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.

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"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