Chapter 6

After a long ride of about an hour, they reached their destination-The Party Lounge! Their car stood at the entrance of the parking n Kria got odd the car. Looking around, she saw Misha standing at the gate of the lounge. She wore a black evening gown-halter neck with silver sequins on the neckline. It was fish cut, with a thigh-high slit.

Kria waved to her with a fake smile. But, instead of noticing her, she came hopping near the driving seat n peeped in.
"Hi Jiju! U didn't change? What happened... Nothing's black in ur closet or what?"

She felt as if someone had smacked her right in the head!
"How foolish of me it was-to follow him like maddies, n forget everything about Avantika! This super-flirty guy needs nothing, but a bunch of girls crowding around him all the time!!"

She was cursing him in murmurs, when he called out," Did u say something Kiri?"
She jumped n then looked away, ignoring him. Misha stood up-looked at her for a while n then leaned back over the window again, assuring him that she had said nothing.
"Let her be Jiju... U tem'me... Why haven't u changed ur clothes tonight?"
"Ohho Misha... Nothing's like that dear! I've brought my outfit here, with me! I'll change it as soon as I get time..."
"Yeah! That's like a good boy!"

Both giggled n hi-fived each other. Then he drove off into the parking to park his car. When Misha turned to leave, Kria called out-fully enraged.

"Miss. Mallishka Rai! I suppose u've forgotten something!"

Reyaansh stopped his car n called back at her. Misha went to him, leaving a terrifically fuming Kria behind.

He whispered something into her ears n then she went to Kria.
"My puffy, I was coming sweetie!" She pulled her cheek.
"Oww.. Leave me.." She shrugged her hand away, "N by the way... What's puffy'?"
"Ohho... Kiri... In every stupid n pettiest of issue, ur nose swells up n face becomes a puff corn!!"

She couldn't help but laugh out loud at the silly logic Misha gave her.

Finally they entered the lounge.

"Woah mann!" Kria stood gaping at the extra-gorgeously decorated lounge with a combination of black n silver curtains.
"Seriously dude! What a dcor!" A shrilly voice came from the dimly lit entrance of the lounge.

They both turned at the voice.
Avantika stood with her mouth open n sparkle in her eyes.

"What the hell! How come r u here?" Misha shot at her.
"Relax baby! I completed my office work much earlier than I'd expected myself to! N so, I came running here!"
She spoke proudly.
Kria gritted her teeth.
"Great Avantika! Go n search for Reyaansh. He'd be glad to see u!"
"Ohh yeaa Kria! K then... See u guys later."

N she went off calling his name aloud.
Somewhere in her heart, Kria was confident that he won't be pleased at her presence at all! Does not matter whether she was her fiance or whatever!
"What the hell is she doing here?" Misha spoke utterly confused.
"Don't think too much, Mish. She doesn't have enough brains to plan anything that might bother us!" She chuckled n she laughed out loudly.

Maybe u r satisfied seeing me quite composed n unaffected by her presence, but little u know my sweetheart how badly ur sister's presence affect me... U don't have the slightest of idea, as in what effect Avantika has on me. Presence is actually a far off thing-merely thinking about her makes me feel rotten...
I feel lost... I feel defeated...I feel that probably my love for Rey is not actually strong enough...'

She was so lost in thoughts that she didn't notice Sanjana n Gaurav approaching.

"What r u thinking dear?" She came back from her thoughts by hearing Sanjana's voice.
"Ohh... Am sorry Sanju...I didn't notice! Hey Gaurav... Umm... Jiju..."
She grinned.
He giggled at her state n spoke, "It's alright Kiri!  Just wanted u to meet a childhood friend of mine, before the masquerade begins..."
"Ohh yeaa sure! I'd love to!!"

He turned around n spoke to someone...
"She's Sanjana's best friend, n currently her neighbor as well!"

She leaned forward n tried to peep from above Gaurav's shoulder to have glance at the guy whom he was talking to- but he himself shifted to give her a cleare view of him... N no wonder it was "HIM"...!

"Reyaansh... U!!" She exclaimed, as her mouth turned into a perfect O'.
"Surprise ! Surprise!" All three of them burst laughing, confusing her startled self, even more!

"Okay dude! U chit-chat with her... We're off...!" Gaurav side-hugged Rey, n he left along with Sanjana to attend other guests.

"Gaurav Kundra-my Chuddy-Buddy! U remember?" He asked, still looking at their retreating figures.

She couldn't help but nod like puppets, as her mind got over-flooded with memories.

Damn! How could I forget Rey's friendship with Gaurav! Foolish me! They were literally like the most hot n happening guys... Those days in City Montessori were really bliss! How could I forget the guy cause of which I had to hear long n boring tales from Rey! Shit...!'

She was busy cursing herself when he responded.
"That's good... U still remember a lot..."

She very knew what he meant by mentioning the words a lot'... But found it better to ignore.

"Yeaa... So Rey... That was the reason of ur presence here?"
"Obviously! What did u think? I was here for u?"

He stared deep into her eyes, realizing what effect he was having on her.

She was taken aback... Although she knew that it was utter foolish of her to have expected this, but then, at the same time, she didn't wish to accept what was quite evidently present before her eyes- The Truth!

She looked at everything but him! He smirked at her reaction. Finally, she gulped her choking tears n spoke.
"Well... Reyaansh, ur sweetheart Avu has arrived here. Won't u like to see her?"
"I've got my entire life to do that babes! Chill!" He stated as a matter-of-fact, n she fumed. Noticing her reaction, he continued, "So, today I want to be with the one whom I doubt meeting ever again in my life!"

With a jerk, she turned her face to him n found his ohh-so-charming' face extremely close to hers... His dilating orbs searching the depths of her brown ones.
She shivered a bit.

Regaining hr senses she looked away. Taking a deep breath, she spoke in a low tone, "Please don't doubt it... Am sure we won't ever meet after u leave Delhi..."
"Hmm... That's what am trying to explain Kria... We won't be together after tonight..."

She again looked up at him, with a jerk.
"What do u mean by that..." She questioned, while fully knowing what he meant.
"Am leaving for New York... My flight's scheduled for early morning..."
"Tomorrow morning?" She asked like kids.
"Nah... Today..." He pointed towards a huge clock hung on just the opposite wall, showing 1:30 of night.
"What time...?" She was inaudible, even to herself... But he heard it.
"Half past 6..."
"5 hours... Only..." She mumbled, n this time it was completely inaudible.

"ATTENTION! People... Do give us an ear..." Their conversation was broken by Arpit. He was making the announcement over the mike, n Misha stood there, along with him.

"Dear ladies n gentlemen... Being the hosts of this gala night, we r pleased to announce tonight's Masquerade OPEN'... Cheers!"