| CHARLOTTE |

She broke the hug, swerved me to face her, and said, "Did you ask about my sexuality?" I nodded a yes slowly. "Well, imagine this. Okay?" I shook my head as if to say yes. "It was a rainy day. After the rain, the sun shone brightly. And, you are stepping out of the house. What do you see first?"

"Rainbow," I replied without any delay. Come on! Any fool would answer this question.

Instead of continuing talking, she walked backwards to her house, pursing her lips as if to suppress her laughter, and greeted me, "Good night, Miss Charls."

Though it took time for my thick head, I did understand the meaning. As she was about to enter her house, I exclaimed, "Are you a lesb--!"

"Shhh!" She whispered. "Mom is sleeping."

I ran to her house's entrance, where she was standing. We were a few inches away when I whispered, "Are you a lesbian?"

She nodded a no and whispered, "I give equal opportunities to everyone." She closed her door from inside, leaving that lovesick fellow outside her house. The translucent glass on her door showed her leaning on it while I knocked on the door. I heard her reply, "Yes, Miss Charls."

"You said you give equal opportunities to everyone. Do I deserve a chance, then?" I asked with my ears close to the door.

"Uh..." She paused as if to think while we heard someone interrupting our conversation.

"Violet! What are you doing there?" We heard an authoritatively-sounding female's voice yelling at Violet from inside.

"Charlotte, I guess my mom needs my ass there. I'll catch you later. Good night!" I heard her footsteps vanishing as she walked inside while I walked outside.

While at my house, I heard a pinging sound from my bag. I took it out and saw. I received a few messages from Olivia.

Olivia: Hi, Charlotte!

Olivia: Are you free?

Me: Yeah. What happened?

Olivia: I'm sorry.

I wanted to type, "What for?" but I knew I had to behave maturely, especially if it was about breakups.

Me: That's okay. It's foregone. We have to move on with our lives.

Olivia: My girlfriend left me.

Me: What?

Though I tried to be shocked, I found it amusing and satisfying.

Olivia: Yeah. She said she dated me to make her girlfriend jealous. I was a fling.

Olivia: Come back to me, baby! Let's be the old lovers we used to be.

Me: Do you mind if I send you some lyrics?

Olivia: No. I won't.

Me: Taylor Swift once sang these lines in Bad Blood.

Me: "Band-aids don't fix bullet holes
You say sorry just for show."

Me: And I forgot to mention.

Me: I found a girl who can make my life enchanted.

Me: If we ever get another chance, use it wisely.

Me: Goodbye!

Subsequently, I decided to eliminate her from my contact list and, consequently, from my life. With that, I blocked her from my contacts. And from my life.

***

THE NEXT DAY...

I received two new messages from Naina while editing the interview of veteran pop star Jim Williams.

Naina: Hey!

Naina: Are you free?

Me: No, just doing the editing.

Me: Tell me. How's that city? How is Meeta and her fiance?

I couldn't recollect the name of that city. So, forgive me, please!

Naina: It looks like I'm going to be fucked-up as hell.

Me: Tell me. I'm all ears.

Naina: So, I met a guy yesterday.

Me: You both hooked up, but Angad doesn't know it. Right?

Naina: I know you're a creative writer indeed. But, please. Let me finish.

Naina: So, he was the guy who was obsessed with me during our school days. Then, he apologized for his behaviour.

Me: Excuse me? What do you mean?

Naina: Yep. But I said it would take time to forgive him, owing to what he did in the past.

Me: That's good.

Naina: Then, what about you?

Naina: How are you there?

Me: I have some news.

Naina: Tell me.

Me: VIOLET DAVIS IS BISEXUAL!

Naina: Violet, as in?

Naina: Angad's friend?

Me: Exactly!

Naina: So...?

Naina: DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE GOING TO DATE HER!

Me: Nah! Violet is not a fling-type. She is a permanent settlement type.

Naina: Then, settle permanently with her.

I gasped loud enough for the girl two cubicles away from mine to hear it.

"Is everything okay, Miss Brown?" Jessica, the girl two cubicles away from mine, asked.

"Yeah, Jessy. You continue your work," I instructed and chatted with Naina.

Me: Bro, our wavelength is as strong as an iron!

Me: That was what I wanted to say EXACTLY!

Me: Are we, like, soulmates in a parallel universe?

Naina: HAHAHA! Soulmates don't have ways to escape from each other.

Naina: So, I knew it.

Naina: Congrats! When are you going to propose?

Me: Jesus! I've planned to take slow steps.

Me: First, I will propose to her on a date. Then, it will slowly go on.

Naina: If you ever need my help, I'm a call away from you. From fashion ideas to gift ideas, I have them at my fingertips!

Me: I will think about your offer, ma'am. Thank you!

Naina: The pleasure is all mine.

I threw the mobile on my table and tried to focus on the work. But Violet's sugary smile made it impossible.

***

I hope you peeps found it to be good. And, wait! Before rushing out, lemme tell you that I've got a double update, and another teeny tiny chapter is waiting for you.

Go rush right now!

Song Courtesy: Enchanted by Taylor Swift.