OUTSIDE COURT
"Good to see you against me , again Teju " They stopped in their tracks when they heard Vikram's voice. Vikram came ahead and stood infront of Teja .
"It doesn't seems like though . You should have done better homework Dixit " She replied back pointing at what happened in the court room . Karan looked curiously between the two .
Vikram gritted his teeth at the obvious insult and looked at Karan behind her standing with Rohit and Prince. Omi had gone to get the car from parking . Sensing a heated argument , Teja gestured others to go ahead . Karan relucantly moved along with Prince and Rohit but his gaze stayed at the two .
"Oh Darling , Don't worry . This is just the beginning " Vikram stepped closer and whispered in his deep voice to her when everyone left
Teja gave a dry chuckle ."Huh , You should be the one worrying. When have i ever lost ? and that to you ? " She smirked at him . She knew he was no competition of hers , but he always made it a competition whenever they were against each other . And she wasn't one to back down from challenges
"That we'll see ! But i never expected you to take this case teju. Kinda brave of you to fight your ex- boyfriend's case. " He was clearly trying to push her buttons.
"That's the thing you see . My every move is unexpected so instead of making big statements here better prepare for the next hearing ." She pretended to dust his coat . Vikram laughed fakely .
"You know why i liked you since college days Teju? This " He closed the remaining distance between them and put the hair on her face behind her ear with his fingers while Teja immediately turned her head. "This attitude of yours makes me like you more " He chuckled at the pure disgust visible on her face
"Wish I could say the same Dixit . But fortunately I have better standards. " She said and moved back from him to leave .
********
Prince had already left by cab . Karan was waiting for Omi to bring the car from so long .They were thankful that there was no media .Rohit was waiting for Teja and they had left to the parking lot as soon as she came after talking to Vikram .
He had obviously observed the exchange between the two and couldn't help but notice how close they were to each other . It did not look like a good conversation though . Rohit's reaction made it clear that the guy wasn't someone both , Teja and rohit were fond of . He had wanted to ask her how she knew him and what conversation they had But he knew he had no right to .He had already so much going on about the morphed pics , Yogita and her family's reaction , their reputation , that he decided not to dwell on this topic .
*******
"Aise kaise kharaab ho gayi Omi .Abhi jab aye the tab toh theek thi "Omi had come back and informed about the car not functioning .
"Sorry bhai , meri mechanic se baat ho gayi hai . Abhi cab karlete hai " Omi tried to relax a frustrated Karan
" Need any help " They heard Rohit as teja's car stopped infront of them .Omi looked at Karan for an answer . Teja was sitting on the driver seat staring ahead. Karan looked at her to see if she actually wanted to give a lift or was it a formality .
With her reaction , she seemed least interested So he denied politely but rohit asked him again and said its no problem for them .But Karan denied still looking at Teja . Getting itritated with his behaviour , She finally turned her head .
"It's okay I'll drop you guys. . I am anyway going that way. " Karan sighed at her indifference but decided to take the lift . The day had already been so heavy to him .
******
They dropped Omi at his house first . They were now on the way to Karan's house and Karan was sleeping on the back seat .
"So what was that Vikram saying " Rohir asked once he confirmed that Karan was sleeping . He knew she wouldn't be comfortable having a conversation knowing Karan was listening to them .
"Nothing , just the usual " She replied and glanced at Karan .
"It didn't look like though. " He looked at her to get the information .She was ofcourse lying . It looked like Vikram had obviously spewed some nonsense .
As Always
Karan who was not in a deep sleep , woke up due to the noise right when Rohit asked her about Vikram . He knew she wouldn't tell anything in his presence so he decided to pretend to sleep .
"I said its nothing Rohit . Do not indulge in matters that doesn't involve you " She replied rudely . Her morning had already started on a bad note and Vikram's dirty tricks right on the first hearing had pissed her off more .
"Jeez Teja ! Who crawled up your ass and died .You have been clearly in a bad mood since morning . What the hell happened" He shifted a little in his seat to face her . Karan's interest piqued at the question . He had observed she was extra pissy today but thought that was normal of her .
She sighed tiredly . " Sorry , I kind of had an argument with pra in the morning ."
"Again!" Rohit shook his head at her and relaxed in his seat . Teja knew that 'again ' meant her fighting with pratik over her parents . Karan was confused . These siblings fought all day but at the end loved each other more than their lives so what was the big deal . Their fights were to be never taken seriously . He did not know the reason of fight were her parents So he relaxed that nothing major had happened to spoil her mood.
Not that i care about her or her mood !
*****
KARAN'S HOUSE
5 P.M.
"Dad? " He said surprised as soon as he entered his house. His dad had opened the door . He felt relieved that his father was here to support him now and also he'll be able to handle mom. He went ahead and hugged his dad.
He backed when his father didn't reciprocate the hug . Confused , he looked at his father and then at his mother who looked equally confused and worried .
"Puttar nu milna ni hae? Inne samay de baad mil rahe ho ? " His mom said from behind
"Keda (which ) puttar suneeta ji ? " He looked at Karan , disappointment clear in his voice. Karan looked taken aback at the reply of his father. What was his dad trying to say ? he thought
"Jinne muh kala kitta hamara woh puttar? " Karan flinched at the harsh tone of his father . He looked at his father not believing that he wouldn't trust his own son .
"Kya bol rahe ho ? Sunny ne kuch galat thodi kiya hai. Bechare pe kyu narazgi dikha rahe ho ? "His mom tried to calm his father .
"Aapke liye Sunny toh kuch galat kar hi ni sakta ji . Ab tak sar par jo chadaya hua hai isey"
"Dad? I really haven't done anything " Karan whispered , hurt in his tone and eyes .
"Maine kab bola tune murder kiya hai .Par naak toh meri katayi hai puttar . Kya kya ni kiya maine tere liye, das mainu ( Tell me ) ? "
He continued when he got no reply
"Tune bola tujhe business ni karna, maine mana . Tune bola kalle mumbai rahega toh sab tere liye mumbai shift hogaye . Tune bola meri pasand ki ladki se shaadi nahi karega , maine mana . Tenu sab diya , phir chahe tune woh manga ho ya na . Das kabhi teri dil di khwaish puri ni ki ho " Karan's eyes had turned red listening to his father and was trying his best to control his tears . His father had always loved and supported him no matter what and it broke his heart to think that he had let his father down .
"Sorry Papa , I had no idea-"
"Na , sorry ni sunna maine . Shakal na dikhayi tu apni mainu abse . " His father stated with finalty in his tone
Karan looked blanly at his father and then at his mother to see if he had heard his father right. His mom was already in tears
"Kya keh raho , apna hi bachha hai . koi gaer ni hai . Use hausla dene ki jagah yeh kya kar rahe ho ? "
"Bahot naazo se pala hai isey ab tak Suneeta ji . Bachpan se lekar ab tak hamari aur apni behano ki chau me raha hai . Zindagi inni asaan ni hondi .
Jab tak yeh apne aap ko innocent ni prove karta , tab tak iske liye mere ghar me koi jagah nahi hai . Sunlo dhyaan se " No one could say anything after what his father had said . Karan was shaken .
"Tejasswi? " He heard his mother say and turned in the direction she was looking . Teja stood there at the entrance with an awkward smile on her face . It was clear she had seen whatever had happened .
He shook his head at the embarrassment that occurred as she had seen this low point of his and his internal family fight .
"Yeah , I just came to give his phone . He left it......um in the car " She said standing at the entrance not knowing if she should enter or not .
"Sure ,come inside na beta" his mother welcomed her despite the situation .
"No need . I am leaving " He turned not looking at his father , snatched the phone from Teja's hand and went towards the lift .
Teja gave one last awkward smile to his parents and ran behind him.
They stood silently in the lift his feet tapping the floor ,the only source of sound in the lift. She could sense his inner turmoil. He looked so lost and vulnerable at moment . So she decided to lighten up the mood .
"Can you not ? " She pretended to be irritated
"What ?" He clearly sounded disinterested.
"This feet tapping , Gosh ! Stop it . " She said overdramarically . There was no reaction so she tried again
"It's so annoying ughhh . Stop it . will you ? " She spoke a little louder this time .
"Okay , If it annoys you then " Her face fell a little . She had expected him to fight a little but he gave in quickly .
she heard the feet tapping getting louder the next minute and immidiately looked at him . He looked everywhere else except at her trying to annoy her more . She internally smiled that he was a little better . May it be for a few minutes only but she was glad he got distracted .
*******
WARNING - THIS IS FICTION AND CLEARLY ALL THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR BEHAVIOUR IS MY IMAGINATION . SO I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TELLING ME KARAN'S FATHER WOULDN'T DO THIS , OR HOW TEJA OR KK OR ANY OTHER CHARACTER WOULD NEVER DO THIS .
P.S.- Wanted to know if any Damnfans are here ?