Paakhi's POV

Party was in the full swing and everyone was enjoying themselves.

I made sure that everyone was attended to properly and when I saw Khadoos dancing with his sister I couldn't help but remember us dancing.

After one song I excused myself and went to the kitchen because I couldn't stand any more time near him.

The most surprising thing was that we didn't say a word to each other throughout the whole song.

We just stared at each other and danced.

"Paakhi dear, we have a small problem here ." came uncle Abby's voice bringing me out of my thoughts.

"What happened ?" I asked impatiently forgetting all about Mr. Khadoos.

"Come with me," he said and took me to the kitchen.

When we reached there he immediately turned serious and said
"Some of the plates were broken when I grabbed them out of the box. " with uncertainty in his voice.

"And? " I prompted when he didn't say anything.

"Umm ...we don't have a backup... "

"What?! " I yelled with dread in my voice.
"How is that possible? I always ask you guys to put backup for everything. So how did you forget about that? " I asked angrily to the staff who had stopped working and were now listening to me.
Because they know I don't appreciate tardiness and irresponsibility in my work.

"Now what are we going to do? " I said pacing around and thinking for an alternative.

I decided to call girls when I realized that Maanu had left her phone in the kitchen and uncle Abby told me that Adi is attending an important call.
So I immediately exited the kitchen to find Maanu.

I looked around to find her when I saw her at the bar with Aarhan? Huh... Why is she with him?

I dismissed those thoughts from my mind and walked towards her.
When she saw me coming towards her with a frown on my face she immediately understood that something is wrong.

"P what happened? " she asked with a frown on her face.

"Maanu we have a big problem. Come with me," I said excusing us from Aarhan.

"Wait! I'm sorry guys to listen to your talk but if there is something I can help you with then please let me know. " he said more to Maanya then me.

"Oh no no Mr. Singh! Everything is under control. You just enjoy the party. " I said with a smile and dragged Maanu to the kitchen where I told her everything.

We both were thinking of an alternative when I saw a bartender coming to us and asking about the stock.

"Maanu you think of something and I'll take him to the back room where we have stocked drinks. " to which she nodded and I went towards the backroom with that bartender in tow.

When we reached that backroom I saw many cartons lying around and Some piled up.

I pointed to the carton he had to take and started looking in other cartons to see if I can find something that we can use.

I was peering around when I saw a carton on the shelf and white crockery set in it.

I was so pleased to see it and immediately turned around to go to the kitchen and ask someone to bring them to me.

I barely exited the backroom to go to the kitchen when I heard audible sounds coming from my right side where I know some couches and extra chairs were kept.

I thought I should just leave from there but when I heard a whimper and more shouting I couldn't help myself and decided to peep from behind the wall.

I saw a man dressed in a suit and a beautiful woman in front of him.
What mattered to me the most was that she was whimpering and he had a tight grip on her elbows.

I knew what was happening there and so I decided to interfere before he can hurt her anymore.

I decided to take a few steps back lightly and then walk towards them intentionally making my heels sound more prominent.

As expected when they heard me coming towards them. He sprung away from her.

"Oh sorry! I didn't know anyone was here," I said acting as if I was confused.

"She had a bit of wardrobe malfunction and this place was near so we came here," he said rather rudely.

"Oh! Ma'am do you need help? " I asked her.
But before she could say anything, he said "No! We are just leaving. "

He exited and she followed behind him without a word.

I just stood there for a few seconds when I felt my phone chiming and saw Maanu calling me.

I immediately went towards the kitchen and informed Maanu and everyone else about the crockery in the backroom.

Everyone went back to their work.
So Maanu and I exited the kitchen and went back to the party.

We were standing to the side when I saw Aditi entering the hall.

I waved at her and she came towards us.
"Whom were you calling for so long? " Maanu asked her.

"Oh, it was from a colleague at boutique... We are becoming good friends so she was just telling me something. " Aditi said while running her hands through her hair.

When I saw a small red mark below her ear. "Adi, what is that? " I said moving towards her.

But she immediately took a step back and said "What? There is nothing P. " she said adjusting her hair.

"Let me see? " I said in my mama's voice.

To which she just rolled her eyes and said "It's a hickey! "
"What?! " I said soon fleeing my hand back.

"You are an animal," Maanu said laughing.
"Where did you even did the deed? " I said teasingly.

To which Aditi Smirked and said " Elevator. " ...to which I and Maanu together said "Fifty shades of grey style? " and laughed because that was the first that came into our minds after hearing that.

"With whom? Maanu further pried.

"None of your business " Aditi replied and moved towards the bar.

I saw Mr. & Mrs. Singh talking to some guests and decided to go ask them about the dinner.

When we approached them I saw them smiling at us and introducing us to one of their business associates.
"So Sharma these are the lovely ladies that have organized this beautiful party," said Mr. Singh to Mr.Sharma.

We got to know that Mr. Sharma is one of the best hoteliers in India.

We were glad to know that they are thinking about celebrating their hotel's anniversary and wanted us to plan it.

We exchanged our cards and then they excused themselves.

I turned towards Tanvi and Manav Singh and said " Dinner is ready! Whenever you'll tell we'll make the announcement. "

" I think it's time for dinner," Mr. Manav said checking his watch.
"Wait I think Viren should make the announcement after his talk. " he said waving towards Viren to come near us.

When he approached us he stood directly beside me and I could smell his cologne mixed with his aftershave.

"Viren I think you should make the speech and then tell everyone that dinner is ready. " Mr. Manav said to him.

"Okay Dad!" he nodded and started his way towards the stage.

"Paakhi dear I think you should inform the chef and waiters " Tanvi aunty said.

I too nodded and turned to ask Maanu to come with me but when I looked around  I saw her talking to Aarhan.

So I just shook my head and went into the kitchen to inform the staff.

Everybody started running around and all the waiters were ready with plates in their hand and I waited for a message till Khadoos completes his speech and then I got a message from Adi and that was our que.

One after the other waiters were departing the kitchen and I too followed them to see everyone seated around and ready for their first course.

I stood to the side taking in everything and was happy to see people appreciating the taste.

After the second course, we decided to take a round around tables to see if anyone needs anything or not.

I was passing by the main table where Riya and Abhi's family was seated together to see The couple from earlier sitting their.

Hmm... That means they are family...

I was still looking over them when I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Maanu saying"P what are you looking at? I have been calling you for a few minutes now. "

I wanted to tell her about my encounter with that couple but thought better of it.

"Umm, nothing... I was just checking that everything is okay," I said with a smile.

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Finally, I sighed with relief when I saw all the guests leaving.

Now only youngsters were left and were chatting with coffee mugs in their hand.

"Paakhi come here!" Riya said when she saw me standing there looking around.
She waved me over to the table where they were seated.
I took a seat between Maanu and Adi and was more than happy because my legs were almost paining.

I elbowed Adi in her side to gain her attention.
"Oww!! P? " she said while rubbing her side.

Oh, I guess I hit her hard.

"Can you pass me my medicine? " I said smiling innocently.
She glared at me and gave me my painkillers.
I smiled at her and took the bottle of water in front of me and gulped it.

"Paakhi are you okay? " asked Riya eyeing my now empty hand.
"Ya ya, it's just that today in the morning I had a small accident and sprained my foot. "

"oh take care," she said smiling and went back to her conversation with Shaurya.

I looked around my table to see Adi and Maira talking about fashion and on my other side, I saw Maanu and Aarhaan talking.

"So? What's happening," I asked interrupting them mid-conversation.
"What nothing... We were just conversing. " Maanya shrugged giving me the look that says 'don't -speak-rubbish '.

"what are you guys talking about that it's been going on all evening," I said with a smirk.

Both Aarhan and Maanu blushed.

Aww so cute.

Finally, I see Maanu happy with someone. I knew it will take a little try from the right person to make her happy again.

I have seen quite a few times both of them together and during that time I see Maanu genuinely happy.

I just hope they are really meant to be and stand by each other.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I saw my phone ringing.
I picked it up when I saw one of my staff calling me and telling me to say they are leaving.

I stood up but didn't wear my stilettoes as my leg was paining and walked barefoot to the kitchen to see everything was packed and my staff was loading it in the truck near the backdoor.

When everything was finished, I locked the backdoor and decided to tell everyone that we are packed and ready to leave. I pushed the kitchen door to exit when I was slammed into something.

By the smell of his cologne, I know who it is and cursed my luck because right now I can't face him. After that dance something changed. I don't know what it is but there is something.

Slowly I tilted my head to see him looking at me with a weird look in his eyes

"Umm... I'm sorry". I said immediately backing away.
He didn't say anything but just turned around and started walking.

Khadoos!!

I too followed him to see that hall was empty.
No one was around.
I was about to call Adi to ask her where they are when I heard Mr. Khadoos saying "Everyone left and girls are outside waiting for you. "

I immediately went to our table to pick up my stilettoes from under it and followed him outside.

While we were walking... Actually, he was walking and I was limping he mumbled something.

"huh? " I said dumbfounded because I was focusing more on my pain than him.

"I don't repeat my words," he said irritatedly.

"What a jerk !" I mumbled.

Maybe he heard me because he glared at me to which I glared back.

"Crazy girl" he mumbled. But I heard it and said "Khadoos".

Our banter would have continued if I wouldn't have noticed Adi, Maanu, and Aarhan standing there.

I rushed towards them ignoring my pain and stood with them.

"Okay, girls I'll drop you home. So please have a seat," he said opening his car's backdoor for us.

"What a gentleman! " I said loudly looking at Mr. Khadoos taunting him.

To which he just rolled his eyes.

I entered first and then Adi entered.

"Shift" Said Maanu.
"Why? Go Sit with Aarhan in front he is not our driver. " I said so that they can sit together.

To which Aarhan opened the passenger door for her.

When we started moving I heaved a sigh of relief and comfortably adjusted myself and shut my eyes.

Today was a very rough day but thankfully everything went without any glitch.

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