Swayam trotted down the stairs and directly went to Taani's room to pick her up for college. When the door didn't open after knocking thrice, he peeped in to check on her. But the room sat empty. "Are Swayam baba… Taani beti toh college ke liye nikal chuki hai… usne bola ki apko batadu…" Kaka who came with few parcels to place in Taani's room sought Swayam and informed him. "Itni jaldi? Lekin…." Never did Swayam and Taani went together to college except for one or two times. But today, it was different. He was extremely concerned for her. He wanted to be with her if at all something serious happened at college. After all the public humiliation she faced, it's obvious people would talk about it. And that disturbed him. He wondered what got into Taani. Normally, she wouldn't leave her room in such situations and now, she directly walked into the cage. "Ha …baba… Taani bitiya ne bola ki uska Toda kaam reh Gaya... Aur isiliye wo jaldi nikal gayi…" Kaka filled him more. Kaam? NDC was over. They had won. And it was all because of her struggle and support, mainly. Then what else work did she had to go so early in the morning? "Teek hai… Kaka... Mein… chalta Hoon" Swayam would go and find out. Before he reached out, his cell buzzed with a message. He scanned the notification and smiled at the sender name.
Hey Swayam,
Hope you are fine.😁 I have some good news to share with you. Our institute in London wants to collaborate with students from college. And guess what?🤔St. Louis has been opted to trail out😛 I'm coming back to India very soon… probably even sooner than I expect😬 It's been so long, I haven't seen you all….😌 I can't wait to meet you🤗 See you soon…..
******
Taani sat in a conference room preparing Excel sheets of few things. She came early to the college so that she could complete the unfinished business and submit it to VP. Her thoughts were going back and forth to all the recklessness happened yesterday. She knew tantrums would be thrown at her. She was ready to face it. She was more than happy to let everyone know that she couldn't be condemned by anyone's view on her.
Since it was already 9 AM, the college would start sooner. So, she took printouts and left the room. As she walked in the corridors of the college, students were huddled in groups as normal. She breathed a sigh of relief when no one noticed her. When she just thought everyone have forgotten the past events, it wasn't over so soon.….
"Kaisi ladki hai yaar ye… Iski kudka BF uskesaath breakup karliya because she wants to be a housewife" two of the girls chuckled.
"Rey deserves better" a guy scoured her from bottom to top disgustingly.
"Koi bi ladki itni desperate kaise ho sakte hai…yaar" one more girl from the other huddle bobbed her head in pity.
Taani's hands fisted automatically. She clenched her teeth. If she thought she didn't care, she was absolutely wrong. It prickled her heart like never before. She had an experience of this kind of brutality by students in this city. Still, that experience was never enough to accept the hurt it created mentally. Tears consumed but she pushed back forcefully. She wouldn't waste a drop of tear in the name of these bullies. Few words is all it took to shut them. But Taani wasn't going to argue. She would answer them in their own way.
"Itna sab kuch hone ke baad bi… ye kaise…." A guy started to continue the nonsense but someone wasn't going to let them complete him.
"Enough" Sharon stood with the gang (excluding ReYam). The guy who was blabbering stopped at her order. Sharon gazed Taani and unknown guilt chewed her back. She was also a part of trouble in Taani's paradise.
"Koi chup Karne se Sach jhoot nahi ho jayega" one of the mean girl wasn't afraid to surpass Sharon's order.
"Ab ap sabka bolna hogaya toh... Mein jaau…" it was Taani this time. She clearly looked miffed and irritated more than angry. When her own people had backstabbed her, she snapping at them didn't made sense. Everyone looked at her in wonder. They were sure not expecting Taani to be so calm and composed. Sharon was surprised. And others among the gang murmered in low voice. Without waiting for an answer or a taunt from anyone, Taani walked away without giving a damn.
"Aaj Taani bahut alag dik rahi haina?" Neha looked at everyone in the gang. "Ha yaar… She upgraded her clothes… bag… waise bahut cute lag rahi hai… in that baggyfit jeans and button up shirt.… Also…did you just check her bag… Desi handbag is converted to the latest backpack…." Rinni stopped in mid sentence looking at the glaring faces of the gang.
"Alag ka Matlab uska outfit nahi… Rinni..." Simmi slapped on her head. "Lekin ye toh aaj uska Taanigiri bi nahi Kar rahi hai…" Nil giggled. "Ha… warna ek stick laake sabiko maar deti…" Vicky clapped his hand. "Like Hume lecture deti haina humesha" Bharath caressed his hat. "Guys… stop it…" Sharon was shocked to see the behaviour of gang. "Taani means something to Swayam and Rey… at least wo sochke aap ye sab nahi bolte…"
"itne din Wahi toh Kar rahe the na hum, Sharon" Simmi interfered. "Simmi, tu bi? Don't forget ki Taani nahi hoti toh hum NDC mein entry Tak nahi lete" Neha added. "Exactly…" Sharon crossed her hands. "Lekin humari mehnat se hum jeete hai…" Nil was angry. "I can't believe…" Sharon was shell shocked at her people. "Guys, I don't know what's your problem with Taani. But don't be so harsh on her. She is coping with her break up right now…" It bothered Sharon to explain them, as they were adamant. "Lekin Rey toh uske liye hi ye sab Kiya na, Sharon… Ab jab wo usase maafi maang Raha hai… iska attitude toh deko" Vicky's words were right down rude. Before Sharon could give them one more lecture, she received a call from VP. She knew what went wrong with Rey and Taani. She wasn't going to judge her. Right now, she wanted to be with her BF & BFF. They needed her. But that has to wait. They were summoned and she wouldn't let Rey or Swayam to stay back. They would come with her.
******
"You guys maybe wondering why did I assemble all of you in the early morning… right?" VP spoke as the D3 gang(including Rey and Swayam) entered the room.
"Yes, sir…" Sharon answered as none replied.
"Well, I have a news to share. But… where's Taani?" VP foraged among them.
"May I come in, sir" Taani took the exact moment to make her presence.
Rey who stood in a sulked face, looked up immediately. His face did lit up as she walked into the room. She maintained a 10 step distance from the group and focused on VP. She didn't even look at him. Or any of them. And that maimed him badly. He knew, he had messed up everything between them. He was stubborn to win her over but his yesterday's actions killed the slightest chance he had. When he had gone to her house, she didn't wish to meet or talk to him. But when he was drenched in rain and immovable, she came for him. She even drained his wet hair. But that's the only good thing happened. She said it on his face to leave her alone. She was so broken and devastated at his actions, her every tear reflected in him. Her every inch of sorrow succumbed him too. He tried to convince her but her words arraigned all his thought process behind the fake break up. She had forgiven him. But he wanted more which she denied to give. He could finally understand what made her to not forget what he did. His ideology of this dramatic plan had shattered both of them. He thought he was being selfless only to realize how selfish his intentions were. She may don't want him. But he wanted her. He wanted her more than anything in his life. Never once he thought he could love someone so passionately until Taani walked into his life rooting deeper in his veins. Her love was unconditional for him. But he had smashed her fragile emotions. Though he had no idea of to convince her, he wouldn't give up on her. He will try everything in his boundary or out of the boundary to win her love back. It may delay a little, but he didn't care. He may even wait for her to accept him however longer it took. This time, he would make sure to never let her down.
"Taani… Tum bi aa gayi ho… toh mein Bata Deta hun … well, London dance institute is sending a representative to St. Louis." VP announced waiting for them to inhale the news. "Not just St. Louis but many other colleges including. This is the perfect opportunity for you guys to build a professional team of your dance group. It may help you in future to open your own academy. But the thing is, you guys have to defeat all other colleges in the international competition conducted year later. Only then, you will have the access to fly free on your wings to achieve your dreams"
Gang cheered as each other hugged in happiness. Rey too looked slightly happy with the news. It was a jackpot if the gang utilised it properly. As swayam released Rey from a hug, he caught Taani's eye. She immediately averted her gaze. She was happy for them. But she knew, they didn't appreciate her involvement in it. They wouldn't even thank her if she congratulated them. And she didn't wanted the unnecessary mocking by them. She overheard the brief conversation between the gang and Sharon just before few minutes. And that cleared what she wanted to know. She wouldn't be a burden to them. She was better off from them.
"And Taani… now your responsibility will be doubled. You got to check with the…" VP was aware of Taani's hard work in her GS duties. "Sir… I can't…." Taani response stopped him. And that shushed everyone. Suddenly everyone concentrated on her. VP gazed her in confusion. "I'm resigning to my GS position." She declared.
Note:
Hey guys, hope you liked the chapter. I have a plot ready for the story. But I want to hear your suggestions. Please let me know what kind of profession you want to see Taani in(Which she have scope to make it being in the college) the story. Also, any new characters you want to see... You can write down the names... Girl or boy... I will include them...
Thank you
Love - Asha