" Do I really need to go inside ?" she asked fidgeting her fingers . It wasn't until she arrived at the event that the trepidations had started to kick in. The apprehension of not belonging to the place was too strong to shake it off. One look at the  banquet hall swarming with men and women in black ,none of whom she knew , made her pull on to the sleeve of his suit.

" Relax  !! It's just an anniversary party , not a business meet. " Neil tried to calm down a nervous looking Avni.

" That's the problem . People will try to talk to me......ask me about us " she said still looking at the party in black.

" So ? You know everything there is to know about us and you know everything about me. So chill. I promise we won't stay till late. I'll get us out of here before any drama unfolds " he placed his hand on her hand that clung to his suit instilling a sense of calmness.

" Ok .Okay. Let's do this . " She breathed her anxieties out before entering . Holding on to his arm ,she entered the room full of strangers scrutinizing them.

    Unlike Avni ,Neil could spot many familiar faces in a not so familiar crowd. Soon they assimilated in the crowd with Neil introducing Avni to his colleagues ,friends and acquaintances. While many congratulated the newly revealed couple ,some eyes threw straight daggers at Avni. Avni managed to smile through it all ,though some smiles took more efforts than others.

  Neil had just introduced Avni to another one of his female colleagues who unlike a few former ones was quite jovial .

" So our eligible bachelor has been knocked off the list " she laughed ." Neil sure looks relieved having shed off all that female attention and you my dear.." she looked at Avni intently "...have grabbed that unwanted attention unfortunately ." Avni's nervous laugh solidified her observation.

" Neil " somebody called from behind.

A tall ,elderly, grey haired man in his late 60s greeted them with smile as they turned around.

" Mr Mehra " Neil extended his hand which he shook firmly . " Congratulations !! Great party !! Where is Mrs Mehra ? We wanted to wish her as well."

" Thank you Neil. Ah my wife is attending to some of her friends. This young lady here must the fiance of yours that I have only heard off. "

" Yes. Avni , my fiance. Avni ,this is Mr Dharmesh Mehra ,the owner of Mehra enterprises. " The formal introduction was followed by a formal exchange of greetings and courteous shaking of hands.

" So Avni are you a lawyer too ?" he asked with a keen interest that was difficult to fault.

" No. I'm actually a book editor working at.."  Neil's phone beeped with messages before she could finish.

" I'm so sorry but I have to make some urgent phone calls" he said looking at his phone " its regarding a case we are representing. If you don't mind..." his eyes looked apologetic ,more so for leaving Avni than Mr Mehra, for leaving her alone in the midst of strangers.

" Ofcourse not.....go ahead. I'll be here with her. " Mr Mehra answered in place of Avni. Neil excused himself from the scene as soon as he got an reassuring nod from Avni's eyes .

" So where were we ? " Mr Mehra continued as soon as Neil left " you are an editor . So you write too ? or is it just reading and correcting write ups..that you like ?"

  A quick smile brushed her face at the way the question was put . " I do write but nothing worth people's eyes yet. I'm getting there I guess.....by reading and correcting other people's works. "

" Smart !! Like the way you answered. Neil is lucky to have found you. How did you two meet ? A workaholic lawyer and a smart writer .....that's an unusual combination I must say. "

" Ah that's a long story. A chance meeting you can say." Her smile broadened as she recollected the memories of their first meeting......unusual was definitely a word for it.

" Okay. Maybe you would let this old man on some details when we meet again. As for now my lovely wife would be delighted to meet you. "

" I would love to meet her too. Is she a writer ? Or related to the field ? " She tried hard to remember any author by the surname ' Mehra '

'' Ha ha .....not really " his face crinkled as he laughed . " She is a poet.......but hasn't published anything ever . If my opinion as a literature buff matters then I would say she is very good at what she does. "

" Then how come she never tried to get it published? " She couldn't fathom how a wife of person of power never got her work published.

" She says it's personal to her. She doesn't want it to become public. She enjoys writing them but getting recognition was never her ambition " he glanced back at his wife , who was busy attending to his guests .

"May be I could convince her " Avni joked .

" You can try.  Let's see if you can convince her of something her own husband couldn't all these years " he chuckled.

" I have my magic. Infact if you ever consider getting your biography written let me know. I'm sure the love story of a hardcore businessman and a hidden poet must be worth reading. "

" Aren't biographies boring ? "

" Depend on who's writing it " she chuckled.

Mr Mehra laughed amused by Avni's words. " If you promise to write mine ,then we have a deal ."

" What did I miss ? " Neil had returned back in time to catch Avni smiling . Seeing her lost smile back on her face lifted his mood as well. He was finally guilt free of dragging Avni to a party she didn't belong to.

" She is a catch Neil ; you are lucky to have found her " Mr Mehra patted Neil's shoulder as a proud father would. " Come let me introduce you to my wife  ." He led the two of them to his wife who was equally delighted to meet the couple as her husband.

Avni and Mrs Mehra hit it off like they were a pair of long lost friends. While the ladies chatted away about poem ,stories and life in literature ,the men discussed business development.
Avni had marginally managed to coerce Mrs Mehra into letting her read the poems she wrote , when she heard Neil say ' it was time to leave '.

" So soon ? We haven't even cut the cake yet " replied Mrs Mehra , quickly glancing at her husband to help her out.

" Ofcourse ! Stay for a couple more minutes " Mr Mehra supported his wife .

Neil knew Avni wasn't comfortable staying amongst his colleagues for longer than she already had put up with. He tried to come up with something quick that would get them out of there without having to offend his business partner , when he heard Avni say " Okay sure ". Surprised as he was , he nodded along.

For the next few minutes Avni chatted away wid Mrs Mehra about poetry and books while Neil was introduced to numerous other guests and potential clients. This was followed by the love filled cake cutting ceremony. As the crowd of family members dispersed , Neil and Avni made their way to host and hostess to take their leave.

Neil extended his hands towards Mr Mehra to take his leave when the shrill noise from the mike being turned on hit his eardrums  making his hands tend to his ears instead.

" On this special occasion of my parent's anniversary I would request them to honour us all with a couple's dance " announced Mr Mehra's elder son much to the bewilderment of the old couple. As they shook their heads in unison , a " please " was heard from the family members followed by cheering from the guests.

Seeing it as his cue to move away from the centre stage , Neil started walking back , when he heard his name being called by the host himself. " Neil ! Wait up ! "

" I'm just moving aside ...." Neil tried to explain.

" I suggest you and Avni join us too . One old love and one freshly brewed one " Mr Mehra chuckled.

" No Sir it's your day ! Please enjoy . " Neil could feel a lot many eyes on him , including Avni's who he felt would leap for the door given the chance.

" No no no ......I insist. Do it as a gift to me ....to us ." Before Neil to turn him down again Mr Mehra resumed " besides we are going to be business partners. Come on young man.... why are you so shy ? It's just one dance. I am sure everyone will love to see the young couple dance ". His words met wid applause from the guests which even though Neil knew was fake , he had to pretend it otherwise.

A feeble " okay " escaped his lips. Smiling Mr Mehra walked towards Mrs Mehra as Neil caught Avni's hand before she could make the run.
" I can't dance. Two left feet " Avni pointed to her pointed heels  "I cannot dance Neil " her face was almost scarlet with fear.

" Just follow my lead. It's not a competition. So calm down . " He slowly moved his unofficially official fiance towards the centre of the hall .

" Fine. Don't cry when I step on your foot then" Avni tried to hide her anger behind the fakest of smiles.

" Atleast it won't be intentional this time ."

" That was one time" she fumed .

Before Avni could say anymore ,music filled in the room . With almost all eyes on them , Neil swiftly pulled Avni towards him . Placing her right hand over his left shoulder , he carefully placed his left hand on her waist band.

His right hand waited in air , with patience for Avni to take them.
As the enticing lyrics echoed through the hall, Avni reluctantly slid her hand into his and let go of her fears.

Pal ek pal mein hi tham sa gya....
Tu haath mein haath jo de gya...

The words echoed not just from the walls but from Neil's heartbeats too. As the music crooned its way into people's heart , Avni could feel the crowd and the noise slowly spiralling into oblivion ;as if time had conspired to slow down for the two of them .

Saaya mera hai teri shakal....
Haal hai aisa kuch aaj kal...

Moments from their past encounters flashed through Neil's eyes , while Avni was lost in the moment that was. She gracefully twirled around him , holding on to his eyes more than his fingers.

Tu pyaar ke saare rang de gya...
Phir khinch ke apne saang le gya....

It's was the loud cheering and clapping from the audience that brought back Neil and Avni to the existence of others in the room. Embarrassed and at the same time relieved , they smiled nervously and walked back into the crowd.

" Oh shoot ! Again I have to go to Mr Mehra. Have to inform him about some documents and then take his leave .....for the last time " Neil emphasised on the last word as hard as he could.

" I'm not going there . You go. I will wait near the bar. I need something to drink anyway."

" Okay " Neil nodded . " Do you drink ?"

" Why should I answer that ?" she narrowed her eyes at him.

" Fine.....suit yourself. Just that if in case you do not drink......be careful with what you order......or maybe just wait for me to comeback. " Hoping that his precautionary words had some effect on his stubborn fake fiancée he walked away from the bar.

" Avni . What are you having ? Can I help ?" a familiar voice found its way to Avni.

.........

Neil returned moments later to see Avni talking to some guy who left before Neil could catch a glimpse of his face.

" Who was that ?" Neil asked taking the seat left empty by the man.

" I don't know " she giggled " His name was ....umm....hmm.....I forgot " she giggled again.  " But he came to tell me I was beautiful " she laughed this time.

" Avni !!! " Neil steadied an unsteady Avni by gripping her shoulders. " Are you drunk ? How long was I gone ?? " he looked confusingly at Avni who seemed way too jolly to answer anything.
" Lets get you home." He stood up and with difficulty managed to get Avni up after some persuasion from his end. Holding her steadily with  one arm , with his other hand held on to her hand that snaked around his neck... he managed to walk her out of the room to his car with minimal attention being grabbed on the way

to be continued.....

                      ************

A/N : Pls enjoy the chapter if you are one of those who were still waiting for this story.

Don't ask when the next update will be and pls don't write '' update soon" ....it's a request.

Rest do drop in your comments . As always highly appreciate them. And will get back to them soon .

As for everyone who has left me mages. Thank you all so so much. I really appreciate your love , concern and prayers that you sent my way. So much for a stranger is more than anyone can ask for.

No promises this time. No excuses either. Updates will be updated when the time is ryt. Hopefully sooner than later.

Lastly I hope everyone of you is doing well in this testing times. And I sincerely hope this update brings a few smiles if nothing more.

Much love.

Song : Pal
Movie : Jalebi