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Third Person's POV
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Parth and Sharvi stood at the door of Room 808 of Hotel WhimsiRest, gazing at each other, the weight of a decade's separation hanging heavily between them.
Awkwardness permeated the air, an unspoken tension stifling their reunion after years.
The silence shattered as Keerti and Arjun rushed out. Arjun enveloped Parth in a warm embrace, exclaiming, "Glad you came!"
Parth responded with a genuine smile, though his eyes remained fixed on Sharvi. Keerti followed suit, hugging Parth tightly, and adding, "Thanks for coming, Parth."
Arjun and Keerti's attention shifted abruptly toward Sharvi, who stood at the door. Keerti took the lead and said, "By the way, let me do the introductions."
She turned to address Sharvi directly, "Sharvi, meet Parth. I'm sure you've heard of him, the famous billionaire," she completes with air quotes, "But more importantly, he's Arjun's closest friend and my childhood friend."
Keerti then turned her warm gaze towards Parth and added, hugging Sharvi's arm affectionately, "And, Parth, this is Sharvi Kashyap, my best friend."
Sharvi and Parth's eyes locked in a momentary but intense connection. In that instant, they both keenly sensed the irony that enveloped them - once the closest of friends, now reintroduced to each other by someone else.
What a twist of fate!
Parth sighed, then spoke, "We... We know each other," leaving Keerti and Arjun utterly surprised.
Arjun immediately questioned, "You know each other. How?"
Sharvi replied, her voice softer than usual, "We were high school classmates."
High school classmates!
The words left a bitter taste in Parth's mouth, feeling like a tight slap across his face.
Sharvi just acknowledged him as a high school classmate.
Weren't they more than that?
Their moment was abruptly interrupted when a boy came to deliver the roses Keerti had asked for.
Sharvi took the flowers from him and turned to Keerti, saying, "Come on, I'll help you put them."
Keerti replied with enthusiasm, "Yeah!"
The two friends then entered the room together.
Parth also entered the room at Arjun's insistence.
The room buzzed with Arjun and Keerti's banter while Sharvi fixed Keerti's hair. Parth couldn't help but steal glances at her, but the unspoken tension between them still lingered like a shadow.
Arjun and Keerti were soon summoned downstairs for the engagement ceremony. Sharvi and Parth left the room first.
Moments later, the soon-to-be-engaged couple made their grand entrance, arms entwined, while photographers snapped pictures and guests showered them with flower petals.
The engagement ceremony commenced.
Sharvi and Parth stood at a noticeable distance from each other, appearing as nothing more than strangers.
Parth's eyes frequently wandered to Sharvi as he observed her flawlessly fulfilling her role as Keerti's bridesmaid.
In that emotionally charged moment of love, as Keerti and Arjun exchanged rings and tenderly vowed their commitment to each other, two souls, once deeply entwined in affection, now stood on opposite sides. Their love remained an enigmatic puzzle, its answer eluding even their own understanding.
After the engagement ceremony, the photography session commenced.
Following photos with family and relatives and individual shots with their friends, the couple decided to capture a group photo with all their friends.
Sharvi joined the group, standing beside Keerti, with the friends affectionately clinging onto each other.
Suddenly, just as the photographer was about to press the shutter, Arjun spoke up, "Wait! Parth, where's Parth?"
Arjun reached for his phone in his pocket and called Parth, urging him to quickly join them on the stage.
Parth came over, and as he went up on the stage, getting ready to stand near Arjun, the photographer chimed in, "Sir, please come this way. It will make for a better photo," indicating for Parth to stand beside Sharvi.
Parth and Sharvi both took a deep breath as he came to stand beside her. When the photographer called for everyone to prepare for the shot, their shoulders brushed against each other, sending a sudden thrill through their bodies.
They turned their gaze towards each other, but just as the photographer was about to capture the scene, he called out, "Sir, Ma'am! Look ahead, please."
Feeling embarrassed, with everyone on the stage looking at them, they averted their gaze, and the photographer clicked the shot.
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Sharvi, whose flight to Delhi was scheduled for the day after the engagement, returned to Keerti's house, completely unaware that the house across the street belonged to Parth's parents.
Parth, who hadn't visited his parents' home in two months, was practically dragged there by his mom from the engagement venue. He stood on the balcony, facing Keerti's house, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone, when his eyes caught sight of someone standing on Keerti's balcony.
It was Sharvi.
She strolled across the balcony, engrossed in conversation on her phone, absentmindedly twirling a strand of her waist-long hair around her finger.
Parth couldn't help but gaze at her, dressed in an oversized tee and trousers, her face bare, looking incredibly endearing. This look of hers brought back memories of the Sharvi he had met on a warm sunny March day.
He found himself unable to resist stealing glances at her, completely unnoticed by her. Despite his attempts to avert his gaze, his eyes seemed to possess a will of their own, irresistibly drawn in her direction. Her varied reactions during the phone conversation only heightened his fascination.
This continued till Sharvi disconnected her call and went downstairs. Parth stood on the balcony, his heart suddenly overwhelmed by the flood of memories he had once shared with Sharvi, memories that had been buried for so long.
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Keerti called Arjun on the phone, urging him, "Arjun, you're leaving tomorrow morning. Then you will directly come during our wedding. Don't you want to meet?"
Arjun replied, "We just met two hours ago."
Keerti persisted, "Come on, let's grab some pizza."
Arjun tried to explain, "Babe, it's not that simple."
Keerti inquired, "What's the issue?"
Arjun pointed out, "Your parents, it's late, and what about Sharvi? You canceled her tickets and made her stay back, and now you'll leave her bored at home?"
Keerti reluctantly admitted, "You're right."
But then she had an idea, "I'll bring Sharvi along, that should solve everything."
Arjun was surprised, "What?"
Keerti explained, "My parents won't question if Sharvi's with me. She won't be bored, and it's only 8."
Arjun hesitated, "But will Sharvi come? To be a third wheel?"
Keerti quickly replied, "That's true."
After thinking for a while, she excitedly suggested, "Then, let's invite Parth."
Arjun was skeptical, "Parth? Are you serious?"
Keerti insisted, "Let's give it a try. They were high school classmates, they'll have fun together. I'm adding Parth."
"Parth? Are you crazy? You know him, he won't ever come," Arjun said.
Keerti replied, "What's wrong in trying? Moreover, they are high school classmates. They'll have fun together. Also, my parents will be more relaxed if Parth comes with us. I am adding Parth."
Parth was staring at his phone, reading the message his secretary had just sent: "Video conference with Patidar & Co. in 2 hours, Sir."
That's when his phone rang, indicating a call from Keerti.
"Keerti", Parth answered.
"Parth, let's go out for pizza," he heard Keerti say.
Parth exclaimed, "What?"
Keerti whined, "Come on, Parth, please."
Initially inclined to disagree, Parth stated firmly, "Not happening."
Keerti persisted, "It'll be fun. You, me, Arjun, and Sharvi."
As he heard Sharvi's name, Parth's resolve seemed to waver.
He wanted to talk to her but hadn't gotten the chance at the school reunion. And then, she swiftly ignored him at the engagement.
"Perhaps this time! Also, there are two hours left for the video conference. We might be back till then, should I go?", Parth mused.
With this thoughts, Parth agreed.
Keerti then said, "Great. Parth, get your car. Arjun, see you outside our home in.."
Parth interrupted, "Fifteen. Fifteen minutes."
They disconnected the call when Keerti rushed to Sharvi, "Sharvi, let's go for pizza."
"Okay.", Sharvi said and the friends rushed to get ready.
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Fifteen minutes later, Keerti's phone began to ring.
It was Parth calling.
Keerti, who was still not ready, whispered-yelled, "Oh, God. Parth, why are you always so punctual?"
She picked up the phone and said, "Parth, please, give me five more minutes."
Sharvi, who was ready to leave, was taken aback and asked, "Parth? Don't tell me he's coming with us."
Keerti replied, "Of course, he is."
Sharvi had mixed feelings upon hearing that Parth would be joining them. The 13-year-old or the 20-year-old Sharvi would have been thrilled at the opportunity, but the present Sharvi didn't know how to react.
The girls rushed downstairs five minutes later.
Keerti's mom asked, "Where are you guys going?"
"Pizza, mom. Parth is also with us," Keerti replied.
"And Arjun too," her mom added.
"Mom," Keerti whined, "We'll be back soon."
The girls ran out and spotted Arjun and Parth leaning on their car.
"Fifteen minutes?" Parth questioned.
Keerti smiled, "I was ready. Sharvi took time."
Sharvi, who had gotten ready in ten minutes in a white crop top, white shrug with blue jeans, asked, "Me?"
Keerti then said, "Forget it, guys, let's go."
Parth took the gear, and as Arjun was about to enter the passenger seat, Keerti pulled him back, saying, "You, sit with me. Sharvi, you sit in the front."
Sharvi, surprised, asked, "Me?"
Keerti requested, pointing at Arjun, "Please, I need to talk to him about something. Please."
With no other option, Sharvi sat in the front.
Parth felt a unique sensation. With Sharvi in the front seat of his cherished car, it was an unfamiliar yet exhilarating experience.
For the first time, a woman other than his mother or sister graced his passenger seat, and it happened to be Sharvi - the woman he had once been passionately infatuated with.
The car's interior seemed to glow in her presence, and as he glanced at her profile, he couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart, a stirring of emotions he thought he had left behind in the past.
Sharvi too couldn't help but feel a mix of feelings. It had been a long time since she had been in such close proximity to Parth, and the familiar scent of the car brought back memories she thought were long buried.
Sitting adjacent, they both pondered over the complex web of emotions that this unexpected reunion was weaving, leaving them both excited and apprehensive about the journey ahead.
The faint hum of the engine filled the air. Parth's grip tightened on the steering wheel, but neither of them spoke. The memories of their teenage years hung in the silence, unspoken yet palpable.
Arjun and Keerti whispered animatedly in the backseat, their laughter occasionally filtering through. Parth glanced at Sharvi, a small smile playing on the corners of his lips. Sharvi turned to look out of the window, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
The night was warm, and the soft breeze outside tugged gently at the car's interior as Parth drove. Sharvi's hair, caught by the open window, danced in the night air, a strand or two occasionally brushing against her face.
Parth couldn't help but steal a glance at her, captivated and mesmerized by the way the breeze played with her hair.
As Parth guided the car down an uneven road, an unexpected bump jolted the vehicle. Sharvi, who had been lost in her thoughts, was startled by the sudden jolt, and a small gasp of surprise escaped her lips.
Parth, with a concerned look, quickly turned towards her. "Sorry about that," he said, his voice filled with genuine concern. "Bumpy road."
Sharvi, still slightly startled, managed a faint smile, "It's alright."
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in that exchange, a world of unspoken emotions seemed to flicker between them.
The group of four soon reached the place Keerti had suggested.
Under the veil of night, the pizza house exuded a cozy charm. The outdoor seating area was adorned with candlelit tables, their flickering flames casting a warm and inviting glow. Each table was elegantly set with crisp white tablecloths and gleaming cutlery. Colorful bouquets of fresh flowers added a touch of vibrancy to the otherwise dimly lit ambiance.
Magazines and board games were thoughtfully placed on some tables, inviting patrons to linger and engage in leisurely conversations. In one corner, a small stage hosted an array of games, live music, and karaoke nights, filling the air with laughter and melodies. The combination of delicious pizza, open-air dining, and lively entertainment made it the perfect spot for an evening of fun and togetherness.
The group settled at a table tucked away in the corner. It was a square table with four chairs, two on one side and the remaining two opposite, forming a cozy arrangement.
Arjun and Keerti chose to sit beside each other, leaving Sharvi and Parth with no alternative but to take the remaining seats. Parth strategically positioned himself on the farthest corner, mindful of maintaining a degree of anonymity, not wanting to draw undue attention to their gathering.
Sharvi and Parth decided to let Keerti and Arjun take charge of ordering. Parth went out to attend an incoming call when Keerti placed the order, "We'll have a large Corn and Cheese Pizza, a large BBQ Corn Pizza, hot wings, along with some garlic bread."
Arjun interjected, "Why are you ordering all corn? Parth doesn't eat corn."
Sharvi was taken aback by the statement.
Parth doesn't eat corn.
As Sharvi heard this, memories flooded her mind. She recalled the countless times she had shared her favorite fried corn with Parth during their school days, and he had happily indulged in the snack.
Sharvi couldn't help but wonder about the truth of the matter, the complexities of their past, and the changes that had taken place over the years.
Keerti continued, "Then, add one Margherita Pizza. Also, make the hot wings less spicy."
The waiter nodded.
Parth joined them back, taking a moment to appreciate the ambiance. Arjun remarked, "It's a nice place."
Parth playfully teased, raising an eyebrow, "Oh, really? Agreeing with Keerti now, are we?"
He couldn't help but enjoy the friendly banter.
Arjun chuckled, "Well, sometimes it's easier to go along with her ideas. Keeps the peace, you know?"
Parth and Sharvi shared a laugh at his response.
"Okay, enough about us, let's talk about you both," Keerti chimed in.
"Us? What about us?" Parth inquired, playfully gesturing between himself and Sharvi.
"Come on, guys, tell us, how were either of you in high school? Parth, share how Sharvi was back then, and Sharvi, tell us about Parth's high school days," Keerti suggested, eager to learn about their past.
Sharvi and Parth were taken aback by Keerti's question.
Arjun excitedly said, "Yes, tell us! Sharvi, you begin."
Parth's gaze shifted to Sharvi, his curiosity piqued as he awaited her response, wondering what words she would choose to describe him and their shared memories from high school.
Sharvi smiled, her words gentle as she whispered, "Parth, he...he was...nice."
"Just nice?", Keerti, miffed by her response asked.
Sharvi continued, her voice growing a bit more as she shared, "Umm...he was intelligent, smart, disciplined, was the best in math, the best basketball player, and teachers liked him a lot."
Her words earned nods and smiles from Arjun and Keerti.
Sharvi's words, while acknowledging Parth's talents and qualities, inadvertently made him feel as though she had drawn a significant line between them, creating a divide that seemed to separate all their past connections. The subtle distance in her words was palpable, leaving Parth with a mixture of emotions.
The atmosphere at the table shifted as the waiter brought their orders. The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked pizza filled the air, and the group eagerly began savoring their meal, focusing on the delicious pizza before them.
Suddenly, Keerti said, "Sharvi, try the hot wings. I specifically asked them for you, that too, less spicy ones."
Trusting her friend's recommendation, Sharvi picked up a piece of hot wings and took a bite, only to have her mouth set on fire. They were anything but less spicy - they were extreme.
Sharvi's eyes welled up as she reached for a glass of water, desperately trying to cool down the fiery sensation in her mouth. Parth, aware of her aversion to spiciness, sprang into action. He left the table and swiftly got her a decadent choco lava cake from the dessert corner at the front desk.
Sharvi took a bite of the rich, gooey dessert, feeling the sweetness gradually overpowering the lingering spiciness in her mouth. A sigh of relief escaped her as she relaxed.
As she looked up, her brown eyes locked with Parth's black ones, a silent understanding passing between them in that moment, a connection from their shared past that still lingered despite the passage of time.
Sharvi couldn't help but ponder to herself, "Why do I feel you are the same Parth I once knew, but at the same time, you aren't him?"
Her eyes were red, and a tear slid down her cheek. Parth gently passed her a tissue.
Keerti profusely apologized to Sharvi, her remorse evident as she said, "I don't know how it happened; I specifically asked him for less spicy ones. I am so sorry."
Sharvi, although still feeling the lingering effects of the spiciness, managed to compose herself and reassure her friend. She excused herself and made her way to the restroom to freshen up.
While she was away, the waiter approached the table and inquired if they needed anything else. Parth, still concerned about Sharvi's condition, asked the waiter to take him to the manager.
The waiter was taken by surprise when he realized that the unassuming guest, who had hidden his face beneath a cap and sunglasses while frequently looking at his phone or keeping his gaze down, was none other than Parth Sharawat, one of the most prominent billionaires of the present time.
The unexpected encounter left the waiter momentarily stunned. He hurriedly took him to the manager.
In a private conversation with the manager, Parth, now revealing his true identity, inquired about the situation. The manager, visibly taken aback to find such a prominent figure in his establishment, quickly explained the situation as the hotel staff politely detailed how two waiters had accidentally mixed up the orders for hot wings between table 30 and 13, resulting in the trouble that had ensued.
The manager profusely apologized for the error, realizing the gravity of the situation. He said, "We are sorry, sir, you had to face this."
Parth replied, "It's not about me, but my friend. She's quite sensitive to spicy food, and it's been a bit troublesome for her." His eyes softened as he talked about Sharvi.
He gave the hotel staff a stern warning as he went back to their table.
Upon returning from the washroom, Sharvi noticed that only Parth remained at the table. She couldn't help but inquire about Arjun and Keerti's whereabouts.
Parth replied, "They are around the stage, playing some couple games."
Despite the empty chair beside Parth, Sharvi chose to sit opposite him. Parth noticed her unfinished choco lava cake and, with a friendly gesture, passed it to her. "You didn't finish. Isn't it your favorite? Come on, eat up."
Sharvi nodded and took a bite of the dessert. As they continued to share a moment of silence, Parth finally broke it, mentioning the earlier mix-up of orders between two tables.
Sharvi replied quietly, "Ohh."
Silence enveloped them once more, with Parth idly playing with his phone while Sharvi finished her cake. Her gaze wandered to the magazines on the table, and one particular cover caught her attention. She opened it and began flipping through the pages. In the process, she stumbled upon an article on the last page titled, "16 Reasons Why Parth Sharawat Is One of the Most Eligible Bachelors in the Country."
As Sharvi read the list of qualities that supposedly made Parth Sharawat the most eligible bachelor in the country, she couldn't help but have a little internal debate. With each quality she read, she'd glance over at Parth and ponder whether he truly possessed those traits.
Handsome. Check.
Successful. Check.
Has a good background. Check.
Respects women. Check.
Charming and charismatic. Check.
Intelligent and wise. Check.
Fit. Check.
Supportive in nature. Check.
She continued reading the articles, when her eyes sweept in the last part of the article.
Is a good cook and can even prepare gourmet meals. Sharvi glanced at the man sitting across from her, pondering whether he could even manage to boil water.
Versatile talents, such as singing and dancing. Sharvi couldn't suppress her laughter while reading this, recalling Parth's terrible singing. As for his dancing skills, she had no clue, but the mental image of the CEO Parth Sharawat gracefully dancing in his three-piece suit amused her to no end.
Rich and powerful, and is a proud owner of twelve houses across the world. Sharvi couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.
Has three pet dogs—Alpha, Beta, and Gamma— which speaks volumes about his responsible, nurturing, and caring nature. Sharvi couldn't help but wonder if the claim of owning three dogs was indeed true.
Parth looked at varied emotions on Sharvi's face. He couldn't help but get curious about what she was reading.
He tried to look and found his photo pasted on the page. He looked at the headline and was surprised. He snatched the magazine as he read the contents.
Looking at her still smiling, Parth finally couldn't contain his amusement any longer and chuckled softly. "Enjoying the article, Sharvi?"
Startled, Sharvi looked up from the magazine, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Oh, uh, I was just...you know, curious."
Parth grinned, shaking his head. "Well, I can assure you, not everything in there is accurate."
Sharvi laughed as she teased, "Of course, I know how good of a singer you are."
Parth replied, "Yeah, even A R Rahman is nothing in front of me."
The duo laughed as Sharvi said, "And, what about your dancing skills?"
Parth chuckled, "You have no idea about that. People come from far to see my performance."
Sharvi laughed out loud.
She said, "And how are your three pet dogs, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma."
Parth couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Ah, my trusted companions! We go way back. I love talking with them in Greek."
Sharvi played along, feigning amazement. "That's truly impressive, Parth."
"And it must be fun, having twelve houses?", Sharvi asked.
Parth chuckled, "That, I need to contact the writer of the article to give me the address of those twelve houses of mine, that I myself don't know about."
Their banter continued, both of them enjoying the light-hearted moment and the shared humor. It was a brief respite from the tension that had lingered between them, and for a moment, it felt like they were back to being the friends they used to be.
Sharvi playfully raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying you're not the most eligible bachelor in the country?"
Parth flashed a mischievous grin. "Well, maybe not according to that article, but I do have my own unique qualities. It's for my girl to know."
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"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐫𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲."
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That's it for today.
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