The twist

This story is about a relationship that. Everyone cherish in their lives. Yes, it is the most precious one that all of us go through. That is nothing but friendship and friends.      Shikar are you ready, ? Called Harsh to his friend's mobile. I will come and pick you in about an hour's time he said. He was perplexed on hearing Shikhar's message from the other side. " You carry on Harsh I am not feeling well so will not attend college today". Oh you are unwell? Again asked Harsh. You seem to get so frequently what is the matter? He continued questioning and Shikhar maintained silence. Harsh understood that his friend was in a bag mood and so he hung up the phone. Even in the College he kept thinking about Shikaar and what was happening to him.

Shikhar and Harsh had known each other for quite a long time. Both of them bonded well. They were good support to each other always. Both of their families too were getting on well with each other. So, we understand their equation was good They were studious and bright students. Good in academics as well as extra curricular activities too They were disciplined and well mannered. But, all this had changed for Shikhar as he got into a relationship with a beautiful girl who was their class mate. She is Rashika a very unique name too. Shikhar and Rashika almost fell in love at the very first sight. They were seen everywhere on the campus and at every spot in the city whenever time permitted them. Rashika was an average student and she was even tutored academically by Shikar. What else to ask for right?

Harsh was a silent spectator of the happenings. He helped them whenever the need came. Like passing notes when they both were absent from classes. He fetched movie tickets for them once in a while, he gave money to Shikhar when he needed it badly. Shikhar used to splurge his entire pocket money on Rashika without even batting an eyelid. So, Harsh had to supplement his money part when Shikhar needed it.            . . .        

 All this continued for sometime. Slowly Rashika started narrating her personal problems that never seemed to end. She started talking about her sick parents, her brother's failure at clearing his exams and how she had to supplement the income by giving tuitions after college hours and so on. As Shikhar was madly in love with her he started borrowing money from wherever possible and started giving it to Rashika. Within few months the amount that he had borrowed went upto around 30, 000 rupees. He started having sleepless nights thinking about the loans that were building up. His health got affected apart from studies.

He started bunking classes and exams too. When all lending sources stopped Shikhar opted for the most dangerous scheme that claims to give money in short time with less investment. Yes, this was the cricket betting. He borrowed money for this from the available channels. Within no time his loans amount increased to a lakh of rupees. Shikhar started consuming cheap liquor to get sleep as his loans started giving him sleepless nights. His pretty girlfriend Rashika too started avoiding him. Harsh was the only pillar of support that Shikhar could lean on. Harsh had make a promise to Shikhar that he would not reveal any of these happenings to his parents lest they would get upset and tensed. Shikhar's parents were struggling very hard to meet their ends meet. They had the responsibility of looking after their elderly parents i. e Shikar's grandparents and had to get his sister married too, she was of marriagable age after all.          . .  

Now this was a big big dilemma and a sort of a challenge to Harsh. He could see his friend's life going way ward. But, he could not confide any of these to his parents. He understood what he'll his friend was going through. He was in a deep trap that kept on entangling him further and further without any respite in sight. So, he realised it was high time he took a step towards clearing Shikar's trouble without him feeling the burden. ( What a wonderful friend ). He did not want Shikhar to know about his plan. He had promised him that he would stand by him always and would not let this secret to anyone specially his parents.                     .  .    

 Harsh zeroed in on a fantastic plan. A plan that would not break any promise not heart but would get the required result. He in the first place wrote a small letter to Shikhar's girlfriend as Shikhar was writing. He requested her to lend some money so that he could clear some debts he had made for her sake. He vented his fears and troubles. He waited for a day or two expecting Rashika his so called girlfriend to respond. In response he got a letter asking him to forget her let alone he getting any monetary help from her. She even advised him to be more responsible and reprimanded him to not to contact her anymore, anytime. He quietly left the letter on Shikhar's study table and never enquired anything. He felt the letter definitely worked and Shikhar appeared a little bit refrained but still tense as usual. But, Harsh was happy that what he did silently on behalf of Shikhar worked and his friend was saved from misery and mirth.                .   

Long live friendship and friends who work for the wellbeing of friends even though they are bound by blood. We all know that blood is thicker than water but sometimes friends are thicker in shielding each other from troubles.