We tend to shed tears when we see someone in distress. Aanya's eyeliner smudged as she pulled out a tissue from the holder and rapidly rubbed it against her eyes, she excused herself and dashed towards the washroom. Tanya's entire face appeared washed out; her eyes and nose were releasing gallons and gallons of water. I turned into a tissue supplier as I kept handing out tissues one after the other, she wiped her eyes and blew her nose. Once the tissue holder was empty, her water supply emptied as well, a slight smile spread across her face.

The ambience was soothing and calm. The view of the ocean straight ahead of me would have been just perfect. The caviar pendant hung above the surface, glowed with a bright fury, accent lighting of beat lights placed on top of aesthetic paintings, I fancied the high counter chairs stood parallel to me, why didn't we sit there? The thoughts got submerged when I saw Aanya walking towards us.

She drank a glass of water patted Tanya's back and responded me with a smile.

"Mom passed away last year." Tanya mumbled, did I hear her right? She hadn't mentioned this earlier.

"She wasn't well for a few days. She would never complain about anything. Our lives revolved around her, though Mom was a commando in chief, she was too dear to us. We never helped her around the kitchen chores or any work to be exact." she took a pause and stared at the ceiling for a while. Aanya continued.

"Mom grew tired most of the time. Eventually, mom was losing her weight, looked weaker and too pale. We took her to a nearby speciality hospital and admitted her." Hot tears flowed down her eyes harder than before. Aanya couldn't speak further. She took a huge bite, of the pastry and rested her head on the lounge.

"Next day they informed us she's no more, heart attack... Just like that, mom was gone. We couldn't believe anything at all the white coat men kept telling us. The rituals went on as a custom. Every sunrise was a nightmare and sunset was suicide. I would search for her in the kitchen". A half-hearted smile spread across Aanya's lips.

"That was her home, the kitchen. We never spoke with one another after mom's absence, hardly ate and stayed as far as possible. Our health worsened day by day. I loved it. I was happy that way. I felt I would see mom sooner. We had each other during our tough days we were more like four pillars supporting a building. One fell, and then the rest collapsed as well. One day Dad called us to the living room. We sat together in the family lounge after four weeks. I noticed the wrinkles on his face, his swollen bloodshot eyes, and almost all his hairs turned grey. I knew he was crying himself to sleep every night just like us."

''Dad rested his head on my lap, and I could hear his silent sobs, that was when both of us realised he needed us as much as we needed him. We knew we could never move on. It is easy to tell, and harder to put into practice. Mom would live in our thoughts as long as we are alive. Days turned to nights and one fine day we heard that our jobs got confirmed, we all agreed relocation would be better. We shifted to Bangalore and, Dad is residing in Kerala, with Mom's parents.

I didn't know what to say. I got up from my chair and embraced Aanya and Tanya into a tight hug. I needed to change the vibe. Being sober would put them back into the box from which they had set themselves free.

We finished our meals and decided to go on a walk. It was the weekend and there was no necessity to reach our homes early.

We strolled across the road, Aanya and Tanya walked ahead while I skitted behind them as my hairs were all over my face and I constantly battled with them to stay in one place. Aanya pulled me by my skirt and I jerked forward.

"Nats, I heard you have a brother. Maybe you could introduce me to him someday." A shy smile crossed her lips as a slight glow highlighted her cheekbones.

"Are you in love with my bro?" My eyes shifted to Tanya and Aanya back and forth. Tanya had never spilled a bean about this.

"I don't know if its love, but I do like him." her voice was almost a whisper.

"I'm sorry Aanya, but bro is already taken. There love is as crazy as pineapples on pizza, yet I must admit those two are what the society calls a perfect couple. I have never seen someone so truly committed to their relationship."

"He was never mine, I guess." Aanya said sadly.

"I will help you find 'The One' I'm sure Tanya would be of no help, she's too boring to hang out..." I mocked, Tanya pinched my cheek so hard, and I felt as though a layer of my skin was set on fire.

"... and be careful Aanya, she might try to steal your date." I might have gone a bit overboard with this statement. Tanya slapped right on my shoulders, my sneakers lace had to loosen up at the same time, I stepped onto one of my laces and kissed the road.

Tanya's hands flew to her mouth in dismay she hadn't expected this. Aanya gave me her hand. I got up and dusted away the dirt from my clothes. I was still in one piece without any severe injuries.

"I'm fine." I chuckled.

"I'm so sorry." were the only words I heard on repeat from Tanya till we reached our flat.