Lets go for a walk, said Rahul.
Yippee. Lets go, said Swetha, almost jumping out of her seat.

It was yet another boring day in the Mysore training institute. Dusk was
breaking in. Swetha had already taken two breaks since lunch. Nevertheless,
she had been anticipating Rahul's invitation for another break. Rahul and
Swetha had known each other for the last couple of months. They had been
together since the training days. People knew them as the best of friends.
Rahul, the regular T-D-H type, who spoke with a heavy Bengali accent, was a
popular flirt in the DC. On the other hand, Swetha was a chubby sweet little
girl, who was always on the lookout for sorrow souls. They enjoyed being in
each others company. Swetha would disclose all his crushes to Rahul, and
Rahul would always be seen taking classes from Swetha, on how to impress a
girl in 24 hours. Rahul had helped Swetha to forget her 7-year-old single
lane relationship and Swetha would see to it that Rahul would never be
lonely. Most of the time, they were together. People admired, some even
sneered with jealousy, the relation that these two shared.

The walk today was unusually long.
This is gonna be one of our last walks, muttered Rahul in a low tone.
I know, replied Swetha in a soft, almost inaudible voice.

Mysore DC had completed the long cycle training and the postings had been
announced the previous day. Swetha was posted at Mysore base location, while
Rahul would have to shift to Bangalore. Even though they both always knew
that they had to separate one day they did not expect it to happen so soon.
Swetha, who belonged to the sentimental group, looked at Rahul and managed
to pass a disguised smile. I tried my best for a swap. The HRC is stubborn.
She is still holding on to EURP P.U. doesnt encourage swaps. I cannot stay
here alone Rahul.

I swear, I am gonna miss you badly too dear replied Rahul, again faking a
smile.

Hey dont worry sweetie, Mysore is just three hours from Bangalore. Just call
me and I will be here. said Rahul, trying to cheer her up, though his words
did not light up Swetha's face.

She just replied with a frown. You will be busy with your new girl friends
and your work. You will soon forget me

Hey come on! said an offended Rahul. You are my best friend. Can I ever
forget you dear?

You just wait and see, came an almost sobbing reply.

Dont start crying dear. Said Rahul with a gloomy face Oh by the way its
getting late lets go back he said, taking a U-turn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As destiny wanted the next week saw Rahul packing his bags for Bangalore,
while Swetha moved out of her PG, to a rented apartment closer to her
office. They parted with a few wet handkerchiefs. The bus started moving.
Rahul looking through the Volvo glass was trying to say something to Swetha.
His actions deciphered, as I will call u when I reach there. Gonna miss you.
Take care Bye-Bye.

Swetha was comforted by her own tears. She felt very lonely, as if she had
lost something. Something, very precious. Consoling herself, she went back
to her room, shut the door, and started sobbing again. She had found a very
good friend in Rahul, and he was her major support. She had no clue in the
beginning that she would get so much attached and more important too much
dependent on him. She sobbed herself to sleep.

A couple of hours later, she heard her mobile ringing. One look at the tiny
screen, which happened to display, Rahul calling and she was overjoyed. She
answered the call with a Hey You reached so soon? How was the trip?

Yo dear! Just reached. Bangalore seems to be bliss. The climate is almost
like Mysore. It is wonderful though Mysore was better. Coz I miss you badly
here I miss you too dear, said Swetha trying to stop her tears. They talked
on for almost an hour. Swetha was all the time advising him, on what to do
and what not to do. And Rahul was responding with a Yes dear Ofcourse I will
Sure, I wont
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of days had gone by. They used to call each other every day. They
did not miss the good morning / good evening / how are you / I am fine   SMS
almost every hour. Thanks to the Hutch to Hutch free SMS scheme. Slowly the
days went by. Two weeks had past since they parted.

That Saturday, Rahul called up Swetha in the morning and said Hey Swetha you
know what I am gonna have a terrific weekend. We are going to check out
Nandi hills today.

We? What do you mean by we? asked a puzzled Swetha.

Oh Oh. I completely forgot to tell you about my new friend. She is so cute.
We are in the same project. We both are going to the hill station. Just
about to leave So thought of calling you up and say a hi.

Somehow the hi was not so enticing for Swetha. Back there, she was finding
it hard to talk to anyone after Rahul left, while on the other hand, someone
had already taken her place in Rahuls life. She managed to mumble out Thats
great Rahul. Have a nice time and enjoy yourself. She was kinda upset, but
dint show it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Days went by and Swetha was feeling that the distance between her and Rahul
was slowly increasing.

Then one day the phone at her desktop rang. Swetha you have to go to
Bangalore for one week to gather the details of our APPLE project. It was
the voice of her PM. Swetha could hardly believe her ears. Wow! What luck! I
can meet Rahul for a week, she said to herself. She was very much happy and
excited over this new twist. As luck would have it it was Rahuls birthday
next week. She thought of giving him a big surprise. Therefore, she hid the
news from him.

Next week, Swetha was in Bangalore. Thanks to the huge crowd of people, she
managed to go unnoticed by anyone, especially Rahul, for the first day. It
was evening. She had left office early. She went to the market and brought
some beautiful flowers. She had been waiting for this day. Flowers have this
magical way of pleasing people and so she was choosy in selecting them.
Rahul was her best friend, and she cared a lot about him.

Taking the flowers home, she had her dinner and was waiting for time to
pass. She knew Rahuls address she left the hotel at 11:30 and hired a taxi
to reach Rahuls place. It was a short distance away, so she reached pretty
soon. She groped around and found out his flat. The lights were still on.
She frowned. She wanted this to be a magnificent surprise and hence had
expected him to be sleeping. Nevertheless, she timidly went to the door and
rang the bell. The door opened in a few seconds There was Rahul. Happy
birthday said Swetha. Rahul was stunned. He could not believe his eyes.
Taking the flowers, he said. Oh gosh! Thank you so much Swetha. I never
expected you come on come inside  Swetha removed her shoes and went in.
Little did she knew that there was a bigger surprise waiting for her inside.
She saw that the room was decorated and there was a birthday cake, which had
candles on it. There was a pretty girl standing there in blue denims and a
red top.

Err Swetha let me introduce you to Neha. And Neha, this is my friend Swetha
The girls exchanged smiles and said Hi to each other. Swetha felt
uncomfortable. She wanted to be the first one to wish him on his birthday.
But look here! It seemed that someone else had already done it. Still,
controlling her feelings, she did not react. They sang the birthday song
together, cut the cake, and had fun. The Party was over. Swetha said, Rahul,
its getting late, I will leave now. Can you tell me where can I find a taxi?

Hey, are u nuts or what? It is very late. You dont need to go anywhere.
Sleep here tonight. Even Neha has decided to stay back.  Swetha would never
have accepted this, but the last line Even Neha has decided to stay back
drove her to say, Well, if you insist, I will stay back.

The next day morning, once again Shweta wished Rahul and left for her hotel.

Work was hectic. She met Rahul for his dinner party in the evening. Neha was
with him. She found this annoying, but as usual, did not utter a word.

The next day morning, she called Rahul and said You mean fellow, you havent
shown me around Bangalore. I am free today evening. Take  me to the good
places

Sure we will do that baby. Was his reply.

The day was boring for Swetha with not much work to do. She waited until
five and then buzzed him on his cell. Where are you Rahul? Come on lets go!

Oh I am so sorry Swetha; I have this telecon thing  I am gonna be late just
wait for some time please dear Sure I will wait dear, you finish your work.
Tell me where are u, I will come there and cheer you up, said Swetha.

Hey thats fine dear. No need to take any trouble Besides, Neha is also here.

Swetha was surprised. She had not expected him to say this. This time, not
knowing how to react she was searching for words to reply she struggled and
said Well.. err ... Rahul.. I am.. err very tired.. I think I will go back
err.. Let us go tomorrow Rahul replied Wow, thats fine no problem. We will
surely go tomorrow okay, thanks a ton Swetha for understanding.

Unfortunately tomorrow never came. Rahul was busy with one thing or the
other. She was feeling all the more lonely and desolate. The feeling that
Neha had replaced her position sank her. A frustrated and irritated Swetha
was waiting for her last day in Bangalore. That day, she did not expect
Rahul to call her. So to inform him that she is leaving, she called him in
the evening and told him that she is leaving in an hour. She was shocked by
Rahuls reply. Oh I am so sorry dear; I wont be able to come to see you off.
Today I have a very important meeting, I am really sorry yaar.  Its okay
Rahul, said Swetha, thinking at the back of her mind what meeting could
Rahul possible have after office hours.

Heartbroken by the crushing changes she found in her best friend, she left
for the Majestic bus station and boarded her bus. She kept on looking
outside as if she was expecting a miraculous surprise. But no one turned
up.  Resting her head on the slide seat, she closed her eyes. Memories of
those wonderful times spent with Rahul were flashing in front of her eyes.
She did not have any grudges that Rahul had replaced her, but what pricked
her was how easily she was forgotten and forsaken. The journey was perhaps
the dullest and saddest for Swetha.

Back in Mysore, and back to work, Shweta was trying to cope up with life.
After a week, Rahul called her up. She did not want to create an issue, but
just could not stand it. She blurted out everything. She asked him to give
an explanation. His reply was Look Swetha, you are a very good friend of
mine. But now, there is someone more important in my life. Someone with more
priority. Swetha I am in love with Neha. The words were so cold that Swetha
could feel its bite. Gathering all the bits of her remaining calm, she
sobbed and said. I dont have any problem with that Rahul. But falling in
love doesnt essentially mean that you have to forsake your old friends

You have never fallen in love. What will you know about love, Swetha?

Rahuls words shattered her heart. She had never expected to hear this from
the person she cared and loved the most. She quietly cut the phone. She shut
her eyes tight and cried.

That night it rained.

________________________________

This story is based on a true-life story that happened to a friend of mine.
The names of the characters have been changed to protect their identities.

We should never forget our friends, coz it hurts. It hurts a lot, when you
feel that you have been replaced when you have been forsaken and when you
have been forgotten.

That is one side of the story. The other side faces the truth. Swetha has
embraced the changes in her relationship and is carrying on smoothly with
life. She has learned an important lesson of life Life is a journey.
Whatever happens, pick up your baggage and move on. The show must go on.