parveenmatharu18

Based in the hybrid setting of India and UK,  this is a friends to lovers story. Childhood besties Neil and Alia find it difficult to give in to their feelings and cross the "safe" line of friendship in the hope of something more.  Will it be a smooth sail for them? Or will they come across a crossroad - choosing between love or friendship?

From Howrah to Brooklyn

Once Neil landed in the UK and reached his university. He got very busy with his studies and coursework which meant that Neil had less time to devote to Raina.


She wasn't happy with this development and it led to constant fights between both of them. One day Neil was studying very early in the morning and to take some break and refresh his mind. He decided to play some video games with his mates.


Neil was busy playing with Adi in his room, when suddenly he received a call from Raina.


'Hey Baby. What are you doing?' Raina asked.


'I am just playing some video games with Adi.' Neil replied.


'Don't you have to study?' Raina asked.


'I do. But my mind was exhausted and I just wanted to take a break.' Neil said.


'If you wanted to take a break, you could have messaged me. We could have had a video call with each other.' Raina complained.


'But I just wanted to chill with my friends. Not thinking about anything. Am I wrong in that?' Neil was irritated.


'What does that have to do with me playing? Come on Raina, don't be a child. Can you not stop giving me a hard time every single day? Why do I have to explain it to you when I spend time with my friends? I don't question you when you are out with your mates. Why can't you do the same for me?' Neil was very angry.


'But I don't ignore you when I am with my friends. But you do.' Raina started crying.


'Yes, cry. Blackmail me. I don't care. Just let me appear for my exams in peace.' Neil hung up the call.


Adi kept on looking at him. He was very used to this now. Whenever he would fight with Raina, Adi and Alia were his safety blankets.


It was the "A" team who helped him whenever he would go low.


'Dude, why are you even tolerating this shit? Just break up with Raina.' Adi said.


'Come on, Adi. It is easier said than done. It's just the long-distance relationship thingy. Fights are bound to happen. Don't stress too much.' Neil as usual just dodged the topic.


The next few days Neil refrained from talking to Raina as he wanted to give his exams with peace and he didn't want any tension. They would speak occasionally via chatting but nothing more.


Soon after exams were over, Neil moved back to London for the summers and got busy with his internship.


One evening Neil was coming back from work, he received a message from Alia


"Message me when you reach home. Got to tell you something."


Neil reached home and the first thing he does is to call Alia.


'Aloo, is everything okay with you? What did you have to tell me?'


'Relax Neil. Nothing to stress about. I just wanted to tell you that I have been accepted to study at LSE. And I have already started with my UK visa process and all.' Alia said.


'Really? I hope you are not joking with me? Gosh, Aloo I am so happy. By the way what course will you be studying there?' Neil asked.


'Oh, nice. I am so excited that you will be coming to the UK. It will be so much fun. When you start with your packing just keep me in the loop as I will guide you on what you will require or not. Because though the university provides with the "Things to Bring" list, more than half of the stuff you never use.' Neil said.


'Okay, Neil. Give my regards to Kaaku and Kaaki.' Alia said.


'Will do. It's quite late for you now. Good Night.' Neil wished her and hung up the call.


Chapter 11