Chapter 6 : Not fair

It's almost the end of September and the autumn showers have started entering the daily life of London. Having a cup of hot coffee and enjoying rain in the evening became Pari's favourite part of the day. Work life was quite decent since they had already submitted the mid-year financial reports in early September and now they could breathe freely for sometime. 

Sonu's birthday was in 3 days and the plan this time was to celebrate it in Montezuma club in Mayfair. Since it was the weekend they need not bother about the work and stuff, so it was decided that they would enjoy it to the best of their abilities. 

Sonu banged Pari's door on her birthday morning and asked her bestie to join her for the special spa day at Quan spa. 

" But it's your birthday, I should be the one gifting you something of this sort, why are you spending so much on me?" Pari asked her as soon as she told her about the impromptu spa plan. Spending a day in a spa… that too in London is nothing but a huge blow to anyone's credit card. 

" I have no one to spend on Pari. You're the only one I have now and it's my birthday and I want people around me to be happy, that's all. Birthday girls don't take no for an answer" Sonu was adamant about her decision. 

Sonu had lost her parents after she started working in London. So right now the only family she believes to have is Pari. Family has been a weak point to both Pari and Sonu. So rather than making her sad, Pari decided to go with her wish. 

" If that's what my birthday girl wants, I can do it. Anything for your smile Sonu" 

"That's like my Pari. Come-on we are getting late. Today I will make sure you have a complete makeover that makes you look extra gorgeous" Sonu winked at her bestie. Knowing the unwavering decision making skills of her friend, Pari didn't really have any other option than to nod her head in yes. 

Both of them left for the Quan Spa which was hardly 10 mins drive from their apartment. They had an entirely curated treatment session and it was indeed good. Pari's hair was treated with too many products and the texture by the end of the treatment was heavenly. Her straight hair was now in multiple layers and curls. Her skin felt healthy and happy after the spa treatment and once out of the spa, she could see exactly where the credit card bills were spent. After a long time she felt really good about herself when she looked at the mirror. 

" Stop admiring yourself in the mirror my girl, we still have a hell lot of shopping to do. Lets go" Sonu dragged her to the car after paying the bills and drove to the nearest mall. After visiting every showroom located in the mall and trying out tons of pieces of clothing and accessories, their shopping came to an end and the result of the shopping spree was a trunk full of shopping bags. Though Sonu was hardly 4 months older than Pari, she started behaving like an elder sister around Pari who's always protective and loving, since the day they met. Pari really feels blessed to have a friend like Sonu in her life. If not for Sonu, today Pari wouldn't be living her dreams. 

Both of them were back at the apartment after having a delayed lunch and rested for sometime. The party was at 7 and Sonu started searching for perfect outfits from all the shopping bags. Finally she picked a black off shoulder dress for Pari and a navy blue sequin dress for herself. She went ahead and picked their accessories and footwear. 

Pari was commanded to wear the things Sonu chose and she followed the orders of the excited birthday girl. 

" You need to glam up a bit Pari, your gorgeous skin needs appreciation" Sonu spoke as she started applying makeup on Pari. 

" But I don't like too much makeup Sonu. It feels like I'm faking myself" Pari never really liked the idea of makeup in her life, even though her mother always insisted her to put on some.

" But there's nothing like too much makeup, my girl. It's the way you apply and carry it. A little bit of makeup wouldn't hurt. I will teach you the professional no makeup look for daily life. Don't worry, you've got me" She assured Pari as she started working on the lipstick. It was a wine red shade lipstick contrasting the nude makeup applied on Pari's face. Pari wore her black stilettos while Sonu got ready with her outfit. They were ready by 6.30 and called others to check about them. 

Once they reached the club, they met Sonu's colleagues and Pari's gang. All of them walked into the club that had already started playing all party songs at the highest volume. Pari settled with Avery, Noah and Abhay. 

" Oh my my, our Indian princess looks gorgeous. What is the secret of this overnight transformation? " Noah asked as they continued to sip their drinks after the cake cutting. 

" All thanks to the birthday girl. I feel like Cinderella sneaking out of her house " Pari replied with a chuckle. 

" Then may I be your prince charming and have the pleasure of a dance with you, dear Cinderella?" He asked her with an extended hand and everyone started cheering for them. 

" But I don't know how to dance, Noah. I don't want you to have a bruised foot because of me" Pari tried to deny it as she really sucked at dancing. Even after being part of the corporate world for many years, she hardly went out to parties and dance was not exactly her cup of tea. 

" Don't worry sweetheart, just follow my lead. I promise I won't make it uncomfortable" He promised as he grabbed her hand. 

" Don't blame me that I didn't warn you"  "Let's make your first time as the best time Pari." He assured her with a smile. 

And they ended up on the dance floor. He held her hand and waist and guided her with simple steps and she followed him with baby steps and dancing didn't feel burdensome anymore. 

"You are really good at this, Noah, I'm impressed. Thank you for taking up the risk" She thanked him with a smile. 

" Pleasure is all mine gorgeous. You really deserve to be treated like a princess and I am doing the same" He slowly twirled her and they continued dancing. 

" So... No boyfriend?" He asked her while guiding her.

" Not anyone recently. The last one left a few scars that I am taking time to heal. What about you? " 

" Boyfriend? " He asked with a idiotic grin. 

"Stop being silly. I'm asking about girlfriend" 

"Ohh. I thought otherwise. Anyways I'm extremely single and ready to mingle. Unfortunately, good looking girls are not showing any interest in poor boys like me." He let out a dramatic sigh. 

"That's an entire bullshit. You are too flirty to be considered seriously. Maybe that's the reason for your failure. Now answer me honestly, aren't you interested in Avery.., I mean... The way you look at her and stuff hints at something. Enlighten me about the details." 

" God...girl... You really have hawk eyes Pari. I admit I have had feelings for her since day one, but she tends to friendzone me. I can't move further if she keeps acting this way. Maybe I should drop this idea " Noah finally admitted his tiny crush on Avery. 

" No idiot, you just have to give her some time. Let her take time and understand you, maybe she might start feeling for you. Stop acting like a Romeo all the time, maybe then she might start considering you seriously" Pari suggested. 

" Wow... You seem to have done a PhD in this concept. Tell me how many men have drowned in those pitch brown eyes of yours?" He asked her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. 

" Thanks for the compliment. But I have had only one relationship in the past. That too ended badly. But I tend to observe people. In your case I'm just giving you a girl's point of view. Hope that helps." 

" Hope so buddy. Let me try my level best" 

"All the best my dear Noah and thank you for the dance" Pari thanked him as they ended their dance. 

" Thanks to you too and I really had a good time talking to you. You're really a great friend for life Pari" Noah thanked her. They walked back to the couch to witness her best friend making out with Abhay. Pari's predictions were turning to reality. 

'Maybe I should start a dating advice centre as a side business to gain some more income' Pari laughed at her thoughts and her blushing best friend too. 

"Noah... We left them for sometime and just look at them. Maybe I can become a godmother soon if I leave them for longer " Pari taunted her best friend. Noah and Pari broke into laughter and Abhay and Sonu started blushing like hell. 

" So ..... What's happening? " She asked as she sat near her embarrassed best friend. 

"He confessed and I said yes. We're official" Sonu confessed everything and covered her face like a coy bride. 

" I'm so freaking happy for you Sonu. I already guessed you would end up together. Anyways, congratulations to both of you and Abhay, you must be responsible towards her henceforth " 

" I am not pregnant, Pari. We just kissed" She slapped Pari's shoulder and continued to blush. 

" Of course, you just kissed. But I need to be concerned about you right. I'm not planning to leave you unattended just because you are committed now" 

" Thank you so much, Pari. You're the only person whom I can share all my happiness and pain with. Thank you for staying by my side." Sonu was truly happy to see her bestie supporting her relationship. 

" Sisters don't say sorry, thanks. We just hug it out. Come-on give me a smile and a tight hug."  They both hugged each other and Pari hugged Abhay too. Finally Sonu had someone in her life to take care of her and love her dearly and Pari was more than happy about it. Party continued till midnight and all of them were famished by the end of it. 

Next day Sonu and Pari both woke up with a terrible hangover and throbbing head. After a long shower, both of them had their strong coffees and calmed their aching nerves.They had their lazy Sunday brunch at a restaurant opposite their apartment building and spent their day watching some random movies. 

Next day, both of them went back to work and the regular cycle continued. Pari's team lead, Claire called them for a meeting and talked to them about the next project. It was regarding the Carter & Co. company that I & E had recently acquired. It was actually an almost dead asset. But they had to bring it back to life and turn it into a profit source. 

Carter's was once a major name in the jewellery industry, but now they were hardly having any sales. Due to imbalance in production and sales, they suffered huge losses and almost reached a state of bankruptcy. Now they had to think of disaster management and save the company. 

Claire asked Avery and Noah to prepare the background research report and Abhay had to prepare the finance reports of their sales and production costs. Pari had to prepare the presentation for plans to squeeze out maximum profit with the new ideas of production. All the team members started working on the project and within 15 days, they had to prepare everything as their CEO would personally check on the project. Even hearing his name sent chills down Pari's spine. She just hoped that everything would turn out well. 

Avery and Noah started giving her  the information about the stages of growth and fall of the company and the financial reports of Abhay helped her in understanding the cause of downfall. The major issues with the company was their unnecessary expenditure on production and complete ignorance towards the market trend. Even after being in the market for the longest time they decided to stick with old plans which heavily backfired on the long run. So she had to come up with better ideas to rejuvenate the business. 

After endless cups of coffee and sleepless nights, her presentation for the project was prepared. Pari handed over a copy to Claire as she was presenting it in front of their CEO. She said that she will handle the presentation on her own as she is the team lead and asked others to work on different projects. 

" That's such a cheap trick by her. Clearly the presentation was done by Pari. She came up with the ideas and how can that bitch take up credits for someone else's hard work? I couldn't guess she would be such a shameless lady" Avery was furious at Claire. 

"Calm down Avery. This is the dark side of the corporate world. We have experienced this since long, you're just a fresher so you find it difficult to digest " Pari tried to calm her. But Avery wasn't planning to listen to her.

" She's right, Pari. You have worked hard for this. You shouldn't have let her speak like that with you. I think you should fight for your right " Noah spoke in favour of Avery. 'This love struck puppy Noah' Pari sighed looking at him. 

"I agree she did play dirty. But revolting at this point isn't a good way to handle this issue. Let's see how things turn out. Let's believe in Karma. Maybe she will get what she deserves. " Abhay spoke like an adult. Finally everyone calmed down and they got back to their work.