Red roses - Part 12

Love was in the air. Everyone around him seemed to fall in love. This made him  miserable. He started to deviate his thoughts into positive side. He stopped handing around with his friends though they did pester him to be part of their group.

Fortunately it was a good decision for him. He knew his friends would use him for their selfish purposes. He didn't want to be their spot boy. Most of time he would spend his time at the library, reading books. Sometimes he would spend his time at park  writing poems.

But there were times when he would find himself drifted towards thoughts about her. Her enhancing smile wouldn't leave him for a second. He missed her twinkling eyes and sweet angelic voice.

While his mind created a fantasy of her, his phone vibrated. He didn't pick up. He didn't even realise that someone was standing behind him. It was only when that someone shook him and bought back to the real world.

" Dude! Why do you keep your phone when you don't pick up? I have called you like dozen times and you sit joblessly doing nothing. Come and join us!", Rajeev said, pulling him. " No bro! You go! I am fine", Arjun said. " Do you think I love bringing you with me? It's Lucy's wish to have you join in her birthday celebration.", Rajeev said.

" It's her birthday! ", Arjun said in faint whisper. At last he allowed Rajeev to drag him towards the vehicle. His heart was beating faster with every passing second. Second thoughts of backing down came into his mind. But he wanted to see her and make her birthday special.

( To be continued)

Red roses - Part 11

Arjun's life came to standstill. His worst nightmare became a reality. He should be happy but his heart was aching badly. He wanted to leave but he couldn't because of his friends. The pain was similar to one when we feel at the time when our friends score better than us in exam.

" Rajeev!! Do you seriously mean it? I am aghast! I have no words!  Is this true?", she asked , not able to digest the fact that Rajeev had just proposed her. Tears were in verge of bursting out from her eyes.

She composed herself. She took few long breath. After a lot of time sorting out her heart and mind , she agreed, breaking Arjun's heart. Rajeev was thrilled and hugged her. Arjun was obviously unhappy but he pretended to be happy. He had to leave them alone and if he stayed longer , he wouldn't be happy. " Guys! Congratulations! But I am sorry, urgent work came up.", he lied, pretending to see his cellphone.

They tried to coax him to stay longer. But he was adamant and left. As he walked down the road, he wasn't able to understand this new feeling he had for Lucy. He had wooed her for his friend. Now he didn't want them together because he got to know her well and was smitten by her adaptability.

A man in his early thirties was chained. There was not even a slightest way for him to escape. He had been screaming for many days . But now he was accustomed to the fact that he couldn't be heard. It had been days since he was locked up. He had no idea about how he had landed here.

The solitude had taken every part of his sanity. The only thing he wanted was glimpse of human's presence. He had lost 90% hope in life. But 10% hope made him alive. As he observed the place, he saw a presence appearing from nowhere. It was coming closer to him. Suddenly his senses became alert. But it wasn't too quick than the alien body which had already taken control of him. It was over him and looked straight into his eyes. Fear blared from his eyes and his mouth was open like a wide O. It had no eyes and only one mouth was present on the face. It opened it's mouth wide near his face and a white light penetrated from it's mouth to his mouth. It was sucking out life from him. Another victim lost his life under it's control.

(To be continued)

Red Roses - Part 10

Lucy wasn't like any ordinary girl. She did things just like them. She loved football and she also loved spending time playing video games. She never cribbed or cried when they spoke about bikes or gadgets. In fact she would add her opinions regarding these things and those opinions would be useful.

Arjun was impressed. Rajeev was lucky to have her in his life. No complaints ! No unnecessary expectations! She was exceptional. Sometimes Arjun would get jealous of Rajeev.

It was becoming difficult for Arjun to see Rajeev trying to get closer to her. He was happy for them and it was he who had tried to bring them together. Then why was he feeling these negative energies flowing inside him?

Sometimes he wished that they parted ways or Lucy would come up with random boyfriend or she doesn't find Rajeev good enough for her. Unfortunately today thwarted his dreams.

The weatherman had reported about the arrival of the cyclone and unexpected rain. But no one believed him until they faced the wrath of nature. So the citizens continued with their daily life.

Lucy, Rajeev and Arjun sat on their old hangout place- the cafe where they first met. Their conversation was about the usual pulling each other's leg and sports. Later it shifted to serious topic like love and girls. They were discussing about expressing love and how much courage did each of them had while expressing this beautiful feeling. Suddenly Rajeev spilled his heart out, " I love you,Lucy. Will you be my girl friend?"

( To be continued)

Red roses - Part 9

His friend was innocent or stupid. It was hard to tell. His friend was never serious about anything. " I am sorry about Rajeev! Don't take him seriously. ", Arjun apologized. She chuckled and said, " Why do you keep apologising simply?  You have said sorry like a dozen times now. And a little secret about me- I don't take things serious just like Rajeev."

Arjun smiled sheepishly. He was embarrased. He hadn't noticed the number of times he had said sorry even though it wasn't his mistake. It had all started when he was little. Every now and then he would say sorry because he felt he hurt someone's feeling or someone had hurt other's feeling and it was righteous of him to say sorry.

" Ok it's time for me to go.", she said, leaving the two men wishing she never left. " Awwww !! Do you have to leave soon!", Rajeev asked, being a bit open about his feeling than Arjun. Arjun didn't open his mouth. He did want her to stay longer but he was concious about his friend's feeling. What if he asked her to wait for bit longer? Will Rajeev feel bad that he asked her?

She left after they persisted her to stay longer which obviously had no effect on her. However Rajeev was happy again. The night was spent on more sober activities apart from drinking. They were watching the dispointing match where their favorite team - Spain had lost.

But Rajeev didn't feel bad. His day was already made special because of Lucy. He was singing only praises about Lucy. Atlast everything was fine untill now.

Next few months saw three friends become closed friends. Arjun tried to leave Rajeev alone with Lucy. But Lucy would always drag him too. He was worried about Rajeev's insecurities though Rajeev didn't show them yet.

( To be continued)

Red roses- part 8

He was hesitant at first. What will he do by spending time with the couple? Being a third party was not easy job. You had to bear the brunt from the both side. Before he could raise his voice, she grabbed his hand. Thus it startled him.

He looked at his friend's eyes. They were filled with discomfort of him being there with them. He nodded his head , responding  friend's discomfort eyes by showing his helplessness.

They spent the whole day , walking and talking about their lives though it was his friend who did most talking amongst the three. Arjun observed her throughout the conversation. She looked bored and why not? His friend's habit of showing off never impressed too many people.  But she never tried to stop in between or showed any displeasure.

They were at the cafe. He placed the order like always because his friend never took the responsibilities of making any decision. He was dependent only on Arjun.

While giving orders, he asked her, " What would you like..." This was bad. They hadn't even asked her name or made any introduction. "Lucy! A cup of coffee would do.", she said.

They continued talking when he interrupted, " We know your name but we didn't tell ours." Her cheeks turned a bit pink. " Oh yeah! We didn't have proper introduction. I am Lucy and I stay with my sister , Fern.", she said. "Oh you have a sister. Then you are lucky, Arjun", his friend joked. Arjun was embarrassed while Lucy gave him a stern look.

(To be continued)

Red roses - Part 7

This was the end. They were prepared to walk on the different path. They were disappointed but they had no other option. Every person in this world had the right to chose. They let their hopes fly in thin air.

As they turned to walk, she laughed out loud. First it was giggles and then it changed into loud laugh. Her laugh was lyrical and beautiful. They wished it stayed longer. However it was only for few minutes when  she became composed and calm.

" I love that look of yours. I mean you guys are hilarious. I have never thought asking someone to be your friend is  so complicated.", she said. This eased out the situation. " I swear! We thought you would be like really tough on us and reject me point blank.", his friend said excitedly.

His friend had thought the situation had cooled down. " Hey! I didn't tell my decision yet. So don't think that I am okay.", she said. The mood between them became tense. " I am sorry. We will leave. My friend jumps into conclusions quickly.", he said, dragging his friend for a walk.

" Where are you going? I haven't told you my decision. Why are you in hurry?" , she said. They stopped and waited desperately for her reply.

" I accept your friendship under only one condition", she said. "What is it?", he asked. " Don't be afraid.", she said. His friend smiled and shook hands with her. Arjun was about to leave them alone but she stopped him. " Where are you going ? Join us!", she said.

( To be continued)

Red roses - Part 6

He was overjoyed though he had doubts about whether her decision would be easily accepted by his friend. Everything was fine only if he bought two love birds together.

Love is serious thing and to be the Cupid is highly complicated task. He had thought the main task of convincing the girl was over but the real headache started now. His friend was having weak knees of confronting her. To cover his coward ness, he said that he wasn't sure about her.

Arjun wanted to slap him hard. After all the hardship, his friend was giving up. He banged his fist on the wall where he was standing next to. His fist ached though it didn't reduce his anger.

" No more excuses. You are coming. Dude! Atleast you can do this for what risks I have taken.", Arjun yelled at him. His friend smiled weakly. After lot of thinking and no nos, his friend agreed.

They met her at the same place at same time. She was dressed in plain white sleeveless shirt and short red polka dot skirt. Her skin glowed like bright shining sun in the blue sky. Her hair was tied in high pony. She wore big smile on her mouth displaying her pear like teeth.

Both the men stared at the beauty. No one had courage to speak first. " Hi!", she said. Both didn't reply. She waved her hand at their faces for their response. " Ok then if we are going to stand , gaping at each other. I should leave.", she said while she started to walk. "Wait! We didn't mean to make you wait. We were just short of words.", his friend said. She turned to see them and simply stared at them with furious face.

( To be continued)