''Our cook is on leave.'' Lakshay groaned irritated. The monsoon had drowned the city and the rains hadn't stopped in two days. Their manager had a cooked assigned but he too expressed his inability to commute in such weather. Restaurants , home delivery were closed with internet and wireline services effected. The authorities has asked people to stay indoors till the situation improved.

Naman smiled, he looked at Arun and the latter nodded. ''We all can cook.''

''Sorry, Last time I tried, there was fire alarm in the complex.'' Varun added

''Naman cooks pathetic and all I know is maggi which we missed adding to the grocery list. Lakshay, do you know how to cook?''

''Yes, I have been cooking for all for years!'' He taunted. When hungry, Lakshay personality took a total U turn.

''IDEA!'' Naman exclaimed as if it was a new discovery, all three had been praying about one chance to bring Nirali and Lakshay together and today was that chance.

Naman leaped off the sofa running out of the apartment. He smiled and then pressed the door bell. Nirali answered, ''Yes.''

''Do you have anything to eat. Our cook is off and none of us can cook.''

''You could have asked the other neighbor.''

''There are just 4 apartments on the floor, we occupy 2 , you guys 1 and the last one has an old couple. You know why I knocked here.'' Naman reasoned

Nirali thought, what mattered was that Lakshay was hungry. ''Only one day.'' She warned. Naman bobbed his head up and down. ''Wait Nirali.'' That came from Amisha, her eyes scanning the neighbor

''Get you dishes, we won't give ours.''

''We will return.'' Naman reasoned

''I have no doubt but why should we do the cooking and cleaning. If we give you food, you do dishes for us.'' Nirali's eyes went wide while Naman's jaw was touching the floor. He huffed, ''fine.''

''Do you know who they are? They are celebrities.'' Nirali whispered.

''In their house. Look girl, our maid is off too and will be off for this week. We need help. 4 pair of hands can do dishes faster than 2.'' Nirali wanted to smile, the thing Lakshay hated the most was doing the dishes. He just hated it.

After about and hour, Naman requested them to join for lunch. Amisha agreed because Nirali was dying to meet new neighbors. Amisha scanned the house. ''Show off.''

''Who asked you not to.'' That came from Naman. She narrowed her eyes but decided to stay quiet. The room suddenly felt dense. Nirali stood in a corner waiting for Lakshay to acknowledge while he didn't know if they could go back to normal as in his mind, she had moved on. Varun had been noticing all for long. He wanted to stay away from Nirali but for his friend .

''Long time no see Nirali. How are you?'' With that he hugged her; aware of the outburst. Nirali took a minute to over come the shock and then pushed him hard. ''Don't touch me. I am no one to you.''

''Nirali!'' Lakshay's voice came in to interrupt the outbursts. When their eyes met, he gestured her to calm down and she did. Naman and Arun could only swallow the dryness. Only if Nirali knew that Varun had been punished enough for his childish mistake

''Wait! You guys know each other?'' Amisha asked. She has seen the way Lakshay and Nirali exchanged looks. Moreover, she had noticed the change in Nirali and her behavior for a week now.

Three replies came at once

''We went to same school" Nirali replied. ''We are friends.'' That came from Varun. While Lakshay shocked all. ''We are acquaintances.''

''Acquaintance!" That came from all other than Amisha. She looked around and then at food. ''I am hungry, we can discuss all of you later.'' Naman blinked. ''I think I like you.''

The lunch turned out to be a quiet a tense affair. Nirali was the first one to leave, she was ready to blow off. He called her acquaintance not even a friend. That made her angry.

Amisha stayed back for a few more minutes. ''How do you know Nirali chocolate boy.''

''They have been in love with each other since they were kids.'' That came from Varun and Lakshay walked away

''Are you the villain.''

''Sort off. I am one of the reasons they are this way. Look, we need your help.''

''I need to speak to Nirali, I need her story and then you will tell me his and your side. But, if you are the sole reason, pray for your bones.'' Amisha walked away banging the door behind her. She could hear the rain and knew they all were locked in a week or more. If lakshay meant something, she would do all to make Nirali happy. The reason of Nirali being so closed about relationships was clear, Lakshay. She smiled, a lot more was buried which she had to know.

***

''Your mom permitted.'' Nirali asked Riya a little shocked. Riya nodded with a smile, ''Yes, because I said you will be with me.'' Nirali just shook her head. There classmate was a local from the area but since it was compulsory for all students to be in the boarding, he too stayed in hostel. He had invited his friends over to his house on his parents anniversary and Riya wanted to go. She seemed excited and Nirali agreed for her.

It was after long that Nirali and friends got home food and they gorged on it like unsatisfied souls. But what happened next surprised her. Lakshay walked in as if it was his friend's house. Nirali was both excited and angry and the same time. Riya wriggled her brows teasing Nirali but latter gave Lakshay a murderous looks.

He instead stood leaning against the wall; his eyes fixed on her. ''Hey, try this. Nirali made it.'' Lakshay stared at the plate for a minute before dumping it in the dustbin, shocking everyone. Lakshay walked out of the door with Nirali in tow. ''Why did you do that?''

''Why are you in this t-shirt? This is isn't yours!'' His voice came angry. Nirali looked down at her t-shirt and then at him. We all were cooking together, and I spoiled my top. Jatin gave one of his t-shirts till mine is washed and dried.''

Lakshay took a made step at her. ''If your clothes were spoiled, you should have left for hostel.''

''You have lost it.'' She decided to step away to be pulled back harshly. Laskhay gripped her arm hard, staring down at her. He had grown tall and Nirali would reach only by his shoulder. ''Lakshay, we will talk but when you are in your senses.''

''repeat this and you will watch me lose all my senses.''

She pulled her arm off his grip. ''really? Then tell me who invited you here?''

''No one! I followed you here because I was worried. You just walked into someone's house you don't know.''

''He is my classmate and friend.''

''And you have just met him in school. Have you lost it.'' Lakshay sounded mad. Nirali opened her mouth but Lakshay silenced her. ''Nirali, there are times when you should just stay quiet and listen.''

''I am not that kind. If you want that kind, go find someone else.''

Laskshay closed his eyes for a moment. ''Stop throwing those words at me and get rid of that tshirt. I will be back with a new top.'' And he did, his mood improved only when she finally got rid of the t-shirt

***

Nirali opened her eyes coming back to the present. Lakshay , who claimed his right on her all the time; called her an acquaintance. She covered her face braking down. Amisha hugged her from behind and Nirali cried harder. Amisha decided to speak when her friend was fine.

***

''What made you call her an acquaintance? What's wrong with you?'' Nama chided his dear friend.

Lakshay kept rocking front and back. All his life playing infront of his eyes. Nirali was an addiction he could never get rid off. She was his life but she moved on. She didn't need him. He cursed himself for hurting himself and then decided. ''Let's cancel all the events and go back. I don't want to be here.''

''We are going nowhere.'' That came from Varun. ''get yourself together, we will complete all our commitments.''

''She doesn't want me.'' He reasoned

''Then move on.'' Varun took a moment to calm down. ''Lakshay, you cannot give up like this. You loved her all your life. She pushed you away. Now, its your turn to show her what she lost.''

''I don't wish to prove a thing.'' Lakshay replied in a pained voice. 

''Lakshay, do it. For yourself, for Nirali and for those feelings which never changed ''

''She will break my heart again.''

''May be or may not be. Show her your passion, your madness. Either she will drown in it or you will learn to move ahead with it.'' Varun's words made lakshay thoughtful.

While Arun didn't know what Varun was doing. Naman decided to to be a loual audience  ''You are asking him to move one?'' Arun asked.

''If I reason in favor of the relationship, he will run from it. I will use reverse psychology on him. He will hear what he wants to but he will do what he should.''

''I am happy being single.'' Arun added with a sigh. They heard the door bell and answered the door. AMisha stood on the other side. ''Start talking Varun. I want to know all.''

Varun smiled, he finally had someone who would actually help in correcting the mistake.

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