DAMN!

The narrow lane was flanked by waist-high bushes on both sides. Medium height well groomed trees were sported here and there in the gardens that lay beyond the bushy dividers. Fairy lights adorned the trees and it provided just enough light to the moonlit area. The hard path below made a clicking sound with the heels and it echoed in this, relatively silent region. The clicking of heels was paired with soft swooshing of wind and rustling of leaves. And even some noises of insects could be heard in the distance, but instead of repulsing, it was giving of much nature vibes.

Prachi was loving the surrounding, it was just about the perfect. She would have appreciated the little walk to the fullest, if it weren't for the fact that she was walking on needles. She was cursing her weak willpower. Seriously. Every time she promise herself not to fall in the trap and every single time she walks straight into it.

That's what happened today, when Shahana persuaded her into wearing heels. As if last time wasn't a lesson enough. Damn those puppy eyes of her's.

There was another reason as per why she couldn't relish in this moment. That was the people around her. Her own family. And they seemed to be far from the idea of enjoying the walk silently. Prachi do loved them and was glad that they were all together, but can't they save the chit bits for tomorrow?

This was a small mere five minute walk, and they appear to remember every topic of hot gossip in these five minutes. Which even include the discussion of everyone's dresses at the function.

The event had been fantastic. The decoration was totally monochrome. They were provided reserved seats in the front row and directly in front of the stage. A set of camera's focused just on them, portraying the emotions of 'family' on the big screen. It didn't helped when Aarav gave the regards of is success to his brother, Shahana and Prachi and all three named blushed. Prachi's being the deepest, not because of her mention, No, but because of the picture flash that had caught her eyes from an overly oblivious looking Ranbir. One would have fallen for his acting if it weren't for the flash of his camera, that was still on.

It had ended shortly before, and hence, now they were making their way to the area reserved for dinner. That lay on the other side of the property from the main event hall. The small area was scheduled to be away from the busy restaurants and hallways and all the hustle-bustle.

It was a really good choice. The fresh air, the moon playing hide and seek with the clouds, the fairy-lights twinkling and the soft humming from behind her was sending a calm aura to her.

The way was leaded by Piyush, who was walking backwards, clicking some pictures. Then were the youngsters and behind them were the elders. Prachi didn't have to turn to know who was humming, it was the same tune he had played that day on the camping trip.

The tune was not for her. Not then, not now. The first time he had played it on his guitar, he had mistaken her to be Rhea. And now, it was Rhea who had requested him to sing something. That's what he was doing. But, there was a small part of her, a tiny hopeful part of her heart, that so badly wanted it to be for her. And-

Damn these heels.

"Shahana wait up," Prachi said as she bent down to remove these torturous piece of fake beauty standard.

She wriggled and wiggled a bit on one feet before relying on Shahana for support and grasping her arm.

"What kind of strap is this? It is as strong as a death trap. Stupid footwear." Prachi complained, while removing one heel. She held on tighter while removing the adjacent heel. "If you ever, EVER, again talked me into wearing these heels, I swear Shahana, I'll-" She squealed a bit as her footing swayed, but she regained her balance as she was held firmly and supported straight.

"I swear I'll bang it right back into your head. Stupid you with your stupid fashion obsession. If you like these, you wear it, did anyone stopped you? But why do you always drag me in to this?" She rambled on.

Finally freeing her delicate feet, she straightened up, smoothing her dress out and picked up the heels in her hands. She looked up to see the elders had caught up at them and Aryan was also looking at her smiling.

"I knew you were never one of the heel persons." He commented and Prachi blushed, registering that they had heard her little scolding session. She looked away, shying, and shot a glare sheepish looking Shahana, who had just reached them coming back. Rhea was also there, shooting her a murderous glare. It didn't shocked her, god knows that's the only thing she ever do. It wouldn't surprise her if Rhea had a whole plotted murder plan for her. She had already tried once. Another try won't surprise-

Wait a minute.

Shahana just walked back to them. Then who was she leaning for support against from last, like... about seven minutes?

Oh no!

The paused humming. The sad smile of Aryan. The sober look of Shahana. The knowing look of Vikram. And last but not at all the least, the glare of Rhea. It all only meant one thing.

Prachi gulped and pulled up her walls, slowly turning her head to side to come across the face she love the most, sporting the most adoring look. For her.

How could he look at her like she was the only center of his universe?

When she was the one who had shook his world to the core.

She turned stiff, and jerked back. Pulling her arm out of his hands. Taking a step away from him. Looking everywhere but by her side.

"Sorry," Shahana broke the awkwardness. "I didn't stopped, actually I didn't realized that yo-"

"I even called you to stop," Prachi snapped, her brows furrowed. "Of course you didn't listened, after all you never pay attention to anything. I told you a million time that I didn't wanted to wear these-" She raised her hands that clutched her heels, "-But no, when do you listen to me?"

Prachi threw them on the ground and stormed off ahead, lifting her skirt up, that was even more long now, without the heels.

"Wow," Rhea said, sarcasm dripping from her tone. "That's some sisterly bond you have."

"RheA" Abhi warned.

"Yeah," Shahana replied, picking up Prachi's heels. "Should have seen it coming." She smiled brightly. "I really didn't thought that she will wear them in the first place, but she did. That is the sisterly bond." Shahana dusted them a bit.

"Let's go everyone, I am really hungry, I even have a stubborn angry sister to manage." She said and took off behind Prachi.

"I wanna see how many sorries she'll have to say before Prachi melt this time." Aryan said, trying to defuse the tension his chatterbox had left behind with a fuming Rhea.

Wait 'his chatterbox'? No, just chatterbox.

They all made their way forward to the corner of the lane, where Piyush, Aarav and Prachi were waiting for them. Piyush smiling as bright as the fairylights, while Prachi was just blankly staring at the moon. A faraway look on her face.

Shahana slowly approached her and put a hand on her shoulder, breaking her trance.

"Prachi, I'm sorry." Shahana said, holding her ear and pouting a bit. "I know I forced you to wear the heels. And I know that I failed to listen to you back now. I'm sorry."

Prachi just stared at her, forehead creased.

"They really matched your dress." Shahana added, gesturing to the heels with the other hand.

Even though trying the best to stay stern, Prachi couldn't keep her lips from curling upwards.

"Dramebaaz." she chuckled before pulling her sister in a hug.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you. I just-"

"I know." Shahana pulled back smiling, "I know."

Prachi's eyes shifted to the heels and back to the younger girl. "I need those, this skirt is too long."

Everyone chuckled and Shahana dropped the heels.

"Now that is some sisterly bond." Aryan whistled as Rhea's face turned beet-red in anger.

"Of course," Shahana said, infuriating Rhea some more as Prachi tried to balance herself with one arm out.

She was about to trip to one side as someone held her hand. She looked up to see Aarav smiling down at her and she straighten up after securing her buckles.

She turned to see him staring at her hand that was still held by her best friend. An odd expression on his face as his eyes narrowed to slits. Taking a deep breadth, preparing her heart for another blow, Prachi did something that she knew will be added to the list of sins she was committing by crushing a pure heart. Again.

Instead of puling back, like she had did with him some minutes ago, she wrapped her thin fragile fingers around Aarav's bigger, warmer hand. And smiled back, giving a perfect toothy thankful grin to Aarav. A smile that she had so cruelly deprived Ranbir of in the last few months.

It extracted the exact reaction that she had wanted and did not desired to see on his face at the same time. Hurt. Pure Hurt.

"Let's go in, I'm starving." Prachi said and literally dragged Aarav behind her. More to avoid seeing that look on him and also the gesture where Rhea had hooked her arm around Ranbir's even thought he had not paid any mind to it. A part of her doubted that even if he knew it.

"What's gotten into her?" Abhi asked the other's who were still behind. Rooted to their spot, too shocked to even move.

"Well, guess she is acting without thinking. You know, it brings out a new personality of person." Pallavi said, before following where Prachi and Aarav had disappeared around the corner.

"I think Pallavi aunty is right, maybe Prachi have underlying feelings for Aarav that are finally surfacing." Rhea added, tightening her hold on Ranbir. And believe me, if it weren't for the fact that Ranbir really respected his elders, he would have pushed her away with the most disgusted face he could ever muster.

"Let's see." Abhi said and everyone moved forward.

They turned around to see the three that had moved forward standing still. 

"What happened? Why are you standing here?" Shahana asked, catching up on them.

No word escaped anyone's mouth in response, and none was needed, for the scene in front of them was the explanation enough to get them awestruck.

To say that the garden was decorated beautifully, would be an understatement. The preparation was anything but just beautiful. It looked like it was pulled right out of a fairytale. The surrounding screamed of utter marvelousness. It was hands down one of the most gorgeous sights Prachi had come across in her life. Bested only by the scene she had found in her room when Ranbir proposed to her.

Not going back there.

This, the scene right before her eyes was the present. This was what was here. And the thing here was the garden decorated magnificently. The area that they were standing was the front, also the only entry area. It too was narrowed down by golden chains on both sides, only leaving about 3 feet entry space. The other three sides were walls, rustic walls, that were about ten feet tall. But the main center of attention was the, well, center. Which was the dining area.

It was situated by two trees that were wrapped in fairy lights while some were hanging free from the branches, creating a curtain. A long table was situated by the trees, covered with pale pink table cloth. Pink rose decorations were placed in the middle along with glass ornaments. It was surrounded with dirty golden coloured iron chairs. The lantern head-drop that passed from right above the table was the cherry on the top, and the area was lit with the over head net of lights.

"Wow" everyone praised Aarav for the preparation and he thanked.

Shahana, not paying attention to anything, walked ahead and everyone's attention turned to her. "Wow" She turned in a complete circle, eyes wide and lips curled in a bright smile, arms out. A childlike excitement on her face.

"Wow," Aryan whispered dreamily, and Ranbir pressed his lips to stop his smile.

Aryan was about to walk to Shahana, but Ranbir held him back. "Control bro, I don't think the family is ready to see your confession just yet." He whispered.

Aryan looked at him wide eyed and stuttered, "What- What confession? I wasn't going to confess to Shahana." He whispered shouted.

Ranbir just gave him a sly look in return. "I didn't said anything about Shahana." At which Aryan just opened and closed shut his mouth, unable to find a reply.

"This is so beautiful, Aarav." Prachi smiled looking at her sister.

"Yeah," everyone agreed. "Don't you like it Piyush?" Aarav asked his younger brother who was silent the whole time.

"I do bhai, I like it very much," Piyush replied with a smile. "I can appreciate it more, but preferably with a filled stomach."

Everyone chuckled, "Let's eat, it's already half past eleven." Aarav said, rubbing a hand on his brother's head.

All got seated on the table, and Rhea smoothly slid next to Ranbir while Aryan took the other side. Ranbir paid no attention to it as hi eyes were rained on Prachi as Aarav took a seat next to her on the table.

There was something different in her demeanor, something strange, that wasn't there till late this evening. She held her head high, almost ruefully. As if she was showing something to someone, something to Him. She was behaving slightly odd since Aarav had caught her some minutes ago. She was passing some extra sweet smiles to Aarav and was being a bit over cheerful. Laughing a bit too loud while her eyes remained hollow. She had never done anything of such sort ever before, not even in these last couple of months.

He paid a bit close attention to her as she once again smiled animatedly at Aarav as he sat down next to her. As if she was doing it intentionally. Aarav too seemed to notice the change a bit. But even if he noticed, he didn't pay much attention to it. Though he couldn't ignore it even if he wanted to. It was so foreign on her but seemed so familiar to him.

Then it clicked.

She was subtly trying to flirt!

God, This Girl.

Ranbir so badly wanted to laugh loudly. She was trying to show him that she had moved on and to show it she was using Aarav, to hurt him or maybe even anger him into leaving her behind.

Oh his cute, innocent Chikchiki.

It might have worked if she would have been a little better at flirting, or rather fake flirting. But no, instead of infuriating, it was much more odd for him. He would have been jealous or angry if she had just treated Aarav as her best friend in-spite of trying and failing to flirt, miserably too.

"How romantic."

Ranbir almost jumped out of his chair when Rhea whispered into his ear. He leaned away from her a bit and she too inturn straightened in her seat.

"Huh?" He asked, trying to comprehend from where 'Romantic' came into her mind at midnight and mentally face-palmed when she gestured to the surrounding.

"Oh yeah." he nodded and then quickly turned to Aryan to get engaged in a conversation. Any conversation.

"Hey Aryan, I have something for you." He said fiddeling with his mobile with furrowed eyebrows. He looked up to see Aryan looking at Shahana with an awed expression with his head propped on his hand while the girl was talking to Prachi as her chirpy self.

Ranbir shook his head and nudged him discreetly. "Huh? What?" Aryan asked alarmed.

Ranbir gestured to his mobile and nodded when Aryan raised an eyebrow. He lifted his mobile and looked at the new message that Ranbir had just sent him. Tapping on the received message, it took mere seconds for colour to reach Aryan's ears and cheeks. Biting his inner cheeks to stop the smile that threatened to break on his lips, Aryan turned to look at the other boy who had a teasing look on his face.

"What did you sent me?" Aryan whisper shouted in a fake angry tone.

"Huh, I thought the picture was really clear. And even though if it was blur, I am damn sure you can make out Shahana pretty well in any picture." Ranbir replied, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Shut up. There is nothing like that." Aryan refused.

"Sure sure, whatever 'that' means." Ranbir replied feeding himself some food.

"Oh you must know what 'that' means, after all, it was you who had been ogling my sister." Aryan rebuked and Ranbir seized his actions but didn't retorted anything. Before Aryan could say something more, the attention of everyone was gathered by Abhi who seemed to have asked a quiet interesting question to Aarav. That was, "What are you thinking of doing ahead?"

"Well, the main motto of me coming here was to meet all three of them, " He looked at Piyush, Shahana and Prachi. "And you of course you," He gestured to Pragya. "Well now I'll go back in about a little less than a month. I just wanted to see if Piyush is ready to join me. That he is, so now we will return together and I'll look into the business while he can join the dance school there, as he wants to."

Everyone nodded and Vikram was about to ask something when a waiter entered the area, pushing a trolley. Everyone stood up and moved towards the trolley when Aarav requested them to. Even Ranbir strolled behind. The waiter bowed to him with a smile.

"Congratulations sir," He smiled at the boy, "Congratulations ma'am." he bowed to the girls before leaving and they looked at each other confused.

" What is this Aarav?" Pallavi asked gesturing to the trolley.

"Aunty I just thought that only thanking was not enough for whatever these did for me, so how about some gifts?" Aarav asked and Piyush and Shahana jumped in joy.

Prachi shook her head. "Aarav you really shouldn't have. You already gave us the credits for your hard work, that is already too much for us. We can't accept these gifts. I know that you are friend but that doesn't mean that-"

"Shhh" Aarav cut her off, "god atleast take a breath in-between. And you just said that I am a friend, and still you are refusing for a teeny weeny gift. Pragya aunty you tell her."

"Prachi, if he is insisting then accept it, It's okay." Pragya tried but Prachi still shook her head.

"Prachi." Aarav said before any word escaped her open mouth. "I assure you that yours is the smallest. I promise."

"Aarav, you give us the gifts, we'll force Prachi to accept her's" Shahana said enthusiastically while Prachi just frowned.

And so, after some really tiring and teasing minutes, Prachi agreed, though reluctantly, but she agreed.

Aarav lifted the first cloche and presented Shahana with a brand new mobile. At which she jumped and crushed Aarav in a bear hug. Don't go on her size guys, she has pure, organic ghee absorbed deep in her bones.

"You really don't want to join me and Piyush to UK?" Aarav asked as she pulled back.

"No really, I have all my life almost planned here." She turned and looked at Prachi with a smile, her gaze shifting momentary to a little left, where someone was standing with eyes trained at her and she looked down, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Well, do tell me if you change your mind." Aarav moved to the next gift and handed a key to Piyush. The duplicate key of his house in UK. 

"Thanks bro, to handle yourself alone when all you needed was a close one with you. And thanks, for forcing me to go and chase my dream when all everyone wanted me to do was to take up family business and get immersed into work. I know I had to be the elder one and take care of you and Shay. But you supported me and made me get what I ever wanted. Thank you." He hugged his baby brother and smiled brightly, not letting go for some moments. Prachi too, side hugged Shahana, eyes filled with happy tears. They know that Aarav was quiet reserved with his emotions and him saying this to Piyush in front of others was quiet much.

"Did you wrote it down and practiced?" Piyush asked, chuckling softly while pulling back.

"A couple of times." Aarav replied sheepishly.

"Now give Prachi her's." Piyush encouraged.

"Well whatever I give her will never be enough to express how much I owe her." He moved to the trolley to pick something and secured it in her fist before anyone could even get a glimpse of what it was.

"Prachi," He turned to the said girl. "You are one of the pillars that supported me through the toughest of my times. You don't know how much I owe you. If it weren't for the support that you three provided me, I would not have been anywhere near where I am now. 

It was all you did that I am the person you see today. I know you so badly want to deny it all and I know that you want to say that I would have been right here even if you weren't there, but believe me, I might have been here but not just yet, maybe a decade later, but not just this early. 

I, all by myself, would have taken over the business. Getting lost in the heaps of files, then ten years down the lane, I would have been drowned in regret of not choosing what I wanted to do for real. But you motivated me, persuaded me, literally forced me and saved me out of the regret that I would have felt.

You mean so much to me that I really can't imagine my life without you being there in any aspect of it. I am a fast learner Prachi, and I have learned quite a lot in life so far. But the most important thing I learned is to always try to prepare with a clear head and express it while you have the chance. I have already talked to Pragya aunty and she did what you would have. You learned from the best after all." 

That was when a cold dread gripped the bottom of Ranbir's spine. His breadth hitched in his throat as the proceeding of the words dawned upon his sub-conscious and he, with all he had, prayed that the dreadful thought he just had was nothing but an errand twisted result of his baklu mind.

But the dread just gripped his being tighter as the other boy proceeded. "You are the ray of hope in my life, and I am going to hold onto it with all my might. Prachi you are that light on the end of my tunnel and I am doing all I can to reach it. I am not going to repeat the stupidity I did when I decided to give up on my dream. I am not going to regret a decision for the rest of my life and keep kicking myself for not saying it when I had the time." Aarav said as he looked intently in the girl's ebony eyes that were filled with confusion.

"Aarav what are you saying? I can't understand." Prachi voiced her confusion.

"You will soon enough..." Aarav said, taking a deep breath. "here goes nothing." 

Ranbir's mind was surviving the ice age as he couldn't wrap it around the thing that is about to happen. His heart was jumping in his chest and he was damn sure that it would be either well out of his body or will stop altogether as the other boy's action was registered by his eyes. 

Prachi's mind was in knots as she tried to weave the words her best friend was presenting to her in an understandable form. She was the scholarship holder topper for god's sake but still the words Aarav was uttering in her native language were going bouncer on her. 

God knows, he was always good with words, and the topper degree in human psychology was making it just enough difficult. That too when he was looking right into her eyes with an expression that he knows something that no one other do and it will hugely affect her.

There was an odd feeling that she was having. It consist of a mixture of fear for what he might know, with that of confusion to what he was saying. There was also a minute feeling of 'deja vu' which, by now, was taking over the other feelings along with thoroughly befuddlement. 

The words were seeming to go a path that had been presented before her in the past. But her sub-conscious expressed that the last time, her feeling pool was different. Maybe shy, excited and completely blissful. 

But right now, it was nothing of that. Her mind had just started to comprehend the situation and present the product in front of her when the next action of the boy in front of her did something that stopped her thought process altogether and instead threw the exact meaning of his words and where she last experienced this right into her face. Hitting her full force.

Aarav was comprehending each and every emotion that surfaced Prachi's visage. Closely taking note of her every action as he talked. She mirrored his every tiny movement, which is, according to his topper brain, an indication that he have her total undivided attention. Good. This is what he wanted.

Closely looking at Prachi, she seemed to be mere steps away from realization, and so, he did what he had been planning on doing. This was it. The Time. And so, he loosened his fist holding out the ring  and dropped on one knee.

"Will you marry me Prachi?" 

A/N:- Hey chubby bunnies, guess what? As surprising as it is to me, I'm Alive. Yes! I'm still alive. Surprising isn't it?

Well, here is the next chapter. Hope it is worth of all the waiting you lot did. So patiently, might I add. If you like it, make sure to Vote and Comment. Inline comments are most welcome. Feel free to point out any writing error you come across while reading.

What do you think of the chapter? Do share your opinion.

P.S.- I didn't mentioned Ranbir holding Prachi while removing heels, you all just assumed. Check if you want to.

Lots of Love,

Simran

P.P.S.- The dinner seating chart if any of you wanted:-