The painting stared back at me intently. The yellow spots seemed like bright eyes of a black cat's, the dark background of black and deep blue.

I never liked cats in the first place.

Chucking cats out of my mind, I grinned at my canvas. It was painted in a perfect night city shot. The shiny white, yellow and red illuminating the dark background admirably.

Perfect.

Unlocking my laptop I compare it with the photo I took as reference. I smiled as I realized canvas was better.

I heard a gasp behind me, turning I see one of the important people in my life staring down at my painting.

"Is that...? Is that...? Oh my..!" Shreya stuttered, her eyes wide open.

"Yes?"

"It's beautiful!" She rasped and I flashed her a grin.

This is Shreya, my elder brother's wife. There isn't much of a difference between our ages, her being 3 years older, I can relate to her a lot. I love her from the day my brother told... wait.

No. He never tells me anything, actually from the day I found out she had confronted my brother twice for stalking her.

Stalking for him meant trying to pursue her in public places, saving cute pictures, smiling at them all day and night. Shreya though was a hot headed and didn't like this type of behavior, yet after she met my brother, she unconsciously started liking him too.

Or so she claims.

Witnessing him falling in love with this packet of a bomb, I decided to help him out a little and somehow after a few months of struggle they got married.

Love stories, I love them. While the nasty little secrets like cheating, fake love and shit like that are at the top in my list of disgust.

"Dad is home early today." She informs snapping me out of my thoughts and I shrug nonchalantly.

So what? It's his house, he can return whenever he sees fit.

"He called mom in for some discussion... I don't think it's going to end well, I have a bad feeling about it." She completed leaning against my desk.

Snorting I asked "When has anything ended well with him in charge? She is his wife anyway, who cares what they talk about?"

This gained me a smack on my shoulder "Kaira! Don't say that! They are your parents, respect."

"Respect has to be earned. They have done a hell lot of things parents do for their children, haven't they?" I scoffed, sarcasm dripping off my voice, looking up at her soft eyes I let it out "You know, we never actually got anything more than a name from them. Okay, mom loves Bhai, so what? He never got anything from dad. And me? Ha! Do they even know I exist other than when I make mistakes?"

Shreya puts a comforting arm around me and squeezed my shoulder.

"Why are we even discussing this again?" I shake my head and smile looking at the canvas "I'm going to put it on the table for 2 days, could you show Arav Bhai this one?"

I value my brother's opinion very much. After all, he is the only family I had in a long time. Of course, his wife is an addition to our comfortable life without parent domination.

Packing up the paint bottles, I carry the brushes and pallet to the washroom. I heard my phone ringing as I wash them clean.

"Who is it?" I asked knowing well Shreya was still in there gazing at my painting.

"Someone you love, sweety." She winked at me as she left handing me the phone as I walked out.

Confused I look down at the caller ID. A smile tugs up my lips, any confusion thrown out of the window.

"Sree! I missed you so much!" I squealed in the speaker.

'Too girly, Kaira.' My conscience cringed and I couldn't help but cringe with it.

All I heard from the other side was a soft chuckle.

Yes, my friend is quite one. Too quiet.

"Kiri." She acknowledged "I missed you too. How are you up?"

"Fantastic!" I say as I twirl my study chair "What's on with you? Any good news yet?"

"Good news... Well... For the record I have one. I've taken over since this financial year." her voice didn't give away any hint of emotion.

Mine though was not void instead was filled with excitement.

"What!? How? When? Why didn't you call me!?"

"Relax" her voice monotonous she continues "Dad... he had a heart attack in March. Still admitted in hospital for past 2 months. Though we didn't contact in years as I worked under him, he wanted me to take over right away. What else do you expect him to do? I am his only daughter."

I say nothing for a min as I contemplated "Sree, you know we love you, right? Uncle knows that he has kept the business in the most responsible hands. Even if he had any other child, no one could handle it as good as you, Sree. You are the best. Have you sealed new deals with your innovation yet?"

"Two." She notes after a pause.

"See? I knew your ideas would definitely pay up. Well, in any case, I want a party! Even Sam and Niki will when they hear this."

She didn't need to say anything but I knew it made her smile, we were close like that.

"What if I want one from you for completing the master's?" her voice had a pinch of teasing.

I bit my lip.

I thought she'd forget about it. Yes, I did finish my master's with good grades, though I've always liked to keep my achievements to myself.

"Sree, you know I don't like celebrating achievements....please don't force me."

"It's fine. Though I'd have liked if you told me yourself about it."

"Says the one who kept away her job status?" I challenge "Anyway. Let's meet first, I've been dying to meet you."

"Okay. Tom at 7 pm, Domino's near our college?" She asks, agreeing we bid goodbyes.

Plopping down on the bed, I close my eyes letting a picture of my close friends appear in front of my eyes.

Sree, Sreeti Sharma, now the CEO of KOODOS ADVERTISING CO. LTD.

Quiet, distant, cold...
She wasn't like this when we were 10. She was a cheerful soul, we used to go to school together, did many mischievous things, got into trouble, but were happy.

A few years later she had to go out of the country because of her father's business. The cheerful girl that went, came back with a wall drawn too high to let anyone climb. She opened the back door for me, sometimes let's our group in.

Niki, Nikita Singh. Currently, she works as a fashion designer at Maiden Fashion House. I met her during my tuitions in 10th. She is a typical girl, takes at least an hour to get ready, though she would look the same as the hour before, God knows what she does! Gossips are her favorite topics, dating is something she likes. I bet it's just the idea of dating, though.

Her beauty, well, catches many eyes, gets loads of proposals, but she has her limits like if I like you only then I'll think about it, and, the guy should come and propose! Not the other way round! I'll wait till he proposes me!

Damn Niki, is he important or your female ego? Of course, her ego would be bigger than her crush for any Male.

Sam, Samaira Arora, oops Dr. Samaira Arora. She is a physiologist and surgeon, working at Jeevanseva Hospital. She comes between my two friends, quiet when she wants to be, outgoing when she is in the mood. She met me in my first year with her being my senior. We were two different fields, commerce and science, but we were there at the badminton court together.

She is dating a guy I distaste, from 2 years precisely. I don't know much about him, but how much ever I've known, seen and thought, he is disgusting. Seeing Sam give him chances after chances when he cheated on her god knows how many times, I wanted to kill her rather.

I'm sorry, it was a mistake.

I snorted at the thought. Cheaters, backstabbers, fake lovers, liars. I hate them all.

Cheating is a choice, not a mistake! And loyalty is a responsibility, not a bloody choice!

My eyes landed on my painting, any other thought of cheaters vaporizing, a smile tugged up and I was on my feet before I could think. Grabbing the camera from my drawer, I make my way down the stairs and out of the house a min later.

He better be home!

Within 2 mins I was standing out of the main door of my best friend's house. Ringing the bell I wait.

"Is milkshake home yet?" I asked immediately as his helper boy opened the door for me.

"Yes, in the kitchen." Robin smiled at me. Returning his polite gesture, I walked past him to the kitchen finding the devil sitting on the counter stuffing himself with pasta.

"Aye Bunny! Wanna have some?" he held up a spoonful, looking down I found my favorite one so without a doubt I took it in my mouth.

Hmm, yum.

"I'm not here for dinner milkshake. Bring your keys, we are going out for night shoot."

He groaned "Again!? First, paint the prior ones!"

Instead of answering I held up my phone's screen to him. Sneaking, I pulled his bowl towards me as he gaped at the pictures of my recent painting in awe.

"Get your keys." I repeated.

"Fine! Let me just..." that's when he looks down at his almost empty bowl.

"You selfish witch." He muttered jumping down from the counter.

"You greedy pig." I countered, licking off the last drop of sauce.

Cursing under his breath he went up the stairs to his room and I shook my head, smiling nonetheless.

Milkshake, Abhishek Mehra for everyone. I know him from when I know my brother. Yes, my first day in this world. After Bhai, I'm very much close to him. Our friendship looks complicated to most people. Some say, wow, some say, huh? And some are like, why?

Why? Never have I gotten an answer to that question. He is an ass, he is disgusting at times, is an idiot.. quite a few bad qualities but one thing that has kept me with him is... his heart. It's pure and if there is anything to like in milkshake it has to be his heart. Some of his fans, female fans I might add, may also say he is handsome or alluring. Why ever would they think of this creature as one, is beyond me.

He takes almost 10 mins to just get his keys, but when he is down I see him changed from shorts to jeans and put on a T-shirt, which of course he never does unless we are heading out. I tell you, if he was given choice, he would like to roam around the house butt naked.

Yes, likes to show his body.

Whistling I follow him to his bike and within mins, we were off into the night to collect another masterpiece collection of night city life.

"Sree called this evening." I informed him as he drove through the traffic.

"The quiet one?" He called back "What did she say? Oh wait, if she ever opened her mouth."

I slapped him on his shoulder "Don't say that. And yes, quiet one. Oh wait, I remember you loved her feisty attitude in school."

He grunted, neither agreeing nor denying.

"Anyway, she finally took over her father's advertising business. I'm telling you milkshake, she will take their business to the next level, that good."

He only listened as I rambled on about her. We drove past the city to the highway, his suggestion for something different than the previous one.

Pulling the jacket closer to me, I gripped my camera tightly and get off his bike when he parked it. I quickly started clicking snaps from all directions.

When I looked back at milkshake, he was messing his hair admiring himself in the side mirror. I snorted at the typical gesture, nonetheless took a dark pic of his posture.

"So, you coming to Maters?" He questions once his hair fixing session gets over.

Maters is a night club where his junior college friend was throwing his 25th birthday party. I just know a few things about him.

I rolled my eyes as I bent down to take a few shots from ground level "You know I don't like socializing much and Daksh isn't actually my favorite person. Anyway, I'm going to meet Sree tomorrow so no other plans."

"Oh come on, there will be your Rajesh."

I snorted "I stopped crushing over him long ago."

"There will be music, dance, drinks, and girls."

"So basically all the things you like? Not interested."

"Bunny, please! One night!"

"Milkshake, please. No time." I mocked.

He pouted "I was so looking forward to dance with you."

"Aw and letting me have the pleasure of babysitting your drunk ass? I think not."

Finishing my album I slide back on the seat and order him to next sight.

"I feel so used." He grumbled starting his bike.

"Oh shut up and drive."

On our way back we stopped for ice-cream at our regular parlour.

"Bring our flavors." Milkshake ordered as he slumped down in a chair. Rolling my eyes I walk over to the counter.

"Hey, Ashish. One butterscotch and one strawberry please." I smiled politely.

His eyes widened slowly and he hurriedly kept his magazine down to search for my order. I chuckled as he hurried over to me.

"Um... Strawberry, not Raspberry." I corrected and he blushed.

"S-sorry... will be... right back at you—" He mumbled and hurried away.

When I have my order I smile at him and walk over to milkshake. Throwing him his strawberry cup I sit in the chair opposite to him.

"He is clearly crushing over you." Milkshake commented opening his lid.

I chuckled "Maybe, but he is shy. Not my type."

He leaned forward eyes glinting a smile flirted with his lips "What's your type? Me?"

Playing along even I leaned forward, pass a shy smile at him and raised my hand. Within seconds his head jerked behind when my fingers flickered on his forehead.

"Ow!"

"Not a chance for you."

"You don't have to be so rude. You anyway aren't my type, bloody devil."

I rolled my eyes and stuff my love, butterscotch in my mouth.

"Hey bunny, Akshay Kumar's new movie is releasing this weekend. Let's go on Saturday."

"Hm? Akshay Kumar sounds appealing but we may make plans on Saturday, so I can't guarantee." I said and he pouted.

"You so don't have time for me! Just wait till you find a guy, then you'll totally forget me. When I call you, you'd be like Abhi who?"

Drama king.

"Oh really? Guess what? I may be just showing you what it feels to be left out." I roll my eyes.

He looked guilty as his eyes met mine "Bunny..."

"Oh no, milkshake, don't. Just don't. It's past okay, I don't care either way. I'm meeting my friends after months, let me enjoy their company. And if you are waiting for me to find a boyfriend you know you can wait till kingdom come. Plus, I can never forget you, I mean, its not like you ever will leave me alone."

"Never!" He grinned "Oh and by the way, since you are not coming, be ready to pick me up in case I don't have other plans."

"Why don't you take a lift from your friends? I so don't like your college friends I tell you!" I snapped, agreeing nonetheless.

"Okay let's go before Arav Bhai kicks my ass for keeping his little sis out for so long." Milkshake gets up chucking his cup in the bin. Quickly finishing mine, I followed him.

●●●●

Next day at 6:45 pm.

"Oh, come on Bhai, please!"

"No cheeky, I'm going for a dinner meeting. Take Shreya's."

"Bhai you know she will take long today. Come on. I bet my college comes on your route. Pretty please?"

It turned out like, the day I had to meet Sree, my bhabhi had overtime in her office, Bhai has a dinner meeting with his clients and as I don't own a vehicle, I have to do something!

Oh no. It's not like my family doesn't own more than 2 vehicles. They have at least 6 but of course, do you think I would ever want anything that belongs to my dad?

So here I was asking for a lift from my brother. Standing against his car's door, not letting him close it on my face. I gave him a puppy dog face at last.

He looked at me, then at his steering wheel and sighed.

"Fine. Sit." He muttered as he pulled his seat belt.

Doing a small jump I closed his door and jogged to the passenger seat.

"You're the best Bhai, I love you so much."

"Ya now stop flattering me." He taunted while reversing the car out of parking.

It took us hardly 10mins to reach my destination. As I was on time, I searched for my friend, knowing her being so particular about time, she would be here mins before.

There she was, at a table sliding up her glasses as she read from her phone.

Typical Sree. Smiling I walked over, before I could surprise her she had to catch me.

"About time, Kiri." She sat straight keeping her phone down. Sticking my tongue out I slide in the seat in front of her.

"Sorry. You know— There was traffic!" My nonsense reasoning gained me an eyeroll "Chuck that. You tell me, how have you been?"

"Fine." She puts her phone away "You want to order first?"

"Yes, of course. I'm hungry, aren't you?"

"Not as much." She smiled lightly as we waited in line for an order.

We caught up with each other telling stories after stories, laughing and having our time over pizzas and beverages.

It had been so long.

"So what would you like to do?" She asked referring to Saturday when she would be giving us a party.

"Hmm." I tap on the table as I consider options "How about you take a whole day off and take us to a movie first then spend the rest of the day with us?"

She took a moment to think as she sipped coke, keeping the glass down she nodded "I'm okay with that. Now are we informing Niki and Sam or will you?"

I waved a hand "I will. I'll catch up with them as well."

She smiled "When are you supposed to go home?"

Looking down at my watch I groaned "Almost half an hour ago."

"Let's go then." She announced getting up with her belongings. Picking up mine we walked out discussing timings.

"You want a ride?"

I almost blushed "Sure, if it doesn't take you long."

She literally rolled her eyes at me, can you imagine that? Twice in just 3 hours!

"Sit Kiri." She ordered. Shaking my head at my thoughts, I slide in her passenger seat.

It took us 15 mins of a silent ride to reach my house. Thanking her I slide out promising to call her the next day.

Happily, I ring the doorbell and wait for someone to open. Pooja our helper girl opened it allowing me in.

Not glancing at anything in the living room I made my way towards the stairs.

"Kaira." A gruff arrogant voice stops me before I even step on the first stair "You are late. What was the time you are supposed to come home?"

Forcing a smile on my face I turned towards the voice "Good evening dad."

A/N:

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