Devakshi FF: Reaching Out (Updated Chapter 29 Epilogue AN- Pg 142) - Page 101

Engagement.

Dev stared at Neha.

He noticed that her lips were moving, but nothing actually registered in his brain. How could it after what he had heard?

Sonakshi was leaving. For an engagement.

"Sonakshi...sagaai kar rahi hai? he whispered, almost to himself.

Neha walked up to her brother and kept a hand on his shoulder, "Lag toh kuch aisa hi raha hai.

Dev didn't know what he felt more, anger or dejection. He slumped down on the couch, " Mujhsey ladaai kya kar li, seedha Sagaai karney chali gayi?

Neha sat down on Dev's left while Ranveer took the seat on Dev's right. Dev stared straight ahead in silence. Then he abruptly turned to Neha.

"Tujhey yeh pata kaise chala?

Neha sighed. She looked first at Dev and then at Ranveer.

"Main aaj ek patient ko further treatment ke liye airport chhorney gayi thi. Wahan main Mr. Shukla se mili. Woh Sonakshi aur uski family ko see off karney gaye the. Unhoney hi bataya she said keeping a hand on her brother's clenched fists.

Dev looked down at Neha's hands covering his own. Ranveer kept his hands on Dev's shoulder. They both understood his state. And they wanted to comfort him as much as they could. Dev stayed quiet for a few minutes. Then he looked at Neha again.

"Kya kahan Mr. Shukla ne?

Neha looked at him sadly.

"Pehley maine unsey poocha ki woh wahan kya kar rahey the. Toh tab unhoney kahan ki woh Sonakshi aur uski family ko airport chhorneye aye they. Woh Kolkata ja rahey hai Sagaai ke liye she felt Dev's fist tightening under her hands. But she continued.

"Maine details nahin poocha. Buss unki tabiyat ke barein me poocha. Phir unhey car tak chhorkeye seedha yahan aa gayi she finished softly.

Dev abruptly got up and went into the bedroom he had come out of. He slammed the door so loudly that both Neha and Ranveer flinched. They looked at each other.

Ranveer groaned and rubbed his eyes. He looked around blearily. He was aware of a slight pain on the left side of his neck. That was inevitable given the way he slept last night. He looked towards his right, albeit painfully. He found Neha slumped over on his lap, but she was moving now. He gently patted her so that she would wake up completely. He was in a half sitting position leaning against his couch.

Yes. They were on the ground. Suddenly a ruffling sound came from his left. He slowly turned towards the sound. Riya was sitting up properly from her half lying position from one side of the couch. She yawned and patted the body lying next to her on the couch. The head on her lap moved and then the body sat up to reveal Tina, who like the rest, still seemed sleepy. All four of them looked at each other sleepily. Tina was the first one to break the silence.

"Sir abhi tak bahar nahin aye?

The rest looked towards the closed bedroom door and then looked at Tina. That was answer enough. They sighed in unison. Riya looked at the clock and got up from the couch.

"Subah ke 10 baj rahey hai Di! Ab humey phirsey unhey bahar laaney ki koshish toh karni chahiye naah? she said with worry.

Neha looked at Ranveer, " Koshish karein kya?

Ranveer sighed. They had panicked last night when Dev locked himself into the bedroom. In their panic, Neha had dialled Tina and Ranveer had called Riya. On their hurried arrival, the four of them had proceeded to bang incessantly on the door to no avail. Ranveer had even made threats involving breaking down of doors. But then Dev had silenced them without opening the door, when he had quietly but calmly voiced out from the other side that he needed to be alone and that they could come back in the morning.

Satisfied that Dev was still in one piece the gang had camped out in the living room carrying out worried conversations about how they could help Dev. But having grown tired after having wracked their brains into the wee hours of morning, they had eventually lost the battle to exhaustion and given in to sleep. Having gained some of their energy back, their enthusiasm came back. Ranveer nodded. But before they could make their way to the bedroom door, Tina's phone made shrill chime.

She took a look at it and looked back at the rest of them. She gave them a sheepish look, indicating that it was a call from her boyfriend. The others smiled slightly. Neha nodded her head indicating that she could take the call. Tina received the call and quietly began speaking. Riya turned to Ranveer and Neha.

"Jab tak Tina apney boyfriend ko sab inform kar rahi hai, main ekbaar Aahar me call kar leti hoon, to check sab theek hai ki nahin, okay?

Neha and Ranveer agreed. Then the both of them decided to finish calling their own work stations to inform them that they wouldn't be making it. Dev was more important at this point. While the four of them were busy making their calls, the bedroom door to reveal a dishevelled but determined Dev, duffel bag in hand.

Everyone stilled mid call and stared at Dev. One by one they hung up and approached Dev apprehensively. Ranveer opened his mouth to say something, but Dev held up his hand.

"Bohot ho gaya yeh. Sonakshi apney aap ko pata nahin kya samjhti hai. Socha aur Sagaai karney chali gayi.

He walked towards the couch.

"Theek hai. Ussey jo sahi laga usney kiya. Ab mujhey jo theek lagega main karunga.

He turned towards the group.

"Main aaj 4 bajey ki flight say Kolkata ja raha hoon. Jo karunga, ab wahin karunga.

He looked at Ranveer.

"Maine tere laptop se ticket book kar li hai.

Then he looked at the rest and then turned away from them.

"Mujhey rokne ki koshish bilkul mat karna.

Dev straightened his blazer as he waited for the boarding line to move forward. It had taken him quite long to settle things at work, because his sudden departure called for rescheduling of some meetings. And then he had to explain things to Ishwari. That had taken a considerable amount of time. He had even been whacked on the head once, for having hurt Sonakshi, which he graciously accepted as he believed he deserved it.

Now he just wanted to sit on the goddamn flight. He had to stop the engagement. He just hoped he wasn't too late. The line finally started moving forward and Dev couldn't be happier. Ten minutes later he was comfortably seated. The flight had three seats in the middle and two seaters on either sides separated by two lanes. Dev was on one end of the three seater row. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths. He needed to calm down before he reached Kolkata.

Suddenly he felt a tap on his left shoulder. He opened his eyes and was greeted by a sight he never expected. His eyes widened. He was greeted by four smiling faces. While two were sitting beside him, the other two were on the two seater on their left. Dev just stared, unable to form words. Ranveer, who was sitting right beside Dev laughed at his expression.

"Tujhey kya laga, hum tujhey akele maidaan me kudney dengey?

Neha, who was beside Ranveer moved her head forward to look at her brother.

"Jung ladengey, toh eksaath ladengey, yaad hai naah?

Riya poked out her head from Neha's left.

"Ismey hi toh maza hai.

Tina peeped out from over Riya's head.

"Chaliye Sir, Dr. Bose ko uthake le atey hai! she said with a wink.

Dev stared. And stared. And Stared.

The four of them thought he'd gone into serious shock, when suddenly he started guffawing loudly. He had doubled over and was laughing hysterically. Now it was the gang's turn to stare at him. They were afraid he's lost what remaining sanity he had.

"Itni...hahahahaha...kharab lines...hahahaha...kahan se mila..hahaha...tum logo ko?

The gang rolled their eyes.

Dev calmed down after a while.

"Thank you he said sincerely.

The gang rolled their eyes again, but smiled.

They were on a mission.

Dev glanced at his watch as they made their way towards the airport exit. It was 6:30 in the evening. He quickened his pace. He didn't want to be late. Usually these kind of affairs started by 7 to 7:30. He looked back. Ranveer and Neha were right behind him, followed by Riya and Tina.

He was grateful to have them with him at this point. He was determined alright. But this kind of support meant a lot. He loved his friends and sisters for it. They had left everything without a thought and were here to help. No doubt he would have done the same, but still. It was something he could never thank them enough for. Once the flight had taken off, Dev had started thinking rationally and had demanded to know how they could just leave there work and come for him.

They had shushed him saying that they had made arrangements and everything was fine. Tina even went ahead to video call the person she had left in charge of Dev's office in their absence right after they landed. Only then had Dev accepted their explanations and relaxed.

At present Ranveer snapped him back to reality.

"Dev, Uber bula. Jaldi pohunchengey. Waise bhi yahan ke raste nahin pata humein.

Dev nodded and whipped out his phone. He opened the app and got ready to get themselves a car. When the page for "Where to appeared, Dev froze. In all this commotion he had forgotten to find Sonakshi's address! Now what?!

The others saw his expression. Tina was the first to pipe up.

"Kya hua Sir?

Dev looked at his friend.

"Mujhey uska address Nehi pata he admitted quietly.

The four of them slapped their foreheads.

"Kya bhaiyya. Sabsey important imformation hi bhool gaye aap! Riya squealed.

"Ab kya karengey hum log? Neha cried in despair.

Ranveer looked deep in thought. Suddenly he snapped his fingers. "Tere paas Asha aunty ka number toh hai naah, woh nikaal.

Neha interjected, "Aur call karke kya kahengey? Aunty hum aapki beti ko uthaney aye hai?

Riya gasped dramatically, " Phir toh humein sachmey dulhan ko uthake bhagna padega!

"Sonakshi uss Jatin ki dulhan kabhi nahin ban sakti! Dev growled.

Tina protested, "Par Sir address nahin mila toh ban jayegi naah!

Ranveer help up his hand, "Arey chup raho yaar tum log. Mujhey kuch aur sochney do.

Riya sighed deeply, "Ab toh bhaiyya ko sanyaas hi lena padega.

Neha turned to her sister, " Bhaiyya Baba banke kuch ajeeb nahin lagengey?

"Par kya Sir suit pehenkey hi baba banengey? Tina added her two pence.

Ranveer nodded seriously, " Haan. Aur dari bhi badha lega. Shayyad tab Sonakshi ussey milneye Himalaya jayein?

Dev looked ready to kill.

So they quickly shut up and Ranveer resumed his thinking.

Suddenly Dev said, "Neha hospital call karo. Uske details me se Kolkata ka address nikalo. Mujhey toh woh dengey nahin. Sonakshi ka order hai.

Neha's eyes lighted up. She quickly got to work. Ranveer patted Dev on the back.

"Pyaar me dimaag achha chala leta hai toh, hain!

Dev just glared.

Fifteen minutes later they were on their way to Sonakshi's house.

"Bhaiyya, zyada ghuma firake mat bolna, seedha jaana, aur engagement rok dena Riya instructed. Neha followed.

"Humarey paas zyada time nahin hoga.

Tina turned towards them from the front seat, " Main ek car bulakey rakhongi.

"Kyun? Neha enquired.

Ranveer spoke up, "Arey Dr. Sonakshi ko bhagana pada toh.

Everyone nodded seriously as if it was something they did every day. Abducting brides.

They were parked outside Sonakshi's house after a while. The house looked ready for an engagement alright! They stepped out of the car. People were milling about all around the house. And the house itself was alight like a Christmas tree.

Neha turned to Dev and Ranveer.

"Jaisa kahan hai, bilkul waisa hi karna. Nahin toh pakdey jayengey.

The rest nodded. Neha took a deep breath and put on an air of confidence. Riya and Tina did the same. Dev and Ranveer put on a pair of spectacles and hats. Then the five of them made their way into the house, with the two men lagging slightly behind the women.

As they stepped into the threshold of the house, Ranveer sang softly, nudging Dev, "Dulhan hum le jayengey!

Dev agreed mentally.

The moment they stepped into the house they were met by a lady. Dev recognised her instantly. He had seen enough photos to know her. Asha.

He nudged Neha towards Asha. Neha taking her cue dragged Riya and Tina along. Neha literally flung herself in front of Asha, which startled the older lady slightly.

"Namaste auntyyy! Neha said, throwing her hands around Asha. Asha looked bewildered.

"Arey aunty aapneye mujhey nahin pehchana! Arey main dulhan ki college friend hoon! she said eagerly. Asha's eyes were still wide.

"Arey aapneye itney dino se mujhey nahin dekha isiliye bhool gayi. Kya hum engagement se pehley dulhan se mil saktey hai? she said wiggling her eyebrows.

Asha stared at Neha and the rest and then said, "Beta, aap log kahan se aye hai?

Neha opened her mouth, "Hum toh Del.. she received a sharp jab from Riya. Tina jumped in to save the slip up.

"Kolkata se hi aunty. Aur kahan se! Asha scrutinised all of them.

"Par yeh ladke kaun hai? College toh girls college hai. Ladke kahan se tapke? she asked suspiciously.

Dev and Ranveer panicked. But Neha butted in smoothly, " Yeh humarey bhai hai. Kahin akele nahin jane dete na. Isiliye saath aye hai.

Asha nodded, slightly impressed.

Neha took the opportunity, "Ab hum mil saktey hai?

Asha smiled, "Zaroor. Uss kamrey me hai. Jao. All five head turned towards the direction of Asha's finger and they all but ran towards the said door.

Dev was the first one to reach, with the others right behind him. He literally threw the door open.

And it opened to reveal the bride-to-be and her sister and another woman looking at them in shock.

But what was even more surprising was the fact that the gang at the door were also shocked into speechlessness.

This is definitely not what they had expected to see.

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That's it for today!

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And as you all might have guessed, this story is entering it's last phase. And this will come to an end on 31st of December. So just a couple of weeks to go!

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Mishti <3