Madhusudan had just written to her that he would be visiting her next week. Madhusudan, or Madhu as she referred to him, was her unseen friend over the Internet. He was studying in a small town in India called Meerut. His family hailed from some hill station and consisted of his parents and a younger brother. Preeti was friends with Madhusudan through a teenage Internet site that gave names, email addresses and hobbies of people who were interested in finding friends. Preeti had a few friends, but no one as special as Madhusudan.  He had a different way of writing. His mails were amazing and he chose his words very carefully.

Over the past one year, Preeti had exchanged a lot of personal information with him. They had exchanged photographs. They shared their dreams and aspirations in life.  Preeti was very excited the way her friendship with Madhusudan was taking shape.

The day mentioned by Madhusudan was nearing and Preeti could hardly concentrate on her studies. She kept day dreaming of what she would tell him and how she would greet him. Finally when the day arrived, Preeti dressed in her favourite mauve colored dress. She had braided her long hair and worn light make up. Her heart was pounding. What would it be like; she kept on thinking. “Hi, how are we?” a deep voice startled Preeti. She blushed and gave a shy smile. “I am…good. How are you?” She shook his hands. Madhusudan was even better than what she had been dreaming of.  He had perfect manners and a style that put her at ease.  Most of the talking was being done by him.  

“I’ll be away for a meeting tomorrow but can we go out together the day after? I would like to see your city.” Preeti said “Of course, it will be my pleasure.” “Take care, and see you day after,” said Madhusudan.

“Hi Preeti, what’s special today, you look very happy,” said her neighbor’s son Sandeep. Preeti knew that Sandeep had a secret crush on her and she enjoyed the attention he gave her. But loving him was never possible for Preeti. “No, nothing, how have you been?” she walked away without waiting for his reply.  

For over an hour she had been waiting for Madhusudan. His mobile phone gave a message, “The person you are trying to contact is either out of coverage area, or has switched off the phone.” Preeti did not know any other way of contacting Madhusudan except on his mobile phone. After waiting for him for what seemed a very long time, she decided to go home. She was frustrated.  She sent an e-mail to him every day and got an automated message, “I am out of town and will respond to your message when I return.”

Time is a great healer and Preeti had got over her loss of Madhusudan. Or that is what she thought, when one day suddenly she got an invitation that changed her life forever.

“Memsaab (Madam in Hindi) where are you from?” The cab driver seemed to start conversation almost instantly. “Maharashtra” she answered. “This is a perfect season to visit the Himalayas. Are you on a holiday?” He asked. “I am going for a wedding,” she replied. The serpentine roads and hairpin bends made conversation scarce as he needed to concentrate on the road. Almora was a four hour drive from Delhi if the roads were clear. But the narrow roads, untimely rains and storms often made the drive much longer.

Preeti was visiting her native town for the first time in her life. Her aunt had invited Preeti for her cousin’s wedding. “Memsaab, the road is closed due to a landslide and it will not open till tomorrow morning.” “There must be some means of transport or way for me to reach Almora.” She was pleading with the driver. They got out of the car. In the valley they spotted a light. The driver suggested they try to go towards the light and see if she could spend the night there. The driver picked up her luggage asked her to follow him. Not knowing what else she could do, she just followed him. When they reached the light, Preeti saw the driver from a distance speaking to someone and making gestures in her direction. After a while he came to Preeti and told her that the house owner has agreed to let her spend the night in his house. He told her that he would be in the car and come to fetch her the next morning. Preeti knew she had no choice and just nodded.

“Please come in,” the deep voice seemed familiar. . “Make yourself comfortable.” When they entered the room Preeti was shocked when she saw the face. “I am Mihir.” But Preeti was numb. This is Madhusudan. Why was he changing his name and behaving like a stranger? She did not hear whatever else Mihir was saying. “Please freshen up in the room on top and come down for some coffee.” The temperature was close to zero degrees and Preeti knew she could do with a cup of coffee. She could not understand why he had changed his name. Not much talk took place between them and he said, “Good night, please call me if you need anything.” And he walked away to his room.

Preeti tried hard to sleep but could not. Towards dawn she fell asleep probably because of exhaustion. In her sleep she dreamt of being in Madhu’s arms crying profusely. She woke up with start when the alarm of her mobile phone rang. She walked out of her room. “Good Morning Ma’am hope you slept well last night.” The deep voice again startled her. Mihir stood in front with a steaming cup of tea. “The weather is fine and the road has cleared. Your driver just came and you can leave as soon as you are ready.” “How much do I pay you?” she asked. “Nothing at all. It was my pleasure to be of help to you.” Same mannerisms thought Preeti. “If you don’t mind, please give me a lift to the city. My car has gone to the garage and I need to be somewhere in an hour,” said Mihir. “The pleasure is mine!” she replied.

On the way to Almora, Mihir was explaining to Preeti about the small town and some interesting facts. She asked him, “How long have you been living here.” “Forever, I don’t have a count of how many of my generations lived here.” “What do you do for a living?” she tried to find out. “Oh, I teach in the medical college.” When Preeti gave her aunt’s address to the driver, Mihir said, “Oh the Pandey’s I know them well. I will come in to say Hello to Aunty.” After having a cup of tea with them, Mihir left and told Preeti, “Look forward to see you at the wedding.” When he had left, Preeti could not wait to ask aunty all details about Mihir.

Aunty was not much help as the information she gave was all that Mihir had already told her. In the evening Preeti was surprised to see Mihir. “How about a small tour of the city? I have my car ready,” said Mihir. “Sure” she replied. Mihir took her around the city. Preeti was sure he was Madhusudan, the only person she had ever loved in her life. Why is he behaving so strange? After what looked like a few hours around he told her, “I have some work in the hospital. If you don’t mind, you can wait in the car. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.” Preeti nodded in agreement. When he returned, Mihir looked grim. “All well?” she did not know how to ask. “Damn it, The doctor says, there is no hope of improvement. My brother has been here for many years.” “What’s wrong with him?” she asked with concern. “He has a mental disorder. Loss of memory due to an accident some years ago.”

Preeti felt sorry for Mihir. When she discussed it with her aunt, she nodded and said, “Yes that is the reason he has not married. He looks after his brother like a child.” Preeti was now convinced that she was just imagining Mihir to be Madhusudan. It was already many years since Madhu had met her, that too only once. How could she be so sure of his looks now?

During the wedding ceremonies, Mihir gave a lot of attention to Preeti and made her feel special and wanted. It was a long time since anyone other than Madhu had made her feel like that.

It was a week since Preeti had come to town. The wedding over, the house had become silent. Soon it would be time for her to leave as well. Around tea time Mihir dropped in and said, “Care for a ride around. I have a favour to ask of you. Please come to see my brother. You seem to be a good-luck charm for me. After that day at the hospital my brother has actually started to show signs of improvement. Preeti hated to go to hospitals but then Mihir had been so good to her she could not refuse.

When they entered the room of the hospital, Preeti felt a strange feeling of peace. Mihir warned her that if his brother becomes violent, she should stay calm. “Hi Madhu, this is my friend Preeti. She has come to see you,” Preeti’s heart sank. For a moment there seemed like a half smile and then a stare out of the window. Preeti was shivering. The mystery of Madhu’s sudden vanishing act was solved. She had tears in her eyes, and she went close to him. “I still love you Madhu,” she said in her mind. Again there seemed to be some kind of recognition in his eyes.

Mihir led her out of the room, not knowing why she was crying. He thought it is normal with sensitive people. “Sorry for putting you through this.” He said. Preeti did not know how to tell Mihir. They walked in silence towards the car. “Can I talk to you for a while here?” Preeti said almost choking for breath. “Sure,” he led her to the bench in the garden of the hospital.

When she had finished her story, Mihir said, “Now I can understand why he kept on saying I have to go, she is waiting for me.”

It was the day for Preeti to leave for her home town. Mihir offered to drop her to Delhi in spite of her refusing the offer. “The doctor said today that the improvement in Madhu’s case was unbelievable. And he felt that very soon I could take him home. Though living a normal life may be impossible. But at least he will be at home with me.”

When they reached Delhi Mihir said, “Bye, hope to see you soon.” He had tears in his eyes. He hugged Preeti and she too broke down in tears.

Mihir had become her email friend now. Preeti enjoyed it and felt they knew each other forever. She felt as if she was falling in love with Mihir, when one day his email said, “Preeti, Madhu is home after many long years. Can you come to visit us for some time? I promise to be on very good behavior.”

“Thank you for coming.” The guests were leaving, Preeti was tired but happy. She had taken a decision many would never dare to take. In the corner of the room Mihir stood patiently. Preeti knew Mihir too loved her but then Madhu needed her much more.” Thank you for everything.” Mihir took her hand and held it in Madhu’s. Madhu had almost recovered fully. “Love has healing powers” said Mihir. They had a three way hug. “Now Bhabhi (sister-in-law in Hindi) find a twin of yourself for me. Do you have a younger sister?” They all laughed together.