Riya and Zoya's gazes on me grew pitying.

"It's okay guys", I finally spoke.

"What is the bastard going shopping for again? I thought he had finished all that last week", Riya bitched about Reyansh in an attempt to make me feel better. It didn't.

"It's okay. Maybe you can apologize to him tomorrow?", Zoya asked tentatively.

But I wouldn't believe it. Reyansh wouldn't ghost us, that too, me like this.

Or would he?

Sure, we hadn't spoken to each other after the whole arrest thing. But I had thought it was just a tiff. I hadn't considered the possibility that we would split up. I had taken it for granted that we would stay together, always.

Behind me Riya was going on, "Actually, you know what? Ever since all these guys came into our lives, the drama has pitched up. There's not a moment of peace. When was the last time, the three of us just hung out together with no burden to carry and no stupid guy issue to discuss? Tenth grade, maybe? Because after that, there's always been a Reyansh or an Abeer or a Rahul or a Josh or a Laksh to worry about. Whether things worked or not, we just put so much energy into them. Not that I regret it...I really like Laksh and I know Zoya loves Rahul...but honestly, I can lose any guy in my life but I can't lose you two girls. So I suggest we put all this crap out of our minds tonight and go and enjoy some music."

"I agree", Zoya said.

I couldn't believe the day had come when Riya and Zoya were comforting me.

"Arrey when did my kids grow up so much?", I asked. Riya smiled.

"You know what", Zoya said "Boyfriends, vacations, police raids...all this stuff gonna come and leave. But Riya, Zoya and Mishti are forever".

"Couldn't have put it better and couldn't have agreed more", Riya said and the three of us impulsively clustered into a group hug.

What would I do without these girls.

•••

The three of us climbed into the car in quick succession. It was getting dark and the driver didn't even look up at us as we got in.

As much as I liked Maya and Josh, it felt good to be going somewhere to have fun as a threesome. I only missed Reyansh.

"Bhai can you take a picture of us after reaching the venue?", Riya asked the driver.

The driver turned and took off his white cap in a form of salute, "Definitely madam", he grinned.

I almost fell off my seat.

"Reyansh!" I gasped.

"What?", Reyansh grinned "I couldn't possibly let my favourite ladies go off to party without me", he said casually as if it was the most normal thing for him to wear a driver's uniform and sit in a taxi.

Riya reached forward and thumped him on his back so loudly, I thought she'd given him a spinal cord injury.

But Reyansh's spine was apparently fine because he turned and gave me an expectant look. As our gazes met, I was taken aback by the tenderness in his, his eyes conveying apologies. I didn't need any words after this. I gave a brief nod. His eyes lit up and his face broke into a wide smile as he turned back to the gear. I leaned on the side of the car and smiled too as Riya loudly started singing, All Too Well by Taylor Swift.

•••

After a racuous night filled with celebration, music and wine, Riya, Lakshan, Zoya, Rahul, Reyansh and I gathered around Lakshan's iPhone for a selfie. (We forgot all about the girl night thing - love has the ability to do that, you know)

Rahul had to bend to fit into the frame, Riya had to duck, I was practically pushed upon Reyansh because there was barely space for all of us. But we would have to get used to all this. Because we were no longer three. We were six now.

A/N : And here people, ends the story of the three bonafide teens *bursts into tears*. Oh my God, what a ride. Turn over for the epilogue, guys.