The mask of lies

Chapter 3

The soft morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains in Riya's cozy bedroom. The warmth of the golden rays gently kissed the room, casting a soft glow over the mess of pillows and blankets where Riya lay, her hair disheveled and her face peaceful in sleep.

The creak of the door was barely audible, but the giggles of her three best friends—Meera, Sonia, and Sara—gave away their presence immediately. They tiptoed into the room, wearing matching mischievous grins, as though they'd been planning something for days. In Meera's hands was a tray with freshly baked muffins, still warm, and a steaming cup of coffee. The enticing aroma filled the room, dancing in the air until it reached Riya’s senses.

Meera leaned close to Riya’s ear, her voice barely above a whisper, “Good morning, sleeping beauty.”

“Rise and shine, Riya,” Sonia added in a singsong voice, suppressing a laugh.

Sara chimed in, “We’ve brought you a special morning treat.”

Riya stirred, her sleepy mind trying to piece together what was happening. She blinked a few times, the sudden brightness making her squint as she yawned. Her messy hair framed her face as she tried to wake up.

“Huh?” Riya groaned, her voice thick with sleep. “What’s going on?”

The three friends placed the tray on the bedside table, surrounding her bed with innocent smiles plastered on their faces.

“Riya,” Meera said dramatically, leaning in as if to deliver the most important news in the world, “we just wanted to say… you are so incredibly beautiful!”

Sonia nodded with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Yes, Riya, you’re like a living goddess!”

Sara, smiling sweetly, added, “Absolutely stunning!”

Riya raised an eyebrow, her suspicion growing as she sat up a little in bed, pushing the blanket away. She wasn’t buying it.

“Okay,” she said, squinting at them, “spill it. What do you three want? Why are you buttering me up like this?”

Meera, Sonia, and Sara exchanged quick, guilty glances, trying to hide their laughter. They had been caught, but they weren’t giving up that easily.

“Can’t we just appreciate our beautiful friend?” Meera asked, her voice dripping with mock innocence.

Sonia grinned and added, “Exactly! No ulterior motives here.”

Sara nodded along, “We just wanted to brighten your morning.”

Riya eyed them skeptically, but despite herself, she began to smile. She knew her friends too well. There was definitely something up their sleeves, but their effort to play innocent was too funny for her to resist.

“Well,” Riya said with a smirk, “I appreciate the sentiment, but you three are definitely up to something, aren’t you?”

Meera laughed, giving up the act. “Alright, you got us. We do have a tiny favor to ask.”

“Just a little one,” Sonia added, her grin growing wider.

Sara leaned in, her hands clasped together, “And it involves you looking as stunning as ever.”

Riya groaned, now sitting up properly in bed, her curiosity piqued. “Alright, spill the beans. What’s this favor you need my ‘stunning’ self for?”

The three friends exchanged triumphant glances. They had successfully drawn Riya into their scheme, and now they could tell her everything. But before they could explain, the conversation took an unexpected turn.

As they all settled back on the bed, munching on muffins, Meera spoke up, changing the subject slightly. “So, Riya, have you heard from Samira lately? We’ve been trying to reach her, but she’s not responding to any messages or calls.”

Sonia nodded, her tone concerned. “Yeah, it’s been days. We’re getting worried.”

Sara frowned, the worry evident in her voice. “We just want to make sure she’s okay.”

At the mention of Samira’s name, Riya’s expression shifted. The lightheartedness drained from her face, replaced by a cold, almost guarded look. Her posture stiffened, and her friends noticed immediately.

“Samira?” Riya’s voice was clipped, her tone hard.

Meera, sensing the tension, tried to tread carefully. “Yes, Samira. We thought you might know where she is since you two were close.”

Sonia, oblivious to the growing discomfort, continued, “We’re just worried about her, Riya. If you know anything—”

“Enough,” Riya cut her off, her voice firm. She locked eyes with each of them, her expression unreadable but stern. “I told you all before, Samira is not someone I want to discuss. Drop it.”

Her friends exchanged worried glances. This was not the response they had expected. Meera opened her mouth, trying to diffuse the tension.

“We didn’t mean to upset you, Riya. We just—”

“I said drop it.” Riya’s voice left no room for argument. She took a deep breath, clearly trying to compose herself. “Look, I know you’re concerned, but I have my reasons for wanting nothing to do with Samira. Trust me, it’s for the best.”

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. None of them knew what to say. The happy, lighthearted morning had taken a dark turn, and the tension between them was palpable.

Meera, the first to break the silence, spoke softly, “Alright, Riya. We won’t push it.”

Sonia nodded, her voice gentle. “We respect your decision.”

Sara, looking apologetic, murmured, “Sorry for bringing it up.”

Riya’s gaze softened slightly, and she sighed, appreciating their understanding. “Thank you. I just want to put all that behind me.”

They all sat in silence for a few moments, trying to shake off the heavy atmosphere. Riya forced a smile, trying to steer the conversation back to lighter topics.

“Let’s focus on happier things, okay?” she said, her voice a bit brighter, though there was still an underlying edge of unease.

The tension in the room eased slightly, but the unspoken weight of Samira’s name lingered. For now, the topic was dropped, but her friends couldn’t help but feel that there was something much deeper that Riya wasn’t telling them.