Abhi na jao chhod kar ke dil abhi bhara nahi
Abhi na jao chhod kar ke dil abhi bhara nahi

I was in a trance listening to a beautiful soothing melody. While a few lyrics were escaping from my lips too making my heart feel at ease. My fingers drummed across the edge of a half filled coffee mug. While my eyes skimmed over the people running in hallway to decorate it for CHRISTMAS. 

Abhi abhi to aayi ho, abhi abhi to
Abhi abhi to aayi ho, bahar banke chhayi ho
Hawa zara mehak to le, nazar zara behak to le

I shook my head thinking how they just don't sit and enjoy some moments. How they don't steal some moment for themselves. Instead of enjoying the moments they get,they start to prepare for other moments completely disregarding the time they have been given to enjoy like now. Little did I know that my quality time with myself will be taken away from me after a second of saying it.

"Naira!" Three shrills almost made me jump in my seat. Keyword - almost. I calmed my racing heart and looked at my girlfriends standing at the threshold. Their eyes were glaring at me and asking- did we invite you for this?

Yeh shaam dhal to le zara
Yeh shaam dhal to le zara
Yeh dil sambhal to le zara
Main thodi deir jee to loon
Nashe ke ghoont pee to loon
Nashe ke ghoont pee to loon
Abhi to kuchh kaha nahi
Abhi to kuchh sun nahi
Abhi na jao chhod kar ke dil abi bhara nahi

I took out earplugs from my ear. Now you got the idea how high pitched their shrieks were? Save me god. I sighed and stood up. Immediately closing YouTube,I slipped my phone in a pocket of my sweatpants and turned to... Face them. They covered the long area from threshold till here in a matter of few seconds. And Capisce-  when I say long. That really means Long.

Woah,that was fast. They were standing right across me.

"Care to explain Ms. Naira Rathore. What were you doing?" Leena asked me raising her perfectly threaded eyebrow.

My eyes looked at everything but her. Mind it- she is my friend but when she is angry then she is no less than a roaring lioness. And now she is f***ing angry with me.

My eyes glided over The brown colour painted walls. The hall was beautifully decorated with Xmas tree in between while pink light was making the atmosphere soothing and somewhat romantic. I looked at everything and anything because everything was looking interesting to me other than 3 glaring eyes which were currently boaring a hole in my head from behind.

"Stop it" Nitya's voice reached my ears. And I finally looked at them.

"What?" I said like I don't know what they were talking about. I should get an Oscar!

"Let's come to the point" Anaya said stopping Nitya from saying something. She is the most calmest person in our whole group.

"Naira why didn't you get dressed?" Anaya asked while Leena and Nitya eyed me from up to down. I myself looked down to see. I was.. dressed.

"What do you mean by not getting dressed. Can't you see I am wearing clothes. Nitya, let's take her to the doctor. She lost her eyesight man." I exclaimed in dramatic tone. Well I can be dramatic sometimes.

"Can you see this? Anaya. How many are they?" I said showing her my 3 fingers. 

Anaya frowned,her eyes pulling up in confusion. Clearly stating she can't understand what's happening? It's her trait. That sometimes she understands things a little slower. A little. You know (wink!)

Finally, Leena took the lead.

"Naira, we don't have forever to waste time seeing your non-sensical acting."

"Ouch" I exclaimed placing my hand on my chest feigning hurt. But then her glare shut me up.

"So.." she took out a packet from a shopping bag and held up my palm in air and placed the packet over it. Which was dress. Ofcourse!

"Leena,see it's fine. I am comfortable in these." I tried to convince her pointing towards my peach top and brown sweatpants.

"Change it!" She said in a tone which cannot be dismissed but still I tried to put a puppy face to convince her but her glare punctured all hope I had and I had to go to change although begrudgingly.

*＊✿❀○❀✿＊*

I came in the hall adjusting my heels while taking a support from ...a wall. What did you expect? And finally fixing that. I straightened my red velvet gown and sighed. Wearing this is so tiring. I was better off in my sweatpants and top. God! It was so Exhausting and on the top of that my 3 friends who caked my face with a whole lot of make up. And when I tried to say that it's a lot. Then they shut me up again with their glares. Hey! Their glares are the most dangerous. So I can't help it. And like an obedient child I am,I let them made my face that of a joker.

"Hey Naira! You look beautiful" Samiksha Aunty said coming towards me.

"You too Aunty. You are looking gorgeous!" I said looking at her wearing kanchipuram saree looking enchanting as always.

"Where is Leena?" She asked me looking hither and thither for her daughter.

"She is in her room aunty with Nitya and Anaya. They are still getting ready." I answered her.

"They aren't ready yet?" She asked in disbelief. I motioned my head in No.

"Actually Aunty,they were busy caking my face with make- up. That they didn't get time to get ready themselves and me being me can't help them in this stuff, so I came here to check on arrangements." I told her shrugging.

"Ah! I see. Ok then am gonna go to them and help them." She said smiling at me. I returned the smile and took my cue to move forward.

Just then Aunty called me. "Naira"

"Yes aunty"

"Their efforts are worth it. You are looking gorgeous girl. And I am getting this feeling that you are gonna bag a man today" She said winking and went away.

I chuckled and shook my head. Well,I am single now. I know you won't believe that how a beautiful girl like me can be single? *Coughs* yeah,and I wasn't but now I am. Actually,these men are so stupid that I couldn't deal with them. I was in a relationship for 2 years. Pretty long time. Well it was. But it's just that I couldn't live in a relationship with a person who wanted me to change. Change my ways of living. He wanted me to change. He wanted to change me to the person he will like.

And when I got to know that I couldn't tolerate to be with him. Because I won't change for anybody. I love myself and there is no need for me to change or be the girl which he will like. That was a No from my side and it will always be A no. I took a long time realising it that he didn't like me. He liked a version of me which I wasn't. That was my mistake. And No,I didn't cry when I left him. Because I realised we didn't have anything between us which was worth crying for.

From that time till now,I am single. And am happy with it. A lot actually!

I shut off my thoughts and started checking all the decorations and arrangements. This was a Christmas party thrown by Leena and her family. Her family and my family are close friends. So yeah that's how we became friends. And talking about Nitya and Anaya,they are our school friends and since their houses are close to us. So this friendship continued. And till now it's going strong. Touch wood.

" Wish you a Merry Christmas Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for being a part of this party. Hope you enjoy! " Sameer Uncle said in a mike and the party commenced. Songs started blaring in the background. Cute cute kids started shaking their legs on the dance floor. While elders started filling their bellies with mouth watering food. 

And I held my head in my hands as it started pounding. These parties are not my thing. Heck! Leena,I hate you for this.

*＊✿❀○❀✿＊*

I walked along the streets finally feeling relaxed as I got free from that torture. After a hell lot of dancing as All my girlfriends couldn't see me sitting at corner in peace. Aww! They are so cute. Not.

I requested them to live me in peace but they being they couldn't see that. So from Cutie-pie till do ghut pila de. We continued dancing. And then they finally got busy with their respective boyfriends. No, am not upset because of that. Instead I couldn't be more happier seeing them engrossed with them today. That I mentally thanked them for showing up.

And the happiness a bird feels when it escapes from its cage. I am feeling that now. Literally! I continued thinking anything and everything that I didn't pay much attention to my surroundings.

And Bam! I collided with someone and landed... In arms? Hell No. On gravel road and my ass felt the impact as it started hurting A little too much.

I opened my eyes to see who is the cause of my fall and saw a man of my age looking at me with disinterest. Asshole!

"When you make someone fall then you should have some manners to help that person. You know." I said scowling at him. And finally it got through his thick skull as after few minutes of contemplating. He finally offered me his hand.

But me being the Sassy me. I didn't take his hand and stood up myself taking the support of my hand. He looked at his hand and then at me, and scowled. Serves him right.

And then my eyes finally took in his appearance. He was a wearing a red tuxedo with black bow and pants. And when I eyed his face. I couldn't help but scoff. His hair were messy probably because of raking fingers through them a multiple times. His face had a look of defeated but the look which was was dominating his features as he looked at me was - disinterest. And that made me enraged. I don't know why? But I did feel angry.

"You should see where you go,Mister." I said feeling angry not because he bumped into me as I was also not that focused but because of his look of disinterest. I mean, it's not that I was throwing myself on him. Bloody Asshole!

"And that implies to you too Ma'am" he said in a mocking voice and glared at me. I glared too. And Mind it- my glares are no less dangerous than that of my friends.

And just like that he walked away. Yes! That idiot walked away  What does he think of himself? I won't leave him until he says sorry. So I followed him.

And just then I noticed a bouquet of roses in his hands. Which I didn't before. I smiled looking at them. They are my favorite but then when his hold on the bouquet tightened. I couldn't hold myself and caught up with him. I can't tolerate my roses being harassed like this.

You may think me as a stupid but I can't see anyone disrespecting flowers especially roses. What they do to you that you disrespect them, instead they bring happiness and cheerfulness in our lives. So,I can't see anyone Doing bad to flowers. And this moron is crushing them.

"Stop!" I said and he looked at me with disinterest,again, scoffed and again focused in front still moving forward.

Wth!

"I said stop" I yelled now. It was night so the streets were empty of people as people were busy partying in their  houses. And here I am with this Asshat.

God! I never swore this much.

"I said fucking stop" and finally he did. Phew! Finally.

"What is your problem?" He asked me eyeing menacingly and stepped closer.

My heart started palpating.

I stepped back. He stepped closer again.

"I asked what is your fucking problem?" He yelled.

"What is YOUR problem? Why are you crushing the innocent flowers." I calmed myself and spoke up looking at my poor babies. My roses.

He looked at me with a look that meant - you need serious help. But I ignored it. And continued.

"What did these flowers did to you? Wait,you tell me what did Anyone do to you that you are carrying this defeated look on your face on this Eve." I asked confused and.... Concerned.

No! Not concerned for him but for my flowers.

He rubbed his face with his hands looking visibly tired.

"That is what I am thinking what I did to have met you.. Anyways,who are you to ask me? And why should I tell you?" He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Because" I tried to reason.

"Because?" He asked stepping closer with a scowling face.

"Because you are troubling my babies." I said eying my roses.

"What" he yelled horrified.

" I mean you are troubling these roses."  I replied keeping my anger at bay.

He rubbed his hand on his face and looked at me tired. "Look, I don't know why are you chasing and bothering me. And if you want these roses then take them. He handed me flowers and continued. " And if you think it was only my mistake that I bumped into you then I am sorry. But now please leave. I an already exhausted from today's events. Don't make my day worse. Please"  he pleaded and walked away.

And Now I felt bad and guilt rushed through me in a speed of lightening. I should make up for it. I thought and after thinking what to do. I followed him.

"Now what?" He asked exasperated.

"I am sorry" I said softly looking down and walking. Then after a moment I looked at him who was already staring at me. As if trying to study me.

"It's okay" he said softly and gave me a small smile. My heart fluttered seeing his lips curving up.

We walked slowly in silence casually glacing at each other. My heart beat increased tremendously as I found him handsome. His features were shining as moonlight and streetlight was falling on us. And I couldn't help but adore his features with a smile on my face.

"You are looking like a creep." He said with an amused smirk forming on his lips.

I embarrassingly looked away. My cheeks flaming in embarassment. And ladies and gentlemen at that time my heels deceited me as they decided to make me fall once again in this night.

I will make sure to give my 3 friends a silent treatment for a week. Fucking hell.

But before I could fall and could make a fool out of myself. Arms snaked around my waist to prevent me from falling. I looked up at him whose face was just inches away from mine.

Oh boy

My heart got frenzy and I felt shiver ran down my spine. He carefully made me stand from the not-so-good slanting position.

But when he made me stand straight on my heels. I felt pain shoot up in my ankle. Damn! Ankle strain.

"Ouch" I cried in pain holding his shoulder.

"What happened?" He asked concerned.

"My Ankle" I managed to say between my shrieks.

"Oh shoot!" He said and looked here and there. Then made me snake my arm around his shoulder as he supported me and lead me god knows where.

I limped on my way. And then saw some steps ahead of me. A little Later,my eyes caught the sight of a canal. He made me sat on the steps and himself sat down close to me.

"Show me" he asked for my ankle.

"Hey it's ok. No need" I said assuring him but it was hurting. Really bad.

"Shut up" he shut me up and carefully took my feet in his hands despite my protests.

"Ouch" i cried as he twisted it at different angles. But then the pain slowly subsided.

"Try to walk now." He asked me. I nodded and then held his shoulders and stood up.

I ascended the steps and walked on empty road hesitant but later on I confidently returned to the steps.

"Thank you so much" I smiled widely at him. He smiled a small smile and looked at the water flowing in canal.

We sat there in silence for sometime. I looked at him. His face was looking worn-off. And I couldn't resist so asked.

"You know sharing your pain makes you feel light. If you want to share something or let it out then I am all up for listening you patiently." I said looking at him. He looked at me. His eyes softened.

"But with a stranger?" He asked frowning.

"Sharing your pain with a stranger is better than sharing it with your closed ones because they take your pain away with them. Away from you. So.. " I shrugged letting him understand it himself.. I looked at the still water  which was slowly flowing telling me it isn't completely still. It's flowing. It's moving.

Just like this,we miscontemplate the things. Like I did. I thought that he was an asshole. But he wasn't. I mean he was annoying but not an A**hole.

"I proposed my crush today and she rejected me saying that she deserves someone better. She doesn't even know me that much and she rejected me just like that without even giving me a chance." His voice reached my ears and I turned to see him who was looking down.

I took the bouquet which was lying on the step. And held it in my hands. Caressing the red petals.

"She is right" I said non-chalantly.

"What?" His voice full of anger and Frustration made me turn my face to him.

"She is right because you deserve someone better." I said softly gazing in his eyes which became soft as he took in my words.

"Don't let anyone degrade you. You are YOU. Someone like you or not. You should love yourself." I spoke in a soft tone inhaling the roses. Ahh! Bliss.

After a moment of thinking, "you are right." He spoke as his eyes sparkled while a soft smile adored his lips and that smile warmed my heart.

I was caressing the petals and was lost in deep thinking that I realised. "Hey! I don't even know your name and we are speaking since like forever." I said hitting my forehead.

"Oh! I totally forgot that." He said wide-eyed. I chuckled and held my hand up in air.

"Naira... Naira Rathore" I said introducing myself. He slipped his hands in mine. "Kartik" introducing himself he shook my hand.

"Naira,Nice name" he said as he tasted my name on his tongue. I beamed. "Thank you Kartik."

He smiled and after a second of thinking. He took the bouquet from me. I frowned in confusion.

But then he offered me "for you milady!" He said with flirting smile. I chuckled and took the bouquet from him.

"I am taking it just because I love roses." I tried reasoning.

"Just because you love roses." He repeated confirming the same but his eyes held a different story.

I rolled my eyes but a soft smile played on my lips as I found him cute and adorable.

"So what did you get as a Christmas gift?" I asked teasing him indirectly About the whole crush fiasco.

"You!" He said smiling widely. Dimples making appearance on his cheeks. And my breath got hitched seeing the sincerity in his eyes and words. And I was a goner when he came close to me and pecked my cheeks.

Well, My Christmas couldn't get any better,could it?

*＊✿❀○❀✿＊*

Hey guys! I am back with an OS. I just wanted to write so bad. And was facing writer's block. So I came here and started writing whatever came in my mind. Hope it isn't that bad.
Thank you!❤️
Avika ;)