6

"Ready to go home?" Meera asked.

I responded without thinking, 'Yes.'"

"Huh?" (She looked at me in surprise.)

Meera took out something like a spray from her bag and said,

"Freshen up your mouth."

I carefully looked at the spray; it said mint flavor. Seeing a picture of two people kissing, my heart started beating faster, and my lips felt dry. Meera took the spray from my hand and sprayed it into her own mouth, and I did the same. I looked around nervously, trying to avoid this awkward situation. Then Meera, like a pro, turned towards me. I closed my eyes beforehand, clenched my fists, and opened my eyes to find Meera leaning towards my lips. She looked at me without any expression, then moved her hand backward.

Meera started the car and said, "I can't do it."

I opened my eyes and touched my face; it had become warmer than 100 degrees. My heart was pounding so fast it felt like it might jump out. I couldn't even look at Meera.

Meera said, "We're home, go in. All the best."

She handed me a mouth freshener and said,

"Thanks, Meera." (Avoiding eye contact)

I went home and started waiting. Initially, my problem was the car incident; I couldn't get over it.

"I kept touching my lips again and again while trying to sleep. At midnight, my alarm rang, and I called Aahan. Aahan said, 'Are you ready?'

'Yes! Happy birthday, Aahan.'

'Thank you. I'm coming to your house; come outside.'

Outside, the car was parked in the garden, and Meera was in the car. Aahan hugged me as soon as he saw me, and we both got into the car. As the car started moving, Aahan was leaning towards my lips. Meera had earphones on, and I don't know why she was wearing sunglasses at night.

'Aahan, you're in front of your sister.'

'So, where should I go now? Hurry up; I want to cut the cake.'

Aahan was still moving towards my lips when Meera stopped the car on the side and said,

'No one will see here. I'll step out of the car.'

I couldn't understand anything from Meera's face. She didn't look at me once. Aahan was getting closer to kissing me, about to kiss, when I told him,

'Leave the lips; do it anywhere. If we're talking about a kiss, do it on the cheek.'

As Aahan kissed my cheek, he started smiling lightly and blushed, looking shyly towards the window. Aahan's cheeks turned red, and I tried to control my laughter. Then I looked at Meera. Meera was closing and opening her fist repeatedly. I called out to Meera,

'Meera!'

'Aahan, are you feeling shy?' Meera looked at him teasingly. Aahan hid his face, and I signaled to Meera by pointing towards my cheek. Meera, without any expression, said,

'Good.'

We got out of the car, cut the cake, took some pictures, and returned. Naina had been pretending to sleep for a while, and her hand's condition was visible to Meera.

The next morning, as Naina woke up, she said,

'Aahan kissed me, and I didn't think anything about him. Was it good or bad?'

After brushing and freshening up, Naina realized she forgot to bring a towel. She went to get the towel, freshened up, wore her school dress, and sat down. Her mom brought breakfast.

Naina's mom said, 'Why are you so happy?'

'I'm happy because I saw his face on my phone.'

'No, Mom, is there something like that?'

'How much will you eat? You'll become fat. Nowadays, you don't even go for a walk.'

'Mom, I like being fat.'

'Me too. Can I call you Golu from now on? You've been a chubby one since childhood.'

'Mom, you're teasing me.' (said in a playful tone)

Mom laughed, 'You enjoy being teased.'

'Mom, you're something.' (said with a playful tone)

Mom said, 'Listen, I'm going to the village tomorrow.'

'Okay, eat at Aahan's mom's place. I've told her.'

'Okay, Mom.'

At school, there was a surprise test, and they changed our class. I sat with a girl I didn't know.

'Hi, I'm Teena.'

'Hi Teena, I'm Naina.'

'Yes, I know, you're Aahan's best friend, right?'

'No, we are a couple.'

'You both look good.' (said with a smile)

'Thanks.'

What a sweet girl. I should ask her about her relationship. I'll get a chance to compliment her too.

'Who's your boyfriend?'

Teena smiled and said, 'I have a boyfriend, but I have a crush too.'

'Who's your crush?'

Teena thought for 10 seconds and then said, 'Miss Lalita.'

Naina burst into laughter.

Teena looked at Naina angrily and said, 'Come on, she's so nice.'

'Sorry, but you know her husband is good looking too.'

'Looks don't matter; the person should be good.'

'Naina, you talk so weirdly. Will you come with me for a movie? As friends?'

(Teena extended her hand and said)

I shook hands and said, 'You're really nice, Teena.' (smiling)

We both took the test and exchanged phone numbers. I messaged Teena, and Aahan tried talking to me at school, but Naina was busy talking to Teena. Had lunch with Teena and was going to her house; then Aahan said,

'Can you take Teena with you, Naina? Hi, Teena.'

'Naina and I just met today. Listen, Aahan, can I get your notes?'

Aahan said, 'Teena, wait, I'll get them for you.'

Teena grabbed her bag, and Aahan gave her the notes. Naina noticed a big smile on Teena's face when Aahan was talking to her.

'Thanks, Aahan. Can you go with Naina, Teena?'

'Teena, come with us. Also, we have a movie plan tomorrow. Will you come, Aahan?'

'You won't run away this time.' (Aahan said, winking)

Teena said, 'We'll watch a horror movie; I love...'

Naina interrupted, 'Horror?'

Naina and Teena burst into laughter. Aahan said, 'You two are crazy.'

Teena, smiling, said, 'Aahan, do you have a twin brother?'

'Why? I won't come.' (Aahan said, smiling)

Teena said, 'You won't, my cute coal.'

'Not funny.' (Aahan said, teasingly)"

After coming home, Naina freshened up and started watching TV. Then, Aahan's mom called her for dinner. Naina went to have dinner, while Aahan ate in his room. Aahan's mom was cooking when Meera arrived from the office. Naina was having her meal.

Meera went straight to her room, changed into casual clothes, and came out.

"Meera, after having dinner, please go to Naina's house. How will she sleep alone tonight?" Aahan's mom said.

Naina suddenly started coughing, and Meera, with an annoyed look, handed her a glass of water.

Naina drank the water and said, "Thanks for the meal, aunty. I can stay alone."

Aunty said, "Naina, eat a little more. Meera, take her charger and go. Otherwise, she'll disturb our sleep if she comes back for it. Naina, go with Meera, don't be afraid."

In my mind, I thought, "I'm more afraid of Meera. Is she any less than a ghost? Whenever she's around, I can't even breathe. It's so suffocating."

I tried to open the door, but my house door wasn't opening. The key kept falling. I started sweating. Meera was on the phone, holding a book and a charger.

I looked at Meera, took a deep breath, unlocked the door, and then locked it again from the inside. Meera saw me, and as I opened the door, she entered. I locked the door from the inside and started banging my head against it.

"God, why?" I exclaimed in frustration.