Life's like that!

When Vita was born, her parents wanted a boy. Not that they disliked her but it would have been better if she were a boy because she already had an elder sister. It just so happened that she was born a girl.

Vita was a peculiar child. She kept to herself mostly. She was a cheerful child in her own way, but shy. It was of course true, just as it usually is for the youngest in a family, that she was the pet of the family. Vita grew up in security. But that was until she was 18 years old when she had to be counselled for depression. No one really knows why she was depressed. Her parents only cared that she become normal. That, what was going in Vita's head was to remain a secret; one she would carry to her grave.

She did come out of her depression eventually. But the entire period had a profound impact on her personality. Those who knew her said that she had turned over a new leaf. And indeed she had. She was more determined.

But Vita's life is not the story. Hardly. It would be unfair if the author made it seem that way by discussing Vita's past. Let the reader know that this is just something to keep in mind.

In the heart of the city is a small coffee shop. It is in an area surrounded by schools and colleges. And it was well known for its tea more than its coffee. But that's another story.

Sitting by the window, one spies a tall boy with long hair falling in locks over his shoulders. He seemed conscious for having to sit alone. Once in a while, he looked out of the window to the pavement below. It was a busy pavement. Childen chattering, students frolicking. girls sailing past, boys ogling. Everything was there. Once through his first cup and into his second, he fished out an envelope and considered it for a while. Then lay it nervously on the table. It was a red envelope with black ink lettering on it. It said, 'TO RAGS WITH LOVE'. Rags was what his friends called him. The envelope was not opened. It contained something like a card or a letter. He was not sure what he would find in it. He almost dreaded it. He sipped his tea quietly, passing glances at the envelope. After sometime, as if by impulse, he rose, picked up the envelope and walked out of the coffee shop.

In another part of town, a phone rang.

"Hello. I thought you'd never call. Did you receive my envelope?"

"Yes I did."

"And?"

"You know Vita, I have not opened it yet. I don't know man. I cannot open it. Sorry!"

Rags hung up.

Vita sat transfixed for a while. Then started fuming with rage. Grabbing her coat and keys, she darted out of her house, slamming the door behind. Driving for a few minutes, she came upto a boy's hostel. At the gate, she gave a message for Rags. Even the sentry knew him as Rags. He also knew Vita very well but pretended she had come to meet a new boy evey time whereas Rags was the only one she called on.

Rags came down. He was in shorts and flip-flops. His hair was tied in a pony tail and he wore a rather 'slept in' t-shirt. For sometime, they walked in silence outside the gate till they came upto a bench by the side of the road. It was empty. They sat there.

Vita considered her case in her mind. If Rags refused to take her gift, he was a 'scum-bag' and did not deserve her friendship. Rags pulled out the envelope. Then he tore it open and puled out a hand made band and a letter. He opened the letter and read it out loud.

"Dear Rags:

You will find this letter strange. We meet everyday and share so much together that ours is a friendship bordering on love. I want to keep it that way. The friendship band will remind you of me and that I think of you as my best friend. You need not wear it but you can always use it in your key chain.

When I heard you were getting married, I felt very possessive. I did not know what I felt. But you must know that I wish you all the best and am extremely happy for you.

BTW, you did not introduce me to her yet. I want to meet her.

Love
Vita"

He looked at her and gave a wide smile. 'I am so relieved Vits. I thought you were mad at me. I meant to tell you earlier."

"That's all right man. I was upset that your marriage got fixed and you did not even give me a hint. It hurt very much."

"What's that crap about bordering on love."

"I want you to know what you have missed. We could get married you know."

They kept quiet for a while. The Rags broke the silence.

"You bloody bugger...you wanted me to feel rotten didn't you? No wonder you gave me that love lorn look when I broke the news and yesterday you sent me this. I thought it was a love letter or soemthing! I was petrified that you were secretly in love with me. I would not be able to handle it."

"Are you?"

"What?"

"In love. Are you in love with me?"

"It is bordering on love."

They shook hands. Rags returned to his room and pulled out his wallet. It had the photograph of a beautiful girl. He pulled that out to expose another below it. Vita looked skinnier in that photograph. But he liked it because it was taken when they had gone out for the first time. He pulled it out, gave it a kiss and threw it into the bin. Then sat down as if completely spent, staring at the wall.

Vita called her parents that evening. Among other things, they wanted to know if she liked any of the photographs they had sent her. She had. She was sending it the next day by courier. She also tried to cry but could not. It stayed as a lump in her throat.

Next day, Vita emerged a new girl. She had faltered for a while in the two years she had known Rags. Now it was all over. She decided to be her Papa's boy and her mother's girl. She decided also to be her therapist's success.