SHE SAW ME

CLOSE TO YOU

Happy Reading 📖❤️

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August 2017

"How's Prashant?" Sanam asked while wiping down the last of the dishes in the kitchen, her voice casual but curious.

"Sh*ting his pants," Kahini joked, her eyes fixed on the glittering Mumbai skyline.

"Stop this, he's getting married," Sanam giggled, the sound soft yet amused.

"I still don't get it. How did he get this lucky in an arranged marriage? Preet is amazing. How did she choose this dumbo?" Kahini teased, shaking her head. Sanam chuckled, a small smile playing on her lips as she absorbed her friend's playful energy.

"Let the boy live for once. I'm sure he must have some amazing qualities to have you as his best friend," Sanam remarked, her tone gentle, almost affectionate.

"Okay, I can't argue with that," Kahini replied, laughing softly. But the laughter slowly faded, leaving a heavy silence in its place.

"How are you?" Sanam asked, her voice dipping lower, more concerned. She could sense the subtle shift in Kahini's mood.

"Hmm?" Kahini hummed in confusion, trying to shake off the sudden heaviness.

"You know, coming back to Mumbai, meeting old friends, seeing your best friend getting married, another having a baby—it can be a little overwhelming," Sanam offered, her understanding seeping through her words like a balm.

A small, appreciative smile tugged at the corners of Kahini's lips. "You know me too well, Sanam."

"Just like you know me," Sanam responded, her heart warming with the familiarity.

"Yeah, it's a bit too much, I guess. Especially when people keep bugging you with stupid questions like 'When are you getting married, beta?' or 'What's your future plan?' 'You can't just live like a hippie forever!' I mean, come on, I have a fu**ing home there!" Kahini burst out, her laughter mingling with frustration.

"Sounds like you've had a pretty long day," Sanam commented, a small, knowing smile on her face.

"Oh, it's just getting started. Tomorrow my parents are coming, and they're the worst when it comes to Prashant. They like him more than their own daughter!" Kahini's voice carried a hint of dread, her anxiety bubbling up at the thought of enduring the week-long wedding festivities.

"Let me guess—they wanted you to marry Prashant," Sanam teased, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

"Oh, damn right! Especially Mumma. Prashant is her ladala beta," Kahini grinned, looking out at the extravagantly decorated house, every inch filled with flowers and colours. "I really don't understand why he wanted this big, fat four-day-long Indian wedding. He could've just gone to court and signed the papers. So simple, why waste money?"

"Not everyone thinks like that. For most people, a wedding day is the most important day of their life. Everyone wants to make it special, create lifelong memories," Sanam explained, her voice gentle but filled with amusement at Kahini's frustration.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But I hate people! No, actually, I hate people with big noses," Kahini blurted, a bitter laugh following. "You know, today I ran into Parakh, and he was like, 'I imagined you as a CEO someday, and look at you—how you ended up in that small village!' I mean, come on!"

"Parakh? That ex of yours?" Sanam's voice perked up with curiosity.

"Yes, that stupid as*! Thank God I didn't marry him, or I'd be in jail by now!" Kahini exclaimed, sending Sanam into a fit of laughter.