CHAPTER 50: friends/family

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ISHAAN'S POV:

We've been practicing for the band-war since past three days, all thanks to my miss foxy. Her chief mode was activated the very next morning after she learned about my wish to participate in the band-war and the top 4 members of our music club, talented in different styles and instruments reported to my- our apartment by afternoon. I was initially shocked at her speed but as we had only three weeks left, the speed could be justified.

Abhimanyu was handling the drums, tanmay was handling the guitar, kashi was handling the keyboard and tanishk would play the part of a rapper. These people were so much fun and I loved working with them.

Initially I was hesitant but they made me so damn comfortable by being all goofy around me and cracking jokes. Tanishk cracked the funniest of them. Well they were the funniest according to me, I don't know why others looked at us as if we were some ghosts when the both of us laughed at his jokes. Kashi had the most entertaining gossips of our college and when we were all tired, she would call for a break and we called it 'spill the tea session' because we would get some nice juicy news from her side. Abhimanyu was the liveliest and the most adorable one and his mother cooked the best food. He brought us food and snacks made his mom everyday and tanmay, that guy was savage. Only he had the capability of shutting up tanishk with his snarky savage remarks, and by the looks of it, foxy looked a bit more close to tanmay. Now I get the reason behind all that savageness. Well, now she had me, so yeah she was more close to me. Jealous? hell yes!

Right now, we were all enjoying our 'spill the tea session'.

KASHI: you know that tough guy devyansh from the other section?

TANISHK: the one who always dresses black and gives the looks as if he was ready to murder anyone who would disturb him?

Yeah, he was the most curious one.

KASHI: yes yes yes!! him!!

ABHIMANYU: what about him?

KASHI: I heard he cuddles a huge teddy to fall asleep. And also likes playing with dolls.

We all looked at each other for a moment and bursted out laughing. I had already started imagining that tough guy with a doll in his hand and my laughter only increased. Suddenly everyone fell silent and I looked at them being confused and simultaneously wiped away a tear that was flowing from my eye due to the intense laughter.

ISHAAN: what happened guys? why so serious all of a sudden.

I saw abhimanyu giving me an awkward and scared smile while signalling that someone was behind me.

Oh god, I am doomed.

SAMAIRA: care to tell what made you laugh so much mr. kashyap?

ISHAAN: huh it's just nothing. *nervous smile*

SAMAIRA: yet another gossip?

I just gulped looking at her and nodded nervously.

She just sighed and shook her head in disbelief.

SAMAIRA: who's it this time?

TANMAY: devyansh. The tough guy. They say he sleeps while cuddling a teddy bear and likes playing with dolls as well.

Meri foxy ka chamcha kahinka.

SAMAIRA: how many times have I told you guys to not gossip about the people whom you don't know completely. There are reasons behind peoples' certain behaviour and you guys are old enough to understand that and not waste time on these useless rumors.

KASHI: ohh come on chief. It's just some harmless fun. It's not like we're going to confront him about this and make him uncomfortable. Also, none of us are interested in talking to him.

SAMAIRA: *smirk* are you sure kashi? the info I received from my sources say otherwise.

KASHI: *nervous smile* w-what d-do y-you m-mean?

SAMAIRA: mhmm, who was one that put a lunch box in his locker two days back because he hadn't brought lunch?

KASHI: h-how w-would I-I k-know?

ABHIMANYU: stop pretending bish. Its obvious.

KASHI: aishh you guys are impossible.

She looked like a red tomato and we all started laughing again. This time, samaira sat beside me and joined us as well. We discussed about our rehersals for some more time and were about to begin with it when we heard the doorbell ringing indicating that someone was here.

I looked at her and she looked at me, both of us confused as we weren't expecting anyone. I just hope it wasn't my father or anyone from his side because, right now, the happiness that I was feeling was beyond measure and I don't want it to get ruined. I slowly got up from my place and went towards the door to open it and as soon as I opened it, Two tiny little girls entered through the door and pushed past me and ran inside shouting samaira's name. It was too sudden for me to comprehend everything and when I turned towards the door again, I saw another girl standing there with an awkward and shy smile on her face.

??: I am sorry, these girls need to learn manners. Umm can I come in?

ISHAAN: huh? yeah sure.

??: I am aayat, by the way. the one supported samaira that night on call? you look like a very nice guy but kathi roll is still the best.

I just chuckled at her and nodded and proceeded to close the door while a manly hand blocked the door from closing from the outside.

??: woahh wait dude, my girlfriend is inside and I need to be there too..! And both my hands are occupied with these snacks. Care to help me?

OK, this was getting way more confusing, But I nodded anyways and helped him with the snacks while he slowly whispered in my ear.

??: thank you for your help, well you see that cold guy behind me? he looked at me as if I was a sick person when I asked him to help. I met him today itself, he was peanut's friend's boyfriend.

I was just nodding looking like a confused puppy. Who the hell were these people?

??: heyy sathvik where are you- Ohh sorry, I just rushed in without asking for permission, I was too excited to meet sam. I am aditi, by the way, and that muscular human is my boyfriend.

She forwarded her hand for a handshake and I gladly accepted it. I forwarded my hand towards sathvik as well but he stared at it as if it was foreign. He brought a huge smile on his and captured me in a tight hug.

SATHVIK: we are men dude, and handshake isn't for us. Hugs are better.

I just chuckled and hugged him back and we broke the hug while we heard another girl speaking.

??: hi I am aarna, sorry for my behaviour some time ago but don't worry, aayat already taught me my lesson. He's my boyfriend by the way she said pointing at the cold man.

He just nodded at me and I nodded back. He looked as if he would like to be anywhere else but here. Love my dear, makes you do everything you don't like.

AARNA: let's go back to the living room..!

ISHAAN: yeah sure.

We were heading towards the living room when foxy entered the kitchen with aayat beside her.

AAYAT: heyy uh, my husband wants to join as well, are you okay with it?

wait husband? ohh yess foxy had told me one of her friends was married.

ISHAAN: oh no absolutely! he's welcome.

AAYAT: *smile* thank you.

SAMAIRA: ohh visiting and all huh? wasn't he the cold guy?

ADITI: *teasing* oh you have no idea sam, we were at her place last night as she returned yesterday itself, and her husband called her at night saying he missed her, and these love birds spoke for two continuous hours.

SAMAIRA; ahhahh that's the development I see.

AAYAT: ohh please as if you guys weren't stuck to your phones with your boyfriends.

AARNA: yeah whatever, with that all of them left the kitchen and went towards the living room and now only me and foxy were left.

SAMAIRA: umm I am really sorry, I know I was the one who proposed to condition to inform before calling friends over but I didn't know they were coming. Or else I would've informed you.

ISHAAN: nahh that's completely fine foxy, the house looks lively. It feels warm and good.

She looked at me with a wide smile and nodded in agreement.

SAMAIRA: it sure does look more lively. So let's join them?

I nodded at her and we both went towards the living room. As soon as we entered the living room, I smiled at the scene in front of me. They were all getting along very well and the house finally felt like home. With so many people, it felt like a complete family.

SAMAIRA: are you liking it?

ISHAAN: ohh yes definately.

We both went and sat there with them while chatting with them and enjoying our time when the door bell rang once again.

AAYAT: ohh, I think my husband is here. I'll get the door.

We just continued with our talks while we went to open the door. Soon, she returned with a well built handsome man behind her who looked cold. Oh, he must be the husband. Behind him there was yet another man whom I had no idea about but he looked tired and sad. Poor man.

AAYAT: umm guys, he's my husband, asim and uh he's his bestfriend sathya.

Both of them just nodded and sat down, asim beside his wife, yeah no doubt and sathya beside his best friend but at a distance. Maybe giving a bit of privacy to the couple.

SAMAIRA: ok guys the break was extended for more than enough time now and we need to do the rehersal.

ADITI: typical samaira.

AAYAT: suree! you guys do the rehersal, we'll enjoy watching you perform.

She pulled all of us to the area where all the instruments were placed.

SAMAIRA: ready everyone? let's start.

I took a deep breath and all of us performed with all our heart. Our performance was of approximately 10 minutes and as soon as it ended, there was complete silence in the room and I was hella nervous.

Did we fuck up?

I was stuck in my thoughts when we heard whistles and loud cheers from the crowd. The whistles were from sathvik, and all the girls were cheering loudly with claps, asim was clapping with a slight smile on his face and sathya clapped too with the same tired expression and aarav, well he was cold but clapped nonetheless.

ADITI: you guys are just phenomenal..! there's no way you're not winning, I'll protest against the whole organisation if they don't announce you as winners.

SATHVIK: yes I am going to support peanut too!

She lightly slapped his shoulder.

ADITI: atleast don't call me peanut in front of everyone.

We all burst out laughing. Damn I loved these guys already.

AAYAT: ok now enough of rehersals for today. We're binge eating snacks that we brought and talk about all fun things. And no samaira, no one is listening to you today.

SAMAIRA: okay I give, the mom of the group has the say.

After saything that, she found her seat beside me as we all sat down together.

SAMAIRA: are you comfortable? are they too loud?

ISHAAN: are you kidding me foxy? I love them all. I am feeling genuinely happy and less lonely.

SAMAIRA: that's good then, because I can tell that they like you. And trust me, once they like someone, they don't let go of them.

ISHAAN: and you? what about you? do you like me?

SAMAIRA: I more than like you ishaan.

ISHAAN: then that's enough for me. You never letting me go.

We both had that understanding smile on our faces as we continued enjoying our time with everyone.

TIME SKIP

AT NIGHT.

AAYAT: and that day when we distributed the gifts for secret santa, she gave aarna a kitkat and a scrunchie and you won't believe what she did after that.

ISHAAN: what did she do?

AAYAT: she asked aarna to share that kit kat with her lol.

I started laughing hard while she just glared at me.

SAMAIRA: what's wrong in that huh? It was just a chocolate.

ADITI: yeah sure.

ASIM: ahem. Everyone, its too late and I think we should have dinner. I've already ordered.

AAYAT: that was very thoughtful husband.

ASIM: anything for you wife.

EVERYONE: ooohhhhhhh!!

SAMAIRA: alright alright now stop teasing them. And its already too late so I guess its better for you guys to stay back tonight. It'll be a little sleep over.

EVERYONE: great idea!

ADITI: look! its lyka! I had texted her about our group gathering. Bish must be feeling lonely, she's video called.

As soon as aditi said that, I could see color draining from sathya's face and he looked completely pale.

SATHYA: uhh I think I should leave.

AAYAT: have dinner atleast.

SATHYA: umm no. My grandparents must be waiting. I hadn't informed them.

ASIM: yeah just let him go.

OK, so yeah, love scenario here as well. This clearly justifies the reason behind his tired and sad face.

LYKA: yoo bishes enjoying without me?

ADITI: yess! too much!

With that they all spoke to her and I spoke to her as well, she was a sweet and soft spoken girl who had a great recipe of brownies. I didn't forget to thank her for that recipe. Soon our dinner arrived as well and we all sat in pairs to eat.

I moved my eyes around everyone in the room. My college gang was fooling around as always. Aarna had her hand interwined with aarav's and the dude was smiling. yeah definately love sick.

Sathvik was poking his index finger in aditi's cheeks and she was getting irritated, I couldn't help but giggle at this scene. They were surely adorable.

And the married couple, asim and aayat were feeding each other with smiles on their faces and conversations so slow that only they could hear. My heart longed to experience this moment with my foxy. I was busy admiring all of them when I felt a light weight on my shoulder. I turned my face to look at the person and it was my foxy.

SAMAIRA: love seems to be beautiful after looking at them doesn't it?

ISHAAN: yes.. it surely does.

We both were continuously staring at each other and I felt an instant connection. My heart felt as if she also had the similar feelings for me and I begged god for this to be true.

TIME SKIP

LATE NIGHT

We all had covered the hall with mattresses I had and spare pillows and blankets were there as well. We all had decided to sleep in the living area itself as it was huge enough. All the couples had found their own spots. The boys from my college were sleeping together in one corner and kashi and samaira were sleeping on the other side. I was sleeping alone and sleep was away from my eyes. But for the first time, My heart felt the excitement and joy. It felt as if it had found a whole family. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

I was lost in my own thoughts when I felt someone lying down beside me.

SAMAIRA: missed me?

ISHAAN: a lot!

SAMAIRA: soo, how was your day?

ISHAAN: out of this world. I loved it today.

SAMAIRA: mhmm, I could tell that. Your face has that glow.

ISHAAN: it does?

SAMAIRA: yepp. Okay now, I am sleepy, you sleep as well.

ISHAAN: good night foxy.

I observed her breathing turning rythmic and I guessed that she was asleep. I gazed at her continuously and thanked god for sending her in my life. It was only because of her that I found family in friends and finally the void in my life was completely filled and sealed. I gently pecked her head and dozed off in my own dreamland.

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END OF THE CHAPTER~~!!

THE REASON WHY I WROTE THIS CHAPTER WAS BECAUSE I WANTED TO GIVE ISHAAN A FEW FRIENDS AND OFC I NEEDED A LEADING CHAPTER AS WELL. AND IT WOULD MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR FUTURE CHAPTERS. MY HEART GENUINELY FELT HAPPY AFTER WRITING THIS CHAPTER BECAUSE, WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN A FRIENDSHIP FILLED SCENE WHERE YOU ARE TOTALLY CONFUSED AND OUT OF IDEAS.

HENCE, I DEDICATE THIS CHAPTER TO ALL THOSE FRIENDS OF MINE, FROM SCHOOL FROM COLLEGE AND FROME EVERYWHERE ELSE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING NOT JUST FRIENDS AND BEING MY FAMILY.

LOVE YA'LL!!

BBYEE!