Chapter 48

Three weeks had passed since Nandani's visit to the Malhotra's. Still, there was no news from Manik. He might have been still mad at her. Or maybe he just did not care.

Somehow it was the end of April already. The semester had flown by and finals were almost upon them.

Alya and Nandani consumed record amounts of banana bread at 'Cafe and More' and other fuel they smuggled into the library as they grilled each other on course material. Nandani would keep volunteering to do the 'Cafe and More' runs, while secretly hoping she would run into Manik there, but there was no such luck.

The one shining spot was was 'Dream Girl.' Things were clicking into place. They now had ten New York boutiques committed to carrying the items Mukti had produced for the next season. The pieces were already manufactured, and Mukti and Nandani were going to be delivering them personally to the stores starting next week.

It had not been without beginner's hiccups though. Mukti had a falling out with their manufacturer when she did not like the topstitching on a jacket. Nandani smoothed that out using the same hard-won statesmanship that had gotten her through more than fifteen years of best friendship.

At Crystal's suggestion, they were taking a moment to pause and enjoy things. This 'pause' came in the form of a small friends-only launch party the Saturday before finals started. Blake Evans the famous designer who had taken them under his wing over the past few months had phoned a friend and gotten them an attic hub. Crystal had sent a case of champagne with a handwritten note saying she wished she could have been there with them. Blake had also invited some names from the local fashion industry, and most of their high school friends were there too.

While Mukti had agonized over clothing, Nandani had fewer options and only one that she wanted to wear: the green dress she had worn in New York, her Christmas gift from Mukti. Because of the color, it was really worthy of the spring season. And, the only people who had seen it were Manik and Mukti, so it was probably a safe bet. Her heart hurt a little as she put it on, thinking about the last time she took it off. But she brushed the feeling aside.

Mukti also insisted they needed some attractive person to accompany them to the event, which was why Manik's friend, Neil's car appeared in the driveway just after six.

They had run into each other a few times this winter and he was always friendly. Now Nandani secretly wanted to pump him for information about Manik but thought she would better wait for the right moment. She was starting to get a bit desperate for scraps, anything that would tell her what Manik was doing.

Neil radiated a San Francisco pupil or graduate of an expensive prep school, in a suit that showed off his surfer body (he loved water surfing) and tan. His tie was a bluish-green color that, through coincidence only, almost matched her dress.

Nandani suspected he had picked it to set off his eyes. And he did look good. She wished it affected her in some small way. But her interest in the opposite sex seemed to have completely dried up.

"You look terrific," he said with a grin, bending for a kiss that was probably destined for some part of her face. Nandani turned her face slightly to guarantee that it hit her cheek.

"Thanks, Neil. You look pretty great yourself." Nandani smiled back at him. He opened the car door for her and they set off.

Mukti had left a couple of hours earlier, saying she would meet us there. She felt particularly invested in the decor so had insisted on going earlier and doing it without her help, saying it was a 'designer thing.' Somehow she had even twisted Blake's arm and he had committed to helping, no matter how much she insisted he was beyond hanging banners.

They arrived at the attic, a walkup right downtown. It took up the second floor of a large building. Blake and Mukti had outdone themselves, which was saying something. The space was super modern and industrial, having great metal ceiling fixtures. Their logo was projected in ten-foot font up against a stark white wall and Nandani's breath caught when she looked at it. A bartender was setting up at the far end of the room behind a long chrome bar, and a DJ was at the opposite end.

Mukti had made up temporary tattoos that looked like graffiti versions of their logo. They were laid out on the table in front. Nandani held one out to Neil and quirked an eyebrow.

"You want me to put this on?" Neil asked.

"I expect you to show your support," Nandani said impressively.

"I will if you will," he grinned. "Where should I put it?"

Three hours later there must have been at least two hundred people in attendance. Mukti had been in charge of invitations, so it was not a surprise that Nandani did not know a lot of them.

Everyone was congratulating everyone else. Mukti's mom and dad were both there beaming with pride. Even Nandani's mom and her stepfather Karan had sent a gorgeous flower arrangement, though they did not come in person. It was probably for the best.

Nandani found some rest in a corner to take a breath and look around the room. Then the same breath was squeezed out of her as someone grabbed her from behind in a giant hug.

"We really did this, didn't we ?" Mukti's voice contained awe.

"Yeah, now we just have to sell clothes," Nandani added.

"You are the best friend ever, you know that, Nandani? It has been a shitty year for you but you have been great."

Nandani swallowed as emotion welled up. "You are pretty great yourself."

"I know it is still not going to be easy. But we will work it out," Mukti promised.

And Nandani realized this time, they would. She then excused herself to use the washroom. She had pulled her gloss out of her clutch to touch up when a vaguely familiar face appeared in the mirror.