Just as we entered the boutique on the seventeenth floor of Seven Empire, our excitement rose several folds, the Magenta colored dress still hung on the mannequin on the central aisle of the expensive store. Tanya almost ran forward and gripped the hand of the sales girl in a tight formal skirt.

"Is this dress in size eight?" she asked, panting.

The sales girl, who looked positively aghast at her urgent question, took a moment to register it.

"Keep it cool, Tanya!" I hissed at her, pulling her backward.

"Easy for you to say. You got an awesome dress," she hissed back, motivated enough to snatch the dress, keep the cash and run in the other direction.

Before I could give an appropriate reply, which had a mild insult and teasing included, the sales girl responded. "We do have."

"Great. Can I try it on?" Tanya stepped forward.

The sales girl had a question mark on her forehead right away. Though as I produced my exclusive card, actually Anamika's, the lines vanished. Eagerly she handed her the dress and showed the changing room.

Tanya jumped and stepped inside the booth, while I waited outside in the red and golden surrounding, smelling a good air freshener. The dress fitted her nicely and we paid the extravagant discounted amount and proceeded to the elevator.

"Did you see Kush today?" I asked while we stepped inside it.

"Surprisingly no. He was out early in the morning." She replied. "Why all the curiosity?"

"Just asking," I scowled innocently while feeling happy that Rishi agreed to come to the evening Gala, even called at last minute. And it was going to be a surprise for Tanya. Her usual bubbling-self had been clouded by her foul mood since days.

The elevator stopped at fifteenth, and to our (especially mine) surprise, Viraj stepped in, with his crisp blue shirt and black pleated pants, with a key clunking in his hands. As soon as our eyes met, he smiled fully. And the recent memory flashed before me, he hinting me about our meeting as some kind of destiny bullshit. That had made me uncomfortable for next several days.

"Hello, girls," he began, still in the way of elevator doors.

"Hi," we both replied.

"Coming from shopping?" he asked eyeing the giant bag. The doors meanwhile closed.

"Yeah. For the JP Publication Gala tonight!" added Tanya. "Where are you going?"

"For a quick bite. Want to join me?" his face lighted up with excitement. His tall figure and the leaning of his head to the right side always reminded me of George Clooney from 'One fine day.'

"Umm. Okay?" I responded, very unintelligently, one must add.

While Tanya raised her eyebrow in question and exasperation, which was unnoticed by Viraj as he pressed the desired floor button, towards the food court.

With heavy steps, we entered Courtyard restaurant. While Viraj confidently entered, talked with the waiter and ordered the food.

Just I expected, he ordered my favourite soup, one mineral water bottle, and Garlic fried rice. It again reminded me of the days, only a year and a half earlier. He had been most perfect gentleman all the time, whenever I had tried to find any fault in him, it was impossible. I remembered not having to worry about anything when we used to go out. He arranged everything as per my liking and style. There was never a time when he disappointed him.

"So how is Cara?" Tanya asked as the waiter placed the steaming soup bowls before us. She was sitting on my right side, drumming her fingers on the table, trying to fuse the subtle tension that hung between us.

"Good. Good...." he mumbled. "Went to Dublin two days back, wanting to spend some time with her family before we get married."

"Oh. Good for her," I replied. "So when is the wedding?"

"Well, not yet decided. We await the confirmation from Venues," he replied, avoiding the eye contact. "How is Siddharth?"

"Good. Good..." I said, gulping the lump in my throat.

"You two would be going together at the Gala!"

"Of course. Yes. I mean we are going!" I reacted.

"So you too are serious?" he asked, trying to be nonchalant.

I nodded gulping the hot soup, resulting in an ugly coughing.

He handed me a glass of water, knitting his brows in what seem like a grave concern. Meanwhile, again the hands touched and the same warmth spread into my being, reminding of the bittersweet memories.

"I fail to understand, how we meet like this!" he said, sipping his soup after blowing air to cool it.

"What do you mean?" I questioned, genuinely curious.

"We met exactly three years ago on this very day." He murmured, gazing at his soup, while a pained smile cornered around his mouth.

"Oh yeah. In your hospital, when I had fainted because of low BP," I remembered. He had examined me with his large and attractive hands touching my forehead and belly too. I was dazed at his personality, almost fell for him at that instant. I had never seen a real man with such prominent features looking so perfect on a dark skin. All the proportions of his features were spot on perfect. And now it looked more handsome with his age. I was younger and had felt so small in his frame.

We fell silent and finished the lunch in a hurried manner, both awkward and tense. I knew he was too thinking about the relationship we shared. I was a different girl back then. It seemed funny to me, how with time and place people change, situations change too. If it was the same place, only perhaps two years earlier, we would have been sitting side by side, with my hand intertwined into his and some elevated emotions between us. And now here we were, sitting opposite, with absolutely nothing to say and so much to feel.

Just as we were about to leave the table, after Viraj paying the bill, his phone buzzed. He raised his finger for us to wait and sat back down on the edge of the seat.

"Hey, dad! You would never guess who I am with right now!" he said, raising his head to meet my eyes and smiled.

"No. no..." he paused. "It's Mini!"

"No. I possibly can't ask her that. I am sure she is aptly busy and have no time to spare." He went on. "Wait... You talk with her." And thus he handed me the phone. I took it tentatively, knowing what was to come. I had spent many months at their house, and his dad took a fancy in me. He always used to say that he thought me as his daughter. And he was the coolest person I knew back then. We did hit it off in a matter of days.

"Hi, Uncle. How have you been?" I said with my heart in my mouth.

"Oh, Mini. We missed you." His strong booming voice, gained by military background bounced on my ear through the sleek handset.

"I missed you guys. How is aunty? I hope she is not mad at me."

"She is! You never called back. Even if Viru is getting married to somebody else, it doesn't mean we stop being friends." He told. "Hey come down at our house this weekend with Viraj. We would be thrilled to have you!"

"Sorry Uncle. But I have a function to attend tomorrow. Maybe next weekend," I regretted it saying as soon as it got out of my mouth. I shouldn't meet those people, especially with Viraj. It would be a torture, to begin with, what would we say to each other!

"That settles it then. Don't disappoint us dear," He concluded hanging up the phone. I looked painfully at Tanya who rolled her eyes as if saying I told you so.

"Alright, Sara. I will call you next Friday or so. Or maybe drop by your office?" he said, opening the door for us to pass.

"Oh no. I mean I will call you myself," I declared, pacing forward.

"Whatever you are comfortable with," he smiled again, stopping to leave the other direction. "Sara... Thanks again. I am looking forward to meeting you again. Just like old times..." he trailed off with a hint of a smile. Then turned abruptly and disappeared round the corner.

"You are calling for more trouble, Sara!" Tanya's voice brought my gaze back. "You are losing it!"

I rolled my eyes. "I know that already! What can I do?"

"Oh. You are screwed!" she smirked.

*

It was half-past seven when we were getting ready at the salon near our apartment building for the Gala. The Stylist fashioned my hair into wavy locks, which was brought to my right side wholly, leaving my back partially bare. Tanya also looked ready in her Magenta gown with her straight hair tied into a high ponytail. Though as our finances tight, with all the expensive salon and Spas, we didn't have enough money to spare for accessories. Somehow Tanya managed to get ruby stud earrings from her old collection. But we couldn't find anything matching with my silver gown.

After we finished with the ready look, we got back to the apartment, just as I planned with Kush. He was to bring Rishi with him to pick us up for the event. While I put my cell phone in my clutch bag, my gaze went to the drawer of my dressing table. Sighing, I opened it with mixed feeling and sat down on the chair in front of it. I handled the note with a tender touch, wanting to open the folds and read it in one go. But it was hard to fight with my logical side. Gently, I caressed the note and kept it back in the drawer, instead of tearing it and throwing away.

Meanwhile, the bell rang and I got out of the bedroom, clutching my gown higher not wanting to step on it. As soon as I saw the duo near the door, my jaws dropped. There was no Kush to be seen, at least not somebody I used to know. There he stood, a completely different person with a lustrous black tuxedo, his silky hair tamed and gelled backward in a defined turn. The dimple on his cheek deepened as he made his way in my direction with a decided air in his walk.

"Good Evening, Sara Darling!" he said, lifting my right hand in his, bend down his head and kissed it gingerly, not breaking the stare.

I would swear on God, but the speech failed me. My throat went dry and my eyes dazzled.

"Kush," I breathed. "Umm. Wow... I don't know what to say!"

"Just breathe. And be my date tonight," He smiled and locked my arm in his.

As he led me towards the door, stunned to think, Tanya eyed me in wonder and amusement with her own arm locked with Rishi's.

***HEY GUYS... Tell me if I am able to hold your interest!?? And thanks for raising LOF to #2 position!**