Chapter 9

Taani wakes up late as its a Sat, she stands up and goes to her cupboard and selects today's outfit, something falls out of the cupboard and she picks it up to see its a photo of her and Rey from Goa, looking at how happy they look makes her teary eyed, kyun kiya mere sath esa aapne Rey, kyun? Kya me itni buri gf thi ki aapko itna bada natak karna pada instead of just confiding in me? Kyun me aaj bhi aapse pyaar karti hoon? I don't want to feel anything for you, na hi pyaar aur na hi nafrat. She says to herself while wiping her tears, she tears the picture apart and throws it in the dustbin. I am not going to let you play with my feelings ever again Reyansh. 'Ring' Taani jumps hearing her phone ring, bhai kya insan he tu, apne hi phone ki ring se dar gyi, hitting herself on the head she goes and picks up her call after seeing its Sneha.

"Haan Sneha, haan bas me abhi uthi hoon, taiyar hone hi ja rhi, theek he see you in an hour" they hang up and Taani goes to take a shower and dress up. Taani gets a call from an unknown number, she picks it up, "hello?" "Haan Taani hum niche wait kar rhe he tumhara" Adi says on the other line. "Oh, haan me ready hoon, 2 min me aayi" saying so she hangs up and locks the door leaving.

She sees Abhay in the passenger seat with Aditya in the driver's seat. "Hi Taani" says getting out of the car, "Hey Abhay, yeh bade khatarnak machhar ne kata lag rha he tumhe" Taani says teasingly after noticing a lovebite on his neck. Abhay quickly touches his neck, "Nahi toh I mean, haan machchar ne kata he" he says looking nervously at Adi. Aditya gives a disapproving look but doesn't comment. Abhay opens the backseat door for Taani, "there you go ma'am" he says while bowing down a bit, "why thank you" Taani chuckling at Abhay's antics. Adi feels a bit left out seeing how they both are getting along so well, kya soch raha he Adi, Abhay has a gf and wese bhi muje koi farak nai padna chahiye. Thinking so he drives off.

"Hum Sneha ko pick karne ja rhe he?" Taani asks after sitting in silence for a bit, "Arey nai, uska call tha, she said woh hume sidhe mall me milegi. Abhay replies. "Wese aapke pas mera number kese aaya?" Taani asks Adi, "woh Abhay se liya tha, wese bhi I need to have your number so that if I have any work related to office thn I can contact you na" Adi says trying to make it sound as if he isn't a creep.

"Haan" Taani says, "So Taani partner tumhara favorite gaana konsa he?" Abhay says as he can see Adi getting uncomfortable but can't put a finger on why. "Ummm well muje retro gaane bade pasand he, mera favorite is LagJaGale, pata nai kyun but it always makes me feel very intense emotions whenever I listen to it" Taani replies, she feels very comfortable with Abhay after yesterday's lunch, she feels its high time she makes her own friends. "wow, muje aur Bhai ko bhi!! My favorite is HumeTumsePyaar kitna, ufff kya gaana he!" Abhay says with a wide dreamy smile, "Tum toh bade romantic ho" Taani says, "haan toh tum konsi unromantic ho, LagJaGale is THE most romantic yet heartbreaking song out there" Abhay teases her right back.

They banter a bit more on the ride to the mall, "Tum log jao me car park karke aata hoon" Adi tells them, "Haan theeke he, chalo Taani partner" and off they go.

"Yaar yeh Abhay itni asaani se baat karleta he usse, pata nai me kyun nai kar pata" brooding to himself Adi parks the car and catches up to them.

"Chalo movie start hi hone wali he aur muje snacks bhi lene he" Sneha says excitedly. They all get some snacks for themselves, Adi insists on paying and while Sneha and Taani try to argue, they eventually give in. Abhay sits in the corner seat, next to him Sneha seats and thn Taani and after her Adi.

Taani is feeling a bit weird seating so close to Adi, yaar Taani kya tu bhi bina wajah awkward ho rhi he, chup chap movie dekh.

Taani is eating her popcorn and she reaches out to get her coke and accidentally touches Adi's hand, she looks at him and finds him staring right back at her intensely, again. She quickly looks away but can still feel his gaze on her which is making her sweat a little.

Adi felt a spark when Taani's hand had touched his, he had been stealing glances at her throughout the movie but thn he realized she might feel uncomfortable so turned his gaze towards the screen and tried his hardest not to look at her which was getting harder and harder. Why is she affecting me so much, how can I like her already? I have never behaved like this for anyone before, almost as if I am some teenager. Get a grip Adi.

"Bhai?Bhai!?" He had fallen asleep, "haan? Ho gyi khatam movie?", "Kabki, me hi pagal hoon, pata nai kyun aapko movie dekhne lata hoon jab pata he muje ki you will fall asleep anyways, wipe your drool" Adi quickly does so feeling embarrassed seeing Taani and Sneha looking at him and chuckling. They leave the theater.

"Muje toh bahot bhookh lagi he, apan club chale?" Sneha asks as they are walking towards the car, "umm club?" Taani asks as she isn't really a club person, "Arey wesa club nai he, just singing jams hote he waha and the food there is amazingggg" Sneha says assuring Taani after seeing her hesitation. "Haan chalo, muje bhi badi bhookh lagi he" Abhay says patting his stomach. "Tuje kab bhookh nai lagti he? Abhi tune 3 samose, doh coke aur ek large popcorn khaya he, kuch toh sharam kar" Adi says making a disgusted face.

"Oi, mere khane pe nazar mat lagao" Abhay whines, "Ole mere bachche ko bura lag gaya?" Adi coos, "Bhai yaar!!!" Abhay whines again, Taani seeing Adi so close to Abhay smiles remembering how she too used to be this close to her brother. She quickly shakes her head and says "aap logo ka ho gaya ho toh chale? Kyunki bhookh toh muje bhi lagi he, mene subah se sirf ek small popcorn or coke pi he" Taani says making a face.

"Haan chalo chalo" Adi quickly ushers them all in the car after hearing Taani, Abhay and Sneha look at him a bit surprised.

They all get to the club and get seated at a table, Taani is surprised to see the soothing and lively environment of the club, she is listening to a couple of friends doing karaoke near a stage.

They quickly look thru the menu and order as they are all hungry, while they wait for their orders to come, they talk. "So Taani tumhe movie achchi lagi?" Sneha asks, "Bahot!! It had been soooo long since I had been to a theater, I didnt even realize how much I missed watching movies in theater" Taani replies happily, "Muje kuch khas nai lagi, theek thi" Abhay says sipping his water, "Tumse kisine pucha? Tumhara movies me taste hi kharab he" Sneha says playfully, "Haan but baki cheezon me toh achcha he na? Khudka hi example lelo" Abhay winks, "Zyada romantic banne ki zarurat nai he, me yahi hoon abhi" Adi says dryly. "Bhaiii, aap ki bhi bari aayegi fir me bhi dekh lunga" hearing Abhay, Adi's gaze turns towards Taani which doesn't go unnoticed by Abhay.

Before Abhay could make a comment their food arrives and they all dig in, "wow yaar yeh toh sach me bahot tasty he" Taani says almost done with her pasta, "Kaha tha na mene, we have been coming here for the past 2 years now, this place never disappoints" Sneha replies. "Mera toh ho gaya, chalo na gaana gaate he, woh log kitna enjoy kar rhe he, Taani tum gaati ho?" Abhay asks. "Umm thoda but mene kabhi ese stage pe nai gaya" Taani says a bit uneasily, "Arey toh first time hota he na sab cheezon ka, aaj iska he, chalo!" Saying this he drags her to the stage, "Abhay!" Adi says but he is already gone, "Don't worry, if Taani says no toh woh use force nai karega" Sneha says

Before Adi could reply he hears a beautiful voice, Taani is nervously singing on the stage with Abhay looking at her encouragingly which makes Taani feel a bit more confident. She closes her eyes and gets lost in the song....

O Re Manwa Tu To Bawra Hai
Tu Hi Jaane
Tu Kya Sochta Hai
Tu Hi Jaane
Tu Kya Sochta Hai
Baware

Kyun Dikhaye Sapne Tu Sote Jaagte
Jo Barsein Sapne Boond Boond
Nainon Ko Moond Moond
Nainon Ko Moond Moond

Jo Barsein Sapne Boond Boond
Nainon Ko Moond Moond
Kaise Main Chaloon
Dekh Na Sakoon
Anjaane Raaste

Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara,
gunjasa hai koi iktara
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara,
gunjasa hai koi iktara

Dheeme bole koi iktara iktara,
dheeme bole koi iktara
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara,
gunjasa hai koi iktara

Sun rahi hoon sudh budh khoke koi main kahani
Poori kahani hai kya kise hai pata
Main to kisiki hoke yeh bhi na jaani
Ruth hai ye do pal ki ya rehgi sada

kise hai pata… kise hai pata

Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Nainon ko moond moond

Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Kaise main chaloon, dekh na sakoon
Anjaane raastein

Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara,
gunjasa hai koi iktara
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara,
gunjasa hai koi iktara

Dheeme bole koi iktara iktara,
dheeme bole koi iktara
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara,
gunjasa hai koi iktara

As the song comes to an end Taani opens her eyes seeing almost everyone applauding for her, it makes her uncomfortable so she jumps of the stage and goes to the table Adi and Sneha are sitting on, "Wow Taani you have such a beautiful voice!! Kya gaaya tumne, haina Adi?" Sneha says amazed, "huh?" Adi is looking at Taani like he is trying to mesmerize every detail of her, "Adi?!" Sneha snaps a finger in front of his face. "Haan, kya hua?" He asks, "mene pucha usne achcha gaya na?" "Bahot achcha gaya" he says looking at Taani again.

Taani is feeling uncomfortable with Adi's constant staring, its making her a feel a bit conscious and her heartbeat is increasing under his constant scrutiny. "Sneha, come on hum bhi gaate he, Taani you were really amazing out there!!" he drags Sneha away leaving just Taani and Adi together.

"Aap ese kyun dekh rhe he muje?" Taani blurts out but thn regrets it later after hearing his answer, "Kyun nahi dekh sakta? You have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard" Adi knows he is coming on strong but he couldn't control himself, "I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I will try not to stare" Adi says looking away at the stage where Abhay and Sneha are singing and dancing in each others arms. Taani not knowing what to say also looks away, when she sees Abhay and Sneha she smiles seeing how in love they look.