You bring me Joy and you bring me Sadness

“Forget all the bad things that happened between us Patrick. Happy Friendship Day…..

Be with me always…”

Patrick’s heart stopped for a moment. Even the earth seemed to stood still. What he saw was never expected and in turn it brings back memories….

It was regular Sunday morning which usually kicked off at eleven in the morning-thanks to late hours at the office or the booze…on the rocks! But this time it was different. He had a date to attend. It’ been long since his breakup that he gathered enough courage to start a relationship.

It was friendship day…...though he never cared (so he thought). Setting an alarm was not needed as friendship day messages flowed through his phone… Whatsapp, Viber, Hike, Inbox…woof…so many.

“So it begins…nobody cares the whole year and see now….you are my friend…best one…blah blah blah…useless!” Patrick blabbered.

For him friendship day holds no meaning. A friend in need is a friend indeed. But he considered all of them as mere acquaintances.

“Where were they when I needed them the most…huh?”

Just then a message popped up from an unknown number and then the moment changed. Numerous calculations, permutations flowed through his mind but in the back of his mind he hoped, prayed that it be from the person he thinks it would be….Shweta….for he never let go of her. He loved her too much.

Breakups can be bad….soul crushing sometimes….he felt that too. But things have somehow changed now.

A clouded mind can lead to unwanted, false perceptions. So Patrick wanted to be sure.

“Umm…who’s this?” he replied

But he was being restless now. He was not convinced. It’s been more than a year now that they have separated from each other….if yes then why now?

The Digital world is quite fascinating. A simple tap of the number yielded him of the result. The search result though left him quite perplexed. Sighing he replied…

“Happy friendship day though….#keepcalm….never mind….even if something happened, forget it… Vignesh right?”

The reply came….”Yup”

He tossed the phone in anguish. How can he be such a fool? Thinking about the one that cannot be achieved now…for everything’s over between them.

Four missed calls reminded him of his current situation. He was so engrossed in his world that he failed to notice that his phone was beeping four times in a row….

“Yeah…am sorry…I do remember…yes yes…Café Coffee Day…hmm…I will be there”

And so he went there rather hurriedly taking his backpack with him. Wherever he goes he never leaves his backpack behind…it’s like his best friend along with him.

He decided to snoop on her profile; the one who was at the top of his chat list is no more in his friend list.

“Shweta Tiwari…single…hmmmm….”

But her cover picture says something else. The picture with a boy…hmmmm…

“Man…how could she be with him? I mean look at him…I am way more smart, tall and handsome than he would ever be”

Patrick felt something is wrong with her. She deserves more…perhaps he could have been the right person for her…..he was once. He pitied her.

“If I could do something…..for her”

“Hey what are you ogling at your laptop?” the voice of a girl pierced right through his ears.

He tilted his head up from the laptop to see her….Ankita, skipping her way to him. Smile returned to his face.

“Crazy girl” he murmured.

He and Ankita met some months ago at a hospital where he was a patient. Patrick had a mild stroke at home. At such a young age of twenty six many were quite alarmed by his condition.

“That’s what happens in an IT job” many said at that time.

Sleepless night without intake of food and in addition to it the dedication towards your office work; the body pressure is bound to hit rock bottom ….yes breakups are bad, harsh.

Ankita being a doctor at the hospital gave special attention to him. For Patrick it was the only positive thing happening to him. Having Ankita by his side helped his recovery faster. Both used to laugh at their jokes. She would have both her lunch and dinner with him, converse with him day and night. Four weeks at hospital; Patrick never felt bored for she was there with him.

The whole hospital could see what was cooking between them. Patients and Nurses used to giggle when Ankita came to visit him. Eventually both shared their love on his release date and since then both are together.

“So early…wow” Ankita giggled.

Patrick:”Hmm…time matters you know…(giggles)”

Ankita: “Oh ho….so what were you mumbling about?”

Patrick closed his laptop and said “Nothing much…just some office stuffs”

Ankita: “Date time…no works…remember?”

Patrick (chuckles): “Yeah…I remember…ordered Chocolate Fantasy for you”

Ankita: “Aww….so nice…my favorite” and she planted a huge kiss leaving bright red lipstick marks on his 

cheek.

Patrick: “Now that’s permanent...he he”

Love is the thing which cannot be defined. Even Romeo failed to describe it. It can just be felt. It just happens. You can be in love even if not present with each other. One can be in love with even a mere memory of someone.

Vignesh cell phone rang for the umpteenth time….he did not want to receive the call. Guilt prevailed in him….but the caller was persistent….he was fed up…he picked up the call...

Vignesh: “Yeah…”

“Is it done? Did you send it?”

Vignesh: “Yes I did….but for what cause?”

“You won’t understand…but thank you Vignesh for helping me out…”

Vignesh: “You still love him don’t you? Then why not tell him yourself?”

“Bird having its wings torn apart would not be able to fly again…ever”

Vignesh: “Stop beating around the bush…get to the point Shweta!”

Shweta: “Leave it…it’s hard to explain….my purpose is to see him happy…if not me then from others-his friends and all the people nearby… (Sobs)

You know what once before he told me

Its goona take a lot to drag me away from you….

But now I am the reason for his condition. I can’t see him like this. I don’t want to give him any more pain. Even I don’t have the power to face him…it will break him…he will be lost in the place which was once was our world….sorry Vignesh for giving you the trouble….goodbye.”

Before Vignesh could say anything Shweta cut the line…he tried calling Shweta again but it went in vain…line appears dead every time.

Months passed with no trace of Shweta…meanwhile Patrick was happy again…he and Ankita are planning for Goa trip….amazing how things change.

Vignesh didn’t have words to talk to….he never experienced it before; he’s never been in love before. Perhaps it’s too complex to understand or perhaps it’s too silly….

The question is: Is it?