DIYA

"Can you see her?" I asked Afreen,  as we came out of the college and looked for Ana in the crowd.

Afreen shook her head and we continued to search for her. I called her again,  but she didn't pick the call. 

I sighed in frustration, "She is so short. She will be swallowed up in the crowd." 

Meghana giggled beside me. I glared at her and finally spotted Ana. I waved her over to where we were standing. She was blushing and I raised my eyebrows at her indicating that I needed the details. 

"Ohh no!!!" Afreen exclaimed. All of us looked at her, puzzled.

 "I left my burka at Ana's home!!!" she exclaimed. It was nearly half past 6. By the time we go  back to get it and then dinner, it would be really late for her. 

"Go home without it today. Ana will get it for you tomorrow." Harshad said. 

Afreen panicked, "I can't do that. I need it. It's okay. I will go to her place, take it and go home." 

"Ana, come with me. We'll go get it." Sam said. 

Ana shot him an incredulous look. "I cannot climb onto your bike while wearing a saree!!!" she exclaimed. 

Sam looked at me. Shit!! I don't want to go with him. Ana saw my panicked face and said, "You guys go ahead. We will get her burka and then meet up wherever you guys are." I relaxed a little, but then I thought that we would be wasting a lot of time by going in an auto. 

I steeled myself and said, "Its okay. Sam and I will get it. You guys just let me know where you'll be." 

I heard Harsh and Harshad catcalling like losers. Ana and Afreen looked at me concerned and I nodded at them to not worry. I could handle it. 

It was an effort to sit on the bike while wearing a saree, but I managed, somehow. I didn't want to hold onto Sam, but I prefered holding him than to face planting myself on the road.  Both of us didn't speak to each other,  though the silence was not uncomfortable. 

My cell rang. "Hello, Diya. we are going to 1947. Come there." Ana said. "Okay." I replied and barely managed to hang onto my cell before it fell onto the road. I don't know how women manage in sarees,  everyday. 

We came to Ana's home and I quickly rushed inside to get the burka. I assured her mom that we will be careful getting back and got right onto the bike. We were halfway there when Ana called, "Hey where are you guys? We are mostly changing the venue."

" On the way, Ana. It's hard for me to manage saree, sit on the bike and talk to you. Just text me and let me know where we have to come." I said exasperated. 

"Oopss. Sorry. I'll text." she giggled and cut the call.

"Where should we meet them?'' Sam asked. The first time either of us spoke. 

'She'll text." I answered. 

"How are you? You happy?" Sam asked. 

"Let's not do this, Sam. After a month,  we are not even going to see each other. I just want things to be normal till then." I said. 

After that neither of us spoke and the silence was broken by Ana's call.

"I'm going to kill her." I muttered. Miraculously,  I managed to answer without dropping my cell.

"Hey Diya, come to McD. Where are you guys now?" Ana asked.

"You ass, I told you to text me!!! Right now,  I'm trying not to drop my cell phone or fall myself. I'll meet you there." I said and cut the call. 

We reached McD and found everyone waiting for us. I handed Affu her burka, which she accepted and rushed into the restroom to wear. She left soon after, not even staying to eat with us. I greeted Sahil (Sanjana's boyfriend) and Rehman (Chavi's boyfriend) and went inside. We drew a lot of eyes. Firstly, we were a huge group of 12 and also because we were in saree and suits and sitting in McD. 

"Seriously, you guys couldn't find a nice restaurant. 1947 was good." I hissed at Ana, feeling eyes following us, as we made way to our seats. 

"Don't look at me. Majority votes.  Everyone wanted a cost friendly place." She said. 

Sam tried to make small talk with me,  but I used anyone I could as a shield and spoke to them instead. 

By the time we decided to leave,  it was 9. We neared the door when Sam said, "Ana, do you mind going in the auto with Harsh till your place? I'll drop Diya there and pick Harsh." 

Ana looked at me and said, "Nope. Sorry I can't."  I shot Ana a puzzled look. I didn't know why he wanted me to go with him. Not that I would go. But still, it makes one wonder. 

His face fell and he tried to convince her as we stepped outside,  but stopped on seeing a tall formidable figure leaning on his car,  waiting. 

Ana's face lit up looking at Abhi and she blushed. 

"I need to know what happened when you met him outside to make you blush like this." I said.

A poke in the ribs was my answer. 

Abhi wore his trademark smirk and walked towards us with his eyes only on Ana. I saw the shocked look on everyone's face and a hurtful one on Harsh's. I laughed and imagined how they would react if they saw Dev. Immediately,  I sobered thinking about him and my laughter died. 

"Hey guys, this is Abhi." Ana squeaked out shyly. 

Everyone laughed at her awkwardness, while She introduced everyone to Abhi. He was cordial to them, but I could see that he didn't like them. Especially Harsh, since he knew his feelings for Ana. 

"Ready to go?'' He asked us. 

We both nodded and said our goodbyes to everyone and got into the car. Abhi seemed a little tense and kept shooting glances at me through the rareview mirror.  Ana felt it too because she asked, "Are you okay?" 

"I'm fine." he replied curtly. Ana turned back from the passenger seat and looked at me helplessly. We were nearly to her home,  when Abhi stopped the car. I looked around to see that we were a block away from Ana's home and the residential streets were deserted as it was nearing 10. 

"Why did we stop?" Ana asked looking around. 

He didn't answer her , but looked at me and ordered, "Dev is here. He wants to talk to you. Just go and talk to him." 

"I can't believe this. Did you even ask her if she wants to meet him? Is that why you were so eager to pick us up?" Ana said, angry. 

He turned angry eyes on her and said, "What else should I have done. She's ignoring him and he's miserable. The least she can do is talk to him. He's leaving, anyways." He hissed. 

"You cant force her if she doesn't want to... you.." Ana began and I cut her off. Their bickering was giving me a headache. 

"Stop. I'll go talk to him. Stop fighting both of you." I said and before either of them could say a word, I got out. I could still hear them fighting as I was looking around for Dev.   I didn't want them to fight because of me, that's why I was meeting him. Not because I missed him. Liar!! whispered my heart.

I peered into the dark night and found him a few feet away from where Abhi had parked, leaning against his bike. He looked amazing in a pair of torn jeans and some band's shirt. 

"Hey." He said, looking at me,  as if committing my face to memory.

I didn't reply just stared at him. He cleared his throat and said, "You probably didn't want to meet me. I'm sorry about ambushing you like this.  I just wanted to meet you before I left." He said.

My heart thudded in my chest and dread filled me up when I asked, "Leave?" 

"I got a job in US. _____ company wants me to work for them. It's a nice opportunity for me. I'll leave as soon as I get visa. " He said.

"Congratulations." I said, feeling numb and turned to walk away.

"That's it. You are not going to say anything else?" He said, angrily. 

He looked hopeful when I turned around. "What do you want me to say? Do you want me to confess my undying love for you, now that you are leaving!!" I said, sarcastically.

His face fell at that. I knew that was what he was hoping for. That I would.... 

"Are you really even going? Or is this some ruse to get me?" I asked. I knew it was a low blow, but I was hurting. He was leaving. Not even fighting for me. Did I even want him to? I was the one who pushed him away.  

He laughed humorlessly and said, "Don't flatter yourself. I actually thought that..." He shook his head and said, "Goodbye." and walked away.

I numbly got into the car and saw Abhi glaring at me. 

"You are blaming me for his leaving." I stated. He didn't reply,  just wordlessly dropped us to Ana's place. 

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A/N: 1947 is a famous restaurant in Bangalore. 

What do you think Diya will do? Will she actually confess her love before Dev leaves or regret later???

Stay tuned to find out ;);)

xoxo 

Keevai