Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki: Episode Discussion Thread - 23
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A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D
Happy Reading! :D :D
14th February, 2007:
Valentine's Day is here!
Well, it's no use really since I won't be able to attend the college prom. Just like my luck would have it, I got my hand fractured at the time when I was looking forward to one event... one! I am not like those typical girls who look forward to all of these gooey days for celebrating them with their boyfriend and to expect all sorts of gifts and romance and whatnots. Seriously, either there's something wrong with people or with me.
Why can't Valentine's Day simply be about two people who care for each other a lot and are thankful for having each other in their lives rather than this "glamourized" version of love and romance that only a couple in "love" can share with all sorts of awkward PDA in public? And as much as I know that the whole prom would be filled with this idiotic kind of "love", I was still looking forward to it.
It's not like I want a boyfriend or a relationship or any of this wishy-washy nonsense. Quite the contrary, actually. But that doesn't mean that I'm not a girl. Even I have fantasies about the day and like being treated like a girl for once rather than some kind of Sunny Deol. It doesn't hurt to know that somebody does love you now, does it? Ranveer has no sense in things like these and seems on the top of the world happy that my prom date got cancelled. He says that I'd have fractured the guy's feet by trodding upon them all the time. Idiot.
Well, you can't expect me to go to a prom with a bump on my head and a sling in my arm now, can you? So I called my "prom date" and told him that I'd met with an accident and wouldn't be able to make it. Aditya sounded disappointed, but he didn't make a huge deal out of it atleast. He understood and told me to take care of myself and even sent me a bouquet of flowers since he couldn't personally visit me at home. I don't know what makes Ranveer so happy about the whole situation but okay, whatever. Aditya is a really nice guy - not like those obnoxious morons or those dorks. He's simple, sweet and down to earth.
God knows what got Ranveer's bees in a bonnet but ever since I'd told him about the prom dance last month and about Aditya asking me out to be his prom date, he's got all squiggly about it. He hasn't told me anything out of the way and was rather encouraging too, but I could see it in his eyes. They just... lost that twinkle. And then, there were moments when I'd talk about Aditya and his face would get all weird and pale, and he'd abruptly change the topic. Or else, he'd just listen to me with a stoic face until he'd crack some joke and we'd laugh and then he'd start crying out of nowhere as though I might have stabbed him.
He'd either laugh while crying or cry while laughing.
Boys are really, really weird, I swear. What's to be so uncomfortable about that, I don't understand. Such kind of proms are there even in his college. But just because he doesn't go for them, what can I do? And it's not like I even have a boyfriend or anything - I've never felt like that for anyone before and neither am I interested in things like this. I wonder whether Ranveer was being jealous or possessive, though... He shouldn't be so, really. I'll always be his best friend first. No one else's.
Naah, I'm being stupid. He isn't like that. I, uh, will admit being jealous and possessive of him though, but only with you. I've been a little more so than usual these days, it seems and he's been teasing me a lot about it this whole week with that stupid bobbing bandage on his nose. Am I that obvious? But I can't help it! I don't know what Disha is up to! She keeps roaming around him like an irritating fly all day, caring for him as though her life depends upon him! It's not like I don't want people to care for him. I do, but this weird obsession kind of attention is just stupid and irritating and makes me want to slap her.
What is she trying to prove, really?
You're just 10, young woman! Behave like your age! All my other cousins also take care of him but they aren't sticking to him like leeches now, are they? When I told Disha to keep her distance, she just called me jealous because I saw Ranveer as some kind of personal property of my own, which he isn't. How could she say stuff to me like that? I would have slapped her, I swear, had Baa not walked in. Unless I wanted my other arm broken too, I would have done the deed for certain. Disha doesn't give a damn to how I am doing, but wants to go gaga, goo-goo and giggles behind Ranveer.
Argh, everything is frustrating me! The failed date, this stupid home arrest in the name of bed rest and Ranveer being unable to sneak me out since he's stuck for a whole month in a rut. He's getting even antsier than me, but he's atleast utilizing his good time working upon that thesis paper of his along with his upcoming exams. I know that even I'm supposed to do that, but I just don't feel like it.
Just like all the other days, this one's gone down the drain too. And it's just two in the afternoon. Everybody is going out in the evening to celebrate the occasion, everyone except me and Ranveer, ofcourse. Insensitive jerks, all of them. I don't mean to be rude, but the ghostly atmosphere of the house is really suffocating. No wonder Ranveer went mad during his three-month paralysis. Anybody would, and with good cause.
I was supposed to wear that pretty black and white dress of mine to the prom today and wait for Aditya to pick me up. Maybe with a bouquet or a corsage or a box of chocolates or even a card or a gift. Then we'd have had a decent drive in the night sky to the prom, with the snacks and the dancing and the music and the whole... feel, of being loved and the whole la-di-da-di-da hullabaloo that people make about how Valentine's Day is about someone making you feel special. The whole codswallop.
Oh my God, I'm turning into a girl! Yikes, no! This is my nightmare coming true!
It's time to leave planet Earth... *faints*
Yeah okay, enough drama done. But hey, none of the PDAing or the... the... you know, "that". I'd slap him if he even tried to kiss my cheek or my forehead. I don't like any of this crappy saga in general, but I don't know what's wrong with me. Hormones, I guess. But still, I'm pretty orthodox with things like that. I find all of this rather inappropriate and I'm just not amongst those kind of people of prefer freely indulging into it. I have my limits and boundaries, and this goes against my morals and principals in general. Maybe I'm just being stupid; maybe not. But that's how I feel about this right now and I'm sure in the future as well.
But all things aside, for me this is going to be the worst Valentine's Day ever.
Ishaani slapped the diary shut just as Ranveer entered the room, his nose looking as resolutely funny as ever.
"What happened?"
"I'm tired of the thesis paper. I need a break," he replied tiredly, looking downcast. Ishaani cocked her eyebrow at him.
"Well, I would have offered going on a nice long drive to Marine Lines, but seeing as neither of us can, let's sit in our rooms and meditate."
"There's no need to be so sour about that now," retorted Ranveer, who sensed the bitterness in her tone. "They're doing this for our good."
"I don't see the good in it honestly because I think that I'll need to be checked into an asylum at the end of three weeks," argued Ishaani, looking as resolutely unconvinced as always. Ranveer sat beside her and patted her free arm awkwardly.
"Atleast Baa has fallen silent again."
"Yeah, because that's the miracle of my life that will make everything become alright in a jiffy," remarked Ishaani sarcastically and both of them laughed in spite of themselves. They always knew how to make each other laugh. The moment they sobered down, however, Ranveer looked at her seriously.
"You're this sore about the prom?
"I just wanted to feel like a girl for once, you know! It doesn't hurt to be surprised and genuinely have fun once in a while," she complained while Ranveer remained deep in thought.
"I thought you hated being like a girl and especially parties and proms," commented Ranveer absent-mindedly. Ishaani noticed that his eyes were staring away blankly at the painting as though he was hit by some kind of brainstorm or was formulating a plan in his mind.
She cleared her throat irritably and continued.
"I thought so too, but I don't know... I was really looking forward to having a real Valentine's Day, you know... All my friends keep saying how it's worth it all and how much fun it is and it's not all that girly as it is made out to be. I just wanted to feel that way... I wanted someone to make me feel special, you know? Not just like a pushover or a leftover or an ordinary girl with a whole baggage of her past. I just wanted someone to see me for... me. Is having one day of your life like that too much to ask for?"
Ranveer looked at her sympathetically but remained silent. Ishaani stared at his still-blank expressions for a couple of minutes before she saw the life returning back into them. She wondered why she was so patient or what fun it was staring at his face, but it was oddly calming. Finally snapping out from his apparently long train of thoughts, Ranveer looked at her, his eyes now twinkling.
"When are everybody leaving today?"
"In another two hours."
"Alright, be ready at five then," he asserted, now standing up. Ishaani wrinkled her brows in confusion.
"Be ready for what?"
"Just put on your new dress."
"But why?"
"Woman, are you capable of trusting me for once without asking me anything?" retorted Ranveer, now looking annoyed. Ishaani rolled her eyes at him.
"Alright, alright, fine. I don't see what you are going to do anyway but fine," she replied half-heartedly. "I'll be 'ready', since I have nothing better to do, really. Might as well sit and admire my dress and dance with myself."
"Suit yourself," said Ranveer as he sighed at her dramatics, not forgetting to shut the door behind him.
-x-
Ishaani stood in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection. The dress looked as though it was just made for her, really. If only the stupid sling wasn't there on her arm and the band-aid on her forehead. Atleast the sling was black, which matched her dress. Her dress was a simple, strapless black and white tulle gown that was a floor-length princess prom dress. Her father had gifted her it to her as an early birthday present as well as for her upcoming prom. She'd fallen in love with the dress ever since she had laid eyes upon it.
Had she been okay, she might have even tried perming her hair for the occasion. But well, what was the point of regret now? What had to happen, happened. Maybe she was not destined to go for the prom.
Who knows, something better might come out of it! Always think positive. Whatever happens, happens for our own good. Everything happens for the best.
How easy for Ranveer to preach, really, she grumbled to herself as she stared in the mirror with a bubbling remorse in her heart.
It took her half an hour to convince her older cousin to get her ready into her prom dress just for the heck of it. If she couldn't go to the prom, then she'd put on the dress and sit home admiring it. Gauri finally agreed out of pity upon the poor girl and helped her into the dress. Gauri had pulled her hair into a simply ponytail that fell upon her right shoulder while she left some stray strands upon her face. Her long, wavy hair was natural enough to compliment her dress without any additional hair-styling. She had such a good hair day too today. What was God trying to tell her? She'd left her face devoid of any make-up except her eye-liner and lip gloss and that was it.
Well, she didn't mind standing like that in front of the mirror to the end of eternity and admiring herself.
A knock at the door snapped her out from her thoughts and she looked towards the direction of the noise, confused. Who was it at this time when the house was empty? Even the servants were given an off today. She looked at the clock and saw the time - 5PM. It was Ranveer! She'd forgotten the reason why she'd put on the dress in the first place and now that she realized it, she flushed dully. She had half a mind to tell him to go away and leave her alone, but another series of rapping knocks killed the retort. Quickly racing towards the door as fast as her three-inch stilettos could carry her, she swung open the door and nearly fainted.
Ranveer stood before her in a simple black three-piece suit, smiling at her softly. The suit was a body fit, nicely ironed and as crisp as though he was going to play at a casino. He'd even gone a step ahead and worn a blue tie upon the snowy white shirt underneath his blazer with a matching blue silk-linen handkerchief popping out from his coat pocket, making the combination even more elevated. Ishaani noticed that he'd taken off the bandage from underneath his nose and the heavy plaster upon it and had replaced it with a simply square band-aid that made him look human once again.
She realized that this was the same outfit he'd gotten stitched for the dual purpose of his college farewell party and his convocation as well.
Ishaani stared at him dumbly as she took in his attire with surprise. For the first time in the eleven years that she knew him for, she realized just how handsome he was capable of looking if he was given the chance to dress well. He'd still left his customary stubble on and had gelled his hair slightly, but somehow it only made him look more... sexy. Finally deciding that it was time to meet eyes with him, she raised her head and saw the same, mirrored, dumbstruck look in his eyes. He looked as though somebody had knocked the breath out of him at her sight as he stared at her, awe-struck.
But the moment their eyes met, everything was obliterated except their whole world that the other was the beholder of. The spell of the moment grew stronger until all that was left were the broadest and shiest of smiles. Snapping out of their silent reverie, Ranveer grinned at her sheepishly as he handed out a bouquet of flowers along with a card on top of it. Her favourite blue-purple orchids. She took the bouquet from his hand and smiled at him coyly.
"Wow, you look... brilliant!" remarked Ranveer, still looking as though somebody had knocked his senses out of the park.
"Same goes for you too. Wow... Ranveer, uh, sorry, I'm just ogling at you," stuttered Ishaani as she blushed, guilty at having being caught so off-guard.
She had expected Ranveer to make fun of her dress and call her a silly idiot when he'd told her to get dressed, but there was clearly something else going on over here. Something much more than met her eye. She rubbed her nose, a customary trait, to let the silliness of her actions pass off.
"No, it's alright... I look rather silly in this, I know," said Ranveer uncertainly, rubbing his nose too with instinct that made Ishaani giggle like always. Looking more at unease, he checked his wardrobe and face to see whether something was out of place that was making Ishaani stare at him like that.
"You look... uh, amazing," she remarked finally when she regained her access of words. Ranveer blushed, hard.
"Gee thanks..." he replied, now looking slightly awkward as he ran his right hand through his hair. Ishaani suddenly noticed that his left one was behind his back. When Ranveer noticed Ishaani's line of sight, her coughed slowly.
"Er, here's something more for you too." Ranveer pulled out a black and white flowered corsage from behind his back and slipped it upon Ishaani's empty wrist. She admired the elegant accessory and sighed.
"This is the corsage I wanted to buy at the display that day..." she remarked, now touched. How did he remember so much about her likes and dislikes and her wants and needs and desires? How did he even know that this was the kind of Valentine's she wanted, anyway? She hadn't mentioned it to anyone, and her diary was out-of-bounds, especially after the incident with him two years back.
"Your wish is my command," he replied gracefully, bowing slightly. Ishaani shook her head at his antics just as he straightened his posture and looked at her eagerly.
"So, any more surprises?" asked Ishaani, now unable to keep the curiosity out from her voice. What was in store for her?
"What's your hurry? The evening has just begun, m'lady," replied Ranveer smoothly, a charming confidence now exuding from his eyes. Ishaani let another broad smile cross her features.
"Are you flirting with me?" she asked playfully, and Ranveer looked embarrassed suddenly.
"What? I... I was just-" he muttered, trying to find the right set of words but Ishaani saved him the trouble.
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Ranveer gave her a flabbergasted look but remained silent, as though too mortified too speak. Ishaani waited patiently for a reply, but none came. Finally snapping her fingers at him, she prompted him to speak.
"Maybe I am," replied Ranveer hesitantly, his eyes now petrified in spite of the easy smile upon his face. The master of facades.
"Maybe I'd say yes if I got a more definite answer," helped Ishaani, winking at him.
She loved tormenting him like that; there was a pleasure in it that she couldn't explain. It was as though she had the right upon him to do so. After eleven years, you were bound to feel so about each other and it was something that came by default. And it was just not in her case, but she could say that about Ranveer as well when it came to her.
Ranveer chuckled uneasily before he got down on one knee.
"Ishaani Parekh, will you be my Valentine?"
"I'd have to be the stupidest girl alive to say no to you," replied Ishaani as she pulled him up to his feet with her free hand.
Ranveer looked like he could faint with relief or happiness, but Ishaani couldn't decide which. Taking the initiative again since Ranveer looked too lost for words, Ishaani cleared her throat and asked joyfully.
"So, um, Mr. Hotshot Date of mine, where are we off to now?" Ranveer blushed at her remark again, but didn't let the nervousness get to him this time. Now that she'd said yes...
"Well, if you'd follow me..."
Ranveer stuck out his left arm and Ishaani happy accepted it by slipping her hand into his. Leaving the bouquet behind in her room, she followed Ranveer excitedly as he led her across the corridor carefully, making sure that she didn't trip upon her dress. Ranveer came to a halt as he made Ishaani enter Disha's room, now doused in darkness. Ishaani entered inside before she felt something hit her feet and she yelped in fright.
Ranveer switched on the lights and Ishaani gasped. The whole room had balloons strewn all over the place in a princess-y fell as the lights remained dim, making it all appear much more magical. Ishaani lost her ability to speak for several more minutes just as Ranveer came and stood next to her, admiring the stupefied look on her face.
"How did you even..." began Ishaani but trailed off as no words could describe the way she felt in that moment. Ranveer understood her question and plunged into an explanation.
"Well, these were the ones we were planning to use on your birthday. But well... all this happened so we didn't get the chance to use them," began Ranveer, while Ishaani now sat upon her sister's much comfortable bed.
Well, she had all the comforts anyway so they didn't mind sneaking into her room and taking the additional benefits in her absence. This wasn't their first time doing this anyway. Ranveer walked towards the shelf on the walls beside the TV and continued, his back towards her.
"So today morning, Disha found them in the store room and made everyone blow them for her, including the elders. Turned out to be 300 balloons easy until her room was flooded and we didn't know what to do with it. So I thought I might as well put them to good use over here. I managed to tackle half of them and keep the remaining half over here because Disha wanted her room to be 'balloony'. And since you were emotional enough to not leave your room today..." trailed off Ranveer, the rest of the story now obvious. Ishaani smiled at Ranveer radiantly, her happiness now knowing no bounds.
How did he always manage to do that?
"You're such a plotter," was all she could say, and Ranveer chuckled. Ishaani looked around the cozy atmosphere of the room and asked Ranveer, bewildered.
"So what are we doing here?"
"Watching a movie, ofcourse! She's the only one with the big fancy TV now, isn't she?"
"Hehe, sounds like fun. I love sneaking around the house," remarked Ishaani, while Ranveer walked up to her now with several CDs in his hand. Ishaani gasped just as he took a seat beside her.
"The party has just begun, missy. So tell me, which movie do you want to watch?" he asked as he put out twelves CD packets of SRK's biggest hits in front of her.
Ishaani never watched a movie unless it wasn't his anyway, so there wouldn't be a better movie for Valentine's Day than his. And being the King of Romance, the odds were in his favour.
"I have an option?" asked Ishaani, now sounding like a giddy school girl as she quickly read through the names off the packets.
"This is your day. Choose."
"Oh my God, I could watch all of them. Uh, uh... okay. Take them all off, except, uh... okay, Kal Ho Na Ho!" she exclaimed at the top of her voice as though she was answering a timer Q&A session. Ranveer gave her an exasperated look.
"Seriously, who watches a movie like Kal Ho Na Ho on Valentine's Day?"
"Argh! There's too many options!" whined Ishaani with the same pitch after clicking her tongue in disapproval. She flipped a little more before she decided again. "Um, um, um, Baazigar!"
"No wonder nobody takes you out on dates," remarked Ranveer, rolling his eyes at her. Ishaani threw a balloon at him.
"Ranveer!"
"Okay, okay, decide quickly!" exclaimed Ranveer quickly before Ishaani could hit him with another balloon.
"Fine... put on DDLJ," she said finally. This was to be her golden jubilee watch of the movie. Ranveer shook his head at her, amused.
"The CD is already inside. I knew you'd choose that."
"Idiot," she muttered under her breath as Ranveer switched on the TV and loaded the CD. He quickly jogged and came to sit beside her before bringing out a box of her favourite chocolates, whispering into her ears mischievously.
"Well, the idiot has brought you chocolates too."
Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D
Next chapter:
Epistle 69
Res res and res...
Means update on the way... 😉 😉 👏
Originally posted by: CarpedeimRose
That is such an awesome update 👏👏
LM dr, I really loved it alot 🤗The way Ishani and Ranveer are being sculpted as the characters, let me tell, I am really enjoying the update, awesomePls update soon 😳😳Amazing!
Originally posted by: dvprt418.py
Hi dear a big Thanks for updating this chapter today it helped me to uplift my mood because I was pretty upset and since NC days I remember you always come up with an amazing update whenever I am upset. Thank a lot.
I am really amazed wheather you can read my mind or what but to be honest I seriously wished for an official date for them but because I just knew that something like this is least likely to happen because ranveer would not do something that would make him vulnerable and give a hunt of his feelings towards him. But nevertheless you are always known to do the unexpected so it was seriously amazing. And I guess I should name you a girl full of surprises. Lots of love for that (mm only friendly love 😛 )
OK so here he fulfills his wish of making her realise that how much she and her happiness mean to him like you have mentioned in previous epistle. 👏 👏
OK so girl is all sissy in her room about the confined bed rest well now she ll understand how mentally sane was ranveer inspite of all the bed rest he had.
She wants to be treated like a girl that's her only fancy rather than all the much so hyped things regarding valentines I mean I liked her that thinking a lot since even I am of that type too I mean valentine can be for the two people who love and not only about the 'couples' who love like seriously.
First thing who is this aditya? Like seriously does our ranveer has less burden that you add an extra competition for him fro all directions. 😕
I have a question ishani knew this thing thta talking about aditya make ranveer go all sad and poor boy even couldn't control and cried like someone stabbed him but still after coming back from Australia when she was all ga ga about chirag her love never she thought once that how much it would have hurted him even as a friend also.but alas she never noticed many things around her born dumb. 😒
She is asking why he don't go for a prom girl who would ask him with his so called tag of servant always at his back and even if anyone ask he will never go because he can treat only one person as her queen 😕
She is telling him to go for a prom here she so obvious in her jealousy with her own sister disha regarding won't she kill the other girl if she saw him talking to her. Lime how much obvious she is making her jealousy that allt he people are noticing it apart from her though. 😆 😆
That line of her wanting to slap disha if only had baa been not there cracked me up like this girl will land in trouble because of her possessiveness. 😳
OK she has her morals and principles very high regarding what kind of relationship she likes but only if she knew what she wanted with ranveer all the pain would have lessened
She will hit if anyone kiss her and ranveer well this boy has exception everywhere 😉
Now that whole line of she hating to be girl was like she is total drama queen and so sore about her much hyped but failed date 😆 😆
OK our hero came and he got a chance to show all the emotions he is being holding atleast a glimpse of it she knows him so well and also when he is on all planning mode 😛
Now he just told to get ready that doesn't mean she has to look so gorgeous like seriously LM you have made me envy her more and more now with all the dress up I can imagine the way she would have been looking 😳
Doesn't gauri ask her a simple question why she wants to look so beautiful and most importantly for whom but that was unexpected as she o ly dressed up normal.
Ranveer sexy how much more droolworthy are you going to make him??????
Look at our girl few moments back she was looking at herself and now she is openly drooling oogling in front of him hormonal locha is at its peak had ranveer not left for his master's definitely ishani would have proposed him
Ranveer was 😳 😳
How much more gentleman can he be with all the bouquet and corsages oh god now m fainting I have not stopped smiling since then and people around me are wondering what happened to me all of a sudden. 😆
He never let even her single wish to be unfulfilled and he don't even need to read her diaries for that. ranveer I just love him.
OK so now the so called date the unexpected one specially have started and stars for the first time I guess are in favour of them with all good hair day and balloons movies chocolate though it sounds a bit cliche but I am liking it so much.
LM this whole ff has been nothing but a surprising rollercoaster ride of emotions with you I really wonder what else you have kept in your stride that evertime you come up with something new and astonish me completely with your amazing writing skill acts like a magic.
And am so so happy with this update tha I cannot even begin to tell
Sorry for all so senty type reply but not only this each and every chapter is seriously awesome in every sense. And to be honest if ranveer is the most complicated character in terms of his emotions then ishani is that one character who is most complicated but with simple desires like you have balanced everything in her. I mean ranveer and his loyalty love care cannot be compared to anything but ishani is no less I am really impressed with this character sketch of her. If at all radhika or even for that matter shakti would read this ff they will surely regret of working on such a lame script when their character had so much to show upon.
Now u am eagerly waiting for your next update
Thnx for pm
And so sorry for this emotional review
Haye haye LM.. How sweet update !! Grinning from ear to ear !! Both are such cuties..!! <3
This chapter just makes me go all warm and mushy inside :))
Only if Ishani was more aware of her feelings.. Poor fellow wouldn't have to die more.. ;)
How smart of you just like cvs to keep it half way so that we almost die waiting for next one.. Ok ok not die but at least keep checking pm multiple times !!
Jaldi se make next update!! <3 <3 <3
A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D
Note: The song used here is Lovesong by The Cure. :)
Happy Reading! :D :D
"Sigh, every time..." whispered Ishaani as she wiped away the tears from her eyes, highly emotional while Ranveer looked at her, amused.
Well, he liked romance as a genre in movies but Ishaani's obsession with DDLJ confused him, and intrigued him a little as well. He knew the scene that she was talking about - the one where Simran ran behind the train to catch hold of Raj's hand. Well...
"Ishaani, I don't mean to be a party pooper, but you do realize that there was another door on the train where she could have got in from now, don't you?" said Ranveer, narrating his observation to her.
Ishaani looked at him stupidly as she had finally managed to rid her eyes of all the tears, and had miraculously not spread too much mascara around as well.
"What?"
Ranveer rewinded the scene back to the moment where Simran was running behind the train, pointing towards the screen where there was another door that she could have used to the same compartment. Ishaani noticed what Ranveer was trying to point out her and slapped his arm, annoyed that he was right and that he had officially found a "flaw" in what she considered was a flawless wonder.
"Don't be a party pooper, Ranveer. You don't understand romance and emotions," was all she could lamely defend even though both of them heard the half-heartedness in her voice.
Well, the truth was something Ranveer could always separate from the lies in her voice, so he knew that she wasn't even being truthful. Just defiant, like always.
Ranveer cocked his eyebrow at her and smiled lopsidedly.
"Just being practical, you know," he argued, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. Ishaani stuck her tongue out at him.
"You know, there's a reason why you don't find a girl either."
Ranveer flushed dully as Ishaani got up from the bed, wincing slightly at the pain in her left arm. Ranveer gave her a worried look but she flashed him a reassuring smile, and he relaxed back. She straightened out her gown again with her free arm and quickly cleaned up the messy make-up in the mirror, a small smile on her face. So far, so good.
She turned around to see Ranveer leaning upon the doorpost with his arms crossed across his chest, an adorable look upon her face. Another customary habit. He'd always stand like that and stare at her when she was doing mundane things. It was a rather silly habit in her opinion, but she liked the way he looked at her. It felt... warm. Caring. Affectionate. Loving. As though she was some kind of a treasure he was keeping an eye out for. She would never tell her why he liked staring at her like that though.
She walked up to him slowly and snapped her fingers at him. He smiled at her sheepishly, pulling out the silk linen from his coat pocket.
"So, how are you liking the evening so far?" he asked, sounding palpably nervous all of a sudden.
"Pretty awesome. Especially the chocolates... yum!" she remarked, the gratitude in her voice evident. Ranveer grinned at her.
"So, are we ready for dinner now?"
"Dinner? What time is it?"
"It's eight-thirty."
"Whoa! Is it? Wow, I didn't realize..." whispered Ishaani, looking at the time in surprise. Time always seemed to halt when she was with Ranveer... Then why was it flying so soon tonight?
"Yep, so follow me again, missy," he spoke and he put out his arm to her. She linked hers within his and looked at him curiously.
"Where to?"
"The stars..." he replied and Ishaani gasped.
There was something about the way he said it that made a prickle arise in her heart. It was a disturbing feeling as though her heart wanted to beat away as madly as it could. She gulped slowly as she stared at him, a strange emotion suddenly bubbling in her heart. What it was though, she couldn't explain.
Ranveer held out the handkerchief and she looked confused.
"I need to blindfold you."
"This is the most clich date ever, I swear."
"Well, what's to come next is even more clich."
"I'm not complaining, you know."
Ranveer gently slipped the silk linen upon her eyes as Ishaani sighed quietly. This was already too much that he'd done for her and he still had more. What was he up to? The moment Ranveer was certain that she was blindfolded well, he took her hand in his own and led her towards their next stop, giving her instructions as and when required so that she could handle her gown accordingly. Ishaani walked silently behind him, entranced and touched with the amount of trouble he had taken just to bring a smile upon her face and make this day special for her because she was too busy pitying herself for a failed one.
Suddenly the two of them came to a halt and Ishaani heard Ranveer open a door until a cool breeze whipped her face with enthusiasm. It had to be the terrace. Suddenly, she felt Ranveer untie the piece of cloth from around her eyes until it slipped away. She opened her eyes slowly, unsure of what she was supposed to expect. But what she saw, she wasn't prepared for.
Her jaw dropped with stunned disbelief.
The entire terrace was flooded with balloons, some suspended midair but held down by their string pressed underneath the pots, while several of them slept upon the floor in lazy glory. A candle-lit table was kept at the side along with a couple of spare lamps so that the terrace was bathed in a loving glow of dim light. Before Ishaani could find her voice back that kept disappearing so often this evening, she felt a crack of light blind her momentarily.
Ranveer was back with his camera.
Ishaani looked at him, dazed just as he pushed a couple of balloons in her direction. She kicked some back at him and they got into a balloon fight until they decided that the balloons were lazy enough to rise too much in the air. Ranveer pulled Ishaani beside him and removed a couple of snaps of theirs by putting the camera on a sequence timer while both of them posed shamelessly.
Finally deciding that enough of antics were done, Ranveer helped Ishaani to the table and made her sit upon her chair while she stared at him stupidly, wondering where he was going to arrange the food from.
"I'll be right back."
Ranveer quickly jogged away, leaving her alone to stare at the ambience.
It was a full-moon light, and like always, the terrace was bathed under the milky light from the sky and needed no other light. She looked around and noticed a tape recorder sitting on one of the tables. Well, there was going to be music too, then. Text-book date. And in spite of its clich nature, she happened to love it all the more. It felt good to be silly and be treated like that every once in a while.
Ranveer returned back ten minutes later just as Ishaani finished staring at the stars in blissful oblivion. There were a myriad amount of them in the sky today and all she could do was wonder about how simple yet breathtaking could nature be, really. Years of her life underneath the stars hearing stories about them and the chanda mama, as Ranveer would put it, and yet not a single day went by when she wasn't in awe of them. What wouldn't she give to spend the rest of her life underneath them, where she truly felt she belonged...
Where she truly felt accepted.
Ranveer cleared his throat softly and Ishaani snapped out from her thoughts, giving him a goofy grin. He noticed the thoughtfulness in her eyes and smiled in understanding. The stars were always her weak point of longing. And dinner underneath a star-studded sky had to be different. Ishaani shot Ranveer an overwhelmed look just as he took his seat graciously, keeping the parcel in his hand upon the table. Ishaani sniffed at the parcel and looked ecstatic, the dreamy spell falling away.
"Pizza!"
"Your favourite Veg Pizza Large with extra cheese!" corrected Ranveer, looking at her excited expression with delight.
"Wow! But damn it, we cannot fight upon who gets to eat more pizza today because-"
"We're supposed to be civil to each other, yes. Wait," he continued as she stuck out her tongue at him, trying to provoke him into a pizza fight, but she knew he was too smart for that.
Ranveer stood up and distributed the pieces of pizza upon the plates he'd set upon the table while he filled their respective glasses with Pepsi. Both of them clicked their glasses together before Ishaani winked playfully.
"To the next rulers of the world." Both of them chuckled throatily before Ranveer returned her toast.
"To the next rulers of the world."
Both of them took a sip from their glass and set it down, staring at each other peacefully. Was a date usually supposed to be this good or were they just lucky? Ishaani stared at the crockery, lost in thought, before she realized something.
"You do know that we need to get the crockery back in place before anybody sees us using them so carelessly now, don't you?"
"Unless I want Baa whipping me on Valentine's Day, no thank you. I remember quite well," replied Ranveer, rolling his eyes at her.
"Well, not the best kind of spanking now for you, is it?" remarked Ishaani, looking at him notoriously. Ranveer choked upon his piece of pizza before staring at her in shock.
"Look at my Sunny using dirty innuendos," he spoke finally, and he could not keep the bemused tone out from his voice. Ishaani laughed shameless and he continued.
"Keep going like this and I might promote you from Deol to-"
"Lalalalalalalala... not interested! And you better stop calling me Sunny," she complained irritably.
He'd taken a fascination to calling her that and it really annoyed her. Deol or Leone, she hated both. Ranveer shook his head and left the statement unspoken as they finally resorted to a hungry attack upon the Italian delicacy.
Both of them ate their pizza happily, making sure not to get any kind of stain upon their chic dresses. The moonlight streamed directly upon them as the stars glittered, happy to see their two favourite people enjoying together on a day like this. All these years, the stars and moon remained witness to the boy narrating a new story every night for the girl, and the girl's several narratives from the day that the boy would listen to in patience and silence most of the time. Both of them were unaware about their untold story that the Universe was made witness to every single day.
Finishing their dinner greedily amidst gossiping and a lot of laughing upon the silly couples at the now on-going prom, the two of them looked at each other, their faces beaming with a new-found joy. This day was certainly going much, much better than either of them expected it to go. Ranveer got up and disappeared for the second time that night even though he returned quickly after ten minutes, bringing along two bowls of ice-cream and two plates of chocolate truffle cake upon it. Ishaani's birthday cake. Ishaani smiled at him as he set the items across both their sides, along with two extra finger-bowls.
What was he made of, really?
"So, I hope dinner was satisfactory," said Ranveer as both of them finally wrapped up their dinner and wiped their hands clean, looking at each other contentedly.
Ishaani nodded her head and remarked enviously.
"You'd really make a good boyfriend, you know. I'm already jealous of the girl you'll fall in love with."
"You should be, and with good reason too. She'll be nothing but the best," boasted Ranveer. Ishaani threw her napkin at him.
"But will you find anyone who can bear you? Only I haven the strength, talent and skill for it," boasted Ishaani in turn, while Ranveer laughed immoderately. They were back in to their banters. They could never remain civil with each other for long.
"Huh, as though you are any less," remarked Ranveer as he rolled his eyes at her and threw back the napkin at her. "I have to do all of your work too."
"First learn to tie your shoelaces and tie before doing my work," shot back Ishaani acidly before she noticed his tie with the perfect triangle. "Wait, who tied them for you today?" she added further, now looking surprised.
"Baba..." replied Ranveer grudgingly and Ishaani stuck out her tongue at him again.
"See, thought as much. Writes a thesis paper on the recent global boom in the market and its effects on the future world economy but can't a shoelace, or his tie, or even his nadas for that case," she complained, shaking her head at him in exasperation. She'd taught him to tie his shoelace so many times but this was the only thing Mr. Prefect Perfect was incapable of doing.
"Yeah, yeah, you can't wear a saree now either, can you?" retorted Ranveer, but Ishaani waved him off airily.
"Whatever."
Both of them fell into a pregnant silence, staring at each other with a hundred gratuitous prayers going to the Almighty for the other's presence in their life. After some time, Ishaani decided to initiate conversation once again.
"So, is this it then?" Ranveer snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head.
"Well, there's still one little thing remaining in our... uh..."
"Date-" added Ishaani, and Ranveer nodded his head. She noticed that he had not used the word 'date' even once during the entire evening.
"Yes, date..." continued Ranveer hesitantly and Ishaani slapped her hand upon her forehead before asking curiously.
"What is it?" Ranveer got up from his seat and walked up to her. He held out his hand to her.
"May I ask the pretty lady for a dance?"
Ishaani shook her head at him as she accepted his hand and stood up, her stilettos giving her the advantage to reduce the six-inch difference between their heights straight to half.
"Ofcourse, but only if you know how to make a girl who can't dance, dance with a sling on."
"Challenge accepted, m'lady."
Ranveer took Ishaani to the center of the terrace and pulled her right arm upon his shoulder while her left arm remained gingerly sandwiched between them, creating a decent amount of distance. Ranveer noticed that Ishaani had switched the promise band to her right finger now. He looked awkward as he wondered where to place his hands before Ishaani pulled both of them around her waist and smiled.
"This is the only way we'll be able to dance. But what about the music?"
"I made you another mixed tape. All your favourite English songs. I hope you like it," he added, looking nervous.
"Where the heck do you get the time to do all of this?" asked Ishaani, her voice as spell-bound as the expression upon her glowing features that were highlighted by the moonlight with more benevolence.
"When you care for someone, you'll always find all the time in the world for them."
"Cheese boy," whispered Ishaani and both of them chuckled.
Ranveer quickly retrieved the remote from his coat pocket and pressed the button of the remote. The music played softly into the air, all the classics love songs from the 80's and the 90's that Ishaani loved. Keeping the remote back in his coat pocket, he put his hands around her waist again before they began dancing slowly, swaying with the rhythm of the beats. The moonlight fell upon them with all its glorious might as the stars twinkled in its wake, sprinkling its fullest love upon the two stars below.
Ishaani looked up at Ranveer and smiled, her heart the happiest it had ever felt till that moment. If this was what it meant to feel special, then she loved this. She loved feeling so extraordinary and the efforts Ranveer had taken tonight and the lengths he had gone to show how much he cherished her as a friend were all proof of how much she meant to him and how much he prized her as a friend he'd do anything for.
Ranveer twirled her around gently until they came to the same position, this time interlocking their fingers together. Both of their bands shone brightly, the words Always Together creating a bubble of security around them for the time being from a world that was most uncertain. Ranveer gracefully made Ishaani fall in an arc till he pulled her back up, both of them smiling as the first song came to an end.
The next song now boomed with its hypnotizing honesty.
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again
Ranveer cupped Ishaani's cheek gently and nothing was needed to be said ahead. The song was dedicated to her.
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again
Ishaani smiled as she buried her face into his chest, taking in the warm fragrance of the lemon and honey after-shave cream he used as they swayed softly amidst the balloons. Ranveer rested his head upon hers, the thrill of vanilla and roses making him shut his eyes in a bliss he never wanted to wake up from.
However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
Ishaani looked up at him and smiled as she let her fingers interlock at the back of his neck for better support. Ranveer looked surprised but said nothing as they continued swaying, their eyes back upon each other.
I will always love you
Ishaani felt the same tension mount up between them as they now came to a standstill, looking at each other with an intensity that tugged at the others' heart hard enough to tear their soul apart with its ferocity. Yet they didn't want to break gaze for they could see the sparkle of the moonlight in the others' eyes along with the same passionate fire in them that they always loved about each other.
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am clean again
Ranveer let his hand cup her cheek softly again as she shut her eyes slowly, savouring the feel of the moment. She opened them back again and smiled at him gently, her fingers now stroking his hair from the behind. Ranveer tucked the few stray strands of hair behind her ears gently just as he looked at her uncertainly, their faces now barely apart from each others.
However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
Ranveer kissed her cheek lovingly as their eyes met again, a strange modesty in them.
I will always love you
"Happy Valentine's Day, Ishaani..."
"Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Ranveer..."
Ranveer sighed as he let his head fall upon her right shoulder gently while her arm circled around his neck protectively in an embrace. There was a strange comfort in his arms that Ishaani never found in any other, not even her parents. It was as though that embrace was meant to give her all the happiness of this world and place it at her feet. An embrace that only meant calm and solace.
"Why did you let me kiss your cheek?" asked Ranveer softly, his voice not above a whisper. Ishaani could hear the tension in it and smiled in spite of herself.
"What do you mean?"
"I know you..." began Ranveer but trailed off, unsure as to how to phrase his thoughts. Ishaani understood his reference with regards to her orthodox nature and smiled.
"Well, they are ordinary guys. You are Ranveer. There's a difference. And I don't see the fuss since I've kissed you so many times on your forehead and cheek," she added reasonably just as they separated from the embrace.
Ranveer cleared his throat whispered soulfully, the moon and stars bearing witness to yet another episode of an untold saga.
"Today, I just want to tell you sorry and thank you. Sorry for making you put up with all the things I do, all the times when I've been the reason of your sorrow and tears, and that's unbelievably been a lot of times and I'm not proud of it. My mission in life is always to be the reason of your happiness, never grief. But I also want to tell you thank you. Thank you for being there like a pillar with me in all my ups and down. For standing up for me and fighting for me and never giving up on me. Thank you for coming to into my life and for keeping me alive. Thank you for being there for me always as my best friend and for being my light, my inspiration... my world. Thank you for being you."
Ishaani smiled as she gently separated from the embrace and cupped his cheek lovingly.
"You're to me what even my own blood isn't. You just aren't my friend, Ranveer. You are a part of me. My heart, my soul... my life. You've made every single day of my life worth remembering and cherishing, both good and bad. The good days have always been with you, and the bad ones with my head upon your shoulder. You've taught me more about myself than I ever thought there was to know. You taught me how to become whole again... how to fill that gaping hole in my heart. I'm sorry that you've been bearing so much for my sake every single day just so that my smile remains the way it is and I know that no matter how much I'm going to lecture you, you will keep doing it for me. But thank you for always making me feel this special and extraordinary. Thank you for being my best friend."
Ranveer stared at their interlocked fingers, suddenly looking worried.
"How do you become whole, Ishaani? Sometimes the love of a lifetime isn't enough to fill the shattered pieces."
"But sometimes, a moment's worth of love is enough to fix the shattered pieces of a lifetime." Ranveer let the words sink in as they sighed tiredly. He let his fingers strengthen within her own in a warm grip.
"I hope you had a good time today." Ishaani nodded her head before speaking suddenly.
"You know, I was wrong. I wanted to go to the prom tonight because I wanted someone to make me feel special and loved and extraordinary. But tonight only made me realize that I don't need any prom or Valentine's Day to make me feel so. Because you make me feel special every single day as my best friend. So yes, I guess you were right. Everything does happen for the best."
Ranveer smiled at her softly, pointing towards the terrace door.
"Shall we?"
"Wait, I need to give you your Valentine's Day gift," exclaimed Ishaani at the spur of the moment.
"But you didn't have to get me anything," muttered Ranveer, looking worried.
"I didn't," whispered back Ishaani, her eyes twinkling. She gently tiptoed and kissed him on his cheek while Ranveer flushed red. He shivered slightly as she whispered lovingly into his ears.
"You're the best person I could have ever hope to spend this day with."
Ranveer smiled and pulled Ishaani into his arms as the two of them swayed silently. The dying incense of love still flickered upon the table as the sole witness of the brewing concoction of emotions bubbling unknowingly within the hearts of two people whose souls were now set aflame with the magical intoxication of an unexpectedly warm evening in spite of the cold winds.
-x-
Ishaani sat upon her bed, smiling sheepishly. She was now back into her comfortable top and pajamas, having managed to finally undress and redress after half an hour of the world's most hideous struggle. Thanking her stars that her hand didn't get too disturbed, she rested her head upon the headrest, her mind lost in the most fairytale-like day of her life. If she thought that her seventeenth birthday was the perfect fairytale day, then this was even better than that. This was the Valentine's she always wanted and hoped for - two people celebrating the day who loved and cherished each other as friends and not the over-publicized romance of being lovers in love.
She quickly snapped her eyes open and pulled out her diary, reading through her earlier entry of the day and feeling thoroughly flabbergasted. What had she expected and what had Ranveer actually given her! She uncapped her pen and pushed it upon the crisp paper in a singular sentence until she decided against it.
This was one incident she wanted to savour in her mind over and over again before she savoured it upon paper. She shut the diary and kept the pen along with it in the drawer as lied down upon the bed, switching the lights off.
And yet that one sentence said it all.
14th February 2007,
This is, hands down, the best Valentine's Day I could have ever asked for.
Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D
Next chapter:
Epistle 70
Book Talk
Cricket
