AMIDST

Chapter 11

NIALL'S POV:

The talk on the terrace is still stuck in my head. Did we really become so good friends? Without even realising. Did I really say friends for life and beyond? Niall, you are getting carried away too fast. Control your emotions, dude.

The whole week goes by in studies and band practices and the preparations for Alice's birthday bash. But amidst all this our friendship also grew. Our, as in mine and Mayra's. Continuous texting and regular meetings are common now. I mean, I don't start my day without a good morning text to her. She is different. She is nice, really nice. She is so pretty and has no attitude. She is so good-natured and friendly. God! Everything is so good in her. All was so wonderful till Alice told me that Zain is also invited. I so hate Zain and I am gonna smack him bad if he tries to get close to Alice.

Mayra and me talk so much but never fall out of topics. But I am still wondering why has she not asked me yet about Lily? Should I tell her on my own or should I wait for her to ask? I will wait for her to ask, I decide quite quickly. But none of our talks are complete without a fight. We fight on everything. She gets upset on every small thing and then is the time to pamper her. I do not pamper her always but she always comes around. I mean this is not my first time with a girl, but still it is kind of different but still special when its her.

My habit of saying 'hmmm' irks her a lot and thats why I do it so much. What is in it to be upset about? It is difficult to understand her but I would surely love to. But I have to know her more. Her likes, dislikes, hobbies, favourite songs, outing spots and what not. I told her about Rose but she did not react anything about it. The week was tiring because of all the preparations and stuff.

Finally, it is the big day. I gift Alice a phone. It took me quite some time to get ready, longer than usual. It never happens but today I want to look my best. Today it is difficut to choose my outfit and I decide to wear my best- white shirt, black pants and red tie and reach my house in the afternoon itself. All the time I was occupied imagining Mayra's look in the party. Though she looks amazing in whatever she wears, I want to see her.

I welcome my other friends. Definitely Mayra and Zain will come together. It's 6:15. She is never late. What the actual hell! I shall call her. But no, I should have patience and I get busy attending my other guests. Finally, she enters at 7 with Zain. He was in a similar outfit like mine except for the colour of the tie. But Mayra, Gosh! she is looking stunning in her red shimmery dress. Her heels make her reach quite to my height may be just a few inches short. Makeup is darker than usual, lenses and her curled hair though I like her natural wavy ones more.

"Beautiful" I murmur. She looks so good. Oh! my tie and her dress are the same colour. And then I realise Zain's blue tie and Alice's blue dress. What the...?? Just then Mayra asks me to show her Alice's room to which I refuse. I want her to be with me.

I lead them in the house. Sometimes even I forget where my room is. Who the hell needs such a big house for just five people, actually 3. Me and Alice have never stayed here. First boarding school and then the hostel. Rohan and Anya came too. I will show Mayra around the house. I have to take her away from Zain.

"Come. I'll take to you to her room," I say to her.

"What about Zain?" she says rolling her eyes towards him who seems kind of busy with his phone. Why don't you let him go to hell? I wanted to say but obviously I didn't.

"Ohh! They are here," I say pointing towards Rohan and Anya.

"Niall, they are not his friends," she says softly so that Zain can not hear.

"Mayra, you go. I can keep myself entertained," Zain says something non-pathetic, may be first time ever.

"You sure?" she asks again.