Amisha sipped her coffee, her eyes on Varun. She wanted to know what went that wrong between Lakshay and Nirali. ''Can you talk?''

Varun stared at the quite surroundings. He had joined her in the coffee shop located in their residential complex. ''DOn't judge me.'' Amisha nodded 

''I may be one of the reason, but things started going down even before I came into picture. For Lakshay, Nirali was his world. She too liked it, initially. Like every teenage girl; she adored the attention. She flaunted it all around but then Nirali is exact opposite of him; she has always been that way. Free spirited, independent and bold. She is vocal of her thoughts and never refrained in speaking her mind. Lakshay was reserved and spoke when required. They seemed perfect, at first; but things started changing. Lakshay followed Nirali everywhere, he got worried and jealous when she would be out of his sight or with any male friends. They quarreled and then quarreled more. First, the fight would just last for minute, then hours and then it went on to days.''

Amisha thought and then added. ''Lakshay didn't trust her!'' That was a statement. She knew Nirali and Varun knew it would take him lot of time to make Amisha understand that it wasn't just Lakshay but Nirali as well was at fault. 

''Lakshay has known Nirali since she was 4. She declared him her friend before even anyone of them understood the meaning of it. They saw each other daily, she would fight anyone for him and do anything for him. Nirali, is not just a name, its the biggest reality of his life. To answer your question,  He trusted her , with his life but he didn't trust the people around her. For him she was beyond perfect, the most beautiful girl. She was a brilliant student, always ahead in extra circular  activities. She was famous, popular and the attention she got bothered him. It still bothers him. He didn't sleep after she posted a pic with a male friend.''

''So the last time they fought, they never spoke again, and why was she that mad at you?'' Amisha tried to conclude. she doubted him to be one of those friends who always criticized their friend's partner .

''Those days, I was involved with a girl by name Riya.''

Amisha's eyes went wide. ''Nirali's best friend.''

Varun swallowed the dryness. ''Yes! I suppose you know, everything.''

''No! All I know is that a jerk crushed the heart of an innocent girl. And I can conclude what could have happened. Laskahy would have refused to hear a word against you or to make you understand that you were wrong. I am sure, this is why they broke up.'' Amisha was now looming over Varun. He stared at her for good few minutes  then huffed. 

''You don't know a thing.''

''I don't want to know a thing. And from a guy who crushed an innocent heart. Tell me , how do you live with yourself .''

''Amisha, this isn't about me. You need to hear me out.'' Amisha smirked, ''No, I don't . All guys are the same.'' Amisha marched away leaving a dejected Varun behind. Arun, who saw everything felt agitated, he and others had witnessed the guilt ridden years of Varun. Arun moved to his friend. ''Hey, just let go. She doesn't know what you have gone through all those years. Moreover, this isn't about me.''

Varun smiled. ''I am kind of used to it now.'' The rains had slowed down but the city remained drowned and supplies cut.  Arun walked his friend back to the apartment,  Varun was right. he decided to speak to Amisha again. They needed to have some contact with Nirali. She and lakshay has to come on the talking terms to sort out the non existent issues and fast.

***

Nirali banged her laptop shut . She hadn't heard him play for last 2 days. Music was Lakshay's life, and she knew if he wasn't practicing, there was something wrong. Nirali looked out of the window, the ferocious rain has now turned into a drizzle but commuting was not possible. She thought for a moment, quickly made her way to kitchen . Next one hour she immersed herself cooking the best meal of her life. Pulling out a huge tiffin box and packed it nicely adding a smiled to the raita she mad.  

Next few minutes, she gave full attention to her appearance  and then took a deep breath before stepping out of her house. Her heart picked up with anticipation, they were going to eat together after years. She wished his friends vanished from the face of earth for few hours and it just could be them.

Amisha was about to unlock her door but hid noticing a fully decked up friend. She was about to call Nirali out but got gagged and then carried away. ''What the hell?'' Her e

''You can curse us but no being a bone.'' Arun added. Amisha made a face and then looked around. ''Where is the third one?''

''Shit, Naman is in the apartment. Let me call him.''

''Ask him to hide under the bed and stay there till the date is over.'' Amisha suggested and boys did the same. Naman in an excitement forgot that the space wasn't enough for him to crawl in. He cursed himself and then his friends before finally finding an amazing yet very uncomfortable place to hide.

Lakshay stood shocked finding a very dressed up and happy Nirali at his door. He didn't know if she was here to extend an olive branch or kill him for calling her just an acquaintance.

''Are you going to shoo me off from the door.'' Nirali asked  with a warning in her tone. Lakshay stepped aside letting Nirali in. She gave him a tight smile before stepping in, her lips murmuring numerous curses.

''I got you food.'' She said , arranging her culinary marvel on the table. Lakshay felt extremely nervous around  her. He quickly pulled out his phone. ''Thanks...for the food. I will call my friends.'' There was a bang on the table and few more curses. Lakshay decided it to call his friends anyhow. She seemed unpredictable. He called one after other but couldn't connect. 

''Will you eat.'' That was a warning and Lakshay obliged. After years he took in the flavors of familiar food. ''This is good.'' Nirali beamed

''Who made this?'' And she muttered few curses again. Lakshay coughed. ''Are you sure you can cook?''

''No, an old acquaintance of yours came and cooked for you in my kitchen. IDIOT!'' He smiled.

''Nirali, I am sorry for calling you and acquaintance. I just didn't know what to say and what would you like to hear, after so many years''

''Really Lakshay! A friend wouldn't have been that difficult. Whatever happened then, I always considered you my friend.''

''You asked me to leave. As if we would never meet.''

''Lakshay, we were kids. There were mistakes we both made.''

''Was loving each other a mistake?''

''Lakshay, you know what I am talking about.''

''Yes, but do you know what am I talking about. You were just happy about a guy head on heels mad about you. You used me and threw me away like a trash.''

''How did I use you?'' There was a silence. Lakshay pushed off the chair moving to the window.  Nirali got up to leave. ''If I used you, you used me. We are even. I think it was a mistake coming over.'' With that she packed all that she bought and walked out without giving him a second glance

***

''It has bee 3 hrs. We should check.'' Arun said. They All agreed and moved out of the apartment. Amisha stepped into her house but found it dark. She moved to Nirali's room expecting her cuddled up in  corner, Instead, she found Nirali dancing with headphones on. The music must  be blasting her ears as she danced unaware of AMisha's arrival.

AMisha shook her head. ''Something went wrong.''

***

When guys entered they found Lakshay locked in his room and Namit's phone switched off. ''Where could he go?''

''Under the bed.'' Varun replied

''That space is enough only for a cockroach.'' They searched around and finally found him in the upper storage cabinet of one of the bedroom, sound asleep.

''How did he get it?''

''Now , how will he get out?'' Arun picked a glass of water and splashed on Naman. ''What happened?''

''How did you get in up there?''

''Don't know, but its damn uncomfortable.''

''Yes, we can see that.'' They somehow helped Naman out. ''Did you hear anything?''

''Food, she got food. There must be some for us.'' Naman eyes shined

''No, it seems they fought and she packed all and left.'' Arun replied

''Our friend is so mean. He could have been nice and we could have got good dinner.''  The friends shook head in disappointment. Though the date ended in a fight, the hope had started building in. Nirali had taken a first step.

''What do we do next?''

''Just make sure that the encounters continue.'' Varun said.

''One thing I am sure off, you are not the reason for what happened then. Its them, they are the villains' of their own love story.'' Arun concluded. 

***

Past

''Why didn't you bother to update where you were?'' Lakshay asked agitated. He had been calling her since morning but she refused to answer and after few tries, the line went dead.

Nirali counted till 10. ''Lakshay, form 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM I have classes, where do you think I can be.''

''You could have messaged. I was worried.''

''About what? Me attending the classes or all boys of this school going down on knees proposing me!''

''Hadn't seen you since morning, it worried me.''

''You don't have to. You are new here I am not, I know this place and Lakshay, I have been taught about keeping myself safe.''

''Nirali,  you have changed. You are no more the girl I fell in love with.''

''People grow up Lakshay, so did I. What do you expect me to do. Answer every call when I am in my classes or just ditch my friends and be with you. No, I never will do that nor will I expect you to do that. You need to give me some air.''

''Oh! Now I am stifling you?''

''Lakshay, go back and rest. We will talk when you realize your mistake.''

''Yes, its always me Nirali. You are just perfect.'' She just shook her head at his taunting words walking back to her hostel. She believed a good communication could solve problems, but the same words were adding to hers. 

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Apologies for being late but work is hectic. Here is the next one. I hope you like it.