IMP things to note before reading this story: the original version was written at a different time(2014-15) for a different couple(ross-rach from Friends), and some things were still novel. While I've made many changes to fit it on arshi, I've retained the central plot (it's bold but more like M&B kind of rom com). Pls keep that in mind. Lastly, this time I'm not worrying about giving any messages like I usually do, so just read for fun.
rated PG-13.
--*--
'Dear Ms. Khushi Gupta, Congratulations! You have been selected as one of the recipients of the '30 under 30 of Mumbai' for this year! We are delighted to invite you to the award ceremony at Lonawala. The organization will bear the entire cost of your to and from journey as well as your weekend stay at hotel Sun N Sand. Please confirm your availability at the soonest.'
As Payal read out the invitation letter, her excitement for her best friend AND recent roommate, Khushi, became more and more evident.
"OMG, OMG, OMG Khush! This is HUGE! Congratulations Ms. young businesswoman!"
Payal engulfed Khushi in a bear hug which Khushi reciprocated, but without much enthusiasm.
"Oh, come on yar Khushi. Stop sulking na? Your business venture seeing success was your dream, and now that you are getting recognized for that, why are you not happy?"
Khushi sat on the bar stool in their posh Bandra apartment, rested her right hand on the counter and her left hand supporting her same-sulking-face...
"Pie, you already know why I am not in the mood to celebrate. It's not even a month since I-"
"Since you let Nihal go. And it was for the best. The guy was absolute bad news! I don't know why you even dated him, let alone move in with him!" Payal rolled her eyes.
"Because he was my only back-up plan, Pie! You know it! Marry before I turned 28 and have a baby before 30 was my goal."
"And you thought it was a good idea to do so with Nihal? The guy was a self-proclaimed nomad! No wonder he freaked out at the slightest idea that you could be pregnant."
Khushi sighed. Nihal had indeed been a wrong choice for her.
"But I did walk out after that, didn't I? Even when my dating life has always sucked and I won't find another man so soon, let alone have a baby."
Payal looked at her whiny friend and kept thinking how to cheer her up. And then a wild thought came to her mind,
"You know khush, you don't actually need a man to have a baby. Just a couple of his best swimmers.*" Payal said tongue-in-cheek!
Khushi's eyes widened hearing that. This was a ridiculous idea.
Right?
But it wasn't so bad. Many women go for IVF.
But most of them do so when they are married, and their partner or them have other issues.
But does that mean she can't do it? She was a successful woman, ran her own business, was financially stable. And nearing her 30s! So why not?
"Ok." Khushi said.
Now it was Payal's turn to be shocked. She did not think Khushi would really agree to her suggestion. If anything, it was very filmy, and a lot harder in reality.
"Khushi, I wasn't serious. I was just trying to divert you from moving-in with another guy that walked across the street!"
"What?" Khushi's face fell.
