Out Of Sight, Always In Mind!

Chapter 13

I've missed my Indian buddies so much! I hardly made any friends back in the USA. There were just some colleagues.

"Hey Man!!!", Sahil got me into a hug. Yeah! Hug. Not a man hug! But a Hug!!. But then I hugged him back. I had missed my best friend the most. Except for the one last time, he always stood for me.

"Welcome back brother!", he said.

"Feels great to be back dude.!", I fisted him.

"Welcome to India", Vivan called out from behind and joined his hands acting to welcome me traditionally.

I laughed, "Oh yes Mr. Non-Residential Indian!.."

We did a manly hand shake and punched each others shoulders like we did back in the old days. Vivan was a great guy, I'm glad he came to India for business. He can do wonders!

"Can we have a champagne here!", Vivan called out to the bartender who soon got the champagne and we got involved in the celebration.

"Aarav we need to talk!", a stern voice came from behind me.

I turned around and saw Kabir standing with his hands folded and Shannon next to him.

"Hey guys.. What's up?", I said, partly guessing why they were here.

Shannon spoke up, "Look.. Let's get this straight. We helped you out coz you convinced us that your intentions were of mere surprising the audience. But we all saw what you were upto."

Kabir continued, "You are and will be our close friend Aarav. But the moment you try to hurt her..again.. We would forget every relation we have with you. You mess with her means you mess with us!"

Yeah! Like always. It's always about her.! Few years ago it was about her and even today these people just care about her!

I knew it that I would have to face her when I return , and I had no clue what god had in store for me. I thought if I plan my entry, I would be less bothered by her. But I was wrong. The moment I saw her, all the pain she gave me could be felt again. She is still the same, the way she danced, the way she laughed, the way she smiled, nothing has changed, that's what gives me more pain. I thought I'd be facing a new Keya.. Maybe some new look or personality.. But she hasn't changed a bit.. She yet keeps her hair the same way.. She yet wears thick kaajal below her eyes.. She is as beautiful as before.. As graceful as ever.. God!! What am I thinking! She is the girl who hurt me! She is the one who cheated on me. In spite of all the love I gave her, I just got ignorance in return.

Still these people think I was and I am wrong. They think she doesn't deserve what I did to her.. Dude!! What about me? Did I deserve all that!?

"Aarav? What's wrong?", Vivan asked and I realised that Kabir and Shannon had left.

"what? Nothing.. I'm good", I neither wanted to think about her nor talk.

"Who were they talking about? And why did they warn you as if you've committed some horrible crime?", Vivan asked, full of confusion. He looked at Sahil and me consecutively.

Sahil opened up, "They were taking about Keya..".

Keya..

I just stared at sky.

"Well... I knew something was wrong.. The way she reacted on the dancefloor.. What about her? And where is she now?", Vivan just couldn't stop asking about her.

"Why do you care Viv? She is just a nobody.. Don't think about her.. She is no good." , I said , without looking at him.

"Umm.. That nobody works in my office and that nobody is my landlady..", I turned to him on that line, "And that nobody is also my friend..I guess.. And I am concerned about her..", Vivan just went on.