Love Story..

Arun was late. Late to the railway station. A friend from his hometown was arriving today and he had to pick that guy up. Try as he might, his bike wouldn't transform into a Jet and neither would the sea of locomotives split up if he like Moses would pray and put his bike on top gear...

He had the perfect excuse all figured out. He would simply say that he was lost. But after 5 years in the city no one would believe him if he said that. But then again he had really been lost. Lost in his girl friend's eyes. Corny, as it may sound, it still is not entirely false. He had met her for lunch and just lost track of time.

It had become a habit to turn up late. And this habit had got him in trouble with Sonia, his girlfriend. He promised to meet her for dinner and arrived fifteen minutes late. She was a sucker for punctuality and was very angry with him that she waited for him and marched off the moment he entered the restaurant. It was 3 days efforts of non-stop calling, messaging and apologising that finally won him a lunch today. And he did not want to commit the folly of cutting it short before she said it was time to leave.

The race through traffic finally ended and now he got on foot and started racing towards the platform where the train had arrived. Frantically he scanned through the crowd that thronged the station.

Kumar was coming to the city for the first time. He was a naive small town guy who finally managed to get a job in the big city. Moving to an unknown city had greatly upset him. Not for the fact that he would be away from home, but rather that he would be in a new place with no one he knew. That is when his father reminded him of his schoolmate Arun.

Kumar was a typical timid loner and had not made many friends in school except for Arun. Arun was on the contrary a very outgoing guy and took interest in Kumar, knowing that he was shy and had no friends. He would always stand up for him. That was in school days. And once again now, out of school and college years, Arun took upon himself to help Kumar.

His nervousness on finding no familiar face in the crowd had resulted in huge sweat drops on his forehead. Being a typical worrier, he was now frantically scanning the crowd for the friend who would pick him up. That is when he saw him Arun. With the same solid face, changed yet unchanged since all those years. With those sincere, penetrating eyes, scanning the crowd and searching for his friend, searching for him. His heart now was pounding with joy.

Arun greeted him with a warm hug. It was good to see an old friend after many years. The ride back to his room was filled with stories from days that were long gone. It was a happy reunion and he was feeling very happy to see that Kumar had turned out fine. They spent the whole day talking and finally stepped out for some late dinner and then to a peaceful slumber.

Kumar was enjoying his days in the city. The freedom he enjoyed away from home left him feeling euphoric. For the first time in life he had been out of his father's shadow. His workplace was fine, his work was suited to his tastes and best of all Arun was just great. He was too smart, knowing everything. He had taught him everything about the city, about the pickpockets in the bus and the fleecing auto drivers and even about where to get your cheap pirated stuff.

Sonia was curious. She knew that Arun had a new roommate, but she was curious because he would often talk about him and remark how naive he was. She wanted to meet the guy who was her boyfriend's childhood friend. And so finally a sunday lunch was planned.

Kumar was not informed about the guest. He had slept well the previous night. They had gone for a walk on the Marina and he had really enjoyed the walk that he and Arun had shared. The few moments where they were only the two people walking on the face of earth. He had never been to a beach before and he really loved the splashing of the waves and the cool breeze. But wherever he looked, he found many couples cuddling and cooing. That somehow he didn't enjoy much. This distasteful thought finally woke him up.

It was Sunday and it was laundry day. Arun was already at it, washing his clothes. Kumar sat up in bed and watched his friend toiling away with the clothes. There was a strong feeling growing inside him. A feeling which he did not realise and therefore was easily ignored.

They were getting ready. Sunday used to be cook and eat day. But today Arun had said that they had plans. So he put on his new jeans and the t-shirt he had got based on his buddy's insistence. He preferred to spend the day indoors but then had to go out. It didn't seem to be his best Sunday so far.

Sonia was already there waiting. Arun was late as usual. He knew that he would be treated to an irate face, but knew that since Kumar was with him, she would behave better. And finally they met.

Kumar didn't realise it at once, but then he saw that Arun sat next to her and then he introduced her as his girlfriend. This time the feelings inside Kumar were strong and he noticed that pang of jealousy pit in his stomach. Every minute he sat there was excruciating for him. He realised that Arun was not his, but of Sonia's.

It was his first time alone on the beach, the second ever time he was visiting it. He needed to think about what had happened. He needed to think sitting alone. He could not understand anything, he could not gather why he was jealous of her. Watching the waves, the hours flew. He still had no answer. Thats when he heard Arun's voice. He had come searching for him. That is when he knew. He was in love, in love with Arun.

The days that followed the realisation were the hardest in his life. Seeing Arun's face every day, he got constantly reminded of the fact that his love would always remain one sided and can never consummate. He knew that the time for taking a decision has arrived. A choice had to be made, to stay and suffer or to leave and move on. Atleast Arun would remain his friend. He made up his mind.

Within a month, his employer had offered to depute him in another state. An opportunity that seemed like a blessing in disguise. He packed his bags.

Arun was concerned, how his friend would manage alone outside. But then his mind was made and he only assured him that he had learned enough from his stay with him, to manage by himself outside.

The airport was not very far from where they stayed. Arun insisted on dropping him there and so he refused the company cab. A final ride together he thought. Seated behind the bike, he really wanted to steal a hug, but realised it would be futile and hugged his bag rather. After an eternity, the airport arrived.

A parting hug, a few exchange of 'stay in touch' and 'take care'. His heart was heavy. He knew that he would never see Arun again, he didn't want to betray his feelings and break his friends heart. Hoping that the distance and solitude would mend his heart, he stepped into the airport. Waving one final 'goodbye' he walked off past security.

Arun never realised what was amiss. But felt sad that his defenceless friend had to leave so early. He hoped that he would fare well. His worry lines were deepening when Sonia offered a word of comfort and told him that Kumar will be fine. Praying for his friend he drove back, all the while talking to her and telling her the stories of the poor guy whom he had just sent off. A good guy who was just too shy and timid.

Kumar, looked down from his flight. His maiden journey, a journey into the future, leaving the past behind, leaving his Arun behind. He said a small prayer for Arun, and wished for his good life with Sonia, and then one for himself so that his acing heart would find peace someday. And watched in awe as the clouds covered in orange sunlight spread out across the sky and how far he has come in just a short time. He laid back in his seat and drifted to sleep with this thought lingering on his mind.