|| Have You Ever? || 99th Shot

"Okay where are they?" Rinki rolled her eyes as she looked around the lounge still bopping along the soft jazz music playing around.

"Have some patience Rinkz," Aradhna smiled. "They'll be here,"

"Oh of course di," Shabo smirked. "You're just waiting for Mayank,"

Just hearing his name brought a slight blush to Radzie's face and she laughed. "Can't help it, this makes it all better," She held up her left hand and gazed at the ring that glistened in the light.

Zahra giggled and deliberately hid her finger from sight.

"What are you doing?" Asma laughed. "Even if you hide it, we still know that you have a gorgeous ring from Mr Prem."

Meera glanced up smiling as she watched as 10 of her friends gathered around the round table.

Zahra and Aradhna were engaged to the best guys that they could've found; Asma and Ravs had adorable boyfriends that were literally replicas of each other. Then there was Avneet, Rinkz and Shabo, the three who were constantly arguing with the boys that they were secretly in love with; Alekh, Farid and Preet respectively. Meera just glanced at Maddy and saw her gazing happily at her cell phone. Manav no doubt, Meera giggled as she sipped her drink. Maddy had met Shifali's older brother Manav at one of the various parties she held for random occasions and it was literally love at first sight for them. Shifali on the other hand was more in the group with Avi, Rinkz and Shabo who were refusing to admit their love. She had been business associates with Arjun Punjj for a few months now and even though they both bickered, he had managed to find friends within their group of 25 people. Meera glanced again at the two girls sitting together and conspiring and shook her head. Whenever those two got together, things went wrong. Kiran and Rinki were both two girls who constantly enjoyed making mischief happen and Rinki was the main reason Kimz was with her current beau, Akki. Meera looked around and saw the two empty seats across the table from her between Shabz and Radz and shook her head. As always Bhavna and Nonee were late. Ever since the two of them had met their two 'gore' boys; their time was ALWAYS compromised. Nate and Chuck constantly had plans with the girls and the rest of them were always left hanging. A good thing however was the way the boys had molded in with the other guys as well despite the cultural differences. They had Mayank, Preet and Farid to teach them everything. The other boys had too much fun laughing at poor Nate and Chuck. Meera sighed as she went to fill up her drink right as Bhav and Nonee ran to the table.

"We're so sorry we're late!" They both said quickly.

"What's the excuse this time?" Ravs laughed.

"Or wait—do we even want to know?" Radz shook her head.

Right then the lights dimmed in the entire lounge and Meera thought it was wise to stay where she was instead of try to navigate through the darkness and suddenly a spotlight shone on the empty space on the stage.

"Have you ever loved somebody so much...It makes you cry?" Mayank sang as he stepped into the spotlight dressed in a metallic navy shirt and smiled softly at Radz who was staring at him with her eyes wide.

"Have you ever needed something so bad....You can't sleep at night?" Farid took Mayank's lead as he walked into the spotlight giving a light wink to Rinki who just shook her head while keeping a small smile on her face.

Chuck gave Nonee a sexy grin as he walked right up to her instead of going on stage and took her hand and sang, "Have you ever tried to find the words but they don't come out right?"

The remaining guys, Preet, Manav, Yug, Prem, Akki, Kunal, Nate Arjun and Alekh join Mayank and Farid on stage while sitting on little stools waiting for Chuck to join them. "Have you ever? Have you ever?"

All the girls quickly glanced at each other and just smiled. Even though some of the girls, Avi, Shabo, Rinkz, refused to admit their love, no one could deny the bright smile that adorned their faces when they locked eyes with the guys.

"Have you ever been in love...been in love so bad, you'd do anything to make them understand?" Arjun slowly closed his eyes, feeling every emotion of the words as he belted them out for Shifali.

Manav smiled as he looked towards his girlfriend and sang, "Have you ever had someone steal your heart away?"

Without realizing Maddy started nodding, till Shabo nudged her and winked until Preet grabbed her hand and pulled her up him and smirked as she fell bang straight in his chest. "You'd give anything ....to make them feel the same? Have you ever searched for words to get you in their heart, but you don't know what to say and you don't know where to start?"

Shabo pushed him away as he went to join the rest of the guys on the stage. "Have you ever loved somebody so much it makes you cry, have you ever needed something so bad you can't sleep at night, have you ever tried to find the words but they don't come out right?"

Prem slowly went up to Zahra and held out his hand and without breaking eye contact she took his hand and he swayed along with her as he sang, "Have you ever found the one you've dreamed of all your life? You'd do just about anything to look into their eyes?"

Bhav's face turned bright red as she saw Nate wink before belting out lyrics that made her feel like the happiest girl ever. "Have you finally found the one you've given your heart to only to find that one won't give their heart to you?"

Bhav shook her head as she smiled before she danced with him. "My heart's already yours,"

"Have you ever closed your eyes and dreamed that they were there and all you can do is wait for that day when they will care?" Alekh grinned as Avi tried to appear fascinated by the candle flickering on the table. He silently just sat down next to her and took her hand in his. "Have you ever loved somebody so much it makes you cry?"

Arjun smiled as Shifali stood in front of him, offering her hands for him to take as they danced along, "Have you ever needed something so bad you can't sleep at night."

Simultaneously all the guys start singing as Meera swayed along while sitting on the bar stool.

"Have you ever? Have you ever?"

Kunal and Yug both stood together as if nervous to go up to Ravs and Asma and both the girls couldn't help but giggle, until Kunal got a determined look on his face and swept Ravjot into his arms. "What do I gotta do to get you in my arms, baby? What do I gotta say to get to your heart?"

"Nothing," she silently shook her head as he placed his hands on her back.

As if getting inspiration from Kunal, Yug winked at Asma who rolled her eyes back in response until he stood right near her chair and tilted her face to look up at him. "To make you understand how I need you next to me? Gotta get you in my world 'Cause, baby, I can't sleep...."

Rinki's eyes fall on Meera who silently sips her drink until she sees the bartender walk up to her. She doesn't have another chance to watch them as Farid pulled her chin to look directly in his eyes. "I don't like it when my girl looks at other people,"

"Oh?" Rinki raised her eyebrow and then shrugged. "Get used to it; I'm just making sure Meera's okay."

"She will be," Shifali says as she and Arjun sway past. "She needs to learn to be strong and independent. We've all babied her too much,"

Shifali conveniently didn't notice as Rinki did her trademark eye roll before giggling as Farid dipped her nearly to the floor.

The song continued to play in the background as some of the couples moved around the dance floor

Have you ever loved somebody so much It makes you cry

Have you ever needed something so bad You can't sleep at night.

Have you ever tried to find the words But they don't come out right?
Have you ever?

Have you ever?

"Hi," Meera turned as a voice came from beside her.

She saw a guy standing there in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and his hair was slightly flopping over his forehead and she had an unexplainable urge to brush it away.

"Hi," she responded, training her eyes back to her friends.

"I couldn't help but notice—" He smiled as he leaned a bit closer to her. "There are 12 girls and 12 boys out there, why are you alone?"

Meera shrugged. "No one impresses me easily,"

"Given anyone the chance?" He asked.

"Are you volunteering?" She smiled as she turned to face him again.

He shrugged. "Maybe?"

"I'm Meera,"

"Harshad Chopda" He leaned even closer. "I own this place,"

"Oh!" Meera smiled. "I love this place! I com—"

"You come here all the time I know. I've noticed you before,"

Meera didn't know what to make from that little statement and so she just sipped her drink.

"Care to dance?" He asked.

Meera nodded as she carefully put her drink on the bar before letting Harshad lead her out to the dance floor. She quickly glanced around the room in happiness. All her 12 friends were with someone they loved or grown to love and that gave her happiness. She could see some of them giggling together, others gazing into each other's eyes, and she even saw some of them arguing and she smiled as she looked into Harshad's eyes. Maybe she'd have it to?

Yes woohoo I had myself in it *rolls eyes* That's all I'll be in for anyways! 😃 The 100th one focuses on everyone else! 😉

Love you,

Meera😳