Present

Sia's POV

It's been a week since I last met Raghav. After that day, every morning he sends me a good morning message with a smily emoji.
Also we have started chatting a little on WhatsApp and Facebook.

At first I was a little hesitant but.... he is not that bad.
But a little annoying and irritating and mischievous and funny and smart and handsome and hot and................focus Sia.....this is going in wrong direction.

But overall he is okay.

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Today is my another appointment with Dr. Mehra, remember my psychologist.

This session was the best of all, because today he told me that my health is improving and he would decrease the dose of my medication.

Finally, frankly speaking I don't like taking those bitter medicines. Yuukk...

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"Well done Sia, because of you we won this deal. Otherwise that Mr. Arora is a tough nut to  crack, but he seems very impressed by you." Dad was very happy after our meeting with one of the leading textile companies.

At first i was having second thoughts whether i should lead this presentation or not because I have been away from this stuff for so long but he was sure that I can do it.
And I did it.... yayyy!!!

"Also Sia, Mr. Arora has invited us for the new year party with family." Dad informed me.

"Dad, you take mom and Karthik with you, I will not go." I said to him

"No Sia, he especially asked me to bring you positively." Dad said

"(Sigh) ok as you say" I agreed halfheartedly.

At New year eve

"Sia, dear get ready fast, it's already 8  pm, we have to reach there by 8.30 pm." Mom called me from downstairs and here I am still struggling with my hair.

I am wearing a emerald green embellished gown with diamond dangling earrings and silver heels.

"Di, you are looking nice." Karthik complemented me
"Thank you dear brother." I hugged him.
"Ok, Karthik, we are getting late so we should go now, and don't trouble masi( mother's sister) much." Mom told him.
Since this party is of adults, Karthik is not allowed there.

We made our way to Mr. Arora's mansion for the party by car.

As we entered there, we were greeted by him and his wife.

They seem to be a nice couple.

Mom and Mrs. Arora started talking like long lost sisters (chuckle). Dad was also busy within his business associates and I was sitting on a corner table all alone drinking coke as I don't drink alcohol.

Then someone tapped my shoulder from behind, I turned around and saw him.

No, not Raghav, but my college best friend ANKUR.

"YOU...." I almost shouted in excitement.

He smiled and hugged me tightly.
I too reciprocated his hug.

"Hey Siyu, long time no see" he said as we broke from our friendly hug.
"You have become fat....ha ha ha." He laughed

I slapped his arm and gave him a fake angry look.

"Oh yeah yeah....like you are Hrithik Roshan." I said

"OooOh....still obsessed with Hrithik Roshan huh?" He smirked

I rolled my eyes but gave him a slight smile.

"Hey! First tell me what are you doing here, I mean you were in New York right?" I asked him as he took his seat beside me.

"Hmm....I was there only, but now I have shifted back to India." He said while taking a sip from his champagne.

"Why so? Earlier you used to say that India is so boring for you (chuckle), now what happened." I said while wiggling my eyebrows.

"Yaar, actually dad's health is not good nowadays and he wants me handle his business, so........" he answered.
"Okay leave this, but you here??" He asked me.

"Yeah, I have come here with dad and mom. You know Mr. Arora, who's the host of this party, dad has signed a new deal with his company." I said.

"Oh, so you are that oh-so-talented young girl about whom I am listening since three days." He said in a dramatic tone. "You know, dad has literally burned my ears with his talks about you." He continued snickering.

"What....what do you mean?? Dad??
One minute..one minute...Mr. Arora is your dad?" I asked with a shocked expression as realisation dawned upon me.

He nodded and smiled.

Then only, Mr. Arora came to us and Ankur told him about our friendship. He was very happy, particularly because Ankur was a friend of me so according to him I should teach him some manners and business tactics.

We were sitting there, chatting and reminiscing happy memories of past.

"So, Sia, tell me is there someone special in your life?" He asked with a mischievous smile.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and he cleared "you know, boyfriend, fiancé, husband....?" He gestured with his hands while asking.

I don't know but listening to him about this, my heart skipped a beat.

Someone special....boyfriend....fiancé....
HUSBAND.

He clicked his fingers in front of my face broke my trance.
"Lost in thoughts of HIM." He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and said "it's not like that. There is no one."

He sighed and I saw a hint of satisfaction on his face.
Wait......is that what I am thinking or I am over thinking.??

I am overthinking.

Then the music changed, and he asked me for a dance. I nodded in a yes.
He forwarded his right hand to me and slowly I placed my hand in his.

He took me to the dance floor in the centre of hall where other couples were also dancing.

He placed his hands slightly on my waist and I placed my hands on his shoulders.

We started our slow dance with him guiding me and me following his moves.

In college also, he was the one who was ace in dance and other activities and I was always buried deep under books.

We were dancing and talking and I was laughing on his silly jokes when....

"Can I have a dance with her?"

I turned and saw him standing there with a neutral face.
RAGHAV

What is he doing here?
May be a guest of Mr. Arora.

Ankur looked towards me "Sia, do you know him?" He whispered
I nodded and said " you carry on Ankur, Raghav is a friend of mine."

Raghav kept his hands on my waist and I, on his shoulder.

He is looking straight in my eyes with no emotions and somehow I am not finding this weird, I am just swaying with the beats as if he has hipnotized me.

This seems to be the best moment of my life, like this is it for which I was waiting, for which my heart was craving.

My beautiful trance broke when I heard an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, 45 seconds remaining for new year to come. So , let the countdown begin."

"10....9....8....7....6...."

5
.
4
.
3
.
2
.
1.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR"

All the guests were shouting, cheering, hugging, some of the couples were steeling kisses.

"Happy new year" I turned towards Raghav and wished him.

"This is not the way to wish new year to your friend." He said with a mischievous grin.

What is there in his mind.
And then he kissed me......no not on lips, he pecked my cheeks.
He came near my ears and said huskily "I really wanted to kiss somewhere else but this will do."
My eyes widened on his act. He gave me his world famous smirk and left like nothing happened.