Choking on my saliva for the past five minutes Kiran has been standing in front of me outside in the restaurant's patio while I try to calm my coughing. It felt like I was having an anxiety attack like I used too when I was younger.

"Layla, please take deep breaths in and out slowly." He continues rubbing my back up and down just like he used to when I had panic attacks.

After a minute or so I stop coughing and focus on my breathing. I hate when this happens. It has been so long since it has.

"Are you alright short stuff?" Muttering as he holds me against his chest.

Humming my response, I pull away letting out a deep breathe. "I will be fine. Don't worry."

"I know you will be." Looking at me with concern. "What happened?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "What happened was that my best friend who I have not seen in almost four years calls me to let me know that NOT only is he back in town but is in a relationship with a Barbie looking chick who not once he had mentioned in any of our conversations..." Raising my voice.

"Layla, that is why I called you. To talk to you face to face..."

"... we have been talking face to face for the past thirty minutes and not once have you said to me, "Oh, by the way Layla guess what? I am freaking ENGAGED!" Shouting the word.

He frowns. "I was waiting for Amelia to get here to give you the news. I was not expecting her to blurt it out to you. Believe me short stuff, I had every intention of telling you. I'm sorry."

I stare at him shaking my head. "Why Kiran?"

"Why? Why what?"

"Why did you not ever tell me about her? I am your best friend Ky. I would think you would mention that you have someone special in your life." Whispering the last part. I feel so disappointed right now.

He frowns but did not say a word. "I... I didn't at first the first few weeks because I didn't think of it as serious. Then months passed and Amelia and I were getting closer... after the years..."

"Wait! After... years?" Asking shocked. How long have they been together?

His brows shoot up in realization of his admission. "Amelia and I..."

I shake my head in disbelieve back and forth. He had a secret girlfriend all of this time.

Lifting my hand up I stop him. "Don't Kiran. I have heard enough." Taking a step back feeling more disappointed at him.

"Short stuff, I have been wanting to tell you. Every time we spoke, or face timed the words will form in my head but..." Looking down.

"... but? But what Kiran? It was not important enough for you to share with your best friend of fifteen years that you were seeing someone... for all of these years?"

He looks up and stares into my watery eyes. He knows I am hurt. How could he keep that from me? I have always told him everything. He knows things no one else knows. He was like my diary.

"You do not know how important you are to me Layla. So please do not ever question that." Getting upset from what I said.

"Actually, Kiran I do since you mindfully forgot to tell me about you secretly dating Posh Barbie." Spitting out the last part.

I stare at him in utter disappointment then turn to leave. I know for someone looking in they might think that I was overreacting. But they did not know the type of friendship Kiran and I have.

"I am going home. I have lost my appetite. You and your fiancé have a good night." Walking towards the glass door to go inside to grab my things.

"Layla, please do not leave." Reaching me quickly he grabs my forearm to stop me.

I do not turn around because I am mad, actually hurt. "I have too. I would be a third wheel anyways." Pulling my arm out of his hold I continue walking until I make it inside, him following behind.

Reaching the table I see Amelia on her phone putting it away once she sees us.

"Are you alright?" Concern in her voice.

"Um, I am now. Look, I am sorry, but I have to go home. I am not..." Turning to glance at Kiran then her. "... feeling well right now. I get nauseous after I have a cough attack." Technically I was not really lying.

"Oh? Sorry to hear that. I so was looking forward to meeting and getting to know you. Kiran's spoken so much about you throughout all of these years that I feel like I know you." Cheerfully saying as she is now next to Kiran holding his arm.

I cock my brow. "Huh. Funny because today is the first time I have heard about you." Fake smiling back.

I know it took her by surprise because her mouth went agape, and surprise fill her eyes. She purses her lips so she would not say anything, straightening her body as her whole demeanor changes. I am really good in reading people.

"Layla..." Kiran begins to say but she cuts him off.

"Is that true Kiran?" Gritting through her teeth, however maintaining her smile which obviously is fake.

He looks at me then looks down at her. "I was waiting for the right time."

"Well, what better time than years later, I guess. Anyways, enjoy the rest of your night." Turning to grab my coat and purse.

Before taking a step, I turn around to face them. "By the way. Congratulations on your engagement. I am sure by me chocking on the news I took it as a huge surprise especially when my best friend not once for the past few years mentioned he had anyone special in his life. I guess it was... irrelevant. Good night." Turning on my heels I leave them standing there.

Rounding the corner, I could not help but look at them. Kiran was staring at me with a blank face expression while Amelia turned into bitching Barbie. Haha, serves him right for keeping her a secret. He knew better and he knew I can be petty as hell when I am hurt... and right now I am hurt.

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Kiran's P.O.V.

I watched as Layla; my best friend leaves the restaurant upset and disappointed in me. I knew she had every right to be mad at me for not telling her about Amelia for all of these years. My intention was not to keep it from her it was for another reason and outside the patio of our favorite restaurant after she had a coughing fit that might have triggered her anxiety, was not the right place to tell her.

All the times we had talked or skyped throughout the course of Amelia's and I's relationship made it hard to tell her. I was not lying when I told her that I did not think it was serious in the beginning. I had dated plenty of girls and women. Even had a few flings once I left the states and was travelling to different countries for my job. They were one-night stands to fill the void that I was feeling. 

But when I met Amelia in Nigeria while she was working as a general doctor, things changed. We became friends as she showed me the ropes and around the area. She was a good listener and after a while I had asked her out on a date. One date turned into a few and after a few months, we became something more.

I remember the day I had decided to finally tell Layla, it was after I had asked Amelia to be my girlfriend that I had skyped her. She answered and right away I knew she had been crying. I was so worried especially since I was not there next to her. She told me that she had just caught the guy she had been dating for a while cheating with his ex. He gave her some bogus story that Layla was not adventurous in bed and that he needed more in their sex life. I was so enraged that I was ready to book the first flight back to the states to personally kick this guy's ass for saying that and for breaking my girl's heart. He was not going to hurt her and get away with it.

Layla being Layla talked me down like she always did. She did not want me to lose my job or tarnish my reputation in the medical field for a loser that was not good in the sack... her words not mine.

Trying to cheer her up I decided not to tell her, though I knew she would be happy for me. She has always wanted me to find the right girl or woman that I can settle down with. She never really liked any of the ones I actually dated for more than a month and I really did not blame her. They were snooty, superficial and gold diggers.

I know I had an excuse for the first time I held back from telling her. Damn it, I had plenty of other chances to tell her. But I just couldn't. I knew that once I did, our friendship may not be the same after. She would slowly back away and let me have my personal space with Amelia since every girl that I have had close to a relationship was always jealous of Layla and I's friendship. 

I guess I could understand the jealousy. We were inseparable and told each other everything. We are each other's diaries like she likes to say. I trust her more than anyone in the whole world, and that is including my parents. I know, sad. But that is the way it has been since the sixth grade and that is the way I always want it to be.

Layla is not only my best friend or my confidant. She is more than a sister. She is my soul mate and I know I am hers...

A/N: 06/14/2016

Hello guys! Another update... hope you like it.

Layla finds out that Kiran and his girlfriend are Engaged and is upset that he never told her about his relationship. Do you think she should be upset or is she over reacting? Is Kiran's excuse valid? 

Thanks for Reading, Voting and Commenting...