"Today this side of the hotel is out of reach for all male members... Today is the Ladies Sangeet." Sarika made herself clear to every male member of the house.

Rishi and Saral also heard the news and were pacing up and down in the lounge room, as Sahana's father approached them, "What is the matter with you guys?"

"Uncle we... Uhh... We also want to see the girls dancing!" Rishi said and looked at him for any suggestions.

Sahana's father laughed and said, "Son, when I was young then I used to attend these functions wearing ladies clothes and saw the girls dancing.... Old times!" He walked away reminiscing about the old times.

Both the boys looked at each other and as their eyes met, "Nope... No girl's clothes." They said at the same time.

Both paced up and down again and looked at each other again expectantly and then said at the same time, "No dude... We can't dress up like them. We need another plan."

Rishi's eyes fell on a camera and he almost shouted in victory, "We got a ticket to the Ladies Sangeet. Let's become videographer."

After a minute they were inside the room where dance preparations were going on, "Please hold your breath because the videographers are here to capture you beautiful ladies." He winked at Ayesha while saying beautiful.

Devika raised an eyebrow at them and then shooed them out, "Thanks for your concern but we have ladies videographer here. The door is that way."

The boys were thrown out and they sat outside the room with sad faces listening to the folk songs that had started inside.

"Now what?" Saral asked.

"Now.... We will have to do what our fathers had been doing from years.... We are going to wear Ladies clothes." Rishi stood up and completed his sentence with an action of drumroll.

Rishi went to his mother's room with Saral at his toes. There they rummaged the cupboard and finally pulled out a pair of salwar suit.

"Nah, show me something else... This doesn't feels like me." Saral said and Rishi threw the cloth at his face, "This is the fifth time you have rejected something, your highness... Of course they won't feel like you because they are girls clothes. And stop being choosy and picky and fussy like a girl."

After half an hour, both were ready in salwar suit.

"Rishi, you look beautiful... Only if you were an actual girl... Damn you look beautiful! I am sure many guys will fall for you." With this Saral gave a low whistle.

"And you look horrendous..." Rishi deadpanned.

"Maybe I am not a beautiful girl but I am a very handsome boy." Saral spoke with an eyebrow raised, "Ok tell me how do I keep the scarf? Sideways?"

Rishi observed him fiddling with the scarf and started laughing, "Dumbo, cover your face... But it was awesome!!"

Both came out of the room and started walking down the stairs to the hall.

"God, how do girls even wear this? This is so uncomfortable!" Saral said pulling the salwar up his knees as Rishi tapped his head, "Walk with some elegance, idiot. If we are caught because of you the girls will kill us or make holes in us with their pointed high heels."

Saral saw Rishi walking easily and effortlessly, "Rishi, tell me the truth. How can you walk so easily in these clothes? Are you a cross dresser?"

"No God no... of course not. I walk easily because it is easy. It's no rocket science and you have a degree in rocket science." Rishi looked at him with wide eyes.

Once inside the hall they sat among the ladies with faces covered. Some ladies were singing folk songs while some were dancing. Rishi noticed others, Ayesha was serving drinks, Sanaya was talking to ladies who were giving her tips of a happy marriage. Rishi smiled to himself thinking that half of them themselves didn't had a happy marriage and here they are giving free advice. Devika was singing, her voice was very melodious. He remembered how she used to sing him to sleep. How much he loved his mother! But for his father, Mr. Malhotra, he felt no love no respect, only a sense of duty. Sarika aunty was playing Dholak, she had the correct rhythm.

Sarika aunty and Sahana were too different but still same. Sarika aunty was outgoing, Sahana was reserved. Sarika aunty was talkative, Sahana was quiet. But Sarika aunty and Sahana both were opinionated, both had strong views. And both were beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have Sahana as his wife.

Speaking of which, where is Sahana?

He searched around the hall and saw her serving snacks to people. A jhumka was visible from her hair and when she laughed throwing her head back... It was a totally different feeling. That is when she looked in his direction with frown on her forehead. Rishi felt as if he was caught but she shook her head and turned.

Rishi was too busy observing this when Ayesha came towards the boys and accidentally stepped on Saral's scarf causing it to fall. It revealed a very startled Saral.

Everyone took a deep breath at the same time. Rishi knew that he shouldn't take of his scarf but Devika knew him better, because she asked Saral, "I am sure, this was all Rishi's plan. You can't manage all this alone. Where is he?"

Rishi slowly pulled the scarf down and women kept their hands on their cheeks.

They stood up as all the ladies circled around them with an amused look in their eyes.

"You idiots got my clothes only?" Devika asked them with mock anger.

They are going to eat us raw. Think Rishi think.

Rishi looked at them and suddenly looked up.

"Look... Look a... A parrot!" As all the girls looked up he ran outside the hall.

"Where is the parrot?" Saral thought still looking at the ceiling. That is when he noticed that Rishi had run off.

"He left me. He ought to tell me that I had to run. That dumbass. I am going to kill you.... Only if I get out of here." He said looking at the girls who closed in on him threateningly.

Rishi stopped once he noticed that Saral was not with him, ahead of him or behind him. That means... He was left as a prey in between those lady human predators.

Running to Sahana's father he told him everything who laughed heartily.

"I have laughed like this after so long. Go and change. We will think about something to save Saral." Reassured Rishi ran to his room and changed in a pair of casual jeans and t shirt.

Outside Sahana's father had collected all the male members and they went to the hall with Rishi and Sahana's father as leader.

The door opened as soon as it was knocked and Rishi saw Saral tied to a chair with his own scarf.

"Thank God, he is tied up or he would have strangled me right now." Rishi thought shivering looking at Sarah's angry eyes.

"What? Your one soldier is down so you have brought others too?" Sarika mocked crossing her hands on her chest.

"Saru... Why are you doing this to these kids? Let them enjoy too. Permit them to watch you girls dance." All the other male members hummed in support of their leader.

"But in which Ladies Sangeet does it happens? There is a significance of word Ladies only. They can't be permitted. Have you heard of guys performing in a Ladies musical night?" Sarika said alarmed.

"Saru... Did you forget our wedding?" Sahana's father said with an amused expression and a hint of smile as Sarika got red in face, "Shut up! Sahana is here."

"Dad... Please continue. Even I want to listen to what happened." Sahana came forward, of course at a safe distance from her mother.

"Saha darling, there was this Ladies musical night at her house during our wedding. I wanted to go there and see them dancing. So I wore these girl's clothes and sat among the ladies. Your mum knew that I was there but she kept quiet. Then she danced very nicely on Kate Nahin Kat Te. Out of excitement, I couldn't stop myself and whistled and was caught. The ladies there caught me and tied me up like Saral is tied right now but your mum saved me by saying that she had called me here. At that time she was scolded a lot by her mother but I fell in true love with her. Isn't it Saru?" He looked at Sarika who blushed and hid her face in his chest who hugged her.

At this Sahana and Rishi whistled at the same time and everybody laughed.

Ayesha came forward, "Aunty, let them come. Please. If they won't see and appreciate our dance then who will?" Devika slapped her playfully, "Girls of today!!"

Finally they let the boys enter the hall and the function started.

First Sanaya danced with Saral on "Dilliwali Girlfriend" then it was Devika and her husband Sashi, well if you consider standing at a side and clapping while your wife dances, as dancing. They chose Wah Wah Ramji to dance.

After this the two best friends, Rishi and Saral danced on Desi Boyz title song. They totally rocked the stage especially Rishi's backflip was greeted with hoots.

The the women best friends, Devika and Sarika danced on Dola Re Dola. All the steps were in sync. This was their annual meet dance during college.

After this, Sarika and her husband danced on Kajra Re. Uncle was a very bad dancer but Aunty's elegant and beautiful steps covered all the flaws. Uncle was so in love with Aunty that at times he just stopped to look at Aunty while she danced.

Then all the girls slayed the stage on Banno Tera Swagger. Sahana didn't go to stage even after a lot of coaxing and pleading.

The program was almost over when Rishi spoke on microphone, "Party is still not over guys. So please wait!" He jumped off the stage and held out his hand to Ayesha who took it coyly.

On stage, they danced on Chalti Hai Kya 9 se 12. As everybody clapped, Sanaya called out to Rishi, "I challenge you to dance with Sahana. She never dances."

Rishi looked at Sahana once who looked troubled, "Challenge accepted, bhabhijaan."

Sahana looked at Sanaya in disbelief. Though she was very close to her but right now she was her enemy. Sanaya knew Sahana was a very bad dancer. Did she want to humiliate her? That too in front of Rishi?

She was not able to think anymore as Rishi forwarded his hand towards her, "May I have the honors?"

"No, I... Uhh... I don't dance. I am sorry!" Sahana bit her lips.

"Let your guards down Sahana... This is not Dance India Dance going on. Nobody is here to judge. They are here to enjoy. For once let your hair down."
Rishi said lowly so only she can hear.
She saw a friendly expression in Rishi's eyes.

Sahana looked at her father who gave her an encouraging nod. She held his hand nervously and he held it tightly, leading her to stage.

Jaaneman Aah started playing and for once she danced.

She danced like no one was watching.

It was only Rishi, her and the music. Everything had just shut down. Tuned out. Nobody was cheering. Nothing. Total silence. She was dancing for herself. Her steps were natural not forced. She felt comfortable in his arms.

Rishi realized that she danced well... Actually great. She had this skill from her mom. Then why did she under rate herself?

You are so complicated, Sahana!

Her trance was broken when music stopped and everybody clapped. She separated herself from his arms and became conscious but was soothed when Rishi slowly pressed her shoulder.

"You were great, Sahana." He smiled at her.

Is he kidding? Teasing her? No, he wasn't. It was his real smile... Not that jerk smile. She actually danced well then why did she stop because of the dance teacher who insulted her because of her plus size at that time. But no, no more under rating myself. I dance great. Rishi confirmed it.

The function was over and everybody went to their rooms.

Sanaya, Ayesha and Sahana sat in Ayesha's room talking to each other.

"Rishi is too good. He is a full package. Handsome, sweet, cute and dancer." Ayesha took a sigh and Sahana and Sanaya looked at each other.

"He maybe... But dude, you are totally smitten." Sanaya said and Ayesha blushed.

"Ayeshu, where will you get married?" Sahana asked her and Ayesha went into thoughts.

"I will have a destination wedding... Maybe Agra in front of Taj Mahal." Ayesha spoke her age old dream.

"No... I have a better suggestion! Get married near Agra's asylum... Because someone who will marry you must be insane enough to do it." Sanaya laughed and high fives Sahana while Ayesha narrowed her eyes at her.

"Saha, where will you marry? No wait, let me rephrase, will you get married. You don't like any guy. Chachi told me that you have rejected almost every boy." Ayesha said indicating to Sarika.

"Of course I will. I am waiting for right one. Someone who doesn't has any tag of terms and conditions. As for destination, I will get married at Jaipur... City of love!"

The girls awwed and Sahana smiled.

Little did she know that this part was heard by Rishi who was just outside the room. He was there to call Ayesha for a walk but instead decided to listen to everybody's answers.

Of course Jaipur is an ideal place. City of Love! Oh wait why am I thinking this. Love is a fad. There is nothing called true love.

With this he went to his mother's room. Once there he lied with his head in her lap and she slowly ran her fingers in his hair. This made him think clearly.

He kept silent for a while, "Ma... What do you think of Sahana?"

"She is a nice girl. Sweet. Innocent. She is more beautiful than Sarika in both nature and face. She is opinionated and has strong views. More over she has her own identity as a jewelry designer. But why?"

"No reason. She has such nice relations with her parents too..." Unknowingly Rishi pointed out what he wanted about himself.

"Rishu, you should try once. Take one step. I am sure you will also get good relationship with your father. Save it before it just goes away and you are left with regret." Devika said pointing to the father son relationship.

"But ma, he was never there when I needed him. He was busy with only work. Never had time for me or you. Even when you were in hospital due to a sudden stroke he was at his important business meeting." He said letting out everything he had stored in himself all these years.

"I know dear but if someone accepts their mistake then they should be given a second chance. Life is always about second chances right? I think you should forgive him too." She said expectantly. Whenever she had initiated the conversation, Rishi had always cut her off but today he himself had started talking about it and was listening to her. This was surprising. Something had shifted in her son. He was not the same rishi from Ohio.

For the first time Rishi didn't feel the need to react, "I think you are right about it ma! Even I should take some steps. Maybe everything falls in place. I think you should sleep now. Goodnight." He kissed his mom on cheek and left the room.

That night for the first time sleep came easily to him.

It definitely was a night of firsts!

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                 AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hi,
How was the chapter?
Kate Nahin Kat Te from Me. India.

Dilliwali Girlfriend from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

Wah Wah Ramji from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.

Desi Boyz title song from Desi Boyz.

Kajra Re from Bunty aur Babli.

Dola Re Dola from Devdas.

Jaaneman Aah from Dishoom.

How was the chapter? This is my second favorite chapter.

Story is somewhat at end. I am so sad. 😭😭

Next: Wedding.

Love Love ❤️
A.S.