He had chanced to cross her path once again; just like he had years ago, in that school corridor. They had been the best of friends through out their schooling and then even kept in touch after they'd pursued their different interests. He had become a celebrity and somehow his busy schedule widened the gap between them. Unintentionally, he had stopped replying to her messages.The memory of her was but another one in the cluttered past. Until today, when he saw her again. Now, he stood there in the pouring rain. No amount of persuasion would make him move from her side. He held her tight in his arms; not wanting to let her go. In a moment all this would be over, he told himself. The ambulance would come, take her to the hospital, and the doctors would treat her wounds and she would get better. But somewhere in his mind, a nagging thought held him. What if she doesn't pull through? What if the ambulance doesn't make it in time? In all his life, this was the first time he had to take control of a tense situation. It had happened very suddenly. They had been walking back home after a wonderful dinner. She had asked him to go down this street because it was quieter and the moonlight shone beautifully down the stony path. Then all of a sudden it had begun to rain and the street had become dark. He wanted to take the shelter of a nearby store. She didnt want to. She preferred to walk in the rain. She said it reminded her of the old times: when they walked back from school in the rain, singing and dancing merrily. Just as they were about turn around the corner to the lane that reached up to her apartment, they heard gunshots being fired. On an impulse they both turned around to see what was happening. Two masked men were getting into their black sedan, which was speeding towards them. He tried to pull her aside to safety but she seemed to be in a trance and was rooted to the ground. Her face didn't show fear. She had a very calm and thoughtful expression. The blaring horn and his pleading voice to move from the way seemed to her as from a different sphere. In that last second before she was hit she had turned to look at him; her eyes sparkled and she had the smile of an angel. Now, even as she lay in his arms, unconscious and bleeding, she seemed to be at perfect peace. A little red book had fallen out of her purse from the impact of the crash. It was opened to the page that read:
I loved you when you were with her, but knew better than to breathe a word. I loved you when you left her for all the rumors you'd heard. I loved you when you went running back, and never second-guessed your decision. I loved you when she left you, tears clouding your vision. I loved you with your broken heart and scars I couldn't mend. I still loved you, but I never wished to hate you more than when you said "I'm glad we're friends."
