(Play the song while you read it for better experience in reading the first scene)
Music began in the background. Rithwik's one hand held Taani's waist while he extended the other hand for her. She hung back for a while but placed her hand on his while the other hand landed on his shoulder.
Dekha hazaron dafa aapko
Phir beqarari kaisi hai
Sambhale sambhalta nahi ye dil
Kuch aap mein baat aisi hai
Rithwik's eyes deposited on Taani's face. Her eyes… her cheeks… her lips… and the perfect curves of her jaw. His gaze roamed all over her capturing her beauty in his vision. Her skin gleamed. He had looked at her all the time yet there was something so attractive in her which ensnared him in her web.
Lekar ijazat ab aap se
Saansein ye aati jaati hain
Dhoondhe se milte nahi hain hum
Bas aap hi aap baaki hain
Taani lifts her eyes up and smiled at him. He reciprocates it with even wider one. Having her looking at him seized his breathe in a different tune. His eyes wouldn't leave her even if he willed to detach his gaze from her.
Pal bhar na doori sahein aap se
Betaabiyan yeh kuch aur hain
Hum door hoke bhi paas hain
Nazdeekiyan yeh kuch aur hain
He had less hope of her affect on him. But his feelings were twisting and occupying him. Pleasant cobble wobbbles danced in his stomach as her hand slipped down a bit and replaced back close to his neck.
Dekha hazaro dafaa aapko
Phir beqarari kaisi hai
Sambhale sambhalta nahi ye dil
Kuch pyar mein baat aisi hai
Kriya stared at Rey as she danced with him. She had waited a year long for this. This moment. And now her heart wouldn't stop anymore. There was a power in her love. He gave her a tight smile. But his gaze narrowed somewhere else.
Aagosh mein hai jo aapki
Aisa sukoon aur paaye kahan
Aankhen humein ye raas aa gayi
Ab hum yahan se jaaye kahan
Taani smiled but her heart was tracking to look at someone else. She was in Rithwik's hold but she found Rey keeping her in place. She looked behind Rithwik to catch Rey staring at her already. Both of them wanted to be with each other yet they were apart in someone's embrace.
Dekha hazaron dafa aapko
Phir beqarari kaisi hai
Sambhale sambhalta nahi ye dil
Kuch pyar mein baat aisi hai
Mmm.. hmm..
Phir beqarari kaisi hai
Mmm.. hmm..
Kuch pyar mein baat aisi hai…
Rey's heart would explode if Taani tortures him anymore. He felt something heavy on him. Pain. His heart wasn't listening. He craved for her. His eyes wouldn't leave her. And his love for her did all the unexpected things.
******
"Rey… mujhe tumse kuch baat karna hai…" Swayam excused Kriya and Rey's dance. Swayam had to talk to him. Or else the situation would worsen. Kriya reluctantly left Rey and went back to join Wahi who stood alone drinking coke at the table.
"Kya hai, Swayam?" Rey was unsure of his emergency. He was also bit irritated for pulling him out as he was catching glimpses of Taani.
"What the hell are you doing, Rey?" Swayam crossed his hands across his chest.
"Ab meine Kya Kiya" Rey looked at him in surprise.
"Rey… tum Kriya ke saath…." Swayam struggled to finish the sentence.
"Wo… wo… Swayam…" Rey was quick enough to guess his concern. "Kriya ne mujhe dance ke liye pucha ta?"
"Kal tak toh tum Kriya ka muh bi nahi dekna chahta ta… ab suddenly dance Kar rahe ho uske saath" Swayam was stern.
Rey remembered not telling him about him and Kriya. Then he explained everything happened at his house. Swayam sighed in relief only to be back to square, once again.
"Wo sab toh teek hai Rey… lekin tumne Kriya se Taani ke baare mein baat ki?" Swayam's question threw him off balance.
"Oh …" Rey hadn't told either Kriya or Taani about each other.
"Rey mujhe Sach Sach Bata ki… tu kisase pyaar karta hai?" Swayam was crossing a line here. But he didn't care unless he was sure about his sister's happiness.
"Swayam… tum… mujhpe shak Kar rahe ho?" Rey was blown away.
"Deko Rey… Mein deka hu ki tum Kriya ko kitna pasand karta ta…" Swayam started. Rey glared at him but he didn't budge under his hard look. "Lekin mein ye bi deka hu ki tum Taani ko lekar kitna Pagal ho Gaye ho…. I just need to understand you are sure about my sister, right?"
"Of course, Swayam… Tum jaanti ho ki mein Taani se kitna Pyaar karta hun… and how can you even…." He was aggravated. "Yahi baat Kriya ka… yes I did liked her once… but that was in past, Swayam. She's just my past. Aur Mera present and future is only Taani. I love her damnit… Just because Kriya ab wapas aa gayi hai… mein uske paas wapas nahi jaunga… I don't have any feelings towards her, Swayam. And about this dance, I just joined her to make Taani jealous"
Swayam exhaled in reassurance even though he had known this throughout. He just wanted to hear him out. "Tu sachmein itna fattu kaise ho sakta hai?" He snickered.
"Ab tum mujhpe has rahe ho? Chal Kya Raha hai Tera dimag mein?" Rey was fretting.
"Yahi ki… yaha tum Taani ko jealous feel karwane pe tuli ho Aur wo waha tumko jalane ki koshish Kar rahi hai…" he told him clearly.
"Really?" Rey's lips tipped up in surprise. "Isiliye bola… tu itna fattu kab ban Gaya..." Rey's smile widened. "Lekin ek aur problem hai, Rey" Swayam wasn't over yet.
"Tumhe Kriya ko Taani aur tumhare baare mein baatana padega… kahi wo ye na soche ki tum aaj bi usase pyaar Kar rahe ho… and ha…" before Rey could intervene, he continued saying "Lekin sabse pehle Tum Taani se Bat karoge…" Rey was nonplussed at Swayam's open talk about her sister. He usually hated to meddle as his possessiveness evaded from him always with boys in Taani's life. "Aur abi jaake usko Sach batana hai…" Swayam insisted.
"Swayam.. ye tu hi haina… sach mein…" Rey checked his forehead out of the amazement. Swayam tried hard to hold back a laugh.
"Rey… right now… Mera posessiveness kuch kaam nahi ayega… yes…it's difficult for me to do all this… but Meri behen aur best friend ki kushi mujhe sabse import hai… n isiliye jao abi Jake Taani se is baare Mein baat Karo... Wo tumhe bahut sunayegi… lekin toda shnati se sambalo….. you cannot expect her to come in terms with you just by you saying the truth... Still… atleast tujhe koshish to karna padega… instead of playing these silly jealous tricks…" he warned. "I just want you both happy…"
Rey blushed hard. "Ab itna bi udo mat… aur ha sirf baat karne ke liye bol Raha hun… aur kuch dimag mein hain toh, yahi is jagah hi nikalkar jao… I'll keep watch on you" Swayam apprised. That made Rey laugh out loud and blush even harder. Swayam too laughed along with him, patting his back.
******
"Attention everyone" Surbhi knocked a fork on glass making a loud sound. All the students in the hall surrounded her including gang (except TaaRey). Even Sharon had came. Surbhi stood alone in the center.
"Aaj freshmen party hai… aur Hume is mauke ko aur ache se celebrate Karne ke liye ek dance face off toh banta haina…" Surbhi rustled. People around her cheered in 'yes… yes…yes…'
"Toh aap ready ho, Sharon?" Surbhi stood in front of Sharon challenging her. Karan, Wahi and Rithwik exchanged anxious glance between them. They weren't aware of Surbhi's any plan.
"As always…" Sharon stepped into the center. Swayam hurried towards her but sharon stopped him. "Wo apna jhund ko saath mein nahi lekar aa rahe ho?" Surbhi mocked.
"Tumhe apni aukat dikane ke liye… mujhe Mera jhund ka zarurat nahi hai… I'm alone enough… get ready to lose…" Sharon mocked back.
Karan, Wahi and Rithwik looked angry at Sharon's words. But at the same time it was Surbhi who started it and she was wrong too. And they knew very well that Surbhi would never do something so insulting unless the opposite one has provoked her to do so or only if she had a valid reason. Also, they knew how good Surbhi was when it came to dance. They were petrurbed for Sharon, honestly.
"Well, then… let's see…" Surbhi threw a cunning smile.
******
As soon as Rey was away from Swayam, he directly went in search of Taani. He heard the commotion in the hall but he was too busy to pay any heed. Students were gathering at the center hall and it was the best choice for him to find Taani and talk to her. As he walked hiding from everyone, he caught Taani walking up on the staircase. He slowly followed her.
Taani was searching for VP to ask him permission for her to work in a part time job at evenings. Though it wasn't necessary she wanted no hurdles. So she thought of informing him and to make him understand. It was the right time that he wouldn't question her further. And maybe if luck favored her, he would be glad that she did whatever she was doing. So, she ignored the party at down and went to VP's room to check for him. But she didn't find him in the cabin. She bobbed her head around to see whether he stayed in the corridors… mainly watching and observing the students... So she walked until the dead end of the floor but she didn't find him. And all of a sudden, her hand was pulled into a room, closing the door. She screeched as the darkness in the room hit her.
******
(Play the music while reading for better experience)
Music fired into live. Sharon and Surbhi took their places against each other. Sharon hit off with the tight notes synching her body to the beats. Her hands moved, legs stretched and her whole body swayed. A loud cheers from the gang and students erupted as she landed with her legs stretched on the floor.
Surbhi took of the next beats of the music flawlessly. She did locking, popping and animated robotics with perfection. It was a deadly combination maestring three forms of dances. Gang looked whiplashed as Surbhi's body bent like a spring. Students cheers were even louder than before. Kriya smiled knowingly. She warned them not to indulge with the best one. Swayam's mouth opened. He was sure not seeing this. He was partial towards Sharon but his partiality couldn't conceal that opposite girl's talent. Surbhi stretched one of her leg forward letting Sharon to continue her beats.
Sharon quivered just for freaking seconds. But she buckled up. Though she was the best in contemporaries and locking, popping… watching Surbhi perform robotics undid her. Yet she didn't hold back. "Sharon… Sharon.." gang hooted. Vicky, Nil and Simmi too called out encouragingly. Though they weren't in talking terms, dance came first. Desi music was played and Sharon was a pro in classic and semi classical dance. So she occupied the centre with full force. Her mudras and expressions were phenomenal.
The Desi music tuned into two beats with little slower beats, Sharon performed and as the tunes lauded Surbhi joined in. If people thought Sharon did the best, they were so wrong. Because Surbhi's feet and hands didn't leave a beat. She performed along with Sharon. Both were unstoppable. As the remix beats ascended, both twirled and twirled. None were going to stop. And then…. All of a sudden, Sharon's leg slipped and she fell down. Swayam and gang sucked in. Heavy jeers stopped. And a pindrop silence occupied. Karan, Wahi and Rithwik felt really bad for Sharon though they were happy to see that Surbhi clearly won. Surbhi continued the twirls around her for the 25th time, finally stopping in front of her.
Surbhi was clearly not over yet. She bent looking straight at Sharon. "Kisiko neecha dikane se pehle, kudka aine Mein jagkar dekna seeko…."
******
"Shhhh" Rey put his finger around Taani's mouth as she started screaming. His touch. Oh gods... His one touch… was so familiar to her. Suddenly, her body reacted. It flickered alive. But, what in the hell was he doing? And why was she reacting to him so shamelessly? She jerked his hand and poked a finger at his chest.
"Aap… aap ye Kya Kar rahe ho, Rey?" She blazed in pique. He opened his mouth but she didn't let him to talk. "Aise mujhe yaha lekar aana… wo bi Bina mere permission ke….aap aapko samajte kya ho, Rey?" Her words were all around the room.
"Meri baat toh suno… Taani" Rey was trying hard to make her listen to him. "Kyun sunu mein? Kyun?" She was roaring. And drastically someone opened the door. Since Rey and Taani were just near the door, as the door opened Rey was forcefully pushed into Taani. And both stumbled back onto the wall.
Rey's figure plastered onto Taani and vice versa. Her hands were on both sides of his shoulder while his hands just covered back of her head hitting the wall. And the whole atmosphere suddenly changed. Temperature increased and both felt burning hot. Rey's cheeks grazed her. And she closed her eyes at the unanticipated contact. He closed his eyes as he pulled his hand from her back and placed on either side of the wall. Door was still open but they were hidden. Taani's breathing increased and Rey's lips quivered at being so intimate to her. Their wasn't even a air gap between their bodies. Taani's hands moved down at his chest. Her fingers involuntarily caressed his bare skin at the top button of his shirt which was open. His hairs ruffled her forehead and his breath mixed with hers. She fisted her hand on his shirt in a daze. All the resentment… all the hurt was bottled up far away at that moment. She just welcomed the closeness with him. "Taani…" his voice was hoarse and nerve-wracking. His gaze fell on her closed eyes. She opened her eyes slowly inhaling his face so close for the first time after several days. A lock of hair fell on her face and he wounded it around his finger, slipping it behind her ear. She just watched his movements. He searched her eyes. And in that moment she was his Taani. The girl he loved. The girl he dreamed. The girl he wanted. The girl he needed.
The door closed unexpectedly pulling them out of their trance. And someone locked the door from outside. Rey and Taani looked at each other and immediately pounced on the door asking to open it. But it was locked already and whoever it was had gone. There was no lingering presence of anyone. Until then, they weren't even aware of the place they stood.
"Aap humesha sab kuch galat kyun karte ho, Rey?" Taani blasted on him, all her previous softness gone. Damn… he had dragged her into this. Rey saddened at her tone. He really wanted to speak to her. And not fight for once. But she was adamant to get back at him. Gone was all the fire he had witnessed before seconds. "Abi deko… aap yaha mujhe itni andere mein lekar aake bitadiya…. Aur door bi lock hai…" surprisingly, she was frustrated at herself. Because she was all into him before seconds. Rey drifted further away from her and suddenly lights flashed in the room. "Mein is andere Mein bi humesha tumhareliye roshni lekar kad hounga, Taani" He made sure she knew what he was up to. Her head jerked at him. He looked stoic but there was so much of confidence in his words. She opened her mouth but shut knowing she was better off quiet. Or else she would blabber some nonsense.
They were in store room of the college. Which had bunch of boxes… and games related stuff. It was filled with little space. Rey walked to her. He didn't care about the locked door. Fortunately it was for his best. Or else Taani would.run away from him again. He internally appreciated whoever had locked the door. "Mujhe tumse baat karnj hai, Taani… I'm sorry ki mein tumhare permission ke Bina mein tumhe yaha leke ayi hun… but it's important…"
She regarded him but didn't speak a word. Hence, he continued. "Mujhe nahi pata tum Kal Kriya ko mere saath dekake Kya samaj rahe ho…. Lekin…" now, Taani had enough...
"I heard how you both missed each other, Rey… Agar aap yaha Kriya ke saath phirse rehne ke liye mujhse permission lene ayi ho toh... Mein batadu…. Ki ye apki life hai… apko Jo chahiye wo Kar sakte hai… waise bi humara break up hogaya hai…."
Anger streaked on Rey's face at her words. "Tumhe sach mein lagta hai ki mein yaha tumhe ye batane ke liye lekar ayi hu?" He stepped forward into her personal space. It was no more her personal. He would show that to her. She knew she had Crossed a line but she wasn't going to stop at that.
"Ha… mujhe lagta hai… kyunki mein apni ankhon se deka aap usko kitna miss Kar rahi ti…"
"Taani…. Tum… tum galat samaj rahe ho… Mein Kriya se pyaar karta ta ek time mein... Lekin ab nahi… ye baat tum bi jaante ho achi tarikese"
"Kya pata? Ab wo aa gayi hai toh aap phirse usko shayad chahoge… Wo apka pehla pyaar ta… aur wo ladki toh bahut modern hai, Rey… she's well educated, well dressed, have ambitions and above everything Dance ko utna hi pyaar karti hai jitna aap karte ho… And she's perfect for you... Meri tarah nahi jo bina kuch dreams ki rehti…." Her words were laced with the damage he had done.
Though he was furious at her words, he understood where it came from. Taani wasn't mocking him. She instead depleted herself for being not his choice and according to his wish. And that killed him. He never wanted this. He never wished Taani to go through this kind of self assessment.
"Taani… tum jitna baar chahoge utna baar tumse maafi mangunga… aur Tum Jo bi kahogi mein wo karunga… lekin please… mujhe ek mauka do… ki mein ye sab teek karu… Please Taani..." He literally pleaded. "Aur tum jaisa soch rahi ho waisa kuch nahi hai, Taani. Jabse tum Meri Zindagi mein ayi ho… Mein sirf tumhare baare mein socha hu…. Tumse pyaar Kiya hu… aur karta rahunga hamesha…" His eyes were at the verge of breakdown. And the same reflected in her. She gulped down not knowing what to answer. She didn't wanted to forget what Rey had done. At the same time… she has seen Kriya looking at him. The same way she looked at him. And maybe their breakup, her coming back was all a hint to Taani that they were meant to be…
"Jhut mat boliye, Rey… Aap kabhi mujhse pyaar hi nahi Kiya hai" she turned away from him. "Agar karte toh, ye sab aap kabhi nahi karte… Mein humesha apko prioritise Kiya, mein humesha apka samman raka, mein apke liye apke doston ke saath dushmani badayi… aur aapkeliye mere Bhai ka bi mein kabhi parwa nahi ki.… Mera Tauji ko Tak jhut bola… Aur aap ek minute mein Mera Sara duniya cheenli… sirf isiliye ki mein apse Shaadi karna chahti ti aur ek house wife banana chahti ti… agar apko isase Toda bi problem ta toh Ek minute ke liye nahi Socha ki mujhse baat karna chahiye…. Kya mein apka baat nahi manti? Instead, aapne humesha ki tarah apni best friend ka baat manli…. Ha kyun nahi manenge… mujhe kuch bi ho Jaye... Lekin apko Sharon important hai… Swayam important hai… aur sirf apne dost important hai… Mein apka life mein sabse last choice hun, Rey… aur mujhe aise option nahi chahiye…" Tears which she hadn't let fall came in a gush.
"Aur… mein Pagal ti… Mein pagal ti ki ye sochne ke liye… ki aap mujhe utna hi chahte ho jitna Mein apko chahti hun..." She turned at him. "Kya kabhi apne ye socha ki, agar aap mujhse ek baar bolte ki 'Taani… sirf house wife banana tumhari life mein kaafi hai Kya?' …. Mein bolti Rey… "ha… mujhe apke saath shadi karke ek house wife banana Mera priority ta… lekin sirf Wahi Mera chahat nahi ta, Rey… Mera bi bahut kuch sapne hai… shayad wo ap logon ki tarah dance nahi hai… lekin hai…zaroor hai" aur wo janane ko apne koshish nahi ki… Aur apne mera Dil Tod Diya..."
Rey was devastated. He knew all his drawbacks and mistakes he had done in the relationship. But coming from her mouth, questioining his each action just shattered him wholly. Finally, he himself could see how traumatized she was. He held her hands. "Mera sorry ye sab galti ko teek nahi Kar sakta hai, Taani... Lekin ha… Mein galat ta… mein bahut galat ta… mujhe tumse baat karna chahiye ti… and I took a very wrong step… I know ki tum kitna hurt ho, Taani… but all I want to say is... Us waqt mein sirf tumhare baare mein soch Raha ta… Mein nahi chahta ki tum sirf mere baare mein Sochu… mein chahta ta ki tum apne apko utna hi importance de jitna tum mujhe dete ho… aur yahi baat career ki… Taani… meine ek hi wajahse wo Kiya ta… jab tak mein tumhare saath hu, mein tumhe humesha kush rakunga… agar… Unfortunately mujhe kuch ho jata... Mein nahi chahta ta ki tum kisi ke upar depend ho… aur Mein nahi chahta ta ki Meri Taani kisise Kam ho… kyunki mein tumse pyaar karti hun Taani…aur humesha tumhara Khushi hi chahunga" he was voicing his fears for the first time.
She looked at him in surprise at his thought process. He had thought for long time. But still, her wounds were fresh and she… just… didn't knew… how to deal with it…. She was afraid that he would do the same in future if they had any showdown. So, she said the only one thing which would probably irk him to the core. She pulled her hands back and turned away from him. "Nahi... Rey... aapne kabhi mujhse pyaar nahi Kiya... shayad mein apka ek rebound ta...kriya ke jaane ke baad... ab aur wo wapas aa gayi hai....toh..."
Rey tugged her hand harshly and turned her towards him. He gripped her shoulders with a freshly born fury. "Tum aise soch bi kaise sakte ho, Taani… tum… rebound..." His fingers tightened on her skin. Tears were rolling down on her cheeks. His eye edges were filled with water too. "Tumhe lagta hai ki mein aaj bi Kriya se pyaar karta hun... Itna sab kuch bolne ke baad bi tumhe aisa lagta hai?"
"Ha…" she answered but her voice quivered. "Toh… Tum chahte ho ki mein Kriya ke pass wapas chale jao?" His anger seeped all over. "Ha" she just provoked him more. "Aur isase tumhe kuch farak nahi padega?" He asked with clenching teeth. "Nahi…" she wasn't meeting his eyes. "Are you sure?" He asked for one last time. "Nahi… nahi farak padega mujhe.…." She yelled.
Unforseen, his hands left her shoulder. His hands landed on her waist pulling her on to his chest dictatorially. She stumbled on him, her hands going to his back to hold her still. "Abi bi aisa hi lagta hai?" His nose tip touched hers. His eyes bore into her, cruelly. "Bolo, Taani... Bolo…" His lips moved to her ear… "bolo…" she shivered at his breath on her skin. She was totally loosing her shit. "Tumhe sachmein farak nahi padta?" He whispered in her ear. And his lips touched the nape of her neck. And her whole body tingled. Sensations of frustrations poured in. His lips caressed her sensitive spot. His hands wandered below her waist falling on her bump. She exhaled a breathe of ecstacy at his ambling hands.
She pulled away from his force. Because she was sure gonna give into him. But he had no will to let this opportunity of making her understand go… He was adamant to prove his point. That she still loved him…. And she wanted him back… He pulled her back once again enrapturing her on his chest. "Aaj tum is jawab deke bina nahi jaogi…." His hands held hers. She was at loss of words. She told him she didn't care. But all she did was care. Care for him. Care his actions… And she did care of his relationship with Kriya... She could have been killed alive if he had gone away when she told him Kriya was the better choice. But he didn't. Instead, he was proving his worth… his love to her. As much as she hated to say, she still loved him… More now than before… Because he was genuinely trying to get her back. There was no mask. His opinions were vocal… He wanted her. And she wanted him too... But this time, she would make sure he didn't hurt her anymore or took her for granted.
"Bolo… Taani... Kuch toh bolo…" his voice trembled. Tears oozed out more as she looked at him. "Ha… mujhe farak padta hai…" she sobbed. "Mujhe farak padta hai, Rey"
Next thing Rey did was kiss her. That's all.he wanted to hear from her. Not forgivenes. Not tantrums. Just honesty about him in her life. He knew that wasn't wise. But her eyes had spoken the truth and they needed that right at the moment. They needed that intimacy between them to assure no one would take each other's place in their lives. She gasped at the sudden contact of his lips on her. But for effing time, she wanted it so badly. She craved him as he craved her. It was their first actual kiss and he or she wouldn't let it to hurry. Rey captured her lips coaxing her to open. His hands pulled her closer onto his chest. Her hands locked on his collar. She opened her mouth and puffed as his tongue circled in her mouth tickling it and sending the fire down her body. He was taking his little own time to last it for long. As the kiss deepend, all the sweetness was replaced with hotness between them. They moved back until Taani hit the wall. And their bodies smothered against. Both were panting yet not leaving. Rey sucked her lips tasting her. Then, she guzzled his lips wanting to tease him. Her hands rambled his back as his hands touched her sides. He pulled out his mouth just to let her breathe. During which he placed a series of kisses on her throat as she arched her head back. He then once again attacked her mouth, dipping his tongue and attacking hers, demanding to play with. She just obeyed and followed his instructions. She felt ignited all over. He was feeling spicy enough to proceed. Their bodies were not in control. Both kissed… kissed… and kissed... Until their lips felt sore… And when they stopped.… Rey's forehead was on Taani's. Both knew, once they were out of the room, they had lot more expectations, lot more commitments and lot more responsibilities together. For now, Taani had let him know that she wanted him too. But still, he had to make his place with constant efforts. She was ready to give him a chance. For him. For her. For both. And Rey was blessed to get that chance. He wanted to prove that she wouldn't regret her decision. He wanted to do it. For him. For her. For both.
Author's Note:
Uff.... Finally... I'm done with the chapter... My fingers are paining, truthfully... So let me know... How is it? And let me know what you expect here afterwards... Also let me know... How was the chapter? And TaaRey?