His First Friend

-6-

For those of you wondering for how long you will have to undergo this torture,Presenting before you,the last chapter!

'Distance makes the heart grow fonder'

Haven't we all heard this at least once in our lives?

Rishab has heard this quite a few times too, but not until today, had he spent some time to ponder over the truth behind the statement.

The holidays were coming to an end the following week and for now,Rishab was still at home, with his parents. It had been a week since his friends had gone back to Mumbai. He had started missing their daily interactions, more so, his routine of meeting his best friend Naina,every single day during college and spending the whole day with her.

Phone calls did help to some extent but somehow, the calls seemed shorter and the way she spoke conveyed something else, something that he could not quite point out right away and say,"Aha! This is it! Now I know why you sound different." He decided to ask her about it the next time they met face to face. He missed seeing her in person.He took his phone from his bed and started glancing through the 'Gallery' folder to relive old memories.

Rishab's parents had not stopped talking about his friends and how well-mannered they were. They were very happy that their Rishab who had always preferred to keep to himself,was now willing to initiate conversations and be more open with his views.They loved that change.It made their son look his age and not like someone who wanted to carry the world's burden upon his shoulders. He seemed happier and relaxed. And they knew,that the reason behind Rishab 2.0, was none other than Naina. His mother, like most mothers,had even started wishing for a future together for Rishab and Naina.

According to her,they were two people who understood each other completely and even looked very good together. She also had a feeling that they liked each other but had not realised that yet.Somewhere deep down,she knew that a mother's intuition can never go wrong. She ignored her mindvoice which told her,that this was a result of watching a lot of TV shows.

Rishab's mother,walked into the hall ,to locate her son and saw Rishab smiling at his phone's display. At that moment,she could only hope that it was some evidence to support her thought process from moments ago.She slowly tiptoed behind him and couldn't contain her smile when she saw that he was looking at a picture of Naina and Rishab,probably taken after some event in college,as they looked all dressed up.And,the picture looked very good.

She cleared her throat to let him know that she was there.

"You like her,don't you?"she asked. She could clearly see his eyes twinkling while seeing that picture and she doubted if that was only because she was his best friend. Oh her dumb son, probably the smartest in quests related to his mind ..but when it came to his heart..well she had no comments to offer there.

Rishab quickly locked his phone and looked at her.

"Uh? What ?"

"That was a very nice picture actually. And I asked if you like her..No..strike that. I am telling you,that I can see that you like her"

Rishab was dumb founded. What was his mother telling him? He liked Naina? And also,when did she even come there? Was he so lost in the memories from their culturals and the timing of this picture that he hadn't noticed her coming?

"Ofcourse I like her ma.She is my best friend. Someone who is the reason behind my learning to adjust in that big city and the people there,"he started but was interrupted by his mother with a "You know I am not talking about the 'friendly like' here."

"Ma. How did you arrive at this theory about my liking Naina,please elaborate?"Rishab asked,after looking at her for a good two minutes. What did he do to make her think so?