The Way We Were

Chapter 14

(Practice makes perfect)

Over eight weeks, Anika Singh prepared Khushi for the one exam that she was having trouble with. Khushi, now completely transparent for all to see had opted to get tutored at Anika's flat, as she had suggested earlier.

She told herself it was because she needed to face her fears. She told herself she really didn't care if she ran into him. Though, whenever she did, she told herself that time doesn't wait for anyone. The clock was chiming on her, it wouldn't wait for her and Arnav, it didn't freeze like them.

Sometimes, she saw the door to the brothers' flat open, too. She had shared a nod with Akash multiple times. While hers conveyed care, his conveyed apology. Over and over, it brought down the wall between them consistently low. So much so, that sometimes towards the end of the semester, Akash dared to throw a hello if Arnav wasn't home.

There was no conversation. There was no need of one, really. Khushi knew what was coming. She knew what was bygone. Akash knew what he had done, in full consciousness. Anika had once asked her of the animosity between supposed best friends and Khushi, taken aback, had just shrugged it off. "We grew apart."

"I heard he was falling for you."

Khushi looked up sharply from her book. They were in Anika's flat. It was two days before her final try to wrap up this year nice and fine. She didn't need this right now. "Lavanya?"

"Yes." Anika grinned.

"She's a nutcase. And dramatic. Nothing like that ever existed between us."

There was a tantalizing pause before Anika sighed. "If you say so."

"I do say so. Can we get back to my exam, please? Or do you want to be there when I explain the situation to my parents?"

Anika grabbed her book and closed it.

"Hey!"

"You don't need revision. You need a stress free day."

"Gimme my book."

"Khushi, you know all of this. You've known it for a year. You've studied one subject for a year. Now, for one whole day, you're taking a sanyas."

"Lavanya is right. You are lost twin sisters!"

"I like that one. Tomorrow, we're going shopping." Anika grinned. "And today, we're going drinking!"

"I don't drink."

"Oh please, I've heard the farewell stories."

"What stories?" Khushi was confused.

"Just because I miss the parties doesn't mean I don't get the gossip, my dear. You are drinking with me today."

"I'm not."

Half an hour later, Khushi was nursing her second drink. "You know, drinking during this month doesn't really help."

"It's been so long for you without drinks. How you coped, is still lost to me."

"It's called being sober." Khushi smiled.

"Party pooper. I'll be back soon. Don't ditch." Anika walked off to the restroom.

Draining the drink, Khushi turned to see the couples slow dancing on the stage. The music was lively enough for one to get in the mood.

"You look amazing in green."

Khushi startled and spotted a familiar frame.

"As always."

(Cinderella)