Things were going along quite nicely when Sneh contacted me one day. He informed me that he had turned down his father's offer to send him to California for additional study since he couldn't live without me.

I experienced mixed emotions upon hearing this. I was both relieved that I had someone to turn to for support and heartbroken that I would be the sole cause of spoiling his future. I was against that. I made the decision to leave his life. by him.

I've thought of myself as mature enough to handle this circumstance. I persuaded myself that our relationship was just another 'puppy-dog' romance.

Sneh was displeased with me. I didn't answer his calls, meet him, or speak to him on the phone. For the past couple of months, I have ignored him. I didn't even think twice before degrading him in public.

I was aware that Sneh liked Ankhee, a somewhat slim girl from his golf club. I tricked her into thinking she was in love with Sneh, leading her to propose to him.Even though I was on the verge of breaking, I adopted a nonchalant demeanor. I suppose that made Sneh feel forced to accept Ankhee's offer.

After a few months, when I saw they were dating, I confessed to Ankhee that I once had feelings for Sneh and that he needed to be unaware of them. She had a suspicion about us, so I lied to her. Sneh would have told her everything if she had asked him because he has a horrible reputation for lying and another misunderstanding would result if he hadn't revealed the truth. I was unable to observe as my ideal game plan fell apart.

I learned Sneh had traveled to California with Ankhee one day. Once again, I experienced a conflicted emotion of happiness and sadness. I was both sorry that Sneh didn't recognize my affection and glad that I had improved his life. However, it will always be a secret.
Years went by.I developed into a mature adolescent.I was able to land a job that will allow me to support my family and pays fairly well. But I was unable to forget the endearing young man who had once captured my heart. In my nightmares, Sneh continued to exist as the foolish, clumsy young boy. I got the delight of seeing him happy with Ankhee in my imagination.

I got a call one day.It was not an Indian number. I answered the phone. "Is it Smriti?" was spoken on the other side in a strident yet polite voice.

Sneh answered. Sneh, my. We spoke virtually every other day after that. Having him back in my life made me happy.Our broken friendship was rekindled. 

I discovered that Ankhee had abandoned him after cheating on him for three years. I believed I had done that wrong somewhere.

……………. "The Roof Top Coffee Shop" is where we went.Many things have changed.It now resembles a more advanced cafeteria.At a corner, a coffee maker has been put up.A five page pamphlet has taken the place of the one page, handwritten menu card.But in between, I could still smell the odor of my adolescence.

I was drinking a cup of coffee as usual with extra cream. I was at a loss for words when Sneh brought me here after all these years. I chose not to go there after he left. I was about to thank him when he hushed me and said, “Will you marry me, Shree?

                Thank You For Reading

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