"Hello uncle, I am Aditya... Kumari's friend, remember?"

" Yes, uncle, that's me. I had recently transferred back to this school. No, uncle. Kumari and I are just friends. There is nothing between us. The tenth-grade incident was a one-time thing."

"Kumari had recently become friends with a girl named Anupama. I am sure you also know."

"Oh? You don't know? cough..."

"Yes, uncle. She is Anupama, the present Chief Minister's daughter. Anupama was my classmate in the school, I previously studied. She had invited all of us to her birthday party."

"Yes, uncle, Kranthi and I are also attending this party. Also, I have friends who are currently Anupama's classmates. There will be no problem, uncle."

"I will look after Kumari, uncle. Don't worry. I will make sure that Kumari will call you every hour. I will make sure to drop Kumari at home before it is late."

"Security issues? Uncle, the Chief Minister, will be present. How can there be any security issues?"

"Cough... I know that the previous Chief Minister was murdered, but it's not like it is going to repeat every time."

"Should I talk with aunty? Sure, uncle. Hello, aunt Lalitha, How are you doing? No, nothing is going on between Kumari and me..."

Aditya had cold sweat running from his forehead by the time he had finished convincing Kumari's parents. He looked at the excited girl who was getting her final makeup touches in the studio. Anupama recommended this place.

After school, Aditya had come back to pick up Kumari. They had gone to Taarini's mall. Even though the government wanted Taarini, these properties were legally not under the name of Taarini. Also, the sources of these properties were linked with many prominent banks. The government couldn't seize these properties without a strong reason. So, Taarini's wealth or businesses had not been affected, except for the 'Iconic Building Project' cancellation.

Maahi did not expect Taarini to cover the losses that her company incurred because of investing in this project. But, Taarini had handed over the amount to Maahi's company in the form of shares of immovable properties.

Taarini did not like being indebted to others, and Maahi appreciated it. The Galaxy Mall was worth more than a hundred and fifty million USD, so Taarini had allotted a part of the shares to Maahi's financial company to make up for the losses.

Kumari had bought a candy apple red sheath dress with off-shoulder styling, short sleeves and a straight hem. She had opted for a wavy hairstyle for her shoulder-length, which made her look soft and fluttery. Kumari also bought a pair of beige-coloured ballerinas with a textured canvas. When Aditya saw her elegantly walk towards him, he doubted if this was the same little devil whom he knew as his classmate.

Aditya, on the other hand, wore a burgundy solid, casual blazer with a crisp white shirt inside. He matched them with a pair of slim black trousers and white loafers. It was pretty simple. Aditya's thin physique prompted him to wear many layers of clothes. If it was Ishaan, a simple white shirt (exact fit) was enough to get the girls drooling. Sadly, that was not him.

Aditya was sure, given his injured condition, he was not going to get any second looks in the party. So, he did not stress on his appearance and dressed casually. Aditya looked modest and straightforward with a harmless smile and spotless face.

"Did my parents agree?" Kumari asked as she walked out of the studio, with a bright smile. She was quite satisfied with her modern look. The studio did not even charge Kumari as she was Anupama's recommendation.

"Yes, but the process sucked half my lifespan. Kumkum, I have a doubt. What would you do if your parents did not give their permission? Were you so confident that they would agree that you bought the dress and even got the makeup done?" Aditya asked as he got into the elevator with Kumari.

"Pfft," Kumari laughed as he patted Aditya's shoulders. "If they had not agreed, I would have said that you had forcefully carried me away and that I am helpless. As I am a cute, innocent girl, of course, they would believe me, and you would be in trouble. So, getting their permission was not for my good but your's."

Aditya rolled his eyes when he heard these words. This girl was asking for it. Aditya retorted, " How can I 'forcefully' drag you in my present condition?"

"Well, aren't you related to some underworld gang? I would say that you got a couple of lackeys to do the job," Kumari shrugged as she got into the rear of the car, which was a black jeep. A tall, muscular youth was in the driver seat.

Faizal jerked when he heard these words. He was ordered to work as a chauffeur for today's trip as Aditya was injured. Kumari smiled at Faizal as she said, "Elder brother, are you also a lackey of Aditya?"

"Enough with the nonsensical talk. Who told you that I am connected to a gang?" Aditya knocked Kumari's head as he also got into the car.

"Argh! White Buffalo," Kumari grudgingly replied as she took out a small mirror and checked if Aditya spoiled her hairdo.

"Also, why do you want to come to this party, anyway? Don't you think that you will be the odd one out? You don't know anyone but me, Anupama and a few others. Anupama would not have the time to accompany you. You can only stick to me."

" Also, these kinds of gatherings are more about establishing new contacts among the cream layer of society. The people, the culture and the gossip, will be completely different. This decision is nothing but keeping yourself in a difficult situation."

" I am sure Anupama would understand if you didn't come. You may look like you care about these branded clothes and the rich life, but I know that this isn't the case. Look at Kranthi, he knew this and did not come even if Anupama invited him. I had even lied to your father that Kranthi was also attending to reduce his fears." Aditya earnestly said as he looked at her. Faisal had started the vehicle, and they were on their way to the venue. Aditya had to make some things clear for Kumari.

"Hmph! Why do I have to tell you the reason? Also, don't worry about babysitting me. I won't be a burden to you," Kumari snorted as she turned her head away to look at the flow of traffic. It was late evening, and the flow of vehicles was a little bearable.

Kumari felt complicated in her heart when she heard these words. She knew that every word of Aditya was correct. She did not like to go to the party even if Anupama was her new friend. Anupama may have a lack of real friends and value her relation with Kumari a lot, but it was not the same for Kumari. Kumari had tons of friends similar to Anupama.

Moreover, it's not like Anupama was the same as Sameera or Aditya that she would prioritise their requests above her comfort. She was just an ordinary friend in her mind. The main reason that Kumari wanted to come to this party was that she wanted to spend this time with Aditya.

Kumari knew that her feelings towards Aditya had transformed into something more. After the demise of Sameera, Kumari had gone into depression for a few months. Her mind had become vulnerable and chaotic. Even though she had friends, they couldn't help her much as they did not match her relation with Sameera.

At that time, Aditya was studying in a different school. Kumari had wanted to go to him many times but had restrained herself so that she could spare him the pain of Sameera's death.

After some months, Kumari came to know that Aditya had some accident, and left that school. She was also informed that he was staying in Kranthi's garage. Kumari tried but could not restrain herself anymore and so met him and revealed Sameera's death news.

As Kumari had hoped and expected, Aditya had accompanied her for a whole month on almost every day. He would take her to all kinds of places, markets, bazaars, flower displays, movies, restaurants and shopping. Aditya had pulled her out of her shell and opened her mind once more. He would always bear her stubborn mentality and harsh words. Aditya occupied the same place as Sameera in her hearts, and so his care reached her inner being.

Unknowingly, Kumari had started thinking about Aditya. What was he doing? What happened to his parents? Is he alright? How much was he suffering beneath that smiling face? The more she thought, the more she became concerned about him. Even though she did not look worried when she saw Hamsa acting close with Aditya, she felt as if ants were biting her heart.

Kumari knew that Aditya had changed a lot in the time that he was away. He became more calm and mature. While, she seemed to have stuck at being an immature girl, who was always making things hard for others. Kumari feared that if she revealed her true feelings, Aditya might leave her, thus causing her to drown in the darkness from which he had pulled her out.

Kumari knew that both of them were in their teens, and they had a lot of time before selecting their life partners and getting married. She hoped that Aditya would become hers, in the end.

So, Kumari did not lose her hope and decided to stick with him. She wanted to know more about Aditya and his life. Going to Anupama's birthday was Kumari's way of achieving this task. Kumari had realised that Aditya had these rich friends, who had a different lifestyle. She had heard Bhadra, Jatin and others talk about some foreign destinations, exotic hobbies like collecting expensive watches, participating in charity auctions and whatnot. Frankly, these discussions were unfamiliar to her.

Aditya did not seem to have any difficulty in making conversation with them. He would, instead, lead them in these discussions. This fact made Kumari realise that there was a side of Aditya that she was unaware, and this increased her curiosity. It was like his figure was enshrouded in some illusory mist that Kumari had to pierce through to know.

So, Kumari thought that by going to Anupama's birthday party, she would somehow mingle in that circle, and become closer to Aditya. She knew that this was an idea, which was full of loopholes, but she wanted to try. Kumari knew that even if Aditya lived the simple life, he had a billionaire sister behind him, who would get him whatever he wanted. She also knew that Aditya's mother had an affluent background.

Kumari, on the other hand, was from a standard middle-class family with no exciting backstories. So, she could only force herself to stick to Aditya by acting stubborn, rude and insensitive, so that he would focus on her.

Aditya shook his head when he looked at Kumari, who refused to talk with him. She had this stubborn expression with pouted lips, like how a small girl acts if she was denied a lollipop.

After a half-hour, the jeep entered the 'Brigade Enclave'. It was a forty-acre campus, which consisted of a trade centre, a mall, hospital, a five-star hotel, an international school, a club, a human-made lake and a luxury residential complex. This enclave was cut off from the city and was built adhering to international standards.

The trade centre was a 328ft, 32 levelled building which boasted itself as one of the tallest building in Bangalore. It offered commercial space for use. Maahi had mentioned before that she had bought a whole level for her company's purpose. Aditya did not know if Maahi was coming for this party.

The enclave was exquisite, consisting of aerial walkways, landscaped gardens, lakeside cafeterias with stunning water views. Many people, could be seen walking on the sideway, on this warm and pleasant evening. There were some foreign expats as well. Kumari had never visited this part of the city, and her face was full of unconcealed awe as she gazed at these structures.

Faisal drove the car into the adjacent nine-level parking area. Bhadra and others were waiting for them here. Everyone had dressed accordingly, and their eyes lit up when they saw Kumari climb out of the car. Jatin even whistled. Kumari was looking gorgeous, and their opinion was the same as Aditya's.

Kavya wore a black and white polka-dotted midi, which came with an uneven hemline that instantly made it more visually appealing. She came and held Kumari's arm as she walked with her while introducing some things. Everyone here understood that Kumari was novel to this kind of place, and so they acted accordingly.

If these people were those who valued the economic capital of a person over their moral worth, Aditya would not have befriended them in the first place. Kumari, who was a little restrained, in the beginning, slowly started opening up thanks to Jatin's jokes or Kavya's gossip. Aditya was a bit relieved when he saw her. He and Bhadra walked in the rear end of this group, as they talked about their old friends who would be coming to this party.