23: criminal

━━━━━━━━━━━━ NILA

Exams were finally over. Nila had done pretty well and she was confident she would ace most of them. She hung out with Sanjay, Maya and Lilly on the last day. They'd had an early dinner but Sanjay insisted they go out to party.

Honestly, the food coma got to Nila, tickling the strong need to find a bed and crash. It had been a tiring two weeks and she needed rest. Parties would have sounded like a good idea if not for the exhaustion. So, Nila had told Sanjay that.

"Are you really tired or are you not allowed to party because your boyfriend will have something to say about it?" he had asked in reply.

"First of all, you listen. I don't like your attitude towards Vijay and I don't understand why you're behaving like an asshole. He's my boyfriend so fucking respect him," Nila had snapped. She was getting tired of his not-so-subtle mocking statements about Vijay. She had let him get away with it a few times but not anymore.

"Sure, of course. Defend him. Don't come running back to me when he hurts you."

Maya and Lilly glanced at her, silently asking if she wanted them to intervene. But Nila shook her head, "This conversation is long due. You guys go."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'll call you guys later," Nila promised.

"Be gentle, Nila. You know how he is," Maya whispered into her ears before mouthing use your brain to Sanjay. Then, they left.

Nila and Sanjay were sitting in the cafe, the bill paid long ago. "Tell me. What's your problem? I want you to tell it to me directly. No more bullshit."

Sanjay ran his hands through his hair. "I don't like him."

"Okay, that's a start. Why don't you like him?"

"Because—because he pisses me off. He's too perfect." He said the last word as if it disgusted him.

Nila chuckled. "Trust me, he's not. I'm not comparing but he's got a tougher overprotective streak than you. He's messy. He's boyish at times. He picks out his tomatoes when he eats like a kid. His gym bag stinks so much you could use it as weapon against mankind if unleashed."

"But still. It's like he appeared out of nowhere and swept you away. It doesn't make sense. Something is off," Sanjay said. He wouldn't look her in the eye.

Nila stood up and moved to sit next to him. "Sanjay, I know you're trying to polish it off. Tell me how you really feel. Why are you so against him?"

"You won't understand," he snapped, turning cold again.

Nila sighed. "I can't believe you value a moment of your pride more than your friendship with me."

"It's not about pride."

"Then tell me. Only if you talk to me can I do something about it."

"If I tell you, you'll just deny it, Nila. I know it. Because all you can see is him. Suddenly it's like— it's like no one else matters to you anymore!"

Nila sucked in a sharp gasp. "You don't mean that."

"I feel like he's taken you away from me. You were mine first."

"I am no one's! First get that into your head. No one's taking me from anyone. I agree I am not the same person I was before because there's a new person in my life I'm devastatingly in love with. But that doesn't mean I treat any of you less. I give you most of my attention in class. I took time off between study holidays to tutor you. I came over to your house for lunch because your mother invited me. I played video games with you for two hours even though I had to go back and cook dinner. But you wouldn't see that. Because you've already believed that Vijay has taken me away from you."

"I told you, you'd deny it."

"Yes, because it's the truth. I've consciously made efforts to spend time with everyone I know. I know how it was with Lilly and Anna when they began dating. We felt abandoned, chosen over. I made sure none of you all felt that way in my case. But nothing was going to change your mind, was it?"

"Nila—"

"Just think about it, Sanjay. For me. Leave your emotions aside. Have I really been a bad friend to you after I got into a relationship?"

"Not a bad friend," he said after a minute and rested his face in his palms. "I just—I just miss you, I guess. I can't bear to think you've got someone else to share everything with other than me."

"Yes, but I tell you most of the things. I only stopped bringing up Vijay because you were being rude."

"But you don't call me anymore."

Nila realised that might have been true. Whenever she had time in the evenings, she used to text Sanjay or call him. But not anymore. Because Vijay was taking up a lot of her time. That was on her.

"Okay, I'll call you. I'm sorry I stopped," she apologised.

Sanjay must have been surprised by her immediate apology. He hung his head down. "You'll not stop talking to me if he tells you to, will you?"

Nila smiled and hugged him. "Firstly, he wouldn't do that. He has a girl best friend too. He knows how it feels. And secondly, I wouldn't ever do that to you. I'm your best friend, Sanjay. I won't ever stop talking to you, well, unless you test my limits."

"Thanks, Nila." He hugged her back.

"I see that you've stopped calling me babe," she teased.

"Yeah, feels like I'm a criminal when I do that when I know you have a boyfriend who might actually call you that."

Nila chuckled. "No, Vijay doesn't call me babe, for your information. But he might get a little —" she bit her teeth and shook her head quickly like she was experiencing an electric shock "— if you call me that in front of him. I wish you get to know him though. You'll make good friends."

Sanjay laughed, getting back his high spirits. "That's too ambitious. I'll just stick with tolerating him for now."

Her eyes narrowed. "But work on it."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Are we good?"

"Yes, we are," he said, leaning back against the seat. "I'm sorry I acted that way."

"It's okay. All that matters is we are back to being ourselves."

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Nila had given it a lot of thought. Farah's wedding was this weekend and she wanted to go so bad. But it was Vijay's weekend plan that she was unsure about. Staying in a friend's house wasn't new for her but staying in a house with a bunch of boys around was. Of course, she knew Vijay and Krish and she trusted them but she wasn't familiar with the other two. She wondered if it would be too awkward. She wasn't exactly a sociable person. It would take time to be comfortable around others.

But she also really wanted to spend time with Vijay. Phone calls and video calls weren't doing it anymore. She didn't know since when she had become this greedy. Nila wanted to spend time with Vijay — lots and lots of time.

If she went, she'd have to tell Kayal about it. Wherever she went, she'd let her family know. If her parents wouldn't approve of it, she'd tell her sister and keep her informed.

But she couldn't predict her sister's reaction.

Nevertheless, she rung her up.

"Hey, Kayal. What's up?" she asked.

"Your nephew is what's up. He wouldn't shut up. He's been crying since his afternoon nap. My ears are turning numb."

"Then, maybe I'll call you another time?" Nila said that because Kayal seemed to be in a bad mood. It wasn't the right condition to bring up her plan.

"No, tell me. Ajju just got home from work. He is taking care of him now," her sister said. Whenever her sister spoke of her husband, her voice dipped into calmness. Nila was sure Kayal didn't even realise it.

"Okay, so you know Vijay, right?"

"Of course."

"He has a friend who's getting married this weekend. She invited me. I want to go."

"Okay, go and come. You have a dress? You want me to send you money to buy one?"

I wish, she thought to herself. "It's happening on the weekend. Vijay and his friends are having a stay over type thing in his friend's house just before the weekend and he invited me."

"And you want to go."

"Mhm-Mhm."

"Are you informing or are you asking permission?" Kayal asked. Nila hated when she asked her that. It made her feel like a bad girl.

"Both?"

"I'll cover for you with Ma and Pa if they ask. I know you're not dumb enough to go to a place that's not safe. But I need Vijay's number just in case."

"No." Nila didn't even realise she said it. Giving Vijay's number to Kayal was a bad idea.

"Then forget your plan."

"Kayal! I can't believe you're resorting to blackmail now."

"I promise I won't use it unnecessarily. I just need someone else's number because you always let your phone die. I'm pretty sure you're going to be clicking pictures and shooting videos throughout the days so I need a number I can call to check on you. I'm just doing it out of concern. No ulterior motives, I swear."

Nila bit her lip. She hated when Kayal made sense. "Ugh, okay fine. I'll send it to you."

"Have fun. If you need extra money, ask. Don't be a miser."

"Fine," Nila drawled, annoyed. Her sister always picked on her about her spending habits. Saving money was a good thing. She should be appreciated. "Okay, bye. Take care. Say hi to Arjun and kiss my nephew for me."

And she hung up.

She immediately opened Vijay's chat. There was a selfie of him in his training clothes that he'd sent in the morning. His face was pink and flushed from practice, the neckline of his vest drenched. He was grinning at the camera, stray sunshine streaking his hair and his cheeks like an added photo filter. God, how can a person be so beautiful? It was so unfair.

Along with the picture, he had texted her: your good luck charm for the day. ace your exam, silver. love you.

Vijay's exams had gotten over the day before. He'd confidently told her he'd pass all the subjects and Krish almost cried happy tears.

There was a new message.

how was your exam?

it was good. finally done with it!

but guess what?

you're staying with me this weekend?

HOW DID YOU KNOW??

because i was about to ask you about it. and i know you'd cave in.

never again.

sure.

you can't say no to me and i can't say no to you. that's how we work, silver. haven't you realised it yet?

whatever.

are you excited, silver?

i'm just praying you won't get me into trouble

valid concern. it really depends on my mood.

istg vijay

okay fine. i'll behave.

where are you?

flat. you?

at krish's

he's been talking about your friend

anamika? yeah, she is so bad at remembering names

but she mentioned krish and infuriating in the same sentence twice.

yes. i've never seen him hate a woman like this. should we be concerned?

there's a thin line between love and hate

you think?

i mean, i hated you in the beginning

because you misunderstood my intentions, silver. i was just too busy trying not to fall in love with you

sure. i saw the way you looked at me. like you didn't want me to exist

yeah because you were fucking with my mind and i hated it

whatever you say, runner boy

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Nila wasn't sure what she expected but she didn't expect this. The flat that they were crashing at was a penthouse. She didn't understand how Vijay had conveniently left that detail out.

When Vijay pressed the doorbell, it immediately opened up, revealing two strangers who were grinning ear to ear. "Vijayyyy!" The girl said before throwing his arms around him. Instinctively, something bitter stirred inside Nila's chest but she bit it back down. Vijay doesn't belong to you, Nila. There's no need to feel violent.

"Oh hiiii!" she continued, pulling Nila into a hug as well. "I'm Tanvi. So nice to meet you." Her smile was bright, almost blinding.

Next to him was her twin who looked like he walked out of a Japanese high school anime. He was lanky, of average height and had identical eyes and lips as Tanvi. His hair fell over his forehead, black and silky. "Hi, I'm Tarun."

Vijay put his hand over her. "So now both of you can stop nagging me. You've met the girl of my dreams."

Nila couldn't still comprehend how Vijay said things like that out of the blue, so naturally as if they weren't potentially capable of giving her heartburn.

"Come on in," the twins said in unison.

"Where is Krish?" Nila asked, as she looked around the house. It was spacious, almost triple the size of the flat Nila shared with her friends. There was a living room, three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a nice spacious kitchen and a room for work. Nila loved the way Tanvi rambled about the rooms while Tarun kept cutting her off to tell her that Nila wasn't probably interested. She seemed to be used to his interruptions.

"He'll be here soon. He's stuck in traffic," Vijay said after checking his phone, crashing on the sofa.

"You can share Tanvi's room. The boys will take mine. I'm so glad you are here," Tarun said. The way his voice softened and his eyes smiled at the right places made him sound the hospitable and warm. "Please don't feel awkward. Treat it like your own house. We love having people over."

"Thanks, Tarun."

After the house tour, the twins let Vijay steal Nila away from them. "So, how do you like it? Eased a little?" he asked, leaning over the balcony railing and watching her as if she was the view he found worth watching and not the beautiful gardens of the apartment complex or the expanse of cool blue sea just a bit further.

"It's nice. It's like I'm on a trip even though we are still in the city," she said.

"Have you always wanted to do something but never got to? We have the whole day tomorrow and then some more time the day after."

She inched closer to him so that their hands brushed. It was completely an unconscious move but she was glad she did it when Vijay's warm palm enclosed hers. "I don't have anything specific. I just want to have fun, stay out late, maybe have hot biriyani at midnight and dessert." She glanced at him and locked gazes with him. "I just... want to be around you."

"What you ask, you shall get," Vijay joked, turning around and bumping his shoulders with hers. They soaked in the silence for a few minutes, feeling the breeze playing maze in their hair.

"My sister has your number."

"How?"

"I gave it to her."

"She asked me in case of emergencies. I couldn't say no. She knows I'm here by the way."

"Okay. I'm glad you have someone who respects you and what you want."

Nila breathed in and exhaled. "Yeah, I love her so much. I don't know what I'd do without her."

Vijay wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tried to sneak in a cheek kiss. It seemed to be like their thing. But before he could press his lips on her cheek, she heard someone's footsteps. Startled, she turned her head to the side. Vijay's soft lips brushed her lips and the blissful shock of it froze her.

"God, every fucking time. Can't both of you keep your hands to yourself for once? Why am I the one to walk into this romantic shit every damn time?" Krish complained loud, making Nila shoot to the other side of there balcony her cheeks red.

"Yes, every fucking time, man. Why are you always interrupting us, you idiot? I can't even get a kiss!" Vijay said, walking towards him.

"Get a room!"

"You shut up!"

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