Bride Set off ✔

chapter 22

"Wow, Rashi! You hurt me for real this time. How could you?"

"I am sorry Jay. I was hungry."

"That doesn't mean you can eat my frozen pizza. It was supposed to be my breakfast." He says as he picks box from dustbin.

"That's your concern now, seriously?" I rolled my eyes.

"Then what should? Oh, About Aron asking you out?"

I nod.

"You shouldn't make good guys wait."

"So, you're saying that I should say 'yes' to him."

"I mean if you want to." He is confusing me again.

"You just said not to make him wait."

"I am not having this conversation repeatedly. It's six in the morning. You came home at four and ate my breakfast, woke me up and kept asking me same question on repeat. I need my sleep now and pizza."

"I am sorry for eating your pizza again. I will buy you another one. But I think..." he points his finger at me, signaling me to stop talking.

"He is a good guy. He asked you out. If you want to date, date him. If not, then don't. You are complicating simple things. Are you okay?" he says as he stares into my soul.

"I am fine, Jay." I lied.

I am worried about Piku, Aron confessing to me is the last thing I could ever imagine. I like him but he is not my top three priority right now. That hurts me more.

I go back to my room and type 100 words mail to all faculty members. I hope they could help me get Piku in. I hit send and lay down. My brain is refusing think about anything but Aron.

I texted Piku and ask her to meet. She agreed.

I can use her help to process my thoughts.

__________________________________________________________________________

"I am at burger king on street 12." I look around to find Piku.

"I am on your left." She says disconnecting the call.

I look around and wave at her. She is excited as usual.

We placed our order and took a seat.

"So... What happened?" she smirks.

"How do you know?"

"I can tell. Now, tell me who is he?" She says clapping her hands.

"Are you a witch? Or am I just easy to read?"

She giggles.

"You know that guy from the book club party?"

She nods.

"Micah, right? That tall, introvert guy who quit football and went to emo phase before high school. His sister is cool, amazing mentor. His biggest crime was having mullet hair cut in high school. His real name is Aron R Hostler. His family has three décor/hardware kind of shops and are looking place for fourth. He is in same university as us but in management course and he is dropping out. His father recently passed away in the accident." She says as she has stalked him from day one.

"You definitely know about him more than me but yes that guy. He asked me out. We hang out few times."

She screams in excitement and people are looking at us.

"I am sorry." She stood up and apologize to people around.

"I need details. RIGHT NOW!"

"Order no 34." The girl from the counter called us.

Piku stood up and ran to counter, bring the food.

"Okay, now the details."

She awes whole time as I told her everything.

"That's sweet."

"You think?"

"Yes." She gulps food. "I knew him since elementary school, he is not expressive. The way you told me about him, he talks to you. He likes you for real."

"Okay."

"You like him back from the book club party too. So, I think you should date and I'll be the official third wheel."

"I didn't like-like him then."

"Liar."

"Enough about him now."

The more I talk about him, the more I miss him. I know it's not possible but I want him to be with me here.

That's weird Rashi. Get a hold of yourself. You need to call him back later. Don't slip away with mind of yours.

"Hello, daydreamer." Piku snaps her finger. "Hello, Rashi."

I zoned out.

"Yes."

"Why professor Anika calling me?"

Holy!

"I don't know."

"She emailed me saying that I got in the program as someone stepped back. She needs me to meet her and hand in the documents."

I am glad. I didn't get caught. Also, Piku is in!!!!

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks, but I don't buy your act Rashi."

She stood up and walks out.

I followed her asking what's wrong.

"Drop the act. You did this. You step back and I got in." She sighs loudly.

"I said NO Rashi. I expect you respect my decision. Is that too much?"

"I am sorry that you feel this way but I am not leaving you alone."

"Leaving me alone? To where?" she screams "Have you ever asked me that how do I feel about this? Why I am saying no repeatedly? How much guilty I feel now taking away my best friend dream?"

"Let's talk Piku."

She says no and walks away from me.