RoSid / AviMan AT 6 - I Love You Na Yaar

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PreetiSJ

@PreetiSJ

Rocker

Posted: 11 years ago

#371

THE CELEBRITY
An original short story by Archana (Roli Siddhant)

ROSID'S BEDROOM - LATE EVENING

Roli looks into the dressing table mirror as she does some last minute touch ups on her face. She is very much excited. They are going out to watch a movie. And not just any movie! They are going to watch the latest sensational movie Afsaana', starring none other than her very own husband in the lead role. Mr. Siddhant Bhardwaj! She can hardly sit still.

News on this movie has been all around in the papers, TV, internet. The day the movie was released in the theatres was a bomb! Created record collections! Siddhant has already started getting other offers. People have already started fan pages on the lead characters of the movie. Siddhant is rising to super stardom! Wow!!! I can't believe it! Thinks Roli, excited.

"Ready?" checks Siddhant as he sprays some deodorant all over himself.

"Yes!"

"Let's go!" he smiles.

They get into the car and drive off.

Roli's mind is buzzing with the success of the movie. Her husband is a celebrity now. "Siddhantji," Roli begins, "how is this running now?"

"On petrol Roli," Siddhant answers casually, "and of course, the car also needs wheels. Otherwise a full tank of petrol is pointless!"

"Hohoho," she laughs sarcastically, "very funny. I'm talking about Afsaana!"

"Ohhh I see! So you must specify na! If you ask me how is this running now?" What do you want me to make out of it?"

"Ok! Whatever!" she replies smugly, "so tell me na, how is your blockbuster running?"

Siddhant glances at her briefly. "Sarcasm, eh?"

"No, no," Roli snaps, "I'm serious."

"Well, better you witness it yourself. Anyways we are going to watch it ourselves."

"Wait! Wait! Didi said that we need to get some stuff from the super market when we're out!" says Roli.

"What stuff? We'll get it on our way back," replies Siddhant.

"It'll be too late then! It's better if we get it now." chirps Roli.

"Ok. We'll stop at this Big Bazaar here," says Siddhant as he spots the first store he sees.

He drives around the parking lot as he tries to find a space to park his car. He finally finds a spot. "Roli, you go on. Pick up a cart or basket, whatever. I'll just lock the car and come."

"Ok", she nods, steps out and walks towards the super market's entrance.

Siddhant gets out of his car, steps back and points the remote'. It BEEPS as it gets locked.

Suddenly, A SHRILL SCREAM startles him!

He looks around. I heard some girl scream, why? What's going on? And sure enough, he spots a girl just a little off from him. She seems to be in her late teens or early twenties. Was she the one who screamed? Wonders Siddhant.

"Hey," Siddhant begins as he walks towards the girl. "Did you...?" But the girl SCREAMS again and throws her arms over his neck!

Hearing the commotion, Roli comes running out of the supermarket. "Siddhantji! What was..." she stops dead in her tracks. What the hell! She spots Siddhant in the middle of the parking lot hugging some strange girl. Or is she hugging him? What the hell!!!! Today is WAR!!! Roli fumes.

Meanwhile, Siddhant looks as if there's a snake around his neck. He struggles to free himself. "Hey, hello, what are you doing?" Siddhant muffles.

"Siddhant Bharadwaaaj!" she screams. "Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! I don't believe this!!!!" She hugs him tight, her feet dangles in the air. Siddhant is a big guy! Whereas, she's small and hardly 5 feet tall.

Uh oh! Siddhant realizes, I forgot that I'm no longer just Siddhant Bharadwaj! I'm now a face people would recognize even better than my wife! I'm screwed now! How do I get out of this? Roli, where is Roli? He looks around for her and spots her standing at the shop's entrance, fuming. "Roli!" he calls out like a drowning man desperate for a twig or a branch to hold on to.

By now, people flock around him. Cameras flash, smart phones capture the event, more girls scream! Roli can do nothing but stand and watch on helplessly. She feels left out in the crowd. She feels like nothing.

"Oh my God! Siddhant Bharadwaj!"

"Sir, may I have your autograph please?"

"Oh Aditya! Could you please autograph my face?"

"What is your phone number?"

"Do you shop here everyday?"

"Please come to my home! My sister is craaazy about you!"

"Marry me!!!!"

"Sir, please give me chance sir, I can sing and dance, sir!"

Good God! Siddhant thinks frantically. This is more than what I bargained for. Siddhant gently pulls the screaming girl off him and gives her a dry smile. "Ermmm..." he begins, wondering how to handle her. But she... faints! Siddhant grabs her as she crumbles down.

This is it! Ab bohoth ho gaya! Fumes Roli! I can understand people admiring Siddhantji, but this is too much! Hugging and kissing! No ways!!!! He is my property!

She shoulders her way past the crowd towards Siddhant. Somehow, they must get out of here.

... TO BE CONTINUED

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PreetiSJ

@PreetiSJ

Rocker

Posted: 11 years ago

#372

THE CELEBRITY - Part II
An original story by Archana (Roli Siddhant)

OUTSIDE BIG BAZAAR, PARKING LOT - LATE EVENING

Siddhant is in pure dilemma as he cradles the unconscious girl in his arms. Wild fans click photos and capture the event' live and upload it to social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc. It's only a matter of minutes before the video of Siddhant kneeling on the ground and holding an unconscious fan begins to circulate on the internet with titles like...

Girl faints after seeing superstar Siddhant Bharadwaj'

Handsome hunk Siddhant Bharadwaj makes out with a hot teen in broad daylight'

Siddhant Bharadwaj with his wife'

Hottie Siddhant with young sizzling actress on location for his new movie' and many more absurd titles with no connection to the actual fact!

Siddhant looks around frantically. He has never been in a situation like this. Well... with Roli maybe... but not with a strange girl. And that too a fan! "Someone, water please!" he almost begs.

"Hey! Someone give him some water!"

From the crowd, someone hands Siddhant a bottle of Coke. "What's this?" he asks surprised.
"For you sir," someone replies. "Arrey yaar!" he snaps, exasperated, "I need water to sprinkle on her face!"

Meanwhile, Roli works up a sweat as she shoulders her way past the crowd towards her husband. "Bhai saab, please let me past!" she tries to be polite as she makes her way through the crowd. One of the guys cast a dirty look at Roli and grabs her by the shoulder. "Don't worry sweetie, don't be so desperate" he comments, "You'll get your chance too. And even if you don't, we're here! We're not that bad either!"

Roli pauses, furious and uncomfortable at having been touched by a stranger. "And what the hell do you mean by that?"

The man gives her a nasty look. "Well, you know..." He starts to rub her shoulder.

SLAP! Roli lands an instant super shot on his face. "Chee! Get your hands off me dammit!"

The man boils with anger and humiliation. "How dare you!"

Roli doesn't hang around for even a single second. She begins to run through the crowd. She doesn't stop, she doesn't care even if she pushes someone, she just runs for her dear life! She's in trouble. Big trouble!!!

"Siddhantji!!!" she cries out.

Siddhant sprinkles some water over his fainted fan's face. She flinches for a moment and then slowly comes around. She opens her eyes and looks around, confused. What's going on? Then she realizes that someone is holding her. She looks up at that person. Siddhant!

He looks back at her in panic. "Are you okay?" he asks, concerned.

She gasps! "Oh my God! Sidd---"

"Hey, just calm down will you?" he begs.

She faints in his arms. Again!

Grrr!!! Hey Uparwaale! Siddhant wonders, why me???!!!

"Siddhantji!!!" Siddhant looks up. That's Roli's voice. "Roli!" he calls out. He cranes his neck and sees Roli pushing her way through the crowd. She looks frightened, as if she's been chased by a mad dog. "Siddhantji! Help!" she cries out.

Siddhant lays down his fan and hurries towards Roli. "Roli! Over here!"

"Who's Roli?" asks someone from the crowd.

"Is she your girlfriend?"

"Maybe his wife!"

"Could be his new heroine!"

Siddhant is tempted to reply, "No, she's your Momma!" but he restrains himself.

Roli runs into Siddhant's arms, frightened. "Hey Roli, are you okay? What happened? Why are you so worried?"

He follows Roli's glance to the cheeky guy in the crowd. Siddhant instantly understands that this guy was troubling her. He begins to charge at the man, but Roli grabs him by the arm. "Siddhantji! No! Let's leave! Hurry!"

Siddhant and Roli hurry towards their car. Cameras flash like crazy. Wild fans scream and faint all around them. Some burst into hysterical sobs. Others say dirty, offensive stuff!
They jump into their car and push off from there as soon as they can!

A moment later, they are on the streets, headed to the theatre. Siddhant is still dazed. He can't believe what just happened. Never in his life had he encountered such a situation. I guess this is all part of stardom, he thinks, the price of stardom is loss of freedom? Maybe I shouldn't have gone into all this stuff! Have I made a mistake? He looks over at Roli.

Roli has pissed off' written all over her face.

"What did that guy do to you?" he asks quietly. She doesn't reply. She seems to be lost in thoughts. "Roli?"

"Just stop in front of that shop," she blurts out.

"Another shop? Arrey baba, let's buy all this dal baal later on, na? I'm worn out already."

"Just stop!" she repeats firmly. Oh shit, thinks Siddhant. She is serious. Damn serious.

He pulls over. "You sit here, I'll be right back," says Roli as she steps out of the car.

"What? Where are you going? Yaar, Prem will buy all this stuff. You get back in here"

She doesn't respond. But simply walks away. Siddhant gets out of the car. "Roli! Arrey Roli!"
Roli pauses and turns around. "Siddhantji, do you want one thousand people to pounce on you again?" The incident back at Big Bazaar has a post traumatic' effect on Siddhant as he relives the situation. "No!" he grins.

"Then get back in the car and sit quietly," says Roli seriously, "I'm not famous, so I'll be okay. In fact, if it weren't for you, that man wouldn't have grabbed me back there."

Siddhant gapes in disbelief. "What? He grabbed you? How dare he?"

"Yes," Roli responds casually as if nothing happened, "He did. Now if you don't get back in, more people might grab me."

"Roli!" he protests, "you sound like I'm going around asking everyone to come and grope you! What the hell!"

"Chup! Finger on lips! Get in the car! Don't waste my time!" she orders and walks away.

Siddhant watches on hopelessly as she disappears into the nearby shop. He bangs his fist on the bonnet. "Arrey yaar!" he growls angrily. What is she upto? He wonders. He paces up and down restlessly as he waits for her. What's taking her so long? What if something is wrong? What if she is trouble? His worry begins to consume him by the minute. Dammit! He thinks. I'm going in there. I can't just let her go somewhere by herself like that!

... TO BE CONTINUED

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PreetiSJ

@PreetiSJ

Rocker

Posted: 11 years ago

#373

THE CELEBRITY - PART III
An original story by Archana Vinod (Roli Siddhant)

Just when Siddhant is about to barge his way into the shop, Roli comes out holding a small plastic bag. She stops in her tracks with a very serious expression. "Why are you out here?" she asks sternly, "I thought I asked you to sit in the car."

"Roli, you know that it's not possible! How do you expect me to just leave you out there and sit in the car" he whines.

"Siddhantji, I think I can take care of myself. I'm a lioness, remember? Maybe I also need to remind you that I was about to be attacked by a total stranger in the middle of a crowded parking lot. Where were you then?"

Siddhant is reminded once again of the embarrassing incident at Big Bazaar. He gets frustrated by the minute. Just as he opens his mouth to reply, he has a sudden flashback of Shailu Bhaiya's advice. "Siddhant," Shailu says, "never try to argue with a woman. You'll always end up being a loser. That's how it is meant to be. Take it from someone who has immense experience."

"Moreover, I've been through a lot of sticky situations before. By the grace of God, I've been able to get out of it all unscathed," she says with an air of pride.

Siddhant just stands there in front of Roli with his mouth hanging wide open. He has no idea what to say. She watches his dumbfounded expression, amused. "Erm... Siddhantji, you had better close your mouth. You wouldn't want flies and mosquitoes to go in there, do you?" she asks.

Suddenly, Siddhant's phone starts to ring. He pulls it out from his pocket. Call from PREM. He answers the call. "Prem?"

"Siddhant, where are you people?" he asks, sounding a bit worried.

"We are on our way to the theatre. What's wrong?" asks Siddhant.

"What's going on there? Were you guys at Big Bazaar?"

"Yeah... How did you know that we were in Big Bazaar?" asks Siddhant, surprised.

"Siddhant! Everyone knows! That boy Pappu came running with his phone and showed us your video on youtube."

Siddhant's chest starts thumping. "What video?"

"The video saying that you were making out with some girl in the parking lot. That stupid boy showed Mataji also. Now she is very angry!"

Siddhant's head reels. This can't be happening. "What?!!!! What nonsense! That's not""

But Prem cuts him off. "Hang on," he says.

"Siddhant!" Mataji's voice booms through the phone, "what the hell is going on?"

Mataji's imposing voice gives Siddhant the shock of his life. "Mataji..." he begins, but she cuts him off. "Is this what you've learnt from Bharadwaj family? Is this how your parents brought you up?"

"No Mataji, you don't understand. Let me explain..." he starts, feeling helpless and confused.

"I told you before itself not to go into all this films, acting and stuff! But you wouldn't listen!" she rebukes.

Roli watches Siddhant intently. Definitely, he is getting blasted at, most probably by Mataji, she thinks. She feels sorry for him. It's not his fault. He didn't do anything wrong. "Is it Mataji?" she mouths to Siddhant. He nods sulkily. "Give me the phone." She says. But Siddhant stuffs the phone back into his pocket. "No point now, she cut the phone... after giving me a lecture on culture, family values and traditions, blah blah blah..."

Roli pulls out her purchase from the plastic bag. "Go on wear this," she says.

It's a cap and a pair of dark sunglasses. "What's this for?" he asks, surprised.

"You're no longer a simple Simon. You're a celebrity. A super star! Get it? If you need to move around without being tailed or pounced on by the media and fans, then you'll need to keep a low profile. Understand what I mean?"

Siddhant is quiet. What Roli said makes sense. But, he feels sad. He had dreamt of maintaining a great down to earth' relationship with his fans and admirers. All busted and gone down the drain!

"What's worrying you?" she asks.
"Nothing yaar. You know... I wanted to be really nice with my fans and admirers... but..."
Roli sighs. "It's not your fault. You're pretty new to all this stuff. Eventually, you'll get used to all this screaming and fainting."
Yes. Roli's right. "Look at all the big stars," she says, "they go through all this every day. Crazy fans, love letters, hate mails, false rumours... but you don't see them quitting or getting too worked up about it, do you?"
Siddhant feels much lighter now. Much relieved. Much happy. He straightens up. "I guess you're right," he says with a smile.
"Don't guess! I am!" she affirms.

Siddhant puts on the cap and goggles. "Ready?" he checks.

"Always!" chirps Roli.

"Let's go!" he says cheerfully.

They get into the car and drive off, ready for some fun.

... TO BE CONTINUED

PRECAP:

INSIDE THE THEATRE

Roli's eyes are wide open as she watches the movie. She can feel herself burning with anger, shame and jealousy. She's on fire! Her husband, Siddhant, with his hot co-actress on screen gets ready for a really intense, intimate scene. Siddhant's character Aditya' cuddle up really close to his heroine!

Will Roli have the guts to watch Siddhant get really romantic with a strange woman, even if it's acting? Let's wait and watch...

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justloverosid

@justloverosid

Inactive

Posted: 11 years ago

#374

preeti and anjali how you find the ff isn't it awesome👏

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justloverosid

@justloverosid

Inactive

Posted: 11 years ago

#375

found another short ff

BROKEN PROMISES, BROKEN DOORS
An original short story by Archana (Roli Siddhant)

ROSID'S BEDROOM - LATE EVENING

Roli is frustrated as she stares longingly at the clock on the wall. It's 9:30 PM already. Where the hell is Siddhantji? He promised! That no matter what happens, they're going out tonight! That they would have a nice dinner out in a fancy restaurant; watch that Salman Khan movie which she is dying to watch... But... It seems like Siddhantji has forgotten again!

Roli feels like crying. It has been a really long time since they've been out, spent some quality time together. REALLY LONG! She wants to understand that Siddhant is busy. That he is always under pressure at work. That he is always tired and all what he wants to do is just relax at home in his spare time. She wants to understand. But right now, she doesn't want to! Because last week he managed to find the spare time to go out with his friends! And his excuse? That they were his childhood friends... they were in the US all this while... they're meeting each other after such a long time... blah blah blah... And he came home after a couple of beers! Grrr!!! Oh! Excuses! Roli is frustrated. She feels that Siddhant is drifting away from her day by day. She feels disconnected... that she's losing him. She hardly gets to talk to him nowadays. He leaves early in the day, comes late at night, is busy even in the weekends and even at home he is glued to his laptop and phone 24/7... Roli wants to understand, but, the little spare time he gets, he prefers to spend it with someone else! Isn't she important to him anymore? What's happening to him? She wants to tell him how she feels. Maybe then, he will understand.

Roli picks up her cellphone and dials Siddhant's number. She waits for him to answer the call.

AT SIDDHANT'S OFFICE...

Siddhant is super busy on some complicated spreadsheets at his laptop. His cellphone rings. It's Roli.

"Hey Roli," he answers, the phone in between his shoulder and ear as he continues to tap away at the keyboard.

"Where are you?" she asks glumly.

"Office," he responds. "I'll be a little late yaar. I got trapped with some last minute reports. Need to send this out in the next half an hour; I have no clue how this is even possible. This is crazy!"

"How late?" she asks quietly.

"I don't know baba. Probably past midnight." He replies. Roli's heart sinks when she hears that. "After preparing these reports I have a meeting with the boss. So it's going to take some time."

"Oh..." Roli sounds like down in the dumps.

"Everything alright?" he asks, half his attention on Roli, half on the spreadsheet.

"Nothing. It's just that I was all dressed up and waiting since 7.30 this evening," she says quietly.
"Dressed up? For what?" he asks.

Roli feels sad now. Really sad! Great! He even forgot about it. Completely! "You promised we would go out today," she replies.

Then... it dawns on Siddhant. The promise he made. The other promise he had to break last week just to go out with his friends. Siddhant slaps his hand onto his forehead. "Ohhh shit!" he whispers under his breath. How is he going to make up for this one? What excuse will he give her this time?

"Roli," he begins quietly, thinking of what to say, "this weekend. I promise! We'll do everything we planned to do."

"I'm used to hearing this now," interrupts Roli, the sadness ever obvious in her voice. "I don't have any more faith in your promises."

"Please don't say like that yaar," begs Siddhant. "It's not on purpose. You know that, na? I'm really under a lot of pressure at work. What to do? Please try to understand."

"I want to Siddhantji, but what about last week?" she questions him, as she decides to open up her feelings to him. "Last week you made a promise and broke it. In the last moment! I was really looking forward to spending some time with you."

"But I told you," Siddhant protests, "those were my childhood friends! They came to meet me after a very long time! And that too from the US! How can I send them back then? Try to understand!"

"Even I had friends Siddhantji!" Roli snaps back, "I left them all to be with you! Tomorrow if they show up at my doorstep and invite me for a party, what do you want me to do? Bounce out of the door with them?"

Siddhant feels his temper flaring now. The pressure at work, Roli's nagging judgements... Grrr!!!

"You know what Roli? If you want to bounce out of the door' with them, you're free to do it! Who's stopping you? Did I stop you?" Siddhant's voice gets higher.

Siddhant's reaction wasn't something Roli was expecting. It puts her off guard. For a moment, she doesn't know what to say. "Yes, I'm going to do that," she blurts out, "only then you'll understand how I feel!"

"Yes, go and do it! Fly out of the door if you must!" Siddhant growls back. "And you know what? Once you fly out of that door, you'll stay out."

Roli is very hurt now. And furious! "Yes! I'll go!" she spits out, her voice shaking.

"Go and do it! And one more thing, Roli! Don't tell me what to do and what not to do! You're not earning bread for me! I am! Get it?" he scolds. "I slog every single day out here trying to make ends meet and all what you're concerned about is going out and freaking out!"

Roli is in shock now. Siddhant has never spoken to her like that before. Ever! What's going on?
"Look! I have a ton to finish before I get the hell out of here! I don't have the time for this. Hanging up now." Saying this, he hangs up. Abruptly.

Roli quietly keeps the phone away. She looks spaced out. Lost. Confused. Empty. Was that really Siddhantji? She wonders. He has never spoken like that to me before. I shouldn't have said all those things either. I was being selfish.

Siddhant's angry voice still rings in her head. She slowly gets up and locks the bedroom door. She prepares to change. All what he said echoes in her head... The caring, loving, soft and sensitive Siddhant was not at all talking to her today. He asked her to bounce out of the door. Walk out. Stay out. Get lost... He had no concern for their relationship. He didn't seem to notice that they were hardly talking nowadays. Her eyes well with painful tears. No, he can't talk like that to me, she cries to herself bitterly. The tears spill over as she sits down on the bed and breaks down into quiet sobs.

BACK AT SIDDHANT'S OFFICE - MUCH LATER

Siddhant steps out of the conference room looking much relaxed and cheerful. He talks with his boss as they walk to his cabin. "See you Sid, enjoy yourself," his boss waves. Sid gives him a thumbs up' sign and gets behind his table. He starts to pack up, but pauses as he notices his mobile phone on the table.

Roli! He remembers. He takes a quick glance at his watch. It's 10:45 PM. He gets really worried as he recollects all the shit he told her some time back. Oh God! What did I do? What's wrong with you Siddhant? He leans back onto his chair and takes a deep breath. Maybe I was possessed, he jokes to himself. Maybe Roli is right. We are very far away from each other nowadays. It has been days since I've spoken to her properly. Anyways... good thing he signed up for a couple of days off from work. This is the best time to patch things up.

ROSID'S BEDROOM

Roli still hasn't changed. She is lying face down on the bed as she recovers from the virtual slap'. Her mobile phone rings. Let it ring, she thinks. I don't care whoever it is. But the ringing phone is too tempting to ignore. She slowly gets up and picks up the phone. It's Siddhantji. Why's he calling me now? She wonders sadly. To apologize, maybe? I don't want to listen to anything anymore.

She answers the call. An excited Siddhant begins to talk from the other end.

"Hey Roli, you know what? I just had a word with that idiot boss of mine," he pauses to make sure she's listening, "I told him clear cut! Straight forward! That I can't take anymore of his shit! That I need time for my wife! That she's more important to me than his stupid spreadsheets and senseless reports! I told him that I can't work weekends anymore. Arrey! What the hell yaar! Bloody nonsense! There's a limit for all this! Na?"

Roli listens silently. Without a word. Yes, she thinks, he's just pulling out one of his tactics. His sorry wala' stories. Should I forgive him...? I don't know. He was stressed out too, but... Her eyes become moist again.

Siddhant is out of his office now, he walks towards the parking lot, his laptop bag over his shoulder. It's quite dark with some of the street lamps fused out.

"So you know what he told me?" he continues relentlessly, "He was apparently frightened after seeing me like this. He has never seen me so aggressive before. So he said, Ok Siddhant. Why don't you take a few days off work?' Ten days!' I argued! And he said, done'!"

"So once I get back home we'll decide a great holiday spot. How about Vadodara? I've heard that the museum and monuments there are awesome. What do you say?"

Roli is silent.

"Roli? Are you sleeping or what?" he asks.

"I don't want to go anywhere," she replies quietly, her voice shaking slightly.

"What do you mean? We'll go elsewhere then. Where do you want to go?"

"Told you na, I'm not coming anywhere," she says, almost in tears.

"But why? Are you having some dance competition there or what?" Siddhant laughs.

"Just leave me. You go wherever you want. With your friends and all." Roli says bitterly.

"Oh ho. So that's the problem, eh? My friends! Actually... I told them to get lost." He replies with a smirk.

"Very good. Then go skiing in Kashmir with your secretary." Snaps Roli, the tears sinking down into her throat.

"What?" laughs Siddhant.

"Bye," she blurts out.

"No! Wait!"

The line goes dead. Roli has hung up. "Awww damn!" cusses Siddhant. God! She's really angry with me! Suddenly, he spots a small shop across the street about to close. "Oye! Oh bhai saab! Wait!"

The man pauses, the shutter already half way down. "I'm going to close now Sir", he says.

"Please, I'll only take 2 minutes. I just need those two slabs of chocolate."

The shopkeeper smiles. "Ok," he says and pulls it out. Siddhant pays him. "Keep the change," he says.

The shopkeeper looks grateful. "For your daughter?" he asks casually.

Siddhant is embarrassed for a moment, but smiles, "no, for a little kid," he winks.

BACK IN ROSID'S BEDROOM
It's past 11:45 PM now.

Roli is still awake. Almost... She plugs earphones into her mp3 player and listens to some soothing songs as she tries to drown her sorrows in the music. She turns up the volume, closes her eyes and lies down on the bed as she tries to calm down. She can't forget the words Siddhant screamed into her ears today. It was unnatural. Rude... Painful. She feels like crying again. No, I won't, she decides and concentrates on the darkness behind her closed eyelids. Slowly, she relaxes... Her breathing slows down... and she drifts off to sleep... with the door still locked!

A while later, Siddhant pulls into the driveway of Bhardwaj House. The door is answered by Simar.

"Where's Roli?" he enquires the moment he steps in.

"I believe she's asleep," Simar replies.

Siddhant hurries upstairs to their bedroom and tries to walk in. He turns the doorknob, but it is... LOCKED!

"What the...?" He's stunned. "Why is this door locked?" He knocks on the door. "Roli?" No answer.

"Roli! Open the door!" He raps on.

Simar comes upstairs. "Siddhantji, what happened?"

Prem comes out of his room too.

"The door is locked," replies Siddhant, tensed, "Roli's not answering!"

"What?" asks a worried Prem. "She doesn't usually lock the door like that!"

"This evening, it seems she was having a stomach ache," chips in Simar.

Siddhant is more worried now. Oh no! Is something wrong? Worse... did she do something stupid??!!!

"ROLI!" he yells and bangs on the door. Not a sound. If she tried to harm herself I will never forgive myself, Siddhant thinks, the guilt piling onto him by the second.

"Roli!" Prem and Simar join in too.

The rest of the family comes out of their room on hearing the commotion.

"Prem! Siddhant! Simar! What's wrong?" asks Mataji, stunned.

"Mataji! Roli has locked herself inside! We tried calling her but she isn't responding!" trembles Simar.

"What?" They all hurry upstairs to Rosid's room.

"Roli! Beta! Open the door!" they call out. But no response.
"Move aside!" yells Siddhant. He kicks furiously at the door, trying to pry it open. It doesn't budge.

He KICKS AGAIN.

AND AGAIN.

AGAIN!

The door is BLASTED open. BANNNGG!!!

All of them rush inside.

The noise startles a sleeping Roli. She wakes up with a start to see the entire family around the bed. Staring at her... as if they've seen a ghost!

She spots Siddhant glaring at her, breathless, sweaty... And angry.

Wait. The door was locked, Roli recollects. "Siddhantji? Jeeju! Didi! How did you all come inside..." her voice trails away as she realizes what must have happened.

Siddhant grabs the earphones and mp3 player from her and flings it aside in a fit of rage. He prepares to strike her, furious. Roli flinches.

"Siddhant! No!" the family yells.

Siddhant stops midway. He is still breathless from anger. "I swear I wanna kill you now!" he growls furiously and storms out of the bedroom.

Roli looks around at the entire family sheepishly. All of them have their eyes on her, shocked.

Suddenly, Prem bursts out laughing.

"Premji!" Simar protests, stunned at his reaction. "What's so funny?"

"Sorry. I have this problem of laughing when I get too tensed," he snorts. "Okay, everyone, just chill! Problem solved!" The entire family is still in shock. "Arrey! Smile please, everyone!" he coaxes.

Prem is right, they think. They all heave in relief. Thank God nothing's wrong. For a moment, they thought... "Okay, come on, back to bed," Prem says, "Simar. Let's go."

All of them leave Rosid's room one by one and retreat to their chambers. Prem and Simar find Siddhant in the corridor, leaning onto a railing and looking away into the distance, still pissed off. Prem nods to Simar, I'll handle this. Simar nods back and leaves Prem to take care of the situation.

Prem grabs Siddhant by the shoulders and shakes him gently. "Siddhant! Just relax. Take it easy. See, now even Roli's tensed."

"Prem," he begins, "you have no clue. When she wasn't answering the door and Simar told that she wasn't well, I almost died back there."

Prem has no idea what to say. He knows how his brother feels. "Just calm down now, get some rest. I'll see you in the morning. Go on!" Maybe Prem is right, thinks Siddhant. He slowly returns to their bedroom.

ROSID'S BEDROOM

Roli is still sitting hunched up on the bed, knees drawn up to her chest. Siddhant walks in, puts his laptop aside and opens the wardrobe. He fishes for a T-shirt and track pants to wear for the night. Roli watches him intently. She feels kind of embarrassed at this awkward situation. How will she live this down? Now Siddhant is angry as well. Now he won't even talk to her. What will she do?

"Siddhantji," she begins quietly. But Siddhant swerves around and waves his finger at her threateningly. "Chup! Not a single word!"
"Siddhantji, let me just""
But he cuts her off, "I said shut up! Understand? Not a word! I'll slap you!"
"Then slap me na," she says in a childish voice.
Siddhant ignores her and digs around in the wardrobe for nothing.
She gets up, takes Siddhant's hand and places it over her face. "Come on slap me..."
"Roli, stop it" he retorts.
"No. You want to slap me na? Come on slap me. I deserve it. For being so stupid and locking myself inside..."

Siddhant's anger begins to dissolve before her innocence. "Why did you do that?" he asks quietly, "don't do that again! You scared the living life out of me."

She leans onto Siddhant. "I didn't do it purposefully. After we spoke this evening, I just locked the door to change and forgot about it..."

That awful feeling of dread returns once again as Siddhant realizes that Roli must have been really upset at his outburst this evening. "Hey, I wasn't kidding when I told you that I'm off work for ten days. I was serious."

"That's okay; I don't feel like going anywhere anyway." She says, not really meaning what she just said. She is of course, still hurt at Siddhant's distance over the months that he feels a lot different now.

"Please don't say that. Who will come with me then?"

"Your friends..." she replies, as if it's very obvious. "And of course, your secretary."

"Nah, she's not as sexy," Siddhant smirks. "I need someone glamorous by my side to click selfies with." Oof! Siddhantji always manages to catch me off guard, thinks Roli. She smiles into his chest hoping that he doesn't see her smiling. She doesn't want him to get the satisfaction of having made her smile. But he gets her red handed and pulls her face off him. "Oye! Why are you smiling? I wasn't talking about you," he teases. Roli pushes him off and begins to stomp away, but Siddhant grabs her and yanks her towards him. "I was talking about this little kid who loves chocolates..." He pulls out the chocolate slabs and waves it in front of her. She tries not to smile. But she can't resist. That funny look on his face is irresistible. She breaks into a broad grin and hugs him.

"So you forgive me, na?" he giggles.

"Well, we'll think about that," she laughs.