2~ The invitation
ADHYAY
"Hello chapter! What's up?"
I rolled my eyes at the stupid nickname that she gave me. Just because my name means chapter in English, she has started calling me chapter instead of Adhyay which sounds irritating to me. She is three years younger than me but still acts as if she is older.
"My day was going amazing but it instantly became rotten when you stepped inside my chamber".I said and continued eating my lunch.
She smiled evilly and in a weird voice said, "Well, Adhyay, I have good news for you. Do you want to hear it?"
Anything related to her is not good except for her.
I rolled my eyes and replied, "Tell me".
Her smile widened and she clapped her hands like a kid.
Seeing her excitement, my curiosity increased.
Why is she so happy today? Did she do some hanky Panky with my best friend?
Before you misunderstand me, Adrija is married to my one and only best friend Yash Mathur.
Turns out they both liked each other since childhood and at the end got married after convincing both of the families.
"So, I convinced your crush, aka Akriti who also is my best friend to come on my anniversary party".
She chirped as my expressions turned into one showing horror.
Is she fucking serious? Is this good news?
Fuck! How did I forget that it's Adrija's marriage anniversary today? Already two years have been passed?
"This is good news?" I asked and she nodded her head vigorously not expecting my reply.
She expected that I would be happy and I should be but I am nervous!
I haven't met her for more than 10 years and the last time I met her, I was embarrassed.
What's the guarantee that it will be better this time!
First impression is the last impression and I already ruined the first one and now I don't wanna get embarrassed more.
But how the hell did Akriti decided to grace us with her presence?
She didn't even attend Adrija's wedding!
"Of course stupid! You'll meet the queen of your dreams after so long and you are not even a bit happy? I expected a smile at least!" She screamed. She was certainly pissed off as she had anticipated that I would be on the top of the world after hearing this.
"My sweet sister, I do want to meet her but not like this.
And definitely not in front of mom. You don't know that the topic of marriage is lurking around me and after you got married, your mom, mom and our dearest aunt Krithi have started finding girls for me".
I cried. She looked at me and bursted up laughing like maniacs.
That's why! That's why I didn't want to tell her this because she'll make fun of me.
It's easy for her, because she is already married but see me, being the eldest child of the house, I am roaming single just because I don't wanna marry the nincompoops my mom chooses!
God knows how much embarrassment I have to face when I am with my colleagues.
At any function, they bring their wives and kids and see me, the managing director of the hospital, standing alone in a corner with a glass of juice because I don't drink.
The door opened again revealing my best friend who is of course here to add up to my misery.
More than my best friend, he is his wife's chamcha.
Adrija stopped laughing instantly and peeked at her husband, probably thinking how to do those dirty things with him tonight.
I don't even know how these two fell in love with each other!
(Chamcha= the one who often lies to gain attention)
They both exchanged smiles, maybe more than that.
I don't know. Ever since they have got married, I feel like a third wheel.
Man seriously, we stopped having our boys talk.
Every time, I get some time with my best friend, he won't stop taking about his wife who happens to be my sister. I honestly feel so out of the world!
"Why are you here?" I gritted and Adrija started laughing again. I just want to kick her out of my cabin! Urrrgggg I am getting irritated now.
"Hey! Is this the way to talk to a visitor doctor?
I cancelled my OPD because you don't have an interventional cardiologist!
". He mocked. I glare at my best friend who was making fun of my misery.
Why can't I find a single cardiologist in the whole damn city?
Why don't we have an interventional cardiologist in our family?
Why didn't dad choose medicine! I could have saved my money!
"You aren't doing it for free. I am paying you", I bitterly remind him. I don't like it, but he forces me to.
"Dude why is your mood so fucked up?"
Yash asked finally.I banged my fist on the desk and pointed at Adrija. He looked at his wife and raised his eyebrows.
She smiled and boasted, "I invited Akriti for our party. It was difficult to convince her but you know how I do things". Yash chuckled and nodded while I snorted. Can't these two just stop!
Yash looked at me weirdly like I had grew horns and asked, "So what's the problem, Adhi?"
I looked at him annoyingly! He being my best friend can't decide what the problem is?
"The problem is that he is too nervous". Adrija said, plopping a piece of chips and passing the packet to Yash. Wait! When did she open the chips and start eating them? Yash chuckled and I snatched the packet from him furiously.
"Don't laugh, you stupid!"
I yelled at my good for nothing best friend who bit his lips and shook his head in a no. I emptied the chips in my mouth and munched them furiously.
"Adhyay calm down man! It's not like you're gonna propose her for marriage, it's just Adrija will introduce you two to each other".
The idiot spoke and his wife nodded.
"And trust me Adhyay, she'll like you".
Adrija piped in. They don't understand, do they? I don't want her to just like me, I want her love and a place in her heart. I groaned and mumbled, "But what if she doesn't?"
They exchanged glances and Adrija yelled, "How would you know if you don't talk to her?"
I nodded my head nevertheless and said, " Fine fine. Now go, I have work to do".
"Haan haan we are going. Just calm down man", Yash chided and held my sister's hand. Why don't they stop doing their public display of affection in front of me? Do they want me to feel single because I do and I hate it!
The soon left my cabin and I got occupied with my work and patients.
By the time I got free, I realised I had to pick up the twins.
I drove towards their college and waited for them.
Seeing this college brings a lot of memories back.
I went to a similar college and the building was really big.
We had a big ground in the centre of the complex and it took about half an hour to walk from the hostel to the classes.
Not gonna brag, but I was the favourite student of almost every professor there.
Those were golden days. We boys used to have a lot of fun.
Saturday movie nights were our ritual and the terror before every exam couldn't be described.
I saw my sister and brother coming out of the premises. I waved to gather their attention. They ran towards me with their bags in their hands and settled in the car.
I sensed something was off or else, both of them are always in a jolly mood.
"How was your day?"
I asked casually. Hrishit who was sitting in the front seat mumbled a small fine and Hrishika didn't said anything. That's when I knew something was definitely wrong. Among us, Hrishika is the most talkative one who can't stop blabbering but today she is awfully quiet.
"Is something wrong?"
I asked but Hrishika shook her head in a no. Hrishit wanted to say something but he didn't. I think I'll leave the matter now. If they want to tell me, they'll come themselves, I'll won't pester as it can turn irritating.
As soon as we reached home, Hrishika ran to her room. I looked at Hrishit and asked,
"Will you tell me what happened?"
He sighed and said,
"I want to tell you bhai but it's her thing to share".
Something is definitely wrong now. Hrishika is hiding something and Hrishit is also not telling me, but in the morning everything was fine. Then what happened? I nodded and patted his shoulder.
"Okay, now go and check on her".
I told Hrishit. He obliged and went behind her whereas I went to my room. Already I am having a busy schedule and now this.