A hand covers her own and she's pulled back into a hard chest.
"Who do you love?"
She lets out a squeak as she feels his hand trail up slowly until it rests against her waist.
"If you don't give me an answer, I'll begin to think that it's me."
He...
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Ankit was ten years old when he met his best friend Karan Choudhary. Both boys instantly hit off with their love for soccer. Both boys made sure to go to the park every evening to have at least one match of soccer. Life couldn't go on without that.
But now, it has been about 15 years since he last saw Karan. They began to send each other emails after he went back to India. His father could no longer figure out his place in America, bringing back his mother and him back to India.
The boys continued to stay in touch regardless. Karan was that one friend that was upset with his problems but was happy with his success.
"Ankit, you know. It's about time you came back here."
"Why? What's so important that I need to come back there?" Ankit leaned away from his chair, edging closer to the screen as he grew engrossed in his game. The clicking noise growing more desperate as the game progressed.
"I found a girl."
Ankit paused. Game over. He groans but widens his eyes. "A girl caught your attention and what's so special about this one?"
"You make it sound like I have a million girls on my hands. I'm a new man now. You have to believe me."
"I'll believe you when hell flips over, dumbass."
Ankit rolls his eyes as he leans back into his chair, giving his undivided attention to his childhood best friend.
"You know when the girl is the one. She's dreamy, angelic and oh her laugh. It makes me feel warm on the inside."
"Now that's some serious problems you have there. Sure you don't want to get checked up? You might be sick."
"Be serious, okay?" Karan sighs. "I'm thinking of talking to my parents about her."
"Then talk to them. Only if you're serious that is. I'm not dealing with another one of the hearings from Auntie about your behaviour."
Karan laughs, "No, this one is really different, trust me."
"Alright, if you say so."
There's a silence on the line and Ankit thinks that it's time to hang up when he hears Karan's name being called on the line.
"Oh that's my sister."
"Hey-wait."
"I'll talk to you sometime. See you, bye!"
The call ends and Ankit sighs. His friend will never be serious and if he is this time, he truly hopes that it is different. For both the girls sake and his sake. Ever since Karan has passed his teen years, Ankit has gone through lots of stress. If only Karan could be as mature as he hoped. He was the mature and sane one in their friendship.
He picked up the newspaper off of the table and took a look at it.
"Beta, are you going to go to work?"
"I am, the shift starts later today."
"Did you talk to Karan? I heard you talking. What did he say?"
"The same, usual." He couldn't hide much from his mom. His mom was his best friend, someone who saw through him even in his worst moments. He didn't know what life would be without her.
"He found another girl?"
Ankit raised a brow. "How do you know?"
"Oh please, we know Karan. He's a ladies man." She sits next to him. "You on the other hand. When are you going to find a girl for yourself? I'm lonely and I'm getting old."
Ankit snorts. "You're not old yet."
"I am sure I spotted some grey hair the day before yesterday!"
He chuckles at his mom's antics. "I know, mom. I know. Just dye them for now."
She hits his side. "Oh, you're getting cheekier as you grow." She turns to him and faces him, taking his hands in hers. "Ankit, I know marriage isn't appealing to you right now and you want to support us. But I assure you. We are doing fine. Besides we have plans."
"Plans?"
"Listen to the whole thing."
Ankit scooches closer to his mother and places a hand on hers. "All ears."
"I think we're going back to America."
"Did dad say this? Is he fine to go back there?"
"Beta, there's a lot you don't know. Why we left. But we have family there. Aashi is dying to meet you again. And I'm dying to go back."
"Dying" Ankit quotes back. "I think I should mention it to her."
A challenging look appears in his mother's eyes. "I dare you. I swear I won't hesitate to send all the embarrassing pictures I own of you."
