Hey guys...
Here is the next chapter.. i hope you all enjoy it..
Dedications.. hmmm.. last time i missed some important people.. tweets.. shabz.. KIT..! and all my other IF family...! i love all you guys..!
Chapter 54
Geet looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her parents knew her taste in clothing were well. Scratch that her mother knew her taste. Her father just paid the bill. She smiled at the mental image of her mother dragging her father along from shop to shop to get their daughter the perfect gift. And it really was perfect. An emerald green baby doll shirt with dark blue jeans with a small rhinestone butterfly below the left knee. She only wore her diamond solitaire pendant and solitare earrings, gifts from her grandmother for accessories. She was trying to get her hair under control when Prachi walked into the room.
Prachi looked stunning. She had always been the prettiest among the three. Flawless skin and classic good lucks she'd caused traffic jams without even knowing she did. Even now dressed down in a dark brown cotton short kurti and plain blue jeans Prachi could take any man's breath away.
"Oh my god Geet you look so beautiful." Prachi exclaimed.
"Yeah yeah. Whats the point no man will look at me when you are around. But you know it's a good thing. The men will look at you and I can look at them. Its the perfect arrangement." Prachi knew that Geet was only teasing but she wished she could see how Prachi saw her. Geet had the most beautiful eyes Prachi had ever seen on a person. They were large, dark and so expressive Geet could never hide her feelings. And she also had the most open smile that made people immediately warm up to her.
"Geet you need help with your hair? And just for today how about some make up? Very little I promise." Prachi didn't wait for an answer as she started searching for some hair clips to hold up some of Geet's hair. "Definitely down. No ponytail or bun Geet. Just a little bit pinned at the back to keep your face clear and there we are." Prachi stopped and took a look at her handy work. "See perfect. Now for the make up. Hmm I have to get some from my room. Hang on."
"Prachi wait wait. Tomorrow night you can doll me up. After all that's the bigger party right. But this enough for tonight. Its just going to be the five of us right? Please no makeup." Geet pouted like a child and Prachi laughed and relented.
They went into the living area and waited for Mru. She soon emerged wearing a white floral print shirt and black pants. They all told each other how wonderful they looked and set off towards the main building.
Just before they were to enter the banquet hall where they dinner was going to be held Geet caught hold off Prachi's hand and asked if she were ok. "Seriously you say the word and we'll al go back to the cottage and just order a pizza."
Prachi smiled and reassured Geet that she would be just fine. She had to meet him sooner or later. So why not now? So arm in arm the three entered the room.
Milind had made sure every detail was perfect. The flowers, the music and the cake that was going to be bought in later, everything.
He was still talking to the event manager in charge when he heard the doors push open and saw the girls enter. All three of them looked like they were being thrown to the sharks but for different reasons he could bet.
"Welcome girls. Jaan everything is set up. We have to wait for Neev though. And may I say the birthday girl looks especially pretty today." He leaned towards her for a hug. "Hey Mru, hey Prachi." He said casually. He was wearing a military green shirt with black jeans.
Prachi couldn't believe he was even talking to her let alone in a neutral tone. She returned the greeting and stood waiting for Neev and watched Milind walk away with a relectutnat and apologetic looking Geet. Mru came up to stand next to her and gently placed her hand on her elbow. Prachi smiled and tried to convey that she was doing just fine.
She was instantly relieved to see Neev, late as usual, walk through the doors. "I'm sorry I'm late." He grinned, "Got held up with a phone call. But I'm here now so let the fun begin." He seemed to lighten the mood with just his presence.
They all sat down to have dinner and as it was in the early days Geet, Mru and Neev were the only ones participating in the conversation. Prachi and Milind only spoke when spoken to or when asked a question.
Mru, anonoyed and uncomfortable by the awkward pauses in the conversation, decided to play DJ and as usual went about looking for the sound system. When the music changed to "Do it well" by Jlo, Neev walked over to Geet and extended his arm, "May I be the first to dance with the gorgeous birthday girl?" Geet giggled and nodded. They went to the empty space away from the table and were grooving to the music.
Prachi found herself alone at the table with Milind who didn't seem to even want to look in her direction. "Milind I want to say I'm sorry. Not for what happened between us but for the questions I asked after. I understand if you don't ever want to speak to me again. But for Geet's sake can't we at least be civil to each other. When we get back to Mumbai we can go back to be strangers." He kept looking down at his plate, pushing a morsel of food from one side to another with his fork.
"Please Milind. I know you wouldn't want this cold war going on between us especially on Geet's birthday. She might look fine but she'll be miserable in the inside. And I really don't want that and I'm sure you don't either. Lets just try and put on a good front for Geet." 'And for me' , the thought involuntarily popped into her head.
After what seemed hours he looked up and nodded. "Fine Prachi. For Geet's sake we should be civil to each other." He went back to looking at his plate. Prachi checked her watch and it was only 11pm. There was still an hour to go before the cake arrived and Prachi could leave. She had no idea how she was going to spend the next 60 minutes that somehow seemed to stretch into infinity.
Milind got up and left the table and cut into Neev and Geet's dance. She saw Neev and Geet laugh at his attempts to dance. It even bought a smile to Prachi's lips. Mru soon joined them and the four of them seemed to be having a ball. Neev noticed Prachi sitting alone at the table and walked over to her.
"Prachi yaar. As usual sitting alone quiet as a mouse. Come and dance with us no?" Neev had seen her looking morose and somber the whole night. He had waited for her to come tell him what the problem was but she hadn't opened up to him yet. It had worried and scared him but also it had annoyed him that she had chosen to confide in Geet and Mru but not in him. "Prachi I have noticed that everyone seems tensed after your shopping excursion yesterday. Did something happen? Did you guys fight? I hate to ask this but did he try anything or insult you in anyway? Please tell me Prachi." He gently laid his hand on hers.
Prachi looked at the table. Neev had been trying to protect her ever since she could remember. He was the best friend anyone could hope for. She smiled fondly at him. "Neev we did have a small misunderstanding but trust me its all in the past now. I am perfectly alright now. I promise." She put her other hand on his and squeezed. He then placed his free hand on hers and soon they were building a pyramid with their hands and laughing.
The hour seemed to flow much quicker with Neev by her side. As the clock struck struck 12 am a couple of waiters wheeled in a cart with a big black forest cake. All the lights were turned off and the candles were the only source of illumination. Milind stood to Geet's right while Mru stood to her left. Prachi stood behind Geet while Neev stood across the table from the birthday girl.
Geet blew at the candles as they all sung happy birthday and Geet cut her cake. She cut out a small piece and contrary to tradition ate it herself. Seeing the surprised look on the faces of her friends standing around her she just shrugged her shoulder and grinned. "What was I supposed to? I love you all pretty much equally. Feeding the first piece to just one would have made the others feel bad. So to save your feelings I decided to have to first piece myself."
Milind hugged her and kissed her on the top of her head. "Happy birthday Jaan. I hope all you dreams are fulfilled this year."
"Yeah yeah thanks and everything. Now where is my gift?" Geet teased.
Milind laughed and pulled out a box with all the trappings of ribbons and bows. Seeing the box only reminded Prachi of how and where it was bought. She pushed those thoughts away and concentrated on Geet.
Milind held the box above his head and Geet reached for it. She laughed as she jumped for it. He finally brought his hand down and Geet grabbed for the box. And ripped open the wrapping paper. She saw the clothes and squealed in delight. "Oh my God! Its beautiful. Its perfect. I can't believe that you picked this out! Oh I forgot Prachi helped right? Thank you Prachi." Prachi smiled, glad that Geet was so delighted with her gift.
Prachi stepped closer to her and gave her the gift she had bought. "This is from Mrudula and me." Geet opened the package and sat stunned for a second. "Oh my God! Pride and Prejudice. A first edition. And its so old. Prachi its perfect. Thank you so much." She grabbed both her best friends in a huge hug.
Geet turned around and faced Neev. "So Mr.Shergill what have you gotten me? Hmm?"
Neev just grinned, "Geet you impatient brat. Ok here it is. Happy birthday." He pulled out a small box from his pocket and Geet pounced on it. Inside it there were two small silver earrings. "Oh Neev its beautiful."
"Yeah Prachi told me you weren't a big fan of jewelry. But I saw these and I was sure you would love them."
"I do Neev. Thank you. I guess you aren't completely faltu after all." Geet laughed and gave Neev a hug.
The waiters took the tray away and soon pieces of it were served. Geet debated on whether she could smear her piece on Milind's face but as if almost reading her mind he gave her a warning look. "Don't even think about it Jaan." She reluctantly put the piece back on her plate and Milind just laughed.
After another hour passed they all retired to their beds, well fed and exhausted.
Edited by critically-sane - 17 years ago
