Richa and Avni sat on the two ends of the same couch ,their backs facing each other.Both were lost in thoughts as they looked into their respective phones.Tanya on the other hand was preparing coffee for the three of them.

Richa was looking at the message sent to her by her saviour of that night...Ali.He had messaged her to let her know that he had got her car repaired.She couldn't thank him enough for his help.That night the bike ride had not been the least bit awkward ,all thanks to Ali who had made sure she was comfortable all along.He was so easy to talk to,unlike Neil with whom she struggled to converse with.He never called or messaged and whenever she took the initiative it was more like a formal conversation.That night after Ali dropped her she had seen a car that looked like Neil's pass by her.But she couldn't be sure as it drove past her too fast.For a moment she had her hopes high that probably he had come to pay her a visit.But after waiting for a day for him to call or message her asking about her whereabouts that night, her hopes had taken a death blow.She looked at Ali's message again, quickly replied back with a thank you and invited him to the party to held in the evening.

The screen on Avni's phone flashed the name of the person that she was trying hard to avoid...Neil !.He was constantly reminding her of his presence in her life.It made her wonder how did he even get her no.? Richa must have given it to him when he had first come to the hospital.His name kept buzzing every few minutes.First the formal good morning message , which obviously she ignored.Then came the calls...which were also not paid attention to.Now the pictures.The first one he sent was the one from the jewellery store with the rings.She couldn't control her lips from forming a curve.Getting no response still,he started sending the pics from last night which he had managed to click sneakily. She tried had to hide the broad smile on her face, from her roomies.He sure did know how to make her smile.After an array of her most vivacious pictures,  she finally gave in. She replied back as sternly as she could in that moment. 

'What do you want?' was her reply to his sweet gestures.As if he could read through her rudeness, he sent back a happy smiley face  that made Avni think of him.This was followed by a invitation to attend the party to be held at his place in the evening.

''Kahan khoyi huyi ho tum dono?'' tanu said  putting down the coffee mugs on the centre table.

Both the girls immediately put down their phones to avoid Tanu's inquisitive eyes.

"Kuch nai " both the girls answered in sync.

Tanu's eyes widened in excitement

'' Matlab kuch toh hai jo tum dono chupa rahi ho"

" Tu apne dimaag pe jyada jor mat daal.Evening mein kya pehnegi decide kiya?''

'' Ya ya.I'm all set.What about you?"

" Shweta Aunty is sending in some clothes of her choice''

'' Her choice?? Or Neil's'' Tanu teased.

Richa blushed a little before affirming to her doubts.

"Avni you will reach there on time right?"

" I'll try.I have a lot of work today" she tried to find a way to get out of the ordeal.

"No no no.I'm not hearing any of your excuses today.You have to come.Shweta aunty will announce our engagement date today."

" Really? Par announcement ki kya jarurat?.Sidha engagement hi karwa deti na " suggested Tanu.

" Engagement is next week.The family priest has fixed the date.But Aunty is really excited so she wants to announce it today.It will be a surprise for Neil."

" So your parents will be there?'' Avni asked trying to look enthusiastic.

" No.It was all decided so suddenly that mom and dad won't be able to make it here on time.So you guys just have to come.Avni bring Ali along too"

'' I'll ask him"

The door bell rang bringing their discussion to a halt.The khanna's driver had come to deliver a few shopping bags for Richa.She opened the bags to reveal a no. of outfits...most of which Avni recognised from last night.But her eye searched for the last one she had tried.But it was nowhere in sight.' He probably didn't buy it' she convinced herself.She left Richa and Tanu alone with the dresses to get ready for work.

                          ***~***

It was 6 pm and Avni was almost done with her with her day's work.She still hadn't come to a conclusion on whether or not she should attend the party.Though she had already informed Ali who seemed a lot more excited about it than she herself was, yet she unsure about her own going.Her mind was presenting both sides of the argument ; it was like a freaking court in her mind.

On one hand she wanted to there for her friend who has always stood by her side no matter what.Her parents weren't coming ,so it placed some extra weight on her conscience.On the other hand something scared her. Her closeness with Neil was a scary prospect.Though she had no idea what it exactly was, but it was unnerving.The battle in her head went on till she heard a knock on the door of her chamber.

''Come in''

'' Ma'am aapse koi milne aaya hai.Andar bhej doon" asked the security guard politely.

'' Ya sure''

She started packing her things, only to be disturbed by another knock on the door.

" Come in"

Neil came inside with a gift wrapped box in his hands.

''Tum!!''

''Han main.And this is for you"

" Another gift? I can't accept that" she rejected it straight away without even sparing it a look.

" Pehle dekh toh lo, phir reject kar dena"

He opened the box to reveal the yellow lehenga from last night which was missing from Richa's gift bags.

'' This was for Richa''

'' No.I bought it for you.It suited you."

" We went shopping for her"

" So???  I did buy her a lot of outfits for today.But this is for you.And it would make me happy if you wear it to today's function"

" That is not going to happen"

" But why not?"

" Because I can't accept expensive gifts from you or anyone"

" Don't put down my gesture by putting a price tag on my gift.A gift is a gift.I liked it for you so I got it for you.See the feelings,  not the price"

" But I can't"

Before they could argue further a small girl ran inside her room.

'' Avni Di you left your phone near my bed"

'' Ok thanks Disha.Now go back to your bed and no running around till you get better"

Disha smiled and turned back only to find Neil kneeling before her.He held a flower which he had taken off Avni's table.

'' Disha please meri help kardo.Apni Avni Di ko bolo na mera gift accept kar le."

Disha looked at the charming person infront of her with doe eyes.He gave her the flower and a few chocolates which he had brought for Avni.The small kid was left mesmerised by this filmy hero stranger.She blushed and then turned to Avni.

'' Accept kar lo na Avni di.Kitne pyaar se bol rahe hain.Maine bhi accept kar liya"

She threw a murderous look at Neil.

'' Disha abhi apne room jao jaldi.And aage se strangers se chocolates nai lena samjhi?"

Disha nodded her head and ran out before Avni could scold her some more.

'' Neil you can't blackmail me using my patients"

" She was more reasonable than you"

Avni folded her arms in front and pointed out to the gift box hinting him to take it away.

Seeing all his methods fail, he used his last weapon.

'' I brought it for you.If you don't like it throw it away.I'm not taking it back.And yes better burn it, rather than thinking of giving it away''

'' But...main...''

Without hearing her, he walked away with a sly smile on his face.He knew this trick had worked.

                          ****~****

Among the hundreds of unfamiliar faces, Neil impatiently waited for that known face to arrive.Richa and Tanu had arrived an hour back.But still no sign of her.He was almost sure she would never wear the dress.No doubt he had tricked her into accepting the gift.But there was no way he could make her wear it.

    His eyes went wide with disbelief when he saw her enter his house dressed in yellow and pink.