'PUPPY LOVE' -Rajeeto FF Part 3 Updated

Rajbeer couldn't bear it. It was his luck- his bloody, accursed luck that had let him down more times than he could possibly count. It was only to be expected; his timing was ironic. After seven months of togetherness, of constant bantering and arguing; pure silliness, he now bitterly thought, he had finally made up his mind to confess his true feelings to the woman of his heart. (God, where did that come from? Love must be making him more messed up than he supposed. )

And she had decided to go and fall in love with someone else.

"Muskurana band karo," he commanded, scrutinizing her face as he said the words. Surprisingly enough, the muscles of her face did not budge an inch. Taking a deep breath, he burst out-

"Tumhe pata hai ki mujhe seedhe baat karne ki aadat hai. Mujhe jaanna hai ki tumhare zindagi mein kaun hai, kaun hai jisse tum pyaar karti ho." He threw out the last words as if the venom permeating his system had finally come out.

"Hmm," she said. But no more words came out of her mouth. She continued to look at him steadily, in a way that he immediately recognized. She was reprising his manner of putting other people at unease- looking at them with the "i know everything so don't you dare mess with me" gaze. The mere realization of the role reversal blew him away, leaving him grasping for words. For probably the first time in his life, the great Rajbeer Ahluwalia was rendered speechless.

Surprisingly enough, it was she who spoke this time. "Rajbeer...," she reiterated, "Haan, mere zindagi mein koi hai." The six simple words she uttered confounded him. He was now officially beyond the point of redemption. She had finally come out with the truth; but instead of giving him a sense of relief, it simply added to his despair. He had thought that by confronting her, he would acquire some peace. But what it did was to slam on his face a reality he was yet to come to terms with. The fear he thought he would never experience. The fear of losing her.

"Theek hai, Preeto," he said gruffly, making his way towards the door. He could not listen to her speak about him. He simply could not. Better make headway and run before she said those dreadful words. And then probably advance to the nearest bar and drown his despair in booze.

Contrary to his expectations, however, she was quicker. She barged and stood firmly in front of him, barring him from the door-his only route of escape. He looked down, flustered; unable to meet her in the eyes.

"Rajbeer", she pleaded, in what he thought was an impossibly softer tone. "Maine abhi tak poori baat nahin kahi.". He finally gathered the courage to look at her in the eyes, and made a silent resolution to himself. If this had to happen, it would. He would listen to her, no matter how much it killed him. No more excuses. He was too late, and had lost his chance. He would undergo this torture if he had to. For her sake, if not for his.

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