Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Moving On

by Ayesha Parveen 20 Nov 2008
Category: Others.This story has been read 221 times.
http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=0e03b7e4-ef6b-47e6-94be-32127934f954

Mano and Antariksh were great friends. Their friendship was such that there was nothing happening in one 's life which the other was not aware of. When Mano had a problem with her father, it was Antariksh who helped her; if Mano decided to have pizza, she made sure she bought one for him too.

Antariksh was in love with his co-worker, Daisy, and the first person he told about his love was Mano. Who could understand him better than his dear friend Mano? She was overjoyed and wished him all the happiness possible. Antariksh was supposed to marry in July, last year, but it was postponed due to a sudden crisis in his family. During this time, he was also somewhat unsure of Daisy's feelings for him. Perhaps the family problems were affecting her friend, Mano thought, and advised him to spend more time with Daisy. This seemed to help as Antariksh declared one day that things were smooth between them again.

Antariksh married Daisy in November. Mano was there, the happiest guest. As she looked at the resplendent bridegroom, their eyes met and his reflected the happiness that was there in her. Antariksh's best friend was there for him, at the happiest moment of his life.

As the months passed, Mano, however, could feel that Antariksh was moving away from her. He would not call and sometimes not respond when she did. At first she thought he was busy settling down in his new-found happiness but was hurt nevertheless. But as always, she gave him the benefit of the doubt and was there for him on 31 January, his birthday. She had taken the trouble to choose a present which he would like, as well as bring his favourite cake.

The next day was her birthday and she had expected at least a phone-call. It did not come and something snapped inside her as finally, she faced the truth: he did not care for her feelings any more.

Was Daisy feeling threatened?
Had Antariksh fallen in love with Mano and feeling guilty, was steeling himself against her?
Did Mano expect too much from him?
No answer.

Mano, however, got a priceless present on her birthday; she gave it to herself: the realisation that sometimes, it is better to move on. She wished Antariksh and Daisy the very best and finally let go of him.

Last week, I ran into Mano. She looks happier than she did in February and said she is at peace with herself. Learning to invest in herself, she practises yoga and has become a vegetarian. Mano and Antariksh have not spoken to each other in months, but this does not affect her any longer.

ayeshacgs@hotmail.com

9 comments:

Unknown said...

good writing on the complications of love and friendship. But I did not understand the yoga and vegatarian bit. Keep writing.

Ayesha Parveen said...

thanks nabadipa for your comment. the "yoga and vegetarian bit" is about Mano learning to invest in herself.

Unknown said...

Upon re-reading this post, I think the man did it for his insecure wife.In that case, would you call him wrong? Please answer.

Ayesha Parveen said...

Nabadipa,

Thank you for taking the interest to read it again.This is what I feel about the situation depicted in the post:
What was his friend's fault?
If a marriage requires to compromise a healthy friendship,
the marriage is weak and will not be a happy relationship at all.
Each relationship has its boundaries which should be respected.

Ayesha Parveen said...

MSN Reader's comments:

KP - gwalior on 11/20/2008 2:33:58 PM
Mano is very practical and has recognised the need to move away at the appropriate movement when the friendship was not reciprocated for whatever reason.A good story.

ayesha parveen - kolkata on 11/20/2008 3:53:19 PM
Bobby, I think that if a marriage needs the sacrifice of an honest friendship, it is clear that the marriage is intrinsically weak. Like all relationships, friendship too has its claims which should not be over-looked. Best wishes.

Ayesha Parveen said...

MSN Readers' comments:

Shantappa Jewur - Natal on 11/20/2008 9:22:25 PM
Yes, keep on moving, the queue is lengthy behind. We really expect nothing for others, but we should do our part. Mano must at least try to find Antariksh to know at least how he is getting along. After all, friendship must not vanish without explication. Who knows, he is in serious trouble to the point that he does not even find a suitable opportunity time to explain.

Swetha Amit - Mumbai on 11/20/2008 11:29:23 PM
Very realistic and one can relate to it very easily. Yes its true that sometimes one has to move on when things change. It isnt easy or likable but the bitter truth which one has to come to terms with at some point or the other.Strange is the facet of some relationships.

Ayesha Parveen said...

MSN Readers' comments:

sharmishtha - kolkata on 11/20/2008 9:02:22 PM
marvellous story ayesha, this is life, some times we have to leave the best relationship behind for their happiness and move on.

abdul vazid - hyderabad on 11/20/2008 8:00:26 PM
Thanks for An excellent story on friendship.

Ayesha Parveen said...

MSN Readers' comments:

Sana - Delhi on 11/21/2008 7:44:16 AM
Really practical and apt. A great story Ayesha, and it gives each one of us the greatest lesson of all, its always better to move on , the more you cling on things the more they let you down.Keep it up!

Chidu - Bangalore on 11/21/2008 3:41:21 AM
Excellent !!! Very true and realistic .

Ayesha Parveen said...

MSN Readers' comments:

ajaykumar - bangalore on 11/20/2008 2:57:01 PM
Hi Ayesha, As you know every sunset gives way for a new sunrise. Mano knew that.

sk jaiswal - new delhi on 11/20/2008 2:13:46 PM
Bossssss....i dunno which word i should use to appreciate this nice one.... :) :) :)

Venkat - Dar on 11/20/2008 1:48:22 PM
An exceptionally good one!

M.Lokeswara Rao - Bangalore on 11/20/2008 12:03:51 PM
good article