It was time when Prema and Ananth were returning home. Sana knew the train schedule. She checked online if the train was on time and it was. Exactly after 15 minutes from train arrival, Sana went near the front gate and started watering the plants in her garden.

Ramnath: Sani, what are you doing? Who waters the plant at noon? Your mom had anyways watered it in the morning itself.

Sana: Baba, I read it online that during summer plants also feel thirsty like us, so watering it in noon makes it grow well!

Ramnath: But it's the month of August, and it's monsoon season Sani.

Sana: Huhh? Oh yeah, I forgot. I'll pick the flowers instead to make garland for Bappa.

Ramnath: (laughs) As you wish. It's still festive season and there is lots of demand for sweets. Can't leave the accounts with employees. Chal me nightho, Dukhanala.{Okay, I need to go to our Sweet mart}

While Ramnath went on talking, Sana's eyes were glued to the road, to check for Sidharth's mom and dad's arrival.

Sana: okay, Baba.

Ramnath started his motorbike and leaves. On the other hand Ananth and Prema's cab pulls over to the side. Sana's face brightens as she looks at them. While Ananth paid the cab driver, Prema looks at Sana. They pass a huge smile at eachother.

Sana: Aayi, how are you?

Prema: I am fine Pori {Girl}. How are you?

Sana: I am fine too. How is Sidharth?

Prema: He is fine. Come over! (She gestures her to come)

Sana leaves the pipe in her hand and turns off the tap before going to Sidharth's house. Sana picks up Prema's suitcase and pulls inside to help her even though Ananth tells her that he will manage.

Once they go in, Sana goes inside the kitchen and gets the water from filter for them to drink. They had been very close friends and that's how they shared a family like bond and comfort. Prema and Sana sat on the sofa.

Sana: Aayi, how is Sidharth?

Prema smiles as Sana was asking the same question again. She pulls out her phone and shows her the pictures they clicked while they were there. Sana's happiness was seen in her eyes as she saw the pictures. In all the photos, her eyes only followed him. She took her permission and emailed the pictures to herself. She reopened them and carefully looked at them.

Sana: Aayi, he has become thin.

Prema: No, I don't think so.

Sana: Yes, aayi. Look, there are dark circles under his eyes. Is he studying so much that he doesn't sleep well?

Prema: Yes, he is studying very well.

Sana: Does he get good food in hostel? Who takes care of his laundry?

Prema: He told me that he misses the food I prepared for him. He has to do everything on his own, laundry being one of the task.

Sana: Oh dear! Aayi, did he send me any message?

Prema sealed her lips and nodded no in disappointment. Sana felt hurt as her face hung down.

Sana: (pushed a fake smile) I am also a fool, he washes his clothes, studies, participates in various competitions, etc. How can he write a message for me? He doesn't even sleep properly so no worries aayi. May be when he is free he will surely contact me.(her voice was almost choking) Aayi, I need to go, I remembered something urgent.

She bit her lower lips to hold herself from crying and raced back to the terrace of her house. It was her usual place to cry post Sidharth went to hostel.

Are you really so busy that you couldn't write 2 lines for me, Siddu? I can't understand what have I done that you are behaving like this with me.

Sana, he must have found another best friend, remember he said he will replace you with a sexy friend in college?

That was just a joke, this can't be a reason.

Then? What do you think the reason is?

I'm clueless!!

She cried for a long time until she heard a footstep sound. She quickly wiped her tears and sat straight. It was Vani.

Vani: Sana, what are you doing here? Come let's go inside the house, it's going to rain. Help me with these clothes. (She said as she took off the clothes from drying line)

Sana: Hmm mumma!
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It had been another lifeless day when Sana came home from her college. She threw her bag on the table and lied on the bed with her legs hanging down.

Vani came with tea and snack for her.

Vani: Sana, how was your day?

Sana: As usual. It was Okay! My teacher as very impressed with my letter writing skills in secretarial practice subject. She suggested that I should enroll for company secretary course.

Vani: Sounds great idea! Talk to your father if you want to pursue this in future.

Sana: Hmm. Okay!

Vani: By the way, good you reminded me, I have been forgetting to tell you everyday since last 3 days that there is letter for you.

Sana: For me? From whom? What is it regarding?

Vani: It's from your best friend, Sidharth. And I don't have the habit of reading someone else's letter.

Sana: (screams in surprise) What? Siddu's letter? You got it 3 days back and you forgot to tell me? How can you do this to me? Where is it?

She kept the tea on the table and stood up to hunt for the letter.

Vani: It's on the fridge. You have your tea and I'll get it.

Even before she could complete her statement, Sana was already gone out of her room.

Sana: Please mumma, you have that tea. I don't want to have it.

She ran to the kitchen and picked up the letters lying on the fridge. She scanned through quickly to find his letter. There was a wide smile on her face. She ran to the terrace with the letter and opened it quickly.

Hello Sana,

I am doing well. Hope you are doing great as well. Thanks for your letter and Sorry for the delay in writing this letter. I have been busy with my college.

Hope you are doing well in your studies. Do well and make your parents proud. I am just concentrating on my studies hence I may not be replying to your letters. Shape your future well and worry less about your past. My best wishes to you. Make new friends and be happy.

Regards,
Sidharth

This wasn't her Siddu, who never left a chance to pull her leg. She read the letter 4 to 5 times to connect with those words. None of them give her the feel of a friend she had in her life.

Sorry, Thank you, Best Wishes, make new friends... What's wrong with you Siddu? These words are hurting more than not getting a reply from you. You've closed all the doors of hoping to be back to normal with the line 'I may not be replying to your letter.' You've changed!! May be you found it better to change. I won't try to pull you back now.

Sidharth put back all the gifts and letters inside the box and kept it back in his suitcase. He couldn't discard them but didn't wanted to get distracted as well.

They made new friends but just a cordial ones and not the 'bestest' or a best one. They both fared well in their 12th exams. While Sana took up Company Secretary Course, Sidharth got admission in IIT. They missed each other but they held back their emotions well with the time.

Sidharth created a new social media account where he connected with his new friends, though he posted very little. They followed each other but didn't speak much. All they did was stalking each other and their friends post of them sometimes and ofcouse formal wishes on birthdays.
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Shivam came on a vacation after 3 years for a month. The gap and the pain of losing a friendship with Sidharth had made her attraction towards him a little lesser. She behaved much normal. Shivam spent most of his time with Amol as they were best friends and were in touch with letters or limited phone calls whenever time permitted.

Shivam went to meet Sidharth and they stayed together for a day at a hotel and went to see places.

Shivam: Sid, aayi was telling me that you've not visited home even once after coming to Mumbai. Why?

Sidharth: Dada, first of all I keep so busy and then I get bored there. I've all my friends here, what will I do there? And anyways, Aayi and Baba comes to visit me once in 3 to 6 months.

Shivam: Friends? What about Sana? Isn't she your friend?

Sidharth heart ached to hear her name. How could he tell him that he left the house because he found out she liked his own brother. It was difficult for him to look at her and forget all the feelings he had for her.

Sidharth: We are not in touch now. How long can I only be friends with her? I have to chose my career over that small town friendship.

Shivam: You've changed so much, Sid. I observed her, she has also changed a lot. You should see her, she looks more beautiful.

Sidharth: (Found it difficult to hear him praise her) Change is the only constant thing, Dada. Forget all that and tell me how is Army life?

Shivam: Life is more disciplined. Felt those initial days so grueling and strict. Now I feel good about it. Your whole attitude towards life changes. I feel so proud of myself.

Sidharth: I am proud of you too my brother!
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Shivam returned back home after a day. It was Sana's birthday and Sidharth wished her on her page with just "Many Happy Returns of the Day. Have a blessed year ahead" to which she replied "Thanks"

They had a small cake cutting ceremony at home with just her family. Amol invited Shivam as well. She cut the cake, while everyone sang happy birthday.

As Sana walked towards her room, Shivam held her wrist and pulled her close. Sana was taken aback at the gesture. She immediately looked around but there was no one.

Shivam: Happy Birthday Sana (Whispered near her ears)

Sana: (choked and spoke in a lowest voice) Thank you

Shivam: (smiled) Aren't you happy on my arrival?

Sana: (Didn't make eye contact) I am! (She nodded) Please leave my hand, someone might see us like this and take out a different meaning.

Shivam: What meaning? You think, I wasn't aware how you stared at me everytime before I left? I did it too hidingly.

Sana looked up at him in shock. He left her hand.

Shivam: I liked the way you stared at me. I felt special. We never spoke and I was much focused into achieving my goal, that's getting into and serving the Army. I think now I am ready to talk with you, understand you and know you better. I like you!

Sana was speechless and she kept staring at him cluelessly as if he was speaking greek. He passed on an envelope and went home.

She went into her room and kept the envelop on the bed. She sat beside it and kept staring at it indecisive whether to open it or not. After a long time, she gathered enough courage to open it. She opened it with shaking hands and read the letter.

Dear Sana,

I like you and feel attracted to you, but I know it's not love yet. I know you like me too. If you want we can actually get to know each other well. I give you the choice.

My 30 days period is getting over tomorrow and I am going back to the army base. If you wish to give our liking a try, you can write to me on the below mentioned email address or call me on the number.

Yours,
Shivam

She folded the letter and kept it back in the envelope.

Hey Sana, what are you thinking? Wasn't this the one thing you wanted since so many years? Why aren't you happy?

I know, I liked him but I was just wondering that I hardly thought about him for the past 3 years. My concentration was more on why Siddu broke our friendship and coping up with it rather than thinking or dreaming about Shivam. I just don't know if I should really give this a try.

Sana, why are you overthinking? Just go with the flow rather than locking up yourself or holding yourself back from beautiful life which waits!

The next day when Shivam was leaving, Sana smiled and said bye to him.

Sana and Shivam started having regular communication by mail or over the phone. But she also stalked Sidharth's social media account regularly.

Another 3 years passed, where Sana cleared her Company Secretary course while Sidharth had also passed his Engineering and landed a job through campus placement.

Prema and Ananth ordered Sidharth to come and stay with them for the two months until he joined his job. Sidharth agreed to their conditions. Shivam was also coming home after 3 years for 2 months.

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What happens when all 3 are back at their same place?

6 years leap in this chapter.. was needed as I couldn't continue with them for 16 year old story..

To be continued..