Chapter 10

When Raavi and Shiva entered the disco, Raavi was overwhelmed by the loud music playing there. It was crowded. Raavi shut her ears to block out the loud music. It was very, very loud. She looked at Shiva, who had a similar reaction. They found Dev and his friends sitting in a booth.

“Wow Raavi, you look hot!” Dev’s friend said, and Raavi felt extremely awkward. It was much different when Shiva called her sexy. She felt amazing when Shiva called her that. 

Shiva didn’t like this random guy complimenting Raavi. He sat next to her and put his arm around Raavi, protectively. 

“Dev ne mujhe bataya ki tum dono date kar rahe ho.” Rishita said. “Mujhe toh usi din shak ho gaya tha, par yeh maana hi nahi.”

By now, Raavi seas comfortable with the whole setting. The volume of the music had adjusted to her ears. “Haa waise toh hum kuch dono baad sabko batane wale the. You know relationship ke starting starting mein thodi secrecy achhi lagti hai.”

“You’re right! Chup chupke milne mein apna hi maza hai.” Rishita said, and Raavi giggled. 

“Par bhai ko toh bolna chahiye tha!” Dev said. 

“Bilkul nahi!” Rishita said. 

Raavi laughed. She took the drink Rishita had ordered for her, and gulped it down. Even Shiva was comfortable with the setting now. He ordered a coke for himself and looked at the dance floor. It was extremely crowded and he knew Raavi was uncomfortable with crowds. 

“Dev chalo na dance karte hai.” Rishita said. “Shiva-Raavi, tum dono bhi chalo.”

“Haa, Shiva chal na mujhe dance karna hai!” 

Shiva saw his chance. He had an idea to prove to this maami ki behen ki beti that she didn’t love Dev. His idea was to make Raavi realise that she wasn’t as comfortable around Dev as much as she’d thought. He looked at his phone. 

“Krish ka phone aa raha hai.” Shiva said. “Tu Dev aur Rishita ke saath ja, main call karke aata hu.” Shiva left with his phone. 

Raavi went with them to the dance floor. It was really crowded and she was getting nervous. Why did Shiva leave? Dev saw that Raavi was nervous so he started dancing with her. Raavi danced too, but she wasn’t comfortable at all. She kept looking around for Shiva. Suddenly, someone pushed her from behind and she landed in Dev’s arms. Raavi jerked back. It felt extremely awkward for her. 

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Dev replied. 

“Mere saath bhi thoda dance kar lijiye.” Dev’s friend said. 

Raavi took a step back but she almost bumped into someone. Where was Shiva? Dev’s friend tried to hold her hand, but she managed to free it. She tried to walk away, when she felt him hold her hand and pulling her towards him. Raavi was about to shout, but she realised that it was Shiva! She put her arms around him and hugged him. 

“Kya hua? 5 minute ke liye toh gaya tha.” Shiva said. 

Raavi hit him on his chest. “5 minute ke liye bhi nahi jaa sakta tu.”

“Sorry.”

Raavi smiled. She was happy now that he was back. Suddenly the DJ started playing a romantic song and announced that it was for couples only. Shiva tried to drag her away from the dance floor, but Raavi didn’t move. 

“Maine kaha na mujhe dance karna hai.” Raavi said and she put her arms around his shoulders. 

Shiva sighed. This girl was impossible. He put his arms around her waist and they started swaying to the music. Shiva had seen Raavi looking uncomfortable with Dev’s friends and seen her jerking away from Dev. He hoped she realised how uncomfortable she was with him. Then how could she love him? When he saw Dev’s friend trying to dance with her, he couldn’t control himself from coming over. He wanted to kill that guy. Now that he was dancing with her, he suddenly realised how close they were. Yet Raavi didn’t flinch away from him. Nor did he feel awkward with her. Having her in his arms felt so... natural and satisfying. 

Raavi was glad Shiva was near her. Now she was super comfortable in his arms. She felt safe. He shouldn’t have left her alone with Dev and his friends. Raavi held him tighter and laid her head on his shoulder. Shiva was surprised at this, but he held her tighter too. 

“Shiva mujhe ajeeb sa feel ho raha hai.” Raavi said. 

“Mujhe bhi.” 

“Shiva mera sarr...” 

Shiva understood something was wrong. He led her to their booth and made her sit down. She was swaying slightly. He bent down and helped her drink some water. Raavi again put her head on his shoulder. 

“Kya hua chipkali? Kya ho raha hai tujhe?” Shiva asked. 

“Chakkar aa raha hai.”

Dev had noticed there was some problem so he followed them. He saw that Raavi was unwell. 

“Kya hua ise?” Dev asked. 

“Pata nahi. Yeh keh rahi thi chakkar aa raha hai.” Shiva said. 

He picked up her glass and smelt it. It was alcohol. Chipkali had drunk alcohol. Shiva order a lime juice for her, and made her drink it when it came. She said she felt better after drinking it. Her sickness was going away and she was feeling intoxicated. 

“Rishita tumne Raavi ke liye cocktail order kiya tha?” Dev asked. 

“Haa kyu?” Rishita asked. 

“Ek baar puch liya hota Rishita. Raavi drink nahi karti.” 

“Shiva mujhe dance karna hai.” Raavi said, as she was feeling amazing right now. 

“Nahi. Hum ghar chalenge.” Shiva said. 

“Mujhe ghar nahi jana Shiva. Mujhe tumhare saath dance karna hai. Chalo na pleaseeee.” Raavi pleaded. 

Shiva was relieved to see her feeling better. “Sirf ek gaane pe. Phir ghar. Okay?”

“Okay!” Raavi shouted. 

Shiva let her to the dance floor and they started dancing. After that song, Raavi asked him to stay for another song, but Shiva looked at his watch. It was 8 already. He was having fun, but they had to leave so said no and took her home. 

By the time they reached Raavi’s house, it was 9. She was drunk and couldn’t walk straight so Shiva decided to drop her to her room. As he went inside, he found his Maami waiting for Raavi. 

“Ae Raavi, ise kya hua?” Prafulla asked, shocked. She saw Shiva supporting her with his arm. 

“Kuch nahi. Main thik hu. Par dance karna tha!!! Yeh mujhe ghar le aaya.” Raavi whined. 

“Hein? Tune sharab pi rakhi hai?” Prafulla was shocked. 

“Galti se.” Shiva clarified. 

“Tu, tune meri bachhi ko jaan bujhke pilayi hai na? Ae Shiva main tujhe chorungi nahi.” 

“Ae Maami! Zyaada bakwaas mat kar. Main ise room mein chorke aata hu.”

Prafulla stood before him blocking the way. “Tu meri beti ke kamre main nahi jayega.”

“Tune toh kaha tha apna kamra samjho?” Shiva asked. “Tu hi pahucha de ise room tak.” He gave Raavi to her, but she almost collapsed with Raavi’s weight.  

“Bhari ho gayi hai.” Maami muttered. “Achha chal, kamre tak chorkar aa.”

Shiva picked Raavi up and carried her upstairs. He turned around to find Prafulla following them. Giving her a death glare, he entered her room. Prafulla didn’t follow them, but Shiva was sure she was she had her ear to the wall and was listening to what was happening inside. Shiva placed her on the bed and removed her shoes. He was about to leave when Raavi held his hand. 

“Shiva mat jaa.”

“Ae gadheri. 9 baj gaye hai. Ghar nahi gaya toh bhabhi maar dalegi mujhe.”

Raavi patted the space beside her. He sat down. 

“Shiva thank you!” Raavi said. 

“Kis liye?”

“World ka best fake boyfriend banne ke liye.” She kissed him on the cheek. 

“Chal ab so jaa.” Shiva said, but Raavi hugged him again. 

“Mat jaa na. Mujhe tere paas rehna hai. Ya phir mujhe bhi le chal Pandya house.”

Right now Shiva didn’t want to leave either. It felt so good to be here with her. He hugged her back. “Agar tujhe raat ko le gaya na toh bhabhi hum dono ko dande maregi.”

Raavi laughed. She kissed him on the cheek one last time and let him go. 

Pros of fake dating Shiva-

1. Dev’s brother
2. I trust him. So he won’t take advantage of me 
3. I can go to Pandya House anytime I want
4. I can annoy him. 
5. He gave me a chocolate because I couldn’t handle the chilli. 
6. Took a stand for me when Rishita tried to humiliate me. 
7. Saved me like Prince Charming!
8. Best fake boyfriend ever
9. Makes me feel safe and comfortable 
10. Fulfils all my demands. 
11. Gives me best hugs

Raavi updated her pro list when her phone vibrated. 

“Tu thik hai na?” Shiva texted her. 

“Bilkul perfect. Dhara bhabhi ne dande nahi maare na late hone ke liye?”

“Nahi but lecture zaroor diya. Phir hazar questions puche humare disco date ke baare mein.”

“Sorry :) But aaj bohot zyaada maza aaya.”

“Ab so jaa. Kal tak nasha utar jayega.”

“Kal subah main Pandya house aa jaungi.”

“Woh toh tu har roz aati hai.”

“Achha chal Goodnight <3 XOXO”

“Goodnight chipkali.”