A A S H I    S H A R M A

"Adiii... Wake up yaar..."

I shook his head for the nth time, but no response. He sleeps like a log, I tell you. But I can't blame him. It's a Saturday for crying out loud. But that grumpy old man has to conduct a class on this day only. Aargh...

I climbed on his bed and tried to pull him up. But did I succeed? No. That guy looks so lean but weights a ton and how can me, the poor little innocent girl who never saw the entrance of the gym can pull him off of this bed.

"Yaar, Aashi go away let me sleep."

He turned to the other side and instantly fall asleep.

"Okay, if you don't get up then I will leave."

"Haha... You won't. Don't forget I am your designated driver.

He mumbled over the pillow he is clutching as if it is his teddy bear. It would have if I hadn't steal Mr.Brown a.k.a his teddy year's ago and he is safely placed in my cupboard. *Evil smile*

" Don't worry you sleep as much as you want. I can always call Sharan. He will be happy to give me a lift."

The moment he heard Sharan's name he was jolted awake.

"You wouldn't dare." His voice intimidating but it doesn't affect me. I am his best friend for no reason.

"Try me."

He huffed before disappearing to his washroom while I smirked. I very well know how to reel him up.

You know he is an overprotective best friend. He never let any boys even look at me in the wrong way. He will go all hulk on them. It is a little irritating sometimes but I like how he cares for me.

"Adi, I will wait for you downstairs."

I said as I hear the shower going on.

"Okay."

I heard him mumble as I wok out of his room and I was instantly welcomed by the sweet aroma of aloo poori. My mouth watered. I walked to the kitchen and saw Ragini aunty, Adi's mom cooking. I back hugged her and kissed her cheeks and settled in the kitchen counter.

"Good morning Aunty."

"Good morning bacha, Did he woke up?"

"Yes, finally."

"I had told him yesterday to put an alarm. But he never hears me."

She pouted. Awee she is so cute.

"He never hears anyone anyway," I said as I took an aloo poori from the plate. What? I am hungry. Okay.

"Wrong, he hears whatever you say."

She winked at me with a mischievous smile which I quiet not understood. But before I could replay her we heard Adi screaming for breakfast.

Ragini aunty took the dishes to set the dining table and I followed her munching on my aloo poori.

He was ready for college in his usual style. Jeans and a hoody along with his ruffled hair.

And how can I forget his killer smile? That's what made all the girls in our college fall for him. But he never paid any heed to any of them and I am very happy about the fact. I am not gonna share my best friend with anyone. Period.

After a hearty breakfast with his family, we exit his house and I hollered at my Maa who is watering the plants about leaving. She waved us goodbye with her usual radiant smile but it turned into a frown when she heard dad screaming for her. Time for another catfight for them.

We both live in adjacent houses. Our parents were college friends, so they thought it would be cool to stay in the same place. Hence, this arrangement.

I and Adi are best friends from we were toddlers. He was with me in my every step and I was with him and I wish it will be like this only throughout my life.

He passed me a helmet as he revived his bike into life. I put it on before climbing on its back seat.

As we passed Agarwal Mansion I looked for Ishi di. Her car is still parked there means he hasn't left to his work.

She is a sister for both of us. She is the one who helps us escape from all the problems we create. You know me and Adi loves playing pranks. No one in our colony hasn't been a prey to out pranks except our Ishi di.

She is so sweet, kind but lonely after her parents left her. That's why I and Adi come to her most of the times.

"Aashi, are you even listening to me?"

"Sorry, I just zoned out."

"What are you thinking about?"

I heard Adi, confusion etched in his voice.

"Nothing yaar, you tell me what were you talking about."

"Haa, have you done the assignment due next Monday?"

"I am almost done."

"Great, then you can help me with it. I haven't started it yet."

I sighed as I know this is going to happen. It's not like he doesn't study, this guy is too intelligent for his own good. But he needs someone to push him to do things.

I nodded my head at him before we talked about different topics. We both can never stop talking. We feel like chocking if we are silent for five minutes.

But our talk was cut short as we heard a thud sound and the bike go almost skidding.

Adi balanced it as I clutched into his t-shirt in fear.

"Are you okay Aashi?"

I heard him asking. He was concerned. I need my head as I tried to calm my heart.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. I think we should go to a mechanic."

"What? Adi, we should be at college in less than 30 minutes. How will we reach on time if we go to a mechanic?"

"Don't worry. The mechanic shop is near. You wait here okay?"

I nodded and he took it to the mechanic shop. I waited for him for 10 minutes and saw him coming without the bike.

"It will take a while to fix that."

"It's all your fault. Otherwise, you look after this bike as if it's your baby. Why haven't you get this checked before?"

I said irritated and then I saw his sad face.

Don't be grumpy Aashi, look you made him sad now.

"Hey, it's okay. We should hail an auto now. Otherwise, we will get late."

I said as I lock my hands around his elbow looking for an auto and a smile crossed my face when I saw Ishi di's car. I am sure she will give us a lift.

I know I can always count on her.

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1126 words

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