Chapter 2: That one Friend

                                                The bond became deeper

Aman was a friend she talked her heart out with. Aman was simple, grounded and honest. Kia and Aman were naturally compatible to talk. He called her a chatterbox that never shuts and teased her for one sided conversations. Kia felt a natural bliss while talking to him.

They talked of philosophy, movies, life.. everything. Aman teased her because of her die hard romantic claims and nature in reality. Kia would speak anything and everything bluntly.

In the meanwhile, Kia realized, she did not love Amey and it was just an infatuation and attraction and they parted ways.

Kia and Aman both came back from their internships. Despite efforts made, they could not meet again soon. Their lives continued. Aman in his college and Kia in her. Distance kept them from becoming more than just friends. Even when they loved to talk and talked a lot, their relation was very friendly and like best pals.

Aman in his final year and Kia in penultimate year.

Aman became busy in projects and job placements. He used to share his frustrations and happiness with her alike. Kia too had studies, but she always took out time to talk with Aman.

In september 2007, Kia met someone. Someone special. And she fell in 'love' again.

Kia lived life as it came to her. Arnav came in her life like a breeze of love and bliss and she went on with the flow and lived everyday of it. She talked to Aman regularly as before, but time got divided and reduced. She had studies and Arnav and sports too. It was difficult to balance everything.

 By December 2007, Arnav and Kia became very close. It was like they were made for each other. He was as crazy and kiddish as Kia. He gave him that support and maturity she expected behind her free like a bird life.

 By this time, Kia and Aman took a backseat because Kia had very less time to go online, and They used to talk after weeks. By mid december, Kia and Arnav met everyday in between classes and after that too. They were clearly dating without a sort of commitment. Both of them flaunted of being free and independent and not believing in dedicated love. Arnav had had a breakup recently, his school time love, got married because her family did not approve of him. He did not tell her about this till sometime. Kia, was single and was charmed with Arnav, his similarities with her of temprament and attitude towards life. They talked and talked, loved to work out together and shared life. It was very fast and very naturally that they came closer to each other.
  One day, Arnav told her I Love you. Kia was not prepared for it and:

Kia: We talked about it. We were just friends right?
Arnav: Yes. But I am not asking for a commitment from you. I am just telling you I love you.
Kia: What do you expect me to say right now?
Arnav: I have not done this before. I have been a very flirt kind of a person. I have been with girls but never committed to anyone.
Kia: Arnav, I told you I do not trust myself in terms of love. I think I do not understand it like I should.
Arnav: I know you think you have hurt someone before.
Kia: yes. I thought I loved him. I think that once again. But I just dont trust myself now. And also god knows where we go from here.I believe its too soon to commit.
Arnav: Okay I understand this. I just want one thing from you. You agree we are dating if not committed?
Kia: Yes if you say(smiling naughtily)
Arnav: Let this be like this. I ll not say this again, nor will you. Lets just remain friends and leave the rest to life.
Kia: Thats like it(smiling)
Arnav: Promise one thing!
Kia: yes what?
Arnav: We will always remain friends, what so ever. Even if we fall in love or fall apart. I can not afford to lose a friend like you.
Kia: Yes stupid! (smiling) goes without saying.

It was then, that both Kia's and Arnav's fathers were ill and were admitted to hospital ICU separately  It was then, that they came closer, by becoming each other's support and sharing life so closely. At the same time, Arnav was passing out and Aman was busy in placements and entered his final semester.

 31rst December 2007, Arnav's dad passed away. He told kia and left. He did not contact her for about a month.

Kia was worried and concerned for Arnav. She gave him time and kept praying for his family's well being. By february, Kia's dad came home from hospital. He survived a life threatening condition and came home.
It was then, that Kia waited for Arnav eagerly wondering if he is fine. It was then, that she felt she loved him. She waited for him as a lover, as her boyfriend. Distance made her realize she loved him.

It was 6thd Feb 2008, that Arnav called Kia:

Mobile Ringing.
Kia:[Unknown Number] Hello.
Arnav: Hello.
Kia: [Realizing its Arnav, paused for a moment] How are you?
Arnav: I am fine. How is uncle?
Kia: Papa is fine. He came home last week.
Arnav: Nice. Sorry I did not talk for this long, I know you would be worried.
Kia: I understand. Dont worry. I knew you would call when u feel better.
Arnav: Kia, I Love you.
Kia: I Love you too.

There was a moment of silence they shared.

Kia was not sure if they had reached that far yet. But they shared this bond of love and friendship that Kia told herself is love. Two of Kia's close girl friends put that seed of thought in her mind that if she really loves Arnav or its sympathy because he is going through a bad phase in life.

She was already not sure and they put that confusion in her life. It was then that Arnav was talking very posessively with Kia, may be the distance and concern. Arnav knew very little of Aman. Aman did not take much interest in Arnav's talks. Kia felt like losing a friend for a relation that she was not very sure of. Studies and Arnav kept life busy for her.

It was 13th feb 2008:
   Kia told Arnav she will go out with friends tonight. And because the pub did not allow stag entry, she has asked a junior of hers to join her.
Arnav: Oh, Karan?
Kia: Yes, he went for internship with me. Also there are some of his friends going along with us.
Arnav: Are you going on a date with him?
Kia: Oh come on. I dont even want to go.
Arnav: Then Dont go. Make some excuse.
Kia: Tamanna has been asking me to go out. ever since you left, I have just been either hospital or now studying or hostel. she asked me to come with her.
Arnav: Is it necessary to go out with someone?
Kia: What are you talking Arnav. He is just a friend and a junior for that matter.
Arnav: Okay.
And it was like a problem sprouting in their relation. Arnav was possessive and insecure.
There was a typical tension between them. Arnav wanted to make it right and also making Kia feel special. It was valentine's day 2008.
To express his love for Kia. Arnav asked a friend of Kia to do somethings and called them several times. After her surprise flowers and chocolates, Kia's friend told her, I did not want to hurt him so I did this, but he did not even understand I had my exams and other things. Kia was upset because of this. She said thanks but then she told him what her friend told her.

Arnav was upset about it, told her sorry and other kept talking for hours explaining . With so much so, Kia started thinking again, if she really loves him or not, and she should not confuse sympathy with love.
Arnav then told bad things about Kia's friend and made her more uncomfortable.

Kia told her she wanted to stay alone today and keep silent and sort this weird feeling. She asked a friend of her, I want to stay quiet and yet not alone. Will you go out with me? Most of her girl friends were busy with their friend, of course it was valentine's day! So she talked to a friend and he said I dont understand you, come be my valentine today lets go out. Though she knew they were friends and she could go out with him as she trusted him, but to avoid more problems with Arnav, she denied.

She was left all alone as she told him she wanted to stay alone and not sort her feelings out. She got herself a beer and chocolate and decided to celebrate alone. In the meanwhile, she went online and found Aman there. She told her how she felt.

Aman: Hi madam, where are you these days? Dont come online often?
Kia: Heyyy... Mwahh...  Just bit busy these days. Hospital and study etc etc...
Aman: hmm.. How is uncle now?
Kia: He is fine. Discharged from hospital last week, he is still weak.
Aman: Don't worry, he ll be fine.
Aman: no plans for valentines day? how come at room?
Kia: Just like that. Arnav is not here. Also I feel a bit weird today.
Kia: I told a friend that I want to go on a silent date.
Aman: hmmm....
Kia: I recently invented that concept.
Aman: explain!
Kia: I want to be just quiet. Still, be with someone.. dont want to be alone.
Aman: :) Nice nice..
Kia: what are you upto? No plans?
Aman: No dear.. nothing. no girl no plans
Kia: Be my valentine then. since we chat, so no talking only silence :)
Aman: I am honored mam.. :) My pleasure.
Kia: I got myself a beer and a chocolate.
Aman: Oh! alone?
Kia: yes, I love it alone.
Aman: You are a unique piece you know?
Kia: I know :)
Aman: Wait, let me remove my shoes and come to bed, will chat comfortably then.
Kia: sure sure, take your time.

It was a day of bonding and closeness for Aman and Kia. They did not make  it complicated, just two friends accompanying each other on a day .

Capter1: That one Friend

It is about Kia and Aman. They had a strange meeting. With no chances of knowing each other.. They became the best of friends. This is how.

Kia played volleyball and Aman was a star cricketer of his college team. They never noticed each other untill Aman's friends added Kia on a social networking site while both of them were on a sports meet. Kia was offended by how some of his friends talked to her. But Aman told her the truth and said sorry. Kia liked this honesty of Aman and added accepted the friend request.

They barely talked there in days. 

But slowly and gradually, they started talking about their college.. the sports meet.. and in no time they were friends, who talked almost everyday.. though virtually.. on the internet. He never asked for her phone number neither did she ever initiate anything.  

It was by the end of their third year in college that both of them were going abroad for internships. And Aman was to stop by in Kia's city. He told her I am to come to Mumbai. She said vow.. Meet me when you come here. And that was the first time they exchanged numbers. She was not sure how exactly he looked or how he talked or anything real. 

After a week, Aman was in Mumbai. He called her. 

Kia: Heyyy..

Aman: Hi.

Kia: Where are you.

Aman: Just outside your college. 

Kia: Right now? 

Aman: Yes Yes.

Kia: Okk.. I ll see you in 10.

Aman: Ok, I am at Costa Coffee. 

Kia: I ll be there.

Kia lived in hostel in her college campus. She was seeing someone then. Amey. He was about to come to see Kia within an hour too.  Amey was absolute opposite to Kia. She was open friendly and very broadminded. Whereas Amey was possessive, jealous and the controlling types. She loved him, but she often felt suffocated in the space she could get with him.

Earlier she was to get ready to meet Amey. Bu now, all she could think of was meeting Aman. She wore a sleeveless top and jeans an left for costa coffee. On her way she had thoughts about meeting her friend for the first time, and how he sounded so nice on the phone. She later in a chat told him you have a nice voice. 

Also she was worried, she would tell Amey about Aman. But then she knew what would happen if she did. 

Outside Costa Coffee:

She called Aman and told him:

Kia: I am here.

Aman: Ok.. I ll be outside just and he appeared.

Aman is tall, Dark an Handsome personified, she thought. But could not really figure out what he thought about her. He came there with two friends with whom he was going for the internship. 

On seeing his friends she felt weird at first but then thought it is not a date meeting. so it is just fine that he came with his friends. 

Aman: Please bear them for me. We have to go somewhere together after this. And they clinged on.

Kia: Its ok. (and she smiled)

They introduced each other. Talked about the internships all of them were going to do. About the colleges. With Aman's friend around they were more formal than they were on virtual talks. His friends Rohan an Rishabh asked Kia if she smoked and Aman said: "NO. You go smoke and come back after that".

And they left.

Kia: Are they not a bit weird?

Aman: No they are very nice. They are my friends.

Realising they might be closer to Aman than her. She backed off smoothly.

Kia: Ok. No I felt a bit weird. They almost offered me to smoke.

Aman: Yeah they did not mean that. You know They meet few girls that is what makes them so.

Kia: Ok.

Aman: Would you like to order  something else? 

Kia: Oh no. I was just having dinner when you called. Thanks.

Aman: You eat pretty early? Order something to drink then. 

Kia: Yeah Hostel Mess you see.Okay, Lemon Iced Tea.

He ordered for them.

They talked for around 30 minutes and Kia realized that Amey would be there any minute and She had ignored some calls from him. And quickly decided what she would tell him. That she slept or she was bathing.

She decided to hide it from him to prevent unnecessary melodrama. 

She told Aman she had a test the next day an she will leave as she has to study. Aman called for the check. And she told him she will pay for her drink. Aman was amazed, and offered her to pay and said it was alright. 

Love like none other

Here is a new story. I shall put it in chapters, so bear with me, if it takes me a week to find out that much time. :)

                                                                    Chapter1

Rohan a financial analyst in a reputed MNC. Educated, well built and happy go lucky person. Shikha, Love of his life and better half. Shikha is dusky and beautiful be it the person she is or be it her looks. She is well learnt and works with an NGO for old and senior citizens called Parivar.

Their lives were happily married- Ever After sort of . But this would not have been a story if it remained that ways. Their lives changed from a perfect hollywood romance drama to a crime drama mystery. 

Story Begins:

Scene1:

Shikha preparing green tea for Rohan, as its almost time he return from home. After tea they go for Jogging together and work out in their small gym at home.

Rohan enters and grabs the love of his life in his arms and they kiss. Then follows the regular yet not monotonous regime. Post yoga and working out, they cook together and eat. At the dinner table, Rohan tells her about his new clients at work - the Copar Group. Shikha tells him about an anonymous donation she received in her name at Parivar and tells him she was going to utilize half of it to renovate Parivar for upcoming Diwali and other festivities. There is this moment where Rohan thinks and asks out loud why would someone donate in her name and not for the NGO. Shikha was too excited about all that she would do for the elderly that she did not care and said : Who cares, might be a well wisher, what matters is that Anju Aunty, Gaur uncle and all the people in my Parivar can have a better Diwali. With that they smiled, Rohan overwhelmed by her enthusiasm and compassion for others, kissed her on her forehead. 

Scene 2:

While Sitting curled up together they were watching television, and Rohan switched it off and picked Shikha up in his arms and took her to the bedroom. While they made passionate love, Rohan's mobile rang. Suddenly, there is nothing but the phone ringing. 

Rohan: Hello! 

Caller: [Crying Woman]

Rohan: Hello! Who is this? Whom are you looking for madam?

Caller: [Sobbing] Its me. 

Rohan: Sorry, I did not recognize you.

Caller: Its ok! [Hangs up]

Shikha asked him, "what happened honey? Who was it?" Rohan told him he did not know. Shikha chuckled and said, so my Husband has a stalker? Rohan, who was disturbed and distracted, still thinking about the call, noticed the naughtiness in her eyes and grabbed her and started kissing her. Forgetting the call, they lie there making love.

Lights off.

Scene 3:

Rohan at work. [Tring Tring]

Rohan: Hello! 

Caller: Hi Baby, its me.

Rohan: Mwaahh .. How are you doing my lady?

Shikha: Nothing sweetheart, missing you.[chuckles]

Rohan: I miss you too sweetheart. Lets go home and make love then.[replying in a naughty tone]

Shikha: Or may be, lets wait till 7 p.m. 

Rohan: Alright! I ll see you in the evening then.

Shikha: Love you.

Rohan: Take care.

Scene 4: Flashback.

2 years back. 

Shikha in her hostel, studying for her University social science exams.

Tring Tring. Shikha smiles and answers her phone.

Shikha: Hello!

Rohan: Come down for a bit. 

Shikha: Oh, but I have my exam tomorrow. Why have you come today? Can't wait till tomorrow evening?

Rohan: I am here outside your hostel, waiting for you. I am not going till I see you.

Shikha: Looks at her watch, flips her notebook and switches off her table lamp.

She grabs a stole and leaves her room.

Out in the dark, stands Rohan leaning against his white car. 

She walks towards him. 

Shikha: Yes?

Rohan: I just came to tell you something.

Shikha: What is it? Tell me fast, I have 2 more chapters to revise.

Rohan:[ Holds her and turns around, pinning her to the car ] Stop babbling! I just came to remind you, we are meeting my mom tomorrow. 

Shikha: Oh no, tomorrow? 

Rohan: Yes , why?

Shikha: Nothing its just, that I have so much stress of the exam already and meeting your mother is going to add to it. What if she doesn't approve of me? What if she says I am not beautiful enough. What if she thinks my family is not good enough for her?

Rohan: Shhh Shhh[ keeps a finger on her lips, and moves very close to her as if he was about to kiss her, Shikha falls silent all of a sudden] , I know my mom, she loves me and she would definitely love you.[Looks her in the eyes and kisses her forehead]

And they stand there hugging each other.

Void or Just me?

That Void..
is asking me to find something..
To kill itself?
Or is it not the void..
but me?

Yes.. may be its me...
But I have chosen it for myself..
Its not permanent..
But its tough to hold on to it...

This twin of me is trapped within..
I need to give it some air..
To breathe and to feel alive...

I shall !
I shall !

Me and my silence

I choose to walk alone..
& Walk in the dark...
I am not lonely...
But I choose to walk alone...

Times when I want to be quiet..
 And feel someone along,
I ask you to be a silent date..
be with me but stay just very quiet..

Ah.. There you are wondering..
Why am I inexplicably very quiet..
You know only one shade of me..
Out of all those many of them..

The cloak of the soul..
seems icy calm...
The flutter inside is
 violent shaken..

I choose to walk alone..
and to be silent...
To air the inner self..
That is calling my attention

My Love

To know you.. like that.. was to love you...

To love you.. was a feeling.. I had not experienced before..

We differed to know each other better...

until we found the similarities in our differences...

Gradually it happened... no one called for it

no proposal needed...

commitment came from the love ...

love flowed from within...

I don't regret losing you to life..

I think about you or not..

I feel you inside me..

when I feel like love..

I can see you despite no pictures..

I just need to feel love.. and close the eyes 

that ain't looking..

and not even searching for you..

you were not perfect as you left..

or may be you were because you could...

Its because you gave me all I needed...

I asked less or you gave more..

barely matters.. because I cry no more..

I love you like I did... I search for love..

and I find you within me...

I ask myself this thing -if I loved you enough

that you feel me like I do?

I fear if I caused you more pain than you could take;

for not holding on.. and letting me go!

But, O' My Love! My Love! 

I have no complaints..
for love is not to touch..

Love is not to talk...

love is to know your presence.. 

even when you are not...

Though, love sounds similar to making love..

but I might make love.. but I might not love like you again....!

If I could make a wish

If I could make a wish to you..today..or some other time..
Would I walk those streets with you..once again..
from dusk till dawn...over and over again..

If life be more generous this once..to me ..
Would I lie by your side.. all night long..
Looking at that face that speaks nothing, but love to me..

If only this one more time..I got lucky again..
Would I get a deeper look this time ..so that
Don't I fear of losing the memory of you.. once you are gone again...

If.. that day when you left, could be brought back to life..
Could I make the most of it this time.. and not cry..or try to hate you ;
to let U go...

It is beyond my existence...... either of these....!