Anusha checked her own face in the mirror for the tenth time. She was wearing a grey designer button down dress which was her last birthday gift from Rashi. Her hair was down and had a black purse in her hand and yes they were out for shopping but exactly saying , he was shopping..yep..heard it right.

He had taken her to city centre mall for shopping. They wandered sometime and he convinced her to buy all kinds of things to her wardrobe. Sandals, flats, tops and jeans and what not. Anusha just wanted end his nagging so she bought whatever he chose for her and he was good at selection. When she asked about that he reminded her that he has twin sisters and they trained him well. After one and half  hour she was tired and annoyed with a lot of shopping bags in the bag deposit area and a shopaholic Alvin in the fitting room. She sighed as he walked out wearing one of the shirt he had chosen. He was wearing a blue printed slim fit casual shirt and he was looking every bit as handsome as Calvin Klein model.

'Anusha..how is this one?' he asked with a cocky smile.

Anusha was stunned to answer quickly, she bit her lip and gave him a thumbs up.
'Suits you well' she said reluctantly.

'I know you would like this one' he  said in a conceited tone.

'Oh.. how did you know that?'
she raised her eyebrows questioningly.

'I just know' he winked at her and went back to the fitting room without further explanation.
Anusha sat silently.
When did he start to know her? She wondered. It is not like that they were long term friends, they just met last month and he knew her better than anyone else.
Oh he did know her from the beginning. She remembered their first conversation and flushed. She didn't want to think about it. She shook her head as to clear her head from the cloudy thoughts.

'Anusha what happened? Why are you shaking your head?' he tapped  her shoulder lightly.
She was so engulfed in her thoughts, she didn't notice him.
'Eh..? Nothing, just tired. Are you going to shop more?

'Well..for today I am done shopping'.

'Thank goodness' she muttered making him chuckle.
They paid and collected their bags which was many.

'I didn't know that men can be shopaholic'. She told him as they walked out of the mall.

'That is because you didn't know me before..' he laughed.
'Weirdo..' she replied cheekily and he laughed some more.

            Rest of the week went by pretty quickly. Anusha was busy in office and back in home. Her duties in office are almost in the finishing stage. Maria was perfectly fine now and they restarted their old ritual to talk to her in the lunch break and Yasmine occasionally joined them. They still pulled her legs and annoyed her, but she wasn't angry anymore. She invited both of them to the birthday party. In home, they decided the menu for the party which was a perfect fusion of North and South Indian food. Rashi decided to make payasam and vanilla pudding for dessert and they went for shopping to pick some Indian wear for Rashi and Ninnu. Anusha and  and Alvin accompanied them. They selected a lavender coloured anarkali suit for Rashi and a cute gown in the same colour for Ninnu.

Akki was busy in work so they pick him a matching shirt  and blazer too.
Rashi told Anusha to buy something for the party and she denied that by saying she had a hella shopping last day and she had some party wear for the occasion. Alvin gave her a curious look.

'Really ms.weirdo?' he asked with a bit of amusement in his voice.

'oh yes.. I have perfect clothes for the party. Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself Mr.shopaholic.' she was offended now.

'Okay..okay.. let us see what you have got there in your wardrobe. I would like to have a shock that day' he chuckled and Anusha rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
Rashi was watching their banter with amusement and said

'Good to see my old Anu, who used to roll her eyes in every ten seconds.'
Anusha's eyes widened and try to defend herself.

'that is because he is so annoying..' and smiled.
She knew it was a lame excuse, she didn't want to accept the fact that  he makes her feel free and happy. She was worried about it but didn't bother to prod  her heart anymore.
          
              Riya and Alvin were trying to get Anusha and Ahaan to perform on the party. She tried escape from their plan, but they were so adamant about it, she eventually agreed to perform.
Riya was thrilled about the whole situation that she can't hide her excitement. They practiced in few evenings, they chose the songs they already knew so that they don't have to practice long and time was limited too. They were all set for the party on thursday evening.
 

           
           ***""""""""""""""""""***

          
Let's party!!!!

           Thursday came with all the excitement for the party . It was a chilly day. Temperature was below 14° and it was windy. Anusha took a leave for the day nevertheless it was busy in her office. She had worked extra hard for the past few days so that she could take a leave without burdening Yasmin and it worked out.
          She was wearing a green sweatshirt with a round neck and long sleeves along with a washed blue jeans. She went to Rashi's home , it was barely 8'o clock and the kitchen already looked like a mini battle field.
Anusha went to the living room where Ninnu was playing with Akki.

'Happy birthday cutie pie...' she cooed to Ninnu, as she jumped into her arms. Anusha kissed on her soft cheeks.

'Where is her mom Akki? Kitchen is already in chaos and she is nowhere to see'.
'Ah... She is in phone talking to someone from the restaurant. See she is already freaking out, that is why I was against the house party..'
He mumbled and smiled.

'Good job Akki... Keep it up!!' she replied with a chuckle.

'Did you have breakfast? If not , I will make some toast '
she said and Akki nodded in response. Anusha placed Ninnu on the floor along with her favourite dolls and went back to kitchen.
She made coffee and toast and was setting the table when Alvin came.
He sang the birthday song cheerfully to Ninnu who was happy to see him. They had breakfast together and Akki was working half day, so he left to office.
Rashi was worried about making desserts and worried about all the arrangements for the party.
By noon, the preparations were in full swing.
Anusha and Rashi made payasam and Vrinda aunty joined them to prepare pudding even Ahaan and Riya joined them.
Alvin went to restaurant to check the arrangements and Akki joined him there.
By 5.30 everything was ready and Rashi was at ease and Anusha was tired.
'Let us get ready for the party now. Come on Anu dii' Riya chirped in her exciting voice.

'Go Anusha, wash up and be ready by 6. 30. Stop lazing around..' Rashi nudged her.

'I am not lazing around , I am just tired give me a minute girl..' she replied as she got up from the chair.

'Anu dii can I come over to your place to get ready after washing up? We can get ready together.. please??' Riya asked her with pleading eyes.
'Okay.. come after 20 minutes' Anusha replied hesitantly and walked to her room.

Anusha quickly showered and blow dried her hair. She was selecting her clothes when Riya came.
Anusha was shocked to see Riya with two huge bags.

'Why are you carrying such huge bags Riya??' Anusha raised her eyebrows questioningly.

'What dii.. it is just my clothes and make up things. Don't worry about it' she replied coyly and walked into her room.
Riya looked around the room with such scrutiny like she could write an essay on it.

'Your room is spotless dii..wow' Riya squealed making Anusha sigh.
       Together they placed her huge bags on her dresser and Riya opened one of her bag and took out colourful outfits one by one.

'Which one should I wear dii?' she asked while spreading them over her well made bed.

'So you want me to pick your outfit..that is why you want come over..hm?' Anusha glanced at Riya knowingly.

'Honestly speaking, I want to look my best today and I could use some help. In return I will help you. Deal??' she made her cute puppy face and Anusha chuckled.

'Don'tp worry..let us see what you have got here..' Anusha looked through the clothes and picked a pink crop top and light green lehenga skirt with golden embroidery.

Riya happily changed into that outfit and it was really pretty. She then opened her another bag Anusha's jaw dropped. It had all kinds of things, make up box, straighter ,curler and what not.

'Perks for being a single daughter..' she smiled and took out all the things and placed on the dresser.

Now, show me what are you going to wear?' she said with her arms akimbo.
Anusha took out a powder blue coloured salwar suit from the cupboard and showed that to Riya.

'Mm...dii.. it is beautiful but it is too simple.. it is a party not a prayer meeting. If you don't mind, can l select  an outfit for you'
 
Anusha nodded tentatively. She had said Alvin she was sure about her party outfit but now she felt unsure after Riya rejecting her choice mercilessly.
Riya rummaged through her cupboard, picked up 2 more dresses and rejected herself. Then she picked a closed package from the bottom drawer. Anusha had already forgotten about it, when Riya took the contents out Anusha literally felt dizzy.

Riya gasped holding the dress for Anusha. It was a beautiful pink coloured  embroidered net anarkali suit. In another box , matching ear rings were placed.

'Wow...diii... You have got such a beautiful outfit, and you are not wearing this one, that is not happening.'
Anusha wasn't hearing anything. The dress was beautiful, and it was a gift from Nevin that she never got a chance to wear. She had taken him for the wedding shopping and he got bored in no time and was annoying her. After a tiring day she was angry at him for not helping her that's when he had produced the bag into her hands like a magician and grinned.

The memories flashed before her eyes making her eyes wet. It took her sometime to adjust to the present. Riya was shaking her for response.

'Dii.. wear this one. It is beautiful.. please'
Anusha could not speak for an entire minute. Her throat was dry , she took deep breaths before speaking.

'Riya.. that one..no'. she shook her head involuntarily.

'But why?? This is perfect'
Yeah..that is why I can't wear that she thought to herself but didn't say anything.
'Diii...you have to wear this...' Riya was becoming impatient now.

'Well..Riya.. don't you think I will look overdressed for the party.'

'That is stupid dii... This will be perfect. Don't try to argue with me. This one is fixed.'
Riya said as she placed the dress on the bed.

                  Anusha sighed heavily. There is no point in arguing with this stubborn girl. She was still unsure about it, but Riya won't let go this. So Anusha find herself wearing the outfit. It was really beautiful. The material felt soft against her skin, making her eyes wet again.

"You can't hide away from reality forever " she mumbled herself and came out of the washroom.

Riya was already getting ready Infront of the mirror. She straightened her hair and wore simple make up and finished her look with the matching hoop jhumka earrings. Riya was looking stunning.

              As soon as she finished her make up, Riya turned to her.
'You are looking stunning Riya ..wow'
Anusha said cheerfully.

'Thank you dii.. now let me help you'

Then Riya straightened her hair and made curls in the end to make it look effortlessly flowing. Then with a bit make up, matching earrings, Anusha was all set for the party.

Awesome dii..you are looking gorgeous. If I was a guy, I would have fallen for you..god.' Riya smiled herself and Anusha giggled.

'Thank you  but I think you are interested in someone else already' Anusha nudged her and Riya blushed.
We are just friends dii..'

' I know that baby girl...dont worry..By the way, why are you calling me dii...?' You can call me 'chechi' in our native language?'Anusha meant to ask that for a long time now.

'That is because, Ahaan calls you Anu dii...' Riya said and blushed profusely.
Anusha give her an amusing look.

'That is a pretty good reason.. I must say ' Riya stuck her tongue out

'Stop it dii... Let us go now. It is show time'

Anusha laughed looking at Riya who can't hide her enthusiasm.

'Okay..okay.. I think you can't wait to see Ahaan. Let us go and wear that cardigan over your top, it is cold and you might catch a cold' She handed her cardigan to Riya. Anusha chuckled  and grabbed her clutches and mobile and put on her new sandals.

'I don't know about Ahaan , but someone is going to have a heart attack today just by looking at you.'

Riya winked at her with twinkles in her eyes and Anusha gave her a baffled look and Riya giggled as she took Anusha's arm and they walked outside hand in hand like sisters.
'Let's rock the party..wohooo'

Riya squealed and Anusha felt light hearted and hoped that she could embrace happiness again.