#Fun Fact- The United States and Canada share the longest border in the world. In total, it spans over 1,538 miles!

"I'm just not sure of it."

"I don't understand you sometimes Om. You are not even declining nor accepting. It's too frustrating. I can't stop myself."

"I'm sorry. I don't think I'm strong enough to love again. I'm not restored. I'm still not over the past. Riddima and I were in a relationship for years and suddenly this was all mishaps. I can't consume. Try to forget about me just like a nightmare."

"I would have waited until eternal, till the life ends only if you are with me. I'm exhausted of waiting for the answers."

"I apologise for playing with your feelings without knowledge. Forgetting me and our friendship is the best way."

"Thank you for letting me know what you think. I believe it's best to move on, I will accept the marriage proposal from a family friend."

••

"How are you? It's been a long time since we talked."

"It's been only two days since we chatted, Ishana."

"No as friends it's definitely a long time. But as a stranger expressing her feelings, it's just shorter."

"You are using different phrases. Are you okay? I'm mean are you upset with my answers? You can talk to me, I'm still the same Om, your best friend. Remember?"

"I do. I wanted to inform you of something. I'm not sure how will you react to it. Can I?"

"Hmm. When did you start this formal? I thought we were friends. I think in the span of two days we grew apart. Yeah, speak."

"4th of next month, I'm getting married."

"WHAT? Are you serious?"

"Yes. Later on, after the wedding, I will be moving with my to-be-husband to Bhopal. That's where he works."

"Are taking this verdict under any circumstances, like after our talks. If yes, please don't do that. You are spoiling your future with your own hands."

"I'm not. This was bound to happen. Now or later. However, with this don't blame yourself. I just wanna tell you that, I am and will try to move on, perhaps you would always be my first love and I won't disregard or regret loving you."

"Ishana, I'm sorry I have-"

"Don't be sorry. You did no wrong, it's just me who developed feelings towards you fully aware that you were my closest friend and family."

"Did your parents force you? Into this? Don't hesitate to inform me."

"No, they didn't. It was fully my answer."

"Anyway congratulations on the upcoming wedding. I can't wait to participate in all rituals."

"Another thing that I need to let out to you is that, don't attend any of my wedding rituals or festivities. I don't want you on my wedding day, the day I'm tying the knot with someone else and that's not you. That's heart-wrenching. I'm sorry, this is the last time I'm communicating with you. The next morning I'm changing my phone number and others. Good luck with your friends, family career and everything. Remember that I will always wish for your well being. Goodbye."

••

Tears pricked down his cheeks thinking about his best friend Ishana, whom he considered his other soul, his family and everything. He had preferred her over any other person even when he was in relation with Riddima. But never he had any romanticized feelings towards her. It was her who grew up loving him in the worst situation, to say, the possible. On this day he failed his best friend of eighteen years.

He came to his senses when his younger brother Rudra nudged him asking him to look in the pointed direction. He immediately rubbed his dampened skin with the help of his shoulders and glanced over in the direction.

There stood Shivaay with his cheeky smile and reddened cheeks. Rudra hooted and gained the older brother's attention, who in return walked toward them waving his hands.

"Hey, guys! What are you doing at this hour?" Shivaay asked as he dipped his legs in the home pool that attached to all three brothers' rooms.

"Nothing much. Rudra wanted O'bro moment so we are here." Om shrugged his shoulders normally not wanting him to gain any attention for his indifferent behaviour.

"You both forgot me! Your older brother." Shivaay pouted side looking at them, both brothers.

"No, Bhaiya. You were having a tough time together with Sista, so it was not appealing to ask you to join us. I understand that partners need privacy." Rudra announced with much-grown maturity which amazed the other brothers.

"When did my baby Rudy grow up? He was filled with celibacy and cuteness but now Rudy is a man. A grown-up man." Shivaay hugged his younger cousin with a tinge of grief because he wasn't able to spend some quality time with his brothers to the extent that Rudra had grown to be a wise man.

"Yes Shivaay, our Rudy is all grown up." Om nuzzled his head into Rudra's neck while tickling him with his finger. With a weird sense and having low resistance to touches Rudra busted out laughing.

"You know Rudra gave me some advice? That too is about desires and love." Om spoke not realising the words.

"Really? You are in love Om? You didn't uphold the promise of sharing each other's problems." Shivaay mentioned with his fingers pointed at his face.

"Even you didn't. You lied to me." He smiled. It wasn't faked nor a real one but something between them that he was trying to layer up.

"I was scared. Scared of reactions. Also about Annika absorbing our family, which is no less than a zoo." Shivaay hung his head low.

"You won't judge me, right?" Shivaay nodded his head positive and looked at Rudra, who had foreign emotions that he couldn't get it.

"Ishu is getting married next month. Next month which isn't away." Rudra widened his eyes hearing Om. He was sure that both would give each other a chance, a chance to love again however he never guessed this coming.

Not too soon.

"That's so good to hear. Isn't it early. I know even I'm married and not so elder to her. Only a year and a half difference. But why? So suddenly?" Shivaay gleamed hearing about Ishana. She was a sister whom he never had.

"She had feelings for me but I could not reciprocate them. Riddima and I ended up on a bad note and then Ishana came up to me expressing her emotions toward me. I couldn't. It's because of me she is taking this step. She even asked me not to attend her wedding nor try to meet her later on." With this, all the compressed emotions and sentimental values filled within him were out. The tears which were minutes back dry came back fresh.

"Are you not over the past?" Shivaay asked patting his shoulders in understanding.

"I'm over it. It was hard but I'm sure. But recently I'm interested in a woman, whom I meet once in a shop- I mean streets when I was painting the walls."

"Then go talk to her. I'm sure she won't oppose a lovingly, understanding person like you Om. You just need to initiate the process."

"She is married."

"Huh?"

"You heard right. She is married and very happy with her family and husband. I know it's wrong to have growing feelings for her but I can't help it. Her innocent talks, and her sharp voice to talk against geriatrics impressed me. I love her" Rudra furrowed his brows in this thinking but never got a conclusion as Shivaay jumped in the midfield.

"Who is she? You seem familiar with one meeting itself." He raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner.

"She is my friend's wife. Though my friend isn't my age we have been close enough. I feel like I have betrayed him by falling for his wife. I don't know what to do next. I feel like stupid." Om pulled his lower lips between his teeth and buried his head in his hand which was resting on his knees.

Shivaay sat inflexibly trying to understand him. Truth to be said he didn't know what to do or how to console him. He was too bad at it. Whereas Rudra still had his brow kitted attempting to untangle.

"Om it's not love. It's an enchantment to the outer appearance. I understand that love happens in unexpected places and times but with your words, I would say that it's just casual infatuation."

"Then what is love? Was I in love with Riddima or Ishana?"

"I am still comprehending what the term 'love' is. I even don't know if it's real or not, but still, I believe it. For me, Love is a strong feeling arising towards another person in form of affection and concern. You start idolising the person. You help the person to be the same with flaws and marks. You will never want to change that ever, you will still love him or her with many layers and flaws." Om nodded his head in appreciation and asked him to continue.

"Love is not only for lovers and romantic getaways but for our people. Like I love dadi for who she is. Love is a long journey filled with affection, devotion, worship, respect passion and others. And I'm sure one day you will find the person. The person who will love you to the moon and back."

Rudra grinned at his elder cousin who had learnt to talk. Previously he wasn't even open with his family but with his Sista in tow, his bhaiya had learned it. He had changed for good.

"Was I cliche?" Shivaay asked with his eyes shut and grinding with a wide mouth.

"Nope," Om shook his head. "But the person who loved me left. She left with dissatisfaction."

"Anyway, why are you here at this point? Did you leave Annika alone?" Om interrogated.

"Hm- I -" Shivaay shuttered. "She kicked me out since we disagreed on some plans, ahead for the future."

"Plans. Oh hoo. Babies?" Rudra hooted with his teasing look and splashed a few water droplets from the pool.

Listening to him Shivaay growled but maintained a composed look struggling to stop his flustered and tinted pink face.

"Not babies. Not for upcoming years. It was about our career plans. We plan to shift to another country very soon." Om smiled at his brother who was aiming for forthcoming.

"Don't you love Sista? I'm sure you do. With all your mushy things." Rudra excitedly clapped his palms imagining their babies running around and calling him Chachu.

"I'm not sure. Yet. She is very aspiring, cuteness overloaded but at the same time cunning as a fox, hard to handle. She is a toddler in the grown-up body." Shivaay chuckled with his eyes twinkling in affection.

"I'm sorry Shivaay." As Om mumbled lower than average Shivaay whipped his head over to glance at him.

"Why are you so?"

"Nothing like that. Be happy with Annika. Don't shout at her as you did today-" Om halted as Rudra jumped on Shivaay and yelled.

"Or he would be outside of the room. Like today." Shivaay himself couldn't control his giggles and in the next seconds, his lips parted ways synchronised with his tittering sounds.

"Shivi?" Hearing the most charming and half-asleep voice of his wife, with whom he had fought hours back, he swirled his head with utmost importance and surprise.

"Annika? Are you okay?" Shivaay hurriedly got up wiping out his legs on the rug before him and reached to her.

Surprisingly, she wasn't in her saree but one of her husband's nightshirts and pants which were oversized over her body.

"I wanna cuddle. I'm sleepy, come let's go." Annika gripped Shivaay's arms and tried dragging him.

"Weren't you the one who kicked off me out, that too in chilled weather?" He asked with his amusement.

"I know. Ajji had once told me that a man and wife can fight but at night they resolve them and sleep together." Annika grinned looking at her not so innocent husband who seemed too clueless right now.

"So sista you gonna resolve the issue?" Rudra jogged to them with excitement lacing.

"Nope. Tomorrow we can continue our fight. Now come, next time I will manage you on the couch." Giggling at her sentence. she tip-toed on her height and pecked her husband's lips, who in return pulled in him and initiated smooching her lips.

"Please not again. I thought they won't even talk face to face after the huge hurricanes both created down. But see them." Rudra muttered angrily and stomped his foot.

Rudra gulped down the chunk that formed in his throat and faced his back toward them. He didn't want to watch some intimate scene at this age. His age was to be considered.

Whereas Om smiled sadly and awkwardly glanced at the surrounding areas but them.

"I'm leaving for Kolkata this Saturday. Street art exhibition, and then I will take off to Delhi to learn Mural arts. I will stay over there for a few days." Not waiting for them to respond Om tugged his hands in his black cargo pants.

He still maintained his body instead of weeping.

•••••

I feel too sad for Om. He misplaced everything, from Ishana to his brothers, whom he is leaving behind.
He is going in search of life. A real life.

I'm waiting for honest reactions. Please don't disappoint.