Our school's matriculation ceremony was going to hold soon. I and Kate were expecting our mums because both of them promised to attend our matriculation ceremony. Kate and I had woken up early that morning to clean the house. Kate washed the plates while I made lunch, immediately after we had breakfast.

Just then, we heard a car horn outside our compound. 

"Alas! Our mums are here!!" I yipped with excitement as Kate and I rushed out. I saw my mum and a gorgeous looking woman dressed in Pink sari. The golden jewelry on her body was no doubt that she's exclusively rich.

Kate ran passed me screaming out "Mum!"

"Hmm? Your mum?" I numbered in surprise.

I went to my mum helping her carry the baggage, so did Kate. 

"Wow! This apartment is quiet and beautiful, I love it."

It was a one room apartment but its space was wide enough for both of us. Kate's mum brought more baggage than mine did. She packed lots of Indian foodstuffs, herbs and other cooking ingredients. Even when she knows her daughter couldn't cook, I wondered why she still brought all of these. One thing that kept ringing in my stupid mind was the fact that she was going to make for us Indian dishes before she leaves. I was so excited because I've never tasted any before. 

After we entered, I brought them water to drink. Mrs. Kapoor opened her box and handed me some well designed, Indian saris, shoes and also jewelry to match the outfits.

"Wow! A surprise gift for me?!"

 I was so thankful, so was my mum. 

I collected it as my mum and I admired the surprise gift with so much love. I later went to keep it in my wardrobe. 

"Div, I'm glad to see that our daughters have grown so much." My mum told Kate's mum.

"Yes, I'm glad as well. I can't help but to remember how we lived back in the days, Benny." Mrs. Kapoor muttered with so much excitement.

I crawled towards my mum, almost whispering to her hearing. "Mum, do you two know each other already?" I asked quietly.

"Yes, Alexia. We met in the airport. It happens that Divya here was my roommate. We schooled at Massachusetts, years ago. It's been like what? 25 years now?"

"Really?!" I jinxed.

"Yes, Alexia. What goes around comes around."

Mum smiled.

"Wow! I'm glad to hear this. So Late and I are like sisters after all?"

"Lunch is ready!" Kate called. Acting as if she was used to all the house chores and others. Well, I don't blame her, she's just doing her best to impress her mother, Whatever..

Kate nicely set the table for the four of us. Well, I joined her in serving too. I had prepared my favorite... Chicken, waffles and a fully topped doughnuts an hour before their arrival.

Mum and Mrs. Divya Kapoor were busy discussing about what had happened since college days. About other family and friends gossip during and after the meal. Kate and I were just listening, unable to understand any if it but we were amazed about their reunion.

Later that evening, Kate and I went to Seattle in the garden. To receive the nature's natural breeze and laugh about them a little when we heard our mums talking about us.

"So Alex looks just like her dad? She has beautiful eyes."

"Yes, that's true. She also act like him, most times. Reminding me of Michael, over and over again. Bella looks exactly like me, here is her picture." She showed her a pix from my mobile phone.

"Wow! Where's she now?"

"She's studying medicine and surgery at Nanjing Medical University, China. She's in her 2nd year."

"That's awesome! But Alex is so shy… I wish my Kate takes from her."

"Really? I think Kate is a very nice girl." Mum explained. "With parents like you, many girls won't comply with things you say, unlike Kate. I can't wait till our beautiful daughters get married."

"Yes, me too."

I and Kate walked out, laughing at their talks. Understanding those women could be difficult at times but we went to the garden to have our own gist. Later that evening, our mums came outside, telling us its bed time. Whatever, we gist went to bed. anyways.

 ***

Tomorrow is our Matriculation. We had washed and pressed our matriculation gowns, ready with out beautiful wears. We need to sleep early so we can wake up early to do our makeup and take pictures. Most importantly, Kate and I needed to get space at the front seats. 

"What about our makeup?" Kate me minded me.

"Yes. I was thinking about that too. The girl living next door, Luna promised to help us with the stuff tomorrow."

"You mean our neighbor?"

"Yes."

"When did you discuss it with her."

"Just yesterday. Don't worry, we'll have to wake up very early tomorrow."

Well, Her name is Luna Ryder. She's in her 3rd year in Oxford University studying Mass Communication and she can help us in almost everything if we allow her. 
 

Okay, good. Let's go to bed now. It seems our mums are asleep. They didn't come to take us in, unlike yesterday. What a relieve? Kate's mum and mine slept on Kate's bed. It was lovely to see that destiny bond us together, somehow. I locked the doors and switched off the lights.

***

Happy Matriculation!

Our mothers were already awake before us that morning. Kate's mum was preparing food for the celebration while my mum was decorating the room. I wanted to clean the room but mum asked us to take our baths and get ready for the big day. It was just 6:00 a.m. Kate and I rushed to take our baths and went to knock on Luna's door. It was the first time of we getting closer and entering her apartment. 

Tall and slim with red, blond hair. Luna was a pretty British in her early twenties and had a sensation figure. Immediately she sighted us at the doorstep, she let us in. She had an ocean blue kind if eyes and looks very skinny too. I remember clearly, I've once seen her with a guy in a hot, red, Ferrari testarosse  at the front of her compound. Its just so fortunate that we share the sane fence so most times, you could actually see what's going on in Luna's compound.  I guess the guy with the Ferrari was her boyfriend. Kate told me he works in Hollywood as a movie director. Whatever…

We went into Luna's cozy house that morning. We met another lady with a strolling resemblance to Luna except for the fact that she had a lighter shade of blonde her. Like Kate and I, anyone could mistake them as twins as well. Or maybe sisters. 

"Thank goodness, you made it!" Luna jerked joyously. "Did they know you were coming here?"

"No… We just told them we would be right back."

"Okay, that's nice."

"Lily, meet my neighbors," she introduced to the other girl, who was still half asleep. 

"Welcome…" Lily murmured under her breath, stretching out like a lazy cat.

Luna tapped Lily's back gently, telling her to wake up.

"No, Love. You made me chat so long yesterday, I couldn't sleep." She murmured again, rolling the pillow over her head. Kate and I snickered at her silently.

"It's their matriculation ceremony today and they came for makeup. Let's do this Lily, you're a makeup artist after all." She muttered close to her ears.

"Buh I'm fucking tired." She whined like a pussy.

"It's almost seven. They might be late, don't you think?"

"Okay, okay! Fine, fine!" Lily pulled herself out of bed at once. Her long, blond hair looking so tattered and tangled. She swiftly parks her hair in messy bun and brought out the makeup kit.

"Better…" Luna smiled and make me take a sit in front of her wide, standing mirror. While Lily took Kate to the other corner of the room.

We were so excited to put on makeup. Kate and I  were trying to steal glanced to see each other's makeup as it was both our first time. Lily and Luna smiled at our nervousness and asked us couple of questions. Imagine? Luna always thought we were twins! Goodness gracious!!

Well, Lily and I have been friends for years now. After our diploma, we did degree in same school, offering sane courses and we've been seatmates ever since then. 

"Are you British too?" Kate asked Lily.

"No, I'm American." Lily replied, concentrating on drawing a perfect brows.

"Apart from our resemblance, we also share the same surname. Ryder. That was what attracted us at first."

Luna made me a nude makeup while Lily was making a smoky eyes look on Kate. She looked so beautiful, we both looked like celebrities and thanked the friends as well.

After that, we thanked both of them and went back into our apartment. Mrs. Divya was taking her sower woke my mum was cleaning the room. 

"Wow! You girls look stunning!" Mum remarked.

Where have you been?

We met to meet our neighbor, she and her friend made it for us.

"Wow! That's nice but its thirty minutes past seven. Quickly put on your gowns so you can get there be for 8:00 a.m." She remained us. We wore our long, flowing ball gowns within minutes .

Mine was pink while Kate was blue. We pretty looked like princesses until when Kate's mum came into the room. She was angry with Kate's look, saying was too much. She had to wipe it off.

"Leave her alone, Div! She's in her teenage, you can't stop her from wearing makeup don't you think?"

"No, you wouldn't understand, Benny! If her dad sees this, it would be trouble. No one would take the Blane except me."

"Why?"

"Look here Benny, my husband is not just a political leader. He's also a religious person. Everyone looks up to his position and character and expects the same from us, his family. 

Kate was already crying, I was consoling her.

Poor roommie, her perfect smokey eyes were getting ruined. 

"Remove those false lashes immediately! Else, you won't take any stupid picture today. I wouldn't let you go out looking like a masquerade!"