Written by my dear friend, AdhyaAzad and edited by me

In this world of technology where you can converse with people at just a click, Shravan cherished letters. The handwritten letters especially from her are closest to his  heart. All those school days he had wished that she would write a letter for him just like he wrote. Yes, he wrote a letter to her when he was fifteen. A letter which held his heart in it and was still sitting in an Basic Algebra book in his book shelf. Suman was not good at maths or say any subject but she liked Algebra. Why? Because she found it funny in a twisted way. The reason Shravan chose that book to deliver the letter. Fate was not in his favor. Letter never reached her. And he accepted fate.  His unrequited love.

They say love hurts but no the rejection hurts, going away from your loved one hurts. Love is medicine to pain. His love never hurt him because he was not rejected. His love was not rejected it was accepted wholeheartedly. By him.

It's been a month since Shravan came back from London. He joined his father's firm and was happy that he could make his father proud. He had always wanted to make his father proud and the world to recognize Ramnath Malhotra as Shravan Malhotra's father. In his young age when he had dreamt of it a second thought told him he was being selfish and ungrateful to the efforts of his father but Sumo his pole star told him that a parent is the most happiest the day his son hold his finger to learn to walk but his heart swells with pride and peace when his son hold his hand to take his father to new heights.

Sumo, Shravan smiled thinking about her. Its only been a few weeks he reunited with his best friend . She was guilty and sorry for whatever she did. She did not contact him because she knew he would forgive her and thus was punishing herself. Stupid girl. They both sort out their issues very maturely and became best friends again.

Now atleast he is happy.
Life isn't that bad.

Dearest Chef,

You know I was dreading coming back but now I think, the decision of coming back home was not that bad. I don't regret. I never thought  things would be  managed so easily. The weight I  had been carrying on my heart has finally lifted. I have realized we keep ourselves tangled in our thoughts and emotions and pain ourselves while it is so easy to let go and make amends. I'm happy I got my best friend back.

Your lifetime customer,
Shravan.

Suddenly Shravan remembered her offer to visit her place. He decided to pay a visit to his best friend office . When he get to know about PCT, his happiness was immense and boundless , he never thought his best friend who was so lazy to do her homework is now running a successful business and had managed to make her name in the city.

She was always a big part of his life . 

One thing he's sure that Suman Tiwari ruled his heart and mind .

      ***********

Suman was overwhelmed upon receiving his letter and her eyes could not control themselves and poured the appreciation of his pure feelings. And the night brought lots of memories of them together and her heart cried for the fragile Shravan she broke years ago. Next morning, she looked like she had cried a lot and slept a lot less. Preeta was concerned for her when she reached PCT.

It was almost noon and all tiffin boxs were gone for delivery . Today there was no letter sent for Shravan because Suman had no words to say. She was reading some papers related to PCT expenses. The sudden noise from the outside caught her attention . 

Shravan was standing in front of Preeta chatting with her , it seemed like Preeta was interrogating him while he was trying to convince her that he wasn't here to buy their PCT. Suman let out a laugh and then went to him. She dragged him with her to show her workplace leaving a horrified Preeta who never saw Sumo like this. She looked to ecstatic for a person who looked like mourning in morning.  

"I thought you're going to welcome me with aarti ki thali and your workers throwing flower petals on me."  said  shravan sitting on the chair near her desk . 

Sumo laughed at his antics and offered him food.

'Seriously sumo , you launched your Preeta missile on me ', said Shravan making faces .

'Oh come on ! Drama queen eat your lunch , mujhe pata hai tum PCT bas khaane aaye ho ', said Sumo smiling.

She could not let him know how sad she was because of what she did to him because he was happy now. She wanted to move on just like he wanted to.

Both ate their lunch while talking about their workplace and future plans when suddenly Shravan asked her to come with him for an outing.

"Outing? Where would we go then?" asked Sumo.

"You suggest!" Said with Shravan with his Palak paneer stuffed mouth.

"Ae Chashmish! How did you survive Oxford with this caveman type eating habit of yours?"

"I was neither a foodie nor a caveman since I got to your food. And mind you I was hottest guy at my University." He said raising his collars.

"Your don't look hot from any angle Shravan with the rice and palak curry on your face."

"Who cares Sumo!"

"Lets go roam around in Delhi and all those places where we used go during school " suggested Suman.

'Sounds good then this Sunday you and me  , be ready for Delhi Brahman said Shravan.

After chit chatting with each other both leave for their home with content smile plastered on their face.

********

Dear foodie best friend,
Are you ready for tomorrow? Sunday? Remember! Our Delhi Brahman. I am very excited to spend a whole day with my best friend and roam around carefree just like we used to in our childhood. I'm looking forward to our outing.

Your favorite chef,
Sumo.

Both were very excited for their outing. Suman wore a pastel blue salwar  and did some minimal makeup , she let her hair open and wore small hoop earrings. She looked beautiful to her eyes but was wondering what would Shravan think whereas Shravan wore a light blue shirt and denims, he set his hair and wore his silver watch. He wanted to look good for her.

Shravan came to Tiwari killa and parked his car and smiled looking at the house. He entered and went upstairs to meet Nanaji.

He informed Nanu about their outing and took his blessings and goes towards Suman's room. That room where he spent a lot of days back then.

He smile looking at her , she looks always pretty and today he can't take off his eyes from her.  He goes near her bed and asked her to get ready fast. Sumo looked at him through the mirror and smiled. She looked at herself for the last time and goes to say bye to Nanu. Today Nanu could see a different happiness in her steps.

Shravan sat in the car and Sumo sat beside him.

'Let's go ' said Suman looking at the mirror.

'No first wear the seat belt' said Shravan sternly..

Rolling her eyes she wore the seat belt unwillingly and both started the journey.

'So what's the plan , kahan ja rahe hai hum? ' asked Sumo looking out the window.

'First we'll go to Mehrauli  waha se ghumne ke baad, we'll go to watch a movie then will go for boating and then dinner in rock waters and last mei India Gate ki kulfi'," finished Shravan in a go.

'Wow phir toh bohot maza aayega , waise Mehrauli apne cousin se Milne jaa rahe ho ' said Suman while laughing cheekily.

Shravan shook his head in disbelief , his Sumo never change same crazy just like their school days .

Most of the time Suman was talking and Shravan listening to her stories about how she started her PCT and  future plans of expansion of her business.

She asked about his London 's friends, where he visited,  how tough his studies were and after asking dozens of questions and getting answers to only half of them, she dozed off.

After the long drive they reached their destination , Shravan came out and Sumo followed him. Both were roaming in the Qutub complex watching the old architecture and Shravan telling her things related to history.

Finally Suman stopped.

"Shravan we are here for doing some kind of adventure not for any college excursion. Chashmish!"

Shravan laughed at her knowing that his friend was so horrible in history.

"Shravan say hello to your cousin ,it's been so long time you guys are meeting each other"  , said Sumo dragging him to the Qutub Minar and clicked his pictures.

"Huh !! Very funny I'm not that tall ', said Shravan a little bit annoyed. And she clicked picture of his annoyed face.

They click pictures and talk randomly.  Sumo told him about her sneak outs and fun she and Pushkar had.

" You know Pushkar and me once sneaked out at midnight for ice creams. We scared the night guard. The poor soul  thought that we were some ghost. "

And they both laughed. Shravan was thinking how much he missed.

" Pushkar was always there with me. He became my best friend after you left.  We used to trouble everyone who tried to bully others and scaring people was our usual trick." said Sumo controlling her laugh  

"Lagti bhi toh bhootni ho tum" Shravan snickered.

Shravan was happy that , Pushkar was by her side all the time. He knew everything and always wanted to reunite them.
 

Then they go for a movie in nearby mall , there's a Cineplex both choose horror movie and almost shout when the ghost pop in the screen . After watching the movie they ordered food in the cafe and finished it with lots of fun and sharing stories.

Both left for boating. It was almost evening the weather became breezy . Shravan helped Suman to get into the boat she sat beside him. Shravan was admiring the scenery whereas Sumo dip her hand into cold water.  Suddenly she splash some water on him and Shravan did the same and both started playing with water .

After that both walked around the Lodi Gardens , Shravan tried to pluck flowers but the guard caught him and both started running like children. 

After coming out from there they both burst out into fits of laughter .
"Oh God kya kya karna padhta hai tumhare liye Sumo" , laughed Shravan holding his stomach.

"Maine kaha tumse flowers pluck karne ko tum khud gaye Qutub Minar aur guard ne tumhe dekh liya ', laughed Sumo ..

'By the way, Tumhe toh  satellite bhi detect kar lega ' said Sumo ... 

Shravan started the car and both headed toward 'Rock Waters' restaurant for dinner.

After parking the car, Shravan tell her to choose a table for them . Both settled comfortably , Shravan asked Sumo to order. 

Suman looked at the menu card but didn't get the name of the dishes then she asked Shravan to order for them.

After ordering the food , Sumo stated
' Shravan, let's play a game ' . 

" You are still the same with your silly games. What is it this time?"

''Hum dono ek doosre ko ek story batainge but twist yeh hai ki humein guess karna hoga , kahani real hai ya fake'' , finished Sumo in a go.

''Come on sumo !! Grow up yeh kaisa game hai'  said Shravan.

Suddenly Sumo sat under the table trying hide her face , Shravan was confused why she is hiding after a minute she got up sit on her chair.

Shravan asked her about hiding .
"Is this a part of your game? ''asked Shravan mischievously.

'Woh jo larka gaya na. Mera senior tha college mei Jairaj Singhania , mera pehla crush . Pure college ki ladkiya pagal thi uss par.  Sacchi baat toh thi bande mei'.. said Sumo dreamily ..

" He wasn't even that good looking. "

"Oh! What you would know about good looks? He is really very handsome. And his smile, those dimples and the thing he does with his eyebrows is so sexy."

This new information was not less than an atomic bomb on Shravan , the good mood ruined already and listening so much dreamy taareef about that stupid Jairaj made shravan furious . The food arrived and Shravan furiously ordered Sumo to eat fast as he remember some pending work and needed to go home . 

''But abhi toh aaye hai. Tumne kuch khaya bhi nahi aur kulfi bhi khane Jana Hai" said Sumo disappointed.

"Mera dil nahi kar raha aur kaam important hai please jaldi karo."

The delicious food was not less than poison for Shravan . This new piece of information made his mind numb.

Suman completes her food and Shravan didn't even eat anything , he paid the bill and both left the restaurant.

Shravan dropped Suman and came out from the car.

''Mujhe pata hai tum khafa kyu ho , tumhe meri kahi hui kahani pasand nahi aayi " said Suman a little smile plastered on her face.

Shravan bid her good bye not even looking at her and left the place.

On his bed he was lying deep in thoughts. Was she right? Yes, she was right he isn't happy because of the story. Imaginary or real he didn't like the fact that his sumo liked someone else.

Maybe this was the starting of his story .....

Love,
AdhyaAzad

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