Silent Love

| 9 |

Shehnaaz

I wasn’t a fan of clubs - the loud music and crowds were not really my thing - but after enduring a tiring week, I thought clubbing could help me blow off some of my heat in its busy vibe.

Akshara was a sweetheart and never complained about our change in plans.

Akshara had never been particular about things like me. While I never openly declared my disapproval, I had always tormented myself with the disappointment that things didn’t go my way and simply didn’t understand how people like Akshara could move on so quickly.

It was something I really wanted to change about myself because it brought harmony to nobody. In
fact, it was beginning to pose as a self-destructive trait as I was essentially ruining my chance at having a fun time by acting like a brat about it.

When our shifts had officially ended, all of us were eager in our motions when we hurriedly ditched our scrubs and got into normal clothes. It was only after we’d reached our destination that I’d rejoiced our choice more.

The loud upbeat music and the over-enthusiastic crowd inside of the club looked like a promising distraction to my mind. I was not generally a fan of throngs but when I demanded to be felt inconspicuous. After what felt like a life-time, I felt like I’d discovered an opportunity to let my guard down and move about with the easy flow of my surroundings.

Once all of us had secured a good space along one corner, Deep offered to pay for the first round. If I hadn’t noticed Akshara’s blush when Deep made the move, I would’ve thought there was no ulterior motive to Deep’s sweet gesture. Akshara had been acting quite out of her character for a while, mainly showing signs of nervousness, and that triggered my suspicion that they were about to
do something together. But despite my doubt, I decided to remain silent about it.

True to my suspicion, when the round of champagne has arrived, Akshara and Deep held each other’s hands and looked at us. Since my dear oblivious friends, Deepika and Karan, had not seen what I did, they had no idea what was coming for them.

“We have a toast to make.” Deep looked over at Akshara with tender eyes before he gave us his attention. Akshara, by his side, couldn’t suppress her grin. “Akshara and I have recently decided that we were both ready for what I had been wanting for months. And I’m glad to tell you all, my dear friends, that we’re finally engaged.”

Deepika’s subsequent gasp and squeal made me break into a grin myself. I did see this one coming but nonetheless, it felt delightful to hear it from my best friend’s mouth. It was about time that they decided to give a special label to their profound relationship.

“Yes, I agreed, finally. We’re indeed getting married. I can’t believe it’s real, actually.” Akshara was grinning so hard in happiness that she seemed close to tearing up.

“Neither can I,” karan said in astonishment, clearly taken aback, but anyway, a grin of happiness broke onto his face too. “I’m so happy for you, man. Damn it, I’m proud of you! Let’s toast to that.”

“Cheers!” The five of us raised our glasses in celebration.

“I can’t believe you guys are getting married,” I said in happiness. “As Karan said, we’re insanely proud of you. Wow, you guys are legit adulting right now. We really did grow up.”

“Yeah, feels unreal to me too. We really did grow up, didn’t we?” Deep gave me a shy grin. I was no longer the only married person in our gang.

Deep was soon going to join me, and oddly, that had a comforting effect on me. I no longer felt like I was standing out.

“And if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you,” She said, looking at Deepika and me, “If you’d be my bridesmaids.”

“Are you kidding me?” Deepika and I shared stupid grins at each other, “Of course!” We said in unison.

“Yes, and I suppose I will be sitting in the background doing nothing?” karan asked grumpily.

“Aw, karan, are you upset that you aren’t a girl?” I teased him.

“Karan tum toh barat ky aagy nacho gy na” Deep replied.

“Hell yes, can we call for another round of drinks? This one’s on me because my best friend is getting married!”

After a very long time, all of us were finally having fun. It seemed like a small rekindling of our friendship. So many things have changed in the past few months that it just didn’t feel like us anymore - but the time spent in the club gave us a chance to open ourselves to each other and enjoy the moment.

Since it was after a long time that we had found such an occasion to celebrate, nobody bothered to find an excuse to fasten things. We had every intention of taking our time relishing every bit of the evening because it was obviously a very special one for us.

By the time we realized that we were drunk out of our minds, it was past 2 o’clock. I couldn’t remember the last
time I stayed out for this long. Our strict work ethic demanded discipline and only rarely did it allow us to behave recklessly like this. It was one of those nights where we had no bother of the world around us.

____