Chapter: 8

All the preparations were done and the palace looked like a bride decked up with lights and all. It was finally a day before the engagement and everyone was resting in their respective rooms. While Aaliyah and Amber had gone to the airport to receive Imara and Abraham. The others had no idea that they have arrived and were resting. They reached the airport and greeted Imara with a tight hug and shook hands with Abraham and then moved towards the palace.

After a long travel of an hour they reached the palace and looking at it Imara and Abraham were mesmerized. They came out of their admiring session when Amber spoke something. "Guys, it has been a long journey and I'll say that you should take some rest. No one knows that you are so we can you know surprise everyone", said Aaliyah. "Yes, good idea and mom was waiting to meet you. She is angry that you didn't even meet her", said Amber. "Oh, it's okay I know how to handle my Mumma. And you are right I'll take some rest before talking to everyone", said Imara with a smile. They moved inside and Aaliyah showed them their rooms and they left with a bye. Imara and Abraham moved into their respective rooms and slept for some time but not before having a nice bath.

It was evening and everyone was down sitting in the garden with their cups of tea and coffee. While Zoe was trying to call someone continuously. This was seen by everyone. Not able to take it more her boyfriend asked her. "What's wrong baby?", Asked Rayan. "Rayan actually Imara is not taking my calls, she was about to come today and it's evening and she is not there", said Zoe worriedly. Before anyone could say something Zoe's eyes were covered by someone and looking at the person everyone had a beautiful smile. While for Zoe she immediate understood who was behind her and removing her from her eyes she immediately turned and Hugged that person and said " why were you not picking up the call, Idiot I was so worried" "it's not my fault it's Aaliyah and Amber's fault they told me to do this", said Imara with a pout.

And before anyone could understand anything they saw Aaliyah, Amber and Imara running while Zoe was trying to catch them and after a nice long fight they had a tight group hug and came back on their places. After coming back Daina, Edna, Eama and Zubin also Hugged her. "Hey where is Abraham?", Asked Daina. Before Imara could answer they saw Abraham coming from behind and sat beside Imara with his head on her shoulder and immediately closed his eyes. Everyone was shocked by this, they knew Abraham was a close friend but looking at this they couldn't understand was he just a friend or something else. But they kept quiet for some time and saw what was about to happen next.

Looking at Abraham Imara understood he is having a headache. So she immediately asked Aaliyah to get her a cup of coffee and gave it to Abraham. "Buddy, here have this coffee you will feel better", said Imara waking Abraham up. "Thank you boo, I needed this", said Abraham while kissing Imara's forehead. Not able to control more Edna asked, " Imara is something going on between you and Abraham?". And everyone supported her and asked the same. But in all this Zubin wad feeling uncomfortable looking at their position and also he was jealous that Imara knew Abraham so well that she can understand if he is having a headache. He couldn't understand why was he feeling like, because being Imara's friend he should be happy that Imara had such a loving partner who supports her but still he was feeling uncomfortable. Before he could think more he heard Imara speaking. "Guys, it's nothing like that he is my best buddy, we have been together for 8years and we are quite close", said Imara.

Listening to her everyone just nodded while Zubin was feeling relaxed that they don't have any romantic affiliation and are just friends." By the way Amber where is mom?", Said Imara. "Ahh, she is resting so she will come down directly with other ladies during dinner", said Amber. And listening to her Imara just nodded with a beautiful smile on her face. "So what will we do now?", questioned Abraham. "Why don't we visit a few places", asked Zoe. "Yes that's a nice idea but before that tell me what function is going to take place and on which days", said Imara. " So yeah tomorrow that is Sunday we have engagement, then Tuesday we have Haldi, then Wednesday we have Mehendi and sangeet, then Thursday we have Hens party and boys have Bachelor's party, then Friday we have marriage, Saturday night reception and Sunday morning they will leave for Honeymoon", said Amber happily.

All of them were happy especially Amber and Imara because they were the gang of 3 who loved each other a lot. They met at the beginning of the college and we're thick Friends. "Wow cool, so why don't we spend the evening here only it's already late and we will go out and explore places on Monday because we have a day free in hand. What say?", Asked Imara. Everyone agreed to her because it was quite late and they knew that Imara and Abraham would be tired after a long journey. So they dropped the plan for today. "Guys, why don't we play never have I ever after dinner?", Said Abraham. "Wow! Good idea ", said Eama.

And everyone agreed and moved inside while the girls moved towards the kitchen to look after the dinner preparations and the boys that is Zubin, Rayan and Abraham sat outside in the living area and talked about stuff. "So Abraham what do you do?", Asked Rayan. "I am a Doctor surgeon", answered Abraham with a smile. "So when did you meet Imara and where did you exactly meet"?, Asked Zubin because he was very curious. "Haha, that's a long story", said Abraham laughing. "We have all the ears and time ", said Rayan. " Yes actually, I met Imu on a dating site, we talked about stuff and at that time I was going through some problems, my best friend had ditched me with my girlfriend and I was kinda broken", answered Abraham. "Ohh, so then how did you meet for the first time", said Rayan. " We met after her college and then we met again on my sister's birthday", said Abraham with a smile. " Dude it's personal but do you like Imara?", Asked Rayan hesitantly. Listening to this Abraham was shocked. " I'll answer this question some other time, and I'll see what imu and other girls are doing", said Abraham with a smile and moved towards the kitchen.

While his sudden exit did raise a lot of questions in the mind of Rayan and Zubin. " What do you think", asked Zubin. " I have a feeling that Abraham not only likes Imara but loves her a lot. It's is clearly seen in his eyes", said Rayan after thinking something. Listening to Rayan Zubin was angry. He didn't know the reason but he was angry and felt like punching Abraham. Before anyone could say anything they heard Zoe's voice asking them to join for the dinner and they saw all the ladies also joining them for the dinner. All of them sat on the chairs and started serving themselves when they saw Imara making cute faces and tried talking to Amber's and Zoe's mom. " Mom's I am your baby please don't be angry. See I am here and now I am not going back ever. I'll stay in Mumbai only", said Imara pouting. Listening to her all their anger vanished and they immediately hugged Imara. "Then it's okay and you will meet me every week or else I won't talk to you ", said Amber's mom and Zoe's mom supported her. "Promise Mumma I'll meet you every week from now", said Imara.

After that they started having their dinner when they saw Imara was not eating. " Imara what's wrong? Why are you not eating? Do you want something else? ", Questioned Zoe. "Relax Zoe I am not hungry that's it. I'll eat it when I am hungry", said Imara calming Zoe. Before anyone could say anything they saw Abraham serving extra food on his plate and started feeding Imara who was sitting beside him. They were shocked seeing this but what was more shocking that Imara was eating quietly from his hand. And seeing this Zubin remembered Rayan's statement and he also felt that maybe Abraham loves Imara looking at his care. While everyone was smiling looking at them Zubin was uncomfortable and jealous which was unfortunately seen my Aaliyah but she kept quiet. " Imara who is this guy? You forgot to introduce him", asked Zoe's mom. " Yeah sorry Mumma, he is Abraham my best friend and my business partner", said Imara with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. All of them could see the old traces of Imara in her when she was with Abraham. "Only friends or something else?", Said Amber's mom with a teasing smirk. "Haha Mumma don't try this he is just my best friend and a lot of time he feeds me when I am tired so it's okay", said Imara with a smile. Everyone nodded and completed their dinner.

After the dinner all the elders moved towards their rooms to rest because they know tomorrow would be a busy day while the elders moved towards the garden and took their places. While Zoe and Rayan joined them after getting beer pints for all of them. "Who will start?", Asked Edna. "Let's start from the to be married couples", said Imara teasingly. "Never have I ever got arrested", said Zoe. While listening to this Abraham, Imara and Zubin took a sip. While everyone was shocked looking Imara taking a sip. "I know I know you all are curious, so actually we were arrested because we participated in the race which was happening illegally", said Imara smiling. Everyone was shocked but then they know her craze for races. "What about you Zubin", asked Abraham. " I was actually arrested because I was driving above the speed limit and that too when I was high", answered Zubin.

"Never have I ever reached the second base", said Amber. Listening to this they saw Rayan, Zoe, Aaliyah, Zubin, Edna taking a sip and they knew they were in a relationship but what shocked them was Imara also took a sip. They couldn't understand when did this happen while Zubin was uncomfortable looking at this. "When did this happen Imara? Are you in a relationship?", Asked Daina with a question mark on her face. " Umm guys I am not in a relationship and can we please not talk about it", said Imara softly. Everyone understood this and thought to not push her. "So never have I ever fallen In love", said Eama. After listening to this everyone took a sip. Then looking at each other they all laughed. " Guys how many of you are In love now at present?", Asked Daina. Listening to this Zoe, Amber, Aaliyah, Edna and Abraham raised their hands. While the gang knew about everyone except for Abraham. "You Love someone? Who is she?", Asked Aaliyah. " Umm yes I love someone but then she doesn't love me back so let's not talk about it", said Abraham sadly. And listening to him even Imara was sad which was seen by Zubin and he was sure that Abraham loves Imara only but he thought to wait.

" Never have I ever called for an escort", said Zubin. Listening to him everyone laughed but no one took a sip except Imara. And looking at this everyone was shocked again. Not able to control Zubin immediately asked " what? When? And why?". " Yes it's true and it was years back like 4 years back. And it was something personal which I don't prefer to talk about", said Imara. Listening to this he left the topic but he couldn't understand why did she do this. He knows her very well and he was sure she would not do anything like this but then he thought maybe this might be related to her disappearance. But still, he was angry at how did she do this. After playing for some more time and moved towards their respective rooms to sleep because tomorrow they have to look after the guest and preparations in the morning and in the evening they have the engagement.