Chapter 11

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The morning sun filtered through Amira's curtains, bathing her room in a warm golden glow. She was still curled up under the blankets, half-asleep, when a loud knock startled her. Groaning, she dragged herself to the door.

There stood Alana, beaming with excitement, dressed in a floral skirt and a chic pastel blouse.

"Good morning, sunshine!" Alana chirped.

Amira rubbed her eyes. "Why are you all dressed up so early?"

"Because," Alana said, pushing her way in, "we are going shopping today! You need new clothes-seasonal updates and, of course, for all the parties that happen around here. Trust me, Darjeeling gets busy this time of year."

Amira frowned, her face still groggy. "I don't feel like going anywhere."

Alana clasped her hands together dramatically, pouting like a child. "Please, please, please, Amira! Don't be such a buzzkill. You'll love it, I promise. It's not just shopping-it's an experience."

Amira tried to hold back a chuckle but failed. "Alright, alright. Let me get ready."

Within an hour, the girls were dressed and stepping into a taxi. Alana, with her usual energy, gave the driver directions to the main shopping district, chattering away as Amira leaned back, taking in the sights.

The streets of Darjeeling were bustling, yet there was an unhurried charm to them. Colorful shops lined the roads, selling everything from handwoven scarves to intricate jewelry. Amira stared out at the mountains in the distance, their snow-capped peaks standing tall against the clear blue sky.

"Magnificent, aren't they?" Alana said, following her gaze.

"They really are," Amira replied softly. "It's so different here. In Delhi, everything feels like a race. People are always rushing somewhere, doing something. Here, it's... calmer."

"That's Darjeeling for you," Alana said with a smile. "You'll get used to it. Maybe you'll even love it."

They started at a boutique where Alana pulled Amira through racks of dresses, skirts, and blouses. She insisted on Amira trying everything she picked out.

"This one screams 'classy but bold,'" Alana said, holding up a red dress.

Amira raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure red is my color."

"Trust me, you'll look like a goddess. Go try it on."

Amira chuckled but obliged, slipping into the fitting room. To her surprise, the dress fit perfectly, hugging her figure in all the right places.

"You look stunning!" Alana gushed when Amira stepped out.

"Alright, fine, we'll take it," Amira said, laughing at Alana's enthusiasm.

They moved from one shop to another, picking out shirts, pants, cozy sweaters, and even a pair of boots. At one shop, Amira couldn't help but admire the delicate silver jewelry displayed. She ran her fingers over a bracelet with intricate mountain designs.

"You should get it," Alana said, watching her.

"It's beautiful, but I don't really wear jewelry much."

"Maybe it's time to start," Alana replied with a wink.

As the day went on, Alana showed Amira some of her favorite spots-a quaint bookstore, a shop selling handmade candles, and a lively corner café where they decided to take a break.

The café was cozy, with wooden interiors and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. They settled into a corner table, steaming cups of coffee in front of them.

"I come here all the time," Alana said, taking a sip. "It's my little escape."

"It's nice," Amira admitted, looking around.

"So," Alana said, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "how are you settling in? Making any new friends?"

Amira shrugged. "It's... okay, I guess. I miss home sometimes. But today was fun. I think I'm starting to feel a connection to this place."

"That's progress," Alana said, grinning.

They fell into a comfortable conversation about their lives, their families, and their dreams. Alana talked about her love for painting and her dream of opening an art studio someday. Amira shared snippets of her life in Delhi, her struggles with being the "perfect daughter," and her sister Yumna's adventures in Sydney.

Eventually, the conversation drifted back to the topic of the New Year's Eve party.

"So," Alana began, her tone casual but her eyes gleaming, "are you excited for the party this Saturday?"

Amira looked up from her coffee, remembering the conversation they'd had the night before. "I'm still not sure what to expect," she said. "But you said Aarnav will be there, right?"

Alana nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, you'll definitely get a chance to see him. He's always at these events. The New Year's Eve party is basically where everyone who's anyone will be, and Aarnav... well, he's like a magnet in these situations. Everyone's always watching him, waiting for him to show up."

Amira raised an eyebrow. "Is he really that important around here?"

Alana smiled knowingly. "You'll see. He's not just another rich kid-there's something about him that makes everyone take notice. I think it's his whole mysterious vibe. He's got this way of walking into a room and... owning it. I think even people who don't know him can't help but feel drawn to him. It's like he has this invisible force field around him."

"Sounds intense," Amira replied, taking another sip of her coffee. "I mean, I get that he's important, but I don't know if I'm going to be all that impressed."

Alana chuckled. "You'll be surprised. There's something about Aarnav-he's not like everyone else. There's a side to him that no one really talks about, and I think it takes a certain kind of person to see it. He's not cold, he's just... reserved. People think he's aloof, but I think he's just waiting for the right person to bring out the best in him."

Amira looked at her thoughtfully. "Sounds like a lot of pressure."

Alana shrugged. "Maybe. But that's what makes him so interesting. You'll see on Saturday. Trust me, there's something about him that's hard to ignore."

Amira felt a flutter of curiosity in her chest. She wasn't sure what to make of Aarnav yet, but after hearing so much about him, she couldn't deny that she was starting to wonder what he was like.

As the day wore on, they continued shopping and talking, but Amira's thoughts often drifted back to Alana's words. She had no idea what she would find at the party, but the anticipation was beginning to build. Maybe she would finally get the chance to see the mysterious Aarnav Rawat for herself.


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