23) 'I am gone.'

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He climbed the steps nervously following munna. The same unknown fear embraced him.

"Let's go back."

Munna didn't listen to him and dragged him to the house. Sameer expectantly looked at the house. But only a big lock welcomed him. He had no emotions at that time. His brain wasn't working.

"Maybe they would have gone for a trip." Munna tried to big some hope.

"Then why should she leave the school?" He had no answer for that.

"Let's ask the neighbours. They must have known something." Munna walked away to the nearby house whereas sameer stood there resting against the wall with a closed lids.

His mind drifted to those last memories...last? Those memories with her. The way she declared, "YOU ARE MINE!". That first back hug though.

His lips curved into a smile and he was lost in those memories until munna called him. He was standing there with a lady in her late 30s. When sameer reached there, munna was asking her to tell that again as he didn't have the courage to do it. Melancholy was printed on munna's face.

Sameer reached them. An uneasiness welcomed him.

"K-k-kya hua? W-w-w-where is she?" He asked with a trembling voice to munna. Munna signalled to the lady. As sameer looked at her, she answered.

"Her father got transferred to US. So they left to US. They settled there."

Munna was watching sameer intently. But was confused as sameer stood there like a statue which has no emotions. He expected him to run from the place but he didn't.

"Thank you aunty." She nodded at munna and left to her house.

"Sameer." He said in a low tone and placed a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off.

Sameer's eyes were lined with tears. Tears were streaming down his eyes. He didn't bothered to wipe them.

"Sameer." He called him again helplessly.

"Leave me. You too leave me alone."

"Sameer...please..."

"I won't!" He left the place immediately. He was riding on the bike. His tears were flying in the air due to force of air. He stopped near a park. Some children were playing. Rather than them no one was there.

He sat on a bench which was isolated and buried his face in his palms. Melancholy surrounded him as his eyes were in shortage of tears. An anger arose in him.

"Why can't she inform me atleast once before leaving?! Everyone is leaving me. Papa, mummy now.........naina. From now I am not going to believe anyone in my life. No one!" He decided himself.

He sat on his bike. His heart asked him a question. What will you do if she returns?

He answered without any thinking. I will return to her. He realised that she had done permanent tattoo in his heart. A concern raised in him.

"I'm here surrounded by my friends. But she has no one. I should consider her situation too. How helpless she must have felt? I am a fool to get angry on her. I will wait. I will wait for her. I will wait for her till my last breath."

♡●♡●♡

She stepped out of the car. Nostalgia hit her hard as her eyes lined with tears. She returned to her native place after 8 years.

Only she knew how hard it was for her to overcome these 8 years. She didn't have any contact of her friends. She doubted if they still remember her.

Those tresses which were tied in a plait were flowing freely. Those blue-white combo frock was transformed into a flow top and palazzo pant. She regained herself and spoke up.

"Bhaiya! Can you please help me to take these inside?"

"Okay, madam." The driver accepted as he discharged the luggage out of the car. She walked inside the building titled 'Sara Women's Hostel' carrying a bag on her shoulder.

♡●♡●♡

He signed those papers. His hands stopped at the mid way. He rested his back on the chair and stretched his hands in tire.

He yawned and continued signing those papers until an old man entered the room. He walked upto him and touched his feet.

"Kush raho beta."

He smiled and asked his well beings. His smile faded until a topic came into the conversation.

"Nanu! Please!"

"I heard it many times. Please beta!"

Tears fell from his eyes. Nanu wiped those. "Try once."

He looked into his eyes and pleaded. "Please nanu..."

"I will wait but not your age."

"Nanu!"

Nanu shook his head and left the room. He sat there dejected and cried aloud. He is hurting everyone for him. No for HER.

♡●♡●♡

"I'm unlucky. I won't come with you."

"Then I should pull you with me." She said and stuffed the dresses in the bag.

"Preeti!"

"I am."

"Please!"

"I won't. Come." She pulled her with her carrying the luggage and left the room.

♡●♡●♡

He traced it again. Her gift. It's 9 years old. But it didn't have a single crinkle.

"Bhai!" Pandit entered the room along with munna. Both stopped seeing the picture before them.

"When are you going to forget her?" Munna concerned.

"Never."

"Arey bhai! You are waiting for 8 years. But she didn't came. You are hurting yourself and nanu too." Pandit said.

"I know. But I will wait."

"What if she doesn't return?"

"She will."

"How?"

"I have hope."

♡●♡●♡

"Preeti." She called nervously. "How is he?"

"Why are you asking? You are unlucky and you don't deserve him na?"

"Preeti, please!"

"You only told that!"

"Yaa. I did. But...I need to know his well being."

"He is very happy without you."

Her face fell. Preeti sat near her. "How will he without you? He has succeeded in a very short span but lost in life. Yes, he failed in life without you. His face never got that happiness which was 8 years back even when his company came in one among the companies in india. Without you, he is nothing. You too."

"I don't deserve him. That's why I was separated from you guys. I am unlucky."

"Then why have you returned? That means you have something to do here."

Naina shook her head.

"Don't be so adamant naina."

"I will."

"Na...."

"He isn't the one, preeti!"
_____________________________________________

Hey folks! Happy friendship day!

See you guys another day with next part until then it's bye from rashi, signing off from here. CHEERS!!!

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