Vidushi's eye roved as she gave her best friend a once over, she did look amazing. She had known that her friend had grown a few inches taller in the previous years. But now even her voice seemed to have a different pitch and tonal quality, it was sensuously huskier. Her body language had changed dramatically, her gestures and her gait had transformed; she seemed to be gliding fluidly rather than walking. Her hair was dressed in soft curls; she looked curvier than she had been a few months ago. She had not recognised her behind the veil and knew why her brother could not possibly have done so; it was like meeting an entirely different person. And she could not blame him for being attracted to this woman who was a walking pheromone signature.

"You really love him, don't you?" she asked her. The girl told her that the answer was not as simple, she went on to clarify about why she had taken on a new personality. Vidushi gave a patient ear to her friend as she narrated her story, explaining to her the rationale behind the alter ego, how she had prepared for the transformation for over two years, learning new skills like singing and voice modification, along with her motivation behind the change. She said how the acquired knowledge had brought on a metamorphosis personifying her innermost desires, which she could not achieve as her older, more restrained self. Part of the effect had been therapeutic; the music had given her a way to express herself and had helped her evolve as a person. Her confession amazed Vidushi, how much more there was to this girl than met the eye. She made Vidushi promise that she would keep her secret, never revealing to anyone what she had been made privy to.

After they finished their tea both girls began to work on the decoration and dinner enthusiastically. When the boys returned they were impressed to see how the place had come alive, there were diyas everywhere; there was a huge floral rangoli in the doorway embellished with more diyas. Both the girls were dressed beautifully. After they were served refreshments the boys put up the fairy lights and a huge lantern, and then proceeded to freshen up and change.

Diwali had never looked more festive before, thought Randhir, as his eyes lovingly followed his graceful neighbour trying to set the dinner table. He was pleasantly surprised to see how well his sister had gelled with her. The spread included missi roti, saag paneer, bharwan subzi, mushroom pulao and gulab jamun. After they had dined by the soft glow of the lamplight, they all helped tidy up. Parth and Vidushi gave each other knowing looks and then Vidushi took Yasmeen aside and whispered something in her ears making her blush, Parth doing the same thing with Randhir. Without waiting for a response the two lovers linked their arms together and walked towards Randhir's room and Parth turned and winked at Randhir as he shut the door behind him.

Yasmeen excused herself for sometime as she changed into a loose angarkha and then invited Randhir in. She shut the door behind her and motioned toward her queen size bed asking him to make himself comfortable. His breath hitched as his eyes fell on the deep cut of her gauzy angarkha, its strings tempting him to undo them. She switched off the lights and turned toward him lifting her veil just as uninhibited amorous sounds began to emanate from next door. She smiled and told Randhir how after she had heard them in the afternoon she had assumed it was him with someone. He drew her in his arms as they rested against the headboard; asking her why that thought had upset her. She whispered in his ears telling him he knew the reason well, so why did he ask. He told her he had to be doubly sure, just as his fingertips caressed her lips.

She drew herself dangerously close to him and he took in her heady fragrance deeply. As their lips met their tongues began goading each other for dominance. His hand tugged at her angarkha strings, releasing their captive curves as his palms cupped her softness, teasing her till he could feel her heartbeat rise rapidly. His lips soon followed the path of his hands, placing wet kisses till they found had found their prize. As she arched back she vocalised her ecstasy, urging him on and he continued to please her till she began to pant. 

He abruptly stopped his assault, tied her strings and leaned back, as she locked her arms around him in an intimate hug, her eyes shut, taking in the feeling. He explained to her gently that they need not rush headlong into anything; they had the time to get to know each other better. He said he had to lay the facts bare before her, telling her how he was bound by honour to fulfill the obligations set forth by his parents, free will was not a luxury he could afford. He would have continued had he not heard her soft snores, following which he too drifted off to sleep.