AneStory

Next morning Hera was expecting that girl to show up on path to her college again, and Monc to point her out, Monsoon was also waiting to know who she was, and all others were studying, except for Vee, who was missing from the group.

Monc was specially nervous, he wanted to be her friend first, and being from conservative part of India and era, when even speaking to a girl was taboo, this city was a fresh start, but still had his nervous moments in front of new girls, and she was new!

Duds had little patience! She was not making any progress in her studies today, as was missing Vee, and now wanted to have her breakfast as soon as possible. However, none wanted to go right now, some were studying, and Hera, Monsoon and Monc were waiting for that girl.

Duds was about to through a tantrum, when Vee came from the back gate and with her was she, the girl everyone was waiting for! It turned out that she was Vee's roommate and Vee had seen Monc stare at her. Vee introduced her as Sam, and Monc was left speechless! This was big step for Vee, Monc had never expected Vee, who has a crush on him, would ever take such a step.

After Meeting Sam, Monsoon left for her room, for she was having her exam next day. Hera, Monc, Vee, Duds and Sam started off walking to the breakfast, and slowly but certainly, Hera, Vee and Duds somehow were left alone. Duds and Hera knew, Vee would cry that night, and she did. Hera knew, he would see less of Monc now, he resolved to study at night with him.

Hera asked Duds to take care of Vee, and out of nowhere she said:

Duds: "Do not show that you are concerned! You are no different than your friend!"

Hera: "What?"

Duds: "So! You think, your feelings for Monsoon are strong, no infatuation, nothing that would go away in few days' time, nothing to do with physical attraction?"

Hera: "Duds, you know I really like her!"

Duds: "So how come you are not walking off like Monc, with her?"

Hera: "Because I know you love me, and I like you all, i do not want to lose any more friends, and she has to become our friend, before she becomes my girlfriend!"

Duds: "How do you know?"

Hera: "I stayed back that night, night after Mahabaleshwar! you know, the way we two had stayed back for Vee?"

Duds: "And I guess Monc knows? Still he declined to be boyfriend of Vee, only act as one for remaining years of this college life! And now he is romancing Sam, in front of Vee, right before her eyes! And you act sensitive!"

Hera: "He would not have done that! Vee knows Monc likes Sam, like you know, I like Monsoon! Someday, when we all reflect on this day, it would not matter at all!"

Duds: "Someday! Hera Someday! Now it hurts."

Hera: "Did it not hurt, knowing I dint feel same about you, when Monsoon was not there!"

Duds: "It hurt, but I still had some hope, not now, and certainly not for Vee!"

At end of that day, Hera learned one single lesson about life: "Life is complicated, whether you love someone or not."