Days passed and I completed my Last year of University. My days in the college ended but It marked the dawn of friendship with Carol.

Even after my days at university came to an end, we managed to meet each other , hangout on birthdays and visit cities away for the weekends.

But, it was not only we two, we had Noah around. Sometimes Monica and Lee also joined us. We five were having the times of our lives. Everything was going good and sorted.

One weekend, Noah, Carol and Me had gone to Park Avenue for a chill away weekend. It was 9:30 at night and I was roaming in the garden of our place where I saw Carol sitting alone.

"Carol...What are you doing here?... Where is Noah? "

She smiles and replies- "He must be up in the room"

She thought she can hide the pain, but I could see in her eyes that she was lying. She was hiding something.

"No...You are not serious Carol. Tell me is everything okay?"

She holds my hand with her mushy fingers and cries her heart out.

"We had an argument and he left"

"An argument? And left? Why did he leave? - I ask.

"I don't know, Jack. We have been dating for way too long now Jack. Dont I deserve the family I want"- She cries.

Family..? What Family?- I question.

"Family, Jack. I want to get married now, have my own family. You guyz act so strong and mature, but the moment girl mentions marriage, why do you all freak out?
Dont we deserve the love we want.

I hold her hand back and She holds me crying. I couldnt think of anything but to console her. I felt sad for her, She was crying for the love she love she wanted.

I didnot even realise we both slept on the bench holding each other uptight.

She wakes up with her phone ringing and with embarrassment we both get up and sit away from each other.

She takes up the call and tell me it was Noah, who apologized for being an idiot and was ready to get married.

As that day passed, we both left the Place.

Entire way Carol doesn't talk. As we reach her home to drop her, she gets up from the car and says-

"Jack, Thankyou. And I hope last night didn't mean anything to you, I was vulnerable and....

"And I was being a friend. That is all" - I interrupted.

"JACK, I am happy that me and Noah are getting married. I found a friend in you last night. I would need you ahead in my life"

"And I will try to be there"

"Bye Carol"

I reach my place and I lie down with a heavy heart. I see the person I love slipping off my destiny and all I can do is watch. Carol is a wonderful women. A person whose arrival into my life made things fall into place.But its not beautiful. Its hard. Seeing her with Noah, the one she loves. All the love I wanted from carol was in Noah's destiny. But how can I settle for a Friend's place when I have given her my place of love. Its hard being just friends with the person you love