IshVeer FF : La Douleur Exquise| Important Announcement (Page 51) - Page 11

Thank you for waiting, guys. I truly appreciate the patience. :)

Chapter 13: A Bittersweet Evening

As Ishani had requested earlier, Ranveer delayed the journey to the Mehta Mansion considerably, giving her time to think and cheer herself up. She remained silent throughout the way, rarely speaking while Ranveer let her be on her own, knowing time was what she needed the most after the fiascos made at home regarding her. And when they reached the Mehta's mansion, it was already 8.30. Neither of them liked the suffocating air about the house, but made peace with the fact that it was because of the party going inside.

"You go, Ishani. I'll be parking the car first," Ranveer said, ushering Ishani out while she frowned at him. As soon as Ishani got out of the car, Ranveer saw Devarsh and Pratiek arrive as well and he left Ishani to their liberty, knowing company of her cousins and sister would be a better choice to attend a high profile party where people still lived in an era long passed. "You go, people. I'll be coming shortly." And he left.

5 minutes later Ranveer returned, little surprised to find Ishani still there, waiting for him as she looked around her awkwardly. At his sight her features softened and a smile enraptured her lips.

"Wow, you're still here!" he said, trying to dissipate the awkwardness from the last one hour. "I thought--"

"No, I was waiting for you."

"Yeah, you wouldn't get the entry without me, right!" Ranveer chuckled, earning a well deserve punch from her on his arm. "Sunny, stop it!"

"Call me Sunny one more time and I will throw two more," Ishani answered, curling her fists and showing him off with a threatening glare.

"Alright, alright!" Ranveer laughed and taking Ishani by hand, scurried into the mansion. The hall was crammed with the young crowd as they struggled to get in, putting their feet carefully and cautiously. Ranveer felt Ishani squeeze his arms, her eyes taking in the uninteresting view gravely. She hated parties and this event was no exception. "It's alright." Ranveer placed his hand on Ishani's while she smiled back.

"Wow, these people really have enough money to spend on these useless parties?" Ishani said as they reached a corner, not occupied by anyone so far.

"What's wrong with you, Ishani?" Ranveer asked, turning towards her. "You don't like them, fine, but others do enjoy them. Don't be a grumpy cat!"

"Yeah, go." Ishani nudged him away and Ranveer scowled at her. "Like you really enjoy all this."

"I do, yes!" he said. "Come on, yaar! Don't be a spoilsport."

Ishani stayed silent for a while as they stood, watching the people around them dance, and drink. The loud music soared into the hall as the multicoloured bauble hanging above cast various sets of lights before returning to its original self and then again glistening in the multicoloured shade. The crowd appeared drunk in the stupor of the enjoyment when out of nowhere, Ishani and Ranveer saw a waiter approaching them, his hands full of a large tray that almost emptied by the time he reached them.

"Sir? Ma'am?" he said, but Ishani shook her head.

"We don't drink!" She looked at Ranveer who understood her gesture and let the waiter go.

"You don't have to be so grumpy, Ishani," he said. "Mota Babuji wouldn't have sent you here for no reason. It's his friend's party and you are meant to behave decently."

"Don't you see, Ranveer? I don't like being here! I don't like this crowd! It makes me feel... so empty!" she said, her tone hopeless.

Ranveer sighed and turned her towards him. "Don't be afraid, I'm here with you."

Her lips involuntarily bent in a smile and she nodded her head vehemently like a child. "I know, I know!"

"So, fine!" Ranveer answered, smiling. "That's my good girl. Do you mind dancing with me? And, since we're both getting quite bored, why not this?" he added in a low whisper as if telling her a well preserved secret.

"Oh, yes!" Ishani's face brightened up. She quickly offered her hand and smiled.

But before Ranveer moved further, a hand took hers in his, wrapping his around her. Ishani jerked her hand away and frowned. There a stood man in a blue jeans and black shirt, accompanied by a brown blazer, giving him the look of the people found only in the films. Ranveer assumed he must have been in his mid twenties but his chiseled face gave him a younger appearance and it wasn't hard to imagine him being extremely popular among the girls. Ishani, however, seemed to discard the assumption Ranveer had so innocently formed in his mind, for she immediately scowled, her brows slowly wrinkling at the man.

"Who might you be?" she asked, uninterested.

The man looked alerted and later offered his most polite smile. "Hi! I'm Chirag Mehta. The host of this party." Chirag looked about himself to emphasize the mentioned fact.

"Oh, nice to meet you, Mr. Mehta," Ishani said in the same tone. Ranveer hoped she better be more polite with Chirag Mehta.

"Chirag will do, Miss Ishani." He smiled, his deep eyes boring into hers, while a small smile kept his lips lifted on the corners. "You haven't answered my question yet." Chirag added hurriedly.

Ishani stared at Ranveer, her eyes pleading, but she composed herself, as if having made the decision. "Well," she spoke at last, "thank you for the offer but I have my friend with me and we're fine in each other's company."

"It's matter of a few minutes only, please?"

Ishani huffed. "I'm sure there are many interesting people around and most women will love to dance with you."

"But none as interesting as you," he said as his smile widened.

Ranveer gritted his teeth. "Well, Chirag, she's not interested. Let her go."

For the first time he seemed to notice Ranveer. "Oh, you must be the friend she was talking about, right?" he laughed and Ranveer frowned, wondering what this man really wanted. "I'm sorry I couldn't notice you first." He didn't sound sorry at all. "You know, all evening I've waited for your friend since my dad told me about Ishani and her cousins joining us too. I was glad to welcome you all, but my bad she doesn't seem comfortable here. Could you please convince her? Actually, I'd like to have her meet my parents too."

Chirag sounded genuine and Ranveer looked at Ishani. "Ishani, it's a matter of a while only, alright?"

"I don't want to dance with him!" Ishani snapped firmly.

"Ishani, he's hosting the party. We didn't want to come but we did for Mota Babuji. Just in case he gets to know about our recklessness tomorrow. Won't he feel bad?" Ranveer paused as silence stretched. Ishani looked at Chirag and forced a smile as she walked towards him, maintaining a proper distance from the man as much as possible.

Her usual show off smile, Ranveer thought to himself and sighed. The loud music pierced his thoughts, not allowing to think anything beyond the pungent haze of the evening that began to drown everyone in its magic. Ranveer noticed despite the bash smelling with money there was a line that wasn't crossed. As he observed around, Ranveer saw Devarsh, Pratiek and Disha roaming around, enjoying with their friends, Devarsh and Pratiek stuck in a quarrel over a matter he could not guess. But didn't bother to think further. Where Ishani disappeared he could not see, but hoped she behaved properly, for the girl was unpredictable with the people not having her trust.

And suddenly, the loud music came to a halt while the lights dimmed to a romantic semblance. Ranveer looked around, unprepared to see Chirag escorting Ishani to the dance floor amidst the dancing couples, took by surprise by the sudden turn of the events. He could tell Ishani made her best attempts not to give away the nervousness that expressed in her cheeks in form of embarrassment and hoped she didn't make fool out of herself. The girl didn't know how to dance!

The music began and Chirag looked in to her eyes, while Ishani seemed to struggle with the same. And soon the crowd from the dance floor melted away, leaving Ishani and Chirag behind as the sole owners of the place. Despite the smile Ranveer felt his lips pursed. His throat tightened and his chest tightly clenched. The walls closed in, drawing in outrageously and suddenly, the space seemed to smother him.

"They look like a fairy-tale, don't they?" A voice from somewhere near interrupted his thoughts, but Ranveer did not bother looking away. A few murmurs were followed in the agreement of the former statement. It wasn't a damn historical novel where a prince returned to his birth place to find a bride for him, Ranveer told himself with a frown. Why did he feel so uncomfortable, then? Why everything about him emasculated the resistance he had mustered? It'll pass. It'll pass, he said to himself again and again until he couldn't take it anymore.

Without another thought Ranveer walked ahead, unnoticed by everyone, and drew a deep breath as he came in the open air, heaving lightly. The air felt more comfortable at this place than the stifling melody of the music inside the hall. Ranveer continued walking far, far away until the music from inside the mansion became lighter and lighter, inaudibly reaching him like faintly trickling brook in the distance. He drew a sigh of relief, hoping Ishani didn't interrogate him why he had left her.

Time passed on and in a moment Ranveer heard the sounds of cheering and hooting from inside, and he could imagine Ishani standing there like a statue, taking a look around to spot him. His mind struggled to decide whether it was the right time to go in or not, but decided to delay it a little more. Along with Ishani Chirag also came to his mind and the thought alone hindered him from moving away.

With time the cheering inside the mansion subsided, leaving behind a silence that spoke of something unpleasant to Ranveer, even if there was no reason to feel this way. Before he could make up his mind to decide anything Ranveer saw Devarsh approaching him.

"Ranveer!" he panted. "Ishani!" Devarsh pointed to the mansion from where the light spilled outside in the dark.

"What's wrong?" he asked, alarmed, while Devarsh took little time to catch his breath.

"Ishani's in a mess! Come!"

Ranveer rushed alongside Devarsh and the sight almost made him drop his jaw. A young man stood there by her side, holding a glass of bear in his hand, forcing it in Ishani's, while Ishani seemed adamant at not giving in.

"Take it, sweetheart!" he said, smiling at Ishani. Ranveer felt anger bubble in him as he loped further in two strides and pushed Ishani away, glaring at the men.

"Ishani, come on!" Ranveer heard Chirag say and before Chirag could speak any further Ishani's palm found his cheek in a tight slap. Chirag caught his cheek with his hand as he stared at her, his eyes giving away nothing of his emotions, while the men standing around them scampered away.

"Don't you dare say another word, Chirag Mehta!" Ishani said, staring angrily at him.

"I thought... we were friends..." Chirag said but Ishani waved her hand in a dismissive gesture.

"We are not friends! And after this we will never be!" Her voice didn't go lower than a yell and Ranveer looked at Chirag, unsure about him anymore.

"Ishani," he said at last as she turned to him. All the eyes fell on Ranveer and it was then did he realize the hall had fallen incredibly silent, the music no longer an interference in vocal communication. "Let's go," he said calmly, hoping to take Ishani away before the drama intensified anymore. Ishani followed him wordlessly and they settled in a corner. "Ishani..." Ranveer began but before he said anything else, Ishani threw herself in his arms, murmuring angrily to herself.

"Ranveer, it's so, so horrible! I don't like it here." She drew away from him while Ranveer still struggled to console her, wondering how to make her understand anything.

"Ishani," he said. "Look everyone's staring at you. Don't cry. I didn't think you cry like that." A look from Ishani frittered the edge of sarcasm from his tone.

"I'd slapped to that... Naman guy, too," Ishani said, pointing to the person she spoke of and Ranveer noticed he was the same man who forced Ishani to have alcohol without her consent. He couldn't help but smile at her innocence and courage, and how she handled the matter on her own.

"That's why you're my Sunny." Ranveer chuckled and Ishani gave him a smile. "But you know what, we do look like fools standing in a corner among these people, don't we?"

Ishani nodded vehemently, a sign of her childlike approval that he couldn't help but adore even today. "Like you said, we're outsiders even here too."

"We'll never fit anywhere, I think," Ranveer said, more to himself than her.

"Certainly."

"Ishani," Ranveer said after a while and Ishani looked at him. "I think you should go and see your friends. It doesn't look good you're standing here with me. Everyone knows I'm your servant..." The words froze in his mouth at Ishani's glare at him but Ranveer remained resolute. "Truth never changes, Ishani. Go, otherwise we might face more drama at home."

They both knew what Ranveer meant. People never stopped talking about their friendship, much to Falguni Maa's dismay, no matter what Mota Babuji believed.

"I'll keep watch on everyone and whenever you need me, I'll be there. Don't worry."

Breathing deeply, Ishani left, reluctance in her steps too evident as she walked away. The time passed and Ranveer hoped Chirag remained away from Ishani, for despite everything, something nagged at him at the man's name.

However, his thoughts came to a standstill the moment Ranveer's eyes fell on the buffet, guests flooding the place generously. Without wasting another second he moved up there and picked up a plate, filling it up with the variety of the dishes.

Ranveer turned around as his eyes fell on Chirag, walking towards him grimly.

"Oh, I was just about to come to you, sir!" Ranveer said enthusiastically, eyeing the food in his plate.

"This buffet isn't for you. You go outside."

"What? I..." Ranveer fumbled awkwardly. "I... But party's inside..."

"Yes, party's going on inside, but it's not for the staff. I just realized you are one of the staff." Chirag's voice came harsh. "Waiter, help him please and make sure he doesn't drink."

"No, no. I don't drink..." Ranveer said, trying to smile.

"When it's for free, no one resists it either." Chirag sighed.

Ranveer looked around, his eyes falling on Disha who stood there, grinning, and it didn't take time for him to realize it was Disha's doing. "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't know. I'll just go outside." He placed the plates in place and began walking, but Ishani's voice stopped him right in the tracks.

"How dare you!" Ishani's voice thundered and Ranveer winced, knowing it was not a good sign in the moment. She came further, her face red with anger and her lips tightly pursed.

"What did I do now?"

"How dare you call him a servant?"

"What? How should I address a servant?"

"What kind of people are you?" Ishani said, disgust evident on her face. "You don't know how to talk to others, right? You think you're something great? But your thinking is smaller than a dusty particle! Listen to me, Chirag Mehta, he's spent more years with us than you have with your family in your entire lifetime!"

"Ishani," Ranveer began but she cut him off.

"No, Ranveer!" She glared and Ranveer sighed. Ishani turned to Chirag again. "And you. The very person whom you just insulted is a part of my family and my father sent him here because he trusted Ranveer the most to look after me. But this is not something you will understand because things like this are beyond the capacity of your tiny brain."

"Ishani..." Chirag now said but Ishani shut him up as well.

"Ishani, it's alright. It was my fault, I know. I should've asked before doing anything."

"Ranveer, no. You aren't going anywhere. They don't care about anyone's self respect! They don't know you importance in our lives! Look, Chirag Mehta, you've judged him by his status but what you don't know is his heart, his abilities. His manners and his hard work. None of your business books will ever teach you that because they don't teach you manners or how to respect others. You invited us here because of my father, right? Just so you know, Mr. Mehta, the brain behind his success is that of Ranveer's. We earn millions a day is because of Ranveer. You saw the kind of clothes he wore for the party, but you'll never know the brilliance he owns or the kind of heart he has. Even if you don't know anything or acknowledge what I've just said, I know he is a gem. A diamond not everyone can see. It's visible to only those who can and you are most certainly not one of them! My father knows this and that's what matters the most. We're proud of Ranveer and will always be." She paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "People might be dying to attend your party, but I feel ashamed to be here. We'll not stay here for another moment. Ranveer, let's go."

Even though it was not the time or hour to do so, Ranveer couldn't help but smile a little at the way Ishani took stand for him. He must have fallen in love with her once again. But then, this was what he did: he fell for her everytime his eyes fell on her. Everytime their eyes met. Everytime she smiled at him. As she was done, Ishani turned towards Ranveer and for the first time she did not look timid of annoyed with anything this evening. For the first time she didn't care what people thought of her for defending her family's servant in front of the world. Her eyes were moist with tears and ablaze, and Ranveer couldn't endure the fire within them.

"No, no!" he said. "Ishani, calm down. You don't have to fight, alright? Chirag, please don't mind her. She doesn't know half the times what she's talking about. I'll leave. I don't feel like having dinner either... I'm full." He laughed slowly. "Though I'll take this samosa. It looks delicious."

Feeling the gush of bittersweet air hit him softly, Ranveer left the hall and came into the open air. The events left him feeling more baffled than he admitted to being, but it didn't matter. He was happy. That's it.

After a few moments, Ranveer felt someone place their hand on his shoulder, the familiar weight, warm and comforting. He turned around, smiling, and his smile widened at the sight of Ishani.

"Ranveer, I'm sorry for everything that happened..."

"Ishani, come on! If you think I felt bad or insulted, I did not." Ranveer said, trying to cheer her up but her eyes still lowered down.

"You should've let Chirag apologize to you. You shouldn't have left like that."

Ranveer shook his head. "No, it's fine." He smiled. "I swear nothing affected me at all. No insults. No judgments. Nothing."

Ishani shuffled her feet towards him and looked at him with a new interest, her eyes gleaming in the neon lights of the yard. "How come?"

Ranveer sighed deeply. "Because I don't care what people think of me, Ishani. It doesn't matter whether they call me a servant or driver or anything else insulting or humiliating. I know where I stand in this world, and I'm proud of it!"

The answer brought smile at Ishani's face as her lips bent ever so slightly, but she still remained firm. "I don't like it, but. You shouldn't let anyone hurt you for your status."

"No one hurts me. No one can do so either unless I let them. Baa and her whips have turned me into a stronger fellow by now." He chuckled but the remark brought no change on Ishani's face. "I've got a thick skin that nothing affects me anymore."

"No one?" she asked.

And suddenly the clouds rumbled overhead, followed by a quick downpour without their notice while they were engaged in their squabbles. Ranveer held Ishani's hand and guided themselves in a shade out of the drizzling assault. "God, this rain!" Ranveer scowled and suddenly his eyes fell on Ishani, who seemed not have to have taken her eyes off him since their conversation moments ago. "What?"

"I want my answer, Ranveer," she said gently, no sign of anger visible in her tone. It was curiosity.

"Because, to me more than anything and anyone, you and Mota Babuji matter. As you said, Mota Babuji is proud of me, I have no fear of being judged by others. They can go to hell, seriously!" Ranveer laughed and this time Ishani joined as well. After a moment Ranveer looked at Ishani, his eyes boring deep in hers. "If ever anyone can break Ranveer, it's you and Mota Babuji, Ishani. You know, I'll never care about others. It's just you and Mota Babuji that matter." Suddenly, an awkward silence ensued, as they stared at each other, Ranveer noticing the quiet twitch on Ishani's lips as though she struggled to say something but words did not come out. And then, by another harsh rumble in the dark sky the spell was broken and Ranveer and Ishani looked away.

"You know what, Ranveer?" Ishani said after a while, and at looking back at her Ranveer realized her eyes were already on him. "Doesn't matter what others say, I know you'll be a big man one day. And then the people who today insult you will be the ones revering you for your hard work and dedication and what you will be then."

Ranveer looked at her, smiling. She made the entire matter look like a child's play. As if by a magic wand a wizard would take away the poverty he was in and grant him the success Ishani believed he deserved.

"And you?" Ranveer asked suddenly, his eyes unblinking.

"I'll be the proudest!" she said, offering her sweetest smile.

"But I'm afraid, Ishani." Ranveer felt his voice tremble and realized it was too obvious that even Ishani noticed this, for she appeared alarmed at the words he spoke. He struggled for the right words but continued nonetheless. "I don't want to let you go..."

"I'm not going anywhere," Ishani said, before Ranveer could speak anything else. He shook his head.

"No, you keep saying I'll achieve the impossible one day, but you know, when you're up there, relishing the success, you are the loneliest. Because either people can't reach you, or they don't want to. What success in life is without the people you love? Money doesn't buy you them."

Ishani smiled, her eyes sparkling slowly. "Whatever happens, I will always be by your side. Nothing will ever change that fact."

"What about the day you'll get married?" The question choked him in the end, but resolution from his tone didn't falter.

"Our friendship won't die like this, Ranveer. Never. We've known each other ever since we were kids. We talk like we're only people alive on this planet. We fight like animals, but also there's more. Our friendship and our love for Papa."

She patted his shoulder and Ranveer could only smile. He'd do anything to keep this promise real. Wasn't this all he had always wanted and prayed his entire life? He knew they weren't made for each other and she didn't love him like a woman would love her lover. She loved him, yes, but as a friend. And this love, this affection from her was sufficient for his entire life. It would do like the moon does at night when the clouds are dense and it valiantly tears apart the fleecy facade to give light to the Earth. Or a star that shines the brightest in the constellation fearlessly far into the distant sky.

His love was enough for this lifetime.

Yet a part of him, far from his knowledge, tucked deep down under the confines of loyalty and friendship wished fairy tales to come true, and be real.

Suddenly, Devarsh's voice called out and Ishani and Ranveer started. "Ishani, come inside!" he said and disappeared.

"Go, Ishani," Ranveer said, pleased, as the flames of the pain died away. "Otherwise if anyone spots us together, there'll be more drama. And I'm tired of them already." He yawned heavily and Ishani chuckled immediately.

"And I have learned from someone that the opinions that mater are those of our loved ones." She left, leaving Ranveer grinning to himself.

The end of the party was more pleasant than the beginning. Ishani did not talk to Chirag and for some weirdly strange reasons Ranveer found it more comforting, although he did not admit the truth to himself. She was happier by his side, not leaving him for anyone else, no matter how much Devarsh and Pratiek insisted. Disha was a distant figure, enjoying her time more with Chirag and not taking interest in any of her cousins or sister. Thankfully, Chirag did not meet eyes with Ishani afterwards and thus remaining away as well, in his own whims.

Ranveer waited for Ishani outside in the car, who remained stuck with a group of the girls from her college, engaging her to know of her experience' of dancing with Chirag Mehta. The time passed on as the guests took leave from the party. But among the people exiting the gates of the Mehta Mansion, one slunk towards Ranveer's car, surprising him. The newcomer knocked at the window glass of the car.

"Hey!" Chirag said.

Surprised, Ranveer stepped out of the car and Chirag smiled. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

Ranveer tried not to give away the surprise on his face but he was terrible at the facades, Ishani told him all the time. Chirag seemed to notice his thoughts, too, for he sighed.

"Well," Chirag said, "I know I was awful. I'm really, really sorry."

"No, no, it's alright!" Ranveer answered, both pleased and impressed with the sudden turnout of the events. "I understand I should've been careful about everything."

Chirag nodded and smiled. "Thanks, buddy! It was nice having you all here." He turned around but before taking a step further Ishani's voice splintered out.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Chirag!" Ishani said, coming further. "Wasn't all that you did and said inside was enough that you want to create a scene here as well?"

Chirag opened his mouth but Ishani cut him short. "Just because it was your party doesn't mean you'll keep insulting us everytime. And anyway, we're not interested in staying here anymore. Let's go, Ranveer."

"Ishani," Ranveer said, trying to keep his voice steady. "He came to apologize."

Ishani's mouth fell open as she looked at Chirag, agape, trying to form the words that would not escape. Clearly, she was worse at the facades, and Ranveer passed a sympathetic look at her. At last she turned towards him and shrugged slightly, embarrassed, even though her cheeks still burned red in anger.

"One of you rarely speaks and another hardly knows when to stop," Chirag said, smiling. Ishani frowned at him but Ranveer's nudge on her arm spared her from another retort. The girl had already made fool of herself several times.

"We'll leave now," Ranveer said to Chirag while Chirag left with a nod. "Well?" Ranveer looked at Ishani. Ishani ambled towards the car after Chirag had disappeared away, still silent.

"I don't know anything, Ranveer." Ishani sighed as they put on the seatbelts. "All I know is this party was awful. And I hate this Chirag."

Ranveer smiled, feeling a heavy weight being taken away from his heart all of a sudden as he drove away back home.