Wow, Akshay is looking so good and unrecognisable! Did he go to a beauty parlour? And what's with all these branded clothes? I am sure these must be the good quality copies of those brands, but it doesn't look so. And just look at his hairstyle!

"Will you stop staring at me, Boom Boom Boomer?" Akshay asked.

"No, I won't until you tell me the truth," I said.

I had already asked him about my doubts regarding his appearance, and he had denied every claim of visiting any kind of parlour to groom himself. I did not believe him at all.

His already six-feet height was elevated with his another new pair of sneakers, and his face was shining like a pearl. He looked younger too - did he do some dark magic?

"Stop troubling him, Bhoomi," Jiya told me. "I am sure it is not dark magic, but something else."

She winked at Akshay, and he rolled his eyes. He told me that I had also come prepared and done makeup too; but my situation was different. Nothing I was wearing belonged to me. And if Jiya wasn't there, I wouldn't have been able to walk properly in the short heels too.

While walking, I kept stumbling, and Shlok and Jiya kept catching me before I broke my nose. I again asked Akshay if he got a bonus at his work, and he punched me on the back a little harder to shut me up. We had a party to attend, so I let him go for the time being.

As we moved towards Hriaan's home, the music started getting louder, and similar huge bungalows along both sides of the road made us look like Lilliput. The lines of very shiny cars kept increasing, and humans my age kept swarming through the entry gates.

To avoid getting swept up by the crowd, Akshay held my wrist, while Shlok guarded Jiya or it could have been seen the other way too. I held my breath as a huge cloud of perfume entered my nostrils.

Akshay glanced at me when I made a vomiting expression. He chuckled as I kept feeling like my food would come out as the path towards the entrance seemed to be increasing.

Finally, what seemed like an eternity, we reached the entrance, and I exhaled deeply. My friends let me catch my breath before we continued. While I took my time to inhale oxygen, I saw that almost every inch of Hriaan's house's premises was occupied by people. Some were drinking, some were chatting, while some were dancing. The scene was the same inside too.

Jiya excused herself and went to meet her other friends. As we hardly knew any one else, Shlok, Akshay, and I decided to stand in a less crowded spot.

I roamed my eyes around, watching young adults like me. While boys were decked in jeans and jackets, girls were flaunting all kinds of dresses. I felt happy as I didn't look out of the place.

"You wanna drink anything?" Shlok asked.

Akshay and I refused, and he left to get himself a drink. So now we two socially awkward potatoes were stuck by ourselves. Since we knew none of us was going to make any talks with strangers, Akshay and I began discussing about our training and other stuff.

"I heard you submitted sketches for demo?" Akki said and began laughing before I could explain.

"I wouldn't have had such a hard time if my friends weren't so useless," I grumbled.

"I have zero knowledge about Robotics, Boomer. And you should have tried harder to convince Ritvik Bhaiyya to teach you."

"He is already so busy training our crew, and nowadays he looks so on edge that I don't want to get under his firing range. You know anything that upset him?"

Akshay shook his head. "Apart from the guys giving him troubles sometimes, I have no clue why he is so short tempered these days."

"Well, he won't be the only one to worry us. You know I almost got killed today while getting permission from Mom, and the one who allowed me was Dhara Di. They fought over such a small thing. Can you believe it?"

"Did you say something stupid?"

I slapped him on the arm. "I only mentioned it. I was already prepared to get rejected. I don't know what got into Di, but she looked so mad at Mom. If it wasn't for her, I would have just been folding laundary right now."

Akshay and I began discussing about our families, and I was shocked when he told me that he left his part-time delivery job.

"I am going to focus on just my studies and training right now," he said with determination.

Well, I was happy to hear that, but I was also worried about his family income getting affected. His mother would now be the only breadwinner, so I doubted how they were going to get through with such low income.

"Are you sure about your decision?" I asked him. "Your employer was very nice, and now that you quit, won't the burden on aunty increase?"

Akshay smiled. "Nope because I have saved up enough for the fees, got some good money after selling off my old scooter, and Mom is also getting good returns from her FD."

"It's good then," I said. I began telling him about my own family's situation when between the talk, I noticed him getting distracted. His eyes were stuck to some spot behind me.

I followed his gaze and saw Suhana coming through the crowd. Like him, everyone was looking at her with hearts in their eyes, while she confidently strutted and her every movement screamed glamour.

I also admired her. She was wearing an off-shoulder body-hugging satin one-piece with a slit on left thigh. The orange colour complimented her wheatish complexion, and the makeup was just right.

(Suhana's dress👆)

I glanced back at my best friend. Akshay was staring at Suhana, and I noticed that blush that seemed to make its appearance whenever Suhana was around.

As I knew what Akshay's reaction was going to be, I didn't disturb him. I acted like I saw nothing and kept talking nonsense while looking here and there. I also wondered why Shlok hadn't returned yet.

"Ummm... Boom Boom Boomer?" Akki looked at me expectantly. "Do you mind if I go to the washroom? I will be back soon."

Okay, so that's the excuse he wants to use.

I played along. "Sure. Don't take too much time though."

Akshay pursed his lips. "If I meet some acquaintances, I might need to stay for a bit longer. I will call you."

I narrowed my eyes a bit. "Okayyyyy.... Go ahead. Don't worry about me. I will call you if I get bored."

He gave me a sheepish smile and left slowly, continuously glancing back at me. I motioned for him to just leave. He didn't go directly to Suhana and met with a few guys that looked to be from familiar crews.

Suhana was busy chatting with a few girls and guys, and I saw how Akshay kept glancing at her. I didn't fail to see how even though Suhana was keeping her distance, she couldn't control herself from checking out my best friend when he wasn't looking.

What's going on? Why won't they just talk to each other? Look at them acting like yesteryear's hero and heroine. I enjoy seeing them though. Even if my ship is vacant right now, I am happy that-

"Bhoomi!"

I pushed Kshitij away as he landed himself too close for comfort.

"What happened now?" I asked.

"Arushi is not replying to my messages," he whined. "She has been inactive since yesterday. Did she say anything about me? I am afraid if I ruined her mood with my jokes. Bhoomi, are you even listening? Why aren't you saying anything?"

I looked at him flatly. "I will if you let me."

KD raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry, sorry. By the way, you look really different tonight. Not in a bad way of course."

"Thank you." I smiled.

(Bhoomi's dress👆)

After earning brownie points for complimenting me, I tried to ease his concern regarding Arushi. Poor guy didn't even have her number and was fussing over why Arushi wasn't active on Instagram.

"She must be busy completing her assignments for us," I told him. "Don't disturb her. Mine and Akshay's academic future depend on her."

"But, Bhoomi, I am really worried if I am the cause," KD said earnestly. "Can you please let me know what she is doing right now and if she is okay?"

I felt really good to see the genuine concern KD had for my curly haired friend. I called Arushi, and as I had said, she was busy sorting out notes for her low IQ friends. I asked her if she was still mad, and she informed that she was feeling good now.

I hung up after chit-chatting a bit, and all the time, Kshitij was overlooking like a lost child. He heaved a breath of relief only when I confirmed that Arushi was all good.

"What are you doing all alone by yourself?" KD asked.

I pointed in Akshay's direction, then in Jiya's direction, and as for Shlok, I had no clue where he had vanished.

"Wanna dance?" Kshitij asked.

I shrugged. "Why not?"

Kshitij and I moved to join the crowd grooving to the trance music. As soon as we started, Jiya appeared like a magician, and the three of us began dancing.

"Where's that idiot Hriaan?" KD asked. "Isn't this his party?"

Jiya snickered. "He just arrived, dude."

She pointed to her right. Unlike Kshitij, I had to stand on my toes to get a glimpse of the host. Hriaan, like always, had a grin plastered on his face, and behind him, I saw his best friend, Tejas, talking on his phone.

While Hriaan was dressed up in a navy blue jacket, paired with a white shirt and dark blue denims, Tejas just had a plain white shirt and blue denims on. It looked like he was here against his will.

We continued dancing, and after a few minutes, Hriaan decided to grace us with his presence.

"What kind of host arrives later than guests?" Kshitij complained to Hriaan.

Hriaan widened his eyes. "I truly apologize, my friend, but I would have been here to welcome you if one of the guys hadn't stirred up trouble. Seriously, those idiots keep trying my patience."

"You are suffering without TJ, right?" Jiya teased.

Hriaan nodded like a kid. "They keep taking advantage of my leniency. Handling kindergartners is easy than looking after my crew. I really miss TJ. He is the only one who can put them in their places."

"Who's TJ busy talking to?" Jiya asked, throwing a glance at me.

"Take a guess." Hriaan smirked.

"Ayzere?" Jiya replied. "That girl sure is something, isn't she? How is she able to come to India so often? Doesn't she get tired?"

"Well, we all know the reason behind her visits."

Oh, so that's why Tejas looked so concentrated while talking on his phone. I guess Ayzere is coming soon. I should stop thinking about it before my mind drives my thoughts into overthinking.

All this time, I just kept listening, and after Hriaan was done whining about how many hardships he was facing, he rapidly blinked his eyes at me.

"Who are you, girl?" he asked me.

I didn't say anything and even signalled KD and Jiya to keep quiet. Hriaan narrowed his eyes, and finally, his mind got some light.

"Shorty?!" Hriaan exclaimed. "Oh wow, I didn't even recognise you, girl."

"Of course, why would you?" I argued.

Hriaan patted my head. "Glad you came. Enjoying?"

I nodded. "It is my first time attending a party like this, so yes."

He smiled in return and excused himself as he had to greet other guests.

Slowly, the crowd on the dance floor increased, and when I looked in Tejas's direction, he was still on his phone. Before he could catch me staring at him, I moved my eyes off him and ignored Jiya's curious stare.

I kept dancing though my feet had started hurting due to heels. I took a break when I kept crashing into other people. I moved to rest on a vacant sofa and took off my heels. I winced at the skin that had peeled off due to the tight straps.

I massaged my ankles as I observed the crowd. My eyes automatically scanned the area, and I noticed that Tejas was gone. Moving my mind off his topic, I saw Mahreen arrive, and luckily, she didn't notice me. She instantly went to Suhana and both girls joined Kshitij and Jiya on the floor. As for Akshay, he seemed to be wanting to join them but wasn't doing so.

I spotted my missing friend Shlok and was going to call him, but he vanished again.

What the hell is he up to?

I was thirsty, and though I could have gotten something to drink myself, I didn't want to get up - I was tired. I decided to call Akshay for help. I took out my phone and was about to call my best friend when a guy stood in front of me.

I looked at him in both surprise and disbelief when he moved a pair of red sneakers towards me. It felt like he was bestowing me with an award.

"Please take these, Bhoomi ma'am," he said.

"Who are you?" I asked with caution.

Who is he and how does he know my name? He called me ma'am, so does he work for Hriaan? But Hriaan is busy somewhere else, so how does he...?

"It is okay. I don't need these," I told that guy politely. I didn't even know him.

That guy just smiled more in return. "No issues. I will keep these here, so please use them if you want. Though it will be advisable that you wear them instead of your heels."

Before I could interrogate him, he handed me a few bandages and sprinted off. What exactly was that?

I doubted if Hriaan was behind this. I wasn't sure as I didn't want to take something from a complete stranger, but those red sneakers seemed like they were calling me. Out of curiosity, I picked them up, and they were really pretty.

I turned them around and saw the size number. I was amazed. To check if that person actually meant to give these shoes to me, I wore them after putting on bandages on my wounds.

Oh, damn. These sneakers fit so perfectly. Like they are custom made for me.

Wearing them felt so good that I didn't want to take them off. I kept scolding myself to not accept a suspicious gift, but my feet loved them.

Now that I could move freely without worrying about twisting my ankles, I gulped down five glasses of water and went to where Akshay was. I pulled him on the dance floor, and the moment Suhana saw him, she got all shy.

I dropped Akshay in front of her and moved away to not disturb them.

"Good decision to change your heels, Shorty," Hriaan commented. "I couldn't bear seeing you taller than your original height."

I fake-glared at him. "Is that why you gave me these shoes?"

He quirked an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Seeing his reaction, I confirmed that it wasn't him who got me the sneakers. Then who was it?

"I got these shoes from a guy and he called me ma'am, so I thought you sent him," I told Hriaan.

He kept looking at me blankly, but his eyes shifted focus as if he finally understood a very difficult question.

"You got a secret admirer, Shorty?" he teased.

Secret admirer?!

"It could be a stalker too," KD said. "Be careful, Bhoomi."

Hriaan shot KD a disappointed look, but what KD had said scared me.

There's no way I will have a secret admirer - it must be a stalker! But having a stalker also seemed very absurd to me.

"Don't think about what he just said," Hriaan told me.

I nodded. "Whatever it is, I like the shoes a lot. They even match my dress."

"Look who's finally here," Jiya said, gaining our attention.

I looked in amusement as Mahreen pulled Tejas behind her. She poked him to smile, but Tejas kept looking here and there.

When his eyes met mine, I decided to greet him to not look awkward. Everyone was talking to him, so if I had kept quiet, my friends would have surely questioned me, and I really didn't want to become their target.

"Hi, Tejas," I said.

His gaze flitted to my feet. "Surprisingly, the colour matches perfectly," he mumbled.

Ehhh, what?

"TJ, what did you and Ayzere talk about?" Mahreen interrupted.

Tejas gave no reply, and I really wanted to know what he meant before Mahreen distracted him.

What colour was he talking about?

What else would it be, Bhoomi? He must be judging your makeup. You forgot how Hriaan couldn't even recognise you?

Do I really look like a clown? I shouldn't have applied such a dark lipstick, right?

Worry about your dark future, girl.

I decided not to ask Tejas about my doubt as I feared that he might again say something confusing, and I might start doubting my existence then.

When will I be able to decode Tejas properly? I always thought that I was his most dedicated follower and understood him the best, but now I am not so sure. He is beyond my mental comprehension. So, I will accept my defeat and confess that I actually don't know anything about him.

Therefore, let's just dance because that's the only thing I understand anyways.