Yash

''I think the girl's name was Ruchika, ummm she had amazing eyes which she lined  with kohl. Every time she would battered those lashes , guys would fall like a pack of cards'' Here I am banging my head on recalling Reshu's friends name and this Vivek is describing each and every girl who came into his life. 

''Vivek could you get a little serious  and yes she wasn't Ruchika, because Ruchika was our classmate '' Vikek turned ; ''Oh !! my bad . could you remind me how she use to look'' I gaped at my friend , seriously this guy is mad. If I had a little remembrance of Reshu's friend why would I be here listening his women saga. This guy can write  an epic on females and I have no option but to sit through it till I find a clue on my girl. I smiled my girl, yes she was always my girl. All those days which we had spend as friends , she was mine then. Best part about her, she was very clear on what she wanted. Like others she wouldn't drop hints and leave the poor guy guessing on to it. She was straight to the point. ''Neha!!! Yes Neha was the name . She was a shy timid looking girl who hardly spoke . I still remember people would tease her calling her Reshu's girlfriend'' Vivek exclaimed .

Phew! I took a deep breath. Finally, I could say there are some advantages of having a female encyclopedia as friend. ''I think we can find her in one of the alumni group. Did you search for Reshu there.'' I took a deep breath staring at my mad-genius friend . He reminds me so much of one of the historical character of  Muhammad bin Tughluq , a Turkish descent Sultan of Delhi. he was a skilled and a learned man yet his many big decisions were based on half baked information creating a bigger chaos in the kingdom. Vivek shook me hard bringing me out of my history lesson; ''Dude I asked you something''

Smiling wide I responded; ''Had I got any tip on her  whereabouts or her profile on any group , do you think I would be hearing your female raga here'' Vivek made a serious face; ''you have a point bro, you are a genius'' The door bell again interrupted our search. Vivek got up to answer and when he came back , my jaw dropped. ''Neha !!! Is that you'' I stared at the smiling feminine figure in front of me, dressed in fashionable ethnic Neha looked stunning. She moved forward giving me a friendly hug; ''How are you'''

I kept mum as I was still in shock. My eyes moved from Neha to Vivek and then back to Neha. They both were grinning as if I am the 8th wonder if the world. ''Neha !! you here. Vivek..How???'' I seriously didn't know what to ask her at that point. ''Ok I will tell you all, first sit comfortably till I get coffee for all of us'' Neha disappeared in the direction of the kitchen and my eyes turned to vivek . Vivek was still smiling wide looking in the direction Neha went, tapping his head I inquired; ''She knows the way to the kitchen of your house. HOW??''

''Oh that! Wearegettingmarried'' Vivek spoke with a straight face but couldn't understand the jumbled sentence. He got up walking on the other side; ''We are getting married . In a month'' My eyes went wide; ''You are dead'' with that I chased him all around the room and he kept on giving explanation. ''Hey guys coffee is ready'' Neha marched into the chaotic room with a tray and a bright smile.

Vivek took his place next to Neha pecking her forehead. I smiled; '''Neha you have changed . A Lot'' She smiled warmly; ''yes and for good.'' I nodded taking a sip; ''how come both of you are together''

Neha smiled at Vivek; ''Actually we are together since college. Reshu knew about it. Only her''. Third shock of the day. Not in my dreams I had ever thought of flirt Vivek falling for introvert Neha. Vivek picked his cup and leaned on the couch; ''I liked her calmness; she has always been a good listener. I always wanted a girl who would be patient enough to hear out my blabber. After college we kept in touch and then one fine day we decided to spend our life together'' Vivek looked at Neha emotionally giving her palm a gentle squeeze. I smiled; ''Vivek why didn't you tell me this before''

''Actually that was my idea, I wanted to surprise you'' Neha replied. I nodded; ''And you did. I am happy for you guys''. After a minute I asked Neha ; ''Where is Reshu'' Neha started at me for sometime; ''first answer this, why did you let her go. Do you have any idea how much she missed you'' I felt guilty. ''Yash the day you came to meet her, before leaving for US. Reshu turned awfully quite. She didn't converse for days. She would dance when you would call. There hasn't been a single day when she wouldn't check her mails for your message. You had promised video chat every weekend. Would you believe she would wait every sat-sun for that, even after you consistently started missing on to it''

This hurts!! Hearing Neha I felt like slapping myself hard, she was there when I needed a friend . Yet I forgot to return the gesture with same passion. ''I know I am at fault, but I am here for her. Please tell me where is she.''

Neha smiled; ''I know you are here for her. But don't you think its little late'' My heart sank and throat went dry; ''Is she married ? And you never told me'' Vivek asked before I could. Neha looked at Vivek; ''Reshu kept all my secrets, plus you have no place between our friendship so stay out'' then she turned to me; ''Can marriage be the only reason'' . ''Then is she engaged or dating someone else'' Vivek again popped the question. This time Neha didn't look at him; ''Tell me Yash, what will you do if you get to know she is committed and happy''

I felt million daggers going through my heart, rubbing my sweaty palms on my jeans I replied; ''I still want to speak my heart. I have to see her, even if it's for just one last time'' Walking to Neha I knelt; '''Neha, I tried reaching her on her professional account, her mail id. But I got no response. Please tell me where is she''

''She knows you are here'' My eyes snapped up surprised, Neha smiled; ''She wants you to find her because it was you who gave up on your friendship ''

''Neha , Is she with someone. Please answer this'' I was impatient. Neha gathered empty cups in the tray and got up; ''She couldn't, she tired. But it was always you'' those world felt like cool breeze in the scorching sun. I smiled but then I guess Neha wanted me to punish more; ''Oh By the way, she herself isn't aware of her feelings for you. She doesn't believe in love. So All the best convincing her''

''Are you convinced that she has feelings for me?'' I questioned again; ''Find your answers Yash, you deserve this for leaving her alone for 6yrs '' Neha got up but Vivek stopped her; ''Hey can't you do so much for my friend. You know he was so disturbed during that time''

''We all face hardships and Reshu too had her share. Yet, she never flinched from standing by his side, this isn't an enough excuse. Try Yash, she might melt easily. You had and always will have a soft corner in her heart . '' Neha turned to leave and then stopped; ''And by the way, get ready to be thrashed'' Vivek followed Neha into the kitchen trying to convince her in divulging Reshu's where about, I knew she wouldn't. Good thing is, she knows I am here, she read my message. Informing Vivek I left, first thing I have to message her again, this means her mail id listed in her professional account is still working unlike the others. May be I could send her a chat request. Yes I have to do something, I have to see her , speak to her and tell her my heart. Rest I am leaving on God!

That night I wrote a lengthy mail to Reshu. Apologizing after every sentence , I even send her the chat request and then started checking my phone for her acceptance. This wait is killing me, since the day I realised , I don't want a minute without her. Failing to sleep , I kept turning on my bed and then decided to go to the terrace. I wanted some calmness, but calmness seems to hate me; ''Hi Yash!! So even you aren't able to sleep like me'' irritation surged my head hearing Namrata's voice from adjacent terrace , couldn't she understand what I meant that day . Its better I don't respond. Without looking at her I walked back closing the terrace door with a bang. Hope she gets the message now. 

Reshu

'Resh

I know I have been a jerk. Please forgive me. I should have stayed by your side, I am so sorry I didn't. Resh I know all was my fault, Kill me if you want to but please forgive me one last time.

I am in Delhi Resh, met your friend Neha, she scolded me a lot. I didn't feel bad because I deserved it. She refused to tell me your whereabouts, I am fine with it because I want you to tell me where you are . I know you must be aware of the meeting.

Look I know I don't even deserve this chance but I have to meet you once, I am ok if you decide not to see me again. But please meet me once.

Resh, please give me a chance, one chance and I would never fail you again. Please yaar, I am sorry.

Waiting for your reply

Yours ,

Yash'

I couldn't stop laughing reading the most kiddish mail of the millennium. Yes I am angry, upset because he gave up our friendship. He wasn't there when I went through the rough patch. That time of my life I wanted a friend to share my pain. To hear me out , but the friend I wanted wasn't there. After reading his after mail, first thing I did was updating Neha about it. I knew he would meet Vivek and in turn Neha, I wanted Neha to keep my where about a secret. May be it was something childish ,but I wanted to show him I was upset. That he did wrong and he cannot just barge into my life easily.

The year I passed out Dad suffered a stroke resulting his left side of the body slightly paralysed. Being an defence officer he had never learned to give up. But in this condition he wasn't capable for continuing his duties properly. Though his officers asked him to take a break he decided to quit as he didn't wanted to be a less useful resource to the army.

Same year my grand pa expired. I had always been closer to my grandparents more than my parents. Dad was being transferred to different cities due to his job , so he decided to leave me with my grandparents so that my studies don't get affected. I was shattered, he wasn't just a grandfather but an amazing friend. He taught me things which I guess I wouldn't have learned with my parents. Doctors tried saving him but science lost to his age. Whenever I would mourn my Baba, relative friends would console me telling; 'Death is the ultimate truth or you should be content that he lived his life to fullest and worst of all who will take care of your dad if you cry like this' . Dad's illness and grandpa's treatment left us in a kind of financial crunch. My Uncle refused to contribute as grandpa left his house to me. Amid all this I locked myself in his room crying my heart out.

I know with age and time everybody leaves, but when you lose someone important. Irrespective of age time your heart bleeds for them. I was deprived of my right to express because I should be strong. I just wanted somebody to hear me out but there was no one. Parents sometimes can only be parents. Baba's death dad's health tool toll on my family. Some brilliant relatives even suggested getting me married to lessen the financial burden. This is when I needed a friend. Neha tried her best , but some where I wanted Yash on my side desperately. The way he would hear me without judging or getting annoyed was like no other. He had always been a patient listener, even if the topic is useless , he would give all his attention to the speaker. Never judging, interrupting or trying to give suggestions.

That time he was in US. We hadn't spoken for 4 yrs. Still I had a hope that he would answer my call. With hope and determination I dialled him, but his no. was no more in use. It broke my heart. I had lot of pressure to get into a career to support my family. Some suggested I sell the house, but I didn't wanted to. This house was my first school, favourite play area and the album of my most beautiful memories. Neglecting all, I decided to work hard and restore things. I decide to give first floor of the house on rent and then I started my job. In a year I was able to stabilize things, its then I decided to quit and start something of my own. And it proved to be a right decision. I made very good money shutting all my critics, who were sure that I would fail miserably.

When I got my first success as an entrepreneur, I again wanted to share it with Yash. He was the only one who loved listening to my crazy business idea. He would even make some good suggestions . But then again I got no response on my mails as they bounced back. That day I made a decision of never contacting Yash again.

''You should reply '' Shika's voice bought me to senses. She was leaning close watching my laptop screen. Quickly shutting it I gave her a mock glare; ''bad habit''

Shika laughed; ''Reshu do you think I am not noticing, half of the time you kept staring at the same mail. '' I frowned; ''Are you spying'' Shikha doubled with laughter; ''No girl !!! since last week when ever I come to you , you just stare at your screen doing nothing. So today I took the liberty to peep in''

Off lately I have started gelling with SHikha , she isn't bad just too straight forward . Pushing the laptop aside I turned to her ; ''what's new''

Shikha smiled, I knew we had a big project; ''get ready , we have the order to manage a high profile seminar. It's a medial event '' I blinked I had never done anything of this sort; ''it's a risk, we don't even have the man power. Plus we are more into family events''

Shikha shrugged; ''I will arrange all that, you just plan the rest. Reshu we want to grow big then we ought to take risks and yes its in Delhi'' with that she walked out and my heart raced. Will I cross path with Yash. Should I tell him, What will I do if I suddenly meet him. I felt frustrated not able to answer any of them. Pushing the thoughts aside, I decided to make the event a success..

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This one came a little late but hope it came good. Any idea will they meet in Delhi