ROSID FF: UNDER THE SKY LANTERNS by Archana Vinod - Page 4

Originally posted by: greshin

fighting for small small reasons...😉 bt they remain silent in front of vikrant 👍🏼 when will their friendship start??waiting...update fast yaar

UNDER THE SKY LANTERNS - PART 7

An original story by Archana Vinod

PARKING LOT - MORNING

They are at Siddhant's car now.

Siddhant opens the door, throws his bag into the backseat and plops in.

Roli gets in the back seat.

"Excuse me," says Siddhant irritably as he glances over his shoulder, "what do you think? That I'm some sort of driver?"

"Now what?" she snaps.

"Get up and come to the front," he growls.

Roli gives him a dirty look before stepping out and joining him in the front seat.

"Seat belt please," he commands.

"For what?" she questions.

"So that you don't land on your head somewhere," he replies.

"I won't," she shrugs, "thanks for the concern."

"You are very welcome," he says coldly, "now put on your seat belt."

"Ufff!" she hisses, "I don't want to! There's no need to!"

"Leave that decision to me," he growls, "now shut up and put on your seat belt."

"Hello," she snaps back, "no need to be so rude, okay? I don't like wearing all this, it's irritating."

"Either you wear it," he demands, "or we're not going."

Roli has no choice but to give in. "Ooofff!!!" she hisses in disgust as she puts it on.

Siddhant smirks satisfied that he was finally able to tame' her. He starts the car, shifts into gear and rolls forward.

IN THE CAR

Siddhant drives along crowded city streets.

Roli watches him out of the corner of her eyes. He's drives pretty good, she thinks. Unnoticed by Siddhant, she continues to watch him control the car effortlessly. Then how come he banged in to me this morning, she wonders.

A while later, he pulls up in front of a residential middle-rise building.

"I'll be right back," he tells her as he pulls off his seat belt, "don't touch anything."

"Fret not," she says sarcastically, "I've seen a car before."

He gives her a dirty look as he steps out and disappears into the building.

It's a pretty hot day! Roli starts to sweat in the car. This doofus left the air conditioner off. Either he doesn't use his brains or he's very inconsiderate! She fans herself with the file in an attempt to cool down.

Moments later, Siddhant pops up from his building wearing a fresh pair of trousers, sunglasses and a dark blazer.

Roli admires him for a moment before he gets into the car. He looks too good, she thinks, but what's the use? He's such an idiot! I just get the blues when he's around! Eeesh!!!

Siddhant notices her watching him. "What?" he asks her, "what're you looking at?"

"Nothing," she nods quietly.

They are on their way again. It's still quite early in the day so the heat is bearable.

A while later, they get stuck in a traffic grid lock.

"Damn," Siddhant hisses impatiently.

Roli glances at her watch. "We're running late," she reminds, "hope this gets cleared soon."

But Siddhant trudges the car away from traffic, parks it and turns it off.

"What?" asks Roli, "why did you stop?"

"There's a pedestrian flyover here," he says as he looks towards the structure, "it's just a couple of minutes walk. We'll get there soon."

"Let's wait a bit more," she says as she glances nervously at the flyover, "I think that the traffic is clearing up."

"No it's not," he replies and steps out, "it's just an illusion. Now come on."

Roli hesitates. Very much!

"What are you waiting for?" he asks irritably. "Let's get going!"

She steps out of the car with great effort and follows Siddhant to the flyover.

The pedestrian flyover is a long narrow bridge built just for people to cross over to the other side. It flies' right over' a multiple lane highway with heavy traffic at all times!

Siddhant climbs the stairs to the flyover and begins to walk over casually. The spine-tingling height, zipping vehicles and rumbling traffic below him doesn't bother him at all.

However, Roli's eyes dart back and forth as she trudges her way up. With each step up, her body begins to tremble. Her head begins to reel! Her vision blurs! Beads of sweat drip down from her forehead. The rumble of the traffic below sends chills down her spine.

Hey Matarani, she panics and bites her lip, this flyover... it's a long way to go! I don't think I can make it!!!

Siddhant almost makes it to the other side before he glances over his shoulder and stops dead in his tracks. Now where'd she disappear to?

He swerves around and is surprised to still see her on the other side.

She is frozen, motionless and a nervous wreck!!!

... TO BE CONTINUED

UNDER THE SKY LANTERNS - PART 8

An original story by Archana Vinod

Siddhant is perplexed. What's wrong with her? Why does she look as if she has seen a ghost?

"Hey!" he calls out, "what's wrong? Why are you still standing there?"

But she just stares at him in horror.

"J-just come here fast," she trembles.

Something's wrong, he thinks. He walks back to her as fast as he can.

"What?" he asks as he gets closer, "what happened?"

"Is there another way to get there?" she asks nervously as she tries hard not to look at the zipping traffic below.

"Another way?" Siddhant is confused, "what's wrong with this one?"

"I don't like this," she snaps frightfully, "let's take another route."

"But why?" he asks, "this is the shortest route. We'll be there in like five minutes!"

"I don't care," she snaps, "let's go the other way!"

"No we can't!" he snaps back.

"Why not?" she trembles, "there should be other routes na!"

"Dear Madam," Siddhant begins with crossed arms, "for your kind information, the only other way is still blocked with traffic. Look around if you're not convinced."

Roli hesitates for a moment but slowly glances over her shoulder. He's right! The roads are still heavily blocked! There's no way that this grid lock is going to get cleared any time sooner!

"See what I mean?" he teases, "now stop fooling around and come along! We're getting late!"

Saying this, Siddhant turns around and begins to walk away.

Roli, however, is still frozen to her spot. Try as she may, she just can't move! She's petrified with fear!

"Wait!" she cries out. "Just stop!"

Siddhant is pissed off now. "Oof! Now what?"

"J-just come here na," she stutters, "please..."

Siddhant walks back halfway again. "What?!!" he yells back, annoyed.

"J-just hold m-my hand," she trembles.

"What?" he smiles sarcastically at her request'. "What happened to miss lioness all of a sudden?"

Siddhant watches her closely. She's a mess! Her eyes are wide and glassy. Her face looks cold and clammy. Her arms tremble as she clutches on to the railings of the flyover. She's so rigid that it almost looks as if her bones had fused together!!

"Hey," he smirks, "hang on a second. You're scared, right?"

She looks up at him in sheer shock and embarrassment.

"You're scared of heights," he beams at his own discovery. He just discovered a weak spot'!

Roli is in a very helpless situation! Now she's in his line of target! He was probably waiting for this opportunity to bully me! He's going to make fun of me now!!! Hey Matarani!!

"Hahahahahahaha!!!!" he bursts out laughing, "you're scared! Oh-my-God! Just look at you! Hahahaha!"

Roli doesn't retaliate. At this point of time, all what she's bothered about is holding on. She's so scared that she might even pass out.

"Sorry," he gasps as he struggles to smother his laugh, "don't feel bad. It's just that you look so cute when you're scared."

She looks at him, stunned. Why does this situation ring bells?

"Now come on," he says and walks away again, "you'll make it. Just keep your eyes on me and tag along."

Roli is helpless! With great effort, she starts with a couple of baby steps. But... a speeding bus below the bridge HONKS the last bit of courage off her. She shudders to a crouching halt.

Siddhant is startled to see her in this situation. Though annoying, he sort of enjoyed her bold and daring avatar with a don't give a damn' attitude, but this frightened kitty' avatar makes him feel a bit sad.

"God!" he exclaims, "you seriously can't be that scared, can you?"

She doesn't even look at him anymore. She's crouched into a ball on the flyover. She's breathless! She's trembling all over! She's about to break down!

"Now come on," he urges, "just keep your eyes straight and walk on! It's that simple. There's nothing to be scared about."

He feels sorry for her now. Poor thing! She looks like she's about to cry or something! On one hand, they're getting late for the meeting! On the other hand, he's stuck in the middle of a flyover with a terrified girl! This will definitely draw attention in a very embarrassing way. He must do something before the situation gets out of hand.

"Roli," he taps her on the shoulder, "we're getting late."

She still doesn't budge. He can see a couple of people headed towards the flyover. Damn!

"See look," he says as he holds her gently by the arms, "I've got you! I won't let go. I promise. Now come on! Get on to your feet. You're safe. Trust me."

"Yeah, alright," he sports a victorious smile as he raises her to her feet, "now that's a good girl."

Roli is mad with fear. She's shaking all over.

He raises her chin and gestures at her to look into his eyes. She slowly does. Her eyes are all teary and fearful.

"Okay," he smirks, "I've got you. Now come on."

He holds her hand tight as he slowly leads her over the flyover. She trudges with great effort.

Another vehicle HONKS to glory below them!

This time, she shrieks, topples onto Siddhant and clutches on as if her very life depended on it!

"Whoa!" he cries out, stunned.

He is speechless! Here he is, right over a busy highway, stuck on a flyover with his colleague who's terrified out of her wits!

"Hey, it's okay," he tries to calm her down, "it's okay. It's just a bus. That's all. Just chill! Alright, I've got an idea!"

He gently pulls her off him and cups her face with his hands making sure that all what she can see is him.

"Ever seen a horse on a busy street?" he asks with a cheeky grin.

She doesn't respond.

"Have you?" he asks again.

She nods, yes.

"Great," he replies, "then you must have seen those leather flaps over their eyes called as blinders."

She nods again, yes.

"It's to help the horse see only what's ahead of it," he says quietly, "stops it from freaking out in traffic, like you."

He laughs at the comparison.

She manages to smile.

"Okay," he says, "now eyes on me."

Saying this, he slowly begins to walk backwards as he makes sure to shield her eyes with his blinders' from the terrifying' sights around her.

Another HONK below. Roli almost jumps out of her skin.

"No-no," he consoles her, "it's nothing. Just another vehicle! Eyes on me."

As he walks backwards cradling her face in his hands, he gets lost in her eyes. There's something in them. Some sort of fire. Why is that I'm getting drawn to them?

Roli too gets lost in his eyes. Why is that I see a lot of pain and emptiness in his eyes? And yet, they're so kind and sensitive.

As they back up, they don't notice the stray pebble on their path!

Siddhant steps on the stone!

His arms flail wildly as he struggles to keep himself from falling over, but... he tumbles down on to his back with Roli over him!!!

... TO BE CONTINUED

UNDER THE SKY LANTERNS - PART 9

An original story by Archana Vinod

Siddhant flat on his back!

Roli over him!

Both of them are shocked! All what they can do is stare speechlessly into each other's eyes.

They are visibly uncomfortable at being so close to each other!

At the feeling of having their bodies in contact with each other!

They can feel the warmth of their bodies flooding each other!

Just then, a man in his 70's hobbles his way up the fly over and closes in on them.

"These kids nowadays," begins the old man grumpily, "they'd get laid anywhere! Shameless, desperate lot!"

The old man's angry outburst snaps Roli and Siddhant out of their trance.

"Damn!" hisses Siddhant, super embarrassed.

Roli is still shaking.

The old man waves his walking stick at them, ready to strike. "Get out of here!" he shouts, "go get a room! Chal! Hatt!"

Siddhant gets hold of Roli's hand and hurries down the stairs. They can still hear the old man shouting and cursing on the flyover.

He grins awkwardly at Roli. "Whew," he whistles as he tries not to appear awkward, "that was close!"

Now that Roli is on solid ground, she begins to recollect her terrifying but embarrassing ordeal on the flyover. Her eyes flutter sheepishly. She struggles to look into his eyes. She is still shaken.

Siddhant notices this but pretends to not have seen it.

"We're getting late," he chips in, "let's go."

They spot a single storied building in the vicinity with big bold letters over its crown "OM ENTERPRISES."

Roli struggles to keep on. She's still weak and shaking from the flyover incident.

Siddhant slows down a bit. "Are you okay?" he asks in concern.

She simply nods, yes. She's finding it so hard to look into his eyes! She's dying in embarrassment! He touched me... he saw me cower like a frightened kitty on the ground!

"Sure?" he checks again.

Though she nods, yes, he's not convinced.

"Say what," he tells her, "let's stop by that shop and have a drink before we go in. What do you say?"

Roli just nods. She doesn't say a word. She's too embarrassed to talk or look into his eyes.

SHOP - MOMENTS LATER

Siddhant quickly finishes up his soda, pays the bill and waits outside for Roli to finish up.

He has fleeting visuals of the flyover incident. All these days her very sight pissed me off, he thinks, but what happened to me now? Why's that I have gone so soft all of a sudden? Well, one thing's for sure. SHE definitely has gone soft. She's not that don't give a damn' lioness anymore, just a cute little kitten.

Roli is visibly uncomfortable. She can feel Siddhant's eyes bore into her. Hey Matarani, she thinks, I've never been so embarrassed in my whole life! I wonder what he must be thinking now! I'll never live this down!

She finishes up and walks up to him.

"Ready?" he checks in a serious tone.

She just nods. Again, she doesn't look up at him.

He checks her out. She looks a mess with the wrinkles under her eyes, as if she hasn't had a good night's sleep.

Siddhant suddenly remembers something. "Wait a minute," he mutters and begins to rummage in his pockets.

"Arrey," he cusses, "how is this possible? It was right here a while ago. What the hell!"

He checks his bag frantically. Nothing! "Damn!!! I don't believe this!"

"What?" asks Roli, "have you lost something?"

"Shit yaar," he snaps angrily, "I think it's gone. Just check your handbag."

She opens her purse, perplexed and begins to search in it. "Actually what are you looking for?" she asks.

But he doesn't answer her. He looks really worried. "What if it fell off on the flyover?" he asks, "or maybe I left it in the car?"

"What?" she asks him curiously.

"You wait here," he says, "let me go and look for it."

He begins to leave and almost reaches a stone's throw away.

"But what?" she calls out.

"Fire!" he replies.

"Huh?" she doesn't get it. "What fire?"

"The fire in your eyes," he shouts out, "it's missing. Lost!"

Roli freezes. She feels something drop into her gut.

"Wait," he stops and walks back to her, "I think I found it."

Roli is hypnotized' as he stands before her.

He points at her face. "There it is," he says as he gazes into her eyes, "here it comes. Here it comes..."

Roli can't help it but smile.

"Yeah!" he smiles, "way to go! It's back again!"

"That was clever," she laughs, "really caught me."

"Great!" he chuckles, "we're ready to go now."

... TO BE CONTINUED

UNDER THE SKY LANTERNS - PART 10

An original story by Archana Vinod

OM ENTERPRISES - AFTERNOON

Roli and Siddhant are still stuck in the company's lobby.

Siddhant walks back and forth in the lobby.

Roli just mopes around on the couch. She is irritated big time! "These guys died or what?" she mutters angrily, "what's taking them so long?"

Siddhant doesn't respond. He just paces up and down the lobby frantically.

"We were here on time," she goes on, "and yet... it's past lunch time now."

This time, Siddhant is at the water cooler. He eagerly gets a glass of water and gulps it down.

"I'm feeling hungry," she sulks.

Siddhant paces around again. He pulls out his hankie and mops up his cold and clammy face.

"Mumma packed my favourite aloo paratha today," she says hopefully as her tummy growls loudly.

Siddhant takes out another glass of water and gulps it down.

Roli is pissed off now. She has been talking all this while and he hasn't been listening to her at all!

"Oye!" she calls him, "enough! Half of that bottle is in your tummy already! Anymore you'll burst! And then you'll sit and start crying during the presentation."

Siddhant doesn't even pay attention. He still paces around.

"Can you just sit still?" she snaps irritably, "I'm so damn hungry that I can hardly think straight! I'm going to kill these Om Enterprise buggers today!"

The receptionist who has been watching them all along snickers.

"What are these guys doing yaar?" she asks the receptionist.

"They're actually caught up in an important meeting," she replies.

"Kya important meeting," she mutters, "why did they set us up in the morning then? Nonsense!"

Siddhant is still lost in his own fantasy world as he paces up and down the lobby.

Roli has had enough! She pulls him down onto the couch. "Actually what's your problem?" she asks him.

"Tension yaar," he says breathlessly.

"Tension?" she asks, "for what?"

"Presentation," he answers, "you're not tensed or what?"

"No?" she answers him, surprised. "Why be tensed?"

"I don't know," he replies as he jiggles his legs nervously, "when I just think of all the big guys, their questions, their faces and all that I just go mad."

"Hmm," she leans back onto the couch as she watches him, "can I ask you one thing?"

"What?" he gasps as he jiggles on.

"Is this your first job?" she asks.

"Not really," he replies.

"Then? What's your problem?" she asks, "be cool."

"It's a first in business development though," he adds.

"Really?" she asks curiously, "so what were you doing before?"

Before he can answer, a stern looking guy in his 40's comes out into the lobby. "Roli and Siddhant?" he asks in his deep baritone voice.

"Yes," she replies, jumps up and shakes hands with him.

"Sundar," he introduces himself, "sorry to keep you waiting."

"Oh, no problem at all!" she lies with a big smile.

They follow him to the HR department. Siddhant is all wobbly from anxiety.

"Calm down," she whispers as they settle down.

They settle down in Sundar's cabin. A name plate on his desk reads "Group Director - Human Resources". Siddhant gets even more nervous at the designation. Roli notices this and nudges him in the ribs.

Two other people enter the cabin, an attractive woman in her 30's and a younger guy in his late 20's.

"This is Kalpana, HR Manager" he directs as they shake hands with each other, "and this is Rajeev... HR Officer."

Roli is so calm and collected. However, Siddhant is shaking.

"Are you feeling hot?" asks Sundar out of the blue.

Siddhant has a sudden urge to run out of the cabin. Roli glances over at him. This guy will ruin everything, she thinks.

"I'll turn up the air conditioner," he suggests.

"No," Siddhant replies with a breathless smile, "it's okay."

Just then, a peon checks in with a tray loaded with soft drinks. All of them take their glasses and keep it aside. Siddhant however is super distressed and finishes it up.

"Okay," begins Sundar with his eyes on Siddhant, "can you tell us something about your company?"

BOING! Siddhant feels something drop into his gut! Arrey baap re! Why is this guy looking at me?

Sundar waits for Siddhant to speak up.

"Errmm," he clears his throat and chokes, "T-T-Techsearch... well... we are... actually..."

He fumbles for words.

God, thinks Roli, we're screwed! Why on earth did Vikrant send HIM with me?

... TO BE CONTINUED

Just read four fantastic updates.👏 Waiting for the next😊

UNDER THE SKY LANTERNS - PART 11

An original story by Archana Vinod

Bey yaar, Roli thinks frantically, this guy is nervous again. Now what?

Siddhant gropes around for words. Sundar's serious gaze makes him even more nervous!!

She desperately waits for him to complete his lines before she takes over.

Once she takes over, things become different. Everything begins to flow smoothly. Siddhant too gets a breathing space.

Sundar and his team are impressed.

Roli lets Siddhant to add a line or two in between, just so that he won't look like a timid little puppy.

OUTSIDE TECHSEARCH - MUCH LATER

Roli walks out holding the newly signed contract. She's on cloud 9!

"Vikrantji will be very happy," she says happily as she tucks the document into her file, "wah! What a day! First day! First client! New requirements! Yesss!!!"

However, Siddhant is down in the dumps.

Roli looks around and finds him in broken spirits. He looks like he just completed a 10 hour ride on a crowded local train. His shirt is open by a button or two. His blazer is not on him anymore, rather, it hangs loosely on his arm. His shirt sleeves are rolled up carelessly! He looks like hell!

"Now what happened to you?" she asks him casually.

Siddhant screws his eyes shut, takes a deep breath and hangs his head in defeat. "I sucked yaar," he breathes, "I sucked big time! I must have looked so stupid to them!"

Roli just watches him.

He just looks at her in sheer fatigue.

"You know what," she begins, "stop trying to be perfect. It's okay to make mistakes. Trust me!"

All what he can do is listen. He's too drained and depressed to defend himself.

"No one's perfect," she goes on, "so you can just chill. Say what; let me buy you a drink."

It's Roli's turn now. They step into the same shop once again. However, it's Roli who looks all pepped up this time.

The shopkeeper glances over at Siddhant with a smile. "His turn now?" he asks her in an amused tone.

"Haan Bhaiyya," she says cheekily, "what to do!"

She hands a coke to Siddhant. "Here you go," she says as she begins to sip up her share noisily.

But he just stands there with the can. He can't drink anymore.

"Arrey," she begins to feel irritated, "now what happened? Drink up na! Don't just stand there like a dead bat!"

"You were so cool man," he says in a low voice, "how can you stay so calm?"

"Then what do you want me to do?" she asks, "run out of there?"

"No," he sighs, "not like that."

"Tell me one thing," she says, "if you get all worked up and tensed, is anything good going to come out of it?"

Siddhant seems to be thoughtful, but tired. "No," he replies quietly.

"Then?" she asks seriously, "trust me. It just makes you look more stupid. Is that what you want?"

"No," he replies wearily, "That's why I'm trying so hard, but I don't know why. I just end being a loser..."

She prepares to splat the coke all over his face. He blinks, surprised.

"I swear," she snaps through clenched teeth, "if you talk crap one more time, I'm going to drench you with this!"

"Yaar..." he begins, shocked.

"Shut up!" she snaps, "tell me one thing! What's going to happen if you make a mistake? Are they going to eat you up?"

"No..."

"Are they going to slap you?" she questions.

"No..."

"Then what's your problem?" she snaps.

"They'll think that I'm stupid," he says very quietly.

"So what?" she snaps.

"They'll laugh at me," he goes on.

"So what!!??" she's getting really mad now. "Let them laugh!! Are you going to lose anything?"

Siddhant just hangs his head. She just doesn't get it. "No, you don't understand," he says in a depressed tone, "you'll have to be in my shoes to understand."

Roli is fed up now. She straightens up. "Look my friend," she begins in a very wise tone, "you don't have to be perfect. None of us are. We all make mistakes. Even I make mistakes. You just need to be yourself. That's it!"

The light returns to Siddhant's eyes. The blood rushes to his face once again.

"If everything was perfect," she goes on, "then it would have been so dead boring. It's you and me with all the flaws that make this world a beautiful place. Makes sense?"

A smile creeps up Siddhant's lips. "Yeah," he chuckles.

"Thank God!" she laughs, deeply relieved, "finally! Someone smiled!"

"Thanks," he replies, much alive.

"For what?" she asks.

"For knocking some sense into me," he replies, "and yeah. For making me smile too."

"Don't thank me for that," she smirks, "just returning your deed. We're even now."

"Let's go then," he smiles feeling much more relaxed.

They make their way up the flyover's stairs. But...

... TO BE CONTINUED

Originally posted by: nithyaji

but, what happen? Plz update soon.