Manya's pov

HELP ME!

SOMEONE!

SAVE ME !

The tension here is so overwhelming. I think the food I ate before is about to make nasty appearance.

" So, how's been life?" Krishang tried to start a conversation. I guess I'm not the only one who can sense this thick layer of tension.

" Fine" said Anshika

" Good" said Ceba

" so-so" said Abhav

" Bindaas!!!!!" said ' Ruhi' in most Ishaan Awasthi style one could impersonate.

CAN SHE READ THE ROOM!?!?

" That's good" said Ceba awkwardly.

"So...." I tried to initiate the conversation.

" Oye Manya, Malhotra ka kya haal hai ?" Aarohi asked teasingly.

WHAT !?!?

IS SHE SERIOUS RIGHT NOW !?!?

Not able to look at anybody, I dip head down in embarrassment. What have I done to deserve all this. Please save me from them.

" OYEEE! YEH BHI TOH MALHOTRA HAI" Exclaimed Juhi while pointing at Abhav ; And him seating there, like a stone with an awkward hand extend towards Naina for a shake.

Bhai atleast uska haath toh Mila le
Bechara!

A heavy silence sits on us.

Except for, of course, Anshika, Ruhi, Juhi and Ishani Sharma, my school friend.

It looked like either they couldn't read the room or are just straight up ignoring it.

All the boys and me where shifting in our seats; though, the boys didn't know the full story about 'Malhotra' but they had the idea to not bring this up.

"Haan toh, malhotra pasand nhi kya ?" Abhav asked teasingly " I don't have any problem with changing my surname, I think my name would sound better with your surname .... Waise bhi 27 saal se wahi surname laga ke thak gya.... Socch rha hu change karlu" he asked Naina with complete innocence while having a playful smirk.

I know he is flirting to make a distraction & I'm thankful for it.

"Do you even know my surname?" asked Naina.

"No.... But it doesn't matter, any surname will look good with my name.." Abhav said proudly "Besides, I'm aware that you're a sweetheart who will share her last name with me." He said while kissing a strand of her hair.

" I heard 'someone' saying ' logo ke naam aur phone no. Lena meri hobby hai .... Bina pucche hi log bata dete hai... pata nhi kon tha !" Naina asked while looking intensely at abhav's eyes.

Don't tell me! I have a new couple to ship!

They do look kinda cute tho-

I heard a stifle laugh beside me.

"Yeah right! Bas issiko number Dene ko log marr rhe hai ..... bilkul" Anshika chimed in while controlling her laugh.

Do I sense jealousy?

" Log actually marr rhe hai ..... Like kal hi mujhe ek dm aaya ki agar maine apna number Diya toh apne pair ki nass kaat lega ... YES ! like.... I AM PULLING BITCHES LEFT AND RIGHT REGARDLESS OF GENDER!" stated Abhav with sass.

If he had long hair, he would have definitely flipped them.

" Samajha ? Tere liye log haath ki nass bhi nhi kaat rhe hai" Anshika countered back.

"Oh please! -"

"Bas .... Shaant" Ceba said while pushing a hand on abhav's chest to make him sit. " Hume samjh aagya log tumhare liye haath, paar, gardan sabki nass kaat rhe hai."

From my peripheral view, I could see Anshika glaring at Ceba's hand.

Yup, She is definitely jealous.

Now how should I tell her that faking a glare won't hide the actual emotions behind it?

"Stop looking at me like that" anshika whispered and pushing my face the other way.

The waiter served us some finger foods such as chilli chicken, french fries, paneer tikka and more with few drinks.

I started sipping my red wine, the one Anshika recommended me beforehand.

" Manya Malhotra.... It does not sound that bad.... Kaam chalau..... Manya meri baat Mann... saamne abhav baitha hi hai...usse shaadi kar le .... " Ruhi said in a low voice. " Dekh, tu single hai, woh bhi single hai; Age ho gyi hai shaadi kar le ... Dono ek saath cute Lagoge.... Plus tumhare bacche bhi cute honge for sure."

I CHOCKED ON AIR AND SPIT MY WINE ON VED.

NOT ON HIS CLOTHES BUT ON HIS FACE!

HIS FACE!

Just whose face did I saw when I woke up? Do I have to screw every moment of this night?

First by calling him a backstabber(?) then by spitting wine on his face.

I didn't felt this much guilt even when I told him to screw himself All those years ago.

"That's quite refreshing... I guess I deserved this as well" he said solemnly while wiping his face and clothes with his handkerchief.

Does he HAVE to increase my guilt by making such comment. I mean I understand I did a mistake but don't say it like that please.

Let me .... Hate you for breaking my heart.

That heart which never healed.

That heart which is lowkey afraid to love someone again.

" Ewwww, thuka thaaki bhi shuru kar diya.... Sharam karo" Ruhi said with utter disgust.

BHENCHOD !!! TU BAS BAHAR MIL !!!
TUJHE TERI NANI YAAD NHI DILAYA TOH MERA NAAM BHI MANYA GARG NHI!!!

Embarrassed, I tried to help him wipe his face or at least give him my handkerchief.

"Chalo Bhai thuka thaki hogyi.... Ab btao Malhotra ji shaadi karni iss phool si bacchi se ? Guarantee de rhi hu badi pyaari bacchi hai " continued Ruhi.

" YAHA DALALI CHAL RHI HAI MERI?" I scolded while trying to find my handkerchief in my purse.

"Shut up Abhav. Ved, you tell. Do you have any problem if she gets married with Abhav?"

" I have a lot of problem with this." Abhav stated his opinion.

"No one asked, honestly....don't care."

"Uhm..."

"Wait, why don't I get to say, I'm the one getting married" pouted Abhav.

" We are not getting married you Dumbo" I clarified to Abhav in a whisper. " Ved, I'm sorry for the .... you know, let me help you."

"It's okay, I can manage" he replied in a whisper.

" I insist .... Please" I looked at him full of guilt for what I did. Also, for whatever I said earlier.

" Okay, just help me drain off the excess from my clothes."

" It's okay Abhav, tumhari nhi toh Ved aur Manya ki shaadi Kara dete hai. Waise bhi, Manya Vyas bhi accha hi hai." Teased Krishang.

" Sorry to break it to you but ... I have a girlfriend." Though he replied to Krishang but he held my gaze as if the words were meant for me.... Almost apologetic.

Of course you have a girlfriend.

I don't know whether I'm angry or hurt or jealous of him for moving on when I'm still stuck there.

Should I really forget about all our memories?

His gifts?

Those books?

Those random flowers?

Am I just suppose to forget about it just because he moved on ?

" Hum kaise Maan le ? Kya pta shaadi se bhaag ne ke liye tum bol rhe ho?"

* Ring ring *

" See, my girlfriend is calling me" he said while picking up his phone after showing the caller's ID.

So his girlfriend's name is Tanya.
He didn't even put a heart or any nickname in front of it.

Why do I care? To hell with Ved aur uski Tanya.

I frantically searched for the napkins to help him, ignoring him and his Tanya.

" I don't have to tell where I go everytime..... No.... No .... You don't even reply to my text if you are out with your friends let alone picking up a call..... Yeah , so ... No.... Why should I? you promised that was the last time you asked for that much amount .... Nope .... You don't even inform me, I always get to know what happened after a week or so that too via social media ....." He argued in whisper with her.

I guess they are not at the best term.

" Oye speaker par kar .... Mujhe bhi sunna hai" requested Juhi whilst banging the table with her hand.

Yeh kyu aaye yaha par?

In middle of the argument, Ved just gave a dead stare to her and mouthed ' seriously? '.

Ruhi and Juhi nodded their head in agreement.

" I'll call you later... Okay? Bye" he cut the call hurriedly.

I stood up with napkins to help Ved. In hurry I tripped on Krishang's leg who is sitting next to Ved and landed in Ved's embrace.

YES!

PEOPLE, MY DIGNITY AND SELF RESPECT HAS LEFT MY BODY FOR THE NIGHT.

" Sorry-"

* Lamba hai ri madam lamba* starts playing.

BAS ISI KI KAMI THI !

"Yeh Hui na baat, naach gana chalu hua na " Ruhi said while vibing.

" Your phone's ringing" repied Anshika.

" Oh... Hehehe"

" Allo, Bol Shreeda.... Hum kaha par hai? Accha saawal puccha, ek kaam kar Apne Dil mein jhak ke dekho wahi mein milenge.... Arrey, jhaak ke toh dekh..." Aarohi went away from the table while talking.

Haan, bhaagao inhe yaha se.
Jaldi jaldi

" Uhm excuse me, could you stand up ... It feels a bit awkward actually." Ved whispered in my ear.

I just realized I was still on top of Ved.

I peer at his face. Oh how much he has changed. That boyish charm replaced with that manly appeal. GOD! Can someone really be this beautiful? Or is it just me thinking like that?

My eyes dropped toward his lips. He looks so kissable right now. If just give him a peck would it harm anyone?

If he hadn't cleared his throat to gain my attention I might have done that !!!

GET YOURSELF TOGETHER MANYA !!!!!!!

Do I have to make the situation with him more awkward?

Can just someone kill me?
Pretty please?

I took a deep breath to calm myself, stood up, apologized to him, helped him with the almost dried wine( Good, I ruined his clothes as well) And returned to my seat.

Now, for the entire evening I only have a single goal.... That is to Ruhi Juhi ko yaha se nikalwana.

From The moment I met them tonight, I couldn't find a second to breathe.

" Well guys, my stomach is full and the full course is yet to be served... So I'm off to the dance floor .... Anyone else interested ?" Abhav questioned.

" Uhm-" Anshika tried to reply.

" Except for you, I have a reputation to maintain .... I cannot be seen with a monkey on a dance floor.... I would like to score a good lady for tonight.... Or more nights, who knows? " He said while removing his shoes.

" Who removes his shoes before dancing?" Ruhi asked while returning to her seat.

" Legends!!!" Abhav said while channeling his inner diva.

" Yeah... Such a legendary person you are! I mean ladies tumhare socks pe hi toh marrengi.... Of course bas ek acchi bhali ghar ki ladki ke saath hi toh image kharab ho jayegi .... Jao jao Karo ladki baazi... Dekhti hu kitni ladkiya aaj tum Ghar leke jaate ho." Anshika commented in a challenging way.

I looked at Anshika completely perplexed. what has gotten into her? Is she drunk? That never happens!

" Lagi bet? Aaj raat ko Ghar jaate samay ek ladki toh mere saath hogi."

"Aur agar nhi Hui toh?"

" Tum Jo bologi main woh karunga" abhav challenged.

" Theek, lagi bet"

" Lekin agar abhav jeeta toh kya hoga ?" Ishani asked while fully enjoynig the drama unfolding infront of us.

" Dekho fair game hona chahiye, toh uss hisaab se anshika ko bhi jo bhi abhav bolega woh karna chahiye lekin agar kucch aur prize rakhna hai toh rakh lo." Suggested Ceba.

" Theek hai agar abhav jeeta toh woh Jo bole ga woh main woh karungi."

" Kya baat hai" said Ruhi excitedly.

" Yehi toh baat hai" I replied. Whatever it is but thanks to them for shifting away the awkwardness hanging earlier.

" Jab itni harkate ho hi rhi hai toh contract bhi bana hi lo." Suggested Naina.

" Ved, contract taiyaar kar." Abhav ordered while holding his gaze to Anshika.

Both were in a staring contest refusing to back down.

" Seriously?"

"Seriously." Abahv said with nothing but seriousness.

He truly is a lawyer.

" Rough sa bana de" suggested Ishani.

Ved picked up two napkins and wrote something.

 ________________________________

CONTRACT

Conditions:
1. If party A (Abhav Malhotra, LLB.) manages to seduced woo a girl, party B ( Anshika Rana) would do whatever party A suggested without any complaint.

2. If party A fails to woo a girl, party A has to do whatever party B suggests without any complaint.

Signature
Patry A  ____________

 Party B _____________

_______________________________

After signing the contract, Abhav moved towards the dance floor and Anshika towards the bar counter.

Abhav turned around saying " Oh by the way, Ms. Anshika Rana .... Mere ducky socks ke khilaaf aaj ke baad kucch bol mat Dena.....

Jaan chali Jaye lekin ducky na jaye."

His 'ducky' for reference 👇

______________________________

Thank you for reading :)
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