Yash reached where Isha stood, her cheeks were turned red, eyes sparkling bright after having fun with her friends.

One thing he realised during this little party, Isha's friends matter to her the most.

He noticed the little things, she did like fixing Navya's tops strap who danced forgetting everything or making sure Charu was okay who was surprisingly shy, even she tried to include Ridhima who honestly didn't deserve any attention with that difficult attitude.

"Here," Yash handed her the blue drink, she ordered.

"Oh that's not mine, it's Navya's..." Isha looked carefully in the flickering lights it had the umbrella,"no it's mine we ordered almost the same, how did you remember even I forgot?" she sounded impressed

Yash shrugged,"I have good eyes"

"You sure do," Isha grinned looking in his honey eyes.

Yash's ears burned.

Was it a compliment?

He should stop focusing on such stuff, he dragged his gaze away somewhere else, they spotted Navya trying to irritate Ridhima by flicking her hair on Ridhima's face.

"Your friends are something else," he commented

Isha agreed,"They are and I have seen yours too, they aren't much different "

Yash nodded remembering, Advik he left nothing to defend.

"But, I love my friends for what they are I mine for mostly what they are. I can never imagine my life without them, it's weird like you meet some people and can't fathom your life before meeting them, like what! how did I never know them before?"

"I get you," Yash said, his attention moving back on Isha's amazed face those chocolate eyes wide in wonder. He sure, could not imagine his life before Isha came, it did feel vague like missing a piece.

Isha felt embarrassed of speaking her thoughts out sometimes her friends find them weird and nerdish,"sorry you must think I am a weirdo now,"

"No, I find it interesting" Yash said, honestly, he could hear her speak all day.

Maybe this was the correct time to surface his feelings out. He gathered the courage,"Isha, I have something to say"

Isha inclined her head towards him, it seemed he had something important to say, "yes?"

Yash found it hard now, as she drew closer he could literally see the tiny scar on her chin, it made him curious to know how she got it, he shook his head trying to focus,"I was wondering" he gauged her reaction, she was listening to him intently.

He knew, she considered him a friend but there were signs, big signs it could be more but why would she call him friend then?

Yash cleared his throat, he had never been this nervous, he had never had the problem of getting girls usually they showed interest and very obvious signs like asking out and.... Isha did that too?? she basically called him the only guy so why was he feeling unsure about it now.

Cause he also noticed, Isha was friendly, she was genuine and honest, if she thought, he was friend he was her friend. She was pretty much affront, about the people she cared for and loved.

Maybe she did consider him her friend. And, before jumping into the ship and telling her about his feelings, he needed to confirm it with someone else like Isha's friend. He has to be sensible not impulsive and ruin whatever they had.

"Can I talk to Navya?" Yash completed unsure.

Isha frowned but she nodded,"yeah sure you don't have to ask" she chuckled why did it feel like he was going to say something else?

"Wait you are scared of her! Don't worry I will tell her to be in her best behaviour with you, after all you are my special friend," she smiled playfully hitting on his arm before leaving to call Navya.

What was that now?

Yash watched her with longing eyes. He hit his forehead with his fist frustrated, why was this so hard?? Why was he reading too much? Why was Isha so confusing..... so beautifully confusing?

•••

Navya begrudgingly moved to Yash from the dance floor where he sulked, "what's up mobile chor(thief)?"

"Seriously? Are you still gonna call me that?" Yash asked side glancing at her.

Navya grinned and winked at him,"that's how it started isn't it? Anyways what do you want to talk about? Is it about your cute friend Advik?"

"Why will I talk about him?"

"Oh, he didn't tell you the grand three days ultimatum he gave me. He would make me beg on my knees to him in front of the entire college isn't he so adorable?" Navya gushed cooing

"He said that?" Yash frowned, Advik didn't tell him. Which meant, he was quite serious about it

"It will be three days tomorrow and I can't wait honestly," Navya continued with her being all excited and loving acting. Deep down she also dreaded what will that Stupid cardboard face do?

"I will talk to him by the way, you could skip college tomorrow" Yash suggested

"And miss the fun....not at all . He would be preparing so hard, having sleepless nights, counting days to teach me the lesson"

"Navya you are taking him lightly, he is a bully by nature don't provoke him" Yash warned her. He would surely talk to him but can't guarantee Advik would listen to him once he set his mind on something.

"And you are his friend right? Why can't you tell him or teach him between wrong and right are you scared too? Are you supporting his bullying and what does it make you bully's friend? Another bully" Navya asked studying Yash now with annoyed look. She hated double standards what kinda friend he was?

-1

If he can't standup for right things

Yash observed patiently she did hava a talent to push people's button. Whereas, her confidence was admirable, it was a bit immature when she hardly knew Advik.
"You don't know him properly to judge him"

"Oh please it won't justify anyway for treating people like shit" Navya waved her hand. Ofcourse he will defend him he was his friend.

"You are right. But be a little thoughtful here, everyone has their story -

"You are just giving excuses Yash, I am trying to like you here but you are making it harder" Navya was getting angry now by Yash, he was making her sound like a child with no sense..
That smartass

Yash didn't know what to say and he felt, if he spoke more he would be declared enemy the way Navya was glaring at him now. And he didn't want that.

"I am sorry, didn't mean to offend you" Yash apologized.

Navya looked up at him he was genuine, the anger lessened and she sighed,"listen, I know... for you he is your friend and you will defend him obviously! hell I would too for my friends but you need to understand that he is not mine, I am a complete stranger here the way he behaved with me every time, he has been an ass and insensitive.... so I have nothing to conclude besides him being just a bad person towards me."

"Did you provoke him?" Yash asked

"Does it matter?" She averted her eyes

"Yes, because normally he is chill, he won't give ultimatum unless bothered"

"Okay, I did, I kinda of bugged him" Navya spoke with a sheepish smile. Remembering blowing in his ear and annoying him in the lift. She didn't want to admit it but it was fun, irritating him

Yash shrugged,"well then you are kinda responsible too"

Navya narrowed her eyes at him,"you know I hate it, you are so smart, you apologized and also made me confess my mistake, no wonder you get along with Isha she is smartass too."

At the mention of her name, his eyes immediately found her listening with an easy smile to what Charu was saying.

"Bahh .. stop giving love eyes to my friend " Navya gagged

Yash slowly looked away,"what does she think?" He asked hesitantly.

"About what?" Navya wiggled her eyebrows teasing.

Yash rolled his eyes, "you know it"

"Well you want it, rip the bandage kinda style or sugarcoating?"

"Rip the bandage " Yash said, closing his eyes with anticipation

"You know when was the last time Isha dated?"

"When?"

"Never," Navya said watching his reaction with amusement

"What does that mean?"

"You are smart, figure it out" Navya winked seeing him getting his chances that was zero, with a fallen face.

"Wait" Yash said pulling out the hair clip,"give this to Isha"

"What am I? You guys kabotar(pigeon)" Navya rolled her eyes

"Considering your precious work, a rookie one"

"Shut up, you give it to her then"

"Kidding you are the best, just give it to her"

"Why don't you give?"Navya frowned

"I gotta go " Yash stepped away looking once at Isha in her carefree bubble telling something to Charu. He didn't want to interrupt her with his bummed mood after indirectly being rejected

"Hai?? So ajeeb(weird)" Navya made a face as he left, Isha looked around after seeing Navya standing alone, she walked to her pausing in mid of talking to Charu.

"Where's Yash?" She asked

"He left something urgent, I guess"

Isha failed to cover her disappointment, he didn't say her bye.

"What is this?" She asked seeing Navya holding a lavender colour hair clip.

"Ohh Yash gave me" Navya teased blushing

"You??" Isha asked shocked, she felt this weird burning feeling.

"Yes, he is in love with me.... I mean who wouldn't!" Navya dramatically sighed

Charu snatched the clip,"bas kar, it is for Isha, see her name written" she flipped it back, Isha leaned to see what was written

Thank you for the pen, Isha :)

•••

"It's the third day tomorrow" Charu reminded Navya on call.

"I am not scared Charu so stop trying to make me" Navya replied, eating the packed momos after coming back from the party

"And that's scary" Charu said

"Shut up" Navya rolled her eyes

Charu- "Should we tell Isha?"

Navya- "No, she will pull our hair she got a nasty temper or cut off our little seasonal gifts and treats for breaking her dear Yash's gift"

Charu- "Coming to Yash, what do you think of him?"

"He is smart and charming" Navya said, he had this laid back charm, Navya bet he had several exs too

"Perfect for our Isha, I know right?" Charu gushed

"Too soon Charu, I don't trust him"

Charu- "You were talking to him quite amicably?"

Navya- "I was trying to understand him. He is careful and a good friend but good boyfriend? Nah I can't confirm that"

"Navya you are too picky with boys, this way you are also going to be single all life"

"Sorry for thinking with my head Charu, I don't go blindly for looks"

Charu- "Whatever, I pity your future boyfriend"

Navya- "Yeah, I pity him too"

they both laughed