Kajol kept moving the food in her plate back and forth with her fork in boredom when she was at lunch with Shahrukh
'is something wrong with the food?' Shahrukh asked
'no, I think I suddenly lost my appetite' she said uneasily pushing the plate away 'I wasn't ready for them to come back' she blew
'I understand'
'I don't hate my parents Shahrukh'
'of course you don't. Why are you explaining this to me?' he asked calmly
'I don't know, I am in a very bad mood' she frowned and rest her back to the chair
'calm down, I am here for you' he said reassuringly holding her hand 'do you want to go to the cinema tonight?'
'nice idea, I hope this distracts me' she said with half a smile
'did anyone annoy you at college?'
Kajol giggled and nodded in denial 'no, don't worry'
He laughed 'they would think a thousand times before they even think of saying something that might annoy you after what happened yesterday'
'I haven't seen her today. Thank god I am graduating after a few...' Kajol said then stopped 'Amira didn't tell us what happened with Abhishik!'
'uff I completely forgot'
'gosh, they have to do something' she said furiously 'Abhishik has to say no even if things didn't work between him and Amira'
'what do you mean?'
'I mean that we need to talk to him. Don't worry, we won't beg him to fight for your sister but we will ask him to fight this marriage, I don't love him and so does he. That's the point we missed'
Shahrukh sighed heavily 'I am not defending him, but if he had a solution he would stick to it and relieve us from that unending torture, but it seems like that he is helpless just like all of us'
'damn it' Kajol said closing her eyes in anger 'why everything is so complicated? Why life can't be simple?'
'I have been asking this question myself too for so long' he blew hopelessly 'what do you want to watch by the way? What kind of film?' he asked energetically
'I don't remember if I have ever mentioned this before to you but your sudden mood swings causes me headaches' she said in boredom and he laughed 'I am not sure, let's see what are the films released, I hope they are good anyway'
'good films or no good films, the company is what matters more' he said sweetly and she blushed
In the middle of the film, Kajol couldn't keep looking at the big screen; not because the film wasn't good but she just kept looking at Shahrukh eating popcorn and enjoying the film. She thought about how her life would be in the future with him, she feels like there are no worries in life when he is beside her. Shahrukh suddenly looked back at her to check if something is wrong, she shook her head in denial, rested it over his shoulder and took his arm.
After a while the lights were turned on for the intermission, Kajol raised her head and just kept looking at him.
'what is wrong sweetheart?' he asked kindly
'nothing is wrong, I am just looking at you' she replied calmly
'did I ever mention that you have the most beautiful eyes in the world?' he said sweetly
She lowered her gaze blushing then looked back up to him 'I am feeling so open and so vulnerable like I have never been'
'and I am feeling most comfortable and most cared for like I have never been' he replied smiling, then the lights switched off to continue the film 'that's way more romantic' he whispered to her and she giggled then started watching the film and eating from the popcorn he was holding.
'I will drive, it was a long day for you' she said when they went out of the cinema
'I really enjoyed it' he replied sweetly
'Has Preity forgotten all about us?' Arjit asked Rani in the morning at the table
'she texted me and told me that she is visiting us today at night with Saif after her comes back from work' Rani replied
Amira came in to the dining room rubbing her right eye 'good morning everyone' then she sat between Shahrukh and Kajol in her seat
'how come you are still here?' Shahrukh asked when he saw her still in the pajamas
'oh, I am surprised to see you here' she said gesturing at him and Kajol
'shut up' Kajol said coldly narrowing her eyes
'don't change the subject, why are you still here?' Shahrukh asked
'I am exhausted and I don't feel like going to college today' Amira replied 'you didn't answer my question'
'Kajol doesn't have early lectures today' Shahrukh explained
'unfortunately' Kajol said rolling her eyes
'what? Having breakfast with family is unpleasant now?' Poja asked in anger
'mom don't start' Kajol said furiously
'Poja please' Arjit said placing his palm over Poja's 'we will be attending a wedding tomorrow, did I tell you that?'
'whose wedding?'
'Salma's wedding'
'oh, your secretary and Jamal's daughter'
'yes'
'that's great' she said sweetly and looked at Kajol and Amira 'oh, by the way, I have some catalogs for you'
'the wedding is tomorrow, is it enough time to choose something?' Kajol scoffed 'dad why didn't you tell us earlier?'
'no, it is not for Salma's wedding. It is to choose dresses for your wedding. I want everything to be ready early' Poja said calmly still looking at Amira and Kajol
'why are you looking at me auntie?' Amira shrugged
'it is not only Kajol that I am planning her wedding, I decided that you too will get married at the same day, the pandit arranged everything and I found you a wonderful suitor'
'mom what is this nonsense?' Kajol felt lost
'maybe I didn't get the chance to tell you before, but I won't allow anyone to arrange my marriage' Amira said coldly to Poja
'dad say something!' Kajol said furiously
'one second now, everybody shut up!' Shahrukh shouted startling all of them 'what do you mean that you didn't get the chance to tell her before?' he asked Amira coldly pressing his teeth and she bit her tongue silently so he looked at Poja 'what are you trying to do?'
'planning a bright future for my daughter, and I didn't forget about your sister. I am removing that burden from your shoulders. You should thank me' Poja replied coldly
Amira pushed her chair back and left the room at once and Rani ran after her then Shahrukh stood up 'how dare you?' he asked Poja in disgust
'Shahrukh behave, you can't speak like this to the elder ones' Arjit said firmly
'stop saying that!' Shahrukh said angrily
'calm down my son' Arjit said kindly
'I am not your son, the only ones who could call me this way were my parents and they are dead, I am no one's son' Shahrukh yelled and stormed out of the room
'Poja why did....' Arjit tried to say
Poja interrupted 'Arjit don't start. I get blamed instead of thanked when I do something good to someone' she said angrily then looked at Kajol who was shedding tears 'why are you crying?'
'why do you hate me so much?' Kajol said sadly then asked Arjit 'why aren't you doing anything?'
Poja rolled her eyes 'do what? Kajol for god's sake, your father and me are doing this for your own sake, you will thank us later'
'I don't want anything from you mom, just leave me alone' Kajol said and left the room
'this is childish' Poja said and boredom pushing her plate
'Amira open the door' Rani said knocking, a few seconds and Shahrukh appeared next to her
'open the damn door Amira' he said shouting and knocking strongly over the door. Amira opened the door slowly and Shahrukh hugged her
'I am sorry' he said sadly
'don't be' she replied
He pulled back and made her sit down to a chair and at that moment Kajol and Rani came inside too.
'why didn't you tell me? When did she tell you that?' Shahrukh kneeled in front of her and asked blaming
'that day when I came to you at the office, when I told you she reminded me...'
He shushed her 'okay, you aren't obliged to continue'
'let's leave them alone' Rani whispered to Kajol and walked out with her
Amira looked back at Rani and Kajol leaving 'go to her, I am fine' she said and patted over Shahrukh's hand, he kissed her forehead and went out
'I am sure they hate me now' Kajol said sobbing and Rani hugged her
'don't be silly' Rani said reassuring 'it is not your fault'
'Kajol' Shahrukh called her but she kept hugging Rani 'look at me' he said kindly then he grabbed her arm and pulled her to his chest and she cried harder
'Now you are in good care' Rani said with a short smile and left
'I am sorry Shahrukh' Kajol said through her tears
'don't be stupid' he said blaming and rubbing her back
'I don't want to get married to Abhishik. I don't want to leave you' she said breathing heavily and he just hugged her hopelessly
'oh god! Did you become more silent after I left?' Preity said in boredom to everyone in the sitting room when they kept silent for a long time
'it is the end of the day Preity, not everyone is hyper active like you' Saif said coldly then looked at Shahrukh 'I need to have a word with you'
'sure' Shahrukh replied and both stood up and went out to go to the garden
'I can't go on. I need to get divorced' Saif said
'what the hell are you saying?' Shahrukh said closing the door of the house
'I can't stand this life, I won't do it anymore'
'you can't stand doing what? Being a man?' he said through his teeth
'you won't tell me what to do with my life. I am not taking permission from you, I am just informing you'
'why are you so irresponsible?'
'try to understand me, this is not me and this isn't my life. This marriage is a big problem'
Shahrukh smirked 'problem? What do you know about problems? Have you ever faced a problem before? A big NO. You are an idiot Saif, you have everything!'
'oh, are you being envious?' Saif asked playfully
'yes I am being envious. You are rich, you have parents and a woman that loves you so much that she can die for you' Shahrukh yelled
Saif scoffed 'well I hope she really dies, I will be glad'
Shahrukh formed a fist and was about to punch Saif but strangely Saif smiled 'you won't do this'
'you are such a b*stard' Shahrukh said in disgust
'I may be the devil himself, but Preity isn't an angel too' Saif shrugged 'let's go back to them or it would be strange' he said casually and went back towards the house.
'Preity are you okay? Do you take care of your health?' Rani asked her sweetly
Preity nodded 'yes Rani, I am great'
'Rani was so worried about you' Kajol said
'why do you have to be worried about me? I am fine' Preity replied in boredom
'really?' haven't you looked at your face in the mirror? And you lost weight; do you think this is normal?' Amira asked
'why do you keep asking me questions with this strange tone?' Preity asked through her teeth and started feeling angry 'I said I am absolutely fine, believe me'
'okay, fine. We will stop asking these questions, don't be angry' Kajol said kindly patting over her shoulder 'we were trying to start a conversation, that's all'
'sorry guys I didn't mean to act rude' Preity said apologizing
'it is fine, I can understand' Rani said calmly
Preity leaned and whispered to Kajol 'are you guys okay for real?'
'this morning wasn't an easy one' Kajol whispered back
'why?'
'mom didn't get tired of trying to make things work between us and the Bachchans, and she is setting up Amira's wedding also'
Preity gasped 'oh my god, that's too much'
'it is' Kajol said and sighed
'oh here they come' Preity said smiling when Shahrukh and Saif came back 'so how is the house without me, how much did you miss me?'
'we missed you a lot, it was you who was lighting up our house' Shahrukh said sweetly
'oh, how cute' Preity gave a big smile then spoke to Arjit 'see uncle, that means that he missed me a lot, otherwise he would say no we didn't and try to tease me like he always do' she said and Arjit laughed
'you have always been like cat and mouse' Arjit said giggling 'please come a lot Preity'
'I will come a lot I promise; I don't want to miss anything. I will try to make time in between my responsibilities as a married woman' she said playfully and they laughed
'are coming to the wedding tomorrow?' Poja asked
'yeah sure' Preity said
'I am ready to do it. Would you? It is a real test for our relationship. You asked me to fight for you and here I am. Yes Abhishik, this is the only way out, we have to run away or we will be stuck forever with people we don't love'
Abhishik just stood there looking at her silently, Amira gave a half smile then smirked 'I thought so' she took a deep breath, closed her eyes then opened them 'get out of my car' she said but Abhishik kept looking at her feeling lost
'get out' she screamed and he silently got off her car
'are you okay?' Shahrukh whispered to Amira who was absentminded, she flinched then she just nodded silently but he wasn't convinced 'I don't believe you'
'I am absolutely fine' she said calmly then cleared her throat 'Auntie!' she called
'yes?' Poja asked
'I think I need to take a look at the catalogues'
Shahrukh rolled his eyes in boredom 'not again' as he thought she is still following Kajol's plan and she is cooking something
'I don't understand, we aren't speaking about Salma's wedding, I hope I am not mistaken?'
'no it is not Salma's wedding, we are speaking about my wedding'
'what!' Shahrukh asked feeling confused
'what changed your mind?' Poja asked shrugging
'I thought about it wisely putting feelings away and made my decision' Amira replied
'what about Abhishik?' Poja asked raising an eyebrow sarcastically
Amira sighed 'he also thought wisely and took the right decision, don't worry auntie' she replied calmly
'I hope you learn from your cousin' Poja said smiling to Kajol feeling victorious
Amira held Shahrukh's hand gently 'they raised us, took care of us so they won't take any decision to harm us'
Shahrukh pulled his hand from hers 'you have to stop this nonsense right now' he said impatiently
'trust me, they don't hate us. She wants the best for me, she will just make me meet people and choose the best one, and there will be no pressure' she smiled and looked at Poja 'right auntie?'
'of course sweetheart, as I said before, you are my daughter too' Poja said sweetly
She looked back at Shahrukh again 'see?'
Shahrukh stood up and so did she 'if this is a sick prank please stop it Amira, this isn't funny at all. What the hell are you doing?' he asked furiously and placed his palms to his hips then looked at Kajol 'why are you watching silently you too?'
Kajol tried to find her voice 'I am shocked as much as you'
'Shahrukh this isn't a way to hold a conversation, there are many ways to find a solution and fix things up' Arjit said kindly trying to calm Shahrukh down
'a solution for what? She made up her mind to what is the best for her and her future, he needs to give her a chance to make even one decision on her own Arjit' Poja said
'are you happy now?' Shahrukh asked Amira coldly
'that is what is best for me Shahrukh' Amira said barely whispering and looked down
'Congratulations. Shaadi Mubarak' Shahrukh said coldly and went out of the room
Amira looked back at Rani, Saif, Preity and Kajol to find any support but all looked dumbstruck until Saif broke the silence 'I think it is time to say good night' he stood up and gestured to Preity to do so.
'I will call back to check on all of you okay?' Preity whispered to Rani and walked away with Saif
'Rani, please take me to my room' Kajol said faintly
'Kajol, I am sorry' Amira said
'Rani, she is sorry. Isn't that good enough?' Kajol said sarcastically
'I don't think it is a suitable time to have a conversation' Rani said calmly
'there will be no suitable time for us to speak to this selfish girl' Kajol said and held Rani's hand to stand up
'Kajol please..'
'don't speak to me or ever say my name again' Kajol shouted 'Rani please take me away before I lose my temper'
'fine' Rani said and walked away with her arm around Kajol's waist
Arjit blew in boredom 'good night' he said and left the room
Poja rolled her eyes then stood up and went towards Amira 'good job sweetheart' she said and kissed her cheek 'congratulations' Amira replied with half a smile and left the room
Rani was coming out of Kajol's room when she saw Amira coming to her way, she was heading to Kajol's room but Rani stopped her and held her ear
'ouch, Rani what are you doing?' Amira said in pain
'what are you doing? Have you gone mad? Preity and now you? What a great family I have!'
'will you leave my ear and talk like adults?'
'really? Did you talk like adults with us before taking your decision?'
'Rani!' Amira screamed out of pain
'okay sorry' Rani said and left her ear
'I need to speak to Kajol' Amira said rubbing her ear in pain, she tried to come in but Rani stood in her way, whenever she tries to move she finds her in her way
'move it Rani'
'now is not the best time'
'Rani please I beg you'
'fine, I will come in with you'
'no, I need to talk to her alone'
'I give up, do whatever you want Amira, you are a big girl and you don't listen to anybody, aren't you?' Rani said coldly and left, Amira opened the door and came in.
'Shahrukh please I am not in the mood to talk about anything' Kajol said when she was sleeping over her bed
'there is no need to talk, all you need is to listen' Amira said and stood at her bed
Kajol looked at her, stood up and headed towards her and 'how dare you come to my room? Why did you have to spoil everything in the first place? Tell me why you are so selfish and stupid?'
'Kajol listen to me then do whatever you want'
'what stops me from killing you now is my love to your brother' she shouted and pushed her away 'why are you here anyway? It is your brother who you should be trying to fix things with after you let him down'
'I asked Abhishik to run away with me and he abandoned me'
'you did what?' Kajol shouted
'what you heard is right'
'I don't understand anything' Kajol felt lost
Amira went towards the bed and sat down, then patted over the mattress for Kajol asking her to come and sit down and she did 'I met Abhishik and asked him to run away and save our so called "love" because he said I don't fight for him; but it was easy for him to say so. I tried to do my best and save everything but mama's boy didn't help at all and thanks to him he made me put my heart under my shoe and use my brain'
Kajol rolled her eyes 'you don't have one Amira' she said and Amira slapped her arm jokingly
'so, was it proper to go to Shahrukh first and tell him about the run-away plan that failed? Was it proper to go to him first anyway? Do you think he will be able to listen to me?' she asked raising an eyebrow 'I am not scared of Shahrukh, Kajol. I just can't speak to him at the very moment and that's why I chose to speak to my best friend first'
'Abhishik sucks' Kajol said and held Amira's hand 'I am so sorry for you,that must be hard for you'
'whatever'
'but that doesn't mean that you listen to mom and ruin your future'
'can we talk about this later? Just go and speak to Shahrukh'
Kajol sighed 'I will go now, I will come to you when I finish'
'great, I will be in my room' she said and both went out of the room. Kajol walked in the corridor until she reached Shahrukh's room, knocked the door twice then came in.
Kajol found Shahrukh sitting on the floor in his balcony looking at the sky, she tiptoed towards him and hugged him from the back that he flinched 'don't be scared, it is me' Kajol giggled, then she sat in front of him.
'your mood is surprisingly good' Shahrukh said raising an eyebrow
'not completely of course, but when I wanted to feel better I knew where to go' she said and held his hand 'I won't fear anything as long as I know that you are by my side' she said and he gave her the sweetest smile and kissed her hand. Kajol cleared her throat and spoke again 'your sister came to me'
'oh really? Why did she come to you? To choose the colors for her dress together?'
'Abhishik broke up with her'
'what?'
'Yes, that's why she is behaving like this. She is not the enemy but he is, Shahrukh'
'is she scared of me? Why didn't she come to me?'
'of course not; Shahrukh she isn't scared of you, but it was a girly talk, if your mother was alive she would speak to her first in this case, you have no idea how she is feeling right now, gosh I hate Abhishik'
'oh my god' he said sadly 'so we are back at the starting point'
'unfortunately' she said squeezing his hand 'we are in this war alone Shahrukh, nobody is by our side or can help us. We only have each other' she said and he hugged her.
Amira was pacing her room nervously waiting for Kajol to come back and tell her how things went with her brother, she prayed she could calm him down a bit. Suddenly the door opened.
'how did things go?' Amira asked when the door was opened but it wasn't Kajol who entered the room; it was Shahrukh.