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Kabir - Singapore
Kabir (to himself): I over-reacted, didn't I? She must have gotten busy with work. Why do I become so abrasive? Why do I always use my abrasivesness as a defence mechanism?
He received a call from an India number.
Kabir: Hi Ananya!
Tarini: Kya baat hai Kabir! Ab to bas Ananya hi importance rakhti
Kabir: Tarini you know thats not true. I was just thinking about her. I was disappointed when she didn't come to the hospital to meet me. So I became rude with her.
Tarini: Typical Kabir reaction. Btw Kabir she did come to the hospital - not once but twice. I am not sure why didn't she meet you.
Kabir, don't push her away. You have feelings for her. It's too soon to call it love.
Kabir: But she makes me happy. I like being with her. I want to make her happy.
Tarini: Exactly. Nurture and grow this relationship.
Ananya - India
Richa: He calls himself your friend and unceremoniously bumps you off a piece? I am so sorry Ananya. I hate doing this interview in place of you.
Ananya: It's ok yaar. And I am sure Kabir has his own reasons.
Richa: Stop defending him all the time. He may be a great editor-in-chief but he is a cunning and ruthless man with no morals.
Ananya: That's totally unfair.
Richa: Really? Manav Sir was telling us that he has a son with Tarini! A son he refuses to accept in front of the world.
That's the real face of the man you heroworship.
Ananya was shocked.
Kabir - Back at KKN office
Kabir: Malvika how dare you? You used my name to bump off Ananya from the Sanyal story.
Malvika: I knew you wouldn't mind Richa doing the...
Kabir: This isn't about Richa. This is about you behave in a completely petty and childhish way. Grow up Malvika and start behaving like a professional
Kabir was very angry. Here he had hoped to invite Ananya to his house for dinner. And Malvika had messed everything up. But he was determined to make amends
Kabir-Ananya at Kabir's home
Kabir: Hello Ananya! You have the tapes from the Sanyal interview
Ananya: Yes Sir I do. I;ll give them to you tomorrow.
Kabir: Ananya I really need them tonight. Do you mind dropping them off at my apartment. I'll text you the address
Ananya: Umm. Ok.
Half hour later
Ananya rang the bell.
Kabir: Hello Ananya! Come inside. Don't worry I wont eat you.
Ananya noticed the table laid out and couldn't stop herself from asking.
Ananya: That looks lovely. Who's the guest of honor?
Kabir: You!
Ananya: Me?!
Realization dawned on her.
Ananya: but why did you use the escape of the tapes?
Kabir: Would you have come otherwise?! And I really wanted to apologize to you about the entire Sanyal fiasco and my behaviour the other day. I was hurt when I didn't see you at the hospital and to cover it up I became sarcastic.
Won't you forgive me?
Ananya was touched. How could anyone accuse such a man of abandoning his child, of being a womanizer.
Kabir: You came to the hospital didnt you?
Ananya: I.. umm..
Kabir: Its ok. We have a long evening ahead of us. Tell me whenever you feel comfortable.
Can I get you a drink?
Ananya: Whatever you are having! Mojito right?
Kabir: Oh that's a Virgin Mojito (non-alcoholic). But I could make a Mojito for you? I know you like your liquor. But promise you won't scold me.
He winked and Ananya blushed.
Ananya: No virgin Mojito it is.
The mention of the party helped her loosen up. And soon she was talking nineteen to the dozen. Kabir was mesmerized and distracted. After a while Ananya said
This drink of mine looks like Birbal ki khichdi. How long will you take to make it.
It was Kabir's time to blush. He quickly finished up and brought the drink to Ananya.
Ananya: Finally!
Kabir: Well now that you have waited up let's see who can do a bottom's up faster?
Ananya: Bottom's up? With a mocktail?! Thats such a kiddish thing/ But i'll still beat you.
And she picked her drink and starting guldping it down. Kabir was amused at her antics and tried catching up,
Ananya finished first and began reeling. her eyes were blazing with anger.
Ananya: What was in the drink?!
Kabir: Ananya.. It was just sprite and...
Ananya: You think I am an idiot?! That drink had rum and an overdoes of it at that.
Kabir suddenly realized his mistake. Ananya was losing control under the influence of the heavy dose of liqor
Kabir: I am so sorry! Let me help you. Here sit down.
Ananya pushed him away.
Ananya: Don;t you dare come close to me! You disgusting filthy man. This is what you do with all the women in your life? Take advantage of them?!
Kabir: Ananya! I could never dream of...
Ananya: You called me to your house under a false pretext. You spiked my drink. And now you are trying to take advantage of my state...
Kabir: Ananya what are you saying? I would never.
Ananya: The world is right about you. You are a man of no morals. You use women and then throw them when you are bored...
Kabir was cringing in pain. His voice was a husky whisper.
Kabir: ANd you agree with them?
Ananya: I didn't so far! And thats the reason I fell into your trap! But now i realize how right everyone was. You cheated on your wife. You tried to take advantage of me. And Tarini? She is the only constant in your life, isnt she? And yet you dont have the courage to accept your son in front of the world?!
Kabir: ENOUGH! Not a word about Anurag. Ananya my divorce was the worst phase of my life. No. I didn';t cheat on my wife. I didn;t have an affair with tarini. Anurag is not my biological son even though he and Tarini are the only family I have. And as for trying to take advantage of you. I would kill myself before doing that! I thought you were different. I thought we could have a plavce in each other's life. But you are just the same!
Annaya looked at Kabir's face and realized that he was telling the truth. There was no anger on his face just heart-wrenching pain.
Ananya: Kabir!
Kabir: Aananya leave. My driver is downstairs. He'll drop you.
Ananya: Kabir I am sorry.
Kabir: Ananya there's nothing to apologize. By telling me how badly you think of me you made me realize what a horrible person I am. A person who deserves no love and companionship! You had brought a part of me back to life and today you killed it once and for all.
Udne Ki Aasha
