"Why are you here so early?" Anjali remarked as soon as I walked into her house.

"To steal breakfast, of course" I said, collapsing on the sofa "And to check if you finally got yourself out of bed"

Since arriving from the wedding, she spent the last two days in her room; sleeping through the day and watching movies at night.

"It's your lucky day. Amma made idly" she said icily.

I chuckled "Means you still didn't have breakfast"

That explains her crankiness.

"I'd rather starve" she said stonily.

"Shall I make something for you?"

"Like what?"

"Is there anything you want to eat?"

"Umm... Maggi?"

"And you couldn't make that yourself?"

"I can. But I didn't think of it til now"

When she didn't get up from her position, I said "Want me to make it for you?"

"Please"

With a chuckle, I rolled out of the sofa to search for maggi packets in the pantry. All it takes is a glass of water, a maggi packet and just as advertised, it's done in 5 minutes.

Scooping it up on a plate, I served idly for myself and joined her back on sofa.

"This is the best" she mumbled appreciatively.

"It's just maggi" I answered with a laugh "You never had it there?"

She shook her head "We only have cereal or oatmeal when we want breakfast"

"The others times?"

"Coffee"

"That's not food"

"It is. When that's all you can manage in the morning"

"Never skip breakfast, Anju. It's the most important meal of the day"

"I know"

Taking her empty plate when she's done, I announced "Get ready. We are going out"

"What? Where?"

"Somewhere you'll love"

She frowned "Where?"

"I'll tell you on the way. Get ready first"

"I am not going anywhere unless you answer me first" she said stubbornly.

I sighed "Don't you trust me?"

She took a moment to answer "No"

I raised my eye brows in surprise "You do but you want me to think you don't"

"Shut up!"

I grinned "No chance. Get ready Anju. I promise you'll thank me later"

"Fine. I'll be out in 2" she said grumpily, getting up from the sofa.

"Two minutes? Are you not going to take a bath?"

"I did yesterday evening. It's not even 24 hours yet" she grouched.

I chuckled "At least that didn't change"

She scowled making me relent "You don't want to stink when you're meeting Neha after 3 years. Do you?"

"We're meeting Neha?" she exclaimed in surprise "And what do you mean I stink?"

"You don't know the meaning of stink?" I joked.

She glowered at me "I smell like vanilla ice cream. Take a sniff, if you have any doubts"

"Are you seriously asking me to smell you?" I said biting my lip to stop myself from laughing out loud.

"Yes" she said, opening her arms in a welcoming gesture.

"Anju! What are you doing?"

"Just come near dammit" she looped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer and my senses are immediately assaulted with the scent of Vanilla.

Just like she said, she smells like ice cream; and herself.

Like heaven.

"You are disgusting!" I said when she pulled back earning a scowl from her.

"You are lying"

I pretended to grimace "Take a bath Anju"

She looked confused as she walked away mumbling to herself "How can I still get a whiff and he can't? Goddammit! I spent 12 dollars 50 cents for this crap"

I laughed to myself as she left the room.

Damn, she smelled divine. It's a miracle I managed to fool her when all I want to do is lose myself in her.

Such close proximity with Anju can kill me slowly if we stay 'just friends' for a longer time.

When she didn't return in ten minutes, I trotted to her room where she stood in front of the mirror applying something to her face.

"What's that?" The words left my mouth before I can stop myself.

"Sunscreen" she replied not taking her eyes off the mirror.

"Since when do you use that?"

"Since I realized the sun is stronger than me"

I chuckled, watching her move around her bed and dump stuff into her handbag.

She moves just the way she dances. Swiftly and gracefully.

"I am done. Let's go"

"How is she? Where does she live?" she asked as soon as we crossed Yendada; where Neha's parents lived.

"You'll know everything in few minutes"

"When did you get your bullet?"

"My roommate sent me yesterday"

"Is Neha alright? Is she happy?" she asked anxiously.

"I don't know anything, Anju. We are not in touch. Only because you told me to take to her, I asked around and managed to find where she lives"

Fifteen minutes later, we parked at the apartment I was told she resides in.

Anju looked nervous as I rang the doorbell and waited.

"It's Saturday. Why isn't anyone opening?" she asked with a look of worry.

"Anju, relax" I said taking her hand into mine "You're thinking too much"

The door opened revealing a stranger who looked like the domestic help.

"Neha?" Anju asked doubtfully.

"Madam ji" The woman shouted without responding to our question. At her yell, Neha entered the living room wearing a tee and yoga pants.

"You gotta be kidding me!" she shrieked out in surprise upon seeing the two of us.

"How are you?" I spoke up as my best friend chose that moment to go mute.

"I am good. Please come in"

"How are you guys?" she asked in a casual tone as we plonked on the sofa and she took the chair opposite to us.

"We are fine. Anju wanted to see you. So----" I nudged Anju's elbow to speak up.

"So you got married?" Anjali attempted to start a conversation.

"Quit that bullshit. Are you going to apologize?" Neha asked straight on.

"Yes" she replied immediately "I am sorry"

"That's it?"

"You know why I had to do what I had to do"

Neha turned her gaze back to me at Anjali's short explanation "This is all because of you. I told you I won't give her number. You made me do that"

I raised my hands in defense "I apologize"

Neha raised an eyebrow glancing back at Anju who responded dully "He's sucking up to me"

"I am not!"

Anjali rolled her eyes but turned serious as she peered at Neha "How's your life? Really?"

Neha answered with a smile "I am happy. Really"

"You are not hiding anything. Are you?"

"Nothing" she said standing up "Are you not going to give me a hug?"

Anju's eyes watered as she hugged Neha "I missed you. So damn much"

"I know" she replied with a watery smile "I worried about you. A lot"

"I know" Anju replied, drawing back from her arms.

The lady who opened the door brought some biscuits and tea when the girls settled back at their respective seats.

"How's your husband?"

"He's home. We woke up late because it's Saturday. He was in the bathroom when I came out"

"Is he keeping you happy?" Anjali repeated with a look of concern.

"I told you I am happy. Wait until you meet him and you'll know it for yourself" she said, striding back inside to bring her partner.

"YOU!!!" Anjali yelled in shock on seeing Neha's husband; Shaan.

Neha grinned at her reaction "Surprise!"

"You bitch!" Anju jumped at her but not before Shaan stepped in between.

"Get out of the way, Shaan" she hollered, looking pissed.

"Leave her be" he said, smiling at their cat-mouse game.

"I was worrying here. She could have told me she got married to the man of her dreams but no!"

"I never said he's the man of my dreams" Neha yelled from behind him.

"That's not the point here. You did it on purpose"

"I told you I am happy. Besides, it's nothing compared to what you put me through babe. For almost 3 years"

"Shaan, get away. Unless you want to be----"

"Let her go, this once. She's too delicate to be running around" he said conspiratorially.

Anju paused, looking curious just as Neha yelled "How many times do I have to tell you? I am pregnant not sick"

"WHAAAAAT?"

Shaan grinned, walking away from between them.

"You got knocked up already?" Anju looked shocked "When did you get married?"

"Five months ago"

"And you are what, three months pregnant?" she asked looking at her flat tummy "Bitch, you're fast"

Neha giggled "That's what all my relatives say"

"I am happy for you" Anju's eyes watered as she hugged her again "Damn! This is such good news"

"I wished you were here for my big day" Neha mumbled.

"I am so sorry"

When the girls straightened out their issues, Neha asked us to stay for lunch and we agreed because we have nothing else to do.

The girls went inside to talk whatever girls talk when they are alone while Shaan stayed with me to keep me company.

"Where do you work?" I asked, trying to make a conversation.

"Income tax department"

"That's a cool job" I remarked, impressed.

"So, you and Anjali huh?" he asked conversationally.

"What? No" At least, not yet!

"Oh. I'm sorry. The way you look at her---- Besides there were all sorts of rumours in college and I thought----may be"

"What rumours?" I asked, feeling curious.

"You know, that you and Anjali are actually in love but pretended to be friends. That's why both of you didn't date other people. Of course, it changed when you dated the angel"

"And you believed that?"

"I mean I didn't know what to believe with other rumours going around too"

"What other rumours?"

He chuckled at my question "That Anjali and Neha are in a same - sex relationship"

I laughed out loud "Why the hell did I never hear about this?"

"Of course I know it's a lie since the time Neha proposed to me"

"How did this happen?" I asked implying his marriage when he maintained to not have feelings for her during college.

"It's a long story and there's a 99.9% chance the girls are talking about it right now. You better ask Anjali later"

Both of us are relieved when the girls returned because we are running out of topics to discuss as we share no mutual interest except our girls who are best friends.

After lunch, we talked about our respective jobs and it surprised me to learn that Neha is managing one of her father's jewellery stores at Purna Market

"You are an enterprenuer" Anju spoke in wonder at her confession.

"She's awesome" Shaan said with a proud smile on his face.

Before leaving, Anjali gave a present to Neha that earned a huge squeal from her "Is this what I think this is?"

"Huda Beauty Limited Edition collection. These lipsticks are not even launched in India" Anjali boasted.

"Yes. I know. I have been searching for it in Nykaa"

"If only I knew you are pregnant, I'd have gotten-----"

"Are you kidding me? This is more than enough" she said in excitement, standing up to give Anjali a big kiss on her lips.

"What just happened?" Anjali mumbled, her eyes wide open with astonishment.

"You just got your first real kiss" Neha replied with a wink.

"Oh boy!" Shaan murmured, looking secretly pleased "Now, I am really starting to have doubts"

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Thank you for reading. Please Vote, comment and share if you like this chap.

Neha's story was supposed to be published before I could come this far. Like how I published HILWHE and As Told By Tulasi simultaneously (the last ten chapters), I thought I'd do the same with this but that didn't happen.

Like all my plans, this one fell apart too.

Either I'd write a tiny story of Neha - Shaan in the future or I'd add one chap of their story by the end of this book. 

- JANAKI