PARTY CRASHING
Ishika's 🐰🐇POV:
It's already Saturday morning, and I really don't want to go to that party, but I don't have a choice in the matter. It's a good thing that no one knows what my girl gang is planning. I don't like lying to my family at all, but when not knowing something is going to protect them from being hurt than that is what is the best for everyone.
"Kuch hua hai kya Sona. (Did something happen dear.)" Dadu asked me, looking concerned. He calls me 'Sona' affectionately. This is what I am talking about, they kinda know everything, I don't know how. Sitting at the breakfast table is very uncomfortable while hiding something from these people.
"Nahi, kyu? aap toh theek hai na dadu (No, why? you are alright dadu.)" I asked concerned about him. His health isn't good these days, but he never listens to anyone he always does whatever he wants, and his routine that he follows so diligently that we always know what he might be doing at what time.
"I can see clearly on your face, that you are up to something, everything is alright, right?" He asked me instead of replying to my question. I would love to tell you, but your not knowing is what's best for me and you as well.
"Everything is perfectly fine." I replied to him with a 1000-watt smile.
"OOho look Aarav had made such a mess of everything." I looked at him gushing over him. Dadu shook his head, I tell you he is the most amazing kid in the whole world, he is a genius and I am not being like the people who just blindly love and say their kids are genius. Picking up napkins, I cleaned him up and then picked him up.
"Phuii haa" He called me showing me his food covered fingers, giggling uncontrollably. I smiled at him cleaning his fingers okay maybe I am blindly in love with him, so what?
"Aaru my Aaru is so cute" I kissed both his cheeks.
"Myy Phuiii iss cuuti," Hearing him, I giggled.
"Usse chhod aur breakfast khatam kar pehle (Put him down, first finish your breakfast), we all know you both are inseparable but at least eat something first" Chachi Sa scold me. She was coming out of the kitchen where all the ladies of the house are, except me because I have to leave for work early today.
Chachi Sa is very sweet and loves me like her own kid. She has only one child and that is Karan Bhai Sa, Mumma and Baba Sa had kids later than usual and with a little difficulty, but irony is that we are three siblings and Chacha Sa and Chachi Sa only have one kid.
"Ji chachi sa (okay aunt)" I took my seat back and kept Aaru in my lap feeding him too.
Piya has already left for the college for the early morning extra lecture she told me about yesterday. Rudransh is also at school. Baba Sa, Chacha Sa and Bhai Sa already left for their respective works.
"Tujhe yad hai na kal gaon jana hai. Pooja ke liye (you do remember we have to go to the village tomorrow for the worshiping.)" Mumma asked me while coming out of the kitchen with the basket of flat bread in hand. She is the most beautiful lady you could ever meet and she is aging beautifully.
"Haan, Mumma yaad hai, kal sunday hai, koi problem nhi hogi jane mein. (Yes, Mumma I do remember tomorrow's Sunday so there will be no problem in going.)"
"Main chalti hu ab bohot time ho gaya hai (I'll get going, so much time has passed.) I'll be late coming home today there's a party at the office" I put Aarav in his playpen and was about to leave when I heard a voice stopping me.
"Alright." Dadu said.
"Ishuu, Ye lete ja halwa hai (Ishuu, take this with you. its halwa)" Bhabhi said handing me a tiffin box. Gaajar ka halwa I smiled happily and thanked her.
"Thank you Bhabhi" I hugged her, before leaving.
Mrityunjay's 🐯🐅POV:
It's 9 o'clock and I am descending the stairs after getting ready, everyone was busy in the arrangement of Janvi's birthday party tonight. All the family was on the dining table. When I took my seat between Abhijeet Singh Rathore's and Janvi's seat everyone became silent.
The help served me today's breakfast, "Mrityunjay aaj jaldi aana hai aapko, mere dost aur unki beti aa rahe hai aap se milne. (Mrityunjay, you have to come early today, my friend and his daughter are coming to meet you.)" Bade Rana Sa informed me.
"I'll be there" I said while eating my breakfast.
"Aaj toh lagta hai bhai ka mood thik nahi hai (It seems brother is not in a good mood today.)" Tejas told Janvi in a whisper.
"Achcha hota kab hai. (when is it good?)" she replied chuckling.
"Point." Vivan Chimed in whispering.
"Aap log chup ho jaaiye, isse pehle ki Hitler sunle. (you guys please shut up before Hitler hears us.)" Avni, the chutki of the group said.
"Hitler koun hai? (Who is Hitler?)" asked Revan, and Avni closed his mouth with her hand. Glaring at him.
*RING RING*
"What is it?" I asked picking up the call.
"Hukum there was a fire in the warehouse, it's under control now and we have the culprit under custody what are we to do with him" My security chief was on the line. Chirag Prasad an ex military officer and a master in every combat style.
"Take out the name of his boss out of him." I said cutting of the call.
"You should keep the work out of the house" Abhijeet complained and I glared at him, why can't he get the message that I don't have any interest in talking or taking any advice from him, he glared back at me, two can play this game and we maintained the eye contact.
"Stop this right this second." Bade Rana Sa warned us, Abhijeet lowered his eyes and continued eating, he has always been a coward the mouse which leaves the ship first when it's sinking. I left for the office after eating.
Ishika's 🐰🐇POV:
It's 5:30 office hours till 5 o'clock but I am still here, I need to leave to reach Saanvi's house now to get ready for the party, but my senior is an incompetent nitpicker who's clueless about the actual work and she just wants to make my life difficult that's it. So, I am just scared to ask her.
I stood up to ask her, but she is leaving, this is perfect, I can leave with no arguments, this is a miracle, thank you, thank you, thank you, god.
>>
Me and Mehak were at Saanvi's place and we were all getting ready for the party. its 6:25 PM right now, since I did not bring any clothes with me we were searching for a dress for me there is no dress code for the party and most probably everyone will be wearing western dresses.
"Listen guys we still have time, let's stop this madness and forget about it. We can have a girls night, right here I will ask my Mumma right now...." Saanvi snatched the phone out of my hand.
"No!" they both yelled at me. I'm small in stature and on the chubby side, but my cheeks and bosom aren't chubby, which is unfair. Finding a dress in this stick-thin girl's closet is quite a task.
Mehak had brought several dresses for me, but none seemed quite right. Saanvi finally pulled out a dress from the back of her closet. "This might work," she suggested. Mehak nodded in agreement.
We all admired the dress for some time.
"We don't have time, lets get ready fast we don't have time to chitchat." I said, picking up the dress and going to the washroom to get changed.
Authors 🐿🕊POV:
Aanika was doing the last minute check ups and every thing was perfect..... except the Cheater of a man she dumped was walking in her direction. hopefully not looking for her she rolled her eyes and walked away in other direction.
He caught her hand "Please listen to me." He pleaded. As if, this guy is a pain in the butt, always coming back like an itch.
"Let go of my hand," she hissed, her voice low and filled with irritation.
"Not before you hear me out."
"What? What is your problem? ek baar mein samajh nhi aata kya? (Don't you understand at once?)"
"Tum kuch bhi karo mein nahi chodunga (Do whatever you want, I will not leave you.)"
She sighed.
"Bako (Talk)"
Ishika's 🐰🐇POV:
As we pulled into the sprawling palace parking lot, our jaws dropped at the sheer magnitude of the structure. Towering turrets and ornate domes seemed to touch the sky, while sprawling gardens and manicured lawns stretched out as far as the eye could see.
"Aanika ne kahaan milne ko kaha tha? (Where did Aanika want us to meet?)" I asked everyone. It's 8:30 PM now, and the night wind is a little chilly.
"Right here," Saanvi said, her voice cutting through the chilly night air.
"Here you are, guys." Aanika said, finally arriving.
"Where were you? We've been waiting here for ages," Mehak said, her voice tinged with irritation.
"Something came up at the last minute," Aanika explained breathlessly. "Keep these with you at all times. If anything happens, come to me directly. Don't mess anything up and you're good to go." She handed us a stack of worker passes.
"Okay," we replied in unison.
"Let's go," Aanika said with a determined nod.
"Let's enjoy the party," Saanvi announced excitedly.
Mrityunjay's 🐯🐅POV:
The party was already in full swing when I arrived. I scanned the crowd, looking for Janvi to give her, her birthday present. But just as I was about to start searching, Bade Rana Sa stopped me in my track.
"You're late," Bade Rana Sa growled, his voice a sharp contrast to the celebratory atmosphere. His eyes, cold and critical, swept over me as if assessing a delinquent.
"Couldn't leave the work," I replied, my voice flat. I have no idea what his problem is. He knows full well I'm not interested in marriage, and I'd make a terrible husband at that. But if he's determined to ruin someone's life, I suppose I can't stop him.
"Come with me," he ordered, his voice laced with impatience. Though I had no desire to meet anyone, I followed him, begrudgingly obeying his command to meet with his friend and the daughter. Because I do respect him more than anyone.
"Meet Mr. Khurana and Aaradhya, this is my grandson," Bade Rana Sa introduced us. The girl's blush was becoming increasingly irritating.
"Khamma Ghani Rana Sa," Mr. Khurana greeted me, his tone respectful. To which I nodded, Aaradhya's blush deepened, her eyes fixed on me. I couldn't care less about the girl's obvious infatuation.
'When will this be over?' I thought to myself, my patience wearing thin.
"Aaradhya beta jao Mrityunjay ke sath baat karo. Khurana chal mere sath. (Aaradhya child go talk to Mrityunjay. Khurana come with me.)" Bade Rana Sa left with his friend. Leaving me with this.
"Ji aap kya karna pasand karte hai apne khali waqt mein. (so, what do you like to do in your free time.)" She asked me in a timid voice.
"I like to play with Saber," I replied honestly, if that could be called playing.
"What is that?" Her voice came out in a stutter, her eyes wide with curiosity. My nerves began to tick.
"A big cat."
"Oh okay." her voice squeaked out, I think she is scared of me, which is fine by me, good girl be that way forever and get out of here.
*Awkward Silence*
"My father must be looking for me. I'll go look for him," she stammered, her voice trembling slightly. With that, she turned and fled, her figure disappearing into the crowd.
Ishika's 🐰🐇POV:
Okay I agree this is quite nice, I was being difficult for nothing, but I still have that weird feeling in my stomach that something bad is gonna happen. The birthday girl had already cut the cake. But I don't think anyone saw Hukum anywhere now I am also curious about him, what is the deal with him?
I don't know anything about him. Because of the restrictions, I never really looked for him or even cared about it.
"What the hell? What is he doing here?" I blurted out, realizing my words had escaped my lips unintentionally.
"What happened?" Saanvi asked, her voice laced with concern. I pointed in the direction of the reason, my jaw clenched.
"Lucky Yaha. Isse kisne invite kiya? (Lucky here. Who invited him?)" Mehak asked, her voice was full of fury.
"Are you afraid?" Saanvi inquired.
"What? No! Why would I be scared of him? Just because he stalked me in ninth grade, we're grown-up now... I'm going to get a drink," I retorted, trying to sound confident.
"Bring me one too," Mehak said, her voice barely audible over the music. I nodded and left.
>>
"Excuse me," I heard someone say behind me. Balancing the two drinks in my hands, I turned around to see who it was.
"Yes, what is it?" I asked, my voice steady despite the churning in my stomach. The unexpected sight of Lucky standing behind me sent a shiver down my spine. I don't like this at all, he is a bit crazy.
"Ishika, how have you been? I never anticipated seeing you here," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Me neither, I'm good," I replied, nodding briefly. With that, I turned and started to walk away, hoping to put some distance between us.
"I need your help. Can you help me please?" He stopped me by grabbing my elbow, his grip unexpectedly strong. I glanced around nervously, searching for a way out of this uncomfortable situation.
"Only this once. I'll never ask you for anything else ever again," he pleaded, his eyes holding a desperate intensity. After a moment of hesitation, I nodded, agreeing to help.
"My sister is trapped in the bathroom. She needs help," he said, his voice filled with urgency.
"Oh, is that so? Sure, where is the bathroom?" I replied, my voice laced with a hint of skepticism.
"Come with me, I'll show you," he said, his eagerness bordering on desperation. Placing the drinks on the counter, I hesitated, a wave of unease washing over me. Reluctantly, I followed him, my senses on high alert.
As we reached the hallway, I realized there was no bathroom and certainly no sister. My heart pounded as I knew I had to leave immediately before anything happens.
"Oh no I forgot..." before I could even finish the sentence. He pinned me against the wall and he was so near me my soul came out of my mouth because of the scare he gave me just now.
"Don't try to leave me, we are finally together," he said, his voice low and menacing. My eyes widened in shock and fear. He was clearly losing his mind. I had to think fast. This couldn't be happening. I have to do something before he does something.... Okay fine.
"I really did forget my medicine in my purse on the white couch in the ballroom. I'm sick and..." My voice trailed off as his finger brushed my lips. My heart pounded in my ears. Had he seen through my act? I am trying to give the performance of my life, here.
"Don't be scared, my love. I'll bring you whatever you want. I can do anything for you," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. I forced a sigh, trying to muster a semblance of affection in my eyes for him.
"You will do that for me." I whispered in his ear and put my head on his shoulder and coughed a little too for the special effects. He kissed the crown of my head.
"Wait for me here," he said before disappearing down the hallway, leaving me standing alone. It took a moment for the realization to sink in. I rushed out of the hallway and stopped at the top of the stairs when I heard a voice that is too familiar. I peeked and found Bhai Sa there. What is he doing here?
Authors 🐿🕊POV:
Mehak was frantically searching for Ishika when she was abruptly bumped into by someone with a distractingly cute face. Furious, she snapped at the stranger, "Dekh kar nahi chal sakte. (Can't you see and walk?)"
"Main toh dekh kar hi chal raha tha app hi... (I was looking but you...)" He tried to speak but couldn't finish.
"How dare you call me blind?" Mehak was already fuming with anger and the way he was talking made her even more angrier.
"Main.. Maine kab? (I, when did I?)"
.
.
.
Saanvi who was witnessing the whole scene thought 'Ye toh gaya? Main kya karu ab? let's drink. (This poor guy is gone? What should I do now? Let's drink.)'
>>
"Hey handsome" Saanvi was a little tipsy when she met a handsome stranger.
"Hello beautiful" He was a little tipsy as well.
"Are you alone tonight?" She is not being bold because of the drink, she is bold in nature.
"How can I feel alone when such a beautiful lady is talking to me." He replied.
"smooth" She giggled .
"Kiss me" She asked him and being the gentleman that he is, he could not refuse the maiden in distress.
.
.
.
Aanika was dancing the waltz with Kartik, her head was on his shoulder, and he was staring lovingly at her.
"Promise me you'll never scare me like that ever again." she looked at him with eyes full of worry. "Never." and they continued dancing.