Na Jaane Kyon...

Raaz aankhen teri kuch bayaan kar rahi

Title is the song by Arijit singh from the movie 'Raaz Reboot'

Naina sat amidst the pile of clothes on her bed.

Going out for dinner with Sameer... she couldn't perceive what it could be called. Was it a date? How could it be... they all were going together. Also, he wasn't the one who asked her out.

Slapping her forehead, she squeezed her eyes shut, "Stop overthinking, stupid girl. Kuch nahi hai. Sirf ek normal outing hai, woh bhi isliye kyonki Preeti ne force kiya. Unn logon ke liye aise chale jaana routine baat hogi. Ismein kuch aur dekhne ki zarurat nahi hai tujhe."

In spite of self explanation, she couldn't shake off the fluttery feeling inside her heart. Hence, the dilemma... of what to wear. Some clothes seemed too bright, some too dull. Dresses were either too elaborate, or too simple. If some were too colourful, others were extremely plain. She couldn't show too much keenness, but she didn't want to appear disinterested either. She had never felt conscious about wearing short dresses, but today, the length seemed to bother her as well.

Naina was reminded of their outings in Jaipur. How simple everything was. She had gone out with Sameer, but never had any confusion. The dresses, the timing, the place... nothing bothered her. Because she didn't love him then.

Again, her heart lurched. Unknowingly, she was aware of him back then too. Yes, she could recall how she asked for his opinion on her clothes when she had worn the suit presented by Mr Kothari. So, was she in love... since then? Maybe... maybe not. But she definitely trusted him. Shaking her head to rid her mind of the past confusion, she brought herself to the present one... a dress.

Finally, she decided on a simple mid length one piece. The colours gave it a vibrant hue, but the combination wasn't loud. It couldn't be called exactly formal, but it wasn't her regular wear either.

Precisely at eight, her phone vibrated.

"Arre waah, aaj tum log bahar jaa rahe ho?" Bhalla aunty's voice resonated as she descended the stairs.

Ayush beamed at her excitedly, "Hum na dinner karne jaa rahe hain. Main pasta khaunga."

Aunty pinched his cheek, "Thoda sa mere liye bhi le aana."

"Aap bhi chalo hamare saath. Main Sameer ko bolunga toh woh aapko bhi leke chalenge." Ayush quickly offered.

"Achha Sameer ke saath jaa rahe ho." Bhalla aunty's eyes twinkled as she looked back at Naina, lowering her tone, "Chahe toh Ayush ko mere paas chod jaa."

"Hi Naina. Hey Ayush." Preeti, who had stepped out of the car, waved at them from the gate.

Thankful for the intrusion... and for the darkness that didn't make her blush noticeable, Naina waved back at Preeti before introducing her to Bhalla aunty.

"Oh, sab log jaa rahe hain. Chalo yeh bhi theek hai. Lekin kabhi kabhi sirf tum dono bhi jaaya karo... akele. Puttar, samjha kar. Tum dono ka saath mein time bitana zaruri hai." To Naina's dismay, Bhalla aunty uttered everything in her normal volume... and she was sure Preeti heard every word of it.

"Ayush, dekh main tere liye kya laayi hun." If Preeti did catch aunty's words, she didn't give any inkling of it, and waved a bag at Ayush, who sprinted to her.

"Gift laye ho mere liye? Lekin mera bday nahi hai abhi." Ayush tried to peer into the packet which Preeti held in her hand.

"Gift nahi, game. Bada interesting wala hai. Chal tujhe car mein dikhati hun." Holding his hand, she hopped into the backseat of car, leaving the seat next to Sameer for Naina.