OS: But , thats all !
"Chalo chalo...Movie shuru ho jayega"
"Payal yahan a jao"Called a girl.
" lavanya Yahaan"Called another girl.
"Sab a gaye?"Asked the teacher.
" Yes mam" Said the whole class in unison...
Suddenly a girl came running to the auditorium .Her eyes then mapped the whole auditorium for her friends .There they were smiling at her .She smiled back at them and waved her hands happily at them at the thought of spending their English period watching a movie .The thought of the film being " The hounds of baskerville" didn't change her happy mood and for the fact that she had already watched it didn't either .Her eyes then noticed the occupied seats near them and she felt a tug at her heart .Whether on the fact that all the seats were occupied or the fact that they didn't catch a seat for her, she didn't know...
Thankfully there was a seat in the boys side .There was an empty seat in the left corner which was beside the girls seats... Her teacher was shouting at some boys and that thought was enough for her... She didn't want those words for herself So She went and sat there...After every five minutes she would look at her friends...She would then smile and her vision would provide another smile in return..She would then look at her watch again and again praying the big needle would somehow shift to the number 12'...No one noticed her except a pair of caramel eyes...Those eyes were on her since her entry to the auditorium just like in any other class, any other day...And those eyes were just 25 cm away from those beautiful Hazel eyes...
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There she was walking on the streets , with her bag hanging on her shoulders which unusually seemed to be more heavy than usual days...She was with her friends and smiling and joking like nothing had happened in the last hour...
They were her friends only for name sake not the real ones...Blame her...Friends are those who share everything with you and vice-versa .But friends had a different meaning in her life...Someone whom you would call to know the home works, holidays, notes ,and many more...They would discuss about movies, actors, singers, shows and some day today life events...
But that's all...Though she made herself believe it was not...
There would be a " Happy Birthday", a" Happy Diwali", a " Happy new year", a how are you
But that's all...
Everyone in her friend circle or should we say her class circle had atleast one to call as their Best friend ...
But she had none...
Some even had made their Mom or sister as their best friend but she didn't and never could...For reasons she didn't want to disclose...
Some had their best friends from different schools and got to know them through their Coaching classes .But she never went to a coaching class except in 10th only for Maths .And that too the teacher was 67 years old .She was actually her family friend .And she had known her from a younger age as a granny ."Age is merely a number". That is so true in her case...Because she is the best teacher she had ever studied under, till now and I think ever too .After that she studied by her own and felt coaching classes to be waste of time .But for some it is helpful .But she didn't need it...
She had always got good teachers, good schools to study in. She was lucky in that department...
But that's all...
She even tried writing down what she felt but she felt scared of someone reading it and moreover it was as if only she was talking to herself..So she stopped writing...
Having a best friend is not so important .It never is .But you do need someone to share your feelings with and secrets which you don't want to hide anymore .Shoulder which will support you and hands which will give you a high five .A smile which would make involuntarily flex the muscles near the both ends of her mouth...
These type of incidents always happen with her .!Often...So often that she forgets them soon.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
The roads were going to change so she bid everyone and diverted from their path towards her house .She had many times thought of not talking to anyone and be reserved .But that thought would go as soon as it came inside her brain .She didn't want to be like she was before .She liked it this way .Atleast that is what she thought...
As she was walking through the ground near her house ,she saw a brown figure and was pulled towards it .Her vision became more clear and that's when she noticed the " Wall eyes" .One was brown and the other one Blue .She had never seen a dog bearing " Wall eyes" .And the fact that it was very fluffy and cute made her awe at the site .The " Wall eyes" then met the hazel ones .She was happy to see the dog coming near her .But somehow it couldn't come very near and was struggling to come towards her...So without any other thought she went towards it...But due to her fear she stayed a bit far still...That's when she noticed the belt around its neck...She was sad that it was some body's...But seeing the belt and its texture and all she was happy that it was very well taken care of...One look at her watch was enough for her to run towards her house .
"GOD! Aaj maa phir datengi ! Wesse aaj kya khane ke liye hoga ghar mein?."
She went off mumbling to herself .And the "Wall eyes " looked towards her path hopefully wishing the belt would untie him from the tree .But a look at the pair of beautiful molten eyes making their way towards him made him change the decision .He was happy with his Master .Sorry !His best friend .He would never go from him .Still he did want to play with her atleast once...
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
That night she had a dream of those beautiful " Wall eyes" and another pair of brown caramel eyes .She hadn't seen it before .But a part of her brain said otherwise...
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Next day she met those eyes again and the pull was so much that she sat on the ground beside it...And still at a distant .Being from an orthodox Brahmin family she could never touch a dog .So she never did !But she did want to...
"Hi"...She looked at his belt and then said again .
''Hi, dairy'' .She said looking at it which was returned with a big jump and the swift movement of his tail .She somehow wanted to go further .And she did...
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Next day was Sunday and the thought of not seeing him made her sad .Nevertheless she went to the ground .And was surprised to see him there .But she didn't notice the surprised pair of caramel eyes suddenly shifting towards her way and hiding behind the tree .She saw the dog looking towards the mango tree again and again .But she saw nothing .Leaving the thoughts she then continued with her talks...
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Days passed and months too .Only a few !She had almost told everything about her to dairy .And had also played with it but afar . No touching...
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
"Hi...Can I talk to Khushi''
"Yes . Khushi speaking...Who is this?...''
"Um...I am Arnav...''
"Hi...What do you want to tell?''
"Um...Khushi...Could you come to the play ground near your house?''
"But why?''
"Its urgent...''
"Ok...I'll be there...''
"Hm...Bye...''
She then changed into her chudidhars .She told her parents that her friend had called her to return her book .So she had to meet her in the ground...
She didn't know why Arnav had called and had no idea .They never spoke much .He was very reserved and spoke only to some of her classmates .He had Brown caramel eyes which would many times make her drown in them .And he was tall ! Very tall .And looked quite handsome .He was intelligent and would always get the highest marks in her class and the whole 12th batch .And she had even seen him in the temple with his grandma...
"I am sorry for disturbing you...''
"Its OK...But why have you called me...''
"Um..Its about Dairy...He has met an accident and is in hospital...I thought u might want to see him...''
"What? ...Where...?''Her eyes became moist.
"Its Ok...Khushi I'll take you come...''
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
So she followed him and reached the Animal clinic .She couldn't believe her good times had taken a complete 360 degree turn .She just prayed he would get well soon .When she entered the room tears started coming out of her eyes seeing her Dairy's state .She ran and sat beside him...All the rules, distance forgotten .She touched dairy for the first time and probably the last time ...
At her touch dairy felt happy .He felt as though he wanted to jump and play with her .And this feeling he had felt only when his master had touched him .But his body was aching a lot and so he couldn't do anything other than lying on the bed .When she started massaging his back he felt like his mother was there and it felt like heaven .He just wanted to sleep at that moment .Looking at his master for the last time he closed his eyes never to be opened again...
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Seeing him lifeless Khushi felt like her life had gone .He was her first Best friend .He had always wanted her to touch him but she couldn't .And when now she did he is not there to feel it anymore .
"Why does it always happen with me .''She cried.
Arnav was witnessing all this .He for the first time felt like crying .And he did without any barriers .He was his best friend .When his life was in a very bad path .It was because of Dairy that he was put into the right track .He had even fought with his own family to keep him in his house .Well atleast outside .He would play with him would just listen to him whenever he spoke which he did but not quite often...
Seeing Khushi crying like that his heart tore .And involuntarily he placed his hands on her head and started consoling her .And he was relieved to see her somewhat relaxed .She then suddenly asked him with her teary eye...
"How do you know dairy?''
"He is my pet dog and Best friend...''He said looking at Dairy's lifeless body...
"Oh...''
After wipping her face she said...
"Um...I must go...mother will be worried...''
"Should I leave you...?''
"No its Ok..I'll go...''
"Ok..Bye...''
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Even though he didn't want to go to school he did .He was surprised to know that Khushi was absent .But he did know why .He decided he should go and talk to her...
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
So there he was behind the tree in his usual place looking at Khushi who was present there physically sitting on the bench in the ground but not mentally .She looked lost .He decided it there and then .He has to make her understand that dairy isn't gone !He is there...With us...
So he made his way up to her .He saw her looking at him surprised for a moment and then looked away and wiped her tears...
"I hope you are Ok Khushi...''
"Hmm...''
He then sat beside her and took her hands in his and said to her
"Don't be sad Khushi !Dairy is with us only .Right now .Right here . He hasn't gone anywhere .So please don't cry ."
She then for a moment felt relaxed but the sadness did prevail .She then realized their position and removed her hand from his and shifted away...
'I am sorry..."
"Its Ok...''
"Hmm Arnav?''
"Hm?''
"How do you know about me and dairy?''
"Um...I had seen you both play almost every day when I used to keep him tied here when I went to play with my friends .And whenever we used to pass your house while going for a walk he would jump and drag me to ur gate...''
She smiled hearing how much dairy had loved her...
"Ok...I think I must leave .Don't take a lot of holidays .Do come to school.Ok?''
"Hm...''
He then got up and was about to leave when her voice stopped him...
"Arnav?''
She got up and came towards him and stood maintaining a distance...
"Friends? 'She brought her hand towards him...
Surprised would be an understatement .He was astonished .He had seen her talking with his class boys but only talk .And that too it was mostly related to studies .And sometimes she would laugh at their jokes .But never has she used the word F.R.I.E.N.D.S with them .He was overjoyed...
"Yeah...Friends..."He shaked his hands with her.
Both parted their ways .One thinking on why she had suddenly asked him that .And the other overjoyed and happy .Both were happy making a friend...
But that's all...
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Both met almost every day and spoke either at school or in the play ground .The first week went almost silent as both of them hadn't come out of losing their dairy .But later they had opened a lot...
Now they both knew each other well .And eventually became Best friends...
But that's all or is it? Only time will tell...
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Hope all of you are doing good...
Everybody needs someone to share their feelings with...Everybody is not blessed with a best friend...So enjoy each moment spent with them...
This OS is dedicated to one of my friend who loves Dogs and she literally runs behind them instead of them running behind her...Tables got turned...đ
And last but not the least...This is my First OS...
"Like'' it if you really like it...And comment if you want to tell something...
-Iyla
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