We met after about a decade in the same place where we first met each other and became friends, took lifelong oath that our friendship would never die and that we would share each others’ tears and smiles forever…but certain circumstances had forced us to take our own paths and be on ourselves…today, when we came across each others’ way once again, it was like the same old days, when we sat under the moonlit sky and shared lessons of life, love, sacrifice, friendship and happiness.For once, the world around me took me back to that particular day of my life when Almighty gave me my most precious possession—my best friend…

I saw him after ten years…so many things had happened within this time-friends came and went, tears shed and wiped off, dreams seen and lost but his face was still the same…that same old friendly, charming look with bewitching eyes..nothing had been able to defeat his warm and caring heart…but the only difference I noticed in him was that he had become thinner and looked weaker…even then, I didn’t find it hard at all to recognize him because he had a different place in my heart and nobody could replace him…

I approached to him and stood beside him, just the way we used to walk hand in hand by the paddy fields and the sugarcane plantations and shared some wonderful moments of our lives.I turned towards him and smiled.He stood still without looking at me.This shocked me…had he forgotten me? It seemed as if I was a stranger to him and so he was reluctant to even give a smile. I felt sad.But still, I didn’t leave his side and stood in front of him. But no, he remained in the same position and as still as a statue.Slowly, he prepared to take steps ahead.Hoping for the last time, I called out to him,”Zack, it’s me,,, your old little friend, Nicole…”But he didn’t respond in anyway.As he was crossing the busy street, I saw a car coming in a great speed but Zack remained without any alertness. I was taken aback….I ran hurriedly and saved him…we both crossed the road and holding him, we both stood on the foothpath…Slowly, he asked me,”Who are you?Why have you helped me?”Saying this, he touched my face...His eyes were fixed and they seemed so senseless.Then I realized—Zack had lost his eyesight and was deaf…for once, I too became blind and deaf, unable see the world around me and silence enveloped me, inspite of so much hush and rush in the busy city street…