The Girl In Sneakers(ON HOLD)

6. The party

No one would have thought about Diksha's this side.

She was going to surprise her mother... by cooking one of her favorite dishes.
She was making tacos.
Diksha knew how tired her mother would be when she returned from her work. Her mother was a professor of geography in a college.
She searched for all the ingredients for Tacos in the kitchen and luckily everything was there.
Then she was transformed from Diksha to Sanjeev Kapoor(a renowned celebrity chef of India).  Her culinary skills were amazing. She owed this to her father who used to cook for her and her mother on Sundays.
She shuddered from the thoughts of her...father.

Her Tacos were ready in an hour. It was half past 6 in the evening, almost the time for her mother's arrival. Meanwhile, she decided to freshen up and get ready for Niharika's birthday party.

She chose to wear a purple top with black jeans paired with a black denim jacket. She tied her hair into a high ponytail. That was the best thing she could do with her shoulder length hair which for her was unmanageable when left open. Her makeup began and ended with lipgloss. She heard the doorbell ringing. She rushed to open the door.

"Hey, Mom, why are you late today?" Diksha asked taking bags from her mother's hand. She looked inside the bag. "Mom, you have bought Biryani?" Her face dropped.

"Yeah, you like Biryani, so I've got it for you. I'm not in a mood to cook today." She replied.

"But Mom, I-I've prepared something for you." She tried to smile.

"Really? That's so sweet of you dear." Her mother went to the kitchen to check it out.

"Wow! You've made Tacos.  Do you know how much I was longing to have it." Her mother grinned.

" Then what about the Biryani?" Diksha asked. 

" You know dear I would prefer your dishes over anything else in this world." She hugged Diksha. " I love you the most Diksha. Your father would have been proud of you today."

"I love you too Mom". Her heart ached. She missed her father. But she threw away that feeling from her heart.

" Diku, you're going somewhere?" Her mother asked.

" Yeah, to Niharika's birthday party. Rahul will come to pick me up in an hour. Mom, you get  fresh, I'll lay the table." 

"Diku, your Tacos are the best in the world. You should compete for Masterchef." Her mother complemented with a mouthful of Tacos.
"Thanks, Mom. I know they are not so good, you are just  flattering me." Diksha laughed.

The phone rang.
"Hello Diku, we are waiting outside." Manisha chirped from the other side.
"I'm coming in a minute." Diksha hurriedly gets up to leave.
"Mom, I'll be late. Don't wait for me and go to bed early. Diksha gave her mom a motherly order, a peck on her cheeks and rushed outside.
"You guys are on time today. That's weird." She winked at Rahul. Diksha was famous for her punctuality.

The house was full of guests, most of the people were from Miranda house where Niharika was studying,  while some were also from Hansraj, Diksha's college.

"Happy birthday Nikku!" Diksha hugged Niharika.
"Thanks Diksha. And please don't call me Nikku. You know I don't like that stupid nickname." Niharika grumbled by grinding her teeth.
"Oh, come on Nikku, you know that's such a cute name." Laughed Kirti joining the group.
"And happyyy birthday". Kirti gave her a tight hug.
"Oh God, Bhaiya(elder brother)! You should better handle your friends. They'll give my poor heart a stroke." She complains to Rahul.
They all burst into a laughter.
"Now give me my gifts immediately, I can't stand you guys anymore." She demanded.
"I haven't got anything for you." Diksha gave her a sly smile.
"Really? Then I'm not gonna share my birthday cake with you Diksha didi." Niharika kidded.
They again burst into a laughter.
Diksha gave her gift to Niharika.
"Tell me whether you like it or not."

The hall was booming with the sound of music. The dance floor was packed with dancing youngsters.
"I'm loving this music. Let's dance." Kirti dragged Diksha and Manisha to the dance floor.
Diksha was unable to defend this sudden attack by Kirti and helplessly let herself to the dance floor.
"I'm not in a mood to dance," Diksha said to Kirti.
"Hey, I can't hear you. Are you telling something?" Shouted Kirti, unable to hear Diksha's voice.
The music was ear blasting.
Diksha decided to remain quiet.
After doing some of her favorite dance moves, Diksha left the dance floor to get herself some snacks and soft drinks. Manisha too followed. Poor Manisha was dragged to the dance floor who unlike the two was a horrible dancer.

After getting a glass of orangeade, Diksha went upstairs, to the terrace to breath some fresh air. The fresh breeze caressed Diksha's face and left a small peck on her cheeks. She deeply inhaled the air. She felt good to come out of the hall which was blasting with music. She looked around only a few were present on the terrace.

 Suddenly her eyes fell on a figure. Her back was facing her. She looked very hot. Diksha was wondering who that woman was when she turned around. 

She froze. 

Amaya was twittering with some of her girl friends. 

Anger rushed through her spine.
She couldn't understand why Amaya was there. Amaya would never attend anyone's party until the person is of some use to her and had given her some special kind of invitation.
The truth pricked Diksha. Niharika had invited Amaya.
Before she could stomp off the place, a voice made her stop midway.
"You boy, eavesdropping,haan?" Amaya glared.
"Why do you think I'll ever try to listen to your vague, stupid talks? Do you ever talk sensible things.? Diksha frowned.
Meanwhile Kunal and Manisha had joined Diksha.
"Listen, who's talking about sensibility. The girl with nill sense of dressing and sucking personality" smirked Amaya.
Diksha wanted to throw her drink right on her face but Kunal and Manisha dragged her away.
"I can't stay here for a minute also." Diksha dashed out of the place raging with anger. She ran through the stairs fuming with anger when suddenly she collided with someone...
Drink from her glass got spilled on a guy...
She dreadingly looked at him...

Arjun Raizada was standing before her with spilled orangeade on his shirt.
She spilled her drink on...the guy...Arjun Raizada.

Her mind went blank.

***

Hey buddies,
How is the chapter? Comment to share your views. Do tell me whether Diku has impressed you or not. Your comments matter a lot. Don't forget to hit the star.

Lots of love,
Tabies