Yash 

Moving out of the airport I took a deep breath, 6 years... after 6 long years I am back in this town...my home town...the place I left to leave my pain behind....I had pledged never to step here again...whenever my parents asked me to visit....I just would make an excuse of work and in-turn would call them to US...but today is different...I don't care what pain ...which memory huts me back...I am here to make a new one...to find the one who changed my life...Reshu...

I took a cab to Dwarka ...as the driver drove along the roads of Delhi...I replayed my memories ...each place each spot had its own story...these are the roads I walked and drove along with Namrata ....my first Love...

Namrata grew up with me...we were friends neighbours and classmates...we went to same school...her parents were friends with mine...I was bought up to be a good human being...and I tried my best to be one. But as you grow up you learn to be cool...someone with attitude personality ...looks because that defines your popularity and your cool quotient  ...I was no different but made sure that I didn't hurt anyone intentionally....I was 15 then , the most popular boy of my school and for past 2 years me and Namrata had been real close...I liked her ....she shared all her problems and issues with me....my mother was aware of my feelings for her and asked me to give myself and her sometime....I felt she was right....this could be just an infatuation...but somewhere I was sure.....what I felt was more than just attraction...and then the unexpected happened....that day we had our extra classes scheduled after the usual school hours ...our pre boards were due in 2 months and there was lot in syllabus to be covered...I was busy fooling around with my best buddies in the corridor when Namrata approached me...; ''Can we talk for a minute'' she whispered ....my friends Imran and Jatin gave me naughty grin.....I tapped Imran's head playfully before following Namrata....The school was empty ...it was just high and senior high students in the building....we moved across few giggling girls and jealous eyes...Namrata stepped into a vacant classroom...I followed her; ''What??? why we had to come this far to talk'' I questioned her.....before I could understand her lips were on mine.....she was kissing me....after few seconds even I responded...wrapping my arms around her waist...she held my face between her palms. It felt amazing...my first kiss and with the girl who meant ..we felt each other for few minutes before moving apart....with our foreheads against each other...we absorbed the silence...; ''Yash....I think I am in love with you.....do you feel the same'' She whispered holding my face ... watching her crimson face...I realized yes I did...she meant a lot to me...she was just not my crush but also my best friend...we understood each other....I felt a sense of responsibility towards her and now this feeling took me to another world...cupping her face I pecked her forehead; ''I do...since days...but wasn't sure what your felt '' She smiled and then grinned....; ''Now you know...we will always be together....do you promise''....and I did...  ''Sir we have reached'' My trance was broken by the cab driver..paying him off....I stood outside my house for few seconds....Namrata's family still lived next to us...but we are no more friends ....I thought my heart would pain with the memories of hers ... but it didn't ....throwing my bag over my shoulder I walked to the main entrance...the guard gaped at me...yes I am surprising them...; ''How are you old man'' hugging him I smiled at the man who was more of a family than staff to me...he smiled and quickly pushed the large iron gates....walking in I stepped into the house....the cook stood frozen...; ''I will explain...where is Mom'' he pointed towards the terrace...still shocked....smiling I ran towards the stairs...there on the terrace was the world's most beautiful woman...my mom..Chhaya Mathur...and opposite to her was  my dad  the retired Supreme Court Judge Jayant mathur as usual buried in the news paper...I took my shoes off and tip toed covering my mom's eyes...she touched my hands which covered her eyes; ''Oh my God...'' Dad peeped folding a corner of the newspaper...pulling my hands off her eyes Mom stood up staring at me...I smiled; ''what ma ...can't take eyes of me....I know I am good..''  She pulled me into a big hug; ''Yash.....I still can't believe you are here...but suddenly all good'' her sudden cheerful voice gained a tinge of doubt....wrapping my arm around her I spoke; ''Mom ...all is good...no just very good....I am here to leave my past behind...and embrace my future.....''

Her face lighted up like a 1000 watt bulb; ''So you are ready to get married'' I watched dad shaking his head...I know she is desperate to get me married...so I decided to let her know the reason for being here; ''Yes mom...I am ...issue is I don't know where she is''

Now Mr Magistrate was also keen; ''And what does that mean Yash''

Looking at my parents confused ...horrified expression I felt like laughing...I knew there were million things going on their head...like I am just bluffing about my willingness to get married...or I would put conditions which no girl would able to meet...holding my mom by shoulder I made her sit; ''Mom ....I love a girl...infact I think I had been in love with her for past 6 years...but I realized now''

Mom frowned; ''what's the issue then....call her...meet her share your feelings, if she is fine...we fix a date'' Dad nodded supporting my Mom...I smiled; ''if it could be that simple...I don't know where is she....I have not spoken to her since last 5 years....her old no. is not working...I don't know whether  she single or married ....I don't even know what she feels for me''

Mom banged her hand on her head and Dad just scratched his forehead...after few seconds he smiled; ''you love her too much...don't you'' I nodded ...he smiled; ''If she had been with some one else.. fate wouldn't have hit you with realization....there must be a reason that you realized your feelings after  years....don't worry son....we will figure it out''

''I don't whether to celebrate or curse my fate...the groom is ready and bride is missing wow'' Mom groaned dramatically making me and dad laugh...pulling my mom in a bear hug resting my chin over her head my eyes got locked with the pair of brown misty eyes...Namrata....she kept staring at our little union and then her eyes moved to mine ...I am sure I saw wetness in them...I turned my eyes away from her....she meant nothing to me other than a painful memory...she is still the as physically beautiful as I had known her ..a beauty with a black heart...  ..As if she was caught doing a crime she quickly turned and left....''Let's get down...I will make you a good cup of coffee...just the way you like'' Mom interrupted my thoughts affectionately I kissed the top of her head...We moved down and the day went just in discussing random things.....after dinner I moved to my room...While adjusting my luggage I actually didn't notice it properly....my parents kept it the way I liked it...I smiled...we make memories out of so many things its just not people..its our belongings too.....my fingers gently moved across the posters of my idols pasted on the walls....I scoffed...those were such wild days....i moved to the book shelf....I have always been an avid reader..a secret only known to few....as someone with flare for books wasn't cool then....my eyes stopped at one...The Mouse Trap by Agatha Christie. Reshu gave me this book....yup she was a fan of mystery & thriller  books and hated love stories...I smiled .....pulling it out I quickly shuffled the pages ...a picture fell out of it....it was us during one of our fun outings...caressing over her smiling face I placed it on my chest...''where are you....I know the day we meet you will curse me and beat me black and blue...I am ready for it...just be single....I want nothing more...''

Moving to the large window...I stared out...the day I realized my feelings for her...first thing I did was to put a search for her on social media....but there were so many....some with surnames some without it....many didn't had the their real picture as DP...I even searched for her on professional networks...she was there but her profile had not been updated for years....I left her a message ..but got no response for 3 months....that's when I decided to come back and find her ..whatever it takes...how much ever time is required....I won't leave without a closure...''Reshu'' I whispered softly...her name her thought gives me so much calmness...sliding the door open I walked into the balcony to enjoy the cold wind...it was late October and nights winds had started getting cooler...stretching my arms over my head  I looked across the still busy street....when I felt someone watching me from the balcony of the next house...I knew it was her ...I turned away with a decision to walk inside...when her voice halted my steps; ''its good to see you back...how are you Yash''My fingers curled...I wanted to snap...but decided to ignore; ''Yash ....i am sorry...for all that I did to you...forgive me if you can..'' she was pleading...but its takes a lot to forgive....for now...I didn't had it in me for now...ignoring her I walked back inside my room...locking the door I pulled the curtains to block those memories which not only pierced my heart but gave immense pain to my family too...its so easy for her to ask for it when it took me years to erase that pain of my heart....had I not met Reshu...I wouldn't have been what I am now....yet I was idiot enough to let her go....

Switching on the reading lights I made myself comfortable on the bed...; ''you read all junk Yash...read something which helps you in improving your thinking and personality...'' I laughed as I recalled her words...throwing the book in a corner I lowered my body on the bed...staring at the ceiling I let my mind travel back in time where we were together....don't know when and at what time...sleep took over me....may be in dreams I can relive all our moments till I find her ....

Somewhere

''God !!! why do take so many orders if you are able to deliver'' A girl with a deep frown scolded a man in late 30s....the man gave a sheepish grin; ''Reshu we are in demand...we should earn as much as we can...'' Reshu glared at the man...; ''have you ever heard the story of the goose laying golden eggs..if yes...then learn to be patient...The best we give will keep us running for long'' The man waved dismissing her point; ''its my money  which made this little idea of yours big...you do as I say..got it'' Reshu stared at him; ''fine....as you say...live with my idea and run this without me....I have enough to start my own...'' She smirked threw her bag over her shoulder ..pushing the door she was out .''yoooouhoooo!!!'' Screaming once she ran across the road to board the bus to her house... 

The bus halted at a stop waiting for people to board and deboard the bus...her eyes caught something....there was a young girl and a boy laughing about something ...the boy pushed her playfully and the girl dropped her cone....he held his ears  in apology but failed to noticed that the girl had stolen his cone...and when he realized...she just laughed...the bus started moving again and Reshu kept looking at them little she left them behind; leaning against the headrest she wiped the lone tear...''Was it so easy for you to leave our friendship behind Yash....I never thought you would be one of those who just stay back till they want to....you were different....or may be I went wrong this time in judging you...hope you have a good life ...Friend'' with that she closed her eyes calming her senses...waiting for the bus to reach her destination soon...

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