Foresight

Chapter XXIV

"Cheeerssss!!!" and the trio clink their glasses and take a swift swig of the their glasses. The raw alcohol makes its way through their throats, giving a intense burning sensation. Not being able to take it in stride, Neeraj coughs up a little. "God, that is some strong brand dude" Neeraj exclaims as he takes a swig of some water.

"That's the push of the first success. Better get used to it. We are going to face a lot" Tarun says as he lights his cigarette. "Yeah man" Rajesh adds on as he pours them another round. The trio are celebrating in their office, over 100 successful downloads of their game in just a week. Though they expected their game to be good, they didn't expect 100 downloads. They told their houses that they have received a new project with a short deadline. So they going have to work a whole night to get good progress. Thye were not entirely false at home though. They did get a new project from 'Sun Softwares', but with a long deadline. So they set a night aside for partying over their small success. They got themselves some good alcohol and once they were done with their work for their day, they started the party. For the first two pegs they were discussing future ventures and future projects, slowly diverting to college girlfriends and and then to dancing like madmen and passing out on the floor.

"Bhaiya utho"(brother get up) rings through Rajesh's ears as he feel someone shaking him a little. "Ohhh man, who is that?" Rajesh groans as he tries to squint his eyes open and see the person who shaked him and made him come back from his dreams of 'Andrea (his college girlfriend)'. "Shyam, chai leke aaya hun"(its shyam, have brought tea) announce the intruder, as he keeps three glasses of steaming cup of tea on the table and heads back to his shop downstairs. "Fuck man. It was too much yesterday." Tarun complains, as he gets up rubbing his head.

"Well it was you who suggested, we take three neat shots." Rajesh snaps at him, regretting it the next moment, as pain makes its way to his head, like a jackhammer on a poorly maintained road. "You abided. So I can't be held at fault entirely" Tarun replies back as he fires up a cigarette. Oblivious to all this, Neeraj is snoring his lungs out in the corner.

"Shut that bastard down will you. He is increasing my headache" Rajesh asks Tarun as he heads to their washroom in the office.

"Neeraj wake up man" Tarun calls him out as he shakes him. Neeraj just groan's a reply and turns over to his side.

30 minutes later, the trio are ready to leave for home, bathed in deodorant to mask the smell of drinks and cigarettes. They have decided to take the day off since they do not have too much work for the day. On the drive back home, Neeraj again grabs some shuteye.

"Eight months steady with Jenny dude. Very unlike you man. She the real deal?' Rajesh asks as they swerve through the roads.

"She is really awesome man. Yeah we have had some fights, but we made up and got together."

"If I remember correctly, it's always you who apologizes first right?" Rajesh enquires.

"Yeah mostly. But it's me who does the stupid stuff. So I only have to take the first step. Plus she is unique man." Tarun justifies, as he reminisce's their eight months together, holding hands, beach side walks, secret kisses, which brings a huge grin in his face.

"Well just be careful dude. Give it some time and you guys will be able to appreciate your relationship in a better way" Rajesh suggests as he looks towards Tarun grinning ear to ear.

"What you suggesting bro?" Tarun asks, his grin vanishing and a real seriousness appearing.

"I am saying that you guys have been together for eight months now. I think that maybe you guys should take some distance between you. You know, like put your relationship into a small test." Rajesh voices out his opinion.

"You suggesting like long distance relationship or a break?" Tarun asks, his voice is giving out his concern he is trying to hide so hard.

"I would suggest long distance relationship. You said that Jenny passed on for a project in Hyderabad just because she wanted to stay near you right. So I am suggesting that next time she gets such an opportunity, convince her to take it. This way she will also get some growth, exposure and your relationship will also evolve" Rajesh explains his point.

"Well not just for me, she had to stay for her mother and her sibling too." Tarun justifies for jenny.

"I am just saying dude, if you guys can take some time off of each other, you will be in a better place in your relationship. Everything happened so fast for you guys. You proposed her in your third date for god's sake. "

"Yeah. Your point of view is correct too. Tell me, where did you suddenly obtain all this wisdom" Tarun asks, nonchalantly punching Rajesh on his arm.

"Who has been single for the past 9 months huh" Rajesh boasts himself, jokingly.

"Neeraj also has been single dude" Tarun gives competition to Rajesh.

"Well I have been at least searching and scouting for girls at least. He ain't doing that also" Rajesh tries to debate through his point.

"Yeah. Now that you say, I have never noticed Neeraj talking closely with any girl, never comment any hot girl or women. All pics he has are of male Hollywood celebrities, shirtless and dripping in sweat in some pose" Tarun puts through his point.

"Maybe he is shy"

"Maybe he is gay" Tarun chuckles up.

"Shut the f**k man" Rajesh defends, as he turns back to see Neeraj sleeping peacefully...away in his dream world.