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Chapter 1
Her
All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
Kalpi stood looking around at the strange faces covered with masks and felt out of place. It was the first time in 10 years, she was attending a party and she wished heartily that she had never listened to Pakhi's whining. Had she not listened to that stupid friend of hers, she would have been happily spending her time at home doing what she loved the most... designing, but no, she had to go and listen to her and come to this stupid party without a date. She remembered how Pakhi had literally begged her to go.
"Kalpi, please, please, please just this once..."
"No, No and NO."
"Please Kalpi, Sammy has finally mustered up some courage and asked me out on a date... I really need to go... I cannot say no to him just because of some office party. Please, Kalpi... You are my only true friend; I need your help... Please, just this once."
"But..."
Pakhi saw that Kalpi was melting and she did a mental jig.
"No buts... please yaar..."
"See, even if I go... everyone will know it's me... It's your office party, not mine."
"Offo... you take too much stress... it is a masquerade party; no one will recognize..."
"But..."
"Come on, Kalpi... be a sport... for my sake... for Sammy's sake... pleeese"
"Okay, fine..."
Pakhi squealed and hugged her tight. Kalpi rolled her eyes at her friend's antics.
"You, my friend, are the bestest..."
She was brought back to reality when someone accidentally hit her. Apologizing profusely for being in the way, she moved silently to a corner of the garden which was not populated by lovey-dovey couples.
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
As she stood watching the couples sway to the beautiful music, her mind took her back to the day she had last attended a party.
The room was filled with fairy lights as young girls and boys belonging to class X of Excel School gathered together to celebrate their final day at school. Kalpi stood nervously chewing her lips waiting for her best friend to come. She really didn't want to give her farewell speech without him. He had promised that he would be there, but he was late... as usual. She was preparing a good long speech to scold him when she felt someone close her eyes. She was startled at first but then relaxed knowing it was him.
"You are late..."
"Am I?"
Raghav pretended to look surprised. She punched him.
"I am angry"
"Oooh... I am scared."
"Shut up, Raghav, let's not fight today at least... Today is our last day together."
Raghav's face went down and he pulled her into a hug.
"I will miss you, Kalpi."
"Offo... Why are you so serious? We will surely meet again... We have each other's numbers na? We will stay in touch."
"Hmmm... that's true. I am not letting you go away."
"And I am not going... Now stop acting like a drama queen and tell me, do I look good?"
"Hmmm... Let's see..."
He pretended to look at her seriously and she punched him again.
"Ouch, Kalpi, you need to stop doing that..."
"Stop checking me out."
"Fine... you look great... Happy?"
"Yes..."
"Who is going to check you out when I am not there?"
"My Prince Charming..."
"Yeah... right... how did I ever forget your dream? Call me up when you meet him... I could give that guy some tips on how to manage you."
Saying so, he ran away from her. She followed him laughing.
Two friends, chasing each other carelessly as life smiled upon them and the future looked bright.
Now I'm here blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here suddenly I see
That was their last meeting. She remembered how they used to talk to each other over the phone even after the party for a year, how he used to tease her about her Prince Charming and how she used to tease him about his ambitions. Then, things had changed, her father had passed away and only after that she and her mother had come to know of the money he had borrowed. The sum was so huge that they had to mortgage their house and shift to a smaller house. Her mother had to go to work to support her studies as she was in class XII and couldn't drop out of school. In spite of all this, she had managed to get into a top institute and pursue her dream of fashion designing while paying off her father's debts and claim back her house. But, somewhere in between she had lost contact with the one person she shared everything. She sighed at the thought, for only after she had stopped talking to him, she had realized what he was to her. She had been so caught up in her dream Prince Charming that she had completely missed out her real Prince Charming standing by her. She had learnt from papers and news channels that he had finally achieved his dream and was now the MD of Singhania Constructions. She had also heard that he was dating some top model. She had even seen a picture of him and her holding hands at some business party. She was happy for him, of course, but somewhere deep inside she longed that she was the one standing by his side, holding his hand. A lone tear fell from her right eye.
Standing here it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
"Are you alright?"
"Huh?"
Kalpi turned around to see a well-built man wearing a mask standing in front of her. She quickly wiped her face and mentally scolded herself for being so foolish.
"I am fine... It's just that... uh... my friend... she... uh..."
Kalpi thought hard for some excuse to say. The man in front of her shook his head slightly.
"I understand that she got a partner"
"Yeah... right..."
"You don't seem to have a partner. What made you come to a couple's party without a partner?"
Couple's party??? Idiot Pakhi I am going to kill you' she thought. She looked at the man in front of her and smiled a little trying to think of something intelligent to say.
"Well... uh... you don't seem to have a partner either?"
"You are right... well... you have a wonderful voice... Will you be my partner?"
Saying so, he extended his hand towards her. Kalpi was startled. Raghav had asked her in the same way that day. She shook her head to steady herself. Come on Kalpi, every gentleman asks a girl like this... don't think about Raghav so much'. She composed herself and gave him a warm smile as she placed her hand in his.
"Yes..."
***
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Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
CID
