#5 The flashback

 #1 . . . . 4 dots really

#2 Krish's wait! 

#3 Of trials and happenings 

#4 Now and then
 

There was a happy aura around, one could sense it.

Krish's parents smiled as they looked upon their child who didn't seem as happy in the last few days.

Rishi had arrived, and with him did the memories. Also, the smiles and secrets which were waiting to be shared. Rishi was dying to tell Krish about the girl he met in the train, about the cricket match tickets he sold out in black and much more. Soon, they were on the terrace. Evening was slowly giving into night and it seemed like raining in a while.

Rishi's phone beeped, probably 6th time in half an hour.

"Having a busy life?", giggled Krish.

Kinda! Smartphones make it busy, isn't it?

Yeah, I'm sure they do. So many chat messengers, so many friends to talk to!

I still have only three friends Krish. No kidding!

The night was going to be long, and why not, they had a world between them to catch up.

--Arjun

Krish

I won't be able to make it to the engagement man. It is sad to sit here and make this choice as I type. I received Isha's mail too. Didn't have the heart to say no to her invitation for the engagement. Tell her she is a lovely girl. Also tell her that the man she is marrying would hold her hand and walk miles with her.

Love to uncle and aunty.

Hope to see you, Rishi and Jeet before you get hitched for a bachelor's.

Love

Arjun

That send button seemed like an Everest to climb, but he hit it. He was a no nonsense man!

--Jeet

Jeet had other dilemmas. The last time he had a tough choice prioritizing, he ended up screwing it for himself. 

It was 3 years back.

Jeet had just come back from Germany. He went there on an exchange program in the final year of college. He had the world in front of him waiting to be conquered. High on life, Jeet was unstoppable. His teachers were heaping praises of him. However, as life always has it, great things require immense mettle and difficult choice making, in the making!

Jeet's family friends were about to launch a start-up and while Jeet was away, his parents confirmed that he would lend his expertise to help them out. And that as I say was the decision Jeet had to make. He wanted to travel abroad. Followed a round of negotiations with Jeet, persuasions, arguments and impositions.

One fine day, Jeet was gone. Nobody knew where. Not Arjun. Not Rishi. Not Krish.

Two months later, Jeet was in California. What happened in those two months, was he coming back, there were questions only Jeet could answer.

Back home, those answers are still sought!

Coming back to India brought back some not-so-good memories. Jeet was a reticent guy. One who won't argue much but won't give in too. One who would run away but would chase his dreams too.

 And as he thought about his past, he lend a thought to Arjun, Krish and Rishi, and his parents too who had only one child. And whom he hasn't met in 3 years. 

With that he let his flight go. Another day was dawning. Another night spent trying. Another tear shed just like that. Life was happening every moment!

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Sure times were changing and they were trying to fathom it. However, what still remains incomprehensible is the race that everyone eventually picks up. One day we'd realize it's like running on a treadmill. Initially it appears fascinating, we are all charged up but after some time we realize that more the effort we try to put in, the more difficult it becomes to keep pace and it never ends, never!

to be continued......