Arylie FF: I'm Happy Here With You

sixteen ~ sawaar loon

baramade purane hai, nayi si dhoop hai

joh palkein khatkhata raha hai, kiska roop hai

shararatein kare joh aise, bhoolke hijab

kaise usko naam se main pukaar loon

... ... ...

Imlie could imagine his exasperated look even without looking at him and grinned. The first thing she noticed when they entered the living room was the scent.

It was an unusual scent, a mix of sweet and smoke. She looked up curiously to see the lady who was waiting. She was wearing a visibly expensive white churidaar set. Her chunky silver jewelry was a contrast to the subtle white of the dress. But the overall effect was quite serene and elegant. Imlie knew that she was staring, her journalist brain noting in the details. But the woman wasn't looking at her at all. She had eyes only for Aryan.

"Aryan, Hi!" She approached for a handshake, there was a bit of awkward shuffling, then she grinned, said something like duh and hugged him tightly. "It's been so long! You look so different!"

Aryan seemed somewhat taken aback but he let go of Imlie's hand to return the hug.

"Hey Jo. What are you doing here?"

"No hi, hello, how are you, directly on point?" Jyoti replied in a teasing tone.

"My bad," Aryan pulled Imlie close and possessively wrapped his hand around her waist, "Imlie, this is Jyoti, my school friend. Jo, this is my Imlie."

"Your Imlie," Jyoti repeated and looked at Imlie for the first time. "Oh. Oh. Wow. Oh God, you look so sweet, Imlie! What an unusual name!"

Imlie blinked a few times as Jyoti held both her hands and squeezed, "we must hang out sometime, I can tell you so many embarrassing stories about him."

Imlie perked up immediately, "Arey, Jyotiji, you seem to be someone I will get along with."

"You'll get along with Putiin if he tells a joke about me," Aryan scoffed. But the girls already had their arms linked at their elbows, whispering and giggling. They ignored him. Unbelievable.

"Oh wow, that's so funny," Imlie suddenly exclaimed. "Wait, you have to tell me the whole story. What do you like, tea or coffee? I'll make ginger tea for you, my ginger tea is world famous."

"Imlie, Mohan can get tea," Aryan intervened. She shushed him, "It's not the same as mine. It won't take a minute, I'll be right back, don't go anywhere Jyotiji!"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Jyoti replied sweetly. Then she turned her attention back at Aryan, "So, you and Imlie. Where did you guys even meet?"

"Random road," Aryan replied. He could see that she was curious but he didn't divulge any details, "what are you doing here?"

"I, I came to apologize actually," Jyoti said sincerely. "For what Papa did. I had no idea, I swear, Aryan. When I found out, I was so embarrassed. I thought I'll just come and say sorry to you. I didn't even know about Imlie. It must have been doubly embarrassing, what did she think, was she mad?"

"It's alright, you don't have to apologize, no harm done," Aryan replied. But she frowned, "Papa is selling the company. It's always been my dream to work there. The labs! I went to study pharmacy because I fell in love with the laboratories, the atmosphere. Guess, I'll just find a job somewhere else."