The Twinkie winky eyes of the new born were sparkling. She was waving her teeny weeny limbs so happily. As Rahul held her she touched his face. That was one of those abstract moments when Rahul felt extremely happy and had no words to express. He left her back near her mother. Deepthi saw her baby with a feeling of pride and completeness in her face. It’s really a great feeling to be a Mother.
“Ok then … Take care … Am leaving now … Bye!” said Rahul and left.
Rahul and Deepthi were school mates; Classmates. Moreover neighbours. Rahul was a charming guy, bright student, pleasing by nature. And Deepthi was a soft girl with a well packed character. At the beginning they were just “Hi..Bye” friends. As they grew up they became very good friends. They played together, studied together, went to and came back from school together. They spent all times together. As every guy in the adolescent age, influenced by other friends and his own infatuations, Rahul developed a crush over her. But then, it was just a crush.
They studied together till 8th standard after which Deepthi’s father got transferred to some other city and they parted. Rahul felt lonely for few days. But then he was back to normalcy. He studied well and came out of school with flying colours. He got a meritorious seat in a prestigious Engineering college, which he did pretty well as always. Even before completing his graduation he got placed in a leading firm. His life went as clear as water with lots of enjoyment.
One fine day when he returned home from office a surprise awaited him. He saw a girl, a familiar face talking to his mother. And god that was Deepthi at his home! His heart was really jumping in joy. He saw her after 8 long years. Not much she has changed, except that she has grew up a little taller than before but not much. Her two plaits had changed to single one as her frocks had changed to salwars.
“Hey Deepthi !!! Is that you?? Can’t believe my eyes..How are you??? You have not changed much … Have you come back here again?? What are you doing now??? ..!!!!” Rahul asked them all at once. That was a mixture of questions and answered by himself.
“Hi!!! Allow me to talk yar. Am doing great!! Daddy got retired from his job. So we decided to come back and settle in our native. And Am working for a leading IT firm. Does that answer’s all your rapid fire questions??? “ Said Deepthi with a cute smile in her face. Rahul gave back a wide grin.
They spoke together. Shared all their memories. Enquired each other about old friends whom they lost track with. They spoke almost about every important thing that happened to them in those 8 years. Time was rolling at its fastest. What could be more exciting than meeting a childhood pal after years? That day when Rahul went to bed he had a feeling of travelling to the past on a time machine. It would be wonderful if life have a rewind option as in a video camera.
They both became more good friends than in the past. Good friends in school days meant sharing a chocolate, helping out in doing previous day’s home work, having same colour school bag, playing and having lunch together. But now as grownups they had lots to share with. They discussed about almost everything under the sun. Both of them were so caring and affectionate on each other. They stood by when either of them had a problem and were each other’s let out whenever depressed. A good friend is the one who walks in when whole of the world walks out; Bestest of all relations on earth. A simple joke or a happy moment with a coke they were together. They never knew loneliness.
One summer evening when Rahul was standing at his gate sipping coffee, he saw Deepthi coming. She appeared a bit brighter than usual. His face brightened up and he greeted her with a smile. She threw him back a familiar smile. But that day there was something special about it. As she stepped into his home she started smiling more than before.
“Hey anything special??? Guess you are so happy …!!!??”
She smiled back and said “ Yes Rahul … Guess what??? “. Still smiling.
“ Your MBA results came??? U cleared with distinction??? Or got any promotions in office??? “ asked Rahul, a series of questions like always.
“ No yar … Something different … “, she smiled again.
Rahul stood puzzled thinking of almost all possible reasons for Deepthi’s smile.
“From now on there is going to be someone in my life with whom my life is going to be complete. Yes Rahul, My parents have found a better half for me. Next week probably they would arrange for an engagement. Just now daddy told me. And it’s you to whom I came first to say this. I know you’ll feel more happier than me.” Said Deepthi shingly with in a mellifluous voice and her own silver smile.
That came as a thunderbolt to Rahul. He was left in a state of mixed emotions. Actually he was supposed to be doubly happy as Deepthi said to celebrate his best friend getting married. But something paused him. That moment he understood that it was not just friendship. His heart wanted to take that to the next level. But he didn’t show any of his emotions out. For the first time he smiled falsely to Deepthi. He congratulated her. Deepthi then started telling about her future ally. Rahul remained a silent listener to everything.
For the next couple of days Rahul was so disturbed. He knew that it was unfair to think his best friend as his life partner. It would be like shattering all Deepthi’s years of trust in a single stroke. He decided to grave all his thoughts forever
As planned Deepthi got engaged the next week. Deepthi introduced Rahul with a pride to her would be as her closest friend. In the next six months she got married. Rahul sensed a kinda loneliness for some days. He then dragged him out of that solitude. He was back to his usual life.
It may seem that he lost an opportunity to get a good friend as his life partner. But there was chance of him losing a very good friend of his for the cause of his love. May be she would have accepted his love. As a partner she would have been more caring and affectionate than now. But if not he would have not gained anything, rather lost a precious friend of him. It’s true that we don’t know what we are really missing until it arrives. And today he would have been living without a charming, caring, affectionate, and precious and really a good friend like Deepthi.
He understood that a friend being a friend would be much better than a friend being a life partner. Why to combine all beautiful relations together and compress life when they are available in plenty. What would have been his life without Deepthi as a friend? It would have been like a pen nib with a bend.
And Today when he lifted Deepthi’s baby he understood that his decision to Silence his thoughts was the bestest of all the decisions he took in his life.And that was not a Love failure, But An Unused Opportunity.
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