Taani was smiling throughout the way as she climbed the stairs of the college. All the incidents occured in the night played back in her memory. She couldn't sustain but blush as she memorized their intertwined bodies under the shower. She had gone too far that she had let Rey to make her semi nude. At the same time, he had demurred to continue it further. Though it took several minutes for both of them to cool off with their raging hormones, both knew it was for the best. Rey held her in his arms until they were ready to go back to the room. Taani dried herself first, pulling fresh clothes. She then went to hunt down clothes for Rey from Swayam's room. Thankfully her brother was sleeping and she had tiptoed silently. Rey changed into her brother's attire and pulled her on to his lap where he already sedated on the window panel. Both of them sat together, watching the night and talking about diverse things. It took lot of struggle for Taani to make him go. Knowing very well that the night would transfer into daylight sooner and if Swayam caught them this time, it would become a big mess. BFF or not, Swayam would definitely punch Rey before abandoning Taani from meeting him.
"Oh Taani…" Wahi poked his finger on her shoulder when he didn't get any reply from her for the third time. She jumped on her skin as her hands flew on to her heart automatically. "Tum itna kaha koyi Hui ho?" He appeared as of thinking. Taani collected herself and shrugged. "kuch bi toh nahi…" She scrutinized him. "Rithwik kaha hai? Hum teeno Milkar meeting organize karna hai na..." She asked. "Yes, mam. Rithwik already meeting room mein hai. Ab agar hum jaayenge toh… kaam per lag sakte hai…" Wahi locked a hand with her and both mooched.
******
"Ye Wahi aur Rithwik kitna lucky hai na… Humesha Meri Taani ke ird gird ghumte rehte hai…" Rey glowered as he caught notice of Wahi and Taani walking with interlocked hands. Swayam threw him a disgusting look while boys stared at Rey in revolt. "Tu bi toh… Sala... Har waqt uske peeche hi gumta hai na" Bharath stated the obvious. "He's actually right" Surbhi agreed. Other girls nodded their heads in agreement. Now it was Rey's turn to spin his eyes at all of them. None would understand his tussle. On one hand he had to fight for his dreams along with his friends while on the other end his GF stood against him with no nonsense attitude. And no one could empathize his craving for all the things to have under his control, simultaneously.
"Are guys… ab hum yahi pe Kade honge.. ya Taani aur Wahi ka peecha bi karenge…" Kriya frowned. They were all actually behind the closed corner walls, hiding from Taani and Wahi who were walking as if they didn't care the world. "Peecha toh karna hi hai…" Nil gritted his teeth at Rey, funnily. "Ha… agar Hume GS ka mail access karna hai toh, Taani ka peecha karna hi padega…" Sharon insisted. Rey and Swayam exchanged a glance. "I still don't like this idea…" Swayam flared at Rey. It was Rey's idea in the first place. While they realized the old password has been changed, they had only this option left. To follow Taani and hack her system when she logged in. "I think so too… Mujhe kuch acha nahi lag Raha hai…" Surbhi suggested. She didn't like doing it. She didn't like sabotaging Taani if something went wrong with their plan. Then again, they didn't even had a choice. She understood very well that none among the three would willingly help team. "Ab Hume acha lagta hai ya nahi dekenge toh we all are going to face the consequences of quitting NDC…" Sharon sounded angry. She was tired of mood swings of the group members. Everyone were changing their stance like chameleons. None were adamant on their decision. Even Rey who was the inventor of the idea looked unhappy and in two minds about it. "Shaant…. shaant… Sharon…" Simmi patted her back as others silenced on her shout. Swayam wanted to hurl back before committing this blunder. He wasn't even a pinch interested in doing it. "Guys… Chalo..." Neha came to a conclusion. "Ha… ab hum soch liya toh… Chalo…let's do it" Vicky commanded. All of them camouflaged behind Taani and Wahi who just entered the meeting room. Other college students were passing a perplexed looks at gang who were strolling around the corridor. Amar and Nil had plastered their eyes onto the window, peering inside as others smiled at the waggling college students, trying to behave normal. They were actually working as spies, assessed at a place and anyone would easily understand that they were on a mission.
"Hum yaha kadke kaise Taani ka mail ka password nikalenge?" Rinni noticed a loophole. "Ha yaal…" Amar nodded at her brilliance. "Ye teeno toh kuch kaam pe lagi pade hai…" Simmi snorted. "Hume Taani ko distract karna padega…" Kriya suggested. "Taani ko distract karenge toh hume password kaise milega?" Surbhi pointed, sarcastically. "Guys..." Rey bounced into action. "Hume pehle Wahi aur Rithwik ko yahanse Bagana hai… Baad Mein Taani apna laptop use karne Tak usko yahi rakake… wo apna mails check karne time, hum mein se koi usko fake call karke urgently bulana hai… I'm sure Taani apna saara aisa hi chodke bagegi… toh tab we will go inside and mail it before anyone can catch us..."
Everyone stared him. Swayam yet again astounded at Rey. He was parading on two strands. It sounded so easy but damn. Was it going to work out?
"Abe…" Nil and Amar scuttled away from window. "Ye teeno Bahar aa rahe hai…" Nil hurried back. "Kya hua?" Swayam and Sharon asked in unison, blushing at their synchronization. "Guys…" Rey snapped them. "Concentrate…" Rey smirked. Swayam hurled abusive glare at him. "chupo sab log… chupo…" Amar cooed. Everyone hid behind the wall not coming in front of the three who hurried towards VP's cabin.
After waiting for 5 minutes in concealment, gang rushed inside the meeting room. "Meine deka ta… jaise Rey ne bola ta waise hi Taani ek phone aate hi, apna ye laptop jo on hai…use aise hi chodke chali gayi…." Nil informed.
"Let me check" Kriya grabbed the laptop, hoping Taani had logged in and not logged out. There was number of screens in operation. "YES!" Kriya screamed as she found GS mail being logged in. There were multiple unviewed mails. "Jaldi Karo, Kriya .." Sharon sounded haste. Kriya looked at Rey and others for one last confirmation from them to proceed. Everyone had a relived face except Rey, Swayam and Surbhi. Rey was internally praying that it should only benefit the gang and in no way it should harm Taani. Swayam kind of looked sick, while Surbhi puffed her breathe. Her gut instincts were always right and even this time she would be right. She wasn't feeling good about their little adventure.
"Ho Gaya..." Kriya beamed as she clicked off the sent button. Rey's or anyother's concern faded for a minute. They had successfully applied for NDC 2022, finally.
******
"Chale Kya, Taani?" Karan peered his wrist watch. "Ha Bhai... Just ek minute ha…" Taani excused making a call to Rey.
After a long ring, Rey picked the call. He was with his gang, discussing about important decisions to be made in the coming days about their dance ban.
"Rey… jaldi neeche aao… mein apke liye Bahar wait Kar rahi hun…" Taani said in a excited tone.
"Abhi?" Rey looked at his team who were inturn staring at him, suspiciously. They were in middle of a conversation. And all Rey did was disturb the discussion by picking the call of his GF. "Abhi nahi… Taani… Hum baad mein milenge…"
"Per…" Taani's excitement washed off. "Ye bahut important hai, Rey…"
"I understand… Per mein bi abi bahut important kaam mein fasa hun… My friends need me, Taani… Mujhe abi aane ke liye nahi hoga… Please… samjo…" He made his last word.
Taani's face dispirited. Ofcourse she understood that his friends needed him. But he had promised her to visit the site of boutique construction along with her. He didn't even courtesied to ask her what was the matter! Which made her to exhale fumes. "Okay…" Was all she replied. She cut the call, leaving behind a confused Rey and walked back to Karan.
"You okay?" Karan surveyed her disconsolation. "Hmm…" she smiled which didn't even reach her lips. "Tum mujhse jhoot kabse bolne lagi?" Karan questioned her. Taani watched him in shock. "Abi toh tum bahut kush the... Achanak Kya ho Gaya... Ki tumhara chehra hi utar Gaya..." He asked her.
Taani was quiet for few moments. But then, she confessed the truth to him. She always treated Karan as a brother. Same as Swayam. And with Karan, she had more freedom to open up unlike with Swayam. Eventhough Karan was bit the same as Swayam when it came to boy or boys in her life, he still gave her a chance to talk about it rather than shushing her off like Swayam.
"Toh ye baat hai…" Karan was amused. "I can understand. Jabse ye dance ban ka pata Chala hai, Surbhi aur Kriya bi Wahi aur Rithwik se bahut distant behave Kar rahe hai... Ghar per bi Charon ka andolan chal Raha hai… Surbhi aur Wahi toh atleast okay… Kriya ka pata nahi Kya hogaya hai… Rithwik ka muh Tak nahi dek rahi hai… Seriously do din pehle dono fevicol ki tarah chipake rehte te… ab toh chod hi do…"
Taani wondered at this sudden surprising news. She couldn't help but notice the difference of Kriya and Rithwik, here. She was sure dance ban wasn't the only reason for their behavior. But she didn't notified the obvious.
"Agar tum chahoge… hum Kal jaayenge… Jab Rey free hoga.. tab hi chalenge" Karan recommended. But Taani defied. Karan would leave India within two days. And even in his extreme busy schedule, he was making time for her. If it was someone else, they would have forgotten the matter already. Taani didn't like to trouble him anymore. "nahi Bhai... Hum dono hi chalenge…" She insisted. "Are you sure?" Karan asked her again. She nodded. "Tum Sach mein okay is ke liye?" He rose an eyebrow. "Ha Bhai... Ye kaam aaj hi start hona hai... Ab agar Rey ko unka important kaam hai toh… ye mere liye important hai... Aur ye aaj hi hoga… chahe koi aye ya na aye… mein aur aap jaake fix karke aynege…" She was determined. Though Karan felt that she missed Rey being a part of this beginning, he had to obey her. After all she was the owner of it. So he just nodded and both hopped the car leaving for the destination.
******
Wahi cursed as his bike went repair on the lone road. Rithwik had his musical practice and he had stayed back at college. He had left alone for the home in the night. But unfortunately, his bike broke down and there were no one to see around. Luckily, a car was addressing across his path and he thumbed up requesting for a lift. The car slid into halt and Wahi chuckled in amusement seeing Rey.
"OMG… Rey… I was never so happy to see you, man" Wahi grinned as he hopped into the front seat. "I can see that…" Rey grinned. "Bike ko yahi chodoge?"
"Nahi toh…" Wahi spoke in horrendous. "Ye bike Mera dad ka gift hai... And i can never afford to lose it..."
Rey found Wahi's smugness at his parents. He couldn't help but feel delighted for the love he carried for his family. He was the same too.
"Mein already mechanic ko bike pick karne ke liye bola hun… aate hi hoga shayad…" Wahi beamed. "Great… Toh shall we move?" Rey asked his permission. "Ofcourse dude" Wahi clapped on his back.
"Abi Taani ko bolna hai… Mein tumhare saath hun bolke… jal jayegi… jal kukkadi…" Wahi commented making Rey's heart warm. But more than the fuzzy bees, he felt a sharp string. He had forgot to meet her. Atleast he should have called her. She had asked him to meet but he had objected since he was really held up in secret meetings with his friends. "Rey… kis soch mein pad Gaye ho…dude" Wahi clapped.
"Abi Taani office mein hogi na… Kya hum usko pick karke jaaye? If you don't mind" Rey requested.
"Of course dude… Ye bi puchnewali baat hai Kya..." Wahi looked offended that he had asked his permission. Though they weren't in right terms at the moment, still they were boys. They didn't carry the burden of anything on their shoulders between them.
To Rey and Wahi's surprise, they hadn't even reached Taani's office but found Hina kicking her car hood in annoyance on the asphalt road. Rey skidded the car at her making her spun in alert. "Oh God, Rey… tune toh mujhe dara hi Diya..." Hina smiled being so thankful to find him. "Mera car Karaab ho Gaya... Aur mujhe na… pata bi nahi iska mujhe Kya karna hai…"
"Abi tum filhal andar ake baito… mein drop Kar deta hun.. car ko mein aur Wahi aake baad mein check karake lekar ayenge…come on… get in…" Rey told her. Hina froze hearing Wahi. She hadn't observed him being inside until then. Her senses went high attentive and she backed off a little. "Nahi… Rey… Mein aajaungi… tum log jao…"
Rey felt weird. "Isko achanak Kya ho Gaya?" He turned to Wahi. But to his utter bewilderment, Wahi sat expressionless. Not even a reaction slipped out of him seeing Hina, let alone an acknowledgement. "Don't jest, Hina… Raat bahut ho Chuka hai… get in…" Rey prompted. It wasn't just Hina. Rey would have done the same even if any other girl would have been in her place. But all this apart, he really liked this girl. She gave him a sisterly vibes. Probably, if he had a sister, he was damn sure that she would have been just like Hina. Bold and beautiful. Strong yet emotional. He liked that about her. As much as Taani had conveyed to him about her, he understood that she had gone through a lot of struggles in her life. Also, she really missed her family. Which made him even more protective about her. Which he was with Taani and Sharon the most.
Hina dropped into the backseat, not meeting Wahi's eyes at all. She couldn't be sure that he was even watching her. Because she didn't hear a word from him. At least he could have said a hi, she thought. "Thanks, Rey" She uttered. "Ab ye thanks tumhare paas hi rako… aur bolo… is waqt toh tum office mein rehte te na… yaha akeli Kya Kar rahi ti?" Rey interrogated. Wahi blinked because Rey sounded exactly like Swayam; who use to investigate Taani the same way as Rey did with Hina. Hina was gobsmacked, precisely. For a second, she was taken aback by a surprise. Mainly because none ever in her life did had asked her with so much of owning or caring.
"Wo actually mujhe kaam se bahar jaana pada ta…" Hina said. "Oh… toh Abi tumhe phirse office jaana hai?" Rey asked in confusion. "Are nahi… Mera aaj ka kaam katam ho Gaya hai…" Hina replied. Wahi looked at Rey in amusement. Rey wanted to ask her about someone which he wasn't doing. "Taani toh hogi na office mein, Rey" Wahi addressed him instead of directing the question at Hina. Rey peered in between them. Both were staring at each other through the mirror glass of the car. He felt a terrible idea of them having a misfit argument.
"Nahi, Rey." Hina was quick to recover from the angry glare of Wahi. He wasn't even smiling at her. "Harshad sir ne Taani aur Zoya ko aise hi Ghar drop Kar Diya hai…"
Rey was irked by that piece of information. Why would Harshad, her boss would drop her home. He frowned. "Toh tumhara boss ne tumhe akele jaane ke liye chod Diya..."
"Are… Rey… tum bi na… Humare boss se bi jealous ho rahe ho… don't worry… tumhara Taani ko tumse koi nahi cheenega…" Hina smiled. Rey bobbed his head at her teasing. Even Wahi was smiling at this. "Aur mein… apna car lekar gayi toh… chodke nahi aa sakti ti na… toh meine hi bola… Mein akele Chali jaungi… Mere boss ne mujhe bi drop Karne ke liye pucha ta… Lekin meine hi Mana Kiya… Mujhe aur Toda kaam ta aur Taani, Zoya bewaja wait karte mere saath… so… Sir dropped them home…"
Rey felt quite releived though not fully. He exchanged a glance with Wahi. They thought to have Taani aboard but now all the plans failed. Rey also observed Wahi being mute spectator from the moment Hina entered. "But Kya zamana hai, Hina… Tera car bi aaj isi waqt puncture hua hai… Aur Wahi ka bi bike usi time repair ho Gaya hai… tum Tono ka timing bi toh deko…." Rey chuckled humorously. Wahi tilted his head slightly so that only the corner of his eye could catch Hina's gaze on him. "You guys have a perfect tuning…" Rey smirked watching them. They were staring at each other silently. "Sirf timing hi hai... aur kuch bi toh nahi" Wahi broke off his eye contact with her. Hina lowered her eyes in hurt. Rey had severe inclination towards these two. They were hurting inside when their eyes spoke all he wanted to know about them.
******
The next day college premises looked so tensed. College students muddled around discussing too deeply. Every face in the college looked troublesome.
Gang walked in with their usual fun mood. "Kya ho Raha hai yaha?" Vicky bemused. Everyone in the gang had same expressions. Nil caught hold of a guy and stopped him. "Sab aise kyun baag rahe hai? He asked him. "Management authorities aye hai… Pata nahi Kya hua… Lekin wo log bahut gusse mein hai… College ka GS/ACS ko meeting per bulaya hai…" The guy sped.
Rey looked stunned as others. Surbhi's gut feelings ascended as she looked at other's bewildered faces. "Taani…." Rey whispered as he ran towards the stairs. And others trotted following him. Rey's brain scattered several bad imaginations. Okay probably he was fearing too much or something that wasn't the case at all. Then again, he couldn't push off the pessimistic feeling lingering in his thoughts. All of the gang members halted in front of a meeting room where the college management consisted of 6 members including VP, sat in the cabin, while Taani stood in the center of the arch as Wahi and Rithwik stood behind her.
Rey's inhalation whooped at the sight. "What is happening?" Neha murmured. "I don't understand…" Sharon kept her hands on her hips. "Ye log abi kyun aye hai?" Amar scowled. "Sach mein yaar.. Kya naya batangad aanewala hai…" Vicky mumbled. "Lagta hai... kuch new rules karenge ye log abi" Nil was annoyed. "Sure... They will" Simmi twitched her mouth. "Already humara dance ka ban ho Chuka hai… ab aur Kya bacha hai?" Rinni scowled. "Why do i feel yaha kuch aur hi ho Raha hai?" Kriya looked at Rey. "Sirf tumhe nahi, Kriya… I feel the same" Surbhi said glancing back at Rey. Swayam was too stunned to speak as his eyes were on his sister who stood like a rock solid in front of them. He had no idea what was happening inside.
"Mrs. Taani Shekawat? Can you explain us about the little stunt you have performed under our very own noses?" A guy from the management authorities yelled making Taani flinch at his outburst.
Taani looked clueless. As was Wahi and Rithwik.
"NDC team sent a confirmation notice for the mail you have sent an application for dance team to take part in the competition…" VP comprehended in a slurry tone. He knew Taani would help the gang. But what he didn't knew was that Taani going against the authorities so openly about it. He was kind of flabbergasted rather than shocked.
Taani, Wahi and Rithwik stood aghast at this new piece of information.
Rey's eyes wobbled across as his worst thoughts born alive. For one or the other reason, he just sensed it the minute he heard the boy saying authorities had come to college. But the confirmation of the news that they had come to question Taani about it made him go bonkers. His selfish motive for himself and his team had cost the girl he loved. The thought itself bore on him, idiotically. Swayam clenched his teeth. He bloody expected this situation even though he didn't vocalise about it. Surbhi sighed in apathetically as the understand of her instincts dawned upon. Everyone were damn screwed.
*******