SS: Tu rooh ka humnava hai. Yeh jismon ka rishta nahin. Update Page 67 - Page 16

Hey guys,

So the chapter is shorter because I didn't have time to write but I still wanted to update as I know if I don't then I won't be able to do so the next entire week.
So better a short update than nothing, isn't it ? 😛

The progress of their friendship is here and this chapter may shock you or disappoint you but don't worry I have big things planned for them.

The café scene will be a nice part but you have to wait till the next chapter for the entire scene.
As I said I didn't have time so that's why couldn't finish it in this chapter itself.

Thanks to the readers who really love the fresh storyline and leave lovely comments each time.
Forgive me for the typos and grammatical error I couldn't proofread.

Countless trips, countless parties, countless outings…the trio had spent the best three years of their lives, together and inseparable. Neil and Saira’s initial feelings for each other took place in the deepest part of their hearts and hid behind the camouflage of friendship. He would behave the same way with her as he would with Naira as a best friend not as a lover. She would also behave like he was her best friend as if they were never attracted to each other in their initial days of friendship.

Their relationship wasn’t the only one to change but even Naira was on a break with her husband and left their house to live with her parents. Neil was right about Yohann not being the perfect match for Naira. The silly fights and the differences in personality and the way to see life made their relationship bitter.

Twenty eight years old and still unmarried, Saira’s parents were worried for her. She had rejected all the proposals even before meeting the guys by giving thousand excuses. Naira and Neil would sometimes tease her and sometimes encourage her to meet the guy before rejecting without giving a proper chance. Neil on the other hand dated three girls.The first one lasted six months but she broke up because he wasn’t invested in the relation. The second one lasted one month before he realized that he didn’t like her as a person. The third one lasted only one week because she was too possessive about him and wouldn’t let him spend time with Saira and Naira and a girl who can’t understand his friendship couldn’t be the right one for him.

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One of Neil’s friend organized a lavish party at his country house on his thirtieth birthday. A friend that both the girls had met a few times in Neil's house. When Neil asked if he could invite the girls, his friend replied "The more the merrier." Neil knew his friend had a thing for Saira but none of them discussed about it. Lavish party meant dressing up to the nines. Neil opted for a blue suit and Naira a green sequin party dress. Saira wanted to surprise the non-Indians of the party and opted for an Indian look with a dark blue sequin saree. She didn't go unnoticed as she looked pleasing to the eye. The girls came together to the party and when Neil saw them he hugged both the girls at the same time.

« Hot and beautiful. », Neil complimented them.
« Curious to know who is the hot and who is the beautiful... no leave it. Both the adjectives are for one person. », Naira said deep down still hoping they weren't just friends.
« You are a hot lava, Nini. », he said pulling her cheeks then looked at Saira, « And she is beautiful. Happy ? No jealousy. »

Saira smiled at how he managed to make both of them happy.
The three mingled with the crowd and then went to the bar counter to get some drinks. When Sai said that her drink tasted heavenly, Neil sipped from her glass to taste it. He liked it so much that he finished half of the glass. Sai then refused to share anymore and the tug of war for the cocktail started between them. At last the entire blue drink got spilled out on him and the pomegranate syrup stained his shirt. Sai widened her eyes and placed her hand over her mouth with a “Oopsss!”

« Seriously ? Do you know how I am going to clean it now ? », he asked mischievously.
« No Neil, don’t even come closer. », she ordered.

She didn’t know what he was up to but she knew he was going to do something. She knew that look very well, that playful and mischievous look. Before he could reach her, she ran away. Neil ran behind and both took a break and faced each other.

« Don’t make me run when I am wearing a saree. », Sai said.
« Your fault, sweetheart. One, you shouldn’t have spilled the drink out on me and two, this saree will be your disadvantage but my advantage. », he replied.
« What do you want to do ? », she asked.

He didn’t reply to it and pulled her against him. He carried her in his arms and walked towards the pool. Naira looked at them and laughed. Saira pleading with Neil to leave her made all the guests turn their heads towards them. This was exactly the kind of relationship he had with Naira which Saira envied during the first few months of their friendship. Slowly they also became so comfortable that he would pick both the girls and throw them anywhere, jump on their backs and make them fall or pull and push them. He jumped with her in the pool and held her tight against him once their heads were out of the water. A few others joined the two in the pool while Saira and Neil were lost into each other’s eyes.

« You are an ass. How do I stay with this wet saree now ? I don’t have anything else to wear. », she complained.
« When there is a will there is a way. », he winked at her.

He helped her to get out of the pool and dragged her upstairs holding her hand. He found the towels to dry the bodies and then found a hair dryer to dry their clothes. She noticed that there was still a slight stain on the shirt. She pushed him against the washbasin counter which brought a broad smile on his face.

« I know you love to touch my muscles, my abs, my torso... », he said while she was trying to remove the stain. After she rolled her eyes, he added, « Oh the excuses you look for, Saira. »
« Will you shut up ? », she asked.
« Ok ! », he replied placing a finger on his lips.

Saira tried hard but couldn’t stop her smile. Neil turned on the dryer and pointed it towards her to send her the cold air. He watched her hair blowing.

« What are you doing ? », she asked exasperated.
« Nothing just drying your hair. », he replied innocently.
« Stop playing with my hair. », she ordered.
« Ok ! », he replied turning it off.

He comfortably leaned against the washbasin counter while she was still busy with the stain on his shirt.

« Did you reply to the proposal ? », he asked becoming serious.
« No because I really don't want to get married. », she replied without looking at him.
« Then why don't you tell your parents about it. At least they will stop looking guys for you. », he said.
« They won't accept it because in Islam marriage is highly recommended. I have to get married but I don't want to. », she replied finally looking at him.

She was about to leave as the stain was completely removed but he held her hand and stopped her from leaving.

« Then meet him. Give him a chance. You are lucky enough that your parents are letting you choose the guy. », he suggested.
« That's not that simple for me. My heart and my mind aren't ready for arranged marriage. », she replied.
« Then find a guy by yourself because either you have to find by yourself or else give one of the proposals a chance. The birthday boy has a thing for you. If you want I can arrange a date. », he winked at her.
« No thanks. My parents will never accept a Jew as their son in-law. Jews and Muslims are enemies. He is also not my type. », she replied removing her hand from his.

« Ok but think about it. You won't find anyone if you aren't willing to find someone by your own or give a chance to the ones offered to you. », he said.

They came back to the party. Saira went to get a drink from the bar counter and Neil joined Naira. She cleared the throat and looked at him with so many questions. With time he understood that Naira was impatiently waiting for the day something happening would happen between him and Saira but he always acted like an ignorant.

***************

The next day during a video call, Saira informed her friends that she finally has accepted to meet that guy her parents were talking about since six months. Naira said that she wanted to ask the guy a few questions and clear a few things before giving it a chance. Neil laughed and understood that it was pretty much normal but she shouldn't scare the guy away with too many questions. She should ask the main questions and then discover and learn more during the following meetings.

On the D-day, Naira and Neil hid two tables behind at the same café where Saira had a rendez-vous with the guy. Saira showed up just in time and greeted the guy. Both uneasy, they didn't know where to start from. They decided to order something to drink first and once they were served, he started.

« I don't know if you remember me but we have met once before. », he said.
« Really ? When and where ? », she asked.
« Almost three years ago at your place. Remember that rainy day on Eid ? You came back home all wet. You were wearing a pink or peach color saree. », he reminded her.

From their hiding place, Neil remarked « Yes she was with me in the rain. She is here with you but she got wet with me that day. »
Naira rolled her eyes, « Jealous ? Or pride ? I really can't figured it out. »

Saira smiled, « Oh yeah now I remember. » Then after a few seconds of silence she added, « I want to talk about a few things before deciding anything. »
« Sure.That's why we are here. », he smiled at her making her a little comfortable.