When it all happened...

Dearest Birthday Girl, Let's Get You Drunk

So the pizza party went well between me and Sara. She literally is the blessing in my life sent from all above for my rescue when I'm all in my miserable and horrible state. It's almost 6 pm, I'm in my pink pyjamas which has powerpuff girls imprinted on it. How I miss those days of my childhood.

No worries, no care, and the only task for me was to finish off my homework before my favorite cartoon shows start, so that I can watch them in peace while munching all the junk food in the world.

My phone starts to buzz, interrupting my thoughts and brings me back to reality.

It's Khushbu, mine and Sid's junior college friend from St. Lawrence. I have done my 11th and 12th grade in commerce over there.

I swipe the green symbol that flashes on the screen and before I could say anything, I hear too many voices shouting and screaming in unison "Happy Birthday Ananyaaaa."

Wait, what?

I hear the noise coming from near the
balcony of my hostel room, as well as my phone.

I move towards the balcony and I see all of my friends from Lawrence are howling and screaming for me to come down.

There's Khushbu, Harsh, Bhoomi, Dhruv, Riya, Sahil, Sohel and Rohan.

I take a look at Sara who's laughing at my astounded little face.

I then put on a black crumpled crop top and a blue denim along with my regular black heels and barge towards them and I'm welcomed with hugs and kisses and birthday wishes.

I'm so happy, I almost cry. I'm seeing them after months. My veins are full of euphoria and joy.

And out of nowhere, Sid emerges and pulls me towards him and carries me in his arms and swirls me around singing 'happy birthday' to me.

He then puts me down and says, "Surprise, birthday girl?"

I'm staring at his face, completely dumbstruck. Did he do all this for me? This is so unlike him.

Maybe things are going to get better between us after today. Maybe there's still hope for us and our relationship. Maybe we still stand a chance to save whatever is left of us, and begin entirely all over again.

"We have a party."

"What? I mean where?"

"Phoenix Club in the town."

"No way. My warden's gonna throw me out and I'm gonna be shelterless if she finds that out."

"Don't worry Anu, we've got that part under control," Harsh winks at me.

I look at my room's balcony. There's Sara standing over there and waving, "have fun and make sure you make the most out of this night."

Great. She is involved in this plan too.

Without wasting any further time, all of them, literally ALL OF THEM, carry me by my hands and my legs, and dump me in that extra large Tavera of Sid.

These were the people, MY people during the two years in junior college. We used to attend lectures together, bunk them together, laugh together, cry together, and also during exams, prepare together.

But then degree college happened and I lost touch with them. Not that I didn't want to be a part of them again, but I became so antisocial.

However, Sid kept in touch with them always. Meeting them, hanging out, attending parties. Just as social as he always was.

Sid and I were doing really well during those days. Same batch. We were kinda good friends. We used to talk occasionally, smile often at each other, exchange notes through mails.