'No amount of coffee, no amount of crying, no amoy of whiskey, no amount of wine... I gotta have you, 'sang the Mesmerizing voice while I chilled with my friend Sakshi at the Mia Bella Pub.

Sakshi, one of my best friends, was effortlessly beautiful. She was of medium height, with narrow shoulders, slender legs, and a tiny waist. She had an air of confidence about her. Her jet- back curls blew in the evening breeze like the black waves that blow over the ocean on stormy nights. fair skin glowed and her eyes had the spark that could set forests ablaze. But her best feature was her smile. I admired her as a friend since she had always stood by me whenever I needed someone. Our friendship was over a decade old but we couldn't mert very often due to the long distance between us. I had little clue about good places to eat in Delhi, so I had asked Sakshi to decide where to go. When we reached Mia Bella around 10 pm, Sakshi told me that we needed to climb three floors. I pleaded with Sakshi that I was tired, but she remained stubborn and took me upstairs. By the time we reached the rooftop, I had a big smile on my face. All my tiredness evaporated into thin air. It had a terrific view of the lake and the cold breeze made it feel even more amazing.I hugged Sakshi for gifting me a pleasant evening after a tiresome day at work. We placed our order and waited for the dishes to arrive.

'No amount of coffee, no amount of crying.... ' he continued singing. The voice of the singer left me spellbound.

'Adi, will you pay attention to me or should I leave? 'Sakshi asked pinching me. I was mentally transported to a different world. I wanted to hear more of his soothing voice. I somehow felt an urge to get to know him better. His way of playing the guitar was soothing to my ears. He had a seductive voice which completely mesmerized me. It was one seductive night.

'Adi, we've met after such a long time and look at you. You have changed so much. Have you forgotten how girls should be treated? 'She was getting furious. At that moment, it wouldn't have surprised me if she would have thrown the cutlery at me.

I had landed in Delhi on the same day for an official trip. It was justified on her part to get furious at me as she was feeling ignored. I tried to show her that I was paying attention to her even though my mind was elsewhere. But as we know guys can't beat girls at arguments, especially when the girl os your BFF.

'Yes, I am sorry. Tell me, I am listening to you. It's just that... '

'Oh, don't try to fool me. Why are you paying so much attention to the singer? Have you recently turned gay? 'she said it a fit of jealousy.

'I am not paying attention to him. I'm listening to his voice. I am sure there is a lot of pain inside him. And anyway, I was just checking out the inferiors of the lounge. Quite nice, no? ' I said trying to change the topic.

'Chuck it. Here comes period peri chicken. Taste it. It's one of the best dishes available here, ' she smirked.

' is it? Do you even understand the meaning of the name? Firstly Mia Bella and now this peri peri. This place seems funny. '

She stared at me and I knew it was time for me to keep quite. I ate my meal in silence. The peri peri chicken was indeed delicious. We followed up the meal with a few drinks.

'Adi, it feels so good to meet you after almost two years. I so wish that you stayed permanently in Delhi. Then you would have been just a call away whenever I needed you. '

'I am still a call away. Anything for you. Just don't call me too often. It will reflect in your bank statement otherwise, 'I laughed.

'I'm not a baniya like you. Thank God you're not my boyfriend, 'she replied.

'I was kidding. Okay, where is my surprise? You said that you had something for me.Where is it? 'I looked here and there to tease her.

She gave me a naughty smile and looked at the manager, gesturing him to bring something in. I was curious to know what she had planned for the evening. She looked excited and nervous too.

After a few minutes, the manager came back holding a huge cake. As soon as he kept the cake on the table, the same singer whose voice had completely mesmerized me played a mellow song on his guitar. I looked at him and we exchanged smiles.

The cake had a picture of me holding a book in my hand.It was Sakshi's favourite Picture of me. She had got the cake custom- made especially for the evening. Her gesture made me feel extremely special. The cake was a chocoholic's dream. Rich, thick, and creamy, with a layer of Oreo cookie crumble in the middle.

'Should I take the honour of cutting it myself? I smiled looking at my image on the cake.

'Yes please. Kindly go ahead. I want to eat you tonight, 'she said giving me a wicked smile.

' Then I better cut the other part of the cake as I don't want to spoil the night, 'I laughed.

'You moron. You can never change. 'She hugged me as I cut the cake.

I fed the first piece of cake to Sakshi followed by the manager. The cake was then cut into small pieces and offered to everyone present at the pub. I took one piece of the cake and went towards the singer sitting on the stage. He was still very engrossed in singing. I went closer to him and offered him a piece of the cake. He sensed affection from me and got up to give me a big hug. His hig made me feel like he was hiding immense pain inside him.I wanted to know what was troubling him but waited for the right time to question.

'I hope you you loved the surprise, 'Sakshi asked wiping the cake from her mouth.

' You made my day. I feel so special. I will remember this moment forever. I am so lucky to have a friend like you in my life. God has been kind to me. '

I still remember the first day we met. We were too shy to talk then,and look at us now! We've become the best of friends. True friendship is rare these days and I've been lucky to have met and made friends with people whom I can trust blindly. Sakshi was one of them. Our bond was extremely special and unique in its own way. I loved her fun personality which somehow never failed to impress me. She was always there for me whenever I felt blue. The world would definitely be a better place with more people like her.

It was almost 12 am and the pub was supposed to shut down by 1.She introduced me to the manager Anuj, who happened to be her friend. The first few minutes between us were a bit awkward but then I finally decided to break the ice.

'Anuj, can I ask you one thing? Something's been on my mind ever since we came to this place, 'I whispered.

'Yes. What's bothering you? 'he asked pulling out a chair. 'This guy. The singer. Do you know anything about him? 'I continued.

'Not really. But I know that he was a part of one of the most famous college bands in Delhi. '

My sixth sense was right! Bit was he here? If he had been a part of one of the most famous bands in Delhi, why was he performing in a restaurant? The more I thought about it, the more I felt he was hiding something and that there was more to him than met the eye.

'Can you introduce me to him? 'I requested.

I turned to look at Sakshi, anticipating a long speech. But to my surprise, she too looked interested in knowing who the guy really was.

'Why not? Give me a minute. Let me go talk to him, 'said Anuj and started walking towards the singer.

We watched them talking in hushed tones from a distance. Then the guy laid down his guitar near the bar counter and started walking towards us. Sakshi nudged me to lead the introductions.

'Hi, I am Aditya. This is my friend Sakshi. Please seat, 'I offered.

He took a chair and sat next to us. He looked around but didn't utter a word. Silence filled the air. By then the music has stopped too. We were the only ones left in the pub.

'Anuj told me that you were a part of a famous college band. Must have been exciting? '

'No, 'he replied.

'Don't worry. We all are friends, 'Anuj said trying to make him feel at ease.

'May I know your band name? 'Sakshi asked him.

He stared at her for a few seconds. He seemed lost.

Though he was physically with us, his mind was elsewhere. Finally, he looked me in the eye and said, 'VAYU'.

I don't know what came over me when he said that name but by then I had made up my mind that I had to ask him everything about the band. Every minute detail. I asked him if he felt comfortable answering my questions.

'I don't mind you asking me about the band even though it will bring back all the memories I'd rather keep hidden away. But I just want to know why it is of interest to you? You had nothing to do with the band.'

I ordered drinks for all of us.Considering the manager was Sakshi's friend, he did not say no even though the pub had shut down by then.It was like a wave of curiosity had engulfed him as well.