HER
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'Hey Riya... please pass me that chilli. You know I've missed Vada pav so much in Bucharest. I mean I love Cozonac. It's delicious but these pav and this batata Vada (potato patty) is unmatchable!!!' saying Ivy started stuffing her mouth with Vada pav when I passed her a plate full of chillis but before she could pick one Ray took away the plate from my hand shouting

'Are you crazy!!! Dare you Ivy!!! And Riya how dumb can you be...did you forget Ivy ends up having allergic reactions when she eats chillies. Forgot how we admitted her to hospital during our college days?' and I was speechless.

'I...I am sorry Ray! I..I completely forgot about it...I' but he didn't care to look at me and looked at Ivy and started yelling at her. Ivy got upset and walked away towards the beach. Ray closed his eyes and huffed when he took a deep breath and ran behind her calling her name. I don't know why him yelling at me didn't hurt as much as his ignorance. He left from there completely forgetting me. But wait a minute...wasn't I a forgotten chapter already. Why do I care.

'This midnight snacking idea seemed like a bad one!!! And it's unhealthy too...I am going back to bed!!!' saying Avita stood up and looked at Neha to which she smiled saying 'Ten minutes baby!!! You go to bed!!!' and Avita left. I kept munching my Vada pav when I noticed how Uncle Al was smiling and looking in the direction Ray went when Fari Di rubbed his forearm. He smiled and said

'These two haven't changed a bit!!! This is why I always thought that Ray would end up with Ivy' and I froze. This was the second time he said the same but what Neha said next left me speechless

'Then why don't you talk to him if he wants to give Ivy and him a chance?' and everyone went silent. That's when Fari Di said 'Ummm Riya...Come help me with these pla-' but Neha held both mine and Fari Di's hands and made us sit down again on the mat.

'Oni (sister in law)...please! It's been eight years to Ray and Riya's divorce. Please stop avoiding this topic anymore! I mean I know Alice Di is my step sister and Ray isn't that close to me but he's a friend and so is Riya. Not as a aunt but as a friend I feel these both should move on! And until and unless they meet new people they aren't going to move on.'

'Neha you don't understand their situation... I mean Lydia-'

'Lydia is important. Children are very important portion of a person's life but that alone isn't life. Riya and Ray both are fantastic parents but that doesn't mean they have to turn saints. Everyone at some point of time would need a partner. Eight months of marital life and eight years of seperation. That's all that they know about relationships. Just because one marriage...one relationship didn't go fine doesn't mean you put a full stop to life. To love....Riya...you have every right to love again to life again and so does Ray!!! You both don't love each other...you both parted your ways but that doesn't mean you can't start fresh! Riya you must find someone again and Ray too!!!' saying she looked at Ray who was finally hugging Ivy. They looked happy.

'And Lydia???' Fari Di asked when Neha said

'Oni...she will learn! She has to... Just because her parents will have a new life partner doesn't mean they'll become any less of her parents. Infact if both Ray and Riya find right and understanding life partners...Lydia will have two more people who will shower love upon her!!! And remember every step relationship isn't a bad one. Look at our family. We all are half siblings. But that never hampered our bond. Infact our pain brought us closer. Right Alex?' she asked Uncle Al and he smiled and hugged her.

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I couldn't sleep the entire night. I had to go back to work today but my mind wasn't at peace. I came back home without even waiting for Ray. Lydia was still sleeping so I left her at Fari Di's place. But Neha's words kept ringing in my ears. I kept stirring chicken in the pan when suddenly there was a packet full of hot jalebis shoved into my face and I knew who it was. I rolled my eyes saying

'Thanks but I just had breakfast!!!' but my wrist was grabbed and I was pushed onto the chair next to the dining table.

'You cant ju-' and a jalebi was shoved into my mouth. I huffed when Ray held his ears saying 'Sorry yaar!!! I just got too hyper last night. Ivy was my childhood friend. Just because I know about her reactions and allergies and remember it very well, expecting you to remember it as well was extremely immature of mine. She was just a good friend who completely lost touch with you. I... shouldn't have expected you to remember it! Sorry yaar Riya. I was rude last night!' he said flashing his smile and I smiled back and nodded.

'Thank god Mother India melted!!! These Shivram's Jalebis work like wonders upon you! No wonder Lydia loves them too. Like mother like daughter' he said shoving another Jalebi into my mouth when suddenly I heard a 'Jalebiiiiiii' and I started giggling. In one go Lydia jumped into her father's lap and picked two jalebis in a hand each and began munching when I took one from her left hand saying 'Only one! If not you'll have ui-ui in stomach!!!' and she pouted and looked at Ray when Ray as well nodded and she rolled her eyes saying 'Fine!!! But I'll eat one after having lunch with Aunt Ivy!!! Right Dadda???' and I looked at Ray saying 'Ray but Neha and Avita wanted to take her out with Ava and other kids!!!' to which Ray said 'Oh I completely forgot! Actually Ivy loved Lydia so much. She just wanted to meet her again' and somehow I couldn't deny. I nodded pressing a smile on my lips.

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'Umm Mariam...can you please make sure to look into the order of table number 12 please!!! And ask Peter what happened of the Sphagetti Napoli that I had asked for a replacement at table number 8...Ask him how long?' saying I started looking around everything when my head was still aching. Suddenly I was offered a glass of water and an asprin. I looked up to see a smiling Freddy and I chuckled asking 'How do you know?' and he smiles saying 'Lets say!!! That's what friends are for Babes!!! Come on...have it!!!' and I thanked him and gulped the tablet saying 'What would I do without you Freddy!!! Thanks Bud!!!' to which he smiled asking 'Half the staff is on a day off today faking it all. But you are genuinely unwell and you are still here!!!You should learn to lie sometimes Riya!!!' he said and I chuckled saying 'No wonder your dad thinks you are a terrible businessman. You are my boss Fred! Stop motivating me with your lying and bunking plans...we are no longer in college!!!' and he chuckled when suddenly his facial expressions changed and he said 'You wish we were! I would have broken your stupid ex husband and silly friend's nose by now!!!' and I turned around to see Cyril and Ray but along with them was Ivy. I was shocked.

And that's when Freddy said 'Jeez!!! Don't tell me!!! Freaking...is that Ivory Fernandes?' and I nodded and Freddy kicked the table saying 'Great!!! I'm going home now Riya! I hate this gang! And that Ivory...oh sorry what was that? Ivy!!! I just can't tolerate her!!! I'm leaving' but I held Freddy's hand saying 'But you are the boss here Freddy!!!' and he simply shot me a look saying 'And I'm on a sick day! Bye!' saying he went upstairs to his private room and that's when I heard Ivy's voice

'Heyyyy Riya...what an awesome pub yaar! This is so cool! I'm so proud of you-'

'I work here Ivy!I'm a manager here!!!'

'Ohhh Ohhhh I'm sorry actually Ray told me that this is your-'

'He meant I work here!' I said when Ray's eyes met mine and his jaw ticked.

I didn't want to upset him but I didn't care anymore. This was my choice.

✨

'But alimony is your right Riya...you must have took it. You could have had a better li-'

'I am having the best one Ivy! I have my Lydia. I have a stable job. I earn a secondary income as I sing here every alternate day. I'm earning enough to provide my child Ivy!!! I didn't want anything further from Ray.' I said looking at Ray who was sitting at the bar counter table sipping his whisky when I was sitting with Ivy at my manager's counter.

'But I still can't believe you both...I mean you both were so perfect!!!' she said and I smiled saying 'All that glitters isn't gold! We wanted different things from life.' I said typing on my laptop.

'Maybe Ray should find someone else!!!' saying I continued typing when Ivy whispered 'Maybe!!!' and I kept tallying balance sheets and finally printed one and kept a hardcopy in the file as well and then when I turned around to look at Ivy, I noticed the longing in her eyes. She kept looking at Ray with a strange pain in her eyes. I gulped. I couldn't stop myself and asked

'Ummm Ivy...why didn't you marry till now?' and her lips parted but nothing left her mouth. She gulped saying 'Never found the one I should!!!' and then her eyes again kept wandering towards Ray who was sipping more whisky. I just could not stop myself and I asked her

'Ivy...Do you like Ray?' and she froze. For a few minutes she didn't say anything then she smiled going chirpy again and said 'Ofcourse!!! I like him. He's my bestie!!!' but her words, her fake smile didn't match with the pain in her eyes as I swallowed hard and said

'Ivy...I had heard this during our college days too that you....you had feelings for Ray...but when I confronted you...you laughed it off calling me silly...but somehow I can see a strange pain in your ey-' but she immediately stood up looking angry as she spat 'What rubbish Riya!!! I don't like these kind of discussions...I told this to you 9 years ago as well...I just...I don't understand why do you...If you like him so much just go and-' by then Ray had come towards my counter and Ivy's eyes were filled with tears. She left from there. Ray shot me a look asking 'Dont tell me you asked her that stupid question again?'

I looked at him and bit my lower lip saying 'I was just-'

But Ray grit his teeth stepping closer towards me saying 'You are sick Riya! None years! You are impossible! Learn to trust people Riya. It has destroyed lives because you can't trust people!!! You don't trust me fine!!! But stop making other people uncomfortable...I mean it's Ivy yaar... how could you? Grow up Riya!!! Try to look at situations from other's perspective as well!!!' saying he walked away from there. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

Ray had pricked a lot of old wounds tonight. I couldn't sleep the entire night. Maybe I was wrong? But I was just trying to...but did I have the right to? I wanted to pull my hair.

Next day morning there was a knock at my door and I opened the door to find Ivy at the door. I huffed and closed my eyes.

'Ivy...I'm so sorry yaar...I was about to call you first thing in morning to apologi- but before I could complete what I was saying, I heard the words that left her mouth

Riya... You're right! I think ...I love Ray!

And I was left speechless.