Chapter 22

Monday

Taani wakes up to a call from Maya, "hello? Aap theek ho?" She says as soon as picking up the call. "Me theek hoon, I called you to tell you to be ready in 30, I will pick you up for college" hearing Maya Taani sits up, but before she could say anything Maya has ended the call making Taani glare at the phone, she calls Maya again but she doesn't pick up. With an angry sigh she gets up and gets ready. 

(The whole gang had stayed over at Sharon's, including Swayam, he had texted Taani this.)

She comes out of her house to find Maya wearing sunglasses with her hair open, the first few buttons of her shirt open and tight pants looking like a dream. She quickly collects herself and walks over to Maya, "What are you doing here? Aapko rest karna chahiye na? Go back home, take a leave today go" Taani says making Maya smiles at her. "Me kya koi joke mar rhi hoon?" Taani says offendedly seeing Maya's smile, "Arey nai, its just not many people get concern over my health na, anyways I am fine, koi pain bhi nai ho rha he, if I feel any pain toh me tabhi ghar wapas chali jaungi.", "pakka?", "haan pakka, ab chale Miss GS?"

The gang arrives to the college with tashan, after all they did win the nationals. Swayam has a small smile seeing the gang's enthusiasm but Rey is just standing there without much emotions. "I am proud of you guys, have you made the whole college proud!" VP sir says with a big smile. He sees Taani walk in, "Taani this win couldn't have been possible with you!" VP sir says looking at Taani making the gang look at her in respect as well, after all that happened between her and Rey she still made them performing possible. "VP sir is right, thank you so much Taani" Sharon says looking at her, "Haan thank you Taani!" The gang say, Swayam looks at Taani with a proud smile, Taani feels a little awkward with so much attention so she just gives a small smile. 

Rey is avoiding looking at Taani out of guilt whereas Maya is glaring daggers at him. They all get to class, while Maya goes to her cabin. 

"Esa lag rha he ki saalon baad padhai karne beth rhe he" Bharath says making the gang chuckle, "sahi me, out of touch sa lag rha" Simmi says making the others agree. 

Taani and Shreya are in the front seat laughing and talking, Swayam has a small smile on his face seeing Taani happy and a pang that she would barely even look at him, smile toh bahot dur ki baat he, he shakes his head and focuses on the Prof. 

After the class ends they all go to the canteen, "Taani why don't you and your friend sit with us?" Sharon calls out, Taani is a bit surprised but declines the offer as she doesn't really want to sit with Swayam and Rey though she can see the cold atmosphere between them both. 

She and Shreya go to their usual table and eat, "Aman was really angry at ma'am yesterday na?" Taani says biting into her sandwich, "They bicker all the time, he was angry at her out of concern, Di has this habit of putting herself in danger for her loved ones, without caring about herself." Shreya says, Taani doesn't know how to feel about this new information. "Their 'fights' never last, they can't stay angry at each other for more thn 10mins" Shreya says with a fond smile making Taani smile as well. They quickly finish their meals and leave for their next class not wanting to be late. 

They all are seated by the time Maya walks in, "Good afternoon, I can see some new faces, I am Professor Maya and I am a substitute teacher until the college finds a permanent replacement for Prof Mehra, do you guys have any question?" Maya says looking at the gang but its Taani who raises her hand making Shreya hide her laugh. 

"I wasn't talking to you Miss GS, put your hand down" Maya says thru clenched teeth, amusement in her eyes, "But what if I have a question ma'am? Aren't you supposed to clear our doubts?" Taani says innocently, Swayam feels a bit uncomfortable after having seen them together whereas Shreya is having a hard time suppressing her laughter. 

"Fine, ask away" Maya says with a sigh, "oh I forgot what I wanted to ask, sorry, carry on" Taani says with a forgetful expression and Shreya bursts out laughing not being able to keep it in making Maya glare at them both, "Out, both of you out of my class right now" Maya shouts making Taani and Shreya quickly stand up and leave, the gang is shocked at Taani's behavior as she is not one to cause a scene in class or be disrespectful towards a Prof.

Here Taani and Shreya are giggling, "Teri wajah se muje bhi bahar nikal diya" Shreya says making a face, "haan toh tuje kisne kaha tha itna zor se hasne ke liye?", "Did you see her face? Kitna lal ho gaya tha gusse se, bilkul tamatar lag rhi thi woh!" Shreya giggles. "I have never gotten thrown out of a class like this", "Me neither, its fun abhi but Di na bahot dante wali he" Shreya says feeling a little scared now, "She was anyways going to go over the last few weeks work to get the team upto date"

They both go to the music room and play around a bit, singing and giggling, Maya comes over there after the class and a wide smile takes place seeing his two favorite women so happy. She stays there for while just staring at them. 

She walks in and seeing her, Taani and Shreya both stand up nervously waiting for a scolding, "Is baar jane de rhi hoon, next time there will be punishment, do you both understand? I don't like it at all when you guys don't take your education seriously" Maya says with a stern expression. Taani and Shreya nod. 

Maya is feeling a little pain so she goes home as she had promised Taani, Taani and Shreya attend their last class and are leaving when Swayam and the gang sees them, "Taani mere sath chalegi ghar?" Swayam asks a bit hesitately making Taani think about it for a minute, she looks at Shreya and tells her that she will see her tomorrow. Swayam quickly steps away from the gang and walks over to Taani, they both walk towards Swayam's car and get in. 

"Ma'am isn't dropping you today?" Swayam asks wanting to strike up a conversation, even though the idea of his sister and her prof makes him uncomfortable, he wants to know about it so he knows thats his sister is safe. "She wasn't feeling well toh she went home early" Taani replies feeling a surprised by Swayam asking about Maya, she gets a call from Maya, "Hello? Are you okay now?" Taani asks in concern making Swayam a bit uncomfortable, "Good, take rest and sleep, I will talk to you tomorrow" Taani says ending the call seeing Swayam get awkward which makes Taani shake her head a bit at his typical behavior.