Preordained Love

Friendship

Mr. Taneja was sitting on his college bench with worried lines on his forehead, his brows pulled up and together. 

'Whats up? ', his friend Sunil sat beside him with his sanskrit books in hand. 

'Nothing, so done with your boring class'

'It isn't boring for me ok! ', Sunil frowned as he didn't like anyone making fun of his subject.

'Ok ok pandit ji, its not boring, now will you smile?', Mr. Taneja smiled

'Dont pretend infront of me atleast, I know you very well, whats killing you inside?', Sunil showed his concern. 

'Dad has told me to join a pharma college in Mumbai', said Mr. Taneja dismally

'Then what did you say?'

'I don't want to, its mid-sem, I told him let me complete my studies here'

'So? '

'So, you know how he is, any word that comes out from his mouth should be done then and there, he said he will not pay my fee and give me pocket money if I didn't go according to his will'. 

'But why is he so determined about it? '

'He says there is no future in here, this degree is useless, he wants me to join a pharma college or a medical college, it will be more profitable'. 

'Maybe he is right, he is your dad, he wants the best for you', Sunil encouraged, barely smiling. 

'He wants best for him', Mr. Taneja rolled his eyes, 'anyhow, leave it, I don't want to think about it, what have you brought for lunch? Am bored of the hostel food', he took Sunil's bag and opened the lunch box. 

Both sat there chatting about their family problem's, laughing, teasing and eating. 

Two months later, early in the morning a very dejected Mr. Taneja was standing in the bus stop, holding his bag with all his dear life. Sunil came running from behind, 'take this, its a long journey and you didn't have anything', he said handing a eatables filled bag to Mr. Taneja. 

'It isn't necessary', Mr. Taneja was trying to hold back his tears but a drop fell. 

'Don't be sad  its just 4years, you wont even know and it will pass by. Also there will be vacation when you can come and visit me, I will be here itself',Sunil ensured him

'But you were my only friend, how am I going to survive anywhere without you, whom will I depend on, what will I do? Why dad did this to me?', Mr. Taneja was crying hysterically

'Sush, everyone is at looking at us now. Look, you are going there to become something and you are strong enough to survive anywhere. I will always be your friend be rest assured, we will write letters to each other okay', by now Sunil's eyes were filled too.  

Mr. Taneja sat in bus wiping his tears, the bus engine roared and bus moved, just then Mr. Taneja shouted, 'but I dont know your address'

'Write my name and village pin, it will reach me', a tear rolled down Sunil's cheek. 

After a month, Sunil received Mr. Taneja's first letter stating he has reached Mumbai and finding it hard to be there. The college was good but the people weren't, nobody cared about anyone, all wanted to be better than others even if it meant hurting others. He said he missed Sunil's company and his advice, he felt alone there. 

Sunil wrote a letter back telling him to have patience and give time to the place and people, everthing needs time to show what they are capable of. 

Sunil and Mr. Taneja kept in touch through letters even if it reached two three months later, Mr. Taneja had adjusted in Mumbai and now had friends too but not like Sunil, their friendship was pure and innocent. 

1987 May, Mr. Taneja received a letter from Sunil telling how frustrating it is to be an adult, how he is dealing with unemployment and poverty. He has decided to go to his maternal home and work there, he gave him the address. Mr. Taneja supported him in reply and also told him about his father's health. His father moved to Mumbai as there was no one to care for him. Mr. Taneja was a graduate now and started working in a company. 

1990 January, Mr. Taneja wrote about his father's death, how he was heartbroken and wanted Sunil to come there. But that was the drawback of the letter era, the letter was written in Nov 1989 and due to Sunil's financial condition he couldn't go, he wrote back. 

1990 July, Sunil wrote about how he was going to get married to a girl he knows, he desperately wanted him to be there but knows that he can't as he has just started his business. 

1991 March, Sunil wrote that he can't stay here anymore as he can't earn anything here and also now he has another mouth to feed. He was going to Arunachal where he got a teaching job, he said he will write letter from there when he will settle. Mr. Taneja wrote back telling, he got the love of his life, he knew her from the college days and liked her but couldn't express. But there path crossed again and he was able to propose her. They were getting married in August, he wished Sunil was there but career is more important than marraige so he can understand. 

1993 September, Sunil wrote that his wife was expecting her first child, the weather of the current school is not suiting her, so he is thinking to send her back home for time being. The weather was too cold there and it used to snow there. 

Mr. Taneja replied back congratulating him, he wrote that he was happily married now and his company was doing well, he is going to open a new branch. 

1995 August, Mr. Taneja wrote that he is now a father, his son borned last month. His company has 5 branches now and he is going to buy his own bunglow. He will send letter when he will shift in the new house. 

Mr. Taneja broke out of his thoughts when he heard the door bell. The house-help opened the door to a worried Ivaan, 'where's dad?'

'In his room'

Ivaan hurriedly walked to the room, 'dad are you okay?' 

Mr. Taneja was sitting in his brown rocking chair, 'yes, why are you here early? You were supposed to come tomorrow'. 

'Nothing, I just felt like coming back'

'Why do you worry about me so much, Iam not a kid'. 

'Iam not worrying about anyone, did you had dinner? If not, then lets go', both moved to the dinner table........