'Suchitra.' Aashi entered the apartment and called her friend in excitement. She locked the door and called again. No response. She frowned and walked to her friend's room.

'Uff!' She said shaking her head. Her friend was fast asleep. Her mouth slightly open and she was also snoring softly.

'Suchitra, Suchitra.' Aashi sat next to her and shook her to wake her up. Suchitra woke up with a jolt she looked around alarmed. Aashi suppressed her smile.

'Hey, I was waiting for you.' Suchitra said and then yawned rubbing her eyes. Aashi pressed her lips tightly and rolled her eyes.

Yeah, right!

'How was your date?' She asked groggily.

Aashi nodded, she was too excited to correct her friend – that wasn't a date.

'Hey, listen,' – Aashi held Suchitra's hand and looked at her hopefully, - 'Once you had introduced me to one of you colleague...what was his name?'

'Akash?'

'Yes, Akash! I need a favor from him and you.' Aashi shifted in her seat. Her eyes twinkled with excitement.

'Favor? What Favor?' Suchitra blinked cluelessly at her friend while Aashi grinned naughtily.

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

One week later, Aashi took early leave from work. It was very, very unlike her and this made Rishabh suspicious, but she made up some excuse. Purposefully, she made lame excuses so that he gets more suspicious.

'How am I looking?' She asked him as she adjusted her hair on her shoulder and pulling up the collar of her blue long button-down Kurthi. Rishabh eyed her and then looked away.

'Bandar (Monkey).' He replied not looking away from his laptop. Aashi's mouth dropped open. She slapped his arm and he winced.

'I am your boss, Okay.' She told him faking a stern voice. Rishabh nodded dryly. Aashi could make out he was pissed off.

It has not even started yet – She thought devilishly.

As she walked out the cabin she could feel Rishabh's gaze on her and that made her very hopeful.

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

Aashi hates latecomers, she kept tapping her fingers impatiently as she looked around the Café. The entire place is abuzz with people and all their chattering was irritating her further. She shifted and grabbed her handbag and took out her phone. She had just unlocked it to call Suchitra when someone cleared their throat. Aashi looked up. A tall, well-built man with brown eyes and black hair stood in front of her. She looked at him. He was dressed in a checked shirt, denim, and a grey blazer. Semi-formal look for work, Aashi thought. She noted his hair was spiked and a small ear stud in his left ear. Modern, Aashi thought.

'Aashi?' He asked, his voice deep. She nodded.

'Hey, Akash.' He extended his hand and Aashi shook his hand. He sat opposite her and smiled. 'Suchitra said you wanted to meet me?' He asked curiously.

Aashi exhaled deeply and nodded. Her posture very professional like she placed her phone back into her purse. 'Yes.' – She looked at him, - 'I want you to be my boyfriend.' She said bluntly.

'Excuse me.' Akash was taken aback. Aashi nodded and leaned placing her arm on the table.

'Just pretend boyfriend. I want to make someone jealous.' She said.

Akash looked baffled. Clearly, he had come here expecting something else.

'That is childish.'

'That is none of your concern.' Aashi interrupted him. Right now, she sounded more like a businesswoman than someone who had come to just chill and talk. Akash blinked at her. He looked away thoughtfully. After two, three minutes he looked back at her and asked.

'What is there in it for me?'

Aashi knew this was coming. 'I can recommend for your promotion. Your boss is a good friend.' She said in a very business-like tone. Akash looked tempted.

He shifted and leaned little, - 'Okay, I am in. But what am I supposed to do?' He asked. Aashi grinned at him.

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

Aashi returned home with a cheerful smile on her face. She unlocked the door and entered.

'Suchitra.' She called her friend excitedly. She was hoping to hug her tight and thank her. But to her surprise, Suchitra came out of nowhere and hugged Aashi tightly. So, tight that she felt her breathe getting stuck.

'Aashi, Aashi.' She gushed happily while swaying on spot with her friend. Aashi squirmed in her embrace but Suchitra lets go of her only after she had calmed down a little. They separated and Aashi looked amusedly at her friend and enquired what happened to make her so excited.

Suchitra blushed and forwarded her left hand. Aashi's eyes widened on seeing a ring glistening in her hand. Her mouth dropped open and a smile lingered on her face. She looked up from the ring and at her friend.

'Oh, My God.'- She exclaimed, - 'Himanshu proposed.'

Suchitra nodded shyly.

'It is his mother's ring.' She informed with a smile.

Aashi was happy that Himanshu finally moved on. He is a wonderful guy and he deserves all the happiness in the world.

'Congratulations.' Aashi said sincerely and then the girls squealed with happiness.

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

After they had calmed down, Aashi retired to her room. After she had freshened, the girls got busy preparing dinner. Once accidentally Aashi caught Suchitra blushing and she began teasing her. To divert her mind, Suchitra asked, - 'So, how was the meeting with Akash?'

Aashi nodded her head as she placed plates on the table, - 'Good.' She then looked up at her friend and smiled, - 'Done. He agreed.'

Suchitra smiled and sat in her seat, - 'Hopefully, this plan works, and you guys get married.' She said. Aashi blushed slightly as she plated food for herself.

Marriage? That is too far, but she hopes at least Rishabh realizes that he should move on. And if that realization leads him to fall in love with her than its bonus point for her. For Aashi, all she wants is to see Rishabh happy. He deserves Happiness and nothing else.

Later that night, Aashi found herself staring at the ceiling and fidgeting with her nails. She is having second thoughts. What if choosing a random stranger was a bad idea? She turned around and pulled the duvet closer to her chest and sighed staring at the wall. Slowly, she felt her eyes droopy and soon drifted off to sleep. A smile appeared on her lips as she dreamt of Rishabh.