Friendship that Bloomed into Love
Short Story
by Renuka Kamath
Shirish are you coming on time tomorrow morning or as usual you will
be late? said Rita, as she was packing for college before retiring to
bed. Shirish said, I will be on time I promise. Rita hung up the
phone wishing him Goodnight and went off to sleep. The next morning Rita
started for college and as she approached Shirish's house a note lay
outside his for her which said that he would meet her at the bus stop
in 3 minutes. As she waited for him the bus pulled in at the stop
and with a final glance at his house she boarded.
In college at the end of the first lecture Rita saw Shirish waving out
to her, Rita ignored him and went to chat with her other friends in the
canteen. Shirish came up to Rita and apologized to her and within
minutes she was convinced that he wouldn t repeat the mistake again.
This would happen everyday and Shirsh would keep written notes for Rita
and she would collect them. Days passed into years and they became the
best of friends. They met everyday and spent the maximum time with each
other. They would go together and come back from college together. Rita
was an outgoing girl and she made a lot of friends. She was a tomboy
due to which a lot of guys would hang around with her. After college
Shirish would wait for Rita at the station. Once Rita told Shirish to
leave, as she would be late. After and hour when Rita arrived at the station
she saw Shirish sitting on the seat on the platform. This touched Rita
and she was happy. Rita asked Shirish, Shirish why didn't you go home I
told you I would be late because I had to copy some notes from Hemant.
Shirish replied, Rita all these days you would wait at the bus stop in
the morning and everyday I would be late, can't I wait for you for one
day? Then there was silence throughout the journey. After coming to
their station they would make it a point to have a cup of coffee at a café
very near to their house where they would share the days events. The
bond was so strong that if either one of them was feeling low the other
would understand it. Shirish was so dependent on Rita that he would need
her whenever he was confused. If Shirish's mother wanted to put forth
something to Shirish she would have to call Rita to make Shirish
understand.
It was Rose day of the college and Rita asked Shirish whether he could
come on time because she was wearing a sari for the first time and was
feeling awkward to go alone to the college. But as it turned out he
didn't come on time and she had to go alone to the college. When Shirish
finally arrived he went to look out for Rita and he was stunned to see
Rita in a sari. He just stood there staring at her because it was today
he realized how beautiful she was. When he came up to her he hardly
spoke. She started shouting at him and left in an angry mood.
He went to the canteen hoping she would be there but she wasn't. After
3 hours of futile efforts, he realized that he wanted her in his life and missed her
terribly when she wasn't around. With these thoughts when he reached the
station and Rita was there with Hemant. She came smiled at Shirish and
apologized about the incident after which Hemant left and Shirish and Rita
left for home.
Shirish gave Rita a friendship card, which expressed his feelings for
her as a friend. Rita was happy. Days passed into years and they were in
their last year of friendship when Rita knew that unknowingly she had
started liking Shirish but didn't have the guts to tell him in the fear
that she may lose his friendship forever. After college both parted
ways Shirish didn't take his graduation examination and lost a year, Rita
took her examination and later took up a job, which kept hey busy
throughout the day.
This went on for two years. Rita kept her distance, as she wanted to
get Shirish out of her mind, as she was sure their relationship wouldn't work
out. Rita's parents found a match for Rita for Rita agreed. She called
Shirish that day and asked him whether he could meet her. Shirish met
her. They both were quiet for sometime. Shirish broke the ice by telling
Rita that there was something that he wanted to tell her and she kept
avoiding it. Shirish poured his heart out and confessed his feelings for
her. Rita was open-mouthed. She had no words to say all she said was,
Shirish why did you express your feelings so late, and she got up from
the table and left.
Rita and Shirish didn't meet for 4 years after that. Rita heard about
him from her mother that he had become a poet and writer and was
penning a book. Shirish met with an accident and wanted to meet Rita. Rita
came to the hospital in a crisp white salwar kameez looking as gorgeous
as ever. Shirish asked Rita whether they could be alone for sometime
and she agreed. Rita I want to know before I die, did you ever even like
me? Rita had tears in her eyes and she replied, Shirish I always
loved you but didn't have the courage to tell you and was frightened that
if I ever disclosed my feelings you may go away from me.
Shirish and Rita realized just a matter of words drifted them into
different worlds and now it was too late to change it. Few days later
Shirish died and left her his entire earnings from the sale of the book, which
was dedicated to her.
Friendship that Bloomed into Love© COPYRIGHT 2004 Renuka Kamath. Reproduction prohibited without permission from the author. 10/21/04
