nothing else in life looked interesting to me. I had many deadlines ahead and I was still lying on bed and pretending to sleep. In 30 mins, there was a beep. It was text from Anwesha.

  “I am joining back your team. See you tomorrow”. That happiness, I can’t express. One has to only feel it

  .

  Then, we got to be a team. We did almost all other projects together. Went to paper presentations, won prizes, performed on stage, organized events, went to each other’s home, canteen, classes, everything of rest of the year, we almost did it together. I helped her for placements, she got placed. I don’t know, though I was good enough, I got it late. She was always there for me for every interview!

  Then we graduated and I moved here. We are still in touch. The night before graduation, I decided I will keep this as friendship, as I still did not know, if I should name it love.

  Sixteen: Anwesha in Pune

  Aakash finally completed his story. Sumit was almost asleep; he said “Bro, you have missed a nice girl”. You should have expressed what you feel.

 

  Aakash replied “I was not sure of anything. It’s a difficult decision to make. We met a few times in holidays and she had moved to her native when I came to Pune. We are still in touch though. I did not want to lose her friendship by putting all this ahead. She will be in Pune in some days. We shall meet. I will try my luck!”

  Sumit was snoring. A new day being and every sunrise had new hopes to Aakash. Company work was hectic too. Usual routine work on weekdays and on weekends all the 3 used to hang-out in market area. A fortnight passed and one fine day he saw Anwesha’s satus update as

  “Moved to Pune”. As expected, he immediately liked it.

  That weekend he got a call from unknown number. It was Anwesha with Pune local number. After the routine talks, Anwesha asked Aakash if he could meet her at dam on Saturday. He agreed.

  It was Khadakwasala dam. The same place where Purvi had introduced Mohit to Sumit. Aakash had a million thoughts running in his mind. A combination of positives and negatives. It was still Thursday and he was badly waiting for the Saturday. Every minute killed him. Every moment he had a new thought. It could be a simple meet, or she may bring her love and introduce me, what else can be?

  Aakash was all confused. He looked like a Chinese doll which always keeps shaking its head!

  Seventeen: Aakash and Anwesha

  It was Saturday evening and both were sitting at Khadakwasala dam looking at water and waves.

  Aakash felt happy that she had come alone. He asked her how she felt about Pune, her routines and other ten questions.

  A little later, Anwesha looked at him with eye to eye contact and said,

  Aakash, am here to say something. Ever since I saw you, you have been my inspiration. From the very beginning.

  Your coding skills have encouraged me to work hard.

  Only because you had given a seminar in other course, I agreed to give one.

  Only because you were class representative in first year, I became one.

  Only because you sat in last bench, I moved too.

  Only because you volunteered I did too.

  Only to see you I organized trips.

  Only because you are good at writing, I started the literary club.

  Only because your parents do a lot of charity, I started too.

  Only because of you I changed and got back to your project team.

  I got placed only because of you.

  I have been seeing you since the day you were staring at me when I was crying after getting the horrible test marks.

   

  God listened to my prayers. He moved me to Pune. You are my inspiration Aakash. You have made me look good. And she continued,

  “I…. I… I…  Love you Aakash”

  Aakash hugged her and…

  Eighteen: Love Affects and Effects

  Aakash was on cloud nine. He had a faster heart beat. Could he neither slow his faster heart beat nor stop himself from hugging Anwesha.

  He said, “Anwesha, I have always been confused with this decision. I have always hesitated to express this. But today, I am all apparent. My heart and soul is ready to accept you and am no more confused. I would love to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  Anwesha had tears. A little. She was happy. It was that evening where everything in the world looked beautiful to both of them. Even a paper in dustbin looked great. Life had given them thousand reasons to live and celebrate the beauty. Especially when two good friends commit for life time,

  Nights shine,

  With a love line.

  Days glow,

  With a love flow.

  Great stuff!

  Anwesha continued, you know even my parents know about you and they have accepted you with zero complaints. That’s why my mother gave you all special treatment when you were home. Aakash had goose bumps and he had held Anwesha’s hands tightly as if he is never going to live. Rest of the time they both were quite and looking at each other. Though they hardly spoke, still many conversations were exchanged.

  Aaaksh dropped her home, and walked back to his PG. He described everything to Sumit including each and every word on what had happened and they both celebrated! Aakash could not sleep that night. Neither Anwesha.

  Nineteen: The Proposal

  It was a little different pair. They never expected each other to message regularly and update everything that happened over the day. They both used to talk everyday night for around 30 minutes. Anwesha used to speak nonstop.

  It was weekend and Purvi was at their room. She suggested Aakash to propose Anwesha. She explained how Mohit had proposed her in a garden. She also added, “though it is not a mandatory advice, but it will be a most cherished moment. Till today it makes me feel great when I think of that day”. Sumit was looking at Purvi when she was explaining. Aakash was excited. They all decided to call Anwesha to the garden that evening and make a moment for life time.

 

  All three went a little earlier and decorated a seat in the garden with heart shaped balloons. They had got a heart shaped cake as well. They were waiting for Anwesha to come to the garden. As she came, Sumit and Purvi got hid and Aakash went to her, held her hands and started walking her to the seat. Anwesha was all surprised and she was questioning on and on, about what’s happening. Aakash took her to the seat and asked her to sit. He was still holding her hand and could see the happiness in her eyes. Keeping his hand still firm, Aakash went down on his knees and looked at her and said,

  “I want a hand to hold,

  Until the days beyond old

  A heart to share,

  And promises of never ending care”

  My never with you would be only after forever. You have colored my life for I will always be a support to you; for the life time and till my last breath. Will you be the love of my life?

  Anwesha was all tears. She got up and knelt on her knees. She hugged him and said “yes and forever”. She kissed him on his forehead.

  Sumit and Purvi walked in. They hugged each other and had the cake cut. It was a dreamy moment just like it happens in movies. Out of the blue Purvi got a call! It was Mohit. He said, “My parents have been looking over our marriage dates and looks like we are getting married in 8 weeks. I am coming to Pune next week. Let’s do some shopping. And also I want to invite your friends. You should also talk in office about your resignation”.

  Purvi was looking so happy that her face got wide. She immediately updated her friends and asked to take leave on Thursday and Friday. It’s going to be a freaky friends weekend out!

  Twenty: The Five

  It may seem that story only has weekends. That’s because IT people go to office in the morning, work, work and work and return home back at night. There is no story there. So, everything that fits inside a week is “work”. Everything that fits inside a weekend is life, as you call it. That’s why; the first thing that is done on ever Monday is to wait
for Friday!

  It was a fun weekend. All the 05 met on Thursday early morning. Mohit had stayed in Purvi’s room itself. They all were at fort. Only soul who was little unhappy was Sumit. They explored each and every corner of the fort. Not to find a corner like the way you are thinking. They are decent people you see!

  They never knew it was such a beauty. The fort which is just beside “swargate”, gave an unexpected sweetness. They sat a while. Had some gags and then moved to shopping.

  Purvi got a few saris with help of Anwesha and in meanwhile Aakash and Sumit helped Mohit. It was like visiting each and every shop of the market. Purvi even purchased a traditional Pune saree which had peacocks dancing on it as a memory. The violet colored one with nine peacocks. All along the shopping they were having wild gags like how they would prefer to dance at their wedding for the songs “Kombdi Palali” and “Mumbai Rickshaw-wala”. Meanwhile there was a possession going with the song “Dhagala lagli kala”. They joined and danced wild. There was no one to notice. Altogether they had massive fun.

  Twenty One: The Waterpark

  They had done with shopping and had three days left. They all decided to go to Krishnai Water Kingdom. They planned it and they were there.

  They enjoyed every single ride. They spent almost two hours in rain dance. Purvi and Mohit were dancing together and so with Aakash and Anwesha. The only one to be looking around was Sumit. He was completely clueless on what was