ANA

Half the clothes I owned were lying around on the floor in my room and I was still digging for more clothes. And no, I wasn't cleaning my closet, I was looking for something that would actually fit me and make me look good. Diya was sitting in some corner, which was the only place she could find on my bed and was smirking at me. 

"Don't!!" I warned her.

"What did I say?" She asked, innocently.

"I know what you are going to say." I said. 

"What am I going to say?" She continued with the same charade.

I threw the top I was holding at her face and she bursted out laughing. 

"Its just a movie Ana." She said, in-between her laughs. 

"I don't  have anything to wear." I groaned. 

It was Saturday morning. The day of my first date. No,  not date. It's just a movie with a guy who is just an acquaintance. Okay, that sounded way weirder. It's a date.  My inner voice whispered to me.  Diya picked  a top and  jeans and threw them at me and said, "Go get ready. We'll be late for classes." 

I reluctantly got up and got dressed in a blue skinny jeans and a pink short sleeved,  boat neck top. I put on my contacts and did a once over in front of the mirror. 

"You are looking good. Now,  come on. You'll end up breaking the mirror." Diya said, laughing. 

I threw her a dark look and we left for college.

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"You are looking pretty , Ana. Abhi's gonna be in trouble, today." Afreen said. 

"Thanks Affu. God I'm so nervous. I hope he calls and cancels." I said.

"Will you relax. It's just a movie." Diya said, exasperated.

"Yes. A movie. Did I mention it's with a guy. All alone. What am I going to even speak to him." I hissed.

"Babe, you won't be alone. There will be other people in the theater. But,  if you want to be alone with him,  then..." Diya trailed off and both of them started laughing, while I was glaring at them.

"Ana, Diya. Mind sharing the joke!!" We heard a shrill voice call out from the front of the classroom. 

Yes. We were at the back of the class and still she was able to spot us and I was not even at fault,  this time. 

"Nothing mam." Diya said and we both tried to look contrite. 

She was not convinced. "I want the both of you to come sit in the front and don't  sit together."

We reluctantly got up and occupied front row seats, hoping not to fall asleep. 

I was a puddle of nerves by the time 2'O Clock in the afternoon hit. I had to be in the theater in half hour and I was getting cold feet.

I looked at Diya and she said, "Don't even think about it."

"How about I say that I have an extra class and I won't be able to make it." I pleaded.

"No." Afreen and Diya said.

"Come'on, guys please.  I don't even like the guy." Afreen raised her eyebrows, disbelieving.

"Fine. I like him,  just  a little.'' I said, holding my thumb and forefinger really close.

At this,  Diya raised her eyebrows at me.

"Ughhh. Okay okay!!! I like him more than a little bit." I groaned.

They grinned at me. "Let's go. You are wasting time again." Diya said. 

"You are coming with me?" I asked shocked.

"Didn't Abhi tell you?" She asked, smirking at me.

"Tell me what?" I asked.

"That Dev and I are  coming for a movie with you guys." She said, innocently. 

"So the whole day, I was worrying about nothing?!!! I was literally going crazy and you were having fun??" I asked, pissed.

"I'm sorry. But it was too good to pass." Diya said, laughing and continued," Abhi thought you would not be comfortable, so he asked us to come." 

My anger vanished hearing her say that. Awww so sweet. flitted through my mind. No,  we are not falling for him. It's just a movie. just a movie. I kept chanting that in head, trying to convince myself. 

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As soon as we entered the theater, we spotted them.They couldn't be missed as they stood tall and formidable among the others. My legs became weak when I saw Abhi. He was in a blue shirt and jeans. How many blue shirts did he own?? Diya was already moving in their direction and I trailed behind. Dev spotted Diya and his face lit up like lights on Diwali night. They hugged, while Abhi and I stood around awkwardly. I offered him a small smile and got a full blown grin in return. 

"Will you be able to watch the movie?" Abhi asked, suddenly.  

I frowned, confused and replied, "Yes. Why?" 

"You are not wearing your glasses, so.." He trailed off. 

OMG. This guy!! seriously. I don't think guys ask their dates such stupid questions. Well,  good thing this was not a date. 

"I'm wearing contacts. I will be able to see perfectly. Thank you very much." I hissed. 

Diya was hiding her smile, while Dev was shooting his brother a sympathetic look and Abhi looked at me sheepish.

"Dude, you are making things difficult for yourself." Dev said, patting his brother on the back. 

"I didn't mean it like that..." Abhi trailed off when I narrowed my eyes at him and noticed from my periphery,  Dev zipping his lips in panic which shut Abhi up. I turned around to glare at Dev.

"Let's go in. The movie will be starting in a few." Diya said, trying to diffuse the tension which earned her a glare from me. I was glaring a lot today. She just rolled her eyes at me and linked her arms through mine and dragged me into the theater, literally.

We girls sat in the center and the boys sat in the open seats. Any guesses who sat next to me??!!!

I settled into my seat and whispered to Diya, "I think I'm going to fall asleep. Who the hell chose this movie? I cannot handle a silly romantic." 

Diya giggled, "Same here. I have a feeling it was Dev. " She indicated with her head towards Abhi and I saw that he was sitting with a pained expression on his face. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. 

"What's funny?" He asked. 

"Nothing." I said. I laughed again when he frowned, burrowing his eyebrows. He glared at me and asked loudly, "What?" 

"Shhhh." Someone said.  Abhi glared at that person in dark, which made me laugh again, resulting in being at the end of that glare, again.

I just shook my head and he sighed. He stretched out his legs, as if preparing to sleep, making me smile.

"For god's sake, will you tell me why the fuc.. I mean why are you laughing?" He asked, frustrated.

"You can curse you know. You don't have to pretend to be someone else." He looked at me with that melting-me-into-puddle look. "You are funny." I added, after sometime.  

"This is the first time someone has called me funny." he said, smiling.

"I believe you." I said, smiling. He smiled back and we continued to stare at each other. I blushed and turned back to the screen, not really watching the movie. He threaded his fingers through mine and this time I let him.