6. Re-Union
The chilly winds hit against her smooth skin, making her pull the scarf closer. She felt a strange intuition, which made her uneasy, which made the pit of her stomach churn. Something is going to happen, something bad. She could see it, she could feel it in the air. She could…
…hear something.
She looked around. The place was evacuated, save her. And she hadn't expected any living soul here, then why, could she feel some presence.
There, she heard it again. Footsteps, calm but strong. Taking a deep breath, she took stairs of the building which, still was under construction. One, two, three, four, five floors, yet she found no one.
This was sheer stupidity. What was she doing here anyway? But, she can't, she couldn't for the life of her move a muscle from the place.
She raised her eyes and found the sky peeping. So, she'd reached the last floor and there's only terrace above. Making up her mind, she took the stairs slowly, and looked around. There was no one. She was about to go back the same way, when for some strange reason she wanted to check on the other side, behind the large syntax tank, and when her legs led her there, she'd seen him. She'd seen him standing on the top of the railing, his brown hair fluttering to the winter breeze, his posture defeated, his head bent low. She clutched her scarf. One step, one tiny step and he would fall.
She felt her legs shake as she took a step back only to step on a crumpled paper, thus by alerting him by the sound.
She'd seen him raise his face to look at her in profile and she felt cold in her spine. It was him. And then she saw him give a smile before taking a step forward which meant…
"Nooo"
She woke up with a start, her chest heaving wildly, her forehead damp with perspiration. She looked around only to find herself rocked gently with the movements of the train. It took her a moment to understand where she was. She's in train, going to Delhi. Her eyes travelled to the lower berth, and unmistakably there was Tweesha sleeping oblivious of everything. She pressed a hand to her heart to ease the storm brewing in her heart.
"It's a dream Geet, it's a dream" she chanted more to herself, her voice quivering with every word uttered.
She felt choked up, and tears flowed through her cheeks and she bit her lips in order to muffle a scream. This was a dream which was haunting her ever since the fateful day. But every time she saw the nightmare, she felt it was so real, as if it is happening now, before her eyes…
She curled her fingers around the locket that hung around her neck, seeking comfort, praying for solace.
She wiped the tears and pushed the covers off, and took her laptop from her bag. The only thing she could do to ease out this pain is to write, and that's what she's going to do now.
* * *
"Nakul please do it fast, they might be coming any time soon. And Raju, clean the guest room. Yes, the one in the first floor and Chandu—" her directions stopped in midway as she felt herself being lifted off the ground and twirled.
"I missed you sexy" drawled a voice, and the gasp that escaped her lips stopped midway as her face broke into a smile.
She was put down and the first thing she faced was pulled into a bear hug by the handsome young man before her, who by the way was her younger son.
"Shaitan!" she said slapping on his arm "You scared me"
Not regarding her complaints, he pulled away and asked "Haven't you missed me?" with his puppy dog eyes, making her laugh.
"No. Not at all" she said pulling out of his embrace and trying to arrange the flowers in the vase nonchalantly.
"Really? Not even this much?" he said parting his thumb and forefinger at millimeter distance.
"Na-ah"
"Liar" he said hugging her from behind, making her smile.
Her eyes searched frantically towards the door and her questions were answered before she could utter. "Bro's directly been to Gurgaon site. He said he'll be back home late"
She couldn't help but to let out a sigh at that. Why was he hell bent on distancing himself? What was he punishing himself for? And till when? Nothing is painful than looking at her child punishing him for reasons unknown. What would she not give to have her elder son back? The questions that always gnawed her mind came back with much force and it took all her resolve to wipe those tears that were ready to fall from her lashes.
Vicky wasn't unaware of the inner turmoil of his mother. But he chose to be silent because sometimes actions speak more than words and now is the need for action. He was back home after these agonizingly long years not to see tears in his mother's eyes. He vowed to take them off from there. It is going to be tough, yes, but what's fun if everything is so easy in life? For the time being, he knew he need to distract his mother, and distract he would.
"Mom" he drawled "Mooommm"
"Yes?"
"Life is so boring, why don't you get me married?"
Laasya was surprised for a moment but laughed a beat later "Sorry Vicky, your charm isn't going to work. Your elder brother is in line"
"Oh yeah by the time Bro would agree to marriage, my little nephew would be of marriageable age. Mom, get me married please?"
"Tell me something" Laasya turned to face her little son "Do you like anyone in California?"
Vicky thought for a moment and said "I like everyone mom, see I believe in spreading love"
Laasya whacked him with the flowers she had in her hands "I didn't mean that" she said turning her back and walking to kitchen.
"I know what you mean mom. You aren't going to get a Phirang as your daughter-in-law. Don't worry" he called at her back.
"Go and get freshen up if you don't want to scare the guests that is"
"Guests? Who guests?" he asked suddenly noticing that the cleaning being done of the guest rooms above, and a pacing Chandu and Nakul.
"Tweety and her friend" he heard his mom's voice from the kitchen and his heart missed a beat.
"Tweety?"
* * *
She heard the ring of the phone on the other side and closed her eyes. Was she ready to go to that place, that very place that she was once awed of? Was she ready to face those people whom she never would forget but want to with every fiber of her? She'd no idea if she was ready, but she knew she's going to do it.
She told herself for the umpteenth time that the person she detested, and the person she didn't want to face is not here. It would be Laasya aunty alone, and she was a woman she respected the most after her mother.
Yet…
She rolled her eyes and chided herself. "Stop being a sissy Tweesha. You're stronger than that" she mumbled and continued waiting for Laasya aunty to pick the call but in vain. Giving up, she dialed the land lane and heard a ring or two before it was picked.
"Hello Aunty, it's Tweesha. We're almost there. We'd reach in 20. I suppose Dad already told you that my friend's accompanying me. Geet is her name and—"
"Geet" a male voice from the other end startled her, making her clutch her phone against her ear. "Nice name. Is she hot?" the voice said now.
She felt her hands ball into fists as she heard that annoying voice, which belonged to that annoying person she swore she would never see in her life.
"Vivan Khurana"
"It's Vicky, Tweety"
"Not for me. Never for me. And for Heck's sake stop calling me Tweety"
"Sure Tweety, so I heard you are going to grace your presence along with another hot chick? Ooh, I am waiting for you now"
"When the hell did you come back to India?"
"The moment I heard your arrival sweetheart, after all I couldn't miss a chance to meet you"
She felt the chain she was twisting crumple under her fist and her knuckles turned white.
"Sulking are we?" she heard his voice now.
"Look Vivan Khurana—"
"Vicky"
"What hell ever. Do me a favor. Just f**k off and before that pass the phone to aunty"
"Should I f**k off before or after passing phone?"
"Your choice"
"That's so kind of you. By the way, is this Geet hot?"
She felt the unusual churning in her pit of her stomach as she felt the similar feeling of loathe coming back to her. The same feeling she felt whenever she talked to him.
"Hot or not, she isn't your type"
"Oh, you seem to know a lot about my type. Interested in me, are we?"
"Sorry, let me rephrase. You aren't her type"
"Umm hmm. Now I'm intrigued. Who's her type then?"
She felt a smirk form on her lips as she let the next set of words out "Your brother"
Once the words were out in the open, she felt more confident, so very much that she didn't even mind his bark of a laugh from the other side.
"Now now, I am dying to meet this girl" he told amused.
"Oh you better because that woman is going to be your to be sister-in-law"
He gave another short laugh "Oh Tweety how much I missed your nonexistent wit"
"And how much I missed your nonexistent brain Vivan Khurana"
She felt him stop laughing and knew that he was miffed. Oh, he better be, she thought suddenly feeling so much better.
"What exactly is your problem Tweety"
"You. And you alone"
"And you are coming to stay a week with this problem, and bringing your friend with you. How romantic"
"I don't know you're back and for god's sake stay away from Geet"
"What if I don't stay away from your friend? Rather what if she couldn't stay away from me"
She snorted quite audibly "She has a better choice. I bet she won't look at you twice"
"Don't bruise my ego and make me take up challenges Tweety"
"You know what, I challenge you to woo my friend and I bet she won't fall in your trap"
"Oh man, now that Princess Diana challenged me, I can't help but take it"
"Try Khurana. Try as you might. I know my Geet well. And I will lick your feet if you succeed in your so called challenge"
"Stop putting indecent pictures in my mind you little pervert" he mumbled but the phone went dead already.
He smiled at the receiver and put it down.
"Welcome home Tweety, I can't wait for the re-union" he murmured with a laugh.
* * *
The train stopped and she hopped down, with her guitar slung at her back. Her eyes searched for any familiar face, be it Joshi or Mahindra or any other driver of the Khuranas. She knew her way around in Delhi, and definitely to Khurana Mansion but her Laasya aunty would definitely have sent a vehicle for her, she was sure. She put her bag down as she searched for someone, and then her eyes caught something red.
Her eyes trained on to the person who stood with his back to her, his hands in his pockets. His smooth hair which screamed that it wasn't attended by a comb for a long period, his fluffy jacket said that he wasn't really out of his California mood yet. It was tough not to recognize him, even though she couldn't see his face. His posture screamed a typical Khurana attitude after all; Arrogance.
She felt the familiar anger course through her veins as she recalled their earlier conversation. Granted, she spoke shit in annoyance, and bid her friend to a stupid challenge, but never had she expected the shameless man to turn up to the Railway station. She very well knew why he was here, probably to start his flirting session with Geet.
Her hand formed a fist as she marched towards him. Enough is enough.
* * *
He whistled a tune as he checked out girls around him. The announcement told him that the train which was carrying the little pervert was here. He hadn't bothered checking or waiting for her. He was sure in less than two minutes, he would either hear a curse or a yell, which would be directed at him.
"Oi" he heard someone call, just behind him. Ah! There! He was right indeed.
"Yes Mademoiselle" he told turning around, expecting the whining kid Tweety, but the sight he was showered with let him speechless.
There was no short girl with a birds nest on her head, which she called her hair before him. There was no girl with boyish oversized tees, and torn jeans before him. Instead there was an angel before him. An angel descended from heaven. The dark jeans hugged her body like second skin, the maroon colored full sleeved checked shirt enhanced her feminine curves. Her wavy dark hair fell down her shoulders, the blue streak in her feather soft tresses glistening in the sunlight. Thin lips pressed into a straight line, her grey eyes slightly narrowed at him.
He scratched the back of his head, as he suddenly felt a smile across his face. Who thought that the baby girl could grow up into such a beautiful woman? Yet, the truth hit him like a pile of bricks, when he noticed that the little girl he knew was no more present. Inspite of her, there was a woman, all grown up. Tweesha. And why did it pinch him, he knew not, but it did, and it did pretty hard that his eyes wavered for a moment, all the playfulness gone.
She might have noticed that, because her hands which were crossed across her chest dropped and she opened her mouth to say something.
But…
The moment was disturbed when they heard a soft feminine voice call her.
He looked at the entrance of the train to find a young girl clad in a Green Salwar Kameez, with a bag slung at her shoulders look at them.
Vicky couldn't miss her silky straight strands of hair tied into a braid, her large eyes peering at them with uncertainty, her veil fluttering to the wind, her hand fleeing to control the fluttering of the naughty veil, her eyes downcast at the simple act, her slow, deliberate steps towards them, her smile which was directed at them with conscious effort.
He had seen many beautiful females in his life, yet, the charm radiating from her face, was something he never saw in anyone. Her hesitant eyes half raised to meet his showed her discomfiture, and he smiled a genuine smile at her.
"This must be Geet" he said and saw her surprised eyes which looked at Tweesha.
Extending his arm to the girl, he said "Hi Geet I am Vic—"
"Vivan Khurana" the little chit of a girl beside him completed it for him, irking him. "Laasya aunty's younger son" she added a beat later.
Geet, who placed her hand in the extended arm of Vicky stiffened for a beat.
Vivan Khurana. Why does the name sound familiar?
* * *
Walking in the lawns surrounded with lush green grass, a variety of flora and fauna around the garden, large water fountains at the centre, and workers walking in tuxedos and red turbans, surrounding them, she felt little out of place. The mansion that stood tall before her was looking a combination of class and taste. The architecture, as Tweesha said was enthralling. Every part of the construction was done out of the world, giving it a look of heaven on earth.
Though every inch of the place was beautiful, the grandeur only seemed to overpower her, and she clutched her locket tight, a characteristic of her, which showed she was nervous.
* * *
She felt someone close her eyes from behind and she furrowed her eyebrows wondering who that might be. Her own hands raised to close on the soft hands that closed her eyes, to notice the person when she heard a murmured whisper near her ears "Guess who"
"Tweesha" she said, as she removed her hands and turned to face the little girl, whom she was very fond of.
And when she turned, there was no chubby girl with pig tails with an adorable pout correcting everyone to call her "Weesha" instead of "Weety". The little girl who always cried to sleep beside her, the little girl who loved her to bits was standing before her all grown up.
"Tweety"
"It's Tweesha aunty" came the whining reply which made her smile and cup the face of her little girl and kiss on her forehead.
* * *
She'd watched the exchange between the two and felt a smile across her face. She watched in awe as she witnessed Mother's love. She hadn't felt a pinch in her heart as she had expected. Rather, she felt her heart swell with happiness, as she stood few meters away from both the women and watched them interact. It hence shook her out of her reverie when her name was taken.
"Geet"
She felt the two women eye her as Tweesha nodded her indicating to come forward. Taking slow and deliberate steps, she joined her hands and uttered a polite Namaste to the woman before her.
Laasya looked at the timid girl before her, who fingered the edge of her veil in nervousness as she neared them. She smiled at the young girl before her and returned her Namaste.
After exchanging pleasantries, Laasya ordered Nakul to take the luggage to the guest room not before telling Geet "Feel at home. Tweesha is like my child so are you. Anything you want, I am just a call away ok Geet?"
She saw Geet nod her head, and smiled at the girl before walking into kitchen.
* * *
He stared at the maddening city before him without a blink. The city where his childhood lie, the city where so many memories were deeply engrossed with, and the very city he swore he would never keep his feet in. But here he was, standing at the very place he detested.
Life is a combat Champ, and only Men would face them with smile. The voice of his father rung in his ears, making him close his eyes as the salty breeze of Delhi hit his face, and his lips pulled down into a half smirk.
"Sir" the voice of his secretary disturbed his musings. "The union leader is here"
"Send him in"
* * *
Edited by .Maggie. - 12 years ago
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