The whole week went with everyone preparing for the final exams as the next month was going to be worrisome for everyone. 

Two days before our exams, I found Lily a bit upset. Even though she was sitting in front of her open book and looked like she was studying, me and Zinnia knew something was distressing her. 

"What's wrong?" I asked Lily as I leaned on her study table while Zinnia sat on her bed. 

Lily raised her head to look at me and then turned towards Zinnia. 

"What?" she asked, dumbfounded.

Zinnia sighed before saying, "Look, Lily. We know something's frazing you. If there's something like that then just tell us. Talk to us."

"Yeah, you're gonna make yourself stressed. And with that the exams are coming up," I said.

"It's nothing, guys. I'm fine. I'm just stressed about the exams," Lily said, giving us a tight smile. 

I moved the books and papers that were scattered to a side and sat on the table. 

"See girl, we aren't gonna buy anything you're selling today. Talk, or else fail for your exams," I said, as a matter of fact.

Lily sighed and leaned back on her chair.
"Nothing passes your eyes, girls."

"Yeah, so tell us. What happened?" Zinnia asked.

"Is it Andrew?" I asked, noticing the hesitancy. 

Lily looked at me for a few seconds and nodded her head. I sighed while Zinnia poked her chin out. 

"What's with him?" Zinnia asked. 

"He's...he's been a bit distant nowadays. He doesn't text me or call me and even if I text or call him, he doesn't talk properly. He just replies with ok and mm and..." she dimmed. 

"And?" I asked.

"He doesn't say I love you these days", Lily said, looking down.

"Pff...is that a big deal?" I asked. 

Zinnia and Lily snapped their heads towards me. Zinnia looked at me with knitted eyebrows and shook her head while Lily was gaping at me. 

"Seriously, Elka?" Zinnia asked. 

"Why did you even ask me what's wrong in the first place, Elka?" Lily asked. 

I was dumbfounded. I didn't know what to say. 

Elka, go hang up yourself!

"I-I'm sorry", I said, looking down at my fingers that were resting on my lap. "I didn't mean to."

Lily held my hands and squeezed it. "It's fine. I know you didn't mean to say that."

"Yeah, we know your fucking uncontrollable mouth!" Zinnia said, her voice clearly stating that she was angry. 

"I said sorry, right? Now what?" I asked back. 

"You just keep your mouth shut. You don't have to say or ask anything," Zinnia said.

"You don't tell me what to do. Put your head back into your fucking ass as it's stuck up there most of the time anyways," I snapped back easily and furiously. 

"You're the one who said something that just put salt on her open wounds and now you're yelling at me. What's wrong with you girl? Who do you think you are?"

"Well, I'm Elka Alastair and I have two faces. One can make your day while the other one can ruin it. Your ruling!"

"You are a bit-"

"That's enough!" Lily raised her voice, cutting off Zinnia.

As always, Lily put a halt to our heating argument. She rubbed her temple while sighing. 

"Did you guys come to my room to fight? If so, please get out," Lily said.

Zinnia and I looked at each other before saying sorry simultaneously. 

After a minute of silence I asked, "So, what happened between you two?"

"I don't know, Elka. It's just that he's not the same Andrew. I'm really worried," Lily said, her voice breaking. 

"Did you talk to him? About this?" Zinnia asked to which Lily shook her head. 

"Lily, maybe he needs some time for himself. You said that he's still facing relationship problems because of his past, right? Or maybe he's just busy studying. You know more than anyone that graduation means a lot to him. Give him sometime," I said, assuring Lily. 

Lily didn't say anything but just nodded her head. 

"Do you think he's cheating on you?" Zinnia asked.

Lily snapped her head towards her. 

"What? No! Never!" she said in a blink of an eye. "I know Andrew won't do that to me."

Zinnia nodded her head before saying, "I got it. Sorry."

"Now look who's the one sprinkling some salt on wounds!" I scoffed. 

Zinnia shot daggers at me to which I smirked. 

"Lily, don't stress yourself thinking about him. He's preparing for the exams so he can ace it and graduate and find a job and maybe ask you to move in with him?" I said, smiling at Lily. 

A goofy grin spread across her face.

"Maybe!" she said and laughed. "Thanks guys. I feel a lot better."

"See that's what happens when you open up. Glad that you actually listened to me," Zinnia said. 

"Oh, now you're taking the credit when it was me who said we should talk to her?" I asked, looking at Zinnia. 

"It was me who said that." 

"No, it was me!"

"Me!"

"Me!!"

"Me!!!"

I looked at her for a few seconds.

"Last time I checked, a fibster doesn't get to be a psychologist but rather gets to be treated with other psychos. So Zin, I think it's time for you to drop out of psychology," I said, folding my arms.

Zinnia was dumbstruck. 

"How the hell is Danish managing you?" 

"No idea," Lily answered Zinnia's question, looking at me.

I rolled my eyes. 

"Alright, I'm gonna study now. Bye," I said, turning around and walking out of Lily's room.

Zinnia is right. How the hell is he managing me? 

»»---------------------►

It was the next month and exams started. After three weeks, our college closed for summer vacation. Many things happened and changed swiftly just within a month. 

Clay asked me out on the day of our last exam but I turned him down. Of course, he was hurt even though he expected it. We shook hands on friends and he said that he would be happy for me if I get to be with Danish. I didn't try to object but just smiled. The chapter Clay ended then and there. 

Exams ended and everyone was free. 

Andrew graduated with honors and finally, his dream came true. Oh, how I wish to see the faces of his evil parents when Andrew was standing on the stage, wearing the convocation dress and a smile of success and pure happiness!

In the midst of all these, Andrew's and Lily's relationship was somewhat going down the hill. Andrew became more distant from Lily. He kept his talks with her short and only sometimes responded to her calls and texts. Lily was upset about this but managed to do well for her exams. She still didn't have a clue about what made Andrew behave like this all of a sudden. Well, no one had a clue. 

Amy and Ash became friends again. She was still close to Zinnia but seeing their interaction, Zinnia couldn't help but to feel insecure and scared to lose Amy. 

Danish contacted me a few times. But it was normal for me to ghost out everyone when exams were near and everyone close to me knew it. And so, when Danish was bombarding my phone with calls and text, I had to say 'cut me some slack and fuck off' out of instant anger. Not gonna lie, I regretted that immediately. 

So, to make it upto him, I promised to hang out with him and so we did. Me and Danish hung out two days consecutively which made me attracted to him more. Needless to say, I had a crush on him. 

»»---------------------►

It was the second week of our vacation. Me and Zinnia were in the living room, going through Netflix in search of a movie or a series. 

"What do you wanna watch?" she asked as she went through the movie category. 

"You pick", I said idly. 

"You pick. I'm sleepy. I may go to bed after sometime", she said. 

"What about Blue Valentine?" I suggested. 

"Yeah, ok. It's a go- Wait!" Zinnia snapped her head towards me and stared.

"What?" I asked, seeing her face.

"You just suggested a romantic movie!" Zinnia said, the corner of her lips curving up.

"Why do you have to be this fucking dramatic?" I narrowed my eyes at her. 

Zinnia laughed and shook her head slightly. 

"I can see some changes", she said in a low voice.

I rolled my eyes at her. 

"Shut the fuck up and play it if you don't wanna see some changes on your face."

Zinnia laughed again and played the movie. Just then Lily came and sat beside me, joining us.

"Hey, we are gonna watch Blue Valentine", I said.

"Ok", Lily said and nodded her head. 

I could see the sadness on her face and it hurt me. I really wanted to call Andrew and ask what the fuck was his problem. But I was sure he wouldn't take my call. If he didn't, then I wouldn't hesitate to drive to his place and bang on his door. But Zinnia said that it was a bad idea when I told her. She said it was best to let Lily and Andrew deal it out alone. 

Half way through the movie, Lily sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. And sighing is a sign of exhaustion and sadness. 

I took the remote from a drowsy Zinnia's hand and paused the movie which made her jolt up while Lily looked at me baffled.

"Didn't you talk to Andrew? Didn't you guys sort whatever that's going on between you two?" I asked, straight faced. 

Lily sighed again and asked, "For that, he should talk to me properly, right?"

I huffed while Zinnia yawned and said, "Do you want us to talk to him? Or just me because you know, Elka might choke him to death if he gives her this same attitude."

I glared at her. 

"No, no. It's fine. I'll manage it. I'll talk to him," Lily said. 

"Then do it for fuck's sake!" I yelled. "You have been like this for a month. We can't see you like this, Lily," I said, my voice being soft. 

Lily gave me a small smile and caressed my cheek. 

"I know, Elka. But what if he's just taking his time, like you said?"

I opened my mouth as I remembered I told Lily to give him some time. Now I knew why she didn't take any steps to confront him directly. She took my words and listened to me. 

"Yeah, you said that. I remember," Zinnia said, poking my arm. 

"Li-Lily, he has got enough time. You're the one who's hurting. I think it's time for you to talk to him directly. Whatever he's doing right now, it isn't right. He can't do this to you. You're his girlfriend so you deserve some fucking explanation," I said, trying to change what I told her that night and knock some right senses into her head. 

"Mm...I agree with Elka. Talk to him directly. It's clear that there's no use talking over the phone," Zinnia said. 

Lily nodded her head. "Yeah, you're right. I think I should go to his house."

Me and Zinnia nodded. 

Without wasting any time, Lily went to her room, changed clothes and headed towards the door after bidding goodbyes. She said she would take the bus when I offered her a drive and left. 

"Do you think it's a good idea?" I asked Zinnia, watching the movie that resumed playing. 

"Yeah, why not? It says in psychology that communication is the best medicine."

"The same goes in Journalism, not as a medicine but as a tool," I said. 

"It also says in psychology tha-"

"Enough with your classes. Now watch the movie," I said, putting an end to her psycho lecture. 

Zinnia looked at me and turned her head towards the T.V. 

After some time, Zinnia got up from the couch saying she's heading to bed.

And there, I was all alone on that big couch, watching Michelle Williams tap dancing crookedly to Ryan Gosling's awful but funny ukulele rhythms. That scene reminded me of Danish and me at the party, dancing the most awkward steps one would witness, not giving a damn about the stares and frowns and laughs from people around. I chuckled to myself as the memories flooded my mind. 

I miss him.

I paused the movie again and took my phone from the teapoy and called him. After a few rings, he took the phone.

"Hey shorty, what's up?"

"Hey, you free right now?"

"Yeah, I'm jobless anyways. What is it? Hang out?"

"Not hang out. It's just me and Zinnia in the house. Zinnia is sleeping and won't wake up any time soon and I'm bored as fuck. So I thought if you wanna come here and let's watch a movie or something?" I asked, biting my bottom lip.

"Oh, movie or something?" he said coyly.

"Pretend I didn't call. Bye," I said.

"Wait, wait. Just joking." He said and laughed. "Ok, I'll come. Where's Lily?"

"Lily went to Andrew's."

"Oh, okay. I'll come. Do you want something, like ice cream or chocolates? Or ramen?" he asked. 

"Bring ice cream. Chocolate flavor."

"Owkay. I'm on my way, shorty. Bye," he said.

"Yeah, bye,'' I said and hung up.

I smiled to myself looking at the name 'Bozo' that flashed on my phone screen. 

Approximately after ten minutes, I heard the doorbell. I rushed to the door, butterflies going berserk in the pit of my stomach as I lunged to get to the door. I opened the door to see Danish, smiling and holding two bags in his hands. 

I leaned on my door and said, "Everyone blames Lily for making me a spoiled brat. But now I see someone is trying to take that credit from her."

He threw his head back and laughed. I chuckled and moved aside, letting him enter. 
I closed the door and followed Danish to the kitchen where he put the bags on the counter and opened the refrigerator. I leaned on the counter, watching him doing everything. 

He took out and placed one ice cream bucket on the counter and put the others in the fridge. He then took a spoon from the small wooden cutlery rack and turned towards me. 

"Movie time!" he said.

"Wait, only one spoon?" I asked with squinted eyes. 

"Yeah, we can share, right?" he asked as he rubbed his nape with his free hand. 

"So romantic! But guess you're at the wrong place," I said and took another spoon from the rack.

"Of course! What to expect from Elka?" he said, making me chuckle. 

We walked towards the living and sat on the couch. 

"I was watching Blue Valentine and it's already half. You wanna watch anything else?"

"No, it's fine. Continue with this," he said, taking off his jacket.

"But it's already half," I said.

"It's fine, Elka. Play it," he said assuringly. 

"Okay. If you say so," I said and resumed the movie.

I opened the ice cream bucket and dug a scoop. Seeing me, Danish also took a scoop with his spoon.

After sometime he asked, "Is Lily gonna come today or stay at Andrew's?"

"I don't know. Maybe she will come today or tomorrow or whenever she wants. I'm not sure," I said without taking my eyes from the screen.

Danish nodded his head. 

Maybe Danish knows what happened to Andrew. Should I ask him? 

I turned my head to face Danish and asked, "What's with Andrew?"

Danish looked at me with a half spoon in his mouth. After gulping down the ice cream he said, "What's with him? He's fine right?"

"No, he isn't. He's been avoiding Lily for almost a month. Lily's so sad thinking about it. And that's why she went to Andrew's today. To ask him directly what's the matter as he doesn't answer her calls or texts."

Danish looked at me with his eyes narrowed. 

He nodded his head before saying, "I see. I don't know what's the problem. He seems fine to me though."

"So maybe he's being like this only to Lily," I said, going for another scoop.

"Well, she went to talk, right? Everything will be okay. Now let's watch the movie."

I nodded my head agreeing with him. 

Lily wouldn't be able to take another heartbreak and that thought broke my heart. She was always happy with Andrew. She loved him to the core. She would be a mess without him. I hoped everything got back to normal between them.

I didn't know why I looked at Danish from the corner of my eyes when a kissing scene came. I saw him being a bit fidgety, wiping his palms on his jeans and playing with the spoon in his hands. He moved his head sideways and rested on his hand that was on the armrest which made the black pigment that was embossed on the side of his neck catch my eyes. 

"What does this say?" I asked, pointing to my side neck and then to his.

"This one?" he asked and glided his finger up and down on his tattoo. "It says Danish in Arabic. I love that language and also my name. So I got it tattooed on my fifteenth birthday," he said, smiling. 

I nodded my head. 

"Yeah, your name is pretty catchy. I haven't heard of anyone with that name. Is it Arabic? What does it mean? Where did you get that name from? Who named you?" I pestered him. 

"It's Persian and it means knowledge, science and wisdom. My grandfather's second wife is a Persian. She's the one who named me."

"Second wife?"

"Yeah, my grandma died at a very young age due to cancer. My grandpa stayed a widower until my dad married mom and had my brother. He was lonely and young enough so my dad insisted that he should find someone who will be there for him till his last breath. And so he met a beautiful Persian lady and married her. After two years, my mom gave birth to me and it was my Persian grandma, who I call Ammi, who literally brought me up."

"Ohhhh, that's...." I trailed off, smiling. 

"Sweet. I know. I love her so much and she loves me as much as I love her," he said, grinning. 

"So, you have Persian relations?" I asked.

"Not really. Ammi's family cut off all ties with her when they heard she married a white. So...."

"Oh, ok. I got it." I nodded. 

"Yeah, that's it. Let's watch," he said, pointing to the screen. 

We both almost finished the bucket and I was feeling a bit dizzy after eating the ice cream. 
Danish was energetic as always and was commenting on the direction of the movie and Gosling's acting. 

My eyes were drooping as the dizziness and sleepiness were slowly engulfing me but I tried to stay awake for Danish's sake, as I didn't want him to feel lonely. 

I leaned my head on Danish's shoulder and watched the movie. Gradually, I was dozing off. But my eyes shot open as I felt something on the side of my forehead. I felt something warm and soft. I felt a kiss.

Baby, I've got silver and I've got gold
But when push comes to shove, this is getting old
I wouldn't have it any other way
No, I wouldn't have it any other way