Seasons Of Love

#14 : The Deadend

Vicky's POV

🎶🎶

Say something,
I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one,
if you want me to
Anywhere,
I would've followed you
Say something,
I'm giving up on you
🎶🎶

I didn't need to glance at my wristwatch to figure what hour of the day it was. The scorching sun rays denoted it was mid-day, within few hours it would be time for lunch. That's why I was leaning against my car seat, drumming away on the steering wheel, awaiting for my co-passengers to make appearance from the nearby gate.

Two lady figures, walked towards my car, scrunched up under an umbrella with a stoll wrapped around each. Before I could react, the passenger door and back door opened at the same time.

"Jump in soon, Ria and close the door. Uff! How hot is it outside". I heard Chitra grumble from behind me as she slumped down into her seat.

The chuckle that left my lips at their appearance and the big deal they made up of walking not even ten steps under the sun, didn't go down well with Chitra. I was rewarded with a glare and a scolding.

"Couldn't you have planned for a dinner? Of all the days you choose to give a treat, it had to be a hot summer day?" Chitra said with a huff. "And how long are you taking Ria? The car's air conditioning isn't going to to cool the outside, atleast let it cool inside the car?"

"Chill Chitra. You dumped the umbrella in her hand and jumped inside, give her some time." I extended my support to Ria, while she settled down in the front seat, beside me.

I took a quick glance at her only to confirm if I could make a move, nothing else. It allowed me to take in her breezy cotton floral printed orange peplum top with white jeggings. Her eyes shielded with coolers. Her hand went up to her head to discard the stoll, revealing her hair secured in a messy bun held up with a trendy wooden bun stick. The danglers attached to it added an ethnic charm to it.

Realising that I was drawing each and every action of hers, I let my eyes cast downwards. While doing so, her feet clad in socks and comfy sneakers, came into my vision.

"Hello Vicky, are you going to offer us grilled paneer or planning to make us grilled?" Another sarcastic reply from Chitra came.

I shook my head and wore my seat belt. While reviving the engine, I said, "You girls make so much out of this summer sun. Have you'll ever heard of Vitamin D or want to be be like 'Touch me not' with the sun rays?"

Ria rolled her eyes and reprimanded us, "Guys!" It worked as a handbrake on the jibes Chitra and me took at each other.

It was the Saturday Lunch treat, I was giving Mythri's mom and had invited Ria, Chitra, Asim, Akhil and Poonam to tag along. Asim would join us directly at the restaurant, same with Akhil and Poonam, who were taking a cab together.

After exchanging pleasentries, we took our seats at the table. Asim, me, Ria were seated at one side with Poonam, Mythri and her mother on the other side. Akhil and Chitra were on the ends, with Akhil between Asim and Poonam.

Mythri and her mother kinda played musical chairs before settling down. I could sense that her mom wanted Mythri to be seated either beside me or directly opposite to me. An awkward air had creeped in. My supporters to ensure I wasn't uncomfortable, had my pillar-Asim seated beside me. I may not call it out aloud but I needed Ria too, close to me for my sanity and keep me calm. Wordlessly, I was granted of my wishes.