It was the day of the Christmas bash. Everyone in the group was kind of looking forward to it, except Agastya. He kept finding reasons to skip the party for the past few days. He just felt like it was not his kind of a party. He happened to finally mention it to Amanda during the day when she asked if he had decided on what he was wearing to the party

"Hey August-Ya! So... what are you wearing to the party tonight?"
Agastya thought for a while and responded

"Umm... to be honest, I don't even feel like going. I just can't fake excitement to go to a place I don't feel like going." Amanda got a little confused, "What happened? Why do you sound so serious about a party meant for fun?"

Agastya finally told her about him running across Freddie and not getting a great vibe. "Well, I ran across the party host a few times. This one incident that we interacted was him asking me if I was coming too? I confirmed with a yes. And then I guess I saw an eye roll and he moved past me. I mean, that's awkward to me, if not to you! What am I gonna do in HIS party?" Agastya told her stressing on 'his party'.

Amanda burst out laughing, "Oh my nerdy buddy! Stop decoding him. I tried a few times and failed miserably. I don't know what David sees in him. Anyway, overall, I feel Freddie is tied up in his parents' reputation. And probably that's the reason he is throwing this party, to loosen up with his peers. Come on! We got to give it a try before forming our final opinion. Don't we?"

A smile had appeared on Agastya's face as he listened to Amanda perfectly reasoning him and changing his mind "Alright! It's a deal! We'll reserve our views for after the party is over", he winked at her.

Amanda smiled back, "That's my boy! Let's meet in the evening then. Don't forget I'm driving you boys to the party! See ya". They waved each other a bye to head back to their places and later got ready for evening.

Back in the room, Agastya found the place all messy with a pile of clothes on Kshitij's bed, some on the chairs and the study table as well

"Karna kya chahta hai tu? Kapde bechne hain kya ab tujhe college drop karke?" Agastya poked fun at Kshitij. "Haan haan.. mazak bana le. Khud ko to kuch padi nhi hai. But I do wanna look flawless for all the pretty ladies I'm gonna meet in the evening" came a typical response from irritated Kshitij.

Agastya reminded him that he too was going for the same party. But he was sorted with what he would wear. And he also offered help to Kshitij in choosing the perfect outfit. "Chal let me help you with selection of your attire on a condition you won't leave a trace of all this mess you've created in the room"

Kshitij rolled his eyes, "okay done! Chal mai tujhe mere last 4 confusing options batata hu. Help me choose one. And then I promise I'll clear all this up before we leave."

Later in the evening Later in the evening, Amanda showed up in her black Jeep, wearing a pretty cowl neck shimmery red dress with a thigh high slit paired with black stilettoes with silver details. The attire was complimented by silver hoops and beach curled hair. Her look perfectly suited the Christmas vibe and added to the festive charm of the night. She honked at the guys waiting for their ride as they had already received a call ordering them to meet her at the hostel gate. "Come on guys! Hop in!", she commanded.

The group was ready for the party. David had worn a red round neck T-shirt under a white jacket. Agastya was dressed in classic white T-shirt and blue coat paired with cream chinos. Kshitij too looked good in an all-black with a Burberry classic checkered coat and had a huge grin as he buttoned his coat. He was prepared to take the front seat, besides Amanda but got disappointed to see David occupying that seat already.

Agastya knew the expression on his face and murmured, "Wo nahi bhi baitha hota, tab bhi tera chance nahi tha"
They got in the jeep and the first thing Kshitij said was "Ooh You look sizzling hot babe!" Amanda reverted with a laugh "oh thanks Kay! I did all this to hear exactly that from you"

She looked at Agastya and says, "By the way, I feel threatened by you August-Ya! Seems like you're ready to steal the spotlight." Agastya didn't really know how to respond, "Not at all. You're looking gorgeous. There's no way I could beat that." He complimented Amanda.

Kshitij was annoyed by their mutual flirtation and whispered "Now I get why you said earlier ki mera chance nahi tha. Saare chance to tu hi maarega.. Huh.."
"Ahh I feel left out when you do that Kay. Speak in a language I can understand too. I don't like FOMO" Amanda made a face telling Kshitij to not use hindi as she felt like she was missing out on some fun.

"Naah.. nothing. Just adding to the compliment, you just passed to Agastya, added my flavor though. You didn't miss out on anything major. Don't you worry. I won't do that." Kshitij declared with a smile.

Agastya remarked looking at David "So David! You seem too happy"
Amanda interrupted him "why won't he be? Its Freddie's party he is going to" and poked an elbow at David.
David grinned "Ofcourse.. how could I miss that chance"

Kshitij jumped in between the conversation "Are we the one's missing out on something this time? What's cooking between you two buddies?"
Agastya's eyes lit up, "ohhhh let me guess! Is Freddie the crush you mentioned once that you find intimidating?"

Amanda was stunned at the observation and memory "Woahh.. Good job Augustus!"

David smiled back sheepishly "Stop it guys.. I'm nervous. Doesn't seem like I can ever approach him anyway. I don't even know where his interests lie. But I figured he isn't into girls. No! May be, he isn't interested in guys too. Or he isn't into anybody. He is Freddie. Ughh!"

"Ohh why didn't I figure this out? I should have been able to guess it before. How did you know Agastya?" Kshitij asked Agastya feeling little disappointed in himself.

Agastya smirked at him "I didn't. It's just that while Amanda was convincing me to come to this party, she happened to randomly say she doesn't know what David sees in Freddie. I just connected the dots to this conversation. That's it!"
Just then, Amanda halted the car declaring their arrival at the venue, "Here we are. Good luck David. Come on! The fun begins."

The group walked inside the main entrance of the penthouse. It had a huge entrance, lavishly decorated in the colors of Christmas. The fern faux garland had bauble ornaments matching perfectly with the theme. Christmas trees planters were set on both sides of the entrance. The décor at the entrance instantly made the party lit and in sync spreading Christmas cheer. The penthouse too was well decorated in Christmas spirit. The huge living room had high ceilings and was bustling with the youngsters setting the mood for the party. A mighty huge Christmas tree that reached almost till the ceiling had been attracting everyone's attention. All the guests were buzzing around it to click pictures and announce it on their respective social media. After all it was "THE PARTY" hosted by Freddie.

As the group entered, David's eyes immediately started looking for the host among the crowd of around 30 teenagers dancing, drinking and munching on the snacks.

And in that exact moment, Freddie appeared, walking upto them with a smile, a sight they had not seen at BUST. He approached the 4 of them and guided them to where the arrangement for food and drinks were.

"Thanks for joining in guys! Make yourself comfortable. The snacks are all at the dining table on the right and drinks are at the counter behind it."
As they were moving ahead, Kshitij put his feet infront of David and he stumbled but Freddie held his hand right on time, "Be careful buddy! Alright guys I'm gonna be around. Let's enjoy!" He raised his drink into the air, "Cheers to all of us!" and disappeared into the crowd again.

David looked miffed and looked at Kshitij shooting daggers "Kay! What was that? You embarrassed me as soon as we entered. Freddie will think of me as the clumsy guy."

On the contrary Kshitij winked at him "If anything I did, it was help. You were dumbstruck. You needed that to wake up! Thank me later." They all laughed and proceeded. As they move into the hall, Amanda held Agastya's hand, taking him by a little surprise. "Let's get our drinks and dance" she quipped pulling Agastya with her.

Agastya looked around. Kshitij had found his way to the girl gang and David was gone too. "Umm okay. Let's start with that", he replied with confusion.
While they were at the counter getting their drinks, a tall girl in short black bodycon with plunging neckline and red stilettoes walked up to Agastya, "Hi.. I'm Emily. I have seen you during the project demonstration. Quite impressive, I must say! We never got to talk. Mind if I take you to dance?" she said looking really hopeful.

Agastya looked to his left and found Amanda looking at Emily with frowned eyebrows. "Yeah.. thanks! It was half my work and the rest of the credit goes to her, I mean Amanda" he replied pulling Amanda by the shoulder. She flashed a plastered smile at Emily, "Actually we were also heading to dance. Would you like to join us?" Amanda said with pride as she saw Emily's expression turn into a slight disappointment. And the 3 joined the dancing crowd.

Agastya had started to really enjoy the ambience once he started to know people he only saw from a distance at class. Kshitij was busy hanging out with a bunch of girls, making them giggle at his jokes. David got drunk to get rid of his nervousness and then joined Amanda and Agastya for dance.

Amanda looked at David finding him on the dancefloor "What are you? A loser? Don't lose your chance to find out if you should or not kill your crazy crush on Freddie. Go! Find him!"

David initially resisted but then slipped out of the mob to seek his answers, only to find a girl cozying up with Freddie in a corner next to the staircase. He didn't bother to look any further and stomped away. This didn't go unnoticed by Freddie though.

Amanda spotted David rushing out of the hallway and followed him. Finding his eyes red and teary, she dialed Agastya's number, "Hey.. ummm we're leaving.. I mean me and David. Do you wanna stay? Okay.. Please ask Kay as well on your way if you see him."

Agastya sensed the seriousness in her voice and told he too would join them to head back. He walked up to Kshitij and signaled him to come out with him. As they were about to head out, they see Freddie looking for something, rushing towards the main door.

The door flung open. Amanda and David were expecting the two boys. They turned at the sound of the door opening and saw a tall dark figure against the bright party lights in the background inside, walking out in their direction.

_______________________________
Thanks for reading.
Have a great night

Love n light
Shefali n Asmi