*::.~FF Dostana~.::* OLD CHAP PUT UP AGAIN - Page 48

*.::CHAPTER 20::.*

'Dad I need your advice.'

There was silence on the other end, 'Dad?' asked Shantanu, 'DAD!'

'huh? Haan beta! Sorry woh, tum, mujhse advice maang rahe ho, itne saalon baad ho raha hai yeh, toh thoda shock main chala gaya tha!'

'Very funny dad!'

'thanks Shantanu, ab bolo kya hua?'

'uh...'

'beta, bolo...'

'haan, uh...'

'decide kar rahe ho problem kya hai?'

'nahi!'

'achcha, girl related problem hai?'

'nahi.'

'work?'

'nahi.'

'health?'

'nahi.'

'toh problem kya hai!'

Shantanu looked around his hotel room, trying to think of a way of telling his problem to his dad, 'dad...'

'bolo.'

'work related problem hai.'

'achcha? Kya?'

'uh...ahem...' he cleared his throat.

'itni si problem?beta gargal kar lo, theek ho jaoge!'

'very funny!'

'I know I am on a roll tonight! Ab bol bhi!'

'haan! Ek- project...hai.'

'hmmm?'

'woh, project, kitna important hai nahi samajh aa raha.'

'kya matlaab?'

'Matlaab... ek project hai, mujhe samajh nahi aa raha main uss project ko kitna chahata hoon, chahata hoon bhi ya nahi. Aur ek doosra insaan, iss project ko pane ki koshish kar raha hai... aur mujhe samajh nahi aa raha, ke iss project ko bhool jaaon, ya should I fight for it. But then I don't know whether I really want this project in this way or not.'

'what way?!'

'Urgent. Way... anyway, now I don't know whether I should fight for it or not?'

Sunil smiled gadha! Bilkul baap par gaya hai! Ladki ki baat kar raha hai, aur samajhta hai ki main itna bada idiot hoon ki I will fall for the project nonsense! He thought to himself. 'beta... Uh... I will advice you that if you care about this...project.'

'which I do, a lot.'

'then if, you don't know exactly what you feel, for this project, then you shouldn't try and not let, this project ... you know what I can't do this! You are talking about a girl!'

'No! I am not!'

'I won't tell anything to your mom.'

'Yes I am.'

'who?'

'Khanak...'

Sunil smiled, 'I knew she was perfect for you!'

'Dad! This is not what I want to hear!'

'then what?'

'I have lately started to feel things for her. I don't know what exactly, and I don't want to jeopardise our friendship! And everything was under control, until...'

'Until she found a guy?'

'yes, I guess...but it's not like no one should be close to her or some equally lame thing, it just that I feel...'

'scared of losing her, but at the same time confused about what you feel?'

'Which is making me more confused about what should I do!? Khanak seems to be falling for this guy, and, I can't seem to decide what do I feel for her. And I can't deprive her of falling for someone, or feel bad about it, if I myself am so bloody unsure!'

'Let it go.'

'What?'

'We over analyse everything, why do we feel this, feel that. I have found that sometimes when you stop thinking so much about something, only then does it get clear. Just the way when you stop looking for something you find it.'

'and how do you suggest I stop thinking about Khanak when I always think about her, or at least 90% of the time.'

Sunil laughed, 'I don't know, you have to figure that yourself. Seriously son, if life's problems were as easily solved, as calling your father, then...well life would have actually been easy, and boring!'

'Yes well, but must have some...'

'just distract yourself idiot!'

'thanks.'

'You're welcome, now put the phone down, I have to kick your best friends father's ass in chess.'

Shaan smiled as he heard Rohan's father say-'Dream on Sunil!'- 'okay dad, best of luck!'

'same to you son!'

Shantanu looked at the phone, 'distract, distract? Distract?! Hmm...'

:::::::::::::::

'dinner nahi toh lunch hi sahi?'

Khanak looked up from her laptop and saw a bag and hand holding it, 'Aditya?'

'good guess!' he popped his head in, 'may I?'

'yes sure, come on in!'

'I have got lunch, from Mc Donald's, since I didn't know what you like, and well everyone likes a burger! So...'

'You shouldn't have...'

'No I had to.'

Khanak raised her eyebrow in a manner of asking "why?"

Aditya smiled, 'because since I have joined the office I have desperately tried to convince you to have a dinner date with me, but you have time and time again refused, so as the saying goes, kooan pyaase ke paas nahi, payaasa kooane ke paas jata hai, I have got lunch and come to you.'

Khanak blushed a little, 'sorry I have had my lunch.'

'Fine then, you sit and I'll eat, while we'll talk...'

'You are really persistent in your efforts to get me to agree to have dinner with you!'

'Why wouldn't I?! You don't meet a gorgeous woman as yourself everyday! And I believe in grasping opportunities when they come by, especially when it involves a beautiful woman.'

Khanak tried not to blush, unsuccessfully, as she looked down at her laptop.

Aditya smiled at Khanak as he noticed a beautiful shade of pink creeping on her cheeks. He had fancied her ever since they had crossed paths in a party in Goa, that time she had ran away when she had seen a friend run away from the party with a look of fear. She had left him there standing alone, as he looked at her run away; he had felt like the prince who had lost his Cinderella. He had wanted to meet her, talk to her again as soon as she had gone. He had hoped to find her in Goa but she had left without giving him her number or any other thing by which he could have located her. So when Simran had offered him a job in Trend he had accepted the offer in a heartbeat knowing that Khanak Kapoor worked there. The time he had laid eyes on Khanak, wearing that purple dress, he had been mesmerised by her. Sanya, an editor in the magazine had gladly given Khanak's BB pin to him, and he had mailed her. He still remembered the way she had looked at him when he had told her that it was him who had messaged her, it still brought a smile to his face.

'So...' he broke the silence that had fallen between them, 'how is your friend Shantanu Khandelwal, I finally did realise where have I heard the name... we met in Goa too.'

'He is fine, and when did you meet?'

'In a shack, he dropped beer all over me, and on himself.'

'That was you!?' Khanak remembered Shantanu telling her about it as he had taken off his shirt...

'Yup, you were the girl with him then right?'

Khanak smiled, 'Oh yes... that was me.'

'Interesting isn't it, we were so close then, we bumped into each other at that party then and now we work together. It's like destiny wants us together, but you are ignoring the signals, because of your professional code of conduct non-sense, I don't date colleagues!'

'Or, this all is just plain simple coincidence, and you are looking too much into it.' Khanak offered as she typed on her laptop.

'Or you are attracted to me, and are just trying to deny yourself the pleasure of going on a date with me, with the help of practicality and professionalism!'

Khanak laughed as Aditya continued, 'but this is not good for you Ms. Kapoor, because denying your desires doesn't end that great for anybody, freud had proven that!'

'And he his theories have been proven wrong.'

'not this one!'

'and how do you know whether I even desire you?'

'Oh that's easily enough determined.'

'how?'

Aditya sat up and looked intensely into her eyes, as he extended his hand and touched her hand, 'because you blush every time I look at you, and I love that.'

Khanak blushed as he whispered his answer; she looked into his eyes for a second then looked away, 'It's the cold.'

Aditya smiled as he leaned back, 'I am persistent but so are you.'

'how?'

'you are persistent in thwarting my advances obviously!', Khanak laughed as Aditya continued, 'But I am not going to bow down.'

'And I don't want you too either.'

'Really, so was that a confession?'

'confession?! No that was... well you'll see.'

'when?'

'in time, I think.'

'Oh! I love how you play hard to get.'

'thanks, now If you burger is over I would love to get back to work.'

'Ai, Ai madam,' he got up and was about to turn, when Khanak stopped him.

'you can leave the burger...'

Aditya turned around and looked at her, 'gladly.'

He then turned around and went out of her office as Khanak took the burger and buried her teeth in it, as she went back to reading the article that had been submitted to her.

:::::::::::::::::::::

'I thought you forgot about the dinner.'

Shantanu smiled at Kiara, 'No I didn't, just ran late, sorry.'

'It's fine, come on in.'

'So, it's just the two of us?'

'Did you expect half of London?'

'Not half, but quarter surely.'

'Sorry to disappoint, it is just us, and some Chinese and wine, and lots of papers to go through. But we can just talk if you want.'

Chinese and wine... the first combo Khanak and I had on our Saturday night tradition, only it wasn't Saturday, he thought with a smile, No! You don't have to think of her! He reminded himself, as he took out his coat, 'Ah... Kiara I always choose work, where are the files?'

Kiara smiled, 'I'll get the food, and the files are in the drawing room, just go straight.'

Shantanu smiled and walked and sat on the sofa, as he pulled a file and went through it, 'You have a fantastic home, quite lucky to have bagged this on in central London!'

'Yes, well my friend is a realtor; she helped me out greatly,' Kiara got out a tray, with the food and two glasses and bottle of wine.

'Oh! Let me help,' Shantanu got up in a swift movement and took the tray from Kiara, 'a gentlemen too, I must say you are full of surprises,' Kiara said with a smile.

Shantanu kept the tray, 'why?! Do I look like the un-gentleman-ly kind?'

'No, it's just rare... to find a man, who has all the qualities you have asked for.'

'Are you trying to flirt with me?'

She took a step toward him, 'No,' she took another step, 'I am not trying, I am flirting.'

Shantanu looked to the side with a smile, amazed how an extremely gorgeous woman, flirting with him didn't quite excite him, as it used too, 'Kiara thanks but...'

Kiara turned his face and leaned in, stopping when their faces were very close, 'shh... Dont say anything... Not know at least,' she stepped away from him, 'let's eat?' she went and started opening the bottle of wine, leaving Shantanu standing there.

He turned to look at her, as he remembered his conversation with his dad, work has proved to be the worst kind of distraction, he thought to himself, but Kiara? Would be interesting to say the least... he thought before smiling.

:::::::::::::::::

'He hasn't called in a week! A week! Do you think there is something wrong with him?!'

'Seriously woman, how am I supposed to know!?'

'You are right, but why hasn't Shaan called! God I am going to kill Khandelwal, if I see him!'

'yes, best of luck with murder, now explain, why have you sent my boyfriend packing to me!'

Khanak sighed, 'because that is what you wanted.'

'No I did not! The idiot didn't call for a week! And the Bam! He is there, bags and all, asking for forgiveness! And I knew it had your handiwork written all over it!'

'yes well, you are the hopeless romantic who secretly wanted him there, and I just advised him. Well, forced him actually, to go to you, and don't deny it, you were happy beyond measure seeing him.'

'I hate it that you know me so well Kapoor! Hate it! And as we are talking of happiness, yes my heart did do a little tap dance when I saw him, and when no one was looking I might have jumped up and down with happiness as if I was nine. But currently I am relishing the opportunity of torturing Mr. I-want-more-time, with the noble and highly effective method of Ignoring, and what have you been up to, beside waiting for Shaan's call.'

'Hey! Only I have the copyright of calling him Shaan! And I have don't quite a bit, like torturing a guy of my own by playing hard to get.'

'NO WAY! Khanak Kapoor and a Guy! WHO?!'

'Oh you are going to die- you ready for this?'

'just spill it!'

'Aditya Singhania.'

There was silence on the other end, 'Tashu?'

'I hate you. Aditya freaking awesome Singhania! OMG! He is only the most fantastic journalist/novelist ever! I can't believe I am in Mumbai!'

Khanak laughed, 'well your rotten luck, anyway, I have to go now, he is going to drop me home, since my car broke down and has gone for repair, you take care of yourself okay?'

'I will, love you K, for sending Rohan.'

'I know, and it's the least I can do for my sister! Love you too, now Bye!'

She ended the call as she saw Aditya coming towards her.

'hey! Hopefully I am not late.'

'just by a minute.'

They both sat in his car and started for her house.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::

'Here you are mademoiselle.'

'Thank you.'

Aditya turned to her, 'so do I get something for being such a nice chauffer?'

Khanak smiled, 'And what is it that you want?'

'oh! A lot of things...'

Khanak laughed, 'like?'

'Oh well,' he leaned towards her, 'do you really want me say it?'

Khanak smiled at his answer, 'how else do you expect me to know?'

He touched her cheek with his hand, and moved his thumb on the contours of her lips, 'Do I still have to ask?' he whispered, as he leaned in further.

Khanak closed her eyes as he got closer, when she heard the one voice she had been dying to hear since days.

'DHARAM STOP THAT SONG AT ONCE! If I have to hear it one more time, I SWEAR I WILL KILL YOU!'

Khanak opened her eyes and pressed her hand to stop Aditya as she looked in front of her, She smiled as she saw Shantanu's car being parked about ten feet away from them, she could see Dharam, Shaan's driver back the car, as Shantanu shouted at him again.

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "this is my car!" This is MY CAR! Shantanu Khandelwal's Not Dharam's!'

'Khanak?' She looked aty Aditya, ans smiled, 'Sorry I have to go!'

She hurriedly got out of the car, as and she ran towards Shaan's car, Shantanu had his back at her after getting out, he was busy in a verbal battle against Dharam when he was pushed from the behind, 'What the hell?!' he looked behind him, with the motive of killing whoever it was when he saw Khanak and smiled, 'Kapoor!' he smiled and went to hug Khanak when she whacked him with her handbag.

'DON'T you DARE Khandelwal! How dare you not call me! She whacked him again.

'OUCH! That really hurt!'

'well, serves you right! Namaste Dharam bhai, leejiya,' she gave Dharam her handbag then whacked Shantanu with her hand again, 'No phone! No email! Not even a IM hinting that you were ALIVE!' she shouted at him, as she continually hit him, 'How dare you not call me, or Email me!'

'sorry baba! Ouch! Dharam Bacha!'

Dharam just laughed seeing them, 'Sir, main iss mein kuch nahi karne wala!'

'OI Dharam, main tujhe paise deta hoon yaar!'

'toh?!' asked Dharam.

'Answer me!' shouted Khanak, 'Did you forget about me! or were you too caught up in business non-sense!' she whacked him again.

'sorry, sorry Khanak! I will never ever dare not call you again!'

'That's right you won't!' she hit him again then held his collar and pulled him close, 'Don't you ever, ever again, not call me! Cause then, I will surely murder you!' she said breaking into a smile.

'I promise, I will always call you twice a day!'

'that's better!' she pulled him to a hug, 'welcome home Shaan! Welcome back!' she said, as she felt his arms wrap around her too.

Shantanu smiled, as he buried his face in her hair, loving the familiar strawberry scent, mixed with a hint of rose, 'it's good to be back.' He whispered to her, as he lifted off the ground for a second, relishing her yelp of surprise, 'now help me take the bags up! As Dharam here is useless!'

They both laughed and hugged each other once more before taking out the bag from the back of the car, with Dharam's help.