“Hello darling, all set?” Rey smirked.
“I’m this close to running back to London.” Riri turned around and faced the airport gate.
“No chance! I want you here for my engagement. After all, bhabhi ho tum meri.” He grinned.
“Bhabhi tab banungi jab tera bhai mujhse baat karega.” She huffed.
“Don’t worry he’ll come around.” He walked her to his car.
“What are you doing in Delhi?” She asked him.
“Attending meetings in place of bhai.” He sulked.
“And why did he send you?”
“He didn’t. I was already here, so he told me to stay for a couple days more.” Rey shrugged his shoulders as he drove out of the airport.
“Already here for work?” She asked.
“No. Sharon’s dad suffered a mild attack, so I had to get her here. He was just discharged from the hospital.”
“How is everyone else doing? Are they all in Mumbai?” She enquired.
“You look more scared than Taani when she first came to meet me.” He laughed.
“From what I know, you guys are insane. Anyone would be intimidated. Poor thing must have had her heart in her mouth the entire time.”
“She is way smarter than she lets on. To answer your question, except Paa everyone else is in Mumbai. And you’ll be staying with me. That way bhai ko gussa thanda karne ka time milega.” He winked.
“After what happened between us, I’d be happy if he even looks at me.” She shook her head.
“Will you just tell me what happened?” He asked frustrated.
“Don’t get angry at me.”
“I won’t. Now speak up!” He demanded.
“Armaan was going to ask me to marry him. He had made this huge proposal plan and kept it a secret from me for a long time. But I came to know about it, and I chickened out. It had been just two years and I felt that it was too early. It’s not that I didn’t love him, but, it’s difficult to explain Rey.” She sighed.
“I get it. You weren’t ready. You didn’t reach there. He was heartbroken and returned back home to find you crying.” Rey continued.
“He told you?”
“No, you did! When we met in Jodhpur, remember?”
“Oh yeah. Anyways, I explained why I didn’t show up and he understood. His behavior towards me didn’t change in any way, nor was he being snarky. He was just the same old Armaan and guilt started building up inside me.”
“But what caused the fight?”
“I thought I should surprise him since I had crushed his grand proposal plan. I was planning the surprise when he started to figure out that I was up to something and to get him off my back for a day or two I decided to pick a senseless fight with him. I knew it would irritate him just enough to not bother me. That way I would get the time to arrange everything.”
“I still don’t get the reason behind his anger.” He stated.
“Let me get to it!” She rolled her eyes at him and continued. “So yeah, I picked up this stupid fight with him and.. Easy there!” She shouted as he suddenly applied brakes. “What’s wrong?” She asked as he looked in the rear-view mirror.
“Purvi?” Rey narrowed his eyes and looked carefully.
“What?” Riri asked as he got out of the car.
“Purvi?” Rey widened his eyes as he saw her standing with her bags.
“Rey? Tum yahan?” Purvi asked in a soft voice.
“Meri chod, tu yahan kya kar rahi hai? Tu Mussoorie mein thi na?”
“Haan voh actually..” She was fumbling.
“You can question her in the car as well. It’s pretty late to be out here.” Riri leaned out of the car.
“Chalo.” Rey nodded and picked up her bags. Purvi quietly followed him and they left.
…
“Tu tension mat le uska, main dekhti hoon.” Taani ended the call with Arjun and sighed.
“Any problem?” Sid knocked on her door.
“Nothing Sid, come in.” Taani scooted on her bed and made place for him.
“Sid bulaya Siddo nahi, kuch toh baat hai.” He nudged.
“It’s Purvi. Do din se uss se koi contact nahi hai. Calls messages kisika bhi reply nahi de rahi. So, Arjun is a little tensed.” She explained.
“Busy hogi yaar, ghar gayi hai na voh?”
“Yeah that’s what I told him.” Taani agreed. “Waise tu yahan kaise?”
“Bas baat karni thi toh aa gaya.”
“Kya baat?”
“You and Rey? How?” He asked.
“What do you mean how?” She eyed him.
“I mean it’s Rey and you? Pehle toh Rey ko kisi ladki ke saath imagine karna hi impossible task hai. How did you guys happen?” He questioned.
“Tumhe toh kisi bhi ladka ladki ko saath imagine karna impossible lagta hoga, nahi?” She giggled.
“Shut up okay.” He sneered. “But Rey hai toh Shivam ka ek tension toh khatam.”
“Voh kya?” She asked.
“Your partner accepting me and my sexuality.” He smiled at her.
“Rey ko pata hai?” She arched her brows.
“Voh kya uss ghar mein sab ko pata hai that I am gay!” He chuckled.
“How?” She furrowed her brows.
“Well, he was the first person I came out to. Bhai tak ke saamne maine kuch nahi kahan tha!”
“Rey?” She was confused.
“Armaan.” He cleared her confusion.
“Isiliye you were angry when you saw him and thought that I was marrying him?” She giggled recalling their meeting.
“Obviously!” He rolled his eyes at her.
“But isn’t he.. straight?”
“Arre pagal!” He hit her on the head. “I had come out of the closet and told Armaan because I was very comfortable with him and somewhere I had started liking him. He knew this yet he behaved the same way with me. No change at all. Which is why my interest in him got deep rooted.”
“Aur unki family ka kya reaction tha iss sab pe?” She inquired.
“They were completely chill. In fact, I clearly remember ek baar Anu aunty Armaan ke casual dating se itni frustrate hogayi thi ki she looked at me and said abh tum hi kisi tarah isse mana lo shaadi ke liye. I’d be really happy to have you as my son-in-law.” He chuckled remembering her words.
“What about Rey? How did he react?”
“Rey aur mera interaction itna nahi hota tha. He was busy with his group of friends. But I don’t remember a single time jab usne mujhe judge kiya ho. In fact, voh aur Muskaan mujhe aur Armaan ko chidhane mein sabse aage hote the. Aur Anu aunty ne jabse voh baat kahin thi, they all had accepted me to be a part of their family.” He smiled at her.
“Ek uski family aur ek meri.” She sighed thinking about her father’s side of the family.
“Why do you still consider them as family? Family wali kaunsi harkat ki hai unn sab ne?” He asked bitterly.
“Mere maanane ya na maanane se kya hota hai? Voh hai toh family na.” She sulked.
“You know what forget them. Unpe apna time waste nahi karna mujhe.” He rolled his eyes and then remembering something he questioned, “tu mujhe yeh bata ki Shivam ko Rey pe itni jasoosi karne ka shawk kyun chadha hai?”
“Abhi nahi starting se hi hai.” She giggled.
“Haan par kyun?”
“Jitna mujhe pata hai he just wanted to check if Rey is the right person for me.”
“Aur abhi tak he isn’t satisfied?”
“I don’t know. Bhai ke dimaag mein kya chal raha hota hai sirf unhi ko pata.” She shrugged.
“Maine toh Shivam ko bol diya ki Rey ko meri taraf se clean chit hai.” He chuckled.
“Oh, so Rey is an ideal boy?” She raised her brow at him.
“Ideal toh koi hota nahi. But he is worth the gamble.” He winked.
“Kyun kaan bhar rahe ho tum uske?” Shivam said from the door.
“Main koi kaan nahi bhar raha. Ladka already select ho chuka hai.” Sid chuckled.
“Exactly! Sirf select hua hai. Engagement nahi hui hai.” Shivam challenged.
“Abh kya hua?” Taani sulked.
“Uss din jab voh aise dinner se uth ke gaya..” Shivam started to reason.
“Arre?” Taani interrupted him.
“I know why he went. But couldn’t he inform? Bas uthke nikal gaya!”
“Ya toh tu andha hai ya bohot bada idiot!” Sid swatted his head.
“Kya matlab?” Shivam asked.
“Everyone was present there. Uske dad tak ne usko pucha but he just addressed Taani and left. She is his priority.” Sid explained.
“Priorities change!”
“God Taani, tum isse kaise jhel leti ho?” Sid looked at her.
“Abh aadat hogayi hai.” She giggled making Shivam roll his eyes at them.
“Do you guys mind sharing a room?” Rey asked Riri and Purvi.
“I don’t.” Riri answered and Purvi too nodded.
“Great! Cause two-bedroom room booked hai. And I don’t know if last minute changes ho payenge ya nahi.” He informed.
“It’s fine.” Purvi smiled lightly at him.
“Where the hell are you taking us?” Riri eyed him.
“Hotel is a little outside the city. Kal meri meeting wahin hai.” Rey informed.
“Thank you for telling. I was starting to worry.” Riri rolled her eyes at him making him laugh.
On reaching the hotel, they went up to their room and settled in.
“Purvi tum yahan kaise?” Rey asked.
“Don’t you have a meeting early morning tomorrow?” Riri interrupted him.
“Yes, I do.”
“Then go and sleep. Baatein kal bhi ho sakti hai.” She taunted.
“Oh, by the way. Purvi this is Riri, my friend. And Riri that’s Purvi, Taani’s best friend.” Rey introduced them.
“Bohot jaldi introduce nahi kiya tune?” Riri sneered.
“Since you guys are sharing a room at least kiske saath kar rahe ho voh toh pata hona chahiye na?” He chuckled.
Purvi excused herself and went inside her room. Riri and Rey were still outside.
“Why did you interrupt?” Rey asked Riri.
“She is obviously stressed about something and you interrogating her isn’t gonna help. Let her rest for the night. Kal aaram se baat kar lena.” She made him understand.
“Yeah I guess that would be better.” He nodded
“Good night.” She wished him and went into her room.
…
“You better not let out our secret!” Riri warned Rey as Purvi walked out of her room.
“Good morning Purvi.” Rey wished freeing himself of Riri’s hold.
“Good morning.” Purvi smiled lightly at them.
“I have to attend a meeting right now. I’ll be back in a few hours. You guys just make yourselves comfortable.” He told them and left.
“So, what do you want to eat?” Riri turned to Purvi.
“I’m not hungry. I’ll be inside.” Purvi excused herself.
Riri didn’t force her into eating. She ordered for herself and went inside the room Rey used so as to give some privacy to Purvi.
“Wow, it’s one thirty already? I shouldn’t have lied down after breakfast. I better go out; Rey must have come by now.” Riri looked at the watch and got up to leave.
Riri came out of the room and was rooted to find Purvi with her bags beside her and closing the door without making any noise. Riri quickly came out of her shock and went behind Purvi to stop her. She caught hold of her and brought her back in.
“What were you doing?” Riri asked sternly.
“Please let me go.” Purvi pleaded.
“No! Rey will kill me if he finds out!” Riri exclaimed.
“You don’t have to tell him. Bata dena that you were sleeping when I left, and you had no clue of it.” Purvi joined her hands and nearly begged her.
“Sorry, I can’t..” Riri stopped mid-sentence when the main door opened.
“What.. is going on here?” Rey came in to find Riri with her arms crossed standing in front of Purvi who had her hands joined and was pleading.
“Thank God you came! This one here was trying to run away.” Riri pointed at Purvi.
“Is there some problem? Tum ja kahan rahi thi?” Rey asked her cautiously.
“Koi problem nahi hai. I just.. please let me go.” She said dejectedly.
“Par tum ja kahan rahi ho?”
“Rey please..” She stopped when his phone rang.
“Haan Taani bolo?” Rey said into the phone.
“Tumhara phone nahi aaya isiliye maine kiya.” Taani said.
“Meeting bohot lambi chali. I just returned back to the hotel.” He informed.
“Hmm..” She hummed into the phone.
“Kya hua? All okay? You’re sounding low.” He asked.
“Voh Purvi..” She sighed.
“Kya hua Purvi ko?” Rey asked looking at Purvi which alarmed her.
“It’s been three days uska koi contact nahi hai. Kal toh Arjun ko samjha diya tha ki it’s nothing. But now even I’m starting to worry.” She told him.
Rey had switched the call to speaker mode and Purvi had heard what Taani spoke. Her eyes welled up and she looked at Rey and begged him to not tell Taani.
“I’m sure kuch reason hoga. She’ll call you back. Tum tension mat lo.” Rey tried to persuade Taani.
“I hope so.”
“Taani relax. I’m sure she is fine.”
“When are you returning?” She asked.
“I have another meeting tomorrow which will decide my day of return.” He informed.
“Matlab?” She was confused.
“Matlab yeh ki follow up koi meeting hogi toh I’ll have to wait another day warna kal raat tak I’ll be back.”
“Accha theek hai.”
“Take care. See you soon.” Rey ended the call and looked at Purvi. “What is going on?” He questioned her.
Purvi started crying and sat on the couch holding her head. Rey went and sat next to her while Riri fetched a glass of water to calm her down.
“Kya hua hai Purvi? Tum aise ro kyu rahi ho?” Rey rubbed her back as she drank the water.
Riri excused herself to give them privacy. She realized Purvi was hesitant to talk in front of her.
“Rey I can’t..” Purvi sniffled.
“Agar tum comfortable nahi ho to talk to me, toh main Taani ko call karu?” He asked her.
“No please don’t!” She immediately stopped him.
“Then tell me what is the matter? Tum itni dari hui kyu ho? Aur tum itni raat ko aise road pe kya kar rahi thi?”
“Main ghar chodke aayi hoon. Thank you mujhe kal raat yahan rukne dene ke liye. But, I can’t stay here.”
“Toh tum kahan jaogi?” He asked her calmly.
“Pata nahi but I can’t afford this place.”
“Who is asking you to pay anyways? Yeh room already do logon ke liye booked tha. You being an addition is no harm.”
“Meri wajah se tumhari friend ko problem ho rahi hai. Let me leave.” She argued.
“Usse problem ho rahi hoti toh voh bata deti. And fine, I’ll let you go. But pehle yeh batao ki where are you going? Main khud tumhe wahan chod dunga. And I promise I won’t say a word about this to Taani.” He assured her and saw her relax.
“Pakka tum usse kuch nahi kahoge?” She asked to confirm.
“Jab tak tum meko kuch batati nahi, main waise bhi usse kuch bata nahi sakta.” He chuckled making her smile.
“It’s difficult to explain..”
“I’m all ears. Take as long as you want. We have the whole day here.” He relaxed back into the couch.
Purvi contemplated for a while but then opened up. “Jab main Mussoorie pahuchi, mom ne mujhe bataya ki voh log mere liye rishta dhund rahe hai. Now since I have completed my education, they want me to settle down.” She started explaining.
“Aur since tum Arjun se pyaar karti ho, toh ghar se bhaag aayi?” He questioned her.
“No!” She refused immediately. “I told my parents about Arjun, but voh nahi maane. Unka kehna hai ki main aise hi kisise shaadi nahi kar sakti.” She explained.
“They aren’t wrong. I mean they don’t know him.” Rey reasoned.
“I know but maine unhe bohot convince kiya that they should at least meet Arjun and then make their opinion about him. Par agar voh meri baat sune toh voh mere parents kaise huye.” She grumbled making Rey smile.
“Then?” He asked her to continue.
“Phir kya lakdo ki list lambi hone lagi. Dad was like bakra yahin hai toh usko halal yahin kar dete hai.” She gritted her teeth.
“I still don’t understand ki tumhe ghar se bhagne ki kya jarurat thi?”
“Technically, I didn’t run.” She looked sheepishly at him. “Maine papa se kaha ki I got a job in Mumbai which is why I have to return back. Though he somewhere knew that I wanted to get back to Arjun, but since job ki baat thi so he made me promise that if he lets me come back to Mumbai, I will stay away from Arjun. I thought ki mujhe Mumbai toh aane mil raha hai, so I agreed. Main ghar se nikli and Delhi tak pahuchi and then somehow papa found out that I lied to him about my job. He was furious at me and asked me to return back. But abhi agar main wapas gayi toh I know voh meri shaadi pakka kisi se bhi kar denge. Maine mana kiya and he warned me that the consequences wouldn’t be good. Maine gusse mein phone cut kar diya only to later find out that he meant what he said.” Her eyes welled up by the end.
“Which was?” Rey asked.
“He froze my card and bank account and told me that if I don’t return home, I better forget that I have one.” Tears streamed down her face as she recalled his words.
“So, what do you want to do now?” He asked after she stopped crying.
“I don’t know. I have just enough money to return back home. Par abh ghar gayi toh shaadi aur Mumbai gayi toh..” She stopped and gulped hard.
“Meri maano toh tumhe Arjun se baat karni chahiye.” Rey suggested.
“I can’t. Please don’t make me do that.” She pleaded.
“Hey relax, I’m not forcing you to call him.” He gave her a side hug. “Bas voh dono wahan tension mein hai isiliye I suggested. But if you don’t want to then don’t.”
“Thank you.” She involuntarily rested her head on his shoulder and immediately dozed off.
Rey arranged her head carefully on the couch and got up to freshen up.
“All okay?” Riri asked once he was out of the washroom.
“Yeah, she needs to rest right now.”
“I’m not asking about her.” She gave him a knowing look.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t like lying to Taani.” He sighed. “But it was necessary. Agar maine Taani ko bata diya toh this one here might try to run again.”
“Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.”
“First I had to smuggle just one person, now one more. Kaise hoga yeh?” He rubbed his forehead.
“Smuggle?” She eyed him.
“Sabse chupake leke jane ko smuggle hi kehte hai.” He sneered. “Why do you think I arranged this meeting here and not in the city? Wahan hoti toh mujhe ghar pe rukna padta aur phir bhai ko pata chalta that you are in India aur phir teko Delhi se hi return jana padta! Hence all this!”
“Come on Rey, you can do this! Have faith in yourself!” She cheered.
“Don’t try to test my patience. I’m going to sleep. Keep an eye on her.”
…
“Armaan, mujhe terese koi baat nahi karni. Tujhe Taani se milne tha na. Mil le!” Sid entered the house to find Tanya, Shivam, Taani, Nikki and Abhi sitting in the living room.
“Yaar gussa kyu kar raha hai?” Armaan followed him in.
“Tum dono ko dekh ke full on jhagdalu couple wali feel aa rahi hai.” Nikki commented.
“Shut up Nikki!” Sid scoffed at her.
“Kya hua Siddo?” Taani asked him.
“Iss loser ko terese baat karni hai. Voh hone ke baad isko dhakke maar ke yahan se nikal de!” Sid sneered at Armaan.
“What the hell?” Armaan complained.
“I am with Sid on this. Do saal hogaye hai tumse mile aur tum toh humari shaadi mein bhi nahi aaye the.” Abhi smirked at Armaan.
“Exactly! Taani throw him out!” Nikki glared at Armaan.
“F*ck you too!” Armaan sneered at them and looked at Taani. “Tum free ho? Do minute baat karni thi.”
“Main voh..” She stopped and looked at Sid who was glaring at her.
“Taani, tum jao baat kar lo.” Tanya laughed at them.
“Maasi don’t go on his sweet talks. Na yeh reliable hai aur kyunki Rey isse” Sid eyed Armaan up and down and continued, “follow karta hai, usse bhi reliable mat samajhna!”
“Rey ne kya bigada hai tera?” Armaan furrowed his brows.
“Kuch nahi! But since voh tera bhai hai, main tera gussa uss pe nikalunga!” Sid faked a smile and then rolled his eyes at Armaan.
“Why am I even wasting my time here?” Armaan turned to leave.
“Armaan bhai?” Taani stopped him.
“Haan?” He turned back.
“Aapko kuch baat karni thi na?” Taani got up and followed him when he nodded.
“Tumhari Rey se last kab baat huyi hai?” Armaan asked once they were out of everyone’s sight.
“Yesterday afternoon. Why?” She was a bit alarmed by his question.
“Did he sound different to you?” He further asked.
“No. But why are you asking all this? Sab theek hai na?” She was worried now.
“Arre chill. Kuch tension ki baat nahi hai. Voh bas mere calls ignore kar raha tha so I thought to ask you. I’m sure he is up to something.” Armaan calmed her down.
Armaan left after biding her bye and she came inside to face a glaring Sid.
“Kya bol raha tha voh?” Sid asked her.
“Nothing to concern you.” She answered tongue-in-cheek to annoy him.
“Tu kis baat pe gussa hai?” Shivam asked him.
“Tum logon ko bhi iss idiot ka hi bhai mila tha Taani ke liye? Abh iss gadhe ko jhelna padega!” Sid sulked.
“Kya baat hai Sid?” Tanya asked him.
“Maasi aap iss sab mein mat pado. Abhi usse yeh gaali de raha hai, kal uske saath ghum raha hoga.” Abhi rolled his eyes at Sid.
“Waise Taani, kya Armaan single hai?” Tanya questioned.
“Kyun?” Taani narrowed her eyes at the sudden question.
“Meri ek friend hai jo uski ladki ke liye rishte dekh rahi hai.” Tanya explained.
“Don’t even think of it!” Sid stopped her.
“Iske hote huye toh Armaan single hi rehne wala hai.” Nikki giggled making Taani laugh as well.
“Shut up! Aur Nikki, tujhe sachme lagta hai ki voh arrange marriage mein settle hone wali cheez hai? He’s not Rey. Shaadi ussi se karega jise vo khud dhundke layega!”
“Voh shaadi kar le yeh bohot badi baat hogi.” Nikki commented shaking her head. “In short maasi, aap yeh idea drop kar do.”
“Main toh bas casually puch rahi thi.” Tanya smiled.
“Waise engagement ki kya date fix ki aap logon ne? Bataya hi nahi kuch.” Abhi asked.
“Abhi tak final nahi ki hai. Uss din dinner ke baad karne wale they. But..” She stopped and sighed.
“How is he?” Shivam asked Taani.
“He is doing well now.” Taani informed.
“Aur Sharon? Jis tarah Rey uss din nikla, I was quite tensed. Phir Juhi ne bataya ki Sharon ghar pe akeli hai so he had to leave.” Tanya said.
“According to Rey, Sharon has become Siren. Uncle pe chilla rahi thi ki voh apni health ka khayal nahi rakhte and what not.” Taani giggled recalling Rey’s irritated voice and Sharon scolding in the background.
“Agar voh Mumbai mein thi toh uss din dinner pe kyu nahi aayi thi?” Shivam questioned.
“Kyunki uska Rey ke saath jhagda hua tha aur voh uspe bohot gussa tha.” Taani rolled her eyes.
“Gussa toh naak pe baitha rehta hai dono ke.” Sid commented.
“Yaar Taani, Armaan ko call karke bol that his best friend is sulking a lot.” Nikki laughed seeing Sid’s grumpy face.
“Jao yaar tum sab!” Sid walked off leaving everyone laughing at him
Rey looked at his phone flashing Taani’s name and sighed as it stopped ringing. He jerked up as it started ringing again.
“I think you should answer the call.” Purvi said looking at his phone.
“And what exactly should I tell her when she starts worrying about you?” He asked her.
“Easy! Tell her not to worry and also that you will go to Mussoorie and figure out if anything is wrong only because Purvi is her friend.” Riri giggled and sat next to him. “Then she’ll be very impressed when you’ll land in Mumbai with Purvi. Usse lagega ki tum Mussoorie jaake Purvi ko le aaye!”
“Keep your stupid ideas to yourself. And listen..” He stopped as his phone started ringing again.
“Taani yeh calls ignore karne ka kuch alag matlab na nikal le. You please answer.” Purvi told him.
“Hello.” He picked up the phone.
“Busy ho?” She asked.
“Not really.”
“Toh phone uthane mein itna time kyu lagaya?” She sneered.
“Voh silent pe tha aur dhyaan nahi gaya.” He lied hoping she would buy it.
“The classic silent mode bahana. Are you hiding anything from me?” She questioned.
“Why will I do that?” He got up and went into his room.
“I hope he doesn’t tell anything to Taani. At least not now.” Purvi mumbled.
“He has promised you that he won’t say a word to Taani. So, he won’t. You can trust him on that.” Riri smiled at her.
“I don’t know. You are hiding something, you would know.” Taani taunted.
“Bhai se baat huyi hai kya teri?” He asked.
“See iska matlab tum sachme kuch chupa rahe ho.”
“Main kyun kuch chupaunga tumse?” He wailed.
“Accha theek hai, I believe you. But Armaan bhai is really suspicious of you.” She giggled.
“Thanks for letting me know. I’m going to block him for a few days.” He chuckled.
“What are you up to?” She asked.
“I’m planning to irritate him.” He laughed.
“Tum sab log pagal ho!” She huffed.
“Voh toh hai!” He laughed more.
“Aur main yahan pagal hone wali hoon iss Purvi ki wajah se.” She sighed.
“Abhi tak baat nahi huyi?” He asked feeling awful at lying to her about this.
“Nahi na. Upar se Arjun ne mujhe kal bataya ki Purvi was going to tell her parents about them aur abhi aise gayab. I hope everything is fine.” She informed.
“Taani, listen to me. I know you are worried about Purvi but trust me everything will be fine. Jaise tumne abhi bataya ki voh ghar pe sabko batane wali thi, so maybe she is.. I don’t know.” He sighed. “Just promise me tum iss sab ka tension nahi logi. Because remember Arjun must also be tensed right now and you need to stay strong for him.” He made her understand.
“Why are you so understanding towards everyone?” Taani’s question threw him off guard.
“Hain?”
“I mean just see na, you were so adamant on not talking to Sharon, yet you rushed to her when she needed you and now I was so tensed but tumse baat karke I feel relieved. You have no idea of what might be going on at Mussoorie yet you assuring me that everything will be fine made me believe it. How do you do that?”
“I asked you not to worry as I can’t see you worrying over things especially when you can’t do anything about it. Aur rahi baat Sharon ki toh, yes I was by her side when she needed me, but I am still mad at her.” He reminded her
“But why are you mad?” She coaxed.
“Because she had no right to tell you what to do and what not to do.” He snapped.
“Why? Isn’t she my friend? Kal agar tum Arjun ya Purvi se kuch kahoge toh should I also be angry at them for listening to you?” She asked and he went silent for a few minutes.
“I get what you mean but I didn’t like that she encouraged you into doing something that you weren’t comfortable with.” He spoke. “And don’t argue on that. I saw how uncomfortable you were.” He stopped her sensing what she would say.
“Okay I won’t. But please mend things with her.”
“Hmn. Accha abh mujhe thoda kaam hai jana hoga.” He looked at Purvi and ended the call.
He sat on his bed and went over the conversation he had with Taani. He knew she was worried and felt terrible for not being able to tell her anything because of his promise to Purvi. Then all of a sudden an idea struck in his mind and he grinned looking at his phone. He sneaked to the bedroom door and clicked Purvi’s picture. He told himself that this was the right thing to do and sent the picture to Taani.
‘I am sorry, but I promised her ki main tumse kuch nahi kahunga. This is me not verbally telling you anything. Please don’t ask any questions. I’ll explain everything on my return.’
Taani smiled reading his message and was relieved to know that whatever the matter was, but Purvi was in safe hands. She felt the urge to call him and tell him how much she loved him but controlled herself and went out of her room laughing at her own thoughts.
“Mumma aap kya kar rahi ho?” Taani asked entering the kitchen.
“Nikki ke liye soup bana rahi hoon. Kya hua?” Tanya asked seeing her smile.
“Kuch nahi. Mujhe bas yeh puchna tha ki kya aap mujhe pasta banana sikhaogi?”
“Aaj tak jo ladki kitchen mein rarely aayi ho usse aaj achanak pasta banane ka shawk kaise chada?” Tanya teased her knowing very well why Taani asked her for the pasta lessons.
“Mumma.” She wailed. “Bolo na. Aap sikhaogi na?”
“Haan but not now. Abhi yeh soup banane mein help karo.” Tanya instructed making her pout.
“Taani.” Shivam called her just then and she ran out of the kitchen.
“Kya hua bhai?”
“Tumhara phone.” He handed her the phone.
“What? But? Yeah alright. I’ll come there tomorrow morning.” She ended the call.
“Kya hua?” Shivam asked studying her face.
“Purvi ke hostel se phone tha. They were saying that she has vacated her room. Uska jo samaan hai voh kal empty karne bola hai.” Taani informed. “Hua kya hai?” She wondered.
“You don’t look as tensed?” Shivam eyed her.
“Voh actually Purvi Rey ke saath Delhi mein hai.” She informed.
“Wahan kaise?”
“Exactly kuch pata nahi. He told me ki kal baat kerenge ispe. Isiliye, I’m not that tensed. Jo bhi hua hai, at least she isn’t alone.”
Shivam left and Taani opened the picture that Rey sent her and smiled again reading his message. She looked at the picture again and narrowed her eyes as she caught a reflection in one of the glass separators. She zoomed in to see that in the reflection was some girl. The picture looked like it was taken indoors and wondered who else was with them in the room.
…
“Aise kyu dekh rahi ho? Maine Taani se kuch nahi kaha.” Rey told Purvi emphasizing on the word kaha.
“Thank you and sorry. Meri wajah se you had to lie to her.” She broke eye contact.
“Yeh sab baadme. Now listen. I might have a solution to your problem.” He told her and she instantly looked at him. “Your dad has no problem if you stay in Mumbai for a job, right?”
“Haan par itni jaldi job kaise milega?” She frowned on learning that his plan was to look for a job.
“Pehle poori baat toh sun.” He shook his head and continued. “Tune SRS mein apply kiya tha na?”
“Haan par koi reply nahi aaya.”
“Aayega. Leave that to me.”
“Rey no. Already tum meri bohot help kar chuke ho.” She tried to stop him.
“I haven’t done anything. And listen there is more.” He silenced her. “Tumhe kal jab SRS se confirmation milegi tab call your dad and let him know that you have got a job, show him the proof if he asks and tell him that you really want to do this job. However angry he night be, he will listen.” He assured her.
“Aur Arjun?”
“Right now, the main concern is to get you to Mumbai without your dad disowning you.”
“Rey.” She looked at him sternly.
“Sorry. But Arjun ke baare mein I can’t tell you anything. I have no right to meddle in that.”
“Okay even if I inform papa he is not going to let me go this easily. Mera bank account voh mujhe vapas nahi denge. So how am I even going to reach Mumbai? I have no money on me.”
“Tumne phir paiso ka chalu kiya?” He looked at her angrily. “Tum iss sab ka tension mat lo. Just make sure that you inform your dad.”
“Rey I’m not sure about this plan. I don’t feel comfortable doing that.”
“Alright.” He sighed. “Think about it. Kal batana.”
“What if there is no other way?”
“We’ll figure something out. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him.
“Thank me when we sort everything.” Giving her a side hug, he went to sleep.
…
“Should I call? No! I won’t be able to stop myself from asking about that girl. But then why didn’t he mention anything about her? Anyways he is coming here by afternoon, I’ll ask him then.” Taani calmed herself and came out of her room.
“Hello? Taani?” Arjun waved his hand in front of her to gain her attention.
“Tu yahan?” She asked.
“You called me here. What’s wrong?” Arjun asked on seeing her tensed face.
“Actually, mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai. Chalo.” She took him to the balcony.
“She is with Rey? How?” Arjun widened his eyes when she told him. “Aur tumhe yeh kab pata chala?”
“He told me yesterday. How and why ka pata nahi but I know that she is with him. And they are coming back by afternoon.” She informed.
“Sab theek hai na?”
“Mujhe bhi kuch nahi pata Arjun. But something is definitely wrong.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Mujhe kal uske hostel se call aaya tha aur unhone uska samaan leke jaane bola hai.” She informed.
“Why?”
“I wish I knew. But abhi hume wahan jana hoga.”
“Rey ne tumhe kuch bataya hai?” Arjun asked as fear gripped his heart.
“I swear Arjun mujhe kuch nahi pata. He just told me to not worry about it.” Taani hugged him.
“How is she?”
“She is fine. Trust me.”
Taani understood what Rey meant when he asked her to stay strong for Arjun. She assured him that Rey is bringing Purvi in a couple of hours and took him along with her to clear out Purvi’s belongings from her hostel room.
Posted: July 6, 2019
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