Natalie's POV

"Hey Mom!" Naomi said and switched the phone to speaker mode.
" I won't be home tonight ... I've got a lot of pending work at the boutique... so you girls can you take care of yourselves???" My mother questioned.

"Haan (Yeah) totally..... " Naomi replies swinging her head as much as she could.
She put the phone down, and went straight into the kitchen and started hogging whatever food she could find in the refrigerator.

Next day

It was 8 o clock, a beautiful Sunday morning, when I had just returned from church, just to find my mother back at home and already preparing for breakfast. My father usually is at home for the weekends, but not this one. He is busy at work, trying to make ends meet, even though we are financially quiet stable, but they are more into saving for the future thing....... it's just a brown parent thing....

I remember that i cannot always go to Harry's place to do the project... so it would be wise if I inform my mother that he has to come over.

"Hi Maa."

"Good morning beta(child)."

"Maa ek science project hai (mom I have a science project)... and It's partner wise
project and I've been assigned with a partner for that project ."

Mom paused working , looked at me and said , " What's wrong with you? If it's a partner wise project as you say then you will be assigned with a partner ." She gives me the obvious look .

Only I knew what I was going through , to tell my mother. If I told her I had a  boy partner for the project, she would probably think that I was interested in the guy .

"Yes , I know that mom it's just that he has to ...."

"He?"

"He? Oh he? Yeah heeeee! Harry mom he is my partner for the project ."

"Couldn't you manage to get a girl as a partner ? Huh?"

She gave me a death stare . I had never faced such a situation before and even Maa never expected that I'd come up to her with a situation like this. If it were for Naomi she would hardly react as she never had girl friends . She stated she could never handle their tantrums so she hung out with boys but me I was different , I never had many girl friends , so having a boy as a friend was completely out of question. Now that I have a partner wise project and my partner is a boy its news to my mother .

"He has to come over." I stated , just the way Naomi does. I mean I tried to do it like her , I wasn't perfect but I tried .

"Over where?" Mom inquired .

"Our place , home , PETER's RESIDENCES"

"Why?" Mom questioned me in a manner that , almost compelled me to say 'it's ok mom not required ', but I didn't say that . Cause I knew I could not go to Harry's place everyday and if we didn't complete the project by the following Monday we would be doomed .

"Mom we have to complete the project by the next Friday " ,I know I said Friday , I mean if I don't bring the dead line close then my mom won't let me bring Harry home and I know Harry , making him work is like making a tortoise run . "Mom , this project will affect my grades ."
This was when I knew I did it .

"Grades?" , Maa asked anxiously .

"Yes , Maa grades and you know I'd compromise on anything but grades !"

I wasn't lying the project would affect my grades , but the way I presented it to Maa, she might have believed that the project comprised of more than 50% marks of the subject .

"Yes beta , I understand . But I can't let you go to your friends home . But I don't know him either and you know your father would be angry if he gets to know I let a boy in our house whom I don't even know ." Maa explained .

"But... Maa.."

"Okay , invite him over for lunch today dad won't be home ,hotel has a busy weekend . I'll meet him . But promise me something , I don't want you to get involved with this guy with any other matter except studies ."

"Maaaaa... thank you!!!!" I exclaimed . I never ever thought my mother would take it so well. "Yeah!!! me and Harry ??, naa Maa kabhi bhi nahi (no Mom never ) ."
I assured her . I never took her seriously as I never thought me and Harry would ever have anything . I mean he was this popular guy and he had a parade of  girls lined up to be his next girlfriend, and on the other hand me a shy introvert. He was talkative, social and outgoing while I was quiet, reserved and silent. Anything between us would never come to chance.
I went up the room I was glad , I pulled it off well ,

"Why you smiling?" , Naomi enquired in a detective like manner .

"Nothing just mom agreed for Harry to come over our place and she also invited him over to lunch today ."

"That's so not fair ." Naomi screamed .

"What's wrong?" I was puzzled .

"Sirf tumhara dost kyu? Mera bhi dost ayega .(Why will Just your friend come over? Even my friend will come as well)."

"Nahi (No) . I am not convincing mom to invite Niall if that's what you want me to do? "

"That's exactly what I want you do ." Naomi giving me that freakish smile , I knew if I didn't convince mom she would definitely cause Harry trouble and hell lot of trouble .

"Fineee!!""

*downstairs*

"Mom?"

"Naomi wants you to convince me to allow her friend to come over too , who undoubtedly is not a girl!" Maa stated.

I gave my mom a nod of assurance.

"Okay , he is invited too . I am pretty sure Naomi would cause a lot of trouble to your friend if he is invited alone ."

After this conversation, I was shocked how my mother and myself had the same thought process.
Though we were so different she was bold and social and i was anything but the two. I was also terrified at the fact that how my sister was both bold and social , but so different from my mother .

"Niall's coming over." I stated opening the door.

"Yaaayyy!!!!!! I loveeee youuu." Naomi exclaimed .

She knew I would do it. Yet , I always feel good when I make her happy with these little things. I dont know why but she only opens up to me , and I feel its kind of my responsibilty to fulfill all what she wants .
I thought all these , while hugging her tight....

A/N: Hey guys please comment, and vote. Don't be a silent reader....