Not in this Life......

It was 8 am in the morning and Prem was honking in front Kusum's house continuously. After 10 minutes she came running carrying a half eaten sandwich  in one hand and clutching appointment diary in the other. With a bit of kohl in her eyes, a little blush, hair curling over her face she was looking nothing less than an angel draped in a black designer saree. As she reached the car, she saw Prem looking at her with an awe. She shouted at him "Are donkey.....what are you looking at? Can't you see my hands are full, open the door". Prem, as if came out of some trance, opened the door, let her settle in and drove off.

As the car moved Prem said to Kusum "Hey babes, when are you moving in with me. Are you talking to Dad or shall I come and talk". As Kusum gave the expected answer  Prem was in lipsync with her mouthing her words "Not in this life". And then they both laughed to their hearts content.

This was a regular scene from Prem and Kusum's life for over a year now. Prem and Kusum worked for a multinational and knew each other for more than two years. Prem was an IT consultant while Kusum was part of HR team in the company. Prem was a flirt and that was a known fact about him in the company while Kusum was straight forward, to the point girl yet when they bumped into each other during a recruitment drive the friendship just clicked. 

The relation that started just as casual friendship, over the time, grew into a very strong bond. There was nothing that the two didn't share with each other. They used to talk on almost everything, their work, their family, their ex-es and even sometimes the socioeconomic conditions of the country.

Prem was dumbstruck with the mix of intelligence and beauty that Kusum added to his life. Unknowingly, he started falling for her. One day while he was driving Kusum home, he told her how he felt about her and expressed his love. Kusum, knowing about Prem's flirtatious adventures brushed him off with laugh and told him it was just a momentary attraction and nothing else. But Prem was more than sure. He had been in many relationships but it was nothing like he had experienced earlier. It was something different. He kept pursuing Kusum.

Two months ago, he formally proposed Kusum. Kusum was taken aback with his gesture but then controlled herself and told Prem, she could not marry him, not in this life. He is a perfect man but she has some criteria for her groom and he simply does not fits the bill. Prem was very sporty about it, but then on he always asked her the same question and used to get the same answer "Not in this life".

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Today, it was 8:30 am. Kusum was pacing anxiously in her verandah waiting for Prem. He was never late.  She had tried Prem's mobile a couple of times but he was not responding. Suddenly, her phone rang. She looked at the screen, the number that flashed was that of Avinash's; Prem's colleague as well as flat mate. Kusum was not sure why he was calling, he never called her. They knew each other just formally. With a bit of hesitation she lifted the phone and said "Hello". On the other side Avinash was panting heavily, he said "Kusum, where have you been I am trying to reach you for last 45 minutes, your phone was unreachable. Prem met an accident while coming to pick you up. There are serious injuries on his head and he is being operated right now at the Apollo hospital. Can you make it here quickly". Kusum was stoned, she could not understand how to react. She spoke to Prem barely an hour ago when he told her that he was on his way to pick her up. Finally, after a minute or two she told Avinash she would be coming.

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It had been 4 hours since the accident and operation was still on. Kusum had reached hospital and was sitting along with Avinash near the OT when the doctor came out. Avinash reached to the doctor and asked about Prem's health. Doctor said, its a tough situation. There has been a lot of blood loss and severe injuries to Prem's brain. Right now he is in comma and there is one chance in hundred of his revival. Kusum, who was still sitting on the bench heard the  news and sulked into her shell. She was slowly remembering all the fun filled moments she had with Prem, his charm, the way he used to take care of her and then she started crying and praying for his good health.

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A week had passed by and there was no improvement in Prem's condition. He was still in comma. It was Sunday, weekly off. Kusum was in hospital since morning, sitting next to Prem. There was no sign of improvement so far. Suddenly, the pulse meter started to show some activity. Kusum was about to call the doctor but found Prem holding one end of her duppatta and calling her near. He was trying to say something. She went more close to him and heard him say "Kusum you told me always, you will not marry me in this life. For almost every question of mine you had just one answer - "NOT IN THIS LIFE".  See your GOD has given me an opportunity to go into next life. I am moving on but remember I will wait for you in my next life. In my next life, I will surely marry you". Then suddenly the pulse meter became silent. There was no activity on it, just a simple straight line. Prem was no more. Kusum was standing next to him, her eyes fixed on his (they were still shining).

A moment later as if a dam of emotions was unleashed she burst into tears and kept saying - "What was the hurry Prem, what was the hurry? I used to say NOT IN THIS LIFE, but I never meant it.......I never meant it".