Two Friends - first attempt at fiction

Harsh was relaxing in his balcony at his quarters provided by govt. He was happy , he would be seeing his wife after a gap of 3-4 months . He was going to Mumbai , his city, his place; where he belonged. It was going to be a short tour but its his home. He was scrolling the phone book , this was third time he had scrolled it in that day and he doesn't remember  how many time since he finalised  his visit dates. One name, Shreya was where he stopped his scrolling  every time . Shreya was his childhood friend . They were in contact with each other till two years back. She had called him only once to in these  two years to announce she was in love & getting married. Though he was engaged to Pooja , his wife at that point of time , he still felt the pang of jealousy for the person whom Shreya was going to marry .After that contact between him and Shreya  just didn't happen. He was in a dilemma to call. After all in  India married woman do not keep many male friends . He knew society was still orthodox. He finally decided SMS would be the safest way.


He finally SMSed her: "Hope you have been promoted to be a mother ".
He decided if she calls back, then only would meet her  else she would be always part of his sweet memories .
When Shreya saw the text , the name did not appear , she was shocked to receive such a message yet she knew someone really closed to her had sent . She stared at message for a while and decided to wait for a call from that no..  It was the nth no. of time Shreya had either lost her mobile, had put in water , or the simcard was lost and hence she didn't know who had sent the message . She was really good at losing things....
 Harsh was really disappointed for not receiving a reply or a call from her . It had been two days since he had messaged her .  He thought probably she has no time for him. He called up Pooja , his wife to get cheered up !!! . Though he didn't mention about Shreya's no reply to Pooja , Pooja somehow sensed it . She didn't bring up the topic which would have visibly made him upset.

It was third day since the message had arrived in Shreya's inbox . She finally decided to call the number ....

Shreya : Hello
Harsh : Hi , finally u called
Shreya : oh!! its you , I was wondering who called
Harsh :  You don't have my number  !! (with a surprise in his voice ).
Shreya: As usual I lost my mobile few months back and I didn't know how to contact you .
Harsh: How are you ?? Hows your life?
Shreya: I am a divorcee now. I am alone. I am lost . (she just couldn't keep a cool and calm Composure).
Harsh : Oh !! (Poor guy he doesn't know what he lost in his life . Harsh said to himself.) I am Coming to Mumbai next week . I am inaugrating my house in June . I will catch you in June then.
Shreya : If you are coming next week , why should we wait till June. Place a call to me as soon as you come . We will catch up. I am really alone Harsh . I have no goals  , I never thought this would happen to me.
Harsh  who was still shocked , didn't know how to sympathise , he said  Shreya everything would be alright .
Shreya : Ok !! call me once you reach Mumbai.Bye now.
Harsh : Bye

Harsh was a tough guy . Being in one of the armed forces , Navy , he had become physically tough and his situations in his life had made him mentally strong. Still a divorce was too much to take in for him and what mattered was , It was Shreya , One of the best girls he ever met , to whom it had happened.

Memories of Harsh flushed in Shreya's mind. She always knew he liked her and she always laughed it off .She felt probably her unfair behavior had led to the divorce. She started to feel weak , it had been few months she had not talked about her divorce . To break in pieces & gather yourself  again was not easy . Shreya made a call to Neel , Neel was one of her dearest friend from college who stood by her in thick & thin.

Neel : Hi
Shreya :  I am breaking down, I am completely out emotionally.
Neel : Its ok , It happens . Don't worry , everything would be fine .
Shreya : Thanks Neel. Bye!!

She wanted to ear "Everything would be fine." She gathered herself and left for the day. Shreya was a simple girl. Not much ambitious  , Taking every day as it came , Having fun with friends  and  worrying about Shankar's career , was what Shreya's life before her her divorce. Shankar , Her husband , One day told her , We are not made for each other , we are not compatible , its just not fair , you will meet a nice guy in future . Shreya almost felt like asking him , Is this an exit interview of company . She didn't blame him. She knew he was always like this , she had forgotten herself totally when she was in relationship with him.  Now to live for herself was a difficult task but she was managing it .Friends like Neel had been huge emotional support & Now Harsh who called after two years. She thanked God for such friends.

Shreya had been always at back of  Harsh's mind since her phone call. He still remembered the call she had made two years back. She was in seventh  heaven. Possible opposition from her family also looked irrelevant in front of her happiness . He knew how glad when he came to know she had found a partner .When he arrived at Mumbai, his wife was at station to receive him, he was very happy to see Pooja . All the uneasiness of Shreya's divorce vanished when he saw his wife and when she took him in his arms. He told her about Shreya over the dinner table. Pooja said , its destiny, noboby can change.

 He called up Shreya & decided to meet two days  later . Off late Shreya had been forgetting to meet  people . She kept herself reminding that she needs to meet Harsh. But sometimes there are more important things than meeting old friends . That day she got news , she has become a maasi of little baby boy,she immediately rushed to see her sister at hospital. She forgot to inform Harsh .However , Harsh made a call to her at the decided time, she knew Harsh was gonna feel terrible . She gave the news and after hearing it Harsh gave his congratulations . Harsh kept the phone. He started think about the good old school days . He was topper in his section yet he was never counted as brilliant kids simply because he played with all the "Tapories" in colony. He liked Shreya, bcos she never complained about his company , he liked her for the chirpy behaviour , he liked her innocence , everything about Shreya was good infact fantastic. He never proposed her, he wanted to become an officer before he proposed. It never happened and then he also met Pooja. Pooja & Shreya were compltely different. To draw comparisons would be unfair to both of them. All he knew that Pooja is one of the sweetest girl he ever met .

Shreya felt bad that she  couldn't meet Harsh. She decided to make it possible very next day. When Harsh called her next day , she told him she wants to meet him. He asked where , she told him at a mall near her office .  Shreya always enjoyed the attention and importance received from Harsh. Harsh who was used to bend people as he needed , obliged . When he reached at mall , she informed she would be there in few minutes .Harsh was first to spot Shreya , Only after the crowd cleared Shreya could see Harsh. He looked same . Harsh told Shreya , You look great , to which she replied you crack good jokes. Both of them laughed. Shreya asked Harsh about his wife . He replied "I didn't bring her " She said "How rude?"  Harsh asked "where are we going ? "  expecting to get a reply of sitting in the big mall , behind them .
       Shreya looked around, she was standing in a concrete jungle , the  city had grown multifolds in past few years . The mall behind them , didn't exist two years back.  Shreya & Harsh had spent their childhood in a small town near Mumbai, near Sea , between the mountains . They were more used to see rare birds than  air polluting traffic.  She smiled and said " tere saath mall mein kya baithoon".... lets go to "Aksa Beach" I have never been there .To which an astonished Harsh replied "am coming from there . You could have come yourself."  Shreya said "So what ? I didn't know u would come late , I can leave office now . I thought , I am better off at Aksa beach than a Mall ".As usual Harsh had no option but agree with Shreya .

Harsh had come on his brother in law's bike . It was Yamaha 100D series, very old model . Harsh knew Shreya's fetish for bike . So he started "after coming to Mumbai, I have to drive this bike  (with a visible frown). I have Unicorn  ,it goes at 100 KMPH" Shreya smiled and said " Drive a Yamaha in Mumbai" . They both laughed  and started towards Aksa Beach. Shreya on the way filled Harsh with the usual gossip . She knew about everyone . Who is getting married ? who is coming from abroad & when? what are her plans etc. After hearing the monlogue Harsh complimented her with the amount of information Shreya had. " Thats all I do now a days " Shreya sighed !!! .  Both of them were silent for a while .  Shreya only broke the silence , She started talking about the recent crushes who were either getting married or were already married . Harsh burst into laughter.

Harsh was a regular at Aksa beach. So he took Shreya to a stall where they had bench to sit. Aksa beach is one of the clean beaches of Mumbai. There is not much crowd on Aksa beach. When they settled , Harsh asked her what she would have , she said she would go for "Pani Puri" and calorie conscious Harsh had "Chana Masala"  .Both of them had taken a seat and had maintained a lot of distance between them. She said "I never thought I have to live without him", "My family wants me to get married again.  Its difficult. I hate him " she blabbered for almost 15 minutes about her relationship . Harsh didn't interrupt her.

After 15 minutes , Harsh gathered all his strength and finally made statement " Know what , You are a big zero . What have you done in past few years. Just enjoyed life with Shankar , fought with family . Achieved nothing . " A shocked Shreya looked at him "what do u mean ? " He said " look whatever happened was really sad . I have a sympathy for you. but I can't cry along with you . "  harsh took a deep breath " find a goal. do something in your life. find a cause."  Shreya had heard this from lot  of friends. But nobody said it the way Harsh said.

Shreya now in full control of emotions.She said " I am glad we met this time. I am sorry , I never acknowledged the fact that you like me." Harsh was surprised to hear that statement .he had waited to hear that statement. However, he laughed and said " are you crazy . mere itne bure din nahi aaye. " both of them laughed. They then shared their memories . the way they lived there life king-size in their tropical town . The beauty , the pranks, the sports and the NCCs. The time just looked as if it had flown.

Shreya said " You know what , i have been observing you and I must tell you are very lucky. You got a wonderful wife " Harsh's gentlemanly behaviour just told Shreya that he loved her wife . Loved her alot. She saw her pic , which Harsh always carried in wallet . Shreya said ' I wish I could meet your wife." Harsh smiled and said " She is joining us in 15 mins." Shreya was delighted. Harsh said " do you mind , If I smoke" Shreya said "of course  not , I will smoke along with you , see one of the  side effects of divorce"  they smoked and Shreya felt she is blowing her issues in the smoke.

She met Pooja, Harsh's wife for a while.  Pooja was very beautiful and polite . Harsh  was very proud to show off his wife.  Shreya told Pooja, that Harsh is indeed one of the gifted creatures on earth. She also directed Harsh to take care of Pooja. Pooja saw the charm on Shreya's face. She now probably knew why her husband had special place for Shreya in his heart.

As the beach was closing down, Harsh & Shreya also bid the farewell to each other.

At home Harsh, hugged Pooja said , it was worth it . Am glad I met her. Pooja said, Am happy to see you delighted. Shreya on way back , took out her cellphone and called a friend to help him with his NGO .....


Vanita

( all characters are imaginary to the best of the knowledge of author. Any resemblance to living or dead is purely coincidentally.)