| NAINA |

"Ummm..." Mumma hummed and went into her thought process. Each passing micro-second of her silence increased the speed of my heartbeat by 30 m/second. While it was about to hit a triple century, Mumma spoke up. "Angad, I think I need some time to think. But for now, I will consider this." She grabbed the ring box from him. While Angad sighed at it in relief, I found it alarmingly dangerous.

I strongly felt a confrontation rising between them.

***

Papa's funeral was a sure-shot success. It fulfilled everything Mumma wished for.

Excluding the proposal, of course.

Angad and I entered the house after moving out of the podium when we heard Mumma calling us. We looked up and saw her glaring at us. She cleared her throat and said, "Come upstairs for a while. Both of you."

We looked at each other with a perplexed look and a million questions in our minds as we climbed upstairs. We saw her standing on the terrace, facing the sky. We trudged to the terrace's entrance, and I summoned, "Mumma."

She looked at us and pointed her chin at the white bench to her left. We sat there as she sat on the white chair opposite us. She crossed her legs and said, "I have decided about you two."

I looked at him with my eyes wide while his forehead had creases that showed anticipation.

"As my daughter said, I will give you time to reveal the truth to your fiancee and her family until the morning of your wedding. After that, I won't think twice to take her away. Even if she wants to live with you after it," she said and pointed at me.

My eyebrows raised as I asked, "Mumma, is that a red or a green flag?"

"Yellow flag." She tilted her head to her left and squinted her right eye. "Any other questions?" We shook our heads, and she whispered, "Good," and walked out.

I stood up to ensure that Mumma left downstairs. And as I saw her vanishing, I whined like a kindergartener and said, "Why not a green flag? Should it be a yellow flag?"

Angad had my hand sandwiched between his hands as he assured me, "Be glad it wasn't red."

With that, he walked out of the terrace, leaving his mad girlfriend alone.

***

TWO WEEKS LATER...

Angad and I reached India.

Finally!

Angad went to Amritsar since Meeta wanted while Mumma said she would join us soon before the wedding as she had to complete some paperwork regarding Papa's death.

I was at my house all alone. Once again. There was no Mumma, Angad, Charlie, sympathetic audience, or "kneeling" kind proposals. 

Just me. 

And my non-living belongings.

I fell on my couch with a loud thump. And took my mobile from my sling bag. There were two messages from Charlie and four from Angad and Meeta each. I read the messages in the order: Meeta, Angad, and Charlie.

Meeta: Hey, baby!

Meeta: I heard that you are in India!

Meeta: I've got a surprise for you.

Meeta: Could this sweet little bird please fly over to Amritsar?

Though my senses alerted me whether it could be for introducing Angad to me, I brushed them off and tried to be hilarious as I always do.

Me: Of course!

Me: Who will rescue you from your "pigeons-killing" fiance if I don't, Senorita?

Since she was online, she replied to my messages as swiftly as a flash of lightning.

Meeta: Thanks a lot!

Meeta: Or else I will have to beg my Babuji for this.

Me: When should I be there?

Meeta: Your ass should be here by tomorrow, Senorita!

Me: Okay, Senorita!

And I shifted to Angad's chat box.

Angad: Hey, Desi Girl!

Angad: I reached the house.

Angad: Which didn't feel like a home without your presence.

Angad: You?

It took me less than a second to notice that he sent a screenshot of some chats. I realised it to be the chats between Meeta and Angad as I opened it.

Meeta: Hey, Angad!

Meeta: I hope you reached home safely.

Meeta: I have planned a small get-together with my best friend where I will introduce you there. So, could you please come to the bar on that main road tomorrow? I will send the timings very soon.

Angad: Hi, Meeta!

Angad: Sure thing! I will be there. I can't wait to meet your friends.

I gasped loudly as I realised that I got it right. Yet, I composed myself and texted him.

Me: I know why you are so excited to meet her friends.

Then, I shifted to Charlie's chat box.

Charlotte: Hey, Nee!

Charlotte: Reached home?

Me: Yeah. Packing up stuff for my next trip.

Charlotte: Don't tell me you planned your next trip to Hell.

Me: I would have laughed if I thought it was a joke. But sadly, I'm going somewhere that's close to Hell.

Charlotte: Where? North Korea, right?

Charlotte: I know it. People like you find it to be Heaven.

Me: Just shut the fuck up, you brat!

Me: I am going to Amritsar.

Charlotte: Miss Mathur, it's not that I'm good at Indian geography because I topped my high school in Geography.

Charlotte: Where on Earth is that unknown city?

Me: Haha, sorry!

Me: It's a city that's far from New Delhi.

Me: I'm going there for Meeta's wedding.

Charlotte: Oh!

Charlotte: Are you ready?

Me: Yeah. I am ready to dance at my friend's wedding. After all, it's her first wedding, right?

Charlotte: My dear Indian dimwit. I was talking about Angad.

Charlotte: Are you ready to face your friend's fiance?

Me: I don't know. I'm planning to go with the flow.

Charlotte: And what's the flow? Turbulent like a tsunami? Don't you think it would lead to much more drama?

Me: There's no need for the "flow" to be turbulent. Our turbulent hearts will lead to wholesome, dramatic shits.

Charlotte: I'm not ready for your philosophy classes. I badly want relationship classes now!

Charlotte: So, I got to go!

***

THE NEXT DAY...

"Hello, Senorita!" Meeta shrieked at the top of her voice while I was stuck in a suffocating hug from her. "I didn't expect that you would come."

"Haha, don't pretend like you knew nothing, " I said, delivering a fake laugh. "You wanted me to save you from your 'pigeons-killing' fiance. Hence, here I am!" I laughed along with her as she escorted me inside the bar.

The red, white, and royal blue neon lights made the dark bar much enigmatic. It looked like those bars from movies where dance numbers are shot. There were drunk boys. There were stoned oldies. And some bulk men who looked like drug mafias of Bollywood. All that was missing was some sexy strippers who revolved around the pole like Earth does to the sun.

Meeta and I sat on the void leather couch that caught our sight. She was already twiddling her fingers and looking down while I was busy thinking about when Angad would come. Though I knew her surprise, I decided to shoot a question that would make me look enthusiastic about her surprise. "Tell me now, Meeta. Why did you call me here?"

While her gaze locked on the entrance, she said, "He has come."

My eyes went wide as I heard it, and I looked back. And yes, she was right. 

Angad has come.

A few strands of his ruffled hair that looked dewy fell on his forehead as his dark blue eyes shone in the dim lights. Though his wheat-complexioned face was pale out of fear, he still tried to smile at us and attempted to hide the fears that were revealed in his eyes. He had locked his gaze on Meeta to ensure we didn't behave like someone who knew each other. Just as he was an inch away from us, Meeta squeezed him in the name of hugging while Angad's focus was all on me. Though I looked at the other side to pretend I was least bothered, I looked sideways at what they were doing.

The engaged couple broke their hug and sat on the couch opposite the one we were already sitting on. Meeta, who caught me staring at Angad, cleared her throat and asked, "Naina. Guess who could he be?"

I played fool as I looked at Angad and Meeta alternatively and said, "Yeah. I have met him at Papa's cremation. He said he was your friend."

Yeah, I remembered the bluff we planned together at Papa's cremation.

"Angad, you?" Meeta asked and linked her arm with his.

He narrowed his eyes, pretending to guess who I was, and said, "Same."

Meeta laughed at his reply, stood up as if to announce something, and said, "So... Naina, it's the time for it! Meet my fiance, Angad Sharma. And Angad, this is my best friend, Naina Mathur. Guys, say hi to each other."

Our eyes finally met each other after five minutes of ignoring it. I, who couldn't bear the weight of romance in his eyes, sipped some water that was already on the table. After preparing to face him as my friend's fiance, I looked into his eyes and said, "Hello, Angad!"

He, who was waiting for me to speak up, said, "Hello, Naina! Meeta always spoke fondly of you. I must say that she is lucky to have you as her friend."

"Same here, Mr Sharma. Not a day has passed without her thinking about you. Sometimes, it's making me jealous," I said and laughed at my comment.

"And, what's this 'Mr Sharma' thing, Naina? Call me Angad." He smiled at me like a new friend, not like a boyfriend. And that made me relieved.

"Okay, guys. Why not have something while talking? I'm sorry, but I'm famished, guys!" Meeta complained before summoning the waitress there. As the waitress reached the table, Meeta asked, "Angad, what do you want to have?"

"Ummm... Two Virgin Mojitos and--" Angad was ordering while Meeta interrupted.

"No, Angad. I don't like mocktails," Meeta informed and made a gross face.

"No, Meeta. It's for Naina. She likes..." He paused at the realisation he had given too much information on a girl he reportedly met ten minutes ago.

Meeta tilted her head to her left and inquired, "How did you know that Naina likes Virgin Mojito?"

I glared at Angad for revealing too much while he narrowed his eyes apologetically. Clearing my throat, I said, "I have mentioned in one of my articles." And that was the purest bluff I could ever make for that moment.

"Oh!" Meeta exclaimed out of confirmation while Angad cleared his throat out of annoyance. She, who understood that Angad did it as consent for order, said, "You proceed to order, Angad. What else other than Virgin Mojito, guys?"

"That's it," Angad and I informed in unison, thus making it more awkward.

"Okay, then, let me go with an olive pizza and a red wine. I'm done!" Meeta stated while the waitress noted our orders and left. 

"So, Naina, how is your mother now?" Angad asked, pretending to start our conversation from scratch.

"Yeah. She is good. Pretending to move on," I stated, trying to smile.

He, who noticed the discomfort on my face, asked, "Sorry, did I bring up an inappropriate topic?"

"No, Angad. I was glad that you asked." This time, my smile was genuine. "What did you say you were doing as a career? Sorry, I forgot it."

"Resident surgeon at NYU Langone," Angad responded.

"Hey, wait!" Meeta shrieked out of the blue. "Naina, wasn't your grandma admitted to Langone two years ago? It suddenly hit me."

I pretended to know what she meant, nodded and confirmed, "Yes. It was two years."

"So, Angad, you must have known her, right? At least, her grandmother." Meeta squinted her eyes and inquired. "What was her name, Naina?"

"Ummm... Sharda," I stated.

"Ah, yes! Sharda Mathur. You must have known her, Angad. Think!" Meeta exclaimed.

"I think I knew her. Your grandma was admitted for craniectomy, right?" Angad tilted his head and asked while I nodded a yes. "I have met her, Naina. My senior was the one who did the surgery. And yes, I was in his team. Your grandma's was my first and only craniectomy to date." As Angad was done explaining, the waitress placed our orders.

"Wow! That's... You know... I don't know what to say." I pursed my lips and sipped some of my mocktails. This was the first conversation with Angad I had ever found awkward.

"That's okay. I was explaining." Angad looked away from me for the first time since our meeting.

After taking the first bite of her pizza, Meeta lunged across the table and whispered, "Naina."

I lunged as she did and whispered, "What?"

To hear our conversation, Angad lunged while Meeta said, "Do you remember Abhi?"

"Abhi? Who on Earth is he?" I threw my hands up in the air while my heart thumped out of curiosity.

"Ah, go fuck yourself, Naina!" Meeta groaned and leaned on the couch. Later, she raised her hands and pointed her chin towards the entrance. Angad's gaze was already there when I looked back.

And I instantly regretted it. I glared at Meeta with my eyes wide while she suppressed her grin. "Best of luck, Senorita!"

As the man about to make the night awkward reached us, Meeta was the first girl to embrace that ball of shit with her suffocating hug. While they hugged, I looked at Angad and pointed my chin to my left. He understood what I meant and rushed to sit next to me. 

Abhishek 'Obsessive' Grover was done with his hug and about to take his seat next to me. But I pursed my lips sarcastically and informed, "This seat is taken."

"It's okay, Abhi. Just come here," Meeta sulked and moved aside to ensure he had space to sit.

While they were busy conversing, Angad asked me the million-dollar question. "So, who is that guy? I'm sure you have some flashbacks with him."

"He... He is Meeta's cousin. Also, the guy who was obsessed with me once upon a time." I tilted my head to my right.

"More than I do?" He whispered into my ears, held my hands tight and looked into my eyes. For a moment, it felt romantic. It felt like we were at our secret nighttime meeting in my backyard. I felt like it was the moment for us to have our 'public kiss', but no, I don't want Meeta to be the laughingstock of Amritsar because of us.

"Help me, please! Make sure he doesn't go off his limits." I begged.

"I will ensure his ass remains in his zone and not have his tiny stomach burnt out of jealousy." He tried to rub my nose with his index finger, but I held it tight.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you more than she loves me," he whispered and pointed at Meeta, who was busy talking with Mr. Obsessive One-side Lover.

Meeta and Abhi's focus was back to us while Abhi looked at me and asked, "How are you, Naina?"

I looked down at my twiddling fingers and said, "I was good, Abhishek."

I looked sideways and saw him staring at me with no emotions.

Which was something I did not expect.

He looked at me like a stranger, though he knew what he did to me a decade ago. I also found Angad glaring at him in the angriest way possible. But wait! I haven't told him the whole story but the synopsis. Why is he so angry for that? Is he trying to scare him? Probably yes.

To lighten the mood, I looked at him and asked, "What would you like to have, Abhi?"

"Anything you wish for, Naina," Abhi responded while I looked at Angad, who was licking the corner of his lips. He's probably in his aggression mode. 

"Ummm... Okay, then pizza is your go-to, I guess. What say, Angad?" Meeta raised her eyebrows at her fiance.

"Yeah. Meeta's taste should never be questioned." Angad chuckled unnaturally while I glared at him to control it.

"Ummm... How is life, Naina?" Abhi asked while lunging a little with an intense look. He thinks himself to be some Romeo, duh!

"Don't ask. Life ended up like a car crash." I continued twiddling my fingers and looking down.

"Don't worry. An insurance claim will be coming to you soon. With full payment." And that made me look at him with wide-eyed shock. Since when did he become so poetic? "I hope you are okay."

"Yeah." I nodded my head and looked away from him.

"Ummm... If you don't mind, can I talk to you privately?" Abhi asked with his doe eyes full of hope and anticipation.

My gaze shifted instantly to Angad, who sat upright this time. He looked at me with concern and worry while my eyes showed I was calm, indeed.

I stood from my place, looked down at Abhi as if to say yes, and walked out of the bar. I stood near the copper car, which was Meeta's and leaned on it. A few seconds later, I saw the man in a royal blue shirt and beige pants approaching me. His brown orbs were locked in my black eyes as I asked, "I thought you were going to tell me something."

He cleared his throat as we broke our eye contact. Suddenly, he became coy like a newlywed and looked down with a stupid grin. Yet, he resisted it after a few seconds and spoke up. "The thing is..." He paused, let out a deep breath, and continued speaking. "I'm not ready to beat around the bush. So, let me get it straight. I'm sorry."

Oh!

Wait.

He said what?

Sorry?

Seriously!

My eyes went wide as I asked, "Wait. So, did you say sorry? Did my school's most arrogant and badass guy say sorry to the girl he was obsessed with since he was thirteen? Right?"

He chuckled at me for spitting hard facts. Then, he verbalised, "Listen, Naina. I know I was immature back then. We were young. We were kids. And, you know, I had a bad influence back then. And, yes. I was obsessed with you. I went for therapy since I couldn't forget you. I had broken the faces of those five guys who proposed to you. But my present self is not like my past self. Please try to understand me, Naina. I am not here to break a boy's bones for you."

His monologue made me speechless since I took time to process it. It's visible he was trying to get rid of the "hot-headed boy" impression on him. Yet, I don't feel like believing his words. I don't feel like he would be this same sweet Abhishek Grover. I felt like his presence would create drama in the "full-on drama" zone.

Or wouldn't he?

***

I know this chapter is average, but please. This guy Abhishek has his share in causing dramatic destruction. Trust me. All you have to do is vote, comment, suggest the book to your best friends (only if I'm worth it), sit back, relax, and stay tuned for more drama.

See you soon!

Song Courtesy: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Title Track.