Rey's eyes spoke volumes, and just by seeing in them Taani knew that this time, it wasn't a lie. He loved her, always had. But, still trusting him again.. She was still not sure.
" Rey, can you do something for me? " She asked him hesitantly.
" Let Me Go " came her reply.
Chapter 10
Let me go? These words ringed in his ears till he could make out its meaning. Simple 3 words yet deep meaning. But, he couldn't just let go of her. Never. Its like expecting the sun to leave it shine, which is impossible. So that's it. For Rey to let go of Taani, was impossible. He did once, and he paid a huge price for it. But, Taani was now an ambitious person. After so much of effort, he couldn't just let go of her !
She added, " Rey, I understand that you did that all for me. But, Rey I don't think so I'll be able to trust you. I cannot forget the pain I went through, and just a plain sorry won't erase it. So, please let me go." Her eyes pleaded and begged, while her voice chocked. Tears became visible as she struggled not to cry. Not to be weak again. Trust once broken cannot be repaired fast, and betrayal was something Taani was not prone to.
Since childhood, she was raised in a family where love was showered upon her, but one day it all changed. When her parents died in a car accident. But, her Tauji took care of her, raised her with all the love he could give her. Trusting someone was not Taani's forte. But when she did, she did it with all her heart just blindly. And, this hurt was not something she could digest.
He looked directly into her eyes, while holding her hand even more tightly," I will make you trust me again. I will make you fall in love with me again. We will redefine love, Taani. And, this time its gonna be forever. Till death do us apart." He bent forward and kissed her on her head, then on her cheeks.
The intensity in his eyes gave Taani a shiver down her spine for she had seen it after such a long time. Those words echoed in her mind. Will it be possible? She thought. I hope so.
Suddenly, Rey took her hand and was about to kiss it when, his eyes fell on the marks on her wrist. Taani who had closed her eyes due to the extreme proximity sensed Rey had stopped and opened her eyes and saw Rey looking at the marks on her wrist. His eye-brow raised in confusion when she released her hand from his grip in a hurry. She did not want Rey to see the cut marks at all.
Rey was hell surprised, and he knew something was wrong. " What's up, Taani? "
" Nothing. Why are you interested so much? " She said in a rude tone. It was a deliberate attempt hoping after hearing it Rey would leave.
The reverse happened, for He forcefully took her hand to see it again. His eyes widened when he realized it was the cut marks. Tears welled up in his eyes. " Are you out of your mind? These are cut marks. Did you cut yourself? When? Why? How? What if something happened to you? What-"
"-Rey stop. I-" Taani began, but was interrupted by her again.
"- Don't you dare. You did cut yourself. Not once but many times. Why, Taani? Why? " Rey said in a desperate and hurt tone.
" Rey. You want to know why? Right? Then listen. Its f**king because that would numb me from the pain that YOU gave me. I would cut myself, and then I would feel dizzy. For moments, I felt I would die. That's what I wanted. I wanted to die, Rey. " Taani spoke the truth.
Did he hurt her so much that she wanted to die? That she even attempted to try that?
He was even more guilt ridden now, seeing this. He raised her hand, bent forward and kissed it with passion hoping that this kiss would erase all the pain. He picked her up, to which she struggled but he didn't bulge. He delicately put her down on the bed. He closed the lights, and lay down beside her. She attempted to hit him to leave her but he didn't. Her force was of nothing use in front to of him. He just picked her up, and laid her beside him and closed his eyes to sleep. Taani was bewildered at his audacity for she had forgiven him and here he was sleeping with her. She tried protesting but Rey glared at her saying, "Taani keep quite and let me sleep."
" I want a good sleep. So, I want you to sleep with me."
Okay, now she actually had her tongue tied and seeing this Rey smirked. He winked at her and seeing this her mouth formed a perfect O. What the hell does this guy think of himself?
" Taani, I'm really sorry for everything. I know this has hurt you a lot, maybe more than me. But, I promise to do everything right." Rey said looking directly into her eyes and he could see a ray of hope in hers. Maybe. She didn't reply. She just closed her eyes, made a bit distance from him but he refused. So, she stopped resisting for she had no strength left. She just drifted into deep slumber not waiting to wake up.
He was sweating and panting. His heartbeat was running in a marathon, and his muscles got tight. Sweat dripped from his forehead. It was a nightmare. f**king nightmare. Taani emerging from darkness, smiling at him. But, then leaving him all shattered, crying.
" Taani, don't leave me. Please. Don't. Taani .. Taani. NOO! " He screamed and woke up with a start. He realized it was middle of the night. Sweating badly in an AC room, he looked around hurriedly. He left out a sigh realizing that Taani was still with him. Unable to control more, he just hugged her tightly. Not caring if it would wake her up, he just kept on hugging till he realized it was just nightmare, not the reality.
Taani, who was sleeping pretty well was disturbed by a sudden force against her body. Yawning, she opened her eyes just to see Rey hugging her as tight as he could. She soon realized he was sweating. She hugged him back seeing that he needed her.
" Rey, its okay. What happened? " Taani asked visibly concerned.
" You won't leave me, right? " Rey asked ignoring her question. His voice was full of doubt, but the hope still lingered.
Taani did not know the answer to this sudden question. She want sure herself of the future. The future is scary and nothing is predicted.
She just nodded, and Rey could see the uncertainty in her voice. Tears seeped down, but he refused to give up.
" No, I won't let you leave me. NEVER." He said with his voice commanding. He hugged her again. Sleep was something he would not receive tonight due to the fear of losing her.
She knew the fear was big. The insecurity was much. More than anything, his love was the biggest. His nightmare along with him sweating like hell, made her small brain register the fact that his nightmare would have been painful. She just hugged him much to Rey's surprise who was sitting with eyes closed trying to absorb Taani's presence.
" Rey, sleep." Her commanding voice was still full of concern.
" I don't want to sleep, Taani. " He replied honestly.
Instead of replying, she made him lie down and lay against him, with her head on his chest. They just hugged each other letting go of their differences and their past, cherished each other's promise for they did not know what future might hold for them. Future. Capable of giving the pleasures as well as pains. Uncertain. Unpredictable. Unimaginable. Scary.
But, little did they know their days of pains were over and happiness was awaiting to cross their path and lighten up their lives with joy.
" Get up, you Son of a Bit*h." Shanaya screamed at the phone, apparently talking to her best friend Neil. Taani, sitting next to her smirked. Taani, Shanaya and Neil were always best friend since the starting. Supporting and loving each other had always accompanied their friendship.
Taani snatched the phone from Shanaya's hand and said, " Hey Neil. Get up baby, please."
And, in return she heard a whining sound, sleepish perhaps. Shanaya was now hell angry. Here she has a ceremony and there her best friend is sleeping as if he's herbinating.
" WAKE UP, or else I'm gonna break all your bones in your body. I'll kick your lazy ass, which does nothing all day but loiter around. GET UP OR ELSE."Shanaya screamed at the phone. This voice definitely startled the whole house, and everybody woke up hearing this threat except Neil who still whined at the sudden scream.
Rey, who was just passing by heard the voice and knew Shanaya was about to break something. Bones, perhaps. Swayam too knew something terrible was going to happen. He accompanied by Rey, walked over to Shanaya just to see a stunning Taani.
Taani had wore a shimmering lehnga, which suited her curves really well with a heavy jewelry but minimum makeup. Her slim belly was visible from the lehnga and Rey felt a sudden urge to cover it up so that one could see his girl. Taani who felt someone was mentally undressing her, turned to see Rey looking lovingly at her. Even Rey was looking devilishly handsome. Dressed in a black kurta, his physique was quite prominent which made Taani sigh. Rey saw Taani admiring him and when their eyes met, Taani immediately lowered her eyes shyly. Rey smirked but continued to undress her. He sighed sadly when he reminded himself it was mentally not physically :P
" What's up, Shanaya? " Swayam asked looking confused. Screaming was Shanaya's forte but why now. God, this girl can also get married. Swayam smiled.
Ignoring him, she continued screaming, " You bas***d. Get up !! "
She put the phone on speaking, pointing Swayam to the caller. Neil said, " Man, why are you irritating me? Lemme sleep. And, let me talk to Taani. Where is my babe? "
Rey eyes shot up towards Taani, with anger visible. Jealousy, perhaps. But, he remained in control. He had to make her fall in love with him again, not scare her away.
Taani, on the other hand was not aware of this storm, but was excited to talk to Neil, her best friend. She snatched the phone and walked away talking to him. " Baby, wake up please. Its Shanaya's sangeet. "
Rey saw Taani's retreating figure and he could feel his blood boil. He asked Swayam, "Whom is Taani talking to?"
Swayam smirked. And, Shanaya said, " Obviously Neil. Her best friend. She loves him a lot. But, I hate him man. He's so annoying and-"
" Loves him a lot? " Rey arched his eye-brow.
Confused at what she meant, Rey knew jealousy was about to overpower him.
" Oh, come on Rey. Stop being jealous. She loves him as a friend. "
Rey sighed in relief, happy over the fact she loved him only as a friend. However, he was unknown to Neil's feelings towards Taani which would bring a big storm in his life.
Neil wore a blue sherwani, and looked handsome. His clean shaved face was one thing girls would die for. His blue eyes made everyone drool except Shanaya. She found him hell irritating, and the same feeling was returned. Neil too hated her, but loved Taani.
Initially, Neil saw Taani as a friend but as time passed Neil found himself falling in love with her. However, he could not reveal it to her, fearing her answer. Maybe she would reject. He was aware of the fact that Taani liked Rey, but he considered Rey as a past.
Taani standing in a lone corner, was talking to Shanaya who seemed nervous at her Sanjeet. She wasn't that type of girl who ever got nervous, but this Wedding was gettin' on her nerves. Quite bold, Taani liked her personality. After so many years of separation, Taani had changed. Pain is a great teacher, they say. Definitely, it is. Pain had taught her a lot. She had turned into a bold person, and she liked that about herself. Unsure of the future and Rey's intention, she found it difficult to trust Rey again for it had been broken once in quite a brutal manner.
Neil entered , looking devilishly handsome taking every girl's breath away. Taani noticed him, and ran upto him. She hugged him tightly for she was meeting after such a long time.
" I missed you soo soo soo much Neil." Taani said while hugging him.
" I missed you, too." He replied while hugging her even more. His hands were on his petite waist, his head hurried in her neck.
Rey, who was at first surprised seeing Taani run, then got filled with jealousy seeing her hug him so tightly that there bodies were not even an inch apart. He was known to the fact that Neil was just her friend, but still he couldn't help but burn in possessiveness. Adding fuel to it, Neil kissed her left cheek to which she smiled warmly. What the hell is wrong with Taani? Why ain't she backing off from that low-life? And, they talked and talked much to Rey's displeasure who was just standing mentally stabbing knives to Neil.
After hours of talking continuously to Neil, They finally acknowledged everyone's presence. Shanaya who was equally angry at the sudden change of Best friends from Shanaya-Taani to Neil-Taani, decided to stay mum for this was her function. Taani, turned to see a hell angry Shanaya was usually meant a storm which is about to erupt. She smirked for she loved doing it. Suddenly, she also noticed Rey, who was burning with jealousy.

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