Jai pov:

"Seriously khanna relax. You give me mini heartattack with your panic. Calm down and and pack and let me make a peaceful entry inside the airport at least." I said.

"So when did I stopped you from doing that?" She asked. This girl knows how to get on my nerve so easily. "Okay listen you didn't stop me but I have luggage with me and I am more like one man army here so if one of my hand is occupied with my phone and my head is constantly eaten up by you I can't enter inside. Have some mercy on me please. Khanna yaar Meri flight miss ho jaegi (I will my flight) " I literally begged her this time. Man this girl always gets me to do every damn thing which the normal me would never do.

" Okay fine. Go and yes remember something I always tell you", she said.
"Yes I know I am capable enough of doing it and I love you too", I smiled.
"Ummm yeah that is good but all I meant was I hate you duffer", she said and I could very well sense the wicked laugh that evil little monster of mine was going to have as soon as I kept the phone.
Quite irritated by her words all I could say was "Yeah whatever bye" and before she could say anything I hung up.

Sliding the phone in my pocket I made my way to the entry got my details checked and within few minutes I was on my seat. I was kind of mad at her. I know we have been friends for like forever but it doesn't mean I don't need support. I am always there for her but she never is especially when I need her for some mental support. I know she cares about me and she don't really mean when she says I hate you but those words coming from her even in fun stab my heart millions of times. All I can feel is that even this whole fucking universe is laughing on me and my weakness that I can't have her even if I am not letting her go away from me. She is that slow poison which I know will kill me but still I will happily take it. She is that source of hope which pulls me out of darkness and then herself unknowingly throw me inside. When I say she is the best thing that happened to me I mean it but then I can't argue against the fact that she sometimes brings out the worst in me. She brings out the me which even I don't know I am. A black dark monstrous side of me which exists and is sleeping somewhere inside and all I fear is someday it will wake up by this constant knocking of my heart and I cannot imagine anything beyond that. No matter how much I try, no matter how many promises I make to myself that I won't think about it, but I just can't stop going there. I hate it that she has such control over me but at the same time I want to be controlled by her. For once just ek baar (one time) I want to have her all for myself. Is it too much to ask for? Guess their always be a void which will just keep getting deeper and deeper as many times as I ask this question to me. It is like each passing day is taking her inches away from me. And soon she will be miles away. And their is nothing I can do to stop that.

I was interrupted by my phone vibrating in my pocket. As I took it out and saw the name flashing on screen I couldn't help but sigh. Taking a deep breath I pressed the green button and answered, "Hey dad!"
"Yeah I am fine a day I got in the flight safely" I said without even trying to sound convincing. A part of me knew that he won't understand it by my voice. We never got a chance or rather I should say he never cared enough to develop that bond between us. Something which every son wants in his dad. I never blamed him but that didn't mean I was fighting with it.
"Yeah dad I will take care, you too take care and thanks for your wishes and I will keep you informed" saying this I hung up. I was about to click the flight mode on before keeping my phone with inside when I saw a text message notification. I was almost going to skip it and keep my phone inside when my hand decided the other way and I clicked on the message and a huge smile made way to my face when I saw the name of the sender. It was from khanna. "Listen I know you are mad at me. (now don't think how do I now this because I know you better than  anyone else) I know you are pissed off and sorry about that. But you know me na Mujhse Yeh Senti type ya motivational type baat nahi ho paati hai. (I can't really get in the senti or motivation zone you want sometime.) But I know it well you will get it not just because you are good at it or you deserve it but because you have worked hard for it. I love you Mr. Duffer :P, take care and all the best cya soon <3333"
"Thanks Meri sunshine, everyone person deserve a friend like you who is so motivating. Take care and please don't panic much (mai nahi hu sath tere tantrums koi aur nahi pasand Karega :P have a happy flight all the best and meet me soon. Europe awaits us" I typed instantly and then pressed the send button. As soon as it got delivered I got my phone on flight mode and kept it inside. This is what she does to me. No matter how mad I am all I need is her words and it calms me down.

I was thinking about what exactly am I gonna do in this long flight because sleep is clearly not friends with me. So I decided to make use of the time and complete few episodes of Riverdale. I got my laptop on got some fresh lime soda put on my headphones and rest of the journey was all about Archie and gang.

Jiya pov:

Relax jiya you can do this. Not a big deal. It's not that tough. All you need to do is be disciplined and sensible for some half and hour. That's it. That is all it will take. You can do this. You can be sensible. You are sensible. You can do this Yesss! You go girl...!!
But why am I hearing my own name again. Is this some echo. Where am I?? Oh God it's a trap. This while thing is a trap. I can listen my own name but who is calling me. What is wrong with me. I am going insa...
And I suddenly felt a light weigh and soft but an attack on my face with this huge white thing. And I feel like my end is near, no I don't want to die and I am about to scream when I realize the voice I am hearing is from my cousin who is trying to wake me up.
I immediately get up terrified and give her a horrifying look. "Seriously why is everyone after my sleep, I was so happy I don't have that duffer today to wake me up and here you are playing his part"

And then I realized it was all a dream. I took a sigh of relief and jumped out of my bed gave a "oh yes I am awake now get out of my room look" to my cousin and she did the opposite. She straight away came and hugged me. And I was standing there like a zombie. "ewwww Disha yr what are you doing. You know na I don't like hugging anyone, get off me now", I said feeling irritated.
"Yes why not you just like hugging your boyfriend Jai." she said without giving much attention.
"Yeah whatever..." I was making my way towards bathroom when I stopped suddenly, turned around and said "Wait what???? Boyfriend?? Jai??? Yeh Kab Hua (when did this happen) Woh mera Bf hai Mujhe hi nahi pata (he is my Bf and i only don't have any idea about it) Why can't you guys understand we are best friends. We know what we have with each other. So stop messing up my head and get out I have work to do. " I walked right away from her and banged the door on her face making it obvious that I was mad.

Why always the same thing. I thought we are over this conversation but somehow it has to come up every fucking time. Why can't they just let me be me with Jai. I agree once in school days I had crush on him but it is long gone. Beside he is my best friend. He knows me raw. I don't want my boyfriend to know me the way Jai does. In a relationship I want my personal space and with Jai I never felt like I need some space. It all happens so easily. With him I can be me. No judgements, no insecurities nothing. It's something for which I can give up thousands of lovers.
I calmed myself down and the rest of the day passed in blur as I had to pack and get ready for my flight.

I sat in the flight and I was trying to calm myself because I was nervous, extremely nervous about how it going to end up. I was prepared for the worst yet praying for the best. And I suddenly realized while I really make it up to my hotel Jai will probably be done with his interview. I can't believe he actually didn't call me the entire day and just messaged that he reached safely.

He picks up after 5 bells. Man what was he doing.
"Porn dekh raha tha?", I asked.
"Shut up", he answered in a sour voice.
"Jai you have a bad throat?", I asked in a concerned voice.
"Yeah really bad can we talk in text because I really want to give my throat some rest." he said and he was sounding really sick.
"Yeah OK wait I will text you." I hung up and immediately started typing.

"Listen take something warm. It always happens with you when you travel. The climate change always takes a toll on your body. And drink only lukewarm water. Don't use boiling water idiot otherwise I am going to come to California to kick your ass. Take medicine and all the best for tomorrow. You will kill it I know. Khanna loves you "

2 minutes later, "hmm" he replied.
Noooooo I know this hmm. He is again going in that phase of something has to ho wrong with me and then I don't deserve this and then all the self pitying. Ughhhh this boy why is he so troubled.
"Jai listen to me. Nothing will go wrong. They are not their to test your vocal strength, they are going to test your presence of mind and your intelligence and my boy I can swear upon this the entire California will never see a more intelligent boy then you. You are a topper. And you don't come first because of cramming things like others and vomiting it all out in paper. You will get it because you are deserving. Don't let these little things ruin it. Tu hamesha se best tha, hai aur rahega. *Khanna special hug for you* (and I realize disha was true abt the hug part, I cannot bear anyone else hugging me but Jai is an exception.) Jaa mere shere Kal University of management, California ko bhi dikha de what you are capable of, all the best and take some rest. " SENT!
Phew that was something. I hope it works.
" Thanks love you khanna " I smiled reading the text. Always here for you Jai, I thought and thinking about him I drifted off to sleep.

Next day, hotel in london:

As soon as I checked in I just jumped on my super comfortable bed and all I could see was more sleep. I had almost fallen asleep when my phone beeper thrice and I my heart skipped a beat. I kind off knew who the person was. It has to be Jai and this is most probably about his interview and result. And I don't know why suddenly I was too was nervous.

I closed my eyes and clicked on the open button. I slowly opened one if my eye and checked my phone and the message read "GOT IT" and that's when I scremed at the top of my lungs. My best friend, my duffer made it to the biggest college of business management. I was so happy that I just wanted to run and give him a tight hug. I was so so so happy. He made it. Yessssss!
It's just a start Jai you will get best of everything, I thought.
And now it was my turn. I have to prove myself that i am worthy enough of whatever I have. Not that anyone said something but I always felt that if I don't do it on my own everyone will think I got it because of my surname and that was the last thing I wanted to hear.

The entire week passed within no time and before I knew it was already Saturday night. My results will be coming tomorrow they will e-mail everyone the final list of selected students. And because I will be in flight I asked Jai to check it for me since he is reaching Budapest twl hours before me. And I really don't want to check it myself I can die of a heartattack in both the cases, I made it or not. So before sleeping I texted him my email and password. And he replied "Cool"
"when do you sleep exactly? Whenever I message you your reply comes instantly!" I texted back. I have been noticing this from past few days even if we are in different time zones. He is available 24*7. Something is wierd. He is talking less with me. I never thought the entire we won't call each other. And it had nothing to do with his sour throat. Because he uploaded a video from a cafe in California and he looked fine in it. We need to talk asap Jai Kapoor.

And Europe here we come!!!!!!!

I hope you guys liked it.

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Thanks.

-Akira