The sun went down the horizon, paving way for the darkness of the night. I watched the sun set from my apartment's window, wishing my mind would stop working at such a frantic pace. But thoughts refused to desert me, making my head ache. Thoughts about the past, thoughts about today, thoughts about the future. It all looks bleak, as if the darkness will not see another day's light. It must, because that is the way of life, but at the moment, dark seems to triumph over the light. My thoughts veered to Taira. Sweet, patient Taira, who deserved all the love in the world, but instead, was forced to make sacrifices over her happiness. She was forced to settle. It seemed cruel, and yet it was happening. I sighed as I rubbed my temple, willing the headache to go away. Everything was happening so quickly, it was difficult to get it all in. I palmed my face and strode towards the mirror, fixing my hair. It was cocktail party night. Taira and Abhi's marriage was a grand celebration, and it was being celebrated with a grandeur beyond the likes of my imagination.

I exhaled as I looked down at my shimmering navy blue one piece, tailored to perfection. Taira had forced me to buy a cocktail dress for the event, feigning anger when I had said I didn't like these and would simply wear formal wear. It was the truth; I didn't like wearing gowns. But if I had grown to like them, it was only because of a certain someone who always pushed me beyond my limits. Who insisted that I should try everything, and who lavished me with compliments and affection every time I wore them. If I wore them, it was only for him. These dresses reminded me of him. I shook my head and grinned at myself in the mirror. It was Taira's day. Even though it was an arranged marriage, I couldn't argue that Abhi was a good guy. He was someone who knew Taira, and I was positive he would take care of her. And they shared friendship. Friendship was, and is, a foundation that makes many marriages work.

I prayed with everything I had that Taira's marriage would be one of them. I continued to smile as I strode out of the building and into the cab I had booked earlier, afraid I wouldn't be able to summon the courage to smile again if I stopped now. I breathed consciously, seeping in happy memories. It was imperative if I had to survive the evening. I looked out of the window and saw random things. It was a full moon night, and it looked absolutely magical. The shops glittered with lights and shoppers; the perfect Delhi scene. The haggling and screaming voices dimmed as we turned towards the upscale areas of South Delhi. In no time, the car stopped outside The Leela. I paid the cab driver and stepped inside the hotel, my eyes fixated at the chandelier hung in the very middle of the reception area of the hotel. It was enchanting.

"Your invitation card, ma'am?" A footman asked as I made my way towards the lift. There was only the cocktail party that was taking place in the hotel. I showed him the invitation, a card lined with shimmering gold and white patterns. It screamed money and elegance, just like this hotel. I didn't waste another minute and started towards the backrooms of the ballroom, where Taira and Abhi were getting ready.

I entered the empty ballroom which would be packed with people in no time, and strode backstage towards the dressing rooms. I entered the section which said "the bride" and entered without knocking.

Taira was seated in front of the dressing table, dressed in an elegant spectacle of a dress, looking downright stunning in the silver gown lined with gold strings. Her shoulder length hair were strung up in a chic hair-do, her neck sporting a delicate solitaire diamond necklace. I blinked, trying to take in the Taira before me. She looked...rich. It was an odd adjective, but I didn't know what other word suited her better. In all the time we had spent as friends, it had never occurred to me that Taira was rich. Sure, I knew the fact as an afterthought; something registered at the back of my mind. The numerous simple t-shirts, kurtis and jeans she had donned in all these years flashed my mind, and then I saw her, dressed in the finest of gowns. I left my thoughts there and walked forward quietly. I looked down to see her staring at a small piece of canvas, lost in her own thoughts. I peered over her shoulder to see a painting of a couple, overlooking a river on the backdrop of sunset.

"Is it a gift?" I asked louder than intended in her ear. She jumped in her seat at my voice and snapped her head at me, panic in her eyes. I stifled a giggle as she tried to hide the painting behind her.

"Hmm? Oh, yes," she replied absentmindedly while straightening her hair by her hand which was already sufficiently straightened.

"Given by Abhi, huh?" I looked at her in the mirror with a naughty smile on my face.

"Uhh... no," she murmured hesitatingly, not meeting my eyes.

I frowned. "Who, then?"

It took her a while to respond. "Someone in Paris."

My frown deepened. "Who is this someone? You didn't tell me, your best friend that there's someone lavishing you with these gifts and - "

"Cut the drama, it's not important," Taira rolled her eyes and stood up too quickly from the chair, making me dizzy.

"You've become too demanding these days," I grumbled under my breath as she fluttered across the room, righting her things.

"You don't become the boss without becoming demanding," she flashed me a cheeky grin from over her shoulder and then turned to meet my eye.

"How do I look?" She asked, breathless.

I smiled. "You look...perfect."

Her eyes narrowed. "You don't want to say that." It was a statement.

"No no, you look absolutely stunning. Gorgeous, really," I said hurriedly, my eyes widening.

"But?" Taira raised her brows inquisitively.

I sighed. "You just... it just... all of this looks, rich. I have never seen you like this," I said quietly twiddling my fingers. "Not that its a bad thing," I hurried to explain as I saw Taira's face fall at my words. "Of course, it isn't a bad thing at all. Its just that I have never seen you like this before. It is a good thing," I said, gripping her shoulders. "You look beautiful, I swear." I smiled at her, nudging her lightly when her expression didn't change. "Don't mind your jealous friend's words. She's demented, go enjoy your day," I said airily and waved my hand, making her laugh at my antics.

"Just be like this, okay, laughing and I wouldn't mind you getting married and leaving me alone," I said quietly as she nodded at my words.

"Always."

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We were soon called outside. As soon as we left the backstage and came in the light, a cheer rang in the crowd. My eyes threatened to pop out of my socket as I took the scene in. The ballroom was decorated lavishly with flowers and ribbons in each and every corner of the room. It was a wonder I didn't go blind with the amount of glittering and shimmering decoration that were used in the room. Abhimanyu's parents had took upon themselves to do all the arrangements for every event leading to the wedding. I winced at the thought of another golden and white themed event. I hoped they had the sense to not make the same mistake twice. I strode forwards towards the crowd as Taira ascended the stairs leading to the stage and stood beside Abhi. I smiled as I saw them together, making a rather handsome picture. Abhi was smartly dressed in a white and golden tuxedo, his hair gelled back, making him look sharp and elegant. The matching couple stood out in a sea of blues, which was the dress code for other guests in the party.

The dance floor opened with Taira and Abhi's dance. I watched them as they marched down the stage to the space that had been vacated for the both of them. I stared as I heard chords of different instruments adjusting with each other to form a beautiful melody. A live band, I realised as I craned my neck to have a better look at them. I grinned. I loved everything about live music. It would just feel like being in a concert -

My grin dimmed at the thought of concert. I closed my eyes and forcefully pried them open, looking nowhere in particular in order to stop the tears from pooling in my eyes. It was difficult to get rid of his memories. They were everywhere, embracing me tightly in a vice-like grip, refusing to set me free. And the truth was, I didn't want to be set free from them. They were too dear for me to let them go. I blinked as the first strings of music began, Taira and Abhi taking the centre stage. I saw Abhi hovering a hand over Taira's waist, hesitating to hold it. Taira was no better, her face looking oddly pinched, trying to adjust in his arms.

I titled my head, thinking. It must be difficult to take a leap from being friends to being a couple. Years of knowing each-other had blossomed an ease between them but the new developments were still intimidating. It took a quip from Abhi and a hearty laugh from Taira to ease the matters between them and they soon settled on an easy pace, exuding peace and comfort. I was smiling at the turn of events. It assured me that things will be fine. They moved with an easy grace all over the place, a small smile on each of their faces. It didn't feel romantic, as was the intention from the music playing in the background, but it had comfort, and laughter, and I thought it was enough, until I caught Abhi's expression in the middle of the dance.

Abhi looked over Taira's shoulder at me, color visibly draining from his face. I furrowed my brows, unable to understand. I looked to my left and found a woman dressed in the most striking turquoise dress I had ever seen, gazing intently at the couple with an odd expression on her almost porcelain skin. I looked at Abhi again, and realization dawned on me. He wasn't looking at me, he was looking at her! He tried to put up a better facade but I could see it was in vain. My frown deepened as I turned to the woman again. Something wasn't right about her, partly because I had a nagging feeling that I had seen her somewhere. She moved her head to the waiter who had just arrived with the drinks when I noticed a tattoo on her nape. My eyes widened as I read the words.

Abhi

Bloody hell! Natasha Batra. Abhimanyu's ex-girlfriend. What was she doing here? I let out a shaky breath as my mind ran a thousand escape plans from this adversity.

Taira and Abhi's dance ended and the dance floor was opened to everyone. Taira stepped aside to drink water when the next song started, and just as I was about to step forward to haul Abhi for a dance so that Natasha couldn't, she quickly moved ahead and pulled him for a dance. I gritted my teeth in annoyance. While her face was painted with what I saw as a nasty smirk, Abhi was struggling to maintain his smile. This wasn't right.

I looked around to find a cousin of Taira's - I recognized him as her mama's son - standing mere steps away. I pushed through the rich crowd and asked him, as politely as I could, if he would join me on the dance floor. He looked as if he wished he were anywhere but there, but he obliged nonetheless, considering I had approached him out of a dozen guys who were standing in the vicinity. It struck me later that I could've asked practically anyone, but I didn't care for it that moment. All I cared was for Taira and, well, overhearing Abhi's and his ex's conversation. To say the music was loud would be an understatement. It was mind-numbingly loud, and the youngsters had taken control over the dance floor, meaning havoc was underway.

I had never seen a rowdier party before.

The Punjabis sure knew how to party, I thought wryly as I pulled the cousin by his hand to stand as close by as I could to Abhi and Natasha. But my efforts were in vain; the loud music and the crush of the bodies made it impossible to eavesdrop on their conversation. I cursed under my breath as I saw them leaving the dance floor, individually.

"Umm...you wanted to dance, right?" Taira's poor cousin asked me as I watched Abhi dissolve in the sea of blues, away from the dancefloor, making conversation with his guests. I couldn't locate Natasha anywhere.

"No, its fine, enjoy the night," I flashed him a smile and grumpily walked away from the dancefloor.

When it was announced that the dinner counters had been opened, the rush on the dance floor lessened considerably, everyone heading to the buffet hall for dinner. I tried to locate the silver of Taira's gown, but I couldn't find her anywhere. Whistling to myself, I went to get a plate. I walked pass the counters of the buffet, trying to locate one edible dish, but failing to locate any. It was a bevy of absurd looking exotic food dishes, with names I didn't even try to pronounce. I was walking from counter to counter, foolishly asking the servers if the dish was vegetarian or not, taking the food that was vegetarian and did not look like a bird's nest, and avoiding that which I couldn't bare to look at for another minute.

To say the food wasn't to my liking would be an understatement. I threw my plate away, unable to stomach another piece of pie-what-not and chow-which-not. I filled my stomach by ordering those fruit punches over and over again, trying not to look too disappointed with the evening. When I finally finished experimenting every vegetarian dish on the buffet menu and drinking the fruit punches, I gave up and went to the washroom outside the ballroom to wash my hands.

As I closed the tap, I heard slow whispers from behind the wall. I wiped my hands with the paper towels hurriedly and strode out of the washroom, my curiosity peeked. I went to the other side of the wall to see two rooms adjacent to each other. I worried my fingers, as I walked ahead slowly and quietly, unable to fathom that I was really doing this. My hand hovered over the handle of the first room, my conscience telling me to not go any further. I sighed and almost gave up when I heard her name. Natasha's name. I opened the door softly and slightly to a very shocking scene.

"Natasha! Enough now, I am getting married in two days!" Abhi whisper-yelled as he clutched his ex -girlfriend's arms furiously. My eyes widened and I continued to listen to the scene.

"Abhi, why didn't you call me back after that episode?" Natasha hiccupped, ignoring Abhi's statement.

"Excuse me, I did call you! And your dad did say to stay out of your life! That I'm not suitable for you," he spat angrily, clutching her even tighter. Natasha's mouth went slack with shock.

"You did? Really? My father didn't tell me," she murmured softly, tears pooling in her eyes. I was half a mind away from bursting onto the scene and pulling them apart, but a part of me, the insanely curious part, held me in place. "He is in Bangkok, which is why I could come here tonight. Don't you love me anymore, Abhi?" She said, her voice breaking.

"Natasha, what is wrong with you?" He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, closing his eyes.

"What is wrong with you, Abhi? Why are you marrying Taira? She was just a friend, wasn't she? What changed?"

"What changed was that I was tired from earning your father's approval year after year. I built an entirely new, successful venture to please your father, to make him believe that I wasn't some passing idiot who was enamored with his daughter and wouldn't take responsibility. That I wasn't what I was in my youth. That I had grown up, and I loved his daughter. But he didn't relent, and well, I was done for, and so was my family. I have a family too, you know!"

Natasha could only sob at his words.

"You need to leave now, please. Take care of yourself." Was that wistfulness I heard in Abhi's voice? I gave up my death grip on the doorknob and practically ran from there, not caring if they heard my footsteps.

Taira had to know all this. I looked about frantically through the crowd, and sighed with relief when I found her in the corner of the ice-cream counter, talking with Abhi's mother and her friends. I stumbled on my way to her, but reached her nonetheless. Abhi's mother passed me a kind smile before returning to the conversation with her friend, when I whispered in Taira's ear.

"Taira, we need to talk." Taira raised her eyebrows questioningly but didn't say anything else. She excused herself from the crowd and once we were at away from the hue and cry, I almost burst out in a rant about what I saw.

"... and then he told her to leave and..."

"Aashi," she said, cutting me mid-sentence. "I know Natasha is here."

My eyes widened at her statement. "You do? And you aren't flustered at all?" I questioned, shocked at her calm.

"I'm not. I trust Abhi, he told me he would make things right. And I believe him. I don't want to hear anything regarding this matter," she said quietly but firmly.

"You don't get it Taira, I heard there is some misunderstanding... "

"Aashi!" She said in a tougher voice. "I said it will be sorted. Abhi is not irresponsible and unstable. And I know him longer than you do, and I know he won't do anything wrong. Don't exert yourself over me Aashi, please," she said wearily, and with a sigh, walked away.

I didn't get another moment to corner her because a bevy of people surrounded her, wanting to talk to her. Soon Abhi returned to Taira's side and continued to entertain their guests. He had a professional smile plastered on his face, but it seemed his real smile had vanished, as perilously as his ex-girlfriend.

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