Want Me

2

“Honey, shall we go?” My mom asked when I am looking at my pink t-shirt and jeans attire in the mirror.

“Yeah, mom. I am coming,” I shouted back and felt my heart thumping against my ribs. I kind of looked pale today, fearing for something which I don’t want to happen. Meeting my crush again after six months, after knowing that he is having a girlfriend.

I am praying I shouldn’t see him. Even if I meet I should not talk to him, even if we talk he shouldn’t give that killer smile, then all my six months’ of hard work to control my feelings will get demolished in seconds. I don’t want that to happen!

“Hey, what are you still doing there,” My mom shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Coming,” I came out of my room and walked down on the steps.

My mom was so excited than me since her friend wanted her to be earlier in the house so that they can chat and gossip without any disturbance. I’m not in the age of this sleepover thing but for Tania, I can’t say no. She is like a little sister to me and Andrew also wanted me to come. They never showed they belong to the house of the world-famous billionaire. That’s all because of Aunt Sara who taught them to respect everyone equally.

I thought it is going to be three of us plus some awkward moments with Adrian which I thought manageable. The best thing that I like about this sleepover is, I can eat something delicious especially with more cheese and spice and meeting Andrew’s mom. After my parents, Aunt Sara was the sweetest person who cares for me so much.

But morning mom told me it is a family gathering, and Aunt Sara has invited my mom and dad too, dad will join us after finishing his work in the evening. There this thought suddenly banged me. If this is going to be a family meet up, then he will certainly be there as well. That thought made me sick!

My mom drove the car playing her favorite BTS songs. I was just watching out thinking about what I have to do?

“Honey why you are silent?”

“Nothing, I am feeling tired,”

“Tomorrow when I have to come?”

“I will come with Andrew, mom?”

She nodded.

“Mom, is everyone going to come today?” I hesitantly asked.

“Yeah,”

“Oh,” I leaned back on the seat and didn’t talk anything till the car stopped before that big mansion. I don’t want my mom to know about that crazy, stupid crush.

I got down with my bag and Aunt Sara stood there with a big smile on her face. She hugged me once I am close to her. She is so happy to see me after six months. I have avoided coming here because of Adrian. I don’t want to make him awkward around me.

“Come in,” she invited us in with that same enthusiasm.

The house looked so marvelous with that grey and white interior design. Andrew’s dad has a good taste in everything, I looked at Aunt Sara and confirmed it.

“Anvi!” I know that sweet voice, Tania!

“Hi, Tania,” I smiled and she hugged me.

“Thanks for coming,” she grinned.

“Let’s go to my room,” she suggested. She is six years younger than me, and like a little sister which I wished to have.

I looked at my mom for permission, she nodded. My mom was strict on certain things. She always wanted me to ask her consent before doing anything and I know it’s only for my good.

I followed Tania. Her room was goals. When we stepped on that floor, I heard voices from the side. I looked at the balcony, there I saw Adrian talking with his Dad Michael.

“Anvi, I have something to show you,” Tania’s voice made them look at me.

He smiled at me. “Hello, Uncle,” I bowed involuntarily. I do this whenever I find someone who I admire.

“Hello, Anvi. How are you? Is your dad coming?” he questioned.

“I am fine Uncle and dad will be here soon,” I smiled.

I looked at Adrian. He was gawking at me. These days I am guilty and scared to see Adrian. We were so close when we were young. Compared to Andrew, Adrian was my favorite, he won’t let me go to my house when I come here. I don’t know what separated us but I wish to talk to him like how we used to be.

“Hi, Ad,” I said since I don’t want anyone to know about us.

“Hi, Anvi,” he replied. He is really tough to understand, unlike Andrew who is an open book.

I walked into Tania’s room. She decorated it with all yellow which I love it. “Take a seat, Anvi,” she told and I sat on her bed.

"What you want to show me?” I asked.

“This,” She opened her cupboard to show her brand new makeup products. I opened my mouth in surprise and looked at her.

I gave thumbs up telling it’s good.

“Tania how can we sleep in here, you have a small cot,” I questioned.

“We are not going to sleep here. In upstairs,” she told.

“Adrian has arranged everything but he said he will allow me only when you come,” she added.

“Adrian?” I asked again to clarify it.

“Yeah, I asked him to decorate upstairs,” she told. She is really lucky to have a big brother to do everything for her.

“You know what, Andrew was there. Shall we go and see him,” she gave an evil grin. I know what she means by that. In that way, we can see what the brothers doing up there.

I winked and stood up. We walked there to see a wonderful terrace. When Andrew was arranging the bedsteads I patted on his shoulders. He looked at me like seeing a ghost. “What the hell are you doing here, Anvi Baba?” he asked.

“Is putting that bedsheet is a secret?” I questioned.

“We still have work, now get out of here,”

“Andrew!” Adrian said in an annoyance and looked at me in dislike.

“Adrian, I wanted to see it.” Tania reasoned.

“Hey, can I help you?” I asked Adrian hiding my disappointment since he is my friend after all.

“No thanks, you are a guest here,” he answered without looking at my face. He opened the boxes to take the blue curtains out.

“Better go down and eat something. We will call you once it’s done,” Andrew told.

“Tania, let’s stay in your room and let them work,” I convinced her.

She nodded and held my hand. Before going down I saw they have been arranging space for more than three people, maybe Adrian will join us, I thought.

“Who are all going to sleep upstairs? It’s you, me, and Andrew right?” I asked.

“No,” she nodded.

“Then?”

“Adrian, and… Ivan,” she startled me.

“Ivan?” I exclaimed and sat straight.

“Yeah,”

“Why you didn’t say this before?”

“Why is there any problem? How can I leave my big brother at this party?” she asked.

“No problem, I just asked,” I calmed down and felt my heart racing inside.

No one can save me tonight, I thought and looked out. The sun was slowly hiding behind the clouds reminding me that he will be here any time soon.

Tania applied the red glossy lipstick on my lips even though I begged her not to. “You shouldn’t remove it,” she warned me in a smile, her lips were coated with the same one.

Removing my hair loose that has tied in a bun, I made my way out of her room. Tania was dressed in a pink gown which looked great on her.

I looked down while following her on the steps.

When I heard my mom’s laugh, I raised my head to meet those pair of intimidating blue eyes. Adrian was looking at me when no one else did. His gaze made me uncomfortable, I gulped and looked down.

I went and sat beside my mother silently. I dare not to see in his direction.

“I heard Anvi studying well in school,” Michael told while talking with my mom.

“Yeah, she is,” my mom said grinning widely.

“But I am always next to Ad, he is the best student in our class,” I told and peeked at Adrian. I can’t believe my eyes when he smiled at me but that instantly vanished when I notice that.

That time, Andrew’s uncle Mathew entered the house with flowers. He looked exactly like Michael as they were identical twins. I wonder god must have got some new creational ideas while he was creating this family everyone looking so perfect and handsome. He handed the flowers to Aunt Sara with a smile and she smiled back. Whenever I see them together I feel there is something between them.

He told hello to my mother and sat opposite to me. I smiled because his son doesn’t come today! I started dancing mentally and thought I can enjoy the rest of the evening happily. But all my thoughts collapsed when Ivan, entered the house.

Ivan! He is my first crush, and the first person I greatly got attracted to. I still trying to get rid of those feelings.

I gritted looking down when he took a seat right opposite me and made me even more nervous.

I tried not to look at his side but I did without a self-f*****g control.

“Hi, Anvi,” he smiled.

My heart skipped a beat since it did a crazy disco and a few summersaults before coming back to its work.

I couldn’t react right away, “Hi,” I told and looked away without asking how he is.

He was unaffected by that and casually started talking to Andrew. I upstretched my gaze to see Adrian. He might have watched the entire scene since his expression was like, I know your little secret stupid.

This side I can’t look at Ivan and this side Adrian giving scary vibes. I don’t where I can keep my gaze. Aunt Sara finally gave a way to escape from this, “I am going to get something for you guys,” she told.

“I will help you,” I said and went with her to the kitchen.

Carrying the glasses, I came out. I placed the drink at the center of the table and this time I sat with Andrew to avoid everything that has bothered me for the past twenty minutes.

There was a serious discussion going on between. “Are you serious? Why can’t you change that decision?” Mr. Michael asked Ivan and he just looked at his father.

“Mike, let him do what he wants, they are still young. They have to try what they wish. We should not compel them,” Mathew tried to convince him.

“I don’t think these boys going to take my position. I am afraid what’s going to happen in the future,” Mr. Michael sounded in frustration. He is not happy about something that Ivan has decided.

Ah, I missed hearing it.

There was a small silence and Aunt Sara changed it when she came out with the cookies. I took a few and munched it looking everyone, my dad came too and joined the group. Later I came to stand beside the window where Andrew was already standing. The evening was slowly turned into night.

“Andrew, did I done anything wrong?”

“No,” he nodded.

“Then why Adrian was not talking to me?”

“Anvi you know that sometimes Adrian acts in that way,” he reasoned.

“But I don’t know whether you have noticed this or not. Adrian was completely avoiding me these days,” I said in a low voice.

Andrew knotted his eyebrows hearing my accusation and looked at Adrian.

“Don’t ask him, okay,” I said and he nodded his head.

“Anvi, will you help me with the assignments tomorrow?” he asked.

“Sure, I will,” I smiled. Andrew rarely comes to school these days. He was busy with his modeling career. Recently he got interested in acting too. He has been telling he is going to learn acting which his father strictly forbids. I don’t what he is going to do. Me, on the other hand, thinking about entering medical school. I always wanted to be a doctor, from next year onwards I have to work hard.

When I looked at Ivan, I smiled. He is a lawyer already. I don’t why I got attracted to him, maybe he is handsome and has drool-worthy physic, a good person, and has a charming smile. I don’t know when it all started but over the years I have started liking him.

Ivan and Adrian were talking about military stuff. I got confused, “When you are going to join in the navy?” Adrian asked.

“In five months,” Ivan said.

That almost gave me a heart attack. So this what Uncle Michael was upset about?

“Don’t worry about my dad, you should continue your work,” Adrian said.

I thought I am just going to miss him for sure.

Soon Aunt Sara called us to have dinner. I ate a lot and Andrew teased me for eating like a dinosaur. The evening went nicely except for some awkward gaze with Adrian. Before I leave here I am going to ask him why he is acting this way for one last time. It’s annoying!

Before going I said goodnight to my mom and asked her to drive safe to home.

I was walking with Tania and the boys were following us, I kind of felt nervous and I tried to be normal. As we grow older our feelings and everything changes too. I always a free-spirited girl but when I start to develop this crush I became different and try to avoid situations like this.

The place was neatly decorated and the blue curtains dancing in the oozing wind. I sat in the middle. Tania accompanied me in the right and Andrew on my left. When we were in middle school we have done this sleepover a lot of times. Last time it was before getting into our junior year Adrian asked me to come, I was so excited when I heard Ivan was coming too. But that night I found he is having a girlfriend while playing truth or dare.

My heart was broken and the next day I immediately left the house telling I am not well. That was my first ever heartbreak. I am not in love but I like him so much.

Meanwhile, from there Adrian started avoiding me because I left without listening to him, he wanted me to stay the next day too but later I found his reason is something else as he is not that type of guy who gets angry for a silly thing.

“Hey let’s start with truth or dare!” Tania said.

“That’s so usual, Tania.” Ivan snorted.

“It’ll be fun, brother,” she told.

If Tania wanted to do anything, she will do it no matter what. When the bottle was rolled, I never expected that it would point it to Ivan.

I looked at Andrew curiously cause his questions and dares are always hilarious, “Truth or dare?” Andrew uttered.

“Truth,” Ivan told.

“Are you still with that girl?”

“No, we broke up after two months. Now I am single,” he told which made me smile.

Ivan rolled the bottle and that pointed Adrian.

“Truth or dare?” Ivan asked.

“Truth,” Adrian answered.

“This might be a usual question; do you have a crush on anyone right now?” Ivan asked.

“Yeah, I have a crush on someone,” he replied but refused to say who she is when Tania asked him.

When Adrian rolled the bottle I thought Tania will be the next person, but it pointed me.

I looked at Adrian, “truth or dare?” he uttered.

“Truth,” I said nervously.

“Will you be my girlfriend if I ask you?” he asked firmly which almost startled me.

Ivan laughed. Andrew said, “Don’t you have a better taste?” And Tania rolled her eyes.

No one took that as seriously, but I can see Adrian was not joking since his eyes were looking at me intently and waiting for my reply.

I don’t know what to say, I gulped and stared at his smoldering eyes.