Hello Everyone!!!

Life is beautiful, but it is too short to fight and dwell on small things. Let's try and nurture our relationships with the people that matter the most to us.

Here is my next story. Hope you like it.

THE BEST GIFT

It had been raining heavily since morning. Ananya was really hoping that her birthday get-together that evening, brought in some spark and excitement, to suppress the gloomy weather.

Looking gorgeous, Ananya sat at a table near the entrance of her favorite restaurant, ‘Italiano Special’, waiting eagerly for her best friend, Akshita. She had asked her to come a little early.

“Where is Akshita? That girl is always late!”, Ananya murmured to herself, as she glanced towards her watch. She was feeling extremely conscious of herself, sitting there alone, all dressed up.

 After what seemed like eternity, Ananya’s eyes finally caught sight of Akshita rushing towards her.

“Sorry… sorry, I know I got late. Actually, I could not find this necklace and then…anyway, Happy Birthday!”.

“Yeah…Thanks, but you and your excuses…” said Ananya as she rolled her eyes. “I mean you could have just…”

“Happy Birthday!”

 Ananya looked up to see two more of her friends there. Soon everyone had arrived and the celebration was in full swing. After having the starters and done with plenty of gossiping and giggling for the time being, Ananya suggested that they move to the hall upstairs, where there was an arrangement for DJ, dance and dinner.

Ananya had been noticing that Akshita was distracted. She kept glancing at her watch, or the door. She was not dancing freely the way she normally did.

“What’s the matter?” Ananya, dragged her to the corner and finally asked her. “You seem to be lost in your thoughts.”

“Oh, nothing I was just waiting ….”

“Waiting for me”, Ananya heard a familiar voice say. Her eyes widened with shock. She looked around to see her once best friend, Muskaan.

 “But…I don’t understand. You had said you had nothing to do with me after that day. What are you doing here then?” Ananya asked after a few minutes of complete silence.

Muskaan and Ananya had fought terribly two years back. Muskaan had, had a liking for Rohan, who was their common friend. However, when she heard that Ananya, who inspite of knowing of her feelings, had accepted Rohan's proposal and was going around with him, she was furious and broke all ties with Ananya.

“I am really, really sorry Ananya.”

Ananya was confused. “You are sorry? Wait…what is happening?” Ananya asked facing Akshita.

“Yes Ananya, it was me. I was the one who had started the rumour.”, confessed Akshita.

Thankfully for Ananya, Muskaan offered to explain. “I recently re-connected with Akshita on Facebook and she confessed to me that everything about you and Rohan was just a rumour, that she had started, because she was jealous of our friendship. I was already feeling silly to have disconnected with you for something so petty. But, I never gathered the courage to come and apologise to you. This evening, before coming here, Akshita came to meet me and convinced me to come here uninvited. So that’s what I am doing here. I am really not going to let go of you so easily. I am really sorry, Ananya for not trusting you and not listening to you.”

Ananya burst into tears as she took in everything. Then she burst into laughter, looking at her two best friends standing with their heads bowed and hands on their ears.

“Muskaan, you are never uninvited to my party. And Akshita, I know how hard it must have been for you to confess. I have nothing against any of you. Life is too short to hold grudges. There is no point in keeping any bad memories with us. Let’s put this behind us and start with a new beginning. Thank you so much for giving me the best birthday gift ever.” Ananya pulled both of them together into a group hug.

Click!

Ananya smiled as she looked at the perfect picture. Her birthday had really brightened up everything.