FF~Trespassers Prohibited~#2;Upd.49,50 - 120,121 - Page 29

Khanak moved towards the door in a rush as the bell had rung for the second time and she was not looking forward to an embarrassment in front of Samir. She took care that she and Shaan behaved as natural as possible in front of Samir and other friends.

She opened the door and was surprised to find a stranger on the door.

The stranger was a pretty, stylish and petite girl, around her own age wearing a short black mini skirt and a pink spaghetti top. She was smart, curvy, tall, had a cheerful smiling face and a pleasing personality.

At the first impression, Khanak thought that she is some new person in the locality, looking for directions as she had a slip in her hand with something scribbled on it and an inquisitive expression on her face. She seemed to be looking for an address.

"Hi !"

"How can I help you?"

"I am looking for an address……..I guess it is the one……" she gave the chit to Khanak and directed her eyes towards Shantanu's name plate.

Khanak looked at it confused and took the paper which read, 'Shantanu Khandelwal'….. and his address on it. She felt a pang of envy somewhere deep down as she gave a look to the girl again………….. the girl was indeed very attractive but why was she looking for Shantanu?

She tried to do some quick mental exercise but couldn't come up with a theory as she had never seen this girl before.

"Yeah…..you are at the correct address……" she said softly, very confused.

"Can I meet him……?" the girl chuckled excitedly…..in a way that Khanak did not like at all.

"Please come in………he is inside…….." Khanak let her in and closed the door, still perplexed…….observing the girl and her enviable figure and personality. Her short dress was now appearing shorter than required.

The girl stopped at the drawing room. Khanak looked at her again from top to bottom, and observed her high heel Jimmy Choos complimenting her pretty feet and highlighting her long legs. Her Gucci hand bag added to her oomph quotient….

"Err……..I'm sorry but is he expecting you?"

"Nopes……I called him many times but his phone was not reachable." The visitor shrugged.

"Does he know you?" was an extremely cautious and slow question from Khanak.

"Yes, he does…….. I couldn't talk to him so I came directly. Can you please call him?" the girl answered trying to judge Khanak.

"Sure……what should I tell him?"

"Sonya……….I'm Sonya Aggarwal."

"Please be seated……….I'll inform him."

Shantanu came out and shook hands with Sonya asking her to sit as she was still standing.

"I tried to call you many times………." Said Sonya trying to appear familiar.

Shaan was reluctant and made efforts to appear comfortable.

"I must not have heard the ring…….Err……...we are meeting for the first time." Shaan stressed on the last part not for her but for Khanak as he knew that she was standing behind and was getting roasted out of jealousy.

"Of course ! I came to India only 2 months back. Last time when you came to Delhi, we couldn't meet…….."

"Yeah………my last visit was very short and hurried."

"Madhavi aunty told me about that……I was supposed to come to your house that day but she told me that you were busy. Sunil uncle, aunty and Akshay have told me a lot about you…….so much, that it seems as if I know you very well, already."

The sentence made Shaan uncomfortable and Khanak was already simmering in what is called a mixture of emotions somewhere between jealousy, anger and insecurity.

Khanak was uncomfortable too.

The effect was broken by Shaan's words once again.

"So, how come you are in Mumbai?...and how come at my house, suddenly?"

"Actually, I came this evening with Sunil uncle, Madhavi aunty and my parents. There is a function in Marriott today by a guild of construction and steel businessmen…..and my dad is getting an award there."

"Wow…………Congratulations."

"Thanks…….Initally, your parents thought that they will give you a surprise but then we all decided that even you should come for the function. They left for the function directly and I was asked to pick you up. They thought that I should be giving you a surprise."

"Well……….I am surprised………really….." said Shaan with an indifference.

Both of them had been talking and Khanak asked, "Sonya……..will you have tea or coffee?"

"Oh no…..nothing. I should be rushing back. I have to go back to the hotel and get ready for the function. I just came to pick him up for the function but ….." then she turned to Shaan, "it seems you are not well."

"Yeah, I have fever since last night."

"Ohh……….did you take some medication?"

"Oh yes……I went to the doctor and he prescribed some drugs…..I'm much better."

"Then you take rest……..I'll inform uncle and aunty." She stood up.

"Thanks a lot."Shaan stood up too.

"In case you need anything, just let me know………..by the way, I can see that you are well taken care of…….." she spoke this while looking at Khanak, "Won't you introduce us?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he spoke turning to Khanak and before he could speak, he was interrupted by her.

"Hi, I'm Khanak………Shaan's friend from Delhi. We work together in the same office ………… here in Mumbai. I came here in the morning with Samir………. when we came to know that Shaan is not well…….. Samir will be coming in a while……….. I was just about to leave."

Shaan made a disgusted face, obviously not liking the justification that Khanak had to give. When she shifted her gaze from Sonya to focus on him, she could see his jaw clenched, an irritated look on his face and a seriousness in his eyes. She wondered at his response as she had not said anything offensive or demeaning.

Immediately, he took a few long steps to be beside her and subtly put a hand across her shoulders sideways.

"To be true Sonya……Khanak is actually my girlfriend and we have been in love since a very long time. She couldn't leave me alone when she came to know that I was ill."

Khanak and Sonya were both shocked.

Khanak opened her mouth, looked at his face and left a deep breath, hiding a smile inwardly at how hopeless he was. And Sonya was dumbfounded beyond her wits.

"Are you serious?" She could hardly speak and Khanak and Shantanu were both a little surprised at why she was so shocked.

He once looked at Khanak and then spoke, "Yes……I am very much serious. We can't wait to get married."

"Oh……… congrats ……… I mean ………actually……… all the best………."

"Thanks……."

"Err…………..Mmm…………..aunty and uncle don't know about this, right?"

Shaan could now slowly understand why she was so anxious and disturbed.

"No, definitely not………..and Sonya………can I request you that they should not know that for sometime?"

"Sure…………I won't speak a word."

"Thanks a lot." He stepped ahead to shake hands with her once again and then saw her off till the door.

He turned back after shutting the door and found Khanak standing with arms crossed across her chest copying his style. He chuckled to see her like that……and came inside grinning ear to ear.

She looked at him in awe and surprise mixed together.

"What?" he raised his eyebrows.

"What was the need to tell her?"

"There was no need to hide either……." He shrugged casually, still smiling, looking at her.

"But, didn't we decide that we won't tell?" she spoke concerned.

"To our families," he corrected her, before going to the kitchen, "and she isn't family. She is nobody…….not even a friend."

Khanak felt thrilled and worried at the same time…….thrilled at his answer and his response to Sonya ……….and worried about a lot of things.

"You know Shaan………we could have avoided that." She spoke casually.

"Stop acting cool, okay ! I know that you loved it and you were burning like a coal, in envy, when she came inside."

"Was I? ………I don't think so……." She spoke slowly, looking down and moving her finger around the margin of a glass jug.

"You 'were' sweetie……," he came near her, lifted the jug and poured water in a glass, " and 'if' I had not done that, you would have minced me into pieces."

He grinned teasing her.

"You are so hopeless………you did it only because you were scared of me !"

"Of course ! I should be cursing my bad stars……..imagine……a hot girl walks in my apartment trying to surprise me and guess what………my girlfriend opens the door ……….how unfortunate?" he chuckled and continued teasing her.

"Dare if you talk like that…….." she warned him with a pointed finger and stepped towards him to whack him on his arm but he caught her wrist and turned her around such that her wrist was in his hand and her back was tucked at his chest.

"Ouch….."

"Didn't I tell you……..that I am not weak……you were worrying unnecessarily….."he spoke softly hissing in her hair and feeling the softness of her hair on his cheek.

"I know how strong you are…….all your strength is to be flaunted only in front of me."

"What to do? You just don't let other girls come closer to me." He teased again.

"Was she really hot?" she asked in a low voice.

"No sweetheart……..don't you know that you are the hottest girl on this planet?" he spoke smirking and bringing her closer while she pouted.

"I know that…………and you better remember……..always."

"Oh don't worry…………I care for my life………and I don't mess up with wild cats."

He left her wrist with a jerk after giving a peck on her hair.

She turned about to face him, "Are you sure that you didn't find her hot?"

He laughed loudly, "Oh God! Save me………these are the questions that I face when I told her about our relationship at the first meeting itself."

"Hmm……….still I think, you shouldn't have told her." she murmured becoming serious now.

"Chill darling………..I believe in nipping the problem in the bud….."

"Problem?"

"Didn't you guess? My parents are more than proactive in getting me hooked to this girl. On my last visit to Delhi, mom asked me to meet her. Didn't you notice how shocked this lady was, when I spoke about you?"

Khanak stepped ahead facing him and placed her head on his left shoulder slipping her arms around his waist.

"I am scared….." she whispered.

"I am not……….." He held her tightly

She tightened her hold, "I trust your instincts…….if you are not scared…….. that means we are safe."

"Definitely……..that is why I told her about us, right away. I don't like it when people fuel the misunderstandings and confusions which can be cleared by a single sentence."

"Shaan…… what you did…… at least relieved me….."she smiled.

"You jealous female………better start trusting me…." He chided her softly.

"I do…." She stressed trying to justify and raised her head to look at him, "but how do I trust these butterflies ready to swarm around you."

He laughed again and bent down to give a soft peck on her cheek.

The doorbell rang again…..This time it was Samir……

Khanak left his apartment after spending some time with them.

………………………………………………………………………..

She entered her apartment and felt lonely and depressed, as she had left Shaan in fever and she didn't want to leave sight of him even for a few minutes.

She took a shower, didn't feel like cooking anything for herself and settled for a small sandwich and juice. Though, she switched on TV but did not feel like watching anything……..she kept surfing various channels for about one hour but without any interest.

After some time, she picked up her phone and scrolled to see Shaan's number. A small relief appeared just by looking at his number and his pic saved with it !

Once again she saw the time……..it was 11.00 pm and she knew that his parents must have reached and she couldn't call him as freely as she would have wished.

For the first time in last few months, she felt tied down…...

As, she lay on the bed completely alien to her body, thinking about him and feeling sad that she was going to sleep without talking to him after a long, long time !

About a few months back, they were not even talking to each other and now, today was a day when it seemed almost impossible to stay without being in touch with him.

He didn't call her either and after hours of waiting, she drifted off to sleep…

……………………………………………………………………………

He kept looking at his phone to get a chance so that he could call her but couldn't pick it up !! Madhavi and Sunil had rushed early from the function when Sonya informed them that Shaan had fever.

They were by his side by around 9.30 pm and were relieved to find Samir taking care of him. Madhavi didn't leave Shaan's side after that…….they all sat in his room and saw to it that he feels better.

He waited for the night so that everyone slept and he could call his sweetheart. He knew that she would be waiting for is call.

But by late night, his fever increased and he was not conscious enough to make the call. He fell asleep without realizing. The next morning, Madhavi noticed high fever and alarmed Sunil.

Samir had stayed the night with them so that he could assist them if they needed something. They all took Shaan to the hospital and got him admitted. The fever was high and was not being diagnosed……the blood samples were taken and IV line inserted.

Samir thought twice about informing Khanak but didn't as he thought that she was alone and would panic. He thought it a better idea to wait for Shaan to recover. His parents and he himself was with Shaan so there was no need to put Khanak through distress.

His phone got switched off after a while as he had not charged the battery.

Khanak spent the whole Sunday waiting for Shaan's call. She knew that his parents were with him so he couldn't call but was not able to shun worry away from her thoughts.

Every passing moment made her anxious and upset.

She picked up her phone and dialed Samir's number but it was switched off. The frustration and desperation was not letting her concentrate on anything.

Finally, she gathered courage and called Shaan.

His phone was at home as he was not fully oriented when they left home and others didn't take care to carry it to the hospital. She became worried once again when it rang full for 2 times.

In the hospital, by Sunday evening, Shaan regained consciousness but was still not completely recovered. His head, his body and his back ached severely…….he felt weak and disoriented and drifted in and out of sleep frequently. His mind was not coherent either.

He opened his eyes and saw Samir with him…….

"When did you guys got me here?" he asked observing the surroundings in the deluxe room of the multispeciality hospital, where he was admitted.

"This morning, your fever had increased and we couldn't think of anything else. The doctors said that you need to be admitted."

He could faintly remember his getting the pricks on his skin and the blood being drawn……a few more pricks for antibiotics and medication !! Shaan looked at Madhavi who had got up and came to stand by him, placing her hand on his forehead.

"Thank God…….you opened your eyes. I was so worried." She spoke with concern.

He smiled back at her.

"Mom, can I have some water?"

"I'll get it…….." Madhavi went towards the table where water kool-keg was placed.

Shaan whispered to Samir, "What is the time?"

"10.00 pm……it's Sunday."

"Gosh! More than 24 hours have passed……I haven't talked to her !! She must be going crazy……."

"Relax……….you take care of yourself and close your eyes."

"How can I relax?...do you even know how worried she must be? Have you told her?"

"Dude………….I didn't tell her………"

They were still whispering.

"What? You didn't tell her? Boss, she is going to kill you……….and me too…….."

"Why you?…………you were not conscious……."

"That she won't realize when she's angry………..Oh no !!" he twitched his lips.

Samir winked and mocked at him, "I'm not able to figure out…….whether you are worried for her or scared of her?"

"Both……."

They laughed together at this snippet from Shaan. Madhavi had come with water by now.

"It seems the friends are discussing some big secret……….how come I hear so much of whispering?" She chided them softly but in a lighter vein.

"Nothing like that aunty……… actually Shaan wants to talk to his school teacher from Delhi……..she is in Mumbai right now…."

"School teacher?...are you in touch with her?" Madhavi was surprised.

Shaan did not reply and looked at Samir…..who was pulling his leg.

"Yes aunty………..he is in touch with everyone he loved since his school days. And this particular lady scolds him even now………...he is scared of her."

"What?" Madhavi laughed at this, "My baby is scared of someone?"

"Mom, please……….." Shaan was genuinely irritated at her 'baby'.

"Okay………I won't say that again," she raised her hands in air, "But Shaan, I have heard that you are a very tough boss at work, isn't it Samir?"

"Absolutely aunty, he is a taskmaster at office…….we have never had a Regional Head as result oriented and as strong as him…….both strict and motivating at the same time."

"Then……..imagine, a tough boss at work and a stubborn kid at home…….I always thought that he never listens to anyone….."Madhavi chuckled.

"Then aunty……..you 'must' meet this lady…,"Samir exaggerated and stressed on each word, "You should see how she talks to him and how he listens….….."

Shaan gave a stern stare to Samir, gritting his teeth.

"I hope you are not talking about some girlfriend of Shaan."

Samir and Shaan were both shocked. Shaan looked at Samir for him to answer and Samir looked back at him at loss of words.

"What? Do you guys think that you are too smart and your mom is dumb?...Isn't it?"

Said Madhavi victoriously, "never think your elders are not smart….."

"Aunty……..I think I speak more than required…..."

"Don't worry, I'll not let him thrash you….." said Madhavi placing her hand on Shaan's head.

"I don't mind aunty……..I an treasuring every moment of these last few days with him."

"Last few days?? Are you going somewhere?"

"Nopes……..actually……….I think I should go now……" Samir fumbled and got up to go.

"What happened Samir? Tell me……..what were you saying."

Samir gulped and looked at Shaan.

Shaan spoke casually, "Nothing mom, I have resigned from my job. I am shifting back to Delhi to join our office……..had a talk with Akshay."

"What?" this was an exclamation mixed with pleasure from Sunil who had just come inside and heard the last part of this convo.

"Isn't it an awesome news Sunil?"

"Amazing………..such a big news………a good one……why were you brothers hiding it?"

"We wanted to give you a surprise……." Shaan muttered softly……and looked at his mom while using his eyes pleading not to talk about that 'girlfriend' thing.

Madhavi assured him that she won't speak anything by placing her palm on his arm and pressing it lightly. Both Sunil and Madhavi were ecstatic at the news that Shaan was shifting back to Delhi and would be joining their own group.

"That house is so quiet without you Shaan………I was wondering whether I'll be able to see my sons together in that house before I die…."

"Mom…….please……don't act melodramatic…..like hindi film moms…."

They all laughed at the way Shaan dismissed Madhavi's emotional piece.

After about half an hour, Samir asked Madhavi and Sunil to go and take rest at Shaan's apartment and volunteered to stay back at the hospital for the night.

"I don't mind staying here with Samir, you go home …… you have office tomorrow."

Said Madhavi.

"It's okay aunty, I sleep very late, generally. You be here in the afternoon tomorrow, while I can go to the office."

He convinced Sunil and Madhavi to go home and preferred to stay back.

"Samir, go and drop mom and dad at home."

"It's fine, we can go by ourselves beta…….no need to worry." Sunil stopped him.

"Samir…….please go," said Shaan slowly between clenched teeth and a smile on his lips, using his hand to signal for 'phone'... "and please bring a few things from home."

"Of course…….I'm coming with you uncle……..it's quiet late here. Let's go." Samir stood up not giving them any chance to speak against that.

Madhavi understood and stayed a step behind and before starting, she turned again to Shaan and lowered herself by his side, whispering,"Do you really love this girl?"

"Mom, please……….I'm not 'that' cool to discuss love with you……"

"Okay, your wish……..you don't want my support?" she shrugged lightly and started to straighten up.

"Mom…..wait…," he held her arm, "of course, I need your support….….."

"Then, you must make her meet me……"

There was a dull smile on his face, mixed with apprehension and pleasure.

"Okay…….."

"When?"

"Soon."

"No…….no delaying………I want to meet her tomorrow."

He left a small breath, "Alright……….. I'll ask her if she can come……..please don't tell dad."

"Don't worry……..I'll take care of him…….and I'm so happy for you."

She smiled broadly and kissed him on his forehead.

After Madhavi left, Samir came sprinting back.

"Dude………I'm sorry……….just because of me…….."

"Oye……..paagal hai kya?" Shaan chided him, "that day you were troubling my girl no end for saying sorry, now you started yourself………"

"You had decided to keep it a secret, but my silly mistake……and aunty guessed it."

"She's my mom…." Shaan spoke with a pride, "and she is very smart."

"What next?"

"Bring my phone from the apartment."

"I'll do that…….anything else."

"Pass me that landline extension."

He dialed her number after Samir and his parents left. This facility was thankfully available in the deluxe rooms of this hospital which was more like a five star hotel.

She had been sitting on her cushion on the floor, with comb in one hand and trying to straighten her messed hair slowly while watching something in vacuum……

Her trance was broken with the phone ring which made her jump as she rushed to pick it but was disappointed to see some unknown landline number. She didn't want to pick up the phone but still answered it with a very disinterested, "Hello !"

"Hey Sweetheart……" his husky voice and her heart…..

Her heart somersaulted and jumped and kicked started to beat, "Where are you? What is this number? Where's your phone? Do you know how worried I am? Are you fine?"

He didn't speak anything, just chuckled.

"Will you speak?" she spoke slowly this time.

"I will………..if you let me."

"Are you fine?" she asked softly.

"Now…….. I am……."

"You are not home……..where are you?"

"leave that…………I'm fine."

"Why do I feel that you are in a hospital……..did your fever increase? Were you not well?"

He paused for a huge smile which was not leaving his face since he heard her speak and came back once again……from ear to ear………and he didn't speak for a few seconds. She waited for his answer.

"How did you guess?" he finally spoke still grinning.

"Shaan, it is just not possible that you are home and keeping well and still you don't call me for 24 hours. I was worried that your fever has increased. I hope you are better now. Did you go through the blood tests?"

"Don't ask……those huge injections drawing blood and this painful drip……..the intravenous line is so pathetic."

"It is good that uncle, aunty are with you. In future, in all such cases or emergencies, just ask Samir to drop a message in my inbox……..at least I won't be worried. You thought that I am some weak hearted, sissy female………" she complained.

"I did not…………Samir thought…………. I know you………very well…." he spoke flirtatiously, pausing at right places.

She blushed at the husky tone, "you don't forget to flirt, right?"

"A person who has a girlfriend like you should not leave even a single opportunity."

"Go on…….I don't mind it when you decide to praise me….."

"Alright…….here I go…….a girlfriend who is superbly talented…..she is not only a girlfriend but does fill in for a friend…….buddy…..partner……sister……mummy….."

"What nonsense ?"

"That's the truth………you know. You always act so sisterly and motherly and friendly …….a girlfriend means someone really sexy…….behave like a girlfriend…….spice up the life……..."

"Shaan……..your fever has reached your brain……I think."

"Don't disagree…..we need to be more sporty…." He chuckled again.

"You get well first and meet me………I'll see to it that I spice up your life………. properly…. " she spoke fuming at him and challenging him….. making him laugh more.

"Okay, tell me………what are you wearing?"

"Why?"

"Just like that…….better imagination…….."

"A top and a skirt…."

"How short?"

"What?"

"The skirt….."

"Have you gone mad?"

"I am trying to imagine you…….sitting on your cushion on the floor, with a cute top and a short skirt."

"I don't wear short skirts." She blushed.

"hahaha…….I have seen you…..that dress on Valentine's day……and those shorts that you wore when I had come to your house at night……..."

"You jerk……..you have fever……….and you are obsessing over short dresses?"

"That is absolutely wrong……don't misunderstand me……..I was not obsessing over short dresses," he said mocking at her and then added softly, "actually, I was obsessing over your legs……"

She buried her face in her pillow and blushed hard.

"Promise me, when I get well……we'll go to the disc at Marriott's and you will wear that same short black dress………the Valentine's Day one !!"

She didn't reply at first but later said, "If the hospital people listen to this talk, they will discharge you tomorrow morning. Look at you, you flirt like an expert."

"I am actually an expert darling….."

"I know……..all this is cover-up for not calling me for one full day…….and distracting my mind. You know that I will start blushing and won't speak more."

"You mean to say that I flirt with you only when I have to cover-up??"

"Well mostly…………..but I didn't say exactly that….."

"Then……….learn something from me and take some initiatives in flirting."

"I don't need that………one person is enough here, to do all this."

"No………from now on……I am angry and you have to impress me with your flirting skills."

"Go, take a walk……….and keep dreaming."

"Khanak……." his husky voice rang in her ear like a sugar syrup, "don't you realize that I am ill……….you should try and keep me happy."

"Take rest nah, then……..how does all this come to your mind? I would have been sleeping if I was in your place."

"I was…….but you disturbed me there too………I can't sleep…………I need to meet you."

"But we can't meet………at least for a few days."

"Hmm….……"

"How come you are talking so freely? Where is everybody?"

"Samir has gone to drop mom and dad at my apartment. He's staying for the night."

"So………that means no one is there with you?"

"Again you started acting mummy?"

"No sweetheart………I asked because I am coming there………Now !!"

……………………………………………………………………….