"mujhe aapse BAAT karni hai, Rey" Taani stressed on the word ignoring all the preying eyes.
"Abi nahi, Taani…" Rey sighed. There was so much going on and he really had no time. He wanted to clear the misunderstandings erupted among the gang. He was unable to understand the problem of Swayam.
"Per mujhe abi baat karni hai, Rey… akele" Taani screamed giving two cents to the people present. Rey's jaw locked harder as Taani's stubbornness blasted on him. Why was she getting hyper now?
Gurmeet watched the duo. He never noticed it till today. But damn. The spark between them was spread for everyone to see it even when they were furious at each other.
Taani didn't wait for Rey's answer. She held his hand and trotted through the door. He didn't resist. Instead, turned to others to convey that he'll be back. But none were looking at him. Instead all were staring at their clasped hands.
******
"Swayam…" Sharon whispered. "Please, Sharon..." He rose a hand stopping her. "Mujhe abi kisise kuch nahi baat karna hai…" He walked away without glancing at her or anyone.
Surbhi and gang felt sick. On one side, Rey was being adamant. On the other hand Swayam was being in a shell. And this affected Sharon the most.
******
Taani took him to her makeup room. It was empty as all the staff had gone back to the set. She unclasped her hand on him and faced him. He looked quiet angry. But at this point of time, did she really cared about him getting angry over her? No. Hell no.
"Apko ho Kya Gaya hai, Rey? Aap Bhai se aise saare baate kyun Kar rahe ho?" Taani's voice was lower yet powerful.
"Wo…" Rey's jaw locked even tighter than before. "Ab tumhe bi lagta hai ki mein galat hun… Tumhara Bhai ne Jo kaha.. wo tumne Suna nahi hai Kya, Taani? Ya tumhara Bhai Jo bi bolega wo sab sahi hai? Ab tum bi mujhe accuse Kar rahe ho…"
"Rey…" Taani was falling apart. "Aap mujhe galat samaj rahe ho… mein apko accuse nahi Kar Rahi hun…" she was rattled at his vexation. "Bhai apka best friend hai, Rey... Aur mujhse zyada apko hi pata hai ki wo Jo bi bolte hai.. uske peeche zarur kuch na kuch wajah hote hai…" she tried to make him understand.
"Shayad... lekin ab Jo bi Swayam bol Raha hai... uska Koi wajah nahi hai, Taani... Just because Gurmeet sir ne mujhe aur Sharon ko ek do part ka extra steps Diya hai toh tumhara Bhai ko hazam nahi ho Raha hai..." He yelled.
Taani was consternated at his words. She don't remember him speaking this blatantly about her brother anytime.
"Aur… Mein uska best friend hun na, Taani… toh usko itna nahi pata ki.. mere aur Sharon ke beech kabhi kuch hai hi nahi… Sharon Meri best friend hai… ye baat usko pata hoke bi agar usko phir humara dance Karne se problem ho Raha hai… isko insecurity hi bolte hai…" Rey retorted again.
"Per har koi aap jaisa broad minded nahi hote haina, Rey. Apko bi ye baat pata hai ki Bhai Sharon ko lekar kitna posessive hai… Sharon ko chodo… mujhe…mein unki behen… mujhe hi lekar wo kitna protective ho jata hai aise cheezon mein… toh Sharon unki girl friend hai… koi bi agar Bhai ka jagah hoti… unko bura toh lagega na…" Taani described.
"Lekin tumhe bura nahi laga na…" he pointed her. Taani froze. "tumne Hume ek saath dance karte hue deka Tak nahi… but still you didn't question me about it… kyun? Kyunki you trust me… toh Swayam ye trust kyun nahi Kar Raha hai? Mujhpe ya Sharon pe?"
Taani's whole posture went giddy. Gods. Only if she could tell him how affected she was with Rey and Sharon's video though she trusted them blindly. That piece of information didn't help her. It wasn't jealous. It wasn't insecurity. It wasn't anything that made her view them in an ominous way. It was a twinge of her emotions stuck in the back of her throat when she watched them being cozy even if it was a play.
"In Sab cheezon mein aap ek baat bhul rahe ho, Rey… Ye Meri aur apka baat nahi hai… apka aur Bhai ka… aur apka pure team ka baat hai… Jo aap nahi samaj paa rahe ho… aap soch rahe ho ki Bhai sirf tum dono ka pairing se gussa ho rahe hai… nahi… balki Tum dono ka chupi unka gussa bada Raha hai…" She was taking time to decipher.
"Mein kuch samja nahi…" Rey put hands on his waist.
"Apka aur Sharon ko separate call sheets Diya Gaya hai…" Taani began.
"Toh Swayam ne hi usko okay bi Kiya ta, yaad hai… usne hi bolata kuch important part Diya hoga… jab mein Gurmeet sir se Puch ne Wala ta…" Rey pointed out.
"Mujhe pata hai, Rey. Mein bi Wahi per ti.. toh mein bi suni hun… per aap Mera pura baat toh suniye pehle" she silenced him. His eyes narrowed on her. "Apko separate call sheets Diya hai aur gang ko separate. Per usmein aap dono ka hi zyada call sheet timings hai… aur har roz aap dono shoot ke liye aa rahe ho… aur gang sirf hafte mein do ya teen baar aa rahe hai… aur kabhi apne Gurmeet sir se pucha ki tum logonka performance ka vidoe Dikane ko…" she looked at him. "Nahi na… toh apko pata hi nahi hai ki ho Kya Raha hai…" she concluded. "D3 team apka sapna hai… apka Sara doston ka sapna hai… Matlab uska har ek hissa ka hakdar Sabi honge… aap ya Sharon akele nahi ho sakte ho…"
"Toh meine ya Sharon ne kab bola ki sirf hum hi hakdar hai?" Rey was getting irritated. "You are sounding as if I'm planning the whole show for myself…"
"Yahi apka problem hai, Rey... Mein apko yaha samjane lekar aayi hun… aur aap Mera har ek baat ko galat le rahe ho… Mujhe kuch ayega nahi in Sab cheezon se… I just want you to know what's happening behind you. Aap kyun nahi dek pa rahe ho ki apka pura team ko downgrade karke sirf aapka aur Sharon ko importance de rahe hai… aisa hoga toh kisi ko bi acha nahi lagega… apka sare dost… apka pura team apna confidence lose karenge... Jo aaj Tak hua nahi hai… kabhi bi aap Nationals ya college level dance karte ho… kabhi bi aisa hua hai Kya? Nahi… kyun? Kyunki in Sab performances mein sabko equally space milte te apne talent ko prove karane ka… lekin ab wo nahi ho Raha hai… Aur Bhai ka gussa bi yahi hai ki tum ya Sharon is cheez ko nazarandaz Kar rahe ho… not because you and she are having an intimate dance…"
Rey looked at Taani in horror. The points she explained was getting on his nerves. "Tum na, Taani…" he chuckled, sarcastically. "Ye sab tumhara dimag mein aata kahanse…" Taani looked at him dumbfounded. "Ya… tumhara Bhai ne tumhe ye sab patti padke beja hai…" His face went impassive. "Gurmeet sir aisa kuch nahi Kar Raha hai, Taani. In fact wo Hume itna bada mauka Diya hai… aur hum sab usko use karne ki wajah aise saare silly cheezon ko lekar lad rahe hai... Teek hai.. agar gang ko aisa lagta hai ki sirf mujhe ya Sharon ko hi importance mil rahe hai, to wo log kyun kuch nahi bola? Aur Swayam ka reaction se toh mujhe sirf yahi lagta hai ki usko Mera aur Sharon ka close dance karna hi pasand nahi aa Raha hai…" he taunted. His tiny brain wouldn't accept whatever Taani said. No. Because he had seen how nice Gurmeet was. He treated everyone with utmost respect and with equal importance.
Taani couldn't swallow the unsharpened mind of Rey. She couldn't believe he was saying all this shit again. "Aap aise bol rahe ho ki… jaisa Bhai ka gussa najaayz hai… agar aap Bhai ki jaga hoti… aur mein Sharon ki jaga hoti toh… aapko teek lagta… apko Toda bi bura nahi lagta?"
"Nahi lagta…" he cleared. Taani stared him in utter numb. "Kyunkj mujhe pata hai… ek media professional career mein aise cheeze common hai… tum bi toh acting mein part le rahe ho… agar mujhe in Sab cheezon se bura lagta toh mein kyun tumhe bolta to take up the project. I understand if such scenes are required. Aur mein Swayam ki tarah nahi hun Jo apni girlfriend ko ek middle class view se dekun… The world is upgraded, Taani… aur aise choti cheezonse agar Swayam itna hungama machata hai toh … I can't believe humara ye professional team kaise develop hoga…" He clarified.
Taani didn't hear anything except for his description about accepting her closeness with any guy for the camera. She loathed his opinions at the moment. She detested the way he stressed on middle class views. She belonged to the same family of Swayam. And that was an absolute insult. Not just for Swayam. For her. And entire family. He motioned them as middle class minded. She clenched her teeth. She was sure going to show him the power of middle class views.
She understood one thing. He wasn't going to listen to talks unless he learnt himself. "Sach mein apko koi problem nahi hoga?" She asked him again. And guess what. His answer was 'no'. The same as he said previously. "Okay… Rey… aapko Jo sahi lagta hai…wo hi kijiye…" she exhaled. "Mera shoot ka time ho Gaya hai… mein jaa rahi hun… agar aap dekna chahte ho toh… aap aa sakte ho" she baited him.
He looked at her in surprise. Till now, she was pouncing on him. And all of a sudden, she was alright. And she was calling him to her shoot.
Taani turned to leave but steeped back again. "Ek baat yaad rakiye, Rey. Dusron ko galat dikana bahut aasan hai… jab baat apne upar aata hai... Tab hi pata chalta hai ki… humara niyat ka asli rang" she trekked apart leaving him all alone.
******
Sharon sat crying outside in the corridor. Simmi and girls tried to speak to her but she didn't respond. After few minutes of watching her in tears, Surbhi exhaled. Sometimes LOVE is complicated. She sat beside Sharon without speaking a word. Sharon continued to sob in silence.
Surbhi hand overed a tissue to Sharon without uttering a word. She gazed at the tissue and then at Surbhi. Her hiccups were deduced as she took the tissue from her hand and wiped her eyes.
"Swayam tumse gussa nahi hai, Sharon." Surbhi spoke for the first time. Sharon stared at her without a blink. "Tum sabko aisa lag Raha hai ki… wo tum ya Rey se jal Raha hai… lekin nahi… ha iska Matlab ye nahi hai ki tum dono ka ye closeness usko affect nahi Kar Raha hai… ofcourse wo Toda effect hua hai… lekin uska gusse ki wajah kuch aur hi hai…" She expounded.
When Sharon spoke nothing, Surbhi continued. "Swayam shayad tumse aur Rey se ye expect Kiya ta ki… tum dono Sach ko deko… Jo tum log nahi dek pa rahe ho… infact Swayam kyun… hum mein se kisiko tum dono ka alag scenes se koi problem nahi hai…" she elucidated. "per hum bi toh team ka part hai na, Sharon… humko bi equal chance milna chahiye, right... Per hum toh barely is video ke liye shoot Kiya hai… where as tum dono har roz shoot Kar rahe ho… Tum hi socho… iska Matlab Kya hai…"
Sharon outstared her. Probably, Surbhi was right. Sharon twitched her face as the actual scenario was getting into her head. Here she thought Swayam was upset with her whereas, he was upended with the unity of team yet again. How couldn't she see through this? How could she? Was she blinded with herself that she failed to notice these important things? Her face scrunched as the details were unfold in front of her.
******
"Wow…" Gurmeet clapped as he cut the shot of Wahi and Taani. "You guys nailed it…" he complimented. "I didn't expect you both to involve so much into the scene… But honestly, you guys are good."
Taani and Wahi looked at each other. Till today, they had no problems with Gurmeet. But the things they had spotted about Gurmeet's intentions did really shook them.
"And I'm glad… ki Tum dono ne lip lock scene Karne ko accept Kiya hai…" Gurmeet said.
Wahi glared him while Taani looked down. Both of them disliked it. Wahi was shocked when Taani came back telling him that she was ready for the scene. He didn't know how to react for it. He was flabbergasted. But what option did he have? If there was someone else in the place of Taani, he wouldn't have really minded. Since it was the profession he had chosen and the little scenes existed as per the story. But it was Taani. And he very well knew that she wasn't comfortable enacting such scenes.
"Well… go change for the scene… we will start it soon…" Gurmeet declared before walking off.
******
Rey wandered the building searching for Sharon and gang as they were absent in the set they used to shoot. Taani had asked him to watch her shoot. But he wasn't sure about it. He had immediate problems to deal with. And he knew that Taani would understand. Though she was really not understanding him in his fight with Swayam.
As he reached one of the corridor, he found Surbhi, Sharon and whole gang standing nearby one of the door. Their faces were hinged as if they were blown with a bombshell.
"What's happening, guys? Aap sab log yaha pe Kade hoke Kya Kar rahe ho?" He questioned as everyone gazed at him in stupor. They watched in-between the door and him. Vicky and Nil exchanged knowing looks. "Wo kuch nahi hai, Rey… kuch bi toh nahi…" Vicky smiled awkwardly. "Ha Rey… Vicky Sach bol Raha hai… kuch bi nahi hai…" Nil copied Vicky's lines. "Lekin be…waha toh .." Bharath was about to say but Amar pulled from the back making him to stop.
"Agar kuch nahi hai toh.. tum log yaha Kade kyun ho?" Rey raised an eyebrow at them. Girls were really afraid now.
"Tum Rey ko jhoot kyun bol rahe ho, guys…" Surbhi spit the truth. Rey watched her as the words sunk in. "Come on, Rey… Taani aur Wahi perform Kar rahe hai… tumko dekna nahi hai, Kya?" Surbhi stressed with a expecting smile. Sharon didn't speak anything as he watched her. She wanted to go to Swayam. But the gang had halted to catch the glimpse of Wahi and Taani's shoot. So she had to stop. But the things she was watching, she sure knew the tables are going to turn for Rey. Or, atleast she thought it did.
"Really…" Rey slipped front. Boys really tried to stop him but he passed them a "what?" look. They quitened. As Rey's eyes fell on the spot, his slight smile faded.
A slight drizzle was showered on Wahi and Taani as they spoke some emotional dialogue. But that wasn't the thing that made him stop in his tracks. Wahi pulled Taani through her waist as the water drops cascaded down their drenched bodies. Rey's breathe hitched. His fist involuntarily twisted.
Wahi's other hand cupped Taani's cheeks as he moved his face closer to her. Rey's heart exploded like a volcano. He didn't expect this at all. Not even when he said Taani that he was okay with her doing intimate scenes. But the feelings followed when he watched his girlfriend in someone's arms even if it is a act, just terrified his senses. And the way Wahi touched her and cupped her cheeks just made him go mad. That rights were reserved for him and he didn't like one bit of someone invading on her girl.
Wahi's lips moved towards Taani as a real tear drop escaped from Taani's eye. And Wahi immediately stopped proceeding the scene. Though their was water dropped on them to give a scenic beauty for the background of the scene they performed, Wahi could see the tear escaping from her eye. That girl was broken and was afraid.
"Cut…" Gurmeet called out in anger. Spot boys who were drizzling water on them stopped as the scene was halted. "Itna ache se Kar rahe te tum log… suddenly, tumhe Kya hua Wahi… why did you stop? The take was beautiful and you ruined it by stopping. You should have kissed her on the lips, damn it… that was the scene…" Gurmeet bellowed in anger.
Rey's eyes flashed fire at Gurmeet's words. "What?" Simmi exclaimed. "Ye Banda inse lip lock karwana chahte hai…" Rinni looked disturbed. "Taani waha shivering… shayad usko pasand nahi hai… ye sab karna…" Neha looked over. Others just stared at Rey.
A muscle ticked on Rey's face. If he breathed, probably flames would fume instead of air. That disgusted he was at Gurmeet. Taani's uncomfortableness was just too visible now. She shivered hugging her body as a trickle dropped again from her cheeks. He was someone who had put her in this place and he hated himself for that. The kind of fury he had felt when he had seen her being touched by some other… probably it was the same Swayam felt when he watched him and Sharon perform the intimate scenes.
"Give us some time, sir…" Wahi wasn't in a mood to argue. He was concerned for Taani and he wanted to make sure that she was alright before divulging in anything.
"wahi toh humare pass nahi hai, Wahi. Time… go get back to perform the scene… there's no interval…" Gurmeet ordered. Wahi glared him.
Rey had enough of watching like a statue. He trotted inside raging like thunder. "Wo log ye sab nahi karenge, sir" he blocked Gurmeet's way. Everyone stared him in open mouth.
"Tum yaha Kya Kar rahe ho, Rey?" Gurmeet caught off guard. He then saw whole gang except Swayam at the door. "Ye tumhara team ka related nahi hai… just go back…"
"Lekin ye Meri girl friend ka related hai… aur wo kuch bi aise cheeze nahi karegi Jo usko uncomfortable karate hai…" He challenged. Taani stared him in shock. He was the one telling her that he was all okay with her doing such scenes. She looked bit angry as well.
Gurmeet laughed. And others stared him with disgusting sneer. "Ye sab relationships na… kahi Bahar jaake rakna, Rey… yaha nahi… already tum log bahut tamasha bana chuke hai… ab aur nahi… yaha Sab kuch Meri according hi hoga… ab Tak toh ye baat Sabki dimag mein ho na chahiye…" he warned.
"You are wrong, sir. Sab kuch apke according tab hoga jab hum log karenge… agar hum apke according nahi karna chahenge toh… it won't happen… and now, Taani is not going to perform this.… Stupid lip locks and all…." He didn't blanch at the hard stare Gurmeet snared on him.
Next second, Rey walked upto her. "Chalo, Taani…" he held her hand. But she didn't budge. She was inflamed at him. When he looked back to see her as she didn't move a step, she gawked him seethingly.
"Aapko kyun farak pad Raha hai, Rey? Aapko toh ye sab normal lagta hai na… toh ab kyun mujhe lekar jaane ko aaye ho?" Taani lashed at him. Rey cowered at her words. "Mujhe kuch problem nahi hai… kiss Karne ko... Wahi Mera best friend hai... Aur ye Mera profession hai… Media profession mein toh ye sab chalega na… and I'm okay with kissing my best friend…"
Gurmeet's lips curled up.
"Lekin I'm not okay…" Rey yelled back at her. "I'm not okay with someone touching you. I'm not at all okay with someone kissing you… Wo tumhara best friend hi kyun na ho…" his screams went wild.
"Kyun? Kyun acha nahi lagta apko? Aap toh Sharon ke saath aise scenes Kar rahe te na… aap Kare toh galat nahi… mere baari Aya toh… apko acha nahi lag Raha hai... Aisa kyun?" Taani retorted. She wasn't going to let him free without making him understand.
Rey had already realised this. He had an epiphany of how wrong was it to insult Swayam for being posessive about Sharon. He had labelled him as insecure. And what was he doing now? He himself had suggested Taani that he was okay with such scenes and now he himself was pissed that he has said those things to her. Saying and doing were different things. And his talks were rubbish because he did exactly opposite to his views. He was here all over posessive towards Taani.
Everyone watched them as if the real shooting was going on. None didn't blink even their brows.
"Meine jo bi bola hoga, Taani… Lekin mein tumhe aise kisi ke saath nahi dek sakta hun…aur mujhe ye bi pata hai ki tum ye sab nahi karna chahte ho… toh mujhe damkana band Karo... I can see you clearly… tum in Sab cheezon se kitna uncomfortable feel Kar rahe ho…" he told.
"Nahi… mein uncomfortable nahi hu, Rey… Aap aane se pehle mein scene Kar rahi ti…" Taani glared him. "Mein shot ke liye ready hun, sir…" She then looked at Gurmeet. He was clearly enjoying the fun. Even without a snap, everything was working according to his wishes.
Wahi tensed as the situation turned even more intense. He knew Taani was bluffing. But he still didn't understood why? She was really charging up Rey.
Taani turned to move but Rey placed a hand on her waist and pulled her back on his chest harshly. She stumbled like a awkward girl. Everyone gasped as the scene took u turn. He clasped a hand on her neck, making her to look into his eyes. "You are not doing this" he stressed on each word. "You can't stop me…" she threw her words on his face.
Each one of them present in the place could feel the entire change of environment all of a sudden. They were fighting like two crazy maniacs and now…
"Are you challenging me?" Rey's lips twitched up. "Yess…" she placed her hands on his chest trying to push him. Instead, Rey plastered his lips on her. He kissed her in front of everyone. He didn't deepen the kiss but caught her lower lip and froze the moment. He didn't care people watching them. He didn't care that they were in the middle of argument. All he cared was her. The love and affection he had for her. It was an open declaration of his claim on her. It was a warning to people to not mess with what was his. She belonged to him. And none were allowed to shake them.
******