Shaan! Kaise ho beta? Abeer's dad asked with a warm hug.
Main theek hoon uncle, aur aap? he asked smiling as he greeted everyone.
Everyone chatted and mingled as the evening rolled on. The girls stuck together with the moms in the kitchen, while the guys were busy playing pool with both of the dads in the family room. Abeer's dad was taken aback by all of the happiness on Shaan's face, he acted just like how he used to 2 years ago, the same warm smile on his face, the charming personality that everyone fell in love with.
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Preeti was walking out of the kitchen just as she felt something pull her back into the hallway. She felt something close her mouth.
Kya!, mbmbm, she mumbled.
Shh, main hoon, Shashank whispered into her hair.
*Preeti turned around* Tum, yahaan, she looked confused.
Preeti, meri baat suno, tum mujhse naraaz kyun ho? he asked holding her shoulders.
Main, tumse naraaz nahin hoon, she said trying to walk away.
Preeti, he looked at her sternly.
*Preeti shrugged* Woh us din, jab hum mall mein thay , toh main ek shaadi-shuda couple ko dekha, and I...just felt bad, she said.
Shashank looked at her for a while understanding what she meant. He pulled her into a hug, as Preeti hugged him tightly.
I'm sorry, he whispered.
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Everyone sat together in the dining room, enjoying each other's presence. They all teased Abeer and Leher, laughed and joked. Shaan and Khanak sat together occasionally touching hands as they reached to get something. Shashank and Preeti sat together, understanding each other a little more, while Arjun and Arohi had this awkward tension around them. Both of Abeer's parents noticed Shaan's change in behavior and enjoyed it throughout. After dinner everyone was seated together in the family room, talking amongst themselves when Abeer's dad called Abeer, to come talk with him.
Kya hua, dad? Abeer asked turning to face him.
Abeer *he smiled* Shaan, aaj bahut khush lag raha hai, na! Abeer's dad said.
*Abeer turned to look at Shaan laughing with Khanak* Haan dad, pichle kuch dino se, woh aisa hi dikh raha hai, he replied.
Accha... Shaan pehla jaisa hogaya? Abeer's dad replied.
*Abeer wondered about the question for a while* Kya pata, Shaan ke khush hone ka waja, mujhe theek se nahi pata hai, lekin woh ab gaata hai, muskura ta hai, aur uske chehre pe raunak chahyee hai, itna meri liye kaafi hai, Abeer said.
*Abeer's dad smiled, and patted Abeer on the shoulder* Haan beta, itna kaafi hai, he agreed. Woh abhi bhi us raat ke bare mein, kisiko nahi baatayi, hai na? he said.
*Abeer sighed* Nope, uss raat kya huwa, koi nahin jaanta. Shaan doesn't tell anyone about the night Natasha died. He keeps it to himself, and sometimes Dad, I feel as if it's eating him alive.
Abeer's dad consoled him, saying Shaan's happiness was what mattered. The two walked back to the living room, not noticing Shaan standing behind them.
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It was late at night, and everyone was saying their goodbyes. The gang decided to go back home the way they came. Shaan and Khanak separate, while everyone else in one car.
After hearing the conversation, Shaan kept to himself, not talking to anyone. Was Abeer right, had he forgotten about his past? Of course not, he could never forget Natasha, never! Then why did he not feel the same when he remembered her, before whenever he remembered Natasha, he couldn't think about anything else, but now, he didn't seem to always remember her. He didn't want to deal with the pain. But, was this fair to Natasha, after what had happened?
In the car, Khanak was talking about something, Shaan didn't feel like listening, he was too much occupied in his own thoughts. "Shaan pehla jaisa hogaya?, lekin woh abb gaata hai, muskura ta hai, aur uska chehra pe raunak chahyee hai" Their conversation kept playing in his mind. It was true, Shaan had never told anyone what had happened that night. That night, was supposed to be the most special night in his life. He had prepared everything, just as she wanted it to be, he had thought about this night since the first time he met her. And it turned out to be the night he would never forget, no matter how hard he tried to.
Shaan? Shaan! Khanak exclaimed.
Huh...yeah? he replied shaking his head, not fully engaged in the conversation.
Toh main yeh keh rahi thi, ke... Khanak trailed off talking to Shaan who played back memories of that night.
*Flashback*
"Shaan, agay dekho, Natasha said moving Shaan's face back to the road.
*Shaan groaned* Agay kya dekhna hai, main yahaan theek hoon, he said grinning as Natasha rolled her eyes.
Acha suno, hum kahaan jaa rahe hai? Natasha asked for the millionth time.
Maine kaha na, ek surprise hai, Shaan said smiling at the thought of the engagement ring in his pocket. He had his eyes on the ring since the past year, waiting for the day he would buy it, and today was the day.
Haan, lekin yeh to batao...
Shh! Shaan said closing Natasha's mouth.
Tum thodi dehr ke liye chup nahin reh sakti? he asked, while Natasha laughed and shook her head.
*Shaan took Natasha's head, and turned his head to look at her* I love you Natasha, I really, really love you, he whispered, as Natasha's eyes glowed with happiness.
Everything was finally going well, Shaan got the job he was waiting for, and Natasha was extremely proud of him. All throughout college, he fought with his dad, about not wanting to join the family business, of architects. He wanted to be something of his own, not with any Khandelwal traditions behind him, and Natasha fully supported that.
I love you too, she whispered back. Ab agay dekh ke chalao, she said.
Hmm, mood nahin hai, Shaan replied laughing at Natasha's annoyed face.
Shaan, please *Shaan shook his head* "
Shaan? Shaan!! Khanak yelled
" Agay dekho... Sh...Shaan!! Natasha yelled.
A flash of light blinded Shaan's eyes, he lost control, swerved the car as it screeched "
*Khanak screamed* Shaan tum kya... !
NATASHA! Shaan threw his hand in front of Khanak as everything went black.
PS: Phew ! That may have been kind of confusing to understand. While Shaan is driving he is remembering what happened that night. In the next update Khanak will come to know about Natasha, hope you guys liked it, as always comments and suggestions are appreciated! Love you guys! 😳
Web Series
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
