Chapter 5

Chapter 4

After that, Taani kept herself very busy. She got involved into the supervision of the college activities. She involved herself so much that, she even made the reports herself. She was so much upset by the gang's behaviour that she decided to totally ignore them and would interact with them only if they approached.

She used to stay late in the college, complete the work and then reach home. Once she reached home, she would shut herself in her room and cry and curse her fate. After crying her heart out, she would immerse herself into more work. Slowly, she turned into a workaholic because of which she neglected herself.

Since Taani was not at all bothering the gang, they were very happy. Since they were not getting anymore offers, they rehearsed for NDC. Everything was going very smoothly and they were all very happy, except for two people.

Rey and Swayam were at first happy that she was not commenting on their rehearsals. But since both of them were very close to her on various levels, they felt very uneasy. They took a break from the ongoing rehearsal, and started talking about Taani.

Rey: Swayam, teri Taani se kuch baat hui?

Swayam: Nahi yaar. Vo ghar par dikhe tab na. Kab aati hai, kab jaati hai pata hi nahi chalta. Maine use kai baar baat karne ki koshish ki, par vo kaam ka bahaana dekar hamesha ignore kar deti hai. Vaise tu to uska assistant hai, teri to baat hoti hogi use...

Rey: Kaam ke sivay koi baat nahi karti hai. Agar hum milte hain to kaam ke baare mein hi baat hoti hai.

Just then, a peon entered the RH.

Peon: Aap sab ko VP sir projector room mein bula rahe hai.

They all went to the projector room. They saw both VP sir and Taani. Rey looked at her and smiled, but she ignored it and looked away from him. This confused him, but he did not get the time to dwell upon it as VP sir then spoke to them.

VP: As you all know that there are only a few days left for your 2^nd round eliminations, we thought some extra information would be beneficial for you. Your GS will now show a video stating about the rest of the teams and their strengths.

After starting the video, she went and sat beside Rey. He tried talking to her but she completely ignored him. After the video was over, VP sir stood up and wished them all the best. Saying so, he left the room, with Taani following him. The whole gang also left, except Rey. He was upset by the fact that Taani had ignored him.

Rey: Taani mere saath aise kyun behave kar rahi thi. Aisi kya baat hi gayi ki vo mujhse aur pure group se baat nahi kar rahi hai. Kuch to gadbad hai. Mujhe pata karna higa ki aakhir use hua kya hai.

Rey remembered that Taani used to stay back late in college. He decided to use this opportunity to find out the truth. Later in the evening, he called her.

She was sitting in the projector room, working on some reports. While she was working, Rey stood outside the room and looked at her. Her face was dull and tired. He was upset on seeing her like that. So he went inside the room and stood behind her.

Rey: Tum abhi tak ghar nahi gayi?

Taani was actually startled to see him. However, she shook her head in negation and replied to him

Taani: Nahi. Bahut kaam baaki tha, to maine socha ki complete karlun phir chali jaungi. Aap ghar chale jaaiye. Main thodi der baad niklungi.

Saying so, she went back to her work. Rey was puzzled. He went near her and spoke to her again.

Rey (in a firm tone): Taani, mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai.

Taani: Agar baat NDC ki hai to boliye, varna mujhe aapse is waqt koi baat nahi karni.

This infuriated him. He snatched the file she was working on and put it aside. This made her even angrier and addressed him in a loud tone.

Taani (loudly): Ye kya kiya aapne. Main yahaan ek report complete kar rahi hun aur aap hai ki mujhe disturb kar rahe hain...

Rey (loudly): Oh!!! Sorry maine tumhe disturb kiya, par mujhe jo baat kehni hai tumse, vo is report se bhi zyaada important hai.

Taani closed her eyes and took a deep breathe to control her anger. She stood up facing him and then continued talking...

Taani: Jaldi boliye aapko kya bolna hai. Mujhe aur bhi kaam hai.

Rey: Taani tum plz mujhe bataogi ki tum mujhe aur Swayam se kyun baat nahi kar rahi ho. Forget baat, tum to humare taraf dekhti bhi nahi ho. Aakhir baat kya hai?

Taani: Kuch bhi to nahi. Jab koi reason nahi hai baat karne ka to main aap dono se kyun baat karungi. Aur vaise bhi, main aap dono ko faltu mein disturb nahi karna chahti hun. Aap ke liye to mujhse zyaada Sharon aur aapke dost important hain. Main hun ya nahi koi farak nahi padta aapko.

Rey got really upset on hearing such things. He held her by her shoulders tightly and spoke to her.

Rey: Kisne kaha ki muhje koi farak nahi padta. Tume mere liye bahut zyaada important ho and you know it.

Taani: To itne dino se aapne ek baar bhi nahi pucha ki main kaisi hun, mere saath sab thik chal raha hai ki nahi. Aapne ek baar bhi socha ki main kaise feel kar rahi hun?? Aapke liye to aapke dost important hain, main nahi.

This hit him hard. He realised that whatever she said was true. Whenever they met, they only discussed work. Also, he was always involved with the gang and neglected her often. But he also had a reason ready.

Rey: Maana ki main tumhe time nahi de raha hun, par tum dekh rahi ho na ki hum sab kitne busy hai. Kabhi D3 ke rehearsals, to kabhi NDC ke. Aur is waqt mere friends ko meri zarurat hai.

Taani: Aur muhje nahi?

Rey: Ye maine kab kaha?

Taani: Par aapka matlab to yehi tha. Anyways, main aapse ye sab kyun bol rahi hun. Since apko zara bhi farak nahi padta.

Rey: Tum itni selfish ho jaogi, maine kabhi nahi socha tha. Ab tak main soch raha tha ki mere dost galat keh rahe hain ki tum bahut zyaada rude behave kar rahi ho, par nahi, vo log sahi the. Tum bahut zyaada bura behave kar rahi ho.

Saying so, he turned away from here and faced the wall. Taani, who was already fragile because of the on going events, now was totally broken. She had no more strength left. She did not even have any tears left to convey how hurt she was. She simply took her bag and left the room.

It was then Rey realised the impact of his words. Instead of helping her and ease her burden, he made her feel even more powerless. He then spoke to himself.

Rey: Oh god!! Ye maine kya kiya? Kya karne chala th aur kya kar diya!! Mujhe use selfish nahi bulana chahiye tha. Already vo itna burdened feel akar rahi hai, aur maine use aur bhi... Oh god!! Please use strength dena kaam karne ki.

So how is it. Do comment and tell. Silent readers, at least like the post. It will boost my confidence and motivate me to write more.