Unusual Friends - Epilogue

The doctor came out little sad towards Renu and said, “Two were out of danger. But we could not save one guy. He was injured heavily and must have driven the vehicle. I am sorry.” and instructed the ward boy to pull out the stretcher from the mortuary.

The doctor continued, “He died in the midnight. We had postmortem and some procedures too. You know him?”

After a silent moment, the stretcher was in front. Renu still stayed silent. The doctor started again, “I need to sign his death certificate. Do you know his name?”

Renu looked at the stretcher silently for a moment and started “He is Sanjay” with a lump in her throat.

“And you are his?” doctor asked.

“Friend” Renu said.

 Unusual Friends

P.S:

1. Aarushya is fine. She will always be!

2. I am fine too. Talking to your ‘self’/ changing my name in the story are not considered Psychic!

 Thank You All Readers! :)

Unusual Friends - 11

Six Months Later,

A morning,

Me: “I love you…”

Aarushya: “If you really love me, don’t just say it. Show it too…”

Me: “I guess you really read all forward mails and messages that get delivered to your inbox!”

Aarushya: “Don’t you read mine then?”

Me: “Of course, Will read only those are from special people like you…J”

Aarushya: “’Like me’ in the sense? You‘ve got more specials, right?”

Me: “Wrong”

Aarushya: “I need an answer…”

Me: “That was an answer, right?”

Aarushya: “Wrong!”

We have had many little fights, some really big ones like the one above (:-P) but I have never forgotten to wish her ‘Good Night’ everyday. The last thing I would ever do on a day is to make her a call and wish her good night and the first thing every morning I would do is Disconnect the call!

The distance between me and Sanjay started increasing day by day. I was pretty sure am missing him but I have no chance to hold him back to me. Whenever I moved a step further in love, I moved a step farther from him. I started adjusting, caring, and loving which I have never done before loving Aarushya. I wanted to show the same love and care to Sanjay, but I could hardly spend time with him. He was there with me when I needed a friend the most. I missed those walks, the chats we had, the love we shared and the discussions we made. May be am missing my own self more.

February 2012,

And once, when I went to meet Aarushya I was talking about Sanjay the most. I was feeling a bit odd and to make me feel comfortable, she was constantly changing topic. Finally we decided upon our lunch and started. I continued talking about Sanjay to her even in the ride. Aarushya lost her patience in hearing the same verse over and over and shouted, “Its ok. Am there, right? Leave him. He will be back if he wants to!”

Sanjay came from nowhere and I could still visualize his violent face at that moment. Aarushya too would have felt terrified. He shouted “You distanced from me for her? She wants to leave me! You heard that?” I couldn’t speak a word at that moment. I just wanted him to hug him tight and shout, “I need you the most!”

“But, what happened next was the accident and that is why we are here… and I have spoiled Aarushya‘s happiness… am sorry I have spoiled your happy moment too” I completed.

“It’s ok. Relax. Everything happens for some reason. We will trust in God. Soon, we all will be fine. Relax” Renu said. There was a still silence again. It was 5:30 in the morning and I needed a walk badly.

Renu started again, “Hey… Did you say your name?”

“Ha… Ha… I said about my life and left my name! I am Sanjay” I said with a little pause and started again, “A cup of coffee?” I offered.

She turned pale and I walked away.

It’s not over yet…

Unusual Friends - 10

“Why did you just cut the call? I felt bad…” a text message followed.

“Felt bad? I have been doing that for ages!” I replied.

“K” she replied. Yeah. That is unusual. She has never replied with a single syllable to my knowledge. May be sometimes when she is busy, she does. She is not busy now. Is that what we call a fight? I doubt!

I called her straightaway, “Does it mean I should continue talking with you for hours if I love you?” I asked her with little frustration.

“I don’t expect you to talk for hours together. I just wanted you to inform before you put down your phone” she explained.

“You have never been like this… I don’t want you to be like this either…” I said and cut the call.

“I don’t want you to cut the call again without informing me!” she sounded little anger with that text. Even I felt. I don’t want to reply.

Sanjay came in smiling at the right time. I wonder how people know when we need them. He started, “Looking sad… everything fine?”

“It was fine just an hour ago. She proposed, I proposed. Everything was smooth. But now I don’t want to talk to her. We fought!” I said with a low voice.

“Hmmm… Everything will be okay with time. Don’t worry. A cup of coffee?” he offered.

“Lunch time buddy…” I said and he pulled me out for a walk with a coffee.

I wonder how people have coffee. Whack! The smell – it stinks!

After more than 5 hours of walk, we returned back home. As usual I dint carry my phone but had a sudden urge to look for any messages from Aarushya. I am fortunate. I had one!

“I love you…” it speaks every word unuttered, it speaks out the heart. I loved it. I felt sorry for what I have been. I called her,

“Hi, free?” I asked

“Have you ever bothered about whether I am free earlier?” in her own way.

“Ok. Am sorry!” a puppy faced apology which would certainly work with any girl than her. She replied,

“Have you ever said ‘Sorry’ to me before?” she smiled a bit.

“Hmmm… No… Even I haven’t said many things before. You don’t want me to say them?” I asked with a witty tone.

“Many things? Don’t say everything in a stretch. I can’t take all in the same day! Say one today!” she said.

“I love you…” I said – I meant too.

She was silent for a moment but yet wanted to confirm it and asked, “You mean it?”

“Cha… You fell again? I just flirted!” I laughed and cut the call. Oh… I cut it again? Did I do? Godddd!!

There was a text again,

There was a difference in tone and mood now,

“Why don’t you just say ‘love you’ before you disconnect my call? It will be nice na? We will never ever fight again!”

I replied, “You want me to just say it or mean it every time I say?”

She replied, “You just say. I know you will mean even if you just say…”

When you understand a girl completely, you lose the real taste of life! Have little misunderstandings and get to know more with each of that! Girl – really is ‘God’s beautiful composition!’

Girl – the lovable Unusual…

Unusual Friends - 09

“Dai… Don’t cheat. You proposed me. I know” a text followed.

“Did I? Really? Are you sure?” I replied her with a wink.

“I don’t know. But I have never worried to whom you speak and what you speak. Today morning I checked your Orkut profile, you have many girls in your list. I don’t know why I checked all those. But, you understand right? There is something more between us?”

“I was smiling at your message… May be I was waiting for you to say first!” I smiled within, outside, everywhere. I smiled looking at the mirror – oh boy! Worst thing in life is seeing a boy feeling shy!

“You dint reply to my message? Who are those girls?” came a little serious reply. Ah… how well you understand girls?

“I don’t know. It’s literally years since I visited Orkut…” I was annoyed at her questioning process. But her next reply made me to feel the best ever feel possible on earth.

“May be you would have forgot. But you won’t add me to that list na? Even if you do, I will never! Coz I really Love you…”

How could you ever describe the feel of love in simple words than you hear it from your loved one? Ah… I am running out of words!

I felt like running to her – whatever the distance, hug her tight – whoever is around, whisper in her ears that I love her! I called her involuntarily to share my happiness.

She said, “Checking whether it’s real me?”

I replied, “I have known you for years!”

She smiled and said, “May be now what our relationship has changed. But I ever wanted to be your friend. May be a little more sometimes but throughout my life I just want to be your friend and nothing more!”

“Friend? Are you sure? You don’t want me to call you baby, honey and such fancy stuff?” I asked her.

“You call me whatever you want. But I want you to just call me first whenever you get something to share – be it sad or happy, I never mind” she said. I found excessive care and affection in her tone.

“Ok. I just want you to say one thing. Don’t ever lose your originality – you tease, care, pull me down and do whatever you did so far for which I loved you the most!” I responded.

“I never change stupid. Go and do your work” she smiled.

“Am just doing my work!” I replied with a casual voice.

“What work?” she questioned.

“Loving you…” I smiled

“Don’t flirt” she said and laughed.

“Don’t fall every time I flirt!” I said, smiled and cut the call.

Don’t ever miss out the first ever conversation after you just propose someone. It will stay for years in your heart!

Friend – Unusual Love!

Unusual Friends - 08

“Oye… Good Morning. I got a doubt!” a text from her.

“GM. Not in mood to clear doubts!” I replied but before the message got delivered there, I received another message.

It read, “What’s there with you? You talk to most girls in your school days? I think you are the dumbest guy ever! How is that possible? You flirt?”

When my smiling-with-pride completed, there was yet another message from her. It read, “You need to clear doubts today… better get going!”

I replied, “I don’t flirt. I am bad at it!”

“You are a liar. You have flirted with everyone except me. So, just do it now. C’mon... start… pls… pls…”

I wonder what has happened to her suddenly this morning. She cannot miss-send these much messages too. She hardly speaks to guys, so she can’t ask a girl to flirt with either. I got a serious doubt and replied her, “Are you drunk or acting like one?”

“It’s just a glass of water! May be your messages induces a tinge of romance with that!”

That’s it. There was some serious error at the other end. She wanted me to flirt with her, but she eventually started to do what she expected. I called her straight away and asked

“Hey… What happened?”

“Nothing much. Why? Anything happened to you?” she was casual. I wanted to stay casual too.

“Nothing? Sure? Ok then. Have a good day…” I said and when am about to cut her call she replied,

“Hey... Wait… Wait… I need to say you something…”, a little urgency in her voice. But she kept her voice really low today. I don’t know what that tone defies.

“Yeah… Go ahead…” I said and still stayed casual.

“What if we both love?” she said. I could hear her smile. May be she was feeling little shy. We haven’t discussed anything with that word ‘love’ so far. The first time has its own loveliness filled in the tone.

“Love is not what they portray in the movies and cheesy novels you read…” I said little stern. Not with the motive to avoid her, but with the fact to know the depth of her decision.

She was little annoyed and replied, “What are they then?”

“Hmmm… It’s what you have for me…” I replied blankly.

Little confused and she asked again, “What is it actually then?”

I said with a little smile, “It’s what I have for you!”

She turned little cuter but back in her own ways of witty replies, “You read more novels?? Or trying to write one?”

“Am already hearing one!” I said and smiled.

“I don’t understand this time!!!” she gave up and said that with a little childish tone.

I said, “This is flirting!!” and cut the call.

Love – Unusual Happiness!

Unusual Friends - 07

Yet another late night out with Sanjay. It was always fun walking along the streets with him. We never ran out of topics. Be it cricket, love, relationships or the porn we watched earlier and what not. It was always fun for both of us to make fun of each other and most times make fun of the guys around us. We would literally have anything people sell on roads just to gain stamina for the walking process. I usually lose track of time when I was with him alone. It was 5 hours today and it has been much longer earlier!

I never carry my mobile phone so no one calls me back home. But today I had my phone as I waited for something to happen with Aarushya. Every moment I missed out being her love counted much for me than the distance between us.

Sanjay asked me casually, “Do you really love Aarushya?”

“Even I don’t know. But I feel her distance, I think am missing those time with her”

“Do you think that is love?” he questioned back. I was silent; I don’t have anything to reply for that question. He started talking again after a little pause.

“You just miss a friend there and no one else. I have hardly seen you people fight. That would make a huge difference after you think of long term. Now you may be happy with your commons but if you need to get along well with each other, you need to know your differences too. That is why more people fall apart after being committed. Two people can make very good friends but making a good ‘long-lasting’ relationship is not that easy.” He completed and there was a still silence within and around indicating the late night hours.

After a little while, I said “I think I love her”

Sanjay smiled at me and said, “How are you so sure now? You were not that confident a few minutes ago…”

“I don’t know. But when you spoke about relationships and being friends I never had anything in my mind other than her. I yearn to live with her” I said with a clear voice.

“You need a little sleep now. Let’s go home” he said with a little smile and we walked back.

He was lying there beside me but never uttered a word. For some time, I was thinking of the question ‘Do I love her?’ but later, I started dreaming of her – our times together, long time chats, still longer phone calls. A little later, the dream moved into the future with us. We were getting married, we fight and we laugh together, we walked a lot in those streets. Later we were walking with our kids. And little later, I fell asleep.

In the morning I woke up smiling to myself “I will propose her today!”

As Usual…

Unusual Friends - 06

I am unemployed from this day as I waited for the call letter from the company. I woke up little late with an unread text in my mobile. It was from Aarushya, it read “Reached safe. Dad came to pick me up! :)”

The smiley in the end disturbed me a little. She was talking with literally crying posture last night but in morning she was smiling. Am I assuming things? Did she really cried last night? Lots of questions integrated and I closed the message, flipped my mobile down and went back to sleep. What else could I do?

Woke up little late around 10 again and found yet another unread message. It was from an old school friend, it read

“Today’s Joke:

Girl Said…

.

.

.

.

I Trust You.

.

.

.

.

ROFL :P”

‘Ha… what a nice message to start with!’ I thought to myself and simply forwarded that to her as I usually do for every forward I receive. That message was that perfect to the current situation, I was expecting her to understand what she did yesterday! But as usual she found something much more interesting than being sorry just with the moment I send that text to her. She responded with a text little immediately than I have ever thought,

“Today’s Joke:

Boy Said…

.

.

.

.

I love you…

.

.

.

.

ROFL :P”

I thought of asking her why girls always want boys to love someone and prove boys to be false! But I don’t want to fight with men and woman problem again! So I just replied back,

“That’s y I dint say still!”

I was not sure whether she understood what I meant, but clearly I meant what I sent! There was no response from her for a long time and I thought it was yet another failed attempt to propose her! That was the first ever time I said her something close to love but I know she is little dumb to understand that and respond! World would definitely end when girls respond without a delay!

Sanjay came in doing something in-between smiling and laughing. Looking at my state and posture, he asked “What happened this morning?” with a little naughty tone. I replied “Nothing da… no improvement!”

He held my hand, pulled me out of bed and said “Let’s do it with a cup of coffee!” I had no choice and followed him up!

Guys – the Usual…

Unusual Friends - 05

I returned back home reading those words again and again and smiling again and again. Trust me people, whatever you gift – those words you write speak more than your actual gift! Even if not for everyone, it’s like that for me!

I dint notice Sanjay waiting there with the food. He stopped brutally and said, “What’s the need to smile now? I am hungry!”

“Hey, I am really sorry da. I had my dinner with her. Really sorry da… I should have informed you…” I replied understanding his situation.

For the first 7 years, we never had any problems. We usually talk about no one other than ourselves. But nearly 18 months ago, I saw Aarushya. I started talking about her more. When I first said him about her, he even said me, “I am your friend. We were very happy together, what is the big need for her now? You don’t need a new friend now…”

I have never seen him talk with such possessiveness. May be I have never given him that chance in the previous years. This first time hurt me more; he is against my intentions and acts. He usually supports me, but started speaking against my intentions for the first time. He wanted me to stop talking to her. I don’t want to hang around with him anymore and so started distancing from him. Even once I uttered, “Aarushya is more important to me than you ever was…”

 But he replied, “You have her, but who did I have other than you?”

He is such a sweet guy. I uttered a sorry and we both hugged tight for the first time. I could sense something wet in his eyes. Yeah, he cried. That showed how much he would have missed me and got hurt with my words. Since then, I never hurt him. We were back in our ways again. We started spending more time together. Now I even talk a lot about Aarushya, he doesn’t feel possessive nowadays. He is completely ok and he understands me better. Though they haven’t met each other, he thinks her as his friend too.

“Ok. No problem. She left safe? Thank god, we will have more time to spend together now!” he said. I could sense his possessiveness again with those words and how much he would have missed me after I started talking to Aarushya. Though it seemed little baseless, I just don’t want to argue with him and there is no point in making that too.

“Hey… did I say you? I gave her something today – a little note similar to this…” I said to change the topic showing him the note she gave me.

“You will never believe what I say; I gave her exactly the same thing! Whatta coincidence you see??” I said with all my enthusiasm still sensing the effect of that situation.

“You tried to propose? WTF? You said you were just friends right?” he was little angry. I know he would feel such first but later he would accept and do just for the sake of my happiness.

“Yeah. But I felt something more than a friend feel today. So just thought to say her, that’s why I tried. Would she have understood what I meant?” I was happy talking about her but he was in a totally opposite mood at the receiving end. But managed to smile a little and tried to show he too felt happy about what is happening around me.

“Did you check for any messages in your mobile after she left? May be there could be the answer you are searching for!” he said with a wink. Even that is right; girls think they do feel shy and text than call to talk straight!

I hurried to my mobile and found a text from her. I opened and it read, “You copy cat! ;)”

I showed Sanjay and he started laughing after reading it. He said, “You failed in your first attempt to propose her!”

Sanjay, looking at my little disturbed face, wanted to change my off mood and asked, “A cup of coffee?”I was little sad and thought to myself ‘Godddd! Why don’t girls at least acknowledge when they understand something!!’ and went out for a mid-night coffee!

Girls – the Unusual…

Unusual Friends - 04

I was little late and she was already fuming a little waiting near the entrance. She was wearing a red cotton salwar with small black cut out imprints. It was not the best of hers but looked great with the yellow sodium light falling over her face and making her eyes twinkle a bit more than it ever do normally. She raised her left eyebrow and her hands in her whatsoever small hips as she noticed me rushing towards her. She had a small hand bag, a travel bag and a shoulder bag.

I parked my bike (Ok. Not mine!) And ran out to her with a big (really biggg) smile. May be people call it blush!

She was little puzzled and looked all over me. Checked my hands, shirt pockets, bike pouch and finally reached to my trouser pockets. After completing the search she said, “You dint bring me anything? Am moving out of town today… cha…” with little frustration.

I never had a thought I need to give her anything. In fact, no boy will have a thought to buy gifts for anyone other than their birthday! But I felt bad. This was a special day for her. I should have made it memorable. I still had time, but very little to go out and buy something.

I acted as if I have completely ignored her question and asked her, “Less makeup today?” with a witty smile as we both walked in the platform and found a small sit-out which exactly fit her and a very little of mine! She acted as if she ignored my question completely and said, “Little hungry. Shall we go and have something?”

“Yeah sure… Let’s go!”  I said and helped her with the travel bag and took the small hand bag. She suddenly pulled that out of my hand and said ‘I will take this!” in a little stern voice. I wonder what’s there with those hand bags girls carry!

It was a silent walk back to the platform sit-out after our dinner. She was walking silently beside me, no words uttered and I could sense her breath over me. It would have happened a million times in the past 2 years of college but never felt the difference. Without a word uttered a moment never passed for us. But the silence brought out something. I suddenly had a deep urge to propose her.

She suddenly started, “Why are you staring at her as if you are gonna propose her?” with a witty tone looking at a 'somewhat-ok' kind girl in the same platform. I know she was kidding. That was her nature always. That’s it, she proved me wrong! She was normal; it’s only I who got a difference in feel with the silence! It would be the last 10 minutes with her. I just wanted to walk alone a bit and I did.

Finally the time came, the announcements made very clear that the train would be there at the platform exactly 5 minutes. For the first two minutes we were busy searching her seat and placing her luggage. It was a window seat (as usual! I wonder how only girls get them!)  And she was sitting holding those window rims as I stand out watching her. For the first time, her eyes welled up. The final moments were the best for me with her; she show cased every emotion that she is capable of. A feel of separation – a little heavy heart – the way I would miss her came all the way in front of me.

The train started moving and she acted as if she had missed something. She took out something from her hand bag and gave it to me. Even I thought I missed something, hurried to my pocket and crushed the paper (platform ticket :-P) into her hands. The train moved away fuelled up with the steam from her tears.

It was a chocolate what she gave me with a small note stapled to the cover. It read,

I would miss those days with you,

But I don’t want to miss you…

Be Mine – Am Always yours,

Aarushya

I smiled to myself and thought – “she too would have read the same thing at the same time!!”

Not Just Friends – the Unusual…

Unusual Friends - 03

A mail length text message just flashed in my mobile. It read,

“Hey… you were always asking me out. Can you just come out today? I will be leaving to my home forever today. I won’t be able to see you till next year. I can manage staying without meeting you. I really don’t mind, but I guess you do. You do na?”

“I don’t! :-P” I replied.

“PEEEEM. Stupid. Don’t make me feel am behind you. This is my last msg. bye! :@” she responded with little anger which seem to be the cutest thing ever happened to me!

I would have been the happiest person alive at that moment. I have decided to go out the moment she asked me but thought of playing with her. I informed Sanjay that I will be going out with her for the first time. He seemed to be not interested with the first note but turned very happy with my words and mood. That’s friendship after all.

I was dreaming for an evening outing, little purchase, a short walk and finally a dinner before I bid her bye. I got ready perfectly with the best clothes I have the best shoes and got the best bike from… from… who cares? I took it from a guy who got that best bike. The clock ticked 5 – I waited, 5:30 – I still waited, 6 – I took out my mobile to make her a call.

“Hey, wassup? You asked me out today… remember??”

“It took this long for you to remember that and call me? I have my train at 8:30. You better enjoy your time with your ‘the Friend’” she responded without even a thought. She would have thought Sanjay has restricted me not to meet her. Which girl understands your friends for that matter?! And I wonder why girls can’t use names!

I don’t want to pull out yet a fight saving Sanjay, that too on her final day at my place. I started, “I was ready for the past one hour and was waiting for your call. Thought you were busy with your makeup and stuff, who knows?”

“Better don’t talk more than this now. Bye” and she hung up the call.

I could seriously not understand girls. They took things easy when I speak on a serious note and vice versa. It was fun for them when India lost a cricket match but it was serious emotional moment when they see a girl getting dumped by a boy in a movie!

Leaving aside those thoughts, I called her back. She picked up and without giving any chance for me to start, “Am sorry” with a puppy faced voice. I loved that. Don’t ever ask a girl why she was sorry, she will make you feel sorry!

“Cool. Shall we go out now?” I asked with little enthusiasm.

“It’s already 6:30… We don’t have enough time before my train.”

“Ok. Don’t waste time. Be there at the Railway Junction within 15 minutes…” I said and hung up the call.

Sanjay called out loud when I just started but I said, “Will catch up later, it’s really late. Sorry da… Bye!”

Expect the Unusual…

Unusual Friends - 02

June 2011,

In my childhood days, I don’t have any good friends to state. I was in search for a long time. I even thought I would be searching for my whole life. But when I was 13, I suddenly got one and its nearly 9 years now and I was the happiest person since then – he has never betrayed me, he never fails to motivate, he never lies, he never misses out to share even a single thing that happened on a day, never failed to crack a joke when I am off mood, we talked – played – enjoyed together and many more. You will definitely wonder at this stat – he is the first person to wish me for my birthday since I know him. To be short, he is the one every friendship forward mail and message portray and he is the one for everyone is proud saying – ‘I have a Friend’. He is the Friend who everyone wishes to have but unfortunately I am the only fortunate guy!

I don’t even remember when I saw her first. It has to be college, but I usually have a feel that God has sent her right away just after I was born. God has always been kind to me.

I was usually the busy guy in college. Most sought for person for every professor and it was not new to me; actually it grew up with me from “Duster and chalk piece” to “Projector and Screen!” I would do them without any hesitance with a simple thought to keep myself busy always. I was happy come, happy go kind of guy in my college with lots of people around me always.

She too was a simple girl from some far off city. So she stayed in hostel. One best thing about staying in hostel is you can get up late and even come late to classes. The reason could be as simple as no water, no tub, no mug, and no soap – only hostellers can give them. And they say them as if they bath every day!

Getting into a professional course, the first thing we learnt to do professionally would be ‘chatting’. We came little close only with that chatting habit. We need to thank Google for that! I usually take my college bus, so will rush up home just to make myself available in chat by at least 5:30 every evening. As a hosteller, she was not allowed to stay up in the lab for more than 6! That half an hour was enough for us in the beginning when we discussed mostly about subjects and maximum of movies. We would run out of topics within 20 minutes and I would be waiting for her to say ‘time is up. Bye’! She used to say that at last every day. Was such a kid then!

When I get into chatting, my time with Sanjay is much reduced. He usually says, “What is the need for a new friend? That too – a girl?” I would hate him for that second when he says something odd about Aarushya but later I would manage to get into some other topic.

I and Aarushya grew from chats to messages and will you believe if I say she made a call to me exactly a year after we started chatting! I would call her out on weekends sometimes but she would turn down and I would say ‘I was just kidding’ with a trademark winking smiley. But I never thought she would call me out on the last day of my semester exams – the last day of my college.

Expect the Usual…