Chapter-9

The much awaited day had arrived. We all were busy with the decorations in the morning. My mum was cooking in the kitchen. "Natasha, I need help." said mum. "Yes mum, coming!' I said. I helped her chop vegetables. All the preparations were done by afternoon. "Sweets hasn't been delivered yet. Call him to remind." Mum said to dad. "I had just called him. He said he'll deliver it by 4" said Dad.

We quickly had lunch and started to get ready for the party after some time. I wore a maroon colour lehenga. Indian traditional dresses are my favourite kind of clothes. I love wearing it whenever I get a chance to. My brother wore a light blue colour kurta and pyjama and my dad wore a light brown one. My mum wore a dark green saree. We performed the Lakshmi pooja from 6-7. The guests started to arrive after 7. Mum and dad's guests and my brother's friends were there. I called Charlie. "Where are you?" I asked. "We all are together. We'll reach in 5.." she said. Charlie and others reached by 7:30. "Happy Diwali" they said. "Wow, y'all look stunning." I said. "So do you" they said. Charlie wore a pink anarkali, Olivia wore a purple one. Mathilde wore a yellow salwar kameez and Cami wore a dark blue lehenga. Aryan couldn't take his eyes off Cami. He was mesmerized. Cami looked at him and blushed. "Well, it was Cami's idea to wear Indian, and Mathilde helped us with hair and makeup." said Charlie smilingly. Aryan blushed and smiled.

We were having sweets and chit chatting. "It's been a long time we haven't played truth and dare." said Olivia. "Right" I said. "Y'all playing with us?" I asked Aryan. "Sure" he said and got a water bottle from the kitchen. We all went to the garden. Olivia spinned the bottle. It pointed at Cami. "Truth or Dare" asked Olivia. "Truth" she said. "I'll ask" said Aryan. Cami looked at him. "Hmm.. so we know you are one of the smartest of the lot. So is there something you are actually bad at?" He asked and smiled. "Hmm.. maybe describing my feelings to people." she said without any hesitation. "Maybe?" He raised his eyebrows. "Mm-hmm" she nodded her head. "Ok" said Olivia and spinned the bottle. This time it pointed at Aryan. "Truth or dare" asked Olivia. "Truth" he said. "Now I'll ask." said Cami smilingly. "What makes you happy?" she asked. "Being around people I love the most" He said while looking at her eyes. The game continued. Everyone were busy with the game but I felt suspicious.

"I am thirsty. I'll go get some water." Cami said and went to the kitchen. "Uhh.. there's a phone call. It's urgent. Got to go." Aryan said and left. I felt something was brewing between Cami and my brother. "Hey, I'll be here in 5 minutes." I said. "Sure" said Olivia. In the kitchen Cami opened the fridge and took the water bottle out. "Hello Cami" Aryan entered. "Hi" said Cami in a nervous tone. Aryan walked towards her. "The farewell party night before I left for New York last year? You wanted to tell me something but you couldn't, what was it?" He asked. "I don't remember." said Cami and looked away. She poured the water in a glass to drink. "Well, I've got something to tell you." He said. Cami looked at him again. "I wanted to tell this to you on my farewell night. It's been a year. I could have texted or called you but I was scared. But not anymore." Aryan looked in her eyes and held her cheeks.

"I love you Camilla Gabriel. I have always loved you. The real answer to the question you just asked me is, you make me the happiest. I have been in love with you for years. You are one of my best childhood memory. I know you feel the same about me." "I love you too. I missed you a lot. There's not a single day I don't think about you." she said and there were tears in her eyes. "Hello there." I entered. They broke their eye contact and Cami went to keep the water bottle back. "I'm sorry but I kinda overhead your conversation." I walked towards them. "My best friend and my brother. Is this even real." I said excitedly. "You guys are actually in love with each other?" I asked. "Yes" she said and both of them smiled.

"No one outside this room should know about this." Aryan said to me. "Not even Olivia, Charlie and Mathilde?" I laughed and looked at Cami. "Just them and no one." she said and three of us laughed.

"What is it?" Olivia, Charlie and Mathilde entered the kitchen. "Cami, what is it?" I asked laughingly. Cami and Aryan told them everything. They were shocked but also happy for the both of them. "This is so so unexpected." said Mathilde. "Long distance relationship? Wow" said Olivia smilingly. "I'm so happy for both of you." Charlie hugged them both. "You are not telling this to mum and dad? Aren't you? He asked me. "Should I?" I asked laughingly. "I'll kill you" he hugged me and laughed. "I got to go, my friends might be waiting for me outside." He kissed Cami's cheeks and ran outside. We all laughed and Cami blushed. Aryan and Cami met at a cafe a day before he left for New York. "Promise me this is forever" she said while holding his hands. "I promise." He said smilingly. " I've got something for you."He said and took out a beautiful bracelet from his pocket." "Wow" she said with a smile. "I love you." He kissed on her forehead. "I love you too." she smiled.