Third Wheel

It was Friday night, as per ritual, Anuj was ready with the popcorn and lemonade for the Netflix chill. He called out to Priya in a singing tone, "We are all set". He shifted to one end of the couch and signalled Priya to take her seat. Priya made a puppy face and said, "Can I skip Netflix today? I would prefer reading ". Even though Anuj knew what she is exactly going to do in the room, he agreed. He deliberately kept the volume low, waiting for that moment to come and after a few minutes, it happened. He heard roaring laughter from her room. He dashed straight into her room, stood like a teapot with a grumpy face and said, "Is that Anu?". Priya immediately kept her phone aside.

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Anu and Priya have been friends for years more than the fingers on a regular hand. Somehow by turns of events, they always landed up together. Same college, same job and now same project. People are so used to seeing them together that they are often addressed by a common name 'Anupriya'. People even joked about them getting married to each other because there was no scope for any guy to make space for himself in their lives. However, one poor guy Anuj fell in love with Priya. It is still a mystery, how Anuj managed to get married to Priya. Whenever someone asked Priya whom did she love more, she would say 'Anu' with a dragged syllable and add 'J' in the end based on the other person's reaction.

--------x--------

"Why can't you have this conversation with me?", Anuj started on a high note, then toning it down as if remembered something in the mid of his sentence. Priya was slightly clueless which conversation he was referring to. She stayed silent so that he could continue. "I understand that you have had a rough day, you could have discussed that with me as well". Priya was amused by this jealous revelation. "How do you know I had a rough day?", she asked. Anuj hesitantly confessed, "Anu messaged me to not mess with you today". Priya laughed, she felt blessed to have both of them in her life. Anuj continued, " I mean such warning messages are helpful, but she needs to get a life. She makes me feel like a third-wheel in our relationship. As if I am in a constant competition with her to get your love and attention. Whom do you love more?". Out of habit, Priya said, "Of course, Anuuuuuu" and added 'j' at Anuj's wide-eyed stare. She clicked her tongue understanding that now she would have to pacify him. She decided to distract him, "You have so many friends, why don't you introduce her to someone". Anuj took the suggestion seriously and started mentally analyzing his friends to spot a suitable match for Anu. "Ashish, no. Pankaj, no". After mumbling names of 5-10 of his friends appended by a 'no' he concluded, "It is difficult to find someone for her". His thought process was broken by the beep of the newly arrived message on his phone. It was from Anu:

"Get a life Anuj, stop discussing about me. PS: She forgot to disconnect the phone" 

PS: Second part is out here: Fourth Wheel

Rare breed

Akhil was scrolling through his phone while waiting for breakfast. There weren't any important emails, he kept his phone aside. After Aarav's birth, breakfast and dinners were the only time which Akhil and Shruti could find to talk. Akhil started, "Shruti, I might come home a bit late today, we have an office party, will you be able to come home by yourself". " Yeah sure", Shruti said while placing the bread in the toaster. She was a bit distracted, so Akhil cheerfully asked, "Aarav is having a sound sleep, what else is occupying your mind"? 

Ever since her maternity leave was over Shruti left half of her mind back home while she went to work. In no time her priorities had changed and she was trying to juggle between roles. Being a perfectionist, she was trying hard to meet her own standards.

"I was talking to Mom yesterday, she wanted me to convince Ria to get married".

"So, what is the concern"? Akhil asked interestingly.

"When I talked to Ria, she said she is unable to find her type, and when I asked her type she said that she wanted a feminist husband. I mean does she even understand that she is talking about a rare breed, where would she find one?"

Just when Akhil was about to say something Aarav's cry interrupted their conversation. Akhil wanted to talk about it but he knew it wasn't the right time, his gaze followed Shruti till Aarav's room until he was startled by the toasters bell. He went into the kitchen to prepare a toast for both of them.

Later that afternoon Akhil got a message from Shruti:

Shanta tai called. Aarav is not keeping well.

I am leaving from office early.

Might have to take him to the doctor. 

Don't worry I'll handle it.

Call me if you need me, and keep me posted.

      Will do, you enjoy your party :)

Thankfully Aarav's restlessness was because of the recent vaccination, nothing to worry about. However, Shruti had a hard time putting him back to sleep. By the time he slept, it was too late and she was extremely tired. She texted Akhil:

Situation under control, nothing to worry about, phew.

Btw, would you like to have some midnight snack? 

                I am too tired to cook, I'll order something.

                Let me know if you need anything.

Nah, I am good. Let me know what you want to have

I'll order. I have some App credits. 

Your regular or something else?

    Regular <3

Shruti moved out of the room tying her hair into a bun smiling to herself. Just then she heard a sound coming from the kitchen. She tiptoed to the dining table, there was tempting, good smelling, steaming hot food on the table. She grabbed a fork, even though the food on the table made the situation look less suspicious, she still wanted to be ready for some self-defence. 

When she entered the kitchen, she found Akhil carefully slicing the salad, totally unaware of her presence.

She went closer to him and gave an urgent whisper, "What on earth are you doing here? ". Akhil turned around as if caught red-handed doing something wrong. "You were supposed to be at the party". He took a deep breath and said, "I thought, while you take care of our baby, I could take care of mine". Shruti stared at him for a while, her eyes bit welled up. Poor Akhil, he wasn't prepared for this reaction. He was having a hard time too keeping up with Shruti's mood swings. He hesitantly asked, " Are you crying because you still have to do the dishes? ". 

Shruti looked up at the sink, he had clearly made a mess, but how could she get angry at such a gesture. She smiled, wiping her teary eye, nodded her head in a yes. "Don't worry we'll figure it out", he jumped in excitement after gauging her mood. He took her by the shoulder and made her sit at the table, placed a bowl in front of her stating, "Your regular, ma'am", and sat down beside her with his own. With his mouth half-filled with food he asked, "So do you think feminist husbands are a rare breed?", and they both chuckled.