‘Oh wow,’ I said, because I was not sure how to react and this seemed polite.

Nisha sighed. ‘Yeah, I was just shocked. I . . . I didn’t know what to say,’ she said.

‘And then?’ I prompted.

She looked at me and shook her head. ‘It’s just too confusing. We’ve grown up together and he’s always been there for us. He’s our best friend. I feel so awkward about all of this now. So, I just got up from there and came back home.’

‘What? But . . .’ I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him now. He must have been so confused.

‘I need time to think,’ she said. I rolled my eyes. ‘I told him that too. We haven’t spoken since then. Then we met yesterday for lunch with you.’

‘This is weird. But . . .’ I trailed off. I wanted both of them to be happy. But I also wanted things to be as they were. I didn’t want anything to change. That was not what was going to happen in my life.

‘He keeps messaging me. Telling me that he’s sorry,’ she said.

‘Why is he sorry? I want to whack him a bit for doing this. And both of you for keeping it from me,’ I said.

She winced. ‘I don’t know why he’s saying sorry. Probably because he went and changed things between us now,’ she said. ‘And I wanted to tell you but . . .’

I sighed. ‘So what are you going to do?’

She shrugged. ‘What do you think I should do?’

‘I can’t tell you that! It’s your life!’

She looked exasperated. ‘What if it wasn’t Anirudh? What if it was some other guy from college? Wouldn’t you tell me then?’

She was right. ‘Look, things have changed between the two of you, whether or not you decide to do anything about it. So why not give it a try?’

‘Really?’ she looked somewhat relieved.

‘Nisha, you don’t need my permission, okay?’ I joked.

‘No, not permission, but . . .’

‘Approval? Ugh, I don’t know what to make of it. As long as the two of you don’t do any smooching in front of me, I’ll be fine.’

‘Shut up!’ She hit me with her pillow.

‘What? I don’t think I can take it. And after I tell you what my parents told me last night, you’ll know why.’

Her brows furrowed. ‘Why? What happened?’

I let out a big sigh. ‘My mother is pregnant. She’s having a baby.’

Nisha squealed. Totally not what I expected.

‘Oh my god, how amazing!’ she said, clasping her hands together.

‘What? You’re serious?’

‘Of course! It’s so cool. There’s going to be a cute little baby to play with! I’m so excited for you!’ she jumped up and down on the bed in her excitement.