The End or a New Beginning (COMPLETE)

Chapter 6 - Thoughts

Mallika's POV

During the ride back home, Kira was pretty silent and it was unlike her, so I decided to ask her about it.

"Kira, you okay? I've never seen you this quiet before. Is something wrong?" I asked.

"No Miku, my mood is just off. I got a text from my manager during the party, asking me to come early tomorrow and work overtime as well. I have to get in at 7.30 A.M. You know me, right? I can't wake up so early, plus the drive to work really exhausts me" Kira complained. I knew her manager as we worked at the same office and I also knew that her manager was a huge pain in the ass.

"It's okay, don't worry. You'll be staying at my house anyway, I'll wake you up. I'll give you company. We can leave together. I understand, after all even my manager makes my life miserable. I need to finish all my tasks before Friday. I really don't want to do overtime on Friday or else I'm gonna look like a zombie in front of Sumedh the next day due to the lack of sleep." I tried to lighten the mood and she laughed.

"Thanks. If you weren't there, I would have quit long ago." she said rolling her eyes.

We reached home in less than half an hour. I saw the lights on and I realised my mum still hadn't gone to sleep. Kira and I shared a knowing look and shook our heads.

"Mums!" we said with a smile.

We both got inside the house and I hugged my mum. I asked if she had eaten and whether Dad had already slept. She nodded and asked if we enjoyed the party.

We lied down on the sofa and narrated her the whole thing. I surprisingly even told her about Sumedh, even if I usually refrain talking about boys to Mum.

"So you'll go out again on Saturday? With Sumedh?" she asked.

"Mumma, it's my favourite movie, I've been waiting so long for it to be released. Please tell me I can go!" I looked at her with puppy eyes.

"Yes yes you can go, but what will you tell your dad, huh? Dad, I'm going out with a boy?" she said sarcastically.

"Aunty don't you worry about it, we'll just say that Miku's staying at my place. Besides, the movie will last maximum two hours, so she'll basically be out for around five hours. After that, she can come to my place. Uncle doesn't have to know." Kira whispered, resting her head on Mum's shoulder.

"Okay" Mum said a bit reluctantly.

I knew she was worried about dad knowing. I was an only child. Dad worried a lot about me. He was protective of me and was very wary with boys. He did not trust them easily. Sometimes it gets a bit too much, but I understand where he's coming from. The friends I made in the past weren't too saintly either so it was understandable. There was also the fact that my dad had a friend whose daughter had eloped with her boyfriend. His friend has been depressed ever since.

"Maa, go and sleep now. We're going too. Tomorrow, we have to get to work early, so we will leave early. There's no need to make breakfast, it's late right now so you can sleep till late tomorrow. Goodnight." I said, kissing her forehead.

Kira and I went to my room, freshened up and went straight to bed. But I could not sleep.

"Kira?" I called out, lying on back and staring at the ceiling. She didn't reply and I realised that she had already fallen asleep. I closed my eyes and turned to my side trying to sleep.

Just then, my phone vibrated under my pillow. I unlocked the screen and found a message from someone whose name had been saved as 'Stranger ✨'.

'I just want you to know that after meeting you tonight.. I'm very happy for you and your future. It'll surely be hard to move on but I know I'll get over it. Best wishes 😊'

I frowned. 'Stranger ✨.' When did I save this number? I thought.

'Who's this?' I texted back.

'Oh Mallika, I'm sorry I was trying to help my friend..text his ex girlfriend, I sent you that message by mistake.. It's Sumedh btw' he replied.

Hmm.. This is weird. I'm sure he's lying about helping his friend. But I didn't ask him about it.

'Why aren't you sleeping?' another text came from him.

'I can't sleep.. I'm gonna try and sleep now, can't afford being late for work tomorrow. Goodnight ✨' I replied back.

'Goodnight, stranger' he texted back. I put my phone on the bedside table and tried to sleep but I kept thinking about that text Sumedh sent. Was it something to do with his past?

The next morning I was woken up by Kira screaming in my ear. Damn. If Kira's awake, it means we're late. I jumped out of bed quickly and made my way to the bathroom. I showered and started getting ready for work.

Kira and I were both standing in front of the mirror, fixing our clothes and I put on my glasses that I usually wear when I go to work. Before leaving I quickly went to my parents room to tell them I was leaving for work.

"Please buy something to eat!" said Mum while yawning.

We left and I locked the door behind us. On the way to work, I told Kira about Sumedh's message. She thought I was overthinking but I couldn't help but feel curious.

We reached work in just twenty minutes as there was not a lot of traffic this early.

As soon as we got out of the car, I told Kira to go ahead into the office. I went to the café in our building to get us something as we hadn't had breakfast.

"Good morning, Lily. How are you? Can I get two large cookies, an orange juice and a black coffee?" I asked with a smile.

"Good morning, Miku. I'm fine and you? Really need that black coffee today, huh?" she winked.

"I'm fine too, just tired. You know me, right." I laughed. She shook her head, she understood our job was very demanding.

Once the coffee was ready, she gave me the receipt and a bag to gather all the items. I paid and left.

On the way to the lift, my phone buzzed in my pocket but I could not get it as I had too many things in my hands. I was holding the cookies and drinks in one hand, my handbag in the other and I also had a laptop bag over my shoulder.

After I had entered our floor, I went straight to Kira and handed her a cookie and her orange juice. Her manager was sitting next to her so I couldn't really talk. I just have her a sympathetic smile and went to my desk.

I set everything on my desk and decided to check my phone.

'New message from Stranger ✨'

I really needed to change his name. I opened the message and my eyes widened.

'Didn't know you wore glasses. They suit you.' it read.

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- a_girl_imagines