Read The 3 Mistakes Of My Life Online
Authors: Chetan Bhagat
The 3 Mistakes Of My Life (31 page)
for not replying to me. Or for popping these pills. I never popped anything even when
I was most scared, you know when.'
'Your parents told you not to speak to me again. Ish wanted the same.'
'So?' Vidya removed her college bag from her shoulder and placed it on the bed.
'What did your heart want?'
Ish stood silent, looking at Govind. Govind's mother looked shocked, probably
dreading a firecracker of a daughter-in-law like Vidya someday.
'I am sorry, Ish. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I l... loved her,' Govind said.
Ish began to walk out of the room. Govind's mother went after him and pulled his
arm. She placed Ish's hand on Govind's.
'You don't have to listen to parents, but I do think you should be friends again,'
Govind's mother said.
Ish remained silent. Govind clasped Ish's hand. Govind's mother continued:
'Life will have many setbacks. People close to you will hurt you.
But you don't break it off. You don't hurt them more. You try to heal it. It is a
lesson not only you, but our country needs to learn.'
'Remember the kissing chimpanzees?' Govind called after him.
Ish stopped and looked back at Govind.
'Take the money for Ali. For me, it's no longer just for the money. But what the
money is for. Get Ali all right, it is important to me, too.'
Ish sniffed hard as he tried to resist tears.
'Can you forgive me, three times over?' Govind said.
Both Govind's and Ish's eyes turned moist.
'Aunty, isn't it strange that all the men in the ward are crying while the women
are like, so, together?' Vidya said.
Govind's mother looked horrified. Confident women make terrible daughters-in-
law.
I met Govind the next morning, right before I left for the airport. Govind was due
for discharge that evening.
"Thanks,' he said emotionally.
'For what?'
'For dropping by. I don't know how I will ever repay you...' 'Actually, there is a
way' Govind waited.
'Your story, it needs to be shared.' 'Like a book?'
'Yes, exactly a book. My third book. Will you help me?'
I don't know. I only like stories with happy endings,' he said.
'You have a pretty happy ending.'
I don't know yet about Ali. We are going for the operation, but the success
probability is not hundred per cent. Fifty-fifty is what they told us.'
'You should have faith. Probability is best left to books,' I said.
He nodded.
'So I'll go back and we'll be in touch over email,' I said. 'Sure, we can work on it.
But do not release the story until we know about Ali. Ok? It may mean your effort
goes to waste,' he said. 'I agree,' I said and we shook hands.
I met Vidya at the hospital entrance as I left. She was wearing a green lehanga,
probably her most cheerful dress, to lift Govind's spirits. She carried a bouquet.
'Nice roses,' I said.
'Law Garden has the best ones. I miss Ahmedabad, can't wait for my course to be
over in six months,' she said.
'I thought you were a Bombay girl, trapped in the small city or whatever.'
'He told you everything? Like everything?' she, looked shocked. 'Pretty much.'
'Oh well, Bombay is nice, but my own is my own. Pao bhaji tastes much better in
Ahmedabad.'
I wanted to chat with her more, but had to leave. They had let me into their world,
but I couldn't overstay.
Epilogue II
I sat at my home computer in Singapore. My wife came to my desk at midnight.
'Can you leave this story for now? You have done what you could. He'll tell you if
anything happens,' she said.
'Yes, but they are in London right now. The operation is over, Ali's doing physio
exercises everyday. He could be ready for a batting test anytime.'
'You have been saying the same thing over and over since last month. Now can you
please turn off the light?'
I lay down and thought about them. It was day time in London. Would the doctors
agree to let him go to the cricket field for a test today? What would happen if he faces
a ball after such a long gap? Will the new wrist be too delicate to play sports?
Thoughts continued to swirl as I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning I woke up early. I had an SMS from Govind.
doc approves ali 2 play,
fingers X. pls pray,
v hit pitch 2mrow
I went to office the next day. London is eight hours behind Singapore, and 1 checked
my phone during my evening coffee at 4 p.m. I had no message. I left office at 8 p.m. I
was in the taxi when my phone beeped.
ish bowls 2 ali.
ali moves fwd & turns.
straight 6...!