After the function, came the exams and we got busy.

It had been a while since we all met. We all were waiting for the holidays to come so that we can meet.

Finally we got a chance to meet up. But this time, it was a sad news. Prajid's family was going to the next town for his dad's business.

It was really hard for us. The next town was not that far but it seemed to the other end of the earth for us. We cannot meet often. We cannot meet except for the trips.

All of us cried. Prajid gave us his new phone number and consoled us that we could talk in phone.

Ajay went down to get us some water, Prajid, told me," I am really sorry for that day. I hope you understand." I said, "I understand. It is ok. " We both smiled and Ajay came with water.

Prajid then took us to his room and gave us both something like a gift to remember him. It was a football for Ajay.

It was a musical box with big pink rose on it. It was a beautiful gift. I said, "Thanks, I like it." Prajid said," Press the button." It sang titanic song. I said, "Wow!! It is wonderful. Thanks a lot."

I felt bad that I did not get anything for him. I told him that I will give him a good gift next time we met.

Ajay was so happy with the gift; it was a special gift for him too.

After dinner, we were in the balcony looking at the stars. Prajid, held my hands and took it to his chest. I felt weird. I thought he was sad of leaving us. It was really a sad day for us all.

After we came back home, I could not stop thinking about him and the gift. As we spoke, we did not get any chance to meet.

But I thought about him over and over again.

Almost a whole year has passed by without meeting Prajid. I used meet Ajay every now and then and we used to call Prajid and talk over phone. When Prajid talked to me, he would ask me if I missed him.

One day, he asked me, if I like him and is I missed him. And that he would like to meet me.

He said he was going to spend a day at Ajay's house and he wanted us to meet.

I asked my parents and went there. I was totally in the idea that we were still friends. I was so dumb that I never understood that he had feelings for me.

All three of us ran to the terrace to gaze at the stars. That was kind of our usual thing to do. We were all lying on the floor and gazing at the sky and were talking about the sky and the stars.

Prajid, held my hand again, firmer this time, as if he did not want to leave it.

He did not speak much. Ajay and I were wondering why he is so sad and not excited about us meeting.

My mom called me and told that we were about to leave and asked me to come down quick. Ajay told he was going to get a few minutes for us to talk and then he ran down.

We could hear him asking my parents to give us a few more minutes.

I asked Prajid, "Can you laugh with us? Why are so sad?" He said," No, I do not want to be alone. I hate it there. I don't have any friends like you both. I miss my best friend and my girlfriend there."

Now I knew why he was holding my hand. I realized he was serious about his questions and his gift and holding my hand.

I was standing there not knowing what to speak. He was still holding my hand.

I knew I like him. But love, I could not answer. He told, "Let us go down."

I did not want to leave. I liked him. I wished to be his girlfriend. But I never thought it would happen.

We went downstairs. I did not talk to him much. He understood I was uncomfortable. He gave me a piece of paper in which, it was written, 'I will wait.' I turned to my back and smiled.

After we came back home, I thought about it over and over again and landed in the same place. I listened to the titanic music again and again. Soon i slept hugging the rose.

We did not meet much after that. I could not stop thinking about him. 

He called me a few times and tried to visit me. But i avoided it all. 

I knew i was in love with him, but, i was also afraid of my dad. 

He was against love marriages. He believed that love after arranged marriages were more sincere. He never believed in teen love. 

He would never be okay with this decision of mine. I was scared to death. 

But I love him. His thoughts were irresistible to me. 

I was always alone and a huge war was going on in my mind. 

I always had dreams about us. He was chasing me down a tree house. 

We seemed happy. Our parents were also happy. But it was all my dreams. 

I had changed so much in a little time. I thought if i studied well and got good grades, may be my father would accept my decision. 

I was really not ready to give him up. I worked hard and got better grades than usual. 

Parents, they can even sense a small change in us. My dad took me for a walk one day and said, "Chandu, I am really happy to see you getting better grades. What do you aspire to be? " I always wanted to invent things. Besides, Biology was my favorite subject because i loved gardening. It was my only hobby other than reading books. I used to admire the nature a lot. Now you know why I was so excited about going to a forest.

"I wanted to become a scientist dad", I told. He said, "Very good Chandu. I am so happy for you. Ask me whatever you want. I will buy it for you." The next thing on my mind was to ask for Prajid. But how can i tell him that i want to get married to Prajid? He would just slice me off. 

I told, "Dad, I do not want anything." He smiled at me. The next day, he bought me so many chocolates. 

I started missing Prajid. The chance of our meet was very limited or mostly none. 

I knew my love for him grew stronger when I started avoiding him. 

He will find it out right on my face. He was able to read me like a book. 

He knew each and every action of mine. He is a very good observer and listener. 

That was my favorite of him. After my dad, he is the only one to listen to everything I blabber. 

I did not know that he was also admiring me. 

I was so scared to meet him. He would realize it. I was afraid.