l o n e l y.

That's what Vani felt as she stepped into her house. The cold white walls felt harsh and unwelcoming. Her house which she had decorated with love, to make it comfortable for her and her loved ones felt suffocating today. Tears kept on rolling down her cheeks, while she wailed loudly. In those moments, it felt like she could never stop crying. Her heart ached and it was all too much for her.

While crying, she drank some water, while helped her calm herself. Without giving much thought, she texted on her friends' groupchat: 'I'm going to Richies, anyone joining?'

Leaving her phone on the table, she got ready. Unfortunately, no had replied which meant that everyone was busy. But she decided to go anyway, with friends or without friends, she knew she had no energy to cook. She booked an auto-rickshaw, and left her suffocating house. In twenty minutes, she reached the restaurant.

Vani chose to sit at a table in the corner, just in case, anybody who knows her comes here and sees the state in which she was.

"Ma'am, order?" The waiter's voice brought her out of her pit of self pity.

"One lemon soda, with sugar and arabiatta pasta for main course" she replied, in a lifeless voice. Nodding, the waiter went away. Vani's head throbbed with excruciating pain. Crossing her arms on the table, she rested her head on it. She was sleepy, yet hungry at the same time.

You're pathetic, Vani Joshi.

Suddenly, her phone rang. It was her friend, Karan.

"Where are you?"

"Richies"

"Yeah, I know. What table? I can't see you"

"You're here?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yeah" he replied, confused.

"I'm at the left corner" she answered, looking for him. She finally saw him, and as soon as they made eye contact, he grinned at her. Why is he smiling so much?

Swiftly, he came and sat in front of here.

"Hello" he said.

"Hey"

"What happened?" He asked softly, concern taking over him as he looked at her tear-struck face. She looked like someone had suck the life out of her.

"What?" She answered, giving him a smile.

"You wouldn't spontaneously ask anyone to join you for dinner. That's not the Vani I know. What happened?"

"Karan, I can be spontaneous" she replied.

"Really?" He asked, squinting his eyes and she sighed.

"Why didn't  you tell me you're coming?" She asked, diverting the topic.

"Well, I was with Aai Baba when you sent the message, I saw it when I was leaving, and since their house is nearby, I just decided to come here, you know, a nice surprise" he explained and she nodded.

"Now tell me, what happened?"

"Noth"

"Oh my god, just tell me, Vani. I won't judge you. Wait, did you get fired?" He said, interrupting her.

"What? No"

"Yeah, you better not. I won't judge you about anything, but if you get fired- I just"

"Zip it, I'm extremely good at my job" she said, cutting him off, and he smiled. She's finally talking like Vani Joshi and not some lifeless corpse.

The two had dinner. After paying the bill, the two stood in front of the restaurant, om the footpath waiting for their rickshaws.

"You sure you don't want me to drop you?" Karan asked for the umpteenth time and she denied again.

"Karan, the thing is...Sahil broke up with me" she said, all of a sudden.

"What?" He asked in shock. "But...why?"

"I..I don't know" a sob escaped her lips.

"Hey, it's okay...Should I drop you at Tara's house? Or do you want to do something else? Want to have some more ice cream? Or just want to go around town?"

"No, I..I kinda want to be alone"

"Okay, take care" he said, as he saw a rickshaw approach them.

"You'll be okay, right? He was a loser anyway, to be honest. Never liked him" he said.

"Really?" She asked, rolling her eyes. "You don't need to talk shit about him to make me happy"

"No, I'm serious. Always gave me weird vibes"

"Whatever, that's my auto. I'll get going now. Good night, Karan" she said with a soft smile.

"Good night, Vani" he said. "Text me when you reach"

"Yeah, you too" she said, getting the auto. She told the driver the OTP, and he started driving. As Karan left her eyesight, she bit back the words 'thanks for today'

He would be cocky and insufferable: rambling about how he is the bestest best friend in the world. She reached home, quickly changed her clothes and dozed off as soon as her head touched the soft pillow.

When she checked her messages next morning, a smile appeared on her face.

Tara
Yo what happened?
I'm sorry I couldn't tag along yesterday.
Are you okay? Did something happen??
Let's meet for lunch today.
Ani phone ka nahi uchlat ahes?
I love you ❤️

Dhriti
Hiiii balaaaa!
Sorry I couldn't come yesterday, had gone out
Next time let's plan two three days in advance

Ahana
Bro you wanna go dinner tomorrow?
Couldn't come yesterday that's why im asking

Raghav
Let's plan something this week, good night

Ritwik
Bruh
What is wrong with you
I can't with these last minute plans, stupid

Karan
Aren't you thanking God for giving me as your BEST BEST friend
Keep thanking God

Vani Joshi could be hundreds of things, except she could never be:

l o n e l y.

💜💙🤍💚💛🧡❤️

dedicated to all my friends on wattpad and
desikitaabein-
(she not a wattpad friend)