"Happy birthday, honey.
I am really tired after today's hectic schedule.
Sorry, can't make a call at 12. Promise to meet you tomorrow."

Satyam's phone buzzed with the messages from Nikita. It was yet fifteen minutes to twelve. Satyam felt a little low after receiving this text from her.

They have known each other since their school days and it has been almost 5 years from the day when Satyam embraced her under their college notice board. But, since then, nothing has been the way they wished or imagined it to be. They barely used to meet each other. Every time when Satyam wanted to talk to her, she was busy with either some office assignment or felt tired due to the busyness of her schedule.

Satyam knew how much she loved him but then he could not neglect those very important days of his life when Nikita was not by his side. Getting out of such negativities, Satyam tried to smile and replied, "It's okay, Nikki. Hope to see you tomorrow."

Having texted this to her, he went deep into sleep. Because this year, he didn't have to wait for his someone special's midnight call to wish him a great birthday.

The next day, Satyam was at their all time favorite spot The Café. Satyam was in a red chequered shirt and matte black pair of chinos with his black aviators put on. He looked as stunning as ever. He knew how much Nikita loved to see him in red. Satyam's eyes were stuck at the antique wooden clock hung on the wall of the café.

Two hours later...

Satyam's eyes were still stuck on the wallclock.He had finished two never-ending mugs of espresso americana. Suddenly, a buzz on his phone. It was Nikita's message saying, "Sorry, dear. Can't make it today. Maybe tomorrow."

Satyam read the text and went back home in disappointment. He had left his football match for this meeting and she didn't turn up for she was busy, once again.

Sometime later that day...

"Hey. I'm really sorry. I was stuck with a pile of works. I know you must have waited for hours and still I didn't turn up to meet you.", Satyam received her text.

"It's okay, heart.", he replied.

"How was your day?"

"Not well without you", he typed, then deleted it, and typed again, "All well. I think you must learn to manage your time, as soon as possible."

Satyam sent her the text, kept his phone beside his pillow and went back to his thoughts.

Relationships have always been tough to deal with, be it friendship, love or any other thing.

And there is this strange thing called 'time' which governs every existing matter. We need to manage our time or else we might lose our relations.

Special thanks to AvikVerma who always motivate me to write more and more.