8 goodbye

"Are you even listening?" Anjali woke Neha from her reminisce of the old days.

Neha was not guilty, because those times were the best times of her life because they had the best friendship and she was happy.

But she realized, if she was in a relationship with him, things would have been different.

But being in a relationship, just because you want to get rid of someone or something and not out of love, would do more harm than good, emotionally and mentally.

"Yes yes. I'm..how'sAyush?" Neha asked.

Ayush was Anjali's boyfriend.

A perfect, tall, dark and handsome guy.

Neha always thought that Anjali was a lucky girl to have a well mannered guy like Ayush.

"He's good. Actually I've a date today with him. He is going to pick me up from the corner in like…" she paused to look at her watch " umm 20 minutes or so. Anyway, didn't the jackass around. Where is he?"

Neha looked away as if he didn't interest her.

"I don't know…" She said with a straight face.

That's when a husky but strong voice came from the door.

"Hey Anjali. Heard you talking about me. What's up?" It was Armaan

Neha and Anjali gave each other look as if both of them were saying "Shit"

"Don't be scared, it's okay" Armaan laughed.

He turned to Neha "Are you done packing babe?" faking affection.

Neha nodded, again disinterested.

"Alright. Come down for lunch. We'll leave soon. Anjali, we'll be happy if you joined us."

Anjali Nodded smiling.

Armaan smiled and walked away.

"Wow…" Anjali exclaimed, standing up "The jackass turned into a gentleman! What magic did u do Neha" Anjali teased.

"Shut up Anjali. Let's go" Neha rolled her eyes.

"Gentleman? Haha sure. More like horny man" Neha thought.

They both walked downstairs.

Mr and Mrs. Oberoi and Armaan were already on the dining hall, waiting for them.

"Namaste Aunty uncle" Anjali greeted Mr and Mrs. Oberoi nodded.

"How are you Anjali. It's been a long time since you've been here." Mrs. Oberoi asked, passing the food around the table.

"I'm fine Aunty. Been a little busy" Neha replied.

The table was a rectangular, glass made, fancy but not very big.

Neha and Armaan were sitting next to each other and Neha sat opposite to them.

On one side Mr. Oberoi sat, opposite to which Mrs. Oberoi sat.

As Anjali and Mr and Mrs. Oberoi were talking about things.

Neha sat their quiet listening to them.

Suddenly she felt a hand on her thighs.

Shocked Neha, jumped in her seat and everyone looked at her.

"Are you okay?" Mr. Oberoi asked

She looked at Armaan, who was grinning.

"Ye-yes" she said.

As they continued to talk, Armaan again put his hands on her thighs and squeezed it as hard as he could.

She grabbed his hands and tried to pull it away, but his grip was stronger.

She didn't know what to do.

He slowly slid his hands from her thighs to her stomach and pinched her waist.

She got up with a thud, leaving everyone startled.

"What happened Neha? You've been acting weird" Mrs. Oberoi asked.

Anjali gave her a look of suspicion then looked at Armaan who looked flushed.

"I-I umm…I think the chair is broken. I should shift my place." Neha walked towards Anjali and sat beside her.

Anjali whispered to her "Are you alright? Why are you both acting weird?" Anjali asked looking at Armaan.

Neha shrugged and continued her lunch.

"Why is he doing this to me? What did I even do to him!?" Neha was devastated.

It was like, he was making it hard for her to even breathe.

After they finished, Anjali was about to leave.

Anjali said goodbye to everyone in the house.

"I'll walk her out," Neha said to Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi

They nodded and Armaan fake smiled at them.

As they walked out, Anjali turned towards Neha,

"Neha…" she put her hands on her shoulder "I know there's something you are not telling me." She paused.

Neha put her head down.

"I don't know what's going on, but all I know is, it's not right. I can feel it, I can see it on your face Neha…" Anjali softly spoke to Neha.

Neha tried to fight her tears off but she was defeated.

Tears rolled down her eyes as she looked up at Anjali.

Anjali held her into a hug.

"Neha, I know things might not look good now. I hope it'll get better."

Anjali held Neha's hand "If you need anything. Someone to talk to or anything, I'll be just one call away. Alright? You're not alone."

Neha nodded

Anjali opened her bag and handed her a gift.

"What is this?" Neha asked wiping her tears.

"Open it and find out." Anjali smiled.

Neha tore the purple fancy gift wrap to find another wrap of white paper.

"Open to smile ;)" it read.

Neha suspiciously looked at Anjali and Anjali winked at her.

As Neha opened the wrap, tears filled her eyes yet again.

"Oh, Anjali…" Neha's voice cracked.

The gift was a wood, designed photo frame of a collage, scattered but artistically arranged pictures of fond memories of Neha, Anjali, Vivek, and her other good friends.

Neha hugged Anjali again and cried.

"I wish…I could only wish to bring those moments back."

That's the thing about good moments, they leave u craving for more of such moments. But the harsh truth is you only exist once in it and re-live again only in the nostalgia.

As she left, Neha looked at the dark brown photo frame and then glanced up at the mansion.

She walked back to her house, alone, broken, hopeless.