Screwed over by Quarantine [TaaRey]

“Haan bolo kaunsi book?” The librarian asked.

“Chemistry.” He replied.

“Author?” The librarian asked further.

“Jo bhi iss waqt available ho.” He answered sheepishly and turned around to check if his usual table was preoccupied.

“Padhne aate hai ya bas lectures bunk karne aate hai yeh students yahan?” The librarian muttered as he turned to look for the book.

He saw that his table was empty and smiled, relieved. He then scanned the library and his smile grew.

“Sign in karo.” The librarian instructed but he was too distracted to hear him. “Oh hello?” The librarian tapped on his shoulder.

“Haan?” He turned around.

“Sign in.” The librarian pointed at the register.

“Haan.” He filled in his name and the name of the book. “Hogaya!”

The librarian handed him the book. He carried it with him to the table where he frequently sat. He settled down and opened the book. He scouted the library and saw that everyone was engrossed in studying. He then looked up and smiled seeing her. She sat on the table across him making notes with books sprawled in front of her. She looked up from her books to stretch out her hand and neck. He quickly looked down into his book, stealing glances at her from the corner of his eyes. She returned back to her books and he positioned his book in such a way that it looked like he was reading but in reality he was checking her out.

After about an hour, he had just finished reading the preface. He shook his head on realizing what page was open. He turned to a random page and buried himself in the book to stifle his yawn. He heard ruffling of pages and saw that she was gathering her books. She meticulously packed her bag and left. He shut his book and leaned down in his chair.

“Mujhse ek book padhi nahi jaati aur yeh ek time pe paanch khol ke baithati hai. But I have to admit, she looks adorable when she is trying to figure out which book will give her answers.” He smiled at himself.

“Rey baba, aapki tapasya khatam ho gayi ho toh hum canteen chale?” His friend walked up to him.

“Shut up Vicky!” Rey rolled his eyes at him.

“Do week hogaye, tu roz usko aake bas taad raha hai.” Vicky pointed out.

“Canteen chal rahe hai na hum?” Rey got up ignoring what Vicky said.

“Atcha tell me one thing.” Vicky walked behind him as Rey left returning the book back to the librarian. “Tujhe uska naam toh pata hai na?” Vicky chuckled.

“Hum dono same class mein padhte hai. I have even spoken to her. Of course uska naam pata hai!” Rey rolled his eyes and continued walking.

“Aur uska number bhi hoga hi tere paas from our class WhatsApp group.” Vicky pointed out.

“Seedhe point pe aana.” Rey stopped and faced him.

“Point yeh hai ki tu usko seedha call kar and ask her out. Aise roz roz ke taadne se kuch nahi hone wala!” Vicky swatted his head and walked into the canteen.

“Halwa hai kya puchna?” Rey walked behind him.

“Hey Taani!” Vicky saw her sitting with her friends in the canteen and walked to her.

“Abbe!” Rey ran behind him to stop him from saying anything stupid.

“Thanks for the notes.” Vicky handed her a photocopy. Rey sighed in relief.

“Thank the senior who made them.” She joked.

“Please apne bhai ko meri taraf se thanks kehna. Uske notes nahi hote toh mein pakka fail hojata.” He laughed.

“Sure.” She laughed.

“Actually, thank Swayam on all our behalf.” Rey chipped in.

“Sure, bhai ko bata dungi ki the only reason why the class of 2020 is gonna pass is because of his notes that he made two years ago.” She chuckled.

“Kal please physics ke lana. Last four chapters ke.” Vicky asked her.

“Text me a reminder in the evening.” She told him.

“Cool! Bye!” Vicky left with Rey.

…

“Aur yeh Vicky ko dena.” Taani instructed her friend.

“Yaar Taani nahi.” Her friend groaned. “Voh chomu bohot dimaag khata hai!”

“Aashi please! I’m late.” Taani pleaded her.

“Yaar library toh jaa rahi hai tu. Itni kya jaldi hai tujhe?” Aashi complained.

“Dekh meri maa, please mujhe jaane de. Aur tu yeh Vicky ko de. Voh kabse message karke mera dimaag chaat raha hai.” Taani handed over the notes to Aashi and left.

Taani ran down the hallway bumping into people. She cared less about their complaints. She ran to the library and banged open the door due to her momentum. The librarian looked at her annoyed. She mouthed a sorry and turned to look inside. She took a minute to breathe on finding it empty. There was just one girl sitting in the corner too engrossed in her book to even look up at the sound of the door banging. She quickly made her way to her usual table and sat opening her bag. She pulled out the books and arranged them on the table. She placed her notebook in front of her and sat shaking a pen in her hand while looking around. She looked at the clock and smiled knowingly. Just then the door opened and Rey walked in.

“Right on time!” She smiled and started scribbling in her notebook.

He walked to the table in front of her with a book in his hand and adjusted himself in.

“Aaj phir se chemistry? Lagta hai weak hai.” She smiled inwardly looking into one of her books.

C-H-E-M-I-S-T-R-Y she spelled it out and furrowed her brows thinking about it.

“Chemistry toh clearly weak hi hai. Agar thodi bhi hoti toh.. khair..” She sighed.

She flipped through a few pages in her book while stealing glances at him. He had held the book vertically in front of him and she could only see his hair. He turned a page in the book and placed it flat on the table. She looked down at her notebook and frowned looking at the word chemistry written in all caps. She scribbled over it and stopped just as she reached the letter ‘S’. ‘Try’ she read and shook her head scribbling over the remaining letters. She flipped through some pages in the books placed in front of her in the pretext of finding something, all the while looking at him from the corner of her eyes. He was engrossed in reading.

“Kitna dedicated hai studies ko leke.” She smiled to herself. “Aur mein yahan doodles bana rahi hoon.” She looked down at her notebook.

She heard a beep and looked up. She saw him looking back with his phone in his hand.

“Sorry.” He mouthed an apology and quickly flipped the silent switch on.

She saw him read the message and facepalm. He then fisted his hand shut and gritted his teeth to control his annoyance. He got up shaking his head and closed the book. Sulking at the message, he left the library.

“He left early today.” She frowned. “Mein abhi baith ke kya karu?”

She looked around. She was alone. The girl in the corner had left as well. She thought of sitting for a while but quickly got bored and packed up her stuff. She walked out of the library to find Rey standing there.

“Why is he waiting here?” She thought.

“Hogaya padh ke?” Vicky walked from behind the pillar.

“Haan.” She replied shaking the thought out of her head.

“Thanks for these.” He handed her the notes back. “Rey ne bataya ki tu yahan hogi.”

“Haan, voh mein jab nikla tabhi you were in still studying. So we thought to come here and check.” Rey explained.

“Itne jaldi hogaya kaam?” Taani asked Vicky.

“Haan meine photocopies le liye iske.” Vicky answered.

“Paise meine bhare hai.” Rey pointed out.

“Wallet aaj bhool gaya hoon. Kal tujhe return kar dunga.” Vicky sneered at him.

“Oh this is why he left.” Taani thought.

“Umm.. Taani.” Rey called her.

“Haan?” She looked at him.

“Tum.. voh..” He looked around scratching the back of his ear. “Do you have chemistry notes with you?” He asked.

“I don’t have them today. But meine Vicky ko already diye hai. You can take it from him.” Taani told him.

“Haan mein de dunga usse. Don't worry!” Vicky said.

“I’ll see you guys in class. Bye.” Taani left.

“Kya jarurat thi offer karne ki? Usko puch raha tha na mein.” Rey looked at Vicky annoyed after she left.

“Haan par..” Vicky squinted. “Ek minute please don’t tell me that you were trying to ask her out like this!”

“I was just..” Rey tried to explain.

“Oh God, you’re pathetic!” Vicky burst out laughing.

“I was getting there but you had to interrupt!” Rey swatted him on his head and walked off.

…

“Remember what we talked about?” Vicky asked Rey.

“Yaar bohot fatt rahi hai.” Rey started to walk away.

“Do you even want to ask her out?” Vicky stopped him and asked.

“Yes I do!” Rey turned.

“Toh mere bhai, andar ja aur usko puch.” Vicky held his shoulder.

“What if she says no?” Rey asked.

“Dekh, tujhe usko bas coffee ke liye puchna hai, girlfriend banne ke liye nahi.” Vicky glared at him.

“Also from what I know, she isn’t seeing anyone.”

“Pakka na?” Rey confirmed.

“If she was, mein tujhe itna insist kyun karta?” Vicky asked knocking some sense into Rey.

“Okay!” Rey stood there determined. “But aaj yeh karna zaroori hai?” Rey backed away instantly.

“I’m telling you, don’t delay. Kal usko kisi aur ne puch liya toh phir apna rona sunane mere paas mat aana!” Vicky said sternly. “You never know what tomorrow may bring. Toh balak, Kabir ki vani suno aur maano!”

“Huh?” Rey squinted.

“Kal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so abh!” Vicky recited and pushed him in the direction of the library.

“Okay I’m going in!” Rey left.

“That’s my boy!” Vicky cheered him.

“Hey Vicky!”

“Swayam?” Vicky turned to find him. “Tu college mein kaise?”

“I left early from work toh socha Taani ko pick up karta jau.” Swayam told him.

“Haan shayad voh canteen mein hogi, chal.” Vicky took Swayam to the canteen.

Rey entered in the library and took a few deep breaths to calm himself. His first thought was to directly go to her, but he went against it. He issued a book, just in case he chickens out at the last minute. He took the book from the librarian and turned to the tables. He noticed that her table was empty.

“Aaj voh aayi nahi?” He mumbled and walked to her table. “I’ll wait here for her. This way I won’t chicken out from asking her for a date.”

He opened his book to a random page and pretended to read it.

“Aaj late hogayi.” Taani entered in running. “I hope he isn’t here.”

She walked in and saw him sitting at her place. She panicked and quickly hid herself behind the bookshelves when she saw him turning.

“Today of all the days she decided to be late?” He looked at the clock and sighed.

“Why is he sitting in my place?” Taani thought peeking at him.

“I guess I better leave.” Rey got up dejectedly and turned around to find her at the entrance. “Hey.” He called her.

“Hey!” She smiled back cursing herself mentally for peeping.

“No talking in the library.” The librarian scolded them.

“We were just leaving.” Rey handed him the book and walked out with Taani.

Rey and Taani stood outside the library looking at each other waiting for the other to speak. Taani kept fidgeting with the strap on her backpack while Rey looked here and there, finding for the right words to say.

“I uh.. wanted to talk to you.” Rey gained her attention.

“Yeah, go ahead.” She said.

“Tum aaj library nahi aayi?” He asked and mentally slapped his forehead.

“Haan.” She replied unsure of where he was going with this.

“Okay!” He let out a breath. “I don’t know if there is any better way to ask this so I’ll just be blunt and ask if you would like to go out for a coffee with me?” He said it in one go.

“Hmn?” She stood dumbfounded in front of him.

“I would like to take you out for a coffee.. date.” Rey said studying her face. “Would you like to go out. Say tomorrow?”

“I uh.. can’t.” She replied looking away.

“Oh! No problem. I just..” Rey smiled lightly, cursing Vicky in his head for rushing him.

“No, no, no! You’re getting it wrong.” Taani quickly interrupted him. “I’m going out with my family for a few days. So, I won’t be in town tomorrow.” She explained.

“Oh!” His lips curved into a smile. “So, after you come back?” He asked hopefully.

“Yeah!” She replied looking down to hide her growing smile.

“Okay, I’ll text you. We can decide on a place when you return.” He ruffled his hair.

“Sure.” She managed to reply.

“I’ll see you. Soon.” Rey left smiling like a maniac.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe he asked me out!” Taani grinned looking at his retreating figure.

“Taani?” She heard Swayam’s voice and straightened up.

“Bhai? Aap yahan?” She turned around to face him.

“College ko miss kar raha tha, toh aagaya.” Vicky said from behind Swayam.

“Mein apni behen se milne aaya tha. Voh mil gayi mujhe. But thanks for showing me my college around.” Swayam mocked.

“No problem dude!” Vicky left to look for Rey. He wanted to know what went down in the library.

“Yeh thoda pagal hai kya?” Swayam asked Taani.

“Thoda nahi poora!” Taani laughed.

“Chale? Ghar jaake tujhe packing complete karni hai.” Swayam reminded her.

“Arre haan!” Taani frowned thinking about it.

Swayam put his hand around her shoulder and walked her out. On the way out, she saw Rey who had a wide grin plastered on his face. He stood in front of Vicky who looked ecstatic as well.

“Kahin yeh date inn dono ka koi prank toh nahi?” She wondered furrowing her brows.

“Kahan kho gayi?” Swayam shook her.

“Kya hua?” She came out of her thoughts and looked at him.

“Meine pucha ki tujhe sachme gaav jaane ka mann hai? Do din pehle tak you were cribbing.” He asked.

“Voh bas I was trying to see if papa changes the plan to go somewhere else. Par voh nahi maane. Aur waise bhi college mein yeh week kuch important hai nahi, so I don’t mind this tiny vacation.” She shrugged.

…

: Hey!😄

: Hi.😀

: Kahin actual mein jaa rahi ho ya voh sab mujhe bas mana karne ke liye tha?😜

: I’m going to my village!

: Aise beech mein?

: Haan. Koi problem?

: Mein bas generally puch raha tha.🤗

: What are you doing?

“Bolu?” He thought looking at the numerous tabs of restaurants open on his laptop.

: Kuch nahi.

: I have to go and pack.

: Sure. We can chat later.

: Bye.👋

: Bye.👋

“Ugh that was awkward!” She cringed.

“Why did I have to be so nosy?” He sighed reading their conversation. “She is still online. Text karu?” He shook his head. “Okay I’ve lost it completely!” He locked his phone and threw it aside.

His phone rang after a minute and he chuckled reading the caller ID.

“Hello mere sher!”

“Hey Sharon.” He laughed knowing exactly why she had called.

“Meine suna!” She said.

“Kya suna?” He asked.

“Jo kaha!” She replied.

“Kya kaha?” He chuckled.

“Jaana bohot hai door!” She sang laughing.

“Vicky ke pait mein koi baat rehti kyun nahi?” He laughed.

“Itna khana thooste rehta hai voh ki baaki kisi bhi cheez ke liye jagah nahin bachti.” She giggled.

“Sharon, I heard that!” Vicky yelled in the background.

“So, you finally asked her out haan? She asked Rey.

“Yeah. I’m so relieved that she said yes.”

“Toh kahan leke ja raha hai tu usse?”

“Not decided yet. Voh kuch din ke liye bahar jaa rahi hai. Uske baad hum decide kar lenge kuch.”

“Take her somewhere fancy.” She grinned.

“Coffee ke liye haan bola hai usne. I don’t want to rush in.”

“Oh God, you’re so cute!” She chuckled.

“Atcha abh mujhe tease mat kar. Suggest me some good coffee places.”

“Starbucks chod ke kahin bhi leke ja.”

“I wasn’t evening planning to go there!”

“Good!”

“Do you think she’ll agree to date me?” He asked.

“I can’t think of a reason why she won’t. She knows you for the last three years. Itna toh usse pata hoga hi ki you are a decent guy.”

“I hope so. I’m really nervous yaar. Abh lag raha hai ki iss se better na bolti. Itna tension toh nahi hota.” He laughed.

“Tu mera sher hai. So tension mat le. Sab theek hi hoga.” She cheered him.

“Bye.” He disconnected the call.

“Kar kya rahi hai tu?” Swayam came into Taani’s room and found her playing on her phone.

“Ho toh gayi packing.” She pointed at her bags.

“Hum ek week mein wapas aa rahe hai. Teen bags kyu chahiye?” He asked.

“Voh bhai, I just thought to carry a few extra change of clothes.” She replied sheepishly.

“Chal open your bag. I’ll help you.” He pulled one on her bed.

“I love you!” She grinned and opened her bags.

Swayam widened his eyes looking at the clothes dumped into the bags.

“Kya hoga tera.” He shook his head.

“You offered help. I didn’t ask.” She said tongue-in-cheek.

“I know.” He sighed.

He helped her pack her bag in an orderly manner. He managed to fit all the things she needed into one bag. They arranged the rest of the mess in her room and threw themselves on the bed in exhaustion.

“Bhai mujhe aapko kuch batana hai.” She said looking at the ceiling.

“Bolo.” He looked at her.

“Someone asked me out today.” She said nervously.

“And?” He asked her to continue.

“Just for a coffee, but I’m not sure.” She looked at him.

“Who?” He asked.

“Rey.” She replied.

“Really? That idiot?” He scoffed.

“Bhai.” She complained.

“Okay sorry, continue.”

“We have done some projects together in the past and from what I know he seems like a decent guy. But I’m still unsure about him. Aisa kyun?” She pouted.

“Sounds like you really want to date him but tumhe darr hai ki he won’t be up to your expectations!” Swayam smirked reading her mind.

“Bhai I’m serious yaar. I’m twenty-one and I’ve never dated anyone. I really don’t know what to expect.” She looked back at the ceiling.

“Dekh itna soch mat. Usne coffee ke liye pucha hai toh jaa, have coffee with him. Uss se baat karke you’ll realise what you want.” He smiled at her.

“Okay!” She smiled back. “Thank you.”

“Abhi soja. Kal subah jaldi nikalna hai.” He hugged her good night and left.

: Good night!😴

: Good night. Sweet dreams.😴

…

: Hey. Ssup?😃

: Super bored!😪

: Kyun? Kya hua?

: There's nothing to do here!😓

: Then come back!😬

: I wish! But papa bol rahe the ki thode aur din hum rukenge.😐 By the way, college mein kya ho raha hai?

: Kuch nahi! Same old nonsense!

: Koi assignment nahi hai na?

: Nah! No assignment, no quiz, in fact aisa lag raha hai ki soon "no college" bhi hone wala hai!

: Really?🤩

: Isme khush hone jaisa kya hai? Mumbai mein cases badhne lage hai.

: Oh right! That stupid beer virus!🙄

: Good one!😂

: Did you see the memes?😝

: Very entertaining!😝😝

: This shouldn't be ridiculed, but..

: You can't help the memes!

: Right!😂

: Sunday ko DJ party join karne wali hai tu?😜

: DJ party?🤨

: Taali bajao, thali bajao!👏

: Dusra kuch karne ko hai nahi, so yeah!👏👏👏

: When are you coming back?

: Saturday evening, most probably!

: Matlab curfew lagne ke just pehle.

: Yeah! Pata nahi yeh five days yahan ruk ke kya milega?😪

: Don't worry I'll keep you entertained!😉

: You've been doing a great job at it!😛

: Thanks!😎🤓

: I'll talk to you later. Lunch ke liye mumma bula rahi hai.

: Sure! Bye!😊

: Bye!😊

...

: Did you see the news?🤯

: I’m still shook!😰

: Everything is closed till April 14!😓

: I’m so glad we came back to Mumbai on time. Warna toh udhar hi atak jaate.

: Yeah that was a good decision. Wahan tension jyada hota.

: Yahan bhi kam nahi hai.🥺 Everyone is glued to the news channels and the WHO website.

: Even we’ve decided to camp out together. Vicky and Sharon ghar pe aagaye hai mere.

: Oh right you guys don’t live with your parents, right?

: Haan, dad ne call kiya tha to call all of us back to Delhi but I was too paranoid to go! Unn dono ne bhi ghar pe mana kar diya.

: Yeh chutiya virus kahan se aagaya?😩 Abh pata nahi yeh twenty-one days kaise niklenge.

: You really think it won’t be extended?

: I don’t want it to be. But I know it will!😣

: Don’t worry. Chutti hai samajh ke ghar pe baith.

: Ussi ki toh worry hai. You are so lucky. Ghar pe akele roz party kar sakte ho tum teeno.

: Toh aaja yahan! Waise bhi lockdown starts in three hours!😉

“Taani!” Swayam called her.

“Kya hua?” She went to his room.

“Mere laptop charger kahan hai?” He asked.

“Mujhe kya pata?” She raised her shoulders.

“Tune hi liya hoga.”

“Mein kyun lungi? I was using mine!”

“Pakka?” He challenged.

“Haan!”

“I swear if I find out that you were using mine toh yeh ekkees din tu meri room saaf karegi!”

“Aur agar nahi toh aap meri room saaf karoge!”

“Deal!”

They walked back to her room and Swayam saw a charger plugged into the socket.

“Found it!” He jolted for it.

“Voh mera hai!” She pulled it from his hand.

“Nahi mera hai.”

“No it’s mine!”

“Teri bag dikha.” He inspected her laptop bag. “Yeh kya hai?” He pulled out a charger.

“Oh!” She paled.

“Hah!” He smirked.

“But yeh wala mera hai.” Taani pointed to the one in her hand.

“So what? Mine was in your bag.”

“Aap hi ne rakh hoga. You are a bit fat cheater!” Taani pushed him out of her room and locked the door.

She picked up her phone and saw ten new notifications from Rey.

: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.

: Taani?

: Please don’t get mad.

: ??

: I swear I was just joking!

: I’m really sorry agar tumhe bura laga ho toh.

: Please reply?

: Taani?

: ?????

: I was just joking yaar.

: Rey it’s okay. Mujhe bura nahi laga.🙂

: Oh thank God you replied! I was worried there.😅

: Mujhe bhai ne bulaya tha and I left my phone in my room. So I didn’t see the messages.😇

: Listen, about that text. I’m sorry.🙇‍♂️

: It’s okay!😄 You don’t have to justify. I’ve seen you crack some stupid jokes in our class group. So I have an idea of your sense of humor.😋

: Thanks. I really thought I pissed you off.🙈

: You owe me a coffee date. Toh uske pehle there is no way I’m getting pissed off🤪

: Kya timing thi na meri?🤦‍♂️

: Haan na! Jab pucha tabhi I had to go and wapas aate hi yeh sab.😂

: If you don’t mind, we could do a virtual coffee date🙃

: I.. (typing)

“I think I overstepped.” He thought to himself. “Kya gadha hoon mein!” He held his head in his hand.

“Kya hua? Phir se bhaga diya?” Vicky taunted.

He had seen Rey get anxious few minutes ago when Taani wasn’t replying.

“Jaa yaar yahan se!” Rey got up and went to his room looking at his phone.

: I’m not comfortable.

: It’s okay. I was just goofing around.😅

: Hmmn..

: You know, it feels like I’ve known you for a long time because of all the back and forth texting we have been doing for the past two weeks. Isiliye I.. anyways I totally understand if you aren’t comfortable.

: Rey, can I ask you one thing. Don’t get mad.

: Sure go ahead...

: Are you really interested in me or is this some prank that you are pulling?

She sent and stared at her screen waiting for his answer.

“Prank? Why would she think that?” He wondered reading her question again.

: I might just be overthinking. But I wanted to clear it out.

: I really have no idea why you thought that I would play such a prank, but no it is not. I really found you interesting and so I asked you out.

“Shit usse bura laga.” Taani frowned reading his message.

: Sharon is calling me. We are gonna binge watch some show. So I’ll text you tomorrow. Bye.👋

: Bye. Goodnight!😴

: Gunnite!

“Definitely bura laga!” Taani sighed scrolling through their conversation.

“She thinks this is a prank.” Rey walked into the living room to find Sharon setting up the smart TV.

“What?” She asked.

“She asked me if this was some kind of a stupid prank that I was playing on her. Do week se baat kar rahe hai yaar!” He sighed sitting on the couch.

“So what if she asked that? Usse just sure hona hai. She doesn’t want to get hurt later on.” Sharon explained. He just sulked. “You can think of this like she wants something to happen in the future isiliye she is making sure.”

“Ek date pe nahi gaye hai hum aur tu future pe pahuch gayi.” Rey rolled his eyes.

“Kya dekh rahe hai hum aaj? Rey ka sada hua face chodke!” Vicky joined them.

"Chup be!" Rey groaned.

“Pushpavalli!” Sharon grinned.

“Season two aagaya?” Rey asked.

“Haan!” Sharon nodded.

“Aaj raat ko isse room mein lock karke soyenge hai. Bharosa nahi iska inspire hogayi show dekh ke toh we’ll be dead!” Vicky chuckled earning a pillow on his face.

“Dekha abhi se shuru ho gayi!” Rey mocked.

: Good morning!☕️

:

: Morning.😊

: Virtual date.😉😌

: Yeh date kahan hai!😑

: Kyun?🤔

: I’m not drinking coffee right now. So it doesn’t count as a date.😛

: Toh go and make one cup!

: Itni subah? Please!🙄

: It’s ten!😳

: Exactly, it’s just ten! Aur din bhar kuch karne ko hai nahi. So, aaj se sab kaam araam se honge.😇

: Day one just start hua hai and I’m already bored. Bees aur din kaise niklenge?😞

: Kab nikal jayenge pata bhi nahi chalega.

: I hope so.🤞

Taani contemplated for a while but since his mood seemed to have drastically improved from the previous night, she decided to talk about it.

: I wanted to talk to you.

: I guess we are doing that right now!😋

: 😅😅

: Go ahead!

: Is it okay if I call you right now?

: Yeah, sure!😃

“Hey.” Taani greeted as they got connected.

“Hello.” He held the phone to his ear and turned on the bed, so as to balance the phone on his head without holding it.

“Tumse kuch baat karni hai.” She hesitated.

“Bolo na.” He adjusted the phone to stop it from slipping.

“I wanted to apologise for yesterday. I may have come across as rude, but I had this nagging feeling for a few days now. I just wanted to clear it out.” She explained herself.

“Can I ask you why you thought of all this being a prank?”

“On the day you asked me out, I saw you chatting to Vicky and you guys were high-fiving about something. It reminded me of the truth and dare we once played in class where you were given the dare to say something to a random girl in class who wasn’t involved in the game. I just didn’t want to be the butt of the joke.” She told him what was in her heart.

“We were probably high-fiving because you had said yes. He was just happy for me. Nothing malicious.” He answered.

The honesty with which he answered made her believe him. She trusted on his words.

“I’m really sorry. I know you felt bad.” She apologized.

“Its okay. At least tumhara doubt toh clear hogaya.”

“Thanks.”

“Toh aaj ka kya plan hai?” He asked diverting the topic.

“Bhai ki room saaf karni hai.” She huffed.

“Kaam pe lagaya hai usne?”

“Something like that.”

“Toh tu kaam karle mein ek nap le leta hoon.”

“Good night!” She mocked.

“Happy cleaning!” He taunted.

She huffed and disconnected the call.

“He is sweeter than I had imagined.” She smiled looking at her phone.

“Subah subah uski awaaz sunn ke bohot atcha laga.” He smiled shutting his eyes close remembering the sound of her voice.

…

“Hello. Ayee!” Rey answered the call jumping over the couch.

“What are you doing? That just gave me a headache!” Taani complained seeing the camera move.

“Rey bahar nikal!” Vicky yelled.

“Mein yahan pehle aayi thi. Tu yahan nahi chup sakta.” Sharon complained.

“Fine!” Rey sprinted to his room when he saw Vicky go into the kitchen.

“Kya tha yeh sab?” Taani asked.

“Meine aur Sharon ne milke Vicky ka phone aur laptop ek cupboard mein lock kar diya hai aur uski key dhundne ke liye treasure map banaya hai. He is pissed!” Rey laughed.

“Tum teeno poore pagal ho!” Taani laughed.

“Tu bhi kuch kam nahi hai.” Rey taunted.

“Kal ka incident was a genuine mistake. Mujhe tumhe batana hi nahi chahiye tha.” She huffed.

“I still can’t believe that you threw onion, tomato, potato, butter and bread at your brother when he was on his office call.” Rey laughed.

“I didn’t know that he was on call. He was texting me every two seconds for a sandwich. Mujhe gussa aaya. Meine diya unhe sab ki khud banake kha jao!” She said tongue-in-cheek.

“I so wish that the meeting was being recorded!”

“Oh please!” She rolled her eyes at him. “Meeting khatam hone ke baad bhai ne jo jhada hai mujhe!” She sulked and sat down on her bed.

“Of course!”

“Rayyyy!”

“Hain?” He looked at her.

“Arre galati se play press hogaya. Sorry”

“Tune mera naam aise record karke kyun rakha hai?” He squinted.

“You’re not the only Rey in this world! And I’m watching Adulting. Usme jo lead hai uska naam Ray hai.” She explained.

“Is it any good?” He asked.

“It is. But I don’t know if you’ll be able to relate fully. It’s a story of two females struggling through adulthood.”

“But abhi toh tune bola ki ek ka naam Rey hai.”

“Haan voh ladki ka naam hai.” She giggled.

“Ugh!” He groaned. “Abhi samjha Chandler ko kaise laga hoga jab Frank ne ‘Chandler is a girl’ chillaya tha!” He leaned on his head rest.

“Friends nahi dekha hai meine.” She said sheepishly.

“Are you serious?” His mouth hung open.

“I mean I have seen a few episodes her and there, but not the entire show.” She admitted.

“You should! Humara pata nahi kaunsa re-run chalu hai uska." He chuckled. "Future mein references samjhne ke liye you should definitely watch it.”

“Future?” She asked.

“Why? You don’t see one?” He cocked his brow.

“I have to admit one thing.”

“That is?” He asked.

“If things were normal right now, we would be legit dating!” She smiled at him.

“We are dating, aren’t we?” His lips slowly curved up.

“Yeah we are!” She thought for a second and answered.

“This is the first time where I’m dating a girl without actually going out on a date with her.” He chuckled.

“And this is my first time ever dating!” She replied.

“You’re kidding right?” He asked.

“Dead serious. Bhai se puch lo!”

“But why? Pehle koi mila nahi?”

“Ya shayad mein dhund hi nahi rahi thi.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“So this time around were you looking for someone?” He wiggled his brows making her burst out in laughter.

“Don’t get all crazy but I was kinda seeking you.” She told him.

“Hain? Explain please.”

“I started going to the library regularly when I saw that you were going there too.”

“Are you serious?” His mouth hung open.

“Haan! And remember all those books?” She asked. He nodded. “I used to place them in such a way ki jab bhi I looked at them I could have a look at you.” She covered her face embarrassed.

“I was doing the same!” He admitted. “I used to issue a random book everyday, get to that table and just peek at you from behind that book!”

“Mera mazak udaa rahe ho na?” She pouted.

“I swear! Vicky se puch lena. In fact he was the one who nagged me to ask you out. I so wish he had done it earlier.” He complained.

“Yeah. Me too.” She replied.

“Yaar mujhe milna hai.” He pouted.

“Milenge! You still owe me that coffee!” She winked.

…

Hello

So, this popped up in my head out of nowhere and I decided that I had to write! I mean what other work do I have right? Well, there is cooking, cleaning and other important stuff but let's not go into it!

Quarantine has definitely screwed me over. Not in this context but other. And I thought let's just lighten our moods by talking about it from a jovial perspective.

This was a fun little OS. I hope you had fun reading it as well!

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Follow me on instagram @taarey1025 to stay up-to-date of when I post what. Because a lot of you are not adding these books to your library and hence won't get notified for it here on IF!

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Posted: May 22, 2020

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