A few days later...

"Thanks yaar, I don't know what I would have done without you." Abhi said to Pravisht as he sat putting on his socks. Pravisht stood there already dressed.

"Sid says that all the time." Pravisht smiled at his friend, "Although I still can't believe that you are leaving me alone with Sid. I still know nothing about Fashion shows."

"Don't worry, just give him some confidence boost. This is his first show here after his return, you have been to his shows before. And, you will be getting the backstage tickets this time."

"Well, that's the problem." Pravisht sighed, "What am I supposed to do in backstage when Sid is busy?"

"Don't be tensed, you will surely find something useful to do. Just don't run away." Abhi said as a teasing smile crept up on his face.

"Oh stop, that was just one time." Pravisht groaned.

Abhi gave him a look, "One time?"

"Maybe two.... Or three... or...Okay stop giving me that look. I know I might have ran away a few number of times but you can't bring that up every time. That's unfair." Pravisht pouted.

"Yeah and that too was with me and mom present." Abhi said making Prav sigh.

Suddenly their doorbell rang indicating the arrival of someone.

"Seems like your carriage has arrived, your highness." Pravisht joked as he got up to get the door.

"Carriage? Like seriously? Do I look like some Princess to you?" Abhi said laughing.

"I haven't decided if I consider you a princess but I am pretty sure if I don't open the door your Princess will leave without you." Pravisht said making Abhi blush deep red.

Pravisht opened the door to reveal Pranali at the doorstep. She was wearing a simple sundress which reached up to her knees. Her hair was loosely pinned up. Pravisht stared at her as she stood, everything about her outfit was super simple but she still seemed to make it look beautiful. He looked away before she could notice him staring and gave her a smile as he led her in.

"Come in, Abhi's waiting for you for hours."

"For me?" Pranali looked confused, "Why is Abhi waiting for me?"

"Aren't you here for him?" Pravisht asked Pranali but before she could reply Abhi himself came up behind them.

"Vai- Pranali? Hi" Abhi stood surprised.

Pravisht stared between the two of them before turning to Abhi, "If you weren't waiting for her then who were you waiting for?"

"Actually Vaish was supposed to be picking me up. Pranali I am so sorry, I had no clue that you were coming over." Abhi said to Pranali.

"Sid called me last minute, he was saying something about someone running away." Pranali told awkwardly as she tried her best to control her laughter at how red Pravisht's face was turning. But Abhi burst out laughing at once, "He told you that, huh?" He said still laughing. A small giggle left Pranali's mouth but she covered it up with a cough.

"Shut it guys." Pravisht said glaring at Abhi. "Come on let's get you inside." He said closing the door.

"Don't worry. I'll be there. I won't let you get bored." Pranali told Pravisht.

"I'll like to see you try. Even Maa couldn't keep him still in a show." Abhi said making Pranali giggle once more.

"Okay enough, see Vaish has arrived too." Pravisht pointed towards the window, "You two wait over here, I will let her in."

"NO WAIT." Abhi stopped Prav before he could get the door, "You can't let her in, at least right now." Abhi said taking a glance at Pranali.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Pranali...." Abhi looked at her again and suddenly she too seemed to understand what he was talking about.

"Pranali what?" Pravisht asked again.

"You have to hide her." Abhi spoke aloud.

"What? Why?" Pravisht stared at the both of them calculatingly.

"I will tell you later." Pranali whispered, "Now where to hide?"

"Abhi's room is too risky." Pravisht said considerately, "And all the guest rooms are on the other side of the house."

"What about your room?" Pranali asked.

"Can't. Sid is getting ready there." Pravisht replied.

"You can always hide in any bathroom." Abhi interrupted.

"NO" Both Pranali and Pravisht screamed together as the previous incident flashed in their heads.

"Okay geez. Go hide anywhere you like but just keep it down, Vaish is outside." Abhi said hushing them off.

"If Sid is in your room then let's go to his." Pranali suggested as she and Pravisht took off towards Sid's room.

They pulled open the door to reveal a confused looking Sid standing with two shirts in either of his hands.

"Sid, what are you doing here?" Pravisht asked as Sid looked up at them.

"What do you mean by what am I doing here? This is my room."

"But I thought, you were getting ready in my room."

"Yes I am, I just came to take a shirt but I can't decide which one to wear. But what are you two doing here?" Sid asked looking at the both of them.

"Hiding." Pravisht replied.

"Hiding? But why?"

"Vaish is here." Pranali replied.

"So, let me guess. He didn't tell her about you two?" Sid asked.

"Of course he didn't. You yourself told him not to." Pranali frowned.

" Wait, why would you tell Abhi not to introduce her to his friends?" Pravisht asked looking at Sid.

"Well, I didn't tell him not to introduce her as his girlfriend. He chickened out for that. And if he couldn't introduce you as his girlfriend then why didn't he introduce you as my friend?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? Abhi would have to introduce Pranali to her somehow or the other. How would he explain dating the girl whom he introduced as his little brother's best friend a few days ago?" Pravisht replied thoughtfully.

"That's a point but then again she IS my best friend." Sid retorted.

"That's not the point right now." Pranali spoke up, "I have to find somewhere else to hide and Sid just look at yourself. Why aren't you dressed yet?"

"I was doing that until you two came in." Sid grumbled.

"For heavens sake Sid, just get dressed." Saying that she went out of the room dragging Pravisht along with her.

"So, where's next?" Pravisht asked as they stood in the middle of the corridor, Abhi's suggestion came back in his head but before his mind could wander off Pranali turned to him.

"What about kitchen?" Pranali exclaimed happily.

"Right, how did I forget about that? Let's go."

When the both of them peered into the living room Vaish was standing there talking to Abhi with her back tuned towards them. They passed the living room as quietly as they could indicating Abhi where they were going to hide.

"What's wrong Abhi?" They heard Vaish ask before they disappeared off into the kitchen.

"There is some empty space beside the fridge." Pravisht said as they stood in the kitchen.

"Yeah but she will still be able to see me if she comes inside." Pranali pondered.

"She won't. Don't think negatively. And anyway, we don't have any other option." Pravisht said as he went to stand in the empty space and beckoned for Pranali to come in but instead of going there Pranali stood smiling at him amusedly.

"What? I know the place is small but don't worry you will fit perfectly." Pravisht said to Pranali making her burst into peals of laughter. "Why are you laughing?" Pravisht asked her confused.

"Why are you hiding? You live in this house." Pranali said smiling at him.

"Oh right. You come here." Pravisht said scratching his head sheepishly, Pranali went to stand in the corner doing her best to conceal herself.

"So, when is Abhi going to tell Vaish then?" Pravisht asked Pranali.

"Uhm...I.." Pranali searched for her words.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to make you awkward."

"No I'm not. Actually, I know that they are very close so I think that it should be his choice what to tell her." Pranali said carefully enough not to slip off their 'fake dating' secret.

"Yeah I understand. Vaish, Abhi and Sumu practically grew up together. As for Abhi and Vaish, I always used to think that they..." But Pravisht stopped before completing the full sentence as if remembering something.

"Vaish and Abhi what? Oh come on Prav, speak up. I don't mind." Pranali said giving him a smile.

"Well, I always thought that they would end up together." Pravisht ended his sentence guiltily.

"Oh. So, was their anything... I mean did they...?" Pranali trailed off unable to finish the sentence.

"Not that anyone could tell but I think that they have the spark, you know? It felt like they were always in denial of what they felt, just because they are best friends. I mean, my parents were best friends too. And I wouldn't be here if they too had kept their feelings to themselves. Oh shit, I am not supposed to tell you this, am I?" Pravisht stared at her with a guilty look, "I got a bit carried away."

But Pranali just waved him off smiling. She had no objection in listening about Abhi's probable love life, he was a god friend and if there really is some spark or any hidden feelings maybe she herself could get him to confess them. But her line of thoughts were interrupted as she head some footsteps approaching them.

"I just need water Abhi, I can take it myself." Vaish's voice floated towards them as they realized with a jolt that Abhi and Vaish were coming to the kitchen.

"What do we do now?" Pranali asked worriedly.

"Don't worry I'll cover you if they come, she won't spot you." Pravisht said as he took his place in front of her covering the little portions which would be visible otherwise. Soon after, Vaishnavi entered the kitchen with a very nervous looking Abhishek tailing after her.

"Hey Prav." Vaish stopped taking a look at Pravisht, "How are you? It's been months since I last saw you."

"Just work, you know how it is." Pravisht replied smiling.

"Yeah right, I came for a glass of water." She said as she went up to reach for a glass giving time to Pravisht to indicate Abhi once again. Abhi nodded as he went towards Vaish.

"You got the glass, now let's go. We have water on the dining table." Abhi said trying to drag her out of the kitchen.

"No, I think I want some cold water." Vaish said as she started approaching the fridge but Abhi could only see Pravisht shaking his head vigorously. Having nothing else to do Abhi pulled Vaish towards him so fast that she crashed straight into his chest and then directly into his arms as she lost her balance, the glass went tumbling from her hands and it rolled down to god knows where and Pravisht stood in his place with his eyes as big as saucers.

It must have been the most awkward day for Pravisht. There he was, with Abhi in front of him with his best friend in his arms, their eyes locked with each other. Normally he would have been happy and he would have probably teased them but now, with Abhi's girlfriend hiding behind him he did not know what to feel.

Abhi and Vaish's eye lock was broken by a cough from the direction of the kitchen door. Both of them turned to see an amused looking Sid standing with the glass in his hand.

"I saw this rolling out of the kitchen." Sid smirked as he placed it on the counter. Abhi and Vaish steadied themselves quickly before the situation could get more awkward.

"Bhai, I thought that you two left already. Weren't you supposed to pick someone up from the airport?" Sid said with a suggestive smile on his face. Pravisht looked more confused than ever.

"Yeah right, we have to leave. Come on Abhi. We are already late." Vaish said as she quickly went out of the kitchen and straight towards the main door. Abhi too ran to catch up with her.

"What about water?"

"We can get it later." That was the last thing they heard Vaish mutter before they heard the front door close. Pranali finally came out of her hiding point with a relieved sigh.

"Now come on, what are you two waiting for? My show starts in an hour." Saying this Sid too dragged his best friends out of the kitchen towards his car.