Love Maze

Chapter 24

"Anya?"

Nikki's voice cut through the silence of the room like a knife slicing through soft butter. When there was no reply, she knit her eyebrows together, gnawing her lip the way she did when she was worried. After a moment of indecision, she started down a corridor. The house was dark, but she could see light spilling into the hallway from a room up ahead. Her pace quickened, but as she rounded the corner she stopped short.

A girl was standing there, her back to the door from which Nikki had just entered. She wore a splendid Indian gown, with brilliant hues of pink and green and blue. Her hair hung down her back in soft, loose curls held with sparkly pins. Nikki couldn't help but gasp at how gorgeous the girl looked, even when she wasn't facing her. Hearing the intake of breath, the girl stiffened; she turned, and the bracelets circling her arms jangled. Nikki let out a gasp once again. It was Anya.

"Is that really you, Anya?" Nikki's voice was full of disbelief.

Anya flashed her a wide smile. "Yeah, it's me. I don't blame you for looking so astonished. Everyone knows that I usually don't do 'pretty'."

Nikki spluttered, and Anya chuckled, looking slightly gratified. "It's okay. Your reaction is perfect, considering that most of my wardrobe consists of baggy clothes and sneakers."

Nikki finally seemed to regain her senses. She cleared her throat. "Well, you look amazing."

Anya beamed. "Thanks!"

Suddenly Nikki's eyes widened. "Zee is going to freak when he sees you! He already has a huge crush on you, but since you're with Aiden now, we all know that's going to lead nowhere."

Her tone turned reproachful now. "You really shouldn't tease him like that. It's like you're giving him a chance to have you, even though you're really not."

It was Anya's turn to splutter. She lowered her eyes to the ground and blushed furiously, suddenly shy. "Zayan has a crush on me?"

"Duh!" Nikki rolled her eyes. "Isn't it obvious?"

"But isn't he dating that girl- Mira?"

"That was years ago. He began dating her just before you guys left the last time you were here, right?"

Anya nodded mutely.

"Well, they broke it off almost immediately. A few weeks later, maybe. But why are you asking? I thought you said you didn't like him. Unless-" Nikki broke off, staring intently at her. "Unless you do like him?"

Anya said nothing, but her eyes revealed enough.

Nikki let out a little squeal of excitement, and clapped her hands.

"Oh my God! Anya, you two would be so cute together! Wow! I can't believe it. My brother and my best friend."

She was bouncing on the balls of her feet now, her face a mask of happiness. As if struck by a sudden thought, she drew in a sharp breath.

"What if the two of you get married?! I'd be related to both, the bride and the groom. I've always wanted that!"

Suddenly a thought struck Anya, and her eyes became as wide as saucers. "Is that why you got so angry earlier? Is that why you were arguing with Faith? Because you know Zayan likes me, and didn't want a guy like Aiden to take away his chance with me?"

Nikki nodded. "I thought you would realize what I was getting at. It seemed pretty obvious to me, you know."

Anya replied with a massive eyeroll. "Well, duh. You were the one who was thinking it, so of course you'd know what you were getting at."

Her friend frowned in mock concentration. "Hmm, I guess I see your point. But I still think it would be obvious to anyone else."

Anya walked over to the bed and picked up a pillow, throwing it at Nikki. "Nobody but you could understand your pathetic hints, moron. I mean, think about it- Faith didn't know what your problem with her was until you two had that huge row."

The other girl only shrugged. "Well, she knows now. But she's still on Team Aiden, so I guess all that fighting was for nothing."

"Team Aiden?" Anya asked, clearly amused.

"Well, have you got any ideas on what to call the whole thing then?"

"Well, no. But Team Aiden versus Team Zayan? Really? It makes me feel like I'm in an episode of Game of Thrones or something."

Nikki snorted. "Don't flatter yourself. It's not that big of a deal. I'm only making it seem that way because this is my brother we're talking about."

"Well, you've got it all wrong," Anya informed her. "Faith is- and always has been- on Team Zayan."

Nikki brightened at this. "Great!" She chirped. "Then it's settled. Just wait and watch- you and Zayan are going to be together by the end of this week. If you're not, then my name isn't Nikita Mehra!"

"Drama queen," Anya mumbled to herself, covering her mouth to hide her grin.

"I heard that!" Nikki accused

"You were supposed to, you lovable idiot," she laughed.

"We'll see if you can make fun of me once I get you two together," Nikki said, assuming a superior expression. "You'll owe me forever."

Chortling, she proceeded to hop about in excitement. "My brother and my best friend! Wow! That is so awesome."

As her friend continued to dance around the room, Anya covered her face with her hands and let out a shaky laugh. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

But in her mind, she was jumping with joy. Maybe India would be the place where all her dreams would come true, after all.

Short chapter, sorry! So she FINALLY knows. But he doesn't... Do you think she'll tell him?

And the most important question of all... *drumroll*

Team Aiden or Team Zayan?! So go ahead- take a guess, and comment to let me know what you think! Don't forget to share and vote ;)