✓ “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Are you ready?” I called out to D from downstairs.

“Yeah,” she said coming out of her room and downstairs. She had a mustard yellow colour dress on with her hair tied back. She always pulled out the best look from any type and colour of clothes.

While I was wearing an olive green hoodie crop top and black jeans with sneakers and a high ponytail.

“Let's go,” she said while landing beside me.

“You look awesome” I said while proceeding to leave.

“You too look great.” she said walking beside me.

We locked the house and headed to Cal’s car. She is in the driving seat and me in the passenger.

Today is Sunday and boys are having a performance at Josh’s college. It was some collaborative event.

Boy’s were there from afternoon and Cal decided to leave his car for us as D had just recovered from her fever, so he didn’t want her to use public transport.

D pulled out in the parking lot and we headed towards the boys. As we reached they were setting things, Cal walked towards us he spotted us.

Giving a quick kiss to D and then set his hands on her waist as he started talking to her. I leave them alone and go to where others were.

“Hey, Adi” Enzo greets me.

“Hi” I replied

“Thanks for coming.”

“No need to say thanks I will be always there to support you guys.”

“Hey, sugar plum.” Cal said, putting his arm around my shoulder.

“I’m not sugar plum, stop with all these sugary names I hate them.” I said while shrugging away his hand.

“Come on. I know you secretly like them.” He said with a smirk.

“No, I don’t you would have been six feet under the ground by now.” I said

“But I’m not.” He said

“That’s just because I care for D much enough to not put her in misery.” I said

“ Yeah Yeah, whatever comforts you.” He said

I and D seated on the front seats as boys did their last time preparing to start their performance. Will's friends Michael and Ace from the club were also there in the same row. There is still some time left before it starts.

“Actually I’ll go grab something to drink.” I said to D “You want anything?”

“No, I’m fine. Just be fast.” She said

I left towards the food court. I knew what I wanted ‘Coffee’. I quickly spotted the shop. It took more time than I thought to return back.

As I approached I found Jenna Josh’s girlfriend on my seat beside D. As D notices me she gave me an apologetic look. I pretty well understood her so didn’t say anything. Jenna is her cousin and for some reason, D doesn't like her but Jenna always wants to stick to her.

Letting it go I took a seat beside Ace that was empty.

The show started and boys rocked it like always. They fit together perfectly on every note. I noticed that someone sat beside me, but didn’t bother to look towards him.

“Didn’t know you would be here.”

How can I not recognise that accent?

I turned to the right to find those blue eyes beside me. He is in a black shirt and blue jeans with his hair set back as always with strands falling out.

“Mr Blackwell, me too.” I said

“It’s Nicolas, call me Nico. And I wouldn’t be here but Aiden dragged me along.” He said pointing towards the person beside him.

“Nice to meet you, umm...” he said, extending his hand.

“Aditi, you can call me Adi.” I said taking his hand.

“Why Adi don’t you like your name?” Nico asked

“I love it but it’s pronunciation sounds weird with the English accent.” I said, shrugging “What about you, you don’t like your name?” I asked

“I do, but it seems long. Aditi” he said with a smirk

I raised my eyebrow. He pronounced it correctly and was not at all weird, if anything it was perfect. I turned my attention back to stage with a smile playing on my lips.

The show was amazing as always. But let's not say I was not conscious about the person’s presence beside me.

Getting up I headed towards backstage knowing well D would be there. And sure enough, she was there talking to Cal as he gathered everything up.

“You guys were amazing.” I said approaching them and started helping them.

“Thank you, sweet pea.” Cal said with a wink. I just shook my head this man is never going to change.

We decided to have our dinner at their apartment. Ace, Michael, Aiden and Nico were also joining us. So we headed directly there.

We were all settled in the living room with drinks. Waiting for the pizza to arrive.

Right now Michael and Josh were arguing over some movie and the rest were enjoying as they mimicked the dialogues proving their points.

I got up and went outside on the balcony for fresh air, with the glass of my wine. Looking around as the night just started as the light darkness spread around with the lights from the city.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I startled and looked towards the right from where the voice. I didn't know Nico was out here.

“Indeed, Nights are always beautiful.” I said again looking out

“What else do you like except night and wine?” he asked, leaning against a railing facing me.

I looked at him and answered.

“My Country” he raised an eyebrow at it. “You see at this hour there. You will find children playing around and chattering, people leaving for their home, the voice of prayers and chanting from temple and mosque. And the smell of food from everyone’s home.” I said lost in thoughts looking far away.

“You must be missing all that here then.” He said

“I do” I turned to him and asked, “What about you?”

“Silence of Night.” He replied turning and looking out

None of us speaked , we both looked out before he spoke again, turning to me.

“I was wondering if you would like to come with me to an event at my parents. I believe you will keep me sane if you come with me there.”

“Are you asking me out for a date?” I asked, eyeing him.

“Not in particular.”

“When?”

“Friday at 7.”

I thought on it for a while before replying

“7:30”

“Fine by me”

“Cool”

I heard the doorbell, surely the pizza delivery

“Let's go before food gets vanished” I said heading back

We all settled down in a circle grabbing pizza and coke. Then we started playing a game, where you add words one by one forming a sentence. Surely it was fun how we added stupid words forming awful sentences.

It was late so we decided to head back home. I and D headed to Cal’s car.

“See you on Friday, Aditi” Nico said, coming from behind with a smirk.

“Friday, Nico.” I said with a nod smiling. And he walked away towards his car.

“Friday what?” D asked as I seated in the passenger seat.

“I’m going with him to a party.” I said

“On a date?” D asked, raising her eyebrow and glancing at me.

“No, more like a plus one.”

“Plus one, Right.” She said with a smug look and turned her attention back on the road.

I shrugged looking out of the window as we drove back home getting lost in the darkness and silence of Night.

xxx