Maya, once again embarrassed by his openness, blushed.

Maya:
Actually… I have to go. Bye, Ayaan.

Ayaan:
Ah, that’s not fair, Maya.
You’re leaving me on read?
It’s okay,we can continue our ritual tomorrow.

At night, Maya lay restless, thoughts of the tea poet swirling in her mind.

She was eagerly waiting for a call from her long-distance best friend, Nyra, to spill the latest tea of her life.
Nyra and Maya had been best friends since childhood.
As Maya had moved to Italy for higher studies, Nyra was working in India.

Meanwhile, Nyra, caught up in a new project, had forgotten to call Maya as part of their daily ritual,until now.

Nyra:
Hello, babe, sorry I forgot to call you on time.
What are you doing? Did you eat dinner?

Maya:
It’s okay, Purple.
Yes, I had dinner,
Just wondering about certain thoughts.
What are you doing at this hour?

Nyra:
Ah babes, remember I said I was working on a project.

Maya:
Yes, what happened?

Nyra:
The project deadline is next month, but the new CEO urges us to finish it within a week.
You know how workaholic he is. What even does he think about?
We don’t even have a personal life.
Fucking bastard.

Maya:
Oh Purple, don’t take too much stress.
Did you eat dinner? Where are you now?

Nyra:
Yes, I had a burger.
I’m stuck at the office, just finishing some work.

Maya:
Babe, you started junking again.
It’s midnight, babe.
Go home. Do the remaining work tomorrow.

Nyra:
Shit, I didn’t even check the time.
I’ll go home now.
Okay, babe, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Good night.

Maya:
Bye, Purple.
Reach home safely.

Maya thought,
Maybe I should wait till tomorrow to spill the tea.

On the other side, Ayaan returned to his hotel, where he was staying with his colleagues.He was greeted by the angry face of his friend Aakarsh, because Ayaan had ditched them in the middle of shopping.

They had searched for him, called him, but the calls went unanswered, only a message from Ayaan saying, “I’ll call you back.”

Aakarsh:
Where the hell did you go, bastard?

Ayaan smiled at his friend’s caring nature.
Ayaan:
Sorry, baby.
I went to grab some chai.
Did you miss me?

Ayaan hugged Aakarsh and playfully pulled his cheeks, now red from anger.

Aakarsh:
Don’t baby me.
You went without informing, didn’t answer calls.
And now you say you went to grab chai?
Are you insane?

Ayaan chuckled at his friend’s protective behavior.
Aakarsh was usually calm, but when angry, no one could control him.
In contrast, Ayaan was chaotic and loud - only with Aakarsh.(Note: only with Aakarsh)  Ayaan and Aakarsh were friends from childhood. Both had been raised in an orphanage and had struggled a lot to reach where they were today. They were each other’s soulmate in friendship.

Ayaan:
Oh, my baby is angry.
Sorry, baby.
What should I do to reduce your anger?

Ayaan pretended to think deeply.

Ayaan:
Does white pasta, made by the one and only best chef Ayaan, sound good?
Or cuddles from your baby Ayaan?
Or… maybe a kiss from…..Aya.....

Aakarsh:
Hey, bastard, stop it.
I don’t need your cuddles or whatever.

Ayaan:
Is it?

Aakarsh:
Maybe pasta will work.

With that, Aakarsh went inside.
Ayaan, knowing his friend’s nature, how he couldn’t stay angry forever, grinned and wrapped his arm around Aakarsh’s shoulder.
Ayaan:
So, what did you bring from shopping?

Aakarsh:
I didn’t buy anything.
I waited for you.

Ayaan:
Aww, how sweet.
My baby waited for me.
Tomorrow we’ll go shopping, just you and me. Deal?

Aakarsh:
Deal… only if you buy me a new Lego set.

Ayaan smiled.
Ayaan:
Done.
Anything for you.

Hello readers!

How do you like this chapter?

What a privilege it is to have a friend with whom you can spill all your teas, someone who cares without expecting anything in return.
(Author really misses her long distance best friend.)

Do you have a best friend like Nyra or Aakarsh?
If yes, tag them or share this story and say:
“This reminds me of you.”

If you enjoyed this chapter, support by liking and commenting.

Stay happy, call or text your best friend, have some chai.

Until next time, bye!