Is It Over??

Sana rested her head on the frame of the bus window. It had been a long day at college. As the cool evening breeze gently caressed her face, her thoughts went back to Raj. Raj was at the other side of the country pursuing higher studies. It’s been five years since they last met but time and distance didn't have much impact on the bond they shared. “A boy and girl can never be just friends”, a friend had once told her. Recently, she had been wishing otherwise.

Five years ago Raj was just another guy; their conversations consisted only of “Hi”, “Hello” and “Happy New Year”. But in the past two years the relationship has evolved beyond measure. Never before had Sana felt so connected with someone so far away. It was almost unreal how two people with no common friends, no common events, and no common tastes could talk to (or text with) each other every single day, all day long. Time flied unnaturally fast when she was with him. She loved his voice, his opinions, his mentality, his approach to life and his sense of humor. Talking to him completed her; she had never felt more alive. But people are never satisfied with what they have, they always want more, they want better. Sana was only human - she wanted more too. It was immensely difficult but she finally gathered enough courage to propose. Big mistake! Having gone through a bad breakup, Raj didn't have the strength to do it all over again. Sana was important to him but he loved her as a friend and wanted things to remain that way.

It hurt terribly for a couple of days, but then Sana wasn't ready to lose him. She would not let her ego demolish the wonderful bond she shared with Raj. If friendship was what he wanted, that is exactly what he’ll get from her. In a very short while, the two of them were again chatting with each other 24x7. Sana was glad that there was no awkwardness between the two of them; she was elated to have him back in her life. But Raj wasn't happy - Sana didn't flirt with him anymore. Even when he tried to strike up a little romance, she would change the topic. The truth was Sana just didn't have the strength to go through it again. She had convinced herself that she too wanted to be his best friend, nothing else – and there was no undoing it! After a while even though she tried hard to feel romantically about Raj, she just couldn't bring herself to do it anymore! Someone else had caught her fancy. Just when she thought everything was going well, Raj tried to propose. Big mistake! She loved Raj but he was a good friend and she wanted things to remain that way.

It was the last time she talked to Raj. He didn't try to contact her. She didn't have the guts to face him either. When you talk to someone everyday all day long, and then suddenly discontinue all communication, it feels very empty. She felt empty. She missed him. She missed their conversations. She missed her friend. Was it really over or was it only for the best? “Ticket Ticket”, the conductor called out in a gruff voice waking her up from her train of thoughts.