Maya turns off all the lights in her apartment, heading into her bedroom, when her cell phone starts ringing. "Haule haule hojayega pyar oh chaliya haule haule hojayega pyar," Maya grabs the phone as the line ends. "Hello?"
"Hey,"
She hears Harshad's voice on the other end. "What's up?"
"No—" Harshad laughs. "But I did just drop Sushant off and thought I'd explain something to you,"
"Sounds serious."
"Na, was going to explain the whole 'Shushi' thing." Harshad says.
"Oh tell tell tell!" Maya says pulling her knees up, placing one hand around them.
"Okay well, Rinki came one day a few months back to the sets, and met all my cast members, but Sushant took a liking to her. But he's a good guy so he asked me first if I didn't mind if he asked my sister out, so of course I was alright with it."
"I bet you freaked out. You're so possessive Harshad!" Maya giggles.
"Can I continue my story?" Harshad asks her.
"Fine, sorry." Maya lets out one last giggle.
"So anyways they went for their first date at a Japanese restaurant, because I told Sushant that Rinkz liked Japanese food; but the problem was that Sushant could not stand the smell of sushi! And so he felt all queasy and such and so ever since that day—she calls him Shushi, with a little add of his real name!"
Maya bursts out laughing after Harshad's last word. "Are you serious? How can you keep a straight face when you hear it?"
"Takes practice my friend, loads of practice," Harshad laughs on the other end. "Anyways I'll see you at the engagement tomorrow?"
"Yeah—about that, what kinda attire, like really fancy or what?" Maya asks.
"You're asking a guy about Indian girls' clothes?"
"Oh come on, all I'm asking is if it should be fancy? I'm sure you've seen Rinki's outfit, and so I don't want to wear something too heavy," Maya reasons with him.
"Her outfit is one of a kind, so don't worry about clashing," Harshad tells her.
"Fine—thanks," Maya says.
"See you tomorrow," Harshad says. "Oh but wear something in blue, you look good in that color,"
Maya rolls her eyes as she hangs up.
In Los Angeles
"Have you talked to the prof yet?" Serena asks Rushvi the next morning as she sees her come into the auditorium.
Rushvi shakes her head. "I got up late this morning,"
"Oh," Serena goes back to studying her book.
"Do you think I should go ask now? Before class starts?" Rushvi asks.
Serena looks up and nods. "It'd be the best thing, that way if she says yes; you can spend more time studying in class."
Rushvi slowly sets down her book bag and walks down towards the professor's desk. "She's got to say yes; I've already filled out the RSVP form!" Rushvi takes a deep breath, smoothing out the blue top she was wearing. "Uh professor?"
Professor Donnelly turns in Rushvi's direction. "Yes Miss. Bhatt, what can I help you with?"
"I, uh, wanted to know if you had made a decision regarding my exam." Rushvi stutters at the end.
"Oh yes, you wanted to write it earlier right?" The professor asks. "I have made my decision Rushvi; I feel that if you're willing to write it on Saturday, so two days from today, I think it'll be alright,"
"Really professor? That would be amazing. Thank you!" Rushvi smiles.
"Don't worry about it. Just be here on Saturday morning sharp at 8am alright?" The professor tells her.
"Definitely." Rushvi grins as she walks back up to her seat next to Serena.
"So? What'd she say?" Serena takes one look at Rushvi's smiling face. "Never mind. I got my answer. So when do you write it?"
"Saturday morning," Rushvi grins.
"That's great for you," Serena smiles.
"Thank-you," Rushvi smiles back at her. "For not being mean about it,"
"Me? Be mean? How's that even possible?" Serena's voice starts dripping with sarcasm.
"Ha—ha—ha—very funny. But thanks for not being upset that I did this all, just for, in your words, 'some stupid actor,' I mean it's really important to me."
"I know that, and so I'm sorry," Serena leans over and gives her a hug. "But you have to promise to get me an autograph as well!" she laughs.
"I'll do my best!" Rushvi giggles right as the bell signals time for class to begin.
In Mumbai
"Why do you keep looking towards the door Harshad?" Rinki asks while she's fixing her teeka.
"I'm waiting for someone." Harshad answers her absentmindedly.
"Oh? Who?" Rinki asks. "Maya?"
"No, Sanju,"
"Oh." Rinki just shakes her head and looks back in the mirror and sees Sushant approaching the door and so she spins around on her swivel stool. "Hey,"
"Wow," Sushant says as he sees her.
She stands up and slowly walks towards him, keeping her eyes downcast the entire time.
"For the first time in our whole relationship, are you actually being shy?" Sushant whispers to Rinki who silently nods. "Why?"
"I—uh think I'll go check if the food's ready," Harshad grins and walks out of the room and closes the door.
"So again, why were you being shy?" Sushant asks her in a lower tone.
"It's all finally happening," Rinki says, walking away from him. "I've always imagined it in so many different ways, but now it's actually coming true."
"That's hardly a reason to be shy," Sushant grins his trademark mischievous smile at her.
"Don't look at me like that," Rinki makes him face the other way.
"And why not?" He inches a bit closer to her. "By the way, you look absolutely breathtaking in this teal colored saree, its making you look like an angel," He whispers, his breath lightly grazing the bottom of her ear. "And besides, now we match,"
"Okay stop," Rinki smiles at him and slowly rests her head on Sushant's shoulder.
*knock knock*
"Come in," Sushant calls out.
Harshad enters looking slightly upset.
"What's wrong bro?" Rinki asks.
"Bro?" Sushant turns to her and laughs.
"What? Everyone says it, and I wanted to try it out," She glares at him and pouts.
"Sanju's not coming," Harshad tells her.
"Oh? Why not?" Rinki asks. "Thank god! I don't want Miss. Perfect to ruin my day, by coming in all of the pictures; I mean seriously who does that?"
"She apparently had a prior event to go to," Harshad rolls his eyes.
"It's okay Harshad," Sushant says. "We'll just meet up with her another time."
"I know—but still. She knows how important this day is to me."
"Don't worry Harshad—" Rinki's still talking when someone coming through the main door catches Rinki's eyes in the mirror. "Someone's here. Let's go check who."
The three of them make their way to the main hall and see Maya walk in slowly holding her mauve colored saree by the pallu.
"Hi Maya," Sushant goes ahead and greets her first, taking her shawl out of her hand.
"She didn't wear it," Harshad mumbles under his breath.
"Tumne kuch kaha?" Rinki asks, as both of them slowly walk towards her.
"Uh—no," Harshad smiles at Rinki and then greets Maya. "Hi,"
"Hey you guys," Maya hugs Rinki. "Congratulations again. And god you're looking so gorgeous!"
"Isn't she?" Sushant appears at Rinki's side and puts an arm around her waist.
Slowly more guests start coming and so Maya goes towards the gifts table and leaves a small gift there. Seeing her standing there alone, Harshad decides to go and talk to her.
"Hey,"
Maya turns around and smiles. "Hey."
"You look nice,"
"Thanks. I love your sherwani," She adds.
Harshad looks down at his cream and blue colored sherwani. "Thanks, Rinki picked it out."
"She has good taste," Maya notes, as she starts walking away.
"You didn't wear blue," Harshad says quickly.
"What?" Maya turns around with a confused look on her face.
"Blue," Harshad looks down at her saree.
"Oh..." Maya looks down as well. "I—uh couldn't find anything in blue. Hey, where's Sanjana. I haven't seen her yet."
"She's not coming," Harshad replies with a sigh.
"What? Not to Rinki's engagement? Really?" Maya asks, curiously.
Harshad nods. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go check on the entertainment."
"Sure," Maya looks after him puzzled. "What's wrong with him?" She mutters under her breath as she goes and sits down next to Rinki.
Gradually everyone gathers around in a circle and the aunties catch hold of Harshad. "Kyun puttar, tu to ben ka ek hi bhai hain, nachoge nahin?"
"Nahin aunty...main nahin," Harshad struggles to get out of his grip.
"Oh come on Harshad," Sushant asks him.
Harshad shakes his head till his eyes land on Maya, whose giggling along with Rinki. Maya finally looks up at him and gestures for him to dance. He points to her clothes and shakes his head. Maya makes a shocked face and pouts, till Rinki pulls her closer and whispers to her, "Make him dance,"
"Me? How?" Maya whispers back.
Rinki just shrugs, till Maya gets an idea.
"aaj hai sagaai...." she stands up and puts her hand on her right hip. "....sun ladki ke bhai,"
Harshad stares back at her with widened eyes. "She wouldn't dare,"
Maya grins back at him in response to what he's thinking. "...zara naach ke humko dikha." She does a few bhangra steps in beat with the music. "...aaj hai sagaai..sun ladki ke bhai...zara naach ke humko dikha..." Maya goes to him and puts her index finger on her chin and shakes it. "kudi ki tarah na sharma...kudi ki tarah na sharma..." She puts her pallu over his head and pretends to drag him around. "Hai!... tu meri gal maan ja...tu meri gal maan ja..oye.."
Harshad shakes his head, giving Maya what he hopes for is a threatening look, "sabko nachaoon, nach nachke dikhaoon, aa mujhko gale se laga,"
Maya's mouth drops wide open when he says the last part, and he goes to her and nudges up her open jaw. "sabko nachaoon, nach nachke dikhaoon, aa mujhko gale se laga, munde se zara aankh lada," He winks at Maya, who just grins back in response, but then he grabs her hand and starts going in a circle. "munde se zara aankh lada, oye tu meri gal maan ja, hai tu meri gal maan ja, Oye soniye," Maya finally gets her hand released and goes to Rinki, "He just retaliated,"
"So?" Rinki grins at her. "You go and do the same,"
Maya smiles at her and goes and does some kathak style steps in beat with the music, till Harshad gets some of his guy cousins to sit on the ground and he jumps on top of them, "sar pe sajaake sehra, baaraat leke aaoon, dulhan tujhe banaake, doli mein leke jaaoon."
Maya laughs as Harshad tumbles off of his cousins. "....bholi samajhke mujhpe, na daal aise daane, shaadi nahin karoongi, ja maan ja deewane,"
Rinki pulls Sushant closer to her, "What do you think?"
"About what?" Sushant ask her.
"Don't you think Maya and Harshad seem to fit together?"
"Rinkz! Don't even mention that to him. You know he has a girlfriend," Rinki pouts as she turns to watch Harshad, grabs Maya's hand. "sun albeli meri tanha akeli, ab katti nahin ratiyaan,"
Maya tries to pry her hand free from him, "ja re harjaai chal chhod kalaai, sab dekhti hain sakhiyaan, tu meri gal maan ja, tu meri gal maan ja,"
"..oye tu meri gal maan ja, hai tu meri gal maan ja, oye maan ja," Harshad finally lets go.
Maya goes near all her friends, "kehti hain meri sakhiyaan, dil mein hai chor tere, kyon haath dhoke aise peechhe padha hai mere," Maya raises her eyebrows, challenging him.
Harshad narrows his eyes at all the girls Maya's sitting with, "sakhiyon se apni keh do, ki beech mein na aayein, ban jaayein meri saali, jeeja mujhe banayein,"
Maya's eyes go wide as Harshad pulls one of the girls up with him. "main na aaoon tere sang tere ache nahin dhang, na aise baat badha," Maya takes the girl away and crosses her arms.
"mujhe kar na tu tang ab band kar jung, aa banke dulhan ghar aa," He takes her pallu and slowly places it over her head. "tu meri gal maan ja, tu meri gal maan ja,"
Maya takes her pallu away, "..aaj hai sagaai, sun ladki ke bhai, zara naach ke humko dikha?" she giggles as he ties his duappta around his waist.
"..sabko nachaon nach nach ke dikhaon, aaj mujhko gale se laga..." Harshad walks closer to Maya till she pushes him away.
"..kudi ki tara na sharma,"
"..munde se zara aankh lada," He winks at her again, but she just sticks her tongue out at him.
"oye tu meri gal manja, hai tu meri gal manja," Slowly they go and get everyone up to start dancing.
After the song, they all go near Rinki and Sushant as the ring ceremony was about to take place. Harshad places on hand on Rinki's shoulder while Maya does the same to the other shoulder, and they both notice and smile slowly at each other. But right then Maya gets a phone call, she goes off into one of the smaller rooms and answers it. "Hello?"
"Hi! Guess where I am?" Arushi greets her on the other hand.
"Please tell me you're not at the airport!" Maya pleads.
"What? Why not? You knew I was coming sometime now," Arushi asks confused.
"Yeah but I'm at an engagement party right now," Maya explains.
"Well then chill, I'm only in Dubai right now, still got about 4 more hours till I get to Mumbai, you'll be able to pick me up then right?"
"Obviously!" Maya laughs.
"Good!" Arushi responds. "Then I'll call you when I get there okay?"
"Sure," Maya smiles as she hangs up, and walks out of the room till Harshad comes in her way,
"So you made me dance?"
Maya nods. "In a fun manner too,"
Harshad shakes his head. "You'll pay for it you know,"
"Oh? I think I already did, through the song, 'munde se zara aankh lada?'" Maya laughs as she moves away from him.
Gradually the engagement party ends and so everyone starts leaving and Maya approaches the door and hugs Rinki and Sushant. "Congrats again guys!"
"Thank you," Sushant replies with a smile.
"And thanks for coming!" Rinki grins at her. "And for you know what as well."
Maya bursts out laughing. "I should really thank YOU for that, it was so much fun."
"What was?" Harshad asks.
"Nothing," Rinki says quickly while Maya just shakes her head, trying not to laugh.
Harshad just looks confused as he walks away.
Later in the evening
Maya gets another phone call from Arushi and this time she's calling from the airport and so Maya quickly grabs her purse and locks the apartment while she takes a taxi to the airport.
"Hey!" Maya screams when she sees her friend Arushi walking slowly towards her.
"Hi!" Arushi greets Maya as they come in arm's length of each other.
"God! It's been awhile!" Maya says as she leads Arushi's towards the taxi stands.
"I know! Well actually it hasn't, but because you've been here, it probably feels that way to you," Arushi giggles. "So anyways, how is everything?"
"Going perfectly well. You know how I told you I was at an engagement party?" Maya asks.
Arushi nods.
"It was Harshad's sister's engagement, Rinki, with one of the co-actors, Sushant. They're both honestly so cute together," Maya laughs.
"Okay and he's the one you work with, who's the one who lives next door?" Arushi asks.
"That's Alekh," Maya explains as they haul Arushi's luggage into the taxi and head towards the apartment.
That's it for this part, the next one will be one I'm looking forward to typing and just hopefully it turns out to be a good one! 😊 Please do leave comments and suggestions! 😊
Love you all loads,
Meera and Rushvi😳
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Book Talk
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