KISS OF BETRAYAL

"He bought these shoes for me and even promised to buy the whole boutique next time. So funny," Lily narrated, giggling excitedly.

Sprawled carelessly on one of the plastic seats that served as their cushion, she gave a sigh of pure satisfaction. Life was good, especially when there was someone special to share it with.

She turned to Flora, surprised at her unusual quietness. "You've not said anything, Flora."

"Well, what do you want me to say?" Flora asked nonchalantly, raising her face from the novel she'd buried it in, all the while Lily chattered.

Lily was mad. "Huh? So you can't say anything? No comment at all for all my banter?"

Flora smiled sweetly. "Flower sis, really sorry girl. Got so absorbed in this book. Really interesting book. You should read it. Oh and yes, I trust Chris. He's got a lot of money," Flora said with forced cheerfulness and immediately returned attention to her novel.

But Lily had already lost the thread of the whole conversation. She was texting Chris. "Oh look! He sent me a rose on whatsapp. Said he couldn't find a lily, but would make sure Zuckerberg makes a provision for that soonest. So funny!" Lily giggled like a little girl, throwing back her head in laughter.

"Hmph!" Flora suddenly had enough. She stumped into the bedroom, hoping that Lily would notice her annoyance as to how she went on and on about Chris. It was always, Chris said this or that. Chris loved this dress. Oh she thought that was Chris, he walked the same way. What the hell?

Unfortunately, Lily did not even look up from her phone, let alone notice that someone was getting a bit touchy. Flora spent some time trying to convince herself that she wasn't jealous. Hey, are you okay in the head? How could she be jealous? Lily was her best friend, like a sister to her.

She just wanted the best for Lily. A lady shouldn't be obsessed with a man like that. It wasn't healthy. Making herself comfortable on a wooden table at the corner of the room, she swung her legs as she looked around the bedroom she shared with Lily. They had rented the apartment on their first year in College. The entire walls were covered with flower posters. They shared the same bed. There was no space in the bedroom for two. The apartment was not a large one. Just a parlour and a bedroom attached like an afterthought.

They always had a lot of fun here to keep stress in check; pillow fights, chess, ludo and they even played Oga game like primary school children. She thought of the times they played hide and seek, a very silly game to play in such a small space. One didn't really have to search to find the other, but they did pretend to search. They had names which depict same thing; Flora-flower, Lily-flower. So they called each other flower sister.

Lily laughed so hard in the parlour. "Flora you should see this. This guy is so funny!" Lily called. Flora hissed in annoyance. They had been best friends until... Until Chris. Chris destroyed everything. Every single thing. They had always dressed the same way, but recently, Lily only wore dresses Chris said made her look like a goddess. Chris said to meet him for lunch on Sundays, so their Sunday chess games had to be cancelled. Chris didn't like makeup, so she was going natural. Chris said, Chris said. Chris, Chris, Chris. What nonsense!

Flora never liked the Chris of a guy anyway. That guy with all the zest and flair for life. Always clean shaven, cheerful, smart, rich and well... very handsome, Flora admitted to herself, looking crestfallen. She had known Chris before Lily did, but he had ignored her completely. She got depressed for quite sometime, trying not to fantasize about him. She hated him for that.

She was a lot prettier than Lily was, for goodness sake! He must think himself the only man in a world of ants, to ignore her and go for her best friend. The nerve. She heard Lily giggle again. Oh shit! And her friend was not helping matters at all. She thought they were supposed to be friends. Why did Lily have to accept the affections of a man she always wanted, while she was yet to get over him? It was unfair, so unfair and she also had to flaunt the things he bought for her. This nonsense had to stop. It just had to.

Flora suddenly bolted upright on the table as an idea flashed through her head like a lightning. Her eyes widened as the plan hit her. She could still have Chris. Twisting her mouth thoughtfully, she glared in the direction of the parlour. Her novel now forgotten, she stood and paced for a while, then chuckled to herself. It would all end in a bit.

To be continued...