I woke up to someone jumping on my bed. I groaned. Wasn't anybody going to let me sleep in peace anyday?

I slowly opened one of my eyes and squinted at the scene in front of me. I screamed when I realized that someone's face was extremely close to mine. I slapped the person's cheek when I realized who it was and smirked. Then I jumped out of the bed and ran to the bathroom in a jiffy.

"Oww," I heard a girlish shreak. "What the hell was that for?"

" For disturbing my sleep you dickhead!" I screamed from inside.

I was busily squirting toothpaste onto my tooth brush. I brushed hurriedly and ran down the stairs.

"Mom," I called.

"Riya is that you? Is it raining outside? How are you up so early?"

She was sitting on the sofa, drinking tea and reading a newspaper.

" What time is it?"

"6 am."

" What the hell?" I screamed. " Anandi you asshole."

" Riya, language," my mom scolded.

Then I heard a chuckle and saw my brother coming down the stairs.
I ran over to him and started repeatedly punching his shoulder.

" Woh Woh Woh stop," my brother said.

" Screw you," I said, after giving up on my poor attempt at punching him which probably didn't even hurt.

"Eww no."

" Kids," my mom said with a reprimanding look on her face. But she seemed really amused at our banter.

I harrumphed and left the room to go to the kitchen. My stomach was grumbling. I was really in the mood to have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a glass of hot chocolate.

" Wait Riya," my brother called after me. " I wanted to tell you something."

I ignored him completely. I knew I was being childish but come on, a girl has her moods.But I couldn't for very long since our kitchen was an open type without a door, so he followed me in.
I still didn't utter a single word when he came over to stand next to me. I continued spreading peanut butter on one slice and jam on the other slice. I didn't move my gaze even for a minute. I was staring at the bread slices like they were the most interesting things on the planet.

Then Anandhith started poking me.

" Riyuuuuu," he screamed into my ear and I dropped the knife I was using in fright.

He gave me a sheepish expression. His puppy dog look. Oh God. Why the hell did I look at him? He knew I would give in if he made that face. I am such a big idiot.

No, my mind said. You are NOT succumbing to that look Riya.

So I looked away and tried my best to keep a stern expression on my face.

Anandhith sighed. After trying to poke me, scream in my ear, shake my shoulders, give me his puppy dog look and grovel, I guess he'd finally given up.

"I am sorry. "

What? Did I hear right? Is Anandith with the big ego actually apologizing to me? No way in hell!

I turned to him, shocked. He grinned, flashing his brilliantly white teeth.

" Did you just apologize? Is the world coming to an end?" I exclaimed.

" Oh come on, Riya, stop it and hear me out."

"Alright go ahead."

" We didn't have so much work in office today so I asked them for an off. I thought I'd spend the whole day with you. Diya said she'd come too! " he said, his eyes lighting up.

My eyes softened and the stern expression dropped immediately. My brother was such a sweetheart.

"Awww," I said, pinching his cheeks.

" Shut up. The plan was to picnic in Cubbon Park and then spend the rest of the day roaming. We will pack some stuff to take. We can go to Vishweshwaraya Museum too. It's been a really long time since we went there."

" Yaayyyy I love that place and I love Diya too."

"Right. I know you ignored mentioning my name on purpose."

" Idiot. I always love you. I don't have to say it for you to know it."

My brother had really become so cheesy these days.

He chuckled softly.
" I know, I know, I am the greatest after all. Everyone loves me."

I wacked him on his head and gave him an innocent smile.

"But why did you wake me up so early?"

"Because I plan on leaving as early as possible. The sooner we leave, the better."

Arya's POV:

I had felt really troubled the past few days, and I didn't know why. Riya had agreed to text me once she reached Bangalore. But I hadn't received a single word from her. I was really very worried. I couldn't sleep properly. What if something bad had happened to her? What if she had been involved in an accident? It had been three days already. Maybe I should call her. I really couldn't fathom why I cared so much for her. The feelings were extremely foreign to me and I hadn't felt such emotions for a girl before. I was in a daze, when my father tapped my shoulder. I jerked a bit before looking at him.

" Yes, dad?"

"You do know you have to attend a small seminar in New York the coming week right?"

I vaguely remembered my dad telling me this.

" What was the date again?"

" 8th of August."

Some vague memory flashed through my mind at that moment. Something about that date felt important. And then realization dawned on me. It was Riya's birthday.

She had said she'd return to Chennai in a week's time. I assumed that I would at least get to see her face before wishing her. But now I had to fulfill my dad's wishes and attend this seminar. Life was always unfair.

I didn't know if what I felt for Riya had a name. But I enjoyed spending time with her so much that it scared me. I didn't know why I did what I did in the airport that day. I guess it had been just a spur of the moment thing. She just seemed too cute and innocent and I loved seeing her blush. And her hair had felt so perfect tangled between my fingers, in the few seconds that I had got to feel it. Maybe I would tell her what she made me feel once I was back. Yes! That seemed like the right thing to do. But first I had to try calling her.

I took out my phone, pressed her contact and waited, holding the phone close to my ear, anticipating to hear her voice.
But what I heard on the other line disappointed me.

" This number could not be found. Please check the number."

A myriad of emotions galloped through me at that moment.
Frustration, Concern, Anger, Sadness and Confusion.
This was her number wasn't it? Or did I dial the wrong one?
I tried again but to no avail. I kept trying, then got fed up after hearing the droll monotone of the recorded message in my ear so many times.

Could she have been in an accident like I had thought before? She wasn't picking the damn phone. Or maybe, she could have lost it?
Frustrated, I threw my phone on my table and started pacing the room, taking large steps.

What was this girl doing to me?

I think she had given me her landline number. I remember when she had torn a small piece of paper, scribbled it down hurriedly and stuffed it into my shirt's front pocket.

" Just in case," she had said, with a sweet smile on her face. That image was still imprinted in my memory.

I regretted not saving the number right that instant on my phone. I began rummaging through my drawers to search for the chit of paper, but alas, as Fate called it, it was no where to be found.

How could I have been so careless? I had just assumed that a situation as such would never arise. That taught me a lesson that we must always expect the unexpected. And be prepared for all dire circumstances and situations.

It was already too late to call the clinic to enquire about her details. I had to do it the next day morning.

With a sigh, I went down to have my dinner. Half way through my meal, I realized it was actually my favourite dish, Lasagne. I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I hadn't even stopped to relish it. I was going insane. And I was so sure now that the girl who occupied my day dreams was the cause of it. Keeping that thought in mind, I hurried to my room and fell into my bed, slipping between my covers. I was soon carried to the land of dreams.

"Arya, come on, " she said tugging at my hand.

" Where are we going?" I whispered. I don't know why I did.

" To the park."

" Hmmm..." I said, playing with her nimble fingers.

We were walking hand in hand of course. Her eyes were fixed, gazing at something in front of her, while mine were on her face. Her adorable, animated, ever bright face, which was lit up with a radiant smile at the moment.

The contact between our fingers sent a shock of electricity through my veins. I slowly started rubbing circles on her palm with my thumb when she looked up and grinned at me.

" Stop ambling along, we need to get to the tree, you promised," she said, pouting.

I could kiss that pout away anyday, I thought then blanched at my absurd imagination.
What was wrong with me?

We soon reached the big tree she was talking about and Riya gently removed her hand from mine before sitting down under the shade of it.

" What did I promise?"

" To show me something."

" And what's that?" I asked, curiosity edged in my tone.

" Your birth mark, you told me it had a really unique shape."

Did I ? I didn't even remember.

I blushed at that. I slowly sat down next to her, unbuttoning the few upper buttons on my shirt.

I gasped when her hand moved to trace the intricate design of a star, just above my chest on my collar bone. A shiver ran through my body and I remained in that position for a long time, staring into her eyes. Her face was close now. Her breath was fanning across my cheek. The heat her body was emanating made it hard to think. She leaned in a bit more closer and I completely lost it--

"Arya, Arya," someone said, shaking my shoulders.

I vaguely registered it.

"Arya, " my dad said, a little louder this time. " It's already 10 in the morning Arya. Any plans of going to the clinic today?"

Oh shit. I grogglily rubbed my eyes, trying to open them.

Had that all been a dream?

Oh my god. If I hadn't woken up, I am pretty sure I knew what would have happened.

What did all these dreams mean? People said that dreams were a reflection of what one wanted.
Did I really want this?

Yes, my mind whispered. You do want this. You want to know how those soft red lips feel against yours.

I tried to erase these weird thoughts out of my head. I had to go and talk to Shyla today and figure out Riya's house number.
With that thought in mind, I hurriedly showered and dressed. I wore a neatly ironed black shirt and grey formal pants. I didn't really have to pay so much attention to my attire because my coat was going to cover it anyway. Then, I ran down the stairs and gobbled up my breakfast. It was waffles with hazelnut syrup. A new recipe my mom was so enthusiastic to try since she recently purchased the waffle maker. It was so mouth-wateringly delicious that the sweet taste of it could still be felt on my tongue when I exited the house and got into my car.

I reached the clinic within 15 minutes considering that there wasn't much traffic. Usually I would take half an hour. I pushed open the glass doors and walked up to the receptionist, who was busy sorting out some files.

She looked up at me immediately and I noticed a faint tint of pink on her cheeks and I instantly remembered our childhood when we were teased together. We had been neighbours and the best of friends. Our parents had been college mates and they had always assumed we would end up together. But that was totally absurd to even think about. She was like my little sister and nothing more.

" Good morning Mr. Mahadevan. Had a long night?" She questioned formally.

" Good morning. Sort of. Hey, listen I need a favour."

Her eyes twinkled when she heard that.

" What sort of favour?"

" Do you have Miss Riya Krishnan's personal details uploaded?"

Her eyebrows rose in question and a dark look passed over her face at the mention of Riya.

"Yes, it's somewhere here, I need to search."

" Please do get back to me as soon as possible. It's urgent."

" Alright sir. You go attend to your patients. I will inform you when I find it."

An hour later, I went to check on Shyla again.

" Have you found it yet?"

" Just a moment sir."

She typed in something on the keypad and after a few seconds gaped at it in shock.

" I am sorry sir, but it says that her details have been deleted."

" How could that be possible?" I questioned angrily.

She winced for a second then continued.
" Her details have miraculously disappeared."

" Give it to me , let me see."

I went over to the application we used and typed in Riya's name. There were 0 search results.

What the hell? Did God enjoy playing around with my life?

I stomped my feet like a little kid and pouted. Shyla noticed it immediately. She had always been very observant. I knew her for soo long that it was easy for me to figure out what she was thinking too.

" Is something wrong Arya?" She asked me.
For the first time after so long, she had addressed me using my first name and it felt nice. We were best friends. It felt weird when she used titles with me.

" No. Nothing really."

" Come on, Arya, I know you better than that."

" It's just Riya."

" You mean the intern who was working here? What about her?"

" She said she'd call me once she reached Bangalore. She didn't. And now her phone is unreachable. I am really worried."

The strange emotion again passed over Shyla's face. Even though I knew how to read her, it was hard when she purposely masked her feelings behind a veil.

" Was something going on between the two of you?"

I gave a look and she protested.

" What? I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

I sighed.

" I don't know."

"Arya, look at me and answer truthfully."

" I do like her Shy, but I don't know what to do. I don't know if she feels the same."

Shyla looked at me with a sad smile.

" I was in the same position too."

" Who were you in love with?"

She hesitated for a moment before replying.

" You, " she stated looking me straight in the eye. "I still am."
My mouth dropped open at that but I soon closed it.

___________________x__________________

Hi guys :D ,

I am back! So tell me, do you think you will ever find a brother more caring and affectionate than Anandith? Do any of you have brothers like that?

And how was the sneak peek into Arya's thoughts? And did you expect the twist in the end?

Please do vote and comment if you liked it.

Adios amigos,
:) harshini :)

And oh! One more thing guys...Do check out my really good friend's book called Flipsyde. @Gautamgullapalli. His book has a very interesting plot with sci-fi, action, romance etc. Do give it a try :)