FF: Ankahee | Thread 1| Chapters 1-33 - Page 8

We will figure it out, what this relationship really means to each of them. It's early days yet.

I have written just one. You can read it here if you'd like.

Thanks for reading!

Thank you for reading and your support. Yes, it's the same Maya...we'd get to understand her over time. The prologue is a lot in the future from where the story currently is :)

Rohan and Maya were sitting at their usual table, when RK showed up.

"Finally!" Maya beamed and got up to hug RK. Rohan and RK shared a hi-five as they all took their seat.

"We have been waiting for so long...you don't have time these days to meet us at all." Maya complained, but only half seriously.

RK: "No yar...there was so much traffic getting here. And look who is complaining. Rohan and I meet all the time. You are the one who's been roaming the world for the last two months."

Maya: "It's nothing like that. It was just a work trip. And a two week vacation. You know I really needed it. But I kept in touch, no? And Malaysia is sooo beautiful!"

Rohan: "Yeah, I saw the pictures you emailed. Good fun. How is work going?"

Maya: "The usual. Nothing exciting."

RK: "Seemed more exciting than usual yesterday night."

Rohan: "Yeah, what is the deal with this Paras dude? You brought him along yesterday without warning, so I didn't say anything..."

Maya: "Well he is just a friend...works in my office. Got transferred from Mumbai to Delhi only a couple of weeks ago. He asked me for dinner, but I already had plans with you guys, so unlike some people, I didn't cancel and bring him along."

RK: "Yeah yeah I get your sarcasm. I told you I wasn't free. But back to Paras...just a friend? I got the feeling he really likes you..."

Rohan: "Dude he's so weird. Tell me, do you like him too?"

Maya: "Yes..no..maybe...I don't know. I think he does, he tries to flirt with me. But you know I am not ready for dating yet. I don't think I am still over Hemant."

Hemant's name brought a pause to the conversation.

RK, Rohan and Maya had been friends for over 4 years now. They met during college but it took some time before they became friends. RK was always an introvert and had hardly any close friends in the first couple of years at college. Then in the third year Rohan and RK became roommates, and soon that developed into a good friendship. It was through Rohan that RK met Maya - who was an extroverted highly chirpy bubbly girl. Even though RK and Maya did not get along initially too well, it was in their final year when they were working on a project together that they became close and now both of them valued their friendship with each other above Rohan, who also spent a lot of time with his girlfriend.

RK was always helpful to Maya, and over time Maya came to greatly depend on RK and cherish his friendship. Around the same time RK first got to know Maya, she started dating Hemant, their college senior. But their relationship had been a rollercoaster from the very beginning. Hemant was borderline psychotic, according to RK, but Maya was deeply infatuated with him. He was an artist, an actor and had the kind of bad boy creative genius that attracted many women. But he was also very narcisstic, alcoholic and often emotionally abusive. RK and Maya had first bonded as he helped her through emotionally traumatic times. RK often told her that Hemant was not good for her, but she somehow believed that things would be ok. Eventually she had broken up with him six months ago, after years of an unhealthy relationship. But Hemant had not taken it well and for a while continued to pester Maya, who was herself having a hard time moving on. But now, finally, things were looking better and she felt happier than she had in years. She had deliberately taken a long vacation to get away from everything and now felt a lot more relaxed. The break had also given her time to realize how she had been wrong in judging people in the past - including Hemant, Rohan and RK among others.

Rk cleared his throat to change the topic of conversation.

RK: "Speaking of dating...um...how did you guys like Madhu?"

Rohan: "Oh my God! I was so going to ask this. Madhu is your book cafe friend right?"

RK: "Yeah.."

Rohan: "Hmm...she's quite sweet. So...umm..are you guys dating? Are you planning to ask her out?"

RK: "Well I already did. Actually, she did...whatever.."

Rohan: "Waah! Well done my hero. That is amazing news. Why are we hearing this now? When did this happen? Give me details!"

RK: "Well...not that long ago."

Rohan: "I knew it when I saw you all dressed up yesterday. Those were definitely not office clothes. I knew you were making an excuse but I did not want to make fun of you in front of your Madhubala and her Paras. In fact Ria was telling me last night that she thought Madhu was stealing glances at you during the meal. So does that mean she likes you? What's the next move bro?"

RK: "Yeah...well...she does. I mean...there's more. I love her!"

Maya who was still somewhat lost in thoughts after Hemant's mention came up was suddenly jolted hearing RK's words. Something tugged at her, but she didn't know what. She brushed it aside, and joined her friend's happiness.

RK: "I really love her. She is so amazing...and beautiful...and perfect."

Rohan: "Wow! Did you tell her?"

RK: "Yes. Actually she told me first. She loves me too. I couldn't believe it, but nothing in my life has felt this right before."

Rohan: "Congratulations bro. You're actually blushing."

RK: "Shut up"

Maya: "Congrats RK. This is so cool. How long has this been going on?"

RK: "Only a week. We didn't tell anyone because it happened so suddenly...we just wanted to take it slow."

Maya: "Hmm. Clearly we are not important any more..."

RK: "It's not like that yar. Try to understand. And you're the first people I am telling now."

Rohan: "Ok, forgiven. So shy nerd women-hating RK actually has an official girlfriend now, huh?"

RK: "Shut up...I didn't actually hate women. I just find most of them annoying dumb and self-obsessed."

Maya: "Oye"

RK: "Not you. But you're not a woman. You're a retard."

Maya: "Shut up"

RK: "OR what? You'd bring that dude Paras to protect you. Seriously, he seemed like a puppy panting after you last night."

Maya: "How would you know - all your attention was on your Madhubala."

RK: "Well, it was our first date! You guys totally crashed it...but I still had the right to ogle at my girl."

Rohan: "Yeah, right. It was our fault we came to the restaurant."

RK: "Of course. Seriously though, what did you guys think of Madhu?"

Rohan: "She's sweet and obviously cares for you. Plus she's pretty. I don't know her yet but the way she was looking at you, I think you have a jackpot."

Maya did not answer RK's question. They all laughed, and soon the conversation drifted in other directions.

***************************************************************************

A few days later, Madhu and RK were walking in the park sharing an icecream.

"Sorry for spoiling our first date Madhu."

"It's okay. It was beautiful. And friends are more important than girlfriend right..."

"No..you are important too. And it was the first time we were having dinner together."

"It wasn't the last! Chill...and I anyway enjoyed meeting your friends. I know so little about your life. They're nice."

Madhu smiled. She had really enjoyed getting to know other parts of RK's life. Somehow she felt it was important to be accepted by the rest of RK for RK to be truly hers. She had been sitting next to Ria at the dinner table, and had managed to strike a nice conversation with her. She didn't know much about Rohan, but she also had taken an initial liking to Maya. She liked how she was so expressive, so energetic, always the center of attention. She seemed really friendly, even thought they didn't really speak one-on-one. No wonder everyone loved her.

"Yeah. I told them about us over the weekend."

"And?"

"And what? What did they say? Do they hate me..."

"No! OF course not. They said I hit a jackpot. Besides you're so pretty.."

"Don't talk like that Rishu."

"What? You never believe when I call you beautiful."

"Don't Rishu. I don't like being called pretty. And I know you don't mean it anyway."

"But.."

"No. Anyway, what else did they say?"

"Nothing much. They liked you. They were a little mad at hiding the big news from them, but no big deal."

"Great. I told Trishna too. She has been going "I told you" for the past three days. I haven't told anyone else yet."

"Hmm. I am going home this weekend. I think I will tell Mom."

"What?" Madhu yelled in shock, and her icecream fell from her hands. She had a sense that RK was really close to his family, and although she appreciated it, she herself could never relate to it. She hadn't told RK anything about herself, her family so she knew he wouldn't understand where she came from.

"Don't worry. My mom is really cool."

"But what will she think? We have only been dating a little while..."

"Arey she is not going to get us married or anything. I always tell her everything, she's super cool and believe me she'd be the happiest person to know I actually have a girlfriend who I really really love. Otherwise she was convinced I would die a nerd loser."

"Really?"

"Yeah, she always calls me a loser because I am in love with books."

"Not that. The other bit. Do you really really love me?"

"Of course honey. I really really really love you. How many times do I have to tell you that for you to believe me?"

"Infinitely many! I want to hear it all the time."

"You're crazy."

"Well, that's true."

"I love you crazy!"

*******************************************************************************

Madhu quickly leapt out of her seat seeing Rishabh's name flashing on her mobile. She stepped out of her office to find a better place to talk, and finally settled on the staircase.

"Rishu!"

"Hi Madhu!"

"Where have you been? You said you were going home for the weekend and it's Wednesday already and no sign of you. You didn't even call me!"

"I texted you."

"Wasn't very informative. I haven't heard your voice for so long...that..."

"That what, honey? Did you miss me?"

"No, absolutely not. If you didn't miss me, I didn't miss you either."

"Aww. But I totally missed you."

"Liar! If you had you would have called me."

"I called you on Saturday...but I got a little busy. My cousin Sultan's marriage got fixed, and in fact things were so hurried, we had a mini engagement as well. That's why I had to extend my stay and I was caught up in the arrangements so couldn't call you. Will tell you more when I meet."

"Okay" Madhu calmed down. "When can we meet?"

"Whenever you're free my love. I just got back to Delhi."

"You're back!" Madhu screamed. She was ready to jump with joy.

"Yeah. So meet me after work maybe?"

"Ok done. Let me finish everythign in 2 hours and I will call you."

"Ok. I will come to your office and pick you up."

"Cool! See you soon Rishu."

"See you...And Madhu?"

"Yeah"

"My mother loves you already!"

any surprises???