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Anu’s eyes widened in surprise as she spotted Mahir walking up with Bela. “Mahir! I didn’t know you were coming!” she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face. “But I’m glad you did. It’s been long since we hung out.”

Before Mahir could respond, Anu pulled him into a warm hug, her usual bubbly self shining through despite whatever had been bothering her earlier.

After the hug, she stepped back and gestured toward the tall young man standing beside her. “Mahir, Bela, this is Lakshya Kapoor,” she said with a smile. “Lakshya, these are my best friends—Mahir and Bela.”

Lakshya offered a friendly nod and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you both. Anu’s told me a lot about you.”

Mahir shook Lakshya’s hand firmly, his earlier skepticism still lingering slightly, but he forced a polite smile. “Nice to meet you too, Lakshya.”

Bela gave him a warm smile and a quick handshake. “Good to meet you, Lakshya. Thanks for keeping Anu company.”

Anu beamed, clearly happy to have her friends and new acquaintance together.

“Shall we head inside, then? It’s about time we had some fun!” she suggested, trying to keep the energy upbeat.

Mahir, still a bit wary but determined to keep things light for Anu’s sake, nodded. “Yeah, let’s go in. It’ll be good to catch up.”

With that, the four of them headed into the pub, the music and laughter inside promising a night of distraction and hopefully some much-needed relaxation.

----

Mahir leaned in toward Anu, his voice laced with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked softly.

Anu gave him a reassuring smile, shaking her head lightly. “Absolutely, Mahir. I’m fine, really.”

As they settled into their seats, Lakshya took charge of ordering drinks for the group. When the waiter returned, Bela politely declined the alcoholic beverages, opting for a cool drink instead.

“Come on, at least have a beer,” Anu teased, nudging her playfully.

Bela shook her head with a small smile. “I just don’t feel like drinking today,” she said, taking a sip of her cool drink.

As the evening progressed and everyone began to relax, Lakshya noticed the subtle tension in Mahir’s demeanor. He decided to break the ice, sensing the need to build a bridge between them. Lakshya stood up and casually moved to sit beside Mahir, offering a friendly smile.

“You know, I think I’ve met you before,” Lakshya started, catching Mahir’s attention.

Mahir looked at him, slightly puzzled. “Oh? Where would that be?” he asked.

Lakshya chuckled. “You organized my cousin’s wedding two months ago. The one in Jaipur? Your team did an amazing job. My cousin couldn’t stop raving about how smoothly everything went,” he explained, his tone genuinely appreciative.

Recognition dawned on Mahir’s face as he recalled the event. “Ah, yes! I remember now. That was a fun wedding to plan,” Mahir said, a smile forming on his lips.

“Your cousin was one of the most laid-back grooms I’ve ever met. He even surprised us by tipping the entire staff. It was a great experience.”

Lakshya nodded enthusiastically. “He was thrilled with how everything turned out, thanks to you. I’ve always been impressed with how you manage things so efficiently. It’s not an easy job, but you make it look effortless.”

Mahir felt himself relaxing, a sense of camaraderie building between them.

Lakshya’s genuine appreciation and easy-going nature started to dissolve the skepticism Mahir had initially felt.

“Thanks, I appreciate that. It’s always nice to hear feedback like that,” Mahir replied, his smile now more relaxed.

As the two men continued their conversation, talking about work, shared experiences, and even cracking a few jokes, Bela watched them from across the table.

She noticed how Mahir’s earlier wariness had been replaced with laughter and ease. She couldn’t help but smile to herself, shaking her head slightly.

“Men,” she thought, amused. “They can go from strangers to friends in the span of a drink.”

It was a relief to see Mahir letting his guard down. The night was shaping up to be much better than she’d anticipated.

-----

Anu, brimming with energy, suddenly grabbed Bela’s hand and pulled her toward the dance floor. The music was infectious, and she couldn’t resist the urge to dance. As they reached the center of the floor, she turned around and called out to the guys, waving them over.

“Come on, join us!” she shouted over the music, her excitement contagious.

Mahir, still sitting at the table, shook his head with a sheepish grin.

“I’m good, Anu. I can’t dance to save my life,” he admitted, trying to wave off her invitation.

Anu laughed, rolling her eyes at his reluctance. “As if we’re entering a dance competition! Come on, nobody cares how we dance, Mahir. It’s about having fun!”

She wasn’t taking no for an answer. She marched back to him, grabbed his arm, and gave it a playful tug. “It wouldn’t look good if you just sat there while the atmosphere is so inviting,” she teased, pulling him up to his feet.

Mahir sighed but couldn’t help but smile at her persistence. “Alright, alright,” he said, giving in as she dragged him toward the dance floor.

Lakshay watched the scene unfold with a mix of admiration and wistfulness. It was clear how close-knit this group of friends was, something he had always craved but never quite found. In his life, he had encountered too many people who were only around for what they could gain, not for genuine companionship. Seeing the easy, unspoken bond between Anu, Mahir, and Bela made him realize just how special their friendship was.

As they reached the dance floor, the music picked up tempo, and Anu and Bela immediately started to move to the beat, laughing and encouraging Mahir to join in. Mahir, though hesitant at first, eventually began to loosen up, his awkward attempts at dancing only making everyone laugh harder.

Lakshay smiled as he watched them, feeling a warm sense of belonging begin to creep in. He decided to join them on the dance floor, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he had finally found the kind of friendship he had been searching for all along.

----

As the upbeat rhythm gradually faded, the DJ smoothly transitioned into a slow, melodic tune that filled the room with a warm, romantic ambiance.

The crowd on the dance floor began to pair off, and soon the four friends found themselves in two duets, naturally drawn to each other as the music guided their movements.

Bela and Mahir faced each other, the initial playfulness in their eyes replaced by something softer, more intimate. Mahir placed a gentle hand on Bela’s waist, pulling her closer as they began to sway to the music.

Bela rested her hands on his shoulders, her eyes locked on his. The melody seemed to carry them into their own little world, where everything else faded away. The closeness between them was undeniable, the unspoken connection growing stronger with each passing moment.

On the other side of the dance floor, Lakshya and Anu mirrored their movements. Lakshya, though initially uncertain, soon found a rhythm with Anu, his hand resting lightly on her back as they swayed together.

Anu looked up at him with a smile, her earlier frustration seemingly forgotten in the warmth of the moment. Lakshya’s gaze softened as he looked down at her, appreciating the easy grace with which she moved, and the way the soft light caught in her hair.

The music fluttered gently, wrapping around them like a comforting embrace. Bela and Mahir moved as if in sync with the notes, their steps effortless as they glided across the floor. Bela felt a sense of calm wash over her, a feeling of being exactly where she needed to be—in Mahir’s arms, in this moment.

Lakshya and Anu, too, seemed to fall into a rhythm that felt natural, as if they had danced together a thousand times before. Anu, always full of energy and life, found a surprising tranquility in the way Lakshya held her, his presence steady and reassuring.

As the melody continued, the four of them, though surrounded by others, existed in pairs that felt entirely their own. The music became a backdrop to the unspoken emotions swirling between them—a night that was supposed to be about fun and laughter turning into something deeper, more meaningful.

And in that dance, under the soft lights and tender music, they all felt a little closer, not just to each other, but to the emotions they were slowly beginning to understand.

-----

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