Damn client's meeting..!!! This meeting could be done at our site too..!! hmm.. clearly.. Sambit had intentionally arranged the meeting here... otherwise, for the hospital layout in Kolkata.. one doesn't need to arrange meeting in Mandarmoni..!! but why??? Holy fuck..!! what is he upto..???

"you mind dragging your feet outside, until I make the room a bit more sober..??" his so obvious irritated voice came as I was lying randomly over the clothes on the bed.. "what's wrong dude..??? I live the same way in our camp too.. so..?? hey wait.. did I disturb your not so secret date with Ms. Longskirt..??" I mocked him, thus inviting his boot... ugghh.. he will pay for this....!! in the next moment my sleepers kissed his face..

"Look Bagchi.. before initiating, I had pretty clearly asked you about your so called friendship. It took me almost four months to open her up... she is a genuinely good girl.. and I guess I am falling for her.. so dare you screw my plans.." I couldn't hear anymore.. he is falling for her..?? no.. this cant be... Sri is only... No.. Sri is not..!!! I gathered myself.. "Listen Sambit.. I am saying you again.. she is a clingy girl.. so just don't start to dance on her tunes.. it wont take her long to be the ring master.. but yeah.. if you have the plans to fuck her.. then drop that too.." I was raging in anger.. the scene.. Sri walking hand in hand with Sambit.. was just unacceptable...

"why don't you just go and fuck some random Tani. Shani.. whoever.. why are you here to spoil my plans..?? and yeah... stop taking me like you.. just because I don't stop you from your proud full deeds.. that doesn't mean I believe in doing them... and what did you say... 'clingy'?? Dude.. go have a life... she doesn't give you the attention of a penny even..." his words made me shut..!!! true..!! I gave up.. "okay... she was just my school friend.. I respect her dignity..." "Bagchi.. I wish even acknowledged you as a friend.. like you do..." what?? What did he say..??? what did he exactly say..???

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The meeting got over by the afternoon..!! now Uji beta.. time for action!!

The bonfire was set on the beach..!! We four sat circling it.. yes I had dragged Rohit would me.. you know.. two civils.. two architects... okay.. okay.. I know its an excuse.. yet...

"truth or dare..".. suggested Rohit.. umm... lovely boy... just what I wanted... we nodded..!! I danced in mind... our glasses ready... the chicken pakodas.. salted cashews.. and the red wine.. perfect arrangement.. the game started...

"Rohit.. so.. truth or dare..??" "dare.." "belly dance..." his glared.. Sri and I burst into laughter... Sambit giggled t his own words.. Rohit frowned.. but started...

"Ujaan.. truth or dare...".. Sri asked me.. I kept looking at her.. umm.. what to choose..okay.. "dare.." "uummm... kiss Sambit.." both my and Sambit eyes popped out.. is she insane.. "no.." we yelled in unision... "come on guys.. a dare is a dare..." she nudged.. Rohit laughed as his revenge for belly dance is successful.. anyways.. I somehow closed my eyes.. gave a quick peck to him.. don't ask me where..!! I didn't see... it could be his cheek.. nose.. anywhere.. okay.. now my turn..

"Ms. Sen.. truth or dare..".. I was very sure she would choose truth.. and she did.. told ya.. though many things change.. something don't..never...!! "so.. Sri.. tell us about your first love.." "didn't have.." "okay... best friend... from your school..." I came to the point.. but what she said made my stomach empty.. "NEVER HAD A BEST FRIEND".. Sambit chuckled.. "dude she denied your existence even.." he whispered... I kept looking at her...

"excuse me.." she left slowly receiving the call... "excuse me too.." I gulped the 4th peg... and showed the boys my little finger and left... my eyes were burning... what did she say..?? she never had a best friend?? Who am I then..??? I rushed to search her...

"what the hell.. Ujaan.. leave me.." she yelled as I dragged her behind a coconut tree in the darkness... I groaned... "who was your best friend Sritama Sen..?? I held her wrists tightly.. she was struggling... "I. Don't. Have. Any.. never. i. Had. Any".. she said distinctively each word.. "are you sure..???" I pressed my self on her.. "yess.." she hissed.. I dug my face into her neck.. "who am I ???" "My colleague..." I bit her sharp.. but she didn't wince... I bore my teeth deeper... "who am I Sri..??" she didn't tremble.. her skin as cold as the sea water...!! "who am I Sri...??" I had no plans to do next what I did.. though I have no excuses for it too... I slipped my hands to the wrapper skirt she was wearing.. "If you didn't have a best friend...who am I ?? I untied the knot of her wrapper... she hissed.. "Sri..." I moved my palms on her left thigh..!!! she yet didn't give up.. I moved my hand more downwards... towards her knees... I pressed myself more... "why do you behave so oddly with me..?? why is it you don't speak to me like we did in school...???" her eyes squeezed shut..!! she held my hand stopping it from moing.. "Ujaan don't..".. "then say... who was your best friend??" she tried pushing me... I held her knees and tried wrapping it around my waist... I touched below her knee... and I was shocked...!!!

I was shocked beyond imagination..!!! I quickly moved back... to see her.. and her sight... made me almost shriek..

There was she... with a PROSTHESIS..!!! I couldn't believe my eyes..!! I didn't know how to react... I looked at her face.. tear drenched face..!!! "Sri..." I scooped her in my arms... "how did this happen baby???" "I always wanted your true friendship when I was fine... not sympathy for my artificial leg.." My grip loosened on her words.. she tied the knot of her wrapper and slowly walked away...

I stood there in a daze... everything was falling into places... that hot pant.. short uniform skirt.... then her.. long skirt.. house-coat.. her slow pace of walking.. the tapping noise when she walked..... "Sri...." I shrieked... falling on my knees....

to be continued...