STILL JEALOUS?

The hall of the Mehra farmhouse was decorated in full glory, that only an expert could have attained, in mere hours. The boys had done their best to change the hall from the soft birthday vibe in the morning, to party theme in the evening, after everyone had left to get ready. Though the party was a small one just consisting the family members, the decoration was still extravagant. The elder Kohli's and Khanna's were the first ones to gather in the hall. All clad in different shades of red. While the three ladies were wearing crimson red sarries, Vikram was wearing a berry red suit whereas Purab was clad in a wine red shirt with black pants. 

"Wow look at that. The boys has really outdone themselves this time." Pallavi praised looking at the decorations, happy at her son's hard work.

The hall was adorned with white drapes hanging loose from the length of the celling. Bouquets of orchids, put on the stands, were enhancing the beauty with natural soft fragrance. Even fairy lights were added to give a soft, innocent touch as per trying to match the personality of one of the birthday girls. The elder one ofcourse, or if he had intended to match the younger's, he surely would have chosen Sahara desert as the theme, as only it compliment her dry and harsh nature.

"Yeah they really have." Daljeet agreed to her daughter in law's compliment, marveling at her grandson's efforts.

"Where are everyone else?" Purab asked looking around, as if others would be hiding behind the decorations, ready to scare anyone who passes by.  

"Missed me?" Abhi said coming from the direction of his room, wearing a Ruby red suit, fidgeting with his breast pocket.

"Didn't expected this from Pragya ji." Vikram said with a dejected look, looking down and shaking his head in disapproval.

"Didn't expected what?" Abhi asked, confused, looking around to find something off.

"For her to take so much time in getting ready. Why is she taking longer than you? You must have done something. Where is she?" He asked, narrowing his eyes on his friend.

"Here, look, I've hid her in my pocket." Abhi said, in a light tone, moving forward to show him something in his blazer's front pocket, that he had been fidgeting with.

"We are already here." Pragya replied from behind. Everyone turned around to see her coming from the main door along with Sarita. She was clad in a glittering ruby saree. "I've just gone out to bring Saritaji." She said and took her place besides Abhi. 

"Vikram, stop blaming my brother for things he didn't even do. You should go and check the arrangements once." Pallavi chastised. 

"No need, I've already made sure that everything is perfect." Pragys said while fixing the hankerchief, that Abhi had handed her, in his front pocket.

"See, learn something from my sister. She checked everything, got ready and even brought Saritaji while you just did makeup. Well it's not your fault, after all she is naturally beautiful." Vikram praised Pragya, but winced as two tight slaps were aimed at both his arms. The attackers being his mother and dear wife. 

"What do you mean to say? I am not beautiful?" Pallavi scolded.

"Thank your stars that you got a diamond as a wife." Dida said while putting a hand on Pallavi's shoulder. She then pulled Pragya gently by hand and continued, " I got two beautiful daughters, otherwise the son department was just a disappointment." while looking at Vikram and Abhi, who was just looking at her in disbelief.

"Welcome to the dejected son club, I've been putting up with it for years, you were just having a premium account until Pragya ji came. Now, your Premium membership got expired. Don't worry you'll get used to it in a few weeks." Vikram said patting Abhi's shoulder.

"What is going on everyone?" Ranbir and Aryan entered, and looked at the smiling faces of the family members while Abhi was just having a blank look.

"Nothing much. Vikram is just giving Abhi tips to survive now that he is a normal member. His prime membership has expired now." Purab explained, grinning. Ranbir and Aryan laughed completely understanding the implication of the words. But their laughter gradually died as they saw two figures coming towards them.

"Huh? " asked Piyush who had not understood the hidden meaning, looking at the people around, with furrowed brows.

"I'll tell you." said Abhi, finally coming out of his shocked trance. "Kohli family has a unique streak in their family. You see, in other households, they have normal saas-bahu drama where the males enjoy with a bag full of popcorn. But here, in this one of a kind house, the saas-bahus are like Bffs while the males have to handle their tantrums." He said shaking his head a little.

"I'm telling you Ranbir, you are going to be like this too." laughed Purab. "Pallavi is going to always put Rhea above your choices."

"She already do." Ranbir scoffed, no trace of joking in his voice. It caused Pallavi to stare at him, wide eyed, while Vikram's face fell. Everyone was looking at him, trying to understand the hidden meaning in his words.

"Ha...Hahaha." laughed Aryan, trying to divert everyone's attention. "Talking of Rhea, where are the one's who are the reason of this party?"

"Yeah, where is Prachi?.." asked Aarav, speaking for the first time."...And Rhea?" he said quickly, trying to cover his slipup when he saw a bunch of raised eyebrows and a "mmhmmm" from a stupidly grinning Piyush.

"They will come when they get ready, it's their day after all. Let them take some time to get ready, specially." Abhi said giving a long look to a completely oblivious Aarav, who was busy glaring at Piyush, who was half-hidden behind a smiling Pragya. It did nothing but fueled Ranbir's anger even more. 

"Come let's sit." Everyone went towards the couch that were set a the side. While Ranbir went to the chairs that were placed in the balcony, overlooking the mesmerizing scene of sun setting in the far horizon, about to disappear, leaving behind the soft crimson touch in the now dark sky.

Ranbir was once again lost in his thoughts, the objective being the sole person who never seems to leave his mind, or heart for that matter. His mind wandered off to the incidents of that very day. How he had woken early by the alarm of his mobile. He was initially confused as he didn't remembered putting any alarm. That too of five in the morning. He had picked up his phone only to come face to face with the smiling face of his beloved. Staring back at him with a look that expressed nothing but extreme love towards him. Her eyes boring into his, screaming her heart's feelings for him. A look that he don't see nowadays. But in his heart he was sure that she still loved him. That all she says or show was nothing but an act. And every look into her expressive eyes solidifies his belief even more. His heart breaks every single time she say that she don't love him, but just one look in her eyes, and her bitter words are proven lies.

After staring at her picture for what seemed like an eternity, while it was just a few minutes, had he remembered that long ago he had put up a reminder for his chikchiki's birthday. Though even at that time he was sure that he would never forget, but he still had put it up. Just in case it slips his baklu mind. He couldn't have risked to upset her on her birthday. But destiny had its own plans. Here he was, hoping that she would much rather be upset with him for forgetting her birthday instead of completely avoiding him. He would be much happier if she beats him up black and blue for forgetting her birthday, than the cold behavior she was showing.

Sighing, he had gotten up and mopped out to his balcony. The sun had just coming over the horizon, spreading its light to the world. He was looking at the beautiful sunrise. Only if she was here it would have been ten times beautiful, he had thought. Maybe even god was in good mood at that time for his wish had been granted. His head turned to his right as he heard the sliding door of the right hand side balcony open and out came the one who made his heart race faster than a horse. If you were going to be so kind, must've told me beforehand. I would have made a much better wish. He had thought, tilting his head a little upward before again looking at the love of his life. 

There she stood, completely unaware of his presence. And he too was not at all bothered by the fact, for he knew that if he made his presence known she would once again run away from him. So he just stood there, looking at her. She had closed her eyes, and his heart fluttered as he saw a small smile playing on her lips. His bed hair, instead of diverting the attention, added to her cuteness. His eyes furrowed as he heard a small chuckle left her lips, but nonetheless his heart felt warmth seeing her in a good mood. He saw her wrapping her arms around herself, and recalled it as something she involuntary did whenever he had expressed his feelings towards her. Her smile widened and he hoped heavens that she was thinking of him. Though he was reluctant of breaking her chain of thoughts, but curiosity took over his senses and he so badly wanted to know if she was currently thinking about him.

"Prachi" he had called her once only for her smile to widened, and his doubt had turned to belief. "Prachi" he tried once again, no response. He looked around and got a little water from the nearby bottle and threw it with much difficulty across the railing towards her face. The contact of water with her face had caused her expressions to change such that his own face was lit up by a smile. As soon as water droplets touched her left cheek, her smile flattered a little. Then her beautiful features were twisted in confusion and she opened her eyes looking towards the sky, in what, he assumed to be looking for clouds, she then turned towards him and he saw confusion leaving her features.

"Good Morning, Prachi." He said, though he didn't expected her to reply.

"Good morning." She had said, her voice void of any feeling.

"Happy..."  He had tried to wish her, but stopped, what if she didn't wanted to have her first wish from him.

"Huh?" her cute, expectant, expression had driven his fear away and he had wished her. And her looking down shyly had just melted his heart.

"May you get who your heart truly loves." he couldn't help himself and had said. But he hadn't even gotten a chance to regret as her instant reaction had surprised him. His wish had caused her such shock that she hadn't even got a chance to put on her facade and all the questions roaming his mind had been answered. The mixture of feelings he saw in her eyes has not been distinguished by his brain, but his heart had somehow rejoiced as it had identified whatever emotion it aspired, before she had hurriedly left.

His chain of emotions were broken when he felt someone beside him. He looked up to see the one person who he confides in. There stood the person, who always helped him through everything. But something was off today. He hadn't been able to see it before because of his own jealousy. But now that he comes to think of it. He clearly saw that something was bothering his best friend.

Wait a minute, Jealousy? His heart frowned, No. no jealousy.

Who are you kidding? Ofcourse you are burning in jealousy by the closeness of Prachi with Aarav. His mind drawled.

Oh shut up, you don't know a thing. They are just good friends. Prachi herself said that she never had even a crush on anyone. his heart snapped.

Sure, sure. Then why didn't she ever mentioned him? His mind asked

See she never even mentioned him, because he isn't important. His heart countered. Now focus on the matter in hand.

His focus again returned to the man standing beside him. But unlike to his usual carefree nature his mood seemed somewhat sullen and he was glaring at someone inside the hall, with his back resting against the railings and his arms crossed against his chest.

"What is it Aryan? What has got you upset?" Ranbir asked casting him a sideways glance before again turning towards the sunset view.

"Have you ever found someone extremely irritating?" Aryan asked, his eyes seeming to be boring holes in someone's back.

"Yeah, a lot of people. One of them used to be Prachi. What happened to you though? Got in another fight with Shahana?" Ranbir asked.

"No, not her. You know I don't even talk to her nowadays-"

"Verbally. Because your expression fight can't be missed by even blinds." Ranbir teased. Only to get a hard glare from Aryan. "Okay continue."

"No. This Piyush guy. He's just so.... so.... so...."

"Annoying? Flirt?" Ranbir provided.

"Yes" Aryan huffed in anger while Ranbir knew where this will lead but he didn't say anything as he knew Aryan would just deny.

"Come on boys." Vikram called them when they saw Rhea making her way downstairs.

They went in to hear all the ladies gushing over how beautiful she looked and praising her for god knows what. While all Ranbir could think of was how Prachi would be looking in a black dress that had been decided as the Birthday girls' colour.

"Where is the other B'day girl?" Saritaji asked, and before anyone could answer another voice rang through the house. It was coming from upstairs and the owner of the voice was unmistakable.

"Prachi if you didn't come, I am going to drag you down." Shahana was shouting.

"Shahana I already have a person to kill, don't make me to revise my 'to kill' list." Prachi's voice was threatening. At which a faint 'Oh No' was heard from Piyush.

"What did you gifted her?" Aarav asked him, suspiciously.

"I just made her promise to wear it." He squeaked.

"What was it?" Aarav asked once again.

"Umm.. A kind of footwear." He said, not answering completely but Ranbir and Aryan laughed loudly guessing what could cause discomfort to Prachi.

But their laughter ceased as their eyes landed on the girls, thankfully everyone were looking at them too, so they failed to notice the look of awe they now had on their face.

Aryan was staring at Shahana open mouthed, his heart beating rapidly, while his mind could not come up with any reason for his unusual behavior. She was practically glowing in the grey(single's colour), silvery dress. His witty brain just could not comprehend anything but just a single word. 

WOW

Ranbir's condition was far worse. He was just opening and closing his mouth like a fish. He had always marveled at Prachi's beauty. It was no secret that according to him she was the most beautiful girl in the entire universe. He had always seen her in traditional attire and he could have sworn that she looks best in ethnic wear, but now seeing her in this, kind of, Indo-western attire. It was something he could not have imagined in his wildest of dreams. He was demented how can this girl manage to leave him awestruck everytime. But then again, it was his Prachi. She did marvels to him that no one else can. 

Here she was dressed in Black, doing some kind of magic on him as she descended the steps with utmost care. Her eyes fixed solely on the ground where she walks. Her hair twisted in some complex hairstyle, that was surely done by Shahana. Her face had next to no makeup. While thin dangling earrings adorned her ears.

There were no words that could be woven together to express how his heart was feeling in that movement. It was just.

"Beautiful."

Yeah that, he thought.

Then a frown came on his face as his mind registered the fact that it wasn't him who had said that word. He turned his head to look at Aryan who had whispered the word, still staring at Shahana. He nudged him in the ribs and Aryan hissed in pain.

"Hey beautiful. Took you long enough." Abhi said hugging her when she finally came down to stop in front of everyone. Even those who despised her could not help but agree that she indeed was looking beautiful.

"Really Prachi, you are looking so, so, so, pretty." Pragya said, praising her. while Ranbir was having a small smile.

"Of course you do, you look so beautiful that my brother is still in his lala land." laughed Piyush, but soon winced when a hard slap landed on the back of his head, delivered by his own brother dearest.

"Don't you think you are talking way more than you should nowadays?" he asked holding him by the nape of his neck and shaking him slightly.

"Very good, give him one more for me." said Prachi, glairing draggers at the boy on the receiving end of the torture.

"Why don't you do the honors yourself?" Shahana asked giggling.

"I really think going that far will be a bad idea." Prachi said, pursuing her lips as if counting the number of steps she will have to take to reach the person to be beaten. As he had already tactfully scooted to the farther end of the hall. 

"Well what did he gifted you, that cost him to get his name on your 'to kill' people." Asked Vikram, causing a pinkish tinge to colour Prachi's cheeks as she looked down in embarrassment.

"Yeah, show us so if any of us have some same kind of gift for you, they could already throw it out of the window." laughed Purab.

Prachi lightly lifted her dress skirt a little to show them the cause of her misery. It was, as Arbir had already guessed, a pair if pencil heels. 

"Well if anyone had got a similar gift, they can silently throw it out of the window, even if noticed, he/she will be ignored and hence saved by the wrath of the mighty Pikachu" laughed Aarav, causing Prachi to blush even more.

"Well let's cut the cake, shall we?" Finally asked Rhea who had been burning in jealousy as the entire attention was once again fixed on Prachi.

"Yeah sure, why not?" said Aliya, glad for the distraction.

They all made their way over to the cake. Prachi and Rhea stood side by side, looking anywhere but at each other. 

"Go on" encouraged Abhi.

Rhea picked up the knife that was placed by the cake and looked at Prachi with a bored expression. Prachi held Rhea's hand lightly and sliced a part of the cake. they both picked up a bit of cake in their hand and fed everyone a small bit one by one. Prachi fed her mother and father first and then moved on to the rest of the family. She fed Piyush and her siblings and came to an abrupt halt when she faced the next person. 

Rhea was feeding a reluctant Ranbir who had already had a bit from her, but just to make the watching Prachi jealous, she was insisting Ranbir to have a little more of the cake, and Ranbir who was till then trying to push Rhea away, plastered a large grin and ate the piece of cake happily and in return fed her too.

Prachi had thought that with her friends as distraction, she would have atleast a single peaceful day, but no, the idea leaped out of the window, along with the little happiness she had. Tears stung the back of her eyes as the scene unfolded before her eyes. She was about to turn around and go from there, when Aarav materialized beside her with a large smile.

"Did you like it?" he asked, catching her attention.

"Do you like the dress?" he asked again. "Yeah, it's really beautiful." she answered with a genuine smile.

"Well than a thank you, and a bit of that cake will be enough." he said in her ears, leaning closer to her. 

His act had successfully captured the attention of the unmatched couple before them. God knows what came over her in that fraction of second and why she did what she did. She lifted her hand up and fed the cake in her hand to Aarav and then proceeded to put some on his face too. A large smile broke on her face too. She turned around to run but Aarav who had already anticipated the move caught her wrist and pulled her back. Her dainty figure was no match for his strength and she was stopped successfully. Aarav took the remaining of the cake from her hand and smeared it all over her face. Everyone had turned their attention to them till now and were laughing maniacally. No one has ever thought Prachi to be childish. No one but one, who was so many times the sole reason for her to bring out her carefree side.

As soon as her actions were registered by her mind, her face turned a deep shade of crimson. 

"I'll just go and clear this." she said and left hurriedly from there.

As soon as she reached the washroom of nearby room. Her eyes closed on its own accord. Her chest heaving up and down by the long breadths she was taking to calm her racing heart.

What the bloody hell was that? was the only question running in her mind.

Jealousy, her heart squeaked.

I myself gave Ranbir over to Rhea, than why do I still feel that pang of familiar emotion on my heart. The emotion she have felt so many times before, whenever she had seen him with any other girl. The emotion she have stubbornly denied. but as soon as she had realized that she love him, she had also realized that the emotion was, as Shahana had so many times concluded, jealousy. But why now. Why do she still feel it? Why, even after seeing them together so many times, she still feel that burning sensation in her heart? She still love him fore sure. But why do she still feel jealousy when she herself was the reason for them to be together?

Wasn't time supposed to heal every wound? Wasn't it supposed to change a person. Then why am I still jealous?

"You still love me." his voice startled her, and she turned around to look at him standing there, blocking the door of washroom. Hasn't she locked the door?

"You still love me Prachi, and there is no point in denying it." He said stepping closer to her, and caging her between the vanity and himself. His arms on both sides of her, preventing her from escaping.

"No I don't." she said, looking sideways.

"Then why do you did that outside? What was that little stunt?" He asked, but didn't let her say anything as he continued. "You did that because you were Jealous. You still get jealous when you see me with any other girl. You did that out of sheer jealousy"

Yes I did.

"No I did not. I was just enjoying myself with my bestfriend. Is something wrong in it? I am NOT jealous. You do whatever you want to with whoever you want. It is Rhea who should be jealous not me. You know why, Because I don't Love you." She said and left from there, pushing him aside. 

A/N:- Hey cupcakes, Happy Sunday. Here is your most awaited Party update. SORRY if it seemed lengthy. It is over 4000 words. But I just couldn't help myself and wrote the morning incident from Ranbir's POV. Next part will be gift reveal.

# What do you think of the jealousy they both felt? 

How do you feel about the after leap part of the serial? I still could not believe that Pranbir is actually married now. I got a little confused in yesterday's episode when they woke up side by side. It took me a moment to remember that the did really got married. Maybe its just my brain unable to process seeing them separate for months and then suddenly them getting married in what? like two episodes? 

Make sure to vote if you liked the jealous Prachi and Ranbir. Also Comment on your favorite part. In line comments are really pleasing to read, so please share your thoughts, as much as you can. Do not hesitate to point out any mistake, you come across throughout the chapter.

Lots of Love,

Simran