Gehraiyan [2] - (Resuming) Author's Note pg. 58 - Page 11

I know that no apology can make up for the long absence but I'm hoping the next chapter will begin to make amends. Thank you, my patient friends :)

Also, a new picture of Heer has been added to the first page. Do take a look.

Cloaks of Mischief

"Budge up, fatty."

Heer prodded Geet with a bowl of strawberries before taking the seat beside her. Geet threw part of her blanket over Heer's lap and turned her attention back to the TV. They channel-surfed in silence, pausing every once in a while to appreciate the attractive women and men on the screen.

"What are we watching, ladies?" Dev sauntered into the living room with Maan in tow.

"Oh, nothing. It's infomercial hour so, unless you're a balding man or unusually hairy in peculiar places, there's nothing on TV." Heer looked up in time to see Dev wearily throw himself down on the sofa. "Where have you boys been?"

"We were having a chat with Mr Gopal," Maan replied. "He said the weather is going to give way to some sunshine. We may be able to start working from tomorrow." He flexed his locked fingers and worked out a crick in his neck. "Sorry, folks, but playtime is over."

Heer rolled her eyes. "Trust you to be the bearer of bad news."

"And trust you to hitch your broom onto this Darjeeling train. Anything for a free holiday, right, Heer?"

"Anything to make your wallet hurt, Khurana."

Maan opened his mouth to argue that he wasn't the one paying but was stopped short at the sound of a soft knock.

The four turned to see Nayantara standing at the door, one foot in the room and the other out. A pair of glasses that reminded Heer of Sophia Loren's eyes sat perched atop her head. She was a gorgeous woman, Heer noted, but also in need of a good night's sleep. The gaunt shadows under her eyes lent her an air of gloom and it was easy to guess that it had been quite some time since she had been without troubles.

Despite her obvious exhaustion, Nayantara's voice was strong. "Do you mind if I join you? I'm trying to escape from some very depressing numbers."

"You're not doing a very good job," Maan joked, pointing to the file in Nayantara's hand. "Come. Sit with us."

Nayantara stepped in with a weak smile and hesitated when she saw the only seat available. It was a minute hesitation, barely noticeable unless you were watching for it, as Dev had been. He noted the way her back stiffened ever so slightly, how she took the smallest of gulps before seating herself in the farthest corner of the space beside him.

It annoyed him, this behaviour of hers but out of polite consideration for her efforts, he waited a few moments before casually placing a cushion between them.

"What are we watching?" Nayantara asked.

"A verbal spin-off of WWE. Tonight's a continuation of the infamous Khurana vs. Perera match." Geet grinned.

"And who's winning?"

"I am," Both Maan and Heer claimed in unison.

Geet rolled her eyes. "See? No need for a TV."

An amicable silence settled on the room as everyone turned their attention to the still-changing screen. The sky had darkened to a bruised purple and gusts of wind pushed against the windows with the fervour of a storm. It was hard to imagine that they could begin working tomorrow.

Perhaps it was the pleasantly drowsy atmosphere or the quiet cheer of the small fire but Geet found that she would not mind terribly if the work was stalled for a few more days. Darjeeling, she thought with a fond smile, was growing on her.

"Wait!" Heer suddenly exclaimed. "Go back!"

Grabbing the remote enthusiastically, Heer changed the channel until Anne Hathaway's devious smile returned to the screen.

"Ta da! The Dark Knight Rises."

"Oh, yeah," Dev approved. "Cool movie."

"Cool? Cool?! The Dark Knight Rises is not simply 'cool', my friend. It is a brilliant addition to a brilliant movie series, a world of interesting and kick-ass characters such as this woman right here."

"I'm not much of a Catwoman person," Nayantara remarked. "Talia al Ghul, however... now there's a woman after my own heart."

Before Heer could reply, Dev - with a little derision in his voice - spoke. "Shrewd, conniving, calculative... your heart is a little cold, no?"

Nayantara finally turned to face Dev; her dark eyes glittered as she replied. "I quite agree."

The words were simple enough but the gravitas with which they were spoken made everyone in the room uncomfortable. Only Dev, who appeared entirely unfazed, nodded as he considered her words.

Maan studied his brother's face, careful not to draw attention. He was missing something here...

His eyes caught Geet's. He had spent years reading her silences and he could see that she shared his thoughts. He raised his eyebrows at her and she shook her head minutely. She, too, could not understand what they had just witnessed.

The TV screen flickered, catching everybody's attention and Maan was grateful that some of the tension in the room had diffused. His relief was short lived, however, as he saw Geet's eyes light up with interest.

"My God, he's a beautiful man. So chiselled and... raw." Heer's voice was positively po*nographic. She followed Christian Bale's every move with lust-filled, comically awed eyes. She watched the Caped Crusader fight through the streets of Gotham and demolished the momentarily forgotten strawberries in her lap with equal fervour.

"Damn right he is." Geet shifted closer to the screen. "Who knew Tom Hardy would look so sexy bald?

The sudden sound of coughs brought Geet out of her supervillain-driven fantasy and back to the real world, where her choking, red-faced husband was being slapped on the back by his howling brother.

"What?" She asked innocently.

Even Heer looked shocked. "Geet? Bane??"

Unashamed, Geet shrugged, causing Heer to break out in a wide, toothy grin. "Geet Handa! You dog, you!"

So so glad you finally updated! 😃

Khurana vs Perera verbal WWE was too good to end so soon. I hope we'll get more of it with Geet enjoying the way she did today. 😆

Somehow, the tension between Dev and Nayantara seems mysterious to me, more than her leaving him to drown... But then again, I might just be speculating over something that's nonexistent. Is Nayantara going to be vampish here, by the way? Haven't really been able to decide that.

I'm not really a batman or a CB or a TH fan so I haven't been able to get the craze but it sure is huge! 😆

Thanks for updating, Z! Enjoyed it! 😊

A villain fan😆

Originally posted by: dqno1

A villain fan😆

I am liking NT and Dev already.. curious me

Maan and Heer match up is funny

It is hard to win against a best friend

Thanks for updating.

Amen to that 😆

I have a weakness for female villains especially. They just feel that much more... evil 😈

For the unacquainted...

Christian Bale as Batman:



Tom Hardy as Bane (sexier minus the... interesting choice of accessories 😆):

Originally posted by: mayyo

So so glad you finally updated! 😃

Khurana vs Perera verbal WWE was too good to end so soon. I hope we'll get more of it with Geet enjoying the way she did today. 😆

Somehow, the tension between Dev and Nayantara seems mysterious to me, more than her leaving him to drown... But then again, I might just be speculating over something that's nonexistent. Is Nayantara going to be vampish here, by the way? Haven't really been able to decide that.

I'm not really a batman or a CB or a TH fan so I haven't been able to get the craze but it sure is huge! 😆

Thanks for updating, Z! Enjoyed it! 😊

Um... I don't know if she'd qualify as a vamp. They're all grey in on way or the other. She's not miss sugary sweet, let's put it that way 😉

Can I tell you a secret? Nor am I 😆 I like the movies but can't really call myself a huge fan. I do love a good baddie though!

Thanks, M!

Yo! Yo! Yo! What's up o great one😆

awesome update...loving the story...keep it up

Originally posted by: Susegad

Yo! Yo! Yo! What's up o great one😆

I come bearing gifts and I'm not Greek😆

Nisha Di!! 😃

Would you believe me if I said that your presence is the greatest gift? (Cliches are cliches because they're true! 😆) Although I won't say no to what you're offering either! ;)