“Siddhant Modi, I need answers!” Taani stood in front of him with folded arms.
“Not now, I need to rush to the university. We’ll talk in the evening.” Sid rummaged through a few supplies and tossed it in his backpack.
“T, listen to me.” Tyler held her by the shoulders to calm her down.
“Keep your hands off me!” She sneered at him.
“What happened here while I was gone?” Sid was shocked by her response.
“Why don’t we talk in the evening?” Taani went to her room and slammed the door shut.
“What did you do?” Sid looked at Tyler.
“Something that I should have done long ago.” Tyler sneered at him.
“University!” Sid reminded himself and rushed out.
…
“Haan bhai bolo.” Rey picked up Armaan’s call.
“Tu wapas kab aa raha hai?” Armaan asked.
“Do din baad ki flight hai. Kya hua?”
“Sid ko maine shopping list bheji thi. Collect the stuff from him.”
“List meko bhej dete, I could have got it.”
“Tera jana thodi sure tha.”
“Send me the list I’ll get what you want.”
“He has already bought it. Uske ghar jaake collect kar le.”
“Yaar.” Rey sulked. He didn’t want to go at his place. “Sid ka yahan wala number send karo. I’ll see what I can do.”
Armaan forwarded the number. Rey sat staring at his phone.
“Kya hua?” Sara asked him.
“Kuch nahi main bas office ke liye nikal raha tha.” He smiled at her.
“Did you talk to her?”
“I’ll see you in the evening, bye.”
“Ruk!” She held his hand and stopped him. “Baat kar yaar. Taani se nahi karni toh mujhse kar. Don’t bottle up everything.”
“I’m fine Sara.”
“I know.” She pulled him into a hug.
He wrapped his arms around her tightly. He needed this. She understood it and didn’t let him go. He separated after a while.
“Thank you.” He smiled at her.
“I would still suggest that you talk to Taani.” She smiled back.
“Kya bolu usse? Unintentionally hi sahi but usko bohot hurt kiya hai maine. If she wants to move on, then who am I to stop her?” He sulked and sat down on the couch.
“Move on? With who? That Tyler guy?” She scrunched her nose. “She still loves you. Can’t you see it?”
“I can but I cannot un-see the hurt that I have caused her. I was the one who asked her for a chance when I learnt about my feelings for her. She didn’t have to, yet she stayed with me. Now that she has had enough of me, I can’t go and beg her for another chance. She doesn’t owe me anything. If she is not happy with me she can move on. Be it with Tyler, or anyone else.” He closed his eyes and leaned back on the couch.
“Let’s say she has moved on, will you be able to do the same?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to. But I will have to someday.”
“Accha? What if you don’t find anyone to move on with?”
“Toh tum ho hi.” He chuckled dryly.
“Don’t do this Rey.” Sara sat next to him. “Talk to Taani before you take any decision. She clearly loves you even after all the hurt this love has caused her.”
“Itna bhi kuch extreme nahi kiya hai maine.” He sat up straight and looked at her to find her smiling back at him.
“Tu nahi sudhrega!” She ruffled his hair and went to her room.
“I’ll talk to her.” He yelled behind her.
…
“Hey Sid.” Rey greeted as the call connected.
“Hi.” Sid greeted back.
“Tu aaj shaam ko free hai?”
“Aaj shaam..” Sid wondered remembering he had to talk to Taani and Tyler. “Thoda kaam hai kya hua?”
“Voh bhai ka samaan pick up karna hai.”
“Right. Tu kal free hai kya?” Sid asked.
“Haan.”
“Great toh kal aajana ghar. I’ll send you the location.”
“Sure.” Rey said and lingered on the phone.
“Anything else?” Sid asked.
“Umm, nothing important but do you know who Tyler is?” Rey asked unsure.
“Yeah why do you ask?” Sid was alarmed.
“Hello, how can I help you?”
“Rey just hold on for a minute. I am in the middle of something.”
“Don’t worry, you carry on. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rey ended the call hurriedly.
…
“When did you meet Rey?” Sid asked Tyler.
“The other day at the pub.” Tyler answered.
“What exactly happened there?” He eyed Tyler and then turned to look at Taani who was glaring at him.
“Why don’t you tell me what exactly is going on here? First you came to India to stop me from getting engaged, then when I got engaged and reached here I learnt that your friend here loves me, and you knew about it. And now I’m thoroughly confused as to what exactly are you up to? On one hand you want me to be with Rey while on the other you’re encouraging Tyler?” She snapped at him.
“Who told you that he loves you?” Sid widened his eyes at her.
“He himself did!”
“Ty?” Sid looked at Tyler.
“I’ll be in my room. You guys carry on.”
“Ty answer me!”
“I don’t owe you anything!” Tyler sneered.
“She is my sister. I need the answer to this!” Sid flared his nostrils.
“You need answers?” Tyler scoffed. “I have been looking for answers for months now!” He snapped at Sid.
“Not now Ty.” Sid looked away.
“Same shit as always.” Tyler rolled his eyes at him. “T, I’m sorry I had to pull you in the middle of all this. I don’t love you. You were all upset because of Rey and I thought he was pestering you, so I said that, hoping to get him off you at the pub and also to help me start a conversation.” Tyler looked at Sid.
“Sid what’s going on?” Taani looked at him as well.
“Forget it Taani, he isn’t going to acknowledge anything. I’ll be in my room. You should go and rest too.” Tyler went into his room and locked the door.
“He loves you!” Taani said out loud as the realization hit her.
“Good night Taani.” Sid scurried to his room.
“Hey.”
“Hi Shivam. Wahan kyun khade ho? Andar aao.” Sneha greeted him in.
“Are you busy? I can come back some other time if that’s the case.” He awkwardly walked in.
“It’s fine. I’m almost done.” She smiled at him.
“Okay.”
“So, what brings you here? Don’t tell me the wedding date is fixed already! I need a break before dealing with those two again.” She laughed.
“Oh don’t worry, shaadi ko abhi time hai.” He chuckled. “Main kisi aur kaam se aaya tha.”
“Congratulations man, I didn’t know you were dating.”
“What no! I’m not dating.” He instantly denied.
“Okayyy. Sorry.”
“I came here to thank you.”
“Thank me for?” She furrowed her brows.
“All that you did for Taani’s engagement. It was perfect.”
“It was my job to make it perfect. I’m glad you liked it.”
“I know it was your job, but you didn’t treat it like one. Isiliye thanks bolne aaya tha.”
“My pleasure!”
“Also..”
“Yes?”
“There you are!” Both Sneha and Shivam looked at the door.
“Hi Armaan.” Sneha smiled at him.
“Shivam? Hi.” Armaan looked quizzically at him and then moved in. “Sneha, please don’t do this.” Armaan walked up to her.
“Armaan I was already clear, I don’t take up two projects from the same family. It’s our policy. Sorry.”
“What’s the matter?” Shivam questioned them.
“Armaan wants me to plan his wedding functions as well.” Sneha told him.
“Kar de na yaar. Abh main kahan dusri planner dhundta phiru?” Armaan pleaded.
“Tum kyun nahi karna chahati?” Shivam asked her.
“See functions ke beech jyada time nahi hai so dono mein comparisons obviously honge. I just don’t want either one of them to feel ki I put in more efforts in one than the other. Plus it puts our company in the bad light.” She explained.
“She has a point.” Shivam agreed with her.
“Log bakwas karte rehte hai. Plus we are used to these stupid comparisons, so we won’t care if that happens.” Armaan argued.
“Armaan I’m sorry. I can give you a list of people who you can contact. I can’t.” Sneha apologized.
“I should get going. You guys continue.” Shivam smiled awkwardly at the two. He didn’t want to be dragged in the middle of it.
“Shivam.” Sneha stopped him as he turned to leave.
“Haan?”
“Tum kuch keh rahe the?” She asked.
“Haan voh kuch nahi, nothing important. Thanks again. I’ll see you, bye.” He left.
“Weird.” Armaan commented as he left.
“Thanks bolne aaya tha? Shivam tera kuch nahi ho sakta!” Shivam massaged his temples and sighed. He walked to the elevator feeling dejected and hit his head against the wall as the elevator came up.
…
“Hey AB, what’s up?” Sharon greeted Armaan as he walked into the cabin.
“All down.” He went and sat at Rey’s desk.
“Kya hua?” Swayam looked at him.
“Sneha is not ready to plan my wedding and I don’t want to look for other planner. Samajh nahi aaraha kya karu.” He sulked.
“So don’t look.” Sharon stated.
“Haan haan aise hi baithe baithe shaadi hojayegi meri!” Armaan taunted.
“Last month tak toh Riri se dur bhaag rahe the aap aur abh itne impatient ho rahe ho?” Swayam mocked.
“Tu kya Rey ki kami poori kar raha hai?” Armaan sneered at him.
“Shut up you two! Aur AB aap meri baat suno.”
“What?”
“Do you want us to plan your wedding?” Sharon asked.
“Sharon koi mazak nahi chal raha.” Armaan groaned.
“No, I’m serious. Poori team yahan hai and we have arranged a lot of events together. Yeh bhi kar hi lenge.” She explained.
“Idea bura nahi hai par tujhe shaadi ke baare mein kya pata hai?” Armaan looked at her.
“Fine keep sulking!” Sharon rolled her eyes at him and got back to her work.
“Sorry!” Armaan walked up to her and hugged her. “I meant ki sab arrangements kaise karoge? You don’t have any dealers for wedding supplies.” Armaan explained.
“Sneha ko puch sakte hai. Vendors and all ke contacts mil jayenge uske paas se.” Swayam suggested.
“Exactly!” Sharon agreed.
“Are you guys sure?” Armaan asked.
“AB, it’s your wedding! We’ll be honored!” Sharon grinned.
“Team se ek baar baat karlo.” Armaan suggested.
“Voh hum kar denge. But are you and Riri okay if we do it?” Swayam looked at Armaan.
“Hume kyun problem hogi?”
“Toh hume bhi kyun hogi?” Sharon raised her brow at Armaan.
“Phir bhi ek baar sabse baat kar lo. Then we’ll see.”
“Bhai it’s okay if you don’t want us to. We get it. Just because it’s us, you don’t have to agree.” Swayam told him.
“Just because it’s you guys, I will agree!” Armaan smiled at him and left. “I’ll talk to Riddhima. You guys start the work.” He said on his way out.
…
“Mujhe Paris nahi jana.” Sara sulked on the couch beside Rey earning a chuckle from him.
“Jana toh teko padega hi. Itni mehnat karke uncle ko pataya hai maine. You can’t let my work go in vain!”
“Armaan bhai ki shaadi tum sab plan karne wale ho. I too want to be a part of it.” She pouted.
“Meko kyun bol rahi hai? Bhai se baat kar. But whatever his answer be, tu Paris toh jayegi hi yahan se.”
“Kyun?”
“Let’s say you come back to India with me, you’ll always think what if you had gone back to Paris and tried to get an internship. Yeh what if ki wajah se you’ll never be truly happy.”
“Why do you always have to say the right things?” She sighed.
“Toh ho gayi packing?” He asked.
“Haan almost.”
“Chal abh sad mat ho. Aur bata kya khana hai, I’m cooking today.” He smiled at her.
“White sauce lasagna.” She grinned.
“Udar jaake bhi yeh sab hi khane wali hai tu.”
“Haan par tere haath ka thodi milega.” She pouted.
“I didn’t realize it earlier, but Taani was right. Tu bohot flirt karti hai.” He chuckled.
“Accha beta, aur tu toh kabhi respond hi nahi karta?” She sneered.
“Chal shakal mat bana aur help kar thodi.” He walked into the kitchen.
“Tune Taani se baat ki?” She asked.
“Kal ja raha hoon Sid se milne tabhi kar lunga.”
“Aur?”
“Aur kya?” He looked at her.
“Usko manayega kaise?”
“Isme manane jaisa kya hai? I’ll talk to her aur phir jo uski marzi.”
“Tujhe nahi lagta tu bohot lightly le raha hai teri relationship ko?”
“I can’t force her to be with me.”
“You’ve already accepted defeat, haven’t you?”
“It’s not that yaar. Agar usko maine mana bhi liya toh phir aage jaake koi bhi minor misunderstandings hui toh hum aise hi ladenge, ek dusre ko blame karenge aur hurt honge. Iss se better hai ki sab hurt ek saath hoke khatam hojaye.”
“You know right that she just needs some time away from you and doesn’t really want to leave you?” She reminded him.
“Tu kyun itna tension le rahi hai? We’ll handle everything.”
“Ussi ka toh tension hai.”
“Shut up aur oven khol.” He picked up the tray.
“Teri shakal se bilkul pata nahi chal raha if you’re hoping ki sab theek hojayega ya you’ve already given up and accepted that she has moved on. Which let me remind you, she has not!”
“Okay, I understood. But what I don’t understand is teko wahan koi kaise nahi mila?”
“Mile the, but no one serious.”
“Not even the one who said that he loves you?”
“Who?”
“Arre voh din toh tu bol rahi thi ki tera koi classmate mila yahan aur voh tere peeche pada tha.” He raised a brow.
“Peeche voh koi aur reason ke liye pada tha.” She gave him a knowing look.
“Didn’t need to know that.” He cringed.
“I’m going in to finish my packing. Call me when the lasagna is ready.” She chuckled and left.
“Ty?” Taani knocked on his door.
“Yes?” Tyler called form inside.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“If it’s about Sid, then forget it.”
“It’s not about him, please can you come out?”
“What happened?” he opened the door.
“Do you love Siddo?” She grinned at him.
He flared his nostrils at her and shut the door on her face.
“Okay sorry, I was just kidding.” She knocked again.
“I don’t want to talk about this.” He opened the door again.
“I understand.” She smiled and gestured him to follow her out.
“What do you want to talk about?” Tyler asked her as they sat on the couch.
“Siddo just told me that Rey is coming over in the evening to pick up a few things. I figured he might want to talk to me considering our last encounter.”
“And you don’t want to?” Tyler asked.
“I’m not yet ready.”
“What are you not ready for?” Sid asked coming out of his room.
“Why did you call Rey here?” Taani groaned at Sid.
“Armaan ka bohot samaan hai. Main wahan jaake nahi de raha usse.” Sid rolled his eyes.
“Toh koi dusre time pe bulate, shaam ko kyun?”
“Hello? English! Please?” Tyler looked at them.
“Whatever!” Sid slouched on the other end of the couch.
“So Rey is coming in the evening, what help do you want from me?” Tyler asked Taani.
“Rey thinks that you love me and Sid is okay with our equation. I want you to continue with that lie.” Taani answered meekly.
“Have you lost it?” Sid eyed her.
“Sid please, I just need some time to think clearly before I take any decision.” She argued.
“Toh clearly usko yeh bol de. Yeh natak kyu?” Sid questioned.
“Natak nahi hai. I just don’t want him to confront me. Plus Sara might be coming with him. It’ll be very embarrassing to face her. I thought he was cheating on me with her. I don’t want to talk about anything in front of her. She is a good friend of his and I don’t want to create any tension between them because of me.” Taani explained.
“Hey relax, I’ll help you with it. I was the one to put you on the spot. You guys would have resolved if I hadn’t interfered that day.”
“No we would have definitely fought. He was really angry.”
“I would still suggest you to not do this.” Sid said.
…
“Tu abh tak ready nahi huyi?” Rey looked at Sara.
“Haan I’m almost done. Bas yeh bag band nahi ho raha hai.” She struggled to close the zip of her bag.
“Main kar lunga. Tu ready ho ja. Flight miss karni hai?” He shouted at her.
“Kaash ho jaye.” She stifled her laughter and ran into her room to change.
“Itna kya thoosa hai isme?” Rey cursed as he tried to close her bag.
“Bag pe baith ja aur try kar.” Sara instructed.
“You want a few things shipped?” Rey sat on the bag, but the zip didn’t budge.
“Paise jyada hogaye hai tere paas?” Sara walked out of her room.
“Yeh waise bhi overweight hai aur teko extra bharna padega.” He got up and the bag opened.
“Point toh hai. But kitna time lagega?” She scratched her head.
“Teko airport drop karke seedha courier kar dunga yeh. Three to four days mein mil jayega.”
“Pakka?”
“Meko kya pata? I don’t run courier services.”
“Bhadak kyu raha hai?”
“Toh aur kya karu? Do din se packing kiye ja rahi hai aur shopping toh madam ki khatam hi nahi hoti. Aur abhi hume aadhe ghanta pehle nikalna tha.” He blasted at her.
“Relax we have time.” She calmed him and quickly removed a few things out of her bag and closed it.
“Chal abh!” Rey took one of her bags and walked out.
“Sadu!” Sara left behind him making faces.
They reached the airport in forty minutes leaving them enough time to bid farewell.
“See I told you hum time pe pahuch jayenge!” Sara mocked.
“Late hote bhi toh sabse jyada khush tu hi hoti.” Rey rolled his eyes at her.
“Keep me posted with everything.” She pouted.
“Like Shar isn’t going to do that.” He shook his head.
“Not just that.” She gave him a knowing look.
“Stop worrying about me.” He hugged her.
“Tere kaam hi aise hote hai, kya karu?” She chuckled.
“Go safely and inform when you reach.”
“You too. Tu kal nikal raha hai na?”
“Haan.”
“Aur..”
“Sara.” He stopped her. “Abhi ussi se milne ja raha hoon.”
“Main bol rahi thi ki abhi hi courier kar dena. Don’t keep it till tomorrow.”
“Haan airport se wahi ja raha hoon.” He smiled.
“See you soon.” She hugged him.
“See you soon, Luv.” He chuckled earning a slap on his chest from her.
…
“What are you doing?” Taani asked Tyler when she saw him carry a bunch of things out of the fridge.
“Preparing dinner for us.” Tyler pointed out.
“You cook?” She squinted.
“Gee thanks for noticing that I’ve been feeding you for days.” He mocked making her giggle.
“Let me help you today.” Taani helped him set all the things down on the kitchen platform.
“Sure. Take that large pot and fill it three-forth with water and put it to boil.” He instructed.
“What are you making?” She asked turning the tap on.
“Hot pot!” He grinned.
“What next?” She asked placing the pot on the stove.
“Can you put on some music? I like listening to songs while cooking.”
“Do you mind hindi songs?” She asked.
“Not really. I’ve heard a few. Don’t know what they mean, but the beats are great.”
“Cool, let me find a good album.”
She turned on YouTube on the smart TV and started looking for songs. After a couple of minutes of searching, she finally settled on one album.
“Good one!” He appreciated her choice.
“It is my current favourite!” She grinned back at him.
“Okay now, don’t just stand there. Come here and help me!”
She moved to the kitchen humming the song.
“Do you two mind keeping the volume in check?” Sid shouted at them as he moved to the door to open it.
“I didn’t hear the bell ring.” Taani furrowed her brows and looked at Tyler.
“Neither did I.” Tyler looked back at her. “Whatever let him handle.” They got back to cooking.
“Andar aa.” Sid opened the door.
“Hey.” Rey greeted him as he walked inside.
“Can you wait here for some time? Armaan’s stuff got mixed up with mine. I’m just sorting it out.” Sid lowered the TV volume making annoyed faces.
“No problem. Bas bhai ki sab cheezein de dena warna he’ll kill me.” Rey chuckled.
“Tum saath ho phir kya baaki ho, mere liye tum kaafi ho!” Taani sang.
Rey heard Taani singing. A smile formed on his face and he turned to the kitchen. He saw Taani humming and swaying to the music with Tyler. His smile disappeared and he gritted his teeth eyeing the two. He inhaled deeply to calm himself and forced a courteous smile.
“Taani, Rey is here.” Sid announced and walked in his room. “I hope Taani kuch kaand na kare aur dono milke sab sort karde. Tab tak main room mein thoda time paas hi kar leta hoon, Armaan ka samaan toh separate hi pada hua hai.” Sid thought closing the door.
“Hey.” Rey waved at Taani and sat on the couch. She smiled back.
“T, can you help me with the cutting. Take these green onions and cut them to a fourth on an inch thickness.” Tyler instructed.
“Sorry?” She looked wide eyed at him.
“This big.” He showed her with his fingers.
“I don’t wanna cut onions.” She pouted.
“Fine, cut this tofu in slices. And be gentle with it.” He instructed.
“Yes chef!” She rolled her eyes and got to work.
Ooh la la
La la la la oohh..
“Oh I love this song!” Taani said moving her hands from side to side.
“What are you doing?” Tyler eyed her.
“I’m dancing!”
“You call this dancing?” He mimicked her.
“That’s the step!”
“Is it really?”
“Yeah! Do it with me!” She grinned as the chorus played again.
“It’s fun!” He laughed with her.
“Main yahan Taani se baat karne aaya tha but looks like she is not even interested in looking at me.” Rey sighed and pulled out his phone to pass his time.
Her eyes fell on Rey who was engrossed in his phone. She felt like calling him and asking him to join them. But she remembered that she wanted to maintain space between them till she figured out what she wanted.
“Ouch!” Still engrossed in his thoughts, she accidentally cut her finger.
“What is wrong with you?” Tyler saw her finger bleed and pulled her to the sink and held her hand under running water.
“Tum theek ho?” Rey rushed to the kitchen on hearing her cry.
“I’m good, it’s just a small cut.” She told him.
“I should have known better than letting you touch that knife.” Tyler shook his head.
“I’m fine Ty and I insisted. I just wanted to cook something for you.” She smiled at him.
“I’ll be outside.” Rey left awkwardly from the kitchen.
“Why did I say that?” Taani dropped her head low.
“He is a mess, a hot one though.” Tyler whispered to her. “Wasn’t a deep cut, you’ve already stopped bleeding.” He examined her finger.
“Like I said. Now move, I still have to finish that.”
“No you are not touching anything.” He warned her.
“I shouldn’t have agreed to come here. Sid ko saaman lekar neeche hi bula lena chahiye tha.” Rey sat back down at the couch. “Has she really moved on?” Rey looked at the kitchen and saw Taani and Tyler laughing and having a good time together. “Seems like it. She doesn’t care that I am here, plus she looks really happy.” He answered himself.
“Ask me why I wanted us go to out tonight.” Taani whispered to Tyler.
“What?” He squinted at her.
“I want to see his reaction.”
“What?” He was confused.
“Just ask me!” She glared at him.
“T, why were you upset that I cancelled our plans for tonight?” Tyler asked.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” She counter questioned.
“That’s what I asked.” He replied stoically.
“Well, it’s my birthday tomorrow and I was hoping that we celebrated it together.” From the corner of her eyes she saw Rey stiffen.
“What? Your birthday? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Sid!” Tyler yelled.
“What’s going on?” Sid came out of his room hearing the commotion.
“Why didn’t you tell me that it’s T’s birthday tomorrow?” Tyler asked him.
“Birthday?” Sid squinted.
“Yeah! We could have planned something.” Tyler said.
“I guess I forgot.” Sid answered and then looked at Rey. “Why are you sitting there alone?”
“I’m good here.” Rey smiled curtly. “Are you done with bhai’s stuff?”
“Yeah, here are the bags.” Sid handed over the bags to Rey.
“Itna kya hai?” Rey asked aghast.
“Things that he ordered and a few more from me with love.” Sid winked.
“I’ll definitely get this to your love.” Rey smiled at Sid.
“Is dinner ready?” Sid yelled at Taani and Tyler.
“It’s just seven, relax!” Tyler rolled his eyes.
“Chal I’ll take your leave.” Rey got up picking up the bags.
“Have dinner and go na.” Sid insisted.
“Sara is alone at home. Plus I have to pack these in my suitcase. I’m leaving tomorrow.” Rey informed Sid and then looked at Taani who was busy cooking with Tyler in the kitchen.
“Rey listen..” Sid called him.
“You don’t have to explain me anything. I got this upon myself.” Rey sighed looking at Taani and Tyler.
“Did you two.. bre..ak.. up?” Sid asked unsure.
“None of us are wearing rings.” Rey pointed out.
“Listen, she just needs a little time..”
“Don’t worry I’m not going to take up any more of her time. Bye. See you.” Rey smiled and left.
“Maa, aapse kuch baat karni hai.” Rey walked up to Juhi who was seated with Rannvijay in the living room.
“Haan bolo.” She gestured him to join them.
“Voh maa..” He looked at them unsure of how to frame his words.
“Tum pehle yeh batao ki tum sab ne yeh wedding planning kabse shuru kardi?” Juhi questioned.
“Exactly, tum logon ke paas kya experience hai iss field mein?” Rannvijay continued.
“Aap dono meko kyu pakad rahe ho? Shar aur bhai se pucho. Both of them aren’t ready to back down. Meri kya galati hai? I wasn’t even here!” He defended himself.
“But you could have not agreed.” Rannvijay pointed out.
“Aapko itni problem hai toh bhai se baat karo. Don’t pull me into it!”
“Usko bulaya hai maine. Aata hi hoga.” Juhi informed. “Tab tak tum batao kya kehna tha tumhe?” She further asked.
“Haan voh meko aap dono ko kuch batana tha.”
“Kya?” She asked narrowing her eyes.
“Can you call Tanya aunty and call off the engagement?”
“What?” Both Juhi and Rannvijay looked at him aghast.
“You heard me right.”
“But why?” Juhi asked trying to wrap her head around it.
“It’s not going to work out between us.” Rey sighed.
“Jhagda hua hai tum dono ka?” Rannvijay asked.
“Nahi paa.”
“Toh kyu? Tumne khud haan kaha tha iss rishte ko.” Juhi reminded him.
“Haan maa, I know. But this one month apart made me realize ki mujhe bas uski aadat lag gayi thi. When she wasn’t here, I didn’t really miss her nor did I feel any longing to meet her, even when I was in the US. Maine wapas aane ke baad bohot socha and realized ki I wasn’t in love. And what’s the use of being in a relationship where there is no love?” Rey explained.
“Once she comes back, figure it out with her. Aise rishta todna..?” Juhi tried to dissuade him.
“She got done with her course more than two weeks ago. If she was coming back, she would have been here by now.”
“Kya hua wahan? Did she say anything about this to you when you both met there?” Rannvijay questioned.
“No paa, please don’t blame her. I just don’t think that I’ll be happy with her. Isiliye main yeh rishta todna chahata hoon.”
“Are you really sure? Phir se soch le. I’m not asking you to endure a relation in which you aren’t happy, but are you extremely certain that this is what you want?” Juhi placed her hand on his.
“Haan maa. Maine bohot socha and I realized that this is the only way that she will be happy.” He placed her hand on hers. “Promise me ki aap Tanya aunty ko bata degi. Also tell her that I’m sorry.” His eyes welled up and he left to his room to hide his emotions from them.
“He is hiding something.” Juhi told Rannvijay.
“He definitely is.” He agreed.
“Main Tanya se kya kahun?” Juhi wondered.
“Don’t call her.” Armaan entered. He had heard their entire conversation.
“Armaan?” Rannvijay squinted at him.
“He has been behaving weird since the time Taani left. Clearly something went wrong between them. And he doesn’t look content with his decision.” Armaan told them.
“I understand what you mean but agar unn dono ko iss rishte mein nahi rehna toh hum unhe force nahi kar sakte.” Juhi made him understand.
“I get it maami. But please aap Taani ke ghar call mat karo. I’ll try to figure out ki hua kya hai, but please hold off till then.”
“Aur Rey se kya kahe? He is going to ask us tomorrow if we called or not?” Rannvijay looked at Armaan.
“Usko keh dena ki bata diya. But please..”
“Theek hai Armaan. Tum Sid se baat karke dekho. Taani ussi ke saath reh rahi hai New York mein, shayad usse pata ho ki hua kya hai. Kyunki Rey kitna bhi mana kare voh Taani se pyaar karne laga tha, there is no doubt in that.” Juhi agreed.
…
“Hey, good morn.. Tu abh tak soya kyu hai?” Armaan asked over FaceTime.
“Itni subah meri neend kyu kharab kar raha hai tu?” Sid sneered at him.
“Dude it’s nine in the morning, get up!” Armaan rolled his eyes at him.
“It’s just eight, let me sleep.” Sid scoffed and closed his eyes.
“Eight?”
“Daylight savings yaar! Aaj se hi start hua hai aur ek ghanta neend waise hi kam mil rahi hai aaj. Why are you annoying me?” Sid threw tantrums.
“Oh sorry to disturb your sleep. Bas mujhe yeh puchna tha ki New York mein aisa kya hua ki Rey ne yahan aake uski engagement tod di? But no problem, tu neend poori karle, hum baad mein baat karte hai.” Armaan disconnected the call.
“Hmm.” Sid groaned and then his eyes shot open as Armaan’s words registered in his head.
“Udd gayi neend?” Armaan scoffed, answering Sid’s call.
“What the hell did you just say?” Sid asked aghast.
“Rey is calling off the engagement.” Armaan answered.
“Why?”
“He said that he doesn’t love her and them staying together would be a mistake.”
“No he didn’t!” Sid refused to believe it.
“Abhi maine uske muh se yeh baat suni when he told maami.”
“Maine pehle hi bola tha Taani ko. Par nahi meri baat toh usse sunni hi nahi hai.” Sid flared his nostrils. “Aur yeh gadha khud pe kis baat ka blame le raha hai?”
“What?” Armaan furrowed his brows trying to comprehend.
“Stop her from calling maasi!” Sid exclaimed.
“Relax, I already did that.” Armaan calmed him. “Abhi bata ki hua kya hai. Because I suspect something is wrong.”
“Something is definitely wrong with Taani’s brain!” Sid massaged his temples.
“Tujhe pata hai ki dono ke beech kya hua hai?”
“Are you okay?” Tyler opened Sid’s bedroom door. “I heard you shout.”
“I’m good. Why are you awake this early?” Sid squinted at him.
“Pee!”
“Whatever close the door behind you.” Sid shifted his attention to his phone. “Haan Armaan bol.”
“Yeh kaun tha?” Armaan asked.
“My roommate.” Sid answered and sat up straight on the bed. “Aur please detail mein bata ki hua kya? Aur tune Rey se baat ki.”
“Jabse voh vapas aaya hai, he has been off. In fact, he has been this way since the day of their engagement. We all tried to talk to him but usne kuch bataya nahi. Aur aaj achanak yeh rishta todne ki baat ki. I don’t understand what’s wrong with him. Just because they weren’t together in the same city for a month, he feels he has fallen out of love?”
“He said that?”
“Yeah, which makes no sense as he is good at maintaining relations. This is just not him.” Armaan held his head.
“I didn’t know he loves Taani so much ki blame khud pe le raha hai.” Sid let out a dry chuckle.
“Blame?”
“Taani kind of made him believe that she has moved on. Isiliye usne yeh kiya hoga.”
“Moved on? But what happened?”
“Tujhe kuch nahi pata?” Sid furrowed his brows.
“Kiske baare mein?”
“Aman aur Kartik ke baare mein!” Sid rolled his eyes.
“Kaun?”
“Abbe Rey aur Taani ki fight ke baare mein.”
“Kaunsi fight?”
“Engagement ke baad they had a fight aur gusse mein aake Rey ne Taani ki ring kheench li thi.”
“He did what?” Armaan widened his eyes.
“Poori baat sunn, usko jhadne mat chala ja!”
“Bol.”
“Taani felt jealous of the ladies in Rey’s life.”
“Kaunsi ladies?”
“One in particular jiske saath voh yahan aaya tha.”
“Sara?” Armaan asked.
“Haan. Taani thodi jealous ho gayi thi, usne engagement ke baad jaake Rey se baat ki. Then Rey got angry ki pehle kyun nahi bataya and he pulled her ring out. Phir isko gussa aaya aur yeh New York bhaag aayi.” Sid narrated.
“He clearly regretted that kyunki New York ke plan ko usne zara bhi oppose nahi kiya. But yeh wapas aane ke baad bhi same mood mein hai. Is Taani not happy with their relationship?”
“She is f*cked up right now. Completely embarrassed over the Sara debacle but still not willing to talk to Rey about it. All I know is ki yeh dono mile the, kuch kaha suni huyi and she pulled out his ring. So now they are even!” Sid rolled his eyes.
“So she wants to move on?” Armaan asked.
“No she just wants time for God knows what.”
“Let her be. Usko Rey ke decision ke baare mein bata dena. But please also let her know that he is still in love with her. So agar voh chahe toh they can still be together.”
“Main kuch batane se raha usse. Par tu tension mat le, main iska dimaag theek karke rahunga. You just try ki Juhi aunty maasi se baat na kare.”
…
“Morning Ty!” Taani greeted.
“Good morning T! Up already?”
“Yeah.. what are you doing?”
“Nothing.” He said looking at Sid’s door.
“What is your story with him?”
“There is no story.”
“You love him, there definitely is some story!”
“We both like each other, but we aren’t dating. I want to give it a name, call him my boyfriend. But he is on the fence.” Tyler gave her a jist.
“How long have you two been going out?”
“Six months max. I just want a clear answer from him. He keeps avoiding.” Tyler sighed.
She placed her hand on his and comforted him.
“Thanks.” He smiled at her.
“Why are you looking at his door?” She asked when she saw him looking.
“He has been on a call since morning. And he has been calling this guy a lot off lately.”
“Who?”
“You two are up already?” Sid walked out of his room.
“Morning.” Tyler greeted.
Sid’s phone rang again.
“Abh kya?” Sid answered.
“I forgot to ask earlier, where is my jacket?” Armaan asked.
“Jacket?” Sid wondered. “Oh yeah! I wore it the other day and I must have kept it in my closet. Sorry. I’ll send it with Taani.”
“You better!”
“Yeah Armaan, I’ll courier it to you if you want.”
“Uski jarurat nahi hai, but yaad se bhej dena.”
“Haan. Bye.” Sid disconnected the call.
“Again Armaan.” Tyler scoffed.
“Were you talking about Armaan bhai earlier?” Taani asked and he nodded. Taani burst out laughing.
“Tujhe kya hua?” Sid eyed her.
“Nothing.” Taani shook her head controlling her laugh.
“Anyways, when are you leaving? I need to send some stuff for Armaan.” Sid asked.
“You still love him, don’t you?” Tyler scoffed looking at Sid.
“He was my first love. I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving him.” Sid answered.
“Is this why you’ve still not answered me? You’re still hoping to get back with Armaan, right?”
“Absolutely!”
Taani looked at Sid with confusion written all over her face.
“So what am I? Your plaything?” Tyler scoffed.
“Siddo why are you lying?”
“Lying?” Tyler looked at her.
“Armaan bhai is straight and he is getting married soon.” Taani informed him.
“Why would you lie to me?” Tyler questioned Sid.
“Exactly!” Taani supported Tyler.
“You two have no right to ask me this question!” Sid glared at them.
“What do you mean?” Taani asked.
“Have you talked to Rey?” Sid questioned her.
“I need time.” She answered, looking away.
“Did you tell him that or did you try to make him believe that you two are a thing?” He pointed at them.
“Sid I feel awful for what I did. I was being selfish then. But even he hasn’t tried to contact me.” She argued.
“Why would he when he thinks that you are no longer interested in him?”
“So she lied to Rey and you decided that you will do the exact same to me?” Tyler questioned.
“Yes! You are hurt thinking that I still love Armaan and you Taani, tujhe bura nahi laga tha jab tujhe laga ki Rey aur Sara ka chakkar chal raha hai? You didn’t feel a hint of remorse while making Rey believe that you both are dating, then why the hell should I?” Sid looked sternly. “Don’t say that you wanted some time. You could have just told him that.” Sid continued when Taani tried to argue. “You just wanted to see that jealousy rise in him, you wanted him to feel what you felt when you saw him with Sara.”
“Sid that’s not true.” Taani argued.
“Then why did you mention your birthday? Why were you flirting with Ty in front of him that day?”
“We weren’t flirting.” Tyler opposed.
“Tu toh chup hi reh!” Sid flared at him.
Tyler squinted at him.
“Stay out of it man. Aur Taani tu please mujhe ek baar bata de ki tu kya prove karna chahati hai? You were miserable here from what I know. Isiliye main Armaan se keh kar Rey ko yaha laya tha so that you two could just talk it out. But tere toh alag hi nakhre hai.”
“Main koi nakhre nahi kar rahi. He has a lot of close friends in his life and he understands them really well. But meri baat aati hai toh mujhe voh misunderstand karta hai. Engagement ke baad main baat karne gayi toh meri ring le li. Aur uss din bhi mujhe usne mera point of view explain karne nahi diya. He just assumed that I have moved on.”
“Wahan se bhagne se better usse explain karti toh shayad voh misunderstand nahi karta.”
“I didn’t runaway, I came here for my course.”
“You’re getting delusional! I’m really starting to wonder if you still love him.”
“Shut up Sid! I love him and want to be with him!” Taani exclaimed.
“This is the answer that you’ve been looking for. Tu kitna bhi time le le, yeh answer nahi badalne wala.” Sid smiled at her.
Taani sat down going over his words. She realized that she didn’t need time, she was just using it as an excuse to shield herself from any confrontation with Rey. She realized that she wanted to mend things but was afraid to call him and talk to him. She was too embarrassed by her actions.
“Hey Sharon.” Purvi walked into the cabin.
“Hi.” Sharon smiled lightly at her.
“Here is the completed file. Kuch changes karne ho toh bata dena.” Purvi handed over the file.
“Hmn.” Sharon nodded.
“All good?” Purvi asked.
“Have you talked to Taani recently?” Sharon questioned.
“Jyada baat nahi huyi hai, just a few texts here and there. I’m busy here with mom, dad, Arjun and his parents. Kyun?”
“Which means even you don’t know anything.” Sharon leaned back on her chair.
“Sharon, bhai figured it out. Chal.” Swayam entered. “Oh hi Purvi.”
“What do I not know about?” Purvi asked.
“Rey aur Taani ka jhagda hua hai and he isn’t telling us anything. But voh bohot hi secluded reh raha hai which means something major has happened.” Sharon informed.
“Did you guys talk to him?”
“I did. But all I know is kuch jhagda hua hai. Aur usne jo bataya tha uske hisab se it didn’t seem so huge.”
“I’ll try talking to Taani.” Purvi told them.
“Sara might know, voh bhi toh thi!” Sharon dialed Sara’s number.
“Why are you calling this early?” Sara groaned.
“What are you pouting over? Doesn’t look like I woke you up.” Sharon sneered.
“Kya hai?” Sara asked.
“Rey New York mein kaisa tha? Like how was his behavior there?”
“Hain? Theek hi tha. Tu kyun puch rahi hai?”
“Well, bhai just told me that Rey called off the engagement. So stop hiding and spill out whatever you know.” Swayam demanded an answer.
“What?” All three exclaimed at him.
“Rey hai kidhar?” Sara asked.
“Site pe hai.” Swayam informed.
“Let me handle him!” Sara disconnected the call.
“Are you sure he did that?” Purvi asked Swayam.
“Yes Swayam, itna urgently kyun bulaya?” Armaan entered in.
“AB is it true that Rey called off his engagement?” Sharon questioned.
“Yes and he is not ready to talk about it. Par tum log tension mat lo, Sid se baat hogayi hai meri. Voh Taani se baat kar lega.” Armaan informed.
“But hua kya hai?” Purvi asked.
“I don’t exactly know but please you guys make sure that Rey stays in touch with you all. Voh bohot akela rehne laga hai.”
“Aaj hum mil hi rahe hai to discuss about your engagement. I’ll make sure he is there and involved in everything.” Sharon informed.
“Are you sure it’s okay to keep him engaged in this?” Purvi asked.
“This way at least there is a chance that he tells us everything.” Swayam told her.
“Keep me informed. Main Taani se baat karke dekhti hoon ki mujhe kya pata chalta hai.”
“Cool. Kal milte hai to discuss the plan of action.”
…
“Any progress?” Armaan asked Swayam, Sharon and Purvi who were assembled in the cabin.
“Nothing. She kept avoiding whenever I brought up Rey’s name. Also, doesn’t look like she has any plans of coming back anytime soon.” Purvi informed.
"No luck with Rey as well." Sharon informed.
“Mamoo bata rahe the ki voh aunty se baat karne wale hai before Rey figures out ki they haven’t.” Armaan told them.
“It’s better that way. He is already on the edge, usko push karna won’t be good.” Swayam expressed concern.
“Toh kare kya?” Sharon wondered. “Taani ko yahan kuch bhi karke laana hoga.”
“Haan but even Sid told me ki voh maan hi nahi rahi hai.” Armaan informed.
Sharon’s phone rang and it flashed Rey’s name.
“Hello.” She picked up his call.
“Why are you sounding low?” He asked.
“Nothing just feeling a little stressed.” She sighed.
“Teko maine kal hi bola tha ki tu mera tension mat le. I am fine.”
“Tu mahan hai yaar main nahi hoon. I am tensed and you are not letting me help you!”
“You are sounding just like Sara. Kal voh bhi mera dimaag kha rahi thi. I agree ki main thoda distant behave kar raha hoon, but I’m fine.”
“If you say so. Abh bata call kyun kiya?” Sharon asked.
“Voh Shivam office aaraha hai to finish off some pending paperwork. Can you guys handle it? I don’t want to face him. He must be mad at me for breaking ties.”
“We’ll take care of it. Tu office nahi aaraha aaj bhi?”
“Dekhta hoon.” Rey ended the call.
“Shivam is on his way here.” Sharon informed everyone.
“Mamoo must have already told them by now. Tum dono handle karlo. He won’t get mad at you two.” Armaan told Sharon and Swayam.
Armaan and Purvi left the cabin. After about twenty minutes, Shivam entered in.
“Hey.” He greeted Swayam and Sharon.
“Hi.” They both greeted him back.
“Rey nahi hai?” Shivam asked.
“He won’t be coming in today.” Sharon informed.
“But I had to talk to him. Kuch discuss karna tha.”
“You can tell us, we will convey it to him.” Swayam smiled at him.
“Can’t you call him?”
“He won’t come.” Sharon told him.
“Kyun?” Shivam asked.
“Shivam, I agree that he took a sudden decision, but please don’t be mad at him. I can understand your anger towards him, but he feels awful right now and he doesn’t want to face you.” Sharon made him understand.
“What are you trying to say?” Shivam asked.
“We just want to let you know ki Rey ka decision to call off the wedding was not correct. We are trying to make him change his decision. And we know and you must be angry at him, just know that he is miserable right now.” Swayam explained.
“He called off the wedding?” Shivam widened his eyes.
“Tujhe nahi pata? Aunty spoke to your mom, didn’t she tell you?” Sharon asked.
“Mujhe iske baare mein kuch nahi pata. Taani bhi kuch..” Shivam stopped mid-sentence and narrowed his eyes. “Is this why she doesn’t want to come back?”
“Seems like it.” Swayam agreed.
“You guys are not joking right?”
“Not at all.”
“I have to go. Mujhe mom se baat karni hogi. Aur Taani ne kuch bataya kyun nahi iss baare mein?” Shivam left engrossed in his thoughts.
“Abh Taani ko yahan aana hi padega!” Sharon grinned as the cabin door closed.
“Good job guys.” Armaan entered. “Seems like our plan worked. I’m sure Shivam will tell Tanya aunty get Taani back here. Aur yeh dono ke milne ka intezaam main kar dunga.” He smirked.
The sound of the ticking clock boomed in the room. Rey and Taani sat on either corner of the bed facing each other but looking everywhere else. They stole glances of each other and waited for the other person to initiate talking.
“Mm-hm.” Rey cleared his throat.
Taani looked at him for a brief second and then looked away.
“I should have talked to you first.” He said.
“You don’t say.” She sneered at him. “Maine tumse baat nahi ki thi tabhi kitna gussa aaya tha tumhe. Such a hypocrite you are!”
“That I am!” Rey agreed and looked down.
“Aur tumne reason kya diya? You can’t keep me happy in the relationship? You really thought that with this sad face anyone is going to believe that?” She pointed at his face.
“Toh kya kehta that you have moved on? I don’t even know if you are dating that Tyler. It seems too soon for you to date him.”
“Don’t get Tyler in the middle of this!” She warned him.
“Sorry.” He apologized.
“Kis cheez ke liye?” She questioned.
“For everything. You deserve someone special, someone way better than me.”
“And who are you to decide that?” She crossed her arms across her chest.
“Listen Taani..”
“Let me finish. You always keep interrupting me!”
“Sorry. Go ahead.”
“Main jab yahan aayi tabhi mumma ne sabse pehle mujhse yeh pucha ki tumne aisa kya kiya ki I rejected you. Why did you take this blame on you? Kyun nahi kahan ki I was the one who had moved on?”
“Agar voh bata deta toh sab tujhe blame karte.”
“Toh karne dete. Why do you always have to be the hero?”
“Galati toh meri hi thi na. I was closer to other people than you and I was taking you for granted.”
“How? You made sure that the entire engagement happened according to my taste. I was the one who let jealousy engulf me and messed things up!”
“Tum galath nahi thi. Meri harkate hi kuch aisi thi. And I understood your perspective and what you meant when I saw you with Tyler.”
“Maine jealous hoke break manga aur tumne seedha engagement tod di?” Her voice broke.
“Main aur kya karta. You two looked really happy. I just wanted you to stay happy.”
“Even at the cost of your happiness?”
“Yes.” He nodded. His eyes welled up.
“Why do you love me so much?” She leaned forward but stopped herself from going near him.
“Taani it’s really okay if you want to move on. I won’t feel bad. Mere liye tumhe iss rishte mein rehne ki jarurat nahi hai.” He hung his head low trying to cover up his shaky voice.
She moved to him and held his face on either sides and made him look at her. She pulled his face down to hers and connected their lips. She kept pulling him on to her until she fell back on the bed with him on top of her. She didn’t let go and continued kissing. She let her hands travel down his neck, grazing his chest to his waist. She stopped at the hem of his T-shirt and slowly began to lift it up. He abruptly stopped kissing her and breathed heavily looking at her with furrowed brows.
“What were you doing?” He asked getting his breathing back to normal.
“If this is what it takes to prove to you that I love you, so be it.” She looked away as tears sprung up in her eyes.
“Taani.” He closed his eyes and lowered his head to touch hers. “I’m sorry. I should have just done what I had come to do in New York in the first place, talk to you. I didn’t mean to pull the ring off your finger. I was just mad at what you told me that day. Aur phir wahan jab main aaya aur tujhe khush dekha toh phirse mera burden dalne ka mann nahi kiya tujhpe. I am messed up, but you shouldn’t have to deal with this mess.” He rose up supporting his weight on his arms.
“What happened to have faith in my love wala Rey? Uss Rey ke pyaar pe mujhe pyaar aaya tha. Phir jab function ki preparations shuru huyi tab tum.. I don’t know, there was this unknown distance which got created between us. Tum sab cheezein mujhse chupane lage and I know you meant that as surprise but voh itne frequent hone lage ki every other thing that you hid from me which wasn’t a surprise started to annoy me. Be it Sara or your old college girlfriend, or even you helping Purvi behind my back. I know you meant well for her, but mujhe bhi toh bata sakte the.” She wiped the tears that had started flowing down her face.
“I’m sorry Taani.” He kissed her forehead.
“Tum bohot sorry bolte ho.” She made an annoyed face.
“Kaam hi aise hote hai mere, kya karu?” He raised his shoulders.
“Meri poori baat suna karo. Uss din mujhe sab explain karne diya hota toh itna bada kaand nahi hota.” She sat up straight making him get up as well.
“Sor..” He stopped as she glared at him. He looked away.
“I’m sorry too.” She entwined her arm around his and rested her head on his shoulder.
“Kyun?” He furrowed his brows.
“Mere dimaag mein bas revenge fantasy chal rahi thi. I just wanted you to feel the jealousy that I felt.”
“So Tyler?”
“He was just a roommate. Plus he is gay.” She let out a chuckle.
“Toh uske saath flirt bas mujhe jealous karne ke liye kar rahi thi?” He asked and she nodded. “You didn’t have to go so extra. There are already two others who make me feel that every time they are with you. Kabhi kuch bolta nahi hoon kyunki I know ki yeh bas mera stupid dimaag hai.” He shook his head.
“Kaun?” She knotted her brows.
“Your two exes, the two Arjuns.” He chuckled.
“What?” She widened her eyes.
“I sometimes feel jealous of the bond you have with Arjun. I always feel ki mera kab banega aisa bond tumhare saath, but I know that it won’t happen. The same way I won’t share the same bond with you like I do with my friends.”
“Aur Juno?”
“He loves you or at least did love you in the past. So you can say I feel threatened by him.”
“Aisa kuch nahi hai.” She denied.
“He won’t admit it. But dikhta hai yaar. And don’t get me wrong, I can totally understand. You are a very lovable person.” He held her hand.
“Hum ek mahine se kyun jhagad rahe the?” Taani looked up at him.
“Sab acchese hojaye toh hazam nahi hota na, thoda drama bhi jaruri hota hai!” He chuckled earning a slap on his chest from her.
“Chale bahar? They all must be worried.” Taani got up.
“Haan mujhe maa pe voh bomb nahi phodna chahiye tha.” He followed her.
“Aur mujhe bhi away-time ke chakkar mein time waste nahi karna chahiye tha.”
“Agar tum voh nahi karti toh clear perspective kaise milta ki tum abh bhi mujhse pyaar karti ho?”
“Pyaar karna toh kabhi band nahi kiya tha. Bas thoda tr..”
“Trust shake hogaya tha?” He asked.
“Shayad. But I promise next time mujhe aisa kuch bhi laga toh I’ll directly come and talk to you.”
“And I also promise to keep my anger in check.”
“Rehne do, yeh tumse hone se raha.” She laughed and ran out.
“Teri toh!” He ran behind her.
…
“Yeh dono kitne khush kag rahe hai.” Rannvijay pointed at Rey and Taani and looked at Tanya. “Abh hum yeh rishta khushi khushi tod sakte hai.” He smirked.
“Paa?” Rey widened his eyes at him.
“Tune hi toh bataya tha ki tum dono ek saath khush nahi reh sakte. Looks like you both are on the same page.” Juhi taunted him.
“I’m very mad at you Rey.” Tanya feigned anger.
“Aunty I’m sorry.” Rey walked up to her.
“Aap sab usse hi kyun blame kar rahe ho?” Taani huffed.
“Kaam hi kuch aisa kiya hai isne.” Shivam squinted at him. “Uss din office mein milta toh I swear pit jata mere haathon!”
“Bhai stop it yaar. Sirf uski galati nahi hai isme.”
“Psst psst.” Rey called Taani.
“What?” She glared at him.
“Keep your anger in check.” He mocked.
“Go to hell!” She stomped her foot and went into her room.
“Chalo accha hua ki tum dono ne sort kar liya.” Juhi smiled at Rey.
“I’m sorry for all the trouble.” Rey apologized to everyone.
“Don’t be.” Tanya shook her head. “Just remember one thing, if you two ever feel that you have had enough of each other, you both are free to go separate ways. Humare wajah se apni life mat barbad karo.”
“Mom faltu ke ideas mat do. Phir every month break up ka natak karte rahenge yeh dono.” Shivam mocked. “Voh dekho darwaze ke peeche chup ke kaise sunn rahi hai.” He pointed at Taani’s bedroom door. She banged the door shut.
“Chalo phir hum nikalte hai. Bohot raat hogayi hai.” Rannvijay got up.
“You guys had dinner?” Rey asked them.
“Obviously! Tum dono ke liye hum thodi rukne wale the.” Juhi taunted.
“How mean!” Rey sneered.
“Yeh lo tumhare liye pack karke rakha tha. Enjoy!” Tanya handed him a box.
“Aap hi meri care karte ho, yeh dono toh bas.. hmn!” He made a face and looked the other way.
“Ruk tujhe main care batata hoon!” Rannvijay twisted his ear making him wince.
“Very good uncle!” Taani came out of her room laughing and stood next to Shivam.
“Chalo phirr.” Rannvijay turned to leave.
“Mom you forgot to invite them.” Shivam looked at Tanya.
“Oh haan. Kal Yash ka birthday hota hai aur hum har saal dinner pe jaate hai. I would like you all to join us as well.” Tanya told them.
“Definitely!” Rey agreed.
“Great I’ll book a table for the six of us.” Shivam informed.
“Six? Abhi Nikki?” Rey asked.
“Voh kabke Bangalore chale gaye.” Tanya said.
“Chalo phir kal milte hai.” Juhi bid them bye and left with Rey and Rannvijay.
“Toh kahan leke ja rahi ho meko?” Rey parked his bike and got off it.
“Baitho.” Taani gestured to her car, taking the driver’s seat.
“Okay so tell me achanak se yeh milne ka plan kyu banaya? Raat ko dinner pe jana hai. Late hogaye toh?” Rey sat in the passenger’s seat.
“Yaad hai mujhe. Aur late hua toh direct chale jayenge.” She started the car.
“Hum abhi kahan ja rahe hai?” He asked.
“I want to take you somewhere.”
“Where?”
“Have patience.”
“Okay.” He turned on the radio.
Ek aasmaan ke hain hum do sitaare
Ke takraate hai tootate hai bechaare
Mujhe tumse par yeh kehna hai
“Oh God!” Rey held his temples and closed his eyes.
“Kya hua?” Taani asked stealing a glance at him.
“Yeh song mujhe bohot pasand tha but you ruined it for me.” He sneered.
“How so?” She questioned.
“Uss din tum gaa rahi thi na Tyler ke liye.” He sulked.
“I wasn’t singing for him. I was just humming!” She clarified.
“Haan but still.”
“Abh kaun jealous behave kar raha hai?” She asked tongue-in-cheek.
“Main toh bilkul bhi nahi.” He chuckled.
“Pagal!” She too laughed and stopped the car.
“Aagaye hum?” He asked.
“Haan.” She nodded.
“Hanging garden?” He looked outside and questioned.
“Chale?” She got out of the car and he followed.
“Yahan kyun?” He asked.
“Kisiko promise kiya tha.” She smiled at him.
“Why so many riddles? Seedhe bata na.” He huffed.
“Chalo batati hoon.” She walked hand in hand with him to the famous ‘Old Woman’s Shoe’.
“Last time I came here, I must have been ten.” Rey looked at it with nostalgia.
“The last time I came here, it was with papa.” She had a distant smile on her face.
He circled his arm around her shoulder and held her tight.
“Upar chale?” She asked. He nodded.
“I expected a lot more people here.” He said looking around.
“Aaj chutti thodi hai. Tabhi aate honge.” Taani reasoned and sat on the stairs.
“Kya soch rahi ho?” He sat beside her.
“Main jab choti thi aur hum sab jab bhi Mumbai aate the, papa humesha mujhe yahan laate hai. Kabhi kabhi sirf hum dono aaya karte the.” She smiled thinking about her father. “Jab unhone unki condition ke baare mein bataya tha, mujhe bohot gussa aaya tha ki voh aise kaise chod ke ja sakte hai mujhe. Who will bear all my tantrums if not for him? But he made me understand that if I miss him, I should go to our secret chamber tree in Jodhpur or come here. I remember that he also told me that if ever I find someone who is willing enough to bear my tantrums I should get him here. After he passed away, I never visited any of these places. Bohot yaadein judi hai unse meri. But after knowing what you mean to me I had to get you here. Papa ki wish jo poori karni thi.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
“I feel honored to have visited both these places with you. I don’t know how it feels but I can empathize with your pain. He clearly meant a lot to you.” He pulled her closer to him.
“He did. I was afraid to get emotionally attached with anyone after he passed away.” She rested her hand on his chest and felt something under his shirt. “Yeh kya hai?” She noticed a chain hanging around his neck.
“My signature accessary from back in college.” He smiled and removed the dog tag out from under his shirt.
“You’re still wearing it?” She asked surprised looking at the ring.
“Close to my heart.” He pressed it against his heart making her giggle.
“Wapas nahi doge?” She pouted.
“Tune kahan wapas di.” He wiggled his brows.
“Toh yeh lo!” She pulled the ring out of her pocket.
“Aise nahi. Pehnao mujhe aur iss baar thode pyaar se.” He sneered.
She took his hand into hers and slid the ring on his finger.
“Now my turn.” She forwarded her hand.
“Do you really want it?” He scrunched his nose.
“Rey!” She demanded.
“Haan okay.” He removed it out of his dog tags and made her wear it. “Thank you for loving me back.” He kissed the ring on her finger.
“Thank you for making me fall in love with you.” She pecked his lips.
“That wasn’t even a kiss.” He pouted.
“I’m not going to kiss you here. Koi bhi upar aa sakta hai.” She got up. “Plus we have to leave warna dinner ke liye late hojayenge.” She climbed down the stairs. He followed trail.
…
“Kahan the tum dono? Itna late kyun hua?” Tanya scolded them as they entered.
“Traffic tha.” Taani answered.
“Chalo abhi kuch order kar lo.” Juhi told them.
“Yeh singer itna bakwas kyun sound kar raha hai?” Rey made a face looking at the menu.
“Karaoke night hai aaj. Ek se ek bakwas log gaa rahe hai.” Shivam rolled his eyes.
“Tum jaake gaana gao phir.” Rannvijay smirked.
“No, I’m good.” Shivam refused.
“Paa don’t even think of it.” Rey widened his eyes at him.
“Tu khud toh jayega nahi. Mere jaane se kya problem hai?” Rannvijay complained.
“Kyun sabko torture karna hai apni awaaz se?” Juhi teased.
“Aunty?” Taani widened her eyes and started laughing.
“Aise mat dekho, bohot besoori awaaz hai iski.” Juhi pointed at Rannvijay.
“Talent ki kisiko kadar hi nahi hai.” He scoffed.
“Paa rehne do.” Rey rolled his eyes at him.
“Paa, I mean, uncle aap discourage mat ho. Agar aap gaana chahate ho toh please jao.” Taani encouraged him.
“Thanks.” He placed his hand on her head and gave a kiss on it. “But yahan pe sab new songs hai. Phir kabhi.”
“Bhai aap try karo. It’ll be a good practice.” Taani smirked.
“Practice?” Tanya asked.
“Haan, bhai room mein bohot practice karte hai. I have heard him talk to himself a lot.”
“I don’t talk to myself!”
“I meant sing.” She smirked.
“Haan voh bohot rarely.” He brushed it off. “And I’m not interested in making a fool of myself.”
“Next song ke liye kaun aana chahega?” The host announced. “Come on who is willing to volunteer?”
A guy walked up to the mic and started singing. He had a soothing voice, and everyone started enjoying the song. As the song progressed, Taani’s eyes fell on Rey and saw his annoyed face. She remembered him telling her how the song reminded him of her and Tyler. She tried to get his attention, but he was too engrossed in his food.
Yeh dil jo dhala teri aadat mein
Shaamil kiya hai ibaadat mein
Thodi khuda se bhi maafi ho
Mere liye tum kaafi ho
Rey turned to look at the stage as he heard Taani’s voice singing these last lines to him. She held her ear and mouthed a sorry. He got up and ran to her and engulfed her. He picked her up and twirled her around.
“God! I love you!” He placed her down and kissed the tip of her nose.
The people in the restaurant hooted and applauded them.
Hello everyone
I hope you all are safe and doing okay.
This song has been stuck in my head since I saw the movie. I just had to include it here. Also, I hope you are happy now that things have sorted out between the two. Didn't feel the need to stretch the fight for too long.
Thinking of bringing back the question of the update thing which I did for the starting updates. So, here you go:
What is one place that hit's nostalgia for you? One you haven't visited in years?
Please hit Like and Comment down below.
And remember,
"Be alert, not anxious!"
-Dr. Mike
Posted: March 17, 2020
The promo was a perfect prompt for me to write something in my ishtyle! ...
Amidst the tumultuous storm of a high-stakes trial, Anushka Raisinghani, a ...
Comments (27)
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Anjali Chaudhary @1103anju
3 years ago
It's awesome story read it one go please please update as soon as possible 🙏🙏
smiliiiii @smiliiiii 3 years ago please update... Its a long time now
Taarey_tr @Taarey_tr
3 years ago
Yes.. waiting for next update.. pls update soon
Taanirey2101 @Taanirey2101
3 years ago
I agree ab kar bhi do update pls
Mrunmayee @Mrunmayee02
+ 6
3 years ago
Cont..Hanging Garden...Old Woman's shoe...Ye to vo papa wali place hai❣️Dog Tags😍😍Iss baar thoda pyaar se😂😂😂Taani is definately Shivam on practicing to propose Sneha😂😂The lyrics n maafi maangne ka andaaz...The update ended on a cute note♥️Lovvveeeddd itAb update kar bhi de🙈
Mrunmayee @Mrunmayee02
+ 6
3 years ago
This song...Hayyeeee😍Its my current obsession...Also the edit is lovely...Old Woman'sShoe...Nostalgic kar diya yaar....
Taani is pissed wud be understatement
Armaan full on jugaadu hai...Rey n Taani ko milane ka plan bana hi liya
Y m I getting bad feeling bout it? I really hope problem sort ho jaaye
I absolutely adore the bond Rey and Sara share❣️
Rey is blaming himself for all the things...He is happy to let go of Taani if her happiness lies in it
Wait...What??? Tyler loves Tanni😱
Ohhh...So Tyler loves Sid?
Ohho...Shivam janab aa hi gaye khudki setting karne🤭
Sneha n Shivam♥️
Dude stop beating arnd the bush n ask her out already
Armaan bana kabab mein haddi😜
Nothing important bolke chala gaya🙄
N what happened to 'Shivam jo chahta hai vo paata hai"(Sorry had to aad)😅😂😂
SO the whole gang is going to arrange AR's wedding...Kuch to gadbad jaroor hogi😂😂
Armaan Riddhima pe ek OS hi bana de😝
Sara doesnt want to go to Paris...Sirf Armaan ke shaadi ki baat hai ya kuch aur bhi🤔🤨
Yahi to problem hai ki these two (Rey and Taani) dont talk...
Taani straight out lied to coax Tyler out of room😂
Ab ye bandi kuch gadbad jaroor karegi😑
Rey is already hurt and agar ye hua to🙄
Uff...Those lyrics n them being together is not a good sign...I smell trouble
Taani and my cooking skills do match bro🙈
Bdae Topic...She shouldnt have mentioned it...She is so going to regret it😐
Well ye to hona hi tha...Dono ziddi hai
Rey is taking all the blame so that no one blames Taani💔(I am asking again but where can I order a Rey for myself🤭)
Armaan aur Sid jaise bhai ho to aur kya chahiye
Sid finally made her realise about her mistake...About time I would say
Aye haye...Armaan ne kya khurafati dimaag paaya hai...Purvi ke saamne plan bata bhi diya,use kuch samajh mein bhi nahi aaya and plan execute bhi ho gaya...Waah
finally they sorted their differences n I hope iss baar koi misunderstanding na ho
Shivam is right..Har month breakup ka natak hota rahega😂
skfirdous @skfirdous
+ 2
3 years ago
Lovely updateFinally tr together now Continue sooon
dh19 @dh19
+ 3
4 years ago
Lovely update. Finally the fight is over. Pls don’t make them fight again. Hint of Shivam’s story in tanni’s teasing. Waiting for next.
Priyanka @happiness13
4 years ago
Lovely updateAnd the long oneThank youAnd lovely ending tooAmazing
velvetrose @velvetrose
+ 5
4 years ago
The update is amazing Finally things sorted out between taarey