Chapter 3

9 Months Later:

Dallas:

We can see a man who is fully ripped and muscular. It was none other than Ross. What we could we say about him? At first, when he was in Dallas, he felt desolate. But, channeled his anger and his angst into basically working out in the gym. He became a complete adventurist. He completely got into his hobbies after teaching in the university and it helped him forget his worries. He bought himself a Triumph Tiger T100 bike and whenever he was free, he used to go on long bike drives to Grand Canyon,Ozarks,San Antonio and many other places.

He is punching a boxing bag completely with his all might by channeling his inner anger and angst. But deep down, he was sad with how things ended with Rachel, but he never let that come as an impediment. He quickly became friends with two guys who were also his neighbors. Vikram Kapoor and Theodore McCarthy quickly hit it of with Ross. Initially, Vikram met him at a restaurant where Ross forgot his wallet but he paid for Ross. And to his surprise,Vikram and Theodore were his neighbors. Since then, he became friends with Theodore and Vikram. Vikram was an architect and Theodore was a corporate attorney.

"Hey man, done with the workout?" Vikram asked

"Done Vikram. Wanna join me for a swim?" Ross asks Vikram.

Vikram was really surprised to see Ross's energy levels."Man, I'm surprised to see your energy levels." Vikram complemented him

"I seem you are a bit tired." Ross gave in. "Next time pal."

Vikram couldn't help but smile at his considerate behavior."Man, Theodore has a date tonight. Wanna join me to the movies?" Vikram asks him

"Yeah man. I hope its not that Indian chic flick which you told me about the other day." Ross warned.

"I'm afraid it's that. Your wish. If you wanna come,you are most welcome. If you don't want, I won't force you." Vikram tells him

"No problem pal, I'll definitely come." Ross agreed."I don't want to be alone."

They both exit the gym.

...

Meanwhile in New York:

It's almost been 9 months since Ross left New York for Dallas. The group has become boring without Ross. They were truly missing him so badly. But life had to go on. They were all missing Ross so badly. As usual, it was a weekend and they were all hanging out in Monica's apartment

"Guys, do you look at that guy." Chandler said pointing to the screen.

"What?" Joey asked

"That guy resembles Ross". Chandler said

They all turn towards the TV but the camera turns to some other angle.

"Oh." They all understood Chandler's joke.

The group was not the same without Ross. It just felt a bit empty. Sure, he kept his promise of calling them at least once in a while at least. But his conversations were limited to hello, hi and bye. It lost the personal touch. He would talk for a while and later get out of it by pretext of some work to be done or any reason for being busy . Later, he stopped being in touch with everyone except Carol. And it just didn't feel like the same group that used to be nine months ago. They were all drifting apart and none of them knew what he was up to since the past 9 months. He was terribly missed.

"I miss Ross." Joey blurted out.

"We all miss him Joe. It just doesn't feel the same without him." Phoebe added

"I miss his way of saying hi." Chandler said.

"It was more like this hiiii" Joey countered, making everyone laugh.

As the more they started to reminisce about the past, there was an awkward silence in the apartment. It felt like a tomb.

"Should we visit him in Dallas?" Chandler asked after remembering about their talk the other night,

"I haven't thought about it." Monica replied."I can't decide until I tell this to Rachel."

Her statements resulted in groans from everyone

"It's next to impossible."Joey added

"Phoebe, would you like to help me out to convince Rachel?" Monica tries to convince Phoebe

"Oh come on Mon, its easier said than to be done." Phoebe added. "I'll help you out." Phoebe finally gave in after a long persuasion from Monica

"Thanks Phoebe." Monica said with a smile.

The living room completely became silent again in Ross's memories. Before they unmuted the TV, Rachel entered the apartment. These nine months were a nightmare for her. She walked into the apartment and hung her coat on the coat hanger. Her expression didn't need any prompting from any one by looking her face.

Rachel comes towards the couch and sits on it.

"Rach". Monica sat beside her and gently stoked her arm and continued." How was your date?"

"It was awful Mon." Rachel sadly sighed."He doesn't feel like him even though he was so cheerful, I just couldn't take it" Rachel sadly stated

"Really that awful?"

Rachel looked down." I mean he took me to this nice Mexican place. Half way through our conversation, he just lacked everything he had. It wasn't him. Half way through the conversation, I just got up paid my half and thanked him and left"

"Oh sweetie, come here".Monica gently rubs her arm

Suddenly Rachel begins."I mean I go on some dates with some guys and none of them come closer compared to him."Rachel paced around the room."Why can't I get over him?"

Before anyone could answer, Rachel pulled Monica into a tight was caught off guard. She rubs her back

"I miss him."

"We all do miss him. Should we all..." ?Monica looked at everyone to help her

Rachel gently broke off the hug and cut Monica. "I need some time Mon." Rachel said."I want to be alone for a while."

"We are all there for you Rachel." Monica reminded her.

Rachel goes into her first thing she took was her cry pillow and buried her head into it. All that could be heard was a muffled sob. She cried herself every night into it to sleep

"Why cant I get over him?"Rachel thought.

The last nine months were a nightmare for her. She realized that he was all right along. He was being a protective boyfriend but, she didn't believe him. She now understood that he was being sweet by arranging him a string quartet and picnic at work but rather,she outright kicked him out. The last straw to their relationship was the moment where he heard Mark's voice from the phone and he slept with that copy slut. She now understood his emotions. If she also heard a girl with him, she would also probably do it.

It all started during their anniversary. He would have gone for any lengths to spend time with she didn't listen to him. Rather, she kicked him out of her office and once they reached home, they both started arguing about their relationship. She accused him of not giving her the space for her he was giving and his exact line was "I'm tired of having a relationship with your answering machine."

And the fatal mistake that came from her mouth was to take a break. He thought that they should go get a frozen yogurt. But without thinking, she said "A break from us." That whole thing led to a new set of events which led to their break up. She didn't understand his point of view and he jumped into conclusions.

She tried to remember the moment when he confessed that he slept with another woman and accepted that it was a drunken mistake. He tried to accept his mistake and make up for it. He attempted to kiss her and she remember the moment when he got down on his knees and tried to win her and also remembered the moment in the ski trip where she slapped him and he slamming the ring in her face. The one with which he wanted to propose her and she regretted slapping him at that moment.

Now she understood those emotions. Those emotions were of despair and regret. Not a single day passed without those regrets. She saw the ring that was on her table with a letter which was addressed to her. She inspected it carefully. It had her name on it. She opened the letter with trepidation after nine months

Rachel,

I love you so much.I cannot believe that I ended up hurting you. I'd never dream of hurting you,but it happened. I'll always regret the fact that I was the one who hurt you and not even a second passes without regretting the hurt that I caused you. I don't expect to be forgiven or forgive myself from my actions. I am truly sorry for the pain I had caused you. And I hope that without me being near you, you won't have to deal with everyday it as I am not there.

When you walked into the coffee house as a soaked bride, I had feelings for you. But things changed on your birthday when I gave you an expensive brooch which your grandmother had. And you confessing that you had feelings for me when I was dating Julie. It was easy for me to break up with Julie and the year which we were together was really fun. I truly loved being with you.

When I open my eyes, I see you. When I close my eyes,I want to see you. When you are not near me , I feel you all over the place every second of it. My eyes search for my Rachel.You can call it love, madness or heartbeat, it doesn't matter because it means the same for me. Many people know how to love, but no one will love you as much as I do because what they don't have is a girl like you. I'll love you today, tomorrow and till death do us apart. But I couldn't live up to it.

The ring which I gave you symbolizes our eternal love. But now, it represents me moving on from my remember, I'll never stop loving you and the most important thing than love is, you. I hope you find a guy who appreciates you, cherishes you and cares for you as much as I do. I hope you find a better guy. As long as I stay in New York, I cannot look at you and most importantly, you wouldn't be happy. I hope the ring that guy who presents to can present this ring as his own

I love you Rachel. You have always been the love of my life. You deserve to be happy and most of all, be yourself. Be the one with whom I fell in love with. You deserve all the happiness in this entire world.I'll always love you no matter what.

This is a goodbye.

Ross Geller

She finished reading the letter and put it down with trembling hands. Her heart broke into pieces. It was the beautiful letter written and he meant every single word of was crying so pained her that she wouldn't tell him what she felt about him.

She wanted to forgive him. She wanted to tell him how she felt. She took the ring which he slammed at was a beautiful 8 carat diamond ring with sapphires on the side.

...

Meanwhile, the guys in the hall were concerned with Rachel

"Guys, what are we going to do about Rachel?" Joey asked

"I don't know..Why does life have to be so complicated." Monica threw her hands in defeat.

"Maybe we should give her some space." Chandler advised

"Dude, she had 9 months of space. " Joey said earning deadpanned looks from Monica and Chandler

"What if we visit him in Dallas?"Phoebe suggests them standing up the floor

"In a few days, Thanksgiving is also going to come."Joey also suggested that

"What if she doesn't agree?" Chandler thought

"At least, they should talk we all go to visit him, at least they can talk over and end this all once and forever"

They realized that Phoebe right. It was wrong not to take risk and visit him in Dallas. Life was becoming harder for them without him. Just then, Rachel comes outside the room.

"Rach" Monica prompted. "How are you feeling?"

"He...He wants me to move on. He wanted to propose to me" Rachel stuttered."He always loved me. I wish I listened to him." Rachel cried

"He may still love you Rach."Phoebe mused.

"Rachel."Monica held her hand." I know it is tough for you and I've always been wanting to ask you this. We are all planning to go to Dallas to visit him. Do you want to come with us?"

"I just want him back Mon. I may or may not forgive him, but I just cannot get over him." Rachel cried."When are we going?" Rachel asks her

" This Monday." Monica replied

Now that Rachel agreed to come with was fixed that everyone would be going to Dallas to visit Ross

...

Meanwhile in Dallas:

Vikram and Ross were casually discussing about their work and their daily lives

"Ross, look at the girl. She is hot as hell." Vikram pointed towards a girl.

"I am not really into her." Ross dismissed

"Really?" Vikram retorted."Boy, you seem to be smitten."Vikram notices."Should I ask her number?"

"I guess you are dating Natalie right? Why do you need a number"

"It's for you." Vikram suggests

"Come on man!" Ross incredulously tells him while he tried to hide his face with his palm

Vikram approaches that woman." Hey, do you know Ross?"

"I'm sorry, who is it." That woman asked

"I'm surprised. You don't know Ross?" Vikram acts melodramatically"I suppose you are Wendy right?"

"No, my name is Meghan."The girl replies.

"See Meghan, my friend Ross is a very shy guy. So he asked me to ask you out." Vikram makes up a story earning a blank look from Ross

Meghan waves towards meets him.

"You look so dashing." Meghan complemented him

"Thanks." He replies a bit flustered.

"You are going to pay for this." Ross shoots a deadpanned look at Vikram.

"Be happy you are getting a date." Vikram tells him.