Rise
Rani smiled as she opened Facebook. If straightening her hair and working as a caterer on the weekends wasn't enough proof that she had changed, the cover photo from Amsterdam was all she needed.
Suddenly, a notification popped up. 1 new message from Sikander.
She smiled shyly. After their trip, Tim had decided to go back to Paris and record some new songs, enough for another CD. With no other place to go, Taka had decided to join him. The two were currently sharing an apartment not too far from where Vijaylakshmi lived. Richie apparently was a fan of Tim's guitar, and Taka had a job working in the kitchens of Restaurant Robert.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr kept traveling and painting. He had gone through Eastern Europe, painted a massive mural on his way back through Greece, and even headed to Morocco for a bit. Last time, Rani had heard from him that he and Roxette were going to visit Vijay, and catch up with Tim and Taka in Paris.
Rani teased him that he would always be Sikander to her. In response, he changed his contact info to Sikander and told her it was only so she would remember who he was. Though, it would be hard to forget, with them all messaging each other and video chatting when they had a chance.
And even though they spoke all the time, there was something heavy that was left unsaid between them. Rani wasn't sure what it was exactly, but she always felt there was something he would hesitate to say when they signed off.
Taka and Tim had simply laughed when she had asked them, Taka's rapid-fire Japanese lost in Tim's French-accented English. They had said it was something Sikander would speak to her about, maybe, eventually. She had nodded and never asked again. After Vijay's attempt to drag her off and Sikander's defense of her, she figured it was not her place to demand anything of him.
Rani clicked the message. A photo popped up, and she couldn't help but laugh. They were all seated around a cafe table. Roxette and Tim were smiling widely, while Vijay held Richie on her lap. Sikander was half-crouched in his set, since his height made it difficult for him to be completely visible. Taka was leaning next to him and... were those bunny ears?
Almost immediately, another message popped up.
Hello Rani!
Guess what, we are thinking of another trip soon! This time, Vijay and Roxette may come too!
Rani looked at the little blue dots near the bottom.
How does Germany sound?
She smiled and typed.
Sikander, that sounds like fun!
His response was immediate.
Perfect! I can't wait to see you.
Author's Note: My head cannon is that Oleksandr really does like Rani, but he also knows that she is still fairly traditional. So he settles for being her friend. Eventually though, after several years of the group taking a trip together, they talk more. Then, when everyone finally goes to Delhi, he somehow impresses her family (simply because his art has become famous). Then, they become more in the end. Yes, they argue (about his continuous drinking, about her obeisance in India). Yes, they laugh (about how she still can't stand Italian food, about how he hates lizards and monkeys). Yes, they love (each other, their group of friends, the future that they will have).
Sorry for the sap!
The title is from Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise," which I think is fitting for Rani.