After that day Ariyan and Puja never met individually. More like they ignored each other for the time being. They didn't even talk in public places. Some months passed like this. One day Ariyan found out that Puja didn't come to school. But she actually is a very attentive student. He didn't care that much cause it can happen a single time. But this didn't stop and continued later. So he asked in class if someone knew what happened to her? But as expected no one actually knew what happened to her. Ariyan was a little anxious but then he thought he shouldn't meddle in or gossip might again spread in the school. He should have meddled in that time. After two days Ariyan has to go to the city for some official duty. So he didn't think about that too much. He came back after two days. When he got off board from the bus he met one of the staff on the stand.
"Sir, are you coming from the city."
"Yes , you remember this file......
"By the way did you remember that student from your class. You saved her in the accident, she came to the school to file leave. Her grandma died tomorrow.
After this line Ariyan couldn't move his body anymore. He had gone deaf for a moment, he couldn't hear any earthly sound for a moment.
"I heard she had asthma. She already had an operation. I think the inhaler wasn't working at that time and when the girl came her condition was serious. She got admitted in the hospital for 4 days and after that she ultimately passed away tomorrow. I don't know......
Ariyan couldn't hear anymore. He was like he still couldn't believe that old lady who cooked for him a month ago she passed like that. He couldn't utter anything just asked
"Is she still in school?"
"Uh, maybe I just..."
Ariyan didn't say anything and started running towards the school. He searched in every area of the school but she wasn't anywhere. At last he came where Puja always came to study. In the bench placed in the backward of the class. She was starting at a large field sitting on that bench. The moment he saw her he came and hugged her tightly Ariyan was all tears by then. After getting a hug tears also rolled down from Puja's cheeks. For a moment they both couldn't say anything. Then Puja spoke first
"Sir someone might see us, can you let me go."
"Oh"
"I told you right everyone just left me behind when I was having the best time of my life. If I had left school a earlier that day this might not have happened."
"It's not your fault, and who said you are not important, you are important to me. I need you."
"Really "
"Yes, even if your grandmother isn't here she is always in your heart. Also you still have me right!"
Later on, Ariyan came to their house for the funeral. The body arrived from the hospital, only a few neighbours were present there cause they almost didn't have any relatives left then. Ariyan and three other men carried her body towards the 'samahan' tempo. The funeral ended before the sundown .
