''Hey folks, I have a surprise for you.'' Tarun announced gleefully hopping down the stairs. He made his way to the dinning area where his mother was busy arranging the table for dinner. Throwing her his arms around her from behind he placed a peck on her cheek making Devyani groan, ''Now for what you are trying to bribe me.''

''That was hurtful!  You broke my heart beautiful.'' Tarun replied in a pained voice. Devyani slapped his arm, pushing it off her shoulder. She went about doing her job when he again blocked her path, ''What's this?'' She asked when he lifted a piece of paper to her face.

''Its a ticket. We are going for a family holiday to Shimla'' He announced in an excited voice. But Devyani's  not so excited response made him frown. ''Mom aren't you excited?''

''Why did you chose Shimla?''

''Because its beautiful'' He replied with a shrug

''beauty is all that you care, did you even think about your dad's breathing issue. You know hill stations don't suit him. You could have thought of something better.''

''Mom, I checked with dad he said it's fine. What say dad?'' Jatin gave his acceptance with a smile

''Good then ! Have dinner I have clean the table up.'' Though it was a very small thing but she felt Tarun's obsession with beauty and everything good in looks was making him selfish. Her thoughts took her back to the past. Since the day he was born, relative friends had all praises for him. Devyani made sure she never praised him, she treated him like a normal guy and motivated him to do good. But there were others who seemed smitten by her good looking son. As he grew his attraction grew with him, people got pulled to him like a magnet and her teachings started fading away. Like any other human he started enjoying attention, his priorities choices started changing. The only good relation he had was Praveen his friend from kindergarten, and she was glad for that. Praveen kept him in check, her eyes went to Father son duo happily chatting. She wished for a good life partner for him. A girl who wouldn't swoon over his looks but someone who would boldly face him and make him look at his own flaws and mistakes. 

''Mom, we leave tomorrow morning. I have booked a sedan for all of us.'' He got up after the  and placed a peck on his parents forehead, wishing them for the night. Devyani took a deep breath, she silently made a prayer to the all mighty to bless her son with some sense.

***

Arun smiled wide after deboarding the vehicle which drove them from the Railway station to the resort. ''Like it dad?'' Kajal asked wrapping an arm around his shoulder. 

''Why wouldn't I, after all my daughter chose the place.'' She shook her dad, her dad never left a single chance to praise her. She took all with a smile, never letting things get on to her head. She helped the bell boy who seemed dwindling like a pendulum after lifting the luggage. The bell boy smiled at his empathetic guest leading her parents to the assigned cottage as she completed the formalities. She smiled at the receptionist making her way to the cottage. She  walked through the lawn enjoying the nature's beauty when  a crowd attracted her attention and curiosity took her steps to it . Her eyes widen realising that there was a middle age man gasping for breath as other stood hovering over him, ''Move back, let him breathe.'' She turned her eyes to the man, ''Uncle, you need to relax. Nothing is going to happen okay.'' She kept the eye contact loosing his jacket and shirt buttons.  ''Do you have an inhale?.'' He nodded pointing towards a small bag, she quickly pulled it out and helped him with it. ''How do you feel now?''

Jatin patted her cheek, ''Better, thanks.''

''Cold weather doesn't suit you?'' She asked helping him up. He nodded, ''I think its more or less in my head. Plus my wife had pushed me to wear these 4 layers of clothing.'' Kajal smiled and walked him to his cottage, ''I didn't get you name''

''Kajal...Kajal Bisht.'' He blessed her , he was about to move in when Devyani stepped out, ''I was so worried...'' Her words died looking at the young girl standing at the bottom of the stairs. Kajal smiled at her, ''Devyani, meet Kajal. This girl saved my life.'' He narrated the incident and Devyani's face lost its colour, ''This is why I never wanted to come here.''

''Relax aunty, its not the weather . Its the extra layer of clothes that suffocated him. And its spring right now, I think with little precautions he can enjoy the holiday.'' 

''Thank you!'' Devyani's words were heartfelt, ''Why don't you come in?''

''Thanks, but my parents are waiting for me. Nice meeting you.'' With a nod, Kajal made a turn walking away. Devyani noticed Tarun walking towards them, they crossed each other but Kajal didn't look at him even once. Devyani laughed at her thoughts , world was full of strong girls and she started dreaming at the sight of first.

***

Kajal led her parents to the buffet area for the dinner. Her dad had been excited about tasting everything in the dessert menu. Sheela was trying hard to calm her over exciting husband, she had been reprimanding Kajal for booking an expensive resort. She always felt guilty about depending on her daughter. 

''Sheela, is that you'' A voice made Sheela turn and next moment her eyes widen in recognition. Opposite to her stood her old friend Devyani, ''Oh my god!'' That's all Sheela could say before Devyani engulfed her in a hug. Introductions were being made and Kajal's introduction bought a big smile on Devyani and Jatin's face. Sheela invited them over and the old friends decided to share all they had missed on. 

''Mom, Dad where is your phone? I have been trying to reach for so long'' Tarun's irritated worried voice broke the fun atmosphere. 

''Meet my son Tarun and Tarun this is my childhood friend. We went to college and stayed in touch for long and then lost our touch getting busy with life.'' Tarun greeted everyone with a smile

''What do you do Son?'' Arun asked

''Nothing great he is a financial Analyst like every other engineering graduate.'' Devyani replied she didn't wanted her son to start with his self praise ''what do you do Kajal?''

''I am a jewellery designer.'' Kajal kept it brief but Sheela was excited to boast about her daughter, ''Not just any designer, she is currently the best in the country. you must have heard of her collections....''

''Mom its fine. '' Kajal interrupted her mother. She never liked the way her mom boasted her achievements. Devyani smiled, Kajal gained another point in her eyes. ''I think you guys have lot to catch up, I will be out for a walk.'' Kajal excused herself, the way her mother was signing her praises made her feel uncomfortable. Tarun too excused himself on pretext of taking a call. 

Kajal stood under the clean night sky rubbing her palms, the cool wind bought a big smile to her face. Lifting her eyes she gazed at the scattered stars which illuminated the night sky. She frowned then smiled, she just got the idea for her next collections. 

''looking for a wishing star'' Tarun's statement suddenly broke the chain of her thoughts. She gave him a glance and turned away. She wasn't the kind to make quick friends, she decided to ignore his presence.

''So what did you wish for?'' Tarun asked again. She wanted to snap at him for spoiling her me moment. Stretching a smile on her lips she replied shutting him off, ''I don't need stars  to fulfil my wishes . I am capable enough to achieve them with my own efforts.'' Tarun who had been playing with his phone froze, he turned and locked his with her fiery brown ones. 

''I didn't mean to offend you.''

''And I am not. I just answered your query.'' She replied turning her eyes to sky again. 

''So, you are a jewelry designer.'' She nodded ''Which brand do you work with?'' he asked again

''I am a freelancer'' She replied calm without looking at him

''Freelancer ? Your mom just mentioned you to be the best in the industry.'' The statement was little upbeat and Kajal did take an offence this time.

''I work as a Freelancer because I am the brand.'' her reply came confident.

''That's impressive but don't you feel being associated with a big label changes everything. I mean people look at you with different kind of respect.'' he sounded casual

Kajal wanted to laugh at his thinking. Taking a breath she stifled it, turning to him she replied, ''That depends on the perception and the skills of an individual. If you are good, you don't need a tag and I am one of them .'' Tarun smiled at her confidence. After long he had actually interacted with someone so confident.

''May be you are right but I still prefer being associated with a brand.'' He replied

''I get it, you don't prefer taking risks.'' Now it was his turn feel offended

''I am an adrenaline junkie, I take risks no one can comprehend.'' He replied putting his point rather stressful. She smiled at his annoyed voice, her brown eyes sparkling in mischief.

''May be you are, but you don't believe in building something of your own. You take risks building on a ready-made foundation provided to you, something you are aware isn't going to crumble. That isn't being an adrenaline junkie.'' He felt all the way more irritated. He was about to respond when her ringing mobile broke the conversation, ''Hey Robin, wats up?'' She received the call with a smile walking away from him. He stood at a distance watching her as she paced around laughing talking to someone. He immediately branded her as stubborn and airy, she was one of those who stood up to him not ready to bend or agree to his point. He gain gave her a quick glance, he thought with a smirk, 'May be brands didn't find her presentable enough. After all, packaging mattered more than the content.'

The two of them were oblivious that their parents had decided to seal their fate. What would be better than having your best friend as a family. The two friends knew each other in and out and were dead sure that their kids too will bond like them.

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