Black dress

"Riya's point of view,"

"What are you doing here in this freezing weather?" Ashish's comments halted the fight between me and my subconscious.

I looked at Ashish and answered, "Nothing, just came for a walk in the fresh air."

"Aren't you cold?" Ashish inquired, attempting to wrap himself in his arms.

"Yes,"I was shivering and shaking my head. I wasn't even aware of the cold because I was so engrossed in my thoughts.

"Do you want to come in and talk?" As proposed by Ashish,In answer, I shook my head.

"Are you aware of the party tonight?" While walking into the hotel with me, Ashish inquired.

"Party?" I inquired, surprised.

"Don't tell me you're not aware of this," Ashish remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"Which party?"

"What party?"

"I don't have any knowledge about that." I inquired, annoyed.

"Oh, God, why did you make this girl this way?

Riya, were you an alien in a previous life, or perhaps in this one as well?" With a sly grin on his face, Ashish inquired.

"What do you mean?" I demanded aggressively, my gaze fixed on Ashish.

In the same enraged tone with which I had asked, he said to me, "You've been on this official trip for two days, but even once in those two days, I didn't see you properly enjoying yourself with the office colleagues; looking at you, it appears like you've come here for a formality."

Looking at Ashish, I inquired, "Where do you get such weird and nonsense things?"

"It's not just me; everyone in the office believes it. You know, #trendingofficegossip."

Ashish added his hands in the air.

"And what are the office gossips saying about me?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Oh, so you think I'll come in and tell you the office gossip?" Ashish remarked dramatically. "I know you don't fall into the office gossip."

"However, where have you been missing for the past two days?" Ashish inquired, his finger resting on his chin.

"I sprained my leg and was in my room resting," I explained, pointing to the heated bandage on my leg.

In the same conversation, Ashish expressed his concern and dissatisfaction: "How did you get this injury and you didn't think it was important to inform me?"

"I didn't want to trouble you," I explained, concealing my true motive from Ashish.

"Wow, what are friends for if I can't help you? What face will I show Harsh by going to him? I didn't take care of his Riya properly," Ashish muttered, his head resting on my shoulder.

I caressed Ashish's back and said, "Don't worry, drama queen, I'll protect you from Harsh."

"I'm sorry, Riya. I couldn't pay attention to my friend because of Shweta." Ashish apologized once more, but this time his voice was solemn.

"It's all right, now you can tell me which party you were talking about," I said, hoping to pick up where we left off.

Ashish explained: "The hoteliers have prepared a theme party for all the guests staying in the hotel tonight."

"Everyone is stuck here because of snowfall, therefore the hotel management has devised a plan to cheer up their guests." In a frantic tone, he replied.

"Oh, it's a theme party?" It filled my face with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, all visitors are attired in black." I shook my head as I heard Ashish's words.

"Are you coming, aren't you?" Ashish inquired.

"Oh no, there will be everyone in the workplace, including Rachit," my subconscious warned. I don't want to be near Rachit, but I can't tell the truth to Ashish; I offer a valid reason for Ashish.

"Sorry, Ashish, I won't be able to attend the party since I don't even own a black dress," I remarked, a sorrowful frown on my face.

But I was content with my mental state. 'Weldon Riya, which a valid region had given to Ashish,'In my heart, my subconscious appreciated me.

"Oh, so you can borrow from Shweta," Ashish said. "She has a lot of black dresses and I don't think there's much difference between your body and hers."

"No way, Ashish, I can't go to the party wearing someone else's clothes, and Shweta is my junior; what will people think of me if I come to the party wearing her clothes?" I defended my decision.

"Riya, according to me, come to the party; I don't want any new gossip to start about you," Ashish advised, advising me to avoid being a gossip topic once more.

"I believed you are correct, but in borrowing the dress from Shweta, was it necessary for the hoteliers to have a theme party? We can't even go shopping outside in such a short time,"I replied, my attention drawn to Ashish.

"Come on, Riya, let's talk to Shweta. She could have an additional dress that suits Riya, the boss's personality," Ashish said as we walked towards Shweta's room, holding my hand.

I wanted to stop Ashish from doing this, but I refrained because of Ashish's excitement.

Ashish observed it unlocked the room after a quick knock on Shweta's door and entered without Shweta's permission.

Shweta had a stunned expression on her face when she saw me in her room.

"Are you here, Ma'am?"

Hearing Shweta's startling voice made me feel uneasy. However, Ashish drew Shweta out of her stupor and made his presence known.

"Shweta, will you help Riya?"

Ashish knew I was hesitant to ask Shweta for a dress, so he attempted to ease my apprehension.

"Anything for Riya Mam, of course," Shweta chirped.

"Do you have a spare black dress?" I inquired, cautiously.

"Yes, madam," Shweta said, "I have a lot of black outfits; black is my favorite color."

After listening to Shweta, Ashish said flirtatiously, "Ok, noted."

"Will you leave now? We have to get a dress for Riya, ma'am," Shweta said as she pushed Ashish out of the room.

I couldn't stop laughing when I saw Shweta and Ashish conversing in this manner. Shweta took out all the outfits from her trolley bag and placed them in front of me as soon as Ashish left.

"Shweta, you have a lot of black-colored clothes," I observed as I examined the spread of dresses on the bed.

Shweta answered, "Yes, I love black."

"Where's your roommate?" Seeing Shweta alone in the room, I inquired.

"They've gone out for evening snacks at the restaurant." She gave a response.

"Oh," I muttered, pouting.

"Do you mind if I try on this blacktop?" I inquired, hesitantly.

"No ma'am, this would be too weird for the occasion; why don't you wear this sari?" Shweta handed me a black sari from her second trolley bag.

"Chiffon black colored plain black saree," Shweta responded with a smile. "Simple yet lovely and hot as well."

"I've never worn a sari," I admitted quietly.

"So what happened? Wear it tonight," Shweta insisted.

"I have always seen you in an official outfit. Please wear it. I want to see you in a sari."

"But, I said, I have no idea how to wear a sari."

I didn't want to ruin Shweta's pleasure, but carrying Saari made me feel uneasy.

"Don't worry; I'll assist you." Shweta took my hand in hers and lifted me from the bed, placing me in front of the dressing table.

"However, why have you taken all of your stuff with you on this trip?" I inquired.

"Actually... ,"Shweta fixed her gaze on my features.

I was looking forward to Shweta's response.

"All right, first swear not to laugh at me," Shweta responded, extending her hand.

"All right, "I assured Shweta.

"I had seen the heroine in movies dancing in a black sari amidst the snow-capped mountains, so I wanted to do the same," Shweta explained, explaining why she brought Sari along.

After listening to Shweta, I couldn't stop laughing.

Shweta stated solemnly, "You promised you wouldn't laugh after hearing me."

"But it sounds extremely funny," I said, one hand on my mouth, trying to contain my laughter. But I couldn't stop laughing. Shweta couldn't stop laughing when she saw me laughing so hard. We both burst out laughing for quite some time.