It is 5 in the morning and I am wide awake as usual, what I would give for one good nights sleep! Since it is a Tuesday I am completing my collection of designs to be sent for this week in my room adjoining my office. Dexter is sleeping peacefully on my bed snuggled in all the pillows. He is the only reason I have a bed in this room.

I was completely immersed in the detailing of the design.

I turned towards the bed to see Dexter waking up. I went towards the bed, checked my phone to see it read 7:00 am. Falling on the bed beside him stroking his ear I whispered, come on baby lets go for a jog. You are getting very lazy these days. He loved going for walks and as soon as he realized that, he was off the bed barking at me to get ready and leave already. Guess, I was wrong calling him lazy.

Dexter is a 3-year old black Labrador. I bought him as soon as I left college dorm. I always wanted to have a pet dog but Papa was allergic to dogs. He knew having a dog would make me very happy so he even insisted on getting one, assuring me he would take anti-allergy pills and even consult the doctor but noways was I going to risk his health. So then every weekend he took me to 'The Playhouse'. They had many dogs, different breed and I was allowed to play with them for an hour. I was my father's princess, I still am, will always be.

I changed into a track suit and my running shoes and got out of the back gate running towards the park, Dex following right behind. He is the only family I have now, the only one close to me anyways. I moved here to America when I was 17, the excuse was studying, the reality was getting away. People would call it running away though, I don't care. I know I did what I thought was best for me at that time.

After an hour while jogging back to the office, I stopped by the cafe to grab a coffee.I entered the room adjoining the office which was comfortably large, almost like a one room appartment, it had a queen sized bed tucked near the window with a beautiful view of the city, a small closet on the other side of the bed, a bathroom and a small kitchen.
Entering the kitchen I grabbed Dex's food box and fed him knowing he must have been famished, grabbing a banana for myself I went to the closet to get my outfit which consisted of a cream coloured fitting dress that reached my knee. Taking a quick shower I got ready for work.

I was going through some files when Evelyn entered my office a bright smile on her face, as cheerful as ever, "Good Morning Arayna." I gave her a small smile and replied "Good Morning Evelyn, what are the updates on yesterdays orders, all sent right.?"

"Yes, all as per schedule." She replied. Dex came running from the room adjoining towards Evelyn licking all over, he loved her and that was a relief. There were very few people he actually liked and was friemdly with. Evelyn always said he is just like me.

After a few minutes of Evelyn petting him she came and sat on the chair opposite. "Leena wanted me to pass on a message, she wants the designs to be approved as and when they are done and not on the last day." she said asking for my approval on it.

I was expecting Leena to put this point, she is a smart woman; I interviewed her afterall. I nodded at Leena and replied "Tell her I agree, also as and when her designs get approved she gets half the payment for that design, so at the end of the week even if she hasn't completed her target she gets payment of the approved design. She knows she won't get even half the price of the design if she doesn't sell it under Zainav Fashion's name."

"It would be a shame if we lost her, she's good." Evelyn added.

I nodded and said "Its important to prove your worth sometimes and this way even the others learn."

Evelyn nodded and then added "Another important matter Arayna, you have an appointment at 4 with David Francis, the Costumes Head for Rosseau Productions, getting our designs there would be a great deal."

Rosseau Productions is one of the biggest Film Production Houses here. Their films are known to be big budgeted, getting our name associated with them will have good impression on the brand.

I nod at Evelyn and she leaves getting back to work. I continue going through the files when my cell phone rings which is a very rare occurrence because most of my work calls are directed through Evelyn and as for personal calls they are like very few. I check the caller ID to see its Valerina my college friend. She was my roommate in college, she is extremely stubborn and persistent, no one can beat her there not even me.

I receive the call saying "Hello."

"Hello yourself, not once, not once have you contacted me after college ended, it has always been me." she spoke shouting on the other side. Did I forget to mention extremely loud as one of her traits too.

"Hey Valerina, I am doing great how about you." I continued ignoring her complains. I can imagine her rolling eyes.

"Okay whatever, be that way." She said taunting me and in a second her voice turned all excited "Guess what, I am in Newyork and you are meeting me for lunch. I have big news, I can't wait to tell you. Also, I am not listening to any excuses. Lets meet at your favourite restaurant 'The Indian Deli' at 2, its just 12 now so you have 2 hours to finish up whatever and meet me, my treat." she said with finality and there was no place for any arguments.

"Valerina, I have an important meeting at 4, so I better be back by then." I told her knowing she will drag me to places after lunch.

"You are such a bore, fine; but you are making it up to me the next time. I'll see you at 2. Bye" with that she hung up.

As much as I would not like to admit it, I did miss her. I was at such bad phase when I met her, I had just moved to Newyork. I was the worst person to be friends with at the time, but she was as stubborn and persistent as ever. She was there when no one was, she was there through my nightmares, she was there when I broke down, she was there even when I pushed her away. She never asked anything, never said anything but her actions her eyes they gave all the warmth and comfort I needed.

The restaurant was close to the office, so I decided to walk there. Exactly at 2, I was there at the restaurant waiting for her. She was late as usual. At 2:15 I saw her enter the restaurant, eyes lighting up a bright smile on her face. Her personality was this bright and happy person. She reminded me of the old me, before everything changed, before life bought me here.

"Araynaaaa..." she screamed not caring for the looks of the people and hugging me tightly. I lightly hugged her back.

"I missed you...soo much" she said still screaming.

"Lower down your voice, we are at a public place." I tried to shush her, she just rolled her eyes saying "Still the same Arayna Oberoi and I know you missed me too" it was my turn to roll eyes.

We got seated and ordered. "I am so hungry, I'm starving." Valerina said digging in as soon as the order arrived. She enjoyed Indian food, there was a story behind that too. I had lost my apetite when I first moved here, with all the nightmares and missing home. So to cheer me up and get me to eat Valerina searched for Indian retaurants and brought me here and when she tried the food she was all in. I remember telling her then 'If you like this so much, then you will love when I cook it with Mama's recipe.' The next night she made me sneak into the dorm's canteen kitchen making me cook it. I remember her saying 'Wow, sneaking in the canteen was so worth it. I didn't know you could cook!' I smile remembering that time. Yes, Valerina was that friend who would make you do stupid and wild things.

I remembered she had some big news so I asked her "Valerina, you said you had something important to discuss." she kept her spoon down and looking at me with those excited eyes again "Oh yes, me and Mike are finally getting married."

Mike and Valerina were together since high school, following each other everywhere, same college, same job, same city. When Mike had to leave back to LA because of his Mom's health obviously Valerina left with him.

"Wow, that's great Congratulations." I said really happy for them. They were the 'it' couple. "No, just Congratulations won't be enough, I want one of your best designs for my wedding." she didn't even have to tell me this.

"We are getting married in two months, the same place where Mike's parents got married and this was the only bookings we could get soo..." she said shrugging.

"What kind of dress do you want, I'll customize the design for you." as soon as I said that her mouth dropped open.

"Honey, you don't have to do that. I love your designs and I'll choose from whatever you have at the store, besides we only have two months designing, stitching, fitting, trials...." she said trailing off.

"Valerina, don't worry about that." she still looked at me with a frown and I continued "Its my wedding present to you." I said smiling lightly and I knew she was going to decline again when I gave her a look saying 'thats final'. I am sure if there was no table in between us right now she would have hugged me right then.

"Also, there's one more news." she said again with an overly excited face and I guessed "You're pregnant?" She had a bewildered expression and she said a little loudly "Nooo, why would you think that." as bubbly, cheerful and bright she was kids totally freaked her out, I don't know why.

"No Arayna I am not pregnant and we are not planning on it any time soon. You know how we've always been so careful, having kids is not on our list for atleast 5 years more." She said all in one breath. Her scared expression was hilarious.

"Don't tell me about being careful, should I remind you the time you forced me to get you the morning pill from the pharmacy because you thought walking or any physical movement can enhance fertilization." I said smirking at her.

She gave me an angry look saying " We were drunk that night, Arayna we were young and that was just once, I was so scared of getting pregnant, I made sure it never happened again. Since then, I am on birth control." she said still bewildered with the thought.

"I don't even get it, what is so scary about kids they are like the most beautiful gift anyone can get." I tell her and she pouts saying "Yes I know, but kids, they hate me. You want to know why they freak me out." I just nod in response and she continues "Once I was made to babysit my cousin, she was just a year old, but I knew she didn't like me she would always cry whenever I went near her. That day I was holding her and that brat,I tried to hold her tight, still  she jumped out of my arms, that is how much she hated me. Luckily she didn't get hurt but she started screaming and crying. I didn't know what to do, I was so scared. What if my kids hate me, what if my kids jump like that from my arms and get seriously injured. I'll be a pathetic mother." She finished with a horror stricken face.

"Valerina, you're thinking too much. It just must've been like an accident. A one year old cannot hate someone, she's too small for such an emotion." I told her softly.

She just shrugged and after a while said "Ohh, the news I was talking about before this horrifying subject, Me and Mike are moving back here. I miss Newyork so much. We are setting up an advertising firm here. Mike's mother is doing well now and we always wanted to start our own little venture. That is the reason we are here looking for office sites and meeting up with a few clients."

I congratulate her again "That's great Valerina, I wish you great success in both marriage and business." I was really sad when she was going with Mike to LA leaving a very good job here that could have helped her network in starting her own business later, but for her love stood first. Isn't it all about priorities, what is of most importance to you, you place them first. Maybe a few years back I would have appreciated her decision, when my priorities were freinds, family and love, but today would leave my career for someone else, never!

"Anyways, where is Mike?" I ask her. Mike and me were not really close but I was used to seeing him in the same room when in college. They were inseparable, sneaking around all the time. Even after years of being together they never had enough of each other. Is it even posible to have that kind of feeling for someone?

"Oh, he's busy luring clients, having lunch with them, trying to get more branding and advertising contracts." She said shrugging.

"Well, aren't you doing the same?" I ask her smirking and raising an eyebrow at her. She looks at me confused not understanding what I mean. "I am giving you a contract of branding and promotions for Zainav Fashions." I state simply. She looks at me wide eyed still shocked.

"I would love to sit and see you like this, but I have a meeting." I call for check and hand the bill to Valerina saying "Your treat, right?" She blinks at me and then takes the bill paying and we together move out the restaurant.

Before leaving she hugs me tight and says "We still have a lot to catch up, meet me soon and please for longer than an hour."

"Come to my office, lets discuss the promotions agreement as well as your dream wedding dress." I told her and waved her bye.

Hola!

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