Aryan glanced intermittently at Shahana who was carrying an expression of dread since the show had begun. It was even more distressing to watch Prachi as she was keeping her face impassive.

Aryan felt stuck in a 'do or die' situation watching the two ladies on his either side. Then again, he thought about his own feelings during an important meeting with his boss and did not dare judge them.

In an honest opinion, Aryan felt that Mehra Designs had done a fantastic job. All of their costumes were not only elegant but also creative. He could not see the audience as he was in the backstage, but as the show ended, there was a huge round of applause.

At the sound of the applause, Prachi and Shahana smiled. Aryan exhaled on seeing their expression turn happy.

"Congratulation ma'am." he said. "It was amazing! Too good!"

"Thank you" Prachi smiled.

Prachi glanced at the two youngsters in front of her. They looked confusedly at her.

"I'll give you a moment." she said and went away from there.

Aryan and Shahana stood awkwardly beside each other. Event though they had told their bosses that they were a couple, they never acted like one, expect for that dance perhaps.

"Uh.....congratulations." Aryan said to diffuse the tension. "It was awesome."

"Thanks." she said. "All the hard work was worth it."

"I'm sure in the coming days, you'll.......I mean.... you guys will perform well too." he smiled.

"Hope it happens. Prachi ma'am has put in a lot of effort."

At that moment, Aryan's phone rang. Quite obviously, it was Ranbir.

"I may need you back here. Is the show over?" Ranbir said even before his assistant could greet him.

Aryan understood the impatience in his tone. "Yes sir, the show has ended."

"Oh....How was it?" Ranbir asked hesitatingly.

"Quite marvelous." Aryan said. "They got an excellent response."

"Great!" Ranbir muttered in relief. "By what time will you be back?"

"I'm leaving now, sir." he replied.

"Okay." Ranbir cut the call.

Aryan turned to Shahana with a sullen face and she looked sympathetically at him.

"Guess I need to return to work again." he sighed.

"See you soon." she said.

He gave a small smile to her and she accompanied him to the exit.

-----

Prachi had called Pragya and informed her about the details of the show. She was truly happy. Of course, there was a week of challenge waiting, but as they say, First impression is the best impression!

After the call with Pragya, Prachi didn't know whom to call. She didn't have many friends. All the friends she had in college had grown distant from her, all thanks to the time and energy she had wasted on her ex.

But wait a minute, she had a friend! 

Ranbir! He had supported her so much for the show. So, she felt it logical to share her happiness with him.

 But, before she could dial his number, someone appeared in front of her.

Her whole body turned stiff and her expression turned to that of shock. She couldn't breathe for a moment. Her eyes were stuck on his face, a face which she loved to look at once, but now loathed it. 

Ronit Malhotra was standing in front of her, with his ever charming smile, the truth behind which was only known to her.

"Hello Prachi" he called sweetly. "Saw your show. It was satisfactory. Must say, you have improved."

Prachi swallowed a lump and glared at him. "Why are you here?"

"Why am I here?" he chuckled. "Don't you know I'm modelling for Ravi. I'm his show stopper." he said with arrogance.

Prachi swallowed another lump. "Oh!" It wall all she could say.

"You brought Sara Ali Khan! Quite impressive. You're trying very hard. If you keep going on probably after some 20 years you will get a chance in bollywood." he mocked her.

Prachi was finding it increasingly difficult to remain calm. But at an event of such a magnitude, she couldn't risk to spoil her reputation.

"You can leave." she said indifferently.

"Prachi..." he frowned. "I'm being polite here. Come on, behave like a civilized person. No one likes to work with some one who is unruly or..... brittle." he said in an admonishing tone.

"Ma'am?"

Prachi turned around to see Aryan and Shahana. She didn't want them to see her this way.

"Is everything all right?" Shahana asked while glaring at Ronit.

"Are they your bodyguards? They don't look like one though." he snickered. "Hey little one, you are beautiful, but your height needs to increase a bit, doesn't it?" he taunted Shahana.

Aryan had seen that guy on television. He was fine then, but now Aryan wanted to punch his face badly.

Shahana knew who he was. His name and relationship with Prachi was an hushed up affair in the office. Shahana disliked him earlier, but now she felt like murdering him.

"Stay away from her." Prachi threatened. "She is my assistant and this is her boyfriend. And now you may leave."

"Whoa! You let your employees freely roam around with their boyfriends. I thought you were a stricter boss." Ronit snorted.

"Please excuse me, Prachi ma'am. I'm not here only because I'm Shahana's boyfriend!" Aryan almost shouted at his face and Shahana's heart skipped a beat.

Prachi was too surprised to respond.

"I work with one of Prachi ma'am's close friends. You may know him, he is Ranbir Kohli, the brother of Varun Kohli."

"Ohh...." Ronit's expression changed on hearing Ranbir's name. "I know Varun.....but......but I don't know Ranbir." he lied.

"That's a surprise!" Aryan faked confusion. "Varun sir is very vocal about his brother. People who know him, I mean who have the standard to be well acquitted to him, know about Ranbir sir."

Ronit glared at him. "You don't know whom you are talking to, do you?" he hissed.

"No, I do." Aryan smirked. "Ronit Malhotra, isn't it. Earlier I knew you as the person whom Varun sir was going to cast in his new music video but now I know you as the person who has no business of his own other than troubling others."

Ronit gritted his teeth. "You said you work for the Kohlis, right?"

"Yes. They are very good people. High on manners, I'd say." Aryan said with a subtle taunt.

"Aryan!" Shahana held his hand. "It's enough."

Ronit turned towards Prachi. "You haven't learnt to befriend the right people. Your friendship with Ranbir is not going to last for long, I swear." he threatened and stormed away.

"I'm extremely sorry ma'am." Aryan said to Prachi. "I didn't mean to interfere in anything personal, but......he said about Shahana and I couldn't stay silently" 

Prachi looked at him with a blank expression and left from there without saying anything.

How much do you dislike Ronit?

How was Aryan's reply to him?

What will happen when Ranbir comes to know about this incident?