Chapter 7

Part 7 - 'Shaam dhalti rahe'

Last week of December

Aniket to Sai - “Sai, shaam ko kya kar rahi ho? Movie ka plan ban raha hai… chalna saath main”

Sai - “Are nahi Aniket.. Mujhe kuch kaam hai”

Aniket - “Koi kaam nai hai, jaanta hun.. Virat sir ka wait kar rahi hai na ghar jaane ke liye, sab pata hai mujhe”

Sai is little flushed that he knows and so as to avoid him teasing her further agrees to join for the movies.

Elsewhere, Mohit urgently calls Virat to the theatre, Virat tries to avoid but cannot refuse Mohit’s request.

Aniket, Gauri and Sai have reached and so are Mohit and Karishma. Shivani has also come with Vishal.

Sai - “Chale andar? Ab koun aane wala hai?”

Suddenly, she feels a warm breath near her ear and hears “Main”. It is Virat. 

He playfully hits Mohit and says “To isliye bulaya tha mujhe? Pehle bata nai sakta tha?”

Mohit - “Are dada, pehle batate to ye jo aap dono ke chehre pe suddenly bulb jal gaye hai vo kaise dikhte??”

This reply elicits a round of laughter among the group and a crimson tint for Sai and Virat.

Once inside, they all settle down for the movie to start, with Virat and Sai sitting away from each other. It is then, that a cacophony of “Mujhe yaha se dikh nahi raha hai”, “I want to sit next to you”, “Yaha direct AC lag raha hai” etc. erupts and leads to shuffling and reshuffling of seats eventually ending with Virat and Sai next to each other at the far end of the row. As they both sit down, the “SaiRat” chat group lights up with a series of thumbs up and heart eyes emojis.

The movie starts and Sai regrets not asking the genre. It is a horror movie. She leans to Virat and whispers “Modak, ye kaisi movie hai… main nahi dekh sakti, mujhe dar lagta hai”. 

Virat is mentally thanking whoever selected the genre, tells her “Tumhe dar lagega to mera haath pakad lena.. Aur aankhe band kar lena”. As expected, Sai gets terrified at the scenes in front of her, closes her eyes and turns her head towards Virat. The screams from the screen are evoking terrifying feelings within Sai and she digs her nails in Virat's arm invoking other kinds of feelings within Virat .

Virat is chuckling at her condition, takes her hand and intertwines his fingers with hers and keeps holding them. In the interval, as the lights turn on, everyone turns to them and Aniket asks Virat with a wink “Kaisi lagi Virat Sir?”

Virat laughing at the hint asks him “Ye tumhari choice thi kya?”

When Aniket nods, he silently mouths a thank you and smirks. 

When the movie ends, the discussion shifts to Christmas and New year celebrations. Since Virat has a special duty on New years eve, it is decided that Christmas would be celebrated at Aniket's home and New year at Sai’s home without him.

Christmas evening

The youngsters have set up Christmas themed decorations in the house. Shivani and Karishma are decorating the Christmas tree and Gauri and Sai are busy preparing food. Aniket is arranging the sitting area and Mohit is fiddling with the music system. Virat arrives sharply dressed in white shirt and dark maroon blazer carrying ice cream.

Sai is also dressed in a white jumpsuit that gives off a very relaxed vibe. Everyone takes turns clicking pictures and posing. Mohit makes Sai and Virat stand near the Christmas tree and Virat puts his hand around Sai’s waist and gently pulls her closer, making her look up at him. He smiles sweetly and whispers “Cute lag rahi ho Mirchi” and the moment is promptly captured by Mohit.

They all then move to the dining area and a casual evening of fun, food and drinks is underway. Gauri brings out her guitar and starts strumming melodious tunes.

Virat, remembering how Sai had once praised Ajinkya whispers something to Gauri, she smiles and they both look at Sai. She raises her eyebrows, unable to understand what he is doing.

Accompanied by Gauri on guitar, Virat starts singing, much to the surprise of everyone present.

Mann main kehte rahe woh

Jo kehna hai tumse kabhi

Yeh pal mila toh kehdu tumhe sab abhi

Ke dekhe jo tumhe toh dekhte rahe mann bharta nahi

Chehre se tere nazarein hatane ka dil karta nahi

Jo saath ho tera toh dard fir mera tikta nahi

Hain kurbat koi ke door jaane ka dil karta nahi

Yeh kaisi aakhein teri theher jaaye hum inpe

Yeh kaisi baatein teri behak jaye hum inse

Tumse baatein kartein rahe hum

Aur yeh shaam dhalti rahe

Sai is keenly listening to the lyrics and is feeling warm and pleased at their meaning. As the song ends, she excuses herself and moves to the balcony to enjoy a moment of solitude. Virat too gets up and goes after her. He leans on the door and watches her engrossed in her thoughts. Only when she turns and smiles at him, does he feel bold enough to go near her. She seems happy and content and they both look at each other. An unspoken conversation happens between them and they both instantly reach for a hug. 

—-

The song is 'Dhalti Rahe' by Twin Strings.

This may seem like a mushy mushy part but again it has a continuation in the next chapter.