#6: The meeting!

Shalini is getting ready for the party halfheartedly. She secretly hopes Mohit will miraculously show up. Bangalore is far from Jaipur, making it highly unlikely he'd come unless he has taken a day off. "What a waste of hope," she thinks sarcastically, laughing at herself. She once read somewhere that uncertainty about a man's feelings often increases a woman's attraction. Is it Mohit's secretiveness, his silence, his penetrating eyes, or his confident gestures that draw her more and more towards him? She knows they will end up together. If not, she will make sure of it.

Just then, her phone pings. “Hey! Are you ready? Should I come to pick you up?” reads Raman's message. Raman, a colleague of Shikha, is known for his stylish clothes, accessories, and British accent. According to Shikha, girls fall for him easily. However, Shalini finds nothing special about him except his cologne. Despite having met him a few times, he has not left any lasting impression on her. Yet, when Shikha mentioned that Shalini was looking for someone just to enter the bar as a couple to save on entry fees, Raman jumped at the opportunity.

Though Shalini was ready to pay the full amount, Shikha insisted on saving money by entering as a couple. Shikha's point was, “You just need to enter as a couple; after that, you'll be with us. It doesn't matter whom you enter with. It will save us money. If you want, you can enter with Aditya, and I’ll enter with Raman.” All three—Shikha, Rhythm, and Shalini—laughed out loud at the suggestion. Shalini thought sarcastically at the time, “As if Aditya is a better choice!”

Shalini rolls her eyes and replies, “No, thank you! I will come with Shikha and Rhythm.”

“Okay then! I will come with Aakash and pick you up,” Raman replies.

Shalini is confused by Raman's reply, rereads the message she sent, and sighs. She realizes she can't drink tonight as she had hoped before talking to Mohit. She can't trust a guy she barely knows, especially one who has been so clingy since Shikha gave him her number. She doesn't trust Rhythm and Shikha either, knowing they will be busy with their respective boyfriends. “This night is going to be quite boring, harassing, and a waste,” she thinks sadly, looking at herself in the mirror.

Rhythm enters Shalini's room, applies light makeup on her face, and tells her she looks beautiful. Rhythm and Shikha look stunning too. Together, they form a beautiful trio, each unique in their hair, body type, and features.

“Hey guys! Please do not leave me alone. Will you be with me?” asks Shalini meekly. They both nod affirmatively.

Rhythm is unusually cheerful. “What is it with you today, Rhythm? You seem ecstatic,” Shikha asks while checking her eyeliner in the mirror.

“Nothing! Just happy for Shalini. She’ll have a great night tonight.”

“Hope so!” Shikha agrees.

Shalini can't even express her helplessness. They finish getting ready early, so they decide to drink coffee and chat in their flat’s hall. They are talking, teasing, laughing, and gossiping when the doorbell rings. Shikha gets up to open the door, hoping the guys have arrived. Rhythm stops her and asks Shalini to open the door instead. Shikha and Shalini exchange confused glances, but Shalini obliges.

She closes the door hastily as if she has seen a ghost. Shikha asks who it is, but Rhythm stops her. Regaining her composure, Shalini reopens the door. There he is, perfectly tall, dark, and handsome—her Mohit. She looks at him as if he has come straight from her dreams. She squeezes her eyes shut, reopens them, and he is still there, smiling. To get a reality check and calm her racing heart, she steps forward and hugs him. He hugs her back, making her heart race even more. “Stupid heart, betraying me when I need it the most. Can he hear my heartbeat drumming?” she wonders, smiling to herself.

Rhythm and Shikha clap from behind.

Mohit is mesmerized by Shalini's elegance. "She didn't know I was coming; she could have worn anything. But she chose a beautiful, elegant black dress with lace on the top, arms, and shoulders. She looks classy and alluring, revealing just enough to spark anyone’s imagination. The pearls, her open hair, and black shoes make her look like an angel walking on Earth just for me. Her makeup is perfect too, enhancing her natural beauty in a way I like. She knows grace and…” Feeling the tightness of her hug increase, he hugs her back just as tightly, smiling and feeling immensely proud.

Inside, Shikha offers Mohit a cup of coffee. Shalini sits opposite him, staring without blinking, not wanting to miss a moment. Shikha calls Shalini into another room for an urgent discussion, which she ignores. After many calls, Shikha practically drags her away.

“First of all, stop smiling like an idiot. We have an urgent matter. What are we going to say to Raman?” Hearing his name, Shalini comes back to her senses. The lightness she felt a moment ago dissipates, replaced by a heavy burden.

“He’s my friend. Ditching him at the last moment could create tension. You need to do something,” Shikha says with a heavy heart.

Before Shalini can respond, Rhythm enters and asks, “Shikha, what are you doing with her? Let these lovebirds spend a little time together.”

“What are we going to say to Raman?” asks Shikha, feeling tense.

“Why do we need to explain to him? He was not even on a date with Shalini. You message or call him and make him aware of the situation,” says Rhythm bluntly.

“I have tried calling him, but his phone is unreachable. I have messaged him asking not to come,” replies Shikha.

“Okay! This is sorted then. If not, we will handle the situation at that time. Let's go and sit in the hall. Mohit might be feeling awkward alone,” says Rhythm. Shalini is a bit scared now.

Shalini makes a mental note to ask Mohit later what he had told Rhythm, as her friends don’t know about their fight.

The three of them return to sit with Mohit. Shalini sits next to him, and they start talking about movies, actors, news, and more. Shalini places her hand on the sofa, and Mohit quietly puts his hand on hers. She feels warmth and excitement from his touch, blushing openly, contrary to her usual nature. The conversation stops abruptly. Shikha and Rhythm hoot. Before they can say anything, the doorbell rings.

Shikha gets up to open the door, and Rhythm suddenly says, “You need not worry, Shalini. I have already told Mohit about Raman. That we called him to save on entry fees. That's it. You were anyway going to spend all your time with me and Shikha during clubbing.” Shalini gives a thankful look at Rhythm, who slightly tilts her lips in a smile. Instead of letting go, Mohit holds her hand more tightly.

Aakash, Raman, and Aditya—Shikha’s current boyfriend—enter the flat. They check out the girls, staring at Shalini the longest, surprised by her elegance. Shalini feels uncomfortable under their gazes. Then, they notice Mohit sitting beside her, holding her hand. Shalini feels the tightness of his hand increasing on hers. She feels protective and ready for anything that might come now. Aakash and Aditya whistle at Raman. Raman gets angry.

“Hey! Who are you to hold my date's hand?” Raman asks angrily.

“I am her fiancé,” Mohit replies calmly.

Raman looks at Shikha questioningly. Before she can say anything, Rhythm interrupts, “To start with, she is not your date. Shikha had specifically mentioned to you that we wanted to save on entry fees, that's why you were entering as a couple in the club. About Mohit, he is Shalini's fiancé. He can visit her anytime. Shikha even tried to reach you, but your phone was unreachable. It was a surprise for Shalini. But to save your money, I’ve called an acquaintance to enter the pub with you as a couple. And I see we all are adults here, so from next time, think before speaking gibberish from that pretty mouth of yours. Otherwise, your entry into this house will be banned.”

Aakash shoots an angry look at Rhythm. She ignores him. Rhythm knows that Raman is Aakash's good friend and her words to Raman will turn into a fight now. But she does not want Mohit to distrust Shalini. She has to stand with the truth. She would have done it for any girl who is as sincere towards her relationship as Shalini. And with Shalini, it is special as Rhythm knows Shalini would also have stood up for her. Shikha is also looking at Rhythm with disgust, but she ignores her too.

Shalini can't believe her ears. “A what? Date? What is this irritating guy, Raman even thinking? Oh my God! What would Mohit be thinking? What kind of girl am I?” Shalini opens her mouth to speak, but Mohit squeezes her hand. She looks at him, and he signals her to remain silent. Shalini closes her mouth.

Mohit is both amused and angry. He is amused because he had not known this strong side of Rhythm; it is revitalizing. He is angry because he wants to confront Raman for calling a woman his date even if she does not mutually agree. As for Shalini, he does trust her. When he first looked at Raman, he knew Shalini could not like men like him. She has a different taste for men.

Raman is at a loss for words. He opens his mouth to reply, then closes it. He has nothing to say, feeling embarrassed, insulted, and his ego bruised. 

He is thinking of a reply when Veena enters.“Here she comes,” Rhythm says cheerfully, looking at Veena. “She’s Veena, your colleague.”

Looking at Veena, Raman leaves the flat, feeling frustrated and cheated.

—–—

What will happen next? Will Raman spoil everyone's mood and prevent them from going clubbing, or will they proceed without him?