"You make me go nuts, Abhi" I shrieked and slammed the door shut. Thank god, Daadi isn't at home to witness our normal daily charades. I sighed and walked out the front to the balcony across Aaliyah's bedroom. As, I entered in I saw Aaliyah sitting on the white swing. I was taken aback and retreated back my steps slowly.
But Aaliyah called out, "Hey, my Plain Jane Bhabi, what brings you here?" I stopped my steps and turned. Since all the misunderstandings cleared, Aaliyah stopped taunting me and accepted that her brother and I have fallen in love with each other. She actually started accepting me in her own way that is by avoiding me. This is the first time she actually acknowledged me in a long time. And she freaks me out.
"Nothing. Just wanted to get some fresh air," I answered.
"Well, what's wrong with the fresh air that you used to inhale from your balcony?" she asked sarcastically.
"Nothing that concerns you," I said and was about to walk away when she started laughing. You know the evil kind that makes you want to pull every strand hair from her head.
Before I could react, she said, "Trouble in paradise as usual, huh!"
Oh, what the hell! I am sure everyone could hear our fights. I love Abhi but sometimes he just gets on my nerves especially the sensitive ones. Then, I saw her holding a glass filled with white champagne. I smirked and said, "Looks like yours aren't that much different either."
She stopped smiling and looked at the glass on her hand. She sighed and said, "Why are guys so complicated? Why can't they be more straightforward like us?"
I raised my eyebrows. This girl is extremely delusional. How can she not be complicated? She is probably one of the most complex person I've come across. Plus, she is so intimidating with her strong personality. The little miss perfect. Any sane normal guy would find her complicated. But of course I kept this to myself. There's no way I'd tell this to her face.
"I mean, I understand if Bhai finds you complicated. But, me? Come on!" she continued.
"Excuse me, I am not complicated. For god's sake you call me Plain Jane," I said defensively.
"Well, that's because I find you boring on the outside. I mean look at you. You don't wear make-up or do your hair and nails. And look at your clothes. Can you blame me?" she answered. Somehow, I didn't feel insulted. Not even a bit. Because she's actually being honest. I'm all of those things. But sometimes it just hurts to be defined on your outer personality all the time.
"But, inside I think you're layered. You know the more you peel, the more you get," she continued and took another sip.
"I think you've had enough," I said and grabbed the glass from her hand. She reached down the bench and grabbed a bottle of champagne. I sighed and sat on the bench next to her. She effortlessly carried the bottle to her mouth and took a gulp.
"Okay, I might regret asking this but what actually is the problem between you and Purab?" I asked.
"Why would I tell you, of all person?" she asked.
"Well, if you don't want to I'll go," I said and got up. She grabbed my arm lightly and gestured me to sit. I reluctantly obeyed.
"Okay, but you need to drink too. So, that we won't remember that this conversation ever happened between us," she said and poured drink into the glass I was holding.
"No, thanks. Have you forgotten what happened the last time I was drunk?" I objected.
"Oh, don't be such a baby, Plain Jane. That was because it was your first time. You should be fine now. And it can also make you forget your little fight with Bhai for a while. Loosen up a little, please," she said and brought the glass to my mouth. The practical part of me knew this would be a disaster, but the other insane part of me wants to please her. I've wondered what it would feel to be friends with the popular mean girls. And here's my chance. Even for just a few minutes. I agreed and let the champagne sip into my mouth. It burnt my throat a little at first, but I liked when it flowed through me. My mind felt calm. Aaliyah for once was right. This does feel good. I bravely took another sip. My mind was on daze.
A few minutes was all it took for us to warm up to each other. We were laughing and giggling to each other. Aaliyah got up and grabbed me into her room. "Come in, Pragya," she pulled me in.
"Hey, you should call me with respect," I said and laughed.
"Oh, whatever!" she said and laughed too. Her room was chic and smelled nice. It reeked of sophistication and class. All her things screamed expensive and branded. She made me sat on the bed. She approached to her closet while stumbling here and there. She opened her walk-in closet and pulled out her clothes. She dropped them on the floor.
"Hey, what are you doing spoilt brat? Can you not throw your clothes?" I said and went to pick up the clothes she threw on the floor. I lost balance and ended up falling into the pile of clothes she threw. I can't stop but laugh. Suddenly, I felt like I am free. Like I am lying down on a cloud in the middle of sky.
"Here, I found it!" Aaliyah screamed and came out of the closet. I looked up at her and saw her holding a white dress made out of lace. It was pretty but a little short and revealing at certain parts that I rather not mention. So like Aaliyah.
"Get up, Pragya. You're wrinkling my clothes, oh god!" she said and pulled me up.
"Now, go in and wear this," she instructed in her I-am-your-highness voice.
"No, way!" I refused. Why on earth would I ever that? Not in my dreams or hers.
"Stop being so uptight and get your head out of the ass, please. I think it really suits you. It's small for me. It will fit you better. You know since you have smaller pair of breasts and waist," she said while winking.
"Oh, thank you! That makes me feel so much better. Here you go again flaunting me your perfect body! By the way are they natural or you know, fake?" I said and gave the same wink she gave me.
She swatted me lightly and said, "Shut up! These are all natural, honey."
"Well, just wondered you know," I said raising my eyebrows and smirked slightly.
"Now, wear this and if you don't like it you can always take it off," she said and pushed the dress to me.
"Fine," I agreed and took the dress. It fit me perfectly just like Aaliyah mentioned. Apparently she's being right quite a number of times today. I smiled to myself and went out to show her.
"Much better, sweetheart," she nod in amusement. I can't help but smile. I can get used to being Aaliyah's little doll. She pulled me into her dressing table and started doing my hair. She tied my hair into half ponytail and curled my loose hair. She also applied make-up to my face. Wow, she's good. I don't recognize the person staring right back at me in front of the mirror. I blushed a little.
"You know how long my hand itched to do this make-over," she said.
"Thank you, but I am fine by just being me," I smiled to her.
She grunted softly and flopped herself onto the bed, "that is what I don't get about you. Why would you choose to look like that when you can look like this? Now that you're a rock stars wife, you can easily afford to look like this. But, no. You have to act all high and mighty being the girl who prefer the middle lifestyle, making us all look like materialistic women just for wanting better things."
I smiled slightly. I've considered a while and answered, "There's no right and wrong. You like things that bling and screams glamour and I prefer things that keeps me comfortable. You seek attention and I hide from it. That's all." I flopped next to her on the queen-size bed. If it was just two hours ago, I'd probably shuddered from just the idea of being next to her. But I guess alcohol does crazy things to you.
"But Daadi likes you better and so does Purab. Even though Purab and I finally reconnected and started dating, I still could sense he hates my living style. I think he'd prefer woman like you," she said in a sad voice. Never once I thought that Aaliyah is the kind of person who would ever feel insecure. She's one the most confident person I've ever come to know.
"Is that what was bothering you just now at the balcony?" I asked with my elbow resting on my head. I was looking at her and she was sleeping on her back looking at the ceiling. She nodded slightly.
"Well, then screw him," I said and she looked at me with her eyes widened.
"You don't need a guy who don't accept for you who you are. You deserve better, just like everyone else," I said and tucked her hair behind her ears. Her eyes glistened with tears and I smiled looking at this vulnerable Aaliyah. I guess eventually everyone puts up masks every day to face this world that does nothing but judge. Yes, even Aaliyah.
"Look, Abhi annoys the hell out of me, but there's no way our relation are based on just the feelings we have for each other. No matter how strong they are, for a relationship to work, we need to accept each other including our flaws. You and Purab need to learn this first before getting hitched," I explained. She didn't say anything but got off from the bed and went to her music system and played some club music I've never heard before.
"Come on, Plain Jane. Who need guys for us to feel better when we have music and alcohol?" she said and pulled me up to the floor. She took out a bottle of wine from her small bar and handed it to me.
She placed her index finger to my lips and whispered, "Shush! Don't ever mention to anyone about this secret place where I hide my all my alcohols." I giggled and pinky swore. I daringly took a few gulps of the wine from the bottle. I felt intoxicated and alive. I pulled Aaliyah and swayed my hips along to the music. Aaliyah climbed on the bed and pulled me up along. I followed and we danced on the bed feeling free. Free from everyone and living in a world of our own where our hearts can't get hurt by men. We laughed happily and hugged each other. I definitely know what it feels like to grow with girls. But I never had a girlfriend who I can confide into. And for once it feels like I have found one. We giggled all night sharing our stories. Apparently, Aaliyah never dated anyone except for Purab. I was surprised at this information as she seemed a little promiscuous to me but hey, another thing that I was wrong about her. We slept next to each other gossiping about our life and finally my eyes couldn't wait to shut out of exhaustion from all the fun we had tonight.
...
I felt someone screaming next to me. I slowly opened my eyes. It was Aaliyah next to my face. I was lying on her shoulders, her hand on my waist. I screamed too realizing our positon. She got off from me and I got up from the bed.
"What are you doing on my bed?" Aaliyah shrieked.
"How the hell am I supposed to know?" I shrieked back. We both looked down at the bottle on the floor. Suddenly, I felt a stabbing pain on my head. It all slowly came back to me. The much of drink we had, our little make-over and the conversations we had. I cringed slightly looking down at the dress I was wearing. I turned to the mirror and gasped slightly looking at my reflection. Ouch, my head hurts so badly. Aaliyah kept screaming on the other side of the room.
"Oh, shut up Aaliyah! Your voice is literally being a pain in my head" I shouted at her. She kept quiet. Abhi came in with a smirk on his face. He leaned against the wall folding his hand and with a smile on his face. "So, the best friends forever has finally got up. You girls cozying up to each other on the bed was definitely a sight that I won't ever forget," he said. Aaliyah grabbed her bolster and I picked up a few of clothes lying on the floor and we threw them on his face. He managed to avoid and ran out of the room. I smiled a little and looked at Aaliyah. She was smiling too. I nodded slightly and went out of the room. "You can keep the dress and you're welcome," she said as I walked out of the room.
Thank you so much for reading!
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