Ishika Malhotra

"Mom are you serious about this dress?" I rubbed my face. I had got home to get ready for the gathering and mama was overjoyed to pick a dress for me. And I'm starting to think it's a bad idea. "What's wrong?" She raised a single brow with her hands on her waist.

"isn’t it a little too much?” bit my lip. "Are you joking child Have you seen the ladies dress up for occasions here!” She asked me, “it's always better to be overdressed than be underdressed." She walked away leaving no room for arguments Pairing my red dress with gold heels. I left my hair in loose curls, letting them trail all the way down to my waist The drive to the mansion wasn't long. As we stepped in the house was packed with people, and lights everywhere, Dad and mum walked hand in hand in front of me. Rudra said he'll meet at the entrance, I told him I’d be alone he was kind enough to give me some company

"Oh my god, you look gorgeous Ishika!" Rudra spoke as soon as he caught sight of me, His eyes still in shocked at my appearance looked down at my dress to hide the blush. "Hey Rudra. "I chuckled, waving at him. Rudra wore a blue suit, his hair neatly set. Looking very handsome, that he already had a few females glance his way. He held my hand, and we walked in together the pack house was usually grand and always looked magnificent but tonight, it was beautifully adored by Candle tables, pretty flowers and variations of drinks and cuisines.

"Have a seat, I'll grab us some drinks?" Rudra said before he walked away. "Are you sure you guys aren't a thing?" Amaya whispered from behind me, making me jump. "Yet? Lily perked from the other side, wiggling her eyebrows. You guys!" I huffed, holding my chest "Why are you so jumpy?" Lily asked as the both of them sat on each sides. "I'm sorry, I'm not always so jumpy unless two creatures suddenly creep up from behind me." Lily giggled and Amaya rolled her eyes. "Answer me?" Amaya drummed her fingers on the table impatiently. "What? Rudra and me? No I shook my head. I could never see Rudra more than a very good friend of mine. And honestly, he's treated me that way and nothing more which makes me very comfortable around him. "You guys look good together...Lily smiled. "He's a really good friend Lily, and the best chief doctor to work with”

"Hello ladies, looking so very pretty tonight.” Rudra arrived at our table, handing me a champagne cocktail. I took a sip of it and it tasted heavenly. Lily stood up and gave her seat to Rudra as she walked off to lokesh.

everyone seemed present tonight, Abhimaan uncle and aunty were busy greeting everyone. People kept coming in.

“Hey Rudra” one of the female guards came to him. “Jasmine.” Rudra addressed her curtly. Jasmine was one of the girls that hung around with Sarah all the time. She flicked her brunette curls off her shoulders, projecting her perfect teeth to Rudra. Her eyes landed on me for a second, but before I could return a smile, she looked at him again. Oh well, whatever!

“Wanna dance?” she giggled.

“Umm no thanks. I don’t dance.” He chuckled.

“I could always teach you.” She twirled her curl. Doesn’t this girl give up?

“I'm good Jasmine, in fact | need to introduce Ishika to a few members." He excused himself and stood up. | sipped on my drink, ignoring her piercing gaze on me. Rudra held his hand out to me.

"Go!" Amaya nudged my arm. Giving her a smile, | stood up. | held his

hand and followed him.

“You're welcome." | whispered in his ear.

“What would I do without you?" He squeezed my hand.

Walking through the rows of tables and people, | noticed everyone

being present but the bosses hadn't arrived yet,

As soon as I thought it, a sleek silver Mercedes pulled up at the

entrance of the mansion, catching everyone's attention.

“They're here." Rudra spoke with a proud smile.

The Boss and Lady of the Silver group stepped down from the car.

They stood together, looking so beautiful. The Lady held the kindest smiles as she greeted a few members on her way up.

Following their car. drove in a familiar Black Range Rover and behind it was a matte black sports car. It stood out from all the expensive cars that were already parked. Abhimanyu was probably in it. The tinted glasses didn’t give anything away so I focused on the SUV instead. He shouldn’t see me gawking at his car.

“that’s the Boss’s recent toy. He got it shipped this morning. She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” Rudra was literally drooling over the car. I just nodded and smiled at him.

The range rover’s door opened, Ben, Tushar and aditya stepped out. All of them looking serious, their expressions grim unlike the silver’s Boss and Lady. The crowd became quite as the sports car entered the head of the mansion. The men who stepped out of the SUV stood close to the car as it’s back door opened.

That’s when he stepped out, the Boss. The tallest among all the men who stood beside him. His green eyes sharp as a hawk.

He held a pen, which he placed into his blazer as he walked. He murmured something to Tushar as they followed him behind. His brows narrowed and his lips set in a neutral manner. He looked very pensive.

"No, he looked like someone stole his favourite candy, and he was pissed about it. Yes! That's what it was." my mind prompted suddenly.

giggle left my lips at the stupid thoughts. Rudra raised an eyebrow at me. Shit! I was loud. I covered my mouth and shook my head at him. My parents stood at least ten feet away from me, and they both gave me questioning looks. Damn you that was too loud. I looked down with my mouth still covered. My giggle would soon become a loud laugh because, my head couldn't stop imagining Abhimanyu frowning over a piece of candy. Not funniest thing but I just couldn't stop the giggle. Think about something else!

"Are you okay?" Rudra asked with amusement. "No." I chuckled and he chorused with me. "Shhh." He whispered, mirroring my giggles. "Shit!" He murmured again, composing his posture.

It was Abhimanyu, his jaw clenched as he walked past us. His gaze directly at me. I bit my lip, looking away. All the humour inside my head had left, now being filled with a kind of pressure.

Finally, the Bosses greeted each other and the other Ben handed Abhimanyu a few papers, which he read thoroughly before signing on it.

"He looks so fine." One of the girls who stood before me fanned herself as she spoke to another. "Yes, and he's alone today." Another girl squealed. "Thank god, Sarah isn't here." They murmured, all eyes on Abhimanyu.

Rudra walked to the bar, while I made my way to Amaya and Lily. "Why the hell were you giggling Ishika?" Amaya asked. "I um... I don't know." I sipped my drink again. "Ugh, let me go get a new one."

"Yeah, go on, stand with Rudra, before the single men come for you. They haven't stopped staring at you since you've arrived." Amaya added while Lily nodded in agreement. "Are you sure they aren't staring at you ladies?" I eyed them both. "Pfft... so that Lokesh can butcher their heads?" Lily laughed. "Jai isn't any better." Amaya shook her head.

I moved near Rudra to order a drink. He smiled at me, gesturing a bartender to come up. "A champagne cocktail for the lady." "Thank you..." I sighed. "Bored already?" He inquired. "You know I should be in bed right now." I thanked the bartender, when he placed the drink before me. "Two old fashioned." A familiar voice spoke from behind me to the bartender. "Tushar!" I smiled. "Hey doc! How's it going?" He gave me a genuine smile. "Oh good. Where's Tania?"

"She's with Adhya aunty right now." He pointed towards his wife.

She waved at me as soon as I spotted her. I waved back in return. "What was so funny when we entered the mansion Ishika?" He smirked at me. "What? Nothing?" I cleared my throat. "You surely caught a lot of attention. Especially the Boss's." He winked before grabbing the drinks and walking away. Directly to Abhimanyu, who sat amongst a bunch of higher ranking people. Though they spoke to him, his eyes were on me.

After finishing my drink with Rudra, I went by to say hi to Tania. She was a very shy girl so I approached her. "Hi Tania!"

"Ishika!" She pulled me in for a hug. "You look stunning." She looked at me. There was something about Tania, that I loved so much. She was so innocent, humble and sweet. "So do you." I complimented her back. It was true, she wore a lilac dress with pearl earrings. Simple yet so beautiful.

It was late night, and I never expected to spend so much time in here.

Ignoring his stares and having Rudra's company along with the girls wasn't so hard after all.

"Mum, don't you think it's time to go home?" I whined. "Ishika, we'll leave in thirty minutes. Have you met anyone new?" Mama asked looking around. "No, I'm really tired. Maybe I'll just leave with Rudra."

 "Rudra seems like a nice young man."

"Oh stop. I know what you're goanna say next."

"Ishika! Oh, finally I get to talk to you..." Adhya aunty showed up beside mum, "Lady." I bowed. "It's aunty for you." She beamed.

Suddenly we heard unfamiliar sounds from the forests and the training grounds. It sounded like a bunch of gun shots. There should be many surrounding us.

"Move the women into the upper floor now! “Abhimanyu commanded while pulling out his gun. So did the other Boss. Tushar, Ben and Aditya began calling.

A loud sound echoed through the halls of the mansion, when a man with rifle barged in. Screams were heard as people ran away from it.

A loud bang was heard, and the man laid lifeless on the ground. Abhimanyu’s eyes shone as he lowered his gun to the ground. His face seethed with anger. "enemies have entered the territory! The first warriors head to the forests with Ben and Aditya, the second warriors with me and Tushar to the training grounds now!" He shouted.

As everyone parted ways in a rush, I stood still unable to move. He was going to fight the enemies. Is he going to be, okay? "Ishika?"

"Ishika, move. We have to go!" My mother shook me.

I watched as Abhimanyu barked orders, walking across the room, close to where we stood. He then removed his blazer, swiftly placed it over my shoulders. He stood so close to me.

"Go inside, stay with everyone else. Understand?" He held my shoulders, looking into my eyes for agreement. I didn't want to leave him at this moment. “Ishika I said go inside now!” he gritted his teeth. “Take her” my eyes still on him as I was dragged inside. While he left the mansion.