"Oh my god! You've got some moves boy!" I am having the best time of my life watching a video of Rutu dancing on the marathi song Zingat, with a lungi wrapped around his waist. The setting sun serves as the perfect spectator, witnessing him get lost in the rhythm.
"But how did this happen?" I ask without tearing my eyes away from the video.
"Mr. Sai Kishore thought it would be a hilarious dare for me." A sense of protectiveness rises in my chest as I see Cherry and Jaddu join him in his happy dance. Protect my boys' smiles. Bless my Sai.
"Well so far it's purely adorable."
"Well I am sorry to say that Sai doesn't do adorable."
The very next moment, I see Sai get up and add his own moves to the dance which can be best described as - going crazy. He is wiggling his tongue, with his arms outstretched all while moving closer to Rutu with each passing second. The instant horror on Rutu's face makes me giggle.
The video ends with both of them falling in the pool due Sai's...uh... extensive, almost acrobatic moves. I join the drenched Sai and Rutu in their laughter.
We create a respectable distance between us when we hear someone knock.
"Come in." My voice trembles ever so slightly. Affected by the forceful switch from being Kriti to Kritika.
"Hi Kri-oh. I am sorry, did I interrupt something?" Nandish looks at me and then at Ruturaj.
"Hi Nandish. Uhm, no." I lie. My eyes fall on the paper cup in his left hand. I can't help but sniff. Hmmm. Smells like coffee.
I open my mouth to introduce him to Ruturaj but close it as he says, "I will make it quick. I just had some work in this area today so I thought why not stop by to show you the frame we had ordered for Nikhar." He keeps the cup on my desk before using both his hands to carefully remove a circular photo frame from the bag.
My eyes light up as I move closer to take a look. The moment we saw this picture, I and Nandish decided to get it framed. How could we not? With Nandish being poked by Nikhar in his stomach as she laughed at her own joke and me rolling my eyes at them, this picture was the perfect epitome of our friendship.
Of us playing the same roles of the lame joker, the one who laughs heartily on lame jokes and the one who pretends to be annoyed but secretly enjoys the madness, even nine years later.
We had decided on a circular frame because now that we had reunited, the circle was complete. And so were our lives.
"She is going to love it, Nandu!" I say. Allowing myself to use his nickname. His smile widens. "Yes!"
I turn to see Rutu watching us with an impassive face and realize that I am yet to introduce them.
"Rutu this is Nandish, my childhood bestfriend and Nandish this is Ruturaj."
Nandish nods in recognition, perhaps thinking about the day he learnt about my familiarity with Ruturaj.
"Nice to meet you, Ruturaj." greets Nandu.
"Your coffee must be getting cold." Says Rutu without returning the greeting. I frown.
"Oh no this..is for Kriti, actually." My head turns in his direction.
"Strong, just like you like it." A knot forms in my stomach. A sad knot. True, I used to like my coffee strong...But... I look at Rutu. His eyes understating my discomfort. Waiting for me to permit him to say it. I give him a small nod. He takes a step ahead.
"I am sorry, my friend, she has changed and so have her preferences. She doesn't like it strong anymore."
He pauses, holding my gaze he says, "She likes it sweet."
My heartbeat quickens. I bite my lower lip to keep me from smiling. Yes, I like it sweet.
*******
A/n ~ Ahhhaahhhha. A two thousand reads special chapter. 💛
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Your comments+votes literally do the job of a virtual ruffle. 🦋 ^
What about you guys? Do you like it sweet? (It being the story and not coffee, here 😉)
