The question

 Anuj mentally banged his head to the wall on seeing Anu on her knees. He barely got a chance to assimilate the good news and now the disaster awaited. Ideally, he would have resented Anu for stealing his thunder, but he was genuinely concerned for her this time. Worst was that Priya was as clueless as him as to what was happening. They were too late to stop it, both of them held their hands tightly dreading the conversation which was about to happen.

Anu picked up Priyansh's wallet from the floor and handed it over to him. Priyansh took it and thanked her. The grip of Anuj's and Priya's hand loosened in relief. Just when they thought that the disaster was over, Anu handed over the bouquet to Priyansh and said: "Thank you for organizing this and sorry I couldn't be there for the ….ceremony". Her voice almost dropped low with the last word. Priyansh like a jolly fellow took the bouquet and said: "It was a pleasure helping you ladies with this, and you don't need to be sorry. I have known you for years, if something hadn't been important you wouldn't have missed my engagement" and slightly patted her shoulder. "This my friend is too much, almost looks like a cover-up", he laughed looking at the bouquet. Anuj and Priya laughed awkwardly and after seconds of confusion, eventually congratulated Priyansh. "Thanks guys, but it is your day today, please don't share the limelight with me", he smiled humbly.  

Priyansh had to leave early. Other three spent time ambling their food on the plate silently. This must have been the quietest time they had ever spent together. While Anu's eyes were filled with sorrow, Priya's eyes were filled with anger as well as concern and Anuj's eyes, they were full of questions. But all of them knew that it wasn't the right place to talk about anything.

Priya stepped out to settle the bill and asked them to proceed to the parking. While walking towards the car, Anuj could no longer tolerate the awkward silence, so he finally popped the question, "Are you okay?" Anu knew that with him, there was no point in lying. Anu took a deep breath and started, "Priyansh is a really nice guy, I have known him for long. But I guess I took too long to process my feelings for him. By the time I realized it was too late". 

"Does he even know? And why didn't you share this before? I mean with Priya", words almost stumbled out of Anuj's mouth. Anu wiped her nose with the corner of her thumb and smiled, "I can share that with you as well. I learnt about it last week while you guys were on vacation. Fortunately, I saved myself from embarrassment by asking him to share the surprise first on that day. I would have been at a great loss if I had gone first. At least I have him as a friend".

"Why do you need him, when you have us?", Anuj tried to lighten the conversation.

Anu also slipped into comfort and teased him, "Because you always keep complaining about the third-wheel".

"As long as you agree to be the third-wheel instead of me, I am ok with it", and they both laughed.

Priya was listening to the conversation from a slight distance. She always wanted Anu and Anuj to gel up, but not at the cost of Anu's misery. She thanked God for the good things, then rushed to hug them. 

My bro Aru!

 

I was quite busy with some office paperwork, so engrossed that I did not even notice when Ma had returned from her evening walk. She came and sat on the sofa beside me and let out a huge sigh. "Tired" ? I asked without looking up. After a pregnant pause when I did look, I found her staring at the nearest wall which had our old black and white family pictures standing out on the bright wall. "Is everything ok Ma? Shall I make you some tea?" . I saw her eyes welled up when she finally looked at me. 

She looked away and started talking, "Today was bring your kids to club day. Mrs. Shah brought her dog and said she is my son", she ended the sentence with a chuckle. I placed a consoling hand on her hand and tried to cheer her up with my brightest smile. "Ma, you might still be young, but I am too old to accompany you to the club and to have grandchildren, you need to find a daughter-in law first, which is again too early to think about too", I chuckled. 

Maa shook her head indicating I got her wrong, "You are not getting my point Aarav, I don't want to rush you into marriage. It is your life, you know what to do better and when. I lived mine on my rules and encourage you to do so as well. All I want is……….is to be a parent again". I reeled back in shock at the end of her sentence.

"Age is just a number, have you decided to take this quote seriously? I do not intend to be rude, but sorry Ma, I do not understand your wish". Mom chuckled, "Oh Aarav! Your mom is crazy not insane. I want a dog, whom I can claim as my son at the club. No offense to you though", she said with a wink and we both laughed.

Till date, I may not be the son to be flaunted at the club, but my bro Aru, he has a great fan following there. 

Surprise!!

As Priya had declared, they were heading to meet Anu and Priyansh the very next day of their return. They decided to meet at their usual hang-out place, but to their dismay, their favourite spot was reserved for some surprise party. Anu and Priyansh were already there to break the sad news to them. Anuj is usually the one who doesn't like changes, but the new spot didn't bother him today. He was happy to onboard Priyansh to his end of the team.

They entered the café, Priya literally hopped the entire path sending excited vibes to Anu. Anuj rolled his eyes and reminded himself that ignorance is bliss. He shook hands with Priyansh and waved at Anu with a smile. He placed the car keys on the table and excused himself for a restroom visit. Priyansh followed his lead.

Anuj and Priyansh were washing hands at the basin, when Priyansh asked Anuj while looking at him in the mirror, "So, how does it feel "?  Anuj frowned slightly at this awkward restroom question. Yet he tried to play cool and said with a slight smile, " Fine! You tell, how long have you known Anu"? Priyansh was confused with this sudden change of topic but continued the chat. "It has been more than 7 years, we went to the same college". "Wow! It took you so long to get her to agree", Anuj gasped. "Agree for what?" Priyansh started but was interrupted by a phone call. "Excuse me, I need to take this", he signalled towards the phone and stepped out.

Anuj returned to the table, only to find it vacant. He sighed and called Priya. Priya answered in a singing tone, "We are at your favourite spot ". "But that was reserved". "Yes for us!". Anuj saw Priya waving at him and then he noticed a cake, and Anu holding a bouquet. He immediately panicked and asked Priya to step out for a private conversation. Priya gave in to the urgency in his voice.

"Is Anu planning to propose Priyansh? I don't think they are on the same page", Anuj said in a hushed tone.

Priya stepped back in shock and said a long "Noooooo".

"Then why is there a cake and a bouquet"? Anuj continued in a hushed tone.

Priya smiled at the confusion and said, "That is for you stupid! You are getting promoted", pausing almost after every word.

"Wait what? How do you get to know about my promotion before me"?

Priya widened her eye and then it dawned upon Anuj what she meant. He hugged Priya in excitement. "Shall we"? Priya took Anuj's arm and dragged speechless Anuj inside, only to find Anu on her knees in front of Priyansh. Anuj and Priya looked at each other in horror.   

PS: Fourth part is out here: The Question