SS: The MASQUERADE!!

CHAPTER 6

MASQUERADE Confuses...COUPLES matches!

*...*...*

Present 2014,

Mumbai; AR airport, Private room,

"Khushi lost due to Arnav!! He cheated" Anjali said.

"ya but as you know everything is fair in LOVE n WAR. And they both were in love but both were unknown to that" Payal said.

"yes" Aman said "later Arnav was very much engrossed to Khushi, means while climbing Zojila he was with her, and also whenever NK and Payal would be with her, he used to call Khushi for showing something through signs." Aman said.

"yaa, and that irritated Payal a lot!!" Lavanya said.

"yes coz he was not letting my best friend to be near me" Payal cribbed.

"when you realized Payal that you love Akash??" Anjali asked.

"actually I loved Akash from 4^th grade but was never able to express my feelings. It was Aman who helped me." Payal said.

"and it was Khushi who helped me" Akash finished.

"interesting" Anjali whispered.

5 years ago,

Zojila, camp base.

"NK get me those drinks there" Sameer asked NK signaling him to the wine bottles and juices kept there with the other food items.

"Here have them" exclaimed NK handing them over to him.

"It's surely going to surprise all now" Sameer said grinning. He arranged the drinks on the table and went down to get the edible food items they brought for the party.

After the trekking, all were tried and now to cheer them up and also as a final day for the trekking tour NK and Sameer planned a party for them. But soon with the insistence of NK it became a masquerade party.

"I'm sure all are going to enjoy a lot" NK said while helping Sameer with arranging the food, now, onto the table.

"How will they react?" Sameer raised the question, excited.

After the trekking and the rest the squad flew to the Pithoragarh district. It was situated at the Himalayan base and has many site seeing places like temples, forts and many other. Making a reason of not interested in going out NK and Sameer were left behind by them. And the men had planned about arranging a surprise party for them all.

"They are going to be surprised Sameer. Let us inform them when they are here in the noon ok?" NK said and smiled at Sameer's excitement.

"Hmm...yaa" Sameer got engrossed in the works again. Tomorrow is going to be a great day for them.

"Squad we have an announcement to make for you all" Sameer said as he saw all the people there looking up at him with curiosity. He signaled NK to continue.

"Tomorrow night we are going to have a party, to make some more new memories and also as tomorrow would be the last day of our trekking tour" NK said and saw smile blooming on their faces.

"And the surprise doesn't end here. It's going to be a masquerade party. So aren't you guys excited?" asked Sameer with a big smile. Though he went to many trekking tours with many people, he liked this group, for the bond they share, for the way they are with all. And seeing them happy he too was content.

"Hurrayyy" all shouted their heads off thoroughly excited for the party.

Payal hugged NK as he came near her,

"Payal where is Khush??" he asked.

"I think she must be near hill, I'll go and tell her ok??" she said and left him.

Akash saw Payal going with longing gaze which was not unnoticed by Aman. He asked Akash to find Arnav and tell him about party while he went behind Payal... these two are seriously dumbest creatures, I need to talk!!"he thought himself.

Khushi stood at the hill top enjoying the silent noon's breeze, that's when Arnav saw her...she looked pretty! Arnav was now growing near to Khushi...their awkwardness was now gone...he was becoming free to her while she too did became! Both shared great friendship...although Arnav had discovered one thing about Khushi that her breathing grew shallow whenever he was near but it was same for him too...he was always feeling his heartbeats racing whenever she was near to him...

Arnav came out of trace and went near her... "Khushi" she heard a husky voice from her behind. She could recognize that voice, anytime. She turned around and saw Arnav. He was coming near her with his camera in his hands. She smiled at him.

"Khushi come with me" he said standing beside her.

"Where?" she asked confusion etched on her face.

"I will show you some beautiful sites here" he again gave her the same charming smile. Khushi couldn't help but blush lightly. Oh god why does he have to smile like this always? She cursed under her breath and again looked up at him.

"But what if NK or Payal will come to know? They would be worried for me" she asked as she know how much her friends would be worried for her. And knowing Payal, Khushi was sure she will bash at Arnav for taking her with him without informing.

"Come on Khushi may tumhe kha todhi jaaunga" he replied with a hint of irritation in his voice. Payal, that name irked him. How dare she always trying to intrude in between him and Khushi? And NK he hate that guy too, for always being with Khushi and smiling at her. He hated it when Khushi was with him.

"But...

She was left incomplete as Arnav dragged her with him not giving her a chance to tell anything. Payal saw Arnav dragging Khushi with him. She was fuming in anger but she didn't miss the happiness on Khushi's face whenever Arnav was with her, so she let them leave and smiled. She sat on the hill side and enjoyed the cool air.

"mind if I sit beside you??" Payal heard.

"Aman?" she smiled and nodded her head in affirmative.

"getting bored??" he asked.

"nope, I am enjoying very much." She said and smiled remembering the sweet moments she shared with Akash. While climbing she was tired and had sat down when Akash had sat beside her...they had great time together and while returning to base camp she had seen Aisha clinging to Akash, that had made her see green. She felt she had only right on Akash but she was not that bold to go and confess him!

"so why are you alone??" Aman asked.

"Khushi was with me Aman" Payal said and smiled and then getting angry said "but you ASR took my best friend away."

Aman laughed: "anyways Payal... how is the feeling to be in love??"

Payal was shocked as Aman asked such question of out blue that she was confused but knew what he meant: "Aman I...

"Payal it's a masquerade party tonight, and our last day together. Enjoy it and I feel you should tell him what you felt, don't waste the right moment and confess your feelings, coz who knows what will happen tomorrow, and maybe he has feeling for you too."

Payal looked at Aman: "what if he rejected me Aman??"

Aman smiled: "Payal, love is never imposed on anyone. I have known you for years now and I have never seen you failing in anything, you challenge ASR with same tempo of his! Then why fear? Look, if he rejected you, don't fret...consider that it was never meant for you and someday you'll get even much better person than him. But if he loves you then your one line will make you both's life" he said and stood up.

"see you at night Payal, wear something green, he likes that" Aman said and turned to go but stopped as he heard Payal...

"Aman"

"yes?"

"why??" she asked softly.

"coz I want you both happy" Aman said.

Payal felt heart beaming: "how you know about this?"

"trust me Payal" Aman said with a smile "I know Akash more than you... he was, he is and he'll be always in love with only one lady whom I just happened to talk, see you in the party." He said and went away.

"Arnav stop, where r we going??" Khushi asked as Arnav took her, she was blind folded and was now scared.

"Khushi hold on... Just a moment, I am not going to eat you hmm" Arnav said and looked at her. she looked beautiful in her cute skirt. Arnav was really in love with her but he knew his limits. He saw her breathing...which grew shallower by each passing second.

"Arnav??" Khushi asked again making Arnav come out of his trance.

"Khushi, five more minutes." Arnav said looking away and cursing himself.

"and now" Arnav opened her blind fold and showed her the view from hill top of Pithoragarh for which it was famous.

"Arnav...it's.. its...

"how is it??" Arnav asked huskily.

"it's beautiful" Khushi said looking at the Himalayan ranges which were now bathed in orange dusk of sun.

"yes it's really very beautiful" Arnav said looking at Khushi who felt her cheeks warming up due to Arnav's gaze. She looked at him and smiled shyly and turned to go, but Arnav as if in trance held her hand.

"Arnav we should go, all must be waiting." She said.

"Khushi" Arnav murmured as he came and stood in front her. She looked at him with her wide doe like hazel eyes when Arnav tucked her hairs behind her ear.

Their eyes met as the closeness decreased between them. Khushi looked in his eyes deeply as Arnav's head bend down slowly... he was about to brush his lips with her when Khushi opened her eyes wide and pushed him slightly, the spell broke and Arnav landed in present. He looked at her...she was worried and scared...

"khu...

But she ran away. "damn it" he said and went behind her.

It was dance night...special for everyone which had excited Aman and Lavanya with worried Arnav and Akash followed by silent NK and Khushi and a very tensed Payal too!!

The party place was decorated eloquently, with flowers, fairy lights and many masks!!

"Miss can I have your presence with me for a dance, please?" Aman asked Lavanya in a more formal way and got her with him to the dance floor for a dance.

It was Take your time' playing at the back from Vampire Diaries, but Lavanya cared less. La's eyes were only on NK, who was holding his mask, and his smile, Oh how much she love those dimples. Her cheeks burned hot seeing him.

~

"Can dance I with you have?" he fumbled it all, standing in front of Payal and looking into her eyes. Seeing her dreamy expression he was tensed. He grew nervous which resulted in him messing it all while uttering them to her.

Payal was on la la land thinking about Akash and they both dancing after sometime. So she didn't hear his words and was searching for him.

"Huh!?!" she looked at him confused.

He had mentally smacked himself after realizing the jumbled lines he uttered.

Correcting himself quickly he asked "Can I have a dance with you?" Payal was confused.

She was waiting for Akash to come to her and here came a man who is good in height, looking smart in his grey casual suit. Sighing she slid her hand into his as she found she cannot do anything, the man had the same mask number as she has. The couple stepped onto the dance floor swaying to the music being played. That's when he saw his bhai waving at him from distance showing thumbs up. He thanked him silently, with his smile, for making him know about Payal.

Flashback a few time ago:

"Bhai here is ur drink" Akash said handling a glass of wine to Arnav.

"Thanks Akash" he sipped his drink. A while later he asked "Why don't you go and enjoy. You're sitting here as if you have grown old and have your back bones crushing that you can't dance" Arnav tried teasing him.

"dance bhai? One enjoys the dance when *pauses and says* & Only when the person who you want to be with is beside you, bhai," he spoke his eyes searching for the girl, his girl.

"kis logic baat kar raha hain tu?" Arnav asked confused sipping his wine not noticing Akash's face and his gaze.

"Pyaar mein koi logic nahi hota hain bhai!!" he spoke in the same voice which made Arnav to spit the drink from his mouth.

"What?" Arnav asked confused then looking at still dreamy Akash and his gaze on Payal he smiled and sighed. This boy is out of mind. Loveria ho gaya hain isko' he giggled on his thoughts.

"Akash" he said patting him on his shoulder and then pointed him to a girl standing in a green frock with her mask on. "There is your person Akash" and started sipping his wine calmly.

"What?" he blurted a bit loud and then seeing the girl once and then back to Arnav he spoke "Bhai you don't know who I'm searching. Anvayi kisi ladki ko mein nehi dekhunga" and there again he started his search for Payal.

"I know who it is Akash" Arnav replied and then followed words blew the fuse of Akash's head "The girl I showed you a moment before is Payal only" *smiles and pats back of Akash whose mouth is now open wide* "And for that person, which I mean Payal, to be beside you, first you need a chance and for that, now, you have to ask her for a dance bro" Arnav whispered into the ears of Akash and winked at a shocked Akash.

"Bhai??" Akash was shocked on finding his bhai knowing about Payal. Shocks in a single day? First it was Khushi now its Bhai too. Looks like I have to check my Blood Pressure once and see if it's in limit or not.

"Now stop staring at me like I'm your partner and ask Payal for a dance now" Arnav said pushing Akash towards Payal before Arnav switched his mask with him!

Flashback end.

Akash smiled seeing Payal joining her step with him. He was happy finally seeing her near him.

~

Arnav was looking at the girl who just came out. There she stood in a Royal blue long gown, with silver straps and heels, looking most beautiful girl ever!

Her face holding the innocence, her eyes now a bit highlighted with the mascara and eye liner, lips carrying her original color of pink, luscious and kissable

She held the mask in her hand and swaying it. His eyes just wandered all around her face taking in her beauty. He was losing himself slowly seeing her standing there like an angel, his angel, in blue. He didn't still forget the moment that happened few moments before. His Khushi stood there all in a royal attire to take his breath away. He knew he has to act carefully with her and if messes up a bit this time then he will lose her. He quickly wore the mask in his hand, before she sees him, and stood there sipping his drink.

~

"so la" Aman said as he twirled her on the music played behind them.

"Hmm"

"You're looking really pretty by the way." Aman said.

"thanks Aman" la said smiling looking at NK above Aman's shoulder.

"Lavanya, why don't you ask him" Aman said as he pulled la to him dancing on the mild beats.

"what you mean Aman?" la asked shocked.

"do I need explain??, Lavanya dear I know who is there in your heart and brains since... *pauses and smiles as la looks at him with wide eyes* ...since kinder garden" Aman said and winked her.

"What should I say Aman?? What should I ask him? His life revolves around Payal and Khushi" Lavanya said with hint of anger and gloominess.

"Lavanya, like me Arnav and Akash r your best friend and our lives revolve around you in similar way NK's life revolve around Khushi and Payal. he don't love anyone of them dear" Aman said.

"what?" la asked.

"Lavanya I know your not dumb to see that' Aman said softly. "NK cares Khushi and Payal as his sisters, and it's same from kinder garden. They have lived together live we four have, does that mean you love all of us and we love you as a lover??" Aman asked shocking Lavanya.

"no my dear, we all have love in our relationship but our love is friendly, it's love which has made our friendship strong, same is with NK and his two besties. Who knows whether he likes you too, just like you do" he said winking at her, Lavanya blushed and smiled showing her cute dimples.

"Aman I will come now" she excused herself from Aman and went to the drinks counter to get her a glass of drink to wet her dried throat. Aman although have said her truth but she was feeling hell nervous. Her constant gaze was on only the cute face which adore a sweet smiles showing his dimples. But that fool...he stood there with Sameer not noticing the gaze of her.

"Aman I will come now" she excused herself from Aman and went to the drinks counter to get her a glass of drink for making her dried throat soggy. Even then her constant gaze was on only him. But he stood there with Sameer not noticing the gaze of her. Deciding something she went to him. Standing next to him taking a long breath she asked him, "NK would you like to dance with me?" Her eyes were filled with hope and excitement.

"Sorry Lavanya, but I'm not interested" he replied with a sorry look making her face droop with sadness.

She was really hurt with his denial. "Sorry for that Lavanya but I must say you're really looking beautiful. In this pink frock you're really looking cute" he said trying to cheer her up. But she was not ready get into any of his praises now. She is really sad with him not dancing with her. Finally mustering up herself she muttered No problem' to him tried moving away from there to hide her moist eyes. She wanted to move from there soon before anyone see her moist eyes. But she didn't notice her best friend noticing them and now gritting his teeth in anger towards the guy who made her cry.

"Leave me Aman. I know he is trying to misbehave with La there" Arnav who was seeing the conversation going on between NK and La went furious when she her turn away with a disheartened face. He also noticed her eyes getting moist. He wanted to punch NK then and there but Aman came in the nick time and stopped him from moving further.

"Arnav, Arnav leave them, they will sort it out" Aman tried convincing. But ASR is nowhere to listen.

"Don't stop dammit. I want to kick that guy right now. How dare he make La cry" he was venting out his anger on both, NK being always popping up in between him and Khushi and now for making La cry. He wanted to teach him a lesson for sure, if he was left by Aman.

Lavanya was confused on what's holding on from moving Turned to see behind her, she saw NK holding her hand stopping her moving forward. "NK" she uttered with surprise.

"I'm sorry" he said holding his ear with the other hand which had the mask. Turning her fully to him he said "I said I'm not interested because the truth is *goes near her ear and whispers* I don't know how to dance" he said genuinely.

She was left open mouthed. What is this guy? She wondered. And he looked so cute to her then. She so felt like to pull his cheeks and kiss him but controlling herself she smiled at him.

"Arnav stop" Aman said a bit loud but not grabbing the others attention. "Look there" he showed him to see La and NK who are now moving to the dance floor hand in hand.

"So now stop over-reacting Arnav" Aman said slowly and turned to see the couples dancing on the floor, flying in there world.

"I will teach you. Come with me" Lavanya asked NK.

"you sure Lavanya? Coz...

"trust me NK" she said smiling sweetly for which he gave his hand in hers gracefully and the couple moved to the dance floor. As soon as they reached la asked shergo a camp mate to play the song...making NK smile wide as la teached him to dance too, and they enjoyed too!

"Take my hand, take a breath Pull me close and take one step" They heard the song and started following the song. Lavanya forwarded her hand in front of NK asking him to grace it with his which he did.

Coming close to each other they drifted into their world following the lyrics. He turned her and again brought her close with his right hand on her waist and left hand holding hers while she had her left hand on her shoulder. Gaining his courage after dancing a while NK sang the next lines repeating the same as they both did before and La taught him. They swayed, came closer, turned and finally they had created a good rapport with each other.

~

After seeing his friend, La, smiling Arnav was relieved. Actually he was very relieved. She was good, n he felt calm and that's when his gaze again fell on Khushi.

She was still in the same place, with a soft drink in her hand and a never ending smile on her lips. When he saw her eyes they were now covered with the mask. That added in more beauty to her already perfect beauty. He suddenly had a wish of holding her in his arms. He wanted to dance with her. He wanted to feel her against him. Waiting no more he went towards her. He saw her stiffening seeing him come. Did she recognize me? he wondered. Standing in front of her he asked her for dance.

After seeing her face dipped in confusion he said "see the number" he pointed to his and then said "we both are partners. So now can I have a dance with you?" She, hesitating a bit, gave her hand into his and both moved on to the dance floor.

If only Arnav was here she sighed. Sameer told her that Arnav denied from coming to party. She may feel awkward being with him, after evening. But she can't deny saying with him she feel safe too.

~

"You're Aa...akkasshh?" she asked, still swaying with him, uncertain about her guess.

He smiled and replied "Yes I'm" then he posed next question "How you know?"

"I just guessed it" she blushed as she cannot tell him that she has recognized him from the way the heat passed into her with just contact of their hands.

"I really wished we both could get the same number. And we got the same too. Thank you Bhagwan-ji" she smiled wide muttering to herself which reached Akash's ears. He smiled and whispered into her ears "Thanks Bhagwan ko nehi bhai ko bolo. He was the one who gave me this mask and made me come to you" he winked at her for which Payal blushed again. The song soon changed changing the beat and mood of the couples on floor.

...

...

...

...

Khushi left as soon as the song stopped and the loud clapping sound was heard by her. she was feeling as if she was dancing with Arnav...was he Arnav? But he said he won't come...

Khushi went near a marquee...it was decorated with fairy lights. She took off her mask n looked the stars...she was very happy, this was her first outing...her first trek without her family, and she loved it...she was feeling that the loneliness in her life was gone... this one trek had made her life.

Arnav came behind Khushi...he saw her looking at stars, this was most alluring sight for her. he went behind her, and felt her stiffening. Arnav went near her,

"Khushi"

"it was you on dance floor with me...wasn't it?" she asked.

"Why do you think that it was me?" Arnav asked her going near her.

"I.. I have to go.." she murmured and tried to go but Arnav pulled her to him.

"Khushi listen" he said.

"leave me please" she murmured but he didn't listen instead he turned her, his control was on last thread since the evening and when he saw her in the royal blue dress he lost it...he was not able to control himself now. Lost in her beauty and delicateness Arnav touched her forehead with his finger, she shivered with the mere touch.

"arn..nav..." as she said the lights went off and the darkness surrounded around them.

Instantly Khushi hugged Arnav fearing the sudden darkness around her, Arnav never knew this mere touch would transport him in all together another world. He broke the hug and looked at her.

Khushi looked angel in her blue dress, her curly bun was looking very perfect and most of all her dewy lips were inviting him...not being able to hold up any more Arnav swooped down and brushed his lips with hers pecking them once, twice and then kissing her gently.

*~*~*