Ananya finished her dance rehearsal and was waiting for Rehan who was practicing in the other room to join her. She didn't want to go to that room so she waited outside. It was about 15 mins later that she saw the most important people in her life walking towards her. Both Jason and Jannes came running towards her. She pretended not to look at them.
Jason closed Ananya's eyes with his little hand and she hugged him tight. They hugged her back and Jannes started looking out for something. Ananya knew what. Vivaan also joined.
"See your superman is in there.",Ananya said kneeling to reach the kids and said as soon as Rehan came out of the room sipping water."Go meet him. He missed you two.Go.",Both of them got really excited as they saw Rehan. Both of them gave Ananya a kiss on her cheek and went on to meet Rehan. Both Vivaan and Ananya stood there smiling looking at the kids meet Rehan. A smile appeared on Rehan's Face as he saw both the kids. He picked up Jannes and went on to meet Jason.
"How easy it is for them to show their love to Rehan unlike you.", Vivaan said but looking straight at the kids .Ananya turned to him.
"Don't give me that look. I know how much are you holding back yourself. It is quite evident even when you'll are rehearsing together.",He said.
"It's nothing. I'm just not used to such dancing so.", Ananya said in her defense.
"So you are telling me you don't like him or love him or think about him anymore?"
"I don't know.Like I gave it a chance but... like he is still the most handsome man I know.",she said her eyes locked at the handsome man with the two kids. "These small things he does to make the kids happy, I truly appreciate the fact that today he is here for Sanya selflessly . Also when I see him smiling I'm contended. But it is difficult for me to put it to him. So the rehearsals get a bit uncomfortable. That's it.",She gave in because she knew that she couldn't fight against Vivaan.
"I can see. But you have to make him see. Actually he knows but... OK this is super complex. ", Vivaan said analysing."But wait is this the reason you are helping his father? Like Mr.Kundra is a difficult...",Ananya squeezed Vivaan hand as Rehan came foward to meet them. He simply smiled at both of them and continued talking to Jannes and Jason.She gave Vivaan an eye not to let it out to Rehan.
Post afternoon she received a call from her office saying that Mr. Kundra wants to meet her urgently and that he has got some issues. This man is literally behind my life,she thought to herself but she told them to tell him to come to a nearby café as she was too busy to come and meet in the office. He agreed. Rehan had a press conference scheduled anyway,so she thought it would be a good time to go and that she would return to rehearsals post that.
Rehan head for his press conference. He was welcomed with loud cheers from the audience becoming extremely excited to see one of their favorite celebrities. He did a photo up and then sat down for the press conference. He answered a lot of questions on his personal and professional life in a dignified manner but the one he that caught his attention was "How would yo describe the best relationship of your life as?" To which he answered.
"Often times in life you feel the need to have someone in your life,to be with that person to have fun. That's when you think you are in love. But that's not always true. Sometimes its not you but the other person, her happiness, her respect, her dignity is what that matters. Even if it leads to that person not accepting you. But its beautiful to be in love with someone who does not love you back. Its gives a different motivation as to improve yourself and win that person. I love the pain it causes. I like to romance pain."
On the other hand Ananya met his father at the café. With her laptop in front of her she tried to avoid much talking to him. In between her phone rang continuously. It showed Rehan. It was indeed awkward to pick up the call. He was calling her for the nth time when his father realised that it was his son calling.
"You may excuse yourself.", he said from his side indicating he no longer feels anything that he felt in Goa.
"No it's alright. I'm done. Here is your papers.", she said flipping the phone on the table.
"Thank you.",he said and both of them stood up to leave.
She offered to leave Mr. Kundra to his office and in the car the phone rang again. She turned it down.
"He is a good, I mean great guy.",Rehan's father told Ananya while sitting on the passenger seat while she was driving.
"I know.", she half smiled at him and stopped as they reached the destination.
Before he could step out of the car Ananya held a card of Sanya's wedding and presented it to him.
"My best friend is getting married tomorrow. It'll be great to have you and your family at the cocktail party.",She told him.
"Will Rehan be there?",He asked.
"Yaa. He is with us in the hotel since a few days."
"Ohk,well I know its awkward knowing about our son from you but he anyways doesn't talk to me so it'll get a bit uncomfortable. You guys have fun. And all good wishes to your friend. God bless.", He left. She still urged to take the card with him and requested to come.She saw sadness in his eyes when he spoke of communication gap between him and his son. She knew it always existed but today it was not only bothering Rehan but his father also. She realised that this man has changed. Changed for The good.
Sarah and Ananya by 8 in the night went on to see the final preparation for tomorrow's big day. Sanya and Daniel were having their pre wedding shoot that Rehan had organised. There were best photographers, lights all around. Rehan himself took a few pictures. Sarah and Ananya had to visit the planner's office. They came at around 1 in the night. "You freshen up and I'll go see the kids and then I'll drop you home.",Sarah told her taking a nap on the sofa.She did as said.
And as she came back she saw Sarah fast asleep beside Jannes and Jason.She had to take them home and Sarah was supposed to drop them but now?
She carried Jannes in one arm while Rehan surprisingly came up and offered to pick up Jason and asked Ananya not to pick Sarah up.
"But I have..",she told him.
"I know but I'll drop you'll.", He smiled at her.
They headed home but in the meanwhile they passed the ever beautiful marine drive. The sea silently smiling at Ananya when she saw it and her eyes lit up.
"Let's wait for 5 mins?",He asked her to get down.
"No I think we should leave. Both of them.."
"We'll just stand. Full focus on them I promise.",he said looking at the kids sleeping.
They stood there facing the sea, feeling the calmness, and just talking to themselves.
"Ok. I have a reason to stop. I want to talk to you.",He said moments later.
"Yes.",she said normally.
"Why are you holding back? Why are you not saying, opposing things?",he asked.
"It's nothing like that.",she said.
"It is. I can feel it in our pbysical closeness. I can feel it in the way you look at me. I can feel it now. You have turned stubborn. You are hurting yourself. Why are you tolerating me? You could just not allow me to be present for this wedding? Why did you agree to dance with me when you are not comfortable? We Can avoid it. Back off.",He said.
"Back off? Like you did. Ok fine. Back off. I don't want to do it.",she said wanting to finish the conversation.
"I told you. You are getting strict with yourself. Just accepting this! This is not what you are. Ananya listen to me. I know I did a mistake but you can punish me, get angry on me but please forgive me? I want a second chance. Just today I spoke about how beautiful the pain of rejection is, but it kills. Only a second chance can heal it. If you can give your life a second chance and reach where you are , so why not me?", he told her.
"Beause that day questions were posed on my self respect.", she turned to him.
"But today that self respect is turning into ego. Don't let your self respect turn into ego. Don't."
"But if you still want to back off the dance we can if you are uncomfortable. Anywayz it needs a lot of trust and belief and faith",Both of them were heading towards the car when two people called out for him.
They asked him for a photograph. He simply smiled and Ananya took her seat in the car.
"Its quite late. You'll should head home.",Rehan told the young teenage couple.
"Thank you so much. He just proposed to me. So we are out celebrating. If you had to give him one advice what would it be?",Ananya could hear them speaking and felt that he was the wrong person to ask advice from but what he said next suprized her wanting her to forgive him and embrace him back. But she controlled.
"Always support her and no matter what stand up for. Its the best you can do. Don't let her down.",He said and sat in the car.
She saw truth in his eyes while driving back.