The January chill gave a warm feel for some reason. 20 kilometers on a bike in this weather and hour was sure not a welcome ride, but it felt different today. The Sunday evening and the winters only added to the charm of the ride as it kept the nasty traffic indoors. He usually avoided being out till so late... however, today, time had run out of him.

He had planned it to be a normal lunch meet followed by coffee and that too if need be. Of course, she was a great friend; but whosoever would spend the entire day together! There was an eagerness to meet though no hurry. He had known her for years now and he had never considered their meeting to be so important. Somehow, he felt that this friendship was different and it was the trust and comfort they shared despite the distance between them, which made it strangely beautiful. He has had friends and still has plenty and has even been quite popular amidst his group. Yet to feel so close and connected with anyone was quite unlike him.

Everything had a place and time in his life, and all that he didn't deem important enough had to wait... his rules in life were simple. People and relationships were equally important for him as were his goals and ambitions. All along he thought that everything is crystal clear and sorted, but for this one person! Their longer than normal conversations didn't leave him exhausted or drained out. He never ran out of things to talk about and her cheerful demeanour only added life to otherwise mundane topics. She was different and he seemed to have known that always.

"Where have you been all day? I tried calling you, but you didn't care to answer!" His roommate stormed as he entered.

"Was with a friend... ohh, the cell is still in the silent mode. No wonder, I haven't received a single call," he adjusted the settings of his cell phone.

"You mean you didn't realize that all day! Whoaa... you got to be kidding me!"

"Gosh.. I'd need to call all these people right back before they set out to butcher me!" He scrolled through the list of calls he had missed.

"Do that later. First tell me, who were you with today? And moreover, do you really think you need to keep a cell phone with you??? You never take calls anyways!"

"It was a friend I met after many years today. Just forgot about the cell phone! Have you ordered dinner?"

"Yes, it's lying there waiting for the almighty to bestow it with their highly attention!"

"Good... let me make a quick call back home and we will have dinner."

"Make it really quick... I can't wait all day for this now!"

He glanced at his roommate's face while going to the other room... 'he can drive me crazy!' he thought to himself and continued with the call.

That night, as he lay on his bed, he recalled the time they had spent together. They had only one thing in common and that was their school and yet, everything else seemed to fit so well. Of course, she is different and so is their friendship. He was sensitive towards her, but then, aren't you sensitive towards all your friends?

Questions flooded his mind... it was like one big jig-saw puzzle. The more he tried to fit a piece in its place, the more unfit it looked there. By then, sleep was befalling him and while he succumbed to it, there was one thing he was sure about - no other girl had ever made him feel thus.... how??? He still needs to find out.

"I don't want to do this.... do you really want me to? I mean.... how can you imagine me doing anything even close to that!!!"

"But we need to begin somewhere, right? And what's the problem in meeting a guy? You can take your sister along if you are not comfortable with us and there's always a first time. This is how it happens and this is how you need to go about it also."

"Dad... how can you even ask me to go and meet any random guy and then decide whether I'd want to spend the rest of my life with him?? I know arrange marriages happen that way, but I'm not ready for anything like that and neither opting for it. I'd want to know whom I'm marrying and not discover the person in due course of life!"

"In that case, tell me who you want to marry and we do it that way. "

"Hah, if only I'd have had someone, we wouldn't be having this discussion at all."

"Look, it's high time you think about settling down. Just because you don't doesn't mean that I don't do anything about it either. I am your father and I know what's good for you. So, listen to me and do as I say."

"Come on, Dad. You can't be doing that!"

"I have to...no more discussions on this now. I'll let you know whenever something good comes up. Take care and don't sulk about this now."

"Alright, let's just leave it to that. Will talk to you later. Take care, bye."

Another one of those calls that made her anxious and scared. Get married.... settle down... high time!!! Feeling helpless, she turned to look at the time. She was running late already! To reach there at 2, she should have left by then. Hurriedly, she took a final glance in the mirror and picked her bag while running out of the house. Luckily, a free auto rickshaw happened to pass while she hailed him to stop. Avoiding the usual negotiations, followed by arguments, she readily agreed to the price the driver asked. There sure was no time to get into all that... and then, she was late!

Descending from the auto, she looked around for him. He was not to be seen anywhere. Calling his number did not help either as it was unreachable. This irritated her to some extent. They were to meet for the first time officially and he was late!!! Yes, it would be the first time they'd meet though they'd known each other for years now. She was excited and had been looking forward to it for quite some time. Her cell phone beeped with an incoming text message. "I'm near Barista...where are you?" Huh, she'd need to cross the road. Without wasting a second, she dashed for the subway.

"So, how's it been? I'm sorry, I reached late... needed to drop a friend somewhere."

"Ah, that's OK. I too just reached." She smiled making herself comfortable and opening the menu card."And we finally meet! Isn't it strange... we've studied together, known each other for years, and yet, meeting now."

"Yes, it is! But isn't it because of you! I had been saying for so long that we should meet and it's been six months that you have moved to the city; however, it's only now, you have found some of your precious time for me."

"Now don't get started with that. You know how busy it's been for me. Anyways, what will you have?"

Their conversation started... just one of their regular conversations... with a difference. Instead of being connected through a telephone... here they were... face to face. Nothing seemed different; in fact, the physical presence of the person only added to the charm of all those talks that were otherwise general and regular.

Time does fly... especially when they get talking. It was already 8! This seemed unreal... either she was dreaming or her watch knew how to fake time! She had to leave now. Reluctantly, they did bade goodbye, but not before agreeing on a day to meet next.

"Madam, where do you want to get down? Madam, are you listening? Are you alright?" The loud voice of the auto driver broke her thoughts. Having given the necessary instructions, she realized she was still musing over all that he'd said earlier in the evening. While retiring for the day, she remembered what her father had said to her that afternoon. 'Later,' she thought to herself, 'all that can wait.'

She left the cell phone on the bed and returned to the balcony. The air around was still warm and with the many emotions hurling within her, the temperature did not really make a difference. The occasional sounds from the road nearby broke the silence that the hour of night had brought in.

The past few days, rather weeks, left her marvelling at how life unfolded before her. Life had never been a bed of roses and her apprehensiveness often made her question herself - Is it justified to weigh every one on the same scale with equal biases? But then, did she have an option? Her friends said that she was being too hard on herself... that she needed to give herself some space and not be prejudiced about anything. On retrospection, she felt as if she had been drained out of the last bits of emotions. She felt cold and void. At times, it was like a pendulum... one extreme to another. Just when she'd feel strong and bold, a sudden surge of restlessness would creep in from nowhere leaving her numb.

Life indeed was funny and the world around her was ever-changing. Hadn't she just been almost rejected as a rightful person to lead a happy life, when almost the entire universe began to scream and tell her how beautiful she really is! Yes, things were changing and changing for the better. She was indeed a happier and a more confident person; but for that one string that pulled her back. She struggled to get rid of it and the more it clinged to her. She knew she needed to simply snap out of it... just once and it would go forever.

Just then, her cell phone beeped. She went to read the message - "Enjoy the phase and be yourself. Rest will all follow :)".... and smiled. She had somehow known the reply beforehand for it was only her sister who'd ever understand what she was going through. She was truly the pillar of her support. Placing the cell on the bed, she returned to the balcony and her thoughts.

A gentle summer breeze swept her face... it was warm and yet comforting. She recalled the day they had reconnected after years. The credit, of course, went to the present-day technology along with the many social networking sites that have become part of our very existence. Yes, they had known each other since school, but were never really friends. The first time they spoke was for almost four hours. The conversation went from school to.... cricket to.... football to.... just about any and everything under the sun. They had to end it rather reluctantly lest the next working day be spent sleeping through. And it had been truly wonderful since then. A spark had been ignited catching two souls unaware... who were blissfully ignorant in their haven of friendship.

But, she couldn't do this! Wasn't it she who refused so many proposals because she was not in the right frame of mind... or so she said! Why is it that everyone she turns for help, they would all tell her to go ahead... follow her heart! What did she want? What did her heart want?

The bed seemed sore, so she went out to her balcony to get some fresh air. The sky beamed with moonlight with tiny stars sparkling around. The air was uninviting and warm, yet she stood there. Somehow, the heat seemed bearable compared to the loneliness in her room. She looked at the stars. There was a time when she used to make a wish on seeing the first star in the evening sky... and would make the same wish every day till it got fulfilled or till she felt that it was not worth wishing for any longer. On nights of sleeplessness, she'd go up to her bed room window and have a monologue with the moon for hours. Those nights were her dearest friend with whom she could talk with no bars.

She also dreamt.... dreamt of making it big in her career.... dreamt of marrying a man who'd love her selflessly.... dreamt of living in a family... her family.... with her soul mate... dreamt of all the little happiness every girl dreams of. Then, no dream was distant. They were her ways of reassuring herself that life would give her all that she has always longed for. In fact, she never waited for life to bestow her with happiness... she worked towards them and got them!

And today, she was wary of it all. Had she forgotten to steal those little joys from life? Had she forgotten to accept happiness gracefully? Were those dreams, those wishes a farce? Now, when life is blessing her with all that she always wished for, why is she turning her back to it? Questions clouded her mind and she looked up to her long-lost friend, the moon, for answers. But there was no response. It stood there silently watching her as if telling her that she needs to take a stand for herself... she needs to decide what she wants... she needs to make a choice, which will be her choice. She looked up, closed her eyes and listened... listened to the gentle rustling of the leaves in the night wind... listened to the quite sounds around her... listened to her heartbeats and listened to what her heart said to her.

She opened her eyes and returned to her room. Picking her cell phone, she typed a message - I know he'll always be with me and keep me happy and somewhere within, I love him too. His unconditional love gives me assurance and I'm sure about him now :). She sent the message to the person who was the pillar of her strength and smiled. She was in love... she knew now :)))

It had been a long day. She returned home, took a shower and placed herself comfortably on her bed, looking around for the remote control. Switching on the TV, she checked her cell phone again... may be there's a text. The cell screen showed the time again... four hours already and no text since then!

She toys with the idea of calling him, picks up her mobile... then snaps it shut. But, there's no harm in calling anyway. Just then, her cell phone rings. It is him! Nonchalantly, she answers the phone, while her heart pounced as if she was going to run a 100 metre dash!

"Hi, what's up?"

"Nothing, surfing channels... you tell me.."

"Nothing much either; just returned with friends after dinner, so thought of calling you..."

"Hmmm... so what else..."

And this goes on for hours and at some occasions, the entire day or night! Even with nothing common between them, these conversations last for hours, with each one reluctant to disconnect. They talk, share, laugh, fight, cry, fuss, pamper... all during these conversations. Cell phone has become the prime of her survival with texts and calls becoming the constant blood flow. What is it? Is it simply the presence of this person at the other end that is so important?

They have known each other for years and been the closest of friends. Even though they have barely met 6-7 times, they share the rarest bonding. He has always been there for her, even when not with her and she prizes him as one of the closest persons in her life. Every event is a reason to call him, to speak to him, to know his reaction or simply listen to him. She can share her darkest secrets with him, her silliest thoughts, her most coveted desires, her hidden fears, her forgotten dreams... and she does all this because she knows that in him she has a friend, a guide, a listener and probably... the biggest admirer. There are no pretensions, just an honest, pure and extraordinarily beautiful relation, which makes both of them feel complete and most importantly.... happy. She has seen relationships, but never similar to this one.

There is this constant urge to just be around there... somewhere. She feels elated of late... more content and more secured. She is unable to relate to this feeling as it's not something she has felt before. She argues with herself, fights with her heart, struggles with her emotions and then... gives in to her feelings and even those words that seem to be on the verge of spilling out. Unable to comprehend the sudden change in and around her, she questions herself and each time ends up with more questions than she can answer. Sometimes, she looks for those answers in people around her, and then withdraws to her shell seeking them within.

But there's one answer that can help clear all her confusion.... that one question that she poses to herself each time and the answer to which is what she has been running from........ Is this love?