Like strands of our favorite maggi gets entangled into each other. Our love life too got mixed up. We are group of five friends, Amrita or Amy, Revti as Ray, Paridhi as Pary, Anirudh as Andy and me, Saurabh as Sebu.
Being in missionary school, our names got baptized.

Andy is coolest one, keeps himself busy in gym and sports. He doesn’t understand love and emotions. But as a hunk he attracts lot of attention and enjoys the limelight.

Pary is similiar. She is a guitarist, singer and song writer, a band in herself. Her tattoos are a book of philosophy.

Amy and Ray are toppers, sincere, focused, goal setters and achievers. While I, Sebu, has no such traits. Maybe its the reason I am writing about others life.

School was a jolly time. There were no worries except exam. We used to live in the same neighbourhood and available to each other for 24 hours. College may have created distance in kilometres but not in our heart. We kept in touch and met each other on holidays. But honeymoon of the life got over after we entered the race of bread and butter. Andy joined his family business. Pary followed her dream to pursue career in music. Me and Amy joined different company in same city while Ray worked in same company as Amy but located farthest of all. We continued to be together through whatsapp, concalls, vacations. I had been organising everything since school and may be the gel which kept our group together.

When the discussion for nuptials began at home, I felt differently toward my friends. For me Amy, Pary and Ray are suddenly not friends but girls. Since me and Amy are in same city, we meet quite frequently. When I tried to woo her, she snubbed me and even complained to Ray as I am closest to her. Ray only prompted me to ask out Amy. She even pushed me to Pary. But Pary being a free bird, did not believe in marriage or relationships. She is having time of her life in Mumbai.

After getting shoved by Amy, I was shaken. Later Amy confessed to Ray that she has crush on Andy since school days. Ray prodded me to ask Andy. Doing as instructed, I realised that he is no more a playboy and wanted to settle down. He liked Amy too but couldn’t express his feelings as he is afraid of losing friendship. None of us knew of about the coffee brewing under over noses. We finally became the matchmaker between Andy and Amy. To give back the favour, Andy and Amy tried to get me and Ray together. I was elated when Andy asked me about her because I was closest to Ray. But she never replied to this proposal. Finally I gathered the courage to face her directly. She reprimended me badly. I was shattered to pieces. Later Amy got to know that Ray and Pary are gay and have hots for each other since realisation of sexuality. Now section 377 being legalised they will be open about their relationship.

The news dropped on me like a nuclear bomb. I felt jealous and embarrassed. Not even a single girl of three is interested in me. Am I that bad ? If my childhood friends don’t find me good enough, how will any other girl? This love maggi is disgusting. It has become a khichdi.

I isolated myself by quitting the WhatsApp group and stopped picking up calls. I avoided them even on home visits. As dust was settling inside me, one fine Friday evening all four of them suddenly appeared in my office so that I do not create any scene. After winding up the week, they kidnapped me. They tied my hands and gagged my mouth. Nobody uttered a word. After a long drive, we reached our hometown before dawn but did not go home. I panicked, jumped, cried but none of them reacted. I had to give them signs that nature is calling continuously. The boys accompanied me, pulled my pants and ordered to do my business before them. It felt like a prisoner of war and wanted to proclaim my rights under Geneva Convention.

While we were waiting outside the park near our neighbourhood, a familiar face was approaching with light of the day. It was my neighbour Parul. She was blushing but shocked to see me tied. It was than anyone spoke for the first time since evening and told me how she had childhood crush on me which I did not notice. They found out when Parul met them in a marriage party in our locality and enquired about me. They kept quite about the whole situation while she continued saying how I was always busy with them and ignoring others. She also noticed my unusual behaviour during recent home visits. After she left, her abnormal inquisitiveness raised doubts among them. The group ganged up. They met Parul again and kind of interrogated her. She gave in about her interest in me. Then this plan was hatched by the gang for making up to me and that’s the reason I am tied up before her like a prisoner.

Andy, Amy, Pary and Ray said in unison “Thank us later in evening when we welcome new member to the gang. Till then both of you can fulfill your appetite of love.” It is best surprise of my life. Love maggi is not that bad after all.