If You're Hero, I'll be your Heroine!

A Friend's Responsibility

"Sanya?"

"Mihir?"

Pooja was surprised. "You both know each other already?"

Mihir nodded. "We're neighbours."

"And friends too," added Sanya. 

Pooja laughed. "So you'll know her family well. She's Prem's sister's husband's sister. Her brother Sunil is my colleague."

"Oh," said Mihir. "Never knew that Prem had such a beauty for a relative," he added, looking at Sanya in a strange way. 

She blushed, but neither Mihir nor Pooja saw it.

"Where's Raj?"

"He's not back from school yet," said Pooja. "I think he's choreographing one of the dances."

"Jalebi!" said a voice.

"Oh, he's here," said Pooja. She went to the door to let her fiance in. 

Someone seemed to have beaten the claptrap out of Raj. He looked very tired and sweaty.

"Mihir!" he exclaimed, suddenly refreshed at the sight of his best friend. "Hi Sanya!"

"Hi Raj," said Sanya. 

Raj went up to Pooja, and whispered something in her ears. She whispered something back with a shy smile. 

"Mihir, I need to tell you something important," said Raj. "Can we go to the kitchen and talk in private?"

"Sure," his friend replied. Both of them went into the kitchen while the women began talking about something different. 

"Shakkar, before I tell you the main matter, can you tell me how  you became Hero. You told me why you became Hero that day, but didn't tell me how."

"All thanks to God, Raju. I totally devoted myself to Lord Shiva, to get peace. I was very unpopular at school and had no friends, but I witnessed a lot of crimes at school. Many of my seniors were addicted to drugs and smoking. One boy even made me try heroin when I was in third standard, and I lost my innocence after that. I never trusted anyone, but my God."

Raj was shocked again. 

"When I was in my final year of college, my batch went on a trip to Kashmir. The trip lasted a week. On the fourth day, when we were trekking in the mountains, I got lost from my group and fell into a cold lake. There, I found this cloak, which gave me the superstrength and the power to fly. I decided that I would never let any other child face what I went through, and that's why I hid behind a mask and became Hero."

His friend hugged him. 

"You are so brave," he said. "And selfless as well."

"Thanks Raju."

"Anyway, what I wanted to tell you was that," he said, shrugging slightly. "Pooja and I are getting married soon, and you are like my brother. You have to be the planner."

Mihir was euphoric. "Raju, I'll be so honored to plan your wedding! I'm in a dilemma right now, though."

"I know," said Raj. "The 'big project', right? Hrithik Roshan?"

"It's your school, you'll obviously know."

"No problem. It's after the annual day only. You can take your time."

"I'll definitely do this for you," said Mihir. 

Both of them returned to the living room, where Pooja and Sanya were chatting over a hot cup of coffee. 

After some light hearted banter and gossip, it was time for Mihir and Sanya to leave. 

"Mihir, can you drop me home?" asked Sanya, albeit hesitantly. "It's late, and..."

He agreed readily. "Come on Sanya, let's go. Bye Raj and Pooja!"

Raj and Pooja waved to them as both of them rode away on the motorbike. 

"Jamun, I think that something is cooking between Mihir bro and Sanya," said Pooja. 

"Even I think so, Jalebi. They look so good together."

Meanwhile, Mihir and Sanya were enjoying their ride back to Versova. They soon reached their street. 

"Thanks Mihir," said Sanya. 

"Anytime," replied Mihir. "You are actually the only girl I've felt comfortable with."

Sanya smiled sweetly and went into her house. 

Mihir admired her as she went. 

"She's so beautiful, and so good-natured. I have myself seen how she beat up a boy for bullying her friend in college!"

He was slowly getting attracted to Sanya. But he didn't know what this attraction meant. 

"What's happening to me? Why do I pay so much attention to her?"