That Special day

That day was nothing special. Actually, nothing that excites me had happened till 8:30 am. I had had a regular breakfast and was not wearing a new dress to office either. The Metro coach i boarded was crowded as usual and people were busy with their cell phones as usual, too.

As a regular practice, I was scanning through the newspaper when a message beeped on my phone.

"We need to talk..

Love

Aliya"

..and neither my heart nor my mind had any reason to believe what I had just read. So i re- read but I again read the same. Aliya wanted to talk to me. About what? Is it something about Alex? Or is it something about both of them? I would never want to call her up but I wanted to know every detail behind that message. The subconscious mind prayed for respite from anything that was unfortunate and the conscious me wore the pseudo-good morning-face that was challenging.

Like everyday, I reached office and settled down at work but not to deny that message had left me guessing! I curiously checked my inbox hoping to see a long letter of confession from Aliya but in vain.

"One has to be a brave heart to make confessions." I said to myself. "What Aliya did was mean and an insecure behavior.."

Just then my phone rang and I knew it before even seeing who it was. Aliya calling.. and my hands froze. Not that I was afraid. Neither did I owe an explanation about anything.. and I took the call.

"Hello.. hello.. This is Aliya. "

I wanted to speak up. I wanted to reply to her hello that was sweeter than the Good bye we last exchanged. Clearing my throat of the thoughts that were clouded over my mind, I said, Hello Aliya!

"Hey..I sent you a text this morning.. seen that?"

"Oh yes!" Thought I would call you sometime in the evening. But we can talk now.

By this time, I had put my mind sufficiently distant from its intelligence and was determined to lend her a patient ear. I knew that I could be wrong and she would be swaying me away with her sugary words of concern. But, somehow, I wanted to give in and I did.

"Alex... wants to talk", she said.

Alex and I were the best of friends since High School. We continued to be so for many years despite of being quite different, if not poles apart. The reason was obvious. We both had never dated anyone or better say, had no interest in doing so. Our weekends were spent in the backyard of our houses busy gardening and fighting over silly things. All this continued unless Aliya joined us in college.

"Hiii Alex!" I said in an ecstatic voice.

"Where are you girl? Do you have any idea you used to have a friend named Alex? Is he alive or dead?"

"My friend is a devil! He won't die. He kills!" and both of us burst into a laughter. Realizing that my laughter was a girly giggle and the fact that everyone around me was busy at work, I quietly slipped into the Lounge Area.

"What a day it is today Alex! Hearing from you after so long. How have you been and what are you upto?"

Aliya and I became friends at college and used to do all girl-like-mischief together. Except one for which I never complained of my absence but it left me feeling betrayed and miserable.

" Hey.. do you remember what I always wanted to do?", said Alex.

"Animation movies".. I remember. And after a pause, I realized what was happening. "Oh my God Alex!" Do you mean to say that you have already done an animation movie and the day has come!", I said gasping for breath.

"Yes! and I am inviting you to the special premiere. You have to be there. You are my special guest. Save your date and check your inbox for the tickets, too".

Aliya started showing interest in Alex during the second year of college. They went around together but I could never see the love brewing. The reason was that the Alex I knew could never keep secrets from me. I joined them less for outings on weekends or say I was called upon lesser. With the Graduation year approaching, I was more into texts than being with them.

And, finally came the farewell evening. As a trend, best friends or love birds used to walk into the reception area together and get themselves clicked exclusively. I was there, waiting for Alex and Aliya to join me as best friends when they walked past me arms in arms.

"Sure Alex! I know that its going to be the biggest day of your life and I would not want to miss celebrating another memorable day with my best friend".

"Another? What's that girl? I didn't get you! What did we miss earlier?", said Alex with concern and confusion.

"Maybe I should not say that, Alex. But I want to! I still remember the Farewell Party at college. I was lonely without you but you never cared. Trust me, I would never want to reciprocate that to you. Not because you are my friend. Because I know how much it hurts." My voice was breaking down and I could feel the same pain after three long years.

"Stop there, lady! You have no idea how much me and Aliya have regretted over it ever since we realized how blind we had become to everyone around." We were waiting for the right time to talk to you", said Alex.

"And we know you will forgive us easily today. I know when my friend is happy, she is!", and we both laughed our hearts out.

By this time I was totally delighted. I was excited that I had both my friends back into my life, with me, and the bygones appeared just too worthless for any corner of heart.

As I allowed the excitement to settle, I realized that they knew nothing about my recent life. Dramatic, as I always was, popped the question: "How many tickets for me , Alex"?

"Ummm.. Its one ticket per passenger I guess unless you are overweight", prompt came the Alex-ian reply. "Do you now need two these days?", said he in a pretending voice.

"Yes! I do need two tickets. But I am not overweight! I want Rehman to break your nose for me". I replied and waited for his response.

"Who? Reh...Rehman? Are you serious? Are you guys together? I mean..I am so delighted to know this!", exclaimed Alex. Now it was both Aliya and him screaming into my ears.

As I turned back, the clock read half past eleven and the work I had left back left me terrified. "You guys are still monsters! Am in the office. Let me go and work now! Let's catch up in the evening", and I hung up the phone.

As I hurried down to my desk, I could feel the spring in my steps and the twinkle in my eyes that I could not hide. Suddenly, the day had become so special.

I dropped an SMS to Rehman that read, "We are flying to Mumbai this weekend. Let's catch up at lunch."