FF Dostana || NOTE pg 64|| - Page 25

C H A P T E R 3 1

-the one in which she is confused-

She picked up after the third time her phone rang, only to be greeted by two male voices.

'Chup kar, woh utha legi third time's the charm!'

'woh ghode gadhe sab bech kar soo raho hogi!'

'Kaun hai be!' she finally said, giving up the attempt of figuring out who had disturbed her sleep.

'Zia, Shaan here.'

'why the hell are you talking in two voices to yourself!'

'No, I am not, that is Rohan, you are on conference call.'

'why am I in confer-whatever- call?!' she said yawning in the end.

'conference call, sleepy head!'

'geesh Mehra, I am sorry to break your bubble but not all people are insomniacs like you are, unlike you other people have to sleep, and not fantasise about their ex- girlfriends.'

'Zia you...'

'oh my god, did I just render you incapable of giving a snide remark?' she said finally getting up, and sitting up straight on her bed.

'No, I am just feeling sad for you and how lonely you are, when was it that you dated last?'

'I was in a relationship until last month, when I dumped my Italian boyfriend, because we both agreed that long distance relationships don't work.'

'we?'

'fine Mehra! I made him agree!'

'you are an evil dictator.'

Shantanu rolled his eyes as his friends, fighting, again. He took a deep breath and let go of his generous thought of letting the news easy on them; he instead threw the bomb in their faces, 'I Kissed Khanak!'

They both immediately stopped talking.

'hello? tum dono theek toh ho na? Hello?'

'What?!' said Rohan.

'way to go my man!', said Zia.

'thanks Zia, and, what ?! what? Rohan , I kissed her, kiss? Two lips meeting, a bit of tongue....'

Zia laughed.

'Urgh! No! I know what a kiss is, but- why?'

'because I finally realised what I have to do.'

*~*~*

'What the hell do I do?'

'Wha-?'

'Tashu wake up! I can't believe you are sleeping!'

'sorry Khanak, what is wrong with me, how did I dare to sleep at what?' she looked at the watch on her bedside table, 'Three in the morning! You are calling me at three in the morning! What happened?!'

'he kissed me!'

'who?'

'Shantanu!'

'what? I thought the two of you were over the "friends with benefits phase".'

'we are! Don't know what happened! We were there, and then we were talking, and goa and then he came close, and kissed me.'

'what? I couldn't make head or tails of that! What happened!'

'I don't know that why I called you!'

'Okay! Okay! Stop freaking out! And tell me everything from the beginning.'

*~*~*

'Okay, let me see, you went back to her place, and washed up the dishes with her, and then you finally muster up courage to talk to her, thanks to my words of wisdom and then you make a move on her and then. Leave her there, speechless, and confused. Wow, Shantanu you are mean! Well done!'

Shantanu laughed, 'yes well I was inspired, you rub off well Zia.'

'Oh! Geesh thanks.'

'you haven't explained why? Why do that?! I thought you wanted it to be subtle and waiting for the right time.'

'Yes, I can't believe I am saying this, but I agree with Rohan, why?'

'because I finally understood what happened.'

Shantanu smiled as he recalled his brilliant plan in his mind, leaving the other two waiting for him to speak.

'What?! Zia said impatiently.

'Are you planning to kill us! Tell. Spill Shantanu!' added Rohan.

'Oh! sorry, I got caught up with my own brilliance.'

Zia sighed, 'Shantanu say, before I whack you, you can ask Mehra, I remember when I have to whack, people and I will whack you hard, when we meet next.'

'trust Shantanu you do not want to be whacked by her.'

'see, told you now spill.'

Shantanu raised his eyebrow for a second, and then let go of the absurdity, that Rohan and Zia were actually talking to one another and agreeing to one another, hmmm.... weird, he thought.

'anyway, so I figured, that what changed things for me was Goa.'

'Goa?'

'Yes Zia, Goa- we had kissed and then Tashu big speech had made me think about Khanak in a completely different way. Made me think if we can, be good, as a couple, whether I wanted to be something more to her than just a friend.'

'so how does Goa equate with what you did today?' asked Rohan.

'she had forgotten about Goa, I mean, she has moved past that stage and had labelled me as "good friend", and that is why I needed to bring back the sexual tension between us, that is why.'

'you kissed her... but what will you do now?'

'I will make her see in a completely new light.'

'huh?'

'oh god Rohan! He means he will show her that he is a perfect boyfriend material, to make it easier for you, he make her fall in love with him.'

'Bang on Zia, you read my mind.'

'Oh...'

'Tube light, ' Shantanu whispered.

'hey I heard that!' Rohan protested.

'I think he meant you too, genius. Anyway, Shantanu how will you do that? By kissing her all the time?!'

He smiled, 'Oh! I know...'

*~*~*

'I don't know!'

'Did you do something to make him think that you want him to kiss you?'

'No! I would know if I did something to make him think that!'

'well, you know body language can be weird like that, you think you are not, abut you are giving flirty signals.'

'I did not, how could I, we were washing dishes!'

'washing can be sexy.'

'really?! Tashu you are supposed to help me! not make me uncomfortable, now I won't be able to wash dishes with Shantanu, ever!'

'sorry, I know I am not being of much help, but how do I know why he kissed you? And what do you do now? I mean, it is you! Shaan-Khanak, Khanak-shan, you don't come in normal people category!'

'what the hell does that mean?'

'well, lets sum it up- "we are attracted to one another, "we are friends" then , "we are friends with benefites, "then we are friends, who are dating other people", and now, "friends who are single and kissing in rthe kitchen" how normal does that sound?!'

'well, thanks foe making me feel so incredible about myself! Oh god what do I do?!'

'I don't know, you can try and act normal, you know, he might be awkward so you break the ice. And then ask him casually- why did he do that.'

'that's the worst piece of advice you have given me, ever.'

'I know, but that is all I have got.'

'damn you Tashu, and damn him Khandelwal!'

*~*~*

'Damn that is a good plan, kinda makes me feel giddy inside, which is a huge fleet to accomplish!'

'Thanks Zia.'

'that- is fabulous!'

'are you crying Rohan Mehra?'

'No! Ziana Chauhan, I am not crying!'

'Okay, guys, so you okay with the plan?'

'hell yes.'

'my blessings are with you.'

'blessings? What are you a priest?'

'it's a figure of speech, Zia.'

'yes, I know, but it sounds weird, "my blessing are with you",' she mimicked him.

'fine I get it!'

'guys, good night, I have to put my plan into action in about four hours, I need my sleep.'

'good night Shaan.'

'Only Khanak calls me Shaan, it's Shantanu for you Zia.'

She gasped, 'double standards!'

Shantanu laughed, 'we'll talk when you will fall in love.'

'that ain't happening bro.'

'we'll see. Bye Rohan.'

Shantanu cut the phone.

And after a moment of silence, 'Zia you still there.'

'yes.'

'you think it'll work.'

'well, you can't be sure of anything in life!'

'I don't want philosophy! Just answer me, in straight, human language.'

'well.... it can swing anyway, if she does have the slightest amount of feelings for him, it'll work, otherwise...'

'she will feel he had lost it, and she will admit him somewhere?' Rohan offered, making her laugh.

'yes... something like that.'

'Zia? I have to tell you something.'

'what?'

'I missed this.'

'what?'

'Us. Me, Shantanu, you, in college- we fighting, him stopping us, and we joining hands to help him, I never realised I would miss your snide remarks- then I saw you in the coffee shop, and we started our verbal battle and I realised, I missed it.'

She smiled, 'good night Rohan.'

'come on! You can't tell me you didn't miss this, our little twisted group, and are dysfunctional friendship, of sorts...'

'We are not friends of any sort,' she said smiling to herself, 'and good night Mehra.'

He smiled too; he knew she will never confess they are friends, of any sort, 'good night Zia.'

*~*~*

'Good morning Shantanu!' she looked at herself in the mirror, as she thought about it, 'no, that is too chirpy... hmm... good morning Shaan?' she tried again, 'no! That sounds so business like! Hey Shaan! How are you this morning? And why the hell did you kiss me?!' she tried again, 'great! That is the worst one yet! Tashu said he will be awkward, so, I hsoould be myself, just pretend to be in deep need of caffeine, which let's face it, is not something to pretend since I didn't get any sleep last night. And try and be all irritated- like I am usually in mornings, especially mornings... yes, that it! Just be normal!'

The door bell rang. She went and opened the door, and froze at the sight of him.

'hey Khanak! Thought I'd make you some coffee... here you go.' He smiled and handed her the cup of steaming coffee just the way she likes it, and walked in.

Leaving her standing there, still too stunned.

'I- uh...hey?' she finally said closing the door and walking in behind him.

'so you want scrambled eggs, or boiled? I feel like scrambled. What do you think?'

'Scrambled?' she said looking at him a little confused.

'Scrambled it is then!' he walked to the fridge and took out the eggs, and went about his way, whistling throughout, looking very- normal.

I thought he will be awkward! She thought something at least, he is so normal, like nothing happened! And I am basically suffering with a tornado brewing in my mind!

'Shantanu?' she finally said, after staring at him, going about the kitchen.

'yes?' he asked, not even looking her too busy chopping onions.

'Why?' she stopped talking, her heartbeat increasing and her mouth went dry with nervousness.

Shantanu smiled to himself, he knew what she wanted to ask, and he was happy about it. It had worked, she was thinking. Thinking why he did that, and what did it mean...

'yes?' he asked again looking at her this time.

'Uh... why are you cutting onions?

He smiled, 'because you like it this way... why you don't feel like having onions today?'

She narrowed her eyes for a second, 'yes, I don't feel like having onions... today.' She said eying him.

Damn it! He looks completely normal! COMPLETELY! She thought to herself, what did it not affect him?! The kiss didn't mean anything?! Just a point he was trying to prove! No, that... is not like Shaan. but then why the hell is he acting so freaking normal! Like nothing happened.

She looked at him, as he threw the chopped onion into a frying pan, he was working on the same kitchen slab, where he had put her, the night before, the memory of it, caused her cheeks to flame, but he just went about doing his work, not even stopping once.

'Shantanu...' she tried again.

'yes Khanak?'

'last night.'

'what about it?' he asked with a simple smile, looking right in her eyes.

Damn his smile! What was I about to say? Damn.

'Khanak?'

'uh?'

'you were saying something?'

'yes! Last night - was fun, I mean.... dinner with Zia and Rohan... we should do it again.'

'yes, we should. I will call them, how is this Friday for you?'

She smiled awkwardly, 'fabulous!'

Great, that was very chirpy and high pitched, who says "fabulous!" like that?! She thought to herself, I should be shot! No Shaan should be shot to have kissed me, and then not be bothered about it! She gave it a thought; wait is he not bothered because it wasn't that good. NO! I am a fabulous kisser, he had to be bowled over... she looked at him serving the scrambled eggs on two plates, Damn you Shantanu Khandelwal, damn you!, 'Urgh!'

'huh? You said something?'

'Nope.'

'you did Urgh...'

'yes- yes I did, my coffee, is cold, that- that is why I did Urgh! Urgh! Coffee is cold! You don't, with the eggs?'

'yes. Let's eat.'

She smiled at she held the plate.

'bon apptit Khanak!'

She smiled ask him; eyeing the eggs, the truth was she didn't have any appetite left.

*~*~*

To: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

From: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

Oh god I am going to hell!

To: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

From: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

Good. I needed company when I go there anyway, and now we both will rule hell together!

To: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

From: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

Nice one, but she was really confused and frustrated and – really I felt telling her everything right there and then!

To: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

From: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

Thanks, and please tell me you did not tell her! You will ruin everything!

To: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

From: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

Even though every ounce of me wanted to kiss her and tell her I love her, I am very proud to say, I kept a straight in different face and did not say anything but the regular.

To: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

From: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

Good boy! You didn't say anything and for the rest, eww! Keep the details of your love sick mind to yourself!

To: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

From: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

Sorry, but I am in love, I am excused for talking lovey dovey...

To: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

From: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

I guess you are right, but keep it to a minimum! Now stop IMing me, I need to work! I have an editor-in-cheif position to conquer!

To: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

From: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

Okay, and best of luck in your conquering. And I will Im you again if there is any hiccup and, plz IM me if Khanak says anything to you.

To: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

From: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

I met her two days ago, I don't think she will tell me about your kissing thing, be sure of that, but for your comfort, if she tells me anything I will IM you.

To: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

From: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

Which reminds me, you and rohan are having dinner with us, this Friday. And No excuses, come for me.

To: Shaan Khandelwal <Khandelwal.rockstar@kgrps.com>

From: Ziana Chauhan < ZiatheQueen@gmail.com>

What?! Dinner with Rohan again. god i am doing this for you Shantanu! and now stop IMing me! I am in a meeting!

Bye XOXO