Alright, buckle up, because before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let me tell you, this situation needs a full-blown interrogation.

  Arjun, my oh-so-dear brother, didn't even drop a hint about this madness during our Facetime chats. Like, seriously, bro, treat me like your sister, won't you? *cry emoji

  After that whole encounter in the hallway with everyone, which, by the way, I had to endure in not-so-flattering shorts and a t-shirt-I am determined to chase this match-made-in-heaven duo to their room and squeeze out all the juicy gossip.

  As I step into their domain, I realize I've stepped into a minefield. I try to retreat, but alas, it's too late. Heh, well, crap, too late. Hehehehe. Shit.

  "Vedhika, were you setting up camps in my room?" Arjun asks, counting the number of shirts that have mysteriously vanished.

  I offer up an awkward smile, "Well, I thought you'd be MIA for a good three months. Your room has this whole vibe of morgue that practically screams 'get to work,' whereas mine makes me feel like I can conquer the world, you know?" Okay, maybe the conquer-the-world bit was a tad overdramatic, but who's keeping tabs?

  "But that doesn't justify the disappearing act of my clothes," he grumbles, though I detect a hint of amusement.

  "THERE WAS A THIEF HERE LAST NIGHT, I SWEAR EVEN MY CLOTHES ARE GONE!" I announce, exasperated.

  "Oh well, looks like that thief goes by your name, right?" he counters, his grin widening. I don't quite get his deal.

  "Well, well, Miss Vedhika Deshmukh, I regret to inform you that you've been caught red-handed," he declares, eyes fixated on the shirt I'm wearing. "That's mine. Care to drop the thief act and confess up?"

  "Okay, okay, you got me. I was too lazy to do laundry, and with this whole wedding hullabaloo, I'm wiped, alright?" I admit, plopping down on his bed for effect.

  "I'm sorry, Vedhika. That wasn't the plan. There's a lot more to it. What went down in the hall barely scratched the surface," he chuckles.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  My gaze shoots up from the floor to him like a bullet. "WHAT?" I gasp, utterly shocked. "There's more to this? Please don't tell me you've got a secret love child with Samira," I deadpan.

  The bathroom door creaks open, and Samira emerges, looking comfy in her clothes, thankfully not resembling my brother in the slightest.

  "Nah, Vedhika, I'm fully on birth control," she laughs, wrapping a towel around her head.

  "Oh, crap, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I'm terrible. I'm just really sorry, Samira," I apologize, feeling like a complete idiot. shit. shit. shit. shit. shit.

  "Don't worry, Vedhika. My wifey is actually pretty cool. She was excited to meet you, especially since she only has a brother. She wanted someone to help her with the wedding plans. Someone to actually be there by her side, you know and trust me, I've survived a lot of punches and kicks while we FaceTimed about hiding this from you. She wasn't a fan of keeping it all a secret from you," Arjun explains, looking at me like what he's about to say is going to send me into cardiac arrest.

  "And there's one more bombshell I need to drop," he says, his tone losing its luster. "I'm finishing my internship next January."

  "Yeah, I remember, but that's like seven months away, right?" I inquire.

  "Yep, but I've got a job offer," he reveals, his voice dropping with each word.

  "A JOB OFFER? HOLY CRAP, THAT'S AMAZING, DARLING! DID YOU TELL DAD?" I exclaim, ecstatic.

  "It's great news, Vedhika, but there's a catch. The job's in America. He's torn up about it, but the offer's too good to pass up, especially after all the blood, sweat, and tears he's put into becoming a decent doctor, you know?" Samira adds, her hand resting on my shoulder, a sense of heaviness in her touch. I get why he's upset. I'm not thrilled about the America part either, but I can't be a wet blanket. If he's happy, so be it.

  "Dude, are you upset about that?" I ask, trying to inject some positivity.

  "YOU CAN'T BE THAT CHICKEN." i practically jumped on him, but I quite really meant a hug.

  "You've busted your butt for this opportunity, honey. You can't just bail because it's a bit far. Not to mention your wifey," I say, the last part dripping with lust. I swear he laughs-I litterally saw it.

  "Sure," he says with a smile. "Now get off me, you big-fat chicken." he said laughing

  "YOU GIANT SAUSAGE GOBBLER!" i hissed blocking his airflow with my elbow.