"You do remember us. I assumed you blocked us out as well." Purvi taunted at Taani over FaceTime.
"Sorry I was busy." Taani apologized.
"Doing what? Ignoring him?" Purvi asked sarcastically.
"I don't want to talk about him." Taani replied non-chalantly.
"He hasn't stopped asking about you." Purvi informed.
"Can we please not talk about him?" Taani pleaded.
"Yeah please! It's hurting my ego! All we ever do is talk about him!" Arjun groaned dramatically making Taani giggle.
"Okay then let's talk about the guy you met on the subway. Did you find out his name?" Purvi smirked.
"What guy?" Arjun questioned.
"Two days ago she met a guy on her way home in the subway who was in the wrong train and since she was the only Indian he saw, he asked her the route. He got down at the next station, but in that amount of time she learnt the name of his university and the area he lives in. Also, she couldn't stop mentioning how cute he was and wished that she had asked him his name." Purvi narrated.
"It was an impulsive reaction." Taani rolled her eyes.
"Was traveling all the way to the station he told you and roaming on the streets also impulsive?" Purvi mocked.
"You did not!" Arjun was shocked.
"I was in a bad mood. I met a stranger and I wished I wasn't tied down in a relationship. That's the jist of it. The very next day I felt like a complete idiot." Taani explained.
"You can still end it and go stranger hunting." Arjun suggested.
"Why are we talking about him again?" Taani sulked.
"Because from the past few days he has been pestering us about you." Arjun told her.
"Fine! I'll unblock him and text him that I'm in New York." Taani sighed.
"You don't have to. We can do that for you." Purvi smiled at her.
"No, I will. I can't keep ignoring him forever." Taani replied.
"Good. So, now can you tell us what exactly happened?" Arjun asked.
"Not yet."
"Thought so." Arjun pouted.
"Listen, I gotta sleep. Siddo and I are going sightseeing tomorrow."
"Bye. Enjoy." Purvi ended the call.
"Thanks a lot for this. I just had to know that she was fine." Rey thanked Arjun and Purvi as soon as the call ended.
"You were miserable. You left us with no other choice." Arjun chuckled.
"She literally vanished and I had no means to contact her. Shivam and aunty are completely normal with me which made me even more terrified as I couldn't ask them anything about Taani." Rey rubbed his forehead.
"Haan voh ghar pe bolke gayi hai ki usne tumhe bataya hai about her last-minute trip to New York." Purvi explained.
"When is she returning?" Rey asked.
"Sometime next week." Purvi answered. "It may sound cliche but go to pick her up. She'll feel good." She further added.
"I will." Rey smiled and left the canteen.
"If it was some other guy in his place, I would have beaten the shit out of him." Arjun commented. "Aur tujhe kyu itni charbi chadi thi to ask about that subway guy?" He further questioned.
"I just wanted to see his reaction. There were signs of jealousy!" She smirked.
|| Two Weeks Ago ||
"St. Louis College." Taani's voice kept ringing in Rey's head.
"What do you think?" Sharon asked. "Rey?" She shook him when he didn't answer.
"Huh?" He asked dazed.
"The dress! Should I wear it?" She asked.
"It's not your first date. Wear any damn thing!" Rey rolled his eyes.
"I hate you!" She stomped.
"Whatever! I'm leaving." He got up.
"Wait." She stopped him.
"What?" He asked annoyed.
"Stop thinking so much. Just go and talk to her."
"You think I haven't tried?" He sighed. "Nahi ho pa raha yaar. Jab bhi bolne jata hoon toh lagta hai ki usse yeh na lage ki just because she went to St. Louis, I'm telling her everything. I'm scared Shar."
"Dekh, main jaanti hoon ki tune bohot koshish ki hai usse sab batane ki but you couldn't as something kept coming in the middle."
"Exactly! Friday toh yeh news digest karne mein nikal gaya. Saturday ko we couldn't meet as aunty wasn't well. And it would have been rude to talk about all this at that time. Yesterday I tried, but she was busy every time I called her. Aur aaj.."
"Aur aaj voh jaake aa gayi hai. She knows something if not everything. You can't change that now. Just call her or better ghar chale ja uske." Sharon suggested.
...
"Oh hi Rey." Shivam greeted Rey at the door.
"Hi. Taani ghar pe hai?" Rey asked.
"Nahi voh Arjun ke ghar pe hai. Voh aaj uski koi trip thi na, wahan se seedha uske ghar gayi hai." Shivam informed.
"Oh!" Rey looked around nervously.
"Kuch kaam tha?" Shivam asked him.
"Haan. Nahi. I mean nothing urgent. I'll call her." Rey turned around to leave.
"You alright?" Shivam stopped him.
"Yeah. Can you please let Taani know that I want to talk to her?" Rey requested.
"Is everything alright between the two of you?" Shivam was worried now.
"Everything is fine Shivam." Rey smiled. "Just let her know that I stopped by." Rey left.
Shivam closed the door and came inside.
"He left. Now will you tell me what was all that about?" Shivam asked Taani.
"I'm trying to figure it out myself." Taani plopped on the couch.
"I think we found something." Purvi and Arjun came out of her room.
"What?" Taani held her breath and braced herself for it.
"Two videos! What we heard today is true!" Arjun looked at Taani. She closed her eyes and let out the breath.
"What are you guys talking about?" Shivam stood there confused.
"Rey is a dancer. Or was a dancer. Anyways, dance was a big part of his life." Purvi answered.
"And?" Shivam was still unable to grasp the gravity of the situation.
"That's the whole thing. From what we learnt, he was very passionate about it. I don't understand why he has kept it a secret from me." Taani was hurt.
"Then ask him! And from where did you learn all this?" Shivam asked bewildered.
"He was a student at St. Louis College. The principal couldn't stop praising him. At first we thought that he might be someone else, but then we saw a photo in the rehearsal hall. It was him." Arjun informed.
"So? He liked to dance in college. How does all that matter now?" Shivam questioned. "And Purvi what are you looking at?" Shivam asked further when he found Purvi engrossed in the laptop.
"The video. I think I know why he didn't tell anything about all this." Purvi answered.
"What video?" Taani grabbed the laptop from her hand.
"This is their dance video at IndiaFest in Goa made by some fan. You can tell from the screams how popular they all were." Purvi pointed out while the video played.
The video was recorded by an audience member because of which the quality was low and their faces weren't clearly visible.
"They were good. But what does this video tell?" Shivam squinted at Purvi.
"Watch the second one." Purvi told and Taani clicked on it.
The dance team was on the stage. The emcee requested for a special dance for the audience form them. The crowd was chanting Rey's name. The song started and the chants increased. Taani could make out Sharon dancing in the front while Rey stood in the background. One of the girls got Rey to the centre for the chorus. He was enjoying dancing. The roar from the crowd increased. Rey danced surrounded by the girls. He then moved forward to engage with the crowd. Another girl pulled him towards her and flirted as the song played. The cheer increased ten folds. Taani recognized Swayam as he came in the centre when the male part of the song played. They danced for a little while and left the stage. Rey was seen almost hugging the same girl just before they exited.
"You see what I mean?" Purvi looked at Taani.
"That can't be true. He wouldn't lie to me about his past, would he?" Taani looked helplessly at Purvi.
"Stop planting doubts in her head Purvi!" Arjun yelled at her.
"I was just saying. They look close." Purvi defended herself.
"I am with Arjun on this. You girls are thinking way too much." Shivam sided with Arjun.
"Par bhai what if Purvi is right?" Taani asked with a shaky voice.
"Then it means that he had someone in his life in the past. Now he doesn't." Shivam explained.
"Then why did he lie to me? Why did he say that he had no one in his life?" Taani murmured.
"Taani, you're doing it again." Arjun said sternly.
"What?" Taani asked.
"Overthinking." Arjun pointed out. "Remember few years back you did the same thing when he had helped you when you were stranded in the middle of the road. You had no clue why he had waited until you were safe with Shivam. You kept assuming every worst scenario. But he was just trying to help."
"How can I be sure that he didn't lie to me about his past?" Taani asked, her voice sounding calmer than before.
"You can't be unless you talk to him." Shivam handed her her phone. "Call him."
...
"Hey." Rey opened the door. He greeted Taani and invited her into the house.
"Ghar pe koi nahi hai?" Taani asked looking around.
"Maa aur Paa Melbourne gaye hai. Muski is due next week." Rey informed.
"Sharon and Swayam?" Taani questioned.
"They live next doors. Why would they be here?" He questioned back and she smiled awkwardly at him.
"Bhai was telling that you had come to meet me yesterday." She settled down on the couch.
"Yeah. I wanted to talk to you about something." He said.
"Let me guess. D3?" Taani looked straight into his eyes.
"So you know." He broke eye contact.
"I can't believe you lied to me." Taani accused him.
"I won't call it a lie. I just kept a few things away from you. But trust me I was going to tell you everything. I was just waiting for the right time." Rey defended himself.
"So when exactly is this right time?" She scoffed.
"Taani." Rey moved closer to her.
"Don't!" She moved away.
"I have been wanting to tell you everything. But I didn't know if you would understand why I had to do what I did."
"You thought I wouldn't understand that you had a past. Is that how low you think I am?" Taani asked sternly trying her best to disguise her hurt. But her eyes gave it away.
"No. Not at all." He hugged her even though she resisted. "I just didn't know how to tell you. It isn't just my secret." He sighed.
"All this time you kept joking about me having someone in my past while you hid yours."
"What are you talking about?" Rey was confused now.
"You had a girlfriend in college and you denied of having any relationships in the past. Why did you lie?"
"Girlfriend? Who?" Rey asked bewildered.
"This one." Taani pulled out the video in her phone and paused at the girl she was mentioning.
"Where did you find this video?" Rey was genuinely surprised. "Can I?" He took her phone and watched the entire video.
As soon as that ended, the group dance video played. Rey watched it as well. He handed the phone back to her and wiped away the moisture that clouded his eyes.
"Why are you crying?" Taani asked concerned.
"I'm seeing them after four years. It just got me emotional." He wiped his eyes dry and composed himself.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.." Taani felt bad.
"You didn't do anything. And to answer your question, Aashi wasn't my girlfriend. I didn't have any." He calmly replied.
Taani sat quietly for some time and observed him. She could tell that he wasn't lying to her. She was annoyed at herself for doubting him.
"Wait a minute, then what did you think that I wouldn't understand?" Taani asked as she recalled his words.
"About the dance part." He replied.
"What about it?" She asked and added. "By the way you guys were amazing. I mean that video isn't clear but I could tell that you guys enjoyed it a lot. Why haven't you mentioned about dance ever?"
"Because.. it's not easy talking about it. Not for me." He sighed and leaned back on the couch.
"Hey, it's okay if you don't feel like talking." Taani moved towards him and placed her hand on his.
"No it's your right to know this." He held her hand. "Especially as you still have to make the decision about us."
"That's not true." She squirmed.
"No it's good that you aren't rushing in and making sure if everything is right about me. I am not against it." He smiled at her.
"What can I say? You are an open mystery." She said avoiding eye contact.
"I hope you meant that as a compliment." He teased.
"I hope so too." She teased back.
"Well about D3, where shall I begin?" He started to open up. "We were a group of crazy dance enthusiasts. For us, dance came before everything. It was the one thing that we all wanted to do for the rest of our lives."
"So, how did you get past it? I mean office kyun join kiya?" She asked.
"I am not past it. In fact none of us are." He smiled.
"I don't understand."
"You remember when we first met and I had asked you what you wanted to do in life. You told me that you wanted to establish your name by working hard. Basically you didn't need any favors."
"Yeah. But what has that got to do with this."
"Nothing particular, but I knew that if there was any girl that would understand me, it would be you. Because what you want to do in your life is what I am doing myself. And I guess that is one of the reasons why I said yes to our relationship."
"But what does working in your company has to do with your dance?"
"A lot actually!"
"I'm all ears." She smiled encouragingly at him.
"In our final year of college we were a complete mess as none of us had a clue about our future. That was when a talent company came looking to hire us. They wanted to launch us."
"And you refused them?" Taani was shocked.
"We were desperate but not so much that we sold ourselves to them. They wanted to launch us but under a person. Like we would be his team of choreographers. Basically mehnat hum kare but end mein naam sirf uska hoga."
"But isn't that how things are? You have a boss and your work improves his reputation." Taani pointed.
"But your work gets recognized. Humara waisa kuch nahi tha. We just had to work under someone's shadow. Call it ego, but I didn't want to do that."
"I would say self-respect." She winked biting her lower lip to stop herself from grinning widely. She felt his eyes move to her lips and quickly composed herself. "Continue."
"Well.." he exhaled shifting his focus from her lips. "We declined that and a few other sponsors. We wanted things to be on our terms. That didn't happen and.."
"And that's how D3 dissolved." She completed for him.
"Temporarily." He half smirked at her.
"Matlab?" She eyed him.
"Matlab yeh ki we stopped looking for people to sponsor us and decided to sponsor ourselves."
"Is that why you joined the company?" She asked.
"Not just me. Sharon and Swayam as well." He answered.
"What about the others?"
"Most of them are in the Sydney School of Dance as dance instructors."
"Most?"
"Out of eleven, six are in SSD, three of us in SRS, one is a chef who started here and then shifted to Sydney and you've already met the last one."
"Who?"
"Remember the garage which Swayam suggested you?"
"Yeah, he told me to ask for Bharat and mention his name."
"He is the eleventh member."
"Why didn't he go to Sydney like others?"
"If there is anything Bharat loves as much as his dance is his garage." Rey chuckled.
"Yeh sab itna secret kyun rakha hai?"
"It's not a secret. Everyone in the family and friend circle knows. I just don't speak about it as it's my weakness. I convinced them to go separate ways because agar hum sab ek hi jagah hote toh I'm damn sure I would have convinced Paa to sponsor us."
"I take it back. You're not an open mystery, you are a complete mystery!" She exclaimed making him laugh.
"Let me explain," he started. "We had got fame and recognition in very less time which made us very.. egoistic. All that sponsor drama got us back to earth. Hume real duniya tabhi samjhi. Humne decide kiya ki hum break lenge and we'll build everything from scratch. Sharon and I didn't want ourselves to be associated with any other dance company so we refused SSD. Tabhi Bhai suggested for us to join office as he was leaving to Melbourne and Paa could use some help here. That's how Sharon and I landed in the office. Swayam followed."
"So you'll be leaving this and then starting your dance company?" She asked.
"Yup. The last project we three are working on right now is the dance academy. We are in literal terms building it from scratch." He informed.
"Your dream project?"
"Correct."
"You should call it a secret project." She chuckled.
"Idea bura nahi hai. Waise bhi yeh news end tak secret hi rehne wali hai." He too joined.
"I must commend you for it. It's been a year and you never spilled it out."
"Yeh St. Louis field trip nahi aati toh aur thode din tak yeh baat bahar nahi nikalti."
"So you were going to keep all this away from me?"
"Kuch dino mein toh sabko pata chalna hi hai na. So it wouldn't be ki engagement tak sab secret rehta."
"Matlab jab yeh news official hoti toh tum mujhe baki sab ki tarah batate?" She asked hoping to hear a no.
"Haan." He replied and she forced a smile on her face. "Not at a press conference obviously. Sometime before that."
"Good to know that." She forced a smile and checked her phone. "It's getting kinda late. Ghar pe late pahuchi toh bhai gussa karenge. I should leave."
"You sure? If you want I can drop you home later."
"I can drive Rey." She said sternly.
"I know luv." He smiled knowing that it would make her smile as well.
"Don't try to charm me!" She smiled rolling her eyes knowing exactly what he would say next.
"As you say luv."
...
"Hey, where have you been?" Rey asked over FaceTime.
Taani had been avoiding his calls and messages since their last meeting. His words had hurt her. They made her feel that she had no importance in his life.
"I'm busy studying. Finals are starting from Monday."
"I know that. Par messages ka toh reply kar deti. You got me worried there."
"Sorry. The three of us were completely engrossed. And I still am. So time pass ke liye phone kiya hai toh bye."
"Wait, wait, wait!" He stopped her from ending the call.
"What?"
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to Melbourne for a week. So we'll meet after your exams."
"To see Muskaan?"
"Yeah. I just can't sit here and wait for her to birth my niece. I need to be there."
"I understand." She smiled.
"All the best for your exams. Do really well if you wish to continue working in SRS." He chuckled.
"Thanks and bye. Take care."
"You too. Bye."
Rey left for Melbourne. Muskaan delivered a baby girl. Meanwhile, Taani had blocked out Rey and was concentrating on her finals. But after they were done she was unable to shake their conversation out of her head. She needed time to clear her head and come to a decision. So before Rey returned, she decided to leave. One of her cousin brothers was in New York and his birthday was coming up. This gave her a perfect excuse to travel there. She didn't tell anyone at home her reason for going to New York. Rey was unable to contact her since her exams started. When he came back to Mumbai, he learnt that she had gone somewhere and from what he gathered, he was supposed to know where she was. So he turned to Arjun and Purvi for help.
"Mumbai toh vapas aa gayi, par Rey ko kaise face karungi? I don't understand why am I afraid to meet him? He is the one who has taken me for granted. I haven't done anything." Taani deliberated as she walked out of the arrivals.
As she moved towards the exit, she spotted Rey standing at the gate. He waived at her. She went towards him.
"Kisiko pick karne aaye ho?" She asked.
"Hello to you too." He teased.
"Hi." She greeted dryly making Rey chuckle.
"To answer your question, haan main kisiko pick karne aaya hoon."
"Kise?"
"Tumhe." He grinned and she unknowingly smiled back.
"Why did you come? Arjun was supposed to be here."
"Aren't you happy that I'm here instead?" He teased.
"To be honest I'm not." She replied sternly.
Rey realised that something was definitely wrong. This sudden trip wasn't just for her cousin's birthday.
"Let's get you home. You must be tired." He said calmly. She agreed and followed him to the car.
The entire ride from the airport to her place was silent. Rey tried to initiate a conversation but Taani kept ignoring him. When they arrived at her place, she quickly got out of the car. Rey followed.
"I know that something has hurt you. But you giving me this silent treatment isn't going to help." He said handing over her bag.
Taani took her bag and started walking away from him.
"Taani wait." He stopped her. "At least tell me what's wrong?"
"I'm really tired right now, Rey."
"I understand. I'll leave then. But can we meet tomorrow?" He asked with hope.
"I'll come at your place if uncle and aunty haven't returned. I don't want them to worry." She replied.
"They are still with Muski." He confirmed.
"See you tomorrow then. Bye."
Rey came home and was going over the conversation they had where he opened up to her. He knew something related to his past had hurt her, but he couldn't point a finger at it. He fell asleep thinking about it.
It was late afternoon the next day and Taani had still not arrived. He was starting to worry when the bell rang.
"I thought you wouldn't come." He said opening the door.
"Well I wasn't planning to. But, I think that wasn't directed towards me." Sharon smirked at him.
"What are you doing here?" He sighed.
"Ghar pe akele bore ho raha hai." She pouted.
"Swayam?" He asked.
"Office! AB ne kuch kaam diya hai." She informed.
"Okay, but you aren't coming in." He blocked her way.
"What the hell?" She shouted.
"Shar please."
"What's wrong?" She asked hearing his serious voice.
"Taani.." Rey said.
"Taani?" Sharon was confused. "What's wrong with Taani?"
"Idiot! She's behind you!" Rey pointed at Taani.
"Oh, hi Taani." Sharon turned around and greeted her.
"Hi." Taani smiled at her.
"Kahan gayi thi yaar tu? Pata hai yeh kitna pagal ho gaya tha. Isse laga ki tu isko ignore kar rahi thi." Sharon swatted Rey on his head. "He thinks too high of himself."
"Shar please." He repeated.
"Alright I'll leave. Sadu." Sharon muttered and left.
"So, how was New York?" Rey asked once they settled in the living room.
"Starting to get cold there, but it was a fun little.. break."
"Taani I.. I know that something I said or didn't say has hurt you and I'm genuinely sorry for it. I know I should have told you about everything, but I.. I.."
"You were looking for the right time."
"Yeah." He nodded.
"And then you realized that I might learn about it from someone else so you decided that it was the right time to tell me everything. Correct?" She asked with clenched jaws.
"That's not how it was. I agree that at first I didn't think it was this big a deal to share this with you. But then bhai made me understand that it should be. I realized it long back that I wasn't being as open with you as you were with me. I just kept avoiding it as I knew I would get weak. D3 for me isn't just a dance team or group of friends, D3 is an emotion, a feeling which is very hard to shake. Because of this, for the last four years I haven't visited Muski as I knew that if I went to Melbourne, I would somehow end up in Sydney. And if I meet them, I would do anything in my power to get us back together. Forget Australia, yahan Mumbai mein inn chaar saalon mein I haven't met Bharat for the same reason." His eyes were moist.
"I'm not accusing you of not telling me, Rey. It's your life and you get to decide who you share it with. I'm just hurt because even almost a year later, you don't consider me important enough to share all this with me."
"You are important to me." He held her hand in his. She didn't oppose. "What made you think you are not?"
"When I asked you the other day if you would have shared everything with me if it wasn't for the field trip, you said no. Mujhe probably baki sab ke jaise pata chalte. After hearing that what else could I think."
"I said that?" He was surprised. "I'm so sorry. I was so overwhelmed with all the memories that day."
"You say you don't remember. But those were your words and they have hurt me. I don't think we should.."
"Please don't complete that." He interrupted her. "I know I haven't been open with you, but please give me another chance before you make up your mind and tell me your decision. Please?"
"Okay." She nodded.
"Thank you."
They sat in silence for some time. Later Rey caught Taani fidgeting with her fingers and opening and closing her mouth.
"Go ahead. Ask what you want to." He smiled at her.
"You know me so well." She smiled back. "I was just wondering what D3 stands for?"
"Dil. Dosti. Dance. The three most important D's in our lives. I believe Swayam had come up with this name."
"That's so simple yet it had such a deep meaning to it."
"Can you give me your phone? I'll show you every member of our gang."
"My phone?" She squinted.
"Mere phone mein Facebook nahi hai. I have stopped using it since we parted."
She opened the application and searched for his account.
"My account is private?" Rey said in disbelief. "Wait I'll get my laptop." He got up.
The doorbell rang and his nose flared up in anger.
"I swear I'm going to kill her some day!" He gritted his teeth making Taani giggle.
"Open the door before she actually kills you." Taani giggled more referring to Sharon.
"Wait, it's not latched." He realized. "It's open." He shouted.
The door flared open and a girl came running in and hopped into Rey's arms. The impact made him fall back on the couch. Rey broke the hug and looked at her with wide open eyes.
"Ghoor kya raha hai? I'm here in flesh!" She grinned at him.
"And so are we!" Six other voices came from the door.
Rey sat wide eyed in his place. On getting no reaction from him, the girl in his lap pinched him hard.
"Simmi!" He cried in pain.
"There you go." Simmi grinned at him.
"Simmi uski godi se uthegi? Hume bhi milna hai." One of the boys said.
"Nil." Rey said sternly.
"When will you stop taking her side?" Nil complained.
"Never!" Rey got up and went to them. One by one he hugged everyone.
"What are you guys doing here?" Rey asked.
"Tujhse milne ka mann kiya toh aagaye." Simmi grinned.
"Rey why is your door wide ope.." Sharon stood still on seeing everyone.
As her mind registered their presence, she shrieked and ran to hug them.
"I can't believe you guys are here!" She shrieked more.
"Shar!" Rey shouted covering his ears making everyone laugh.
"Who is this beautiful lady?" Nil asked as he spotted Taani.
"Control yourself Nil. You wouldn't want to upset Rey by flirting with his girl now, would you?" Sharon teased.
"What?" They all said at once.
"You're dating?"
"Yes Vicky, he is." Sharon grinned.
"Tu wahin hai na jo kuch mahine pehle mere garage aayi thi?" Bharat asked as he registered Taani's face.
"Haan." Taani meekly replied.
"Meko toh ussi din shaq ho gaya tha. Yeh apne bhai ke saath baat kar rahi thi aur maine Rey ka naam suna tha." Bharat added.
"Yeah I'm dating. Stop making it a big deal now." Rey squirmed.
"But it is!" Vicky exclaimed.
"Shar, you are so dead!" Rey gave Sharon the death glare.
"Usko baadmein maarna. Pehle apni girlfriend ko introduce to karwa sabse." Nil smirked and forwarded his hand to Taani. "Hello beautiful, I'm Nilesh. You can call me Nil."
"Taani." Taani said timidly and shook hands with him. He planted a kiss on the back of her hand.
"Okay there," Rey intervened. "Stop flirting with my girl."
Taani couldn't help but feel awe when Rey called her his girl.
"Taani it's okay if you don't remember them or their names or voluntary decide to forget them but these are my friends; Simmi, Rinni, Nilesh, Amar, Bharat, Neha and Vicky." He introduced them individually and then squinted at them. "Where's Aashi?" He asked when he realized that she was missing.
"Ooo Aashi!" Nil and Vicky smirked at each other.
"Gimme the beat guys!" Nil looked at them and they obliged. "Rey ka raha Aashi ka intezaar, kaise ho gaya yeh chamatkaar. Zara phone toh lagao Aashi ko mere yaar." Nil looked at Vicky.
"Phone busy hai, baat kar raha hoga uska yaar." Vicky completed.
"Yaar?" Rey squinted.
"Rey tu sad ho na mere yaar, Kyunki Aashi ko hogaya hai kisi aur se pyaar!" Nil completed his rap.
"Really?" Rey confirmed.
"Yes, she has a boyfriend. And they are celebrating their anniversary. So, she'll be coming after a few days." Neha informed.
"Kya Rey, apni girlfriend ke saamne apni ex ke baare mein puch raha hai? Thodi toh sharam rakh." Amar smirked.
Rey facepalmed while Taani just stood there with an awkward smile. She was meeting seven new people at once. She was feeling very uncomfortable with their eyes on her.
"Grow up guys!" Rey rolled his eyes.
"Tu humse theek se mila bhi nahi hai aur tujhe Aashi ki padi hai. Humari koi value hai?" Bharat asked dramatically.
"Koi value nahi hai isse. Pichle chaar saalon mein ek baar bhi baat ki hai isne tum sab se? Nahi na?" Sharon asked and they all said no. "See I told you. He doesn't care."
"Stop troubling him." Simmi took his side. "Rey, I know that you love us. Don't listen to them."
"Simmi abh toh try marna chod. Abh toh uski girlfriend bhi hai." Nil taunted.
"You're disgusting!" Simmi stormed off.
"Seriously Nil?" Rey eyed him and followed Simmi to make sure she was fine.
"Nil that was really bad." Rinni commented.
"I know I said too much. But iss sab mein galati ussi ki hai." Nil stubbornly sat on the couch.
Taani looked at him wide eyed. Sharon laughed seeing her expressions.
"Don't worry Taani. Yeh inn dono ka saalon se chalte aaya hai. You'll get used to them fighting over anything and everything." Sharon giggled.
"Forget all this, Sharon explain ki yeh sab kabse aur kaise?" Neha asked pointing at Taani.
"Sach bolu toh approximately chaar saal se." Sharon smirked.
"Whaaat?" Vicky squinted.
"Sharon!" Taani looked at her in disbelief.
"Did you guys not meet one night on a stranded road?" Sharon explained.
"That was barely a meeting." Taani argued.
"Okay fine. They've been going out for a year now." Sharon informed.
"Rey! Neeche aa saale!" Vicky shouted.
"No wonder it's so loud in here. Tum sab jo tapak pade ho." Swayam commented from the door.
"Arre Swayam baba aayiye. Aap hi ki kami thi." Nil joined his hand and greeted him.
"Nil you had a good sense of humour. What happened bro?" Swayam mocked.
"F*ck off!" Nil scoffed. "Rey! We're waiting." He shouted.
"Wait quietly please." Rey came back.
"Simmi kahan hai?" Rinni asked.
"She's gone to freshen up. Aur tum sab ko bhi jana chahiye. It's smelling bad here." He held his nose making a disgusted face.
"I'm calling dibs on Rey's room." Nil said picking up his bag.
"No, no, no, no, no. My room is off limits." Rey stopped him. "Simmi and Rinni will stay in the guest room. Neha and Vicky can stay with Sharon and Swayam and you two idiots can go at Bharat's place."
They all stared at Sharon and Swayam when Rey finished.
"I know it's hard to believe, but they are dating!" Rey smirked.
"Kiski story pehle sune?" Vicky asked Nil.
"Kisiki nahi." Rey said sternly. "Abhi agar tum sab yahan se nahi gaye toh main sabko wapas Sydney bhej dunga. Waise bhi bohot jaldi tapak pade ho tum sab."
"We'll do as you say Rey." Rinni agreed and walked to the guest room.
"What are you guys waiting for?" Swayam asked the rest.
"His highness to throw us out." Vicky pointed at Rey.
"Teri toh!" Rey threw a pillow at Vicky which he swatted away and it hit Taani.
"Ouch!" Taani cried as it hit her face.
"Oops!" Vicky commented.
"Chalo chalo niklo sab. Iske pehle yeh sachme hume wapas bhej de, niklo sab ke sab." Nil pushed everyone out of the house and closed the door. He picked up his bag and started to move upstairs.
"Where are you going?" Rey asked him.
"I called dibs on your room, remember?" Nil replied and went upstairs.
"Wow!" Rey sat down on the couch next to Taani. "Am I imagining stuff? You saw them right?" He asked her.
"Yes I did." Taani giggled.
"Sorry about that pillow." He apologized.
"It's fine." She hushed him. "Also I think I should leave. I'm sure you want to spend some time with them."
"You don't have to leave. You can stay."
"I know. But I want you all to spend some quality time together. More importantly I don't want to be the awkward odd one out."
"As you say."
"Okay then. Good bye." She got up.
"Taani?" He called.
"Hmn?"
"I know I haven't been the perfect boyfriend but please give me a chance to do good by you. That's all I'm asking."
"I'll think about it." She winked at him and quickly left leaving him smiling at her retreating figure.
Posted: October 25, 2018
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