Nice to meet

"Haity, oh my God Haity he's coming here, I think he recognised us." Maira said pointing at Sahil who made his way among the greeting guests.

"You think he is coming to throw us out of his party?" Haity asked as she caught his glimpse with the corner of her eyes but kept a straight face, "let's just walk away."

Before Maira and Haity could take a step towards the exit and leave, Sahil sensed their intention and called out.

"Excuse me?" Both the woman halted on the track and turned to look eye to eye with the young man, they have been trying to hide from.

"Listen-"

"Wait wait wait, I know what you are thinking but let me ask your name first. What is your name?" Sahil asked smiling profoundly at Haity.

"Mine?"

"Yeah uh."

"Haity."

"And you?" He said turning to Maira.

"I'm Maira, I work in your mother's company. Listen Sahil, if we in anyway hurt you, then we are sorry but you got to accept, you were not so ideal there." Maira said out loud, deciphering either of their feelings into words.

"No, I'm sorry. It was not really just Ronny's fault, we were all so drowned into the music and vibing that-, well it just happened. And my remarks over you, were not really helpful in mending stuff either. So pleas forgive me." Apologies from Sahil sounded as genuine as it gets and Haity and Maira really felt that apology was nothing but genuine. Giving a brief look of understanding to each other they nodded at him.

"Happy birthday by the way." Maira greeted.

"Yes happy birthday Sahil. I think you should go back, join the party." Haity insisted.

"I'm in the party, you are the part if it, right? But yes I have to cut the cake, hope you like vanilla." With these parting lines and a playful wink directed at Haity, he left.

"Did he just say vanilla?" Maira gasped as she stared at the back of Sahil's head.

"He was just talking about cake flavour Maira."

"You think so? He winked right after."

"Stop Maira stop. He is too young and immature."

"How can you say that, you don't even know him and weren't you the one with phrase, 'love has no age' when Aditya and I started dating?"

"Yes, I mean he is not mature enough for a serious relationships and I'm done with casual dates. So, my dear friend stop thinking." Haity said, dramatically focusing on 'stop' and 'thinking'.

In a few minutes, everyone gathered around the table with a sky blue, pool like cake on it, there were a few miniature pool side benches and umbrellas along with candles.

Soon the cake was sliced by Sahil and feed to the his mother first, then several other members of his family and friends group. The time when everyone was busy wishing Sahil, the biggest day of the year, Haity could only think of how almost whole day wasted for this five minutes of ceremony. After more than 45 minutes of drive and an hour of randomly roaming around in this house, talking to anyone interested, Haity was more than just bored.

Being one of the employees of the 'Volent Rex', Maira was busy with the other known associates, she even tried to introduce them with her but Haity lost interest after a few meets and preferred standing by the cup cake stall. Easier to sneak one without anyone noticing how much she had.

There Sahil and his friend were enjoying the leisure time, taking break from the party.

"I don't believe you ditched your more fun party for this just because of an argument on the road." One of their friends Rasita said as she rotated her legs into the pool water, drawing circular waves.

"I did, just had a wake up call on the way." Sahil said taking another sip of drink, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

"Don't tell me you're still thinking about that hot dish." Kartik said rolling his eyes at Sahil.

"Yeah dude I forgot to tell you, she is at the party, she's here." Ahir said. His hand wrapped around his girlfriend Popee. Popee, a witty and smart girl was often addressed as 'lanky losie' by her friends. Along with being a social media influencer, she was a rising stand up comedian.

"I know I talked to her."

"What? You did not." Ronny said, shocked.

"I did actually. She's nice."

"Dude where are you lost? Don't tell me you like her, like that."

"Come on Ronny stop it now. Hey Sahil, if you like her then you got to introduce us." Rasita said as she finally pulled her feet out of the pool and joined others beside it.

"I don't think that would go well, when I was talking to her it felt like half hearted."

"Half hearted what?"

"Half hearted conversation. She accepted the apology but was eager to get rid of me."

"Dude, my suggestion is, forget her and focus on girls of your age." Kartik said giving out a signal of tease which irked Sahil a little but soon he remembered his ultimate aim to woo and befriend Haity. Giving up, he decided to share the real feelings with his friends.

"Stop whining about me smitten by some hot old chick, I'm mentally incapable of those kind of feelings."

"What's your real deal Sahil? I sense mischief." Popee asked frowning with suspicious looks.

"Don't worry Popee not a big deal. It's just that, she will soon know who she messed with." Sahil smirked at no one in particular but everyone heard the unsaid words that directed the revenge of humiliation.

_____

"Maira....excuse us for a second please." Pulling Maira away from the group she's been chatting animatedly to, Haity took her out of their earshot.

"I know Haity you are bored to hell and this really is a business meeting, I can't seem to shake them off."

"That's not what I want to complain about Maira, I just have to pee so bad."

"What?"

"I couldn't find Ms. Kavita so I don't know who to ask."

"There is one there, go left form the wine bar."

"Okay thanks." Haity left hurriedly towards the direction pointed by Maira, ignoring the weird looks on way by several other guests.

To her extreme dismay, there were no more that two unisex washrooms and lines of more than 15 people in front of each.

"I can't wait this long." Haity squeaked to herself, applying pressure on the belly in an attempt to stop the bladder from bursting.

"Why don't you go up and use one of the family member's." One of the girls standing in the line suggested.

"They won't have any problem with that?"

"Their displeasure is not worth enduring the pain of bladder killing."

Haity, deep in her mind agrees with this girl in front. She wish she had this same rebellious attitude but that was not her.

"Oh sack it." With a frustrated sigh Haity turned and left the line waiting to pee pee and poo poo.

Entering back into the hall she looked around for Kavita or Sahil, the two she knew and capable to permit her to use their personal washroom.

"Is there a problem?" Haity turned to see a tall- muscular middle aged man, possibly in mid 50s, eyebrows raised on corporate bearded face and well tailored suit, he looked nothing less than a colossal business owner himself.

"I...uh..I was looking for washroom but here is a huge line."

"Oh I'm so sorry. Why don't you use mine," he said and Haity felt relieved, she didn't expected to find another member of the house soon.

"Thanks thanks a lot."

"Sure, my name is Hiram by the way." Hiram said guiding the way towards center hall stairs.

"Hiram where are you going? I have been looki— hi?" An elegant woman with high tied bun and dimond earings halted noticing Haity. Haity stared in discomfort at both the strangers, staring from one to another.