NaiRan FF: For-Never? Chapter 8 *UPDATED* - Page 3

Preserving keepsakes and memories when a relationship is over is a bad idea. But the sentimental fool that I am, I just couldn't bear to throw them out. Perhaps I have held onto them in the hope that it isn't over. Perhaps a small part of me had a tiny bit of hope that Naina and I might get back together someday. Now, strewn all across the floor, these symbols of our love stir emotions that are hard to bear.

I had come back to Jaipur with Raina when Bhabhi informed me that Naina's flight was charted for 8 pm and she would land on the next day. I didn't want Naina to meet my daughter. Ma did question me and persuade to stay and said at the bottom of all of it, Naina had the right to meet Raina; she is her mother after all.

I very well know that I have no rights to stop Naina from meeting Raina. But wasn't it Naina who pushed us away, who pushed all her rights over Raina and walked away. In these 4 years, there hasn't been a single message, a single call from her to enquire about Raina. If she hadn't bothered all these years, then why now!

Moreover, she will leave in a few days, but the trauma what my daughter will have to go through if she meets Naina, I don't think, I'll be able to manage that.

Thankfully, Raina was fast asleep; the tiredness had taken over her that the noise of the suitcase falling down didn't wake her up.

I pick up a handmade book which lies open at a photograph of Naina and me smiling into the camera. I am hugging her from behind and my face nestles in her shoulder. She had made a book of memories for me which was a record of every single date we had gone for, every single outing that we had. She had made this scrapbook painstakingly, by hand, and had filled it with photos. Naina was such a romantic -every single little detail mattered to her. She had taken almost a year to put this book together and had gifted it to me on our first wedding anniversary. It was like a precious phase of our lives was captured in these pages. And it is so painful now to even look at it.

I gather it up hurriedly and close it.

There is gold-plated ring studded with zircon stones which I had given her. She had returned it when she left me. What could I do with it? There is a bottle of Versace cologne. I just couldn't bear to use it after she had walked out. And then there are at least about eighty cards. Naina was artistic and her hobby was card-making. She would make these cards for the smallest occasion and surprise' me. She would spray it with the perfume she used - Eternity by Calvin Klein. Even now, after years I get a whiff of it as I pick each card. The smell used to drive me insane. I have carefully kept every single one.

As I gather them one by one and put them back into the box, each one feels like a cold sharp knife plunged into my heart.

There is a blue and white striped t-shirt which she had bought for me. It was a size too small and I could neither wear it nor bear to give it away. There is a Calvin and Hobbes book which she gave me when I told her Calvin was my favourite character. There is a wallet- from Hidesign which she had bought for me with her first salary and a Sheaffer pen.

There are at least thousands of frames which were hung in our room and after she left, they had found their place in this box. Then there is our wedding album, where we both are smiling like maniacs, nothing could replace the happiness we had in that moment.

I am still trying to compose myself. But the truth of all that Naina and I meant to each other has returned to haunt me. I had shut out all the memories of our love in a box. But today the illusion that I have healed and moved on has been shattered. After four years, the wound has opened up again and made me realise that what has healed was just the surface. Underneath it is still raw, it is still painful. And this I was going to face her! I'm proud I decided to come back to Jaipur.

There is a sudden knock on the door; there stood Kunal Bhai with pleading eyes which screamed me to let go of my past. "How long will you hold on to all of these?" he asks lightly, I don't know how to react to it. I can come up with some lame excuse, but I don't.

"Bhai, I don't think you'll understand how it feels even after all these years," I genuinely speak my heart out. He nods, "your aren't trying to shut her off from your life" he squeezes my shoulder as though bringing me to the reality that I am running from, looking at him accusingly I deny outright.

He smiles "she controls your life Karan, you may not agree with it, but that's the truth. If not, then you wouldn't run back to Jaipur like a coward," he pointed, how much sense his words made, I don't know.

"You are wrong, she is a closed chapter" I try being firm in my words, he sits on the sofa legs crossed and motions me to do the same. "Closed doesn't mean, that!" he points to the suitcase.

"Woh-"

"She's still here Karan," he places his hand on my heart and smiles sadly. I close my eyes, but all I can rewind are the events of that eventful day when she walked away, not turning back for one last time. "No, Bhai"

Look, Naina, you know what we mean to each other. You know you are my life and I cannot imagine a future without you. You know what Raina means to us. Please don't go, Naina. Please.

Please, forgive me; give me one last chance to fix all this. Please come back to me, come back to us, Naina.'

These words were doing a boomerang inside my head, and I couldn't think any further. Kicking the table angrily, I get up restlessly, "If she does have any place in my heart, it's the utmost place for hatred"

Bhai calms me down and makes me sit, "your hatred is overpowered. It has blinded your love for her,"

Mockingly I laugh, "my love for her?"

"Fine, you have moved on in your life Karan, I accept it. But are you sure?" he questions.

I try to ignore the question, "rewind all of it Karan and then answer," he insist.

~

"Give these to Sharda Ji," Ma had asked me. She was happy that I was taking up responsibilities in Bhai's wedding after she got to know about the date that we had planned, and now she was engaging me in all the preparations.

The ambience in Bhabhi's house was no different from that of ours, relatives all around chit chatting, family members running errands to meet ends and a whole lot of kids. Sharda aunt is caught up with some relative who has dropped in to bless the bride, so I wait in the noisy hall.

There are many photos on the wall mostly Bhabhi's and Drama Queen's, childhood pictures to pictures clicked most probably from their college days.

Each picture had so much innocence in them, I smiled.

"Excuse me?" someone tapped on my shoulder.

Drama Queen.

"Hello to you too." She shrugged and pointed at a box on the table which I was blocking.

"Yes-yes, I know" I scratch my head and move away embarrassed.

"Don't give so much importance to yourself" she whispers and leaves with the box.

Duh, girl. Is she a walking tantrum centre? Now, I'll show her.

Exchanging pleasantries and talking to Sharda aunty about how it is to be at a wedding in India, we hit off well. She is sweet and a genuinely caring person just like Ma. From the corner of my eyes, I see Naina going into one of the rooms.

I excuse myself to go to the washroom and enter into that room. Mr. London Return, that's what she calls me right, now I'll show her' I mentally tell myself.

"Instead of Karan, they should have kept his name as MONKEY," she's angrily talking to herself, her back turned towards me. Wait. Did she just call me a monkey?

"BUAAAH" I scare her when she turns.

"What were you saying just now? I know you won't say. But I heard" we are standing close to each other, with hardly a centimetre's distance, I continue, "people say guys who come from abroad are spoilt, mannerless and wayward," with each word she moves back and hits the huge mirror which is in the cupboard.

She looks at me surprised "they're right." I say. "I'm just like that, toh sambhal ke rehna," I warn her, she's out of words, her smart-ass answers to be specific. Pulling her cheeks playfully, I walk away.

She storms her legs angrily, I can hear from behind, and I have a satisfied smile of settling the score equal. Game On.

~

"I was the flamboyant, irresponsible, playboy who was used to getting whatever he wanted, having girls falling for me in a blink.

She was different. She was the smart, witty, overly romantic, yet bold girl who didn't care of my charms. And that made her a conquest for me." I say to Bhai.

I had never thought impressing a girl would ever be this tough, but, she wasn't the typical girl who would shy away from speaking her mind out. She always had an opinion, and I called it the smart ass answers'.

"And in the process, you hurt her, a lot" Bhai replied. I didn't know what to say, he was right. I had hurt a lot. But again, our scores are settled, she has hurt me for a lifetime.

~

OMG. Can't get over the photoshoot pictures of both NaiRan and MeghNal. And, YAY, NaiRan are finally friends. That scene was worth waiting for all these days. And also the new bgm they had, by god!

SO, coming to the story, how is it? Are you all enjoying, do support and let me know your reviews by commenting.

Also, wanted to ask, I was planning on changing the name of the story for 'Ittefaq Yeh Ishq?" to "For-Never?" What do you think about is? Post your comments regarding that too.

Leaning backwards and adjusting his legs on the bean bag, Bhai smiles "you were the sure shot, Casanova, my brother" he pats on my back.

I smiled; those were days when nothing mattered to me, the total careless and irresponsible boy. I was always marked with Red in Dad's good books, while Bhai, his successful son.

"do you have a count of girlfriends you used to switch in a week?" we laughed. I don't have a count.

"but she was the one who was bold enough to tie you and bring you to a spot. She understood you for the person you are Karan, and not the person you were pretending to be." Bhai says. Dwelling into the dilemma of my heart, I chose to forget how Naina had changed me.

~

Sangeet being scheduled two days from today, Bhabhi's family had shifted to the guest house. With Bhabhi's family also staying under one roof, the house looked like on fire, with people shouting from every room.

Of all people, Bhai and Bhabhi were the ones who took maximum advantage of this opportunity by romancing each and every minute.

I can't really imagine a person falling in love. Like seriously, it doesn't make sense. How can you stick on to one person? I don't think I ever can, mostly because love sounds Greek to me.

The music playing in the headphones and the swim in the pool, just calmed my nerves, the preparations are taking a toll, you see. I dash into my room in only a towel covering the lower part of my body.

I am half way removing my towel, when Naina comes out from the washroom, "Aaah" she screams and closes her eyes immediately.

I drape the towel back instantly and turn the other side, not facing her. "What are you doing in my room?" I ask her, hell shocked of her presence.

Still, eyes closed, she replies "this is my room, get out". I look around and after five seconds it strikes me that it's indeed her room, "Sorry, my mistake. Tumne kuch dekha toh nahi?"

"No," she turns towards me but immediately turns her back again seeing me in the towel "urgh, get out" she snaps.

Mentally thanking god, I go out. Vaibhav, sees me coming out and starts laughing. Raising me eyebrows, and giving a death stare I ask him to shut his mouth and flee the spot.

It is only for the Pooja in the afternoon, I come out. Hymns are chanted and everybody folds their hands. It looks like the whole of Bundi is present for the Pooja; there isn't a single space for even a pin. Somehow I manage to push others and make my way.

Hardly after 10 minutes, I'm bored. Neither do I understand what the saint says nor the reason why the Pooja is held in the first place. I see Naina standing a few distances away.

I go close to her, she has her eyes closed and hands folded like others and she's way too engrossed, I wonder how. The fun I get irritating her is immense. Looks like I don't need to be bored in this Pooja anymore.

"When are you' getting married?" I whisper into her ears, my hands are also folded, see, I didn't want myself to look like a fool.

"What?" she responds, her eyes still closed, clearly not interested in the conversation. And that interests me.

"I have a friend, IIT mechanical engineer, IIM MBA graduate, studying in IIS, and soon will join IIZ, I'm sure your chemistry will be amazing," I mock.

Her eyes pop open and nose flaring, she glares at me, and I smirk. But what she does next leaves me surprised. She takes a cup of tea the waiter was serving and pours on my head.

"What the hell," I whisper scream and now it is her who smirks, "Urrrgh".

"People think that girls, who are born and brought up in India, are nave, submissive and underdogs," she inches closer to me "but, they are wrong, I'm not like that" she has the same attitude that I had when I scared her previously. "toh sambhal ke rehna," she stamps on my feet and a small moan escapes my mouth. She goes away to stand at a distance.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Pooja was done with the couple taking everyone's blessing. Isn't this really stupid? They go from one person to another and touch their feet. Honestly, respect should be something within us and touch an elder's feet doesn't bring in respect.

Everybody had rushed to pick plates and have food, the smell of the typical Rajasthani food that rafted in the room brought water in my mouth. But being the host, I was put with Naina to welcome the guest and help them serve. She had a pleasant smile all the while and that surprised me, coz, I was starving!

When I had enough of this bullshit, I grabbed Naina's hand and moved towards the food counter.

"Have you gone mad?" she shrieked and tried to pull her hand off my grip nevertheless, I was stronger. Caressing my tummy I made a face, she smiled. "Just 10 more minutes, by then the number of relatives will subside, and then you can go have the food, okay?" she sounded like the kindergarten teacher who had to manage a naughty boy.

Naina's phone continuously rang, but she didn't pick a single call which surprised me. But what seemed fishy to my eyes was her change of expressions each time her phone rang. There were times when she caught me looking at her suspiciously and immediately I would turn the other side.

Seeing my disinterest she said mischievously, "go have your food, or else you might starve to death," taking it as the cue, I bowed down at replied a thank you.

Her phone rang again, but I cared less, I had an important task to do, EAT.

After having the 4^th Dal Tikki, a burp passed my mouth. "Yew." Naina tightly closed her nose. She had a plate of food.

"Oh please!" I retorted and lay back on my chair, the delicious taste savouring my taste buds. She sat after few distances away with some girls.

They were chatting and laughing on some random joke, but I couldn't help but notice Naina overtly for the first time. She had soft features, her nose was perfectly crafted, and her dove shaped eyes had a twinkle in them. Her long hair was left open, few bangs fell over her face, she would push them back to her ears every 5 seconds; that looked cute.

She looked simple, yet beautiful. I don't know for how long I had been staring at her. Now she had caught me and raised her eyebrows questioning me. I shook my head, picking up my phone and plugging in the headphones, I walked upstairs to my room.

It was around 5 in the evening, freshening up; I stepped out of my room. The hall blasted from music played in the mp3s. Kids swayed to the music of London Thumakda graciously. I could also spot Kalpana Mami's failed attempts in matching her steps to Kajra Re.

Unknowingly, I looked for Naina. Just curiosity. Nothing else, okay.

But I couldn't find her. Nor could I spot Meghna Bhabhi.

Then there was a tap on my shoulder.

~

How was the update? The dance competition is going to well, just that I want them to edit it properly and not cut off some parts. NaiRan winning now doesn't bother because the competition has brought a different phase into their lives. I'm happy that even Karan wants to win and tries. That's the best part. And SANDY, I'm not talking about her 😲