Nalani crossed her arms and waited for Hridyanshu to get their coffees. They were at the railway station. She has her train to Hyderbad in thirty minutes. She watched the travellers waiting for the train.

"Here." She smiled, taking the disposable cup from him. "Thank you." Hridyanshu took his seat beside Nalani. The wedding and reception went well. He had a good time meeting her friends.

"Is it an emergency?" Nalani nodded her head. "Aadya has been taking care of the dance school. Aakrit gets anxious if she is tiring herself."

"Aakrit?"

"You do know Aadya right?" Hridyanshu gave a nod, sipping his coffee. "Aakrit was her neighbour and the guy who has been hopelessly in love with Aadya for years."

"You mean they aren't dating?" Nalani shook her head. "No, Aakrit is trying and Aadya loves him but she hasn't said yes to him yet."

"Why?"

"It's complicated. Aadya's family didn't agree when Aakrit asked for Aadya's hand in marriage. Instead, they wanted Aadya's younger sister to tie the knot with him."

"Wow. . . So, did he date his sister or what?"

"What, no. That man is in love with Aadya for more than―" Nalani thought about it. "A decade― Yeah, it's been a decade and yet he couldn't possibly move on from her."

"What's the issue then if your friend has feelings for him? Is she scared of her family?"

"They will cut their ties with her. They are conservative and I don't really like her father and grandparents." The coffee in her hand is now cold. "And her sister. She's pure evil."

"She lives with them?" Nalani sipped her coffee. "No, she has moved into an apartment but visits them every weekend."

"She is planning to move once our Canada project gets confirmed." Hridyanshu's brows frowned in confusion. "Canada project?"

"While studying abroad I used to teach the Indian community kids. It was my side job and I still take online classes for the old students. Right now, we are planning to do workshops abroad. The money's a bit tight over here with all the schooling expenses."

"The workshops will help us pay for the school loan and also with the salaries we are paying for our new music staff."

"Hmm. . . I have noticed you haven't updated the fee for a long time. Why don't you do that?" Nalani shook her head. "No, when Aadya and I came together to start a traditional dance school. Our goal is to make it affordable for everyone."

Nalani's gaze went to the two sisters who were aged 10 and 9 playing. "As you can already see, the traditional dance forms are slowly dying. The new dance forms are replacing them. I'm not saying it's a bad idea but watching the gen z adopting the foreign roots and forgetting their own is a sad truth. It― It makes me sad."

"The dance school didn't do well in the beginning. We hardly had students. So, Aadya and I had to go house to house for admissions. We tied up with some pre-schools and schools to encourage them. After a lot of struggle, we were able to gather students. Now, with the help of social media and the videos, the local children were able to come out and join us."

"I don't want to change the fee structure and burden the parents. I'm sure we will be able to find a way and if not I could always ask my parents to sponsor." Nalani chuckled. "It's not like they aren't sponsoring already."

"They are sponsors?"

"Yeah. . . We have a tie-up with a non-profit organisation Kids. My parents together pay for their dance classes, costumes, makeup and food."

"Well―" Hridyanshu rubbed the back of is neck. "I would love to be a sponsor." Nalani looked at him. "Really? A lifetime sponsor?"

Hridyanshu laughed as he saw the spark in Nalani's eyes. "Yeah. . ."

"That's amazing. We were planning to conduct some special classes for an orphanage but we were falling short of funds. If you become the sponsor I'm sure it will be covered." Nalani pulled out her phone.

"Give me your email address. I will send you the documents. You sign them and become the sponsor by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, the faster the better." Hridyanshu shook his head as a laugh bubbled out of him. "Okay, send me the documents and bank details." Nalani held Hridyanshu's hand. "You do know I like you so much, right?"

Hridyanshu's nervousness returned and his ears turned red. "I'm pulling your leg. Don't be nervous." She laughed patting his hand. He gave her a nod. He doesn't think he can stop rattling whenever he hears her say that.

"Do you want to have anything else to eat? Snacks?" he asked. Nalani shook her head. "I already got enough snacks. Thanks to you."

"When you will be leaving?"

"I will be leaving tomorrow morning. I have some international calls tonight. I don't want to drive at night." Nalani hummed. "That's nice. My friends liked you. I have shared your contact number with Nilav and Srikanth. I hope you don't mind that."

"No, I thought of asking theirs but couldn't ask them at the last minute." There was an announcement and people rushed out from the waiting rooms as the train would be reaching the platform. "Hmm. . . Seems like the train is on time," Nalani said, checking the time.

"Yeah." They sat in silence for a few minutes before they stood up when they saw the train. "It will halt here for five minutes."

"Text me in between and we can talk on a call when you reach Hyderabad," Hridyanshu said.

"Okay. You send me a text when you start tomorrow."

"Sure."

Hridyanshu helped her with the luggage and once settled in the seat, Hridyanshu looked around. There weren't any fellow travellers. "They might board next station."

"Yeah. . ." Nalani wrapped her arms around Hridyanshu's waist. "Thanks for the weekend. I enjoyed spending time with you and my friends." Hridyanshu hugged her and patted her back. "I had a good time, too."

They pulled away. "I will miss you, Hridyanshu." He didn't reply but stared at her face. She wasn't expecting any reply. Hridyanshu got off the train when it was time. Nalani stood near the door and waved goodbye when the train moved.

"I expect you to meet me sooner," Nalani yelled. Hridyanshu chuckled. "Noted, ma'am." He gave her a good finger salute and watched the train gain momentum.  

"Where are you?" Vedant asked. "Gujarat."

Vedant sighed as he massaged the temples. "Is everything okay?"

"Hmm. . . There's an issue."

"What's the issue?"

"Mum and Dad are going to Abu Dhabi." Hridyanshu waited for Vedant to finish the sentence. "They are taking Vidha with them."

"Hmm?"

"I believe something has happened. They received this golden envelope addressed to Dad. I― I tried to ask Mum but she's tight-lipped and Dad seemed a bit stressed. And now I was informed that they have a flight to Abu Dhabi tomorrow night."

Hridyanshu jaw tensed. "You spoke with Vidha?"

"She isn't answering my questions and she's still ignoring me. I want you to come here and try to have a conversation with Dad. Let's hear something from him."

"Have you seen the envelope?"

"I only saw it from afar when Dad was holding it. They were having a serious conversation and I didn't want to disturb them."

"Have you heard anything from William or Louis? A ball party that they got invited to?" Vedant shuffles around.

"Umm― I don't think I have heard about something like that. Let me have a call with William and I will get back to you."

"Okay." Hridyanshu ended the call and made his way out to the parking area. He knew something was wrong and it's bad news if he hadn't got any call from his parents.

They hardly step out of India or travel abroad. Now, they are going to Abu Dhabi out of all places in the world. He got inside his car and started the engine when his phone rang. He put it on speaker.

"Yeah?"

"I had a call with William. There's― There's a wedding."

"Wedding? Whose?"

 "Rashid Aibak."

"Aibak?"

"Yes, the envelope might be the wedding invitation. The Mclore's and others are attending the wedding." Hridyanshu took a turn.

"Have you told William about the invitation we received?"

"No, I decided not to tell him yet."

Hridyanshu hummed. "It's better if you don't tell. We don't know yet if they are attending the wedding or not."

"Okay, when you will be here? Will you be here before they leave?"

"Yes, I will be starting soon and I will be reaching Jaipur by afternoon."

"Okay, see you later brother."

"Yeah. . . Keep an eye on Vidha. Make sure she doesn't do anything."

"Okay."

Hridyanshu ended the call and drove to his hotel. He needs to cancel all the calls for the night and start hitting the roads. He needs to meet his parents before they catch their flight. If possible he will join them in Abu Dhabi.

*

Hey, everyone! How are you all doing? I'm doing good. . . 

How's your December so far? My December is cold yet warm. Having glasses and glasses of hot cocoa and wearing my favourite winter collection😂😂

Deciding to start something next year. . . So far the plans aren't made yet. If I decide on doing something, I will be announcing here. . . 

Tell me about your December. . .