Cross-border Merger

The Last Days

The last 10 days went by quickly. I did my applications, reviewed all the pending cases, allotted work and my interns to other associates, told everyone the same story which went something like - I am going for a diploma course and have taken Mr. Ahluwalia's permission for that, I am sorry I didn't tell you, I actually hadn't told anyone because I didn't want to jinx it, am really excited, will be leaving  at the end of this month.

The first and the last part of this story are factually correct. There were four people I was dreading to have this conversation with because I can never lie to them. The first two are my parents and then comes my set of best friends - Aishani Singh and Siddharth Agarwal - Aish and Sid to me. So, I decided not to lie to them and make them promise not to let anyone get a sliver of information.

(A/N: The two people have been added in "Meet the Characters" just in case you want to see who I imagine them as.)

I had to tell my parents about this on the day the bomb exploded on me, ten days back. It was partly easy because they couldn't give two flying fucks about who Michael Daniels was simply because they weren't aware of his existence. So all I told them was that I am going to join a sponsored Diploma course in London and that while I am there I would be remotely working for Mr. Ahluwalia. Although my parents was sad that they wouldn't see for at least 6 months, they were happy that I get to grow in my career. So, all that they had to promise me is that they could only tell people that I went out to study and nothing else. 

It has been 10 days since I have known that I'm leaving but I have not been able to gather guts to tell this to my best friends with whom I have almost shared everything in my life since ages. Today is Saturday, so, I have asked them to come to my place for a pizza party since you can't turn down that offer. And they should be here just about now.

Ding dong! Jk that's not what my doorbell sounds like. But I can already hear my friends getting into my home and talking to my mother before coming up the stairs to my room.

"Whats up idiot?", Aisha asks me as she plops on my bed with Sid entering behind her.

"I have to tell you guys something.", I say sitting upright with my legs crossed.

"I knew it. Told you Aish, she's to much of a miser to call us up randomly for her pizza treat.", Sid says before I throw a cushion at him. "What? You know its true", Sid retorts with a chuckle.

"Yukt please tell me its a good news? Wait. Let me guess. Did you finally start dating someone? Quite baller of you Ms. Sanyukta Raizada to talk about this at your home.", Aish asks me.

"Seriouly Aish? Of course not."

"Then, did you get a promotion in which case this pizza isn't going to make a cut. Seriously we should have been out celebrating Yukta.", Aish starts off again.

"Aish, Stop please", I ask her extra sweetly while Sid continues munching on the mathris he grabbed from my kitchen before coming upstairs watching us as if there was a stand-up set going on.

"Okay fine. Spill.", Aish finally decides to listen to me and now my nerves have returned.

"Sid, stop eating for a second. This is important." I finally get their attention.

"Okay Yukt, now you're scaring us.", Sid says seriously.

"Well, it's nothing scary. It's just a bit unprecedented. I am moving to London for a few months", I tell them very slowly. 

Both of their expressions were completely blank. Like shocked blank. You know, when something just comes out of the blue and you too shocked to realise what just happened. I don't blame them though. No one just randomly tells their best friends that they are soon moving to  a different continent suddenly.

Within 2 seconds I was greeted with a big collective "WHAT!"

"Before you ask anything, hear me out." The two idiots stare at me as if I have suddenly grown a pair of horns. "I am not allowed to share this with anyone because If this goes out I could probably end up in jail. But I figured I would rather trust you to keep your mouths shut than to lie to you. So, basically my boss has asked to work on this short-term project for his friend who is based in London. The case is close to him because of personal reasons and he really isn't in a position to trust anyone. Even I don't have the full details of the actual issue, I will get to know all about it once I reach there. Since this wasn't supposed to be revealed to anyone, I had to tell everyone that I am going for a diploma course which isn't a complete lie since the client is sponsoring my QMUL diploma in law and psychology."

Sid and Aish look at me finally understanding everything but I can see that they are holding back a lot of questions.

"I am sorry I couldn't tell  you guys sooner. I was just stuck with a lot of things that obviously came up with this sudden news. And quite frankly, I was contemplating between revealing everything to you or not." I told them. Before they could kill me for even having this dilemma, I quickly added, "And as you can see, I chose the former" sheepishly. 

"Yukta, how long will you been gone for?", Sid was the first one to ask.

"Sid, it's at least 6 months for now." Knowing what their next question would be, I added, "I will leave in ten days."

"Bitch! 10 days!!! Shit! There is so little time left. How could you? We would have thrown you like a proper goodbye party. I'm not prepared. And that too for 6 months! That's half a year! That would include not meeting for birthdays or festivals or anything. Different time zones. You think this idiot, Sid, would be able to handle me all by himself?" Aish goes off.

"Aish calm down please. I told you I'm sorry I couldn't tell you guys before. But that's why both of you are here. We might not get this time for quite a long period after this. So, let's stuff ourselves pizzas, watch movies and just chill like we do. What say?" I looked expectantly at them. 

Sid opens his mouth to say something but quickly closes it.

"Sid? What is it?" I ask him.

Sid quickly shakes his head slightly and then says, "I say, let us make this a night Yukta will never miss no matter how far away she is from us, no matter for how long. But first..." without completing his sentence he comes up and gives the big comforting hug that only Sid can give. 

We both look at Aish who still looks like a five year old who has lost her favourite pencil. 

"Aish, if you don't come here and join us in 3 seconds then you know what's going to happen", Sid tells Aish.

Aish doesn't move from her spot, so, naturally me and Sid start tickling her which instantly makes her laugh and as soon as we take a second to breathe, Aish charges upon me and Sid. I wriggle away from her but in the process I fell down from the bed causing a huge Thud sound that makes all three of us stop for a second. But what comes after are roaring sounds of laughter and in a second I quickly realise - I am going to miss these idiots.

A/N: What do you think about Sid and Aish? I love them. Guess what,  Yukta is finally moving to London next.