✓ Friends and Family

“Adi can you check lasaniya,” D shouted from the living room where she was cleaning up. I was in the kitchen cleaning the blows and dishes to get them ready to use.

Cal’s band mates aka friends are coming over for dinner and a small party. It is weekend so no college today and I manage to do my job in the morning so we can have a crazy evening and night.

College is going good, though teaching here is a bit different from that in India but there was no problem in adjusting apparently I was good at academics back then, so it’s not hard to catch here.

Work is as great as always Mrs Loris was quite impressed with my help around at the shop. I even suggested her to renovate the interior which will attract customers.

She is handling this shop for more than 11 years so at first, she refused but as I explained how the modern busy lifestyle can be combined with peaceful life back during her time, and a combination will be best and attractive she liked the idea and has started to save a budget for the renovation. It's so nice working there.

My schedule is all set college in morning work in the evening and having girls night with D. We have grown pretty close over these three weeks even Cal would join us sometimes.

The bell rang shortly followed by the sound of the front door opening, and I heard greetings shared.

Cal came into the kitchen.

“Hey, sweet pie.” He greeted with his boyish grin.

“I’m not sweet, I’m spicy.” I said with a scowl.

“I don’t mind having spicy.” He said with a wink and smirk.

I threw spatula in my hand towards him hitting him on arm. He laughs while rubbing his arm.

I too chuckle and shook my head giving him a side hug.

“I think you are chocolate.” He said with an expression like he was thinking so hard, I hit him on the shoulder making him laugh more.

He then moved towards the living room and I followed him.

~~~

D, me and boys were sitting on the couch when Cal came from the kitchen followed by a girl.

Her complexion is neither too dark nor too light but a perfect blend. She is wearing jeans with a peach crop top her curves are not too visible but I bet they are perfect, her dark brown hair settling just below her shoulder with almond-shaped eyes and chocolate brown orbs matching her hair and perfectly fitted with her complexion. No doubt she looks incredible with a small smile lingering on her lips as she approached us.

“This is Will, Josh, Jeremy and Enzo.” Cal said introducing each one of us.

“Hey, I’m Aditi.” She said flashing another sweet smile of hers.

“Nice meeting you Aditi.” I said extending my hand.

~~~

Enzo extended his hand and I took it.

“Same here.” I said with a smile.

Enzo was fair like typical American with honey blond hair and grey eyes, tall and by looking at him you can tell that he spends good time exercising.

“It’s nice finally meeting you, we heard about you a lot specially your food.” Will said.

“Really?” I asked turning towards Cal.

“Oh, I just said that anyone can die with your foods, I don’t know why they considered that as me parsing your food.” I said while faking confusion look and frown.

“Seriously!” I exclaimed narrowing my eyes, “You know what, you are not going to have food made by me from now on.” I said with a scowl and added, “ And FYI today’s dinner is made by me, so you can enjoy watching us all having pasta.” I said with a sweet mocking smile.

“What’s happing here?” D asked coming downstairs from her room as her gaze flicks between me and Cal both staring at each other with a scowl.

“Ah! Enjoying Cal being mocked at.” Jeremy answered with a grin.

“Traitor.” Cal mumbles settling himself on the armchair and didn’t notice a pack of chip lying their which burst as he sits and everyone burst into laughter.

We all are in the backyard now after having dinner and truth to be told all of Cal’s friend are great, we had small talks and they shared the funny incidents that took place while they were practising.

“So tell us something about you Adi.” Enzo said.

“Well, I’m from Chandighar, India. My father owns and runs a restaurant and my mother is a social worker in a plant nursery. Being an only child I am bit spoiled.” I said.

I miss my parents and the time when my mom used to force us into gardening with her we use to joke behind her.

“Actually I had visited India once my father had some business their. I don’t remember the name of the place.” Josh said.

“It was New Delhi you dumbass. You really can’t even remember the name of a place.” Jeremy said smacking Josh head “ It’s a beautiful place especially the monuments there.” He said turning towards me.

“Oh yeah, they are. You did visited Taj Mahal, right?” I asked.

“No, we didn’t our dad was quite busy so we just roamed visited New Delhi only.” He said.

"You should visit there, there are a lot of historical monuments in India and even many good places for relaxation in hill areas in the north and even the jungles of India are amazing.” I said with a bright smile.

“Sure we all will visit and hope you will show us around.” Enzo said offering a smile.

“Whenever you will visit India you must tell me and I’m not going to let anyone of you go without visiting every single place I want to show you all, even if you beg.” I said.

“Actually I’m satisfied with your talks only. I’m not going to visit India and even if I do I’ll make sure you never come to know.” Cal said earning a glare from me.

“You don’t have to worry because creatures like you are not allowed, you would probably be sent back.” I said winking at him.

And we all let a fit of laughter seeing Cal’s face.

After spending some time in the backyard and watching a Horror movie with Cal and Jeremy’s ridicules comments during the scary seen to suppress their fear.

Here I’m lying on my bed. It’s past midnight so boys decided to sleep here obviously it took me and D convincing. As we have only two rooms they decided to sleep in the living room.

I do miss my family and friends back in India, but it's also blissful to make new friends and D and Cal are closest to family over here.

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