My Love is Forever

Chapter Two - What a body!

"WAKE UP ISHIKA!!"

is the first thing I hear on my second day in India. I half-open my eyes sleepily.

"Go away, Radha."

"What makes you think I'm Radha?"

Let me tell you here that I am definitely not a morning person.

"Your stupid, annoying voice. Now go away before I smash your face."

"Excuse me?"

Wait a minute. Radha would never have the courage to talk back to me when I threaten her. I open my eyes fully and see a pretty girl looking at me with her arms crossed.

"NAINA!"

"Now you recognize me, idiot!"

Naina was, and still is, my best friend from 14 years ago. When we left for New York, she told me that she'd be waiting for me until we get back. Don't blame us, we were only 10 back then and we only thought it was a trip.

We went downstairs, excited. I was so excited that I didn't realize I was going down in my PJs but that didn't matter because I had my best friend back!

All the aunties and uncles including my mom and dad were eating at the table. Seeing me, they all chuckled, but before I could sit, I saw Rahul there as well, eating his cereal and watching me with a smile on his face. Only then, I realized what I was wearing. I ran upstairs with Naina behind me.

"Are, Ishika! What's up?" Naina cried.

"Erm, nothing." I stammered.

I've started to stammer a lot lately.

"I know. It's the hunk at the table, right?" Naina said.

I gaped at her.

"How did you know?" I said. I could feel my cheeks go hot with redness.

"I'm your best friend. And isn't it ovbious? You were practically drooling!" she giggled.

"Shut up yaar!"

Preeti came in at that moment.

"Ishika, go get ready. We're all going to a puja now."

"Okay, didi (sister)." I went and put on a white salwaar kameez (Indian clothing). Naina and I headed downstairs where Farhan uncle was dividing everyone into cars.

"Okay, so if there are two cars, me, Bhai (my dad), Deepa, Bhabi (my mom), Radha and Rohan can come in the first car and Preeti, Rahul, Ishika, Naina and Nikhil, you kids can take the other car." Farhan uncle explained.

My heart skipped a beat. Me and him! In the same car! It's like a dream come true. In the hurry, Nikhil was sat in the driver's seat with Naina next to him and at the back was Preeti, me in the middle and Rahul was next to me. I am hyperventilating!! I can't believe this. He's right next to me! I can feel his arms which are touching my arms. My heart is beating so much. When we got to the puja, Rahul and Nikhil walked off together. Uff! He looked so stylish in his white shirt! Preeti nudged me.

"What are you looking at?" she asked.

"Oh, um, nothing didi."

"Why my idiot brother? You could do so much better."

Was it that obvious?!

"How did you know? And don't tell me it was because I was drooling! " I said with a frown on my face.

Preeti just giggled and followed Nikhil and Rahul inside.

Great! Now the whole world thinks I like this guy. Maybe I do..but I'd like a bit of privacy!