Chapter 26

They all reach Taani and Swayam's place. Everyone is sitting in living room, Taani hasn't uttered a word yet and Swayam and Rey are getting hella worried. Maya is standing in a corner looking at Taani. No one knows what to say after all that has happened. 

Maya slowly walks towards Taani making Swayam glare at her while Taani looks up. Maya sits on her knees in front of Taani, "I am sorry" Maya says and Taani's face crumbles. Maya envelopes Taani in a hug, "shhh love, its okay now, you are safe" Maya says assuring Taani, "They said... They said they were gonna ra.." Taani cries harder making Maya tighten her hug. Everyone is disturbed to hear Taani, Swayam, Rey and Aman are clenching their fists in anger. "I will break every single bone in the person's body if they even THINK about harming you, do you get that? You say the word and I will hunt the motherfu*ker down" Maya swears. 

Everyone is looking at Maya in astonishment except Shreya and Aman. "Look at me Taani" Maya slowly breaks the hug and cups Taani's face, "You are safe now, okay?" Taani calms down a little hearing Maya, thn she sees Maya's bloody knuckles and she quickly takes her hand in hers and looks at her in concern. "Its nothing, I don't even feel anything" Maya says trying to take her away from Taani's grasps. 

"I got scared when you snapped his hand" Taani says in a small voice, "Well he is lucky that I didnt snap his neck for touching my girl, I am sorry if I scared you but I am not going to let anyone misbehave with you, if they do thn they are ending up in the hospital". Swayam is looking at Maya with respect even though he is feeling a little uncomfortable with their closeness. But the gang can't take it anymore, "WHAT?! YOUR GIRL?", Taani jumps hearing the loud noise making Maya and Swayam glare at them. "What is going on here?" Sharon asks. 

"Taani you have had enough today, go to your room" Swayam says ignoring Sharon and the gang. Shreya and Aman also take their leave. "Ma'am you can leave as well" Swayam says pointedly. "I am not going anywhere" she says and takes Taani's hand and takes her towards her room. Making Swayam glare at her retreating figure but he knows if he picked a fight it will only upset Taani more rn.

"Swayam tell me what I think is not the truth" Rey says shocked, "It is" Swayam says in a resigned voice. "But what about that dude?!", "Aman is Sneha's bf, he is just a friend of Taani and Ma'am" Swayam replies. "So Taani and-and.. since when?!", "I am not sure but I found out at the NDC" Swayam says grimace remembering how he found out. 

"Guys what the hell is going on here, saaf saaf bolo ho kya raha he" Sharon asks frustrated. "Taani and Ma'am are dating" Swayam announces. "What? Pagal ho gaya he kya tu? Taani dated Rey, how can she be a lesbo?" Vicky says with a disgusted expression and Rey punches him shocking everyone while Swayam is just looking at Vicky with anger. "Ek aur homophobic comment nai samje? Aur Taani ke khilaf toh bilkul nai" Rey says warningly. 

"Rey he didn't mean it in a bad way, its just a lot to process in such a short amount of time" Sharon says trying to calm Rey down. "Isme process karne ka kya he Sharon? Taani aur woh Prof agar ek dusre ke sath he toh usme hume kya? Baba adam ke zamane me thodi he hum" Bharath says surprising everyone. 

"Right, thank you Bharath, Taani is bisexual. If any of you have any problem with it thn there's the door, you can leave and don't expect me to be your friend after that. I won't tolerate any kind of homophobic comments or behavior towards my sister" Swayam says, "Same goes for me" Rey says. No one moves towards the door, even though some aren't that comfortable with the idea, they aren't going to lose their friends over it. 

Next morning

Taani wakes up alone, she is still upset by last night's events but sits up, she sees a note on her bedside table

'Gone home to change, will pick you up for college at 8:30 and agar college jane ka man na ho toh hum bunk mar lenge' Taani smiles at the idea of Maya and bunking. She decides to get ready for college.

Its still 8 when she comes out of her room to find the gang all sprawled in the living room. Not wanting them to be late for college she nudges Swayam and Rey, they open their eyes and squint at her and thn Swayam jumps up, "Tu theek he?" He asks looking at Taani with concern. "Mein theek hoon, college ka time hone ko he, aap sabko uthaiye" and Swayam checks the time and curses.

Rey is looking at Taani, she feeling his eyes turns towards him and tilts her head in question making him shake his head. Taani goes to the kitchen to make coffee for everyone.

Everyone wakes up slowly, Taani walks in with a tray of coffee making some look at her a bit weirdly. She doesn't notice it tho, the gang have their coffee and quickly go the guest rooms to change, they have sleepovers all the time at Swayam's, Rey's and Sharon's so they have extra pair of clothes at their places.

Taani is waiting for Maya at the door when the others also get out ready to leave for college. Maya's jeep stops in front of Taani and Taani quickly gets in the passenger seat. The gang is looking at them in different light, especially Rey. Maya looks at Taani and thn starts the car. 

"How are you now?" Maya asks taking Taani's hand in hers while driving. "I don't know, I am sorry for causing so much trouble last night" Taani says looking down. "Hey, it wasn't your fault at all, I am sorry I let it get so bad" Maya says making Taani look at her, "You saved me, you don't have anything to be sorry for" Taani says not wanting Maya to feel guilty. 

"The way you fight is scary" Taani says, "Well you have to train well being a girl otherwise your colleagues won't take you seriously" Maya says as a matter of fact.

"I heard your brother tell his friends about us" Maya says, "I thought so too, with you calling me your girl and the weird looks we got when you picked me up were a giveaway" Taani says. "You aren't upset about it?" Maya asks, "I don't really care about their opinion" Taani says making Maya smile.