MANGO MILKSHAKE

Chapter 4

"Then don't get married. Go tell your parents that you're not ready"

"Raya yaar (friend), please! You know my mother well. One wrong move and she'll start her emotional drama. I can't tolerate her victim complex at all" I rubbed my temples with one hand while holding a cup of tea with other.

Raya has been my best friend since my college days. Despite our differences and numerous arguments we've never left each other's side. She has always surpassed me in every term of life. There is not a single thing she wanted and didn't get except for one thing. Me. Despite her heart flattering beauty and jaw-dropping charisma she got rejected by me in the last year of our university days. She already knew my answer but confessing her love for me was her right. After that day we've never talked about it again and pretended like it never happened. We continued to stay as best friends. If I keep all the contrast between our feelings and emotions aside then she's the only one who'll want the best for me. Her quirky smile and aggressive personality is just a veiled deception. I've always seen her beyond every maze and puzzle. Her crafty nature and acute thinking has always interest me even before she became my friend. I'll let her choose for me since I've no better solution for myself. Real lovers never throw their love under the bus even when the love is unrequited. I know Raya will find a way out. So, here I'm, sitting inside a cafe with a half empty tea cup and a very flustered one-sided lover.

"Then go marry your saccha wala pyaar (one true love). Don't bother me." Raya stirred her drink with a spoon.

"I already told you the scene. Whatever act Yaseen pulled was completely absurd and out of the syllabus. Even his own mother's face was constipated." I stated helplessly.

" Then tell me why they're fixing a day of engagement and that too by next month?" Raya was one step away from screeching.

"I don't know. I don't know anything." I was almost on the verge of tears.

"Calm down you little prick. According to your statement, you absolutely ruined your image in front of Yaseen's parents and Yaseen also said to you personally that he didn't want to get married to you or anyone else. Right?"
Raya looked suspiciously at me.

"Yes. Please don't look at me like this, I tried my best. I don't know where I went wrong." I threw my hands.

" You're not seeing what I'm seeing Ayat. A self conceited woman like Yasmeen Jahan will never let his son marry a shady woman like you if she had a choice. There must be a hidden agenda, a justification for the compromise they're willing to make. They must be in a hurry. How intriguing..." Raya stapled her fingers like a scheming detective.

"That's why I love you...wait! Did you just call me a shady woman?" I crossed my arms.

"Liar. You said you didn't love me two years ago when I asked. Indeed you're a shady woman but a very charming one" Raya half laughed and half whispered.

"There's love beyond romantic measures Raya. You know it. Just because we're not kissing each other in a deserted corridor doesn't mean I don't love you" I felt a piece of my mind being stolen as I let my words unfold the depth of my friendship.

"Awwww. That's some deep talk. Save it for your brand new husband. Of course I know you love me. Idiot. We need to figure out why they're fixing a marriage so abruptly. I've a very bad feeling about it. What if they sell you to organ traffickers?" Raya wiggled her eyebrows.

"You can't be serious. Yarki koris na toh, vallagena (don't fool around, please)." Raya knows how to irritate me.

" I think they'll probably sell you to the zoo. A perfect alternative for baboons. Do you have Yaseen's number or address? I think it's high time to meet my dear jijaji (brother in law)." A little chuckle could be heard under Raya's serious voice.