When The Heart Lies | ✓

[34]

Within in two minutes of entering their flat, the awkwardness turned into comfort and joy when food was served, jokes were shared and so many old memories.

Shrey kept glancing at Sakshi, observing how caring she was towards her friends. She removed Aditi's heels, made her sit and prepared the plates for all of them. Aarush helped her out with serving and pouring Cokes and beers but she looked like she didn't need any help. She was so good in making it look all easy.

". . . and I thought I would be having fun with her Labrador since Sakshi was away at Chandigarh. I took him to the park and he run away to God knows where," told Aarush, laughing hard. "She cried for days and made me search him like everywhere."

Shrey smiled goofily at her, watching her opening her mouth to respond when Aditi giggled. "Since then, Aarush is her dog."

Sakshi burst out in a laughter as Aarush's face turned priceless. Shrey too had a good laugh when Aarush made some points on both girls, embarrassing them by telling some of the stories.

They talked and laughed together through which Aarush told some of their funny episodes, their unlucky days and much more. Shrey couldn't stop his tears that emerged from laughing so much. He was wholeheartedly dissolved with them.

Even Aditi, the birthday girl made him feel welcomed as she asked for the cake to be brought for him. Eventually, Sakshi brought it for everyone and surprised him by confessing that she had baked it.

He couldn't stop smiling all the time he ate the cake while they talked about many things. He too described as them asking about his education abroad, his friends and everything he missed.

At last, he realized that he took the right decision by following that car and ignoring the idea of turning it away towards his way to home. His mom had called too and it took him ten minutes to convince her how he was meeting an old friend from abroad or she wouldn't have agreed.

"So, Shrey? Did you had fun with foreign chicks there?" asked Aarush while sipping his beer.

Shrey glanced at Sakshi, catching her swallowing slightly. He nodded. "If I said no, I would be lying," he said quietly.

Aarush chuckled, pointing at him. "I too tried hard for the program and I even got selected. But my mom. Man, she is so possessive of me. I am the only child and she gets too scared by the mere thought."

Shrey chuckled. "Same. My mom too didn't talk to me for two weeks until she finally did and I tell you, it wasn't a good conversation. She cried all the time and when not until I finally returned." He smiled to himself, making Sakshi smile too.

Aditi groaned. "My mom curses me when I am only two states away. So boys, it is understandable what your mum would be feeling."

Sakshi shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I never really felt the need to go out of the country for education. Not that I even want to. . ."

Aarush rolled his eyes. "Yeah, not everyone has businessmen lined up in their homes like you, who would provide internships easily and let you learn the practical knowledge easily. Even if you hadn't opted for professional degree, you would still be handling your family's reputed business."

Sakshi smiled knowingly at Shrey who nodded in agreement. "Why are you so jealous? It's not my fault that I was born in the home of rich businessmen," she smirked, irking Aarush to the core.

"Besides," interrupted Shrey. "It's not always advantageous. Sometimes, the business suffers a downfall and things change." His smile faded slowly.

"So, it's better you never rely on it and get degrees," replied Sakshi.

Aarush too nodded with a smile when all of a sudden, Aditi put down her beer can. "Come on, now. Don't talk about studies and degrees. I wanna dance."