Please do check the post above for yet another surprise!!!
They stood in the hotel where they'd be staying the whole time till the competition was on. Kriya interrupted Vaibhavi who was giving instructions, "Uh…I'll be staying at my house." She added, "If you don't mind."
Vaibhavi had no objections. "Sure. Not a problem. You'll just have to make sure you have easy access to the academy though." Kriya nodded understandingly. The academy was where they were to practice and rehearse. Saying a quick bye to Rose, she exited the lobby. Rey had to stay back and help Vaibhavi out in making sure all the participants were transported to their room safe and sound.
***
Kriya opened the door and breathed in deeply. The familiar scent reached her nose. It felt good to be home. The wonderful memories came back to life around her. She imagined them happening and could feel it. It was as if she was reliving the moments.
She walked up the stairs and into her room.
Even though everything was dusty and covered in white sheets, she smelt the air around her. It was sweet. She felt everything one by one and the emotions rose up in her heart. She was almost close to crying remembering all the college times spent there.
Some quiet sounds downstairs forced her to wipe her tears. She came out of the room and stood at the top of the stairs. She received a pleasant surprised along with a loud "Surprise!" from Swayam, Sharon, Neha and Vicky! She grinned happily and jogged down the stairs and straight in Sharon's arms.
She hugged her tight and Sharon replied back with the same emotion. Neha couldn't hold herself back anymore and she pounced on the sisters as well. It soon turned into a group hug. After parting from it, she hugged Swayam and Vicky individually as well.
She just had to. She had missed them all very much that the feeling inside of her at the moment was indescribable. She was more than glad to see them again in front of her. Yea, it was her fault that they hadn't seen each other in years. But regardless of that, she had missed them like crazy and there can be no doubts on that.
As Kriya hugged Swayam, he whispered in her ear, "Welcome back." And pulled apart.
It felt great to be with them again. Indescribable but great.
***
They all enjoyed their lunch together. There was only one person missing from their close college group. That was Rey. Even though he wasn't there, they all had a great time together and none of them brought up Rey. They still didn't know why Kriya had left without a word to them. But what they had guessed was that it had something to do with Rey. Something had happened between them.
They were curious, yes. But they also didn't want to spoil the day by asking. They had decided on waiting till Kriya or Rey himself will tell them.
***
At night time, Kriya was unpacking and Sharon came in. she had insisted upon staying the night and Kriya couldn't say no at all. How could she?
Sharon sat on the bed pretending to think. Kriya got a hint and knew what was to come next.
Sharon remembered how Swayam had advised her to talk to Kriya when they were alone at night. That was part of the reason she wanted to spend the night with Kriya. Other part was that she had missed her sister, Kriya, like hell! Sure, she had Swayam and Rey and Vicky and Neha. But that wasn't enough. Nothing was enough when Kriya wasn't there with her.
She walked up to Kriya and asked, "Kriya, are you okay?"
Kriya replied playfully, "I'm standing in front of you. What does that tell?" she then giggled at her own comment.
Sharon muffled a smile as well and continued asking, "You know what I mean! You weren't fine then and you aren't fine now! Tell me what happened!!! Please, I'm you sister. Tell me?"
Kriya turned her back to Sharon so as to lie easily. "It's nothing like that. I just wanted to travel the world. So I left."
Sharon counterattacked her, "And that's why you weren't in contact with any one of us? That's why you stopped dancing? That's why you wouldn't even reply back to Rey?"
The last question made Kriya more aware then the others. Rey! But she stayed mum. Her body had frozen but her hearts still beat fast at the name itself. It still had an effect and that didn't go missing by Sharon.
But overall, she wanted to know what. That was one thing she wasn't able to figure out. She sighed and continued when Kriya stayed that way, not meeting her eyes. "Just tell me already. What are you so afraid of telling? Till when will you hide it? It'll make you feel better once you tell me." she continued with a plead in her voice, "You know it will!"
Kriya stayed quiet again and that made Sharon a bit mad. But not that mad that she would blast off on her. she just understood that she might be in need of more time. but then she asked herself, "How much more time does she need?" she told Kriya, "Alright. Don't tell me. time will. For now, good night."
Running her hand through Kriya's hair like an elder sister, she looked at her for a second. This time, Kriya raised her head to look into her eyes. With a blink she left and quietly shut the door behind her.
Kriya leaned on the door after she left and whispered in thin air, "I wish I can tell you. But this is something I have to deal with myself. I can't hurt you."
***
The next day went by fast in adjusting to the time different and also shopping for daily needs. Sharon and Neha tagged along giving the reason that they wanted to spend as much time with Kriya as possible before the rehearsals began for the competition. Because after then, Kriya would be practicing for the performances all day long and night. They wouldn't get much time other than breaks.
As Kriya was looking at herself in the mirror with two dresses on her, deciding which one looked better, she sees Sharon and Neha whispering behind her. she turned and asked, "What's cooking?"
"No-nothing." Both replied together.
Kriya raised her brows but shrugged the suspicion away. She then asked, "Which one?" waving both dresses in front of her.
Both pointed at the red one and grinned. The grin was way too wide for a regular occasion. Now Kriya was sure that both of them were up to some plan. She decided to wait and find out and processed towards billing.
***
Once they were home, Kriya grabbed a bottle of juice out of the fridge and lay down on the couch occasionally drinking from it. Sharon came there and started a normal conversation without acting too excited. "So Kriya, what are you wearing for the party?"
"What party?" Kriya asked back sitting on the couch.
Both Sharon and Neha replied, "Valentines ball!"
It was then Kriya understood what their plan was. A second later. She replied bluntly, "I'm not going." Her voice made it clear that she wasn't going to think about it again. But still, Sharon had to try. Neha motioned Sharon to go ahead. There was nothing that they wanted more than Kriya to come to the party with them.
"But why?" Sharon pouted.
Kriya pouted back, "Do I have to go to the Valentine's ball? I mean come on! I don't even have a date. Unlike you too."
Sharon replied, "So what? Rey doesn't have a date either!"
Kriya counter-argued, "He doesn't count." The instant, harsh reply shocked both of them but they decided to not acknowledge it at the moment. Their first priority was to make sure Kriya agreed to go with them to the party. Rest can be thought about later on.
"Ok fine. But doesn't matter. You're coming" Kriya looked nowhere close to agreeing. Sharon continued to pacify her. "For me? For us? Come on! It's Swayam and mine's first Valentine's Day as a couple!! Please please??"
"Alright, fine. I'll go. No need to be this corny." She replied making both of the girls happy.
They grinned at their success. Kriya continued, "But, I'll wear only what I want to and no one, I mean NO ONE, will force me to get a date."
They had no problem with that. As long as she agreed to come. And besides her date will be at the party!
***
The evening after, the boys were getting ready. Rey didn't show much enthusiasm or excitement as he didn't know if Kriya was going to be at the club or not. When Vicky left the room to find his other match to the show, Swayam talked to him.
"Missing somebody?" he asked teasingly.
"No – no." he covered up.
Swayam smiled and replied without pulling his leg further, "Kriya's coming." Rey brightened up hearing this but when he realized Swayam was still there, he straightened his face and back to normal and replied, "That's-that's nice. But I wasn't thinking about that."
Swayam nodded and said sarcastically, "Sure." Then shaking his head pleasantly, he left the room. Rey grinned behind his back and jumped in excitement. Then coming to normal, he put on a serious face and followed Swayam out.
***
The girls were picked up by boys in Swayam's car. (the same one used during Jungle track. I have no idea about cars so just imagine) All three girls walked out together in red. The stylish dresses made them look extra-ordinary. But overpassing that, their looks complimented them more than the dress. The boys gaped, open mouthed at them and Rey was the first one to recover.
His love for Kriya wasn't hidden from the boys but if he acted that way in front of Kriya, there was no chance of him getting forgiven. He snapped Swayam and Vicky out of their trance as well. Both went to their individual girls and started whispering sweet nothings in their ears.
Rey and Kriya stood their awkwardly, not wanting to disturb their friend's private gazing moments. They remembered how once, they used to be like them too. They remembered how they would be looking forward to this night too, along with others. But not the same anymore. It was one-sided.
Minutes later, Rey coughed, making their friends notice that they weren't alone. Both couples snapped out of it and feeling embarrassed, got in the car quickly. Rey moved back and let Sharon take the front seat next to Swayam.
***
They all went to the venue, the club, together. As they got down and were about to pass the main gate and enter the club, the security guard stopped them.
"I'm sorry but they can't enter as they aren't coming as a couple." He said pointed at Rey and Kriya. He added, "Its a couple's only entrance today."
All of them looked at Rey and Kriya who looked at each other in return for a second. Now that was going to be a problem. When Kriya looked back at them, Sharon made a pleading face. She understood that she wanted them to join in and act as a couple to get in. she said loudly, "No ways! You guys promised not to force me!"
Sharon said throwing a fake tantrum, "Fine then. We'll go back home." She started going back towards the car.
Kriya stopped short in breath and looking back at her and to Swayam, she made a run towards her. "Home? Why home? I'll go home. You all enjoy na!"
Sharon stopped walking and replied, "Before wanting to spend the night with Swayam, I want to spent it with you. My sister. After so many years, we're together. Again. And if you won't celebrate here, then we'll just celebrate it at home. Without the boys. That's my last and only decision."
What she had said was true. But she just hoped that would convince Kriya. And it did. Kriya sighed looked at Swayam. Swayam walked up to them and stood beside Sharon. "I'm with her on this one Kriya. Sorry."
Kriya sighed yet again. Now that was a complete defeat for her. she wouldn't have accepted the defeat if it was someone else. But in front of Sharon and her friends, she was always already to accept a defeat to bring a smile on their face.
She didn't want to ruin their night. She quietly went to Rey and pulled him away from the guard like a girl-friend would. He was surprised at this action but couldn't say he didn't like it. He enjoyed this.
She spoke to him in hushed volume even though they were far away from the rest of them, "The minute we get in there, you'll be on your way and I'll be on mines. I'm only doing it so that Sharon and Swayam and Vicky and Neha can enjoy the night. Got it?"
Rey smiled and replied diligently, "You didn't have to explain it all."
She took that as a yes and rolled her eyes briefly. She then hugged his hand like a couple would and he put his hand around her waist. She widened her eyes and looked at him.
He shot back, "You want them to suspect?"
She shook her head negatively. He continued, "Then go along."
She threw an angry look at him and walked towards the rest. She hated it when someone told her to do something. Even if it was right. She knew then that this time he was right. But still, she didn't want to accept it. From inside, she accepted it but from outside, she didn't let it show on her face.
***
Sharon and Swayam grinned cheerily when they saw them come towards them that way. The guard then let them in and Sharon was the last one to enter. As she passed the guard, she mouthed, "Thank you" to him and he nodded understandingly.
Apparently, what Sharon had done was kindly ask the man to stop them so Kriya would have no other choice but to go in with Rey as her date. He had been so kind that he had accepted the minute she requested not asking for anything in return. He had just replied with, "Anything for lovers" and accepted it.
Sharon also knew what Kriya would do. Act like a couple to get in and then go their own ways. But this was Sharon she was dealing with. She had more plans in her mind that Kriya wouldn't be able to escape from. At least not today. She was fully prepared to take her sister's guard down slowly by slowly. And her sweet boyfriend Swayam was all in to helping her. it was only a matter of time till Neha and Vicky would join them in helping as well.
Previous Chapter page 60
Ok don't complain on amount in the chapter. This is 8 pages in word and also This isn't the full Valentine's day. The night has just began 😉 As you see, first promo happened. next will come but in next update which I will post tomorrow. I can not post it right now as I have a test tomorrow which I need to study for. Enjoy this and you'll get the next part tomorrow.
See, that's why I'm also reserving a post underneath this.
Hope I get quick comments on this first part 😃
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