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bones123

@bones123

Ram was waiting for Priya so they could head out together.  He was leaving for a fortnight long work trip the next day and wanted to spend the evening with her. When he had made the request earlier in the day, she had agreed and it gave him weird butterflies in his stomach. It had been about a month since that night on the terrace and while nothing had really changed, Ram had felt a palpable shift in their comfort dynamic. Her agreeing to go out with him was just one such small example.

He stood next to their car, having dismissed their driver so it would be just the two of them tonight. As she walked down the stairs of the building, he saw her look around for him and when she spotted him, the little wave that she gave him made his heart skip a beat. He should have known it was all too good to be true. Literally a short distance from their workplace, their car halted to a stop. It was like deja vu to the first day of the wedding, he still didn’t know the number of the mechanic and she didn’t want him to call their driver back. 

She suggested they take an auto and he had to grudgingly agree. The delay meant that they had missed their reservation at the restaurant, and while this was not really a problem and he knew they’d always make room for him, something about the rhythm was off and all of a sudden all he wanted to do was go back home with her. 

Priya said nothing but just directed the auto driver to their home. If she was disappointed, she showed no signs of it. 

Two miles from their home, they got stuck in a massive traffic jam and it seemed like nothing was destined to be right today.

“Bhaiyya…kya ho raha hai. Gaadi kyun bandh kar di apne.”

“sir woh aaj Shahrukh ka happy budday hai na, toh traffic toh Mannat tak chalegi, ekdum bumper to bumper. Aapka ghar uske aage padta hai, time lagega. Main bolta hai ki aap chalke jaayega. Idhar fans log ka bheed road pe Bohol time tak hoga.”

Of course! How had he forgotten, that on this date their entire area was flooded with fans wanting to catch a glimpse of their favourite superstar. Normally he worked from home on this date, but had been so caught up in planning his evening with Priya that he forgot about it. 

He looked over to Priya who was stifling a smile and asked, chalein….shayaad hamari kismat mein aaj cardio hi likha tha. She got off her side and proceeded to pay the auto guy while he squinted trying to look for the best path to walk home. Their only hope was to cross towards the rocky beach and leave behind the vehicles and the seeming millions of people. He pointed to where he thought they should walk and quickly crossed over, cutting through the crowds. 

“Ram….” He heard her scream and his heart stopped. He spun around and saw her being unable to cross and being jostled by people. She was getting hysterical by the minute and he saw tears stream down her eyes. 

He ran back as quickly as possible and held out his hand. She clasped his palm tightly and he extracted her from the crowd. She was visibly uncomfortable and sweating, and he used his trusty tissue to wipe her face and let her cool down. 

“woh…main….woh mujhe…..bheed pasand Nahi. Thank you!” 

“Koi bat nahi Priya, aage se main dhyaan rakhoonga. Are you ready to go, or do you need more time?”

“No, I’m fine…chalte hain”

They remained quiet through the journey back home. She was lost deep in thought, and he didn’t make a peep as her hand was still intertwined with his and he didn’t want to let go. They held hands all the way back home, as if it was the most normal thing for them to do.

Though the evening didn’t start per his plan, it ended with an outcome far beyond his wildest thoughts. He sent Shahrukh a text wishing him the best for the day and adding In a thank you for making his day extra special. 

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OK….

1. I really should have posted this part along with the last one as this was always the plan. As two of you have indicated, my favourite lines from banwara Mann are also “Bavre Se Is Jahan Main Bavra Ek Saath Ho…Iss Sayani Bheed Main Bas Haathon Mein Tera Haath Ho”
2. I’ve taken full liberties with how rich the Kapoors are. If truly they lived in a big mansion on Bandstand, and are filthy rich, it won’t be a stretch that they are acquainted with SRK even if on a cordial, formal basis
3. SRK does not know he is a plot device. 
4. If you prefer a different actor/actress to fit the above plot device, do replace