~~Delicate Tangles~~ (a Raj-Pri fic)

hey all... here i go with my other fic, Delicate Tangles... also been posted at Orkut... i hope that it will gain the same response here as well, as it has at Orkut forum...

this is not an RN fanfic, though the main roles are played by Rajeev Khandelwal and Priyanka Bassi... it has characters from other famous TV shows as well... more of that in my characters info...

like itz been suggested to me on Orkut, that the starcast is not too familiar with my readers... so itz a request to all that just because of the starcast, dont abandon my fic!!😉

and now more about the fic... itz a bit of the suspense thriller genre with tints of romance and tons of masti majaak n drama... actually when i started off with this, i didnt actually had plans to make it a nautanki one, but i changed the plans in middle!! he he...

so here i go...

well... first the characters info for you...!!

Simran Bedi - Arora(Priyanka Bassi)…a prominent name in the textile industry all over the word… the leading business-woman… owner of 'Contemporary Fashion House'… biggest name in the textile industry…most successful businesswomen in India and overseas… winner of the 'Best Business Personality – 2006'…the brands from her company leading the market… shares reaching sky-high at the current moment…

Nishaad Arora (Rajeev Khandelwal)… first of all, loyal employee of 'Contemporary Fashion House' and then husband of Simran Arora… for him, service comes first and then his personal life… like it is said so widely – work at work and rest at nest!

Deep Bedi (Shweta Gulati)… Simran's real sister, fashion designer by profession. Works as fashion designer in 'Contemporary Fashion House'. Her designs are recognized worldwide… She had always been a supporting bone for Simran in all her work. The main inspiration behind her success is Deep. Deep is just like Simran's shadow, helping her out in each and every situation she had came across…

Saavi Mitra (Sagarika Ghatge) – college friend of Simran. May be her best friend also… 'may be' because Simran considers her as her best friend but Saavi is not sure that she feels the same way about Simran…

Soha Iraani (Prachi Desai) – Just a girl-next-door. Her position in the fiction will be exposed soon after the fiction has started properly...

Anvi Shah (Neha Bamb) – Anvi is Nishaad's friend. School-mate, to be precise. They never had any relation except friendship. A very jolly personality. They do like each other, but only as friends… they are really very close friends and share deepest of their secrets with each other… and Simran is not at all jealous with Anvi, she adores their friendship…

Awani Shah (Vidya Malvade) – Awani and Anvi are twin sisters. Simran and Anvi – Awani met only after Nishaad introduced them to each other, but all three of them feel like they've known each other for a long time. Like Simran, they belong to a very rich high class family. But none of them show any kind of attitude to the people who are less rich to them… Awani is very kind at heart and being elder to Simran, sometimes, she guides her to take right decisions in her personal as well as professional life...

Vishwamitra Roy aka Vish (Iqbal Khan) – Vish is Saavi's best-cum-boy friend… he is a believer that a good boy friend should always be the best friend… other things are supposed to be revealed during the fiction…

Aryan Ghosh (Vivan Bhatena) Aryan… a boy-next-door. There is something between him and Soha… but much of that later…

Dr. Amar Desai (Vikas Manaktala) – now, this is something interesting… surgeon by profession, has interests in Fashion and jewels… big supporter of Harry Potter and Robert Langdon ('The Da Vinci Code' and 'Angles and Demons' and cont..)… always related everything in his life to their life… thinks himself as the hero of Bollywood… in short, very similar to our very own Cadet Amardeep Huda but much… different….

Ved Shukla (Hussain Kuwajerwala) – it's a name that most of the people fear talking of… he's not like The Underworld Don or something like that, but very possessive about his relatives and friends… very?? That's an understatement…extremely… he likes to be alone… likes to spend all his leisure in his room and at the most, in his office cabin… a man with odd nature…

Abhimaan Sinha aka Abhi (Karan Singh) – Abhi is a colleague of Simran and Nishaad…works in 'Contemporary Fashion House' on the post of CFO… and he is soon expecting his promotion due to his loyal service to the company… he is also a family friend of Simran and Nishaad…

Okay everyone…these are the character sketches of 'Delicate Tangles'. A few may add up to this, if that's the requirement of the fiction at that time. Although I intend make this fiction a little unromantic and with some grey shades, I am not sure whether I can do it properly since I've got affinity to write comedy scenes rather than these serious ones! But still, I can try for that… so here comes your first ever update of 'Delicate Tangles'….

Delicate Tangles…

…

City… Mumbai

Time… 6 30 am

Venue… Dreamland Mansion, Juhu…

…

An alarm clock was placed on the bedside table. As soon as the minute hand struck 6, the clock stated ringing loudly. A hand of a person covered under piles of bed covers came out of it and approached the clock. 'SHUT UP, you fool…keep quite…' A man's voice came, followed by a female.

'Nish, wake up… its 6 30…do you have any idea that you are getting late already?', Simran told Nishaad quite sleepily.

'Simi, you know that –', Nishaad started his answer or rather his defense, emerging from the bed covers, sitting erect, but it got completed by Simran, who pushed him to the bed again. '- that you like to sleep till late. Right, dear?'

'Completely right.' 'Now if you please get up, Sir?' Simi made a dramatic face turning to Nish. Nish followed obediently, muttering, 'someone had said it right… it really doesn't matter how often a married man changes his job, he ends up with the same boss – his wife!'

'You said something?' Simi enquired.

'ohh no…not at all… I didn't…why? You heard something?'

'yeah, I thought so… never mind…'

Nish sighed in relief, 'Good… never mind anything at all…and all will be…fine…'

Simi got off the bed and slipped her slippers through her feet, arranged her dressing gown properly. 'So what are you doing today, Nish?', Simi asked again.

'ummm…let me check…' He looked for his diary planner, which was buried somewhere in their bed covers. Nishad searched for it under them, over them and here and there… finally grabbing it with his hand, sitting in tangled bed sheets all around him, opening it…

'Well Simi, today, 8 30 am, I've got a meeting with my boss and 11 o'clock, Fashion designers are going to display their designs for the CFH Winter-Autumn Collection two-o-o-seven and then at 3 00, I am supposed to take a few interviews for new employees. And after that at 5 30, there's another meeting with a client at 'The Orchids' and then… ohh…that's it. Finished at last…otherwise, I had really begun to think that it may even continue for a few more pages…'

Simi smiled at his words. 'Seems that you are extremely busy today, aren't you?'

'And what do you mean by 'seems that', Simi? It is not only 'seeming' to me, it 'is' like that… in real…'

'Well I guess then that you have to get up properly then and get ready in an hour. Otherwise – '

'Otherwise I'll be late for work again… yeah yeah yeah…I am really tired of listening to your same dialogue everyday.'

'And I think that if I don't play the same tape everyday then seriously one day you are going to be late and your boss wont spare you for that. Because, whatever I've heard about your boss from you, she's strict.'

Nishad frowned. 'You know a lot about my 'boss', Simi dear…'

'I do, Nishaad… you get ready while I'll see the arrangements for your breakfast.'

'Sure… I'll be down in half an hour.'

**

City… New Delhi

Time… 7 00 am

Venue… New Delhi Domestic Airport…

…

'All passengers traveling from Jet Airways Airbus 2300 from Delhi to Guwahati are requested to pass though gate no. 5. Jet Airways wish them happy journey. Fly safe from Jet Airways. Thank You!'

'Amar, listen to me…'

'What is left to be – '

'Loads of… If you please listen to me, just once…'

'Kripaya dhyaan de… Jet Airways ke Airbus 2300 se Delhi se Guwahati jane wale sabhi yaatriyon se nivedan hain ki ve dwar paanch mein se apne vimaan ki or prasthaan kare. Jet Airways unhe apni yaatra ke liye shubh kamanaye deta hain. Jet Airways se surakshit or nischint prawaas kijiye. Dhanyawad!'

'I think I've already had enough of your bull-shit.'

'That is NOT at all … what you call as 'my bull-shit'. Amar, try and understand. You are going to Mumbai and – '

'I know perfectly well where I am going, Ma, I don't need you to tell me this.'

'Amar, please… you are a doctor… your patients need you not your job in some fashion company…'

'Ma, I have already told you this for thousand times and telling you this for one thousand oneth time – I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF MY PATIENTS. Dr. Gupta is going to manage them. I've handed over all the cases to him, and now I hold no responsibility to them whatsoever. Is that clear, Ma?'

'But Amar, being a doctor was a dream – '

'"was" Ma, it was… not any more…'

'But Amar – '

'No buts Ma. I've taken my decision fair enough. And that's what is going to happen now onwards. Now crystals, sequins, clothes, fashion shows is my life, not blood, glucose and hospitals and patients. I have chosen my way that way I want. I don't want to be a dependant on anybody anymore.'

'Amar, you were never depended on anyone.'

'I was Ma. I am sure that not you, not any of my friends will ever understand me and my dreams…'

Amar turned his head away from his mother, who was looking very concerned about her son. Dr Amar Desai, famous neurosurgeon from one of Delhi's biggest hospitals, having a huge income in addition to the money earned from every successful operation he did for the last 7 years of his service. Ohh…don't think that 7 years of service means that he was old… he was 31… yes…just 31… an intelligent surgeon… single, unmarried… but none knew what had happened to him all of sudden that he developed interest in fashion and related things… everything happened so quickly that none even understand what was happening in front of them. Dr Amar Desai… now, who was he? A doctor devoted to medical science…or… a jewel designer, an arts expert??

'Your attention please… Passengers traveling from Kingfisher Airlines KF 4355 from Delhi to Mumbai are requested to pass through gate number 8 towards their aircraft. Kingfisher Airlines wishes all its passengers happy journey in their flight. Have good time with us. Thank you!'

Amar heard the announcement. He looked at his watch. It was 7: 19 am… and 23 seconds…now 24….25… it meant that the flight was on time. He got up from his seat, threw his empty coffee glass in the dust bin beside him and straightened his tie and suit and grabbed his hand bag and laptop in his hands.

'Amar – ', His mother called out his name softly.

'Ma, I know that for past few days my behavior is bothering you a lot, but Ma, believe me, whatever I am doing or going to do is of my choice. To become a famous surgeon was my dream and I have already achieved it. You know that I am not going to stop in my life just by achieving a single dream like many people do. Robert Langdon never stopped on one adventure, and I also, am not going to. I want to live my life, and achieve new ambitions. Just promise me to look after yourself. You will, wont you?

'Sure son… is it all you want?'

'No Ma… I want many things…' Amar grew silent as soon as these words escaped from his mouth. But unfortunately, the silence that was clearly written on Amar's face went unnoticed by his mother as she was trying to lock her tears in her eyes. 'I want many things…' He repeated.

'This is the last call for the passengers traveling from Kingfisher Airlines KF 4355 Delhi to Mumbai. Kingfisher KF 4355 passengers are requested to check in on this call. Thank You!'

'Ma, I think I should take your leave now… do you want anything from me when I return to Delhi Ma? Should I buy you something from Mumbai?'

Amar's mother wiped her escaping tear near her eye before answering his question. 'No beta. Just take care of yourself. And don't worry about me… I'll be safe… call me as soon as you land on Mumbai Airport. I'll be waiting for your call…'

Amar hugged his mother, kissed her forehead. 'Sure Ma… don't worry about me…'

He bent down and touched his mother's feet.

'Happy Journey, Amar… be happy… stay safe…' His mother was no longer capable of hiding her feelings, her worries away from her son. It wasn't the first time her son was going away from her. But the conditions before this were under control. Then, Amar wasn't passing through any emotional dilemma. This time, however, was completely different… all the motherly worries, fears were in action.

Amar turned his head away from her and passed through the registration counter for Kingfisher Airlines. 'I am sorry Ma… I couldn't tell you the real reason I am going to Mumbai… but when I'll return, I'll be happy, you'll be happy and… and… and everyone would be happy… love you very much Ma…', he muttered.

Amar looked in the mirror hung just before the security check. A confident young man scanned him through it as if saying – All the best!

**

City… Mumbai

Time… 8 12 am

Venue… 'Contemporary Fashion House', Chairperson's office, 17^th floor…

…

'Mr. Rai, I have ordered that file 15 minutes ago. What the hell are you doing? If you usually take 15 minutes to get a single file from the store room, then I fear that there is no place for people like you in my office.' Simran was shouting on a person standing in front of her desk, and that person was looking down at the floor.

'Sorry Ma'am. I'll take care of it next time.' Even he didn't know how he managed arrange these few words in a sentence let alone to speak them aloud to Ms Simran Arora… an angry young woman… real angry…

'What sorry? People here are just like – 'Simran banged another file on her desk with such a force that anybody would have thought that the file must have been grinded into a fine powder due to the collision…

The door of the office opened and Nishaad entered on the right time to save poor Mr. Rai from the hands of the chairperson. The scene in front of him wasn't at all new to him…

'Simi… cool down babes…he hasn't done anything serious that you should go on accusing him about such things…', said Nishaad.

'Mr. Arora, what do you think you are doing here, in my office, without my permission? Don't you have simple manners to knock the door before entering?', Simran shouted at Nishaad.

'Sorry Ma'am… but when I saw you like – '

'Does it really matter how I looked to you, Mr. Arora?'

'It does, Ma'am… it matters to me more than anyth-'

'I don't want any more of your usual crap, Mr. Arora. Mr. Rai, will you now please go and take me that file? It is very important for my meeting with Mr. Arora today morning.'

'I'll be back in a minute, Ma'am.', Mr. Rai told Simran, who just nodded angrily at his words. Mr. Rai went out of the door practically running. The red alert was declared in the office… Ms Arora was angry… for sure, some people were bound to lose their jobs today, if they don't behave up to 'Ms Arora's' mark…

'Simi, what happened to you dear? Why you shouted at poor Mr. Rai?', Nishaad asked as soon as Mr. Rai went out of the sight..

'Mr. Aro – '

'its me… Nish, Simi, not your Mr. Arora.', Nishaad interrupted.

'Mr. Aror – '

'see…again… I told you, I am asking you that question as your friend, your husband Simi, not as the managing director of your company. So I expect you to the answer it the same way, not as my colleague… Simi, I need to know why you are loosing your temper every now and then these days?'

Simran was silent. She sat on her chair behind her table, moved her hand towards the water glass, removed the lead on it and picked it up.

Nishaad moved closer to chair. 'Simi, you alright?' Nishaad was concerned… once again… once again, it had happened… he didn't want it to repeat one more time… but it wasn't going to ask for his permission… he feared… he was really very afraid… afraid of what he had done all in his hands to stop it from resurfacing again… but it was resurfacing… returning back to their lives…

Nishaad looked at the chair and then at Simran. 'Can I?', he asked Simran's permission to have a sit on the chair. He pulled the chair away from the desk and sat on it at Simran's nod.

'Simi, you haven't answered my question…'

Simran kept the glass on the desk, without drinking the water and buried her face in her hands. 'I… I… I really… really don't know… don't know, Nish… I don't know… what to… do…'

'Simi, remember what Dr Khan had suggested? You have to keep you-'

'I DO REMEMBER WELL…', shouted Simran, standing up from her chair, banging her fists on the top.

Nishaad got up from his chair too, and walked behind Simran. He gently put both of his hands on her shoulders and made her sit down. 'sshhh… listen to me, Simi… you have to control yourself… you know that only "you" can stop that…', he added. Nishaad now moved to one side of the chair, and putting one hand on the back of the chair and one on the table, he leant closer to Simran. 'only you can…', he whispered near her ears. A warm breeze passed Simran's ears that made her to take a deep breath and close her eyes… Nishaad noticed the change of expressions on Simran's face. A small smile appeared on his lips.

'Can you hear me, Simi?', Nishaad's voice was dropped down well below a whisper. Simran nodded her head… 'Good… now do what I say, will you?' Another nod came from Simran as her answer. 'now, slowly… slowly, open your eyes when I say'

Nishaad removed his hand from the back of the chair and put it lightly on Simran's eyes. 'concentrate, Simi… concentrate with all your might… force yourself to concentrate on your breathing…' He could feel warm air touch and go away from his hand with each of her exhaled breathes…

'Feeling quieter than before?', he asked her after a minute or so. 'Feeling lighter?'

Simran didn't answer at once. Nishaad's hand still covered her eyes completely to block all the light out of her sight. That made her to rethink of her recent actions… to think of them and to analyze them… She was certainly feeling lighter than what she was feeling before… true, that she shouldn't have lost her temper unnecessary on Mr. Rai… also true, that she even shouldn't have risen her volume to Nishaad, who had helped her so much in her life… again true, that Nishaad's simple breathing and calming techniques were really working on her…

Finally, she nodded… once again, Nishaad smiled. 'now, open your eyes…', he told her softly while removing his hands from her eyes. Simran opened her eyes very slowly… her office came into her view, well lit with lights, filling colors to the darkness in front of her eyes. At first, she couldn't take the brightness of the light directly, she barred the sudden bright light with a hand… but then, she managed. She looked up, at one side of her chair, where Nishaad was standing, smiling at her, before blinking her eyes again.

'So Ma'am, you alright now?', Nishaad asked her cheerily.

'Yeah…better now… thanks a lot, Nish… I really don't know how I should have managed it witho-'

'Don't say that Simi… don't thank me… whatever I did was for me only. If you don't feel good, then how am I going to feel good?'

Simran grinned. 'So shall we?'

'So shall we what?', asked Nishaad, raising his eyebrows.

'I mean, shall we start with today's meeting, Mr. Arora?', Simran asked as a matter-of-factly.

'ohh sure, Ma'am… but hang on – ' Nishaad exclaimed as if remembering something important… 'What?', Simran looked at him questioningly.

'Mr. Rai'

'Mr. Rai? Nish, what are you talking about?'

'Mr. Rai… that file… Ring any bells??', Nish asked her sarcastically.

'oh my God! I completely forgot about that!' Simran exclaimed like she don't believe herself. 'Sorry… just a sec…' she picked up the phone. 'Tanisha, send Mr. Rai to my office immediately. And yeah, ask the canteen guy to send two cups of coffee. Don't disturb me for an hour and so. No phone call, no appointments. I and Mr. Arora are in an important meeting. Fine?... Thank you…' she hung up the line.

'Okay then Mr. Arora, where were we last time?', asked Simran to Nishaad returning to her usual cheery, confident form….

**

City… Mumbai

Time… 9 45 am

Venue… Canteen, CFH, 5^th floor…

…

The canteen was very crowded today. Don't know the real reason behind it… but it was… today, there was nothing special around… just the regular things and decors… large banners of the new CFH winter-autumn collections were arranged neatly on the walls behind… the tables were arranged all over the place. Many people were having their breakfast while enjoying chats with each other, sitting around the tables… Our focus zooms to a particular table… a few people were sitting around it enjoying their breakfast like god knows, how many others! Let's have a look at the people around it…

'Vish, you never told me that before', a girl in a blue denim knee length skirt and a simple while button-up top with a scarf tied around her neck, told a damn cute guy in formal clothing sitting besides her.

'You know that I wont do anything like that without your permission…', he answered her back making dramatic serious facial expressions.

'But, that's not fair, Vish… if I would've known that you can do anything like that, then I wouldn't have left you alone…'

'Vish, Saavi was hurt. At least you should have informed her'

'hmm… I told her "sorry"…'

'Is that all you can do?'

'What else, you think, can I do?', he counter-questioned her.

'Is anybody interested to let me know what the hell you both are talking about?', another man interrupted.

'That is', Deep told the other man, 'none of your business, Abhi.'

'and how did you figure out that, Deep?', Abhi flared back, clearly disappointed that neither Deep nor Vish were interested to tell him what was the thing they were making such a fuss of... and that too, so early in the morning, when he wasn't used to witness time-pass gossips about people…

'That's because I know what We Are Talking About, And That You Don't, Mr. Abhimaan Sinha.', said Deep, almost shouting.

'Chill babes… calm down…' Vish told Deep, rolling his clean hand on her back. 'c'mon, have your breakfast', he added, offering her a bit of her own sandwich.

'THANKS A LOT, VISH..', Deep groaned.

'Dear friend Vish,' Abhi nudged him under the table, talking in low voice so that no one could hear what they were talking about, 'tell me one thing… what's the problem with these girls? I mean half of the time; they don't know themselves what they are doing and half of the time they think as … well… umm… leave it. By the way, do 'you' have any idea what's the great thing 'you' have done that Deep is not stopping firing questions at you?'

'Well… I think I know', Vish replied.

'And what is that?' asked Abhi, sounding curious.

'I missed Saavi's concert yesterday.' said Vish seriously.

'So…?'

'What so… that's it… I've only missed her concert yesterday… and this Deep is-'

'Alright… alright… I got it… missed a concert, right?' said Abhi urgently, to stop him from saying anything further.

'Not 'a' concert, Abhi… it's 'her' concert, she's talking about since yesterday night. And she's not even finding another topic to discuss about', Vish complained.

'ohhh….', muttered Abhi, apparently not able to find anything else to say. 'Well Deep, haven't you completed your sandwich yet?', he asked Deep to change the seemingly boring topic of 'missing-not-'a'-but-'her'-concert'…

'Nearly…' came the reply.

'Good…', said Abhi.

'Why?', Deep asked him.

'umm… because, Vish told me that… you…umm… were going to present your designs for the collection.', Abhi joined a few words together to make a meaningful sentence out of it, as he again, failed to decide what to say next. These were real rare occasions when Abhi wasn't able to find something to say, but whenever they occurred… well… it created many problems for him.

'Yeah… I am… but only after Simi Di calls me up, you know, she and Jiju are having an important meeting', said Deep, missing out all the hurries and worries that were written clearly in Abhi's previous sentence.

'What meeting?', Abhi asked, this time, confident about what he was saying.

'Don't know… Di never leaks such stuff, does she?'

'Neah… she doesn't', said Abhi.

'You are coming too?', asked Deep.

'umm… I was thinking of coming… I have to discuss a few more things with Simi. I mean, this collection, as she said, is going to be costlier… compared to the others… I heard that this time you are also using some fabric… something crape wool of higher quality or something… am I right, Deep?', said Abhi.

'Yeah, I am… I accept that it's a bit expensive but you should also look at the quality. Quality matters more than the cost. What say?'

'hmm… you are right.'

'And if we can afford expensive materials then why shouldn't we take the advantage of that?'

'Well, right again.'

'You know, I can't wait to see your new designs!' exclaimed Vish.

'Really? I don't think I remember you being so excited for Saavi's concert yesterday' asked Deep, sarcastically.

'Please Deep, don't make me feel embarrassed… I told you I forgot –'

'dozed off…' Deep corrected.

'Alright… I dozed off… but it was by accident… I didn't have any intentions to miss it purposely…' Vish argued.

'And these are called lies…'

'These aren't… these are called… ummm…. These are called… called…-'

'called what?'

'umm…well…hmm… you know Deep, I would always have attended the concert if I was awake yesterday night… but-', Vish started, but got cut by Abhi.

'Ohh, will you two please stop it? I am extremely bored by this. Now, both of you are going to listen to me. Deep, Vish had already said "sorry" to you as well as Saavi. He regrets that he couldn't attend the concert. Alright? Now please, if we can go to the Recreation Hall… Simi and Nish must be waiting there for you us.'

'What's the time?' Deep asked Abhi suddenly, as if waking from a loooong sleep.

'Five past ten'

'WHAT???? The appointment was scheduled at 10. Di and Jiju are going to kill me for sure…', she said and rushed out of the canteen, leaving her sandwich half-eaten.

'Oh c'mon now, you stupid! OPEN UP… NOW!!!', she shouted at the elevator door, leaving other people around her stare at her suspiciously as if she had gone berserk. As soon as the door opened, she stepped inside the shaft and pressed the button 15…

**

so thats all for today...

it u like this fic and want me to continue with it, please do inform me... if u find any flaws in it, i'll be there to hear them and improve my writing accordingly..

see you at the next update...

Ta Daa..

luv
Saie

woopie you've updated here as well i actually really love this fic as i have read it in orkut, and i think i'll keep on reading it in orkut but i'll post my comments here because i am silent reader there lol anyways first part was amazingly good i remember when i read it in orkut all i had to say was wow! because this is totaly different to what i usually read i mean nishaad being and employee of simi and husband as well, all i have to say now is that can you please update it in orkut as i want to read more about they're college days 😳

anyways once again a brilliant update 👏 👏 👏

take care 😃
yasmin

thnk u for starting dis fic here.......its awesome.......

waitin to read ahead
..

lipi

excellent story yaar.. continue soon...

@ Rajeevian
Thnx a lot… here comes another update of Tangles…

@ lrl_01
Thnx… glad you liked the fic…

@ Yasmin
Well… when you wrote that you still remember when you read the first part of the fic on orkut, I was an inch above the ground… when you said that the part was amazingly good, I am atleast a foot above the ground… and when you said wow to my fic… umm… I am on cloud nine!! Oooo my gosh…. Looks awesome from here!!
I will update more about their college days… certainly…!!!
Thnx once again…

@ Lipi
Now I remember you…!!! Thnx dear… here comes another one…

@ Rani
Thnx dear… I had hoped keeping my fingers crossed of getting better response on IF… n so here I am…!! Getting brilliant response from you all..!!!! thnx for that!

@ Deeya
Thnx for appreciating… welcome aboard…!!

@ all my wonderful readers…

Here I go with next part of Tangles… reply for this as well… I llluuuvvv to read them…

…

City… New Delhi

Time… 11 00 am

Venue… XXX

…

It was very odd place, really very odd… looked like a jungle… but much worse… dense one… sunlight wasn't entering that place as if banned from there… and we can hear some voices… a man and a woman talking with each other…

'You told me that he was leaving Delhi today morning', the woman said.

'He did. Though his mother was trying to stop him… very badly… poor woman… don't have any idea what her son had done… ch ch ch', the man answered.

Both of them laughed… wicked ones…

'As if her protests were going to stop him from running away from here…'

'He had no choice but to run…'

'I agree….'

'Now, what are we supposed to do next? That man is not yet finished…'

'hmm… a question worth thinking of…'

'Have you planned anything to do?'

'I do have slight ideas about it. But I'll tell you those only when the time arrives. Meanwhile, let us enjoy our current victory. Dr. Amar Desai has left Delhi forever…'

'Yeah, you are right… what a victory this is!'

'Still… whatever you said is right. That man is yet to be finished completely… we have to do something for that…'

'We will… certainly…'

'hmm… any idea where that coward has gone by the way?'

'Yeah… Mumbai… the dream city… well… for him, his dream-ending city…'

'Or his life-ending city?', the woman said with cruel expressions on her face.

'May be - may not be'

'What do you mean "may not be"? It's supposed to be… it's meant to be that way…'

'But who else apart from me and you know about this?'

'That Dr Amar…'

'He only knows that someone is behind him… but he doesn't know who they are… fool!'

The woman again laughed. 'He's not that fool… He tried to find out who they are once, in case you remember?'

'I do sweetheart… very clearly…but he failed, didn't he? And that is because he doesn't have much brains in stuff like this. His brain works only in stuff like brain surgeries and things like that, not in other things…'

'Are you so keen to adore him?', she asked, raising her eye-brows.

'Well… I think, people should be respected for their abilities…'

'Wise thinking…'

'You know what, I wish we could've able to finish him off in Delhi itself. Why we gave him some extra extended life to live anyway?'

'Why do you think of everything nice after the time has gone?'

'Don't know… every time I think about Amar, good ideas always slip out of my mind… that Amar definitely has something in him that makes me feel… dumb… yeah, no better word here… I feel dumb in front of him..'

'hmm… he really is very intelligent…'

'Fond of him, babes?'

'not really…', she answered airily.

'Call him…'

'I told you, I am not fond of him in any way. Not at his intelligence, not on his looks, not on – '

'Call him…', he repeated in a commanding voice.

She hesitated for a moment and then took out her cell phone from her beautiful sequined purse. While holding the phone in her hands, she again looked at him. 'Are you sure that I should make a call to him?'

'100 percent. Let me know about his whereabouts.'

'To plan the next moves?'

'May be useful in those… Go ahead…'

She finally dialed his number… the bell was ringing… her heart beats increasing with every single ring that went unanswered by the receiver… how can she talk to him now? She can't… but she had to… she had to because it was a part of their plan… a perfect plan to execute Dr Amar Desai… a perfect plan planned by two of them… their plan… operation AD… Amar Desai… and the two people were she and –

'Hey sweetie, what's up?', Amar's voice reached her ears through the small device that she held in her hands…

'Nothing. Just called you up. Have you landed safely?', she said, looking at the other man and questioning him what to say next, who just muttered – 'carry on'

'Yeah… no problems with it', answered Amar.

'And where you are now?', she asked another question.

'On the way to CFH…'

'Had your breakfast?'

'Of course… now-a-days, they serve too much even in Delhi – Mumbai flights.'

'Funny naa?'

'Yeah, it is… so what are you doing, Soha?'

'huh? Me? I am out for lunch with Aryan'

'Lunch? At 11 30?'

'No actually… now we are in a garden for freak-out and then I think, we'll go to some restaurant… I hope you wont mind…'

'Oh C'mon Soha, why should I mind you going out with Aryan? In fact, I am extremely happy that finally you two managed to patch up with each other particularly after –'

'Please Amar… I don't want to remember those incidents…'

'Alright then… see you then, if I continue to talk with you on phone now then surely it's going to be profitable to at least one of the traffic police. You know, Mumbai traffic policemen have become much alert on stuff like this these days.' Amar laughed on the phone. His laughter sounded much like… something that was less than a cry but much more that a ungrateful moan….

'You are driving? Whose car?', she asked.

'A friend's. He lent me one an hour ago, when I landed.'

'Ohh… great that you have something to move around the place on your own now.', said Soha. Amar has a car… a useful piece of information for their operation.

'Yeah… all the thanks to him…'

'okay then, take care and stay safe.'

'Thanks a lot Soha… you too. Enjoy your time with Aryan. Bye!'

'Bye…'

And the line hung up…

**

…

City… Mumbai

Time… 12 30 pm

Venue… CFH, Recreation Hall…

…

'And he was Rohit with his designs. Well done Rohit… Keep up all the good work… And now we present the new designs from Ms Ashi Dalal for the collection… Ms Ashi – ', the host announced to the audience.

'As we all know that this year, the theme for 'The CFH Winter-Autumn Collection' is Comfort Wear, here I am to present a few designs for it… music – '

A western hip-hop music played in the background and the models came on the platform displaying various designs and Nishaad yawned. Simi turned her head at the right time to see how beautiful Nishaad's teeth were, and nudged him by her elbow.

'Nish, don't be sleepy… be awake… we are seeing the collection…', Simi whispered.

'I know Simi', Nishaad answered, 'but you know what, I didn't like that Ashi Dalal's designs at all. They are so typical and boring… nothing new… and the previous one wasn't at all nice and the one before that was like 'yuuuucckksss' but before that was good', he added counting the collections on his fingers…

'Nish –', Simi argued.

'What? I just told you my opinions on the collections. There's nothing new in this year's designs unless you count that 'Softy' one… must say that was brilliant…', Nishaad told Simi.

'Nish, don't you think that you should now see the designs rather than commenting?', asked Simi, 'that can be done afterwards when we'll handle the dresses personally. Besides, people here are much more interested in the show, not on your crap.'

'hmm… I guess you are talking sense after a very long time', he teased her.

'Oh just shut up, Nish… see the designs yourself or at least let me see them', Simi told him.

Simi turned her head towards the platform from Nishaad and started to look at the collection with all the possible concentration she could after Nishaad's non-sense talks. Finally, after 5 – 6 minutes, the music stopped and the hall applauded. Ashi Dalal came on the platform along with her models.

'Thank you very much, everyone', she told the crowd at loud, 'I hope you have all enjoyed my collection. Again, thanks a lot for your support…'

'Thanks, Ashi. And that, Ladies and gentlemen, was Ashi Dalal with her designs…A huge round of applause for her good work', the host of the show announced and the crowd applauded again.

'What was so great in her collection, by the way?', Nish asked Simi in a low voice, while clapping his hands half-heartedly, who shot him an angry look. 'ohh… sorry…', Nish muttered…

'But now, put your hands together for the star of the afternoon, Ms Deep Bedi', the host continued with his speech. 'May I please call upon Ms Deep to present her fabulous designs for the season…'

'Thank you Sahil', Deep came on the platform and said through the microphone. 'this time, my designs under the main theme of Comfort wear come in the category of Mid-night stream. So, here I go… lights off please…music – '

The lights went out. A soft, light music played in the background and models wearing beautiful shades of blue and green, in awesome clothing walked on the ramp. Several lights of blue shades were dancing on the rhythm of the music across the stage, frequently stopping on the models…The designs were breath-taking… amazingly creative and different… further, each design was unique… great pieces of artwork… and then, the music changed and all the models went inside…

'Now this is something great!', exclaimed Nishaad, whistling aloud.

'Nish… What are you doing? You are the MD and you are not supposed to be spotted whistling loudly on a collection', Simran whispered to him, 'And of course, the collection has got to be like that… She's my little sister after all…' she added proudly.

'Little???', Nishaad looked questioningly at her, 'Don't you think that "little" is little exaggeration for her age?'

People were confused as the show suddenly changed its track midway. There was no single person standing on the platform, still the music was playing and the lights were dancing. And then, there was an announcement from Deep, 'Ladies and gentlemen, now be prepared for my master-piece for this collection, presented by supermodel Awani Shah…'

The crowd murmured in interest. Awani Shah… the supermodel… along with the star designer Deep Bedi… it was a sight worth seeing… and then, their wait was over…

There stood, under the spot light, Supermodel Awani in a mid-night blue halter-neck, knee-length gown, with silver and lilac sequins and beautiful embroidery from silk threads of the same color as the gown to impart richness to the original smooth texture of the fabric used. Her silver stele toes with mid-night blue tie-ups made patterns on her legs. Her loose chestnut brown hair with copper high-lights and deep brown low-lights were styled into ribbons. The glittery clips that she had used in her hair, made her hair look totally fabulous. Blue, lilac bracelets on her wrists looked beautiful on their places.

The perfect makeup on her face, along with the blue – silver lights on the platform made half of the audience in the hall flat on the floor…

The hall sat open mouthed… spellbound by the eternal beauty - Awani…

'Abhi… is she our own Awani?', Vish asked him.

'hmm… does look the same as her…', Abhi said, not taking his eyes off Awani even for a second as she walked on the ramp.

'Is she the same one, who works at CFH and talks to me?? You sure?', asked Vish, amused at his own luck that she had talked with the lady before.

'Of course Vish… she's the same Awani, who had talked with us many times in the past…'

'But then how come I never realized that she is damn beautiful and ****? Pinch me Abhi… she can't be our Awani… she just can't be!'

'She is…'

'She can't be….'

'But she is….

'I said, pinch me… This is a dream for sure… it can't be real thing… I knew that Awani is beautiful, but never ever I'd thought that she can be this… this… this –'

'Hot…', Abhi completed the sentence, as Awani reached the peak of the platform and gave some poses to the CFH photographers.

'Right… thanks…'

'Can't wait to tell her that she looked completely awesome. When the show's going to end?', Abhi asked.

'Simran Ma'am and Nishaad Sir said it should end near lunch time', informed Vish.

'Great… then it's nearly the time… Deep's was the last one, right?', asked Abhi as the whole crowd applauded for Deep's outstanding designs.

'Yeah… I suppose so…'

'Thank you all!', said Deep from the platform. 'I hope, you all enjoyed my designs. One more thing friends… I would like to thank Awani specially that she agreed with my designs and presented one of my favorites here, in front of you. So, a big round of applause for her. Awani, could you please join me on the platform?'

Awani walked on the platform again. The crowd cheered for her again as she sent flying kisses in all directions for them.

'Would you like to say a few words for us, Awani?', asked Deep.

'Yeah sure', said Awani in her dreamy, sweet voice that echoed throughout the hall, 'First of all, Deep, I would like to congratulate you for such brilliant designs and then thanks for selecting me for your show. May god bless you in each and every stage of your life and may you get all the success in the world.' She looked at Deep, who bent her head and muttered 'Thank you', before continuing, 'And I would also like to tell her that please please please please please sign me for your next collection as well…' Deep smiled at her words. 'Thank you once again!', Awani concluded.

'So, that was all for today, friends… Thank you for being present at such a wonderful event, here at CFH Recreation Hall. It's me, Sahil, your host, signing off for today. Bye and have a good day!'

'C'mon, let's go and congratulate her on the success', Abhi suggested.

'Who is 'her'??', asked Vish, raising his eye brows.

'Awan… I mean Deep…'

'Yeah sure', said Vish, half smiling…

They both got up from their seats and joined Deep at the base of the ramp. Before they could say anything, Deep asked them excitedly, 'How was it?'

'Fantastic', both replied in unity.

'Marvelous', Simran and Nishaad joined them. 'Great job, Deep'

'Thanks Di! I had hoped that you'll like it…'

'And what about me?', Nishaad asked Deep.

'Jiju, is there any collection of mine, which you didn't like?'

'So you were so sure that this time too your Jiju will like it?', asked Nishaad.

'Obviously… whether Di likes it or not, my Jiju will always like whatever I design, right?', Deep asked, just like a child.

'hmm… see, Simi, your dear sister believes in me blindly that I would like her collections whatever happens, but doesn't believe in you…', Nishaad teased her.

'it's not like that Jiju', Deep defended her Di.

'See… this is my sister… And I am proud of you, Deep', she hugged her.

'Thanks once again, Di…'

'C'mon, lets have a look at the collections', Abhi suggested to all.

'Great idea, Abhi…', said Deep.

'umm… actually I was thinking if we can have our lunch before that, it would be nicer…', Vish told Abhi.

'Yeah… even I feel that we should have our lunch before seeing the collections', Nishaad supported Vish, 'I mean, if we see them with our tummies full, we can select more properly from the designs…umm… what say, guys?'

'hmm… you are not wrong, Nish… we can have our lunch…', Awani joined them..

'Hey Awani, great performance sweetie', said Abhi. Abhi hugged Awani umm… for… well… for a considerably longer period. He left her only when Vish cleared his throat indicating that now he should leave her.

'umm… well… Great… great performance, Awani… you were looking… looking…umm… looking… umm… looking…'

'Fabulous', Vish completed the sentence for Abhi.

Nishaad looked at Abhi and raised his eye brows as if saying stay away from Awani, otherwise it wouldn't be the right step in any way.

'C'mon, let's go… I am too much hungry…', said Awani.

As they started to leave from there, they heard some commotion just outside the door. Nishaad looked at Simran, who shrugged her shoulders. Nishaad beckoned the security guard standing near the door.

'What is going on there? What is the noise all about?', he asked him.

'Sir, there is a man standing out there, who is claiming to know Deep Ma'am and wants to meet her urgently. But Sir, don't worry… we have come across many incidents like this, we'll handle him', he answered.

'Who is the man?', Deep asked. She was curious to know who the man was or rather excited about the stupid who claimed to know this stupid and created commotion on this small point…

'He's some doctor…', said the guard.

Deep thought for a second and then said, 'Amar? What's the name of the man? Is he Dr Amar? '

'Yes Ma'am, he's Dr Amar only…Dr Amar Desai from New Delhi.'

'Let him in now… he is my friend…', Deep nearly shouted at that guard. Amar…? What the hell was he doing here…? Is there any problem with him…? She grew concerned…

'Yes Ma'am…' The guard rushed from there. 'Hey, let that man in. he is really a friend of Deep Ma'am', he shouted at the other people there.

In a few seconds, a tall man in a business suit was standing in front of them. As soon as Deep saw him, she stepped forward and hugged him.

'Amar, what a surprise? How come you are here, in Mumbai, without informing me beforehand? If you would have informed me then, I could have picked you up on the airport', she told him excitedly. She was so happy to see her old friend back again…

'Why? Can't I come just to visit you, Deep?'

'Of course you can… and sorry for the problem created from my guards…'

'Ohh… that's nothing… it happens…'

'Anyway, everyone, he is Amar… Dr Amar Desai… neurosurgeon… I met him in Delhi a few years back', Deep introduced Amar to all, 'And Amar – she's my Di – Simran Arora and he's my Jiju – Nishaad Arora, and these are my friends – Awani, Vish and Abhi'

'Pleasure to meet you all', said Amar.

'Nice to meet you too', Simran shook hand with him, 'Deep had told me about you once. By the way, it's nearly the lunch time. Would you like to have lunch with us, Dr Desai?'

'Oh… I would like that… but only if you call me Amar not Dr Desai…'

'Simi…' smiled Simran.

'Di, let's go to some restaurant… what say everybody?', Deep suggested.

'Hey… that's a cool idea, Deep…', said Nish and he called another guard, 'Ask the driver to be ready. We are going out.'

'Yes Sir' And he went hurriedly to convey the message to the driver.

'Let's go…', said Deep excitedly, 'Amar, I'll take you to the best restaurant in Mumbai. What will you like to have? Italian?? Mexican? Chinese? Or something else??'

Simi didn't fail to notice the change in behavior in Deep since Amar had arrived. She smiled at herself and walked hand-in-hand with Nishaad out of the hall…

**