A/N: Sorry if there is any mistake. I'm unlucky to get flu again this winter T_T. Next update on 29th Dec

Advay stood with his father at the front of the gate, welcoming the guests while Ayi, Veer, Sheekha and Chandhini were busy mingling with guests. He had a smile on his face as he folded his hand for the nth time to a guest in the traditional Hindu gesture. He couldn't help but wonder if his mother had invited whole of Mumbai. 

Khushi kept Chandhini with her as she talked with all the society matrons. Many of these women had met Chandhini in past but today Khushi's aim was to establish Chandhini's role as a daughter in law of this home. She was Advay's wife and she wanted to let everyone be clear on this point. 

Chandhini smiled as she chatted with the aunties and tried to dodge the questions about ''good news.'' she knew that it was an expected question after all they've been married for a long time but still she wished that people wouldn't ask about such private matters.

Khushi was about to help her first time when the question was asked but when she saw that Chandhini was able to maturely handle the questions, then she let her answer. 

After some time, Khushi quietly excused themselves and went with Chandhini toward Arnav. In low tones, she instructed Chandini to stay with Advay from now onward.

Chandhini frowned but didn't question ayi. 

When Arnav saw them, he smiled and looped an arm around Chandhini,' my beta is looking beautiful today.'

Advay looked toward Chandhini and then, looked away.

Chandhini smiled,' thank you, baba.'

Arnav moved his arm away from Chandhini's shoulder as another guest came. They all greeted him and then, casually chatted for few minutes before the guest went toward other guests.

Arnav looked toward Khushi and said,' I think that most of the guests are already here.'

Khushi nodded,' yes, I think that almost everyone we invited has turned up.'

Arnav nodded,' yeah, I think so too.'

Khushi,' advay, chandhini, you two go and mingle with guests.' she quietly passed a look to Chandhini who remembered ayi's instruction to stay with Advay all the time. 

Khushi turned and called one of the passing waiters and picked up few snacks and passed them to Arnav.

Chandhini and Advay looked at them and then, at each other with smiles and left toward the guests.

Chandhini watched Advay work his magic as he spoke to guests. It seemed like that be it Delhi or Mumbai, he knew the people present. Initially she stayed quiet feeling anxious but Advay would casually include her in discussions and slowly chandhini somewhat relaxed.

 But still, she felt extremely self conscious of how people would think about them as a couple. She repeatedly try to tell herself that it was her imagination but soon she realised that it wasn't all in her head. After their wedding reception and parties, this was the first time in years that they had appeared together in Mumbai's society. 

Advay saw it happening and reached forward and held Chandhini's hand in his own; ignoring the surprised looks on the faces of people to whom they were talking and whispered in her ear,' do you think that if I kept whispering in your ear, Madhu aunty would faint?'

Chandhini who initially felt surprised and self conscious about Advay holding her hand and bending so close to her ear, couldn't help but giggle a little at his words. Suddenly, her world set itself straight. she looked toward the aunty and then, quickly away, her eyes now sparkling with laughter. 

Advay teased her further, still leaning onto her and whispering,' I think that she will.' 

Chandhini lightly pushed him away. A natural smile gracing her lips, she looked up at him,and then at Madhu aunty and said,' aunty, how is Misha's studies going...

Advay felt peaceful as he saw his confident tiny peaking through all the self consciousness. He had been feeling worried seeing her subdued expressions and cautious eyes. 

He listened with half an ear to the conversation as his eyes wandered around looking at what others were doing. He felt bored but he knew that all this socializing was necessary. 

Suddenly, his eyes fell on a late comer. A honest smile lit his face. He turned and hurriedly excused himself from the group and his wife,' I'll be back.'

He quickly walked toward the man. 'Pavn.' He called his name loudly.  The man stopped and looked toward the voice. 'Advay!' 

Both reached each other and hugged. Their laughter ringing the area,' you rascal. where you have been?' Advay asked.

Pavn laughed back good naturally,' busy with responsibilities.'

Advay,' at least you could call. you didn't keep in contact with anyone.'

Pavn,' I'm here now.' 

Advay shook his head and grabbed two glasses of fresh juices from a passing waiter and handed one to him and took another,' Thank you, my lord for this grace.'

Pavn looked at juice and then, back at Advay who smiled,' mom and dad are here.'

Pavn couldn't help but laugh again,' still same even at this age.'

Advay,' come. let's sit. we need to catch up.'

Pavn nodded and together,they went to find empty seats. 

........

Chandhini was laughing and talking with Sheekha and a guest, when she realised that its been quiet some time since Advay walked away. where is he? did he eat anything? buffet had started sometime ago. she  excused herself and started to look for him. she found him sitting with a stranger. 

she walked over and politely smiled at the man and then, said to Advay,' did you eat anything. it's getting late?' 

Advay didn't had any appetite and Pavn also hadn't wanted to eat anything,' later. we're not hungry.'

Pavn looked at Advay,' she is...?'

Advay smiled,'tiny. you moron. You can't even recognize her?'

Pavn stood up from his seat,' tiny. oh you've grown so much. I remember when you were this little'.... he gestured toward the ground,' ...wouldn't let us practice football. always...'

Chandhini coughed loudly, interrupting him. Her cheeks had heated up with embarrassment. why did everyone remembered her childhood so vividly and then, they had to mention embarrassing things about her to her face.' I'm not so little anymore.' she said.

Pavn's smile didn't waver,' still the same temper. Anyway, chandhini...' he looked at Advay for name confirmation as he wasn't sure about the name. At Advay's nod, he continued,'... sorry, if my words embarrassed you. It's just us old ones cant help but reminisce about the past at our age.' he laughed. 

Now, chandhini felt as if she had over-reacted,' its okay. sorry, your name is?'

Advay spoke,' my bad. Pavn, my school friend.'

Chandhini nodded her head,' nice to meet you.'

Pavn,' pleasure is all mine. Blimey, I can't believe how time has passed.' His eyes had fallen on the sindoor filling the hair parting. ' you're married!'

Advay suddenly felt uncomfortable and interrupted,' Pavn. I think we should eat now. It's actually getting late.'

He guided the two of them toward buffet table.

.............

After the dinner, there was arrangement for ghazal night by some classic singers.

Many guests had already left after dinner. Those with sober tastes stayed behind including Pavn. Chandhini actually had no choice but to stay as ayi had arranged this party for Advay and her. But she felt bored. The slow music was putting her to sleep. Since, she was sitting next to Advay, she put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. 

Advay tensed slightly but he couldn't push her away. she looked tired. His little caterpillar. Unconsciously, he pulled her closer as he listened to the ghazal. 

Pavn saw it but didn't pay attention. It was only when someone in previous row said,' such a cute couple.' Pavn frowned and turned to look back at the girl who had spoken. The girl misinterpreted his looking and thought that he was reprimanding her for speaking during ghazal. 

Advay had heard the comment but he didn't move away from her.

He listened to the opening words of the ghazal and couldn't help but remember another time, another place and another woman who had sat beside him. His arm tightened around Chandhini. That was past and today was the present. wishing that Swati was here just because it was more socially acceptable, it was no excuse. He reprimanded himself as the singer moved to next lyrics

Touch your lips to my song, make the song immortal
be my beloved, make my love immortal

No restriction of age, not the bond of lives,
when someone love should see only the soul,
by carving new trend, make the trend immortal

Loneliness of the sky is in my lone heart,

with rattleing paayal enter into my life,

by giving own breaths make the music immortal
make the music immortal, make my song immortal

World snatched from me, whatever was beloved to me,
all won from me, I lost at every moment,
by losing your heart you make my victory immortal

 (Ghazal by: Jagjit Singh

translation by: JV)

He thought sadly that life didn't had reverse gears and there wasn't any point in tormenting his loved ones. 

Pavn was thinking about the comment and feeling uneasy. He leaned toward Advay and asked,' where is Swati? I didn't see her today.'

Advay's eyes were fixed on stage,' we broke up.'

Pavn was an old school class fellow and had been there when he and Swati had initially hooked up.' when? I remembered that you two went to states together.'

Advay,' later. we found out that we weren't as compatible as we thought.'

The girl in back row couldn't help and glare toward the two of them feeling the injustice. 

Pavn's eyes moved to the sleeping Chandhini in his arm and asked quietly,' where's Chandhini's husband?'

Advay looked away from the stage and calmly looked at Pavn,' sitting with her. Pavn, we're disturbing everyone.'

Pavn was speechless for few minutes, then he got up and left without saying anything to Advay. 

Advay turned his face toward stage again. His eyes showing calmness. It wasn't as if he hadn't expected this reaction from Pavn. They were friends, they had similar natures and definite views about certain things.