Kabir reached Ananya's home. He was about to ring the bell, but found out that the door was open. He entered, calling her out, "Ananya? Are you there?"
Just then, he saw them. Ronnie and Ananya. Ananya was near tears and was hugging Ronnie tightly, while he was patting her head, trying to calm her. It was a friendly hug, he could see that much, but still it made him edgy. Kabir had no idea what was happening, but reflecting on what Ronnie had said to him in the office, he had a very good guess about it.
Kabir decided not to disturb them and left as silently as he could. He couldn't comprehend why, but there was a lump at he back of his throat as he started down the road in his car, back home.
"Why am I so disturbed by that?" Kabir said to himself. Ronnie and Ananya were best friends. They had known each other for years probably. Kabir certainly didn't know how their relationship was. Ronnie had almost admitted that he loved Ananya, but Kabir had never thought about what Ananya felt for Ronnie. Considering their just-a-week old friendship, he couldn't say that he knew everything about her personal life. Heck, he couldn't even say that he knew anything about her personal life. Then who was he to be upset about whether she loved Ronnie or not?
He turned on the car-radio and started to flip the channels randomly. A song caught his attention. "Nice tune.." he murmured to himself.
Kabhi gardishon ka mara,
Kabhi khwahishon se hara,
Roothe chand ka hai chakor.
"Hmm.. That's how I used to be." Kabir said. "Before you met Ananya." His heart added. "Oh, shut up!" he said to himself. But it was the truth. He had lightened up considerably since he had met that bubbly, high-spirited girl. In a way, she reminded him of how he once was. In the three days they had spent with the Baaghis, somewhere, he had started to like her.
Zara se bhi samjhote se,
Yeh parhez rakhta hai kyun,
Maane na kabhi koi jor.
Sure, they were friends now. Sure, she had been charmed by him back in the forest. But at that time, they were in a desperate situation. Those feelings could have been short-lived. It didn't mean she liked him in the way he liked her. In addition, he had to remember that he was a divorcee. She was young, and had a bright future awaiting her. He couldn't bog her down.
Duniya, jahan ki bandisho ki yeh kahan parwa kare jo,
Khiche teri dor, khiche teri dor..
He recalled the words Tarini had said to him, just months after his divorce, "How does the fact that you are divorced even matter? You deserve happiness just as much as any other person." And right now, his happiness was in being close to Ananya. In getting to know her well. It would be fine even if she is just his friend.
Manchala, mann chala teri ore...
Manchala, mann chala teri ore...
The song was right. His heart was slowly drifting towards his stupid reporter. People say that there is an exact moment when you fall in love. Kabir wasn't sure about love, but he knew that the moments that he and Ananya had spent in the forest, taken hostages by the Baaghis, were the ones when their bond had strengthened. As a mentor and protge, and as friends. He hoped that these bonds would get more stronger.
Khamoshiyon ki surato mein,
Dhoonde tera shor, dhoonde tera shor..
Heck, the song was right yet again. Ananya was like a breath of fresh air in his monotony of work, work and work. He enjoyed her company immensely. Her sometimes stupid actions were irritating, yet endearing. His affection for her was growing bit by bit every day...
Manchala, mann chala teri ore...
Manchala, mann chala teri ore...
That's why seeing her with Ronnie hurt...
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