It was in the air that something did change.

I could feel it. The change was running in my veins, it was pumping my blood, it was making me sweat, it was making me believe that yes, finally and with triumph, I would be able to reach my toe.

'GO Scarlett. Do it. Breathe in, breathe out'

Just little bit more stretch and there you touch, TOUCH, TOUCH...

'Humph!'

Why couldn't I touch my toe? Why this stretching was such agonizing pain? Am I the only one to feel that my big round toe was making fun of me?

'It's okay; it's just the third day of your stretching exercise. Don't put yourself down.'

'Or maybe, you can bring your ass over here and start doing little packing that is left to be done. You do realize its two in the afternoon'. My best friend Nancy stated in her bored voice.

'Hippo, can't you see, I am doing something extremely important and moreover, you told me that you will help me in packing and stuff. So, now don't complain.'

'I am sitting silently and watching you doing your circus acrobatics for the past 30 minutes. You tell me, is my patience running thin?'

'Heyyy, it's not my fault that my body is so flexible. You just don't be jealous.'

She humphed 'Yeah, your toe tells an entirely different story and I am super jealous.'

I don't have the perfect name for the relationship that Nancy and I share. You could call it best friend, loyal friend, trusted friend, screaming like banshee's friend, ogling at boys and then giggling non-stop friend, 3:00 am call friend. You are at a loss of word for this relationship because no matter how much you fight, you will go back to each other. You know this person has your back and you have enjoyed all your good and bad days together. It's just sometimes you feel like punching "this person" when they would fight with their boyfriend and would eat your head and you unknowingly get tangled into their fights. You don't even realize how much you have deeply engrossed yourself into their stupid fights that now they wait for your golden advice. I think everyone is blessed with one such idiotic friend.

I walked towards my bed and suddenly without her notice gave her a big hug. Would you call it life if you didn't irritate your friend?

'Yeah, get off me. Scarlett, you are sweating, get off right now.' You know that freak who is like a total freak, yeah, she is like that. She is a hygiene freak.

'Okay then, don't blame me for this' and then with her manicured nails and giant like arms, she started tickling me. My thighs and waist are very sensitive areas. Someone dares to touch this area and I will offer my most unladylike laugh.

'Fine, fine. I will get off. You take your arms away from me'

'Yeah, don't mess with this hippo'.

'Fine, now patiently wait for more 20 minutes. I will take a shower and come back.'

I took a long refreshed shower, freshened up and stepped in my room to see the horror unfold right in front of my eyes.

I hurried towards my bookshelf in Cheetah speed and froze.

'What did you do Hippo? Why did you do it?'

Nancy was giving me the most bewildered look but she didn't understand how much her action hurt.

'What? I just a little bit folded the paper of the novel. I couldn't find a bookmark.'

What???? Folded precious paper of my novel. Who does that?

She shrugged, simply shrugged. The nerve of her shrug.

'I hate to remind you but don't mess with my books. How could you? You know how possessive I am about my books.' They are like my babies.

Diverting my attention from my lovers, she asked me that million-dollar question for which she had graced her presence, 'may I ask how much you are done with your packing? You are leaving tomorrow and here you are acting like this is just a normal day.'

'No it isn't. It is the biggest day of my life. I am just excited and a little bit nervous and a little bit feeling jittery and a little bit having lots of butterflies in my stomach.'

'Little bit having lots of butterflies, does that even make sense?'

'Yeah, it does. Now, how many more questions Hippo?'

'Quit your whining and I have asked just 2 questions. Just 2 questions.' She was literally shoving her index and middle finger right in front of my eyes.

'Now see, I am almost done. Help me in cross-checking the items that I have packed. Remind me if I have left anything.' I gave her the checklist that she had prepared for me.

Not even wasting a second, she started. '2 pair of long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and light jacket'

'Check'

'Light raincoat'

'Check'

'3 pair of shirts, tank-tops, and bottoms of different colors and long scarf'

'Check'

'Pair of shoes, your sneakers, flip-flops and flats'

'Check. Hey, wait a second. What about my heels?' I so desperately wanted to have those heels in my bag pack.

'Should I kill you with your heels?'

'Nah, not today.'

'Good, shall we continue?' I gave her a nod and we again started.

'Basic first-aid kit carrying antibiotics, tablets for vomiting, gauze sponges, medical tape, bandages, cotton balls, gauze rolls, and zip lock bags.'

'Definitely check.'

'Your terrible and have no sense of style of bras and underwear.'

'Check'. And then I glanced upward since I was so engrossed in this check-in check-out game that I didn't hear her preposterous insult. 'Heyyy, they are cute and they are mine. I feel so stylish wearing them.'

'Yeah, whatever. One day, someone will point out and that will break your heart'

'Before breaking my heart, I will break his or her teeth. No one messes with my unmentionables.' Why on earth someone would want their death warrant signed by me?

'I hope you have kept a towel, basic toiletries, sunscreen, hiking socks and please don't forget to carry a portable charger and hide some money in the suitcase. Don't flaunt your money everywhere you go.' As if I am loaded with money. 'Take a small canvas tote as well and one water bottle.'

'Anything else Ma.' She was love.

'I think I am done'. And after a silent pause, she looked at me, 'with your life.'

'Get lost.'

After cross-checking all the items, we started eating our much-awaited pizza and I had some doubts so, I thought it's the best time to clear them.

With my munching voice, I asked, 'what about hairdryer'?

STARE

'What about eye shadow, eyeliner, I am pretty sure I will use them somewhere'.

DEADLY STARE.

'Why, what happened? You keep on munching; don't look at me like that. Okay, what about the sewing kit? Just imagine me in shredded clothes, I know what you are thinking Hippo that I can barely thread a needle but what if, I can do it at the time of need?'

DEADLY POISONOUS STARE

'And definitely what about my guitar? What if I get so bored on a train that I need a guitar to sing my heart out? What if I get successful in seducing a stranger with my extra special talented guitar skills? Think, think.'

SUDDENLY MY UNICORN PILLOW GOT ITS WINGS AND LANDED STRAIGHT ON MY FACE

Oomph!!!!!

Just look at her temper. 'Hippo, there was no need for that and by the way, what are you searching?'

In her most frantic voice, she said, 'Heels. Where are your heels? I am looking for your damned heels.'

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Hey guys,

So, who is your's 3:00 am friend? No matter how crazy you can get, they will always love you for who you are.

Shout out to all those brave soldiers who have our backs and are brave enough to face the dangers of the world and of course us.

I sincerely hope you like the chapter as much as I loved writing it and if you did, please make sure to press that little orange star, leave your comments as I would love your feedback and share the story.

And lastly, I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the reads, votes and comments. I can't tell you how much happiness that little ding notification sounds bring whenever you guys vote or comment.

The next update will be on the coming Tuesday.

Pour your love and be safe and happy.