, helping him to sit straight as it's a challenge to wake him up early in the morning, given his laziness and winters in NY.

"I'm awake from last half an hour." He answered and fixed a winter beanie over his head. Yes, he could move his hands slowly and steadily and everyone let him do the work he is allowed to. He could also hold light things and move his arms against the gravity whereas walking was still a difficult task for him but moving few steps till the washroom with the help of crutches was a big milestone he achieved in these four months of physiotherapy.

His journey towards independence has begin.

Other than that his health was getting better. The thick bandages have been removed as his lesions healed. He wasn't allowed to let his hair grow for another few days so that they could investigate his brain easily for any left out tumour tissue but thankfully that wasn't the case with him. And now there was a little growth on his scalp that he hid with a woollen cap. He was very relieved that it's still winter in NY and he was asked to cover his head because of extreme weakness and he didn't have to expose his bald head to everyone.

And needless to say each day of the physiotherapy session brought a new hope in Armaan's life as his progress was commendable. It was flabbergasting to say the least, for everyone, from Khwaab to all his friends to see his positive attitude towards his recovery.

Infact now it's their assiduity and diligence that has forced Armaan to be perseverant towards his goal. And his goal was clear. To bring smiles on those faces who love him unconditionally and everything became easier gradually.

"And what were you doing?" She asked fishing out his woollen sweater from the cupboard that he will wear for their morning routine of simple stretching that the physiotherapist has advised.

"Taking a trip down the memory lane. Our memories." Khwaab faced him with elation, her eyes twinkling with happiness.

"Oh so is this the reason behind your beautiful smile?" She said playfully tapping his nose and he grinned.

"Our memories always bring a smile on my face, just like you do." He confessed with a soul stirring smile that warmed her heart. She smiled and he continued,

"I was remembering when you were leaving for home after our boards, hanging that blazer loosely over your shoulders." She suddenly felt embarrassed imagining her that way while he questioned,

"Do you still have that blazer with you?"

"Obviously. That blazer had kept me warm whenever I'd missed you. I used to hug it close and fighting back my emotions became easier."

Although it was very heart-warming for Armaan but at the same time he realised the pang of jealousy he felt towards that non-living thing that in actual, belonged to him only.

Well he's Armaan!

"Now the owner is here itself. You don't need to hug that old blazer." He bleated petulantly and his dislike was palpable with his miffy expressions.

"Oh Jesus, Armaan!! You are impossible. Get ready, we are getting late." Khwaab laughed out loud and helped him to stand.

__________

"One last time Armaan, stretch your legs apart. Yes yes wider." Khwaab instructed him while sitting on the mat behind him and supporting his back with her hands to prevent any kind of jerk.

"Now bring your legs closer and parallel to each other." Armaan left his body loose after completing his tenth round being tired and leaned backwards on her.

She dabbed his face which had a sheen of sweat beads shining in the morning sunlight indicating his hard work.

"Hello love birds! All well?" Rohit approached them with a wide and positive smile which they reciprocated. He helped Armaan to stand up from the mat and then made him sit on the chair kept aside.

"Yes Mr. Malik. You know today he did ten rounds each for both arms and legs." Khwaab praised him with a smile.

"That's wonderful! Yesterday the score was seven. And I've one more good news . Dr. Mittal informed that now he is fit to go back to India and your further treatment will continue under Dr. Bose."

"Really?" Both Armaan and Khwaab said in unison, happy from the recovery and also excited to go back to their home, India.

"Yes and to celebrate this news we are going out for lunch. And here you go with your favourite litchi juice." Ahaana offered the juice to Armaan who grinned in response, picking up the glass carefully and bringing it closer to his lips.

"Your orange juice Khwaab." She offered her too and sat beside Rohit on the chair.

"Thankyou Mrs. Malik. It's such a pleasant surprise in the morning." Khwaab expressed rapturously looking at Armaan who was already gleaming at her.

"And we will be leaving in a week." Khwaab's smile faltered with this news and she mouthed sadly,

"But I won't be able to join you all. Actually before resigning from my job I need to serve the period of one month till they get my replacement."

"No way I'm going back without you. We will go a month later but with you, two days before your birthday." Armaan stated decisively leaving no space for argument. Khwaab tried to explain him but he immediately picked his crutches to stand and said,

"No arguments on it Talwar. You've to listen to me this time."

Khwaab looked at his parents who were already on his side making her sigh. There wasn't any scope of discussion left.