Abir shifted uncomfortably as he sat on the couch in the living room...all were waiting for Mishti and Kuhu to show up...

He didn't want to go ...that too to a farewell party...and especially when the person who invited him made it clear from her tone that he won't be welcome ...but he could not budge Massima...she was as adamant as her daughter...! and that brother of his....why he had to ramble about his barely nonexistent social life....

"Abir..mujhe ache see pata hai ki tum apne music pe ya painting pe ya Meenakshi ki business mein madat karke apna time spend karthe honge .Look ...you have to relax beta...thoda waqt apne aap ko bhi de...and I will take no excuses ..."

Rajshri gave him 'that 'look that made Abir sigh and cave in to her demands.

Kunal whistled and patted Rajshri on her shoulders...

"wow Massima ...that's done..!! you are amazing.. you massi's are bhai's weakness"

"Okay guys..I am ready to hit the floor..!"

Kunal turned as he heard Kuhu's giggling along with her announcement...

"phew...Kuhu.....you look stunning..."

Kuhu smiled wide as Kunal approved her pista tank top with black leggings and a short black leather jacket..

"well I am not the one going to steal the show...aaj to usss Mishty ka din hai.."
Kuhu shrugged ..as she expectantly eyed in her room's direction..

Her eyes widened as Mishti stepped out looking all elegant in a mauve and golden dress...with a golden knit shawl wrapped around her shoulders..

Do check out

Misht was conscious...for the second time this day.....

Of course after the afternoon episode she was jumpy...and the heat of some pair of eyes were making her uncomfortable...

"WOW...Mishti....I never thought you would look this feminine ... tumhe pata hai Kunal ....yeh har waqt mujhe chidathi rehthi hai aur iska gussa to naak pe hai..lekin ab dekho..koi use dekhega to bechari hi kahegi naa"

Kuhu said adjusting Mishti's white crystal pendent..

Rajshri smiled ...her mind momentarily distracting giving a forlorn look...

"You are looking gorgeous Mishti...absolutely breathtaking...! Acha hua Abir Bhai saath hai ..I might need a back up tonight.. accompanying two hotties is a very risky responsibility."

Kunal said as he winked at Kuhu and grinned widely...Kuhu beamed at his praise.

Mishti sighed ...she had thought of enjoying the party..but a stifling discomfort pressed her heart..

Why he had to ruin my day..

She had wanted to be free of all stress and enjoy the eve to its fullest...

But now she felt caged ...

Caged in some magnetic field ...

Always with a prickly feeling that she was being watched ....

She eyed Abir furitively .There was no doubt that he looked dashing in the black three piece suit...she looked at Kunal who wore the same colour suit ..but on Abir it radiated an unknown glow..

Wow..!!... Mishti!!..Stop checking him out already..!

She scolded herself..

Without a word Abir took the car keys from her ......totally taking her by surprise...

"Hey..!"

"Its okay Mishti..let Abir bhai drive..."

Kunal said with a reassuring smile...

The drive to the venue was short and Kunal and Kuhu did most of the conversation...

Mishti rubbed her hand nervously...and Kuhu noticed her tension...

"Mishti..tum itne tensed kyu hai..is there anything ...umm else bothering you..."

Kuhu whispered her question . Misht sighed ...lowering her head...

"Avi.."

"Oh...oh my...did Avi..."

Kuhu said in alarm.... Mishti nodded...

"Oh! Sh**! Kuhu swore..and Abir looked at both the girls a bit sternly through the rear-view..

"What...koi problem hai kya?"

Kunal looked at Misht probingly...

"Hmm...Nothing...Kunal " Mishti signalled Kuhu to let the matter pass...

As they neared the venue Mishti's spirit lifted..Abir parked the car and before Mishty could open the door she found an extended hand through the already opened door..

Misht stared at the caramel eyes in shock...unable to decide what to do.

Did he took it for granted that he was forgiven...? but then it was him...always taking things for granted..

Mishti slowly put her hand in his .it was a public place and she could not afford to make a scene here...

Warmth seeped into her from him...

"I apologise for ruining your day ... Mishti ..."

Abir's voice was low... Mishti gaped at him in disbelief...

Mr .Abir Rajvansh and apology..!!
Mishti could not believe what she heard...

"And umm...you look very beautiful..."

A shiver passed through her spine...her tongue numb in her mouth......she felt as if she was gliding through mist....elated...

"Miiishtiiii....."

She heard a chorus and then realised that she had actually reached the centre of the party...her hand still on.....

OMG..! She was still holding his hand...!!

Her look darted to his eyes which seemed to be slightly confused...

Mishty jerked away her hand...and taking a quick deep breath she turned to the gang coming to her fixing a smile on her lips...

But before Sanju, Sneha and Chris could reach her they were stopped by Kunal..

"Hi girls...I am Kunal ... Mishti
ki bachpan ka eklotha dosth .and may I know your names..."

The three girls looked at Kunal for a second...mischief dancing in their eyes...

"Aww why not ..."
The three some charged to Kunal for a bear hug...leaving Kuhu and Mishty laugh their head out..

"Oh...uh....that was nnnnice..."

Kunal stumbled back from the harmless assault...and positioned himself behind a laughing Mishti.

"Well done guys...!"

Kuhu complimented the girls and hifived with them..

Kunal looked her aghast...

"Kuhuuu..tumhara plan thaa..!"

Mishti caught Abir looking at her in amusement and quickly replaced her expression with a defiant one...

"Mishti ...yeh ...won't you introduce this hunk...?"

Sanju whispered in Mishti's ears...as Mishty got nudges from Chris...

"Umm...this is Abir... Kunal's big brother"

Mishty said without looking at Abir..

"Hi I am Chris..."

Mishti was taken aback by the way she was side lined as Chris ,Sanju and Sneha cornered ..Abir ..talking to him...

"Hey guys..."

Rahul walked up to them smiling . Mishty sighed inwardly in relief and linked her hand to his...

"Wow Mishty.. you look gorgeous...!"

"Thanks Rahul.....and you look stunning too..."

Mishty looked at the girls in mock anger...

Sneha joined them..

"ah.. Mishty ...let me do some work on you... you should wear the shawl in style.."
Sneha took off her golden knit shawl ignoring her protest... and draped it over the back letting the shawl fall from both sides along her arms... now exposing the creamy skin of her back and arms ....

Abir felt something flip inside him when his eyes sweeped her .

"Uhh..hmm..can we find a place to sit?"
He asked Kuhu.

"Okay Mishti...aaj tum enjoy karo ...mingle vingle karo mein in donon ka khayal rakhthi hoon...we'll find a place to sit ..."

Kuhu directed Abir and Kunal along to the seating arrangements....the venue was open with a stage in one end...lighting arrangements were beautiful and soon the place got filled up with people...

As Mishti did the touch-up in the Green room she felt a hand on her shoulder...

"Hi gorgeous...!" Avi lowered his head to touch her shoulder with his chin...

"Avi...let's abide with what I said to you in the morning...."

"Are you sure you ...don't want me...?"

Avi asked her in disappointment...

"I want you just as my friend ...and nothing else..."
Mishty dismissed his presence and resumed her work....

"I'll make you want me Mishty ....let's see how you can keep me out when you entertain others out there...!"

Mishty looked at Avi in shock....what did he just imply....?!

Giving her an angry look Avi walked away....

Mishty held her head in hands.

"Mishty "

Sanju called out in worried voice...

"What happened? Why Avi is saying all those things..?"

"He proposed me and I rejected.him.."

The girls gasped .

"But why would he ...he knows you well enough to know that you don't like mixing up relations...!"

Chris fumed...

"Better you watch out Mishti...or should I tell Mrs . Keller that you are not well enough to perform..."

Sneha said looking anxious...

"No guys ...I'll manage ...and I'll handle him well on stage.Apna Avi hi toh hai....no need for you guys to worry...."

"Okay...so we'll be waiting for you ...by the way do you know whether Abir has a GF?"

Mishti blinked at Sanju....

Sanju!!! Of all the people...her friend was the meekest and studious one of the group...

Sneha giggled ...

"She had wanted to ask you this the moment she laid eyes on him..."

"Mishti tell me .please..."

Mishti shrugged her shoulders carelessly...

"Not that I know about any...why don't you ask him..?"

The girls looked at each other in slight confusion...then brightened up...

"Yes...we'll do that...?"

And left giggling leaving an angry Mishti.

..........

As the music started Mishti was startled by the ruthlessness in Avi's part...

He was deliberately hurting her!

He was coming more closer and pulling her to him ....

Mishti endured the whole thing.. tears ready to spring from her eyes by the end of the show...

She ran to the changing room..smoothing her arms where Avi had applied his frustration...slight redness marked her.....

Calmm.. Mishti..calm....

She composed herself and turned to join others .

"Enjoyed the dance...?"

She looked at Avi indignantly as he stood blocking her way .

" I told you I will make you want me..."

Misht took a deep breath and then swung her right hand square at his left cheek...

"Youu..?. You slapped me..?"

Avi pushed Mishti ....shoved her to a corner ....his face contorted with rage...

Mishti shut her eyes tightly and turned her face away in fear and disgust ....dreading a forced kiss...

But it never happened ...

She felt Avi being ripped off from her and a protective arm enveloping her....

She opened her eyes and looked into the golden fury in Abir's eyes...

Kunal and Kuhu came running to Mishti worried . It was only after Kunal pulled Mishty to him soothing her , did Abir turn to Avi who was struggling to get up.

*********

Earlier

Abir shifted in his seat uncomfortably as he watched Mishti perform...

She had the grace and lithe of a dancer and it was pure joy to watch ....but some thing was nagging him..about the way she was responding to her partner's touch..

It was then that he caught the tensed look that passed between the girls...

Kuhu looked as if she was on high wire ...

"What is that...Spill it "

Though his voice was low as a whisper ...the girls could sense the command ....

"Woh..actually..that guy.Avi..proposed to Misht in the morning....and she rejected him...umm...he didn't take that well..we fear that he will hurt Misht."
Kuhu replied .. worried .

"Woh phir is performance keliye ready kyu Hui...Mana Kar deti na .?"

Kunal was furious.

Abir had already got up and started walking to the backstage ...and he was glad he did because when he saw Misht slap the guy he was sure she was in real trouble..

*********

Now he could not hold his anger as he smashed his fist into the sagging figure...

Misht came out of her stupor in some seconds and looked at the scene in front of her in horror..

"Abiiirr.. stop it.."

She yelled as she pushed him away from Avi...

"What are you doing? this is nothing concerning you..he is my friend and whatever is between us remains within us...!"

Mishti bit out angrily standing in between Avi and Abir...

"But Mishti... Abir Bhai is right.tumhe kuch ho..jaata..."

Kunal was interrupted by a hand motion from Abir..

"Nahi Kunal ! she is right ..mujhe in donon ke beech aana hi nahi chahiye tha....and you know what Ms Mishti Agarwal..you are the same ....Meri hi galthi hai ki mujhe yeh laga tum thodi si bhi badal gayi hogi..."

"As if you have changed an ounce..!"

Mishti retorted angrily.

"Always getting into fights which doesn't concern you...!! Now Mr Rajvansh..I appreciate your concern...but this is between me and Avi and I intend to solve it my way...."

Abir glared at Mishti for a moment and she didn't flinch...and then he stormed out from there.

Kuhu shook her head in despair...
" Yeh donon milte hai to aisa hi hota tha Kya Kunal??"

"You were too rude Mishty ...Aaj to tumne had hi Kar di.Abir bro was saving you...and..."

"Kuhu let me finish this off...."

Mishty looked at Kunal who stood there miffed ..

"Kunal..tum Kuhu ko leke jaao...mein aati hoon.."

Avi was still leaning on the wall beside Mishty...silent spectator to the whole angry exchanges between Abir and Mishti....

Petrified .. confused..He never expected a man to attack him...

And more over Mishti to defend him...! she was a good friend ...he admitted ruefully...

Misht looked at the retreating figure of Kunal who was very much reluctant to leave her there and with a sigh turned to face Avi who stood there his head hanging...

"Avi..you okay?."

Avi looked at her in surprise..."You are asking me?...I am sorry Mishti it was totally my fault ...I..I insulted our friendship and I truly deserve this..."

His voice was full of remorse...

"Oh Avi...we were friends from high school....I have hated myself for losing a good friend...!"

Avi squeezed her hands...

"Thanks Mishti for not hating me for what I had done...and hmm....congrats!.....You have got a strong one there ...and I believe he is fiercely possessive about you...If I had kissed you then he would have killed me..here on the spot..!"

Avi's words were like a blow on her face..

What?! Abir..?? He ..He.. was being possessive over her?