THE TWO BEST FRIENDS

“I have to tell you something,” said Kashish and continued, “Stop watching the TV and concentrate here.”

Rahul switched off the TV and looked at Kashish, who was sitting on the sofa next to him. Facing her, he said, “Here, you now have my full attention.”

“You remember the guy I met online through that dating app, the one who I chat with regularly? He finally asked me out yesterday,” she said.

“What the F? What did you say?” asked Rahul.

“I haven't said anything yet.”

“Good. Just refuse.”

“But I like the guy. I want to go out with him.”

“Damn! I know you well. Your choice is too sad.”

“Of course not!”

“You want examples? How about that CA who had serious anger issues.”

“Well, technically I didn't date him.”

“No, but you liked him. Then there was the drunkard, the casanova and…”

“OK! OK! You can stop now. Yes, I have had some issues in the past, but this guy is different,” she said.

“I highly doubt that,” said Rahul.

“Grhhhh! You are such a monster. Like this  I will never get your approval for any guy.”

Kashish got up in a huff and went into the kitchen. Rahul waited a few minutes and then followed her.

“What are you doing?” he asked her.

“Eating ice cream, you dumbo,” said Kashish as she scooped out some delicious desert into a bowl.

“All alone?” he questioned.

She handed him an empty bowl, then took the first bowl, walked out of the kitchen and sat back at her original place on the sofa.

Rahul soon followed her. “OK listen. I know the perfect guy for you,” he said.

“Who?” she asked, sounding angry.

“Me.”

For a few seconds Kashish just looked blankly at Rahul’s face. Then, she started laughing loudly.

“No! Stop laughing. I am dead serious. We are perfect for each other. No one offends me like you and vice-versa. And not a day goes without us talking to each other. I like you, you like me. What else do you want?” he said.

“Alvira, your girlfriend! What about her?” she asked.

“We both don't want to get married to each other. We are together for our requirements and you know that well.”

“Are you serious?” Kashish didn’t know what to believe.

“Have I ever lied to you?”

She nodded in a negative and said, “But I don’t love you.”

“Same pinch. Me neither. But there’s loads of chemistry, physics and biology between us and I would do anything for us to work,” he confessed.

By now, Kashish had finished her ice cream. She looked at his bowl, picked both the empty containers and went back to the kitchen to keep them. When she returned she found Rahul waiting for her.

“What say?” he asked.

“Shush!” she said. Then switched on the TV and shifted closer towards Rahul. He was still trying to figure out what she was up to when she rested her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder.