“WHAT?” Kashan asked, her mouth falling open.

Said nodded. “I know, I know, I never though I’d live to see the day when I would advise someone to get together with David Raymond,” she said, scowling heavily at the mere mention of the boy’s name. “But it’s the best way out in your case, Kash, trust me.”

Kashan knew Sadi too well to think the girl was playing some sort of prank on her. When it came to giving advice on love related matters, Sadi Andrews never, ever joked. Trying not to bite her lip, Kashan said only word: “Explain.”

“Tanzeel can’t get out of talking to you if you’re his best friend’s girlfriend,” Sadi began. “David would kill him if you broke up with him because Tanzeel was a jerk to you; and Tanzeel knows that, too. Take it this way: Tanzeel would hit a friend back if he hit him, but he also happens to be the kind to care very, very deeply for his friends. At least, I know for a fact that he cares for David – a lot. They aren’t best friends for just any reason. He would never do a thing that would, directly or indirectly, hurt David.”

Kashan was now beginning to understand what Sadi was getting at. “So more time with David means I get more of a chance with Tanzeel, right?” she said, slightly hesitantly. “And when I’m sure Tanzeel and I’ve become too good as friends for him to ignore me again, I break up with David.”

Sadi nodded. “That’s the plan.”

For a moment, Kashan was quiet. “I can’t do that!” she finally blurted out.

“Why not?” Sadi asked, surprised.

“That would be cheating on David,” Kashan pointed out. “First I would be getting together with him without even actually liking him, and then I would actually be using him to get together with his best friend. The shock would kill him, when he finds out.”

“I think David needs to be used and cheated on,” Sadi replied coldly. Her tone was always cold when she spoke of David. “It isn’t as if he doesn’t two-time, double cross, use and cheat on girls, himself.”

Kashan remained silent. On one hand, Sadi’s plan could not have sounded more appealing; Kashan was almost bursting to attempt it. On the other hand, Kashan knew she had never been the type to get together with a boy she despised with all her heart. Even if he was the best friend of the love of her life.

“Decided yet?” Sadi asked.

Kashan shook her head. Then she abruptly asked, “Be honest, Sadi – What do you want me to decide?”

Sadi shrugged. “It’s your choice, Kash,” she said at once. “You can either get together with David, or say goodbye to the chances of ever getting your Tanzeel. Personally, I would be happier if you forgot that Tanzeel even exists because, and I confess it openly, I’m going to feel like a total jerk every time I see you with David.”

Kashan tried not to bite her lip before nodding. Sadi’s advice had, instead of making things easier, made them even more difficult. Way more difficult.

“I need to talk to Lily about this,” was all she said.