Chapter 2 : She only wanted friendship, but not him...
Pranati was sitting in the courtyard reading a book when Rey came up to her and took it out of her hands. He read the cover and sighed.
He had long understood that she was a dreamer, he didn't know whether this should worry him or just laugh at her naivety.
- Another romance ? asked Rey to Pranati, resting the book on the bench.
Pranati shyly smiled and blushed slightly.
He had noticed that his eyes shone in her presence. He had agreed to play the role of a friend while his defences were down in his presence, but it had already been three months and he was not known for his patience...
It was almost break time and he was hoping to see her outside the university. He had a plan, but he still had to fine-tune it.
- Don't you have class ? asked Pranati, putting her book in her bag.
- Do you think I would have left you here alone and gone to listen to my maths teacher's bullshit ?
- It's nice of you to want to keep me company, but you have to attend your classes, it's still your future that's at stake.
- Future, he murmured softly before putting his head on his leg.
This had become their routine for the last two months. He had gotten into it without a word and she hadn't pushed him away, so he kept going.
- Yes, your future. I know your family owns its own business, I imagine you will play a role in it after you graduate.
Rey looked her in the eyes. Lying on her knees, he could see all her beauty in that angle, he sighed and passed her his headphones. He didn't want to talk about his family with her. As long as he didn't think about them, everything would be all right.
Pranati, who had understood that he did not want to go into detail, accepted and put on their favourite music "Hum Tum". Pranati always blushed at the same part of the song 'Saanson ko saanson mein dhalne do zara' 'Dheemi si dhadkan ko badhne do zara' and 'Lamhon ki guzaarish hai yeh, paas aa jaaye'.
At first he had acted as if he hadn't seen anything, but today he really wanted her to stop clarifying him as a "friend" so he took a step.
- Prani, do you still think of me as a friend ? asked Rey, taking off his headphones.
- Why are you asking me that, she asked, turning slightly.
- Look at me Prani.
- I have to go to the library to finish my homework
- Prani, says Rey with irritation in his voice.
He watched her go away with a sigh. Rey knew he was under no illusions. Pranati felt something for him, but he felt that his best friend Swara or just the other girls at the university had warned her about him.
Although he loved his reputation, today it was damaging to him, he doesn't know whether he should simply give up or show him who he really was.
He stayed on his main plan and let her go for the time being.
****
Pranati fell on a chair in a corner of the library. She didn't have any homework to give back, but she could neither tell the truth nor lie to Rey.
Everyone had warned him about him. So was she willing to risk everything for a story that might be emotionally ruinous ?
Her father always told her to follow her heart, but every morning her mother reminded her that her reputation was in her hands, so what was she to do ?
But, she could no longer run away from him or her heart, she was going to follow the path that destiny had drawn for her without thinking about tomorrow.
With this great resolution, she got up and walked towards the court, except that Rey had disappeared. She thought of telephoning him, but decided it could wait.
A week went by and Rey avoided her, she had phoned him and even sent a message threatening to break off their friendship, but he hadn't replied.
Her best Swara looked at her with a sigh. She had been sitting in a cafe for an hour, having a cup of coffee, but she couldn't think of holding a conversation.
- I warned you, Swara told him.
- I'm not in the mood for that, so spare me.
- I told you he steals from one girl to another. You were just elusive, a challenge for him, he saw that you resisted so he ran away.
- Swara, Pranati said indignation as he rose to his feet. Are you my friend or not ?
- It is my role to tell you the truth !
- I don't feel well, you could at least take that into consideration, and I remind you that it's also my birthday.
- That's why I invited you, but you're in the clouds, what do you want me to say ?
Pranati looked at her and shook his head. She retrieved her bags and put some money on the table for their coffee and headed for the exit.
- Pranati, said Swara trying to get up, but Pranati had already gone out.
She had just turned 18 and just wanted to cry against her naivety. Why was this happening to her ?
She didn't pay attention to where she was walking when she felt she was being pulled into a car. She tried to scream, but they had gagged her. She started to get scared. When she finally heard her voice.
- It's me, it's me, it's me, Rey told him.
She looked at him again lost in fear, he freed his mouth and showed her his hands to soothe him.
- I don't want to hurt you, Rey tried to calm her down as best he could.
Pranati started to cry, she didn't know if it was a relief to see him after more than a week or the fact that she hadn't been abducted by a stranger and disappeared into the wild.
Rey took her in his arms, she hugged her, she hung on to his T-shirt.
- Shhh, it's going to be all right, Rey continued to say to his ears.
He rubbed her back and talked to one person. Pranati didn't dare raise his head to see what was happening. The most important thing was that he was there with her. They were there for a few minutes before the car stopped and the doors slammed.
- Prani ?
She looked up at him and gave him a faint smile. She saw him biting his lips, she must have been very ugly after crying so much.
- I would never have found a beautiful girl after she cried, but Prani, no matter what the situation, you are so beautiful.
- Liar.
- I have many faults, but lying is not one of them. I'm sorry I didn't answer you, but when it comes to you, I have a split personality.
Rey let himself go on the back of the seat and took her hand without looking at it.
- I'm not perfect, but I think I've been patient enough to give you time to get used to the idea that I want you in my life and to be part of yours.
Pranati was going to answer, but Rey shook his head to prevent him from answering.
- I know you have your reservations, but with you I have always been honest. So when I ask you if you still see me as a friend knowing that I'm not, why do you run away ?
Pranati lowered her head, she couldn't confess to him all that had kept her from telling him the truth. This terrible truth that would change their lives, or simply her life.
- I promise to be faithful to you, I can do this for you. I've told you since I saw you, the other girls don't exist anymore, so have a little faith in me.
****
He had spent the week thinking about how to get her to change her mind about him. He didn't know what could make him want to be with her so much, but Pranati's innocence and presence filled a void that he had never identified until now.
He let go of his hand and raised his chin to look into his own.
- If you want me to reassure you one way or another I'm willing to do it, just give me a chance," he pleaded again.
- You're more than a friend Rey, I think... no, I'm sure I love you.
Rey's heart lost a beat before it began to beat fast. He had been waiting for this moment for so long that he felt as if time had stood still.
- Are you sure ? he asked.
- Yes Rey, yes.
He placed his forehead on his own and let out a sigh.
- Happy birthday, Prani, you gave me a present when it's my turn to give you one.
He heard her laugh softly. What he loved about her laughter, for him it was a victory to hear it.
- The surprise I wanted to give you started off badly ! Pranati Mishra you always make me lose my way. So let's start from the beginning.
He took a scarf out of his pocket and tied it to his eyes. He had had to threaten his little brothers not to say anything, but he knew they would keep it closed, and then his friend Dilsher had done most of the work.
Rey helped Pranati out of the vehicle and guided her to the entrance. He nodded to Pranati's best friend, Swara, he had also had to confide in her, for the first time in his life he had felt like hitting a girl. He still didn't know if she would remain a good friend to Pranati in the future, but he knew that she would always be a thorn in his side.
Arriving in the middle of the room with the lights off, he took off the blindfold and everyone shouted "surprise". Pranati surprised and happy laughed and cried for a few minutes.
She thanked everyone, but never left her side.
She cut his cake and offered him the first bite, although he didn't like sweets to please her he bit a small piece and then waved him off to have a good time.
He always kept an eye on her. He couldn't help himself.
- Reyansh Khurana is in love, said one of his friends.
He looked at him with irritation and told him to be quiet.
Dilsher's only friend, whom he allowed to say what he was thinking, gave him a meaningful glance. He still remembered their conversation...
"- Rey, this girl is not like the others, you know how middle-class girls don't play with her.
- Who says I want to play ?
- Since when have you been serious ?
- I just hadn't found a girl that made me want to stay faithful to her for two minutes.
- I'm just telling you to be careful.
- Are you his father or what ? asked Rey with irritation. "
His friend hadn't pushed the conversation, but he could still see his reservations in his eyes.
He himself did not know why he wanted Pranati in his life, so how could he justify himself to others ?
Edited by ReadLo - 3 years ago
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