Chapter 13

CHAPTER 12

 

                    Sharon was so surprised seeing the scene in front of her, she forgot to act cold and indifferent. Shock flitted across her face, followed by jealousy.  But why? For the life of her, she couldn't understand why it hurt her to see Swayam so open, so expressive, unbound and carefree.  Wasn't she the one who told him she was uncomfortable with his intensity and his possessiveness for her? Wasn't she the one who wanted him to remain controlled and detached when they interacted? Wasn't she the one who wanted nothing more to do with him, when he repeatedly rebuffed her attempts at reconciliation?

                   Then why did she feel betrayed when she saw him display the same emotions for someone else. And she was his sister for God's sake! Was it because she thought she was the only one who could incite such strong reactions in him? Yes, her conscience taunted her. Swayam had always been passionate and intense, be it for dance, his friends, his family and her. She had taken it for granted that it had been just her. It took his sister's arrival and the bond they seemed to share to drive away her misconceptions.

 

                    But there was something else. Something she couldn't put a finger on right away. But it became apparent as the time ticked on. Just like the clarity that hits you when the fog lifts, allowing the sun to make an appearance. She felt longing. Yes, ironic isn't it? Sharon Rai Prakash, who had everything at her disposal even before she could blink, whose life people craved and envied, who was the epitome of beauty, talent and grace; felt sad, she realized with a start. She never had any siblings, never knew what it felt like to have a sister or a brother. Let alone siblings, she never knew what it felt like to be loved by parents. But at the moment all of the took the backseat and her best friend became her priority. For she had seen how he had reacted on hearing Taani's voice.

 

 

"Hello? Neeti? Meri aawaz aarahi hai kya? Arre main bhi hoon yahan!! Aap donon mujhe kaise bhool sakte ho?"

Rey walked forward as if on automaton. His legs carrying him towards the source of the sound that had been haunting him for ages. He picked the phone up and was tempted to talk to her. Listen to her voice addressing him one more time, but he changed his mind last minute. Walking forward he handed the phone to Niyati before looking up. Niyati was looking back at him peculiarly. He had the distinct impression that she knew exactly what he was feeling. Taking the phone from him, holding his gaze the entire time she spoke to Taani on the other end.

"Haan Taani! Sun main tujhse baad mein baat karti hoon ok? Sab hain yahan."

There was silence for a mere second, following which Taani realized what she had been pointing to.

"By sab... do you mean?"

"Haan wahi. Chal raat ko call karti hoon. Bye"

 

Swayam swooped down on her next, bombarding her with questions. 

"Teri flight toh thik thi na? journey mein koi taqleef toh nahin huyi? Zyada thaki toh nahin hai na tu? Aur address dhoondne mein koi problem toh nahin huyi na?"

                   

"Bhai..relax! itne sawaal ek saath? saans toh le lijiye. I'm fine! Journey bhi thik thi and I'm not tired. But I admit, maine expect nahin kiya tha ke aap mere welcome ke liye poori paltan bula lenge", she said nodding towards the entire gang who stood like mannequins on display.

"Oh sorry! Main bhi na! chal tujhe sabse milata hoon."

"Just a minute bhai. May I?" gesturing towards everyone. "Dekhna chahti hoon mujhe kitna yaad hai."

Sidestepping Swayam, she stepped further into the hall, her eyes trained on Rey.

Looking at him piercingly she said, "Rey right? Tumhe kaun nahin jaanta, a faint trace of animosity coloring her voice. Rey immediately felt uncomfortable at her appraisal. He could easily predict that they would never be friends. Blasted horoscopes!! They are never right! How in the world was I ever to be friends with her??!!! he thought.

Standing next to Rey was Kria. Only a fool would assume that that she had remained oblivious to her boyfriend's behavior. She knew Rey's history with Taani but she never got to know the depth of his feelings for her. Taani had left college when she had returned and neither Rey nor anyone from the gang wanted to talk about her. Tonight, for the first time she had seen a glimpse of the scars their relationship had left behind on Rey

"You must be Kria. Nice meeting you. Maine suna aap injured hogayi thi. Hope you are doing well now."

Kria smiled and assured her she was doing fine.

"Sharon?" Niyati turned around, confirming with her brother if she had indeed turned up. It was no secret that they weren't getting along at the moment. "Nice meeting you" she added.

Standing behind Sharon were the boys.

"Vicky...umm...Nilesh..."she scrunched her face, trying to guess correctly between Amar and Bharat. Looking at he the cap and the chain Bharat wore, her confusion immediately cleared and she identified them correctly.

"Wow! Tum toh hum sabko aise pehchaan rahi ho jaise ki hamesha se hamari friend types rahi ho!" Aashi blurted out.

"And you must be Aashi. Bohot suna hai maine aapke baare mein.."Aashi blushed

Aap donon pakka Simmi and Rini honge. Thank you all for turning up. Its an unexpected but pleasant surprise nonetheless.

"Tu kabhi kuch bhi nahin bhoolti na Neeti?"

"Aapse related? Kabhi nahin bhai"

 

Precap:  Dinner with gang

[NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]