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Two days later......

Lara and Anita went to college together that day. Anita was as usual cracking stupid jokes and Lara was laughing. After all their classes, instead of going to the canteen Anita requested Lara to accompany her and help in shopping as she had a family function. Lara couldn't disagree even though she was a little stressed about Aamon as his phone had been switched off from the past two days.

Anita took Lara to a luxurious mall named Ambience. When they entered, Lara found Anita's brother Karan was already waiting there. Lara said, "Anita, you didn't tell me that you had asked your brother to come too. I thought you were alone so I accompanied you."

"Lara....it's okay...I thought if I'll tell you that he's there, you wouldn't agree to come. Actually it's his birthday tomorrow and we are gonna shop for that. I need to select some dresses and being my best friend, you are invited too. If you hadn't come who would have tried the dresses for you?" Anita asked.

"But I don't need anything Anita," Lara tried to convince. Karan interrupted and said, "Anita I think your friend doesn't like you else why would she oppose? She doesn't care about your feelings and happiness I think....or else the thing is....may be she doesn't like me?"

"Oh shut up Karan....why would she dislike you?" asked Anita to her brother and said, "You don't use your stupid brain too much and Lara, are you coming or not?"

Lara couldn't disagree. She didn't want to make Anita feel humiliated. But whatever Karan told was partially correct. She didn't like Karan...she didn't even know why but whenever he was around she felt very uncomfortable.

Anita took a long time in selecting dresses. She was trying one dress after another but wasn't satisfied. Finally with Lara and Karan's help, she was able to choose one dark purple gown for herself. She asked Lara, "Did you get one for yourself?" to which Lara replied in affirmation. Lara had chosen a simple black dress for herself. Ofcourse she didn't want to buy some expensive stuff with her friend's money.

After getting their dresses Anita looked at his brother and requested, "Karan, wouldn't you be a good elder brother and buy your lil' sis a pair of shoes? Please ....please....I have no shoes to wear with this beautiful gown!"

"Stop acting....you notorious girl. Get youself whatever you want," Karan said laughing.

Lara looked at the brother sister duo and said with a smile, "You both have a great bond. Wish I had a elder sibling too! Being a single child, I have always missed a sibling."

Anita found her perfect match of heels quickly. Meanwhile Karan got a pair of shoes for Lara and handed it to her. "This is for you. Please don't refuse. I want you to wear this tomorrow. You should look the best in crowd," Karan whispered.

Lara knew something was wrong but she ignored her conscience. As Anita came running and said that it was time to leave, they made the payment and took the exit.

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That night, Anita called Lara again, "Come on time Lara. Tomorrow 8 p.m sharp at my place."

"Yes yes I'll be on time," Lara replied.

"By the way you know what," Anita said in excitement, "Karan said that it'll be an all night cocktail party tomorrow. Our parents are out of town for some business meeting and will return after three days. Wow I just can't wait for tomorrow....it'll be so much fun!"

"Hmm...yeah...Anita I'll meet you tomorrow? Can I hang up now?" Lara seemed tensed.

"What happened babe? Is everything okay? You don't sound good?" Anita interrogated.

"No...nothing. It's just that I feel tired today. And Aamon hasn't spoken to me for two days so........ But nothing to worry okay. Goodnight."

"Yup...Goodnight. But if you need any help you shouldn't hesitate to call me okay. Bye," said Anita.

....................................................................


Why isn't Aamon calling anymore? Is he all right? He hasn't even switched on his cell phone. Who on earth does that? Don't his parents scold him? He should realize that someone would be worried about him. Someone must be waiting for his call. How irresponsible one can be!

All these questions were coming constantly to her mind.

Lara looked at her watch. It was about to strike two. "No need to wait Lara. He won't call you. Go to sleep. Let him go to hell...he calls or not shouldn't matter...if he loves you and wants to talk to you he'll," she told herself.

Suddenly her phone rang. She picked it up even without looking, thinking that it must be Anita who is calling as she was super excited for tomorrow.

"Yes Anita say," she said in a sleepy way.

"Lara this is me. How are you?" asked the person form the other side.

All her sleep vanished at once hearing that voice. "Aamon where were you? I called you so many times but your phone was switched off. And what do you mean by how am I? How should I be? I was worried for you. All sorts of rubbish thoughts were coming to my mind."

"I am sorry for not calling you Lara," said Aamon in a low voice. "I was helpless. My phone was damaged so I had to get a new one."

"Oh thank god... I thought you were sick or something....but okay...I understand...it's alright!" replied Lara forgetting all her anger and complaints.

"Can we meet tomorrow?" He asked.
Had he no other day to ask me? How will I go tomorrow? Lara thought to herself.

"Actually Aamon...I really want to meet you but, I ....I don't think .....I don't think that it'll be possible tomorrow. You know now.... actually.... tomorrow at 8 p.m my best friend has invited me for a party at her place and if I don't go she'll really be angry and sad......so I was thinking if....if you can just....postpone?" She hesitantly asked Aamon.

What else could she do? If she says him yes then Anita would feel really bad and if she doesn't Aamon would feel bad. She had to find a subtle way.
Thankfully Aamon wasn't angry at all...rather what he said was quite surprising. He asked Lara, "Well I understand. But your friend's party is at 8. Can't we meet before that? I'll drop you then....at your friend's house.Will that be okay?"

Lara was overjoyed. "Ofcourse it'll be okay. In fact this is the best idea. Why didn't I think of it?

Okay...okay....okay...tell me the time," she asked Aamon.

"Just be ready by 4 p.m. I'll be there at your gate," replied Aamon.

"Yeah....absolutely....but should I wear the same dress which I was supposed to wear to the party....Where are we going? Won't it be too much for an afternoon?" She asked.

Aamon replied, "I'll plan something at my place. You can wear whatever you want. And you can adjust yourself before going there. There's no issue in that."

"Aaaaaaaaaa....I love you Aamon. You are such a sweet heart!" she smiled and kissed her phone.

"I have no heart!" he replied and Lara could know something in his voice changed.

"What happened?" She asked immediately.

"Nothing...let's meet tomorrow. Go and take rest now..it's already 2:30. Goodnight and I love you too," he answered and immediately hung up.
Lara was confused about what she had done. She just praised him by saying sweet heart. How strange!....Do some people get offended by that too?

She was too tired to keep her eyes open. Tomorrow was going to be an exciting as well as important day for her. She began thinking about all the good things that would possibly happen tomorrow and was soon lost in dreams.......




© Alekshyaa Das