CH 5

We didn't really get to meet each other during the rest of the wedding. She got busy with the wedding, I got busy meeting old friends and acquaintances.

The guys and I would have booze parties, sometimes up to 3 times a week. I don't drink, so I would stick to cool drinks while the guys would drink beer. Usually these parties would last up to 11 or 12 at night. I would come home, throw myself on the bed, wake up late, hang out with the guys and the cycle would repeat.

And so, ten days would pass before Navya and I would meet again.

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining in its full glory, there was a little rain last night, and everything outside was looking 'clean'. But I was stuck inside nursing my illness.

'RINGGGG!' It was the doorbell.

'Coming!' I yelled, or as much yelling my sore throat permitted me. I had to quite literally drag my sorry ass to the door.

'Hi!' Navya greeted me as I opened the door. 'What took you so long?' she said, brushing past me and walking inside the house. 'Here,' she handed me a large tiffin box. 'Mummy made gulab jamuns last night. She remembered how much you like them...'

'Oh! You shouldn't have,' I said, accepting the box of jamuns.

'What happened to your voice?' she asked.

'Just a little sore throat,' I said.

'You don't look so good...' She put her hand over my forehead, checking my temperature. 'Looks like you've got fever too.' A look of concern came over her face.

'I'll be fine. I just need to rest,' I said, reassuring her.

'Did you have your breakfast yet?' she asked.

'Ya,' I said. 'Do you mind making me a cup of coffee? If it's not too much trouble...'

'Sure!' she replied in delight. 'Why don't you go rest? I'll bring the coffee to you.'

I went to the drawing room and lay on the sofa. In a few minutes, a thick aroma of coffee was floating in the air.

'Amrityaa!' Navya called me, gently touching my forehead. 'Wake up. I've made coffee.'

I opened my eyes and found her bending over me.

I got up, rubbing my eyes. She handed me the cup of coffee and helped herself to one as well.