“Joe, I am pregnant” ,her voice was shivering. I couldn’t move. I was running out of words.
“You got it confirmed? I asked.Yes, I met doctor yesterday evening, Sana told.
You went alone? I asked.
No Latha aunty was with me. Its the third month.
She sounded weak.I dint know what to say.
******************************
I met Manu for the first time in Bangalore.I had gone for my MBA interview. I was waiting for Sidharth ,My childhood friend in Forum Mall. Manu came with Sidhu.After his b.tech Sidhu reached Bangalore in search of an IT job. He was staying with Manu near Kormangala.Manu was a well paid Soft ware engineer. He looked like just another brick on the wall. Branded Tshirt,low waist jeans,sneakers,helmet in one hand,unruly hair, unshaven face. He looked like just another typical Bangalore Mallu.
After joining MBA My relation with Manu grew even with out my knowledge, I was a regular visitor in Sidhus and Manus flat. Manu was a night life fan. He used to take me for a ride through the colorful nights.We took me to pubs, night clubs,DJ’s.Manu spent money lavishly.I knew Sidhu for more than 10 years ,but with 2 or 3 months Manu became more closer. If Sidhu was cricket fan,Manu loved books.I could connect myself with Manus Thoughts.
I was surprised to see his book collection. If there is anything that I never encouraged Manu ,It was his habit of smoking. Manu was a Chain smoker, but to be frank,I loved to watch he smoking. He loved each and every puff, he was not just inhaling it, he loved each and every molecule of it.
Manu used to drink a lot.”Manu you shouldn’t drink and smoke like this dude”,I told him one day at Down Town pub.He looked deep into my eyes,gave a silly smile and blew the smoke on to my face.I coughed. Manu laughed,kept on laughing,his laughing slowly turned into tears.He started crying.I didn’t know what to say.Manu ,what happened man,Come on.Whats our issue,tell me bro.share”
He wiped off his tears,took a bottoms up.”I am cool da Joe.I love my job,Eversince I saw a computer in my childhood I wanted to be a soft ware engineer.I love sitting infront of it for hours.I love cracking codes,I love coding, decoding ,I love my job.You know I am a super techie.I love sipping coffee in between my work.I love smoking in between my breaks.I love my family.I have awesome friends.I have a wonderful life.I am blessed dude. Then why did you cry ?I asked.I don’t know,he sighed.I really don’t know da.Only you can understand what I say,even Sidhu wont.I feel incomplete,I feel sad,I don’t know the reason of my sadness.I smoke,I drink.I search for that missing element in this smoke,in these,I would have tried drugs long back.But I love my mom.I patted him,don’t even think like that Manu,You read a lot,you think a lot,you love music,you are creative,well that incomplete feeling even I have.But don’t be down .He hugged me.
Another day he took me to UB City,He introduced me to a girl. Joe this is Sana.I met Sana for the first time.Long curly hair, left cheek dimple, brown eyes. She looked cute.
Manu seemed more happy those days. He used to drink less. He used to call me every week. One day he called me and said.”Joe I am in love, I am no more incomplete. I don’t get time to seek answers for all questions brother. I got the answer. I love Sana”
He used to take Sana where ever we went,Pubs,malls,movies.they loved,cuddled,kissed infront of us.Manu forgot the world.
“We are getting married, you better be there “I got a letter along with Manus invitation card.
I was busy with a training, I couldn’t make it to Sana’s and Manu's wedding. But I wrapped a gift and sent it to them.
******************************
Sana how are you? I asked.
“Joe I was scared,I cant believe that I lived two months in this world with out Manu ,I can’t believe Manu is no more. I can see him standing in corner of the kitchen watching me making coffee. At night My room is filled with his cigarette smoke Joe. He is alive, he is with me. When I get up in the middle of night searching for him in the bed, he blows cigarette smoke onto my face. All are telling he is no more. But believe me Joe.He is here.he is listening to our conversation.Sana was weeping.
I know Sana,he is near.I know
I was afraid that everyone will force me for another rmarriage,I was afraid.But my Manu loved me so much,he did not leave me alone.His baby is growing inside my womb.My Manus baby.
******************************
“Who is your favorite character in Bible Joe.Manu asked me.I was simply looking at the stars.Well I stumbled.I love David.Even I feel like him,weak,scared of that Goliath.I’m a weak Sheperd who owns just a harp.I am afraid of that Goliath Joe.Will my God give me stones to defeat him.”
I just smiled at him”
******************************
Sana if it’s a boy you should name him David.I said.
I don’t know why,but I will Joe,cause Manu loved you so much.
She hung up.
Crosscut road was full of vehicles and crowd,I saw smokes from the vehicles covering the night.Behind the smoke.in the crowd I saw Manu walking towards me,He had a cigarette in his hand,He blew the smoke out,His unruly hair danced on his steps.He looked deep into my eyes.He winked at me.
