I cornered Abeer the next day and tackled him about the situation with Mrs Arora.

Only while talking to him, I realised the guy was way more distressed than I had thought.

"I should've realised this plan was nonsense", he said regretfully "Initially, it was just that coffee and some chatting. So it was fine. But then Mrs Arora began taking time to make delicacies for me. Besan ki ladoos, rasagullas and coconut barfis. Then she realised I wasn't very fond of Indian sweets so she started buying donuts and cakes and all sorts of things. It's obvious that she isn't very rich and I feel so bad to see her spending money on me. I can't believe I'm making a fool of such a nice woman. Besides my mom is very interested to know why I'm gaining weight when I work out everyday".

"Oh God, Abeer!", I said, feeling insanely sorry for both him and Mrs Arora.

"And the worst part is that it's apparently Darsh's birthday today", continued Abeer "I tried telling Mrs Arora that I was holding a party for my friends, but she insisted that I should go and see her in the afternoon even if it's for just half an hour. I would die of guilt if she had got me a present or something!"

This was a new and even bigger problem.

"Did you agree to go?", I asked.

"What else could I do?", Abeer said "And she asked me to bring a friend if I wanted".

"This is perfect Abeer", I said now thinking fast "We have the opportunity to finish this today. I'll come with you".

"What? No.."

"Listen Abeer. I was there with Riya when we met Mrs Arora for the first time. So she knows me. I'll come with you and let's tell her the truth together. I'm sure she will be angry but at least it will be over. Let's finish this today. This is our only chance!"

"Tell her the truth?", Abeer looking horrified.

"Yes Abeer", I said firmly "We can't go on with this charade forever. You and I both know that the person responsible for this drama is still completely in bliss. We will tackle her too. But after telling Mrs Arora the truth".

"Tackle..tackle Riya?", Abeer asked looking even more horrified.

"Exactly", I said.

"Riya will flip out", Abeer said shaking his head.

"Let her flip out", I said "She needs to know, it's simply not done to create trouble like this".

"But isn't she your best friend?", Abeer asked.

"That's exactly why I'm doing this", I said glumly.

The seconds seemed to fly like straw as I and Abeer dragged our footsteps to Mrs Arora's after school.

I had decided to take the second trip on the school bus. We had exactly thirty minutes to break the truth, face the brunt of it and get back.

Abeer looked thoroughly depressed as we opened the gate and walked in. His hair was standing on end with the number of times he had run his hand through it in anxiety, on our way.

"I had told her I wouldn't have much time as I'd have to hurry back to school", he whispered to me.

I nodded as I went upto the door and rang the bell. The quicker, the better.

Almost immediately the door was thrown open and Mrs Arora stood beaming infront of us at the threshold.

She looked exactly the same as I had last seen her except that she seemed to have dressed up a bit. She was wearing a magenta saree with bangles to match and her hair was in a elegant bun.

My heart sank like a stone.

Mrs Arora however didn't appear to have noticed our depressed faces.

She looked extremely cheerful as she said, "Ah! I was waiting for quiet some time. And how are you?", she asked turning to me "It's been a long time".

"I'm fine", I said managing a small smile.

"Come in, come in", Mrs Arora said eagerly as we followed her into the living room.

"Sit down", she said happily "I've made dhoklas. It's my grandson's birthday after all".

I turned and glanced at Abeer meaningfully, "This is the moment. Just do it. Quick!", I hissed.

Abeer looked as if he'd rather be anywhere in the world than here. But all the same, when he spoke, his voice was steady, "Gran, I have to tell you something..."

"Oh, I wasn't talking about you dear", Mrs Arora said with a quick smile, "I was talking about my grandson Darsh".

Abeer and I gaped at each other, stunned.

Mrs Arora looked at our shocked faces for a second and burst into laughter.

"How long have you known?", Abeer croaked when he finally seemed to have found his voice.

"Since the beginning", Mrs Arora smiled, "You see, right after the day those your friends came and rescued my Milo, my daughter visited me. She showed me my grandson's social media handle and all his pictures. Turns out, he isn't actually your age but one year senior to you. He has joined Mumbai University".

"My mom works there", I said impulsively. Mrs Arora didn't say anything.

Abeer fell back into the sofa with relief, his face in his hands.

"I'm so sorry", he whispered from behind his hands.

"That's okay", she smiled as Abeer took his hands away from his face "But all the same", Mrs Arora said sounding more serious "I'd like to know why you did this".

And then Abeer explained.

He told her everything. I had to interject a couple of times but in the end the whole thing was out.

"Woah! So turns that young lady Riya is the mastermind behind all this tamasha!", Mrs Arora said.

"Yeah", said Abeer quietly "She put me up to this. I thought it was a great idea in the beginning...you know, to come here and cheer you up a bit. But after a few days..."

"You started feeling guilty", Mrs Arora finished the sentence.

"Er..yes", said Abeer looking embarrassed "But the truth is..I actually grew quite fond of you".

"I grew fond you too", Mrs Arora said earnestly, "But do you realize I don't even know your real name!"

"I'm Abeer, Gran..sorry I mean Mrs..."

"You can go on calling me Gran, by all means", said Mrs Arora her eyes, twinkling.

"What? Are you sure?" Abeer asked looking surprised, "Do you mean I can continue to come and visit you sometimes?"

"Definitely", she said "But only as Abeer. Not as Darsh"

"Of course", said Abeer brightly.

"I need to apologise too", Mrs Arora "Sorry if I was a little overwhelming. I guess I choked you with all the sweets and stuff?"

"Err..I did gain a lot of weight", Abeer sheepishly.

"Well, I'll make sure to get sugar free snacks hereafter", Mrs Arora said with a laugh.

"Thank you so much", Abeer said shyly.

"Well, what a fiasco!", Mrs Arora said but she was smiling "But I always knew you were a good, kind hearted teenager. And as for that Riya, I knew she was a total scamp, the second I saw her. Tell her to come and see me sometime, will you?"

"I will", Abeer nodded.

"And what happened to you dear?", Mrs Arora said acknowledging my presence for the first time since the conversation had started "Are you okay?"

I looked up and found that my eyes were wet.

"Yes", I mumbled.

On the way back, Abeer and I couldn't stop congratulating each other on the success of the meeting.