Unadulterated Love

Part 1

(IN AMRITSAR, PUNJAB)Sana's POV

I am waiting for my friend Shefali to arrive,

it's 8 pm already. She promised me that she'll be here by 7.30. It is my dear brother Shehbaz's 20th birthday. He wanted his birthday party to be short and precise so we decided to celebrate it at home. I decorated the garden and the hall along with Indu didi (our cook's daughter) and some of the house help. The more Shehbaz insisted the party be simple, the more our parents wanted it to look like a function. Typical parents, cannot help showing off to the neighbours, how many grand parties they can throw.

"Indu didi, bahar ek bar food counter dekh kar aao, khana garam ho... Mummy ke kuch friends abhi aaye hai..." I was making sure of the arrangements. As Mummy and Papa were pretty busy entertaining their guests.

Everyone looked happy except for the birthday boy himself, he wanted to go for a night out with his friends to celebrate his birthday with them at Chandigarh. Actually, he wanted to show off the Jeep Compass Papa bought some weeks ago.

The boys had themselves planned, that their group of friends would leave the town day before his birthday and they will enjoy partying all by themselves and then return the next day. That's how boys are at this age. Right? They want to impress girls and be a cool dude.

Poor Shehbaz, Papa had immediately denied his request, ignoring all his please and 'I promise I'll study hard and bring the best grades!' Not that Papa was strict but very protective about us.And this denial was the only reason Shehbaz wasn't ready to celebrate his birthday, but later himself agreed to the party. I took a plate loaded with chicken nuggets to serve him myself.

"Tujhe pata hai, tu kitna cute lagta hai jab aise muh fulaake baith jata hai!" I greeted him with a cheesy smile and a cheesy line in front of his friends intentionally, to irritate him.

He looked at me and gave me a 'bakwas mat maar' vala look, snatching the plate from my hand, and replied, "thanks" with a forced smile.I couldn't help but laugh at him, he's actually cute!

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him to let you go for a night out but I can't promise you Chandigarh...." I couldn't see him sad. It was his birthday wish moreover.

His face immediately lit up, he looked at me smiling and then towards his friends, 

"Dekha, maine kaha tha na, Moto will convince Papa... (looked back at me) Kab bat karegi tu Papa se?? Vo party ke baad free honge, tabhi tu unko puchhna, tujhe mana nhi karenge... " I chuckled at his excitement. Just then I heard Mummy calling out my name.

"Hanji Mummy?"

"Puttar inse mil, ye hai Manpreet ji aur ye Daljeet ji, Daljeet tere Ambala vale Mama ke saale ki bhabhi hai. Yehi hamare naye padosi bhi hai.... " I saw two ladies who were already looking at me as if they knew me. But I had never seen them. Also, I just couldn't get that long-distance relationship my mother just mentioned. But anyways. I greeted them with a subtle smile.

When Mummy further spoke, "Inke bete se mil, Indarjeet.."Just then a firmly tall guy with a black turban, grey shirt and black pants came forward. His face had quite sharp features, he pulled his right hand out to greet me.

"Indarjeet Singh Dhillon..... "
"Shehnaaz Kaur Gill" I shook hands with him. Now I caught the reason why Mummy wanted me to get ready beforehand and curl my hair, if possible. Also, I had noticed she was eagerly looking towards the entrance after the cake was cut. I looked at her for a couple of seconds, giving her a 'are you for real Mom!' look.

"Maine socha teri friendship karva du isse, ye yaha zyada logo ko janta nhi hai, kuch din pehle hi India aaya hai.." Mummy said. Smiling. I know, your intentions. She left with the other two ladies, to grab some dessert. I know you did this intentionally. But cannot help with the situation, I'm standing with him right now. And he is already looking at me.