8 years back

Reshu

''I will kill you jerk...'' I punched the pervert who misbehaved with me on a busy street he tried to block my punches....but it wasn't just punches ....I used whatever I had. First was my water bottle which I banged on his head....second my heal...which I had tried for the first time. Must say heels have other benefits which are more useful than wearing them...

People watched the drama as I poured all my anger on that man...he thought like all girls even I would stay mute...no I can't . ''you all should die of shame....a guy is opening harassing a girl and all you do is stand and watch.'' Cursing the crowd I turned again to find the pervert trying to escape....I chased him down throwing him on the road again...he was pleading ...hell with that...I just wanted to break his bones...Just then my body was lifted of the ground with pair of strong arms holding me from behind..the pervert escaped. A musky laughter filled the air around me; ''Put me down Yash or you are next'' He obliged and turned to face him; ''you spoiled it Yash , I was about to give that man a lesson for life ''

Yash smiled ruffing my hair ; ''I know my little bhim...but have mercy on that guy he was half dead''  throwing my hair back I replied; ''no he should live for million years with broken limbs one eye...ummmmmmm'' My words died as Yash's palm covered my mouth....I blinked at him looping his arm around my shoulder he started walking taking me along; ''Reshu being brave is good ...but bravery with anger could be dangerous....if while chasing that guy you would have gone to a dark alley or a lonely corner....he could have hurt you or their could have been more allies ....be careful girl''

''you think I can't handle them alone '' pulling my sleeves up I showed him my biceps ; ''I am powerful'' He mischievously  acknowledged  the fact...; ''Oh very....I know I am safe till I am with you...'' I couldn't hold my smile looking at his serious face..only he know how to calm my anger...the day my family knows there is someone who can cool the hot plate of my brain they will make hit write all the pointers ...smiling to myself I dragged him along...we were out on a weekend having some fun....we always did that.Since the day our friendship began....Yash always had time and ears for me...This is what I like about him.. If he committed something to someone  he would do all to keep his word...When ever he promised his time to me...he would hell care about who said or thought what  about us....

Present

Where ever I go...memories go with me. And I want them to, they are the best memories  of my life . 6 years have changed a lot in me ...accept my weight , well whatever I do I am still 49Kgs . Yash use to call me skinny tom and I called him muscular Jerry. I have come a long way since then...I was in 2nd year when Yash passed out....he had 2-3 offers in his kitty and then he got a big one ...he got a chance to work in US. Leaving after a month of passing out...before leaving he had come to meet me at the campus. He gave me a bear hug; ''Don't forget me Tom .....we will always be the best friends''  I am not the emotional type, but that day I felt as if a part of me was leaving ..I wanted him to stay. On the other hand I was happy for him, he got his dream job. He had gone through worst in last one year because of that Sheetal....I had seen him breaking into pieces. I knew he was leaving because he wasn't healed yet, he was escaping . May be this was right, all I wanted our friendship to go on for life...He left, that night for the first time in my adult life I cried and for whole night. We stayed in touch through phone mails and weekends would go in chatting whole night...but gradually calls mails chatting decreased....I thought he must be busy...I left few messages over the voice mail. few he answered and others were left unanswered ...I decided to quit...may be he was  too busy for our friendship . Hence I left him alone.

Leaning my head on windowpane I stared at the moving traffic ...The city comes alive in night..its crowded busy fast yet everybody is alone like me....I had secured a good job as a marketing executive in a good firm. My parents were over joyed...they would proudly boast about my achievement... But this wasn't my dream. I wanted to something of my own...hence after a year I had quit my job....the people for whom I had been a pride were now looking at me with complete disappointment....Dad decided me to get married . I refused, who gets married at 23 ....atleast not me. After leaving a parting note and picking my luggage I left my house....I had decided to come back after proving myself. As said, luck favours the brave...I assisted a small time event manager about whom I had got to know through a friend ....she was a wedding planner who helped making small budget weddings beautiful...I added innovation to to her concepts making her a success. Once I knew she needed me, I asked for the partnership...she had no option but to relent. I was making good money, more than what I made in my job...it was then when Shreyas offered me a partnership...it was his money my brain. What I did on small scale was going big...it wasn't just about decorations or catering ...I had done a whole research on different rituals being performed on different occasions....Whenever I took a break I travelled to different part of the country understanding their customers rituals ...I had been maintaining a diary since then. In current times people are hardly aware of old authentic traditions...whenever they failed or got stuck I stepped in....but this thing Shreyas never knew because I couldn't let him have all my secrets  ...I believed in doing less but the best...Shreyas became greedy and I decided to quit....I am not worried about rent or anything...since I made a good bank balance in these years. Still I am lost

2 yrs  back I went home...my parents were angry but after 3 days they gave up. They found happiness in my success...But then again the marriage drama...The great brigade of relative became my uninvited guardians..sending all kind of proposals....After shooing off 3 grooms I declared my decision I wanted time...i didn't feel ready for the commitment . My decision was like a nuclear explosion, Mom as usual started sobbing blaming herself for not giving me proper upbringing and Dad well what to say he went into a deep thinking mode....It was getting on my nerves so I informed them that I was leaving...I needed time so do they...

My thoughts were broken by my cell phone, ''Hi Netra....'' that was my colleague from Shreayas' company...what she said bought a smile to my face...poor Shreyas ...he never understood...the team he had was mine. He never bothered to interact with them , leaving them on me. Now they are not keen on working with him...now its my turn he thought he has all my secrets...well I am not a fool...Yash used to say that if I used my brain against someone, god save that person...Laughing on the same old memory I took a deep breath....its a new beginning for me...just a wish let Yash be happy where ever he is..''What would you do if you meet him someday'' asked my mind....well I think first I will hug him and then slap him tight for going so far...''His wife or gf might hate you for that'' the stupid brain of mine spoke again...but this thought made me uneasy...yes why not its a possibility he was the best guy I had ever known...he was a hunk then ..now I guess he must be a lady killer...I smiled...what if he is married . Will his wife let him be friends with me.....Or may be he decided to break our friendship because he found a new girl ....Yes that must have happened and that girl must have been insecure of our friendship... ''What if he is not married'' I groaned covering my face with my palms...I hate my mind...its better I sleep before I go bad....but don't know why my heart misses him....taking one deep breath I closed my eyes and allowed sleep take over me

Yash

God !!! this is so frustrating....I went through 50 profile on FB...yet no clue...It has been a week my days go in going through profiles on social network and nights in working...as my boss refused 3 months leave...he asked me to work from India....well I don't mind that as long as I get time to find my love. But this arrangements means more pressure of performing...if I am not able to find Reshu in 3 months...I will quit my job I will take something . I am not leaving till I find her , I can't think of anything or anyone other than Reshu.... ''Go out and take a break '' Mom spoke standing at the door ....I just smiled in response....Mom sat next to me; ''Don't lose hope life long happiness requires lot of hard work...'' I nodded...Mom ruffled my hair; ''Now get up and get ready your college friend Vivek has invited you on lunch and who knows you might get some clue from him'' 

Well that line worked...I am ready to go to moon to get one clue on my Reshu...quickly get ready I borrowed my dad's favourite car... driving off to Vivek's place . The lunch went with lot of fun , we relieved our college days...I informed Vivek  about my search ...he promised all help possible...I had tried getting her parents address from college records but they refused to maintain privacy...but guess through networking I can reach her easily...taking my leave I drove back to my house...on the way I decided to get ice-cream for my family ....we used to have ice-cream treat every weekend in the past ...Smiling I bought few buckets for everybody in my house....I was making the payment at the counter when a voice killed all my excitement '' Hi Yash...''

Turning around I ignored Namrata completely ...she blocked my way; ''Yash please..give me a chance for old time sake....''

''Old time sake!!! Really?????.... Do you really think that would make me talk to you ...Namrata don't get yourself insulted and make a scene out here....'' Before I could move she held my arm; ''Please Yash...we were best  friends '' Jerking her hands off..I retorted angrily ; ''Friends...??? Did you think of this before using me...before blaming me ...before falsely accusing me....you almost destroyed my life my future. If not for Iqbal I would have been punished for something I never did...you didn't even think about our families....do you have any idea what pain my parents incurred then ....no Namrata you lost all chances all rights to ask for forgiveness .....Now excuse me I am getting late...'' She stared at me with wet eyes ...he lips moved to whisper; ''Please just one chance Yash....just once '' She went on her knees folding her palms....Strangely my heart felt calm looking at her state but for now I am in no mood to forgive her ....leaving her in the same state I drove off...I had been burning in betrayal for so long ...then why should it be so easy for her. She broke my heart my trust ...she shamed the relationship of friendship and now she wants to justify...no not that easy.

Once home I tried to maintain my calmness...but parents know you too well to hide your heart ...they understood my silence and decided to leave me alone...Once inside my room I did what I had been doing since realisation of feelings. Check out all old pictures...I zoomed onto one....it was Christmas celebration in our institute and Reshu had worn a yellow knee length dress....I was shocked that for initial 10 minutes I didn't even speak to her ...she frowned and marched towards me all annoyed ; ''Did your eyes go on a vacation that you did not  respond to my greetings'' Blinking I smiled; ''Is that really you or some girl is wearing a prosthetic mask pretending to be you'' She smiled and then pinched my arm hard...I screamed but she didn't let go and kept pinching me...; ''Ok I am sorry and you look beautiful'' I finally gave up...she smiled wide starting her usual banter...

''Hear people out even if they are wrong. You might not reach a solution but it will definitely give you a closure..''...Reshu's words echoed in my ears...she had said this once when there was a big tiff between me an Vivek...and because of her suggestion I was  able to sought things out with Vivek and we became best of friends...I am a jerk to lose touch with her...its me who should be thrashed for breaking the promise....Please God!!!! help me find her...I won't let her go...

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Next - Namrata-Yash's past.... and more

A moment to thank all my readers and my friends who make every update so special to me....I am extremely sorry for not being able to to reply. Work is hectic these days...will try an reply this time...love you all.