Chapter 48

Had originally been posted on IF.in. I'm starting from the start for the people whom have not read my story and have added some changes for the interest of the reader.

Mitesh and Anurag are both sitting down waiting for Priya. Priya comes into Studio 87.

Priya: (standing behind an empty chair that's in front of them) Sorry I'm late, it's Arjun…

Mitesh: (looking up from a file he was looking at) Acha Arjun! You're spending a lot of time with Arjun.

Priya: what do you mean?

Arjun is standing outside listening to Mitesh and Priya.

Mitesh: (he closes his file and walks to Priya) I mean that I have seen you have been spending a lot of time with Arjun and I thought that maybe there is something between you and …

Anurag: (he puts down the magazine he was reading. Sad) Excuse me. (He walks into the sound room)

Neither Mitesh nor Priya hear him and continue with they conversation.

Mitesh: Arjun.

Priya: what if there is something between me and Arjun. (Getting hyper) What are you going to do?

Mitesh: (pulling back) ok girl calm down. I was just pulling your leg.

Arjun: (coming in. both turn towards Arjun) Priya I have something I want to tell you.

Priya: (looking and laughing at the way Mitesh backed up) sure go ahead. (Both Mitesh and Priya turn their heads to look at Arjun)

Arjun: (serious) it's been a long time since I wanted to tell you this and since Mitesh brought this up I didn't see a better time then this to say it… I Love You!

Both Priya and Mitesh are shocked, they look at each other and then back at Arjun.

Arjun: (laughing) you guys should have seen your faces.

Priya: (mad) Arjun!

Priya walks and sits in the chair she was standing in front of before. Arjun goes and sits right next to her.

Arjun: yaar don't get mad. I know you love me but my heart belongs to someone else.

Mitesh goes, picks up the magazine Anurag was reading before and sits in front of Priya and Arjun.

Priya: (pretending to cry after finding out Arjun heart belongs to someone else) really? Who is she?

Arjun: (looking at Mitesh) Jyoti! (Mitesh looks up in a flash at Arjun. Arjun lifts his eyebrows again and again.)

Mitesh: (throwing the magazine at Arjun) Sala!

Arjun: (grabbing the magazine) come on! We all know you like Jyoti.

Mitesh: (standing up ignoring Arjun) what ever! Come on Priya lets get started.

Priya walks into the sound room.

Anurag: do you know the whole song?

Priya: Nope. You?

Anurag: Na but then how are we suppose to sing.

Priya and Anurag look at each other and then both open the door.

Anurag and Priya: (yelling) Mitesh!!!

Mitesh: (yanking of his ear phone from his neck) Ab Kya?

Anurag: we don't know the complete song lyrics.

Priya: (acting sarcastic) Mitesh wouldn't it be a little smarter to give us a paper with the lyrics on it so we don't have to sing from the top of our heads. (Mitesh looks at Priya and throws a paper at her. She grabs Anurag and puts him in front of her as a shield) Sorry!

Mitesh: (backing down) ok there is going to be a prompter in front of you where you are going to read the lyrics from. Is that fine with you Miss. Sarcastic?

Priya: (coming out from behind Anurag. Trying to act tough.) That more better.

Mitesh throws another paper at Priya. Priya puts Anurag yet again in front of her.

Anurag: (thinking) even if you can't be mines I will always protect you forever. (Shocked by what he just said. Still thinking) what is wrong with me? What am I saying?

Priya: (tapping on Anurag shoulder) are you coming?

Anurag: (confused at what he was thinking) yeah.

Priya and Anurag start to sing. After they finish singing…

Mitesh: alright you guys go home and we'll meet up in Anurags' house later to watch the video. I'll stay behind and mix your version with the original version because they were some parts where you didn't sing well.

Later on at Anurags' house.

Anurag: no mom I'm not going to join Mr. Kapoor business.

Anju [Anurags' Mom]: He's your father and it's you're …

Anurag: (mad) wrong he's Sunil's' father. That bas***d (Anurag moms slaps him)

Anju: (mad) don't you dare.

Anurag gets mad, grabs his jacket and leaves.

Anju: (calling from behind him) Anurag… Anurag… Anu…

Anurag father comes down the stairs.

Rajesh [Anurags' Father]: what happen honey?

Anju: what else will happen Anurag left again.

Rajesh: Forget him. How's does this tie look with this suit.

Anju: (fixing the tie) listen why don't you talk to him nicely. Maybe he'll listen to you.

Rajesh: (pulling his tie away and fixing it himself) forget it if he doesn't want to join the business then forget it. He's been a pain since my business began. Only because of you I asked him to join the business or else I don't need him.

Anju: (mad) a pain! He's your son! You started your business when he was 6, when he needed you the most and you're calling him a pain. (Calming down) why don't you change a little -

Rajesh: forget about me but I have noticed you have changed a lot. What happen to those kitty parties, the shopping with your friend and those trips abroad?

Anju: I quit

Rajesh: why?

Anju: for Anurag. Remember about four months ago when Miteshs' father had that party and I decided to leave early since I didn't feel good.

Rajesh: (looking at some files) yeah but I don't understand where Anurag has to do with that.

Anju: (continuing) when I got home that night I found Anurag drunk in the living room. [Flashback begins]

Anju: (holding on to Anurag) Anurag! Anu beta are you ok? Have you drank - Are you drunk?

Anurag: (laughing) Are you blind Mrs. Kapoor? Of course I'm drunk but why do you care. Why would Mrs. Kapoor care about little old me?

Anju: Beta, why are you talking this way? Why wouldn't I care for you? I'm your mother!

Anurag: (laughing) mother… don't make me laugh. Where was this mother hood, this mamta when I had the main part in school function at the age of 7? You and Mr. Kapoor never came to any of my school festivals, function, or meeting. Chachu was always there. Oh yeah lets not forget when I was locked up and sent to court for that murder trail. Where were you having a vacation in Australia. It was Chachu, Sunil, Pritem and his parents who got me out of that stupid trial.

Anju: Anurag

Anurag: (losing his senses he sits onto the floor) I still remember that one night when me and Sunil came up to you because we were afraid of the thunder. You had spread the sheet on Sunil but why not me. (Crying) you comb through his hair to calm him down and put him to sleep but why not me? You kissed him good night but why not me? Why? Because of you and Mr. Kapoor I (he tries to get up but falls)

Anju: (grabbing onto him) Anurag

Anurag pushes his mother away but then goes unconscious. [Flashback ends]

Rajesh: (laughing) that's what you were afraid of. I saw this side of Anurag many times.

Anju: (mad) and you never cared. He is your son.

Rajesh: (mad) he's only my son when he begins to act like it and until then this is the way it's going to be. I'm late for work. Bye.

Anju: (sad) bye

Anurag gets into his car and calls Pritem.

Pritem: hey Anurag, we're on our way, we are just about 15 minutes away.

Anurag: change of plans we can't watch the movie at my house.

Pritem: why? Is everything alright.

Anurag: No! Mom wants me to join Mr. Kapoor business. Anyways I'll explain when I get there.

Pritem: ok we'll call back to tell you where we should meet up.

Anurag and Pritem cut the line. Pritem stops the car and turns to Priya, Manisha, Jyoti, and Arjun

Pritem: ok guys there is a problem we can't watch the video in Anurag house.

Manisha: why not?

Pritem: it's a long story. So where do you want to go?

Jyoti: come to my house, no one is going to be home.

Pritem while driving to Jyoti house calls and tells Anurag to meet them there.

Everyone reaches Jyoti house. Mitesh and Naina arrive together there later.

Pritem: (rubbing his stomach) Where is the kitchen?

Jyoti: (sitting and looking at Mitesh) right around the corner.

Pritem gets up and walks into the kitchen and locks the door. Jyoti wonders why he asked that and walks to the kitchen but finds the door locked.

Jyoti: (knocking on the door) Pritem what are you doing?

Pritem: (opening the door) cooking (he closes the door)

Jyoti: (turning around to leave) ohhhh (then turns back to the door and knocks on the door) If you wanted to eat something you could have asked me. Pritem open the door. Pritem what are you doing. Open up the door.

Pritem: (opening the door) where is the rice?

Jyoti: in the bottom cabinet.

Pritem: (closing the door) thanks

Jyoti: (knocking on the door) hey Pritem open up. If you want something I'll make it for you.

Mitesh gets up and walks towards her.

Mitesh: (putting his hand on her shoulder) let it go. He doesn't listen to anyone when he is hungry. It's better if you just let him cook.

Pritem: (yelling from inside) where are the masala? Never mind I found it.

Jyoti: (giving up) ok

After a couple of minutes later.

Pritem: (coming out walking like a butler) Lunch is served!

Everyone walks to the dining table.

Jyoti walks up to Pritem.

Jyoti: you could have told me. I would have made you something.

Pritem: you were so lost into Mitesh I didn't want to bug you. (Laughing) also no one could cook better then me.

Jyoti: we'll see

They both walk into the kitchen. Everyone finishes eating lunch and walk to the living room to watch the tape.

Jyoti: you were right Pritem you're a really good cook. When did you learn how to cook?

Anurag: (laughing) I could answer that. One of my cousin (talking to Pritem) who is happily married.

Pritem: (trying to act like a player) she still can't resist me.

Anurag: (throws a pillow at Pritem and then starts talking to Jyoti) well one of my cousin, who Pritem had a crush on, uses to come to our house a lot before getting married. Pritem would come to my house just to flirt with her. However, she would always be in the kitchen cooking. Pritem would go into the kitchen to flirt but would come out learning a new recipe.

Jyoti: (laughing) poor Pritem.

Pritem: (feeling sad) yeah poor Pritem.

Jyoti: hey Pritem marry me.

Everyone looks shocked at Jyoti. Mitesh heart begins to beat very fast

Pritem: what?

Jyoti: yeah! You cook so well and I always wanted to chef for a husband.

Mitesh starts to calm down.

Pritem: (laughing) yeah sure. When should we schedule the wedding?

Arjun: you can't get married to him because I love you.

Mitesh begins to get mad.

Jyoti: (feeling bad for Pritem) sorry Pritem I want to marry Arjun now.

Arjun gets happy and sits next to Jyoti and hugs her. Mitesh gets up and leaves. Jyoti is about to get up but is held back by Arjun.

Arjun: (whispering) let him go.

Jyoti sits back against Arjun.

Pritem: great another girl comes into my life and she also taken by a friend.

Manisha looks up at Pritem.

Priya: (confused) what you mean by another friend.

Pritem: (looking at Manisha) never mind.

Naina: (looking down) I'll marry you Pritem.

Pritem: (jumping up) really!?! (On his knees walking to Naina) really you will?

Naina: yeah sure.

Pritem: (hugging her) great I love you so much. (Backing off her) but why?

Naina: (confused) what?

Pritem: why do you want to marry me?

Naina: (holding on to Pritem face) same as you I fell for someone but he doesn't love me (Arjun looks up at Naina about to cry but hides it) so why don't you and me, two heart broken people, get married.

Pritem: (hugging her again) you so smart. (Laughing) I got the smart one.

Mitesh walks in.

Mitesh: so what happen?

Manisha: nothing Arjun and Jyoti decided to get married to each other and Pritem and Naina have also decided to get married

Mitesh: lol so everyone is set except for Priya.

Priya: no I'm set (Anurag looks up at Priya) I got Avinash. Wait you don't have anyone.

Mitesh: I don't need anyone.

Priya: come on

Mitesh: (mad because the topic of him getting married was about to pop up) no come on. Let watch the video.

Mitesh puts on the video and everyone sits to watch the video. While watching the video everyone begins to think if they really have feeling for the other person. Is it love or just an attraction? Everyone gets up after watching the video.

Naina: (getting ready to leave) I have to admit the video was great. It looked like an actual fashion show with the comedian host, dancer and singer.

Anurag: (putting on his shoes) hey we still have one more day before we have to go back to school. So let's got to the club tomorrow.

Manisha: (putting on her jacket) sure then shopping tomorrow.

Arjun: (standing next to Mitesh waiting for the others) well you guys go ahead, us guys are going to chill at home.

Priya: (standing next to Pritem) what do you guys do stuck at home anyways.

Arjun: (walking in front of Priya) it's for us to know and you to find out.

Priya: (confronting him) don't worry I'll find out (she walks away smiling.)

Arjun starts to smile watching Priya leave. Anurag and Naina begin feeling bad about Arjun and Priya getting close.