More Than Friends

taking off

I am twenty three years old, Kiara sharma. I feel like its too much for this hot personality. Let's start again. I am kiara, sixteen years old with seven years of experience. You should know this Indian fact that whether a girl is sixteen or twenty three that does not at all matter. You will always be a little girl who needs spoon feeding and baby sitting kind of treatment. So for that matter, my parents have asked me or rather ordered me to be back to india. My mom will be asking the same old question that she keeps asking me that is, if I am looking after myself well and I am sure she'll be saying that I lost weight when I know I have put on 3 kgs in 5 years. My dad will be asking me if my job is good or perhaps suggest me some good options in India. I am interested how they'll be reacting when we meet but I am not so curious on where it will end. For I know the last word is always about me getting married. Exactly how they have been torturing my sister by asking her about her wedding plans. We are twins. She chose engineering and I chose mass media. I left the country and she is still suffering with her backlogs and family.

Living in new york since five years I have realised India has definitely got something special. The dal bhaat culture, the suits and sarees, the indian weddings, the food stalls at streets, everything has my heart.

Last morning when I reached my office, I was called in the boss's cabin. Last week I ruined one of my assignments due to the terrible hangover and I was quite sure this was about it. I rushed to the washroom looked in the mirror. Adjusted my dress, enhanced my makeup and hair, I posed for a while before mirror, took a deep breath and finally left for the cabin. Few seconds of walk from the washroom to boss was a nervous one. I entered the cabin with his permission and stood there quiet. He didn't speak anything either and it was getting worse now. After a few minutes he broke his silence. I listened to him calmly with utmost patience. He just assigned me my biggest nightmare and I was helpless. My boss has always been this cool. He never holds any grudges but makes you pay for your deeds.

So this is the biggest torture I have ever had in my life. Sixteen hours long flight from new york to Delhi was not something I was excited for. I was being called to India by my parents but the final move was of my boss who asked me to get the new billionaire from India interviewed since he was ruling all the news channels these days for his classy ideas and absolutely new and genuine methods of working. Some Aakash Mehra is what they call him. He is not just trending for his money but also his looks. He holds the position of youngest Indian billionaire and most good looking businessman. For a fact, he is quite down to earth according to some relatives of him that our journalists have searched for and talked to. Otherwise Aakash Mehra have never agreed to be interviewed. I don't know what made him agree to be interviewed by me. It's strange how I have heard something about his achievements but I am just not aware of how he looks. Never have I ever been such an irresponsible journalist.

Next morning I reached the airport and checked in. I was stamping my feets and biting my lips out of nervousness. This was the first time I was taking an interview. The passengers started to board. Soon I met my co passengers. I had this guy sitting beside me with all possible distractions to offer. He was tall and smart. His personality was much better than a Bollywood actor and as he asked the person sitting on outermost seat to excuse him I fell for his voice. He sat right beside me and I couldn't take my eyes off him and I am sure he noticed that. He formally greeted his Co passenger (me) and I smiled and replied with a creepy hello. I started biting my lips. I do so whenever I get nervous. Only a few moments later he asked me what is it.

I was lost in some imaginary world where I was smiling at him and he was smiling at me when I realised it was happening for real. A little embarrassed, I called the hostess for a can of coke. He gave a smile and looked down and it felt as if he was mocking at me for the awkward smiling stare. I got my can, opened it instantly and took a sip. I was at the window so it was little convenient for me to avoid him. A little later, the flight took off. I usually have air sickness. To avoid it, I need cold drinks always on a flight. So I asked for enough cans to reach new delhi. As the flight took off, the third co passenger dozed off and I couldn't sleep because of that heartthrob. He was such a cool personality. I don't remember well but I suppose I was staring him again and that's why he asked me - 'you wanna talk about it now?'

'Talk about what?' I wasn't expecting this but I wasn't surprised as well because our conversation ended at his question and I just didn't answer later. ' umm..its nnnnothing...just l-l-l-let it be.'
Pro tip- never try to talk much to a really handsome guy. You may not fall for him but you'll definitely fumble while speaking.

That much of embarrassment wasn't enough for me and I proceeded... "hhhhow did you know something's bbbbothering me?"- I asked him. He looked at me for a few seconds and asked me- 'Do you feel sleepy on flights?' ...'I am insomniac on flights' - I said. 'Fine. Lets communicate' he said.
'excuse me? I don't even know you.'
'fine. What do you want to know?'
'Why would I want to know anything about you?'
'But aren't you kiara sharma?'
'How do you know my name?'
'I know a lot more. Just talk and you'll know.'

It took me a while to process It all and then I told him the reason of my nervousness. It was sixteen long hours and I had no movies left to watch. I wasn't sleepy as well and the air sickness wasn't helping. Things were only getting worse. He wanted to talk and I didn't know what to talk about. I paused my thoughts for a while. He was observing all my panicking.

'Let's practice your interview.'
'Oh? And who are you? The youngest billionaire? '
'So we commoners don't have anything to tell?'

The man was adamant and I was nervous. Mock tests have always helped me with my exams so I considered taking a mock interview.

'Tell me about you.'
'I am warning you. It might end up being a love story.' he mocked.

In his humour I could sense some reality. I could feel it. The pollution in the air. I wish the airlines provided anti love masks too. Love is boring be it his or someone else's. And all I could think at that moment was why the hell am I listening to him? Why?

Then I realised good looks can make you do anything. He had the best features I had ever laid my eyes on. Those wide eyes so bright, the ruffled hair indicating the beauty of mess, perfect complexion that we pay thousands for in the Parlour and yet never get. My thoughts were driving me crazy. I couldn't sleep despite struggling for hours and then I concluded what I wanted. 'Okay. Tell me your love story.'- I asked him. 'tell you what?'- he asked and laughed.

'Are you really that bored? A great journalist like you is sitting here next to me to listen to my love story?' I guess he was being modest and now I know how he knows my name. I almost forgot that I am a famous journalist.

'Begin for now. If at all I feel bored, I ll ask you to stop. Don't get offended. Deal?' I am good at deals by the way.

He was looking at me carefully. Never have I ever been watched so closely by anyone. I asked him to stop and he apologized. He then started narrating his story. I was taught by my boss to not let go of a single point mentioned and hence I had to make notes in the interview. I took this mock interview quite seriously and started making notes. Later these notes turned into a beautiful story which is in your hands now.