Her phone dinged, it was a video message from- No, I wouldn't talk to her #notatall, yes, I disconnected the call but I was angry #pissed and she didn't even try contacting me. Fine, I didn't answer that time but #notdone.

Kuhu kept the phone down, firm on her decision. However, unable to hold herself back from staring at the phone screen she ended up opening Mishti's message. She wasn't herself in the video, except for voiceover.

"Hello, angry bird! After I got free from your shopping duty, I enjoyed so many events at the Utsav. We rode camels, saw how beautiful clay pots come to be.And food... I can't describe it in words how delicious it all was... Jealous?"

About to throw her phone on the bed, Mishti's laugh stopped her, "I know what you must be thinking, is that why I called you after we fought to make you #jealousqueen. I just wanted to say, I enjoyed everything but not enough. See, this picture on the screen I am surrounded by people but not with anyone. You are my bestest friend in the world and if you want something..."

The montage of day's snaps transitioned into a slow-mo shot of a dress lying on a bed, with paired jewelleries by it's side, "I love you, yaar. Call me back since you aren't picking up my phone calls."

Mishti was standing at the balcony of the hotel room she was sharing with Aparna and Jia, gazing at the scenic sunset without paying any attention towards it. Creases on her forehead finally vanished, to give place to a beautiful smile when her phone flashed Kuhu calling.

"Love you too #iamsorry. I was sad that I couldn't come and perform and anything that I planned. Then you also refused to let me have the dress, and I lost my temper #notagain."

She hummed, "I know, I am sorry too. You know I am not used to shopping for hours, and there was so much heat. But I never disagreed to get you the dress."

Kuhu drew in a deep breath, "Okay, fine. Now enough with this #sorrygame. Are you excited about tomorrow?"

"Why?"

"To fly, did you forget #paragliding over the picturesque desert."

Mishti frowned, "But I was thinking-"

"#noway!" she ordered, "I know you are thinking, but no, I planned everything and since I can't be there you will have to do it all for me #noexcuses. You are not returning before the trip is over #final."

"But I have already informed Badi Ma, I am returning. She called me in the afternoon to say, she's returning as well and-"

Kuhu hummed, "If you don't listen to me, I won't talk to you #livealittle. Will you live like a double battery behenji your whole life? #noway. You are Kuhu Maheshwari's bff, have a little style #swag."

At last, she sighed, "Fine, as you say but I don't know how I will have any fun without you. Dancing is easy with all these people, but to be their friend, that's your forte."

"#true." 

Kunal rotated his head around switching off the laptop. Free from the conference with Swiss affiliates, he walked downstairs for supper to find the dining table empty. The sound of laughs guided him to the hall, they huddled around the laptop with eager expressions while Ketu frowned, "I shouldn't have said anything. Abir Bhai must be waiting for my reply, and here no one can agree on anything, neither let me send my suggestions."

Complaining, she was the first one to notice him, "Bhai, see Abir Bhai sent me pictures of his paintings, he asked my opinion for exhibition but here no one is even ready to let me see them."

Ketaki had walked over to Kunal, when Atul replied from behind, "And so when did we stop you, we just asked you to show the pictures."

"Yes, yes Kunal we just wanted to slap Abir."

Kaushal shook his head at his wife, "Not slap mhari wali, help, help."

"He's so old, he needs the opinions of youngsters like myself," Nanu presented another argument. Kunal, side-hugging Ketu moved to the laptop himself opting to join whatever slapping was going on.

His family was crazy, some might consider it a bit dysfunctional too, Bhai never stayed if Maa was home, their father, Maa's stringent control etc. Nothing could change the fact, Kunal loved his family.

Maa will be home tomorrow, I wish you will return soon as well Bhai... This time to stay.

"I am not going anywhere," Abir dragged Mohan with himself, "neither you. Come on, it will be so exciting."

Head of Asha Kiran's Hodwa branch sternly shook his head, "No, Abir bhaiya, I am terrified of heights. I can't do this for you, I would fight with a tiger if you ask me to but I am not doing this."

He turned towards Mohan reflecting sadness in his eyes, "You know Mohan, I was three years old when I made my first paper airplane. I've wanted to fly ever since then. No one lets me do this in Rajkot, and if you are going to stop me here as well..."

Yes, yes, Mohan. You love your Abir Bhaiya, you will let me do this, Abir read the changing expressions on Mohan's face. Stressed by the exhibition organising, he decided to take an adventurous break. The only flaw in his plan was, he needed a partner. It took him so many efforts to find someone and bring them towards that corner, just as they were reaping Mohan's phone rang.

"Hello, Didi... Okay, fine. I will reach there in twenty minutes. Yes," disconnecting the call, he gestured at Abir's hold on his sleeve.

Alone, Abir was glancing around to find anyone who would agree to be his last moment partner, when he saw her. Standing by herself, at a side, with her signature frown constant on her forehead. As always Abir wasn't alone, his partner managing fifty percent of all his concerns.

Thank you partner.

Abir smiled, walking over to her.

Mishti did agree to Kuhu's demand, but she knew no matter what her best friend tried she wouldn't be able to mix with them. As a dancing group, they understood each other perfectly. However, she always struggled with making friends with the lot Kuhu hung out with and at times it has created stress between the two.

The same was true for the circumstances back in dance academy, as much as Kuhu wanted all her friends to be friends, to spend time together they detested double-battery Mishti and Mishti failed to stand their fake nails.

Without Kuhu, no one was there to be her partner. As always, she was alone.

"Are you always frowning angry chorni?"

She turned to her right, "You?"

He nodded, beaming in his signature style, "Yes, me. So, I was asking if you are always in a bad mood? Or something happened the past few days?"

Mishti sighed, "What are you doing here? Don't you have something else to do then bother me?"

"What are you doing here?" He retorted, inquiring, "Didn't you come here to fly?"

She stared at his flapping hands, to shake her head at his dramatic antics. Curving her lips up to form a tight lipped smile, she disagreed, "I don't have any interest in playing with my life."

"But I have."

The incredulous expressions on her face, made him continue, "Interest in flying."

Mishti nodded, "Then go and fly."

She fluttered her hands just like him, "Why are you annoying me? I don't even know you, yet you are pestering me."

Abir nodded, "Fine, I won't annoy you. Become my partner."

"For flying," he added, noticing her narrowed eyes, "I mean- actually, my partner Mohan got a call at the last moment and he had to leave. So will you fly- paraglide with me, angry chorni?"

Mishti shook her head, "I am neither angry nor a thief! Also, why do you think I will agree? Do you know about fifty percent of people get hurt in this?"

"Because I want to, but there's no one to be my partner and the same is true for you," he hummed, "Yes, however, you are trying to convince yourself you are standing here because you don't want to be among the fifty percent who get hurt. But fifty percent stay absolutely fine as well, and we will be one of those. Come, I want to fly."

Extending his hand, he waited for Mishti's verdict who was conjuring his words, "And if something happened?"

He hummed, "That's possible. You won't be alone in it, though, I will be there with you, managing it. Now, come on, don't think so much, try living?"

His contagious smile, finally, worked its magic on her. Mishti agreed.

They were standing by the aircraft, wearing helmets when he noticed angry chorni was still lost. Abir cleared his throat, "What happened? ...you are still worried?"

"I don't know," she shook her head, "I feel sort of scared."

He smiled, "You are scared. Okay, think it like this life is like a novel and no one knows what is going to happen on the next page, but that's what fills our life with excitement doesn't it? If you already know what is going to happen it will make life so dull."

"Sometimes, we should just close our eyes and jump, if you continue to be scared you won't be able to do anything, including flying... Helmet?"

Mishti nodded.

Though, as soon as the aircraft lifted she shut her eyes tightly gripping its sides tightly. His voice boomed behind her, "I know, you have closed your eyes, open them and see this!"

"No!"

"Come on," the gentle push coaxed her to do so. Sands till miles around, and people of the Utsav along with their tents adding colour to otherwise plain imagery.

"Isn't it breathtaking?" His voice bringing a smile on her lips, "You know, most beautiful things are the ones which frighten us the most, because they include risks we are not always fond of, but if you didn't take this risk-"

"I wouldn't be here, getting my ears chewed off by an odd stranger!" Mishti cut him off.

Abir grinned, angry violent chorni, "You mean to say, enjoying the view with the most handsome man you have ever seen alone."

She laughed, "You are ajeeb!"

Upon landing, as they moved to collect Mishti's purse, she lost her footing at the first step, suddenly on the ground from the sky her feet were wobbly. However, he was behind to hold her, "So, how did you like it angry chorni?"

Steady, Mishti turned around to extend her hand, "Mishti. And I am really sorry for yesterday, I wasn't in a great mood and I took it out on you. It was your table."

He shook her hand, "Abir. And you are forgiven who isn't grumpy when hungry, but promise me you won't get violent with me again."

She agreed, "Promise."

Mishti added, glancing around, "Thank you for this, Abir."

"Suno?" He called her, as she was halfway to the counter. Turning around, Mishti received a head shake.

You have a beautiful smile, angry chorni. I hope you find more reasons to smile.

Abir sighed turning away to retry his fortune with the stack of paintings he had been unable to place in the tent.

Ajnabi se dost bane,
Kuch kadam jo aapke saath chale,
Abhi yahin tak julna tha,
Shayad fir se, hum kahin aur milen. 

***

Bhaiya- Elder brother

Chorni- female thief

Suno- Listen

Ajeeb- odd, strange

Ajnabi se dost bane... hum kahin aur milen- lit. We became friends from the strangers, walking side by side for few steps, our this meet was supposed to be till here only, maybe we will meet somewhere again.

Of course, you will Abir, you will. Kuhu ensured Mishti will stay back till the weekend for Utsav and both of you are going to run into each other. Anyone want to guess, next how?

Dedicated to Niharika because she made me cry with her angsty writing, and also wiped my tears by sharing lovely fics.

I believe it's the longest chapter I wrote for this fic, and I completed it just now although I have a test tomorrow. But I was really excited about it, and since I updated the chapter before this late, it's sort of making up for that.

It was supposed to concentrate on Mishbir, but then Kuhu and Mishti's interaction happened, which made me check up on Kunal. Waiters on kuku, I am sorry they will meet but not soon. 

So, we glimpsed into our Rajvansh's through Kunal's eyes almost accidentally. I initially wanted to write Jugnu in it, but then direction turned. Bigben is back *shivers* at least she's only in Rajkot.

I love the paragliding track, and since I incorporated her I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did while writing it.

Forgive, the typos, it's a long chapter and I am too lazy to proof-read it as soon as I finished typing it out.