The tantalizing smell of caffeine wafted in the air as she set her coffee mug down on the table. It was one huge mess in the brightly lit hospital cabin. There were so many files with important reports scattered all around but she seemed the least bit bothered by it. After all, it wasn't as messy as her brain. She was about to sit down when the door to her cabin was banged open. She had a well grounded doubt who it must be.

"What the hell, Saumya?!" she shrieked.

"We are in a hospital, remember?" Saumya said, clearly unaffected.

"What are you doing? What has happened to you?"

"I'm all good. Thanks for your concern," she replied sarcastically.

Rolling her eyes, Surbhi countered, "You know what I mean, Saumya. Why are you ignoring us? Even Akshit? Why? Ever since Sunday, you've been acting weird."

Saumya sighed. She knew it was coming. The messed up thoughts in her brain weren't helping the cause. Her frazzled state was difficult to veil but she was doing a decent job. With her signature stoic face, she stared at Surbhi wanting her to explain herself.

With a resigned sigh, Surbhi continued, "What happened that day Saumya? Why are you not talking to me? Why are your answers restricted to monosyllables? Please tell me, Saumya. I can help you."

Turning her head away, Saumya got up and spoke.

"I told him everything..."

"What? You told him everything?! That's great. I'm so happy you opened up about it to someone." Even though she was beaming joyfully, Saumya could sense a tinge of sadness.

It was quite baffling to Saumya why she felt a bit guilty. She hadn't expected her to react like that. She had expected her to chide her, reprimand herself for saying it all.

"So, you're ignoring him because..."

"I'm not ignoring him for heaven's sake." Saumya let out an exasperated sigh.

"Yeah and I'm not pregnant. Why else would you say you haven't talked to him since Sunday? It's Friday already. You literally talk to him every day."

"I... I'm trying to spend more time with my sisters. I've ignored them a lot. That's why Pia felt lonely and missed Chachi and Chachu."

It wasn't the true reason but it wasn't a lie either. She felt quite guilty for ignoring Pia. She felt like her negligence was the reason why Pia was sad.

"Saumya, I know it's not the true reason but it's alright if you don't want to tell me."

The feeling of guilt seeped in her heart as Saumya stared at Surbhi's retreating figure. When had she grown so secretive? She had always considered Surbhi as her sister whom she shared everything with. The times when they would go out for classes and end up eating ice cream and burger, when they would bunk P.E. and go sit in the air conditioned classrooms to study, times when they would sing songs out loud and fangirl the singers. All those times had long since passed with their relationship growing more distant. Maybe it was the time to open up about it, to mend their relationship.

"Surbhi...wait," Saumya called out.

Surbhi turned around, closing the door behind her as she stared at her friend.

"I'm sorry, Surbhi. I just..."

Surbhi kept a reassuring hand on her shoulder, showing somehow that she understood.

"I was just... I was afraid," Saumya croaked. "I was afraid you would think of me as a weak girl and pity me."

Saumya gave a watery smile before continuing, "As stupid as it may sound, I had the reputation of being a nerdy tomboy. I couldn't risk it. Jokes apart though, I was broken. I am broken but I'm trying to heal. I was afraid of being misunderstood. I was tired of being looked upon as the pitiful girl. You don't know the pitying glances which were cast my way in College. I wanted to get away from it and so I did. Here everyone had the same image of me, a nerdy tomboy who never cried. I wanted to live upto that image and start afresh."

Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her eyes. Images of the past swirled in her mind as she sat on the couch with a thump. Surbhi's comforting arm wrapped around her shoulder as they sat in silence.

"I... I wanted to forget everything. I thought I shouldn't tell you because you don't deserve to be worried about a worthless girl like me who only knows how to hurt people. That's why I pushed everyone away.

I'm sorry, Surbhi. I know I should have told you what I was going through but I couldn't. I couldn't imagine seeing you pitying me."

"I don't pity you, Saumya. I feel sad I couldn't help you out." The pain was visible in her eyes, as she continued, "I am proud of you, Saumya. However, I want to tell you that you should stop living as per everyone's expectations of you. You should live for yourself, Saumya, like you used to."

"I...I will try," she mumbled as they hugged each other.

"Okay so tell me, why are you ignoring Akshit?"

Saumya couldn't help her cheeks from warming up as Surbhi wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"I... We... We kissed," Saumya said as she shut her eyes closed.

"What?! OMG?! I can't believe it," Surbhi exclaimed almost bouncing up and down.

"Why are you so excited?" Saumya asked embarrassed.

"Just forget it. So tell me about it."

"Uh well it was in the heat of the moment. I mean... I guess he did that out of pity. I was this weak broken girl who was crying in front of him and..."

"Saumya, no one kisses anyone out of pity. You're being unreasonable."

"Maybe Surbhi but I'm afraid... afraid that he would pity my condition, my broken self," she said looking down.

"Saumya, he would not pity you. You don't trust me, do you? Well how would you know unless you try. You should talk to him. Would you really let your fear control you? Do you want to lose him too?" Surbhi reasoned.

Do I want to lose him? Of course no. But am I ready to meet him? I have to meet him.

"I will meet him tomorrow."

Furrowing her brows, she asked, "Why tomorrow? Go meet him today, Saumya."

Rolling her eyes, Saumya replied, "It's 8 at night Surbhi. I need to go home now. Moreover, vacations are going on so he would definitely not come tomorrow."

"Time and tide waits for none Saumya. Just make sure you don't lose the opportunity."

Hugging one last time, Surbhi exited her cabin.

Driving away in the deserted and moonlit avenues, she finally reached home. She could sense something peculiar. It seemed like someone had parked a car in the garage since the lights were on. As she rang the door bell, a million reasons for the on lights pried her.

The click of the door made her look up. There stood her Bua. She was just as she had always been. Slim like a model wearing a classy and elegant kurta paired with minimal makeup. However, there were lines creasing her forehead.

Hugging Saumya tightly, she said, "Oh God! It's been so long. Did you not miss us? You could have visited. No problem, now we'll spend a lot of time shopping." A knowing smile graced her lips as Saumya finally parted.

"Bua," she said in a deadpanned voice, "I'm tired. Don't want to go out."

"But then what about your..." she trailed with widened eyes, perhaps realising her blunder.

"My what?"

Suddenly Esha popped her head in the doorway. "Your wardrobe, Di. It definitely needs some changes." To this, her Bua agreed with a nod.

"You guys are impossible. Let me at least freshen up. I've only just returned."

What's wrong with these two? With this thought she headed to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

"Di, I have some important news."

"Really? Say then?" Saumya asked turning to her right, focusing her eyes on her sister who sat on the slab.

Esha looked uneasily at her. Her eyes roaming anywhere but at Saumya.

"What is it Esha?" Saumya asked worried.

"Uh apparently Mom has found a match for you and she wants you to meet the guy's family tomorrow."

"What?! Why didn't she tell me?" Saumya exclaimed.

Esha narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Well, Bua called on Monday to tell me that she was coming."

It was Esha's turn to be surprised.

"You guys are so bad. Why do you always forget about me? You team up and leave me alone."

"Aww cry baby! Well, do I get to say no?"

Wiggling her eyebrows, Esha asked, "Why Di? Do you like someone?"

Saumya couldn't stop blushing herself.

"Aww are you blushing Di? So when are you getting married?" This made her receive a smack on the head.

"What junk are you feeding your brain these days? I don't like anyone."

"Really? Not even Akshit?" she asked with an innocent smile.

The heat crept up her cheeks and she was sure she looked like a tomato.

"Oh My Gosh! You definitely like him."

"Do you think she will relent?" came her instant question.

Esha shook her head. "Cake didn't work this time." She ended with downturned lips.

Hope was all lost. The only thing that her Bua loved more than her and her sisterswas perhaps chocolate cake and even that had failed.

"Di why don't you tell her?"

Saumya only pursed her lips. What does Akshit really think of me? Are we really in love?

After many sonic moments, Esha said, "Night."

"Night."

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