"I believe you have something to tell me?"

"Yep, Karthik is coming tonight." I said trying to get to the living room.

"I know when my husband is coming home and you know I am not talking about that."

"Bhabhi, will you at least give me a chance to finish?"

"Okay, what is it?"

"I'll tell you after he comes." I said and rushed to my room.

I wasn't even able to muster the courage to tell my sister in law at my own house. How am I going to tell the trio?

I took a long bathe and thought about different scenarios that could happen. Maya and Neha could keep it down, but I wasn't so sure about Shreya. I needed a plan.

I decided to call Gaurav.

"Hey, I was thinking of a reason to call you, but then you are my girlfriend now and I don't need a reason to. But I never expected you to call. I am so happy right now." This was a new side to Gaurav. He usually speaks to the point.

"You can call me anytime."

"Oh, I will."

"Gaurav, have you told anyone about us yet?"

"If you don't want to continue this relationship yes, otherwise no."

"I want to continue this."

"Then, I haven't."

"Okay then, how about we do that together?"

"What is your plan?"

"You would be telling Rahul and Sneha, I have to tell Karthik, Gunjan, Maya, Neha and Shreya. We can tell them all together at dinner, maybe even tonight?"

"You forgot to mention my parents." I was hoping he wouldn't say that.

"I remember that too. I am sorry, but I don't think I am ready for that yet."

"I am not pressurising you Kavya, we'll take this as slow as you want."

"Thank you."

"So, what is the plan?"

"I'll ask the girls if they are free tonight. If yes, you can get Rahul and Sneha also here. Don't tell them you are bringing them here. Karthik isn't here yet and I don't want him calling me wanting to know things before others."

"Okay then, I'll see you in a few hours."

"Okay."

"Wait... what about the food? Don't tell me you are cooking alone for all of us."

"I hadn't thought about that, but I can."

"I'll get it on my way. Just tell me the number of people."

"Sure, thank you."

"Oh it is my pleasure. I can't wait to see the look on Rahul's and Karthik's face." He said, which for some reason made me laugh.

"Bye."

I called Neha first. She was free and so I invited her. Next up was Maya who was already out with her husband. She asked if her husband could tag along and I said okay. Well, that was no big deal since the guys could keep him company and he already did know
Gaurav and Rahul. Then I called Shreya.

"Where did you disappear to today?" she asked as soon as she answered the call.

"Didn't Maya tell you? I went to the HC about Meera's case."

"She did. But why didn't you return. Even Gaurav didn't come back. Is there something we should know?"

I was wondering why the other two haven't asked this.

"I don't know. Maybe I will tell you about what happened if you can make it to dinner at my place tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yes. Are you not okay with it? Do you have any other plans?"

"Me? No. I was just planning on going out with Sid. But, I'll ditch him, no problem."

"Heyy" I call her husband call out from the other end.

"You can bring him. Maya's husband is also coming. And Karthik will also be here."

"Okay then, I won't ditch him."

It was already six thirty in the evening and all I had to do was to stall for a couple of hours. After the calls I exited my room to find a curious Gunjan.

"What were those calls all about? And who was the first one you called?"

"We are having guests over for dinner."

"Come on Kavya, why don't you give me a clear answer?" She tried to pull her innocent face which wasn't going to work on me.

"Wait for a few more hours and you'll know everything. Now go call your husband and find out at what time he's arriving."

"If you weren't too busy on the phone you would've known. He's already here."

I texted Gaurav saying who all would be here. He promised to come by at eight.

I went to the living room and switched on the TV. Gunjan, by now had given up, sat beside me.

"What is for dinner ladies? I am really hungry." Karthik said joining us

"On its way."

"You ordered out?" He asked not believing me. He knew how much I loved to cook.

"Yep. My friends are coming over and I didn't have much time left."

"Okay, shall I ask Rahul and Sneha to come over too?"

"No." I answered a little too quickly.

"Why?"

"Well... because my friends wouldn't be comfortable with our boss hanging around." Well, this was going to backfire when they show up.

"Then I don't want to be the single male here."

"Don't you worry about that, Maya and Shreya are bringing their husbands."

Karthik complained a bit about not knowing any of them but Gunjan and I tuned him out.

Before I knew my friends started showing up one by one. The only ones left were Gaurav, Rahul and Sneha.

"So, what is it?" Maya asked.

The others were looking curiously at me.

"Why isn't the food here?" Karthik asked and the others ignored him. Sidharth and Raghav thankfully weren't much interested in the conversation and were watching the football match on TV.

"Yeah, you did say you had something important to tell us." Neha said.

"Yep, tell us why you left early today with...." The doorbell rang and I saw Karthik get up from his seat.

"The food is here, I'll get it." He exclaimed.

"Why don't you wait here while I get it." I said blocking him.

He didn't protest, but Gunjan's eyes were fixed on me.

"Hey, take your purse." I heard Karthik call out as I walked to the door.

"Why don't you tell me what we are doing at Karthik's place?" I heard Rahul ask as I opened the door.

"Come in guys." I said and the three of them followed me in.

"You invited our bosses?"

"Rahul?"

"Gaurav?"

"Settle down guys, we are in for some good news." It was Gunjan this time and she was so right.