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A big, mammoth size, brutal bulldozer ran all over me!

I repeat: A BIG. MAMMOTH SIZE. INSENSITIVE.  BRUTAL BULLDOZER RAN ALL OVER ME.

Impossible to believe?

Probably that's the only truth I could reasonably attach with the feelings I am going through now, at this moment. Specifically enough it's regarding my state of  physicality.

The moment before I even open my eyes and gaze around myself, process where the hell I am and what's this preety sharp thing poking me in my back, the first thing I experienced was - my tonne weighted forehead.

It was throbbing so much, so hard as if it got crushed again and again through a bulldozer or a tractor riding on it, as if it was a runway, continually, mercilessly.

And that wasn't only limited to my preety little forehead. My whole body from head to toe or you say toe to hairs was hurting so badly that I just want to numb it all at once. Now that I think of reason, may be I slept in one still same position throughout the night and almost day,  that now raising even  my little finger a damn millimeter up requires a ton of efforts.

Still, in that pain I took efforts and raised my hand with difficulty, settled my blanket off my face and growled inhumanly noticing my surroundings.

There was so much freaking light all over. So much brightness.

Dammit! It hurts my eyes.

Around me, when my blurness started cleaning up, the sight was honestly - not so clean. My bed was a mess, books spread all over opened and closed,  curtains already opened, clothes resting at another corner of my bed in a big mountain form specifically showing my red laced bra hanging separately and clock, damn! it shows the time, it was two of afternoon.

I have slept this long? I sigh.

Yelping and squeezing my eyes tight,  with some more efforts I sat up straight, my backbone bending and due to strained cold all night, it almost felt so tight yet body loose  to sit.

Sitting up, first thing I did was, massaging my whole face, with finger tips giving pressure, not so gently, especially this throbbing forehead.

What have I done? I wondered while my mind was totally blank and just...just want to be free of pain. I couldn't think clearly, my mind was in its own form of haze.

Massage did comfort me like for half percent and meanwhile I realise how gross my mouth feels. It was all bitter and sour along with my  throat being strenuous, like African dessert dry.

With dehydrated mouth and thick saliva, I coated my cracked lips. The aching in my skull flow back  and it flows like a cold tide, yet the pain is always there. My brain felt it would swell beyond its capacity and burst out all it's content any moment now.  I understand at once why they call it a hangover, for it feels as if the blackest of clouds are over my head with no intention of clearing until late afternoon. Or tomorrow afternoon.

Now with the skull-fitted-to-blast pain, my hydration felt too obvious to ignore anymore.

When I reached for a glass of water from my bedside table, there I frowned seeing some silver coloured thing kept.  I frowned gulping down saliva, not remembering when I kept them there but those two tablets were for painkillers.

Perhaps some painkillers would be helpful. 

Without thinking much, I took them and swallowed down my dried throat. Still after having this many sips of water, the thirst stays.

I squint, my stomach now grumbling and lurching and myself moaning  before again retreating under the duvet. I fell like sleeping. Sleeping for another day and yet, yeah I can't. I can't because this throbbing forehead, dry throat and gurgling stomach wouldn't even peacefully let me  take breath.

I raised my heavy eyelids half way only for them to fall shut. I raised them again and swung my bare feet to the carpet.

I groaned, falling back on bed feeling nauseas for keeping my reflexes too fast than body could understand.

"God" I muttered, wishing to stay like this, in the cozy duvet, not wanting to leave anymore.

I sank back to the bed; perhaps I had to go downstairs to feed these fighting rats in my stomach, I had to go to toilet and I had to take bath. I had to change also.

I sank back into the bed; too many jobs to do, so much mess and my life in tatters.

But I had to stand up, this impatient bladder is just addiing to my misery.

This time I stood slowly, searched for my blue- white coloured slippers with my foot taping blindly under the edge of bed. And when I finally found them, I rushed to the washroom jumping over the stuff on floor, falling here and there just to empty my, this, screaming bladder.

I swear I could have wetted my pants if it was a second longer.

Oh, well there are no pants, just the stockings and dress.

I splash cold water on my face just to feel something refreshing and instantly wish I could wash my brain free of the toxins too. The mirror shows my eyes, no longer the excited girl of last night, a ruined dull halloween makeup it seems.

After I finished brushing my teeth replacing sour taste with mint freshness, washing my horrible nightmare looking face, I decided to fill my warzone stomach now.

Probably there were some leftover or breakfast left for me. But first I have these stairs to handle first.

"Stop being so loud Ryan!"

This was  Mallika, who was shouting on top of her voice, making my headache more painful. And with the manly animalistic groan I heard, Ryan seems to be suffering the same.

"But I didn't even say anything!" grumbled Ryan. 

When I reached near them, they were both sitting on the dining table, holding their head and groaning, complaining, blaming each other about the pain they are feeling now.

"So stop thinking so loud!" Mallika muttered, not even aware of what she really was speaking, meanwhile she held her hair through their roots so tight that it could come in her hand too.

I settled down skipping a seat from her, knowing she would definitely slap me for speaking out this. "You look horrible Malli."

Yeah, much much horrible than me. Her makeup was smudged throughly, her hair was like a bird  nest and she was still in her yesterday's dress.

Ryan didn't look much different, his hairs were also totally messed up. Except he didn't had makeup but the eyes had that dried tear around the corner.

Looks like they both didn't even bother to wash their face.

"Don't tell me" Mallika grumbled glaring me than whimpered and massaged her head. Ryan, on the other hand, kept his head down on the table as if trying to sleep there.

However I did feel much better now. Not entirely my headache went away but I do feel medicines I took made me feel better.

Being the responsible one, I stood up and went to the kitchen, taking out Advil and some kurkure out of the cabinets. With balancing the stuff in my hand, I rushed to dining table, throwing them all over the table safely.

"Come on," I passed both of them a water bottle and the medicines. "Have it, and you both will feel better."

"Oh, Ani" Mallika exclaimed showing  her, ever so grateful and thankful smile. Ryan however muttered a 'you are a lifesaver' and they both gulped down the medicines.

"Thank goodness, Maa is with Maasi." I voiced out while munching on my kurkure.

"Stop eating so loudly. My head is still paining." Mallika whinned, " but yeah, if maasi would have seen us like this--"

"We would be doing the laundary and mopping of whole house!" Ryan completed the sentence with his horrified expression at the memories.

I chuckled remembering all the time when Maa saw us in our hangover state and for punishment she made us clean whole season clothes, entire house floor and the utensils? they were like twice should be clean. And everytime she did that, we three would be careful not to get drunk next time.

We three, in silence sat on the table for five minutes before Ryan raised his head up off the table, looking at both of us curiously.

"Do you remember what happened yesterday?" Ryan asked us, and that question made me frown first than, that very question made me still in my place, unmoving. I didn't even need to thought hard. It was just like a reel, my mind played the movie of last evening.

"Ten!" "ELEVEN!" Prinku counted, Om tried to make us stop, "guys, it's too much now, let's tie up."

"YEAH MALLIKA! GO! GO!GO! ANIKA BHABHII! YEAHH" Rudra, Ryan yelled out loud over the music blasting in background.

"Thirteen!"

"So now, winner is Anika Bhabhi." Om declared grinning.

Shivaay  had stopped me, taking that drink away from me, he had put that on other side of table.

I asked Shivaay than,  "Has your drink finished?"

"No! I want that!" I said stubbornly.

"You are sitting on my lap!"  Shivaay hissed.

I don't have any pr-prob-problem."

"Screwwey you. Gosh! Don't shout billuji, my head hurts." I yelled.

A man grabbed me.

"YOU MONKEY!!"

"OUCH! YOU STUPID MONKEY! STOP HURTING ME!" I shouted at him and before I could think anything there, Mallika screamed a war cry, pushed me aside and stare at his face, and in a kung fu pose, she kicked in his nuts! Hard!

Rudra came out of the crowd, wearing a birthday cap with cake covering his cheeks,  taking his position with Mallika's and my side holding that beardy weirdo.

"You are not going anywhere." He commanded authoritatively. "Do you know I was searching this whole damn club for past half an hour? You don't have your phone, you just slipped out of there. And ...and now you drank whole bottle of vodka? Are you insane?"

I sniffled more, damn waterworks. I don't have hanky too. That made me cry more.

"Anika?" Mr Oberoi called me out, taking out his clean white handkerchief. "Why are you crying?" Oh, he asked so softly.

"You, billu ji! You always," a hiccup, "shout at me. Why do you  shout and ...and always glare me?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Why do you always make mistakes?" He questioned me back.

I pouted, "I admit you have so beautiful pair of eyes, spectral one..."

He wetted his lower lip with his tongue, awkwardly standing there looking at me contemplating to say something.

"... but you are a angry young man. 24/7 glaring  and scolding and so cold and so... intimidating."

He paused before uttering, "Indeed?"

"Indeed!" I confirmed.

"Just one wish and you can't even fulfil that?  What kind of fiance are you, billuji?"

I moved up to him slowly, near his ears shouted " Dance! What are you waiting for?"

I encircled my arm around his neck and as a reflex action his hand rested on my waist.

I smiled looking in his eyes, moving an inch closer to his face.

"Wake up, you can sleep inside your room." He continued to trying waking me up.

"Are you alright?" He asked me once we reached to my room and opened up the main lights.

"Hm"

"You are..quite."

"Oh shit! I feel sick."

His eyes widen for half a centimetre, "Don't throw up here!"

"I feel--rrr" I held my mouth and with widen eye rushed to my washroom, throwing up all stinking content in the commode. I felt someone presence behind me, holding up my hairs and standing there close. "Go, go aw-ay. It's gross here."

He didn't say anything but held my curls in a ponytail while I emptied my whole stomach in a very long vomit.

I looked up at him, he was looking at my state for some time, before asking,  "where's your first aid kit?"

"I should also give you something."

"What?" He asked me, keeping my first aid box aside on table.

"You know...like some sort of...return gift." I said while pointing to his gifts.

"A smiley?" He asked me, looking at me weird with confusion.

"Yeah! A smiling luminous flurocent smiley." I grinned and than told him seriously, "it's not some ordinary one. It's my lucky smiley. You know it always shines even if it dark and  I beleive someday maybe my smiley would make you learn to smile."

"It's..." he looked up me with his oceanic deep orbs, I nodded and he continued, " thoughtful of you."

"Do you like it?" I asked him with a lazy smile and sat in my blanket crossed legged, resting my back against the headboard.

He hesitantly nodded, "yeah, I like it. And now you should really sleep Ms Trivedi."

"My head hurts bad." I complained laying in my warm blanket, resisting my head on pillow.

"The painkillers you had will work when you sleep. So now sleep like a good girl."

"Gud nyt billuji"

Holy moly cow!

Traces of last night came through my mind, and  more than Mallika's fighting spirit or that beardy weirdo hanky panky-ness or Rudra's cake face, I saw...I saw all over Shivaay Singh Oberoi's face.

He being beside me and  moreover how I reacted yesterday, made my cheeks at another level heated red!

Oh, my god!

I literally sat in his lap, I childishly cried in front of him, I throwed up and he was there, I complimented him, his eyes, his personality, I danced. I bloody danced so close, so lost and if he hasn't backed out, for which I am really thankful, I don't know what I would have done!

Why? Why do I have to be such a drunker mess?

I had just embarrassed myself for a lifetime in front of him! So much fricking embarassing.

But Mr. Oberoi taking care of me the whole time?  When he could simply leave me or send me away with Malli and others, but he stood by my side, take care of me. Including he just fulfilled my silly demand of dancing. Why would he do?

Instead of doubting, you need to thank him and apologize for yesterday Ani. You need to! The least you could do.

My subconscious suggested, and I wonder where my little angel went away? But anyway, I know I have to do that but how in the hell am I going to face that man again? How?

After whatever I did and I did say to him, at this moment I want nothing more that this earth mother swallowed me down inside her, hiding myself far away from shadow of that man.

And moreover I gave him my favourite smiley. MY FAV  MINI SMILEY!

That smiley which I don't even let Mallika or Ryan touch. That smiley which Maa can see but can't demand to touch on her own. That smiley which I have kept since I was five, close to my soul in bad time and good time. That smiley I took with me every time I had my exam, even in my college final exams too.

All in all, that was my soul loving fav smiley. My lucky one!

"Oe?" I was being shake violently through my shoulder by Malli, making me come out of yesterday's memory movie. "Hello? Ani, are you listening? Where are you lost?

"Huh?" It was than I closed my parted mouth, gulping down a sip of water as suddenly my throat felt too dry to even form a sentence.

"I asked where are you lost? For the past five minutes we are calling you...and you have such red face, jaw hanging open... what- what's going on with you?" Mallika elaborated, looking at me concerned. Or more like suspicious.

Never, never I am going to tell her about yesterday night. She won't even live me peaceful than.

"Are you alright? Or should we go to the doctor?" Ryan now had furrowed eyebrows in worry. He rubbed his beard on chinside, about to take his phone. "You know what I am calling doctor."

"What? No." I exclaimed, standing up and snatching Ryan's phone. "I am alright. You guys...trust me I am all okay."

Instead the flashback I just had was still playing in my mind. I had... really really embarassed myself this big time.  What would Mr. Obeori think now?

"You sure?" Ryan asked me.

"Uh...yeah yeah. Hundred percent sure. Don't worry you guys." I assured them than changing the topic, "do you both remember... yesterday night?"

Eventually my question made them quietly settled down.

"Don't ask me!" Mallika sigh on my question and held her head,  "I drunk dialed."

"You mean," Ryan eyes went wide with surprise, "some stranger?"

"Malli ! Seriously?"

Mallika scoffed, "No, no you idiots. Your zizu."

"So, what's in that?" I asked frowning.

Mallika shook her head, "you know... I  promised him I won't ever drink and than he wasn't there yesterday...and now-- " She left the sentence incomplete, shook her head, "--let's just say, he is very upset and angry and maybe worried for me."

"Well, that's pretty much messed up." Ryan sigh as we both know whenever zizu gets upset like this, Mallika had work hard to make it up to him.

"And you Ryan?" Mallika directed the question at him who shrugged his shoulder off.

"I wasn't drunk like you two. Or three, including Rudra." Ryan eyed both of us grinning mischievously.

"What? Why are you giving us that...your creepy smile?" Mallika questioned, eyeing him up warily.

"Hey! My smile is handsome!"

"Beutiful, Ryan. Correct word is Beautiful." I corrected him.

And he looked at me scrunching his nose, "well, that's more like a femine word."

Here comes another manly man, I rolled my eyes at him, however Mallika repeated the same question, "why were you smiling like that? Something happened yesterday, isn't it? Tell me!"

Ryan grin came back, "something? I would say many things. You Mallika, my dear almost- almost murdered a man!"

Ryan stated and here Mallika gasped, her moment stopped, the water she was drinking, was spitted out and she was tensed, her eyes went so wide that it seems to come out of her socket.  "How come I don't remember about such thing?"

"That's because I have a very sharp memory." He boosted that and than turned to me when I was consoling Mallika, "and you my sunshine, Anika dear, was involved with Mallika."

"I?" I spluttered out. "YOU ARE LYING!"

"MY EARS dammit! Don't shout women, my ears was about to bleed." Ryan rubbed his ear, glaring me mockingly. "And I am not lying. You two assaulted a poor  man, yesterday. And you Malli? My god! Publicly showed your kung fu moves on his....family jewels!"

"Oh that!" I exclaimed clearly remembering that scenario. I slapped Ryan on his head  hard,  he yelped. "Poor man huh? Matlab, you never have to trust your besties and always, always have sympathise with those...cruel man!"

"Or ni toh kya!" Mallika sighed in relief, looking at Ryan glaringly, hitting him on his head too "you duffer, had just gave me the heartattack!"

"Oye!" Ryan exclaimed.
"You both are just teaming up"

Mallika scoffed, "although I don't know why I kicked that bastard...but If Ani is saying, I believe her. He must have deserve that!"

I side hugged Mallika, we looking at each other 'yeah you are my only best friend' gooey eyes and both of us staring at pouting Ryan, who was now grumbling something insolence.

"You both are monster."

"Do you know what he has done? He was forcing himself on me. And you instead of beating him and  consoling me, are praying for that 6 feet 2 inch. What's wrong with you?"

"So I don't regret ruining his family jewels." Mallika stated.

"If only you weren't dancing with that gay so close and almost sticking to him for an hour. You misunderstood him."

"HE WAS A GAY??" My eyes widened at that fact and kurkure which I was about to gulp down stuck in my throat making me choke on that.

I coughed, in between trying to ask Ryan a question but unable to form any. He looked at me  confused, not able to understand any word and here Mallika in name of rubbing, slapped my back so hard that could have made every part of my stomach come out.

I gulped some air, glared Mallika and she stopped than sheepishly smiling at me and here Ryan continued eating my kurkure.

I snatched that packed and on that he just rolled his eyes, still taking a big handful of them, teasing me. " How the hell he can be a gay? I mean...I know yr he was staring at me, my body like some creep...and on that not leaving me."

"That's because, you were falling here and there, maybe for that he gave you sahara."

"By the way," Mallika looked at Ryan confused, "Now that I remember, why didn't he told us? Huh? When we held him, he didn't say anything of that sort?"

"Because you already managed to gather audience? And in between that choke and you Anika, assaulting his legs, how could that poor man told you anything? And what would he say shouting in public that I am a gay, please leave me?"

"One thing you tell me," I asked him, furrowing my eyebrows and hands crossed, "how do you know he is a gay? How are you so sure about it?"

"I-I just know."

Ryan looked like he has red cheeks and ears and even if he frowned and shrugged to convey 'i don't know', his eyes blinked fast. It's a sign we both girls know when he lies.

Mallika and me saw each other, I asked him smirking, "a-hn, tell us Ryan, how do you know so well?"

"I- I predict seeing him. Okay? We boys know when we see one. Um...you know guys I have to make an important call, So..? Good bye."

He stood up, about to leave when  Mallika and me held his t shirt, pulling him back. When Mallika saw me and I saw her back, both of us were thinking the same, why was he being so defensive of that man? And when we realised why it could be, our jaw was hanging on the floor, eyes totally wide and breath, we almost forgot to take that.

"Is he really..?" Mallika mouthed to me, eyeing Ryan's back up and down.

I nodded looking up and down too, mutely replying her, "I Think So..!"

We both nodded at each other, still in a shock but before he could turn to us we both clear out throat and composed ourselves.

"You know, you can't lie to us." I said, my voice wasn't that strong which I thought it should be to him. I cleared my throat once again, like some dying whale continuously, "ahm...you know, if there is something... anything you want to say? Although we kind of..know..."

Mallika nodded further saying, assuring him "and it's totally okay. We understand.  We won't ever leave you, Ryan. Infact we will support you in this. Isn't it Anii?"

I nodded at Mallika, "yeah, definitely. It's you Ryan even if you are like this, we love you."

"And we will always love you, sunshine." Mallika said with a wide smile, and down her toes was curling in, in curiosity.

We both side hugged him to his torso, still sitting, giving him a comforting hug and he just stare us with a frowning lips, pushing us back at a hand distance.

"Wait," he looked at us, at her than at me than at her, asking, "Support me? In what?"

Mallika smiled patting Ryan's back, "In your relationship, Ryan."

"It's okay.. we understand." I assured him, nodding, passing him my kurkura packet too, "You can have this too, if you want."

"Woahh!" Ryan looked at me shocked, "you are giving me your food? What's going on? I can't understand anything!"

Mallika gave him a sympathetic smile and whispering in my ear, "bechara, he still think we don't understand."

"I think he isn't ready to come out of his closet, you know? Should we give him some time?" I whispered back to her, whereas Ryan observing us  warily.

"No, it's time he be brave and confront  us." Mallika said seriously, standing up and holding Ryan by his shoulder.

"What's going on? What you two were whispering?" He raised his eyebrows at us. Meanwhile I also stood up beside Ryan to give him support and hug when he needed.

"Ryan," Mallika started, "it's okay. Yeah, trust me it is. You don't need to be embarrass about this. You listen? Not ever."

"Yeah, Be brave and face the world!" I told him enthusiastically whereas he removed Mallika's hand from his shoulder.

"Did you two had drugs this early morning? Or you two are just pulling me legs?"

"Ryan! We know. Now. We both know and are with you."

"Yeah and did you tell your dad, Ryan?" I asked him, worried. His dad is one strict parent.

"Offcourse not Ani," Mallika scoffed, "see here, If he has been so shy about it, to us, what would he have said to anyone else?"

"Yeah, you have point." I agreed.

"Wait, dad? What should he know?"

"About you." We both said simultaneously.

"About me what?"

"That you are a gay." We shrugged off, no big deal if he was.

There his jaw hanging open, nose flared and he was still in his place like a statue.

"I AM WHAT??? What did you both just Say?? Come again!"

She and me looked at each other, not expecting him shocked at this level.

"We said," I nodded as Malli started and I completed, but it came out as a question, "you are a gay?"

"Gay? I am gay? Do you both know what you are saying!"

Mallika frowned, than sign, "denial won't take you anywhere Ryan."

"Denial? Ary jab I am not, than I will deny  na! By the way  where did you both get that idea?"

Mallika waved her hand at me, to go on.

"You were taking that guy side as if.... like you were interested in him?" Again the fact I stated came out as a question.

"Interested? If a man take another man side so you think that man is a gay?"

"Yeah, although another one was whom you were extra caring... sympathising.." Mallika continued before I cut her off.

"Offcourse you are." As realisation drawn upon me, I stated to Malli, "You remember when he was seeing that Avlon man and these two were sharing some secret smiles."

"Oh yeah! And we thought they are planning prank on us but in reality..."

Gosh, my memory working like a cheetah speed, giving all the evidence that we both unintentionally ignored. "And that guy from fair? You rem--"

"Hold on your tongue both of you! Chii...No. God, although I support gay relationships but I am not. You two idiots, kuch bhi bole jaari ho? Those were my just friends and  I am very much interested in women. I am straight. You both hear me? I. Am. Straight!"

We both listen to his rant and here Mallika even planned out sending him on a blind date with her cousin's friend's boss who she thinks is most suitable gem for our dear friend.

"You sure?" Mallika asked him. "Or you don't need to be ashame of it. Even I am planning a date for you. There is my cousin's distant cousin boss..."

"Don't. Don't say it further. Offcourse I am sure I am straight. I am interested in women, not man. If you have to set my date, set with them. Or do one thing, don't do it, don't set anything. I will handle myself everything." Ryan huffed, taking some air in.

"So you weren't interested in that..beardy weirdo." I asked him.

"Offcourse not! Why would you think so?" He scoffed.

"So why the hell would you turn so red and that... shy..  bride type hearing his name."  Mallika scoffed too.

"I-I  didn't!" He stated, lying actually.

I eyed him, warning "Ryan?"

"What?" He frowned, wetting his lower lip

"Admit it." Mallika deadpanned. "Or you know the date, I can set now too. With a man."

"Okay fine fine. I admit something happened. You both," he pointed at us, "don't stare me like this now."

"So?" Mallika quipped, both of our curiousity rising.

"So?" And here he thinks he can play dumb dumb with us.

"So? So, what happened yesterday?" I cocked both my eyebrows, "tell us, tell us."

"Conjuring didn't even kept this much suspense, than you are holding now. Come on spit it out." Mallika rolled her eyes, crossing both her arms against her chest.

"Actually-" he started but cutted off as we heard someone's presence behind us.

We three turned around, Maa was there, standing keeping spare house key in her purse, "why are you three standing?"

She didn't even looked at us, still buzy keeping her stuff. Here I grinned about to go to hug her and ask her to make something yum but than I remember.

Mallika!

My eyes widen in panick and when Mallika was about to shout I held her mouth, indicating Ryan too to turn back.

"Um-m! Evvve ee" Mallika struggled against my hand. Not to loud, that maa could hear.

"Shhhh!"

"What happened?" Ryan whispery shouted at me and here not trusting Mallika I kept my hold tight.

"What happened?" I asked them in disbelief, " Look at your both condition. If Maa will see, she will definitely know!" I told them and here as if some sense knocked out in Mallika as she stopped struggling.

I took my hand back, wiping the saliva she just ran her tongue on. "Eww!"

"What are you three doing? Any secret mission planning again?" Maa chuckled, and we three tensed as she came near us. Almost there, three steps away.

I turned, yelling "Maa!"

Immediately going to her with two long strides, holding with her shoulder I lead her to living room, opposite side of us. Maa surprised by my sudden gesture, looked at me suspiciously. However I turned the topic to bags she was holding.

And that did her!

She talked about different stuff she was carrying, majority of them for my maariage and mostly Maasi send  for me as usual specially her handmade gajar ka halwa. Meanwhile from corner of my eyes, I saw them both, idiots they are, instead of rushing to their room, they were taking handful of snacks and orange juice and when they looked at me, I glared them hard.

Ringing of our landline  echoed and seeing it as perfect timing, before Maa could sit, I handed landline to her. Ignoring whoever was on call I briskly walked to them, smacking their head whereas they complained how hungry they were with mouth full.

"Mallika?" Maa called out loudly, while coming to us and saying on call, "hn beta, na na your wife is safe and fine. These three I don't know what they are upto. Maybe she left her phone in room. Yeah, let me give her--"

And before we could run, hide, or duck down, she was right before us, Mallika stopped gulping down her juice, her face still had ruined makeup, swelled eyes and Ryan stopped chewing the snacks. I gulped hard, seeing Maa's scrutinizing expressions on us.

"Han, hn" Maa said back on the call, silently handing it to Mallika who in return hesitantly took it. Ryan however, fastly chewed his food in between choking on it under Maa's glare. Maa offered Ryan a glass of water and poor he, took that in fear sipping on it taking more time than usual. I know, seeing Mallika's party dress and Ryan's suit, she didn't need to ask anyone to know where were three of us thr past night.

"Anika?" Maa looked at me without any motherly love or affection, just her silent anger that only a daughter could tell.

I gulped meekly saying, "ji maa"  looking at her avoiding her eyes.

  "Come to my room. Now."

And there goes my remaining of the day, having stomach full of her lecture, instead of her handmade food as I wished for.

••||••||••

"Did you or did you not went to the late night party?"

"Maa--"

"Did you?"

I exhaled, "yes but every--"

She cut me off, and glared me so hard that shut me off completely. Never had she scolded me or glared me for being to a party, but now? I don't understand and lord, what will happen if she came to know we had some shots of tequila!

Not some, the competition. In which you won too.

"Did you or did you not come home drunk?" She asked me, in straight voice, no nonsensical tone. She was so serious unlike other time. Thia was the same person who can't even scold as regard to her humble nature. It was really very rare to see her so hot headed. Infact I could count the time she did till date.

I lowered my head, too ashamed to admit. I haven't had been like this reckless for past two years and now when I thought I was having fun after too long, in reality I was drowning the reality of  getting married under those shots. I was just drowning the anxieties and tensions I am experiencing for past two three weeks.

I felt her gaze on my forehead, she got the idea, I knew that much but  she pressed further, asking me sternly, not calling me with my nickname that she used to, "Did you, Anika? Answer me."

I hesitated but answered looking at the floor. "Y-yes."

She was silent and angry, there was heavy silence between us. Maa turned around saying, "You have disappointed me Anika. This time, you lead  me down."

Disappointed? My head snapped at her, to see the back of her neck.

I disappointed her? Never had my maa has used these words, never. Instead it was always been, 'I'm so proud of you Anii' or 'you held my head high'.

But now disappointment? I feel like my heart is being setting down. It broke me, my headache and all pain subsidized in front of this iceberg that maa has thrown on my way...and I feel not good ... Suddenly I am scared to hear the words. Disappointed come out of her mouth to me. I think I might not able to bear it.

"Did you not think even once that your marriage is going to happen and all these activities should be stopped from now on?"

My eyes didn't have courage to look up,  they stayed on the floor again, with chin dipped to neck, and after hearing the sadness, dismay  and hurt in her tone, more than her anger, it made me regret my every action, even going out yesterday.

"Look up here. Look up Anika."

And before something else she could say, there was a knock on door. Although it was open but there seems Ryan and Mallika standing up in much better condition of their face, worry evident on their faces.

Maa was silent, I looked up slowly,  just the wrinkle on her forehead but still taking her silence as permission granted they came inside.

"Maasi, we are sorry." Mallika, said holding Maa's hand while Ryan nodded. "But it wasn't Anii's mistake. I was the one who pushed all of them to...drink."

Hearing her, Maa looked at three of us. Her eyes wasn't like everytime she would scold and punish and forgive us. No. It was more like hurted, her eyes held the disappointment, disapproaval and displeasure. It clearly shows, this time what we did was a grave mistake. Mallika took her hand back, stand up beside me and Ryan too followed her lead.

There was a heavy silence. "You have disappointed me Anika. This time, you lead  me down." Her words from before still ringing in my mind, making me anger on myself.

"It isn't about who started Mallika, but now she has to understand. She isn't just carefree like before! That she can go whenever she want and enjoy drinks. I never liked your all this habit but still that college time was different. But now? She is getting married and being someone wife, someone daughter in law gave her responsibility of image of that house." Maa shook her head and for the first time along with despondent, I saw the ashamed-ness of us, of my actions  in her eyes, the expectations she held with her daughter crumbling down.

In laws? Dadiji...now I had to think about all, before doing anything I wish for? Can't I go to late night parties anymore? Or roam around as I wish to? Or stay at my friend randomly?  I internally frowned, a sudden realisation drawing upon me of the duty that is coming my way with the marriage.

Till now, till now I was like a carefree bird, do as I wish to. And now my in laws, and that too not ordinary ones, India's riches family image will be held with my every action?

"Now what will maaji think, you tell me Anika, knowing her would be daughter in law drinks in some club and come home drunk like some irresponsible drinker, what would she think?"

I admit I did wrong. It was my fault that I drank too much alcohol without thinking. That was so reckless of me.

"I am sorry maa," looking in her eyes , with honesty I apologised "yesterday...it was my mistake I crossed my limits." I sincerely apologised but I dared interrupted her, "but even after marriage if I occassionally drink like red wine a glass or two, I mean in control, what's wrong in that?"

Mallika and Ryan's neck snapped at me wide eyed. I shrugged my shoulder off. I love red whine, and even if I intake by my choice after marriage, would that be unacceptable behaviour? If that's my choice, and it's not even harmful and occassionally I am taking it, what's wrong in that? I genuinely believe it should be person's choice. What's their to frown upon these things?

And than boys do also do these things. They are never being frowned or  interrupted.

"Anika!" Maa said, "you are getting married now!" Maa emphasized, nth number of time, " Drinking any kind of alcohol, travelling alone, party late night you have to leave these all and embrace your new responsibilities. These are the things, that normally any kind of in laws wouldn't expect from their daughter in law."

"But Maa, there was Rudra, Shivaay, Om and Prinku too. Rudra also drink. He is allowed  so after marriage, why can't I occassionally have my red whine. Without like need to hiding or lieing?"

"What should I do of you Anika? Rudra is a boy, he can do whatever he wants but you? You don't understand your position, do you?  You will held their house reputation, like here you keep ours. But here I know you well, we don't know if they will accept it or not."

"So here Ryan is a boy so he can and because we both," Mallika pointed at me and her, asking in disbelief "are girls, so we can't? Maasi you never discriminated among us, but now?"

Maa sighed, shaking her head, "This is the society, Mallika, it has it's own rule. I didn't care and never discriminated but I don't want Anika to suffer in future or  lead down her in-laws. She has to leave this house and live with  her in laws and accordingly adjust too. And if they don't agree to her certain habits so yes, she has to change them."

Mallika shut her mouth and Ryan, he was just listening to all like me, silently.

"I can't travel alone too?" I breath out in disbelief.

"Why would you when you will have Shivaay now?" Mallika said, shrugging and  adding "or girls trip if you want with us."

"Anika, certain things needs to be change after marriage, to adjust with your new family and to accept them and for you accepted by them. Or you know, habits  automatically changes when you will be given  new responsibilities. And in this, if you are thinking you are alone facing this change than No. I'm sure Shivaay was also going through this similar, new phase of his life."

"Whatever you want to do. But do it with your husband." Maa stated as if it was obvious, "Drinking, traveling, parties...all you are now on have your husband's part too."

"I am sure Mallika has also been to similar phase, haina?" Maa asked her to which she silently nodded, lost somewhere in her thoughts.

"Maasi is right Ani. After marriage many things change, and initially I also had to adjust with the things. But in all that I was lucky to have your zizu, we both face that phase together, supporting each other."

Maa nodded, meanwhile Ryan spoke for the first time. "Even thinking of someone, precisely as my wife coming to live with me now on, in my house, in my room, on my responsibility. It's just... terrifying. Aunty, but we won't never want our Anii to sacrifice her happiness ever and live with what she never approve of against her wish. Adjust, but not at the cost of sacrificing yourself totally."

Ryan kept his point of view further, keeping his arm around my shoulder in a comforting side hug, "But ever you feel you are being forced for something, as I say to Mallika, to you too I am saying, remember I am just a call away to face your In Laws alone."

"Even I am Anii." Mallika nodded, taking me in a hug from other side.

Meanwhile maa look at us three,  saying with her finalize tone, "Remember that, you are not single anymore Anii, you are going to have husband, another house, new family. You are going to have responsibilities, their reputation and respect now on will also depend on you and I never want my daughter will ever be lead down... herself or your parents."

I nodded, coming out of both their hugs and walking up to maa, swallowing the saliva down my throat, with sincerity I gave her my words, "Don't worry maa, I would never want to ruin your name."

I assured her, still a frown that I tried hard to remove stayed etched while thinking about the discussion we had. I excused myself, suddenly wishing to be alone, in my own personal walls.

Those three looked at me with concern, calling out my name. I assured them, walking out, alone with my thoughts. I rushed out of there, to my room and closed myself, hiding my body, my face in confides of my blanket laying down on my bed.

Now on I can't be carefree self? Will it be manual everywhere I go, my new family will also come or biggest think, I can't travel alone?

Travelling is my hobby and once in a quarter  month I travel. I do travel to a new state of our country or entirely new country. I love traveling alone. I don't care if Mallika or Ryan has time and inspite of them not coming with me, I enjoy traveling alone and exploring the world.

And now, I can't go on with my lone travels? I can't go on late night parties alone? Or can't I spend my time alone as I want without explaining  myself after marriage?

Even if Obeori's seems to be so down to the earth people and with modern thinking, even though Mr. Obeori and I agreed, that contract to not interfere with each other life in terms of parties or business trips or whatever the heck we do unless putting reputation of our relationship at stack but now that I think of, as a woman, my life is going to be more of obstacles and less carefree than him.

Would I really lose my independence while walking upto new house?

This is really terrifying. So much that thinking about leaving my own old things, people and living with new family for my lifetime, seems so scary. I would be the one, new member there.

"Ani"

It was Malli. I didn't even realise when she came in and settled down beside me untill I felt her hand caressing my hair. As my whole face and body was covered under my blanket and my arm was over my forehead, she could manage to insert her hand to my hairs.

I didn't answer her as being alone seems more tempting now.

"I know you are awake." She stated continuing caressing my head that felt magical as usual and comforting but it didn't reach its comfort to my raging thoughts.

After a minute of silence, she asked too low, unlike her loud self, softly, with traces of concern was evident "What you thinking?"

"Nothing"

"Whatever you are thinking...just don't overthink."

I am overthinking? I am the one leaving my maa and my house where I have grown and going to new family. That too Oberoi's. Excuse me for thinking about all the things.

"Marriage seems hard." I muttered, first time truly with someone, about what I think of marriage.

She stopped caressing my hair and in one stroke, the blanket pulled away from me, "Come on, you are overthinking."

"Do zizu always be interrupted by your in laws? Or you can go alone to anywhere as you wish?"

"We are having lunch, come on now."

"Please, tell me."

"You are overthinking, you know?"

"Maybe. But I want to know."

"You will know with time."

"Please?"

"Okay fine." She sign, exhaling. "Yeah, in some things my in laws interrupt me but that just because they care." She shrug her shoulder off, continuing, "And  yes your zizu comes with me most of the places except shopping, my work and with you and Ryan hangouts...but that's because he worries about my safety and moreover wants to be with me. So yeah he supports me and pretty much we both go outside together. Not just at my side of occassion or family but his side too, because simply he wouldn't want to attend anything alone, or more precisely without me."

"Probably you have love marriage that's why?"

"Maybe but in Arrange too, you will find your love and companion in Shivaay. Trust me."

I shrugged that off, and asked her, "what changes did you face after getting married? Like in your lifestyle? Did it like, stop something you before marriage used to do?"

"You mean comparision of my life before and after marriage?"

I nodded.

"You already know my life before, like we practically used to be together most of the time of day or rest of time I would spend with you guys." She shared talking about zizu, a small smile played on her lips. "But yeah, life changes after marriage, things changes."

I curiously awaited to hear her.

"After marriage, instead of spending a part of a day, we had to have spend all of day with him." She pointed out, I frowned and she shook her head. "And I am not complaining about it, which is, too good. We both used to be excited how we will spend our day, how we won't leave each other side ever. We were and now too happy."

"Your point being?"

"You asked me na before and after marriage what changed? Before, when we give each other time, we solely thinking it to be precious allotted undisturbed time to us. It would be our own time, no family, no meeting, no friends, nothing else matter. But after marriage, when you are living twenty four/seven with a person, with time that precious time lost its value. Instead, on everything, every person have different issues and when we live together, we have fights over those things, issues arrises and difference in opinion leads to sometimes in misunderstanding."

"How can a person be happy than?" I wondered out loud, now that I think of Mallika and zizu's relationship. "You both look so happy. I mean all that you said, we never thought there were even a single issue going on between you two!"

She chuckled, "that's because we are happy."

"But issues and all. And those changes... I mean if person changes after marriage that used to love you so much before marriage. That would have hurt you, right?"

"When did I say there is less love?" She questioned and when I started answering she shook her head and with raised hand she stopped me, herself continuing. "There wasn't a time when we felt our love lost or there is less love from his or my side. No, there wasn't. Infact after marriage with all those issues and challenges I talked about, our love grow more stronger."

"I am not getting you!"

"When we have issues or any misunderstanding, we fight, sometimes seriously too, like for a week. Yes, don't give me that look. Every couple fight, so we do. But after that fight, when we are cooled down and done enough of ignoring,  one of us steps up and simply talk that problem out. And after talking peacefully and understanding each other's view we find a compromise of that. That way, we are okay. Simply we both together let down that hurdle, wins the challange. At the end our love wins and you know how reckless and madly we are in love."

"Yeah yeah, I know. Don't start on that." I rolled my eyes at her, thinking over her words.

She nodded, chuckled than seriously stated, "remember Ani, in every relationship fight happens. You think like that, if there isn't a fight, that relationship isn't going on right. So yeah fight happens but communication is important. If tomorrow Shivaay or you have some problem so don't just sat down holding your endless staircase of ego but talk it out yaar.  Or make some rules in your relationship, like before sleeping there shouldn't be any issues between you two. They should be solved."

"Okay love guru. I will keep that in mind." I dramatically folded my hand, bowed down in front of her.

She laughed, with both her thumbs pointing at herself, while raising her head high, "now you know, where to come when you had marriage problems. Mallika Chaudhary Khan"

We laughed, it was than I sat up and when we sobered up she held my both hands, a small smile playing on her lips.

" Anii, marriage is not a terrifying thing as you may think now. I know you must be feeling, it is like a jail that tieing you down with hundreds of responsibility and now on there will be curfew on you for everything." She told me and true to her words that I was thinking,  I nodded to which she just shook her head.

"It's not, infact it's a beautiful relationship and you won't understand this now, I know I have been in your place. But will know with time, when  Shivaay and you will start understanding each other. But anyway, whatever Maasi said, that was right to a point.  But don't overthink, every family is different, see mine one, they keep me like their daughter- supports me more than your zizu in many areas... and I feel the same for you having Oberoi's. With time you will be part of this married life, without yourself knowing too...and when those saatvachan you will take, automatically a sense of responsibility come within you, giving you sense that whatever decision you will take, will held everyone's happiness. You will see, it comes to us automatically."

She assured me, with confidence and certainty in her voice. Maybe she is right, every family is different and with giving time everything heals and can be alright. I should feel lucky to have Oberois. The point is I should.

What happened to me? This is so unlike me. Why am I worrying about it?

I am Anika, who enjoys moment of life. Who doesn't think so hard about future and worry like this.

I smiled, a small but a true smile, nodded at her, "I think you are right. Maybe I am overthinking."

"You definitely are." She rolled her eyes and scolded me for being all nirupa rai, a touchy mess   and  shared her plans about dancing and mehendi and about Rudra group chat where he has already send yesterday's photos. Basically she talked about all from nothing to everything.

"You are frowning much, means thinking too much." Mallika shook her head at me, even if I wasn't frowning, I frowned at her now as she pulled me up off the bed forcefully lecturing upon how marriage is a beautiful commitment, for the second time.  She reasoned my empty stomach for these dreadful thoughts. And probably she is right! For god sake, I had my proper meal yesterday evening!

And that too you throwed up in your yesterday's long vomitting session.

Eww! Mentally I had all cringing facial expressions at my subconscious gross thought. But with that I could never escape the thought of Shivaay holding my hair and afterwards giving me those medicines.

The thought in itself is totally unfriendly, like Mr. Obeori and caring? That's something I blaming my drunk self for maybe showing the delusions.

But than there were medicines on bedside table I saw was a solid evidence that yesterday night wasn't my imagination. As sober me could guarantee enough that in my  intoxicated condition too, I won't never take medicines myself. It was one and only Mr. Oberoi kept them there for me.

I came out of my thoughts as clinking of  many bowls made loud sound, all over the house. It was like whole lot of utensils may have fallen and broke down. Mallika also stopped talking and we both made our way downstairs, frowning in confusion. But when we reached the dining hall,  the sight  made us burst out in fits of laughing.

Maa was sitting on dinning table head chair giving order to Ryan whereas, Ryan with a grumpy face,  wearing an apron was washing sink full of dirty and old and clean dishes, carefully. It's funny, seeing Ryan's stiff posture as if he is in gym and doing weight lifting, but here he had plate in one hand and a scrubber full of dishwasher bubble gel in another hand.

Hearing us laughing, Ryan started complaining while for a second Maa looked at our way relieved but soon her expression came to as a strict mummy.

In another five minutes, Mallika had a broom and mopping stick in her hand while  I had detergent powder and whole stack of clothes of this week. Gosh! My hands literally felt they are holding hundred kg dumbbell instead of these stack of clothes.  We were also like Ryan, ordered on which Ryan has that full blown smirk on his face.

Perhaps, empty stomach was part of our punishment too. We three had an hour time, meanwhile depending on our quality of work we will get quality taste food. Meaning, if we excell, I guess Maa will cook paneer or something laziz mouthwatering or if we didn't we could have dalia or worse plain soup.

After separating whites from coloured, I set them in the machine. Seems like with these amount of clothes it would take three to four rounds. With earphones blasting Lamborghini song, I went through my whatsapp. There were messages from my office, some sketches need approval and there were some from my cousins asking for engagement pictures. But the most I had from our group, shivika ki shadi group. It had 1269 messages and among that 837 were the pics from  Prinku, Om, Malli, Ryan and among that too 594 was alone from Rudra.

Oh,my my.

First picture that I still didn't notice were of Shivaay and me, when we both got caught in that close position after engagement, in his room. Actually caught is wrong word. They misunderstood us. Yep, misunderstood our position.

Ten pics were send from Rudy, with some cheesy comments showing us standing like that with Shivaay's hand on my cheek. Basically he was cleaning up looking carefully at my smudged eyeliner but according to picture it will be thought how intense Shivaay was giving me look and caressing the cheek. Man! On that pic Mallika had given comments in around thirty messages.

Next few pictures were of these five from car when they must be coming around yesterday. It shows Rudy having french fries and other having either Mc veggie burger or cheesy wrap.

Oh, so that's where their car repairing was done. The time in picture clearly shows when I called them. I will definitely ask them about these! Mentally noting it, I went forward skipping 187 of their car pics, their come our girls selfies. We were posing funny, flaunting our dress and some showing our attitude and other simply captured our pearl whites.

My photo seeing session interuppted as Mallika came and yanked the earphone out. She has pocha in one hand and another hand had my phone. "Washing Machine! It is ringing so damn loudly for FIVE fricking minutes now and.... waahh ji here you are buzy chatting! Should I tell Masi now?"

Oh, I sheepishly smiled, shook my head hard persuading her, whereas she continued scolding me, her only concern being how I could ruin our lunch. After scolding me much, she told me her work has finished and now she wants to help me, reasoning she wants to eat soon. I literally hugged her, managing both of us to fall down in bathing tub while she yelled and slapped my back, complaining I could kill her with my immense strength.

We both settled the clothes in machine and with either of earphone in our ears, we both started seeing the pictures together from my phone. Some of them were funny, we laughed on that and some were beautiful, like social post-able pics, so, we starred those pics. After our selfies and pics of we all sitting together started Prinku's picture, basically when we started our competition. Hundred of them were there in which,  we all are drinking and than a vid showing our madness of winning, Ryan losing, Rudra losing and that funny expressions of Mallika when she can't take it more.

I fully belly laughed at her, she grumbled and glared at my way, complaining it was just my luck yesterday. I chortled on my laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. Even after proving, she has audacity to say this. Well, what are friends for than?

Further shows Rudy sitting in Om's lap and Om pushing him off and Ryan basically smirking looking at his phone. And than it comes the pics, where I was shown how silly I was looking after being drunk. I didn't even remember I did moonwalk like a kangaroo, as it was shown in this vid.

Mallika laughed at me, this time it was her belly full blown laughter echoed in the bathroom. She commented on each and every pic of mine, even if they were fifteen for single pose. Than the pic came where Shivaay enters and was standing behind me, coldly looking at us all, specially Rudra like any moment he is going to freeze him up with his glare. And that wasn't all, in that pic I was reaching for another shot, and Shivaay was standing just behind me.

Let me tell you more clearly, it was a similar situation, when in your exam you are being cheating peacefully unaware of the fact that your principal is just standing behind your back.

Thia pic emphasis the same!

Mallika and me, were now quitely  looking at those pics, swiping up next and next. After few pictures there come the one where it shows he held my hand, stopping me from taking anymore liquor, on which Mallika commented how caring he was when in reality picture shows clearly his expression was far from caring, and were sort of icy cold.

And than the picture came. That picture which made me try my phone snatch from her and hide, in some hole. The picture that made Mallika scream out loud excitedly, while commenting, "oolala, how can I miss this!"

My mouth was parted apart, eyes widened in surprise. There was me, and him in the picture, and...and I was looking in his eyes, so close, so near. And that's not even it. I am bloody sitting on his lap so comfortably, my eyes almost closed showing how comfortable I am feeling and in return he was still, one arm around my leg and other behind my back. Looking at me, in my eyes, well... sharply. And it looks so cozy, so warm. The angel the picture was clicked clearly showed us like we were closer than I remember. It shows as if I am going to bloody kiss his full lips.

I am never going to face Mr Oberoi again. Never.

After these pictures, the memory I had yesterday seems like it's vague. It's like, my memory in front of these pictures, are some plain black and white movie. These pictures when showcasing the reality in full visualisation, it is indeed shaking my decision to thank him and apologize for yesterday.

"Oye hoye Ani!" Mallika continued her teasing, snatching my phone away and analysing that pic like she wants to frame it. "Oh, my god. Look at you! You are looking like a tomato."

"Malli!" I warned her, trying snatching my phone away, and feeling my cheeks and ear burning red in embarassment. "Give me my phone back!"

"Ah-hn, possesive- possessive?" She continued teasing, "by the way, jiju do look hot. Oh Ani, why aren't you jumping  his bone and kissing him right away, than and there?"

"Malli!"

"What, look at you both. Awww."

She swiped up the picture, and as if one wasn't enough there were twenty more of us. It was like, every second of our was clicked. With each picture being swiped, it showed how Shivaay's hand moved between us but due to angle it wasn't shown he was untangling my dress from his shirt button.

Oh my, where is the hole? Where is the hole on this damn floor?

Than picture came where he lifted me and made me sit aside and that wasn't it! I was practically pouting, disappointed why am I not sitting anymore on his lap.

Mallika laughed, mocking sympathy for me and I was just red. Burning face I have now.  The worst has happened, now what there to hide? I will see this Rudy and Prinku! How could they send pictures in group. Dear god, now what it would be? I can feel the vibe of upcoming teasing and my cheeks being grilled under their teasing intensity.

"Waise, you know Shivaay has never been seen with a girl in public."

She told me suddenly, seeing all the pictures and I raised my head, cocking my eyebrows.

"Nahi, I just thought as you are his going to be wife, let me state some fact about your hubby."

And than the screen showed me, my chrome application opened up, "you saw my google history, isn't it?" I asked her in disbelief.

She ignored that, giving excuse, "it was already in recent tabs."

And still she was going through pages. I tried snatching my phone but every time I was near she ducked down.

"And you know, you to be husband is the most eligible bachelor of this whole country and even Asia." She smugly stated the fact.

I gritted my teeth, " I know!"

"And you know your Shivaay has no records for as in girlfriend or any kind of friend till now."

I frowned at her implication 'my Shivaay', still trying to take my phone back, "I guessed so."

"Uh-huh and you know your to be husband is the most mysterious man I met till date."

"I know man!" I give up trying snatching the phone and sigh.

"And you know you are the first women to be seen in his car and  rumoured so much around to be associated with him other than his family or business relationship."

"I kno--... what?" Well, other than he was not seen with any girl in public, this was the new fact I came to know today.

"Uhhuh say say you know." She had amused expression at my dumbfounded one.

I finally snatched my phone back, to inspect what she really was doing. I frowned seeing the whatsapp pics she was seeing and just pulling my leg all this time. Pinning down my gallery I gave her on her pleadings and emotional blackmailing to see pictures.

In between  laughing and seeing pictures, Mallika handled the round two clothes whereas I mentally noted to search about news later and for now saw another hundred picture of Om and Ryan trying hand wrestling and than Prinku dancing with Mallika. And there come some picture where Rudy went to group of girl, snatched birthday girl cap and cake cutting knife, declaring it was his birthday tonight.  That girl, instead of fighting for her right, kissed Rudy's cheek and remaining picture showed how they both cut the cake, following by cake fight.  Nowadays cheezy gurls and boys!

"Rudy is impossible!" Mallika laughed, holding her belly. Watching the video with Om's funny commentary for Rudy and this whole cake drama. Eventually Om reasoned he just did that to taste the cake as in Rudy language, "cake is calling him desperately to save him from being murdered by these merciless girls".

Mallika and I laughed so hard that we settled down on floor,  beside watching machine, rubbing our tears off and heavily breathing. When we thought we were okay we went through remaining images, which were least to say preety much boring. In those, we were dancing funny, laughing or posing. Good part was, Shivaay and mine picture didn't came as in you know cozy part types.

I was bored of, so, I stood up leaving my phone with Mallika and going for round three clothes. I haven't even opened the machine door when Mallika squealed, "Oh, my my!"

She yelped, initially she had eyes wide and jaw dropped on floor, than all of a sudden she started laughing.  Than she stood up, tried calling me in between her guffaws, "Riie--an...oh, god."

"What? I am not understanding!"

She shook her head, taking big gulp of air and still laughing and chuckling and just handled me the phone. It was a picture, more like a selfie of Om and Prinku smiling, normally.

"What's in this to laugh? They look good." I shrugged my shoulder and Mallika shook her head, breathing roughly. "Okay, calm down Malli. Breath."

"Ohh... shushh A-nii" she breathed out, taking one long breath and snatching phone from me and than doing something and giving me back the phone. "Look in the background. The pic of.."

She started giggling saying so, I looked at the picture closely. It was blurr but not so blurr to see  the faces clearly. Once looking and getting the picture clearly, my eyes widened, a giggle escaping my mouth, "oh, my god! Is this Ryan? Our Ryan?"

And this time I laughed like she was laughing before. She also started laughing nodding, "seriously man! I didn't think it was like this..!"

"Oh god" taking a big breath, I calmed myself down, looking at the picture once more. It was Ryan and that beardy weirdo and let's just say they were standing so intimately close. Ryan was backing his face, clearly it was shown his face was red, awkward while that beardy weirdo held Ryan passionately through his hand around Ryan's neck and with kissing face coming nearer and nearer his lips.

"What do you think? What happened next? Did he--" Mallika had that mischievous smirk, she left the sentence incomplete. I shrugged too, smirking and we both nodded as we thought same.

As by our silent agreement we both stride out of bathroom, straight to the kitchen. There he was, listening to fm radio and scrubbing the plates. Mallika and I saw each other, smirking and nodding.

We went behind him with silent steps, not making a single noise. And seeing him all engrossed we both shout out loud, "RAT, RAT, RAT."

"MUMMY" he shouted so loudly that our neighbour could hear him too and he throwed aside all the clean dishes, in a mili second was standing on kitchen slabe, "where is it? Where is it?"

He panicked as if he was going to piss his pants. Seeing his reaction we both again for nth number  of time today went into fits of laughter. 

Ryan being grumpy self, throwed some of soap bubbles on us, making us instantly yelp and freezing in that cold water. We three had our silly fight as usual and ended up sitting on dinning table. As we calmed down Mallika stood up, back with a smirk at Ryan, who raised his eyebrow questioningly.

"So, Ryan?" Mallika smirked, showing the photo at his face, "wanna explain this?"

Here I bite my lower lip controlling myself from laughing at his confused and than as realisation drawn on him, his dumbfounded expression. He just had few words to say, "how...when-n...w-who.. clicked?"

"As if we wouldn't know about this Ryani-boy" this time I smirked and his neck snapped so fast at us that it could have a whiplash.

"Nothing happened. Whatever you two are thinking! Nothing. Happened." He clarify himself, while shaking his both palms in a 'no' and his head too shaking so hard to prove his innocence.

"Mhm" Mallika hummed while I nodded curling my lip downward and shrugging my shoulder off indicating, 'don't know'.

However he started blabbering, "...he came to me and we just talked. I thought he was a poor man who just had breakup with some girl vicky. So naturally I sympathize and I didn't know. Okay. I was drunk, I didn't know when he held my hand and not seeing I was taking it back, he took a chance on me and came more close. By the time I realise what's happening I saw his hairfull face, coming near me close.."

"To kiss you?" Mallika suggested, while biting back her smile.

Ryan cringed, "something like that! Now how would I know Vicky wasn't a girl but a boy. I also sympathize saying in regarding Vicky, my ex."

"So," I piped in, "kiss didn't happen?"

Framable. Those expression Ryan gave was so damn funny to keep it framed on your living room wall. "Offcourse NOT!"

"Are you sure? Not a tiny mini?" Mallika asked hoping and pouting.

Ryan groaned, "Not a little bit of touch. Nothing happened. I repeat. Nothing happened."

So Ryan was the one assaulted yesterday night, not me. Now that we look at him, he looked a poor boy, so helpless who was assaulted to give his all five chocolates. He had same face as five year old kid, to make us both understand and not doubt his innocence.

Mallika and I saw each other, enough of biting lips and cheeks and again fell into guffaws of laughing session. Oh god! We shouldn't laugh much as it is said, whenever you laugh the most, that's the time you cry the most.  And here, we are laughing without any care of the world.

We kept laughing, Ryan kept cursing both of us. However I didn't realise that time with this much laughing, my crying session would be coming this soon.

There was Maa standing behind us, with crossed arm and straight face expression. We three stopped our movements and stood still in a attention position. What's with today? Maa is giving us the vibe of that strict school principal that roams with a scale in their hand and are ever ready to punish any child who breathe too loud than it should be.

"Are you three done?" She asked, in no non sensical tone.

We three looked at each other than at the dishes that were cleaned before but now fallen all over the kitchen floor. Than there was the floor which Mallika cleaned and we three made it dirty  playing in soap water. And than there was a basket beside maa, the basket she just passed to me and I gasped, looking accusatory at Mallika seeing all white clothes turned into pinkish-reddish colour.

Now there, there goes our food.

The rat started the war again and the whole room that was silent, pin dropped silent, filled with my my stomach growling like a fricking lion so loud. All eyes I felt on me.  It was awkward, seeing Mallika now biting her lip controlling the loud laughing session and there was Ryan in fascade of cough hiding his laugh.

And sheepishly I just rubbed my neck. We three looked at maa who had straight expression but by little and little a small smile started playing on her lips. And seeing it as a que, Ryan and Mallika burst out laughing, making me more red of embarassment. Maa too had now full blown smile. Mallika hugged maa, Ryan too side hugged her and in the last we three said sorry with a promise to never ever over-drinking again in life.

Lastly I hugged her, relieved she now no more is angry. It doesn't sit well with me whenever Maa is upset or angry. Today I disappointed her but I swear to myself, never would I give her a chance to feel like she did today.

We three were surprised when Maa showed us four big pepperoni corn onion pizza boxes with coca cola cans kept in living room table. We three yelped hugging maa tightly once more, kissing her cheeks and attacking and  eating our food like pigs. Like a good friends we are, we divided the extra pizza that Maa left equally among us, still offering some money if anyone wants to leave.

We were eating peacefully, sitting on sofa when Maa informed us about things we have to pickup and arrangements has to be done. When we asked why, she told us about the Udaipur trip, we are finally leaving day after tomorrow by evening. That too in Oberoi's private jet. It still is unbelievable, these are last two days I had here in this house before I shift somewhere else.

Mallika was the one, most excited one who instantly discussed her all the plans with maa about dresses, accessories, dancing, sangeet and everything. In short she went through a panick attack, seeing the less time it is left and things she has to prepare before leaving. On the other hand, Ryan gave worldwide excuses that he can't come that day. And I know why, mentally I rolled my eyes seeing his ego to come in Shivaay Singh Obeori's plane. Though with puppy face and giving all the swears, me and Mallika made him agree to leave with us. Atlast, when Maa declared we are all going together, he couldn't say no further.

We were just finishing our pizza, and picking boxes at one side, when Maa suddenly called me out, "Anika?"

I looked at her confused as she was frowning watching at me, or more like staring at my hand. "Hmm?"

Picking my palm up, in her hand she showed it to me while asking, "where is your ring?"

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EXTRA