Morning Dew 
Ashima is like any other girl next door with dreams in her eyes about her future, a dream to have a happy and prosperous family. But here she is unable to think whom to choose as her life partner….
Life isn’t easy for Ashima, she has seen many ups and down. She had seen glorious side of the life and also the downfall of this complex life. But every guy would love to marry her cause; she believes in her self and possesses the never–die attitude. No matter what happens to her, she still keeps smiling and spread her smile across the miles.
Just six months back she had a heart break as one of her friend ditched her whom she happens to be in love. Now she is not thinking about her love life anymore and trying to concentrate on the crossword puzzle in the newspaper. But still her mind was wandering somewhere else, as she is invited to anniversary party of her best friends Tanuj and Tammana. She isn’t feeling like to go, but later decided to carry on with the plans of invitation as it will be bit change for her.
She got ready and reached to the venue on time. There all her known people were invited. She greeted her friends with best wishes. Just then she noticed a tall, handsome hunk standing besides her friend Tammana. Tammana introduced as her cousin Sarthak, who just arrived from UK for marriage purpose. Ashima just exchange greetings with him and start looking for more friends around. She was getting bored so went outside the banquet hall for some fresh air and started gazing the skies which is very clear and full of bright stars. As she was gazing with her dreamy eyes, her silence was broken with ‘ahem ahem ’ sound. She looked back and noticed Sarthak was standing and was saying hi.
Sarthak- “Hope I’m not disturbing you”
Ashima (with a smile)- ‘hey no no.. not at all’
Sarthak-“so, what are you doing here all alone”
Ashima- ‘nothing just gazing the skies, today sky is clear and its looking beautiful’
Sathak (just looking at the clear sky and said) – “yes you are right, it’s looking beautiful, I never know, sky could look soo beautiful and then looked at Ashima”
(But Ashima was lost in the beauty of sky)
Sarthak –“hey I think band has started playing, come lets dance”
Ashima- ‘hmm.. I m not much into dancing, I don’t know how to dance’
Sarthak (laughing)-‘then it will be nice, as I’m one of those, who can’t dance.. we will make a good pair’
Ashima (first time she laughed loudly and said) –‘oh, that will be great, ok lets try dancing then’
So, finally they both were on the dance floor and was trying to dance, by mistake Ashima stepped on Sarthak’s foot, he shouted and then they both started laughing loudly….
Ashima – ‘didn’t I told u, I don’t know dancing’ then smiled coyly
Sarthak – making funny noice oohh haa.. hey even I’m not professional, else I would have known how to protect myself from non-trained dancer…..and started laughing.
Ashima- hey now I have to leave, thanks for the lovely evening, you made my evening.
Sartha (with a gloomy face)-‘oh you are going. So what are you doing tomorrow afternoon, can we have a lunch together’
Ashima (sparkled in her eyes)- sure.. first let me check, I m free or not‘’ teasingly and went away..
Sarthak stood there dreamingly and seems talking to himself, this is my girl.
So, next day, Ashima received a call from unknown number, she picked the call and asked,”yes, who is this”
Other side of the caller – “hey , so you forgot me, soo soon, you’d promised for lunch”
Ashima, smilingly “oh Sarthak, its you”
Sarthak- “so you were not expecting my call.. huh? Is that so?”
Ashima – “oh, nothing like that, its just I was busy with some work and didn’t noticed your number as I didn’t saved it”
Sarthak- “oh, its fine, so can we meet at zoro luncheon at 2pm ”
Ashima –“ya sure” and disconnected the call with bye greetings.
So, in afternoon, they met at lunch and discussed normal chore of the day and their life’s. This goes for days together and they started meeting everyday.
Ashima, felt, she got a good friend in Sarthak with whom she can discuss any damn thing of life and who made her forget her past. Whereas Sarthak had some different opinion about Ashima, night and day, he just dreamt about Ashima and started loving her. He has never seen anyone soo innocent, fragile and cute girl in his life. Ashima was like a dream girl whom he wished to spend his rest of his life with her.
Like this many days passed away…. One fine day, she was talking to her friend preeti and came to know, her long lost school friend Armaan, is in her city and was searching for her through common friends. She couldn’t believe her ears and asked her to give his details of whereabouts.
Ashima was so happy to listen this, because as a child she used to have a crush on him. He was her best friend in school and now she is even happier to know, he is in the same city as her. She made an unexpected call to him and he recognized her instantly. They couldn’t speak for couple of minutes as none was able to decide from where to start and what to say.
At last, Armaan broke the coy silence and talked like a chatterbox and made Ashima comfortable with him. They didn’t know for how long they spoke with each other as there were years of talks to be share, but when they disconnected the call, Ashima couldn’t imagine it was 3 long hours, she was talking to Armaan. She simply forgot she was to meet Sarthak at their favorite point for lunch. She called up Sarthak as she knows, he must be very angry at her. He picked her call and asked, ‘where were you, I waited for you for an hour and then tried calling you, but your cell was busy, can’t you give me a call’
Ashima-‘sorry sarthak, it simply slipped my mind as I happens to meet one of my childhood friend n while talking to him, I just forgot the relevance of time. So Can we meet at café for coffee’
Sarthak- ‘ok will be there at 5pm as I have to discuss something important with you.’
Ashima- ‘Ok sarthak, even I also wish to discuss something important with you’
Ashima was soo happy, that she decided to confide with sarthak about her feeling for Armaan. Where as Sarthak was happy that, today he will propose Ashima and will let her know what he feels for her.
So, they both were set for coffee at Daddy’s Café Day.
They just exchange greetings…
Sarthak asked, how are you and what the important thing you wish to tell me , n more over who is this your long lost friend that you forgot meeting with me.
Ashima- heyArmaan, his name is armaan, n my childhood friend, and she keep on going and going with Armaan talks irrespective of the fact, Sarthak was least interested in Armaan, he was more concerned to propose Ashima
He just cut it short as Ashima was still in the world of Armaan and his talks. Sarthak just grabbed her finger and about to put ring in her finger as Ashima realizes what Sarthak is upto.. she just snatched her hand n with shocked face, asked, ‘sarthak, what do you think you are doing’
Sarthak- ‘Ashima, this is what I am trying to tell you, I love you, I wish to marry you, will you marry me’
Ashima- ‘Sarthak, I never thought of you in that way, I m really sorry, you are my closest friend, but I don’t feel for you. I am sorry. I never thought, that you think of me in that sense.’
Sarthak doesn’t know what to say as he got soo emotional, he cannot think his life without ashima, Ashima means everything to him.
At last he jolted all his powers and spoke, so are you in love with someone?
Ashima was quite, didn’t spoke.. just looked somewhere else.
Sarthak, continued with his speech, all I know u had a break off few months back which you yourself told me, and I don’t have any problem. Listen if you are still thinking about the past, there is nothing to think about. Just think about your future. Life should move on.
Ashima was still quite and listening, she herself was confused and speechless, as what to say.
Sarthak – “Ashima , I love you and this is the fact. And I always felt you loved me, I don’t have any problem with your past, that guy who left you is not for you or else, he would have valued your feelings”
At last she broke her silence
Ashima- ‘Sarthak, I m not thinking about Priyansh any more, he is not the reason.’
Sarthak- ‘Then who is the reason of your answer NO’, is that new friend of yours, whom you spoke in the afternoon
Ashima.. again was quite and just looked at his eyes.
Sarthak, I think I got my answers. So he is your long lost friend Armaan. I suppose you disown me beacuase of him
Ashima- sarthak, I told you, I never felt for you, I’d always regarded you as my best friend with whom I can share any damn thing. And with Armaan, yes I had a crush on him in school days, and I seriously don’t know, what I feel for him now.
Sarthak- ‘then ask yourself what your heart says, I will wait for you’
With those echoing words he left the café leaving Ashima behind.
Ashima, didn’t stopped him and let him go.
She herself seems confused, what she wanted in life. She knows, Sarthak is a very nice guy and would made a very good husband, on the other hand Armaan is in her mind, as she used like him since school days. At this point, she doesn’t wanted to have another heart break, else she will loose all trust of the meaning of Love.
She asked herself what she wanted in her, as she herself is now in the mist of confusion.
Thinking she just went to her home. As she reached, Tammana called her up and asked,
‘Ashima, what happen, did something happen between you and Sarthak’
Ashima.. thinking…- ‘Tanu, I don’t wish to hide anything from you, seems Sarthak is sad, as I refused his marriage proposal’
Tammana shocked-‘Ashu are you mad or what, why did you do this. Do you know how mush he loves you and we all were expecting your answer will be in positive.. why did you let down his proposal’
Ashima .. even more confused..’so u know about his feelings, can’t you confide me with all this, I would have stopped talking to him or else would have clear the misunderstandings. I regarded sarthak as my best friend, never thought him in that sense’
Tammana- ‘Ashu I think you are not taking proper decision, just give me one reason for your NO, is it Priyash or Armaan’
Ashima- ‘how you come to know about Armaan, did sarthak told you’
Tammana-‘no preeti called me and told about Armaan, that he is in our city, so I know, you will be meeting him. I know you since childhood and knows, you had a crush on him since then. Ashu, whatever was that, we were kids, life changes with time. How do you know, what is Armaan after soo many years. At that time also, you were unaware of his feeling for you and today after soo many years, how could you be soo sure that, he likes you or possess any feelings for you. Whereas sarthak is a very nice guy and he is my brother. I know you since childhood and also sarthak, I won’t think anything bad about your future. Anyways, you are the best judge of yourself. Decide what you want first. Whom so ever you choose, I will always be there with you and for you’
Ashima- ‘thanks Tanu, I know you are there, but to be frank, I myself is unaware of my feelings for anyone. You know, what happens with Priyansh, I never want another heart break. And moreover, I like Sarthak a lot, I would have loved to spend my life with him, if I Loved him, but I don’t love him’
Tammana- ‘then try searching your own answer ashu.. this is one life.. you always used to say one thing..’marry the person who loves you, don’t marry the person whom you love’’ and with that Tamman disconnected the call and left Ashima thinking.
Every time ashima used to mumble these quotes amongst her friends, today, it seems she heard these words for the first time as she is trying to find the real meaning of the words spoken.
She decided to speak to armaan and wish to find out what he felt for her, or else, does he feels anything for her or not.
That day she couldn’t sleep as it was not a normal day of her life. Too many things happened within split of seconds. It seems all her life has been torn apart. For the first time in her life, she is unable to decide what is right and what is wrong. One side, its her love (whom she thinks as a love) and other side is her best friend who loves her very much.
Now it’s her life and she is has to decide, what next step to be taken in life.
So, next morning she woke with new dew on leaf.. last night was a cold night. Early morning it left the dews on a leaf which seems to be fresh as new. Ashima opened her room window and looked outside. Mornings are always beautiful for her. New day and new life… but still her problem is there as the previous night.
She just decided to flow with the water and whatever is her destiny, she will accept it. She won’t make any plans for her future from now onwards. If it’s Sarthak in her life, she will accept him and if its Armaan, she will accept him.
She called up Armaan and asked her to meet her. Armaan was also looking forward a meeting with Ashima.
They decided to have lunch together at the same restaurant as she and Sarthak used to have till previous day.
Armaan and ashima met at decided time and hugged each other.. they just carried on with their conversation. Ashima was thinking, armaan hasn’t changed a bit all these year. He is same boy as she knows him in her school days, same attitude, same smile, just bit mature, where as Armaan was thinking, Ashima has groomed in a very beautiful young lady, secretly it seems, he has fallen for her.
Ashima-‘armaan I heard u had many girl friends in austrlia, is that so?’
Armaan- raising his eye bows..’’who told you this?”
Ashima-“through sources” and started laughing
Armaan-‘oh so all these years you were investigating about me?’
Ashima-‘ oh.. nah nah… its just, came to know about you every now and then, obviously you were my best friend in school days and I still missed those days’
Armaan.. thinking – ‘yes ashu..i had couple of girfriends, but they all were mere time pass, not serious with any of them. You know me na, do u think I could be serious with any girl’
Ashima- ‘but one day you have to settled down, for that, you need a girl, that time what will you do?’
Armaan.. suddenly- ‘for that , you are there, if I won’t find any girl, I will marry you, and I know, you won’t say no, what say girl?’
Ashima just smiled at him and forced herself to think that, these were the words, which she was dying to listen from Armaan, but now, when its been spoken, why isn’t she feeling anything, why is she not happy‘’ she is now more confused.
Armaan- ‘hey girl, what happen, what are you thinking, why, won’t you marry me, if I ask your hand for my rest of the life’ and looked straight in her eyes.
Ashima- ‘Armaan, you kidding? Hey I’m not in a mood of joke, you know me since childhood, once my anger flares, then its uncontrollable.’
Armaan- hey chill baby, I just proposed you, coz I think I love, and you can take your time to reply me.
Ashima just smiled at Armaan, and was all confused by now, she was waiting for this day when Armana will propose her, and now at last he did, why aren’t she is feeling anything for him, what happen, does she love sarthak, not Armaan, she thinks she didn’t found that love in Armaan eyes, as she saw in Sarthak eyes.
She mere excused herself and went away.
She couldn’t think and seems, she doesn’t want to think.
She just ran off as if she is running from life.. today or never.. she has to decide, whom??…….
She just reached the garden, where she used to go when she feels sad and wish to be alone. She just sat there and looking at the ducks swimming in the pond.
First time she smiled from heart looking at those beautiful ducks in ponds and thought, they are soo happy, coz they are with their loved ones, but now, I am all alone, I don’t know whom I love and who is more suitable for me.
By this, a hand shook her shoulder, she was surprised to see Tammana ..
Ashima- ‘’how do you know, I m here?
Tammana- Armaan called me and said you simply went without having your proper lunch and was worried about you. He also said he proposed you which made you more sad. Ashu, what do you want from life. Now when Armaan, whom you love is there and proposed you, what happned to you. Why aren’t you feeling good, why are you crying” and hugged her.
Ashima.. hugged Tammana tightly and said ‘tanu, I don’t know, what is happening with me, I m very confused, When sarthak proposed me, I used to think, I feel for Armaan, and now when Armaan proposed me, why I am sad, I don’t know.i m unable to decide whom to choose”
Tammana-‘ashu, you only know, whom you love, Armaan or sarthak. Armaan is your childhood friend and sarthak you know him from past few months. With Armaan you had most memorable time in school, with sarthak, you were able to forget your past with priyansh. He helped you and was with you like a best friend where as armaan was your best friend since childhood.’
Ashima- ‘Tannu, I don’t know, the kind of love I felt in the eyes of Sarthak, I couldn’t see those feeling in Armaan eyes. I think I don’t trust his saying for his feeling for me, whereas I could feel and see the feel and pain in Sarthak eyes. I think you are right, marry the person who loves you, don’t marry the person whom you love. Today I see the real meaning of those words. Thanks Tannu for there with me” and again she hugged her
As she looked back .. she saw Armaan and Sarthak, both were standing there for their verdict. They both looked at each other and thought, who will ashima choose.
Ashima, Hugged both of them, and said, sarthak, thanks for always been there and looked towards ground, then she looked at armaan and hugged, Armaan you are school best friend. Armaan was happy as he felt Ashima will choose him where as sarthak felt he won’t able to get ashima.
As sarthak was going, ashima caught his hand and kissed on his cheeks and said, sarthak I love you. I was unaware of my feelings, but now I’m clear about my feelings for you. You were there when I needed a friend; you made me forget about my past.
Then she looked at armaan who was shocked and said ‘Armaan you were my best friend in school and i used to have crush on you, not love and I felt today you had a crush on me not love. I feel, you don’t love me, you regard me as your good friend as you used to do in school. I m always there for you as a friend, but I choose sarthak as my life partner.”
With that, Sarthak and Ashima cried and hugged each other and went away. Where as Armaan was left behind and thinking what ashima just told him,.
Tammana Came to his rescues and put her hand on his shoulder. Armaan, ashima is and always will be there for you as your good friend, and just ask from your heart, do you really love her, your answer will be no coz you had always regarded her as your good friend like a tom boyish.
But it seems Armaan was giving least attention of what tanu was saying, he was busy staring at girls who came for picnic…
When Tanu realized she couldn’t stop laughing.. Armaan… You won’t change… and went away……
----------------------------------------------The End ---------------------------
originally written by Sakshi Aggarwal...
Copyright ©2006
