Shanak FF // Let's not fall in love...Chap 8-9 on p.7 - Page 6

Chapter 9

Things were nicely progressing with Khanak's project regarding the interior decoration of Shaan's closed friend Natasha's new house. Today she grabbed a new project for a renovation of a local radio office, Soni had to go along with her to discuss about the details but she was late today. Khanak reached the place, a young girl received her & informed her to take the elevator & to go on the 3^rd floor as the artistic offices & the office of the manager is on the 3^rd floor also. Khanak was waiting for the elevator, she went into it, 3 persons came out of it, the door was about to get closed but someone entered within a second. Khanak was stunned to see that person, it was Shaan, he was catching up his breathe, the elevator was finally moving & he noticed Khanak there just in front of him. He smiled at her to which she frowned her eyebrows. They were standing next to each other, Shaan was about to talk to her but she interrupted him right away.

Khanak: - What are you doing here?

Shaan: - Why...I mean I'm here for my work, does this place belongs to you, nahi na. I don't need anyone's permission to come here.

Khanak: - Ya whatever, by the way I'm also here for my work.

Suddenly light went off & the elevator got stuck.

Khanak: - Oh god...Aab kya hua?

Shaan: - See you went angry & the elevator got angry with you.

Khanak: - This is not the right moment for jokes!

Well Shaan was in a playful mood today, he started laughing, he then pressed the emergency alarm. They waited silently for a few seconds, lights came back & then immediately went off again.

Khanak: - Oh god, this is bad...very bad.

Khanak was tensed, she was constantly looking around, Shaan took his phone from his jean's pocket & turned on the torch light so that they can feel at ease. He saw that Khanak was clenching her hands, Shaan could sense that she is not at all comfortable with the situation that too with him around her so he tried something. He went to her, kneel downed in front of her aiming the light of his mobile phone towards her face. He took her hands & assured her to calm down adding that nothing will go wrong. They were looking at each other, Khanak was somehow convinced by his words, just then Shaan received a call. It was from his manager, saying that the situation of the elevator will get solved within a few minutes & to hang on till then.

Shaan was about to move a bit but Khanak grabbed his hand saying to be near him as she's afraid. Shaan started to sit down next to her wheelchair, he then started to have a proper talk with her.

Shaan: - I'm sorry...

Khanak: - Aab kya?

Shaan: - I went way too far that day...I was confused Khanak...

Khanak: - Confused? You are the one who keeps confusing me!

I don't want to argue with you but... Tell me one thing...why are you doing this to me? One day you act nicely & then you say that you became my friend as you pitied me & another day you're just yourself, the Shaan that was my friend, the one that I appreciated...

Shaan: - There is a reason...there is always a reason for every actions of ours, situation was such that I had to talk to you in that way. Mera matlab yeh hai ki... yeh pyaar, dosti mere saath nahi hoga.

Khanak: - Kya baat hai, just for that one reason you had to hurt me in such a way?

Shaan was hesitant to what to say further, he had to be prudent cause yes there was that big reason & this is not the time to mess up with the everything, the painful past which involved both of them. However there is always this deep attention that he can't escape from whenever he sees Khanak, as he needs to protect her. He thought that maybe he can erase that mistake being helpful to Khanak as a real friend, he was a real friend but somehow he had to escape from what can hurt her the most apart from a broken friendship. Shaan took a risk, he decided this time to let answer his heart, his heart was saying him to pacify with Khanak giving another chance to their friendship.

Shaan: - Well...I had a though moment during those days too, I think I went a bit too far & I really didn't wanted things to get awkward between us cause of your feelings & all...

Khanak: - I don't have any feelings for you, so relax!

Shaan: - Toh phir...

Lights came back & the elevator started to work after 15 minutes. Shaan stood up, Khanak's eyes were finally shining after seeing the lights back, she was relieved. He was glad to see her like this, he was captivated by those innocent eyes, there were somehow his weakness whenever he's around her, he thought it's stupid by he can't never explain why those eyes affected him that much. The elevator reached the 3^rd floor, Khanak leaved it without answering Shaan, this time it felt as if she would really not sort out things with him, he thought.

Shaan came into his manager's office, they had a serious conversation about Shaan's interview this morning for the youth magazine. Shaan had just one condition that he won't answer on personal questions. The journalist came to the office, he greeted both men & started the interview. At the beginning they started talking about his fame as the new RJ among the youngsters, about his career, his likes & dislikes. Then an unexpected question came to Shaan.

Journalist: - There are few people who are aware of this but I did a lot of researches before coming here & according to my sources you had a singing career in your teenage days right?

The manager was stunned, he was looking forward for his answer, after all having a singer in his radio program is another great, positive point. Shaan was not comfortable hearing the question, he was afraid if he'll mention about the accident but he was ready to not to answer too.

Shaan: - Yes well it was nothing big, we had a small music group & I was so into music & singing back then.

Journalist: - There was a famous song as well which became super hit but you only lasted 1 year together right, a member was dead in an accident & after that the band disbanded. Did you ever rethink of perusing a music career, what are your thoughts of your success back then?

Shaan: - Sorry but I feel uncomfortable recalling about my friend's death & our band.

Manager: - You don't need to feel pressurise to answer Shaan, do as you pleased.

Journalist: - Ok then...Can you sing something for your viewers & fans please?

Manager: - C'mon Shaan!

Shaan then started to sing the chorus of Tu Meri Jaan song, while singing it he had flashbacks of their stage performance back then for the youth festival. Shaan, Sam, Natasha & Amit always had fun performing on Tu Meri Jaan, it was their favorite & the youth's favorite back then. Khanak was passing by the corridor, she heard a nice voice, she passed by Shaan's manager's office & noticed him through the window, she was surprised to see that the voice is coming from that room. It might probably be Shaan's voice, this song, she was looking for it, how come both Natasha & Shaan know well that song, is it that popular, can Shaan sing that well, she thought.

Khanak finished negotiating the time & price for the interior design of the offices, her & Soni's ideas where to give a fresh, cool atmosphere to the place with bright, cheerful colors & accessories to appeal the young employees & the youth.

Shaan on the other hand was a bit restless in a corner, he was having a cold drink while being lost in his deep thoughts about that question asked by the journalist & how he couldn't not sing in front of him & his manager. He was singing after a very long time, it felt weird, short but somehow he enjoyed it. Even if he wants to deny the fact he actually had a good moment. Shaan then realized that even if he wanted to bury the music, his passion inside of his heart, it was always hidden in a corner & today it just popped out, his heart got the control over his mind.

Few days later, Khanak was invited by her boss & along the other co-workers for a dinner at a well-known pub. While everyone was having fun around some drinks, two of Khanak friends came to see her, it was Karan, her ex-boyfriend's friends. Khanak was pretty uncomfortable seeing them she was hesitant to answer when they asked her why she didn't came to Karan's wedding. Soni then asked who is Karan to which one of her friend said laughing that he was not only Khanak's childhood friend but also first love. Khanak then asked them out to talk to them privately.

They went to the corridor of the pub, near the entrance, the male friend was smoking and trying to flirt with her while his girlfriend was in the washroom. When the girl came to them she was totally mad at both of them & kept blaming Khanak for distracting her boyfriend. Khanak then requested her to handle well her man as he's way too friendly with other women. Khanak just pushed her boyfriend away while shouting to come back to his senses before leaving the place in a hurry,

It was heavily raining outside, she just wanted to go far away, to some place where she can be alone. She then wondered if she has to disturb Soni as she went to see her family, she didn't even wanted to call her sister, she then she dialed by mistake Shaan's number. She wanted to cut the call but he immediately answered to her call which surprised her.

Shaan: - Hello Khanak...

Khanak: - Mmm...Hell...hello

Shaan: - Tum tik ho?

Khanak: - Haan...but can you please can & pick me up just tonight?

Shaan: - Ya sure, tell me where you are.

Few minutes later he reached there, he came to her with an umbrella as it was still raining. She was just looking at him with sad eyes, while they reached the car, Shaan lifted her up to put her inside the car, his hands were on her wrist which made him feel uncomfortable as Khanak was wearing a gold & black color saree. He made her sit inside, he put the wheelchair at the back & finally came to the front side to drive. He checked the mirror & noticed how silent she was. He asked her if he has to drop her home.

Khanak: - Just be silent & drive, there's no destination at all there are just emptiness & bitterness.

While driving, Khanak was just looking outside, Shaan checked her for once through the front side mirror. He then reached her home after an hour & opened the back seat's door. Khanak was sleeping, he wanted to wake her up but for a moment he was contemplating her beauty, she had a bindi, Shaan couldn't stop admiring her in the indian attire. Khanak then woke up, she thanked him.

Shaan: - No sorry no thank you between friends!

Khanak: - Ya whatever!

Shaan smiled seeing her back to her true self.

Shaan: - That sounds good,

Khanak: - Between don't be so happy I dialled your number by mistake.

Shaan: - Haan haan, pata hai, sorry ma'am! Waise aaj different lag raha hai but...

Khanak: - But kya?

Shaan: - The colour doesn't suit you.

Khanak: - Kyun and by the way who are you to judge me?

Shaan: - Ek khaas dost...

Khanak: - Oh really?

Shaan: - You know what Khanak, let's just start a fresh, I'll be there for you whenever you need me, I'll be there to comfort you, to protect you & to cheer you!

Khanak then laughed at his answer, he asked her why she's laughing & told her that she owns him once again.

Khanak: - Ok deal, tell me whenever I can be useful to you.

Shaan: - Mujhse dosti karoge phir se?

Khanak: - Hme...as you wish!

Shaan was happy, hearing that, Khanak then warned him.

Khanak: - Don't become so senti please... It's still raining so let's have some ice cream before going home, ok?

Shaan: - Done!

Shaan & Khanak were finally at Khanak's favorite ice-cream shop, Shaan was having vanilla ice- cream as usual Khanak was having strawberry ice cream but this time with berries. She was looking from time to time the pouring rain through the window. Shaan then decided to have a heart to heart talk with her now that she's relaxed. They talked about their work, how they have been doing all this time & about life.

Shaan: - Kuch toh hua na aaj?

Khanak then nodded her head denying it with a fake smile.

Shaan: - It's all written in your eyes...are you tensed or upset over something, someone?

Khanak stopped having a spoon of ice cream, she was stunned by Shaan & was just keeping looking at him for a while with lots of concern. She then had tears in her eyes, Shaan asked her is she was alright.

Khanak: - No matter what you can sense how I feel right? You are really something Mr. Shaan... I just had a bad afternoon that's it...Well thanks for being concerned.

Shaan: - Don't forget that we are friends so no need to thank me. If you wanna talk about it go on...

Khanak: - You know what Shaan, people whom I knew from long time seem so much more than strangers, whereas you & Soni, no matter what you guys are always there for me na? I just don't understand most of them, they always look up for a chance to humiliate me, to hurt me!

Shaan: - Just forget them, let's not spoil the mood thinking about negative stuff. Ok, finish your ice cream & quickly go home, tik hai?

Khanak smiled, she was glad that Shaan was there when she felt lonely, she was glad to have found the friend she lost.

They were about to leave the place, a young couple passing by smiled at them saying that they were noticing how cute married couple they are to which Khanak burst out. The young couple was totally taken aback when Shaan clarified they they just closed friends. After this sudden small incident, they finally reached the car. Shaan was feeling awkward, so he turned on the radio, Khanak was enjoying the music then she suddenly couldn't stop laughing.

Shaan: - Aab kya hua?

Khanak: - Are they finding us cute as I'm looking pretty today or what?

Shaan: - Kya? What's special about today?

Khanak: - C'mon yaar, I'm wearing a saree, even my colleagues gave me good compliments. You said the color doesn't suit me right, so even you noticed it...

Shaan: - Mujhe kya patha, I just said it...Well you are looking fine as usual.

Khanak: - As expected you don't know how to talk softly with a girl. Seriously!

Shaan: - Aisa kuch nahi hai, there is a difference between a girl friend & someone that I see as a woman, you know what I mean...

Khanak: - Arre wah, kya explanation Mr. Shaan, thanks for reminding me that you will always see me as a friend!

Shaan: - C'mon Khanak...

Khanak:- Chill yaar, I was joking.

Shaan helped out Khanak to reach outside the car as they came to her father's home. Khanak said goodbye to Shaan with a tight hug thanking him. Before she leave he interrupted her, he came closed to her, their eyes & lips were so closed from each other's, Khanak was uncomfortable while Shaan was totally focused on her forehand, he was arranging her bindi putting it into the right place at the centre.

Shaan: - Now it's perfect!

While steeping back his face he noticed how closed he was to her, so much that he could hear her breath & sense her beautiful scent.

Khanak: - Hme...Thanks. This is not fair I'm always thanking you...

Shaan laughed, he was glad that she broke the tension & make him feel at ease. He then said to take care of herself well & call him whenever she needs her friend at both good & bad times.

Khanak: - Goodnight Shaan, take care & say hi to your family.

Shaan: - Sure, goodnight...Aur haan aaj tum bohot koobsurat lagraha hai!

Khanak smiled & turned her back to reach her own family. As usual Shaan assured that she reaches there before he goes back to his house.

To be continued...