BUOY THE HEART- Part 2

BUOY THE HEART

Part- 2

I grinned at him, forgetting the fact that he had been half-an hour late, and called him excitedly, “Aarav!”

“Hey dude,” Rakesh waved at him.

“Hi,” Aarav greeted formally, slipped next to me and asked, “Did you order anything?”

“Nope, I was waiting for you.” And then I remembered. “You are late again, by the way.” I scowled at him.

“Well, you did seem busy,” he reasoned.

We three had our dinner together and Rakesh left early. Aarav walked me till the road that led me to my hostel. It was actually a junction where one road led to the girls’ hostel, one to the Nursing department, and the other towards the hospital. Boys were allowed to come up to our hostel till six in the evening and we had time till 9:30 in the night to get into our hostel without getting reprimanded by our hostel warden. I usually turned up at 9 in the night and Aarav would always walk me back till the junction. That night, it was nearly 9:20 and I walked fast, still smiling.

“What are you smiling at?’ he asked me.

“Nothing, Rakesh seems so cool and groomed. You both must be getting along well?”

“Yeah.”

“Anyways, don’t be late next time,” I reminded him.

“You sound strange,” he complained. “I expected you to punch me in the least. But only a remainder?”

“Hmm… let’s see, I am not forgetting your mistake. I am just in a good mood. So better keep that in mind.”

He was still starring at me in puzzlement when I left to my hostel at the junction. Before I could get into the hostel block, I turned back to see him still standing at the junction. I waved my hand, indicating him to leave. He nodded and turned away.

***

Sunday morning, we had a new entry into our hostel block, and precisely in our floor. It was Reena, a rich, beautiful, polished girl from Qatar. She was the heiress to a vast business and had an elder brother who was kind enough to see her off in our college despite his neck-deep busy schedule. By the time she arrived in the afternoon, half the hostel was empty and I was waiting in the lobby for Aarav to arrive. He was late as usual and that made me the first acquaintance of Reena. I helped her get to her room and when Aarav arrived, I left saying I would help her set up her belongings once I get back from lunch.

Making new friends usually sends me to good mood and Aarav was curious to see who the late entrant was. The next day, I accompanied Reena for an Aarav-free breakfast and then we took off to the classes together. Some weren’t much bothered by the new entry but I was sure that by the afternoon, details of Reena would go around to everyone.

I introduced her to Aarav over lunch. He was delighted to learn her affiliation to a certain things which only he likes. Like watching horror movies, playing pool, watching movies till late night and their obsession with the number 7 which turned out to be their lucky number as well. I kept smiling all the time they chatted, silently eating my food and joining the conversation in between. As it turned out, most of the times we had lunch during the working days, we three ate together and there were many occasions when Rakesh joined us. That was a relief for me as I had more to talk to him than either Aarav or Reena could do together.

Three weeks passed without much of any happenings. Aarav and I used to take off to multiplexes and malls like Skywalk, Escatalk, Spencers during the weekends. It became our target to round of the main hangout places in Chennai within a month. Strolling for fun in T-Nagar and Pondy bazaar was my favorite but he hated it because of the traffic. Reena and Rakesh accompanied us once or twice, but mostly, I preferred to keep things wrapped up between Aarav and me. There were enough restaurants near our university to keep us engaged in the weekdays.

Meanwhile, Aarav and I managed to get along with our studies very well indeed. Our college houses an underground air conditioned library, which became my favorite place for writing assignments. The staircase leading down to the library was kind of a hangout place where I and Aarav used to sit with coke tins and text books in front of us. I was glad that we hadn’t so much deviated from our initial ambition.

The Thursday of the fourth week in college, I got the most dreadful news.

I had just returned to hostel after classes and after washing up, at almost 4:30, I called up Aarav to ask about dinner plans. That’s when my dad called me. He wasn’t so cheerful like he usually was and I could make out that he was busy. I kept Aarav in a conference call with my dad (seriously, we never had any secrets and he sometimes heard my conversations with others in conference call, as did I do when he received calls while I was on hold). After the usual greetings, he spoke up, “Adithi, we have a change of plans, me and your mother.”

“What happened dad?” I was curious.

“We have a two year project for extension of our business in New York. I think I and your mom have to head out to there. If things go out as planned, we might start coming Wednesday.”

“Dad, are you serious? You are leaving the country for two years?” I was aghast. I was accustomed to the fact that my parents were always busy and that they did their best to be with me as much as possible. At least, my mom used to stay around me a lot more than dad. I had never stayed away for so long as a couple of month away from them. But two years was too much for me. I couldn’t believe that my parents had decided so suddenly without even giving me a hint.

“Two years is just our estimation dear. It might take a little longer than that.” He was feeling terrible, I was sure.

“But… dad, how can you?” My eyes were already brimming.

He tried to explain about the situation of our business, the necessity and about how hard they had tried to avoid leaving. As he pacified me with promises of frequent visits (which I was sure would be very rare), I did my best to control my tears and sound okay. I really hated making my parents feel uncomfortable because of me.

After ending the call with dad, I didn’t talk to Aarav as well. He asked me if I was okay and all I did was tell him that I was fine and needed to go. I headed out of the hostel block and sat down on the bench in front of the block. My hope was that the cool evening wind would try to soothe my temper and melancholy.

After an hour of staring gloomily into space, I couldn’t help noticing that Aarav hadn’t called me or turned up like he usually does when I am unhappy.

It was past 5:30 in the evening when I called him.

He picked up the call on the first ring and said loudly, “Hey Buttercup, are you okay?”

I could guess that he was driving.

“Yeah,” I answered, my mood getting even worse. “I’m fine.”

“Where are you?” he asked.

“Sitting in front of the hostel,” I replied mechanically. “Where are you?”

“I am at Porur center, struck in traffic,” he said. And then he started chattering.

“Actually I am past the center. I am near the lake. Wait, I just passed it. And just crossed Hot Breads. Actually, I am trying to take over a bus but the driver isn’t giving me way.”

I heard him yanking the horn several times.

He continued again, “Finally, overtook it. I am near the bus stop in front of our college. Traffic isn’t so heavy. Wait, I just got into our college… I am near the fountain now. Nah, I just crossed it. See, they didn’t turn it on today. I am near the hospital block. Wait, there’s a speed breaker… crossed it. I am on the road to the junction. Actually, I am near the junction.”

I realized what was happening.

I turned towards the junction, still listening to him and saw his car driving in at a high speed.

He stopped the car right in front of me and said with a sigh, “And I’m right front of you.”

He stepped out of the car, came towards me and pulled me into a tight, consoling hug.

I simply stayed that way, not knowing how to react. When he let go of me, he looked at me worriedly and remarked, “You look so pale. Did you eat anything at all?”

I still kept staring at him. I agree, he always arrived late. But whenever he did, every time, he tried his best to distract me. Today, it was different. He didn’t make it seem as if he was late. In fact, he had never given such a dramatic entrance.  

As he gazed questioningly at me, I shook my head in denial.

“Well, then, I have got something for.” He grinned and brought out a package from the car. Sitting on the bench, he passed it to me saying, “I went to New Andhra Mess in Valsarvakkam to get you this. Your favorite- butter naan with butter chicken.”

He nailed it again. If anyone perfectly knew how to take my mind off worries, it was Aarav. Butter chicken is my all time favorite and I would be so absorbed while eating that Aarav often commented anyone would think I hail from a draught village.

As I looked at him with my smile coming back to me, he said, “You know, you are just missing out on all the good things about your parents leaving.”

“Aarav, there’s nothing so good about it. I know there are people who stay away for years without seeing each other. But I have never done that and I hate staying away from people I love. Call it obsessive nature or possessiveness or whatever but I can’t. and the next time we have holidays, I will be returning to an empty house.”

“Hey, do you remember, whenever your parents weren’t around during the holidays before, you used to stay at my place. You stayed for the whole summer after 10^th standard in my house. It would be the same this time. You will be staying over at my place. Nothing to worry about. And besides, your parents won’t be receiving your attendance reports, nor any notices, which means we can bunk classes and do whatever we want.”

He went on talking about how cool it would be, now that we would be spending the holidays together, how we could have fun in college and so on. He tried to distract me at his best and could finally make me laugh.

We ate the food he brought sitting there and the while, I let him talk. I was content just looking at him.

That was my secret which even he didn’t know. That I loved him more than anyone else. Having no siblings, and having busy parents, I had seen him more than others since our childhood and so did he. Ever since the time I had a proper sense in me, ever since I knew what I was and what I wanted, I had loved him dearly.

But the problem was, we had sworn to be good friends and he never broke it. I had a very strong conscience in me which constantly reminded me that misunderstanding and taking advantage of a good friendship is highly unethical. True, I had seen a lot many scandals in my life even before I was ten. But I wasn’t the girl who would ignore ethics, the value of a strong relationship and the power of true feelings. In reality, I had long ago come to terms with the fact that Aarav and I would remain friends our whole lives and I was totally okay with it. I was happy being with him, no matter what our relationship was. If being friends with him was the way of it, then I would gladly stay that way.

Looking at him now, the way he cared so much for me, I felt my heart ache. It was difficult but I was more than willing to endure it. Still, there was a part of me that desperately wanted to escape the pain. I was nearly over the gloominess which my parents’ plan had caused. Aarav made me walk around with him along half the campus, took me to a restaurant despite my protests that I was full. A chocolate milk shake, an ice cream and a time full of jokes was what he suggested to completely lift my spirits.

That night, as I lied down on my bed thinking about him, I realized that things would go out of hands if I were to be with him for long. I thought of ways to deal with my problem.

I never knew how that idea came up, but suddenly, I analyzed that if Aarav had a girlfriend, I could distance myself from him or at least remain in my limits as his friend. He would be distracted with a girl he loves, I would have a leverage to control my heart and we could have a life lasting friendship unmarred by anything stupid I could think of. All that was needed was Aarav to have a girlfriend who would understand that I am a good friend as well. The trouble was, Aarav never seemed interested in anyone. That was something I had to work on.

Before I could slumber off, I decided on setting him up with someone I could trust his happiness with; a girl who could take care of him better than me and would never misunderstand our friendship. Well, at least, she shouldn’t misunderstand my intentions. Pushing Aarav onto someone else seemed a legitimate solution to all the troubles.

BUOY THE HEART

BUOY THE HEART

Part- 1

I knew he would come to pick me up, no matter how late he turns up. It has been his habit since our childhood. I, being a girl would always be on time whereas he, being the guy, was always late by at least fifteen minutes or more. No matter how many times I reprimanded him, he still would repeat it.

     Every time he arrived late, I used to glare at him, tease him seriously that he should have been a girl to take so much time to get dressed and I would threaten him not to be late the next time. But, he never much took my warnings seriously. His late arrivals continued and I just got more used to them.

     When one of the most important sessions of my life was starting, I was standing in the balcony adjoining my bedroom, overlooking the runway to my elegant parental house. He was supposed to arrive at five in the evening and it was already nearing six. Frustration flared through my mind and I picked up my phone to call him for the sixth time. Just as I was dialing his number, a black Benz arrived at the gate. I turned to see the watchman open the gate and the car ran towards the garage, took a U-turn and parked along the driveway.

He stepped out of the car and looked up directly at me, waving his hand and grinning broadly.

     That’s what he always did when he was late. He would smile at me warmly and greet me so cheerfully, say sorry with an earnest expression and give me a friendly hug. I would lose the leverage of my anger and would simply complain of his tardy arrivals instead of smacking him like how I usually plan while waiting. He would instantly change the subject and drag me away with him.

     I gave him a piercingly angry scowl as I turned round and headed out of my room, down the staircase, into the hall. He came in with a blissful smile on his face and said aloud, “Hey Buttercup!” No sooner did he step close to me, intending to give his usual hug that I stepped back, pushed him away and said, “Don’t try to play this time. You are an hour late!”

     “I know. Sorry,” he said, trying to look straight into my eyes with a pleading face. “You see, dad got me a new car and I was giving him a drive to his office. I had to thank him better too.”

     I did notice that he hadn’t arrived in his usual car. But the anger I had on mind completely neglected the observation. Now that he was being honest, I decided to give him another chance, like always.

     Sensing the change in my thoughts, he took my hand and said, “I was saving the second best drive for you. You know you take up after my parents.”

     He nailed it. I smiled and shook my head, sighing and said, “You sure have words at the tip of your tongue. But still, this is the last time I am going to tolerate this. Next time, I am going to snap your neck.” I punched his arm as hard as I could. Obviously, he didn’t feel that as a serious punch either. God, I hate his muscles.

     Before I could speak anything more, he pulled my hand, dragging me along, chattering avidly, “Come on, we have got a lot to do. And I think we can have our dinner somewhere on the way. I already told dad that I will be late today. So, we can go for a long night drive in my car.”

     “Aarav, relax,” I said, smiling again as I got into his car. “Nice car by the way. What’s the occasion?”

“Well, we got into medical college and dad was happy that I scored better in the entrance than his expectation. Though, that didn’t make much of a difference.”

     That was correct.

     Aarav and I have been close friends since kindergarten and we have been inseparable ever. His parents were rich business persons and so were mine. We had another thing in common. We both didn’t have any siblings, making our bond even stronger. We studied together, played together, partied together and fought as wildly as ever. We both had been dream of becoming of becoming doctors one day and we worked hard for the entrance. Though our marks had been well enough to get admission in a medical college, our princely parents thought we would do better in a renowned university. As a result, we ended up getting admissions in SRMC, Chennai, totally content with paying the high fees. We were due for joining classes in a couple of days and still had lot of shopping left.

     Aarav kept up a chatter as we drove. After a few minutes, he said, “Hey check this out.” He pushed at a button and the top of the car lifted, wound backwards, opening up.  

     “Wow, is this is an open top car?” I asked, enjoying the cool wind blowing at us.

     “Yeah. I loved it a lot.”

     “Keep it open always unless it rains or is too sunny.” I advised.

     “Sure, I would.”

     We shopped for three hours in a row, never feeling tired or bored and then headed to have dinner in a food court in one of the malls. Till twelve in the night, we kept ourselves to the roads, taking a long drive. He drove me back home when I fell asleep, resting my head on his shoulder, as usual.

     My parents weren’t at home by the time we arrived, thanks to a late night business party. I was so asleep and disoriented that Aarav carried me inside, woke me up enough to say, “Good night Buttercup,” and left.

***

     Arriving at college wasn’t so dramatic as I imagined. We both sure travelled by the road as Aarav needed to get his car to college. Driving from Hyderabad to Chennai didn’t seem so tough to him, though we stopped on the way for more than a couple of times to take rest at hotels. Our parents took a flight and arrived very well before us. By the time we completed all the formalities and officially lodged into the university hostels, my dad was ready with a gift for me.

     “There’s your brand new Hyundai Verna,” he beamed at me, pointing to a white Verna parked in the hostel parking lot.

     “Dad!” I was indeed surprised. I had my own i10 car back at home, but I never bothered to get it to college as I was sure Aarav would always be there for help. I had never thought my dad would surprise me without me asking for a car. I gave him a hug, thanking him. Aarav and his parents arrived by then. After a good dinner and not so top notched- sentimental farewell, our parents left.

     Settling down in SRMC was easier than I thought. We had individual rooms in our hostels and we could have an AC on our own account. The classes are ultra-modern and the campus has a cool cafeteria named Annex, a garden restaurant, an NRI tuck shop which has almost everything one would ever want. I had immense fun setting up everything in my room and by the 1^st evening of our stay, Aarav and I were communicating on Skype, showing around how we arranged our rooms. The thing I loved most was the benches we had in front of our hostel, under the shade of trees, right in front of the basketball court. I mentally decided on sitting there every evening so that I could watch Aarav practice basketball (he is an awesome player and used to be our school basketball team captain).

     I loved the hospital and our classes. Aarav and I somehow managed to sit next to each other and we had our roll numbers allotted- consecutive numbers as usual.

     I made friends easily. Neha, Deepika, Jaya, Lekha were a few of the girls who had their rooms next to mine. They were quite friendly and we started going to the mess together. Our class boys were kind of friendly with all of us.

     But it took us a week to understand that people were mistaking my relation with Aarav. Everyone thought us to be involved romantically and we had to clarify to everyone that were best friends. ‘Friends’, not anything more.

     It was Friday evening, six days past our admission. I was waiting at the fast food section in Annex for Aarav, for dinner, and he was late as usual. I was toying with my phone, thinking if I should send a message warning my idiotic friend when someone slipped onto the seat in front of me. I looked up to see one of my fellow classmates watching me with a smile.

     We both had never spoken to each other and it seemed a little awkward. Finally, I said hesitantly,    “Hello.”

     “Hi,” he said. “You are Adithi right?”

     “Yeah. I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.” I was sheepish.

     “It’s okay. I’m Rakesh.” He extended his hand and I shook it formally, feeling unsure.

     “I guess you must be waiting for Aarav?” he asked me.

     “Yes. He always turns up late,” I tried to sound casual, though my anger was boiling up.

     “Well, boys generally relax when they are with someone understanding. After all, you are such a good friend to him.”

     “How do you know that?”

    “My room is next to his in hostel. We are kind of getting along well.”

     I smiled. Something about his accent seemed different. “I don’t think you are from somewhere in India, right?”

    He grinned. “Correct. I am an NRI student. Landed in from Manhattan. My parents stay there and so does my whole family from two generations.”

   “Oh, that’s cool.” I smiled, feeling comfortable as I talked more. Sure, he was looking handsome and seemed to have really charismatic manners. Within a few minutes, we were happily chatting away and laughing over his witty words.

   “Seems like you are having fun.” I heard him say with disappointment. I turned to see Aarav standing a few feet away, looking at us with rounded eyes.