Cupcakes and Heartbreaks

Chapter 2

Kannika and Shresta went to the orange Nano car of Shresta while Dheya, Lakeisha and Prakruti headed towards Dheya’s sedan.

“Hey Shresta, try not to come under the wheels of a bus” Prakruti called out laughing at Shresta’s car.

“We will see who gets to Avantika’s house faster. I bet I can pick up the cake and still beat that humpty dumpty car you are going to ride in” Shresta shot back

Shresta loved her compact car. She had been the butt of many jokes due to her car which was considered a very tiny piece but Shresta defended her Nano vehemently. Kannika saw no reason for the excessive jokes around the car. She felt the car was much better than the two wheelers. It was safer and even protected you from the rough weather. They stopped on the way at the ice cream parlor and picked up the ice cream pastry which Kannika had ordered to celebrate Avantika’s birthday. Kannika had told them not to wish Avantika. She wanted to surprise her. They had packed the cake in a special box so that the ice cream doesn’t melt. Kannika sat in the front passenger seat and held the box in her lap.

“Yumm! It looks heavenly. I can’t wait to dig in. I think Dheya and party will pick up the food. I have the wine bottles ready in the trunk. All we have to do now is parttyyyyy yeaaaaa” Shresta was super excited about all the girls getting together after a long time.

Kannika said "I could really make do with a glass of wine right now. I am so fed up with work."

"Not right now sweetie. I will be too tempted to have it, remember we have to get to Avantika's home faster to beat Dheya and her sedan”

"Oh lighten up already. It's just a car"

"It is not just a car. It's my baby" she said and made a cute puppy face at Kannika and bent down to kiss the steering wheel "Aren't you my sweet boo?"

Kannika laughed and looked out of the window. It was a beautiful day. The Sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds. It was a little windy and looked like it may rain. It was a perfect day to stay indoors and watch the rain while gossiping and winding down with her best girlfriends. Kannika felt her gut squeeze. She had been feeling queasy from morning. She had hoped that it was only due to excitement of meeting her friends and the queasiness would subside later on but it persisted. Her instincts told her that something wasn’t right and it was getting hard to ignore that feeling.

Shrestha parked her car just as Dheya was about to pull into that parking space. She got out of the car and flexed her biceps and kissed it. "Yeah! Who’s your daddy now?"

"Cut it out Shresta and help me find a parking spot please" said Dheya.

"Only if you acknowledge that 'Shresta and her Nano are super awesome'" she skipped in her place.

"Oh Mahan Shresta, you are the greatest and your Nano is super awesome. Please help us find a parking spot" said Lakeisha.

Shresta laughed and pointed them at a parking space and guided Dheya. Dheya had bought the car only three weeks ago and she was still a learner. Shresta carried the wine bottles in a tote with a spring in her step as Kannika carried the cake box. Prakruti stuck her tongue out at Shresta and she promptly returned the favor. The remaining three of them carried the small gift boxes which all the five girls had packed for Avantika.

They entered the lift and were busy checking if they had left anything behind in the car and forgot to press the floor number button. An automated voice announced "Please press the floor number"

All the girls burst out laughing and Kannika pressed the fourth floor button and pressed her finger to her lips to silence the girls "Shhhh if we keep up this noise level. Avantika is going to hear us even from her fourth floor"

The lift opened again at the fourth floor. The girls tiptoed to Avantika's flat to minimize the noise which was hard to do since they were all wearing high heeled pumps which clattered loudly against the polished tiles. When they reached Avantika's flat and Dheya was about to ring the doorbell, Shresta stopped her.

"Wait I have an idea. Let us ask a neighbor to ring the doorbell and we will all hide beside the door. When she opens it let us all jump up and surprise her"

"Even if she opens the door and sees us she will be surprised. Why prolong it more?" whined Prakruti.

"She may be expecting us and when she sees a neighbor she will be a little disappointed but later when we jump up and shout happy birthday it'll be so much more fun. I will try to find someone to ring the doorbell" Shresta was so excited and full of energy that everyone agreed.

"Alright go find someone. I will wait here" said Prakruti and leaned on the door.

The door swung back weighed down by Prakruti’s weight. Prakruti lost her balance and was about to fall along with the gifts when Kannika caught her just in time. They were all surprised that the door was open. The sound made by the door and the girls to prevent Prakruti from falling was so loud that Avantika was sure to have heard it. Shresta stamped her foot and threw her hands in the air, disappointed that her surprised was spoilt. They all went inside the house. There was no sign of anyone in the living room. They entered the room and found Avantika sleeping on the bed on her stomach and her face turned away from them. Kannika signaled 1 2 3 on her fingers and after 3 they all shouted in chorus

"Happy birthday"

Avantika did not move. The girls exchanged worried glances. Lakeisha put the gifts on the bedside table and shook her. Avantika didn't respond. She sat on the bed and turned Avantika to her side. Kannika screamed when she saw foam frothing at her mouth. Lakeisha found a bottle of sleeping pills in her hand.