Paakhi's POV

I Woke up to the soothing sound of my wind chimes tinkling in the wind and sun-rays pouring in my room through my opened windows.

 Curtains on my window were swaying with the wind making way for sunlight to enter with a ray of hope and positivity.

I hopped from my bed towards the window and breathed in the smell of roses and morning dew on the leaves.

"It seems to be a breezy day today!" I acknowledged to myself.

I exited my room with a spring in my step all the while recalling my time yesterday with Mr.Khadoos.

I was so nervous to go to the club yesterday because cubs aren't my thing. I can't socialize with people very easily, I like to take my own time. When Adi left with Riya and her friends to dance, I was left alone sitting on the couch. I looked around to see if I can find a familiar face and was shortly caught the attention of the devil himself.

He was sitting near the bar, Sipping his drink and for a second our eyes met.

'Paakhi it's better to go there than sitting here alone like a loser' was the first thought that came into my mind.

Each step I took was filled with anxiousness and anticipation Because I don't know how he'll react to my presence. But fortunately, he wasn't a much of a Khadoos.

Maybe I said that too soon because there where many instances where he showed his arrogant and cocky self. For Instance when he said "So why are you here? To find a sex buddy?" Resulting in my drink to projectile out of my mouth and he laughed out loud gaining our bartender's attention Or when he said so casually that Adi and Mr.Shaurya are going to have sex. I mean how can He say those words so casually?

But there was an instance that I can never forget When he
Danced with me. I loved the feeling of being in his arms.

I have never come close to someone of the opposite sex. Except for Uncle Abby and...

But when I was in Mr.Khadoo's arms I felt at peace. It was as if I belonged there. I felt protected.

The same way I felt protected in his arms. The arms of the man that vowed to protect me but he broke his promise...He left me...

"Ahem!!" came a voice beside me and disrupted my flow of thoughts.
I turned to see Maanu sitting on the floor in a very weird pose.
With her leg behind her head, I think it is one of a yoga pose.

"How can You do this?" I said admiring her flexibility.

"This is Eka Pada Sirsasana. This brings a feeling of ease and openness to your body and can lower your heart rate while boosting circulation."  She explained while still maintaining her posture.

"A simple 'Yoga pose' was self-explanatory for me. You didn't have to brag your knowledge." I said moving towards the kitchen. I mean If it is Yoga then, of course, it benefits your body only.

"You idiot, You should try this too. And I explain this to you so that it can motivate you to exercise." She said while folding up her yoga mat.
"Bro not in this life. I can't exercise. Sorry!" I said feeling dread even thinking about exercising.

"What Am I gonna do with you?" She said while walking towards me and taking her cup of warm water from my hand.

"So love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do..." I started singing in my dissonant voice.

"Shut up Paakhi!" She said while laughing.

I didn't stop rather increased my voice "Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?"

She started hitting me to stop but I didn't.

"Why are You crying like a hyena Paakhi." Came a voice from balcony doors. We looked towards it to see Aditi standing there with a mug in her hand.

"Because Maanu is forcing me to exercise and she wants you to exercise too," I said looking seriously at Maanya.

"Oh, Maanu but I don't need to work out because I burn more calories than you do, And that too in a very fun way." Was the reply from Aditi.

I couldn't control my laugh and burst out laughing.
"Your workout is gross," Maanu answered back.
"Soon baby you are going to join my club then we'll know how gross it is,"  Aditi said with a smirk. Resulting in Maanu to blush.
"I should have never told you guys about me dating." Maanu said in a whiny tone.
"Aww but that's impossible. Because you can't hide anything from us." I said cheekily and side hugged her.

"I know because I love you guys." She said laughing.

"We love you too," Adi said and hugged Maanu from the other side.

This is the best feeling. To laugh and cry with people who cherish you or understand you.

-------------------------------------------------
Later in the day, We were lounging on our sofa deciding ideas for our upcoming event when I felt the buzzing of my phone in my pocket.

I retrieved it to see a message from an unknown number.

Be ready @ 6!

-unknown

Reading this message I don't even have to think twice because only one person can be so direct and rude.

Sorry, Who's this?

-Paakhi

I waited for his reply with elation because I'm sure this will irritate him.

Viren Singh!

-unknown

Why are you messaging me?

-Paakhi

I'm acting clueless because I know he thought that I was drunk yesterday but in reality, I remember each and every second of yesterday.

I thought you were a smart girl…

-unknown

How rude! Firstly I added his Number as Mr.Khadoos and replied back...

And I thought You were gentleman but that isn't true,
right?

-Paakhi

This man irritates me to no end.

Are you always such an idiot, or do you just show off when I’m around?

-Mr.Khadoos

How dare he!!

Well, as they say: “It takes one to know one.”

-Paakhi

As much fun as it is. I have to leave. If you want to continue be ready at 6.

-Mr.Khadoos

Seriously? Why does he want to go out with me when we can't even stand each other for a second!

"Whom are you texting with?"

I looked up to see Adi stooping towards me with a very concentrated expression on her face.

"What?" I asked trying to act nonchalant.
"Whom were you texting with making all those weird expressions." Aditi asked skeptically.

"I wasn't texting anyone," I said all the while trying discreetly to hide my phone.

"Really?" She said snatching my phone from my hand and ran towards her room.

I was so perplexed that it took me a few minutes to follow her.
I banged on her door twice and When the door opened she screeched "Paakhi got a date! Oh my go-" I placed my hand on her mouth to shut her up.
"There's no date You idiot," I said snatching my phone back from her.

"Oh my God! I never thought this day will come when both of you will grow up and go on a date." She said wiping her imaginary tears.

I just stared at her with total contempt.
"Now come here both of you I will brief you about do's and dont's for your first time." She said taking my hand and yanking me towards Couch where Maanu was busy talking to Aarhan with a smile on her face and therefore missed everything that just happened here.

Aditi pushed me on the couch and went towards Maanu and yanked her phone and said "Hi, No not your beautiful but gorgeous here! Maanu will call you back after I educate her for your first time.

Oh and thank me later." She answered back in Maanu's Phone.

"Why would you do that?" Maanu asked with a gaping mouth.
"What?" Aditi asked her as if what she had said was pretty normal.
"Okay, so girls listen to me very carefully okay?" She said looking very serious.
"So are you ready to hear 'The birds and the bees' talk?" She said as if talking to children.

"Adi, We're 24 years old and know what Sex is?" Maanu said looking at Adi as if she had lost her mind.

"What? Really. And here I was so excited about Birds and bees talk." She said while groaning.

I couldn't help and burst out laughing. After a while, Maanu and Adi joined in and our house was full of our laugh.

"Oh P! We have only 4 hours before you have to leave. Get up let's get you ready." Aditi said yanking me from my comfortable position on the couch and she even ignored my groaning.

"Leave where? Where are you going?" Maanu said following us to my room.

"Paakhi has a date with Mr.Khadoos." Aditi replied while sorting through my wardrobe.

"Mr.Khadoos?" Maanu said with crossed arms and tapping foot.
I gulped few times seeing her like this and said "He..want-s to meet me for..for " shit my brain is not working right now.....What should I say..."For an event of his friend or something like that. It's strictly business." I said hoping that she doesn't ask any more questions.

"Okay! If it's business then why are you dressing up?" She further inquired.

"I'm not! Adi is forcing me to." I said pointing towards Adi who is busy going through my wardrobe.

"Found it. It's perfect." She said holding out a black bell sleeve top and my favorite pair of dark blue skinnies.

"And I know the best accessories." Maanu added and sprinted towards my vanity to retrieve my favorite gold color multi-layered necklace and my gold watch.

"Maanu bring that bracelet too," I said indicating towards my jewelry box.

She opened the box and rummaged around it but when her movements became frantic I instantly got a bad feeling and rushed towards her "Paakhi it's not here." Maanu said in a grim tone.

I picked it up and turned it upside down and rummaged through everything there but didn't found anything.

I saw Maanu and Aditi too looking around for it but they too came empty-handed.
"I lost it." I said stupefied.

They both rushed towards me and hugged me."I lost the only thing that reminded me of him."

Tears rolled down my cheeks leaving the warm feeling behind. Tear after tear fell down reminding me of his loss.
Salty drops fall from my chin, drenching my shirt.

Memories after memories were popping in my mind.
"Look!" Maanu shouted and crawled towards my dresser and crouched down to retrieve something under it.

"Found it!" She shouted and jumped up with my bracelet dangling in her hand.

Immediately I stood up and took it from her hands and hugged it close to me.
All the while Visualizing his smiling face.

"Thank you!" I said while sobbing and hugged them both close to me.
Because they are the only family or the loved one that I have.

"Enough of this Melodrama. Let's get Paakhi ready for her date." Adi said while wiping her tears.

"It's not a DATE. Adi, do you hear me?" I said emphasizing DATE.

"Ya, Yea whatever. Let's doll you up." She said excitedly and started taking out my hair straightener and stuff from my vanity.

I shook my head and clasped my bracelet back on my hand and walked towards the washroom to get a bath before I have to leave for my -? My what? Why Am I meeting him?

I don't know why but something in me is nudging me to meet him.

__________________________________
So who is it that Paakhi reminisces again and again?

Why does Viren want to meet her?

Why is Paakhi wishing to Meet Viren?

Your thoughts on this chapter?

Thank you for reading!!!

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