She wasn’t willing to wake up at all, she was half sleep when her Mom told her that she saw Riya coming from the balcony. She reluctantly opened her eyes and the light hurt her, she quickly hid herself under the quilt. Nah! She isn’t that lazy but then she had been waking till late night answering calls, replying messages and of course chatting with him. It was Nikita’s birthday.

‘Happy Birthday! Sweet Heart!’ Riya jumped into her.

‘Mottie!! Get off me. You want to crush me on my birthday.’ Nikita moaned.

‘Dare you call me that again?’ Riya hailed at her.

‘Ok! Ok! I’m sorry. Now please get off, I’m seriously dying.’

Riya stepped down the bed and checked the stuffs on the dressing table.

‘So, Sidharth is here.’ Riya asked.

‘Yeah! And he must be waiting for me already.’ Nikita laughed.

‘You’re so cruel! He loves you a lot.’

‘But I don’t.’

‘Then why you talk to him? Why are you going to meet him on your birthday?’

‘Call it courtesy. Yeah! I do respect his love but I don’t feel differently for him. Call me selfish for that, I don’t mind. C’mon, he just a friend, that’s it.’

‘Don’t understand your logic but I do feel bad for him.’

‘I feel bad for him too but then there is no way out. I won’t love him back ever.’

‘May be because he is with you and you’re not understanding his worth.’ Riya argued.

‘Riya!!! This is my birthday and you’re my friend not his.’ Nikita was fuming now.

Nikita had always been cynical for her best friend’s liking towards her stalker. Yeah! Nikita called her that for him when she was angry. Just for the sake of humanity, she was talking to him, she would justify herself. She was never interested in him. She was probably one of the hottest girl in town and everyday some or other guy would propose her but that didn’t mean that she would say ‘yes’ to everyone. He was anyway not her type, she desired an army man and he was a struggling musician. Strike one.

Yet she was getting ready to meet him because she knew he was awesome from heart and she did love his surprises, which girl don’t like? Most importantly, she felt safe with him. He wasn’t a pervert, he loved her truly but then somehow, she could not feel those bells in her mind ringing when she saw him. Moreover, he was bit nagging and irritating at times. Strike two.

As she had said, he would be already waiting for her and he was actually standing at the lobby with a huge plastic bag. That almost skipped her heart beat. What was he up to? She hoped he didn’t created a scene once again. Embarrassments were big turn offs for her and he somehow managed to do it every time. Strike three.

‘Hi! Nikita!’ He greeted. ‘Happy Birthday, babes.’

She forced a smile. She didn’t like him calling babes though he would always call her by the same name only but Riya’s presence was hurting her. Riya would now have another point against him- ‘he calls you babes, how cute!’ Anyway, she had decided this time that she would cool and not be fighting with him at least on her birthday.

He was insisting her to go to some cool hangout outside the city but she refused since she had to return home early as guests were coming at her home for her birthday. They finally decided to celebrate at a little restaurant nearby. He had brought a cake, candles, a crown, bouquet and little keychain imprinting her photo. If that was not enough, he just walked to centre of the restaurant with his guitar. And then…

It’s said that everyone gets lucky,

Once in a while,

Happened with me when I saw

An angel with the most beautiful smile,

She looked at me,

Through those almond shaped eyes,

And I felt as if I was floating on

The boundary less skies,

It seems that God sends winds just for her

So that on her face, she could get those flicks,

Her beauty in removing them is so,

That even the clock forgets to tick.

You know when I was touched

By the world’s happiest beam,

It was when she came in my life

As my most beautiful dream!

When he had completed the song almost everyone in the restaurant where on their feet, clapping and applauding that marvellous effort he had put on to express his love for Nikita. As he walked back to her, the speculation grew among everyone. He took a rose from the bouquet, bent on his knees and proposed her.

‘I love you, Nikita.’

That was seriously the last thing she wanted to happen ever. How could he? She just wanted to throw that rose on his face and run away from there but then she didn’t want to insult him. She took the rose and twitched her lips. He hugged her and everyone clapped. If she was fuming earlier, she was now suffocating there. She seriously regretting coming, it all seemed like a trap to her. Might be even Riya was part of it.

She silently ate her lunch while both Riya and Siddharth had understood her discomfort but knew she would soon get over it. However, people smiling at them, congratulating her and talking about them was only adding fuel to her rage. She quickly finished her food and rushed outside, she didn’t wait for Siddharth to pay the bill. Riya and Siddharth both looked at each other cluelessly. They walked anxiously towards the parking. She was standing near her car.

‘Babes! Are you fine?’

‘Dare you call me that again, I will slap you.’ Nikita blasted.

‘Nikita! Is it way to talk?’ Riya intervened.

‘You stay out of this.’ Nikita warned.

‘Yes! Riya! You stay out of it. It’s between me and her.’

‘I’m telling you again, there is nothing between you and me.’

‘C’mon Nikita! I have heard that many times.’

‘Why don’t you accept that?’

‘What should I accept? How could you break all the strings between us just like that?’

‘There wasn’t anything ever. We were just friends.’

‘Now you would deny everything. How could you be so damn…?’ He trailed off.

‘Bitch!!! That’s what you wanted to call me. Ok! Fine. I’m bitch. But you will still not get me anyway. I just hate you. I’m going. Thanks for the amazing birthday treat.’ She sped away with Riya.

No matter how hard he had tried but they had always ended up fighting. He trudged home slowly, little tears found their way down his cheeks. Big boys generally don’t cry but when they do, they are not just hurt, they are actually broken. He called her many times, left messages for her but she didn’t respond to any. She had a party back at home and she hoped the bad day didn’t reflect on her face.

Rest of the night was usual, a lot of guests had come. Riya actually came to know that Nikita’s dad got a job in New Zealand and they were all leaving next week. Riya did feel bad that her best friend had hidden such a big fact from her but then Nikita had always been secretive. She had told about Siddharth only after situations went beyond her control and this if she didn’t attend the party God knows Nikita would have ever told her about this too.

‘I’m sorry Riya for that.’ Nikita apologized.

‘It’s ok.’

‘I know you’re hurt but then to be frank, things were not final till yesterday. Dad was to go alone but yesterday, he came to know that he can bring his family and also they will get me an admission in some college there.’

‘That’s great.’

‘Yeah! It is a great opportunity and I couldn’t say no it.’

‘Actually, you took the right call for the first time in your life.’

And they hugged.

‘So you’re going to tell Siddharth about this?’ Riya popped the question anxiously.

‘No. I actually wanted to tell him but then I know he will overreact and not let me go. Anyway, I see this a very good chance for both of us to move on. I’m sure, he will forget me once he doesn’t see me. May be, he will be hurt but then time is the biggest healer. And promise me, Riya you will never ever tell him about my whereabouts.’

‘Aren’t you asking too much from me? Nikita! I’m still saying. Someday you will regret losing him.’

‘C’mon Riya. I won’t.’

‘It’s just a bloody ego for yours. You see, I will tell you one story-

Once there was an island where all the feelings lived together. One day there was a storm in the sea and the island was about to drown. Every Feeling were scared but Love made a boat to escape. All the feelings jumped in the boat except for one feeling. Love got down to see who it was and it was Ego!!Love tried & tried but Ego didn’t move. Everyone asked Love to leave Ego & come in the boat but Love was meant to Love and it remained with Ego. All other feelings were left alive but Love died because of Ego.’

‘This seriously the most stupid thing you ever told me.’ Nikita laughed. ‘I will definitely find love there, so many white cute guys there.’

‘Nikita, you will never change.’ Riya gave her a high five.

***

Two years later…

Riya got this message on her phone, Nikita’s plane had landed. Riya was damn excited to see her best friend back. Past two years, she had heard new stories of New Zealand every day and was truly fascinated about them. She couldn’t wait any longer to see Nikita and hug her. She had missed her all while. Nikita might be very arrogant but within she was very nice and a true friend. And when she saw Nikita walking through the gate, she ran hard at her and hugged her tightly.

‘I missed you, dear.’ Riya said.

‘You came alone?’ Nikita asked.

‘Who else you were expecting?’

‘No one.’ She shook her head. ‘Let’s go to some restaurant. I am damn hungry.’

Riya drove her to a restaurant nearby but Nikita insisted on her favourite restaurant. Riya was confused since she never knew Nikita had a favourite restaurant in the city. Anyway, she asked for the route and as expected Nikita took her to same restaurant she was thinking off. Though, she had guessed the uneasy in Nikita since few days but Nikita never wanted to talk about. However, this particular restaurant cleared her all doubts. It was the same restaurant where Siddharth had taken her on her birthday.

‘A lot of things have changed here.’ Nikita said as she looked around.

‘It’s been two years girl.’

‘I know.’ She smiled.

‘So what’s up with our hero?’

‘You mean Siddharth?’

She nodded.

‘Well, he has actually become a hero. He finally succeeded making big in music world. He is now a very popular rock star.’

‘Really? You never told me this.’

‘Girl! You never asked me about him. Anyway, why you even care? How is Brain?’

‘We broke up.’ Nikita sighed.

‘And you didn’t tell me even this.’

‘I don’t know it was important or not. I mean, it wasn’t working.’

‘Why wasn’t it working? I mean he was a white right?

‘He didn’t love me that much.’

‘As if you cared for love ever.’ Riya smirked.

‘Will you stop taunting?’ Nikita protested.

‘I am just saying the fact.’ Riya argued.

‘Whatever. I want to meet Siddharth.’

‘But why?’

‘He loves me. I think I should give him a chance.’

‘Is it important? I mean you hate him.’

‘Riya! This is going nowhere.’

‘Nikita! At least now accept it. You’re regretting losing. Just get out of your ego.’

‘Uff!! What’s wrong with you?’

‘Nikita! Two years is long time. You don’t have an idea what happened to him. You just went away without even telling him. He used to wait for you every day in canteen and then finally, he came to know that you were gone. He came to me but I didn’t tell him about you as I had promised. He broke. He left studies and went into depression. He would lock himself in his room for days and just cry. His parents took him to Mumbai for his treatment and then after one year this Sid- came up. You were right, time is biggest healer.’

‘Stop it!!!’ Nikita sobbed. ‘Why didn’t you tell me all this before?’

‘You wouldn’t have understood.’

She kept weeping at the table and finally, even Riya felt bad for her. Mistakes do happen by everyone and moreover, Nikita was her best friend. Riya decided that she will take Nikita to Siddharth but she wouldn’t speak for her friend. After all, she did wrong to him and he had every right to take his decision. Riya drove her to a concert where Siddharth was to perform. Nikita was amazed to see how big star he had become. There were his posters all over the city, the stadium was jam packed and people have even crowded outside to get his glimpse.

‘Listen! I am his old friend, we just want to meet him.’ Riya tried to reason with the security guy.

‘Ma’am! Since you’re an old friend, he must have given you a pass for the concert.’ The security guy smirked.

Riya seemed disappointed but then Nikita got an idea. ‘Tell Siddharth that Nikita wants to meet him.’

Though the security guy refused earlier but on much persistence, he finally went inside the green room to give Siddharth the message and he actually came with a big smile.

‘Sorry Ma’am! You can go inside. The green room is at the right. He is waiting for you.’

She blushed and walked with her usual attitude. Riya waited outside hoping that things go well and she finally see both of them getting together. They seriously looked amazing as couple. It should have happened years ago but anyway late is better than never. She was anxiously peering at the gate towards the green room.

***

Nikita knocked the door.

‘Yes! Come in.’ Siddharth said.

Nikita felt butterflies in her stomach as she stepped inside and there he was leaning on the wall and smoking.

‘I never knew you smoke.’

‘Excuse me! I have been smoking always.’

‘Really?’ She blushed. ‘But the Siddharth, I knew refrained all bad habits.’

‘Siddharth? Who the hell he is? I am Sid.’

‘Yeah, I know! You’re the great rock star Sid. But I am Nikita and I want to say that I love you.’

‘Really? That’s good to hear.’ He pulled the window. ‘You see that crowd outside. Most of them are girls and all of them love me, so what’s the big deal in you that I should accept you’re proposal.’

‘Siddharth! What you’re talking?’

‘Dear lady, Siddharth is no more. He is dead and buried two years back.’

‘It’s not funny anymore.’

‘I am not a clown even. I am a rock star. What you see funny here.’

‘So much arrogance! Siddharth you’ve changed.’

‘May be. That is what you always wanted and most importantly, I have moved on. It was stupid to chase a girl who gave a fuck to my existence and see the times changing, there are thousands like you who are dying to see me.’

‘Siddharth!!’ She cried.

‘Told you, he died rather murdered ruthlessly by a girl whom he loved so much.’

‘Shut up! I am sorry what I did to you. I have realized my mistake and have come back to you.’

‘You’ve not come back to Siddharth. You never cared for him. You came to Sid and you are actually not his type. I’m sorry but I’ve to go.’

Sid picked his guitar and walked towards the stage. Nikita wept and cursed herself in despair. It was actually not their fault but then ego killed love once again.