A bewildered look was stretched across my face as I tried to put Rayhan's words into my knowledge of understanding. I looked at his face to see if there were any signs of him messing around with me, but there weren't any; he seemed serious.

"Well, are you mad?" He questioned.

It took me a second to respond, "To be honest, I am not."

I wasn't actually that taken aback, there was something about Rayhan.. or Tanit, whoever this guy was, that always seemed familiar to me.

"Are you sure you're not mad at me?"

"Do I have to write it on a paper and sign it?" I raised an eyebrow, annoyed.
He sighed and shook his head, which made few strands of his hair fell on his forehead, "You can question whatever you want to know."

I thought about it for a minute from where to start but the biggest question needed to be asked first, "What's your real name?"

"Rayhan Roy, I didn't lie the second time."

If I had to be honest, I would've preferred his name Rayhan than Tanit, maybe because it suited his personality or maybe because I just simply liked his name.

"Why did you lie to me first time?"

"Because, I didn't see any point in revealing my true name to a person I was meeting only one time." He shrugged and I gave him a look.

"Seriously? You're a guy Rayhan, you don't have to hide your name from a girl."

"Yeah, but at that time it made no sense to me to tell you my real name." He argued.

Something snapped in my mind just in that moment and I turned completely towards him, "Wait a second, how many years have Varnika and you known each other?"

"Since I was five and she was seven." He gave me a questioning look as if asking where I was headed to.

"So how the hell did she act like she doesn't know you that day in lounge?"

Rayhan shifted uncomfortably in his seat and responded while not meeting my eyes, "Maybe because I texted her to act like it?"

"I can't believe she didn't tell me, I mean she did inform me that she somehow knew who you were but she didn't tell me exactly who you are. And today, after I found out you're her neighbour I asked her again if you were the same guy and she refused it, leading to another topic." I rambled while Rayhan looked at me with an amused look on his face, "Why the hell are you smiling? You think it's funny?"

"Tanvi, you need to chill out. She did all that just to keep my secret safe, alright? If you were at her place you would've done the same for your childhood friend, right?"

I thought about it for a second, if Nishant would've been in Rayhan's place I might have done something like that. "Fine." I sighed.

"What fine?"

"It's fine that you lied to me."

He gave me a cheeky smile which I couldn't help but return. Rayhan's eyes twinkled as he smiled, and he looked like a cute child with one dimple digging in his cheeks.

"You should head to bed, it's too late." He said.

"Or probably too early in the morning?" I gave him a sarcastic smile and he rolled his eyes.

"You're weird."

"Thanks."

"I didn't mean it in a compliment way."

"But I took it in that way."

He gave me a confused look, "You're seriously weird, and your welcome."

I smirked at him, "Thanks."

"How is someone calling you weird a compliment?" He asked, as if he was in real confusion.

I wanted to laugh at his expression but resisted a giggle, "Dude, being weird means being different, it's good to be different."

"Oh, okay." He nodded but I knew he still didn't get it with the expression his face held.

"Goodnight anyway." I stood up from the bench and started to make my way to the stairs.

"Definitely weird." He mumbled under his breath.

I looked back at him, "I heard that."

He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand as if embarrassed, "Sorry."

I just nodded and stepped down on the stairs. "Goodnight." I heard him call behind me and without replying made way to the guest room.

I jumped into the bed and without letting any thoughts creep into my mind, drifted off to sleep.

~

"How're you feeling now?" Shanaya asked from the back seat of Varnika's car.

I mumbled back a reply, "Fine."

"You don't sound fine." Varnika narrowed her eyes at me from driver's seat and I sighed.

"I am fine."

"Okay, spill it out." Shanaya ordered in a demanding tone and I knew she wouldn't take any shit.

To be honest, I was anything but fine. When I woke up this morning I had this weird feeling where everything around me felt gloomy and this feeling kind of sucked, I wanted to do something to make myself happy but couldn't figure out what.

"I said I am fine, just low." I slumped lower in my seat.

I didn't confront Varnika about whatever Rayhan had told me last night, and I wasn't sure if I was actually planning to. I just wanted her to drop me home quickly so that I could indulge myself into one or the other book and just feel at peace.

"Umm, don't kill me after asking this but does any of your mood concerns him?" Shanaya asked, cautiously looking at me from the side, since she sat behind Varnika.

"Who 'him'?" Varnika gave a blank look to both of us.

"You guys don't have to take his name, and no none of my mood swings concerns him or anyone for that matter. I AM FINE." I said, annoyed at the mention of just one person.

Lately, this whole thing - getting over him and trying to cope up with everything - just was just getting onto my nerves. There were times when I literally wanted to confront the guy and ask him where exactly did I go wrong that he had to do such a thing with me.

Damn, something was definitely up with me.

Varnika and Shanaya both shifted uncomfortably in their seats and I knew the conversation had come to an end.

I was glad when Varnika decided to drop me off first. I bid both of them goodbye and walked to the main door of my house. Vaibhav opened the door and gave me a look after looking at my outfit. I couldn't blame him, I was barely covering myself - I had black shorts and white tank top on, my hair were a mess but that's exactly what happens when you get into car straight out of bed.

"Mom, Tanvi needs to go to shopping." He yelled from the hall.

"What?"

"Since you don't really have enough clothes to cover yourself up properly I suggest you need to go to shopping."

After giving me one last murderous look he went to his room and I went to mine.

"Tannu, you want to go to shopping?" My mom asked from across hall, almost yelling out the question.

"No mom, I need some rest."

With that I picked up a book from the shelf and started reading it. I was halfway through the book when I heard a knock on the door, before I could respond Nishant came in.

"I guess after knocking you're supposed to wait for approval?" I crooked up an eyebrow with a smile playing on my lips.

"As far as my opinion is concerned, you knock just to let the other person know you're going to make an appearance." He gave me a cheeky smile after he completed his sentence.

He came and sat by my side on the bed and gave me a small side hug.

"You stink." He teased, while tickling me.

"I know it is clear I haven't showered yet but seriously, no rude comments." I pouted at him and he laughed.

"Why did you call me last night?" I didn't see that coming.

I shifted uncomfortably on my bed, "I told you it was by mistake."

"Okay, so who were you dialing to in the first place?"

"Someone." I lied, chewing on my lower lip.

"You suck at lying." He pinched my cheeks and I slapped his hands away.

"I am not lying, who were you talking to anyway?" I asked, changing the topic.

He grinned, "Someone."

"Are you going to tell me or not?" I huffed.

"Only if you tell me who you were calling in the first place." He gave out a smirk that clearly said, 'I am not as sweet as you think I am'.

"Didn't I just tell you now?"

"Who was it?"

"Someone."

"Okay."

I sighed when I realized he actually gave in, "So who were you talking to?" I questioned again.

"Someone." He grinned like an idiot.

"Touchè"

He laughed at my exasperation, I didn't want Nishant to know that I was depressing over the same topic again. I knew it affected his mood as well, he then went on to make me understand the harsh reality and even though it hurt, it was true that this is what my life had ended up to and I had to accept it.

When my eyes wondered to Nishant's face he was already staring at me intently, as if trying to read my mind.

"Are you okay?" He asked, I just simply nodded, "Get up!" He said, enthusiastically as he himself got up from my bed.

"Why?"

"Because we're getting you out of this grumpy state."

"I am not in a grumpy state." I pouted at him. Okay, maybe I was but I wanted to be left alone for a while.

Nishant being himself ended up convincing me to take a shower and dress up, I was cursing at him whole time I did my hair and eye makeup but he just kept giving me a cute smile which made me feel guilty for being rude to him.

I wore a jeans which was lightest shade of blue, along with a pinkish red semi sleeved top.

I wanted to drive but Nishant insisted that he wanted to take his car since he was in the mood of driving, the guy acted weird simetimes, I told him he could drive mine but he argued about how we always took my car so I just gave in.

"Where exactly are we going?" I finally decided to ask him. It had been fifteen minutes since we left, and I had not even one bit of clue of where we were headed.

He turned his head towards me and gave me a cheeky smile, "Mall."

"Seriously? What's there in a mall?"

"What's not there in a mall?"

I rolled my eyes at his reply but a smile made it's way on my face as I looked at Nishant. Some really good things have been done by me as a result of which I got him in my life, he was my life supporter and I didn't know what I would've done if he had not been there for me all my life.

"Nishant?"

"Hmm?" His eyes were fixed on the road.

"You know that I love you right?"

He looked at me momentarily and then looked ahead again, "Yes I know Tannu, I love you too."

"Thank you." I mumbled and he stopped the car.

"For?" He was now facing me completely as he turned in the driver's seat.

"For being my best friend, for sticking by my side always - no matter how much we fought, for loving me despite the fact you've seen my worst sides.. basically, thank you for everything."

"Tanvi, you're my best friend and I did nothing more for you than you've done for me, so we're even." He gave me a genuine smile and I mirrored his expression.

I don't know from where I was feeling these emotions, but I felt like just blurting out my feeling to Nishant - the only guy I loved and trusted, my best friend.

"Why did you stop the car?" I asked, after I realized that the car was at halt.

"Probably because this is mall's parking?"

I just nodded and he smiled. We both got out and made our way towards the entry of the mall. Since it was Sunday, mall was too crowded for my liking.

Nishant and I walked side by side, but it was basically me following him. He took us to food court and once we occupied a table, he went to get food for us.

I waited patiently for him as he took his time to get us food, not that I minded. I was starving since I missed the breakfast in the morning.

While Nishant was away, something caught my eye - or someone. At first I wasn't sure if it was him but when he turned around in his seat and I got full view of his face, I didn't doubt anymore.

My legs seemed to had it's own plan since I got up and made my to the table he was sitting at, but after I was standing right in front of him did I realize that he had a company, his friend Viaan was with him.

"Tanvi?" Krish acknowledged my presence and I just smiled at him,  "Long time no see." He grinned as he stood up for a hug.

I returned the hug and he beamed at me as we took a step back. 

"Hey there, Viaan." I waved at him and he did the same with a smile on his face.

"What are you doing here all alone?" Krish asked.

"I am not alone, I do have a company with me." I said and as if on queue Nishant appeared in my view.

I waved at him and he made his way to where I was with his hands full with our food.

"I thought I told you to stay at the table." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Actually I saw a friend and came to say hi." I explained and that's when he looked at Krish.

"Krish Manchanda, Tanvi's friend." He introduced himself and Nishant nodded in return.

"Nishant Khurana, Tanvi's best friend." Nishant said with a smirk on his face, his brows furrowed together for a minute after which he spoke, "You're the guy who asked her out.. er I mean, you asked her to come to your friend's party, right?"

I glared at Nishant to which he just shrugged, why did he have to blurt it out like that?

"Well yeah, the same guy." Krish said and Nishant nodded.

"I don't like eating cold food." Nishant remarked and I mentally slapped him.

"I'll see you around?" I spoke to Krish, but it came out more as a question.

He nodded and gave me a smile after which I said goodbye both to him and Viaan.

"What the hell happened back there?" I asked Nishant once we got back to our table.

"That guy didn't seem nice to me."

I sighed, "He's just a friend."

"Everything starts from being 'just friends'." He said annoyed.

I didn't want to argue with him so I just stayed quiet and didn't bother to reply back.

Nishant got a pizza for himself and burger and fries for me, he knew my choices which is why he never asked me before getting food for me.

We sat in silence and devoured our food. I could sense the tension and decided to break through it, "Are you mad?" I asked him and he looked up at me.

"What? No, I am not mad, why would I be?"

"Then why haven't you spoken a word since last half an hour?"

"Probably because I don't feel like talking?"

I gave him a look which stated, 'enough of shit' and he sighed.

"I am sorry."

I gave him a baffled look, "Why are you sorry?"

"Because I probably over reacted back there, I just don't want to see you hurt again or go through any of that shit."

"Nish, I know you care about me, but you also know me well enough - this new Tanvi wouldn't just go around giving random people a chance for anything like 'more than friends'."

He gave out a smile and I knew we were okay, "I like this stronger side of you." He got up from his seat and I did the same, we were done with our food and after putting the the waste in trash we made our way out of the food court. Nishant had his hand on my back as he pressed his lips to my forehead, "Just be careful, okay?"

I beamed at my best friend and gave him a nod. We made our way to the games section of the mall.

At first I protested against it, but when Nishant made a pouting face, I just agreed. Anything for his happiness.

The games section was even more packed than the whole mall with teenage couples. Nishant and I went to the counter and took number of coupons in advance, I could already tell it was going to be fun when we stepped inside.

Nishant had a big smile on his face and I couldn't help but smile as I looked at him. We first went for the games with monitors and joy sticks. Nishant selected two players and then hit play, it was a car race - the only game I knew pretty well.

When I won the first game Nishant turned towards me, "You cheated."

"Awww, it's okay Nish. You should know how it feels to lose sometimes." I said with a wink and he groaned.

"I hate you."

"You love me." I laughed and he cracked up a smile.

Second time Nishant won and had that smirk filled with pride as if he won a big national game so I ended up only laughing at his face.

When the third game was on I knew it was going to decide which one of us was better at this so when I was losing I tickled Nishant which made him lose his grip on the joystick and consequently, I won.

"Tanvi Kapoor, you're so dead." He said and when I looked at his face he had a big mischievous smile on his face.

Oh no.

I ran for my life, I ran out of the games section and around the third floor of the mall, mumbling sorry to every person I bumped into. People around gave us looks and old ones called us stupid and scolded under their breath. But I didn't stop to reply back to any one of them, I just kept running away from him.

But Nishant had long legs and taking the advantage grabbed me by my waist and turned me around and started to tickle my sides. I was already breathing rapidly and the giggles that escaped my mouth weren't helping too much. When I thought I was going to fall to the ground I gave in, "Sorry, just stop, I am sorry."I managed to say in between the laughs.

Nishant's smile grew wider but he didn't stop, "Who won?"

"I did." I laughed but corrected myself when Nishant didn't stop tickling, "Okay fine Nish, you won."

He then let go of me and I took in deep breaths. People around gave us looks but Nishant and I didn't mind much. It was fun and worth it.

"So what do you want to do next?" I asked Nishant, a smile still plastered on my face.

"Firstly, I want to buy a water bottle."

"Good idea."

With that both of us made our way to the drink corner and he bought us a bottle. I insisted on paying but he just shushed me down, even when I was paying for the game coupons he was complaining the whole time but I told him he had already paid for my food.

After having water Nishant and I walked around the mall, "Do you want to do shopping?" Nishant asked and I shrugged.

Shopping could be tiring but few stores here always had good collection so it didn't seem that bad of an idea after all.

"Will it be fine for you if I do?" I asked.

"Of course." He smiled.

We went to a store which had few good clothes on show on it's window. I looked around and a top caught my eye. It wasn't casual, but it wasn't even that fancy - it was black in colour with white studs around it's neck and sleeves.

I took it from the rack and turned towards Nishant, "How is it?"

"It's nice, go try it on." He gave me a smile and I did just that, I told him to stay near my try room because I would want his approval - I couldn't decide on my own when it came to clothes.

After taking off the pink semi sleeved top I was wearing, I pulled on the black top, it fitted my curves well. I smiled at my reflection since it looked good on me.

I stepped out of try room but Nishant was nowhere in sight. "Nishant?" I called out in hope that he was somewhere near.

He didn't come but someone else did, Rayhan.

"Hi, Ms. Kapoor." He winked at me and I groaned.

Not again.

"Can you do me a favour?" I asked him, I wanted him to look for Nishant but he shook his head, "Please?"

"Okay, only if you do something for me in return." He smirked and I thought about it for a minute.

"What would I have to do?"

"I'll think about it and let you know." The smirk he had on his face was kind of unnerving so I just pulled out my phone out of my pocket and tried dialing Nishant. Why did he had to disappear like that?

There was no network in this damn store and I cursed out loud.

"Oh, so the pretty girl curses too."

"Actually you have no idea what else this pretty girl can do." I snapped at him, I wasn't really in mood of his cockiness. I was having a good time with Nishant and I wanted to keep it that way.

"Like what?"

"Like smack that smirk off your face." I faked an innocent smile and he laughed.

"Tanvi?" I heard Nishant's voice.

"Where the hell did you disappear?"

"I was looking something for myself, I am sorry if I made you wait.. but hey, that looks amazing on you, you should definitely get it." He grinned at me and though I was annoyed a moment before I found myself smiling.

"I'll be right back." I said and went back to change.

I was glad that when I came out of the try room I didn't find Rayhan's annoying face again, but Nishant wasn't there either, he probably might be looking for something for himself in the men's section. I sighed and made my way to the centre of the store where the billing counter was, I didn't wait for Nishant since I knew he would insist on paying and in case he did, I'll just feel guilty for spending my best friend's money for my own shopping needs.

The line at the billing counter wasn't too long so it didn't take me long enough to reach the end and pay for the top I just bought. I liked that cloth, mostly because of it's colour - black, my favourite.

Many people would go on saying 'Is black even a colour?' But despite that it was my favourite, it was dark and intense.

When I was done with the bill formalities and Nishant still wasn't by my side I decided to go look for him in men's section.

I looked around but couldn't spot him, I grew anxious and a thought about him leaving without informing me crossed my mind but I knew Nishant wouldn't do that to me. I even looked through the try rooms, but he wasn't there either.

I was thirsty and looked for the bottle we bought but was reminded that Nishant was the one carrying it.

I decided to look for him one last time around everywhere, including the ladies section. I was about to step further when I heard two muffled sounds, my eyebrows drew together in confusion and I looked for the source.

There was a door on the side which was ajar, god knows what got into me and I stepped inside and well, the sight that greeted me left me more in shock than surprise.

My best friend was pinning a girl to the wall, her hands were in his hair and Nishant's hands gripped her waist - but that wasn't the only thing that surprised me, it was the sight of them kissing and grinding against each other that left me in shock.

For about two minutes I was too stun to react but the those two must've felt someone's presence because they jumped apart and Nishant's eyes were wide with shock.

"Tanvi,  I - um.."

"Um, sorry to interrupt?" I apologised but it came more as a question.

I was about to turn and leave when Nishant caught ahold of my wrist. He composed himself as he ran a hand through his hair. The girl stood quietly in the corner, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment of being caught.

Nishant motioned her to come forward and she obliged, he wrapped his arm around her waist, "Zara, this is Tanvi, my childhood best friend." Nishant said and the girl smiled up at me. Her whole face lit up as she heard my name.

He then turned towards me, "Tanvi, this is Zara, my girlfriend."

X-x

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