The Spark Theory

"And you still look as gorgeous as before!"

Mansi turned to the left to see which guy was giving her this unexpected compliment. Mansi and Vikram's eyes met, she looked down and smiled. A couple of her curly tresses fell gently on her face. Tucking them back behind her ears, she looked up again said "Ahaan. I know that. Thanks for the compliment though!"

"I see, it's been so many years but modesty is still one of your virtues. Quite as expected."

Vikram and Mansi broke into a courteous laughter. They studied together at an engineering college in Pune University for four years. After that Vikram headed off to Bangalore for his job and Mansi continued to work in Pune. After five long years, they met at their college friend's wedding reception. It was quite strange that both of them did not stay in touch since college despite living in the social networking era. Their past history made it a bit awkward for them to stay in touch.

Vikram put his arm around a beautiful lady standing next to him. "Mansi, meet Shaina - my fiancé. Shaina meet Mansi, my friend from college."

"Hey, congrats Vikram! That's a pleasant surprise. Congrats to you as well Shaina!"

"Thank you. How have you been?"

"I've been good Vikram. It's been so long since we met. And it's so good to see so many of our batch mates finding their special someones and getting settled. Now you too are added in the list."

"So Mansi, have you found your special someone? I remember Vikram telling me that you were one of the prettiest girls in his batch. I am sure you would have many gentlemen vying for your attention."

Mansi looked at Vikram who was also looking at her. She immediately turned to Shaina and said - "Unfortunately not yet. But I am not in a hurry right now. I need to do a lot of exciting things in my career before I get settled. I have achieved a personal target for myself before getting married. I am going to the US for my MBA course which is for two years. Only after that is when I'll think of settling down."

"That's impressive. Vikram and I are also heading to the US after marriage. While Vikram will be working in California, I plan to pursue my MBA from one of the good schools there. I too wanted to marry after my studies, but my parents insisted that I meet Vikram. When I met him, he just felt like the right guy and I had to tweak my plans a little bit. I still will be doing my MBA, but my options will be limited only to schools in California. Can't try for any of the schools on the East Coast. But I guess, that's a very small price to pay!"

"Yes Shaina, that's absolutely right. I think you've taken the right decision. And yes, Vikram is very lucky to have you as his life partner, I am not sure if you are equally lucky."

The three of them were interrupted in their cheerful conversation when Vikram and Shaina were dragged by Vikram's friend to the reception stage for a group photo. Mansi walked towards the buffet counter with her friends. While walking, she couldn't help but remember the last day of college. She and Vikram were waiting inside the canteen for the rest of their gang to join them.

Vikram looked at Mansi and said - "So this is it. Four years of college have been some of the best moments of my life."

"Absolutely, mine too! You've been a special friend Vikram. I'll miss you if you decide to take the Bangalore job. But I know we'll always be in touch!"

"Yeah, I'll miss you too. Frankly, I like you and I'd like to know you more to evaluate the possibility of a beautiful relationship between you and me."

"What are you saying Vikram? I have never thought of anything like that between the two of us. I don't see you that way. I really cherish your friendship. To be upfront, I don't think anything can happen between the two of us, cause I don't see that spark in you. I don't know how to explain, but that's just how I feel!"

"What spark are you talking about Mansi? I thought we were almost dating what with our movie trips, dinners, long drives, phone calls at odd hours. I thought we are really comfortable with each other. In fact you also know that people in our group think we are seeing each other. I don't care what others think but this is the perception we've given others. I don't mind that at all because as I said I'd like to develop our relationship further."

"I am really sorry to say that. You are a great guy Vikram and I wish you the best. I loved hanging around with you and sharing so many of my thoughts and life incidents with you, but somehow, this just doesn't seem right because I don't see the spark in you. I wish I could explain, but I don't know how as this is too awkward."

"Ok. I won't make this too awkward for you. Let's end this conversation here."

"Thanks for understanding Vikram. You know ... "
Mansi was interrupted in between when her friends Pallavi and Amit joined them. Their whole gang had a blast that evening to celebrate their last day of college and no more exams for a few more years to come! Two weeks later Vikram left for Bangalore and since then Vikram and Mansi did not make a serious attempt to stay in touch. Vikram was hurt by Mansi's response towards his feelings and he felt that he would be more hurt if he continued to be in touch with her. He had feelings for Mansi and didn't want to be just one of her 'good' friends. Mansi too did not make an attempt to stay in touch because was expecting Vikram to write her mails, ping her on chat or call her which he never did.

"Madam - roti ya poori?" Mansi was woken up from her thoughts by one of the serving guys at the buffet counter. "I'll have a roti please. Thanks."

The next day Mansi met her best friend Pallavi in whom she confided everything.
"You know Pallavi, it was great to meet Vikram after such a long time. I was really happy to see him. But I hate to admit that I was a little disturbed when I met his fiancé Shaina. They looked so happy with each other. Shaina seems to be a great girl, but when I saw them together, I felt the void in my life which I don't even admit to myself."

"But I thought you never really were interested in Vikram. Why the sudden impulse?"

"I don't know. Somehow I am all messed up in my head when it comes to relationships. Again, I don't know how to explain - just the same way I wasn't able to explain it to Vikram on the last day of college. Maybe, I am not sure what I want. I've had two relationships after Vikram, but sadly neither of them worked. I am doing great with my career, but when it comes to my personal life, I am all screwed ... "

"I think I probably know what this is. You are probably repenting over the whole 'I don't see the spark in you' theory of yours. I remember you telling me that you saw a spark in Karan and that you are heading towards something exciting in your relationship. You said something similar when you were dating Vivek. But look at what happened, both your so called exciting relationships failed. Perhaps, Vikram was the right guy for you and you always sought Vikram in both Karan and Vivek. Though you saw the spark in them, you didn't see the qualities that your life partner should have in either of them. So really, sparks just fly in Mills & Boons romance or Paul Coelho philosophy. Too difficult to implement in real life. But just cheer up now, what's done is done, you need to ... "

While talking, Pallavi lifted the curls of hair falling on Mansi's face to tuck them behind her ears so she can see her face and she saw a quiet tear trickling down her cheek ....