A month later...

Mallika stood in the kitchen chopping vegetables when Preesha entered the house, still on her phone but once she registered the sight of Mallika in the kitchen, she proceeded towards her frowning.

"Miku, what in the world are you doing in the kitchen?"

Mallika looked up absentmindedly, hearing her sister call but in that process she missed the knife as it landed straight on her finger instead of the capsicum she was chopping.

"Ouch."

Preesha sighed as she picked up the first aid box and motioned for her sister to come and sit beside her.

"Its just a scratch di, you dont have to worry about it." Mallika said but Preesha just pulled her to the sofa.

"That's why you shouldnt be allowed in the kitchen, its as if you move with a sign-board on your forehead spelling 'Kitchen Catastrophes'." Preesha said while applying the ointment.

"Sorry di, I didnt mean to worry you. You still have to change and freshen up but I..."

"I can freshen up later, nothing is more important than my sister right now. So tell me, what were you doing in the kitchen?"

"Chopping vegetables...?" Mallika tried to reply but it came out as more of a question.

"Yeah right," Preesha scoffed, "At 1 a.m.? Stop kidding around and tell me the real reason. Is it about Abhi?"

Mallika blushed but shook her head as Preesha finally looked up at her after securing her band-aid.

"So?"

"Tunisha's getting married." Mallika replied finally.

"Oh."

Mallika looked up at the confused tone in her sisters voice, "What's wrong?"

"Well, when I brought you here I kinda thought that you were having 'boy trouble' although its similar if its 'girl trouble' but..."

"Okay stop, Tunishas just a friend di." Mallika said turning red at her sisters implications.

"OH. So who... wait, wait. I got it. Its Sumedh, isnt it?" Preesha smiled with triumph at the look on her sisters face, "So what, did something happen?"

"Yes. No, I'm not sure." Mallika sighed.

"Uhm... elaborate?"

"Well, I thought something happened but the next day it was like, there was nothing. And now even Im not sure if it really did happen or was it all just in my head. And you were not there so I came to the kitchen. What should I do?"

"Hmm, if you ask me then there are two things you can do." Preesha replied thoughtfully.

"What?"

"You can just confront him, you know? Tell him how you feel and ask him about his feelings. Be confident and straightforward." Preesha smiled.

"I will go with option two." Mallika said as Preesha facepalmed.

"You don't even know what option two is."

"Whatever it is, I just know that option two is never worse than option one." Mallika replied adamantly.

"Alright, so you can just deal with it calmly. Dont go into panic mode, never go near kitchen, and behave as if everything is alright. Be yourself and just flirt around a bit. See how he takes it."

"F-flirt?"

"Yeah, maybe hes scared too just as you are."

"I-Im not scared." Mallika pouted.

"Then why are you stuttering?" Preesha asked with raised eyebrows.

"I-- Okay, much about me. Why are YOU coming back at 1 a.m.? You already work so hard all day."

"You are changing the topic." Preesha pointed out.

"Maybe I am but your health is important too. Don't you know how much we worry about you?" Mallika said glaring at her sister.

"That reminds me, hows Jaan?"

"She's sleeping, tucked in her bed. Now dont change the topic. You need some break di."

"I know, I know. I will, its just we have an important meeting tomorrow so I had to do some last minute re-checks."

"Alright, but promise me you will take a break after tomorrow?" Mallika prodded.

"Ok, now go to bed. I have to get refreshed as well." Saying that Preesha got up to leave.

"By the way, Adi Bhais in town." Mallika said making Preesha halt. And he will be for a while.

"Oh, thats nice". Preesha replied from where she was standing.

"Yeah it is. I was thinking what if he comes and stays with us? I even brought up the topic a bit.."

"So, what did he say?" Preesha said finally turning to face her sister.

"He said he doesnt want to be a burden."

"He isn't. Its a huge house and you two love his company." Preesha smiled.

"Last time he visited was years ago and even then you were always out working, you didnt even see him around and this time we will be at work too. So if he agrees to my proposal you have gotta stick around. Maybe he will be able to make you understand that you dont have to work all the time. You were a lot more fun when you guys were friends." Mallika huffed.

"We are friends. We just got busy in our work."

"Yeah, then make time for each other. And anyway, you work way too much for your own good."

"Alright, tell him to come. I will make sure he's well taken care of. Did you tell jaan? "

"No, he wants to surprise her."

"Ok, go to sleep." Preesha said chasing her off the living room and then with a sigh she flopped down on the sofa.

*****

"I dont see why they cant sit with us, theres enough space to fit us all." Reem said gesturing to the vacant space.

"Uhh... well, Pranali will tell you ,won't you Pranali?" Sid said gesturing towards his friend with pleading eyes.

"Ye-yeah, I just had some really boring questions for Pravisht and wouldnt want to bore you guys as well." Pranali replied giving her best friend a well aimed glare. Bur Reem just gave her a knowing smile.

"Yeah alright, you two go sit together. Btw, I understand. I am your friend, you guys dont have to give excuses."

"No no, it isnt what you think it is." Pranali intervened.

"What isnt what that who thinks what is?" The boy in question appeared with four milkshakes in a plate.

"Huh?" All the three of them stared at him as if he was from some other planet.

"I mean, what are you guys talking about?" Pravisht explained himself.

"Nothing." Siddharth and Pranali said together as Reem said, "I was just telling Pri that its more than alright if you guys wanna sit together. You two make such a cute couple." Making Siddharth facepalm as Pranali gave Siddharth another fierce glare.

Pravisht stared wide eyed at the three before blushed a bit and corrected Reem, "No its really not what you think. Pranali had some questions about my work and anyway, shes dating Abhi so..."

"Abhi?" Reem frowned.

"My brother." Siddharth replied shakily.

"Oh, I am so sorry. I just thought... I really shouldnt have assumed..."

"No its alright. You guys enjoy." Pranali said as she pulled Pravisht away with her to save everyone from further embarrassment.

"So, she really was doing some sort of interview.?" Reem asked as both of them watched where Pravisht and Pranali were seated two seats away from them and Reem could see Pranali noting something down in her copy as Pravisht explained something to her.

"Yeah." Siddharth gave an awkward grin. "So, did you sign the contract?"

"Of course I did, Mrs. Rathod is an amazing person and I kinda know a designer from the team." Reem gave a sheepish smile.

"Really? I know someone too." Sid exclaimed surprised.

"Wait a minute, the designer you know, by any chance is her name Vaishnavi Rao?" Reem asked.

"Yeah, you know her?" Sid asked but Reem was too busy murmuring to herself suddenly she looked up.

"You said your brother's name is Abhi, and your surname is Nigam, I thought it was a coincidence at first but you brother isn't Abhishek Nigam, is he?"

"You-you know my brother?" Siddharth blinked his eyes in astonishment but Reem didnt need to answer as they were interrupted by another surprised voice.

"Sid, Rimi what are you two doing together?"

Siddharth turned to see Abhi standing behind them with a confused expression.

"So you are Abhi's brother." Reem smiled as she got up to hug Abhi.

"Wait, I am confused. What's going on?" Abhi said glancing between the two.

"I am too.." Siddharth said still looking lost, "How do you two know each other?"

"We did a movie together Sid, dont you remember?" Abhi said smiling.

"But wasnt her name Rimi—Reem .. OH." Sid suddenly exclaimed, realization dawning upon him. "Thats why you looked familiar, but it was 4-5 years before so I couldnt place you..."

"I know, even I was looking for resemblance." Reem laughed.

"Wait, so how do you two know each other again?" Abhi asked.

"We met in the Fashion Show last month." Siddharth supplied.

"Oh, so thats why you bailed on us for Sumedh's party." Abhi said finally coming on track.

"Yeah, sorry for that but I knew about Tunus engagement so..." Reem grinned.

"So, what are you two doing here?" Abhi asked.

"What do you mean what are we doing here, we are friends." Reem said as she poked Abhi in the ribs.

"Well, we also wanted to discuss Vishu Di's contract." Siddharth said receiving an amused glance from Reem.

"Oh well, I will leave you both to it then. I was just getting some coffee." Abhi said as he turned around but Reem stopped him.

"Not so fast."

"Whats wrong?" Abhi frowned as he saw Reems mischievous grin. "What is cooking inside that head of yours?"

"I just heard that you and Pranali are a thing." Reem smirked making Abhis eyes go wide in a deer-caught-in-headlights expression, "What did you think, I wont get the news? The girls are so excited to meet her, wont you bring her to meet your friends?"

Abhis line of thoughts was interrupted by a choking sound from their back. He turned to see Pravisht gently patting Pranali on her back to stop her choking.

"Oh dear, you didnt tell her, did you?" Reem asked once Pranali stopped choking, "How long were you planning to stall it. It has been like... a month."

Abhi was too shocked to make so many encounters to answer as he continued staring at Pranali and came back to his senses as Reem snapped her fingers in front of his eyes.

"What are you two doing here?" Abhi managed to ask finally.

"Watching the show..." Pravisht grinned.

"Well, that was until I came in as a surprise guest." Pranali completed.

"I am sorry, I wanted to tell you but..."

"Its alright." Pranali waved him off.

"And, sorry for making you choke." Abhi grinned guiltily.

"No harm done." Pranali nodded again.

"Yeah...so I'll be off. Bye guys." And without saying anything more Abhi disappeared as quickly as he came.

"What is it with him, he didnt even take the coffee." Pravisht frowned.

"Let him be, your brother is weird like that." Reem said to Sid as she sat back down next to him. Pranali and Pravisht too went back to their seats but not before Reem whispered something in Pranalis ears.

"Looks like youre about to get an eventful experience." Pravisht smiled knowingly.

"What do you mean by that?" Pranali gulped.

"Just that: Abhis friends are crazy. But dont worry, you must be used to that."

"Meaning?"

"Well you were friends with Sid for years, you have definitely seen enough craziness."

"And you?"

"What about me?" Pravisht raised his left eyebrow in a questioning gesture.

"Are you supposed to be the normal one in the group?" Pranali formed words for her unspoken question.

"Oh no darling, I am plenty crazy. You just havent got a chance to see it yet."Saying that he winked making Pranalis mouth drop open.