It was meant to be!

2. News of Varadha's Return

Shriya's POV:

I was sitting on the balcony of my room, reading my favourite novel Live your life once by Stuti Changle, when mumma called me from downstairs
"Yes mumma coming"
I kept my book on the bed and swept downstairs, as soon as I reached the living room where my parents were sitting, I saw her pacing excitedly in the room and dad had a big grin on his face which made me quite curious about the reason for their sudden happiness
"What happened you guys look very happy, so suddenly?"
"Ohh silly girl if I would tell you the reason for our outburst of happiness then you will go crazy too" she said excitedly
"Dad, is mumma okay" I asked sleepishly
"Beta, do u remember Varadha?"
I was taken aback by hearing this name after 12 years, Yes I was shocked, Varadha my best friend, who was not only my best friend but my support system, my cheerleader, the only important person I ever had after my parents,we were barely any teenagers when his father Abhinav Uncle had got transferred to Bangalore which broke my heart, as Varadha had to go along with him, I didn't wanted to let him go but I didn't have any other choice, I don't know how many nights did I cried , sometimes I still do remembering him, I couldn't make any friends in college as well, because no one in the world could ever take his place in my heart.
I still remember the day when we were at the railway station and his train was about to leave for Bangalore.

*Past 12 years ago*

I held his hand tightly, I had tried all tactics to make him stay with me, but none worked as a kid I didn't wanted to understand anything that why he is supposed to leave, the adults were emotional as we two families have been neighbours since 11 years, every day our families would sit together for a cup of tea or coffee, I and Varadha used to play every day after our school until it was late night and our mother's used to yell at us to come and eat dinner, whenever I felt miserable, I always had his shoulder to cry on, and so did he had me, but now what should I do? How will I deal with such emotional breakdowns when he will be gone? How?
"Varadha?" I said in between my tears.
"Hmm?" He said holding back his tears.
"Will you forget me, after this"?
"Heyy! How could I ever forget my best friend....no matter where I go, you will always be my best friend...ok?"
"Promise?"
"Pinky promise" he held his pinky finger out for me
I entangled mine with his.
It was a moment I never wanted to end....but our fate had other plans.then he took out the handkerchief I gave him a week ago when he was crying as his mother had yelled at him when he refused to eat green vegetables....I looked in his tearful eyes which were already fixed at me.... then he wiped my tears gently and kept the handkerchief back in his jeans pocket
"I will always keep this hankey with me, so that I will always remember our friendship and you"
I couldn't hols back anymore and I hugged him tightly, he too wrapped his hand around me, we both wanted to stay forever like this but the announcement occured for the train to leave the station.
"I will miss you Varadha"
"I will miss you too panda"
Hearing him say my nickname which he kept for me made me giggle and he smiled at me.
"Varadha beta let's go, it's time" Supriya aunty said to his son.
"Bye" I said again holding back my tears
"Bye" he said and climbed up the stairs of the train.
I waved at him until the train was out of sight leaving behind smoke and the memories of my best friend

*Past ends*

"Yes papa, I remember him"
"That's gr8 because he is coming back to Lucknow with Abhinav uncle"
"WHAT!!!!"I almost screamed in excitement as the happiness rushed my veins.
"When is he coming?"
"Tomorrow, their train arrives at 10"dad said
"How is uncle and aunty?"
I saw dad's face go pale
"Beta your uncle is fine but... Sharmila aunty is no more"
"What?" I asked unbelievably.
"Yes beta your papa is right" mom said sadly.
"She had blood cancer, she passed away 7 years go"
I Felt a gulp in my throat, I knew I was about to cry but I held back my emotions and said
"She was like a mother to me"
They nodded.to cheer up my mood mom said happily
"Alright, alright enough of all this, we must remember her with good memories okay?? Now Shriya take out your scooty and let's go to buy some things....we will make them their favourite food tomorrow....hurry up come on!!"
"Okay okay mom calm down just give me 5 minutes I'll change and come" I said and ran upstairs to my room, as soon as I entered my room and closed the door behind me I jumped up and down on my bed feelings another level of happiness after hearing this news....tons of questions flooded my mind one after the another... What will he be like now? Does he still remember me? What if he had another best friend and have forgotten about me? What if ? What if....
I tried to calm myself down and then I got ready to go the Market to buy groceries and stuffs for tomorrow. Every moment felt like an hour, as soon as the time passed my excitement grew more and more....