Ananya's p.o.v.
I extend my hand to take the last piece of chocolate while checking my mobile but I felt nothing on the packet.
I looked up from the mobile and seriously there was nothing.
My chocolates!
And the next moment I felt like something is burning in me at the view in front of me. He was just chewing my remaining chocolate with so much Cazz. I know my face is going to turn into a crying face with a slight touch of anger. He smirked at me.
"How-how can you do it? You just ate my whole damn chocolate." I said feeling super annoyed with this damn man.
"It's my chocolate so I ate it."
"What! No Mr. Arjun I bought this. It's not the one that you gifted to me tomorrow."
Shit! I bite my tongue.
"Really? So that chocolate was gifted by me?" I turned my face in the other direction to avoid his teasing gaze. He moved close to me. I heard his whisper in my ear.
"I never knew that I'm your admirer."
I pushed him.
"Joke. It was a joke." I blurted.
"But don't you think I also deserve a return gift?"
I got upset again inwardly remembering my gift which I lost yesterday.
"I was about to give but..."
"But?"
"But I lost it." He frowned hearing my excuse.
"I think you don't want to that's why giving useless excuses. Leave it. I have my secret admirer. Ok, I was just here to get news of my secret admirer. So, tell me have you got to know about her?"
"Sir for your kind information I'm not any secret agent. So, there is no news of your so-called secret admirer. I'm really sorry."
"You are really a bad PA. Can't even do a single thing. Unlucky me now, I have to make you my date." He said in a sad tone.
"Date? I'm not your date."
"Really miss Roy. I think you are suffering from memory loss. Ok, it's the first time so I'm reminding you once again but next time write it down in your notebook."
He stopped for a moment and then started again.
"There was a deal between us yesterday in the car at probably 6:20 pm that if you failed to find out my secret admirer you will take her place in the party which means you will be my date. Simple. So, tell me have you got any news about her."
"When will I have to join you for the party?"
He raised his one eyebrow smirking.
"At 6:30 in front of your house, I will come to pick you up."
"Will be there."
"Don't make me wait." He left leaving me alone in my cabin.
Well, today the office will be closed early on the occasion of the evening party. So, I also left.
*****
"Anu... wake up. Oh God, this girl... array wake up. You will be late for the party."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." I woke up with a big yawn.
"Check the time it's already 6:10 and you are still sleeping."
I yawned again sitting on the bed lazily.
"Stop yawning and get up." After scolding me a little she opened the cupboard.
"Look what are you going to wear?"
"Where is Neem?"
"I have given her leave after you came back."
"Ok, you go. I will be ready."
After coming back home early from the office I took a long shower and ate and took a deep nap. And as a result of that, my head is feeling like a rock.
I somehow managed to drag myself into the washroom. Getting fresh I came out to choose what to wear. I carefully checked and found myself totally confused. Should I wear Indian or Western?
"Arey you are still standing there?" Dadi came shouting again.
"I'm finding nothing interesting here."
"Yeah, how will you find? You have no dresses at all. Neither I bought you nor you did. But still, the cupboard has no place left. Now move."
I moved to let her look. Seeming like she is having an extra heated mood. So, it's better to keep quiet.
"Wear this."
She gave me a red v-cut strap red dress that will reach up to my knee. Yeah, the dress is nice but a little bold. No, it's not too revealing but something is bold about this dress.
"Thanks, Dadi."
I changed it. And the mirror in front of me clearly showed me how perfectly it fits me. I kept my hair in a suitable bun. I wore two small diamond earrings. Applied eyeliner, lipstick and I'm ready.
I checked myself again. Hmm, not looking bad at all.
Oh shit! It's 6:41. I'm dead.
"Dadi... I am leaving. Please take care. I will be back soon."
Somehow half running half walking I came out of the apartment. There he is standing in his navy-blue tuxedo like a Greek God leaning on his car.
I cleared my throat to gain his attention. He turned towards me. Why is he looking at me like that? I looked down to avoid his staring. I was already scared and now his intimidating gaze made me nervous. Come on say something. I felt like we are going to stand here like this for eternity.
"I'm sorry."
I spoke up to get rid of these unusual feelings. He slowly moved to me without breaking his stare. What's his plan?
I heard the sound of the car door opening. I looked up and met his small deep black pool of emotion. He was standing holding the car door for me. Without wasting any more time I followed the next step.
The car started in silence. Why is he not talking to me?
"Are you angry with me?"
"Shouldn't I be? You can't even do a single thing of finding my secret admirer? And that's why I have to take you with me? Not only that you can't even come in time?"
"Stop the car."
"What?"
"I said stop the car."
"Do you think I'm your driver or you are the boss that you will order me and I will do as you say?"
I leaned back in my seat again.
"No Sir I just don't want to take your special person's place. That's why..."
"You can't. But right now, I have no alternative way except to take you with me."
He replied which I finally decided to ignore.
We reached the venue. The whole place was filled with employees, some officers of other companies. People are chit-chatting, laughing among themselves. As we entered some people came congratulating him. I stepped near the drinks.
Rahul and Vishal were standing there.
"Ananya!" He stared at me.
"You are supposed to look at Shriya like this, not as at ME."
I commented as I passed towards the drinks across from him who was just staring at me like a dumb.
"Are you taunting me?"
I heard him from behind.
"Nope. Just trying to keep everything friendly."
I said while facing him with a light smile.
"You are looking so different today."
"Really? What's so different about today?"
"I can't remember I have ever seen you before in this type of western dress so just got shocked by your bold Avatar. By the way, you are looking awesome."
"Thanks for the comple..."
"Hi, gorgeous" Vishal cut me.
"Hi, handsome."
Vishal and Rahul both made confused faces. Maybe they never expected me to reply to him like this. Well, I don't know why but I somehow enjoying my current boldness.
"So that means we can continue this flirting session? Don't you slap me, na?"
I frowned at his weird question.
"Slap? What?"
I was trying to be cool and he just ruined everything.
"No, it's ok, sister."
"Sis... you just called me sister. Am I that bad that you can't even flirt with me?"
I asked in a little dramatic way.
"No, you are awesome, fantastic, actually I am not getting feels. See you later, ha, bye."
As he left, I turned to Rahul.
"What rubbish he was talking?"
"Leave him. He is just scared of you."
"Scared of me? Reason?"
"He saw you slapping me that day. That's why..."
"That's why he asked me if I would slap him or not, seriously?"
I laughed hard.
"By the way he started good, like a macho man."
"He just tries to be cool but ultimately his tire gets punctured."
"What so funny just happened here that you are laughing so much?" Shriya showed up.
"Nothing she just met our brave Vishal."
"Hi Ananya."
"Hi Shriya."
"Ananya, where is Arjun?"
"Maybe meeting the guests."
"He is there." Both of us turned in the direction Rahul pointed.
"Oh, this Arjun! He's always busy. Wait I'm calling him."
She took him near us almost dragging him.
"Just talk with us now. You have enough talks with the guests. We are also your guest, in fact, special guest."
"What can I do when the one who was supposed to talk is busy chatting with others?" His eyes were on me.
Wait, did he just taunt me?
"Hey, there is a dance stage also. People are dancing. Then why are we standing here like boring people? Come on, guys."
"Shriya I am not interested. You guys..."
"No, not at all. You will dance with me, I know nothing."
She again started dragging Arjun's hand.
"Ananya and Rahul."
What! Dance! No way my feet have started paining already due to the stiletto I'm wearing and I'm horrible at couple dance.
"No, it's fine you guys go."
"Arrey then with whom Rahul will dance?"
We both turned at each other.
"Shriya I also have no mood. You two carry on."
"No way. You two will dance together. Come on don't look at me like this. I know everything has become normal and you have become good friends again."
"But…"
"Ok." Rahul agreed.
I signed him in disagree.
"Ok, just one dance. It won't do much harm." He extended his hand. I felt an unusual nervousness which was stopping me but I kept my palm in his.
Third person's p.o.v.
They started dancing at a slow pace.
"Why don't you tell her about your feelings?" Ananya started the conversation.
"What if she rejects?"
"Rahul, she is your best friend? If she thinks of rejecting I don't think she will deny your friendship. She will understand. And in that case, you shall also understand, right?"
"I know but still I am tensed."
"Come on. Why are you tensed you love her and it's a very normal thing. Just tell her. Otherwise, you may have to regret it later. Who can say her answer can be 'yes' also? Don't assume everything just by yourself. What worse can happen other than rejection? And if just a confession can create a crack in a more than 10 years old friendship then in my opinion the question mark will come in front of that friendship.
"Hey, don't say that."
"Hmm, that means your bonds are pure. Nothing can pollute that easily. That means you have trust in your friend. Then just say her. And you know you have an advantage. Loving your best friend means there is no chance of losing anything but gaining profit."
"Ananya I'm so lucky that I have you in my life. You make everything so easy. Thanks."
"My pleasure sir."
"What are you seeing?"
"You" She rolled her eyes in confusion.
*****
"Don't they look cute together?"
"No"
Arjun replied boringly who was totally distracted by someone else.
"What? Arjun! Where is your mind? Look at me."
Shriya uttered irritatingly.
"U… umm. Hm… yeah"
"I really wonder why Rahul broke the marriage. It's clearly seen that they like each other"
"But liking and loving is not the same. I mean Rahul himself said that he doesn't love her."
"But Arjun not every relationship starts with love. The primary base of any relationship is liking. And they just don't like each other but they are such good friends. It's like the cherry on the top of cake. What you say?"
"Umm, I don't know. Their life, their choice, who am I to decide?"
"Hey, easy."
Arjun realized his grip on her arms had tightened. The view in front of him was triggering his emotions to lose control again.
"Maybe there was another reason actually behind breaking the engagement? Do you have any idea if he loves someone else?"
"How would I know?"
"Come on. You are his best friend. You can ask him."
"Same goes for you. You can also do that."
" I asked him once. He said nothing."
"Then what make you think that he will tell me?"
" I don't know. Just telling you. Moreover, you guys are too shy to tell anything to girls. Maybe he will be comfortable to tell you."
"What?" He chuckled.
"What's about being comfortable in this? And let me clarify I'm not shy."
"Really?"
"You have doubt?"
"I think I have."
"Then why don't you tell me about your feelings for me," Shriya said in her mind.
"See people are exchanging partners. Let's change partners."
"But..."
Without listening anything more Arjun moved towards Rahul and Ananya holding Shriya.
"Don't you want to dance with her?"
Ananya asked Rahul.
"Everything can't happen as I wish. Shriya and Arjun always dance together at any party. They always make a perfect dance couple even in college days. In college, I and Arjun used to have arguments over dancing with Shriya, and at the end of the day he used to win and I gave up as you know how I dance horribly. I think I'm fine with you in this case."
Rahul started spinning around Ananya while spinning in speed Rahul missed the hold of her finger she was about to fall when she felt a strong hand almost pull her into his arms and a sudden sensation inundated her. She slowly looked upward and her intuition was hypnotized by a dark intense pair of eyeballs. His left palm was gripping her soft little fingers and the other hand was protectively wrapping her waist.
"Arjun." A whisper escaped from her mouth.