3D: Girl Talk

Busyness kept Maya and Penny from seeing each other. Between the promotions, Ranveer, Penny’s marriage and apartment renovation, spare time did not exist. When the construction ceased, and Mr. & Mrs. Oppenheimer were settled, Maya made time to visit.

Maya admired Penny’s creativity and wondered if she had it in her. The new studio apartment looked more like a fancy hotel suite. They removed the drywall and exposed the brick on most of the walls in the living area. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors and paintings caught her off guard when she first walked in. They towered over her and almost looked misplaced, but they totally worked and made the apartment feel larger. Wood planks in the center of the room made a nice visual divider without barricading the sleeping area. A new color palette in the kitchen brightened the room giving it a sophisticated flair.

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The joy Penny felt while turning her place into their home exuded from every corner. Would Ranveer let Maya renovate his house? Apart from new furniture, it didn’t need much. But, standing in Penny’s apartment inhaling the fresh paint and new furniture scents, excitement about sharing that experience brought a huge smile on her face. Was she finally ready to leave home?

“Gosh, Penny! It looks completely different and so much like you!”

Penny snorted. “I’m a grown woman. It’s about time I had a grown apartment!”

The apartment wasn’t the only one glowing. Penny was more radiant than ever with her twinkling eyes and extra wide smile.

“Married life looks good on you. And, your hair! It’s grown so much. So curly!”

Penny chuckled. “Your hair would probably be as curly if you stop putting all that heat on it.”

Maya snorted. “Not that curly.”

She checked out Maya’s hair and smiled. “I like this look.”

“Yeah? I didn’t feel like fighting with the humidity today. I swear it’s ruining my will to live. Figured I’d try something new until I felt like straightening it again.”

Penny smiled. “Well, I dig. It looks more like you.”

Maya grinned awkwardly. “Which me is that?”

“The real you.”

Maya enjoyed having people in her world who understood her and loved even the unflattering parts. But, it was too early in the day for deep, introspective conversation. “How’s your sister doing?”

“Kayla?” She sucked her teeth. “Girl, she out there eating up the spotlight. Look at this.” She scrolled through her phone. “This little girl said she needed new headshots.” She passed the phone to Maya.

Maya gasped. “Look at Kayla! She’s so beautiful!”

“Hmph. She’s getting too big for her britches!”

Maya howled. “Now what does a city girl like you know about being too big for britches?”

“Girl, bye! All my family ain’t from San Myshuno.”

Maya continued swiping through the pictures. “I don’t care what you say. She is hot, and she knows it.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Penny said.

“She’s just trying to be like her big sister.”

Penny snorted. “I’m Internet famous, and that’s enough for me.”

“Says the woman with her face plastered on billboards!”

Penny rolled her eyes. “I was young and dumb. I don’t want cameras following me around, but you seem to love it.”

“They don’t follow me around. Work has me doing press conferences and stuff now.”

“That’s real cute, Maya. You know you enjoy them clamoring for you.”

“I meeeeean, I can’t help they like what they see!”

Penny laughed. “Girl, you crazy! Better you than me. Before I left, they wanted me to move up too. All that visibility and responsibility…” She shook her head. “I like my little private life. You can have that.”

Truthfully, Maya wasn’t a fan of the responsibility either. But, the visibility wasn’t so bad, though, sometimes she missed being able to go out and not be recognized.

“Speaking of little sisters trying to be grown…” Penny said.

A tiny knot sank to the bottom of Maya’s stomach. She cleared her throat. “Right? I’m so happy for her.”

“Oop! Maya…”

“Hmm?”

“What’s going on?”

Maya reached for her churning stomach. “W-what do you mean?”

Penny’s eyes were paper thin. “Mmm hmm. I see you, but I’ll leave it alone for now. How are you and Mister?”

Maya’s lungs collapsed as all the air rushed out of them. Why was she like that? Why was there an ellipsis after “I’m happy for her” rather than an exclamation mark? She had genuine feelings of joy that night Julio came over, but … She shook off those thoughts and concentrated on the question already on the floor. “Everything is wonderful.”

Penny grinned. “I’m glad to hear that.”

They had been so busy, Maya never told her about the little crisis she had. “Real talk?”

Penny leaned closer. “Oooh! You brought tea?”

Maya appreciated her so much. Except Ranveer, she couldn’t be as honest with anyone else and trusted both friends with her life. “You’re so silly! But, yeah … I wasn’t sure it would work.”

Penny gasped. “Did something happen?”

“No! It’s just …” She paused to take a breath and gather her thoughts. “He’s so wonderful. Too wonderful for me—”

“Why would you even go there? You deserve a good man after what you’ve been through!”

“I don’t know! My mom and sister’s perfectionism must be rubbing off on me or something. Ranveer is everyone’s perfect man, basically. I guess I thought guys like him need someone perfect, and I am far from it.”

“Girl, please. He’s a beautiful man who seems to have it together, but he’s not perfect. No one is. Not even your mom and sister. Trust.”

“But, shouldn’t I have seen everything by now?”

“Not necessarily. Certain things you’ll only see when you live together, and that is a whole different ballgame. Those things can test your relationship something fierce.”

#Manveer sailed in calm waters their entire voyage. The sun always shined, and rainbows were a common occurrence. Their relationship was too perfect. Whether they lived together or not, a storm was on the way. She had no doubts they would make it, but how much damage would it cause?

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Hey y’all! Penny (the version of her in this story) has a pretty interesting backstory. Check it out if you’d like to learn more about her.