ETHEREAL

.16.

Sanyukta's presence has already lighten up not only aunt Zara but the party itself. Peter had to let go of her hand so she could hug aunt Zara and wish her a happy birthday.

"I was looking for you." Aunt Zara murmured during the hug.

"I'm here now. Let's cut the cake." Sanyukta smile at her.

Everyone circle around the table with Zara in the middle. Sanyukta stood on her left while Zara looked in the crowd again to find someone.

"There he is." Aunt Zara smiled finally when she finds whom she was looking for.

Randhir smiled at her too before walking up to her and standing on her right side.

He wasn't alone. He had Aamayra clinging to his arm, their fingers tightly entwined.

Sanyukta wanted to look away, she could help but look up at them. Randhir eyes were focused on aunt Zara but she saw Aamayra eyes burning into hers. This time sanyukta didn't look away. She stared back with the same intensity as Aamayra until Aamayra frown and whisper something in Randhir's ear. At that Randhir eyes flicked down at sanyukta and his gaze turn dark.

A loud applause bring them out of their war zone. When they both looked at Zara she was already holding a piece of cake in front of sanyukta to eat. Sanyukta eyes flicked back to Randhir to see if he is being a baby about it again to be upset that she offered the cake to sanyukta first. But he was already scowling so it was difficult to understand what he is more upset about.

Sanyukta didn't want to create any drama in front of everyone so she open her mouth and take a small bite. Then aunt Zara offered the cake to Randhir not realising that it's the same piece sanyukta had just taken a bite from. Randhir didn't mind when he took a bite of the cake too from the same piece sanyukta did. While biting down that soft creamy chocolate flavoured bread, Randhir eyes met sanyukta, that made her lick her lips.

Oh come on sanyukta.

For god's sake sanyukta.

She looked away and found Peter just beside her. Peter was struggling to keep his hand in pocket because he feared that he will try to reach for her hand again just like how they entered.

But sanyukta being too unaware about his inner turmoil, smiled lovingly at him and took a small piece of cake and offered him to eat.

Peter hold himself back and try  not to lick her finger but failed. Mischievously, he bite her finger receiving a light punch in his ribs from her.

Though the crowd attention was distracted by other things but two people had their all attention fixed on sanyukta and Peter.

Aamayra want to burst questions and Randhir was about to burst in rage.

He didn't like it.

He wasn't sure what he didn't like precisely but he didn't like it.

After the cake cutting Peter walked sanyukta to the bar.

"Would you like to have a drink?" Peter asked moving on the other side of the bar.

"You are handling the bar yourself?" Sanyukta asked getting herself a seat.

"Told you. Short of staff. I messed up." Peter click his tongue.

"Can I help? I want to help." Sanyukta requested and Peter smiled at her.

"I had it handled but you can do one thing for me." Peter put his hand on the counter and lean in.

Sanyukta lean in too.

"Enjoy the party." Peter nodded toward the crowd.

"No. I'm not a party person. What's there to do? Drink? Eat? Meet people you don't know? It's harmful for my social anxiety." Sanyukta stated.

"Have this and go for a round I'm sure you will find someone to spend your time with. I will join you as soon as I can. Until then, find someone to dance with." Peter handed her a drink.

Peter didn't mean the last part as he hoped he get free soon from here so he could be the one to ask her for a dance.

"No. I'm fine here. I will sit here. I'm not bothering you right?" Sanyukta asked .

Peter glared at her.

"You can't bother me even if you want to." Peter told her. "And hey, the people from the old age home are here. They were asking for you.." Peter added.

"Really. They are here." Sanyukta smiled brightly. " I will be back soon." Sanyukta said getting off the seat.

"Enjoy." Peter called behind her.

She search the crowd for some familiar faces and there she found them.

"Aunt sarah!" Sanyukta exclaimed as soon as she reached her and hug her. "Uncle John." She hug him too.

"Where are others?" Sanyukta asked them as she looked around the empty chairs beside aunt Zara and uncle Zayn.

"They couldn't come." Aunt sarah whispered.

"What happened?" Sanyukta asked her heart grip with an unknown fear.

"It's not same after you left. There are no more gardening, no more story telling. No more jokes ...and no more......fake messages from family." Aunt sarah laugh sadly.

"I'm so sorry about those messages. I should not have lied." Sanyukta felt guilty all of a sudden. She feel worse then before.

"No need to apologise. Atleast you gave us hope. But only some of us are lucky to have our family back." Aunt sarah looked at Aunt Zara and uncle Zayn.

"No doubt you are happy here. We can see it on your face." Uncle John complimented Sanyukta. "You are glowing." Sarah added.

"Is it about him?" Aunt sarah smiled. "They boy you came with?"

"What? no! You can Ask Zara?" Sanyukta felt blush creeping up her neck.

"We are saying what we see. " Aunt Zara teased. It made sanyukta mouth fall open.

"Uncle Zayn, can you take my side please?" Sanyukta requested.

"I mean, I won't mind even if it's true."  Uncle Zayn laughed.

"My God, I'm leaving this table and I'm not coming back until I have someone to take my side." Sanyukta stand up jokingly and they all laughed.

"Have you seen Randhir? I wanted him to meet them." Aunt Zara asked.

Sanyukta nodded her head. "But I will tell him if I see him." Sanyukta smiled and left the table.

"Can you please serve at that table?" Sanyukta asked a waiter who nodded.

There is no way she is going to look for him. She don't even want to see him. Atleast not tonight.

The things he said is still punching her heart and she needed this night to fix it up.

The bar was now crowded so there is no point in going there.

People.

And

Her Social anxiety.

Looking down at her hand she realised that she had left her drink back at their table. She was about to go back to the table where Zara and Zayn was before she felt a grip around her wrist and she was dragged out of the crowd.

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