Friends forever.......

How do I live without you, I just don't know. How do I breathe without you, if you ever go? How do I oh how do I ever survive? was playing in the cold December night. The lovely interlude that had happened between them came to her mind. There was a point in time where she used to like someone like most people her age.

Anish, her best friend was understanding, mature, sensitive, caring, kind, supportive and everything a woman would want in a partner. Priya, his best friend was pretty, vivacious, indecisive, a little childish at times but... he was used to overlooking it. They fought a lot and kept getting back to each other believing in the same funda! Let someone you love free, they'll come back to you! Since I love him, I have to go back to him! Since I love her, I have to go back to her! Both of them liked each other, cherished each other's company but that was something unspoken.

That night had just been too terrible, icy, cold words being flung at each other! But this time, he had actually raised his hand to slap her. He stopped himself from striking her just in the nick of time. That had been the last straw for her! Rage, embarrassment, shame, anger, all piled up within her, her face was burning and tears were stinging her eyes. She had decided to walk out of there for his good, for her good, for their good... Normally, the issue was something she could hardly even recollect now but this time, it was a little different. But that is what happened most of the times. The issues would soon be forgotten, resolved or dissolved but this once, it had just gone a little too far.

She was used to him coming back whenever she stopped talking trying to pacify her, trying to talk her into forgiving him... She would look here and there and finally when she wasn't able to pretend anymore, she would give that smile... That smile that would light up an overcast day! He would apologise profusely and they would be the same on any given normal day.

She had gone back to her aunt's house and continued waiting for him to come back and apologise. Unsure of whether he would come, she contined to focus on her painting that was her source of income, her way of killing time and her means of survival and getting on with life. She would wait for him, his mails, his calls, his messages. Whenever there was a call, she would jump up expectantly and be dismayed to see one of her friends calling. While opening any message, she would go it-may-be-Anish.

Days went on with her waiting for him to come back, he waiting for her to come back. The fault was not quite visible but the words were, the actions were! Each thought the other was wrong... Anish was focussing on work, the only thing he knew best. A man of no hobbies, no pastimes other than Priya and work and Priya and work and Priya. Life meant hanging around with Priya after a hard day at work. It used to be the same even when they studied, Priya and studies! On Priya's end, it was quite similar... Though they stayed separately, most of her time was spent at Anish's place helping his mom with the cooking and the laundry and the dish-washing et al. Priya loved a lot of things, reading, dancing, painting, trekking... But it was Anish who was topmost on her list of priorities and painting next as she was a professional painter.

Now that marriage had become a possibility in near future, Anish wanted to ask her out but after this spate he was wondering if she would even consider him... He had even raised his hand on her which was so not justified... A remorseful, guilty Anish kept thnking he would go to her aunt's place, make an excuse and pacify her and then pop the question.

Her aunt always thought Anish was a fine guy but whenever she asked Priya, she would only scrape the issue. She left it at that each time thinking that Priya and Anish were only best friends. This time around, she was worried because whenever she saw Priya, she was either waiting by the phone or looking at the clock. Her paintings were not the same, they were obscure, abstract, dull coloured, lonely... Maybe their fight had gone too far but she decided to keep mum until Priya said anything about the issue.

Four months had gone by but there was no sign of Anish. Priya had also decided that she would not go back as he actually raised his hand on her just because she said she liked a particular Samman. He was not exactly a person clear of bad habits and Anish was stunned she actually would like him. Of course, Priya did not like her in the way she liked Anish, she in fact had begun to love Anish enough as she would often think as to how life would be with him if they were to get married... As far as Samman went, she liked him only because he had bailed her out a couple of times by giving his plot to her for her art exhibitions...

Anish's contention was that she should like someone who is worthy of her.. He had never bothered to ask her if the liking went any further.. He should have known that he was the only person in her life... If he couldn't read as much, was he as understanding as she thought? She was disgusted that he could even that way.. and that too about her, the girl who spent each minute of her waking time with him... Wasn't that enough to say it all?Anyways, that was a thing of the past, she said to herself and focussed on the painting brush. Back to her normal life, she was painting like she used to because life just goes on with or without Anish.

Work was becomng really stressing out for Anish because Priya was no longer there to sing for him, to go out for walks, to dance with him at the clubs... He was left with nothing as sand never stays in your fist if it is clenched. He thought he was being too possessive and she had every right to decide her life, her likes, her dislikes... Who was he to comment on?

He didn't know that he was her life, her dream, her ambition, her everything... Her life started and ended with Anish... Without him where was she even living? Life had suddenly come to a standstill and she was at a crossroad and she felt lost when it came to making a decision. So far, Anish had been making all her major decisions for her... Everytime there was a permanent fix to all her problems... Anish.. But he was probably very happy with himself, his world, his career. She even started feeling that all that she ever was for Anish was a poor orphan for whom he had sympathy for! And no.... She wouldn't go back to him... She never liked charity!!

One fine day, Anish's mom had a sudden heart attack... Fortunately, he was at home as it was a Sunday and rushed him mom to the nearest hospital. Priya saw Anish's car whiz by with a visibly tense-looking Anish. She didn't waste a second and took the first taxi she could find. As Anish parked his car, she quickly paid the fare and hurried to find out the matter. Seeing his mom in pain, she quickly rushed inside to get a stretcher and got her admitted.

Anish was very surprised, shocked but happy. He still mattered to her. Once he was done with the necessary formalities, he sat down on the couch next to Priya. The conversation should have happened long back but there is a time and place for everything. They exchanged awkward pleasantries; she thinking I bothered him yet again; he thinking this is the woman I want to be with. She asked the reason for the sudden hospitalisation of his mother. He started giving her reasons for his sudden disappearance. He didn't have any valid reasons but he kept trying with a brave face. She wondered aloud that this was not the answer to her question. In reply, he said that he loved her and he would want to spend the rest of his waking moments with her... This was the best answer to her unasked questions, there were so many of those... He could see them in her eyes. A moist-eyed Priya could only manage "Have you asked aunty?" in reply. Unromantic as ever, sturdy as ever, considerate as ever, she was his partner to be, the best he could ever find!!! The wait had ended, they were together... Just a matter of time, till his mom was well enough to talk to her aunt. She clutched his shoulder and said that she would be back with lunch for them. That smile said it all, the love, the commitment, the wait, the promise...