"Mom,don't you think it's a bit too much?"Saanjh grouched while looking at her reflection in the mirror.

She is dressed in a scarlet off-shoulder fit and flare cocktail dress and looking stunning in it.

"I think I should change the dress and wear something else."She mumbled looking at her dress again which Suman forced her into.

"You're looking very beautiful in this dress, sweetheart.No need to change it."Suman said while admiring her daughter's appearance.

"But It looks like I'm going on a date."Saanjh grunted.

"Vihaan asked you to dress well and taking you out with him alone.If it's not date,then what is it?"Suman reasoned.

"It's not a date.We're just gonna hang out."Saanjh clarified."And Mom,Your beautiful daughter is going out with a handsome man at night and you have no objection.Rather you seem excited about this!That's unbelievable,you know!"She shook her head being amazed.

"Dear,If it were someone else,we would've never allowed this.But it's Vihaan.That boy has already won our heart and trust.We know that you will be safe with him.That's why we've no objection."Avinash said as he walked in her room.

Saanjh couldn't disagree with her father as it was the fact .She simply sent a smile his way.

"By the way,Sis ,you addressed him as a handsome guy.That means you admit that he is handsome?"Tarun asked , flashing a mischievous grin .

"I never deny that."Saanjh admitted and hearing that Tarun,Suman and Avinash exchanged quick glances with eachother and grinned .

"I wish Vihaan bro could hear that."Tarun chuckled.

He smirked at her and launched himself on her bed as he continued"Well..No problem.I'm gonna let him know when he'll come to pick you up.I bet he will be on cloud nine."

"Don't you dare,Tarun."Saanjh threw her comb on him but before it could hit him ,he moved away and stuck his tongue out at her.

Saanjh grumbled.

Just then, a screeching sound and car horn from outside made them aware of Vihaan's arrival.

"It seems Vihaan has come.Let's go."Suman said and handed Saanjh the purse.

"Behave yourself and keep your temper under control."Suman advised her as they headed out.

Saanjh mentally rolled her eyes in annoyance but didn't say anything as she knew that the more she would complain ,the more Suman would nag her.So,She simply nodded her head at her mother's every piece of advice.

After exchanging pleasantries with everyone and assuring them that he would look after their daughter,Vihaan exited the house taking Saanjh with him.

"At what point exactly are you going to tell me what's going on?"Saanjh threw him a curious look in the car.

"You didn't tell me anything clearly on the phone.I don't understand why did you ask me to dress well and why are you in a formal cloths? Where are we actually going ?"She demanded.

"I am shocked that you haven't figured it out yet."He threw a mischievous smile in her direction.

Saanjh looked at him with seriousness
and by the expression on her face,Vihaan could guess what was she thinking about.

He chuckled"Relax,Saanjh.No need to be serious.I'm not taking you on a date.I know my position in your life."

"I'm just taking you to an event ."He clarified.

Saanjh breathed in relief,knowing that her anticipation was wrong .

Though Saanjh has befriended with Vihaan, she isn't ready for a love relationship with him yet.She still need time for that.

"What kind of event is it?And what am I supposed to do there?"She asked him curiously.

"It's a cocktail party.Normally I avoid such parties.But this time I thought to go for a change. And as for you....Well,you're going to give me company there."He said as he took a left turn , following the main road .

"Pull over the car."her sudden reaction surprised him.

"I'm not coming over anymore.I want to go back home."She stated.

Vihaan pressed his lips together and his eyes narrowed"Saanjh,We're almost there.How can we go back?"

"Vihaan,You should've asked me first whether I want to go or not."She ranted.

"I didn't ask or tell you beforehand because I wanted to give you a surprise."He stated and she shot him a curious look.

He continued"Remember,the other day you told me that you want a autograph from your favourite singer ,Tarana. I'm taking you there just to fulfil that wish of yours .Saanjh, You can meet her in person and so many others celebrities as well at this party."

She was offended by him as he didn't tell her beforehand about the party .But as soon as she got to know his reason,her anger melted.

She also got tempted by the thought of meeting her favourite singer but it was making her nervous at the same time.

"But Vihaan, I've never attended that kind of events.I'll feel out of place ."She said, hesitated.

"You won't.I'll be with you."His words comforted her slightly.

"Look, It's a just a small cocktail party.We'll just go, meet people and then return back to home within an hour or two."He said ,hoping her to get convinced.

She sucked in the corner of her lips and gazed at him while trying to decide whether to go or not.And after a long moment,she heaved a sigh and gave him a nod.

"Fine.I'll go."She agreed that brought a dimple smile on his face.

********

"We're here. "Vihaan announced and stopped the car in front of their destination.

"Let's go out ."He said and placed his hand on the door handle to open it.

"Vihaan,Can I not go?"Saanjh struggled for the last time as  panic bubbling up inside her chest.

He sighed and reached over to take her hands into his.

"Saanjh, don't be nervous.I'll stay by your side."He re-assured her.

Then with a little squeeze he let go of her hand, got out and walked around the car to open her door.

His eyes lingered on her face for a moment and then he held out his hand with a dazzling smile on his face. Gulping down her nervousness ,She took his hand and got out of the car.

She wrapped her right hand around his left arm as they walked through the red carpet and entered into the party.

The place is crowded with people in formal cloth from music and entertainment industry. They are socializing while while being served passed drinks and hors d'oeuvres from servers who are circulating amongst the guests .

"Is this your so called small cocktail party?"She whispered to him.

He looked at her face and grinned.

Meanwhile Vihaan and Saanjh caught many people's attention because they never saw him with a female companion in public .Moreover the way they are whispering all the way intimately,making the woman on the spot really envious.

Saanjh noticed the eyes of others on them and it made her very self conscious and sensitive about their appearance .

She doesn't want to give a wrong idea to anyone about their relationship.So she tried to pull her hand from his arm but he didn't let her.

"Vihaan,Let go of my hand.We're drawing attention of others."She whispered .

"It doesn't matter.Don't bother about it."He whispered back.

"How can I not bother?We ...."

"Look,Who is here?Mr.Vihaan Kapoor!"a man's voice interrupted their conversation, appearing before them with a wine of glass in his hand.

"Long time no see."The man said and extended his hand towards Vihaan for a shakehand.

As Vihaan's attention got diverted by that man,She grabbed this opportunity .She drew her hand and stood in a distance from him.

Vihaan didn't like it but he didn't react or let it show on his face.He maintained his smiling face before the man.

"Yeah,it's been a long time."Vihaan shook hands with him.

"Hey,Vihaan."a girl's voice came into their ear from afar just then.

The three of them shifted their gaze towards the source of the sound and saw a girl walking towards them .She is a pretty girl in her early twenties.Her vivid scarlet dress is backless, tight to her calves where it flare into a wide ruffled train, with a neckline that plunge to her waist.

As soon as Saanjh's eyes caught the sight of that girl,she beamed with happiness and excitement.Why wouldn't she be?After all, it's her favourite female singer, Tarana.

"Hi,Tarana."Vihaan smiled at her.

"What a pleasant surprise,Vihaan!I didn't expect you to be here."Tarana exclaimed and engulfed him in a hug.

Vihaan hugged her back reciprocatively and then parted away.

"Happy to see you here."She said smilingly,then her eyes flashed to Saanjh and a deep furrow appeared between her brows.

"Vihaan,Who is this girl?"Tarana asked curiously."Is she your friend?"

"I..." Saanjh was about to give answer to her question but before she could ,Vihaan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and spoke up.

"She is my girlfriend."His statement stunned both the girls.

Saanjh fired a glare at Vihaan"What..."before she could refute,Vihaan hung his head and whispered into her ear "Play along."

"Woah!You're mingle finally.Congrats,man."The man patted on his shoulder.He is happy and excited.But Tarana's reaction is the opposite.

"It can't be possible."Tarana muttered that made others frowned at her.

Tarana quickly masked her real emotion behind a forced smile"I mean when did it happen?How come we didn't hear any news about it?"

"I am good at keeping secrets."Vihaan winked.

"That we can see."the man chuckled.Vihaan joined him.

"By the way,Won't you introduce your girl to us?"The man prompted.

Vihaan chucked softly and nodded his head.

"She is Saanjh Mathure."

"Such a beautiful name just like her."the man said with a flirtatious smile.

Saanjh mumbled thanks ,smiling shyly .

"And Saanjh,He is Samay Chauhan,a renowned music director of our industry."Vihaan told her .

"And I don't think I need to give her introduction.You already know who is she, right?"He asked Saanjh, directing at  Tarana.

Saanjh nodded , smiling brightly.

Vihaan looked at Tarana as he spoke"By the way,Tarana,Let me tell you Saanjh is a big fan of yours."

"Oh,Really!"Tarana looked at her and smiled contempt smile.

"Truly,I'm a huge fan of your songs.You're very talented.I admire you a lot."Saanjh said shyly.

"Glad to know .Thank you ."Tarana smiled in pleasure .

"Anyways, You guys carry on.I'll go and say hello to others.We'll join you two for the night snacks."Vihaan said then and shaking hands with Samay,he walked away taking Saanjh with him.

"Why did you lie to them that I am your girlfriend?"Saanjh scowled at him .

"Do you think If I'd told them that we're just friends,they were gonna buy it?"He questioned back and it made her thoughtful.

"No,Saanjh.They won't.Rather they would bombard us with questions or pester us to tell them the truth.That's why I just told them what they wanted to hear and saved ourselves from unnecessary queries."He explained and when she gave it a thought ,it made sense to her.

"By the way, I don't think Tarana was happy hearing that."She mumbled.

"Huh?"He furrowed.

"I think she likes you."She stated.

"Why do you think so?"

"Vihaan,I am a girl and as a girl I can read the eyes of another girl.The way she was looking at you it was quite visible that she has a crush on you.Besides,I'd noticed how her smile faded when you introduced me as your girlfriend.I am pretty sure I am right."She explained and he couldn't help but laugh ,hearing her conclusion.

"What are you laughing for?"she narrowed her eyes at him.

He chuckled, and a speculative look came into his eye.

"People says right.Girls are very observant."He laughed and received a scowl from her .

"Ha ha ha ."She made a sarcastic laugh.

He didn't say anything but couldn't stop his laugh either which only made her more irritated.

*********

So dear readers,here was the new chapter.Enjoyed reading?

Happy with the progress of their relationship?