"Hello! Hi Parth, Sanyukta is busy right now, can I take a message for her?" Anju answered the phone while Sanyukta was in the shower. "Aunty, actually we want her to join us for Randhir's birthday party at the Marriott, and only if it is ok with you! All our other friends are coming." Anju was unsure how to react. "But Parth, she has already been with Randhir on the Belgaum trip, besides she never attends parties so I don't know what to tell you." Anju replied as diplomatically as she could. 

"Yes Aunty, I know that, but both Randhir and Dad will like it if she comes by for at least a couple of hours. She will be in the company of friends and some people from the office and we will drop her home personally. Even the dress code is casual, so she need not worry about what clothes to wear. Please don't say no!" As Parth persisted Anju paused for a while. Sanyukta was growing, it was time she learnt how to conduct herself in the company of people, Anju thought.

"Fine Parth, I'll tell her, but make sure she is home early!" Anju was about to hang up when Parth told her he would have Sanyukta picked up by 7 pm. Anju was reminded of her own college days, when she had spent the happiest moments of her life. After breaking up with Harsh Anju had shut the world out fully. Life had been difficult and lonely but she had endured it. Her colleagues at work had drop subtle hints for her to remarry, but she had ignored the advice, she could not trust another man again. Her life began to revolve around Sanyukta. 

Anju knew she had a chance to start life afresh but she chose not to. However something told her that Sanyukta deserved a different life, she needed the support of others to dispel the loneliness that Anju had surrounded them with. Just then Sanyukta emerged towelling her hair dry and Anju conveyed Parth's message to her. "But Ma, I spent half the day with Randhir, and I'll feel like a fish out of water among his family and friends! I don't even have proper clothes for a party.  Let me call Parth to say I cannot attend." Sanyukta reached for her phone.

"Sanyu, you have to learn to be comfortable among people of all classes and backgrounds. Just as it is important to not get carried away, it is also vital that you are not ashamed of who you are. There will always be rich people around us but not all of them live in ivory towers. Harsh, Randhir and Parth are apt examples. You need to learn to strike a balance between living within your means and fitting in. Come, let me help you choose the right clothes, you can keep it simple yet tasteful." Anju persuaded her gently. My daughter will not bear the cross of social isolation like me, she promised herself.

" It will be like an office party, you don't need to be moneyed to fit in, just go and remember to have a good time without letting yourself go!" Anju explained to her. Anju knew she could entrust Sanyukta's safety to Parth. After she helped Sanyukta to get dressed the girl surveyed herself in the mirror. "Ma, I think I look ok!" Anju smiled at her daughter's modesty. "My daughter is looking very pretty today!" She complimented her. "Ma, I think I'll work on my Math problems till it is time to go." Sanyukta added, sitting down at her desk and burying herself in her books. 

Sanyukta suppressed her excitement as she practised Math. Being around Randhir 24/7 was improbable yet when the opportunity presented itself to be around him for a legitimate reason she could never miss it. It was just as well that he treated her courteously without encouraging her infatuation. Her phone rang and she stepped outside. Anju asked her to be back as early as she could. Sanyukta saw that YoYo and Sahil had come by to pick her up because Parth and Randhir had gone ahead to pick up Vidushi.

They reached the hotel and Sanyukta realised that she was both excited and nervous, she had never been inside the hotel before, even when it was quite close to where she grew up. As they entered the banquet suite her eyes took in the scene indoors. Randhir was surrounded by a few people, mostly friends. As their eyes met she waved at him and he smiled back. He noticed that she looked different in her plain but well-fitted dress, his eyes followed her as she made her way toward Nafisa.

"Hi Sanyukta, nice to see you!" Nafisa returned Sanyukta's greeting. "Peter's gone back Manila, and yes, the baby is well! I am spending some time away from home daily so it will be easier for me to get back to work." Nafisa chatted with her as they stood around the office group. "Beer pong is open!" Someone shouted and the guests rushed in, forming teams and starting to throw ping pong balls into beer glasses. The opposite team had to drink up the beer if any ball managed to land in the glass. YoYo and Sahil joined in while Sanyukta lingered behind, not wanting to become drunk at Randhir's birthday party.

The game generated so much excitement that people forgot to snack on the nibbles that were being passed around. "Hi Vidushi!" Sanyukta greeted her cheerfully. "Hi Sanyukta, no drink in your hand today?" Vidushi offered to get her one. "Don't bother Vidushi, I got her a drink already!" Randhir appeared suddenly and Vidushi walked away without a word, Parth had summoned her to join in the paper dance. "Lychee and tender coconut, and thank you for staying away from alcohol." Randhir smiled at Sanyukta who simply rolled her eyes.

"Nafisa, you'll be my partner for the paper dance!" Randhir grinned as he coaxed his father's PA to join him. "I know that you are playing safe here, pairing up with a married woman who has just had a baby, while a lot of single hopeful girls look on enviously!" Nafisa whispered to Randhir, observing Sanyukta who was watching the game closely. "I am being diplomatic, now the girls cannot complain!" Randhir winked at Nafisa in response. Soon Randhir and Nafisa, Parth and Vidushi, Jiggy and Kaustuki as well as Sahil and YoYo formed pairs along with other guests and after a lot of drama Parth and Vidushi were declared winners and they did a happy jig to celebrate their win.

More games followed. They played balloon volleyball and had a chain dance in which Sanyukta joined in. Everyone was having a great time. Sanyukta was happy she has let Anju talk her into attending the party. "Randhir, I need to go home now, baby will need feeding!" Nafisa urged Randhir as soon as the cake was cut. "Just give me a minute Nafisa, I'll drop you home myself!" Randhir offered. "But how can you leave? It is your party!" Nafisa remarked. "See, all these boys are drunk and I cannot send Sanyukta or you with a driver. Let me say goodbye to all, Parth and Vidushi will be only too happy to look after the guests here." He said.

"Let's go Mowgli!" Randhir grabbed Sanyukta's wrist as she bid farewell to her friends. "We'll get you home first Nafisa!" Randhir led them into his car which was returned from the parking by the valet. "Wow, sexy new car Randhir! Is this your birthday gift to yourself?" Nafisa asked, eyeing the vehicle. "I wish, but this is Dad's, it just got delivered on my birthday so I was asked to inaugurate it! He responded. They reached Nafisa's house within minutes and Randhir waited till she got indoors safely before driving off.

"It is only half past ten and you left your party behind just like yesterday!" Sanyukta reminded him. "Well, I am upset because nobody gave me any presents!" He grinned. "That's because you told them not to carry any!" She smiled back. "Hey, care for a street-side coffee?" He asked her. "I can't believe this, you left your friends and family behind for this?" She was surprised. "I don't enjoy parties Mowgli, those guys are used to seeing me leave in the midst. Plus we have to work tomorrow!" He parked the car and they stepped out on Miramar beach and sat down on a bench, nursing their coffee.

"I did not think you would come!" She heard him speak softly. When he invited her that morning she had declined. "Actually I was unsure, Mom talked me into coming after Parth called her!" She clarified. "Is something bothering you Randhir?" She asked him, unclear whether it was proper for her to do so. "Yes, there is something. And I'd prefer sharing it with you rather than with someone else." He was about to unburden his mind, she could sense that. "Go ahead, you need to get it out of your system." She offered. "I want you to listen to this objectively. Nour called again this afternoon, and she hinted at a reconciliation!" As his words echoed in her ears Sanyukta froze.