She looked adorable. Ira stretched her hand and pulled her cheek. But in self-deprecating sneer said, "If everyone falls in love with me, why is it that I only have you as a friend?"

Friend! Ira didn"t even know what it means. Just a bunch of troublesome kids dragging you down. She never had a real friend. In past life and this she never had enough time to a.s.ses her life. Always on top of the world. She looked down on everyone like a queen. She disdained any relations.h.i.+p that tied her down.

Even in her past life when desperation, guilt, and helplessness accompanied her, the proud Ira never asked anyone for help. Friends she didn"t have then as well.

Always running away from responsibilities.

So is this what a friend is like?

Why did I never had one?

With Reeya she knew what a true friend is,

Someone you have fun with,

Someone with whom you can share your feelings without any worries about being judged,

Someone with whom you can be your true self

Someone to talk to...

Someone to share your secrets...

"No...No.." Reeya shook her head. She took her palms in her hand.

"I remember in college so many admired you. They never approached you because they were cowards. That"s not because n.o.body wasn"t interested in you. You were like the cold beauty beyond their reach, high up above." Hoping to make her statements more agreeable, she continued, "For real or you would have got a fan following."

"And I am your greatest fan." Her eyes were sparkling with light.

Reeya"s flattering totally worked as Ira had the sweetest smile.

"You should smile more. It bewitches people." Reeya complimented her smile as she tightened the grip on her hands a.s.suring her.

Ira pulled them back and bowed her head.

Why were their dialogues sounding more flirtatious?

Reeya was in full fangirl mode.

Ira was speechless. Should I say thanks?

No that is rude.

Should I deny it?

No that"s even worse. Words of self-worthlessness would make Reeya sing praises of her.

Oh...

After a brief silence, Ira awkwardly replied, "Your smile is nice too." and feeling embarressed avoided her sight.

"Ira, did you buy anything special?" She asked with her round eyes.

"Special?" The blank face Ira had no idea.

"For Valentine"s. You bought all these clothes, but you need a special gift for your hubby." She knew she had to teach her this as well. "People gift their loved ones with something special."

Ira shook her heads. She ate a piece of pastry, slowly chewed it. It tasted like wax.

Valentine"s day held terrible memories for her.

"Do you have any plans?" Reeya was determined to help this clueless girl. She was curious about the great Vivan as well.

She saw how the girl spent the whole day crying over lost love. No, I am going to help.

"I am going to spend the whole day with you," Ira said with a straight face.

"Oh!" Reeya gulped a sip of orange juice, but when her words registered in her brain, the juice went down the wrong way. She tried to keep the splutter inside a closed mouth. However, combined with anxiety and shock she started to choke. Her mouth opened and the juice projectile out, spraying all over the table.

Valentine"s day with meeee.... Yeah! Leaving embarra.s.sment aside a smile formed on the tomato red face