She looked down and shrugged in response. “I don’t know, we have been friends for so long. I didn’t want to risk losing our friendship in the event that you didn’t want to, you know, go out with me.”
Ritwik sighed. He looked at her for a few seconds too long. Tanya was his best friend, he almost considered her family. He didn’t know if he would be able to look at her in a different light. “I..I don’t know what to say.”
“This is why. This is exactly why I didn’t tell you anything,” Tanya cried. “See? Already it’s becoming awkward.”
“Hell, no!” Ritwik came closer to her. “This..this change? Was this for my benefit?” He looked as surprised as he was a few moments back.
Tanya blushed harder. She hadn’t envisioned this when she thought about Ritwik seeing her changed self. “Yes.”
“Wow! TinTin, you didn’t have to do all this. Any man would be lucky to get you just the way you are. Or should I say the way you were?” He smiled. “You do know you’re beautiful no matter what, right?”
Tanya smiled back, hesitation and worry evident in her eyes. “So?”
“Well, I can’t say I am not shocked. I guess I have always looked at you as a friend.” Seeing her face fall, Ritwik hurriedly continued, “Look, why don’t we take one step at a time? Shall we go out this Thursday evening for a standup show? I have two tickets. We can follow it up with dinner. What say?”
The smile that came out of Tanya’s face was nothing short of brilliant. “Yes.”
“Okay, hon, see ya tomorrow at work.” Ritwik got up and gave her a warm hug. As ever, Tanya felt warm and safe in his hug. She almost floated back inside after seeing him out. She’d finally done it. After years, she’d finally confronted Ritwik with her feelings. If at all she had anyone to thank, it was Neil.
Tanya remembered Neil’s kiss on the cheek, his soft good night. Her heart skidded to a halt before beating at a rapid rate. Somehow, warm and safe never coexisted with Neil Grover.
Chapter 8
“So, you’re saying you’re going to go out with your best friend? After all these years?” Natasha looked positively excited, her eyes shining. Natasha and Tanya were having dinner at the former’s apartment since Natasha had felt positively bored and had invited Tanya for a home-cooked meal. Of course, Tanya had readily accepted. She was glad she didn’t have to cook.
“Natasha!” Tanya laughed, noticing the dreamy expression on her new-found friend’s face. “Yes, and yes.” Tanya beamed once again, unable to stop the grin. She smiled and her heart melted whenever she thought about Ritwik. They continued to talk about the possibilities of a romance, already planning her future dates.
“This is so sweet. I think you did the right thing by confessing to Ritwik. You should have done this long back.” Before Natasha could continue, Tanya noticed a tall, handsome man walk into the room. Natasha immediately stiffened, her entire face changing from smiling to tense.
“I am sorry to disturb you, Natasha. Your father would like to speak to you now.”
Natasha immediately got up from her seat. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” She looked at the stranger and looked away immediately. Her movements were a flurry and almost uncoordinated as she passed by the man. Although he looked like he was made of stone, Tanya noticed with avid interest as he stiffened slightly when Natasha passed by him.Who was this? Why was her friend flustered around this stranger?
Tanya was fascinated by the changes in her friend. She thought she’d ask Natasha when they were alone, away from the man who looked like GI Joe. Natasha came back within a few minutes, her expression worried.
“Hey, is everything alright?” Tanya immediately leaped to her feet. This was the first time she was meeting Natasha after the latter came back from Delhi.
Natasha nodded absently before replying, “My father just called in to say...”
“Natasha.” The tall man interrupted, his voice devoid of any emotion.
“Oh, please! She’s my friend, and can I not tell her at least?” Natasha almost snapped.
Tanya was more than surprised at her friend’s irritated disposition. Usually, Natasha was cool and charming. What was the matter?
“You know the drill, Natasha.” Again, no deflection in the voice.Was he a robot?Sensing some undercurrents, Tanya moved away from the table.
“Huh, no problem, Natasha. We’ll catch up in a few days. You take care. But, is everything okay?” Tanya’s voice lowered to a whisper. “Are you safe?” Her eyes involuntarily moved towards the man.
“Yes, of course, I am fine. Just give me a few days to sort this out. I’ll be in touch.” Tanya nodded and hugged her friend, before getting out into the warm evening.Maybe I should inform Neil about the strange man at Natasha’s,she thought to herself.
∞∞∞
Back at his apartment, a confused Ritwik was having a beer with Nitin. “Well, that’s what happened, and we are going out tomorrow. Like a date!”
Nitin’s eyes almost popped out before he took a swig. “You know, when I think about it, it isn’t all that surprising.”
“WTF! You knew about this?” Ritwik was even more shaken at his friend’s declaration.
