When Ana got home, she ate dinner and went to her room. Her father and brother were still at work, so she was alone herself.

She took her locket out of the closet, held it in her hand, and stared at it for a bit with mixed feelings.

She soon started conversing with it as usual. "Mom, please come back. I miss you. I'm sorry for not talking with you often these days. You know I can't talk when my brother and Paa are around. I don't want them to see me cry."

She was feeling emotional and found it difficult to speak. She moved to her bed and took a seat there while fondly looking at the locket again.

"You know, mama, they adore me. Even if they see me upset, they'll turn the world upside down." She let out a sigh as she recalled her brother's tendency to overreact when it was about Ana. His emotions always heightened, and by now, Ana no longer felt sad when her brother would get emotional. It seemed like a ritual to her now.

Then she recalled what was left to be shared. Suddenly, the face of her friend Jenny came to her mind. How could she have forgotten about her?

"By the way, do you remember Jenny? I wish you could meet Jenny, Mom. She's a sweetheart. At times, I feel like she is my sister from another mother. Do you remember how I always wanted a sister? I was so silly back then, though my wish was fulfilled as I got Jenny. When I see her questioning me all the time, I feel like she is possessed by you. She acts just like you, mom. To be honest, she is overprotective, but I can feel the love in her eyes."

Yes, she surely felt blessed to be surrounded by such amazing and lovely people. Though her father and her brother were family, Jenny was her best friend, who adored Ana and acted like her elder sister or mother.

Jenny was always there for Ana, supporting her with open arms, especially when she couldn't discuss anything with her brother due to his overprotectiveness. Ana felt incredibly fortunate to have Jenny in her life.

She now glanced aimlessly somewhere in her room, her fingers caressing the locket. It dawned on her suddenly to mention her boss as well. She realised that her tirade against her boss would never end. "Guess what happened today," she went on. "My Hitler boss got sick. I suppose I should be grateful because he had been torturing me for years."

She chuckled at her silly words. But then she remembered how her mother was a kind lady. If she were present, she would have said, "My dear, did I ever teach you to be like this? When did you become such an evil person."

Remembering that, she quickly spoke, "No, Mom, don't take me as an evil person. I swear he's the most obnoxious, self-obsessed, and domineering person I've ever met. He thinks as if the world revolves around him. I wish you could meet him too. I'm sure you would make him right with all those lectures you kept giving me about manners. Those lessons and lectures sucked, Mom." She scrunched her nose as she recalled those days.

Ana was loved by her mother, but when her mother continued to teach her about life, manners, and her behaviour, she hated those sessions. However, now that her mother was no longer alive, she missed everything about her. She would listen to those lectures happily if she got a chance to be with her mother. Sadly, she didn't have that option.

"Anyway, Mommy, how are you doing these days? Are you upset with me? Jenny and I are working hard to fulfil my last promise to you. We are trying our best, Mom. Just bear a little longer. We will succeed in-"

Her words were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She decided to speak with her mother later after seeing Jenny's call. "Mom, talk to you later. It's Jenny. If I don't receive it, she'll be here in the next minute just to lecture me. I love you, mom. Bye." With that, she received the call while getting down from the bed and approaching her wardrobe.

"Yes, mommy?" With a sarcastic tone, Ana opened her wardrobe and removed a box that was buried in between her clothes. She concealed the locket from her family in this way.

"Where have you been, girl? Are you okay?" Ana smiled at Jenny's worried voice, as she now put the locket in the box safely after kissing it and hiding box there.

"Yes sweets, I'm fine. Stop worrying about me all the time." Gently, she spoke, locking the closet and making her way back to her bed.

"What were you doing? Oh, let me guess! You were talking to your mom?" Jenny questioned, her voice as confident as ever.

"Bingo!" Ana exclaimed, bouncing her legs in the air as she spoke, now resting on her stomach on her bed.

"You gave my regards to her?"

"How could I forget to do that?" Ana laughed back at her response.

For a minute, there was a comfortable silence during which Ana waited for Jenny to say something while she was sighing. "Ana, baby, I'm sorry. I failed once again in-"

"I know it's tough. But we won't give up. I promised my mom. Even if I have to give it my all, I will not give up." Ana encouraged, as she now sat on the bed. She sat up straight, propped a cushion on her lap, and drew designs on it.

Jenny assured, "Honey, we're not giving up."

"I know. I love you, Jenny. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to survive after my mother died."

"Who said your mom is dead? I'm here. You have me, girl. Don't ever say that."

"Oh yes, MOM!!" Ana chuckled at the overdramatic girl.

Jenny too chuckled when she heard Ana laughing. "So, how was your day, girl? We are talking after a week. I couldn't speak since I was so preoccupied with our task. And it was all in vain. I wish I texted you at least once a day." She sighed.

"I'm doing great. You don't need to worry too much. And you have a life too. Stop worrying about me, and don't worry about our mission either. We will succeed together." Ana responded, nodding her head firmly as if Jenny could see her.

"Yes, girl. So shall we go and party tomorrow?"

"You know I hate parties. Moreover, I have a job. My boss was sick today, so I doubt he'll be as productive in the next few days as he has been."

As soon as Jenny heard that, her eyes widened. She couldn't help but scream. "THAT RUTHLESS HITLER WAS UNWELL? REALLY?"

"Oh yes, girl. Can you imagine?"

Jenny was shocked would be an understatement. She was so shocked that she forgot to respond and instead let out a shake of her head. She was lost in a trance until Ana's words pulled her out of her reverie. "By the way, something else happened too."

"Speak. My curiosity is getting the best of me."

And that was all it took for Ana to share everything that happened at her workplace earlier that day.

Jenny questioned, "Is he interested in you?"

"Who are you talking about? Jake or John?"

Jenny rolled her eyes. She knew that Ana acted like a dumb person at times. But the way she questioned; it appeared like she was bragging about the guys in her life. "Jake, of course!" She responded with a duh tone.

Ana bit her lips at the question. "No, that's not possible. Is that even possible?" She responded meekly.

"I have no experience in these matters, but I just felt that way. Anyway, it's time for you to get some rest. It's starting to get late. You need to wake up early in the morning to make meals."

"Oh yes!! Good night Jen. I love you."

"I love you more, baby. Good night!!"

The two of them smiled before disconnecting the call.

Before sleeping, Ana felt the need to decide what she should prepare for tomorrow. But she was confused about who she had to get the food for. Jake did ask her to bring one extra tiffin, but for whom? Could it be for Jake? Or could it be for John?

And if it was for John, then the question was: how would she know what John's preferences were? "Oh, Ana! You should have asked Jake, you silly girl." She spoke to herself and then sighed.

She contemplated what she could do now. She wanted to text him. But wouldn't it seem inappropriate to message one of her superiors this late? What if he was sleeping? What if it appeared rude and unprofessional?

She thought for a while before she decided to text Jake. She had to take a chance now.

She took out her phone, opened the messaging app, and typed hesitantly in Jake's chat window, "Hello sir! I apologise for messaging this late but I need to ask you a question. What should I get tomorrow? And who am I bringing the tiffin for?"

As she paced back and forth in my room, she thought, "I think I should wait for a minute or two. He might reply."

Jake was in Austin's room when he received the message. He was busy talking with his friend and convincing the latter to ditch work if it occupied his time and sleep peacefully. Once he made sure of that, he stepped out of Austin's room and proceeded towards his room while checking the message.

Ana:

Hello sir! I apologise for messaging this late but I need to ask you a question. What should I get tomorrow? And who am I bringing the tiffin for?

Jake:

Hey! Oh c'mon, you don't need to apologize. And please don't be so formal. We are friends and we aren't like Austin. Are you still awake?

Ana:

I was about to sleep. I'm glad you responded.

Jake:

I'm sorry! I forgot to talk about everything. I was about to message you but it slipped out of my mind.

Ana:

Ah! What did you want to talk about?

Jake:

The food is for John. I'll send you the choices for his food. I hope it won't cause you any inconvenience. But here is the thing. He won't be able to join us as his schedule is hectic.

Ana:

No-no. Don't be so formal. And is his schedule too hectic to not even eat with us?

Jake:

He's in charge of two departments: marketing and social media. He has got a lot of work ahead of him. Because of the launch of new items, he has a few meetings with his staff and management. I remembered how he mentioned today that he doesn't like the food there. And I care about my friends. So I came up with this idea. Please accept my apologies if this causes you any inconvenience.

Ana:

You're making me feel bad right now. I'll be making mine anyway, so I don't mind preparing for him. By the way, do you want me to bring you food as well?

Jake:

No, girl, don't be so bothered. I'm fine with the food being served in our office.

Ana:

Okay, then it's done. I'll prepare 3 sets.

Jake:

No, please. It's completely fine.

Ana:

I already told you what I'd do and it's final.

Jake:

By the way, you might have a cook at home, right?

Ana:

Yes, we do. But I'm choosy. I love to prepare my own food. Also, I feel closer to my mom when I prepare my own food."

Jake:

Why? Does your mom stay in another city?

Ana:

She's no more.

Jake:

Oh, I'm so sorry!

Ana:

It's alright.

Jake:

By the way, John is a picky eater too. He eats salads all of the time. I just want to change that habit of his.

Ana:

However, he was having the food in the dining today.

The message raised his heartbeat. He knew he was bad at lying, and this was the reason why he hardly lied. But what could he do when he had to lie for his friend? "Oh, Jake, you're doomed." He thought.

Jake:

He had, but later on, he vomited everything. He is as such.

Ana:

Oh my God! That seems serious. Does he have a problem? How can I help?

Jake:

Prepare a few dishes that include meat and eggs. Do one thing. Prepare steak for tomorrow. You know how to make one, right?

Ana:

I know everything. Sure I'll prepare. Anything else?

Jake:

No, I'll let you know tomorrow if he can eat properly or not. And then we will decide the menu for the rest of the days.

Ana:

Okay done. See you tomorrow then. I'll sleep. And I think you should sleep too. We all are tired today because of our boss.

Jake:

Yes, he just knows how to scare us.

Ana:

It seems as such. Okay then, good night!

Jake:

Good night Ana.

Jake was on cloud nine because his crush texted him for the first time, and they chatted for so long. Even though it wasn't anything personal and they only talked about his friend, he was still happy. It felt like he would get close to Ana soon if this continued.

He smiled as he continued to glance at the last message and mumbled to himself. "I just hope Austin gets better now."