"Sorry, sorry! I had loads of work to do. The Lakme Fashion Week is round the corner and Prachi ma'am is going crazy and driving all of us mad."

Shahana stopped her rant and looked at Aryan who had a poker face.

"What?" she asked.

"I am not talking to you till I get my milkshake." he replied.

"Ugh! You are such a baby!" she groaned.

He didn't react till the milkshakes were in front of them, and burgers as well.

"Now tell me about it." Aryan said.

Shahana made a face and turned towards him.

"So, we successfully managed to make them friends and because of all the meetings we planned, they started seeing more of each other. Now for the next step. They should attend the after-party together."

Aryan frowned. "Ranbir sir would be ready to support Prachi ma'am. But what will he do in a fashion show?"

"That's why idiot, I said that they should attend the after-party  together." Shahana exclaimed.

"Oh! But for that Prachi ma'am should invite him." Aryan pointed.

"I know...." Shahana sighed. "That's why I called you here. We need to figure out a way to make her ask him."

 "Uhmm......" they both got into thought.

Suddenly Aryan clutched Shahana's hands.

"Hey! There's a way!" he exclaimed.

"What?" she asked eagerly.

"Well, in long and short, it might be a tad bit uncomfortable for you." he said.

"Never mind. Tell me." she harkened he ears.

Aryan leaned closer and whispered the plan in Shahana's ears.

*****

Prachi went through all the attires that were designed to be showcased in the fashion week. She ordered her staff to pack them safely and went out. 

"Ma'am your coffee." Shahana came inside Prachi's cabin with a cup in her hand.

"Ah! Just what I needed." Prachi exhaled and took the cup from her.

Shahana was relieved to see that Prachi was a relaxed and not as stressed as earlier.

"Ma'am not just because it's you, but truly the designs are wonderful." Shahana tried to build up a conversation.

"Everyone attending the fashion week should say that." Prachi sighed.

"They will!" Shahana bit her lips nervously. "Ma'am, who all will be attending the after party?"

"I don't think that should be your concern right now." Prachi replied.

"Uh....sorry ma'am. I just...." Shahana felt stupid.

"Why did you ask anyway?" Prachi looked at her.

"Uh...I was just wondering.....if I could bring Aryan with me...." Shahana said what Aryan had asked her to.

Prachi stared at her. "You can bring a date." she said and Shahana smiled. "But will he be able to attend it? He needs to be with Ranbir." Prachi added.

"Well, it's after office hours and he hopefully would be able to make it." Shahana said. "Moreover, it's on Friday and Aryan had said that Ranbir sir usually shuts himself up in his apartment on weekends."

"What?! Why is that so?" Prachi frowned.

Shahana sighed in relief. She had got her attention.

"Ranbir sir doesn't socialize much. His mother passed away when he was very  young.  From that time, Ranbir sir stays kind of detached from everyone. At least, that's what his cousin has told Aryan. He calls him sometimes to collect the news about Ranbir sir."

Prachi fell silent after listening this. She felt bad for her friend.

"Shahana..." she called abruptly. "This is something I'm asking you unofficially."

"Sure ma'am" Shahana moved closer feeling eager.

"Do you think Ranbir will mind if I invite him to the after-party? Even if he can, he can attend the last day of the show." Prachi enquired.

"Ma'am, from what Aryan has told me, Ranbir sir has high regards for you. So, I don't think he will mind."

Prachi blushed slightly on hearing that. "So I will give him a call." she said.

"Okay ma'am." Shahana smiled  and took her leave.

Incoming call. Report to position!

She sent the message as soon as she stepped out of the cabin.

Over and out

She received the message soon and smiled.

*****

Ranbir was busy going through the files of a new project. Just as his phone started to ring, Aryan entered his cabin with a coffee cup.

Ranbir was quite surprised and extremely happy to see Prachi's name flashing on the screen. He was struggling to make the first call, but she beat him to it.

"Hello Prachi." he greeted.

"Hi. Hope you don't mind the call. Are you busy?" she enquired.

"It's all right."

It was awkward for Aryan to watch his boss talk to his crush, that too with a shy smile on his face.

"I just called to ask if you will be free on 27th of this month....it's a Friday." she asked.

"Twenty seventh......" Ranbir glanced at his assistant.

Aryan immediately checked his diary. 'No sir, apart from a meeting with Mr. Jha in the morning, no special appointments."

"Yeah. I guess I'll be free." Ranbir said.

"Oh that's great! The thing is, I am taking part in Lakme Fashion week....." she said.

"That's amazing Prachi!" Ranbir exclaimed.

"Thanks" Prachi replied, her voice happy. "I know that it would be too much if I ask you to attend the entire event. So, can you join me in the evening on 27th? Maybe, we can go to the after-party together." Prachi bit her lips.

"Uh...." Ranbir suddenly felt his mouth go dry. "Would it be okay for me to come?" he mumbled.

Aryan wanted to laugh.

"Why would it not be?" Prachi said. "I can reserve a seat for you."

"Oh....Okay. I'll be there." Ranbir said.

Prachi smiled. "For the party too?" she enquired further.

"Yeah....that's what you said, isn't it?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes!" she chuckled. "Just wanted to make sure what you were agreeing to." she said in a playful tone.

Ranbir felt his mouth go dry again. It was not helping either that Aryan was standing there.

"See you on Friday!" Prachi said.

"Yeah! Okay. See you." Ranbir managed to mumbled a reply.

After ending the call, he sat on his chair for sometime, without any movement.

"All okay sir?" Aryan asked. 

"Huh?" Ranbir looked at him. "What happened?"

"I was asking if everything is okay." Aryan repeated his question.

"Yeah....yes....everything is fine." Ranbir said and got up from his chair.

Aryan looked unsurely at him.

"What do you know about this.....Lakme Fashion Week?" Ranbir asked suddenly.

"Uh...It's the biggest fashion event in India."

"I know it. Apart from that..."

"Um....Apart from that nothing much sir. They conduct an after-party and Shahana has asked me to be her date for it."

"Date??!!" Ranbir widened his eyes. "In this party, people go with dates?"

"Yes sir, that's what usually happens. But people go with their friends too." Aryan chose his words carefully.

Although they wanted Ranbir and Prachi to see each other up, they didn't want them to misunderstand each other either.

"Okay...." Ranbir nodded. "Umm....I'm going home." he said.

"Huh?" Aryan stared at him unbelievingly at him. "You are leaving sir? This early!"

"Yeah.... I just.... You finish the remaining work." he ordered Aryan.

Picking up his coat, laptop and files, Ranbir left the office, with a flustered face.

It took sometime for Aryan to register the shock. When he realized that his boss was no longer in the office, a wide grin came on his face.

"Free time! At last!" he exclaimed with his arms wide open.