Best friend

        It was a sunny day. Reshmi glanced at her watch and tried to rush up to her surfing of the internet. It is such a boring life. The same monotony of going to school, doing homework, playing, having meals, studying and sleeping. ‘I am sick of this life. Dad is busy with his business. Mom is busy with her patients. I am feeling so lonely. I should also have some break’- She thought.

        Reshmi is the only daughter of her parents. She is from a rich family. Though she is born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she yearned for love and care in her life. She had domestic servants to look after her. Her parents showered her with gifts and fashionable dresses. Other students used to envy her. She never had any unfulfilled desire in life. She gets a good amount of pocket money every month. Her parents always tried to keep her happy and contented. But she missed their presence. She gets disappointed to find that her parents were never there to share her beautiful moments in school life. Though they promise to come, they could never make it to the Annual Day Celebrations or the Parent-Teacher meets. “Sorry, darling! I was doing an operation”-Mummy may explain. “I am sorry, honey! Do you know? I was the organizer of an International conference”-Dad’s explanation. Gradually she adjusted herself to her dull and colorless life. How she wished that she were born in a middle-class family like some of her classmates. Their parents are always available for them to share their joys and sorrows. They may not be able to afford luxuries but they are happy in their small world.

She wiped tears from her eyes. The 10year old girl badly needed a best friend. Someone who can share her feelings, chat with her and be a part of her life. She thought of starting a friendship through the internet.

“Hi! I am Reshmi! I would like to make friends. Anybody interested may kindly contact me”-She flashed a message adding about her hobbies along with her address and telephone number in Delhi. After a few days, she was overwhelmed with joy when she got a response to her message. It was Harish, a 11year old boy from Hyderabad. Their friendship continued, through emails. They exchanged photographs also. She found Harish to be a warm and friendly person with compassion and love for other human beings. Harish was glad to know that Reshmi is a nice, loving girl full of fun and innocence.

Time passed by. They did not realize when their friendship developed into a deeper attachment. “Why can’t we meet each other?”- They wondered. Ultimately they arranged a meeting at Hyderabad. Now Reshmi is 18 years and Harish 19 years old. They were eager to meet each other.

“Your attention, please! This Indian Airlines flight is going to land now in Hyderabad. Please, fasten your seatbelts. Thank you. Have a nice day”- The air hostess announced. ‘I am here, Harish!’- Reshmi wanted to scream with joy.

She reached Hyderabad. Collecting her things, she walked along the corridors of the Airport and reached the lobby. Reshmi was full of excitement when she searched for her friend.

         “Hello Reshmi”- She turned to see who is calling her. “Hi! I’m Harish”-She could not hide her pleasant surprise when she met the handsome boy. But her smile turned into tears when she noticed his paralyzed legs. The boy was in a wheelchair!

         Harish remembered the car accident which took away his father and made him paralyzed. How could he forget the incident which is like a nightmare of his life? Tears fell down his cheeks. Nobody would like to see me. ‘Why this happened to me only? God, why this curse is given to me? ‘– Harish could not control his tears.

“I am sorry Reshmi, I am handicapped. I don’t know why I did not tell you this before. Probably it is due to my selfishness. I did not want to lose my best friend, that is you! Please forgive me. I promise not to meet you again if you don’t like me” – Harish told her in a sad and shy voice.

Reshmi did not say a single word. She held his hands in her own hands. The soft but firm grip confirmed her feelings towards him, which is beyond all handicaps and disabilities…