The Grand Plaza

The plaza was buzzing with dignitaries from around the city marching in the two halls booked for tonight.

The hall in the east held the anniversary celebration of a new couple coming from the prestigious businessman, while the hall in the west held the birthday of a 23-year-old daughter of a business tycoon.

Tanisha readied her friend who was adjusting her earrings looking in the dressing mirror.

Amritha saw her self in the mirror for the last time, before moving to the main hall.

Both the bestie’s moved out of the dressing room, and mingled with the guests.

Sharanya and Pradeep were welcoming the guest to their daughter’s birthday party.

“Pradeep, so, nice of you to invite us for such a personal gathering. It was really honourable for us,” one of the guest remarked the Varma’s kind heartedness.

Pradeep just smiled and thanked them to bless their daughter for her special day.

“But, Mr. Varma. Where is Prisha? We have been waiting for the birthday girl for so long?” One of Sharanya’s friends remarked looking at the entry point of the hall.

Before Sharanya could say anything, she saw her friend gasp looking at the entry point.

Pradeep followed their gaze and was awestruck at the simplicity of his daughter.

Previn smiled seeing his little sister grow up so fast.

Uvika went towards her and kissed her forehead blessing her.

“Happy Birthday, Darling!” Uvika wished her who was blushing giving her cheeks a natural crimson colour.

All the members gathered around the new face wishing her and gazing at her natural beauty.

“Isn’t this…Amma’s, huh? Sharu, please correct me if I am wrong?” Pradeep was asking his wife who smiled and nodded.

“Ishu…Kanna you could have taken any dresses you want! Why did you take this old thing! I mean as far as I remember your Ammuma wore it at her wedding I presume!” Pradeep shocked the people in the room with his words.

Previn looked at Prisha who nodded in pride.

“Dad, I can wear any dresses at any time. But for my special day I wanted something that define me of who I am! a proud Indian who has not forgotten her roots.” Prisha slightly teared up after conveying her thoughts.

“Kanna! What happened?” Sharanya hugged her sideways.

“Mumma, today when I went to take the blessings from the temple. I saw a sweet little girl reaching out to ring the bell near the gopuram. She was not able to reach coz of her height. I thought to help her. Then I saw…” Prisha teared more but continued

“…I saw her grandmother come and lift her up. She looked back and kissed her grandmom’s cheeks. I missed my Ammuma, mumma! So…” Prisha hid herself in her mother’s arms who lovingly caressed her hairs shushing her.

“Weirdo!” Previn mock scolded her hitting her arms.

Uvika scolded him for hitting the birthday girl.

Pradeep was tensed seeing her fragile daughter tear up for such a small thing. It made him think of waiting till she mentally strengthens herself before binding in holy matrimony.

After Prisha was calm, they all moved to the centre hall for the cake cutting.

The entire hall sang in their jolly voice to bless the dearest daughter of the business tycoon, Mr. Pradeep Varma.

“Sunny, I am telling you! Let’s go back! You are inviting trouble for yourself!” Dino tried to stop his bestie who understood his Dad’s and Uncle’s collaborative effort to stop him from attending the so-called party.

He rushed to the hall after noting down the correct direction from the front gate.

He entered the hall in the east and saw the most heart wrecking scene.

Amritha kissed her Shyam on the cheeks and shied at his caress on her backhand.

The whole family roared happily at their sight, unknowing to the fact that a certain lover was ready to wring the neck of Shyam.

Dino saw the scene and looked back at the raging Sanal.

Before he could say anything, he saw him go back to the corridor.

“Sunny, wait! Where are you going, huh?” Sanal looked back and signalled the hall.

“That guy! He touched… my…. Ami! how dare he! I am going to bring a rod to break his head off!” saying so, he marched to his car.

Dino was wide mouthed and ran behind his angry friend.

Smack!

“Sorry,” Prisha raised her arm to signal a sorry to the person with whom she bumped into. She adjusted her saree and looked up feeling clumsy.

The angry bull calmed seeing her the second time, but in a completely different avatar.

She wore the most simplest golden saree with minimalist makeup of kajal and pink lip gloss. Her oxidised earrings jiggled at the hard impact. Her sliver bracelets moved slightly with her hand movements. She had tied her hair in a low bun covering it with jasmine flowers which gave a special glow to her already pretty face.

“Oh! um…” Before Prisha could say something to the awestruck Sanal who was looking her up and down, taking down her attire.

“Ishu, where are you? Aunty is calling you!” Gaurav came panting and took her by the wrist moving her to the hall.

She looked back at the awestruck person who didn’t blink even once. Sanal heard the sweet tinkle which made him close his eyes to remember the tune forever.

Dino saw his friend cool at an instant by just watching her face. Sanal was smiling looking down trying to picture her serene face in his mind sketching it to stay longer till the next time they meet. He strode happily from the sight to go back to one of his favourite place.

Dino had a weird thought in his mind which he thought to convey to his bestie’s family, asap.

At the club

Dino looked at his friend who was too calm after the incidence that happened few minutes back.

Flashback

“Sanal, isn’t it?” Sanal looked back at the voice.

Dino got sacred for the person who was approaching them.

“Hi, I am Shyam. Ami told me about you. So, nice to meet you finally,” Shyam took Sanal’s hand in a friendly shake.

Sanal nodded slightly half smiling.

Shyam invited him to the party to which he denied saying that he had a prior engagement.

Dino followed his bestie, leaving a confused Shyam who shrugged and went back to the party.

Flashback ends

“Dude, are you ok?” Dino asked his friend who smirked saying

“Why should I not be? Hm?” Sanal looked at him with a smile, questioning him.

Dino looked down quizzed making Sanal go back to his drink.

He was just having flashback of her face, her soft look, her eyes. And most alluring was the sweet tinkle of her anklets whenever she neared him.

He was drinking to forget her. Her memory would only destroy his main purpose.

‘Break the couple – Amritha and Shyam.’

He gulped the last sip and signalled Dino to move outside the club.

He drove without knowing his destination and his road.

It was a relief he had Dino with him to somewhat control him.

He closed his eyes, seeing her face. He gritted his teeth trying to forget her image from his eyes.

He tightly closed his eyes for a full minute and heard Dino scream.

Dino had twisted the steering wheel on time. Sensing danger, Sanal immediately braked the car.

He huffed for a breather, getting inaudible scolding from his friend.

“You drive. I am drunk,” Sanal just moved out of the driver’s seat and went to the backseat sleeping on it.

Dino looked back at him and wondered at his weird behaviour.

However, he sensed his friend to be drunk he drove the car to the Menon Mansion.

He told Sanal to drink the herbal coffee and sleep his tiredness away.

Sanal adhered to his demands which puzzled Dino as his bestie would always negate to his words.

Dino moved out of his room. Still confused, he started muttering inaudibly to earn a smack on his arm from Latha.

He looked up to see Latha raising her eyebrow at him asking him about his weirdness. Unbeknownst to Latha, Dino had skilfully entered the house and put his drunk friend in his bed, slight sober.

He shrugged his shoulders at her, blinking his eyes.

Latha instructed him to sleep in the guest room as it was pretty late to go to his apartment.