16: Toys, Tests and Trashbag exes
From toys, to tests and to trashbag exes in the present day; Vani and Tara's friendship remains a constant in their lives.

Tara sobbed as she looked at her scattered toys. Her cousin had gone into destructive mode and had kicked and threw around all of her toys when she had gone to open the door for Vani.

"Go away, go away," she frowned at her cousin who was happily munching on some chips.

"Ohho Tara, stop crying" Vani said as she brought her palm close to her face. "You are drama," she added and Tara instantly chuckled.

"Dramatic asta te yedu," (The word is dramatic) The six year old explained Vani- the five year old.

"Ha ha tech tech," (Yeah yeah, whatever it is) Vani mumbled, looking at the toys.

"Ohho Tara, ya yedi ne kiti pasara kelay! Aapan maushi yaychya aadhi kasa avraycha?" (Oh no Tara, this idiot has created a huge mess! How do we clean this up before Maushi arrives?) Vani asked, 'dramatically' putting her pointy finger on her chin.

"I don't know, at least let's start cleaning," Tara said, putting one toy cup in the bag.

"I have a better idea," Vani said, trying to smirk like the action heroes she saw in Bollywood movies and rested her hands on her hips.

"What?" Tara asked, her eyes gleaming with hope.

"Let's run away and keep this idiot in front of the mess. No one gets scolded, and we'll have fun at Dhriti's house!"

"Are you crazy?" Tara asked in horror as she looked at the younger kid. "We can't leave the house just like that" Vani frowned but helped her friend clean up the mess anyway.

🌻

Gripping the straps of her sack, Vani was walking back home slowly. The thirteen-year-old had gotten bad marks on her maths test and was trying to figure out a way to tell her parents. The sun was cruelly shining, making it hard to even look up in the sky to talk to God, which Vani often did. She kicked a small pebble which was in front of her, not wanting to go home.

"Hey sulky face, what's wrong?" She heard her friend's cheery voice and looked up at her. Tara had taken a holiday as her relatives had come over but was walking back home from the grocery shop.

"Hey Tara,"

"Kay zala?" (What happened?) Tara asked in a soft voice, wrapping her arm around Vani's shoulder. Vani never told Tara but her voice felt like a warm embrace in the cold world. It immediately comforted her knowing how much her friend cared for her and knew her very well.

"Remember the math test I gave?"

"Uh huh, I do,"

"I got real bad marks, like real bad" she said. Tara didn't immediately reply but smiled.

"Did you pass, Vani?" Vani sighed softly.

"Of course I passed Tara,"

"You literally were shouting on the top of your lungs dramatically that you were going to get marks in negative,"

"Well, I mean yeah" Vani said, taking out the test paper from her bag and handing it to Tara.

"It's okay, don't beat yourself up. Listen to what Kaka-Maushi say silently. You got good marks if you compare it to how much you studied," Tara said while she looked through Vani's test paper. "And don't worry, I'll help you with this topic. Polynomials- it's my favourite and I have to revise it anyway."

"Thank you so much Tara, I appreciate it" Vani said with a smile. The two had reached their society by then. The society had a lawn and a small sitting area where the two sat.

"Okay close your eyes," Tara instructed and Vani raised her eyebrow.

"Kaa?" (Why?)

"Kar na dole banda, itka kay ahe?" (Just close your eyes!)

"Okay okay," she mumbled, shutting her eyes tightly. She heard the sound of a 'dabba'- a tiffin open and a familiar fragrance spread. It had to be the sweet sheera which Tara had rectently learned to make.

"Oh my God you made sheera?" Vani asked, eyes still closed.

"I remembered you telling me that you were going to get your marks today, so..." Tara said and Vani smiled brightly at her friend as she opened her eyes.

"You timed going to the grocery store and all for me?" She asked, feeling extremely loved at the moment. Tara simply nodded, happy that her efforts were appreciated.

"I LOVE YOU, YOU ARE THE BEST," Vani said, forgetting all her woes and pulling Tara in a warm embrace.

"Yeah yeah, I know,"

🌻

The lights of the living room was dim, curtains shut completely and the only sound in the house was of the movie which was playing on the tv. Tara was snuggled up in the blanket on the sofa as she watched 'How to lose a guy in ten days'. It had been a tiring day for her. She had finished a long shift when she encountered her ex-boyfriend Mahesh Deo. And he was still as cocky and arrogant as ever.

What did I even see in him?

Tara and Mahesh had started dating two years ago. But the couple broke up in six months. At the beginning, Mahesh was very sweet, respectful and considerate but as time passed his negative qualities over shined his positive ones and Tara called it quits. The fact that he completely nonchalant and unbothered when she broke up with him, still stung Tara.

He looked down on people, had a superiority complex and was a typical rich kid. His entitlement was unbearable for Tara. He had come to her hospital as a patient of his was admitted there and the two had bumped in the canteen. While Tara smiled and greeted him, Mahesh had been rude and dismissive.

"I thought only credible doctors work at this hospital, I lost the respect I had for this place" he had said angrily and arrogantly.

That son of a!

"How to lose a guy in ten days. She's actually going to start dating a guy and drive him away in a week and a half,"

Ugh, I can't enjoy the movie because of that asshole now.

Just then, the doorbell rung and she felt a wave of annoyance hit her. She slowly removed the cozy quilt, missing its warmth immediately and got up. She slipped on her slippers and walked lazily towards the door, taking her own sweet time to walk from there. Sighing loudly, she opened the door but her mood transformed in a moment because of the person standing at the doorstep.

"Vaaani" Tara stretched the name lazily, embracing her.

"Hey Tara, figured some ice cream would be good for you," Vani mumbled.

"Ice cream?" She gasped loudly, like a child and Vani rolled her eyes.

"You see that trashbag and completely lose yourself and start acting like a child?" She asked; raising an eyebrow.

"...Yes" Vani sighed "At least let me in,"

"Yeah yeah come on in, put the ice cream in the fridge- can't have it melted" Tara said, walking back to the sofa.

"Ugh, I forgot to pause the movie," Tara groaned as she started to rewind. Vani laughed before commenting.

"That happens to me all the time,"

"Yeah, you're a little dull" Tara said and Vani shook her head negatively.

"Tara? Kay zala?" (Tara? What happened?) Vani asked as she settled on the couch and served Tara and her some ice cream. It was chocolate fudge flavoured- their favourite.

"Hmm, this ice cream's good," Tara said, not wanting to answer Vani's question.

"Tara, something's bothering you, you've been so distant lately" Vani said, the last part of her sentence laced with a sadness.

"It's nothing, I'm just exhausted..."

"I know, that's why I'm here na. I just want to help you through this. I can clearly see that you're going through something and you're keeping it all to yourself. That's not the Tara I know. Just know I'm here, okay? Talk to me," Vani urged and Tara smiled sadly at her best friend.

"I know, I'm sorry I just..." she hugged Vani, wrapping her arms around her neck and resting her head on her shoulder. "I love you, man," Tara breathed in before she continued, "It's just, I met him and tried to stay as polite as possible but he made me feel so small and insignificant. He's at a bigger position at the hospital,"

"It's his father's hospital, Tara" Vani interrupted her and Tara sighed.

"He's married, his wife is pregnant now and just...he's fulfilled Vani"

"So? Just because he has it all" Vani said with the air bunnies for 'it all' and continued "Does not undermine everything you have. You have a good job, you're a good daughter to your parents, both of them are happy and healthy- touch wood" she placed her hand on the top of her head for a second, "And you have the best friend group in the world. Cheer up, champ"

Tara stayed silent and looked thoughtful, pondering over Vani's words. After a good five minutes she got up from the sofa, leaving Vani and looked resolute.

"You're right, you know what? I'm better than him, who cares about that trashbag? I'm sure his was an arranged marriage, otherwise that gorgeous woman would never even look at his cocky face!" Tara declared and Vani grinned.

"Yes! That's my girl- you know what would help? Burning that bastard's photo!" Vani said, scoffing.

"That's the Vani I know," While Vani dug in her purse to find the photograph, a question appeared in Tara's mind.

"You know, I never liked that bastard- he always brought the worst in you. Those six months were pure hell for me. You had turned into this pessimistic, cynical woman you know? I'm so thankful you got rid of that guy," Vani said and Tara nodded.

"I'll be honest Vani, whenever I look back at my behaviour in those six months, I feel guilty. I'm glad all of it is over and is in the past. I guess I was upset to see him today was just because I don't know. I mean, I know it's stupid but...I just I really want to be in love, Vani. I mean, I want to get married, start a family- all of it" Vani smiled at Tara's words and Tara felt slightly embarrassed to admit in out loud.

"Oh God, this is so stupid," she said, face bright red.

"It's not, you idiot. You deserve all of it, just stay a little patient. Everything is going to work out. You see Tara, you deserve perfection, you know? That's why it's taking a little time," Vani said and Tara smiled.

"You always know how to make me feel better,"

"Of course, it's in my job description!" The two shared a laugh. As the laughter receded Vani showed Tara the photo.

"Now, we have a picture to burn!"

"Wait, I was going to ask you something" Tara said, "Oh wait wait, I remember! how'd you know I met Mahesh?" Tara asked.

"How are you so stupid?" Vani asked, looking aghast.

"What do you mean?"

"You were taking to me on call when you bumped into him, dumbass!" Vani shouted and Tara shouted back.

"Oh my God, I completely forgot that happened,"

"It's unfathomable to me how you've managed to become a doctor!"

"Okay now can we burn the picture, eat the ice cream and now enjoy the movie?" Tara asked, rolling her eyes at Vani's comment.

"Yes! No more talking!"

This chapter was supposed to be a filler, a very small chapter but I ended up writing almost 2000 words, haha XD. This chapter is dedicated to my real life Tara, also the person on whom this character is based livwrites- . She's been there in my life for fifteen years now, and I love her! Love you Lishie❤️