PART 3: An Angry Angel
Tia was feeling hideously under-dressed. A pair of dark jeans (jeans?! She didn't realise she owned them) and a white shirt. No jewellery; just a pair of sunglasses to hide her sleep-deprived and make-up-less eyes. But she knew that this was not the time to think about that. She grabbed a cup of coffee to keep her awake while she waited for Meher. Please come quickly, she thought. It was good to be back in Mumbai – she felt at home, but also so worried about Pri...and terrified at the thought of potentially coming across Him. Who knows where he was, or what he was doing? A familiar voice interrupted these dangerous thoughts..
"Tia!!!" Meher shouted, waving Tia over. She was decked out in a bright yellow sundress, dangly earrings, high heels, a massive white tote bag, and a huge smile on her glossy lips. Ok, though Tia, I know she works as a beauty assistant at Vogue India, but she definitely does NOT look like she's about to visit her sick friend..
Tia hurried over and hugged her angel, still very confused. "Meher, angel! It's so good to see you again.. Umm... we are going to visit Pri right? Now at least will you tell me what's wrong with her? I was going sick with worry!"
"Oh, um, Pri is feeling much better now..." Meher looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Meher, look at me. What's going on?"
"Um..er.. Babes just come with me. We have to meet Pri right?" Meher's cheeks had now turned a shade of pink that had nothing to do with her Bourjois Blush. She took Tia's suitcase and started walking quickly in the direction of her car.
"Meher, you can run but you can't hide anything from Tia!" Tia called as she hurried along after her.
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The drive to Pri's apartment was...certainly some ride! Meher's rash driving skills had Tia on the edge of her seat, praying to any God that would listen to keep them alive. Meher seemed oblivious to everything around her, but Tia was certain that they had missed several head-on collisions, just by mere inches!
She was still recovering by the time they were outside Pri's door, ringing the bell. Oxygen, oxygen, she needed oxygen.
The door opened, and there was Pri, fit and fine. Pri was a journalist now. She wrote a lot of things, but mostly she reviewed restaurants. She had very limited hang-ups about her weight, and she was a much happier person now – she had a job which she loved, as she got to eat VIP style in some of the country's most prestigious restaurants, and she got to write about her love of food and the tastes of every dish in as much detail as she liked. She was extremely good at her job. J Despite the trips to Dehli and daily phone calls, Pri missed her best friend.
So there stood Pri. She was happy and glowing, and hugged Tia before she could say anything. But Tia pulled away.
"Pri, what's happening? If neither of you tell Tia what's going on right NOW, Tia's going to scream!"
Both her angels looked sheepishly at their feet.
Tia gasped as the truth dawned upon her. "This was some evil scheme to get me to Mumbai wasn't it!! How could you do this to Tia?!"
Meher feebly tried to explain, "Tia it's not what you think, we didn't mean any harm. It's just Anvesha-"
"Anvesha?! I knew this was all her doing! I'm going to kill her!"
"No Tia, we're having a class reunion! You have to be there!" Pri added nervously.
Words flashed through Tia's mind: Maurya High.Class reunion. Me. Him. Oh. My. God.
Suddenly a dizziness washed over Tia, and she didn't have the energy to be as angry as she felt she should be. The lack of sleep, the flight, the drive, and now this sudden revelation were all too much for her. She fainted on the spot.
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Three girls sat in Pri's lounge, having a hush-hush conversation in the candlelight.
"I just spoke to Vrinda.. Ranveer is in Mumbai," whispered Ashi.
"And he's not angry?" asked Meher.
"Oh he's furious! But he's hardly going to go back and catch the next 9-hour flight, now that he's come all the way to Mumbai," Ashi grinned. "Now for phase 2."
"Phase 2?" asked Pri.
"Phase 1 was getting those two tortured souls in the same city. Phase 2 is getting them in the same room. Remember what I said?"
"Ohhh yah! They'll attract like magnets!" Pri exclaimed.
Just then a very dazed looking Tia Ahuja walked into the room, one hand held to her throbbing head.
"Magnets? Pri why are you talking about magnets? Owww my head." she moaned.
"Oh.. hum... fridge magnets ki baat kar rahe the Tia!" replied Pri.
"Ok..And why is it so dark around here? What's with these candles? I'm so confused..."
"Babes you were knocked out cold since the morning! We tried everything to revive you, but you just wouldn't wake up. It's midnight now," said Meher.
"Midnight?!?" Tia gasped.
"Yes its midnight, Princess Tia, but don't worry, you won't turn into a pumpkin" grinned Ashi.
Tia just noticed that there was a third person in the room. It had been over a year since she had last seen her, just before Ashi had embarked on her world tour. Her hair was longer and wavy, with faint coppery-red highlights, but she was just as fun-loving and mad as ever. She and Tia had become closer since school finished, but that didn't mean they didn't still fight like 5 year-olds. Like right now, Tia felt like killing her.
"Anvesha! You! This is all your fault! How dare you brainwash my angels into carrying out your evil plan!"
"Brainwash karne ke liye brains to hone chahiye, right?" laughed Ashi.
Pri cut in before any damage could be done. "Ashi please, stop this now.. I don't think Tia feels very well at the moment. Tia just sit down, please relax, I'll bring you your favourite green tea."
"Pri, your fool-Tia-into-coming-to-Mumbai plan may have been successful, but your butter-Tia-up-to-fool-her-further plan is not going to work, understand? I'm just so angry and disappointed with all of you. I'm leaving right now."
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😲 Oh no whats this? Tia leaving? How will Ashi's plan ever work now? All will soon be revealed my luvlies 😉
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
