He could not believe what he was watching. He made a hurried step towards the two, thought for a second and reverted back. He already knew why she had left him, but something else had made him angry – she was with his best friend. The friend who had sympathized with him when she had left. How could they, he thought. It had been only a day that they had their break-up, the most talked about couple in the university had a break-up, and in 24 hours she was snogging with his best friend. The world was upside-down for Sahil. He had lost both of his best friends in a span of less than 24 hours.
The picture became clear to him now. It was all planned. He had seen both of them many a times together, but he had thought it was only a friend thing. The three were the best friends – the friends forever type of friends. No one would have imagined something like this would happen ever. He had known it for past 3 months that his relationship with Nishi was ending. She had been avoiding him and lying to him but he had trusted her, he knew everything will be normal again – he had to be sensible and patient.
But why had Nihal done it, he could not understand. Nihal and Sahil had been friends before they were born – their parents were best friends. They had the same interests, played the same sport, studied the same subjects, and now loved the same girl too. The day Sahil had seen Nishi, he had pointed to her and said, “Nihal, I am going to marry her someday!”
Girls, thought Sahil, Girls! But he had to talk to Nihal. He had to ask Nihal what made him cheat his best friend. He went back to hostel and waited for Nihal to come. Nihal was his roommate. Sahil was imagining how they would be making fun of him and cuddling and what not. When Sahil could not wait anymore, he called Nihal. Before Nihal could answer his cell, Sahil hung up. He did that again then again. The next time Nihal was waiting, he answered his call before any ring could ring.
Nihal said, “Kya masti kar rahe ho yaar”, sounding irritated. He had disturbed him. Nihal did not know that Sahil had watched him cuddling with Nishi.
“I need to talk to you about something, can you come to room?” English was used only on two occasions – to impress a girl or when it was something serious.
“Ok, I will be there in 10 minutes.” No questions asked. At least Nihal had respected him this much, thought Sahil.
Sahil waited. It had been 30 minutes. His thoughts had become more severe and intense. Finally, the door was knocked. He opened the door and waited for Nihal’s excuses.
“What happened? Are you still depressed about the break-up? Why? You already knew it, you said it yourself that the relationship was ending. Move on, man.”
“I think you have moved on faster that me!”
Nihal’s expression had changed. “What do you mean by that?”
“Where were you when I called you?”
“I was with Nishi.”
He is not even hiding it. “What were you doing with her even when you know that we are not together now?”
“You both have ended your relationship, I haven’t! She is still my friend.”
“Still, what were you doing there?”
“She was very upset like you after the events of the last day. She needed a friend and I was there to support her. Whatever may have happened between you two, you both are still my friends.”
“So you go and start cuddling with her, kissing her, what kind of friendship is this?”, Sahil’s voice was loud and very sarcastic.
“What are you saying? Have you been imagining things?”, said Nihal looking very confused.
“Why are you lying? I saw you both with my own *beep* eyes. Its only been a day and you start making out with her in wide public. What’s *beep* wrong with you?” Sahil was mostly calm. It had been only once when he had become violent and angry. Somebody had been teasing Nishi, after several warnings, he had broken the guy’s nose.
“I can explain everything to you. Just listen to me for sometime.”
He accepts, thought Sahil.
“You cheat. I don’t want to listen to your lame excuses. I understanding everything now. You have been planning this from months behind my back. I have called you here to know only one thing – why did you do it to me – to your *beep* best friend. I trusted you.” Sahil had tears in his eyes. He was a strong man, but after his support pillars were removed he felt very weak.
“You are getting it all wrong. I did not cheat you. Just give me 5 minutes.”
“You are trying to say that I was wrong when I saw you together?”
“No, but”
“But what? If I saw what I saw then there is no way that I can be wrong!”
“Listen to me please, for the sake of our friendship, listen to me!” Nihal was still in control.
After 5 minutes, “Say whatever you want to say”, Sahil still wanted to give a chance to his friendship.
“What you saw in the morning is not the complete truth. I have not been planning anything. The only mistake that I did was – I tried to be friends to both of you. You must understand that when you are in love with somebody, you have to start hiding certain things from your partner and both of you did that. You and Nishi both would come and tell those secrets to me. You would tell me how Nishi had changed and she will tell me how you had changed. I like a good friend hid those secrets from both of you. Now, finally when you both break-up, I am the person whom both of you come for support. Now today morning while I was trying to make Nishi understand that its time to move on, things went a bit out of hand. We were in a highly emotional state and lost our senses and I am sorry for that. You should have trusted me.” Nihal sat on the bed and wiped his tears.
Sahil opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Instead, he went forward and stretched his hands. Nihal got up and hugged him. Sahil said, “I am sorry, I did not trust you. I got carried away from what I saw, sorry friend.”
They had finally moved on.
The End.