Sameer stood gazing at the skyline from his executive suite. Life has a strange knack of turning around in very little time and Sameer’s life has just seen one. His life now had a meaning, a mission something he was always in search of.
His phone rang
“Sir, we have found them” The voice cracked.
Sameer smiled and hung up. He walked towards the giant mirror in the dressing room. His hair was pulled back; a couple of wrinkles had just begun to appear on his forehead. He was still fair, and had matured into a handsome young man. He was wearing a black Armani jacket, over a crisp white shirt. He belonged to the league of young, rich and handsome.
The hotel phone beeped, his car was ready. Sameer left his executive suite towards the car waiting for him. This was going to be a special day.
****************
Sameer was sitting alone on the porch of his department watching the settingsun, looking for inspiration. Jia noticed him sitting alone on the porch.
“Hey Sameer”
“Hi” he said and moved to his right making place for Jia to sit.
“So you wrote something?”
“Nopes, I have a lot of stray ideas but I am not able to put that together”
“Why don’t you write something first, however it is maybe you can capitalize on that?”
“I can do that, I don’t think anything else is going to work. I might as well try this” Sameer said
Jia smiled approvingly and pushed close her eye lids for a fleeting second
“What was that?” Sameer asked
“What?” Jia was surprised
“An eye hug”
“Eye hug?”
“What you just did with your eyes, it’s an eye hug”
“And what did I just do with my eyes?”
“Well when you close your eyes tightly, even if it is for a second, you are showing a similar facial expression as you would have, had you hugged someone. So when there is not too much love but there is little love, people eye hug”
There was Sameer’s inspiration.
***************
Rahul ran to the basketball court. Kunal was practising for the game in the evening.
“Kunal” Rahul shouted “Sameer has had an accident; he fell down from the bike”
“What? Where is he?”
“The guys took him to the hospital nearby”
“You know the hospital right?”
Rahul nodded
“Take me there”.
Kunal rushed to the hospital. Sameer was asleep and his right leg was in a plaster. Jia was sitting beside him. Kunal entered the room
“Why in the earth did you have to give him your bike?” Jia shouted at Kunal
“I did not”
“Then how did he get the bike, it is all because of you people that has happened. All you can do is tease him for not knowing how to drive a bike. Are you happy now or you wanted to break a few more bones of his?”
“See, I understand your concern for him, and Whitey is my roommate too. So please shut up” Kunal said, and stormed out.
Sameer woke up because of the sound “What happened” he enquired
Jia walked to his bedside.
“I am sorry, I shouted at Kunal.”
“Why? How is it his fault?”
“Would you have tried driving the bike had he not teased you so much?”
Sameer smiled “Jia, why did you do that?”
“I was worried for you” Jia said slipping her hand into his
“I am fine Jia, see both my hands are still strong enough to hug you”
Jia smiled and hugged Sameer. Sameer could feel her breath on his neck. She was slowly moving away from him, and now her breath was moving very close to his and their lips met.
************
“Whitey, are you hungry?”
“Nopes”
“I am” Kunal said
Sameer put his book aside and walked towards the kitchen and started cooking for Kunal.
Kunal walked to the kitchen dribbling a football.
“Whitey”
“Yes Kunal”
“Why did you learn cooking?”
“Well so that I can cook food for you”
Kunal chuckled “That was funny bro, but you know chicks dig that thing”
“Yes they do, but I like cooking that’s why I learned it”
“By the way Whitey, what plans after college, there is hardly any time left”
“You are right man, let’s go for a drive, we will eat out”
“No cash man” Kunal said showing his empty pockets.
“It’s on me”.
They had dinner and went towards the creek. Sameer and Kunal sat on the bonnet of Sameers car listening to the waves.
"I wish this time would never pass" Sameer said
Kunal was lost in the sound of the waves and did not respond
*********
Sameer reached outside a small bungalow in the outskirts of the city. He rang the bell. Jia opened the door.
She was surprised and shocked to see Sameer outside her house
“Kunal” she shouted “Sameer is here”. She was still dumbstruck
“Can I come in?” Sameer asked
Jia shook her head slightly and let Sameer in. Kunal rushed to the living room. Sameer stood up and saw Kunal.
Kunal hugged Sameer like long lost brothers
“Where were you whitey?”
“Very far away, I am sorry”
“Look at you man, you look so different”
Sameer wiped a stray tear from his cheek and the two sat chatting like kids who have met after a long vacation.
“After dad expired I had to take care of the entire business. It wasn’t easy, I lost a lot then. I think its time I live some time for myself”
“You must man. It’s so nice to see you”
“I am sorry to interrupt you guys, but there is no food at home. Let’s go outside and have dinner” Jia suggested
Sameer’s smile widened
“I will cook” Sameer stood up and walked towards the kitchen. Kunal and Jia followed him to the kitchen. They decided on what to cook. Kunal went out to bring a drink.
“Sameer, I wanted to tell you about me and Kunal, but you were not there”
Sameer raised his hand softly
“Don’t worry Jia; I am not here for that. I am here for both of you”
“You never found someone in all this years?”
“I will explain, but not now. For now let me concentrate on my cooking”
And the cooking resumed.
The food was ready and decorated but Kunal was still not there. Jia dialled Kunal’s phone and walked to the other room.
When she returned to the living room Sameer was not there. There was a letter left on the corner table. Jia opened the letter
Jia,
I wanted to answer all your questions. I will try my best to answer, but I am sorry if I missed out on anything.
I vanished after our exams because my dad wasn’t well. I think you know about that. But I never thought I would be entrusted will all the work so soon.I couldn't write anymore.I still can't. I will start all over again hopefully.
About us, I know there was something between us. But it couldn’t have gone far. I am not normal, I have loved a few girls but I was not in love. It was outer love and my soul was still empty. I realized that I was in love with someone.Some one who was always there, someone who understood me. I am talking about Kunal.
I love him, may be after years of staying together I developed a liking for him which was beyond what society and Kunal would accept.
I am now satisfied after meeting Kunal and you. The two of you are the best people I have ever met and the most important ones. I am suffering from pancreatic cancer and my doctors haven’t given me much time. This was the last time I would look like this. It will only get worse from here. I don’t want you to see me like that, so I came here to say good bye
Good bye Jia,
Good bye Kunal
