Chapter 7: New Beginnings and Old Wounds

When the college admission letters arrived, I found out that both Priya and I got into Mumbai University.

We did a little happy dance in my living room, Priya’s laughter echoing down the corridor. My mother made us chai and pakoras, beaming with pride. I sent out a flurry of celebratory WhatsApp messages.

We were thrilled and decided to celebrate our unbreakable friendship.

Priya suggested, “Let’s treat ourselves—biryani and ice cream, my treat!”

At the mall, we bumped into Meera.

She was clutching a giant shopping bag and grinning. “Aiyyo, what a coincidence!”

So the two became three, and we went for biryani together.

We crowded into a tiny table at Biryani House, the aroma of saffron rice and fried onions making our mouths water. The waiter wiped the table with a red Gamcha, giving us a side-eye as we snapped selfies.

Meera was even more excited than us. “Now I can hang out with you guys again! Lucky I ran into you—how could you not invite me to celebrate?”

She got along with us really well. Like Ananya, she was a top student, and also Ananya’s best friend.

She got into Delhi University, which was just across the river from Mumbai University. No wonder she was so happy. I was glad, too.

Our laughter was so loud, the aunty at the next table gave us a disapproving stare. Meera ordered extra raita to celebrate.

“Sorry, bro, almost forgot about you,” I joked.

“Kabir, I’m a lady—who are you calling ‘bro’?” She glared at me.

Her mock anger made Priya snort biryani out her nose. We all cracked up.

“Okay, okay—didi, my bad!” I put my hands together apologetically.

I folded my hands in a perfect namaste, earning another playful slap on the shoulder from Meera.

Priya looked at her, as if remembering something. “Hey, why are you shopping alone? Where’s Ananya, the campus queen?”

Meera gave a wry smile. “Her? She went to Delhi already.”

“But it’s still a while before college starts. Why’d she go so early?”

Meera got mysterious. “I’ll tell you two, but you can’t spread it.”

We both nodded, all ears for gossip.

Meera cleared her throat. “Ananya had a breakup and went early to get over it.”

“Breakup?”

“She was dating someone?”

Priya and I were both shocked, blurting it out at the same time.

The table shook as Priya banged her fist, sending a papad flying. We stared at Meera in disbelief.

“Yeah, the guy cheated on her.” Meera shook her head, looking helpless.

I was both surprised and disappointed. The girl I’d loved from afar was actually hurt by someone else. I felt a pang of regret.

I stirred my limca absentmindedly, not knowing what to say.

“Sigh, nobody’s life is perfect,” Priya sighed.

She wiped her mouth and leaned back, staring at the ceiling as if it could offer answers.

“She said she liked him for a long time. She’s really heartbroken,” Meera added.

“Was it someone from our class?” Priya asked, curious.

I perked up too.

“Not sure, probably not,” Meera shrugged.

No wonder she turned down Arjun—she already had someone else in her heart, but picked the wrong guy.

Thinking back to how warm she’d been to me at the party, I almost misunderstood. I felt a wave of disappointment.

The three of us had a few more drinks, ate our fill, and left.

The biryani was good, but my mood was off. We walked home in the drizzle, huddled under Priya’s big blue umbrella.

A few days later, Meera went back to her hometown for the summer, and Priya went travelling.

I wandered the city alone, bored out of my mind.

Every day I bounced between my house, my aunt’s, and my grandma’s—almost wearing out their doorsteps.

Finally, it was time for university’s early orientation camp.