"What are those two doing inside?", I asked Riya impatiently as I turned the handle around Reyansh's door and we were greeted by the sight of Mishti straddling Reyansh.

"What's going on here? Rehearsal for your first night?", Riya sniggered.

"Had we come little more late Riya, we could've celebrated our nephew's naming ceremony next year", I said "You missed the opportunity Reyansh, anyway..."

Reyansh stood up adjusting his shirt and blushing. He was so cute.

"Present for the birthday boy from your would be sisters-in-law", Riya said dropping a huge package into his hands.

"But it's not even my birthday Riya", Reyansh laughed.

"Yeah, we forgot that this is just an end-of-board exams party. But by the time we remembered we already paid the bill and they don't do exchanges in that damn store".

"What is it anyway?"

"A crib for your future firstborn, it is. Man, can't you tell it's a bloody DrinkMate?"

"Wow! Thanks girls", Reyansh said peeling off the wrapper and running his hands through it fondly, "This should do for all the parties we hold after this".

"That's chef's kiss", Mishti said looking at our gift over Reyansh's shoulder.

"I'd say the same about you two", Riya said "What were you doing anyway?"

"Excuse me for making out with my own boyfriend Riya".

Riya rolled her eyes.

"Do you remember the last party you threw?", I asked.

I couldn't forget Reyansh's previous birthday party at the country club. Neither could the rest of my class. Or my ex class now. Reyansh's party had been the social event of the year for the students of 12 B.

"Vividly", Reyansh said, finally smiling "It feels like yesterday".

"But we were not so close back then", I said beaming reminiscently.

"We are now!", Reyansh said pulling me into a one armed hug.

"Reyansh!", Maya had arrived at the threshold of the room.

"Come on guys! Time for the party!", she beamed around at all of us. I was still getting used to the fact that we were all on the same side now.

"Are you missing Rahul?"

"What?", I asked turning around.

"Here. On your left", Riya said handing over a slice of pizza to me.

"What are you thinking?"

"About how cool this party is".

"And I am thinking about the possible five marks I might lose in the boards because I screwed up an algebra sum".

"Haha".

"Come on. You can tell me", she said persuasively "The boards took away from boys from our minds but now that we're free..."

Riya had hit the nail on the head. It had apparently shown on my face because she smiled triumphantly.

"What's going on in your mind Riya?", I asked blatantly.

"Look Zoya", she said and I knew she was finally coming to the point, "I mean really look. Look around this room."

I did.

There was nothing specific to see. It was very much like Reyansh's last party but less gaudy because that one had been thrown to impress.

This time it was just for friends and the atmosphere was warmer. This time included Reyansh's neighbourhood buddies, guys from his old school and family friends.

Everyone stood or sat chatting helping themselves to pizza or drinks. Mishti was standing with her arm linked into Reyansh's and talking to three guys, none of whom we knew.

"So many handsome guys in this room Zoya", Riya said looking at me meaningfully "Just go and ask out whoever you like. They're all friends of Reyansh".

"Riya yaar!", I said looking at her in disbelief, "Are you for real?"

"What?"

"Girl, this is not a swayamvar! This is our friend's party and you're exploiting it".

"Oh please", Riya said rolling her eyes "People meet people at parties, all the time! Even Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid met a party".

"Smooth. Now all I need to do is find a Zayn Malik in this room".

Riya laughed. So did I.

"Ladies!"

We turned around. Reyansh and Mishti were coming upto us with one of the three guys we had seen earlier towing behind them.

"Girls, this is Josh. Our dads are friends and so are we".

"Hi", Riya and I chorused together.

"Hi", Josh replied with an easy smile.

I thought I had seen him somewhere.

"Do you live in Mumbai?", I asked and immediately felt it was a stupid question to ask.

"Yeah", he smiled again. Now I was sure I had seen him somewhere.

"Girls", Reyansh said "Josh's grandparents run a holiday resort. How cool is that!".

"Reyansh.."

"It's okay. Let him boast", Riya said.

"They have horses and all that. Josh rides brilliantly", Reyansh said.

That was when the coin dropped.

"I've seen you at the horse race", I blurted out.

Josh raised his eyebrows at me.

"The one in the Mahalakshmi Arena..err.. back in August...or was it July?", I said trying to sound suave. Mishti and Reyansh looked puzzled. Riya was looking from me to Josh eagerly, her eyes bulging.

"Oh yeah...that one", Josh said finally "I love horse races. I bet for Midnight to win and man, did he win!".

"I bet for Midnight to win too!", I said a little more eagerly than I had intended to. Riya was practically quivering with excitement now.

"Zoya, you have been gambling?", Mishti asked wryly.

"What's Midnight?", Reyansh asked.

"Uh..it's a horse", I said ignoring Mishti's question "I mean he's a horse".

"So you are both horse lovers", Riya said looking at me pointedly.

No man!

I knew exactly, what she was doing. Nobody could beat Riya in this go-between business. She could run a dating agency.

Wait till the bitch gets a boyfriend, I thought.

"No Riya", I said wearily "I've never even been on a horse. I only went to that race because our landlady had invited us".

"Yeah okay, okay", Riya said but I could tell she was humouring me, "Anyway, you were talking about some resort Josh?"

"Oh yeah", Josh said "If you like holidays on hilly resorts, do come there sometime ma'am", he said and gave a little bow.

Ma'am?

I laughed. But I was the only one who did.

"So where is this resort anyway?", Riya asked. I knew she was already planning for a vacation.

Before Josh could answer we were interrupted by a noise at the front of the room.

"Good evening people! It's the end of the exams. So less talking! More vibing!", I heard Maya declare as she stood infront of the crowd like a nymph in her red sheath dress with a headphone in one hand. She switched on the stereo and there were instantly loud cheers of approval and people started dancing.

I looked around me. The lights, the music, the happy faces, the party atmosphere, all reminded me so much of..

"He who must not be named!"

Riya's snap brought me back to my reverie.

"What?", I asked.

"Nothing", Riya was now glaring playfully at Reyansh, "We were having a little argument about Harry Potter. Come and dance with me Zoya".