"Huh?" She couldn't help but feel goosebumps erupting all over her skin.
Nakul was still holding her hand with their eyes locked together.

"Uh. This is what friends do, don't they?" Nakul replied quickly and she nodded feeling a little disappointment.

But why was she upset?
Did she expect more?
After all he was just her friend. A friend who cared for her.

"Okay. Did you make the call today?" She asked him, changing the subject.

"Yeah. Don't worry about that." He replied calmly.

"Okay!" She got up to leave.

"By the way, I wanted to ask you something?" He interjected.

"Yeah. Go ahead."

"Actually our firm has recently signed a huge business contract with an investor which is a very big achievement for our firm so tomorrow there'll be a party at the investors place." He paused to look at her.

"So you want me to look after Aakash when you'll be at the party?" She said and he shook his head.

"Not exactly! I want you both at the party with me." He cleared her confusion.

Ambar couldn't believe what he just said.
She had never been to any business parties as anyone's date.

'But you're not his date! You're just his friend slash employee.' Her subconscious snapped.

"Are you sure?" She asked him.

"Yes, there will be kids in the party too and even you'll get some different atmosphere there." He murmured.

"Alright! I'll also get Aakash ready." She smiled.

"That would be great." He grinned.

"Okay! Thank you for dressing up my wound." She thanked him being grateful.

"Ambar, I wasn't bluffing when I said that seeing any of you hurt makes me feel galled and piqued. Please be careful always and thank you for saving Aakash, today. You're a good at your job." He smiled lastly.

"I will but even I wasn't kidding when I said that I love that boy a lot more than you can ever imagine and don't thank me for something which was nothing but my responsibility too." She said before leaving him with his face brightening with a breathtaking smile.

He sighed and picked up some of his files and started working on them.

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"Amy! What are you doing?" Aakash asked her while entering her room.

"I'm just picking out a dress." She told him whilst she was still searching her closet for a suitable dress.

"For the party?" He asked and she immediately turned to him.

"You know?" She whispered, stunned.

"Yes! I heard Chachu talking on the phone." He shrugged.

"So you don't mind if we all go together, tomorrow?" She asked him.

"No but actually yes because I don't like it. As Dadda and Mumma used to take me to attend those boring parties, I still don't want to." Aakash replied with a sad smile.

"Even Amy would be attending one with you this time." She poked him and he chuckled.

"Those parties are too ....too boring. I also attended one with Mumma last year. All those crazy aunties were just pulling my cheeks each and every time." He recalled the past instance and instantly covered his face with his little palms.

"Oh! Really, like this!" She laughed and pulled his cheek.

"Amy, please." He whined throwing daggers at her.

"Oh, you look so cute when you are mad like this." She awed.

"Even you're cute but tomorrow you have to look beautiful." The boy commented.

"So I am not beautiful?" She pouted teasing him.

"No.. You are but you'll look more beautiful tomorrow." Aakash said and she laughed.

"Okay! Kiddo we'll see about that tomorrow later on but for now I'll get us something because I can hear your stomach growling with mine." She ruffled his hair, giggling.

"I want grilled sandwiches." He prompted.

"Okay sir."

------------------------------
He rubbed his eyes once he was on the stairs.

"Hey, haven't you slept yet?" Nakul asked Ambar seeing her seated on the couch in the living area as she was engrossed in reading a book.

"I'll sleep in some time." She replied, still fixing her eyes on the book.

"Do you need anything?" She looked up at him, feeling his gaze on her.

"Can you make me cup of coffee?" He requested.

"Yeah sure but don't you want to sleep?" She enquired and he exhaled.

He didn't wish to go to his bed again. Another nightmare was troubling him which didn't let him sleep anymore.
He decided to work instead but as soon as he opened the door of his room, he spotted the lights on in the living area.

"I have to work. I have an important presentation tomorrow." He replied and she nodded.

"Okay!" She started moving towards the kitchen but stopped when she noticed some worried lines on his forehead.

"You look stressed, is it because of your work?"

"No, it's nothing." He shook his head.

"Won't you come with me?" She asked him.

"Where?" He was absent minded.

"Obviously! To the kitchen?" She asked.
"No... You get it for me. I'll wait here." She refreshed her memory of Aakash telling her that his chachu feared fire so she didn't budge him to join her and he perched on the couch.

Few minutes later, she was back with two mugs of hot coffee.

"Here." She handed him one of the mugs.

"Won't you sleep?" He queried eyeing her mug.

"Actually I want to finish this book. It's intriguing me to complete it and until then I don't think that I'll be able to gather any sleep." She chuckled slightly.

"What are you reading by the way?" He sipped his coffee.

"Romantic thriller." She answered.

"Are you?" He looked astonished.

"Yes. What? Don't judge me. I'm not among those who like non fiction and anything business related. I like cliché." She made a poker face which lead him to let out a hearty laugh.

"Yes I get it. I'm boring but I can do exciting stuffs too. You'll soon know." He winked.

"Care to enlighten?" She closed her book.

"Did you finish your reading?" He stared at her wide eyed.

"Don't change the topic and tell me." She demanded.

"You'll know on Aakash's birthday." He smirked.

"Oh God! Don't tell me that you sabotaged my plan to implement yours." She frowned and he smiled.

"No matter how exciting that sounds to me but we are still going to implement your plan. My surprise is just an add on. A gift." He assured.

"Really! Then tell me about your gift." She eyed him with curiosity.

"Ms. Hunky Dory. You have to wait after all patience is always fruitful." He smiled before going for another sip.

"Don't try to use proverbs here. I suck at those." She sulked.

"Fine then wait for six more days." He was adamant to not reveal anything to her.

"But it's too long. Almost a week." She argued.

"Only few days and you'll get to know only when Aakash will get his surprise." He didn't give up and kept on relishing his coffee with a little bit of mockery.

"Now I don't even wish to read my book. Good night Mr. Grumpy." She groaned and slammed her book angrily before sauntering towards her room.

"Maybe this might be a surprise for you too. Ms. Hunky Dory." He chuckled after she was gone.
He turned his laptop on and started working on his reports.

------------------------------

It was the next morning when she met him again while he was leaving for work. She was persistent throughout but he just kept ignoring her.

"Tell me, please." She begged.

"Why should I?"

"I couldn't sleep all night." She added, lying but he was a way too smarter than she was.

"Don't lie. I know you're well slept." He caught her.

"Okay fine but why aren't you telling me?" She had her hands on her hips.

"I don't want to, go to Aakash or else he'll get suspicious about us planning something. He's very clever." He pointed towards the boy who was continously looking at them while they were bantering.

"Fine." She huffed folding her arms..

"And don't forget to be ready by eight pm. I'll come to pick both of you." He reminded her.

"Be sharp because I hate..." Ambar didn't let him complete.

"I know you hate latecomers. Now go." She mimicked his tone and he couldn't stifle his amusement.

"Why are you laughing?" Aakash asked.

"Question your Amy, small shot. Be dressed before I come and good bye." He kissed his cheek lastly before departing.

"Okay but don't fondle with my cheeks. I hate it." He rubbed it again in annoyance.

"Sorry but can't help it." He grinned cheekily before winking at her.

'Alright Mr. Secretive Grumpy, I'll just find on my own about your so called surprise.' She mentally decided and smiled evilly at him.

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So what is Nakul's plan?

Will Ambar succeed in finding out?

Here comes a little hint for you.
Read previous chapter and you might get some idea.

Another important thing.
Please don't take it in a rude way but I'm not taking any reading requests especially of the books which aren't complete. I know some of you just want me to read your work for once and I would love to encourage you all on my part but certainly I don't get enough of time to do so.
I'm trying harder to provide quick updates.

Secondly, I have a lots of incomplete books in my library which some of my fellow wattpaders had requested me to read a long time ago and they have left me hanging in between.
If you want me to help you, I'll try my level best.
I'm first of all in a rush to complete my story because I don't want you to be kept hanging.

Forgive me, if I've hurt any of you.
I didn't wish to do so but try to understand me.

I'm thankful to all of you who vote and comment for my chapters.

For all the Riddarya fans, I'm planning to update one more one shot before this month ends.

Keep voting and commenting, if you're liking the story genuinely.

Until next time.

♥♡♥.