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Advay

I cracked my knuckles as I waited for Mrs Malhotra.

I sat awake all night wondering why she had sent an invitation for me.

She sent a handwritten note.

"Heard you are in town,son.I would like to meet you tomorrow at 10 am at My residence.It is a matter of urgency and desperation that I am inviting you.Kindly visit me if possible. ~Mrs Malhotra"

The note was written in beautiful calligraphy and the flowers smelt wonderful which made me more suspicious.

The woman never liked me. She thought I was a bad influence on Nikhil.Why?Because I made him laugh and she only remained a distant figure in his life. Well,that's what I think.

I rubbed my cheek and checked the time. I had arrived early and at the brink of time,Mrs Malhotra entered the room.

Dressed elegantly,she looked the definition of high class society. She looked very young..Because well I don't know.?

Wearing a pearl white smile that she had I think practised in far too many years,she said,"Hello Advay."

I was suspicious of her but still I blurted out in a polite tone,"Hello ma'am."

She smiled a different way before she say,"Call me Aunty dear.Why so formality?After all you are my son's friend."

I nodded and she led me to her luxuriously decorated living room.

There were articles from around the world,leather seats and what not. But I was not surprised.

She sat down and asked,"What will you like to have?Tea,coffee or wine?"

I declined.

She however just nodded,made herself a strong drink and added the ice.

She shook her glass and drank it.

I looked away as I remembered that she was never shy and always bold in breaking norms.

It was she who encouraged Nikhil's mom to run away. Even though Nikhil never knows but I had accidentally heard their conversation.

"Sister.Till when will you suffer this hell?"

I saw Nikhil's mom cry and she spoke,"Till my children are not grown."

I saw her sister shake her head and said,"Run Away."

Nikhil's mom shook her head,unsurprised,"I can't ."

Her sister took her hand and said,"Believe me.I will handle everything."

Nikhil's mom looked unsure.

Her sister continued to say,"When you will run away,you have to settle somewhere safe.Then contact me and I will make sure that your children reach safe to you."

She convinced his mom and finally it happened.

Until she died in an accident.

Mrs Malhotra cleared her throat and said,"So,any girlfriend?"

I shook my head.

She nodded,"What happened to your crush?"

My eyes widened and I stiffened.

She looked at her nails and spoke,"What was her name?Hmm.."

Please don't guess her name!

I prayed internally when her eyes shone and she spoke with a small smile,"Saira?Yeah.Saira Kapoor."

She scanned me for any reaction.

I gave a blank look and she spoke,"I think it's my daughter in law."

I wanted to run away from this woman.What was she doing?

I only spoke,"Its in the past."

She seemed to laugh at the line,"Really?Then why do you still have her photo in your wallet?"

My eyes again widened.How did she know?

I still spat out,"My wallet is old.Forgot to replace."

She tilted her head and examined me and asked,"Really?Then why did you send her flowers and note when she was crying out of her parents home ?"

Shit!

She gave a smirk and said,"And how can I forget the voice call you sent her?"

I stood up and asked,"What do you want to prove?"

She drank the remaining contents of alcohol and seemed pleased at my reaction.

She said,"You still can get her."

I frowned and said,"What?"

She drank all the contents and said,"You still have a chance with Saira.You can still have your own love story with her."

I almost shouted,"For god's sake,they are married!"

She stood up and said,"Their relation is a shamble.Its as fake as My love for my son Nikhil."

Wha...?

She continued and looked out,"I can never love him.He was the reason why my sister is dead.I will always blame him."

She seemed to shed tears while I stood awkwardly.

She wiped her tears and said,"They have made a pact.He is getting his business done but the poor girl,she is falling for him."

My heart felt a little happy that I have a chance but I felt guilty.

She looked at me and said,"Saira reminds me of my sister.So selfless and bubbly.You need to be her prince."

And then she asked,"Will you be her prince?"

My heart beats quickened and I didn't know what to do.

There was one thing.What about Nikhil?

I asked,"Did he perhaps fall for her?"

She shook her head and said," He is hung over Naina still.I don't think he will ever love Saira.Or maybe even like her."

I thought what should I do?

|Mrs Malhotra|

I shed the crocodile tears that I had mastered over years.

I waited as Advay stood pondering. Hopefully my acting skills were enough to jeopardise his morals.

I had used the poor girl card for Saira.Of course,he was in love.He can't let her suffer.

He seemed again conflicting before he said,"Yes.I will be her prince."

I sobbed a fake one and said,"I am so happy.May god bless you."

He nodded and soon walked away.I could see that inside him the storm was brewing.

Foolish boy!

He didn't even ask me how I knew. But they say,right time,right place is good.

The guy thinks I figured out by my motherly instincts.

But It was these which led me to succeed in my scheme:

1.his wallet was open before I entered the room.

2. The time when he sent flowers and note,I was buying a funeral bouquet for a friend.So lucky coincidence.

3. The voice call?Well,I was outside when Saira played the voice recording.I already had my suspicions and he just confirmed it.

Stupid boy!

I couldn't wait for Nikhil to lose his love and a best friend.

I laughed viciously and a happy one at my gain.