"I wanted to ask you something." Parineet looked at him with curious eyes as she sat in front of him, at some distance, on the same brown coloured couch.
"Yes?"
"Why did you come after me? I mean you dropped me and you were supposed to go home.."
"Oh yes. I must tell you this." Pari saw him getting awkward and uncomfortable in front of her when all this time he was fine.
"Actually when you left, the jam got cleared in a minute only. And I almost made my car fly when I saw your phone lying on the seat. I stopped my car and took it in my hand. And yeah I must tell you that there were notifications of 5 recent missed calls from one of your friends I guess. You must be home or near your home so I thought that I should return it to you and hence turned to your block. But I found you in a grave situation. So yeah."
"Baba ji ka shukr hai." Parineet sighed in relief as she got saved from getting killed. She can never forget what happened with her, her fears and weaknesses flashed in front of her eyes and if it hadn't be Taran there with her, she must have passed out or have got herself killed by them. She saw Taran smiling at her and so lost, that she waved her hand in front of his handsome face.
"Your Punjabi is so cute." He blurted.
"Sorry?"
"I mean -"
"Forget it. So where is my phone?" Parineet let that comment go because she didn't want to get on the other side of it.
"I - I am so sorry!" Taran started sweating and licked his dry lower lip, not meeting her gaze anymore.
"What happened?"
"With my watch and wallet it's your phone I had to give them."
"Oh!"
"I'm genuinely sorry Parineet for that. Trust me I thought of giving you your phone back and come back in a minute. Hence I didn't take my mobile with me and with my belongings your phone got stolen."
"Taran-"
"Parineet if I had my phone with me, I wouldn't have given yours to them. I swear." He was rambling without a pause and in the process he stood up from the couch to explain himself better. Parineet also stood up and took his hands in her. He froze in her presence and started looking at her assured eyes. She wasn't angry. He let out a breathe finally.
"Taran! Taran! Calm down. I am already ashamed and apologetic of you losing your money and watch because of me. And I know you would have done that for me. But please. It was a situation and you had to give everything away to save me. Please don't be sorry. I don't want to hear it from you. In fact thank you so much for saving my life, thinking about my whereabouts, my safety all the time. Back then I was so stubborn at the clinic. I reprimanded you for accompanying me. But thanks to you. I am alive because of you. I will forever be grateful." she explained in a sweet and calm manner, taking away all the heaviness from his mind.
"If that is the case. Then Madam! Dosti mein no sorry no thank you." Surprisingly his voice was more jolly and happier this time and Parineet looked clueless at his bollywood dialogue.
"Haan?"
"Oh god! I need to make you watch movies." Taran rubbed the bridge of his nose with right hand, other still in her hold. Parineet looked at his drama and giggled.
"You have to. I agree." Taran laughed at her reply. At that moment he wanted to tell her that she looks the prettiest to him when she giggles and smiles, but restrained himself. They are at a very delicate stage of friendship, because she has never been open to conversations with him and when now, finally she is, he should be careful to not lose her. They stood like that for a minute, staring and laughing when Taran's empty stomach made a growling sound and he got embarrassed. "By the way I am super hungry. Do you have Maggi or something?" When Pari fell on her way, the food they bought from the restaurant also fell on the road.
"Please wait I'll make you proper dinner. Bhaiya must be on his way." Parineet left his hands and he already missed the warmth of her hands on his. It was strange for Taran so he ignored it. Parineet went inside the kitchen to cook something and Taran was in the living room when the main gate flunged open, revealing a breathless and distressed Vicky calling out his sister.
"Pari! Pari!"
"Bhaiya what happened?" Pari came out of the kitchen hurriedly and hugged her brother. Taran also walked towards them.
"Pari. Are you alright? Oh my good. I was so frightened. You are fine right?" He said without a pause and ran his hands over her face, checking if she is fine or not.
"I am absolutely fine. What happened to you? Why are you panicking?"
"I have been calling you since half an hour now. But you weren't picking up so..I I thought.." he didn't want to complete the sentence with his frightening thoughts ever. He would never.
"Bhaiya actually.."
"Mr Kakkar we got looted today!" Before she could complete, Taran said, reminding them of his presence. Vikram wiped his tears that spilled out of his eyes on seeing his sister. He was surprised to find the doctor at his house at this hour in the night.
"Dr Taran? Pari? Loot? Are you fine? Is everything fine? You? Is it a robbery? But we don't have anything valuable with us? I saw no police in the society?" Vikram looked at his sister and bombarded her with multiple questions since he was very scared.
"Bhaiya I was coming back from the clinic and it happened. It wasn't a robbery case." she mumbled in a low voice, because she knew that he would be more tensed after listening to this piece of information.
"Oh my goodness. Are you fine?"
"Dr Taran saved me bhaiya."
"I didn't do anything actually. I just surrendered everything."
"And it was not his mistake. They had me on their knife." Parineet said looking at Taran straight in his eyes, reminding him again that it was a tricky situation which wasn't in their favour so what he did was right. She can't let him think low of himself when actually he was the bravest of the two. Taran was taken aback as her stare held him. His mouth went dry seeing her, assuring and defending him of his strength and his inability to kick the goons away both at the same time.
"Dr Taran! You are an angel honestly." Vikram said to him with moist eyes. He can't express how many times, Taran has lessened his worries and problems when they have no one in this new city.
"Arre Mr Kakkar it's absolutely fine."
"Are you fine sir? I can see the bandage. I'm so sorry and I-. Thank you sir." Vikram saw he has got some injury at his hand.
"Please more than me, Parineet has a big cut on her stomach."
"What?" Vikram grew horrified and looked at his sister who was shockingly staring at Taran. He was smiling in return because he felt good after making her secret out. He knew she had no plans of informing about her own injury to her brother so he did. Atleast Vikram would ensure that she will take care of herself.
"But don't get scared. It's very superficial. I have told her an ointment and painkillers. She is fine." Taran added. As parineet was looking at him with anger, he smirked at her, not breaking the eye contact, and made the situation less difficult for her to handle.
"Again thank you so much sir!" Vikram walked to him and thanked by shaking hands.
"Please stop saying me sir and thank you. I feel suffocated."
"I'm so sorry. Dr Tara-"
"I'll be calling you Vikram now. And you should call me by my name." Taran cut him off.
"Ah-okay!"
"So Vikram. I think I should leave now." he pressed his lips together in a smile and said but Parineet's words stopped him.
"No!" she almost yelled. seeing the reaction of both the boys, she lowered her gaze and voice both and continued "You should have dinner. I can't let you go empty stomach."
"And I can't let you cook atleast for now." Taran said swiftly, adding to her statement.
"I'll order for us. Wait!" Vikram suggested.
"I would have denied but okay. I am too hungry to do that. Can I have your phone Vikram? I need to call mom."
"Sure!" Vikram handed him his mobile phone and Taran told his mom that he is having dinner at one of his friends.
Thereafter, all three of them had dinner together, with some good conversation and Taran left their house around 12 in the night.
As Parineet was now alone in her room, she breathed and sat on the bed with a thump. She could not help but retrospect the things and events that happened with her in a single day. Her life was very calm and under control since last one month of her therapy and she can't deny but admit that Dr Ayaan is a magician. He was really supportive and cooperative while dealing with her at her lowest points and made her this much confident as she is today. The way she talks now, makes conversations, just like this afternoon, she talked to Dr Tar-!
Taran! She mentally corrected herself and smiled. Parineet, has been on a journey, when it comes to Taran. Their bond has developed from scratch to what it is now. When she first met him, no it wasn't even a meeting. It was more of a chance discovery of a generous and kind doctor.
He was professional and composed, and when she met him in a completely different situation - a market! Parineet laughed as she vividly remembers their meetings. She was taken aback when he didn't let her go and made her stand in his embrace. But soon she gauged that he was having a hard time in recognising her and he cannot be blamed because he sees thousands of patients on a daily basis. But she was quick in the same. Little did Parineet knew that he won't let her rest after another chance meeting. He indirectly, made her overcome her vulnerabilities, tackle her past and the process is still going on. She is on a path of recovery and self discovery all thanks to him. If he hadn't been there, to push her, to make her meet Dr Ayaan forcefully that day in hospital, she must have been crying in her room today or must have zoned out when Vicky and Taran were chit chatting with each other over the dining table.
A little push, a little adamant approach of him made her what she is today and what she will be tomorrow.
Taran, then whenever met her, threw advances or she doesn't understand why but got closer to her, took time and efforts to drop her at every place she was supposed to be. Dr Ayaan's constant remarks were unsettling for her. Hence she tried to maintain her distance from him, she didn't talk to him much. Even today, amidst such an engaging conversation, she successfully ignored him but now as she thinks of all of it, Parineet has a different point of view. Maybe she was overthinking and judging him since she was in a very tough situation herself. He was just concerned for her and today his 'over' concern did save her life.
Taran not once got angry on her for their spat at Dr Ayaan's clinic nor he boasted about reaching on time. Instead he was very gentle, comforting even sorry for not able to save her in a particular manner. He truly, seems a good guy and "How I wish if I could befriend him!" Parineet said to herself as her train of thoughts didn't find a perfect stop.
She has always brushed him away from her when things did happen to them in such a way that they keep on meeting and now that she had spent a considerable amount of time with him, where she had her vulnerabilities and emotions on display every time, and he understood her so nicely, there's no harm in taking a step forward.
Today for the first time ever, Parineet felt his presence important. When she came out of her room, after changing, from the corner of her eyes, she took a glance at him. Taran was wearing a shirt of a very light shade of green with black denims. His tall and muscled body frame made him look extremely handsome. He is really a good looking man, Parineet couldn't take her eyes off him.
After having a good self discussion and introspection with herself, Parineet quickly rushed to Vicky's room to take his phone.
She needs to make a call.
"Hello Vikram! Is everything alright?" Taran's voice was fresh but he sounded concerned. Ofcourse calling him from her brother's phone at 1 pm in the night would give him this idea only.
"Hii." Her soft low voice didn't go unnoticed by Taran and he looked at his phone again to re check. It was Parineet. The girl about whom he has been thinking all this time, called her. This unreal reality made Taran excited. Ever since he has stepped out of Parineet's house, he couldn't stop thinking about her and what happened with them. He is not able ti sleep, despite of being so tired. He could feel things and emotions shifting between them. They got to meet each other's new sides, saw through one another's fears and hesitations. He has never felt uncomfortable or under confident in a girl's presence but her. She makes him feel conscious.
He himself doesn't know what happens to him, whenever she's around that he clings to her. Is it his general nature around women? Probably! Taran Ahuja can't leave a chance to flirt but today he didn't. When he saw her ignoring him, he can't irritate her or talk to her deliberately without her will. But dropping her home, again, was a genuine concern. Had it been any other time of the day, he would have let her go alone but it was eight in the night and when he could have helped her, then why not?
"Parineet!" He cleared her throat and said.
"Yea. Sorry to disturb you at this time." As she now has made the call, Parineet is regretting her decision. How could she call someone in the middle of the night? She has never done that before.
"It's okay. I wasn't sleeping anyways."
"You were also not sleeping. And I thought it was only me." Parineet said excitedly while Taran smirked inwardly. Someone is excited to talk, he thought.
"Why were you awake by the way?" Taran decided to tease her a bit.
"I.. I! I was thinking about you."
"Haan?"
"I mean thinking about us! Umm.. no! I mean!"
"You mean what?" Taran was really enjoying a confused and flushed Parineet.
"Stop it!" Parineet whinned like a baby and she heard him laughing. Parineet went red and embarassed.
"Okay! Let's be serious. Why did you call me?"
"Listen I am extremely sorry if I disturbed you or your family at this time. But good things should be told."
"So what is the good thing?"
"Taran I genuinely admire your efforts and concern for me. I won't ever forget what you did for me today, how you saved me and all of that stuff -"
"It was alright. It just happened. I happened to be there at the right time."
"No! Truly. I admire your company so much that I wanna ask you something." Parineet paused. She hasn't been so direct to anyone ever. She missed Neeti at this point, if she had been here with her, she would have delivered her message to Taran. Like she always did in school and college. Everytime when Parineet used to get shy or nervous, Neeti was there to encourage her, push her or help her. But right now, she is alone and she has to say it.
"Go on!" She heard him saying.
"Will you be my friend?" It was a simple question, tugged with so many happy emotions, beliefs and hopes, it made Taran smile. Till now in his life, there was no need for him to befriend someone or someone to ask him like this for being friends with him because it used to just happen. In conversations, in parties, he made friends just like that. But today he felt like he won over her. He got something!
Parineet wants to friends with him? The ever so quiet girl, totally opposite to him, who always ignored her, even lashed out at him for helping her wants to be friends with him? This felt like a dream to him so Taran pinched himself on the arm and shrieked.
"What happened Taran?"
"No! No! Nothing! I am your friend Parineet. I am. Trust me."
"Thank you so much." Her reply was short sweet and low voiced.
"There was no need to ask me at first place. I am always there for you! Also don't you remember what I said today! Dosti mein no sorry no thank you. And you agreed to it. Hence we are friends and you agreed to it."
"Oh yes. I did. How can I forget. But I needed to ask you. Because friendship is not a one sided relationship. If you are there for me then you must know that I'll be there for you too."
Taran settled on his bed unknowingly as her reply was very deep and something which no one has spoken or made him feel, other than Ayaan.
"You know what, I haven't asked someone like this formally." Parineet blushed.
"Same here. No one asked me to be friends with them neither I did. It was a natural thing but you! You were something! I had to do so much efforts."
"Efforts? So you tried to impress me to be your friend?" He heard her laughing as she asked him. Parineet is opening up and all he could do is to marvel at her.
"No! I didn't do anything to impress you but help. I have been very genuine with my intentions for you." Taran said truthfully.
"I can see that."
"One more thing Parineet. You look very pretty when you smile and giggle. Keep smiling always. Don't lose it again!" A sudden remark from him made Parineet silent. She didn't know how to react to it.
"Parineet! Are you there?"
"Oh! Haa. I am."
"So shall we call it a night?" Taran said in an amused tone.
"Yes. Yes. Good night Taran!"
"Good night Parineet."
They disconnected the call but Parineet could not go to sleep. She made a new friend and this fact reminded her of another one. She has left behind her best friend because of her own sorrows. Neeti didn't deserve her cold treatment. It's been more than three months since she has not talked to her. Not once she did a text message. When did Parineet become so steel hearted that she completely ignored the existence of a girl, she once couldn't breathe without. Is life so cruel or has she become heartless in past days?
On the other hand Taran was really tired after a hectic day of work and chaos. When he returned home, he had to tell her mom about what happened with her newfound friend Parineet and him.
She got scared initially but was extremely proud of him that he saved a girl. She also expressed her desire to meet Pari some day. On the top of that, his day has ended on a very positive note that he couldn't help but smile while sleeping in his cosy bed.
______________
Neeti was sleeping soundly with her Sanju by her side when her phone rang. She disconnected the call without seeing but it rang again and this time she picked it up.
"Who's this?"
"Neeti!" Her name from Parineet's mouth never sounded more good than this night to her. Neeti almost shrieked in happiness but she saw Rajeev sleeping.
She moved out of her bed like a cat and stood in her verandah, she was a ball of emotions.
Anger, excitement, happiness, hurt she could feel everything all at once.
"Pari?"
"Neeti!" She could hear Parineet's voice getting choked by her tears. Her best friend is crying just like her.
"I hate you Pari." Neeti cried.
"I know. I am sorry."
"You are not. Tujhe meri yaad hi nhi aai."
"Aati hai Roz aati hai."
"Liar! Since when you learned lying to me? Ek call nhi uthai tune meri. You didn't reply to a single message. How can I believe you? I hate you Pari. You stole my best friend from me."
"I am so so so sorry Neeti.. I never wanted.. you don't know how much I am suffering without you."
"Shut up! You left me Pari you left me alone!"
"I didn't. You have your husband by your side."
"Fuck him! He can never be what you are to me." Neeti said all pissed off with Pari's comebacks and her tears.
"Shh! I can understand.."
"..no you can't.. actually I hate that Rajeev. Bloody bastard. He has made you so distant from everyone. He has made us fall apart. When I couldn't imagine a day without you, you are living in a different city from 4 months. Tujhe ek baar bhi meri yaad nhi aai?" Parineet went silent at the mention of Rajeev who must be with her best friend as Sanju. She can't believe that Neeti hates the very same person unknowingly she loves the most. Is she at fault? Definitely!
"Aai.. in fact I miss you daily. I seriously miss you Neeti..I miss us!" a dumbstruck Parineet forced the words out of her mouth anyhow.
"And Vicky?"
"He doesn't say but I'm sure he misses you!"
"Tell him to meet me one day and also parcel you to me." Parineet laughed at her best friend's arguments. She missed all of this. Neeti's anger, her tantrums, her adoration for her and Vikram she missed everything badly.
"Pari I want to tell you one thing."
"Yes?"
"Today I went to hospital. And.."
"And?"
"I am pregnant!" Neeti sounded so happy and elated. But her best friend didn't know how to accept and take in this news.
She should be happy? Right? Right.
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A/N : I am so happy with the response I am getting for this book. Hope you enjoy this update. Read vote comment and share. <3