A VS ff 'dreams come true'the end, pg14 - Page 9

"Yes… We are going to Goa."

Oh goodness… I feel like running around the entire house and yelling at the top of my lungs. "Veer, this is so exciting!"

"Well, what you said last night got me thinking."

"Really?" I blush. Does Veer want to be the luckiest man of the Earth and be with me? Oh the thoughts, the very sweet thoughts of Veer and me, alone on the romantic beaches of Goa.

"Yah, I mean what is more romantic than the beaches of Goa."

"You stole my thoughts. It will be so much fun. Just you, me …"

"And Abhinav and Siya."

"What?"

"Yah, it is perfect Soni, you have to invite Abhinav, don't tell him Siya is coming though. Once we are there, we will find a way to get Abhinav to confess his love. Once he does that everything will be fine, we will find a way to convince my parents."

Feeling disappointed I simply nod my head.

"Well, you better phone your parents and just let them know too just in case they call here and you are not here."

As Veer walks into his walk in closet to change, I pick up the phone to inform my family. Mahi answers.

"Hello."

"Mahi, it is me."

"Di!" She yells in excitement, and in a moment I know my entire family must be gathered around her. They are all grabbing the phone from each other, so I wait not wanting to waste my energy talking when I know no one is listening. Finally the phone lands with my Bhabhi.

"Soni, how are you?"

"Fine bhabhi, just wanted to let you all know I am going to Goa with Veer."

"Going to Goa! For a honeymoon!"

"Err…" Honeymoon? ... I wish.

"Okay, no problem, Mahi and I will be right there, to help you pack."

Click.

"Hello!" No use, I know mahi and Babhi must be rushing out right now. They think I am going on my honeymoon. Well... Veer didn't say it could not turn into a honeymoon...

I can't help feel a bit excited. So what if Abhinav and Siya are going with us, once they discover their love for each other again, it would be just Veer and me. Oh the thoughts, the beautiful sweet thoughts.

"So, I am just going to head out and tell Siya. Do you want to get ready and just meet us with Abhinav at the Airport?"

I nod my mind racing with all the things I must pack.

"Remember not to tell Abhinav that Siya will be coming too."

"Right. Got it."

With Mahi and my bhabi's help I pack everything I require or need. I only take the things of bare necessities yet still for some reason the bag had gotten so heavy that I have to carry it with the help of both Mahi and bhabhi. Once the bag has been placed in the car and Mahi and my bhabi leave, I rush to Abhinav's room to give him the good news of the trip we are taking. Surprisingly he makes no protests and agrees on the trip without an explanation of why he should come with us. Kabab mein haddi, opps, I didn't just think that... its probably going to end being the other way with Veer and I becoming the kabab mein haddi for Abhinav and Siya. *sigh*

We reach the airport in time and while Abhinav walks comfortably in front of me, I struggle dragging my bag. We decided not to take a cart since both our bags have wheels on them, however, I didn't realize quiet how heavy my bag was till now. By the time we reach where we are going to meet Veer, I am sweating and panting like a dog, so embarrasing. What I need most right now is a cold glass of water.

"Are you okay Soni?" Abhinav asks looking concerned at my condition of extreme fatigue.

"Never been better." I say holding my stomach trying to catch my breath.

"You don't look too great Soni, maybe you should sit down."

"I just need a glass…"

"Abhinav!! Soni!!…" Veer's loud yell interrupts us. He waves beckoning us to come to where he stands. Oh great more walking. Reluctantly I start to drag my bag following Abhinav.

"What is she doing here?" Abhinav suddenly stops causing me to almost crash right into him as he catches sight of Siya who stands beside Veer.

"Abhinav, please."

"If I had known she was coming I would have never agreed to this stupid trip."

Knowing this can and probably will go on for a while, I put my bag on upright position and lean against the bag. I sit there listening to Siya and Veer trying to get Abhinav to agree and him resisting. I had expect the conversation to go for eternity, however it quickly ends with Abinav agreeing on going on the trip but not having anything to do with Siya. No! I feel like yelling, I was not done resting yet. But who is listening, all three of them are already walking towards the check in counter. Unwillingly, I get off my bag and start walking towards the boarding line up with all three, Abhinav, Siya and Veerwalking in front of me. I am falling behind, but the stupid bag is just so heavy.

"Excuse me Madam, but we are doing random checks on bags can we please see what all you have in there?"

"Umm, err … sure."

With that I am taken to the side, I watch Veer as he realizes I am no longer behind him. A bit worried he looks around and then finally spots me in the corner with the security guard. He comes rushing.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, Sir, just a regular check."

"Okay." He then turns to me, "don't worry Soni, they will just open the bag and have a quick look." I am worried, I have nothing to hide. Do I look worried to him? Maybe the sweat and the exhaustion from hauling the overweight bag, made him think I am worried.

As the zip of the bag comes undone all the contents that were stuffed in come spilling out, as though prisoners were suddenly given freedom. The security guard and Veer both look at me with a strange expression, as the security guard puts the contents back into the bag. My entire wardrobe had been stuffed into that one bag. According to myself, Mahi and my bhabhi it was a good idea to be prepared, with all my saris, suits, jeans, shirts and everything else in my closet. As the security guard finishes, Veer, bends down to pick up one last thing that was left behind.

"Whose is this?" Veer asks picking up the short black nightie given to me by my bhabhi as a gift for my honeymoon trip. I had keep it, of course I couldn't tell her there was going to be no honeymoon and I didn't need it. He looks at me and them my nightie which is still in his hands.

At this moment I want nothing more than to just bury myself in the pile of clothes sitting in my suitcase and just stay there, till Veer leaves. Snatching the nightie from his hands I stuff it back in the bag. "Not yours!" I retort feeling embarrassed and annoyed at the same time. Sensing my annoyance Veer remains quiet. Somehow I manage to shut the overstuffed bag, with my cheeks burning red under the pressure of security guard and Veer's eyes on me.

We walk in to the flight, and find Abhinav and Siya at their individual seats away from each other. For a second I hope the same happens with us, I hope Veer and I have seats away from each other but my luck is not that good. I am sitting right beside him. Why oh why did he have to pick up that thing? Why did I have to pack it? Why did my bhabhi give it? Why did I agree to this trip? Why does this always happen to me? What will Veer think?

"Soni…"

"Okay! Bhabhi gave me the nightie, because she thinks we are going on a honeymoon. I had no choice except to take it. I didn't want to be rude and say no. I only tried it on once; I mean I didn't even think of wearing it. I would never. And I know we are not going on a honeymoon or anything…."

"Soni… Soni … I just want that magazine. Can you pass it please?"

A magazine! A stupid magazine! Feeling frustrated I slap the magazine in Veer's hands. And turn around to look out the miniature window by my seat.

"So you tried it on?"

"No!" Oh my gosh, I can't believe he just asked me that. I turn to look at him and find him reading his magazine. That was not my imagination was it? I look at him suspiciously trying to figure out if he actually said something or not. Feeling my eyes on him he puts down the magazine turning his attention to me.

"So… how did it look?" Oh my gosh it is real. I quickly turn away, not wanting Veer to catch my fast blushing cheeks.

"I … did … didn't … look … I mean … try it."

"Hmm.." Veer comes closer to me, placing his arm on the handle between us and resting his chin on his palm. "I guess there is only one thing to do then. You will just have to try it and let me tell you if it looks good or not."

"Veer!"

"What? I want to brag to my friends about our "honeymoon" too, not fair only you get to brag to your friends." He says in the most casual tone.

*gasp* "Veer! … Vee...?" Oh goodness, what was that? Why is the plane suddenly so rickety and my stomach is getting the funniest feeling ever. Without another thought I tightly grab Veer's hand and press my body against the seat. "Please don't let the plain crash; please don't let the plane crash we are too young too die…" I whisper to myself again and again, shutting my eyes tight. "Please, please, I will be a good person, a really good person. I will pray every morning and night. I will not lie, ever, wake up early and not be late to college… please …" Slowly the feeling in my stomach starts to disappear, and I open my eyes. "Veer are you okay…" I trail off, finding Veer just as I left him, watching me and smiling.

"I am fine. I just like to save my panic mode for when the plane has real problems and not when it is taking off."

"Oh, no! I am so stupid." Veer laughs and I realize I just said that out aloud.

"You are not stupid at all Soni, you are the most innocent and honest person I know. You don't think with your mind, you think with your heart, that is what makes you so special."

"Really?"

"As real as you are."

*sigh* This is hopeless; I am never going to be able to fall out of love with him. I guess I might as well just give up and stop trying. *sigh*

_____________________

Part 18 :

Our hotel room is a very large one, the honeymoon suite. With large bay windows we have a full view of what seems like a private beach, it is a bit windy out with the palm trees swaying with the wind as the sun is setting, and the clouds setting in. It looks beautiful and sets the perfect ambience for a couple who would be on a real honeymoon. However, since we are not; there really is no point in divulging on the details of the romantic scenery. *sigh* Unintentionally turning my attention to the bed in the room, I realize how very small it is compared to Veer's gigantic bed. I worry, panic and am overcome by anxiety, how oh how will I be able to keep myself from *ahem* mysteriously slipping into Veer's arms, or wrapping my arms around him. This is not good, not good at all. I must think about it later and figure out a way to keep a safe distance from him. Oh heck I must think of it now, think.... I know I just won't sleep. Yes, if I won't sleep; now I just have to remember to drink tons of coffee before bed.

If you are wondering about Abhinav and Siya well they are in separate rooms of course. Abhinav's room is on the right side of our room and Siya's on the left, with us being in the middle. Standing there in the room, just Veer and I, an awkward silence engulfs us.

"So..." I say trying to remove the silence however I have nothing to say.

"I guess we should get ready, I told Siya and Abhinav we would all meet downstairs in the lobby and then go out for dinner."

"Okay" I nod, still not sure what I am supposed to do, should I go shower? Should I wait for Veer to tell me where the washroom is? Should I go look around the room to find it?
"Soni we need to figure out how we are going to get Siya and Abhinav back together. Basically we have to figure out how to get Abhinav to confess his love."

Oh right, I had forgotten we are here to help Abhinav and Siya. To get them confess their love, now that is a tough one. "I could try and talk to Abhinav?" I suggest.

"You could... but I don't think it will help much. I mean that day at college, Abhinav was quiet convinced that there was something going on between Siya and me."

"That is because of me..."

"No it isn't. I mean there are so many rumors around about Siya and me..."

"Why don't you tell Abhinav about how you married me because you wanted him and Siya together?"

"That is the thing, Abhinav thinks I wanted to marry you because then I could carry on my affair with Siya."

Now I know this is a very serious conversation we are having but I can't help but wonder if Abhinav too watches K-shows, I mean his theory of affairs and betrayal by his girlfriend all seem right out of a K-show.

"I don't know how I am going to convince Abhinav that Siya and I are just friends, and she actually loves him." Disappointed, Veer takes a seat on the bed and buries his face in his hands.

In an attempt to comfort him I take a seat beside him and place my hand on his shoulder, "Veer, I could tell Abhinav that you don't love Siya and that you are not having an affair? Maybe he will believe me. If you want I could lie to him and say we both are really happy with each other..." Hearing that Veer looks up at me and his face lights up, as though a light bulb just went on.

"You may be on to something Soni, but we have to go eat, so get ready we will think more about it later."

"Okay?" Who knew Veer was this hungry? I mean here we are in the middle of such important talk and he is thinking about his hunger, weird. Anyways I better run and get ready I mean the sooner we go the sooner I will get food.

We all arrive at the restaurant together and are greeted by an elderly yet handsome man, who is very excited to see Veer, Siya and Abhinav. I am a stranger to him so he cordially extends his hand to take mine in his and gives it a light kiss.

"Harry this is my wife, Soni!" Veer introduces me.

"I must say she is beautiful, you are a lucky man Veer." The man says patting Veer on the back.

Veer simply smiles back, gives me a quick glance and then continues, "And you remember Abhinav and Siya."

"How can I forget these two love birds." There is an awkward silence as Siya and Abhinav look at each and then at Harry, who notices the discomfort. "Well... let me take you all to your table." He then leads us to our reserved table and after an instant of hesitation we all take our seats with Siya and Veer on one side and Abhinav and me on the other. Abhinav and Siya are diagonal to each other; I guess he is trying to sit as far as possible from Siya. I can't help but feel a bit of guilt, even though their differences had been there long before I was a part of their lives, I somehow feel responsible for the rift. We are handed our menus and I am shocked to see the prices of the dishes, putting the menu down for an instant I pick up the glass in front of me to take a sip of water, however as the liquid settles onto my taste buds I realize it is not water at all, but some odd and weird tasting drink. It is so distasteful that I don't even want to gulp it down but I have no choice so I do, almost gagging. Thankfully all three, Veer, Siya and Abhinav are busy with their faces buried in the menus, to notice my whacky facial expressions. In an attempt to give it another try I pick up the menu again, this time ignoring the pricings I start to the read the dish names. Oh goodness, I can't tell what anything is. These names seem to be in a different language all together. In a normal situation I would just pick something and just order it, but the thing is I don't even know how to pronounce half these dishes. Concentrating on the menu I starting searching for a dish I can pronounce. Nothing, nothing ...and nothing.

"Are you ready Soni?" I look up from the menu as I hear Veer. I smile at him realizing that they all have already decided what they will be ordering.

"Yah..." The waiter who is standing at our table starts with Veer, who orders something that sounds extremely complicated, then Siya orders that sounds just as complicated and then it is my turn. I know my cheeks are turning red so in order to get attention off of me I quickly point to something on the menu. "I'll have that." I say in the most casual, I am in control of the situation voice. The waiter seems astonished and surprised for a second and then proceeds to write it down.

"Soni are you sure you want that? Will you be able to handle ..." Uh oh, what have I ordered. "...the spiciness?" Spiciness, hearing that I heave a sigh of relief. Now spicy food is something I grew up on, bring it on!

"Oh yah, no problem." I beam.

"Okay..."

From the time the waiter takes our orders to the time our food arrives, there is a deafening silence at our table. No one and I mean no one on our table speaks. This as you can imagine can be very awkward and even boring. All of us seem relieved as the waiter arrives with the food, because now instead of staring around the restaurant pretending to soak in the environment we actually have something we can contribute our silence too, the food. I am the last one to receive my plate of food, and one look at my plate and I know exactly why Veer had asked me if I could handle it. I see nothing but red, green, and all other possible colors of chilies.

One bite and there are fumes coming out my ears, my face turning red, and my nose running. To cease the burning inside the mouth I quickly pick up the horrible tasting yet very pretty looking glittering golden drink and take a big gulp. Then as a dare to myself I take another bite, followed by a couple more gulps. By the time I am on my fourth bite I have run out of my drink, and frankly it tastes a lot better now. Before I know it the waiter is beside me re-filling it. Excited I take a few more sips. Somehow the awkward silence or the chillies are not bothering me anymore. I just feel like smiling and smiling some more.

_____________________

Part 19 :