For Better or For Worse

CHAPTER 2 - Catching Up

“You’re five minutes late” Nandini said after opening the door.

“Bite me” was the instant reply.

Standing tall at the door was Nandini’s best friend and guide, one who shared the same place in her heart as Adi - Yosuf. Boy was she glad to see him. He was here to pick her up and drive her over to Adi’s place for the evening. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a lose T he did not look one bit like the black robe clad lawyers that she was so used to. To her, Yosuf almost had a dual personality, and she often wondered how he managed to keep the track of which one to use and when. While at office he is the no nonsense lawyer and once that robe is discarded he becomes a happy go lucky hunk.

Nandini had no idea that she was still standing at the doorway smirking at Yosuf, as if trying to figure out the mystery behind her best friend’s existence. She had been watching him keenly like that for a minute or two when Yosuf suddenly said “Wow! I almost dread that look on your face ya know! It’s like I can never figure out what is going on in that amazing brain of yours, and for the record, I am not up for a double dose of thoughts. Adi has something important to tell you and I know it will be a Pinky and the Brain session once he has told you what he has to.”

“Adi is thinking of taking over the world?” Nandini asked laughing.

“Dunno about that, but it is important” replied Yosuf rather seriously.

“Better be, or else he should have a gorgeous dinner to appease me, specially after what he did” was her no nonsense reply.

The drive was quick and smooth from her apartment to Adi’s.  Adi was waiting at the doorstep when they walked out of the elevator on the 10th floor. He had a genuine smile, which Nandini knew was for her. She wished she could smile back, expressing her pleasure to see him after a year, but her pride took the better of her. Instead she flippantly said “Rub off that ‘Oh! I am so glad to see you’ look from your face”

“But I am glad” said Adi with a wider smile.

“Now now children stop bickering and hug each other. You know the golden rules” piped in Yosuf from behind. Nandini was annoyed but she knew in situations like this the lawyer in Yosuf never gave up. So she smartly walked up to Adi and they hugged. It was a tight hug, the kind that made her feel warm and welcomed, as if he was really waiting for her, just like old days.

“So glad you’re back” Adi said softly kissing her head.

“You need to give me one very good reason to convince me that you are”