Guys, why is there a drop in the votes again? Is 400 votes too much to ask when more than 1k people read the chapters regularly?

Third person's pov!

The mall buzzed with activity, its glossy floors reflecting the dazzling lights of high-end stores. Drishti led the way, her heels clicking confidently as she dragged Siddhu and Shraddha toward a boutique specialising in evening gowns.

"Alright," Drishti declared as she stepped into the store, her eyes scanning the racks like a hunter searching for prey. "We are looking for something elegant, bold, and breathtaking. You know, something that screams, I own the room."

"Why does shopping with you always feel like a military operation?" Siddhu groaned, following reluctantly.

"Because, dear Siddhu," Drishti replied, dramatically flicking her hair over her shoulder, "fashion is war, and I am a general."

"More like a shopaholic on steroids," Siddhu muttered under his breath. Shraddha smiled, trailing behind them.

"So, gowns, huh? Is this all for the BelleAura event?" Siddhu asked.

"Of course!" Drishti said, pulling a sleek black gown off the rack and holding it against herself.

"I need to look like the co-owner of the island in which the event is hosted.. What do you think, Shrey?"

"It's beautiful, but I think something in emerald green would complement your complexion more. And it would suit your eyes." Shraddha tilted her head, considering.

"You are right! See, Siddhu? Shrey gets it. Why can't you be this useful?" Drishti's eyes lit up.

"Because I don't care about being colour-coordinated with the event decor," Siddhu retorted, flopping onto a plush chair in the corner.

"Don't sit there like a lazy bum. Come and select the gown for me.." Drishti demanded.

"Drishti, you already own, like, fifty gowns. Don't you have something 'statement-worthy' in that royal wardrobe of yours?" Siddhu asked in exasperation..

"First of all, Siddhu, it's not fifty. It's forty-three now. The others have got old and I gave them away. And secondly, every event deserves a new outfit. It's called fashion. Look it up!" Drishti planted her hands on her hips.

"Forty-three gowns?" Siddhu gaped. "Are you planning to start a museum or something? 'The Royal Drishti Collection'?"

Shraddha chuckled softly, trying to suppress her laughter.

"Ha ha, very funny," Drishti retorted, narrowing her eyes. "Not everyone can rock the same five shirts and two pairs of jeans like you, Siddhu."

"For the record, I look great in all of them."

"Sure, if we are measuring greatness by how fast you can wear them out." Drishti snorted.

"You two are hilarious. Do you always bicker like this?" Shraddha couldn't hold back anymore and burst into laughter.

"Always," they replied in unison before giving each other a stink eye.

"Look," Siddhu continued, addressing Shraddha, "Drishti here doesn't just shop. She is on a mission to single-handedly revive the economy with her spending habits."

"And Siddhu," Drishti countered, "acts like he is auditioning for a role as the neighbourhood miser."

"Correction," Siddhu said, holding up a finger. "I am just a responsible citizen who believes in financial prudence."

"Responsible citizen? Please. Don't make such jokes," Drishti fired back.

"You two could make a comedy show out of this." Shraddha's laughter grew louder as she shook her head.

"That's what everyone says.. We could make our own show.. Maybe I should. There should be some benefit for tolerating this extravagance for over a decade now.." Siddhu said teasingly.

"Ignore him. Let's find you something stunning too!" Drishti rolled her eyes and turned back to Shraddha.

"I... I don't think I'll go," Shraddha replied hesitantly, suddenly feeling a dull ache in her chest. Her fingers brushed against the smooth fabric of a shimmering navy-blue gown. The intricate beadwork reminded her of something, a memory she thought she had buried deep.

It was a gown, one Dhruv had once promised to design for her to wear for BelleAura's launch.
She could still see the outline in her mind—

Vedant's elegant sketch on Dhruv's macbook, every detail perfectly drawn. Dhruv had shown it to her one evening, his voice filled with warmth as he spoke about how stunning she would look wearing that.

The memory brought an ache to her chest, one she wasn't prepared for. She let her hand fall from the fabric as though it had burned her. 'Stop it, Shraddha,' she told herself fiercely. 'That chapter is over. Focus on now.'

But even as she tried to shake off the pain, Drishti's excited voice pulled her back to the present.

"Nonsense!" Drishti exclaimed, waving a hand dismissively. "You are definitely coming. And you are going to look amazing. Siddhu, back me up here!"

"Oh, absolutely. Shrey in a glamorous gown? That'll definitely steal some of your thunder, Princess Drishti." Siddhu smirked.

"I will pretend you didn't say that. Now, Shrey, what's your favourite colour?" Drishti glared at him and then turned to Shraddha.

"I don't know... Maybe blue?" Shraddha said softly, her cheeks colouring. Wasn't green her favourite colour? Blue was Dhruv's favourite. Why did she say blue now?

"Perfect! Let's look for a blue gown. Let's find you something that makes heads turn." Drishti clapped her hands.

"You know, Shrey, she once bought seven gowns in one go and then cried because her wardrobe couldn't fit them all." As Drishti darted between racks, Siddhu shook his head.

"That was one time, and it wasn't because of space. It was because I couldn't decide which one to wear first!" Drishti spun around, a dramatic gasp escaping her lips.

"You two are something else." Shraddha laughed, her earlier ache easing.

"Welcome to the Drishti-Siddhu Show," Siddhu said, gesturing theatrically. "Where one of us spends like there's no tomorrow, and the other gets stuck paying the parking ticket."

"Excuse me!" Drishti exclaimed, pulling a dazzling midnight blue gown from the rack. "I pay my own parking tickets. Usually. Anyway, Shraddha, what about this one?"

"It's beautiful." Shraddha managed a faint smile, though her heart still felt heavy.

"Are you sure? You're not exactly giving me the wow vibes." Drishti frowned, tilting her head.

"Don't take it personally, Drishti. She probably thinks it's too expensive, unlike you, who thinks mall prices are pocket change." Siddhu chimed in from the chair he had claimed as his own. Drishti shot him a glare.

"Oh, shut up, Siddhu. Shrey, trust me, it's not about the price—it's about how it makes you feel."

Shraddha glanced at the gown again, and for a fleeting moment, the memory of Dhruv flashed in her mind. His voice, his smile as he'd explained the gown's design to her... She clenched her fists, forcing herself to respond lightly.

"It's lovely, Drishti. But maybe something simpler?" Shraddha said softly.

Drishti narrowed her eyes but said nothing, instead picking another gown from a nearby rack.

"Alright, let's try this one. No arguments!"
As Shraddha took the gown and headed toward the fitting rooms, Drishti turned to Siddhu.

"What's with her? She is smiling, but it's not reaching her eyes." Drishti asked and Siddhu sighed.

"Heart break.." Siddhu said with a sigh.

"What?"

"Yes. Some a**hole broke her heart. Only if she would tell me who the bloody jerk is.." Siddhu said, clenching his fists furiously.

"Didn't you ask her?" Drishti asked.

"I did. But she didn't name him. She is saying it is a closed chapter and that we shouldn't discuss it anymore.." Siddhu said.

"Hmmm.. Don't worry. The upcoming launch might bring out a change. There must be very nice eligible bachelors attending the event. Including the hosts Dhruv Khuranna and Vedant Khoda. Let's rule out Dhruv Khuranna. He is a playboy. We can try our chance with Vedant Khoda.." Drishti said cheekily, the matchmaker in her waking up. Siddhu rolled his eyes.

Inside the fitting room, Shraddha stared at her reflection, the gown draped over her arm. She closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply. 'Let it go, Shraddha. It's just a gown. It's just a memory.'

And yet, the pain lingered, faint but insistent, as she started to change. But a knock on the door made her stop.

Shraddha barely had time to register the persistent knock before she cracked the door open slightly, expecting Drishti's face. Instead, a strong hand pushed it wider, and before she could react, Dhruv slipped into the trial room, his presence overwhelming the small space as her breath hitched in utter shock.

"Dhruv?"

A/n

Now don't ask me how he could so easily slip into a women's trial room. It's fiction and anything can happen in fiction. It all depends on the author's imagination..lol

Please do vote and comment! 400 votes and 50+ comments for an update tomorrow..

Love,
SF❤️