Dhriti kept on looking at him wide eyes and slightly open mouth. Utkarsh greeted everyone and finally stood in front of her. She kept on looking at him.

"Hii."

He said nervously.

No response. He cleared his throat.

Still no response.

"Umm- Dhriti?"

"Huh!?"

"You okay?"

She broke out of her reverie.

"Umm- hmm. Haan. I am fine."

(Yes.)

She said and they stood like that for some time.

"Mujhe pata nhi tha ki aap bhabhi ke cousin hai."

(I didn't know you are bhabhi's cousin.)

He smiled.

"Lekin mujhe pta tha ki aap jiju ke behen hai."

(But i knew that you are jiju's sister.)

He said in the same tone and she smiled. Her heart was going crazy in her chest. It seemed as it wanted to come out.

"Kitna ajeeb hai na. Teen saal se hum ek hi college mai hai aur aaj pehli baar ek dusre se baat kr rhe hai. Wo bhi kis reason se."

(How weird. We were in the same college for three yearsand this is the first time we are talking. And for what reason.)

He said not liking the silence. This was the first time he was talking to her and he wanted the moment to go on as long as possible.

"I know right. But you know what I am a huge fan of your game. Maine aapka ek bhi game miss nhi kia."

(I did not miss even a single game of yours.)

She said with a big smile and he felt his heart flutter. She watched him play.

"Thank you. Waise maine bhi tumhara fashion show attend kiya tha. Wo jo last year tha na."

(I also attended your fashion show. That one that was organised last year.)

She looked at him excited.

"Sachhi. Kab? Mujhe nhi dikhe aap kahi."

(Really? When? I didn't see you.)

"Bhut bheed thi. Waise bhi bheed mai mere chehra kyu dekhengi aap."

(It was crowdy. Why would you look for me in such crowds.)

He joked and she looked at him as if saying 'Aap hi toh dikhte hai'. They shared an eye lock which was broken by the salesman who started showing her the designs she had asked.

Everyone got busy in deciding and selecting their dresses for the functions.

After their shopping was done everyone settled in a restaurant and ordered their food. Their token number was announced and being tired everyone denied. Sakshi and Adarsh went to get their food.

Everyone was busy in talking to each other. Gaining courage Utkarsh asked for Dhriti's number praying that she would not think of him as a despo.

Thankfully none of it happened and she gave her number happily and also asked his in return.

**************************************

A week had passed since the shopping day and Utkarsh and Dhriti had been chatting and talking over phone since the day. Both of them were aware of their feelings but have not confessed. The mere crush was turning into something much more strong and beautiful slowly.

Right now they were talking over phone when Dhriti remembered something.

"Achha listen. Next week mera fashion show hai. Aur aapko aana hai. No bahana."

(Next week i have a fashion show. You have to come. No excuses.)

He chuckled and said.

"Tum nhi invite krti mai tab bhi aata."

(I would have come even without invitation.)

"I know aate but uss din aapko as my showstopper aana hai."

(I know you would have but that day you have to come as my showstoppe.)

"What? Par mujhe ye sab nhi aata."

(I don't know all this.)

"Arre. Bas walk hi toh karna hai. Don't worry mai bata dungi. Please."

(You just have to walk. I will tell you.)

"Achha fine. But agar kuch gadbad kr dia toh?"

(What if i mess up?)

"Koi baat nhi mai bhi hongi waha. Mai sambhal lungi. Aap bas aa jaana."

(No worries i would be there. I'll handle. You just be there.)

"Ok meri ja- umm- i mean pahuch jaaunga."

(Ok my lo- umm- i mean I'll be there.)

He cleared his throat and changed the sentence but Dhriti understood what he was about to say and her heart fluttered and she blushed.

She herself was shocked because Dhriti is one of the girls who rarely blushed. But Utkarsh has this power over her.

Whereas Utkarsh, the always calm and composed guy gets all nervous in front of her. That's the power she holds over him.

Both of them got silent for some time when he spoke again.

"Achha i also remembered. Tum meri farewell par mere saath chal rhi ho."

(You are accompanying me to my farewell.)

"Aapki farewell?"

(Your farewell?)

"Haan. Last year hai na mera."

(Yes. This is my last year.)

"But mai aapki farewell par kya karungi? Its for you. Aap enjoy karo."

(What would i do on your farewell. You enjoy.)

"Nope. Mai fashion show mai tabhi aaunga jab you promise me that you will come to my farewell."

(I will come to your fashion show only when you promise you would come to my farewell.)

"Arre. Ye kya baat hui. Ye toh zid hai na."

(What is this. This is stubbornness.)

"Jo bhi smjho par tumhe aana hai. Please na."

(Whatever but you have to come.)

"Achha fine. Mai bata dungi mumma se puchh ke. Waise hai kab?"

(I will let you know after asking mumma. When?)

"May end mai. Aur mai wait karunga tumhare reply ka."

(May end. And i will wait for your reply.)

"Ok baba fine."

She chuckled and he smiled. They talked for some more time and then both of them slept with a content smile and dreaming about each other.

The following week Dhriti was busy in preparing for her fashion show. They were working on Indian outfits. Students from their college were modelling for the same.

Many famous clothing brands were to attend the show. Three teams were performing and Dhriti's was the second one.

Right now she was in college supervising the activities being done. Their designs were ready to wear. They were training the students about the way they had to walk.

Dhriti was looking at the instructor who was telling them about the ways and manners to walk on the ramp. She felt a hand thrown around her shoulder. She turned around to see Abeer standing there with Tanvi beside her.

"Aur madam kaise chal rhi hai tayari?"

(How's the preparation going?)

"Saamne hai tumhare. Dekh lo."

(In front of you. See.)

She said pointing towards the models.

"Waise madam ki aaj kal bhut baat ho rhi hai kisi se. Unhe apna showstopper banaya hai madam ne."

(You are talking to someone a lot. You made him your showstopper.)

Tanvi said teasingly and Dhriti looked at her. Abeer raised his eyebrow at her.

"Kya chal rha hai tumhare beech mai?"

(What is going on between you guys?)

She rolled her eyes.

"Kuch bhi nhi. Dost bane hai hum sirf. Meri bhabhi ke cousin hai wo."

(Nothing. We are just friends. He is my bhabhi's cousin.)

Tanvi and Abeer made an 'o' face. Tanvi again gave a mischievous smile.

"And what about the farewell invitation?"

Dhriti as if realising something said.

"Yaar please tum log bhi chal lo. Please. Warna mumma mujhe kabhi nhi jaane dengi. Please. Please. Please."

(Please you also come. Mumma would never let me go.)

"Hum kya karenge yaar."

(What would we do.)

Tanvi said but Abeer interrupted quickly.

"Arre enjoy karenge na. Waise bhi bhut time se kahi bahar nhi gaye. Issi bahane ek party bhi ho jaayegi."

(We will enjoy. We did not go anywhere since so long. We would get a party this ways.)

Tanvi was about to say something but Abeer made a cute face at her to which she sighed and nodded. She could never say no to him. And Abeer knew this very well.

***********************************

Please do leave your comments.

Also, please vote for the story.

Laters!!