True Love

"Oh god..." Priya said once more.How did she do it? How could she? Sure she was always with him... sure they were together, sure she'd hugged him, sure he hugged her too... sure they have been really close latley but...

"She crying out loud! Nobody should want her! ""Come on Priya... do you really think that?" Priya talked to herself. She really liked Juhi, they have been rivals for a long time, but that was all a big facade anyways...

Priya had helped Juhi when they was small.They were very good friends! And how did Juhi repay her? By falling in love with the same guy as her...

"Rajat..." Saying his name was so hard now... after what she had seen...

Flashback

A small outdoor area furnished with one area for outdoor dining, and one shop designated for gardeners. Priya trailing inside the store, and quickly rushing to buy small gift for her Papa. For once, she didn't feel like she had to hide, she felt like she belonged. People greeted her with smiles as she walked past them with bag in her hands. Priya come to the cash counter and checked out her items. The cashier greeted her with a smile as he handed her the bag's, she then waved goodbye to him and exited the store.

The fragrance from the outdoor food court drew Priya near. She began to walk forward but suddenly stopped. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at one of the tables ahead of her. The outdoor food court had a total of eight tables where people dined. Priya noticed an empty one, where she wanted to sit but right next to it were two people that she knew.

They were smiling and laughing with each other not worrying about a care in the world. They ate and drank; all the while they never broke eye contact. They seemed like they were in love and this made Priya's heart sink.

Rajat and Juhi were right before her. They hadn't noticed her yet but she'd been staring at them long enough to take a guess. She backed away a bit nearly bumping into a small child behind her.

"Sorry!" She said, the child excused it and joined his mom. Still they hadn't noticed her as they continued then Rajat stopped talking and reached for something in his pocket. Priya felt her throat go dry as she saw what it was. A small black box sat in his palm as he opened it, allowing Juhi to gaze inside of it. She covered her mouth with her own hands and opened her eyes with shock.

"Rajat!" Priya heard Juhi exclaim before she turned away with tears in her eyes.

End of Flashback

Priya was now on the beach. She just loved it there. It was so peaceful... it was already night and it had started to rain. Soft rain that poured down on Priya's hair, skin and clothes.

She reached for the tie that was holding her hair and pulled it. locks fell softly on her back and some strands in her face. She sit back to the cold sand and let her tears mix with the warm water from the soft rain.

She had known that it would never happen, but she just had that little hope that someday he would see her for who she truly was, Priya... not just another one of those stupid girls!

"Priya buryied her head on her knees and cried softly.

"You know, you shouldn't be out in such weather... you might get a cold! And that would be very Trouble  ..."

Priya lifted her head up and met the gaze of a pair of chocolate brown eyes.

"Ram..."

The boy sat next to her.

"Why are you here...?"

He noticed her tears. He hated to see her cry.

"I'm always here Priya.. you know it..."

She looked back down. It was true. Ram was her best friend. He was always the one to turn. She had turned to him when Juhi betrayed their friendship over Rajat, she had turned to him when Rajat ignored her, She had turned to him when Rajat shook her off...

Damn... It always led to him didn't it? Rajat...

"And your Papa made me come and get you... this is way troublesome..."

Ram leaned back. He was actualy expecting some kind of remark from Priya, but it never came. She was silent. Too silent actualy. It was probably because of that Rajat. He always made her cry...

Priya showed herself has a strong girl, but when it came to Ram... she was always reduced to tears.

"I saw him... Proposed Juhi..."

Ram looked at Priya. Her hair was covering her face so he couldn't really see her face, altough he knew she was frowning.

"We should really be going Priya. Your Papa is worried about you."

He always did that. Avoid talking about Rajat. That was his way of helping her she guessed... although he really didn't say that everything was going to be alright and that there was always tomorrow, he made her feel good... safe... secure.

"You know... I thought that it would hurt more than it did... I guess I was preparing for that moment a long time ago..."

"You will catch a cold..."

Priya sighed. He was right, as always. She would catch a cold. But it just felt so nice to be there, under the soft rain, with her best friend, just letting her feelings come out.

"I just wished I could be in her place you know?"

Ram didn't say anything now. He had lost once again... that Rajat always won over him... he was there for her for years! He has been her loyal friend, always a shoulder when she needed to cry...

But that was all he was... a friend. Someone to rely... but nothing more. Rajat would never have a chance with Priya. She's just to good for him.

Ram put an arm around her shoulders, Priya leaned her head into the crook of his neck and stayed there for a little while. He sighed.

"I'm wet... this is too troublesome..."

Priya lifted her head. "Lets go home then. I'm better now."

She didn't look like she was better, but at least she wasn't crying. Ram got up and Priya followed her. They went to Ram's car quite fast and when they reached Sharma house they said their goodbyes. Ram turned his back on her and started move away.

"Ram!"

Ram looked at her.

"Thank you..."

Ram smiled and gave her a small nod. They went their separate way.

To Be Continued...