Friends???

Raksha had decided that she would not keep Ritvesh in the dark any longer. She wanted him to know the truth and then let him decide what he wants to do next. She liked him as a friend, she admired him as a person and she respected him for his integrity. Above all she liked his company. It was great to have him around. He was a person full of life. He had a great sense of humour and sometimes he would make her laugh till she had tears in her eyes. She was sad the whole of last week about the way she walked off on him. He certainly did not deserve that. May be she should have handled the situation better. May be that was the best way to handle the situation. Anyways she had decided to meet him and keep their freindship intact. 

Ritvesh had mixed feelings about all this. He did not know why Raksha wanted to meet him. Not after everything that happened past week. He knew why he wanted to meet her though. His brain was longing for answers while his eyes were longing for her sight. He did not want her to see him the way he was. That would be indicative of what he had been through. So he decided to upgrade his appearance. He went to the mirror to see what was the amount of work that he had to put in to do so. He was shocked to see a beggar staring at him. A little later he realized that the beggar was none other than him. "God!!! What have I turned myself into? This way I am sure that I would collect some change if I go onto the street." 

After about two hours of work emerged the good old Ritvesh. "Its good to be back. " he thought to himself. His appointment with Raksha was at 5 pm. This time it was Barista because he thought CCD did not bring him good fortune. The time was just 4 pm but his mind seemed to have lost control over his body which pulled him towards his bike. Off he went. He reached Barista at about 4.30 and he knew that he was in for a long wait. The wait did not last long though. As soon as he found himself a table he saw Raksha coming. "May be her body also stopped listening to her mind" he bought himself a smile.

"Hi Ritvesh"

"Hey Raksha. Please take your seat."

"Its been such a long time since we meet. So how have you been?"

"Great. Infact could not have got any better."

"Really? So how come I haven't seen you around?"

"I have changed my religion. I dont visit temples anymore."

"Great!!! Which religion?"

"Christianity."

"Why such drastic decision all of a sudden? Did your mind get confused as to whom to worship because we have many gods in Hinduism?"

"No. After you left that day I had an enlightenment and I saw Jesus. That prompted me to change my religion."

"Ok. Stop. Dont you think all this is going overboard?"

"Yes, I do. I am sorry. Not in the greatest of moods."

"Actually I am the one who should be sorry. I need to tell you something."

"You have something else also. I thought I got the worst shock of my life the other night. Do you still have something in store for me?"

"Will you please listen to what I have to say"

"Sorry again. Please go ahead."

She finished telling him whatever she had decided to tell him. After listening to the whole story Ritvesh said "Had there been no one what would your answer be?"

"Ritvesh, cant we just be good friends. Its better that we dont talk about it."

Ritvesh thought to himself "How can she be saying that when she knows that I have feelings for her." He wanted to convey the same to her but then Shah Rukh suddenly popped up in his mind and said "A very wise man once said that the first step of love is friendship and its also the last." Being wise was never Ritvesh's forte. He was always instinctive. This time though he chose to pay heed to the wise man. He replied "Sure. Why not?"

"Thanks Ritvesh!!! This means a lot to me. I need to get going now. Shall catch you later. Bye"

"Bye"

He sat there thinking whether whatever happened was good or bad. He did not know the answers yet. Only time will have to say.