Paakhi's POV

As we follow her to the table where Mrs. Shekhawat is waiting for us, I can't help but look around myself and  'am impressed with the sleek and sultry atmosphere, the suede banquettes, and sparse lighting can make any meal here an intimate one.

I'm still appreciating the interior decorations around me when the sound of laughter and giggles from a nearby booth gain my attention. 

When I notice the source of laughter all the color drain from my face because in front of me not only Mrs. Shekhawat is present but also five more ladies are there.
'Paakhi baby it's the end for your business ' I say to myself.

When we approach them Mrs. Shekhawat stands up and greets us with a smile. She introduces us to her mother Tanvi, Aunts -Palak and Reshma, and her two cousins Riya and Maira.

All the ladies on the table are a pure definition of class and money. I'm feeling Very self-conscious among them and when one of the aunts looks towards me and say "So you guys are the planners that planned Pari's bday party? " I squirm in my seat and think that maybe she is saying this sarcastically because of my behavior yesterday,  So before she can say more I decide to apologize  "yes, ma'am," I reply and with determination proceed "But first I would like to apologize for the way I behaved at the Party and I can guarantee that was the last time you will see something like that. So please don't give bad reviews about us. This business is everything to us... I...  " I stop my rambling when Maanu holds my hand under the table and taps twice to say shut up. 

" Paakhi relax we are not upset about that, whereas I think we should be the one apologizing to you on behalf of Viren. Sometimes he can be a bit overwhelming. " Mrs.Shekhawat says with a smile accompanied by an understanding nod. 

"No, No, Mrs.Shekhawat please don't apologize. Let's just forget all that and move on. " Maanu asks her in her polite tone. "Yes, I think it's for the best. But first please call me Pallavi, Mrs. Shekhawat makes me feel old. " she said humorously.  "okay Pallavi!" we say together and immediately smile at each other.

And I finally heave a sigh of relief. I came here expecting the worst but these people are really nice.

"Hi I'm Riya !" comes a voice beside me. I turn to my right to see a very beautiful girl with her long, lustrous dark brown mane and chiseled face. She has a perfect set of straight teeth.

"Hi I'm Paakhi," I reply giving her my closed-lipped smile because I was afraid that my teeth might not be as straight as hers. "I love what your t-shirt says," she announces enthusiastically. I gaze down to see ' Either u live up2 ur EXPECTATIONS or give up ur AMBITIONS' written in cursive on my black t-shirt.

"Thanks," I say and smile genuinely because not everyone appreciates graphic tees, they don't get it that graphic tees say a lot about your taste and preference.

"Listen, everyone! As girls are here and it's time for lunch, so everyone first place your orders, and then we'll resume talking " declare Pallavi's aunt.

When I look through the menu I'm astonished to find so many options and varieties and It is very difficult for me to decide from all these options but at last, I decide to order something that looks very delicious in the picture next to it i.e. ratatouille spaghetti.

I just hope it is as appetizing as it looks in the picture. Because sometimes reality is far from those fictional photos in their menu.

After placing our orders. Mrs.Tanvi Singh who I really find hard to believe is  Khadoos's mother, I mean it's very surprising to see that she is the lady who gave birth to that arrogant, rude and khaados person, announce "So Paakhi and Maanya we were thinking about  an engagement party that we want you guys to plan, I mean if you can?" Maanu and I share a look and give each other the biggest smile we can muster and  I exclaim "Mrs. Singh we will be honored to plan an engagement party but whose engagement party are we planning?" 

"Mine" somebody shouts from beside me and that someone is Riya. "I mean... My engagement" she replies while blushing, her whole face is red, and seeing this everybody laughs at her, and her cousins pull her leg. She looks so cute while blushing.
I'm enjoying their bantering when our orders arrive and I'm so happy about what I ordered because it looks delicious.

When I taste it, all the flavors burst in my mouth and it is enough for me to have a foodgasm. I control myself to not make any noise while eating but it is really hard.

Everyone is enjoying their meal and making small conversations around.

I watch Maanu talking to Maira and laughing, Whereas I'm getting to know about Riya and her fiancee.

Riya and Abhi (her fiancee ) are college sweethearts. Their story is so cliche, her being a beautiful wealthy girl with all guys swooning for her attention and Abhi being a funny goofy best friend of her cousin brother Shaurya.

While talking about Abhi her eyes seem dreamy and a gentle smile caresses her lips. I can feel her love for him. Listening to someone's love story makes me happy I don't know why but it makes me feel that love does happen and maybe I'll meet somebody who'll love me, respect me, and most importantly Pamper me.

All my life I have been fending for myself and then one after the other girls came into my life and after that, I'm fending for them. But what about me? It's not that girls don't care about me but still, there is that gap in my heart that always yearns for love, acceptance, and belonging. 

Everybody finishes their meal and because we all are full so nobody is interested in having dessert. I grab my wallet to pay for the food but I notice everyone exiting the restaurant without paying the bill.

I'm confused that I ask Maanu about it and she says that maybe they have paid and we should ask them about our share. So we follow them outside the restaurant and I stop Mrs.Pallavi.

"Mrs. Pallavi, umm ...We wanted to know our share from the bill," I ask unsurely.

"Oh no no sweetie it's our restaurant we don't have to pay the bill. And also the meal was on the house ." She exclaims chucklig. 

"And thank you for coming today, we can schedule another meeting soon and discuss further arrangements. Till then take care. " She announces and enters her car.

"Of course they own the most popular restaurant in the area" Maanu mumble looking at their departing cars. I chuckle at her sarcastic tone and ask the valet to call for a cab.

In the cab, I can't sit straight because I'm buzzing with excitement.

"Manu can you believe this? I mean a few hours ago we were all anxious and prepared for the Criticism but look at us now we got hired to plan an engagement party. And not just anybody's engagement party but Singh's Party. Woooooooooohhh!!!!!!!! " I scream leaning outside the cab window.  "Paakhi... Haha... Paakhiiiiiii... Relax hahaha... I know right I mean I can't believe this too and we're really lucky to have this opportunity but we have to be more careful now because this is a big deal for us. " she says pulling me inside because the driver is yelling at us to be cautious 'Party pooper.' 

" yes! yes! We got this... " I exclaim and hug her tightly. 

_______________________________________
Hotel Bismillah above--->

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