"Avneet...." I stopped Avneet as she scurried past me, trying to fix the back of her earring, ready for the reception.

She shot me dirty look and went off.

I sighed and realized that our friendship was on the verge of accepting its failure.

I was carrying a large basket full of beautiful LED lights which were to be hung around the house as an additional decoration as well as the lanterns and night lights.

An evening reception was always exciting, but I was slightly gloomy.

I walked with my gaze down, until I bumped into someone.

I gasped and realized it was Adi.

"Oh... hi." I pouted.

He nodded.

"Oh, err - want me to take that?" He offered to take the basket from me.

"Um. If you don't mind. But - these need to go on the balcony right?"

"I know.... errr - I mean - okay." He started to run off until I stopped him in surprise.

"Wait!"

He turned back surprisingly.

"Listen, the balcony requires a lock-opener. It's locked from the inside unless someone uses this radioactive card. Use it and keep it safe."

He took it from my hands and continued running.

"Wait! But do you know how to use i....." I began but realized he had ran past the corner.

I sighed and continued my journey to the hall.

"Ayyy, look at that! Oh my - Faisal. I never knew you were so good!"

"I know right!"

"Come on guys let's dance."

As I placed a box of ladoos on the table, Roshni and Tunisha bounded up to me.

"Reem, Come join us, look - Faisal's doing some weird dance move." Roshni cooed.

"I'm good." I replied quietly.

"Hey - what's up?" She came over and popped her head on my shoulder.

"Nothing." I shrug it off and went over to the window to see the view.

"Is it Avneet?" Tunisha asked hesitantly.

"I'm - I'm sorry. I'm being weird aren't I?" I smiled uncertainly, or at least tried to.

"Anyways, come on, lighten your mood."

We turned round as we heard the strutting of Avneet's heels. I blinked away awkwardly.

"By the way - guys, shall we go see the evening Holi festival from the balcony?" Sidd suggested, trying to lift an annoying Ayaan off his lap.

"Yeah! Let's go!" Avneet joined in.

My head jerked up at her enthusiastic voice.

"Reem? You coming?" Sidd asked.

"Course she's coming." Roshni said loudly, linking my arm in hers. I loved how she stuck up for me amidst all this awkwardness.

As soon as we arrived in front of the large balcony door, we stopped abruptly.

"It's locked." Sidd bent over and frowned.

"Huh? But - where's the card?" Everyone turned to me.

"I gave Adi it." I said innocently.

"But where is Adi?" Sumedh said questioningly.

"I don't know, I haven't seen him around since hours." Avneet looked back and forth.

"Hang on, is it locked from the inside?" I asked.

Sidd peered into the key hole and nodded.

"Yup. There's a chain that's been done."

Suddenly, something struck me.

"But - the chain was never put on the door the last time we used it, remember? We never use the chain to lock the door because the door automatically locks when it closes on its hinge right?"

Everyone nodded to each other.

"You're right! That means someone definitely went in today and did the chain. And assuming that the card isn't with any of us, Adi must have locked it."

"Urgh, the problems with electric doors these days." Roshni rolled her eyes.

Our crowd starting creating a ruckus outside the balcony and Vibha aunty came up the stairs in surprise to find us all debating.

"Hey, why are you all gathered here like a bunch of chickens?"

"Oh, mum - the card isn't with us for the balcony."

Aunty nodded and pulled out a spare card from her pocket.

"There you go my darling." She kissed Sidd who seemed to be squished.

He wiped the wetness of his cheek in embarrassment and we all chuckled quietly.

We heard the click of the card and a green light flashed as the door opened automatically, revealing an angular view of the beautiful tallness and vast space.

Just as we were about to step in, we saw a shocking sight.

Adi was wrapping his arms around another girl's waist who was smiling and they were engrossed in their little moment together.

I looked around to see Avneet's expression and she was flustered. I saw the paleness wash into her cheeks and it seemed like someone had hung her upside down.

She stormed into the room and jerked Adi's arm which interrupted the couple's privacy. Adi looked shocked to see her and froze for a couple of seconds.

Avneet breathed hard and slapped Adi as if she was hitting a tennis ball.

Adi's palm wrapped across his face as anxiety swept across his entire body.

"Avneet, I'm sorry - she...."

The girl looked shocked as she put a hand on her chest and stared at Avneet questioningly.

Sidd and the rest of us were all watching in awe at a little love triangle going on here.

"Look, I'm -"

Avneet had tears flushing down her face and she pushed past us, running away and trying to hide her miserable face.

We all gazed back at a stunned girl and Adi who was shivering.

"Who are you?" I asked the western girl.

"Mariam.." she whispered, looking at Adi with a fierce look.

She grunted and flicked her hair as she turned round, its strands smacking Adi in the face.

"Arrrgh!" Adi screeched, cringing his forehead.

The girl ran out, fury boiling in her veins.

Roshni pressed her lips together, trying hard not to laugh.

"Hey! Someone - someone listen to me? Girls? Please....." a helpless Adi cried at their backs.

Everyone eyed him in disgust.

Sidd wanted to have a go at him, but I caught his arm. The drama that had happened was enough for a night.

Vishal sulked and Faisal shook his head which made Adi look even more embarrassed.

"Guys?" He said softly, in a fairly pitiful voice.

We stormed out of the room.

"Ahahahahahaha! That was EPIC!" Roshni burst out laughing.

"You should have seen that girl's face!" Tunisha joined in.

Everyone giggled except me.

"Hey Reem? Didn't you find that so entertaining?" Vishal placed an arm around my shoulder.

I didn't reply, but I just walked away from them, heading towards a destination.

"What's up with her?" I heard them whispering.

I stopped straight in front of a room which had a beautiful calligraphic letter 'A' placed on the door.

I was just about to knock when I saw that it was already open. I crept through the door quietly to see what was going on with Avneet.

As a 60° angle came into my view, I saw Avneet hurling up, rocking while sobbing with her arms clutching her knees tightly.

Her quiet crying was the painful to hear.

"Avneet?" I said timidly, not knowing if she wanted me to talk at this point of time.

She looked up at me with a red face, her cheeks stained with mascara and tears diluted together.

To my surprise, stared at me for a while and suddenly ran towards me and gave me a big bear hug.

I looked rather taken aback.

"I'm so so sorry Reem, I misunderstood you greatly. I can't believe I was all set to forget you for that bastard." Her hoarse voice said.

"It's alright." I patted her head.

"And... and Bhavesh? Oh God - I must apologize to him. Where is he?" She pulled back from the hug and looked around in desperation, speaking with a sense of urgency.

I felt uneasy.

"He - he must be in his room."

Avneet picked up her lehenga and ran as fast as a bullet.

A small smile crept from the corners of my mouth and I had a feeling everything would be okay....