Hey there!
How's life treating everyone?
I'm back!
Thank you all for the amazing comments on the first part. Makes me so happy...
And here I was thinking you guys had gotten bored of my work with less likes on Postcards From the Future...
Anyway, I guess you guys aren't quite done with me yet...
For all of you waiting for Shravan Malhotra's return, he will be playing the jealousy trick, will it work?
Who can refuse his charms at the end of the day right?
Let's get on with it, shall we?
PART 2
Shravan had accompanied Kamini to Tiwari Killa to deliver the Shagun ka samaan. He had a play in mind, execution is what he was wondering about. They were seated comfortably on the sofas sipping tea discussing the wedding when Suman entered. Shravan's penetrating gaze had her all flustered. She sat beside Nanaji who offered her some tea. Suman's face just kept getting flushed as Shravan had his eyes nowhere but on her. Kamini was talking about the sangeet and she suggested that everyone had to dance. She read out the list and the last couple had Suman almost choking on the tea she was concentrating on.
"Arey Sumo, tum toh aaise react kar rahi ho jaise Chachi ne tumhari shaadi announce kar di ho mere saath." Said Shravan smugly.
Everyone laughed taking it lightly as Shravan continued, "Sambhaal kar, shakal dekho apni. Preeti se zyada toh tum blush kar rahi ho. Kya baat kya hai Sumo? Pyaar vyaar toh nahi ho gaya tumko?"
Nanaji quipped, "Haan bhai, ho gaya hai toh bata do, ek hi mandap pe dono kaam ho jayenge.."
Suman gave Shravan a death glare and smiled politely towards Nanu, "Nahi aaisi koi baat nahi hai, Iski toh aadat hi hai bakwas karneki.. Aur mai dance nahi karoongi.."
Shravan understood what she was doing, and he decided to play along. "Theek hi hai na Chachi, bachpan mai yeh dance kam karti thi mere pair zyada todhti thi, isko aata hi nahi hai dance..."
"Oho Shravan puttar, apni height dekh, itna vadda ho gaya hai, bechari itti si Suman ke pair kahan lagne hai tujhe?? Kuch bhi avaiy!" Joked Kamini.
"Haan Di! Meri shaadi hai aapko dance karna hi hoga!" Said Preeti excitedly.
"Mujhe itne kaam hai, practice ka time nahi hai.. Don't worry thoda bohot bhangda kar loongi par iske saath dance nahi karoongi.."
"Yeh kya baat hui Suman puttar?? Mai.."
"Rehne dijiye Chachiji, woh nahi karna chahti toh na kare.." Informed Shravan.
"Par puttar tere chotte bhai ki shaadi mai tu nahi naachega toh mennu..." argued Kamini.
"Kisne kaha mai nahi nachoonga?? Arey yeh nahi dance kar rahi hai.. Her loss. Mere saath toh koi bhi ready ho jayegi dance karne, kyun Preeti?" Said Shravan in a bid to irk Suman.
"Haan phir problem hi solve ho gayi na, naach lo jo mil jaye uske saath.." conveyed Suman agitated.
"With pleasure.." Smirked the lawyer.
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They day of the sangeet had finally arrived. Suman hadn't seen Shravan in the last 3 days let alone speak with him. She was getting unnecessarily annoyed with minor things. It was either the sleepless nights she had survived on the mere thoughts of the kiss they had shared or the fact that she hadn't seen his beautiful face or the witch that was supposed to dance with him. She swore to herself she would act unperturbed but with each passing moment it seemed highly impossible.
Shravan had arrived looking like he was sure to kill as many women as he could. Wearing a black pathani he looked no less than royalty. The woman that entered with him was unusually clingy. Her low cut excuse of a choli left nothing to imagination. Her skirt was so low that Suman thought it would fall mid-performance. Suman pressed her palms in namaste to welcome them, Shravan walked passed paying no heed, he instead placed his beautiful hand on the bare waist of that bi**h. If that wasn't enough this girl's top was backless. Suman's head was going to blow any moment.
Shravan was whispering a lot in her ears as she laughed loud enough to surpass all the banter. Each time she turned around both Shravan and that girl's hands were on different parts of each other. Either she was straightening the collar of his kurta or he was putting her bindi right or she was playfully stroking his stubble or he was playing with her jhumkas. Suman was sure there was smoke emitting from her ears.
Shravan was thoroughly enjoying the changing colours of Suman's face. "Shravan, you are an asshole" whispered Shyra in his ears to which Shravan laughed and Suman fumed further. "I know" he whispered back.
"We did this in law school Shravan, grow up!"
"Shy, as far as it works, it doesn't matter..."
"But that poor girl..."
"That poor girl has been the bane of my existence, its time she owns up to it."
"If Shamrez was here then?"
"Then I'd tell him I need to borrow his wife, my friend for a dance to burn the girl I love and being my homie he would have agreed!"
"Yeh yeh! Whatever!"
"Okay so as per the plan Shy, let's burn the dance floor!"
"And Suman..."
"Yes and Sumo!" smirked Shravan mischievously.
As the announcement was made Suman felt like her entire being was on fire, cause what was "The hottest couple supposed to mean?" And what kind of a diva name was Shyra? Her name started with S too. She was hotter and taller, so she did look better with Shravan. Just what the hell was happening. She cursed the moment she refused to dance with Shravan. The music came on and she was hell bent on murder. This was going to be sheer torture.
Zara Zara Behekta Hain
Mehekta Hain Aaj To Mera Tan Badan
Main Pyaasi Hoon Mujhe Bhar Le Apni Baahon Mein
Hai Meri Kasam Tujhko Sanam Door Kahin Na Jaa
Yeh Doori Kehti Hain Paas Mere Aaja Re
Yuhi Baras Baras Kaali Ghata Barse
Hum Yaar Bheeg Jaaye Is Chaahat Ki Baarish Mein
Meri Khuyli Khuli Lato Ko Suljaaye
Tu Apni Ungliyon Se Main
To Hoon Isi Khwaayish Mein
Sardi Ki Raaton Mein Hum Soye Rahe Ek Chaadar Mein
Hum Dono Tanha Ho Na Koi Bhi Rahe Is Ghar Mein
Zara Zara Behekta Hain Mehekta Hain
Aaj To Mera Tan Badan
Main Pyaasi Hoon Mujhe Bhar Le Apni Baahon Mein
Aaja Re Aa Re
The hooting and applause was adding fuel to fire. Kya tuning hai dono ki thought Suman. So in sync, so oblivious to everyone around them. Not only was the song ridiculous but also provocative. Shravan had lost all shame. He was dancing like this in front of everyone. That Shyra was having the time of her life. Whoa those lifts. Damn you Shravan Malhotra. As the next song was heard Suman just wanted to run away. Her eyes started getting moist.
Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
Behad aur beshumar aaya hai
Toote toh toote teri baahon mein aise
Jaise shaakhon se patte be-haya
Bikhre tujhi se aur simte tujhi mein
Tu hi mera sab le gaya
Na fiqar, na sharam, na lihaaj, ek baar aaya
Phir zarre zarre mein deedar aaya hai
Phir zarre zarre mein deedar aaya hai
Aaj phir tum pe pyar aaya hai
Aaj phir tum pe pyar aaya hai
Behad aur beshumaar aaya hai
Tu hi meri awaaragi
Tu hi duaa har shaam ki
Tu khamakha, tu laazmi
Tu hi razaa, tu hi kami
Aur tu hi wo, firaaq hai jisko
Hai silsilon ne mere pass laaya
Hothon pe tere izhaar aaya hai
Hothon pe tere izhaar aaya hai
Behad aur beshumar aaya hai
Aaj phir tum pe pyar aaya hai
Aaj phir tum pe pyar aaya hai
Behad aur beshumaar aaya hai
Suman turned to leave as Mamiji held her hand and told her to go check the arrangement of food. Even Mamiji seemed to be enjoying the blatant display of shamelessness. The mad hooting got her thinking if she was the only person who had an objection, everyone else seemed to be enjoying the "Soulful" performance. The beats of the next song suggested it was going to be a high energy number and she decided to stay and see it all so that she could comfort herself in the fact that Shravan was an ass**le.
Ek ho gaye hum aur tum
Humma humma humma
Toh udd gayi neende re
Hey humma
Ek hogaye hum aur tum
Toh udd gayi neende re
Aur khanki payal masti mein
Toh kangan khanke re
Ye pehli baar mile
Tum pe ye dum nikle
Tum pe ye jawani dheere dheere
Madham machle
Humma humma
Humma humma humma
Hey humma humma
Humma hamma hamma
Mujhe dar iss baat ka hai bas
Ke kahi na ye raat nikal jaye
Mere itne bhi paas tu aa mat
Kahi mere haathon se na baat nikal jaye
Bolunga sach mein jo de tu ijazat
Sabar bhi ab karne laga bagawat
Zulfein hai zaalim aur aankhe hai aafat
Lagta hai hone wali hai qayamat
Mat tadpa aise tu
Na kar na-insaafi
Jo galti karne wala hun main uske liye
Pehle se hi maangta hun maafi
Khili chandni jaisa ye badan
Janam mila tumko
Mann mein socha tha jaisa roop tera
Aaya nazar humko
Sitam khuli khuli
Ye sanam gori gori
Ye baahein karti hai yoon
Hamein tumne jab gale lagaya
Toh kho hi gaye hum
Humma humma
Humma humma humma
Hey humma humma
Humma hamma hamma
Ek ho gaye hum aur tum
Humma humma humma
Toh udd gayi neende re
Hey humma
The crowd erupted in praises as whistles resonated in the hall. Shravan held Shyra to himself much after the music had stopped, the RK pose and all was fine but she had had enough. The announcer brought the couple back to earth. They bowed graciously and stepped down. Suman was just about to turn when she heard Shravan call out to her. "Sumo! Wait up!"
She halted and slowly turned around to see Shravan walking towards her holding Shyra's hand and pulling her along with himself. "Kya?"
"Kya kya? How was the performance?" Asked Shravan overly excited. "I would have died had I performed with you or at least fractured my feet.." He laughed.
"Maroge toh aaise bhi tum" mumbled Suman.
"Kuch kaha tumne?" Quizzed Shravan.
"Oho Shravu! Yeh kya bolegi! Humara performace tha hi itna mindblowing ke bechari ke paas bolneko kuch nahi bacha.." Said Shyra running her fingers over the exposed area of Shravan's chest.
Shravu? What? Even I don't call him that! And he just had to keep the top four buttons open thought Suman. Pehna hi kyun kurta, ehsaan kia, nanga hi aajata...
"Oh I didn't introduce you two, Sumo, she is Shy.." Said Shravan pointing towards Shyra.
"Lagti toh bilkul nahi hai yeh kisi bhi angle se shy." Taunted Suman.
"Arey! Shy as in Shyra, mai pyaar se isko Shy bolta hoon."
Suman's eyes almost popped out. "Pyaar se!" She said loudly.
"Haan Sumo pyaar se, kya tum aaise react kar arhi ho?..." Shravan rolled the endearment on his tongue.
"Sumo! Yeh kaisa naam hua Sumo? Darling were you a fat baby?" Asked Shyra.
What Suman couldn't get was why Shravan was laughing maniacally.
"Shy that's rude! Don't body shame the poor thing. She was healthy as a teenager and I named her Sumo cause size and harakaton mai yeh Sumo hi thi, kyun hain na Sumo?" Smiled Shravan slyly.
"Whatever! Tum apni iss no angle se shy almost nangi girlfriend ko entertain karo. I have a lot more important stuff to do!"
"Nangi? You mean hot??" Said Shyra sexily.
Shravan smiled at her suggestively and before the two could put up any more of the show Suman stormed off.
"It worked you dork!" declared Shyra fist bumping Shravan.
"I told you it would!"
"She called me nangi!"
"That was jealous talk bro, Shamrez mar jata itni hot lag rahi ho!"
"What next?"
"The dance floor will be open in a bit and also the bar, it's going to be fun!"
"Such a baby you are!"
"True that!"
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Suman got back an hour later, a little bit of work and a few tears had to be taken care of. How could Shravan was all that rang in her mind. But she thought if he didn't care neither would she. A man asked to dance with her and she agreed without a second glance. "You're gorgeous" Said he, dazed as his hand held her waist and pulled her into him. That was when Suman broke from the trance and looked up to him. "Who are you?"
"I am whoever you want me to be.."
"Oh shut up and let go!"
"Come on, not fair. You accepted my offer to dance and now you're pushing me away?"
"Just let go.."
"Such an awesome number, allow me to show you what a pleasure it can be to dance.."
Suman was going to slap him hard when she noticed Shravan seething away dunking down peg after peg. She decided to have some fun. "Fine, just this one dance.."
The guy, Aditya or whatever his name was, was actually a good dancer and Shravan's predicament made her enjoy even more. His hand made its way to the small of her back pulling her even more into him and Suman saw red. Before she could do anything she stole a glance back at where Shravan was just a moment ago. He seemed to have disappeared. She simply pushed Aditya and made her way out. She found Shravan bidding Shyra off, she pecked his cheek and left. Shravan drank from the glass he had as he turned. His eyes were a storm but then so were Suman's.
"Where did your Shy go?"
Shravan ignored as he walked past her.
"What? Now you won't even acknowledge me?"
"Isn't that what you wanted?" asked Shravan as a matter of factly.
"Did you see my dance?" She tried to pry.
"What with that leech? Yeh I saw. I also saw how he took his time to touch you as you tried not to slap him. I wonder what's gotten into you? Kissing guys in elevators to dirty dancing with strange creeps. Why would you do things that make you uncomfortable?"
"Like you don't do things that make you uncomfortable."
"What are you implying?"
"Oh you know very well.."
"If you mean the elevator episode I enjoyed it to say the least!"
"And the dancing on sensual numbers?" she quizzed.
"It wasn't my first time with Shy. She is an amazing person and a very graceful dancer! It was a blast. But that doesn't answer my question as to why you'd do things that make you uncomfortable? The way you are comparing seems like you wanted to get even with me. Quite shallow don't you think?"
"You are wrong!" Defied Suman.
"Hmm.. okay.. if you insist.."
"What? That's it? You have nothing more to say?" asked Suman bewildered.
"Nope..."
"It didn't matter to you?"
Shravan raised an eyebrow, "Should it?"
"No why would it! You would now only be interested in that sl**ty Shy and.."
"Enough!" Bellowed Shravan. "Not another word about her!"
"Oh toh ab uske against ek word tolerate nahi hota tumko!"
"Ab nahi Sumo, hamesha se uske against kuch bhi tolerate nahi hota mujhe!"
"Accha! Kabse hai yeh hamesha? Kabse hai yeh tumhari zindagi mai? Kyunki tumhare uss dost Eric ke alawa maine kabhi kisi ka naam suna nahi.."
"Why do you care? Go back to dancing with your new found admirer."
"Oh toh jale tum?"
"Jala nahi Sumo, pareshaan zaroor hua. Uss bande ki niyat hi galat thi phir bhi just to get back at me you danced with him even though uncomfortable. Dukh hua mujhko ke sirf mujhe jalane ke liye tum itna gir gayi."
"Oh really! Tum nahi gire? As if that girl wasn't just to show me?"
"Yes I wanted to burn you. I wanted to hear from you that you care! But mai gira nahi tumhari tarha."
"Gire nahi? Sensual dance with a girl barely dressed!"
"I told you not a word against her! And if she was skimpily dressed, you are dressed no better!"
"What do you mean?"
"Isn't your blouse low cut? Isn't it backless? Isn't your skirt hanging low on your waist? Look at yourself before mudslinging on her!"
"Shravan! I've always dressed like this."
"So has Shy!"
'But I don't fall on men like she does. I don't unnecessarily touch them or.."
"Really? Point in case being me?? Well you have always been very comfortable with me as was she. Only difference, Shy does that only with people she's comfortable with. It was harmless flirting. Unlike you who gets on with any stranger!"
"How could you! You ass**le!"
"Yeh I am one!"
"You are saying that woman is better than me? She was trying to make me jealous!"
"And it worked! It was my plan not her's. She's such a darling that she agreed, her husband trusts me implicitly and didn't mind her dancing with me!"
"Husband?"
"Yeh Shamrez, my best friend. Shyra knew me before she knew Sham, and we have been friends for a decade. What I did may have been shallow but I did with someone I know. Someone who knows me. Both of us had no wrong feelings or thoughts for the other. You on the contrary got carried away with a complete stranger who's eyes held nothing but lust. At least now I know how you think. You know what? I'm done. Done trying to win you over. Cause you don't want to be won cause that for you would be loosing. You'd do anything to get back at me and I fear for you. I don't want anything wrong happening to you. In your spite you might not realize when to draw the line. So I'll draw it between the both of us. Do what you want Sumo, provided its for yourself. I am taking myself out of this game. It's just till this wedding gets done that you will have to bear being in my vicinity, cause after that tum tumhare raaste aur mai mere. But I do still wonder, why be so affected by my proximity to someone else? Didn't you say you didn't care? Didn't you refuse to dance with me? Didn't you establish that you wanted nothing to do with me? Strange isn't it?" Saying Shravan headed back into the venue leaving a very flustered Suman behind. He knew he had to draw the line but he also wasn't backing off so easy. Jealousy did work and he also got her thinking all he had to do now was constant attacks. She would give in soon enough. From all that happened be it the kiss or the insane bout of jealousy, he was sure his feelings were mirrored, what was it that was causing her to hold back was a point of concern.
Suman stepped back into the hall to find Shravan dancing Pujabi style with Lalaji and Pushkar on wedding songs. She knew he noticed her presence. She joined the crowd and shook a leg trying hard to smile. Slowly she was inching closer towards Shravan. She just had this innate need to be around him, his statement of going their own ways didn't settle well with her. Shravan kept dancing unaffected. Suddenly Aditya swirled her around and tried dancing with her. Before Suman could protest, Aditya went flying in the other direction. She figured Shravan had landed a punch square in the guy's face. He lay on the floor whimpering holding his nose. The crowd fell silent as they tried to comprehend the happenings.
"Ladki jab ek baar na bole, toh uska matlab na hi hota hai.." Said Shravan in a deathly calm but firm tone.
"Dude! Are you insane?" Asked Aditya rolling in pain.
"Bhaiyya kya hua? Aap aaise?" quipped Pushkar.
"Iss idiot ko invite kisne kia hai?" Thundered Shravan.
"Bhaiyya dost hai mera accha... kia kya hai?"
"Aaise good for nothing cheap dost hai tere chotte?"
"Bhaiyya par?"
"Listen you" started Shravan pointing towards Aditya, "Apni hadd mai reh aur ayanda Suman ke ya kisi bhi ladki ke aas paas dikha toh tu apne aapko bhool jayega.." Shravan said with finality. No one dared to say a word. He walked up to Suman, held her hand and took her outside. Everyone present knew that only Suman could tame her lion and that only Shravan could comfort his Sumo.
A few quite moments later, Shravan asked, "Tum theek ho?" Suman stood with her eyes downcast, not a word from here. Her eyes welled up with tears. She didn't think any further and hugged Shravan tight as she wept her heart out. Shravan let her wet his kurta with her sorrows. He rubbed her back gently. "Shh Sumo..." Said he in a bid to pacify her. "Kya hua? Tum... accha bas... ab shaant ho jao... mai hoon na, yahin hoon... kahin nahi jaa raha. Kuch nahi hoga tumko... shhh..."
"Shra.. *Sniffle* Shrav... an... mai..." She could manage before she broke into sobs once again.
"Sumo" his voice a mere whisper, his arms her safe haven, she felt engulfed in the warmth that was him. All she wanted was to stay right where she was all their lives.
"Sumo please.. Rona band karo tum, ab woh kabhi pareshan nahi karega tumko..." He pulled her ever so slightly away to see her visage. He wiped her tears softly. "Kya baat hai? Itni toh tum kamzor nahi ke koi kuch galat karne ki koshish kare aur tum iss tarha ro do?"
"Shravan mai.." she was weighing her words.
"Sumo, look at me.." he placed his right index finger under her chin to nudge her vision his way. "Meri taraf dekho Suman, kya hua hai? Jo hai saaf saaf bol do.."
"Tum yakeen nahi karoge mujhpe. Nafrat karoge mujhse.." Saying she wept clutching his collar as she rested her head on his torso.
"Accha bas yaar. Ab bas karo rona." He said patting her head as he held her to himself protectively. "Sumo, Jaise tum ro rahi ho, anyone that sees me will think I've taken a dip in the ocean. Aur yeh salt water patches, kitna lamba bill aayega mujhe dry cleaning ka!"
Suman smiled genuinely. He felt the corners of her lips lift up against his skin making him smile too, "Accha chalo, batao kya baat hai. Nahi karoonga nafrat mai tum se. Yeh toh ab tak samjh jana chahiye tha tumko ke mai jo chahe keh loon, nafrat nahi kar sakta tum se.."
"Tum karoge I know..."
"Arey baba, batao jo baat hai, nahi naraz hone waala mai tumse."
"Waada karo poori baat sunoge aur gussa nahi karoge..?"
"Haan promise, ab tell me. You're starting to scare me now."
Suman pulled back lightly, looked up straight in his eyes and said, "I love you!"
Shravan stood dumbfounded at her declaration, unknown to him a tear made its way down his face. Before he could say a word, Suman continued. "But, we can't be together."
Shravan felt like he had been served his heart on a bed of thorns, "Sumo?"
"Shravan mai bata nahi sakti tumko kyun, bas yeh samjh lo ke bohot ehsaan hai mujhpe jo mujhe kabhi tumhare saath nahi hone denge.."
"I don't understand why? Sumo don't do this to us please. Kya baat hai? Kaunse ehsaan hai? Mujhe batao mai sab handle kar loonga.."
"Jaanti hoon mai ke handle kar loge sab, par mai nahi chahti tumko chunna pade..."
"Kya chunna padega mujhe?"
"Shravan please, mujhe aur sawal mat karo.."
"How? Sumo you said you love me, how can I not ask why when you love me can you not be with me?"
"Cause I don't have an answer.. I want you to know, you are the only man I have ever loved and you will be the only man I will ever love. Shravan ke alawa Suman ke liye aur koi nahi ho sakta.."
"Sumo you're killing me. Don't do this please just tell me ..."
"Take care of yourself Shravan.." Saying she went on her tip toes and pecked his cheek as she left. She heard him yell back from where he was, "I won't let you do this to us Sumo! If anything my resolve has only strengthened now. Tum aur Mai, Hum ko ek hone se koi nahi rok sakta, tum khud bhi nahi!"
She turned, gave him a wary smile and departed leaving Shravan with a million questions, no matter the number of questions, the only answer he sought was Sumo. He would do everything in his power to make her his, this was his life's sole purpose and he never really did learn to loose.
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So, how did you find it!?
Where do you think the story is headed from here?
Next part will be the last... In there we will see the real Shravan Malhotra! Be prepared!
Accha laga toh please like and do let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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Cheers!
Zoya
Edited by orion23 - 8 years ago