04 | CHAPTER FOUR

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"Where did you go last night, Azy? I was so worried about you." Zeena says as soon as I went into her room at five in the morning.

"I went out with Derek, Zee." I told her as I sat down on her bed. I was so tired after coming from the Ghaat. I massaged my temples as Zeena yawned.

"Derek? Ah, I invited him, though. He's such a nice guy-but wait, wasn't he your old crush, Azy?" Zeena asks with a hint of tease and I roll my eyes.

"Shut up, ya, its gone long ago, okay? We visited our school and sat by the Ghaat. It was so magical and nostalgic, Zee. I can't believe our school changed; a lot, like how?" I ranted and she just gave me a smile. Her skin brightened up as the sun rays peeked through the blinds and shone upon her honey glazed skin.

"The school changed just like us, Azy. We all grew up and in two days, it's my wedding. It just grew up like us. And although our Ghaat sunsets were unbeatable, those days won't come back again, will they?" Zeena asks me sadly, folding her knees with her henna hands and I frowned.

"No, they won't Zeena."

"Yeah, I just...kind of forget that it was all ten years ago; when we were all tender and cringe back then, eh?" She asks me again and I nod my head.

"Hmm, yes, but...you know what? Let's forget this and move on. I'll try to convince Aksa and Meera. I want to spend my stay here memorable." I said and she just smiles.

We sat there-without talking anything. Silence held many emotions than words did at this moment. And we are happy it did.

***

Later in the afternoon when I finish my lunch with Derek I moved to the balcony with my phone and was scrolling through my feed.

Just then, mum calls me and I lift it. "Ma, I miss you a lot, already."

She just laughs and spoke, "I miss you too, Az. I'll be there by tomorrow, okay? I spoke to Kalyani-I can't wait to reunite with my friends."

And I slapped my forehead. "Ma! Seriously, I won't be surprised if you plan a kitty party with Kalyani, Sindhu and Durga aunty. Like seriously ma, it's my friend's wedding."

She shrugs me off, "Pfft. Excuse me, and Zeena's my best friend's daughter, alright? She's close to me too."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, Ma. You just come here and meet me. I'll be waiting."

"Now this is where I love you; I'll come soon." She ends the call and I decided to wander a bit. As I took a step towards the garden I heard hushed voice and a deep voice.

"How dare you, Sanjana! You can't talk about my best friend like that, you bitch. What do you think of yourself?" I heard Meera's voice and when I take a step forward; the wall still covering me-I saw Sanjana-what the fuck? What is she doing here?

Sanjana was our high school rival; the bad bitch out of all. She had ruined Zeena's life and Aksa's too. I shuddered at that memory and decided it's best if I avoid it.

"Uh-huh. When did she become your best friend, Meera?" She asked while Meera scoffed, "last time I checked, I heard she left the city and ran away to Mumbai."

Wait, they are talking about me. What the hell is this happening?

"She didn't run away like you, Sanjana. She left the city; she had her reasons. I couldn't understand her that time and blamed it on her at that time, Sanjana. I realized-it was never her fault. It was all because of him-Arjun." Meera told and for a moment I couldn't breathe. Okay, what the hell, again?

Meera, my partner in crime, understood me after all. How I wish I could just hug her right now and cry my eyes out and tell her I'm sorry.

"Oh my god, Meera, you're blaming your friend's fiancée for this fiasco. I don't think she'll appreciate it, girl." Sanjana's voice made me scowl. Dude, you shut the fuck up.

"It shouldn't bother you, Sanjana. Get lost, please." Aksa said and Sanjana turned her heel and left. Aksa and Meera sat down and spoke to each other in hushed tones and I still could hear them.

"I wish just how I wish I hadn't told those words to her, Aksa. I'm such an idiot-you know her; she gets pretty much muddled up whenever I say a word to her. I just lost her, Azra for my stupid ego. How I wish I had understood her before rather than Derek comes to me and explain."

Ah, it's Derek. That son of a bitch, I owe him a thank you. Before both of them could see me, I rushed back to the house and found him in the crowd of people.

"Derek! Can I have a word with you, please?" I pleaded and he nodded his head and came with me to my room. Well, hypothetically his room.

"Yes, Azra, what is it?" He asked me as he took a bite of the untouched kheer.

"Thank you so much, Derek." I hugged him surprising both of us with my involuntary action.

"Ah...okay, why?"

"For everything, you know. No amount of thank yous will be sufficient." I told as we separated from each other and awkwardly glanced at each other.

"It's fine, Azra. I'm glad you enjoyed our last night's trip to the Ghaat." He spoke and I squint my eyes at him and he smiles.

"No, no, not about Ghaat-it's about Meera." I say and he looks at me surprisingly. "Thank you for making her understand why I left."

"What-"

"AZRA, KALYANI MAASI IS CALLING YOU!" Sheba's voice interrupted him in between and I apologized him and telling I have to leave now.

"Where is Kalyani aunty, Sheba?" Sheba points at the next door and I nod. As I stepped inside, everything seemed to be dark. "Aunty, aunty," I yelled and just before I tried to turn my heel back,

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AZYYYYYYYY!"

For a moment I was startled and take a deep breath to find Zeena, my mom, dad, Kalyani, Durga and Sindhu aunty, Meera and...Aksa.

Oh wait, it's my birthday today. How did I forget my birthday? I just mentally laughed and smiled on the outside.

"Oh my god thank you so much, guy. Ma, you told me you'd come tomorrow? And pa, how did you come from California?" I asked and everyone laughed.

"We'll talk about it later, first cut the cake." Zeena says and I rolled my eyes.

"Whose idea is this?" I asked them and everyone glanced awkwardly at each other and asks them once again.

"Mine." Meera's voice made me look at her and I widened my eyes, "happy birthday donkey."

"B-but I thought you and Aksa-"

"Forgot?" Meera scoffed. "I'm sorry, Azra. I...should have understood you right after you told me the reason, Azy. You know me; I'm such a stupid brat, who won't listen anything. Derek didn't tell me anything," I looked at her with a curious look, "I know you were there; listening to my conversation with Sanjana-I saw you there and I thought to tell you sooner, but when the situation seemed to strong not to let it go-I used Derek's name. I know you and Derek went to Ghaat yesterday and I even heard your urge last night while you were talking to Derek, Azy. I'm sorry-for everything. Forgive me will you?"

I stood there with tears pooling in my eyes and hugged her tight. I don't care if it's suffocating her-but I missed her. "I'm sorry too, Meera."

"HEY, NOT FAIR. AKSA JOIN ME!" Zeena yelled out and both of them hugged us tight and I sobbed him even more. How I missed these three idiots. Fuck Mumbai, I'll stay in here. I missed my house. I missed my people.

"You surely convinced her, Azy." Zeena spoke and I laughed, wiping my tears.

*

author's note:

hey y'all! how you doin'?

finally the fourth chapter and...they re-united. as i told--i'll keep this story short and sweet so possibly this will be almost of six or seven chapters. yeah, because this story is about reuniation of four friends. and i wanna keep it like that. thank you. :) x

with love,

kalachasmas.