Mere bachpan ka saathi

Ranbir and I are childhood friends. We are always together. Rishi Kapoor, the father just loves me as his friend and Neetu Singh doesn't, for obvious reasons. I'm poorer than them. She doesn't like it that Ranbir is so close to me. She's always trying to see to it that I don't meet him often and tries to keep me away from him.

Anyways, that's not the point. Ranbir is leaving for US today. And its only after so many years of togetherness that I realize that I'm in love with him. Love always strikes you at the wrong time! I can feel the pain in my heart. I know that I can't stop him from going, but I want him to say that he also loves me, before he leaves. I know he does. But what a beauty it will be when it comes from him...My heart is crying out..."I'll wait for you sweetheart!"

I'm there at his place to bid him goodbye. I don't feel good seeing him go. We wont be having as much fun together from now on. It is an awkward feeling. I'm not able to talk to my childhood friend. Why am I being punished? I so want to be with him and I cant even utter a word?!

Ranbir, as I know him is a not-so-emotional person. He assumes that I'm going with him to the airport. After all, I'm his best friend. He can take me for granted. I tell him I can't make it. I thought he would be shocked. But it didn't seem to hurt him at all. Neetu Singh is very happy that I wont be going. But Rishi Kapoor insists that I should go. He always thinks I am a part of the family. Ranbir is not saying anything. I hate him for that! He is just so casual about the whole thing. My heart is torn apart. I know he wants me to go but he wont say it... Anyways, I tell Rishi Kapoor that I can't go as I have to be with Radha. She expecting a 2nd child. And I think I should be with her. He doesn't say anything after that. I'm still waiting to hear from Ranbir....Is he feeling the same way as I do? Is he feeling bad that he's leaving me and going to a faraway land? Finally, some long awaited words from him..."So, you are not coming along?" Is he asking me to go? Does he want me to go with him? OMG....if only it was so simple! I gather a lot of courage and tell him - "No, I HAVE to be with Radha". And I leave at once.

I am so heartbroken and sobbing that I can't go home. I decide to go to the tapri near NM class to have a sandwich. The grilled one with shredded cheese on top of it....wow...mouth-watering....

Guess what.....my misery doesn't end there. I cross paths with Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh and Ranbir again! They come to the Mrityunjayeshwar Mandir before leaving for Mumbai. Rishi Kapoor tells me "You must come with us to the airport. I called up Radha and all of them are coming to the airport too! So we'll all go together." I can't refuse further...

Ranbir again assumes that I sit in his car. So I do; this is my last chance anyways.....Neetu Singh is again mad at me that I sit next to him in the car....in the backseat. And Rishi Kapoor is really liking the fact that I join them. He really wants me to be Ranbir's wife. I can see that in his eyes... :)


On our way to the airport, Ranbir talks to me a few times. I can feel it in his voice. He doesn't want to leave. I don't want to make him cry as I am not too happy myself. After a few lame attempts to make conversations we finally reach the airport. We get-off from two sides of the car. We don't even want to look into each others eyes now.

Ranbir is this absent-minded guy. In spite of packing for him and keeping his papers in a file for him to carry, he has messed them up! He is fiddling with the file at the airport. He somehow manages to catch the flight in time....He has no time for me....not even to say goodbye...

I'm waiting....still waiting....