Chapter 8

Chapter 7

The whole gang was really upset about their valuables being stolen. They all returned home angry and sad. Taani, although she was not at all at fault, apologised profusely and promised them that she will find the culprit behind the act.

The news of the theft at the NDC elims spread in the college like wildfire. This gave the students all the more reasons to mock Taani. At first it was on the college forum only, but soon they even started mocking her on her face. This irritated Taani a lot but that was not her concern at the moment. She was at a loss to figure out how the valuables were stolen inspite of her getting the greenroom locked before leaving for the performance.

She was lost in her thoughts when she bumped into someone. She was about to slip when a strong pair of hands caught her by the waist, preventing her fall. She saw that the person was none other than Rey. He straightened her and helped her gather her papers. She was about to leave when he called her softly.

She suddenly stopped when he called her. Not only was she was standing still physically, but she also felt that the time also froze at that moment. She was badly waiting to hear his voice which was filled with care and love. She took a deep breathe and turned around.

He went and stood in front of her. He then touched her cheek softly and caressed it. She closed her eyes in relief and satisfaction. He then spoke to her gently.

Rey: Jab free ho to mujhe fire exit par milna. Tumse kuch baat karni hai.

Taani nodded and held his palm which was caressing her cheek. He passed a warm smile before leaving. She saw him leave, and then sighed in contentment and hope that all was not over yet.

After finishing her work, she took a break. She then remembered that she had to meet Rey. She messaged him that she was free and also that they can meet now. She then went to the fire exit and saw him sitting there. As soon as Rey heard the door close behind him, he turned around to see Taani there. He quickly got up and hugged her.

She hugged him back too. The thought of loosing him crossed her mind, she hugged him tightly in fear and tears escaped her eyes. Rey felt strange and broke the hug to look at her, only to see her eyes red and wet. He felt his heart break into pieces. The last thing he wanted was her see sad and helpless. He quickly wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes as she felt his warm and soft touch on her skin. Then Rey asked her softly.

Rey: Kya hua sweetheart? Kisine tumse kuch kaha?

Taani sighed and then replied.

Taani: Jab aap mere saath ho, to mujhe log kuch bhi kahe, mujhe farak nahi padhta. Mujhe sirf aapki baaton ka asar hota hai.

Rey smiled on hearing this.He held her face and hit his forehead with hers softly. Then both of them sat on the steps, holding each others hands. She rested her head on his shoulder and smiled in contentment. After sometime, she spoke to him.

Taani: Vaise aapko kuch baat karni thi. Kya hua?

On hearing this question, his smiel vanished and was replaced with a look of worry. But he had to do it. He took a deep breathe and then spoke

Rey: Taani, as you know dance humare pure team ka passion hai. Par aise kai instances the jab hum sab se dance snatch kar liya gaya tha. Fir Indiafest aaya, jahan hum sab ko ek saath dance karne ka mauka mila tha. Aur ab NDC. Dance mere liye mera passion hi nahi, meri life hai. Aur ye bhi hai ki is college ka naam dance ke vajah se hi famous hai.

Taani was puzzled as she was not able to make out the head and tail of his whole talk. She looked at him and then spoke to him

Taani: Aap kya bol rahe hain meri kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha hai. Seedhe seedhe boliye.

Rey: Main ye kehna chahta hun ki main ab tumhe zyaada time nahi de paunga. Bahut mushkil se meri team ek saath hain. Pure team ne apne dil ki suni hai aur dance ko chuna hai. Aur is waqt mere liye meri team ko meri zarurat hai.

Taani stiffened on hearing this. She closed her eyes to digest his words. After sometime, she spoke in a low voice

Taani: Pure team ne apne dil ki snu hai. Kya aapne bhi apne dil ki suni hai?

Rey: Maine vo...

Taani: Iska matlab hai ki main aapke dil main nahi hun.

Rey nodded in desparate negation. He then spoke hurriedly

Rey: Dekho Taani. Tum ek GS ho, aur uspar se ek non-dancer. Tum nahi samajh paogi ki as a dance team humein kya chahiye hota hai, props, theme, choreography etc.

Taani: Main is baat ko deny nahi kar rahi hun ki main ek dancer nahi hun. Main is baat par believe nahi kar pa rahi hun ki aapne mujhe sirf ek GS hi samjha.

Rey sighed in despair and then spoke to her.

Rey: Taani, main already bahut miserable feel kar rahan hun, tum mujhe aur guilty feel mat karvao. Main isiliye to tumse saari baatein clear kar raha hun.

Taani: To ab?

Rey: Ab pata nahi Taani.

They sat like that for quite a while, not able to figure out what to say next. Then Taani spoke.

Taani: I know and I understand ki aapko aapke team ka paas hona chahiye. Main aapko aur nahi rokungi. Aap ab free hain.

Rey: Matlab?

Taani: Humein alag rehna hoga. At least NDC ke khatam hone tak.

Rey was totally shocked. Never had he expected in his wildest dreams that Taani would say such a statement. . He wasn't expecting such a blow. Tears started welling up his eyes. He spoke in a voice filled with disbelief.

Rey (shocked): Tum kya bol rahi ho Taani? Please mazaak mat karo, main...

But Taani did not let him complete as she placed her hand on his cheek and wiped away his tears, but it continued to flow.

Taani: Aap meri baat samjhne ki koshish kariye. Aap mujhe time nahi de paayenge ye baat aapne khud kaha tha. Main hamesha dukhi rahun, isse better hai ki main apna kaam karun aur aap apna, taaki ek dusre ko complain karna ka mauka na mile ki hum ek dusre ko time nahi de paaye. Abhi NDC baaki hai, aapka dhyaan uspar hona zyaada zaruri hai. I am sorry Rey, par I have to do this.

Rey (In a blank voice): Kya main aisa kuch bol sakta hun, jise sunkar tum apna decision change karogi...

Taani turned towards him, placed her palm on his face and answered

Taani: Aap jaante ho ki agar aap kuch bhi bologe to main apna iraada badal dungi. Please mat kehna, I think humara alag hona zaruri hai. Humare liye nahi par team ke liye. Aap please ye baat yaad rakhiye ki aap mere boyfriend hone se pehle is college ke dance team ke ek important member hain. Unki khushi ke liye please maan jaayiye.

She then rested her forehead on his. Both of them wept for quite a long time. Then she muttered a hushed sorry and rushed out of the fire exit, crying continuously. Rey was not able to take it anymore and sat down on the stairs, shocked because of what happened a few minutes ago. He then wiped away his tears and decided to follow whatever she said and be strong.

In their respective homes

(Now play the track)

Music

(Both of them sat at the windows of their rooms, thinking about the fire exit conversation. Both of them had tears in their eyes.)

Tu Jahaan Main Wahaan

Sang Sang Yu Chalu Tere

Jaise Tera Aasmaan

(Taani held Rey's photograph in her hand and looked at it)

Tu Jahaan Main Wahaan

Sang Sang Yu Chalu Tere

Jaise Tera Aasmaan

(Rey held Taani's photograph in his hand and looked at it)

Music

(Both recalled the confession at Taani's house, how Rey scared Taani and in fear she hugged him, their date at the college terrace. Those happy memories made way for sad ones that is Swayam's reaction on finding about their relationship and the fire exit conversation)

Jo Dhup Nikli Chaya Ban Jaaunga

Jo Ho Tu Akeli Saaya Ban Jaaunga

Jo Uljhan Mein Ho Mann Main Behlaaunga

(Rey recalled her bubbly nature, how she gently tended to his wounds after the fight, how she revealed the truth about Shivam)

Tum Aa Gaye Ho Toh Jeena Aaya Hain

Khushiya Ka Tumne Yeh Jaal Bichaya Hain

Khoya Hain Khudko Yah Sab Kutch Paaya Hain

(Taani recalling his charming smile, how he fought for her after the article on their affair went viral, how he assured her that she would make a good AGS)

Tu Jahaan Main Wahaan

Sang Sang Yu Chalu Tere

Jaise Tera Aasmaan

(both of them are trying to be happy by recalling such memories)

Music (This is their imaginations)

(Rey's POV)

(Rey then got up and walked slowly towards his bed. He placed Taani's photo on the nearby table. UnhappyHe then turned round and saw Taani in front of his eyes, wearing the same blue Anarkali suit, smiling at him.Smile He walked towards her and touched her cheek. She blushed and then looked at him.Blushing He offered his hand for dance for which she agreed. He twirled her around and pulled her closer and both of them swayed at their places)

(Taani's POV)

(Taani then got up and walked slowly towards her bed. She placed Rey's photo on the nearby table. She then turned round and saw Rey in front of his eyes, wearing the same dress he wore at their date, smiling at her.He walked towards her and touched her cheek. She blushed and then looked at him. Blushing. He offered his hand for dance for which she agreed. He twirled her around and pulled her closer and both of them swayed at their places)

Ho Gham Ke Badal Mujhpe Tham Jaane De

Bechainiyo Ko Mujhse Takrane De

Dukhti Ho Koi Baat Mujhpe Aane De

(Rey sang these lines to Taani, during which she closed her eyes)

Dil Sochta Tha Ke Koi Apna Ho

Koi Raaz Na Ho Jo Uss Se Rakhna Ho

Aankhein Na Kholu Main Shayad Sapna Ho

(Taani sang these lines to Rey, during which she closed his eyes)

Tu Jahaan Main Wahaan

Sang Sang Yu Chalu Tere

Jaise Tera Aasmaan

(Both of them opened their eyes and saw nothing)

Music

(They started crying hard and fell on their knees and continued to cry)

I am sure you guys are gonna kill me ki maine inka is story mein bhi break-up karvadiya, but it was necessary, otherwise it was difficult to move forward. Whatever the case may be, please do leave your precious comments.

P.S: Next update page 33 and at least 40 likes... Till then, happy reading!!!