Shanaya grinned. "Ishaan!"
My heart stopped for a second. 
Ishaan? Could that be... No, it couldn't be. 
What were the odds?
"Wait, Ishaan... like your childhood friend Ishaan?" I asked cautiously.
"Yeah, Ishaan Agnihotri. You remember him, right? I've told you about him a million times. He's coming to the party, and you'll finally get to meet him!"
I gulped, my heart racing. 
Could the man from the café be the same Ishaan? 
Shanaya had mentioned him before—her best friend from childhood, the successful CEO—but I had never paid much attention. 
Now, all those little details she had shared over the years seemed to come rushing back.
"Wow, that's... great," I managed to say, my voice not quite as steady as I would have liked.
Shanaya noticed my hesitation. "Tu theek haina lavi? Preshan lag rahi hai."
("You okay, Lavi? You look a bit flustered.")
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I said quickly, trying to sound casual. "Just thinking about all the stuff we have to do before the party."
She laughed. "Don't worry, everything's under control. You just have to show up, look fabulous, and have fun. Oh, and maybe help me pick out my outfit tomorrow."
I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. 
If that Ishaan was the same guy from the café, how was I going to handle it? 
Would he even recognize me? 
I was just some random girl he bumped into. But still... those eyes. 
God, I couldn't stop thinking about them.
₊ °✦ ‧  ‧ ₊ ˚✧
The next day was a whirlwind of preparation. 
Shanaya's apartment was buzzing with energy as we got ready for her birthday party. 
I helped her pick out a stunning red dress that made her look like a queen, while I opted for a simple yet elegant black dress. 
We spent hours getting ready, and by the time we were done, we both looked like we had stepped straight out of a magazine.
"Tu ek dum sundar lg rahi hai!" Shanaya said, giving me a once-over.
(You look amazing!)
"Thanks," I said with a smile, though my mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Ishaan.
As the evening approached, guests started arriving, filling the apartment with laughter and chatter. 
Shanaya's friends from university, some of her childhood friends, and a few of her relatives were all mingling, and I tried my best to engage in small talk, but my eyes kept darting toward the door, waiting for him to show up.
And then, he walked in.
My breath caught in my throat as I saw him. It was him—the guy from the café-  Ishaan Agnihotri . 
He looked even more striking than I remembered, dressed in a sharp suit that only accentuated his tall, commanding presence. 
His light brown eyes scanned the room, and for a brief moment, they landed on me.