Rhidhima plastered another layer of makeup on Siya's face while they waited for the party to begin. No matter how much Siya resisted; Rhidhima didn't let move even an inch. She wanted her best friend to look gorgeously sexy on her 18th birthday bash.

"Dad wouldn't like it Ridz," Siya sighed.

Rhidhima took a pause in frustration, "ahh, yes off course sweetie but in case you have forgotten, let me remind you that he is not coming tonight. Remember? He is Australia for a meeting."

Rhidhima's words were supposed to relieve Siya but she didn't like the sound of it. In front of her father or not, Siya always obeyed his rules which totally annoyed her friends. They knew Siya was a proud Indian at heart but the control her father had on her, kept her from living her life to the fullest. Siya was beautiful and talented and there is so much she could do with her life but to everyone's disappointment all she could focus on was how to please her father.

Before the conversation could head any further, Kaira, Siya's other best friend and Rhidhima's sister, opened the door. "All the guests are here and it is time for your entry!" she smiled with joy. She had locked Siya in this room with Rhidhima forty five minutes ago when Siya refused to make a late entry. You know, a late entry at your own party is a grand entry!

***

Siya walked down the hall way elegantly in her shimmery, long maroon ball-gown. She was sporting this net and silk master piece very impressively. The silver sequins work around the neck line twinkle in the bright yellow light. Her skin tone stood out as the long fabric draped around her. Nevertheless, it was not good enough to hide the nervousness in her eyes. She didn't absolutely like the idea of coming in late as she knew all eyes would be on her as it was her so-called grand entry.

She slowly turned to Rhidhima and Kaira, who were wearing identical spaghetti-strapped satin gowns but in different colours, "I am freaking out," she complained. There was a time when Siya loved the attention she was going to get here but overtime shyness took over her fearless attitude.

Glamour, that's what Siya always wished for until her year 11 studies came along when her father chose science for her high school studies and Siya just had to agree with his decision quietly. No one said a single word against him but that day a quite and undemanding girl took over the fearless Siya. She dropped out of her vocal lessons, choir, and school production and stopped performing in assemblies or interschool competitions. She lost her confidence on the way and now facing her own relatives felt like a challenge.

"Don't worry babe, we are here!" Kaira squeezed Siya's hand in assurance. My poor friend, she sighed inside her head.

Together they entered a brightly-lit hall full of swiftly dancing bodies. There were beautifully dressed women everywhere and handsome men huddled in different corners of the room. Rhidhima always knew that ball room theme would perfectly fit the night. One after another all heads turned in Siya's direction and the filled with cheerful birthday wishes. Friends and relatives came forward to present her with countless gifts and blessings.

Siya briefly examined all the faces until her eyes fell upon a complete stranger who had not wished her yet. He was tall and muscular with wavy coffee brown hair and a very fair skin tone. He was facing sideways from Siya but even that little view of his face was enough to make her stomach flip.

"He is my cousin from Christchurch," Rhidhima caught Siya staring.

"Armaan," Kaira joined in, offering champagne to Rhidhima, "His name is Armaan. His house was demolished in the earthquake this year, so he is here for the time being. I forced him to come along. Oh isn't he so charming?"

"Stop staring princess. You look like some obsessed freak," Rhidhima laughed, "Anyway, you'll see him in-"

"I am not staring and I am not interested so stop it," Siya had to turn away to stop these Sharma sisters from bombarding her with their cousin's bio data. Though it was sad what happened to him, but two minutes of glare and Siya was already having butterflies in her tummy. This was a weird feeling. She never felt this way before; not for anyone.

She walked over to her brother for some distraction. "Thanks, Sameer," Siya said with a smile. Sameer had really made this day very special for her.

Sameer gave her a quick hug in response, "everyone has a right to enjoy and this is your night so go and have fun."

At first Siya was not sure about this party as her father did not know about it, but now she was starting to enjoy it. After all, everyone had a right to enjoy!

***

Siya was finding it hard to not stare in Armaan's direction as Rhidhima and Kaira kept a close eye on her. She knew they won't stop teasing her for another year or so if they caught her staring at him again. She tried exchanging a few words with her maternal uncle, cousins and some Intermediate school friends, yet nothing helped. She couldn't help but notice the fact that Armaan was cute and attractive enough to have girls buzzing around him.

She was laughing full-heartedly at a joke that Alison, her cousin, had just cracked when she noticed a head turn her way. She could feel Armaan's eyes on her which sent her in a pause mode. It made her tummy scrunch in excitement. Everything seemed to fade away when she turned her face towards him.

Armaan looked amazing in the black and white 3 piece. A lot of girls lingered around him, trying to persuade him for a dance. Yet, he wondered if the lady in maroon would step on the dance floor him. But why would she? He didn't even wish her happy birthday.

When Siya entered the room, everything slowed down for Armaan. He was lost in those innocent eyes of a girl who looked far more beautiful than any girl he ever met in his entire life. Her graceful walk and nervous smile was magical. She was so angelic that her presence in the room did some kind of spell on him. It was as if a Bollywood song, aankhon main teri from Om Shanti Om (>> video on the right>>>>>>), started playing in the back ground. He knew if he went over to wish her, he would definitely get tongue tight and make a fool out of himself so he kept pretending that he was busy talking to a group of boys. When Siya's eyes had landed on him he had smiled inside his head. It was hard to not look in her direction, but he had to because he couldn't make his feelings too obvious.

Armaan was unfamiliar with this feeling. He had never felt like this for any girl before; not even his ex-girlfriend who left him heartbroken after a long relationship. After a good one hour of dealing with this strange feeling, he finally decided break the silence and approach Siya.

When Armaan started to walk in Siya's direction, Alison broke the eye lock, "wow! You know you are all set to challenge your father, right?" She said sarcastically.

Mason, Shannon, and Alison laughed while something stung deep inside Siya's heart. She felt like crying when Alison sarcastically reminded Siya of her harsh reality. She cursed her situation under her breath. Why? She questioned herself. She dismissed herself from the group and headed to an empty corner. That one little comment by her cousins was enough to ruin her day. The fact that Siya had to obey her father and all his rules really sucked sometimes. Though he was not around her all the time, his words kept swirling around in her head 24/7. She loved him a lot and sometimes she wished he was a little more understanding. His insecurities were a pain in the ass. Why couldn't he just let her be and trusted her the way she trusted him?

"It's not fair," Siya whispered as she pressed a few keys on the black piano. Few heads turned in her direction in a surprise as she played a few more keys. The last time anyone close to Siya heard her play any instrument was three years ago, on an Indian fundraising show, Voice Of IndiaNZ, where she had gained first position amongst 25 other contestants. Oh, how proud her mother was that day!

Memories flooded in Siya's head, urging her to play more. Those days when her father taught her new tunes, took her to vocal lessons and spent as much time as possible with her. Siya just wanted to live those perfect days again. She inhaled a deep breath and seated herself on the stool kept in front of the piano. Soon the room was filled with her melodious voice and the tunes she played blissfully.

######

A/N:

I hope you are liking this story so far.

love you guys!! :D