The Changed Mindset

"Oh no, not again Noel. This is not done. This guy doesn't deserve this. You are more than enough. How can you be so rude to this humble rather honest young man who is head over heels in love with you.....height of cruelty.....", rued Shirley, Noel's friend.

Noel, the most adorable girl of final year science of St.Xavier's College, Kolkata was the center of attraction for everyone. She was not only graceful but an epitome of modesty. She was popular among the faculties as well. Her focus was on her studies, she set her target. She was much more mature than her age.No doubt she was friendly but she was very much aware of the limit of friendship and was aware of the apprehension, the risk, the infatuation, and their repercussions. Moreover, she was a balanced one.

Science subjects need more effort, more attention and if a student has an academic bent of mind then his/her priority would definitely be studies, good results and the urge to be the topper. Noel was no exception. Even at her vulnerable age where age creates a lot of hurdles, distracts students from the mainstream i.e.studies, derails a teenager from the right track .....it became numb while touching Noel. Age was shocked in the face of Noel's unbelievable determination. It felt bad to deviate her from her mission.

Now in the final year of graduation Noel was more focused...ready to hit the target.

What a girl! Shaan's attention was drawn to her. He tried to come closer to her and win her confidence. Shaan was mesmerized. Noel cast a magic spell on him for sure. A sort of impatience and restlessness reigned his mind. Though he left no stones unturned to fulfill his desire, an apprehension stopped him every time. He decided not to let his mind go unbridled. He let his conscience overpower his fickle mind.    One day when he felt that he was definitely going nuts he decided to confront Noel.

"Hi!"

"Yes......"

"Can I talk to you for some seconds if not minutes?" asked Shaan.

"Why not....but some seconds only. Not more than that as I have my Physics class."

"Can I have the opportunity to be your friend?" questioned Shaan.

"No problem. Done..but be careful not to cross the limit. The decency of friendship should be maintained...otherwise....."

Shaan was happy to talk to Noel. At least he had tried to bell the cat. It gave him great happiness.

Time flew by,

Shaan tried different means to express his inner feelings to his dream princess, Noel but to no avail. It was the month of August. Friendship Day pandemic was everywhere. Shops were flooded with friendship bands, heart-shaped balloons or pillows etc. The exchange of gifts was going on.

One fine August morning Shaan approached Noel with a red rose. With a rose in his hand, he stood there like a granite statue.....lips zipped.

Noel came to him, took things easy and broke the ice. Both of them started a conversation sitting on one of the benches. It started with small things and ended in the importance of friendship. Friends are gifts of God....we make half of our life by ourselves, the rest is made by our friends. They are the gleam of light in the darkness of bewilderment,helplessness. 'Friendship is beyond all sorts of relation' was Noel's version which she valued the most.

There came a blow ....a sea change.....rather a realization in Shaan's mind. His perception of approaching Noel as a girlfriend changed. "Why can't I accept her as a friend simply?", this question troubled him day and night. Then his inner soul gave him the answer. A true friend is one who supports, understands and accompanies when the rest of the world walks away.

Shaan introspected and thought, " I am different and I will prove myself as a worthy friend forever."