Just another Love Story

-Chapter 1-

Hello readers!

This is my first try at a romance, so cut me some slack please xD
But I guess I have come up with a decent one.

Read on and let me know!
Don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT.

***

'Hey!! Raj? Long time no see eh!'

'Jheel?! How are you?'

He clasped my hand and hugged me.

Doesn't it feel weird? When you meet your best-friend, after seven years? That too, without having heard from him since then.

'What's up man?'

'Nothing worth mentioning buddy. I was never as good as you at studies and stuff, remember? Now I am getting the reward for it.'

'Rubbish! You all just give me too much credit. I was not even that good. Did you guys not notice Neha, like, EVER?'

'Oooo.....NEHA HUH! You won't ever be able to get over her, eh?' I smirked at him.

Back during the school days, these two nerds, Neha and Raj used argue all the time, about...some nerdy stuff. As I said, I wasn't good at studies. We used to tease them by the other's name, and their reactions would be priceless. But Raj's actual love interest was someone else...

'Oh shut up, you! I have told you guys so many times, there is nothing between us! But you won't believe what happened with me after school!'

'Ah....let me see....Raj and Neha on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G?' I chuckled. It was fun to go back to the school days.

He narrowed his eyes and sighed. Then his eyes suddenly lit up, 'Simran and I got back together.'

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.

'What! Really?'

'Yuh-huh!' he gave his proud smile, which used to appear on his face whenever we got our answer-scripts back. Pretty clear message that he wasn't joking.

Raj and Simran had been one of the most talked about couple during school days. Mostly, guys were jealous of him for having both good grades and a girlfriend. But then, he messed up. She got so angry at him that she broke up, and never gave him another chance. But he never gave up. Or, as he used to say, he couldn't give up. God! Don't make me get started on the romantic side of his personality.

'Congratulations man!'

'Thanks man.'

'So, where is she?' I asked.

'I haven't seen her at all this year, bro. She has this shitty job which makes her travel so much. We video chat and all, but she is all the way there in Ontario, living her dreams. But the good news is, she is returning back. Tomorrow, in fact!'

'Ooooo...Raj and Simran on a tree, K-'

'For God's sake, shut up Jheel!'

'Okay then. Have fun, you two. Here, take my number. Let's meet up sometime again soon...why don't you bring her along as well?'

'Sure bud. But how come you are here?'

'I have just shifted in the neighborhood. Got a job here.'

'Congratulations man! This calls for a party, you know!'

And here comes. The always-hungry-for-free-food Raj.

'When would you like it, your majesty?' I bowed.

'Tomorrow. Your place? You, me and Simran?'

'Done. Dinner at my place tomorrow.'

***

But the next day, he came alone.

'God Damn her job! She had to cancel her flight for some reason.'

'Oh...so sorry bro. So when is she coming back now?'

'God knows. But she promised me she would be back before the weekend.'

'Ah....well. I don't know what to say bud,' I tried to comfort him, 'It's hard to stay away from those you love.'

'Dude. Philosophy doesn't suit you. Sit down and let's eat. Who cooked this, by the way?'

'I did, of course!'

'Sandwiches it would be then, eh?' he chuckled.

Right back at me.

'No. FYI, now I eat proper meals.'

***

I was just too happy then, to meet an old friend. I was afraid of being all alone in a new city.

If only I had met him sooner...or even better, if I had stayed in touch with him...maybe his life would have turned out a little different. Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have ended up this way.

I don't know why I feel this guilt, dear lord. The fault is not mine; neither could I have done anything. Maybe it's the frustration at my helplessness as I now watch my friend suffer this way. If only I had been a better friend, so many lives might have turned a different way.

But regrets will not change anything. As of now, I am just too disturbed.

I can't see Raj like this.

But more than that, I can't believe it.

***

SCREECH!!!

The sound of a car skidding on the road resonated throughout the lane, followed by a crash. The crowd turned in the direction of the noise and gasped. Like a scene from the movies, flowers flew in the air in the middle of the road. It was evening, and the sky looked beautiful; and from that beautiful sky floated down a white lily and landed on the hand of a woman, lying in a pool of her own blood.

Nearby, a young man collapsed at the sight.

The sirens of an ambulance were heard after a while...

But maybe too late...