"Amma, I am going to a cafe. To meet my friends." I said in a low voice. And got ready to listen to her lecture. But to my surprise something else happened.
"Okay. But don't stay out late. Come early." She said and started working as though it is a normal thing.
When my brain started working, I ran from there before my mother changed my mind. My bike was ready for me to use. Maybe my father had brought it.
It was not far away from my home. It was a chilly night and my hair was flying in spite of me wearing a helmet.
After a few minutes I reached the cafe. I parked outside and went inside. The coffee smell washed over me as I entered inside. I glanced around the cafe, it was a simple aesthetic cafe and the prices for food here is affordable. I could see different kinds of pastries , desserts and cupcakes at the entrance.
Ten to twelve round tables were spread out all around the room. It was packed with people. I hope my friends and I will get a table to sit. I don't want to sit on those high chairs. I am not that tall to sit comfortably in that even though I am 5 '4.
I was searching whether any of my friends were present and I spotted deep brown hair which looked red due to lighting and her signature butterfly clip shining in the warm light.
I know I could count on her. Azara is the only punctual friend in our group. Whatever happens she will be on time.
I walked towards her and sat opposite her. She was very much involved in our phone doing God knows what?
"Hello madam? Am I invisible?" I waved my hands exaggerating. She looked up from her phone and gave me a bored look.
"I am playing temple run. I have to collect as many coins as possible to unlock new characters." She said and again immersed herself in her phone. I got up and sat down to adjust to her. Then snatched the phone from her.
"Aye I was playing." And tried to take the phone from me. I raised my hand higher and started playing the game.
"Even I want to play. You play when I will lose. Okay?" And started playing the game in concentration.
I was so involved in playing then I lost. But when I looked at her she was staring at something else. As soon as I saw her distracted, I restarted the game and started playing again. Then she turned towards me and saw the phone.
"Aye you are cheating. Give the phone it's my turn." And tried to take the phone away. We both were fighting silently without making any noise just pulling the phone towards each other.
When somebody slapped our heads from behind. I turned to see it was none other than Adira.
"Can you both stop for once? Acting like children." And started lecturing both of us. I can't listen to my parents scolding, I have to listen to her too.
"Can you stop? I am not in the mood to hear your ramblings today." Azara said, blowing her nails and giving a bored look to Adira.
"Yeah, same here." I said and turned towards Azara agreeing to her. Adira just rolled her eyes at both of us.
"Where is the 4th idiot?" She asked us.
"Late as usual. Can we order something to eat ? These desserts are calling my name." Azara said and glanced towards all the delicacies rubbing her hands to devour it.
"Heyyy guys." We heard a voice and none other than Eraya entered as though she was going for a fashion show.
"You are late. Again." Adira said, staring blankly at her.
"That's called fashionably late. Which is not late." And started saying things which didn't make any sense at all. Well all four of us need of therapy.
Adira Singh is an aerospace engineer. She was very much interested in space and things. So she chose this. She is beautiful with her amber eyes, short height. And she was a chubby cute thing which made everyone squeeze her cute cheeks. She is bold and straight forward. She won't hesitate to hurt others feelings by sugarcoating her words.
Azara is an architect. This year she got a nice job in a company. She is beautiful with her brown skin and dark brown eyes which look like black marble with a twinkle shining in them. But her doe eyes consist of this child-like innocence which she is not. She has a nice figure in her genes itself and no need to workout at all. She recently joined our group. She has some past which she hasn't told us yet. But she is a good friend. Even though we have known her for a few years it feels like we have been friends since forever.
Last but not the least is Eraya who is a fashion designer. She is the funniest in our group and also who has a very dark humor and always doing double meaning jokes. She is an only child and doesn't have any siblings. She is a bit spoiled because her parents were never there with her and she got everything handed over to her in a silver plate. But she is a good person. She has a skinny figure and everyone made fun of her until we became friends. From then on, we three make sure no one talks shit about her or teases her about her weight.
After everyone got settled they turned towards me as I was the one with some tea. They were staring at me as though expecting me to turn into a dinosaur. I just sat there not saying anything.
"Hey start speaking, why are you creating suspense?" Azara impatiently asked me.
"Don't tell me we have to cancel or postpone our trip!" Adira asked, already getting ready to murder me.
"Did you do drugs?" When Eraya said that everyone slowly turned towards giving her a look that screams 'really?'
"What? Why are you all giving me looks? It could be true."
"Okay guys stop. No it's not about the trip." I said, looking towards Adira.
"And no, I didn't do drugs."
"Then?" All said together weirding me out.
"My father said he will start looking for a groom. He thinks it's time for me to get married."
"That's all. You made us worried. I thought you were sacrificing babies for some ritual and got caught." Eraya casually said that as though she was talking about the clothes in a store.
We didn't care about her comment because we have gotten used to her weird talks. Well not weird let's say dark humor. Then I turned towards the other towards waiting for them to share their mentally unstable thoughts.
"Well you two say something."
"I don't think you have to worry now itself. Because the first thing is you won't be married to the first guy you see. And second, it's not like you have a boyfriend. Right?" Adira said, shrugging her shoulders making it seem simple and made me feel dumb for worrying so much.
"Yes. And if you don't like the guy just scare him and make sure he himself rejects you. Problem solved." Azara said, winking at me.
I don't know if they are trying to solve the problem or create one. But I am glad to have them in my life. When my own family didn't understand me they were always there for me listening to me and most importantly just being there for me. My family is not bad. They are a bit old fashioned and very much believe in all the traditions and culture followed by our ancestors. I am not saying it is a bad thing even though I respect it. But in some situations it's too much. So I can't share everything with my parents. If I share it it's like calling more trouble into my life rather than solving it.
"Actually that's a nice idea. For the first time you said something useful." Eraya said, turning towards Azara. She just rolled her eyes and sipped her drink.
"Guys have you all lost your mind?" I asked. I think they are already in nasha after drinking a few sips of whatever they ordered.
(Intoxication)
"Well then get married to the good mama's boy. That's the only solution we have now." Azara said.
"Guys relax. It's not like she is getting married tomorrow. And this marriage thing and all its not easy. It takes time to fix everything. For the time being let's enjoy our night without any worry." Adira said and ordered more cupcakes and coffee.
Then we thought about having a sleepover and went to Azara and Adira's apartment. I somehow convinced my parents and we returned back.
The whole night we didn't sleep. It's always like this. Every time we have a sleepover we won't sleep the whole night. So we try to avoid having it during weekdays. But sometimes it does not go as we plan. I can bet my chocolates which I have hidden from my brother that tomorrow we four will be regretting our life choices.
We did some reels which we won't be posting anywhere and had midnight snacks. Then the neighbour aunty started scolding us. So we decided to sleep and the time was 5 in the morning.
Then when we woke up it was 9. And everyone was running late and it was chaos with everyone running around the whole apartment. But somehow we managed to get ready and everyone went to their respective work.
After working for the whole day I went home. The house was locked. I think they have gone to a temple or something. The key must be near the flower pot. I took the keys and went inside the house. After taking a shower I came out to see if there was anything to eat. There was nothing so I decided to cook maggi and ate it. I was waiting for my parents so that I could sleep. If I don't talk with them after these events, they will definitely scold me.
They'll be like 'always be with your friends.' So to do some sugarcoating talks I am waiting for them. I was scrolling through Instagram stalking hot guys and drooling over their pics when my parents and brother arrived.
As soon as I heard their voices, I closed the app and simply slept on the sofa. Or at least acted that way so that they won't scold me more. But alas my wish remained unfulfilled.
"At least you remembered we were there." As soon as my mother stepped inside the house , these are the words which came out of her mouth. No hello , no how are you. Nothing.
I just sat there not saying anything and simply acted like I was tired. I am tired but I am a little bit over acting here.
"We had to attend a function. And our dinner is done. I cooked the food and you ate. And take some rest. I don't think you have slept properly." My mother said caressing my head and went inside. These times have kept me sane. She may scold me and sometimes she may not listen to me.
But times like this without me talking a single word she will read everything in my mind. I know they all love me very much. But they fail to show it properly. And my overthinking side will get activated and I will think they won't love me.
My father came and sat near the adjacent sofa. And I know I was in trouble with the way he was getting ready to blast one more bomb on my head.
He sat in silence not saying anything. I was getting tense as the minutes passed by. I thought about going from there before he said something. I was getting ready to get up when he said.
"Tomorrow, take a leave and stay at the house. Because a guy has accepted our proposal and tomorrow he is coming with his family." and went from there as though he didn't shake my world.
I just sat there for a while and went inside my room. I completed my skin routine. Then I slept. But sleep was far away from me. I was thinking what would happen tomorrow and drifted off to dreamland.
What are your thoughts on this chapter guys? I have made many changes. Hope you'll like it. Do vote and comment.
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