A loud ring disturbed his afternoon nap and Karan cursed himself for not keeping his cell on a lower volume. He answered the call and wasn't surprised at who was on the other side.Vijay was calling in from almost 500 kms across the country and though the distance was far away, these two knew that no great distance was gonna spoil their friendship. They were comrades, best pals and swore to live by and watch each others back.
Though best of buddies, this duo had natures that were poles apart. While Vijay was more of a flamboyant, happy-go-lucky, avid party goer and believer in living life king-size, Karan would rather spend his afternoons reading books or watching TV or napping. He did not strive for attention and would never be keen on that show of attitude. His laid back life was what he cherised. So it goes without saying that for any great, exciting, adventurous opportunity to come by, Vijay would be the one to lunge forward and grab it with both hands. It was difficult to believe that they were born under the same sun sign.
Vijay had called in to ask for a favor. "Its a matter of the heart this time!", he cleared the suspense and went on to tell his story of a budding long distance relationship with some girl that lived in Karan's city. "So, what do you want me to do?", Karan asked, clearly confused with what was going on. "It's her birthday tommorow. Can you arrange to send some flowers. I want to make this special. I will owe you one for this"."Say what!! Where, when.. er... how?".Clearly Karan wasnt that polished when it came to girls, but Vijay knew that if he were to make a lasting impression, Karan was his only chance. He texted her address to Karan and asked him to get to work. "I really need this favor", he pleaded.
"Should I be doing this. This is crazy". But after some time, like a pheonix rising from fire, Karan said to himself, "Well, what the hell!" and set out to find a girl he did not know, to send her flowers that weren't from him and to make a lasting impression for he did not know what!
After a good one hour of hopelessly searching in circles, he reached the place and was trying to have a look around, when the neighbour called out "Who are you looking for?" Karan startled and stammered some fictitious family name that he was trying to find. "There are three families by that name. Do you have the right address?". He mentioned a false first name as well and learnt that the house was closed for almost a month now. "Are you kidding me lady!!", Karan was thinking but not fast enough. He soon made some lame excuse, apologised for the trouble and made a swift exit before raising any suspicsion.
Karan found a florist round the corner and selected a nice beautiful bouquet of red roses to be delivered next morning. Just as he paid for the flowers, his cell rang. Vijay called in and asked if Karan could also buy a card along with the flowers. "What, I have to shop for some card now!" Karan protested, unable to believe what he was being put through. "Please dude, for friendships sake! I will owe you a ton." And the next thing, Karan was going through all the birthday cards that the shop had on display. He picked one up. Not too lovey-dovey, not too simple. Just perfect.
"A nice card and a bouquet full of red roses on their way, mate!" Karan send out the sms and started back home. It was a long evening with too many things to handle. He could not believe he did all this for Vijay. Not because of the friendship, but maybe Karan rose to the opportunity to experience some excitement and adventure. What had he got to lose anyway? He would probably be stilling napping if Vijay hadn't called. His cell rang again. Karan wasn't expecting Vijay to call so soon."RED!", Vijay exclaimed as though more in a state of shock. "We are just hitting it off man. Why do you want to put a red signal on my little story. Red might send out a message too strong for now. Make it pink and yellow and white and yes some red also. Please!" Karan cursed him all the way to the florist's shop, who by then had it all decorated and packed for the next day. After redecorating the bouquet as per Vijay's wish, Karan called it a day. He was least cared for what would happen the next day.
As he would soon find out early next day, the flowers and the card had definitely made some impression and Vijay could not thank him enough for being there and making his day."Glad to be of some help", Karan murmured and went back to sleep. Vijay promised to help him any place, any time. After all what are friends for!
Couple months went by and Vijay's lasting impression seemed to have worked well. He could not thank Karan less for all he had done to break the ice. He also found out that Karan was also into some long distance relationship but did not know anything more. He thought of asking Karan, but put it off for later. As he stayed back in office that day, to complete some much pending work, his cell rang. And as if history would repeat itself, Karan called in."Dude. I need a favor..."
