Kabhi Na Kabhi Pyar To Hoga- chap 15 p3

Hey I'm new. But this fanfic has been going on for a while. Just thought you guys might like to read it! So first just a quick overview of the characters!

Shahrukh Khan: A major star in the Indian film industry (surprise, surprise)

Kajol: A college student studying journalism.

Rani: Kajol's best friend

Abhishek: Shahrukh's best friend

Aishwarya: Kajol's younger sister. Obbessed with Westernised ways of life

Karan: Kajol's colleague

Aditya (Adhi): Kajol's younger brother

Vidhi/Manish: Shahrukh's parents:

Sanjana/Shweta/Isha: Shahrukh's sisters.

Rahul: Shahrukh's older brother

Gauri: Shahrukh's ex-girlfriend.

Chapter 1

"Rani!!" Kajol called as she quickly fixed her hair up in the mirror with a clip.


"Yep?" Rani called back in the background.


"Are you ready yet? We're gonna be late!" Kajol said.


"Don't worry, don't worry." Rani said coming out from behind Kajol. "I'm ready." Suddenly her face crippled in confusion and she looked around.


" Um… where's Ash?" she asked.


"You were supposed to wake her…" Kajol said in a muffled tone, trying to balance the pins in her mouth.


"What?! Me? It was YOUR turn today!! I did it yesterday! And with great difficulty too!!"


"But I thought…"


There was a moment silence before both girls cursed.


"Shit!"

"Ash! Ash!!! Wake up!!" Kajol shook her sister and sighed in a defeated tone as Rani took over.


"Grrr… Ash! For, god sake, get UP!!!" Rani flung away the blanket that covered Ash's body. Ash groaned in a sleepy voice.


"Leave me alone…" Ash said sleepily pulling the blankets back onto her. "It's only 2am… go and sleep!!"


"Ash!!! It's not 2!!! It's 7am!! We still have to go to the temple to meet chacha and chachi! Hurry! Wake up! You're gonna be late for school…" Kajol said.


"AGAIN!" both girls said in unison. Ash turned her body the other way and ignored them.


Kajol and Rani looked at each other. Rani looked back down at Ash. Kajol sighed again.


"Rani, let's just go, na? WE'RE gonna be late if we keep doing this." she said


Rani shrugged in acceptance. The girls grabbed their handbags from the knob on the door and left.


It was snowing lightly outside and there was a slight chill in the air. Kajol and Rani wrapped their coats around themselves and walked up the street to where the temple was.


The temple was a small building filled with people paying their respects to the various statues of the gods.


Kajol and Rani ran up the stairs and touched the ground as a mark of respect. They were warming their hands by the heater when they heard a familiar voice behind them.


"Aha, so two of my princesses are here!" Wide grins appeared on Kajol and Rani's faces as they whipped around.


"Chachu!!!!" They screamed in unison. They ran and quickly touched his feet before giving him a big hug. Chachu put both his arms around Kajol and Rani.


"Now, where's my third little princess, huh?" Chachu asked.


"You mean Ash, na?" Rani asked. Chachu nodded.


"Well, you know her, Chachu! She never steps in this place. Her only interest… boys!" Kajol sighed sadly. Chachu chuckled lightly and stroked Kajol's long hair.


"You're being a bit hard on her, luv! Give it time. She'll come to realise the importance of culture in life sometime, eh?" he reassured her.


"Really?… Well, I hope so… Anyway, Kajol… let's hurry. If we keep chatting like this we'll be late for school!" Rani said.


Kajol and Rani touched Chachu's feet once more and paid their respects to the gods. They were just about to leave when a voice called out to them.


"DIDI!!!" The girls turned around to see Adhi run straight to them.


"Hi, sweety! Thanks for finally coming to say hi to your Didi… because I'm going now." Kajol said, giving him a wet smooch on the cheek.


"NOW?!" Adhi whined.


"Yes, now " Kajol mocked.


"Ok, fine. But before you go… one question you have to answer. Both of you." Adhi challenged. Kajol and Rani exchanged glances and shrugged.


"Ok, shoot!" Rani said. Adhi grinned widely.


"OK, can you tell me… what is the Moon and why does it shine only at night?"


Rani raised her eyebrow and looked at Kajol. But Kajol just smiled and bent down to look at Adhi.


"Hmmm… why are you asking us?" she asked.


"Well, I saw the Moon last night with Chachi and I'm curious. I asked her and she wouldn't tell me properly so you tell me!"


"Ok… well, I think the Moon is a place where our guardian angels live."


Adhi's eyes widened. "Guardian angels?" he said dreamily Rani caught onto Kajol's drift and bent down to Adhi's level.


"Yup, guardian angels. Angels that look after us and guide us." she said.


"Ohhh… and why does it only shine at night?" Adhi said in wonder.


Kajol pondered. "So that our angels can look after us while we sleep." she concluded."


"Oh, so these angels look after us while we sleep… what about in the day? Who looks after us then?"


"The Sun." Rani answered. "The guardian angels that live in the Sun look after us while it's day."


"Wow! That's so cool!" Adhi laughed.


"Isn't it?" Kajol said, smling broadly. "What else is cool is that I have to go now or I'll be late ok? So bye!" Rani and Kajol both kissed Adhi and rushed.

As they ran they heard another voice.
"Oh GOD!!! Kajol!!! Rani!!!! What nonsense did you feed Adhi this time?!"

Kajol and Rani turned around laughing. "Nothing Chachi, just the usual!!" Kajol laughed, running off with Rani.

Chapter 2

Kajol and Rani hastened their pace to get to school so that they could get warm. They had only walked a small way from the temple when they saw a huge commotion in the middle of the road.


"Rani! Look at that! What's happening?" Kajol said pointing at the crowd. Rani shook her head. "I don't know." They both craned their necks to try and investigate but it was no use. The crowd was too big. Rani moved forward to the crowd and was about to ask a person about it when Kajol stopped.


"Forget it, Rani! We'll be late." she said. Rani shrugged. They were about to leave the crowd when Kajol stopped and turned. Rani sighed wearily.


"Kajol, what happened?" she said tiredly.


"Shh… listen… someone's crying… a small child…" Kajol mumbled.

Rani pricked her ears. Sure enough above all the commotion she could hear the lonely sob of a chid. Kajol and Rani looked around them. After a while they saw a small child with her back leaning against a brick wall in the corner with her head and hands on her knees.


Kajol and Rani looked at each other and went over to the child. They both bent down and began stroking the child's hair.


The child looked up in fear at them.


"W-who are you?" she asked tearfully.


"No one. We're just here to ask you why you're crying." Rani said gently.

The child took a deep breath. "I can't find my mum. She was in this crowd when I last saw her and now I can't find her!" the child broke into sobs again.


"Aw, don't worry! We'll stay with you until your mum comes to looking for you. What's your-" someone's frantic shouts cut off Kajol's words.


"Anjali!!! Anjali!! Where are you?!" The child's face brightened at once.


"Mum!!!" as she ran into a lady's arms. The lady lifted the child onto her arm and walked away. Kajol and Rani could see the child's face smiling and looking at them. She waved frantically to them and mouthed the words 'thank you'. Then she disappeared into the distance.


"Like I always say about you Kaj… you've really and truly got a heart of gold. Nothing's ever gonna change that about you, is it?" Rani said, smiling.


Kajol grinned back. "Not in a million years, babe!"

** ** ** ** ** **


Shahrukh busily tried to sign all the various things that were being shoved into his face. His head was swimming and he was getting tired. He had to this kind of thing every single day and he was sick of it. He longed to go to a place where no one recognised him just so he could live in peace. He closed his eyes and tried to think of something to keep himself calm.

Suddenly a warm laughter pierced his thoughts. His eyes jerked opened and he looked around for where the laughter was coming from. He didn't know why or how….but the laughter filled him with a feeling he had never felt before.

He craned his neck to look above the heads of all the people around him but he couldn't seem to find it. The laughter continued and Shahrukh scanned the crowd. Suddenly he found it… the source of the laughter.


Shahrukh stood rooted to the spot. There were more than a thousand people around him yet he only seemed to have eyes for one person. That one person who didn't seem to notice that he was transfixed by the sight of her.


"Rani!" the girl laughed. "Hurry! Race ya to school! Hurry, naa? By the rate you're going, even Ash will be at school before us!"

With another heart-warming laugh the girl raced off. Behind her ran her friend named Rani. Shahrukh's gaze followed the laugh that seemed to echo in him now. The second girl intrigued him but there was something about that first girl that kept Shahrukh in a trance the moment he had laid eyes on her.


A girl, whose name he didn't know. Whose voice he had heard yet he had never spoken to in his life. She and her friend seemed to be the only two in that whole crowd who hadn't noticed that he was standing there. They didn't seem to careless that he was famous all because they were too busy living their lives. Surprisingly, Shahrukh felt a great relief knowing that people like that existed in this world.


** ** ** ** ** **

Kajol laughed as she saw Rani running to catch up with her at the school gate.


"I beat you again, luv!" Kajol giggled.


"Hey!" Rani panted. "Not fair! You got a head start!" she exclaimed trying to catch her breath back.

They walked slowly to where the usually sat under the palm tree in the courtyard. Kajol pulled out her geography book and started studying for her exam.
"Hi Kajol!" someone said.


"Oh, hi Leah!" Kajol said looking up at her.


"Ash- wait. Don't tell me. She's late again, right?" Leah said, annoyed.

Kajol shrugged helplessly. "Fraid so, Leah. I tried to get her up today. I did." Kajol tried to explain.


"We both tried at the same time!" Rani chipped in.

"Afraid she only gets up at her own time." Rani helped explain. Leah sighed sadly and began to walk off.


"Hey! Leah, wait! Come back here for a sec." Kajol called to her. Leah came back.


"What's wrong? Did you want Ash for something?" Rani asked.


"Well, nothing's wrong, I guess. But Ash and I have an assignment today and I was really hoping Ash could be here early in the morning so we could work on it. Guess I was wrong, eh?"


"I'm sorry, Leah." Kajol said solemnly. "Ash is-"


Leah smiled. "Oh, no, no! You don't have to apologise for your sister. I'll deal with her when she gets to school, eh? But thanks for your help, huh?"


"Sure. Anytime. And Leah, if you need any help with that assignment of yours we'll be glad to help." Rani offered.


Leah grinned. "Thanks. You know, I don't understand how you turned out to be Ash's sister, Kajol. I mean, you're so real, so serious, so…"


"Objective-oriented?" Rani offered.


"Exactly! And Ash, I'm not even sure she has an objective in life! Anyway, I gotta run. If Ash isn't gonna work on the assignment with me, then I'll have to do it alone. So I'll catch ya later guys!" and she left.

Kajol sighed sadly as watched Leah leave. Then she turned to Rani.


"Hon, I'm really getting worried about Ash now." She said in a serious tone.


"Why?"


"Gosh, Rani! You ask the most obvious questions. You KNOW why! You heard what Leah said! It's true and you know it is naa? Ash has no objective in life! All she ever cares about is how boys would look at her if she wore this dress and that dress…"


Rani patted Kajol reassuringly on the knee and smiled. "Relax, Kaj! Ash is a big girl and sooner or later she'll find out what she wants in life. In the meantime, you stop worrying about her and start studying, eh? It is our final exam, you know!"

Chapter 3

Kajol and Rani had just finished writing their notes down when the sound of the bell rang throughout the college. Everywhere around them, people were packing in books, lunchboxes, papers and other things into their bags before scurrying off to their class. Kajol and Rani did the same stuffing their books into their bags and rushing off to class.


As usual Kajol and Rani took the three seater table in the second row. Two being for Kajol and Rani and the other one saved for Ash when she finally got to school.

Today Kajol took the middle seat and Rani sat on her right. Kajol was just pulling out her pencil case when she heard the classroom door open and the loud clacking of 6-inch heals enter the classroom. Smiling to herself she looked to the front of the class and wasn't at all surprised to see Ash making her way down the row of chairs to get to her seat.


"Crap!! I'm late again!" Ash mumbled settling into her seat. "Why didn't you wake me up?!" Ash growled at Kajol and Rani. Kajol sighed wearily.


"What happened to you, dear old sis?" Ash asked.


"Ash…" Kajol said "…why have you come to school dressed in a handkerchief?" she asked casually. Rani cleared her throat and smiled. Ash rolled her eyes.


"It's NOT a handkerchief, sis. It's a backless, slim fit blouse!" she said angrily.


"Oh, in other words, a bra?" Rani suggested helpfully. Kajol tried hard to refrain from laughing.


"No! NOT a bra. It's fashion, Rani! Too bad! You just don't understand these things, do you deary? Anyways, didi…" she said, addressing Kajol. "Fresh news straight from your dear Chachu."


"Hey! Don't insult him, ok?" Kajol said severely.


"I'm not insulting him. When you finish this exam you have to go back to the temple and help prepare for the puja at night."


"Just me?" Kajol said expectantly.


"Yep, just you."


Kajol nodded slowly. "Uh-huh. And Chachu didn't end up asking you to come?"


"Well…" Ash said slowly. "…he did but you know me… I have better plans."


"Yeah, we know you. And your better plans include something like going to the some scanty town disco, drinking so much you lose consciousness, spend the rest if the night in unconsciousness and then getting up in the morning with a hangover!! Am I right?" Rani said.

Kajol didn't hold back the laughter this time. Ash smiled sarcastically at Rani.


"Yeah. Something like that." She said sarcastically.


"Listen Ash, I don't care what you have planned for tonight. You're coming to the puja."


"But-"


"All right girls, guys. Quieten down. Class has begun." Miss Mathur took a handful of test papers from her desk and starting handing them out. "You have 3 hours to complete this test paper." She said walking around the class dumping papers on the desks. " You should have brought all your equipment with you. I am NOT going to lend equipment to anyone if they have forgotten. You'll just have to do without it." Kajol heard Ash curse beside but kept her eyes on her paper.


"Alright everyone. Your time starts now. You have three hours. Good luck."

2 and a half hours later

Kajol had finished three quarters of her paper when she heard the front door creak open again and someone walked in. She didn't look up. She couldn't afford to waste any time. But soon after excited whispers could be heard around the classroom.

Rani nudged Kajol gently. Kajol looked at her. Rani signalled to the front of the class. Kajol looked in the direction Rani's eyes pointed…

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Shahrukh stood at the front of the class and looked at all the people who sat in their seats gaping at him. Suddenly he recognised a face that made his heart jump. The girl named Rani who he had seen on the street just hours ago was sitting in her seat looking at him with a confused expression.


"Wait a second… " Shahrukh thought. "If she's Rani then… that other girl…" Shahrukh's eyes searched the room for her. And then… he saw her. Sitting right next to Rani was the girl whose laugh he had heard before. He could barely control his mouth which dropped down automatically. She sat in her seat looking at him with a still face. Their eyes met for a moment and Shahrukh, however hard he tried, could read nothing in her eyes.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Kajol realised that the boy standing at the front of the room was looking at her as if he'd never seen a girl before. Kajol slowly leaned into Rani and whispered.


"Ok, is it just my imagination or does this guy seem so fascinated to see me?"


"You noticed too?" Rani whispered back. "Are you sure you don't know this guy from anywhere? He seems to recognise you or something."


"I've never seen him in my life!" she paused for a second. "Oh god!" she whispered again "He's really making me nervous. Does he find me that interesting?"

Kajol tore her eyes away from this stranger and looked around the room. Everyone seemed too shocked to continue with their exam. But the most shocked person in the room was definitely Ash. She had her mouth hanging open and was so mesmerised that Kajol could practically see the love hearts popping out of her eyes.

As the man walked down the aisle Ash leaned back and back not wanting to lose sight of him. Kajol knew what was coming and sure enough, seconds later the whole class heard a clatter as Ash and her chair fell back on the ground.


The class broke into soft giggles. Ash got up, picked her chair up and sat back down.


Then Kajol felt a jolt as she heard the chair directly behind her being pulled from its position.


"Great!! Just great!!" Kajol thought sarcastically. "Did the seat behind me HAVE to be empty TODAY?!!"


"It's fate!" Shahrukh thought. "I was supposed to come to this college! I was supposed to meet her! And I was supposed to sit in this chair!"

awwww cool ff!!!! 😃, rani;s my fav!! 😳 , hehehe 😆 , continue soon!! 👏

Chapter 4

There was silence in the room as soon as Shahrukh sat down. Miss Mathur was the first to break the silence.
"Ok…um… everyone, you have 20 minutes left." she said slowly. The class seemed to come back to reality (except Ash, who seemed too dazed by Shahrukh to realise she had an exam to finish).

Kajol picked up her pen and started writing but suddenly she could feel the guy behind her staring straight at her.

Kajol put her pen down and wrapped her arms around her uncomfortably. She attempted finishing the paper once more but she just couldn't concentrate with that guy staring at her. Even though Kajol wasn't facing him anymore, she could feel his eyes penetrate through her.

Kajol sighed softly and threw down her pen knowing that as long as that person was sitting behind her she would never be able to complete the paper.


"Ma'am." she said loudly so everyone jumped.


"Yes, Kajol? Finished already?" Miss Mathur said.


"No, could you please ask-" Kajol stopped mid sentence and slumped in her chair defeated. "Yes." she said finally.


"Wonderful, just bring the paper up here, please." Miss Mathur said. Kajol pushed her chair back and made sure it banged onto the table behind her. And hard.

Chuckling to herself Kajol went to the front of the class and handed in her paper.


A while later the bell rang. For the first time Kajol wanted to be the first out of class. Flinging her bag over her shoulder she rushed out the room. Rani came out shortly after handing in her paper. She ran and caught up to Kajol who was a little ahead


"Gee, thanks for waiting, sweetheart!" Rani said sarcastically.


"You're welcome. I'm such a good friend, na?" Kajol shot back.


"Of course. I couldn't replace you if I tried." Rani replied.


"Anyway, enough of this nonsense. I have to tell you something really important…"


"Uh-huh. Shoot." Rani said quickly walking along the corridor with Kajol.


"Did you notice that guy…"


"Which guy?"

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Shahrukh leaned against his friend, Abhishek's locker. "Oh my god, Abhi! Did you notice that girl?" Shahrukh said to him.


"Which girl?" Abhi said as they started walking down the corridor.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

"The one that kept staring at me! You know… the one that came late?" Kajol said.


"Ahh…" Rani realised. "Yes, yes… I remember."

** ** ** ** ** ** **

"You know! The one that I kept staring at! The one that was so damn beautiful?" Shahrukh explained.


"Oh yeah, I remember." Abhi replied.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Kajol and Rani stopped at a coffee stall.


"Hi," Rani said quickly. "Uh… two coffees please! An extra shot of expresso for me, thanks!"


"No sugar for me, thanks!" Kajol added.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

At the same time Shahrukh and Abhi stopped at a donut stall at the other end of the corridor.


"Morning! We'll take two cream bagels please!" Abhi ordered.


"And, uh.. Yeah! Extra cream and some sugar for me, please! Thanks!"

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Kajol took her coffee from the stand and looked at Rani.


"Oh my god, Rani! I can't believe it! For the first time in my life, because of a GUY I couldn't finish an exam!!! Grrr… I hate him so much!" Kajol said angrily.


"Yeah, that's true." Rani said absent-mindedly sipping her coffee

** ** ** ** ** ** **

"Oh my god, Abhi! I just can't believe it! For the first time in my life, because of a GIRL, I didn't even do the test I was supposed to do!! I can so tell she likes me." Shahrukh said excitedly.


"Yeah, who knew eh?" Abhi said in a bored voice.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

"Anyway, what does it matter?" Kajol said, agitatedly as they started walking again into the courtyard where all the students were chatting. " I'm never going to meet him again anyway! And if I do…" Kajol trailed off and clenched her fist in anger.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

" It's fate! I can feel it! I'm so sure we're gonna meet again. And when we do…" Shahrukh trailed off, smiling.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Rani took another sip from her coffee. "Hmmm… you know what? I think there's only one answer to why you're so angry." she said.


"Uh-huh. And what's that?" Kajol said curiously.


"You like him." Rani said simply. Kajol nearly spilled the coffee from her mouth.


"What?!" Kajol choked.


"You heard me." Rani said casually. Kajol blinked once or twice.


"Rani… what language am I speaking? I mean, when I speak what is it that you hear?… is it like dolphin squeaks or growls or…what?" Kajol said sarcastically.


"Kajol, it's so damn obvious! You can't stop talking about him."


"Well, excuse me! But how would you feel if some man kept staring at you while you were doing your final geography exam? Huh?"


"Well…" Rani said slowly. "Yes, I would be mad for a few seconds but I'd forget about it! But you just can't stop talking about him. You like him, ok?" she said cheekily as she ran off to sit under the palm tree.

Chapter 5

"No way, ok Rani?" Kajol said, running to catch up to her. Kajol crossed her legs and sat on the grass in front of Rani. "I don't like him at ALL!" she declared. Rani nodded, smiling.


"Don't argue with me. I know you too well. And I also know that you like this guy. It shows in your eyes." Rani said.


"Rani, you're being crazy… I hate you- hey, wait! Remind me again why we're even talking about this? Now, hurry up and eat your food. First we have to change then we have to go to the temple again to help out with the puja, remember? " Kajol said quickly changing the topic.


"Someone should've made you my mother, you know that?" Rani replied.


"Yeah. Too bad, huh? It's a pity." Kajol said getting off the ground and pulling Rani to her feet.

They were just about to enter the bathroom when Kajol stopped.


"Crap!! I just realised… I forgot-"


"Your clothes." Rani finished. "Yeah, I know. What are best friends for, eh?" she said pulling out Kajol's sari from her bag.
"Now, why aren't you MY mother? Thanks Rani!!! I love you!" Kajol said, hugging Rani.


"Uh-huh. And what happened to hating me just a second ago?"


"Well, what can I say? I just forgive people too quickly." Kajol joked. Rani smiled and followed Kajol into the bathroom.

** ** ** ** ** **

A while later, Kajol came out of her cubicle wearing a shimmering sky blue sari. She modelled for a moment in the mirror. She looked around and couldn't see Rani so Kajol guessed she was probably waiting outside. Suddenly another cubicle opened and Ash stepped out wearing a dazzling red sari. Kajol stared at Ash in amazement.


"Who are you and what have you done to Ash?" Kajol said turning to face the mirror. Ash rolled her eyes.


"To answer your first question, I'm Ash. To answer your second question, nothing." Ash answered.


"Since when do you wear saris? Kajol asked, directly coming to the point.


"Since… whenever. Now I guess…"


"Uh-huh. So who's the boy now?"


"Didi!!!" Ash said in a surprised tone. "There is NO BOY this time!" Kajol raised her eyebrow and looked at Ash.


"Ok, FINE!" Ash said, giving in. "If you must know, it's Shahrukh."


"Who, now?" Kajol said crinkling her face in confusion.


"Uff…" Ash sighed. "The boy that came late our class…."


"WHAT?!" Kajol shouted. "Him?! God Ash, you couldn't find anyone else?"


"Jeez… what happened to you?" Ash said in an annoyed tone. "I mean, he's cute, rich, handsome, hot…" Ash started counting with her fingers.


"Yes and he's also rude, unpunctual and has absolutely no manners!" Kajol added.


"And you know this… how?" Ash asked curiously. Kajol's face tightened. She didn't want Ash to get the impression that she liked him.


"Uh, don't ask me that! I just know." Kajol said quickly. Ash shrugged.


"I don't care what you think about him. I think he's cute. Anyways, I'm getting late. I have to go." Ash said poshly.


"And where do you think you're going?" Kajol said authoritively.


"To meet Shahrukh, of course!"


"Oh, no you don't! You're coming with me and Rani to the puja preparations!" Kajol raised her voice.


"Are you mad? As I said before, I have better plans. I'll be there for the final puja, ok? Love you! Bye!"


"Ash! Ash!!! Ash-" Kajol stopped calling. It was no use anyway. Kajol picked up her handbag and went outside where she saw Rani waiting.


"She's not coming, is she?" Rani said directly.


"Did you really expect-"


"No, I didn't. Let's go." Rani said grabbing Kajol's hand.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Shahrukh's eyes wandered over the courtyard. Abhi sighed.


"Don't tell me- you're looking for that girl again. God, Shahrukh, let her go. She doesn't look like your type anyway!" Abhi said casually.


"I've found her!" Shahrukh whispered triumphantly, ignoring Abhi. She had changed into a light blue sari and was going out of the college with her friend Rani. He could recognise her from anywhere.


Forgetting everything around him, he ran through the crowd, pushing past people who cursed as their coffee spilled everywhere. But before he could get any further a girl stood in his way. He recognised her as the girl who had sat next to Rani's friend.


"Hi…" she said in a seductive tone. Shahrukh looked at her blankly.


"Oh, please! Get out of the way!! She's leaving! The girl's leaving! I've got to get to her! I've got to talk to her." Shahrukh pleaded silently with the girl. He hoped his face showed what he was feeling. But the girl didn't move.


"Ash." she said holding out her hand for him to kiss. Shahrukh touched it lightly and let go.

Ash wasn't discouraged. "Don't you have a name? Won't you introduce yourself to me?"


"Um…yeah, I guess." Shahrukh said uncertainly.


"Is this chick flirting with me? Coz she's freaking me out. And I really need to talk to that other girl! Oh please! Get OUT of the way!!" Shahrukh thought desperately. Still, the girl didn't move.


"I'm Shahrukh…" he said quickly hoping that the girl would move if he told her his name.


"I know." Ash said seductively.


"Why'd she ask then?…ok, this is really not funny!! I really have to go!"


"Listen-" But Shahrukh could say no more. Ash grabbed his hand.


"Let me introduce you to all my friends." She said dragging him to a part of the courtyard. Shahrukh sighed.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Rani and Kajol had reached the temple and were sitting on the floor decorating a platter when Rani finally spoke again.


"I still think you like him, you know." Rani said quietly. Kajol sighed wearily.


"Please Rani. It's too much now. Just let it go, na?" she paused for moment. "And anyway, what makes you think I've fallen in love with him? What have I said that-"


"Listen, listen…" Rani interrupted. "My dad used to tell me…that true love always starts with hatred." she explained. Kajol nodded in a sarcastic way.


"Ok, so meaning I'll fall in love with every guy I end up hating?" she teased.


"No Kajol!" Rani said softly. "I mean, that the first relationship you'll have with the one that you love is gonna be one of hatred. Get it?"


"Rani, you're making a mountain out of a molehill….really!" Kajol raised her voice.


"You're saying this? When you, yourself were complaining about a guy that stared at you and consequently made you fail your exam. That's not making a mountain out a molehill, Kajol?" Rani shot back.

Kajol said nothing and looked at the platter on the floor in front of her. Rani's face softened.


"Ok, then Kajol. You tell me. What do you think true love is?" Rani challenged. Kajol looked up.


"True love?" she asked, raising her eyebrow. Rani nodded. Kajol smiled and looked thoughtful for a while.


"I don't know." she said finally.


"You don't know?" Rani repeated. Kajol shook her head, still smiling.


"Because it's just an emotion. That can only be felt…" she said dreamily. "No one can describe what it feels like to be in love. Not you, not me, not even lovers themselves." she finished. Kajol looked back down at the platter. Rani smiled.


"I can describe true love." she declared. Kajol looked up again.


"You can?" she said expectantly. Rani nodded.


"The emotion I see in your eyes right….now. That's true love." Kajol's smile faded.

"Rani!!" she whined.


"Kajol!" Rani copied. "Don't try and fool me. You like him. That's all there is to it!" and with that Rani got up with her platter in her hand. Kajol's mouth opened as she watched Rani leave. She closed her mouth, not knowing what to say. She smiled to herself and got up, taking her platter with her.


Rani was nowhere to be seen so Kajol guessed she was around the back, helping with the cooking. Kajol began setting up the decorated platters around the statues when she heard a strangely familiar voice behind her.


"Hi…" it said. Kajol turned around. To her surprise, the guy because of whom she had failed her geography exam stood behind her.

Chapter 6

Kajol looked around her uncomfortably. Rani was coming out of the kitchen with a platter but on seeing the guy with Kajol she went back into the kitchen and looked on with silent anticipation.


"Um… I'm…uh…Shahrukh." he said nervously extending his hand. Kajol looked at his hand, pushed past him and began setting up another platter.


Inside the kitchen Rani slapped her hand onto her forehead.


"Kajol!" she murmured disapprovingly. "What the hell are you doing?! The guy's trying to be friendly and you're shoving it straight back in his face! Be nice!"


Shahrukh retracted his hand uneasily. Kajol had just finished setting down another platter when Adhi came running out of the kitchen with a glass of milk in his hand.


"Didi!" he called. "Didi, can you please put this somewhere safe because Rani says we'll need it for the evening." Kajol glanced at Rani in the kitchen who smiled cheekily and shrugged.


"Adhi, I'm busy! Do it yourself!" she said rudely. Adhi looked at Rani for reference on what to do then looked back at Kajol and shook his head and ran off .


"Adhi!! Adhi!!" Kajol whipped around and (just as Rani had planned) she collided into Shahrukh. The milk spilt over Kajol's sari and Shahrukh's shirt.

Shahrukh extended his arm behind Kajol and she fell back onto it. Kajol grabbed onto Shahrukh's shirt to stop herself from falling. The glass clattered to the floor.


In the kitchen Rani couldn't stop smiling.


"Oh, Adhi, thank you!!!! You're the best!!" she said excitedly, kissing him on the cheek.


Slowly, Kajol let go of Shahrukh's shirt and he helped her up onto her feet. Kajol turned her back on Shahrukh and gradually got back to setting the platters again.


"I…" Shahrukh began.


"Look…" Kajol said quickly interrupted him. "Please leave me alone."


Rani's mouth dropped open. She didn't think her plan would backfire like this. "Kajol!!" she whispered angrily. "For god sakes! Forget your ego for once and just be nice!!"


Shahrukh stood on the spot, stunned by the comment. "What-" he started again but Kajol interrupted him.


"Look, because of you, I couldn't do my geography exams properly. I don't want anymore problems ok? So you go your way and I go mine. OK? Thank you." Kajol pushed past him once more.


Rani was too stunned to do or say anything. It seemed like Kajol had stunned everyone. Shahrukh recovered from the shock quickly. He wasn't smiling anymore.


"Fine." he said stiffly. "Whatever. I just came here thinking that maybe, just maybe we could be friends." Kajol pretended to be setting up the platters but was hanging onto his each and every word. "But if you don't want that then fine. I've just wasted my time."

Kajol turned around but he had left. A part of her wanted him to stop. She wanted to say sorry. She wanted to be his friend. And if not friendship, then maybe something more?

Someone hit Kajol lightly on the arm. It was Rani.


"Real smooth there!" she said sarcastically. "Listen, please leave me alone!" she mimed. Kajol looked her and rolled her eyes.


"Really, Kajol! You couldn't just shut up about the exam? He just wanted to be friends, you know!" Rani scolded. Kajol closed her eyes exasperatedly.


"Rani…" she said warningly.


"Ok, ok!" Rani put her hands up in surrender. "I'll shut up. But I can't help but feel you've just lost that special something called true love."


Kajol's eyes open jerked open and she looked at Rani with wide eyes. Rani shrugged and walked away. Then she turned back.


"I'm right, aren't I?" she said cheekily.


"Get lost!" Kajol said, smiling. "Cheeky devil!" she whispered to herself before walking off into the kitchen.


** ** ** ** ** **

The sky was getting dark and the puja preparations were almost finished. Kajol had spent the entire afternoon busy in the puja preparations but her thoughts kept floating back to Shahrukh. Kajol kept her distance from Rani knowing that if she went near her, the topic of conversation would eventually reach Shahrukh- something she didn't want to talk about.


It was about 8 in the evening when Kajol, who was lighting candles on a platter, heard the familiar clanking of 6-inch go up the temple stairs.


"Well, hi there, Princess Ash." she said, not even looking up from her work. "Lovely to see that you've finally decided to bless us with your presence… now come sit beside me and help me light these candles." Kajol ordered.

Ash didn't argue, sat opposite Kajol and started lighting candles.


"Where have you been for so long?" Kajol inquired curiously.


"With Shahrukh of course." Ash replied. Kajol looked up in astonishment. Rani who was about to take Adhi for a walk heard the conversation and stopped to listen to it.


"Um, Shahrukh?" Kajol said hesitantly


"Oh god, Didi! You forget everything, naa? The guy that came late… remember?"


"Yeah, yeah I remember." Kajol said quietly. Then she fell silent and went back to lighting candles.


"I think he really likes me!" Ash continued. "We spent the whole day together! We went to his friend's birthday party. He asked me to dance, then we went for a walk…" Ash sighed dreamily and trailed off.


"So… uh… he said he likes you?" Kajol asked hoping her voice didn't sound desperate.


"Of course he did." Ash replied.


"Um, uh… wow… that's really, um…nice, Ash. I'm glad you found someone." Kajol knew she was blabbering. Suddenly she felt someone's head near her ear.


"Green monster of jealousy coming out yet Kajol?" Kajol recognised Rani's voice immediately. But when Kajol turned around Rani ran off giggling with Adhi. Kajol turned back to Ash, smiled and kept doing her work.


"Why do I care so much? I mean, I don't even like him. I should be happy for Ash that she's found someone." Kajol thought strictly.


"But you're not happy at all, are you?" said a little voice in her head. Kajol blinked. What was wrong with her? She shook the thought from her head and took the candles to the front of the temple.

** ** ** ** ** ** **


When the puja was over Kajol, Rani and Ash changed back into their normal clothes. Kajol in her jeans, T-shirt and coat, Rani in a simple pale yellow salwar and Ash in her "backless slim-fit blouse" and micro skirt. Bidding their goodbyes to their Chachu, Chachi and Adhi the trio left for the dormitory.


All Ash could seem to talk about on the way back was Shahrukh. Kajol knew Rani had been right. She was getting jealous. Rani remained silent the whole way only looking up when Shahrukh's name was mentioned to catch a glimpse of Kajol's face. Her lips were pursed and thin. Her cheeks were glowing red but she said nothing. Rani could feel the tension building up inside Kajol. Something had to be done before she burst. Kajol needed to be alone to sort out her thoughts. The dormitory gate was approaching. Rani made her move.


"Ash, why don't you tell me all about your day with Shahrukh when we get inside? Kajol, can you do me a favour and just get me a drink from the shops down there? I'll need it to get to sleep." she said. Kajol looked at Rani and understood what Rani was trying to do.

She hoped her eyes showed how grateful she was. Rani smiled at her and dragged Ash with her.

Chapter 7

Kajol went straight to the beach where she sat if she ever needed to be alone. She sat on the sand with her knees bent in front of her. She rested her head on her knees and closed her eyes. The wind was blowing steadily and Kajol's hair fluttered behind her. Suddenly someone behind her spoke.


"Thought you might need this." the voice said. Kajol felt a cotton blanket drop onto her.


"Thanks Rani." she said, not opening her eyes.


"You're welcome." Rani said sitting down next to her. .

Kajol smiled, still not looking at her.


"You took longer than usual this time." Kajol said. Rani sighed wearily.


"Sorry… but what can I do? Ash just couldn't stop talking about Shahrukh." Rani said annoyed. Kajol laughed softly but her smile faded soon. Rani looked at Kajol sympathetically.


"I knew I was right. You do like him, don't you?" Rani asked slowly. Kajol looked at her and shrugged.


"I don't know… it's kinda weird. Because it's not like I know him well or anything. And he hasn't done anything drastically touching for me. But…"


"You still like him." Rani finished. Kajol laughed again.


"When are you gonna stop finishing my sentences?" she asked. Rani looked thoughtful.


"When you stop being my best friend." Rani answered immediately. Kajol nodded once.


"Hmm… meaning, never." And she broke into a grin as she hugged Rani.


"Ok, now tell me… when are you gonna tell him?" Rani asked as they parted from their hug. Kajol looked at her with her eyes wide.


"What do you mean?" she asked curiously. Rani's expression changed.


"What do YOU mean? You're not gonna tell him that you like him?" she asked, astonished.


"Rani, did you not hear Ash when she was talking to me at the temple?"


Rani raised her eyebrow. "What…did she say?" she asked slowly.


"Shahrukh has already told Ash that he likes her! There's no way he'll pay any attention to me now!" Kajol said sadly. Rani nodded knowingly.


"Kajol, you're hopeless."


"Excuse me?"


"You heard me." Rani chuckled. "Kajol, you're blind. He followed you all the way to the temple just to see if you'll want to be friends with him."


"Yeah, so?"


"So… can you just imagine what would be going through his head when he realises that you like him?"

"Um… enlighten me, mind reader." Kajol said. Rani closed her eyes and took a deep breath.


"He'd be glad to be your friend." Rani finished. She leaned close to Kajol. "And if not friends, then something more, eh, eh??" Rani said cheekily.


"Shut up!" Kajol said jokingly. "For now, friendship is all that I want. Love can wait, ok?" Rani shrugged.


"Ok, but whatever you say won't change the fact that he is most definitely you future husband!" Rani laughed hard and ran off.


"Rani!!!!!" Kajol exclaimed, chasing after her.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

When they reached the dormitory, Kajol changed into her PJs and had just settled down to read a book when Rani called her.


"Kajol!" she called.


"Hmmm?" Kajol murmured. Rani came near her bed. She was reading a small piece of paper.
"What are you reading?" Kajol asked. Rani looked up and threw the paper to her. Kajol caught it and read it.


"Invitation?…Bhangra party?… at OUR college?" Kajol looked at Rani with a confused expression.


"Yeah, I know. My first reaction too." Rani said. "But it's true. Tomorrow at 1pm there's a bhangra party at our college."


"All courtesy of my sweetoo, Shahrukh." Ash said from the door.


"Oh, hi Ash!" Kajol said. "Um, Shahrukh did this?"
"Yeah, just a special treat for all of us college students" Ash explained.


"Right." Kajol said, nodding slowly. "Anyway, um… I have to get to bed. You know…we have to get up early tomorrow and everything… so I'll see you in the morning , guys!" she pulled the blanket over her body and lay still until she heard Rani and Ash leave the room.


As Kajol's eyes drooped to sleep that night, she couldn't ignore the trickle of a tear down her cheek. She wiped it away and shut her eyes forcefully.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

The next morning Kajol and Rani were up at their usual time. This time they didn't even try to wake Ash up. They paid their visit to the temple and quickly rushed to get to college.


There was only one hot topic of conversation today: the bhangra party hosted by Shahrukh Khan.

Everywhere Kajol and Rani went people seemed to be talking about it. Finally Rani asked Kajol as they made their way to Kajol's locker.


"Kajol, are we going to that bhangra party?Everyone's talking about it! It seems exciting." Kajol sighed as she stuffed her books into the locker .


"Rani, look, if you want to go then please…go ahead. I'm not stopping you. But I have better plans."


"Would you listen to yourself?" Rani scoffed. "I have better plans!" she mimed. "You're starting to sound so much like Ash…" she complained. "Please come na?" Rani pleaded. "What am I going to do there alone with Ash, huh?" Rani looked at Kajol innocently.


"Rani…" Kajol said warningly "No don't you make that face at me! You're manipulating the whole thing."


"Pretty please?" Rani said innocently. She knew she was getting through to Kajol. Finally Kajol gave in.


"Ok, fine! I'll come. But this is the last time I'm ever seeing that face coming from you, ok?"

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Kajol and Rani were busy for the rest of the day until the bhangra party. All classes had been cancelled at Shahrukh's request.


Kajol crossed paths with Shahrukh several times but (to Rani's utter disappointment) they hardly took notice of each other.


"When are you gonna talk to him?!" Rani whispered urgently as they passed him in the corridor for the fifth time in 3 hours.


"Rani!!" Kajol whispered back. "Can you just drop it? He's not interested! And to tell you the truth, neither am I anymore!" she said quickly. Rani looked at her with her eyebrow's raised.


"Liar! I've told you this before Kajol. Don't try and fool me. I know you like you're my own family."
Kajol gave up arguing with Rani. It was too pointless.


"Anyway," Rani said, deciding to change the topic.

"The bhangra party's soon. Perfect timing for love declaration in my opinion!" Rani hinted. Kajol ignored her and continued arranging her stuff into her locker. Suddenly…


"Oooooooooo….." There was a loud cooing at the end of the corridor. Ash had just come out of the bathroom. Kajol slapped her hand onto her forehead.


Ash was wearing pants with big flares. She still had her 6-inch heels on from yesterday. And once again she was wearing a bra-like clothing on top.


"She always manages to embarrass me…" Kajol mumbled, closing her locker. Rani was trying hard not to laugh. She leaned into Kajol.


"Just think of it this way… at least it's a bigger handkerchief than before, eh?" she whispered. Kajol giggled quietly.


"Hi Didi!!" Ash yelled from the other end of the corridor. Kajol's smile faded.


"Oh god…" Kajol murmured. She turned around and faced her closed locker, hoping that Ash would go away. But before long Kajol heard Ash's voice behind her.


"Hi!" Ash said. Kajol looked at her up and down.


"Don't look at me like that, Didi! It's fashion! It's for the bhangra party today."


"Ash… what is it gonna take for you to wear something that covers at LEAST 75% of your body?" Rani asked, smiling.


"Shut up!" Kajol said, laughing as she nudged Rani. Ash sighed.


"Why do I even bother with you two? I have better things to do then to listen to you two bag me out!"

With a flick of her fair Ash strode off.


"Look at me!" Rani said poshly miming Ash as she flicked her hair. Kajol giggled then putting her arm around Rani left for the courtyard.

Chapter 8

Before long it was time for the bhangra party. Rani had made Kajol change into a glittering blue salwar.
"Perfect!" Rani exclaimed when Kajol came out of the cubicle. "Shahrukh won't be able to take his eyes of you." she added.

Kajol sighed and had completely given up telling Rani to shut up. She flung her dupatta behind her and left the bathroom.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

As Kajol came out of the bathroom she heard the distinct tune of Suraj Hua Maddam come out of the speakers. She smiled. Her favourite song.


She stood with Rani on the edge of the dance floor and watched all her friends dance with their boyfriends. Suddenly a man came up to Rani. He held out his hand.


"Dance?" he asked politely. Rani looked at Kajol.


"Oh, I'm Abhishek, by the way." he introduced.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Abhishek was screaming of nervousness inside.


"Oh god! Please tell me, she's not gonna think I'm some sort of player or something…" he thought.

Then he recognised the girl standing next her. She was the girl Shahrukh was looking for the other day. Abhishek opened his mouth to say something but closed it again, realising he didn't know her name. He concentrated on what he had come here to do.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Rani smiled slowly and took Abhishek's hand. Abhishek took her to the dance where they swayed slowly to the romantic tunes of Suraj Hua Maddam Kajol couldn't stop gaping at the irony of it all.


Rani was always telling everyone that Kajol would be the first to find romance. And yet, here she was dancing as if she was in love. Kajol couldn't help but be happy for her best friend. She deserved to find love after so long.

Kajol sat on the bench and watched Rani chat amiably with Abhishek. Then she saw from the corner of her eye someone approach her. She looked up at the stranger. It was no stranger at all. It was Shahrukh.


"Hi." he said. Kajol blinked. Words seemed to be choked in her throat.


"Hi." she managed to say. He sat down next to her.

Kajol could feel a jittery feeling rise inside her.


"Well…" he said amicably "Your friend seemed to have taken a likening to Abhishek." Kajol looked at him.


"You know him?" she said. Shahrukh grinned and looked at Kajol.


"Of course I do. He's been my best friend since we were five. And he's my publicist now too." he said. Kajol could help laugh at the irony.


"Ironic, naa? My best friend's fallen for your best friend…" she said looking at Rani and Abhishek.


"Yeah… Strange things happen when you're in love." he said quietly. Kajol stared at Shahrukh.
"Is he talking about Rani and Abhishek…" Kajol thought. "…or he is talking about… us?" To her own surprise Kajol hoped it was the latter. Shahrukh got up from the bench. Kajol looked up at him.
"Uh, are you going somewhere?" Kajol asked. Shahrukh took a glance at the dance floor and took a deep breathe.


"Yup, but I'm taking you with me." he replied.


"What?" Kajol replied, confused. Shahrukh held out his hand. Kajol looked at him and smiled.


"You just don't give up, do you?" she said. Shahrukh shook his head.


"That's the trademark for cowards." he replied.


"Hmm… and you are….?" Kajol started.


'Shut up! That's right- NOT a coward!" he answered stubbornly. Kajol laughed.


"Well?" he said expectantly. Kajol laughed and took his hand.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Shahrukh took her to the middle of the dance floor and put his hand on her waist. Kajol put her right arm on his shoulder and gently swayed with him.


"So…" she said conversationally.


"So… what?" he replied.


"You've made quiet an impression on my sister. She's very fond of you." Kajol said.


"Your sister…?" Shahrukh said, confused.


"Ash."


Shahrukh tried to remember what Kajol was talking about. Then he remembered. She was talking about the girl that had stopped him near the college gates.


"Oh…her. I remember." Shahrukh said hesitantly.


"It's nice that you have taken a liking to her. Not many people have." Kajol felt stupid to have added that last sentence. Shahrukh nearly tripped.


"Likening?…" he said.


"Yeah…" Kajol said slowly.


"Um… I wasn't aware that-"


"Ash always tells me when she likes a guy." Kajol continued not listening to Shahrukh. "Normally after two days she's forgotten about them."


"Yeah, but-" Shahrukh tried again.


"She hasn't been able to forget about you." Kajol said.


"Wait!" Shahrukh raised his voice. Kajol stopped talking and looked at him. "Since when have I taken a liking to her?" he demanded.

Kajol shrugged. "I'm just telling you what Ash told me." she said.


"Ok…" Shahrukh said slowly. "What else did she tell you?" Kajol shrugged again.


"I dunno… that you took her to a friend's birthday party…"


"Woah, woah… slow down there." Shahrukh said quickly. "I never did that." he said.

Kajol felt a jolt inside her. "You didn't? Than what did you do with her?" she asked.


"Nothing." Shahrukh answered. "She wanted to talk to me but I saw you leaving the college with your friend Rani and I had to run to get to you…coz I wanted to talk to you…" Shahrukh trailed off and looked in Kajol's eyes.

They stopped dancing but Shahrukh and Kajol didn't let each other go…