MAANYA's POV

"Hey! Are you okay?" he asks in his hoarse voice and oh my god his voice is like dripping honey. You just can't get enough of it.

"I... I'm okay... " I reply while stuttering pathetically.

"Thank.. you for.. helping me," I say scrutinizing under his ardent gaze.

He nods and doesn't say anything, instead just stares at me. It is as if he is searching for something, I don't know what but staring in his blue orbs is the most soothing moment I have ever experienced.

"Excuse me!" I exclaim when his staring becomes annoying.

He blinks twice, scrunches up his eyebrows, and leaves.  '

'huh? what was that?' I just stood there following his retreating steps.

I don't know what happened but after a long time, I felt alive. Gazing in his eyes was as if I had passed into a dream world. Away from the harsh reality and haunting past.

'Stop standing like a fool Maanya and get back to your work!' I order myself while smiling like a fool.

I retreat to the kitchen to finish the work when I see Paakhi there, Taking a deep breath I walk towards her and stand beside her.

I notice her plating, so I too wash my hands and start helping her all the while thinking about what to say.

"You don't add mustard to rice...." I hear her voice beside me '

"huh?" I ask looking at her.

"You are adding the mustard sauce in a rice bowl," she said pointing towards the plate that I'm currently plating.

"Oh, shit !!" comes my reply when I see that I just poured all the sauce into a rice bowl instead of a burger.

"I told you before that you're inadequate in multitasking..." Paakhi utters calmly while still plating.

"I know but ....when you're mad with me I can't concentrate and always make a mess," I respond while fretting like a kid.

"I'm not mad at you Maanu, I was just overwhelmed with ...with his memories," she confesses taking a deep breath because I know even a mention of his name makes her emotional.
I immediately hug her and say "I love you!!" she immediately hugs me back.

We are still hugging when we hear "You girls don't do anything other than messing around. Show your affection somewhere else right now your love should be on your plates. " Uncle Abby scold us teasingly.

"Don't be jealous because aunty is not here," I retort suppressing a smile.

"Ya, she is working unlike you both, now move before I ground you guys." he chides tossing a hand towel at us.

We just laugh it off and go back to work.

______________________________________

Aditi's POV

After I helped the girls and Uncle Abby in preparations for the party. I hurried out of the Shekhawat mansion to go to the Boutique I'm applying for a job.

I already got the job in a showroom near the cafe but the boutique I'm going for the interview today, is located in a very upscale area and the pay there is double.

I'm sitting in the back seat eyes shut and listening to my favourite songs when my phone ping. I check it to see a message from Neel,
'My house today?'

I instantly type back, 'Nah! have to cook for girls today!' and click send.

'Aww shucks!' he replies.

'Call one of your other girls!' I type back and wait for few seconds and instantly smile when I see his reply 'Already done ;)'.

I and Neel share a very informal relationship and that is we both are available for each other when we need to satisfy our needs. We aren't dating or anything.

I do date but never get attached to anyone because love is a very risky feeling. If we love someone we allow them to hurt us.

And that is the risk I'm never ready to take.

Nevermind...

When I arrive at the mall, I get very enthusiastic and cheerfully walk towards the boutique.

I gaze into the boutique through the glass windows and get mesmerized, the boutique has an elegant interior and the dresses are all stunning, lined along the shelves sparkling in the golden light.

This is a place a girl can die for.

Its a heaven for a girl like me.

I enter and walk towards the desk in the niche of the showroom.

There is a blonde with big green eyes and full lips doing something on the computer.

I approach her and ask "Hi, Can I talk to the manager? "

The pretty blonde looks up and replies with an eyeroll " Go straight and then left."

'Great attitude bitch!' I mutter slowly and followed her instructions which lead me to a cabin door with Mrs.Moore embedded on a whiteboard with golden letters on it.

I knock twice on the door and wait for permission to enter.

When I hear a 'come in' from inside I get the same feeling that I felt when I stood in front of my school principal for making out in the janitor's closet.

And ironically she looked the same as my principal with her grayish-black hair pulled back in a bun and a large harry potter style frame resting on her nose.

"Come sit," she says in a monotonous voice.

I immediately sit down and introduced myself, "Hello, I'm Aditi."

The interview was mostly tedious but when she asked me about my higher studies I knew then there that I lost this job even before I got the opportunity.

"Why does your mark sheet say you completed your high school three years ago?" She aks confuse.

I take a deep breath and look down, "Does it mean you were -"

"Yes," I stop her to complete the sentence. Maybe she noticed my uncomfortableness and changed the subject.

"Okay, we'll let you know. Thank you for your time." I nod and slowly stand up.

But before exiting I say "Ma'am I may not have a degree in fashion or management but one thing I know is how to behave with buyers that your so-called graduate lounging at the front desk doesn't know anything about and fashion is my passion. I hope you will give me a chance before deciding that I don't deserve it." With that said I scurry out of her cabin with my head held high. My lack of education is not my baggage.

I'm very sad and angry because once again my past comes and ruins everything for me.

I hail a cab and ride back to Zayka to meet my family because they are the only people in this world that accepted me with my flaws.

______________________________________

DOES YOUR PAST ALWAYS DEFINE YOU OR YOU CAN CHANGE IT AND MAKE A NEW LIFE?

Love you guys.....
The above photo of Arhaan---->

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