How does she help him? How does she pull him out of his self hatred? The challenge is a huge one, Tanvi believes she hasn't even gotten started and is clueless. But thankfully work keeps her and Samrat preoccupied as usual. He doesn't seem to be overdoing his tasks, as Abhimanyu has observed.

Samrat is the usual friend towards her and everyone. She can't help but think the root cause remains - his self hatred will remain until it's dealt with.

On Valentine's Eve, Samrat is at the modest bar alone nursing a non-alcoholic drink. The party venue isn't far from the airbase. Another officer's home. It's a cosy party but with plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. The backyard even has a pool and is even seated in the bar adjoining the rare annex. Samrat can feel the evening breeze while watching the decked up surroundings lit by twinkling LEDs and crowds moving about.

He smiles despite himself when a group of girls approach him.

"Samrat, alone on valentine's?"

He chuckles at the girl group. He can't recognise half their faces but that's how parties go huh.

"Yeah."

"Could you join us?"

He declines their invitation, when Tanvi arriving ahead of the other Hawks, strides towards him. "Hi, Sam!"

Her usual cheery greeting doesn't sit right with the girls. They send her a stink eye and stare at Samrat.

"Kam-se-kam valentine's par apni boring friend ko chod kar humare sath spend karo, man!"

"Boring?" Samrat gets off the bar stool. He takes off his jacket and messes up his neatly gelled bangs and laughs bitterly. "You call my friend boring, but main maha boring hu! If you look beyond this exterior and know the real me you'd be bored to death! Par meri friend bore na hoti, you know that?"

Tanvi holds his arm, tugging him back before he can lash out further. She didn't notice the girls earlier; she'd have read the room and waited if she did, and this wouldn't have happened. She glares at the girls. Who ruins the party mood this way? The girls roll their eyes.

"How rude! And we thought you were only quiet all these days because you had to keep this plain Jane company!"

The girls walk away with a huff. Samrat yells after them." Plain Jane? Kise plain bola? Hey!"

"Huh. Keep her company warna she'll be the wallflower anyway..." the girls whisper the snide comment before blending into the other partygoers.

"Oye!" Samrat hollers after them again. "Wallflower kise bola, social butterflies? Unlike you people, a girl can enjoy some solitude, okay?"

"Samrat, please!"

Tanvi tugs on Samrat's arm further. He sits back on the stool with a sigh. "Sam, chodo unko! I'm glad you keep me company. And, I'm glad to be a wallflower. Nothing thrills me more."

"But that doesn't give them the right to pass rude comments!"

"Leave them be. I want to be alone mostly but now I have you... and my other friends."

Samrat looks at Tanvi. He'd not noticed it before when he was revenge driven. Tanvi would be left alone at parties and other social events because Farhan, Isha, Abhi, Sameera had to indulge each other. She was the only one without a partner or a friend to talk to. She was okay with the arrangement, she said, but once he noticed, he couldn't leave her alone. The same way she couldn't leave him alone while he was wallowing with his guilt and self-hatred. It sort of became a routine - they kept company at social gatherings as such. Before they knew it, they had become close friends than before. And now they are here, two BFFs, hanging out together everywhere possible.

"Tanvi..." Before Samrat can say something, his eyes take in her outfit, giving him a pause. He can't help but think she's dressed prettier than ever. Those girls called her plain? She's so pretty. Prettier than ever with her curls let loose, light eye makeup and, ahem... He cuts his thoughts and looks away.

"So anyway, thanks for sticking up for me, Sam," Tanvi suddenly says and catches the eye of someone across the space.

Saumit? Samrat frowns at one of the guys hanging out near the pool - Tanvi's eyes are. Did she dress up for Saumit? The thought is unpleasant. Before Samrat can process it, Abhi, Sameera, and Farhan approach him. After initial greetings Abhi, Sameera proceed to greet their other friends. Farhan runs to Isha, spotting her in the crowd.

"Farhan!" Tanvi laughs at the guy who's racing across the pool area to get to Isha. "Yeh Farhan humesha aisa hai! Sometimes I get annoyed when he does this but... it's so sweet how he cares so much about Isha! Aur Isha bhi... Aur koi ladki kya karti? Jab Farhan jaisa koi ladka uss par itna marta ho, bechari ek ladki kya karegi? I'm so happy for them and also jealous..."

Tanvi stares at Farhan and Isha who are now holding hands and talking animatedly. Samrat looks between her and the pair, and repeats her words, "jealous?"

Tanvi chuckles and shakes her head. "Ah, forget I even said that." She takes a deep breath and nods. "Okay, now I need to address this thing with Saumit!"

Samrat watches her march off, left aghast. Farhan soon joins him at the bar (Isha was called to the base owing to work). A dejected Farhan settles on a bar stool and recounts his failed romantic woes. Samrat offers his sympathy by nodding along, though his eyes track Tanvi's movements. She's been talking to the Saumit guy for fifteen minutes now! This feels- I'm only worried about my pretty friend that's what this is-

"Samrat, kya hua?" Farhan suddenly stops talking and follows Samrat's gaze.

Samrat shrugs, bringing his second mocktail to his lips. A light pina colada. "Tanvi is talking to Saumit."

Farhan nods. "Dikh raha hai."

Samrat falls quiet for a second and then sighs. "Tumhe nahi lagta she's forcing it? Earlier she left me saying "I need to address this thing with Saumit." Jaise koi mission ke liye nikal rahi!"

Farhan hums in response. Samrat's eyes are glued to Tanvi in the distance who's now laughing at something Saumit has said.

"Ajeeb hai, Farhan... Mujhe nahi lag raha she genuinely likes Saumit..."

Farhan claps Samrat's back. "Is it bothering you?"

Samrat exhales. "Yeah, kind of. Does she even like him? Or is she pretending?"

"Uh Sam, why do you think..." Farhan trails off and shuts his mouth. Tanvi wouldn't want him to blabber, which is why he's being quiet. Abhimanyu and Sameera show up before he can continue the conversation with Samrat.

"Kaise ho, Samrat?" Abhi, Sameera ask after Samrat's health.

Samrat brightens facing the two newcomers who sit next to him. "I'm fine, guys. Thanks!"

"Really? Main kaise yakin karlu, Samrat? Tum fir se overwork toh nahin kar rahe ho?" Sameera asks to which Samrat fondly chuckles.

"Haha! I'm fine, Sameera. Woh... Tanvi hai na! She's constantly checking on me. Mere kitne shift hai. Main apne breaks theek se le raha hun ya nahi. Tumhe pata hai aajkal uska favourite line "Oh shut up, Samrat!""

Samrat imitates Tanvi's voice as much as he can, causing everyone to laugh.

"Good to know," says Sameera.

Farhan says, "achcha hai na yaar. She means it well."

Samrat nods and they all grab their drinks - fruit punches, perfect for a summer evening. A while passes before he's left alone with Farhan again. Farhan nudges his shoulder as they sit together on the high barstools.

"So kya soch raha hai?"

Samrat snaps to his senses, realising he zoned out.

"I dunno, yaar, just..."

He faces the bar and not the pool where Tanvi may be still talking to Saumit.

"Been thinking about things, yaar, Farhan. Tanvi. I know she fusses over me because she cares... She's... too sweet. She's too good, yaar... I think... I don't deserve it... I don't deserve her concern or worry. I'm so unworthy. And abhi mujhe lag raha, Saumit would be truly lucky... if a girl like Tanvi likes him... I mean in case, Tanvi truly likes him, that is..."

Farhan quietly muses on what he heard, contemplating how he should respond. What does Samrat mean by that?

Samrat shakes his head and they both shift on their barstools, so they are now facing the pool. Samrat frowns at Tanvi who's looking mildly annoyed and restless even from a distance.

"Tanvi looks like she's in trouble..." By the time Samrat whispers the words, Farhan is already out of his seat. "Main dekhta hu!"

***

TBC

Word count: 1342

Up next: Is Tanvi in trouble? Will Samrat catch her lie? What will happen?

Author's note: That's all for now.. This is only part 1 of the mayhem that's coming. More fun, more angst and of course joyful and funny moments. You can call this story "a roller coaster ride of emotions" cos there's every bit of emotion of all kind in this. So nope, not just a story that deals with sad themes. It's also a journey of self-hatred to self-love and acceptance! And about cherishing the present times. Stick on further to read next...

I will add English dialogues when the story ends... <3 If anyone wants that!