The notebook

Akira stuffed herself with french fries and burger. Then she pulled a couple of fries from her Brother's plate. "Wasn't I the one who needed ammo? But looks like you have a pit inside your stomach", Mike said and laughed. "Duh", Akira said and mocked her brother.

"Want to watch a movie?", he asked.

"No", she said and smiled. She knew he was trying to lighten her up.

"Ok, I give up. I will watch Notebook with you", Mike said and raise his hands in the air like he was surrendering.

She couldn't believe what she heard. She knew that her brother hated watching romantic movies so she was moved by his gesture. "Kewwwwwllll", she quipped.

Mike then switched on the TV. And they both perched on the sofa. Mike hated rom-com movies but he knew that her sister loved them and Notebook was her favorite. Also, he knew that whenever she would be upset she watch Notebook because that was their Mom's favorite movie too.

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The movie had moved to the point where Allie and Noah were getting separated. Allie was going out of town and Noah ran frantically when he got to know. No matter how much he chased, he couldn't find her. Tears started welling up in her eyes. She had slowly started sobbing. Not because of the heartbreaking scene in the movie but she started recollecting everything that happened in Singapore a couple of hours back. Her tears began stinging her eyes and she felt like someone was squeezing out her heart.

Mike switched off the TV and let her cry. He had not asked her anything about what happened in Singapore because he was afraid that she will break down. He didn't know what to say to her. Akira hugged him and asked- " Why was I not enough for him. Why?" and she started wailing.

She was sobbing endlessly and when Mike hugged her she started telling him bit by bit what happened. Mike couldn't believe that Anthony would go to such an extent. He knew that he was a jerk and always knew that her sister deserved someone better but he didn't know that he would throw her sister away like that. He couldn't believe that he went for someone else behind her back. He was angry, so angry that he could have killed Anthony then and there with his bare hands. He hated to see his sister cry. The last he saw her crying so much was when their parents had died.

All the thoughts started rushing in. Then he heard Akira slowly telling amidst her sobs - " I miss mom so much now. I wish she was here."

Mike started patting her head like she was her kid and said - "Me too".

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After crying so much Akira had slept off. She woke up after a couple of hours when she heard some voices in the room. As she opened her eyes she saw Teddy and Vikram in the house. Teddy was Mike's best friend and band buddy too. Whereas Vikram was their family friend. Vikram wasn't that close with them earlier but after the accident in which Akira's parents passed away, they became really close. He was five years older than Akira and was always concerned about her well being. He was like family to them. He had a soft corner for her but never showed it to her. Akira was really attached to him and always saw him as a friend, philosopher, and guide. After her father, he was the only person to whom she looked up to.

Mike was always aware of Vikram's feelings for his sister. The way he cared for her, the way he looked at her and the way he doted on her. It gave it away. But Akira never thought of it that way. Before her parents passed away he always used to be distant but now he was always around them. So she always thought that he was just being sympathetic.

Seeing her getting up they all smiled. Mike said - " Yo missy. Get ready for karaoke night" and he threw a cushion at her.

Akira screamed - "Are you kidding me? You know how aweful I sing."

"That's why we love to sing karaoke with you" Vikram added.

They all pushed her into the bathroom. Akira initially was reluctant to go. But when she saw all these people putting in so much effort to keep her happy, she decided to get ready.

After taking bath, she put on a cute sunshine yellow top and denim shorts. She blow-dried her hair and then tied it up into a neat ponytail. Then she put on ger favorite lip balm and came out. She saw all three of them glued to the TV watching some football match.

She stomped her feet onto the ground and yelled - "Hey you guys!!! Are we gonna go or what?"