We decorated our verandah and the trees outside with the shimmery lights and did the other arrangements. At about 6 o'clock the people started coming. It wasn't much of a decked-up party, just a little get-together. Our neighbor Choudhary aunty or as we call her, the judge, arrived. She is always a bit extra at every party. The tone she talks in makes me way more annoyed than the topics she talks about. With her, it is always about boys, backbiting about others and the price tags of her things, and also for me, some of the most useless fair skin remedies.
"Oh, hello Treya beta! I couldn't recognize you at first.", she said.
"Hi, aunty! How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, beta. Just a bit sick today. You know na we just returned from Manali last week."
"Oh yes. I believe it was a good trip."
"Yes, it was. It is so good to have a son. I just get to travel now."
"Wow! That's nice."
"Treya! Have you been doing immense basketball practice these days or what? You've got so dark these days. This isn't good. Drink milk always and do not drink tea. Also, go through some beauty …"
"Hello, Choudhary aunty!!! How are you? You're looking so beautiful. Aging just like fine wine must say.", an angel to me at that very moment interrupted from my back.
"Ow Shivam. Hey handsome!"
As I looked back, I saw the very handsome boy, looking like more of an adult with a distracting Adam's apple with a way more distracting voice wearing denim over a hoodie looking like a typical anime fan arrived towards not me but Choudhary aunty.
"How's Ankush bhaiyya?"
"He is doing great. He just got a promotion recently, you know? Hahaha..
Anyways, you have grown out to be such a handsome boy, love."
"Hahaha, you never miss an opportunity to joke around, Aunty.", giggling with all his teeth out.
*Inner me is just feeling the need of my sister now to get out of this situation because I was just standing like a stone there watching them with my judgmental eyes whereas they were just flirting with each other*
I was just heading towards my sister and
"Areh, Treya beta, you won't chat with Shivam?"
"No aunty it's just that I was going…"
"Ow, aunty we sure will talk, right Treya? Oh yes, ma was looking for you all around. You should probably just go and see her."
"Yes, I haven't met her for days. Also, kids, let's plan a small trip to somewhere. You should take some break from your studies too. And this Treya! Always busy with her studies and her basketball practice. I barely get to see her. HAHAHA"
"Yes aunty, surely.", I said with a sarcastic smile.
Enjoy yourselves, kids!
"Oh gosh! Finally, she left.", I sighed.
"HELLO MISS TREYA", he said with two fake coughs.
"HELLO MR. SHIVAM VERMA"
"So, you didn't expect to see me today?"
"Yes. I didn't know you were home."
"No wonder why Choudhary aunty said that she doesn't see you outside."
"Dude, she doesn't even give a f*** about me. Just being annoying to me always."
"Chill now!!! Let's grab some snacks now. I am dying of hunger. Also, dying to have those freshly sizzling chicken wings made by aunty."
"I already ate one plate, ya. You go and have it."
"Ugh, come along you monster. I know you can have more."
*Pushes me like a wagon*
We eat, sing along to the 60s-70s Bollywood songs, dance, crack jokes, and roast others. Whenever Shivam comes home, that's when I enjoy coming out of the house. Not like I like him. I do not have any such feelings and I bet he doesn't, too. But it's just we have had a special bond since we were young. We read in different schools; his interests were different from mine. He was very fascinated by music and movies. Earlier we always used to watch SRK's movies together, no matter what. SRK was the love of our life.
"Oh my god! Wait, wait," I said as I went short of breath.
"This is so fun, right?", he asked with a bright smile.
"Yes, I feel so good."
*Goes and brings a glass of water*
"Thanks!"
"Umm… so let's go for a morning walk tomorrow."
"Ow okay, that was sudden. So now you have also noticed my fat belly!", I said in a funny mocking manner."
"Let's spend some together. I... I mean I barely come nowadays and even if I come, we don't get to spend much time like the older times."
"Ma's not going to allow me for sure. Still, when I'll be free let's do that."
"So, tomorrow's morning plan is on?"
"Yup!"
The way he said that we don't spend much time together hit me hard. Maybe I pretended to be very busy. I often forget to reply to his calls and texts always. This was my best time to make up for those mistakes I did.
Soon, the party ended. Everyone was leaving. I was very tired. And then ma said those most appealing words – "go and sleep for today. Study tomorrow". I screamed and freshened up and went to bed. My sister and I were talking about the party and suddenly –
*6 new notifications*