Enjoy Reading!!
________________________________________________________________________________
Author's Note
Two Days later
Rey was in his room getting ready for the dinner at Shekhawat Mansion. The families were meeting each other to let Taani and Rey discuss this alliance with each other unaware of their kids history together. Sharon and D3 team were not going to be there as they want Swayam and Rey to meet Taani before they could and apologize later when all of them are alone.
Rey was humming a song happily as finally Taani agreed to meet after two days, Swayam told him how Taani came home in his absence for lunch and she got to know about the alliance. Both of them were aware of reason why Taani came to Shekhawat mansion when Swayam was with others for lunch, she did not wanted to meet him but they both tried to comfort themselves saying they will meet each other soon. And now finally after two days of silence from her side she agreed finally to have dinner.
He was really excited after all he is going to meet his lady love finally after six years. Distinguished thoughts were running inside his mind,
How she would look? Would she be the same or changed? What will she say meeting him after so long? Is she happy with this marriage?
The last question halted his movements, he was so ecstatic with the news that he almost forget about her opinion. He knew she changed, if she would have been the former Taani then he had no doubt that she would be on cloud nine but this one he was not sure about. Will he marry her if she is unhappy with this marriage? He did not knew, on one side he do not wants to let go of her when she came back to him after a long wait but on the other hand he do not want to force her.
He shook his head clearing his head when his mother shouted aloud,
"Rey, beta come down. We are getting late."
"Coming Mom!"
He checked himself one last time before climbing down the stairs. They all left soon for the Shekhawat Mansion.
***********************************************************************************************
The car stopped in the front porch where Swayam along with Rishi and Ragini were standing welcoming them. They all greeted each other before moving inside and settling in the living room. Swayam sat beside Rey knowing they both would need support after meeting Taani.
"Rag, hamari doll kahan hai? Vo dinner pe to aayegi na?" Ranvijay asked looking for Taani around when Ragini answered,
"Haan Ran bhaiya, vo bas she had a important meeting regarding her fashion house that's why she couldn't come early, she was on her way when I talked to her."
"How is she, when she came here?" Avantika asked her concerned about Taani when Rishi replied,
"My princess has changed, she is no longer like our Taani but you can see an independent, brave, classy and a stylish lady instead of her."
Ragini continued saying in a solemn voice,
"She would talk only when she is asked something. Most of all, remember Avantika we always used to say Taani's hugs are always so soothing but when I hugged her it was all empty, her eyes has lost that shine and whenever she smiled it was a forced one. I hate to say this but I felt like I was meeting a corpse instead of my daughter."
Rey and Swayam's head shot up hearing her words, they knew things might have changed specially Rey who knew about her through the information Aakash shared but they never expected it to be like this. It's so true Taani's hugs were always warm that's the reason both of them searched for her soothing embrace whenever they would be in pain. Her eyes would always twinkle with love looking at both of them and a childlike smile would be on her face. The feeling of guilt consumed there being so rapidly before they could even console themselves.
Their reverie broke when a servant came in informing about Taani's arrival, both Swayam and Rey could feel their heartbeats increasing. They are going to meet finally, they glanced at each other seeing the same expression plastered on their faces.
Their wait finally came to an end when she entered the living room followed by a man who was carrying some files. Both of their eyes were fixed on her, they could see what all were talking about. She looked so different dressed in a stylish, classy and designer business attire which was too short to their liking. Her long black hair were shorter than before and had shades of brownish golden in between. She was wearing high heels and instead of her clumsy walk she was walking like a diva with attitude and poise.
Both Ragini and Rishi hugged her before Avantika called her lovingly,
"Doll, recognized us."
She looked at them smiling slightly she nodded,
"Of course aunty, uncle kese hai aap?"
She asked them returning their hugs when Avantika smiled at her teasingly,
"Aunty and uncle, itne time baad mil rhi ho so you even forgot how you used to call us in childhood."
Ranvijay too joined his wife,
"Haan bhai, mujhe laga bachpan ki tarah you will run to us saying Avu Maa and Superhero but yaha to kuch or ho gaya."
Taani just smiled slightly at them shaking her head,
"Esa nahi hai vo bas..." She was looking words to say when Avantika said realizing her discomfort,
"Its ok doll, we were just teasing you. Come sit with us. I missed you so much."
All throughout the convo she didn't even glance at Swayam and Rey which was noticed by them. Swayam got up walking towards her,
"Taani!"
She looked at him finally when he smiled at her before hugging her tightly,
"After so long, baby sis."
Taani stiffened in his arms and hummed at him smiling so that the others do not get suspicious. She came out of the hug quickly and sit beside Avantika avoiding eye contact with Swayam. Rey noticed everything, how much he wanted to hug her like Swayam but he knew he cannot. Only he knew how his heart was finally at peace as soon as she walked in through the door. He could not take his eyes off her, he was drinking her sight in assuring himself he was not dreaming, she was really present in front of him, he wished he had the power to just transport both of them to some other world where no one is present beside them. He wanted to take her in his arms, kiss her head, eyes, hands to assure himself of her presence. He so wanted to stand, grab her hand and dragging her away from everyone. She looked so beautiful, he always knew she was a natural beauty and he could see that now too, she looked so innocent in this businesswoman appearance too.
Here Taani was getting conscious under his scrutinizing gaze, she was trying hard to not glance at him knowing she would not be able to look away but he was making it so difficult for her. His gaze was same like all those years ago, in fact the intensity has increased now. She was continuously fidgeting with her hair nervously and he smiled seeing that knowing he still had the same effect over her.
"Doll, so bachha, how did the meeting go? What happened to your Mumbai branch."
Ranvijay asked her about her project and she replied to him,
"It was good. I have finalized the deal with Mr. Gupta for the renovation as I have already got a nice building, it just needs a little makeover."
"That's great, we all are so proud of you baby." Ragini caressed her head lovingly when Rishi further questions,
"Does that mean you are going back now that your work is done here."
"Jii Tauji, my flight is day after tomorrow."
Rey panicked hearing her, he was aware that if she went now then she would not return for a long time. Even the others had gloomy faces when Avantika told her a little hesitatingly,
"But doll, then what about the... you know Rey and your wedding."
Taani looked at her blankly not knowing what to say when Rishi too told her,
"You know beta why we are gathered here right. And if you will return to Paris then what about both of your marriage."
Ragini too supported her husband,
"Moreover bacha, one day or another you have to shift here permanently after your wedding so why not now itself."
Taani was continuously getting uncomfortable as she was still not able to wrap her head around the idea of marrying him. Ranvijay noticed this and said to lighten the situation a little,
"Arey bhai, hamari doll ko saans to lene do. She has just come and you all pounced on her. Let the kids talk to each other first, we all know how this royal thing and betrothal is for both of them."
"Ohh haan, I just realized Rey Taani you both would want to talk to each other, why don't you go and discuss what you both want to do." Ragini told while the other elders nodded in agreement, Rey happily agreed but Taani jerked up abruptly,
"No! It's fine, whatever you all decide, I don't mind."
Rey could feel that she was trying to avoid talking him alone but even he would not back out before spending time with her tonight,
"But I want to. So let's go."
Saying that he stood up adjusting his blazer while Taani cursed him mentally knowing he was doing all this deliberately.
"Taani jao beta."
Ragini ushered her and she stood half-heartedly before she walked towards the study room on the ground floor itself with him following after her. She entered the room but what irritated Rey was the man who came with Taani followed both of them towards the room. Taani began talking to Karan, her PA, in order to avoid Rey,
"Karan, as Mr.Gupta has finalized the deal so make sure that the papers are ready. The signing is tomorrow, and make sure the terms are according to us."
"Sure Mam, and what about the clause here..."
Karan passed her a file and they both began to discuss about it which pissed off Rey to a great extent. First she was avoiding him, second she was busy in her work when they had to talk about such a big decision of their life, third and the most important she doesn't even gave him a damn meeting after so long and is busy with this ba****d Karan who is standing so close to her as if he is her boyfriend and not PA. His patience finally gave up when he saw Karan bending down to look in the file coming more closer to Taani,
"That's it. You can take your business talks to office. For now, you..." He pointed at Karan and spat out furiously, "GET OUT!!"
The poor boy hurried out in fear of the man who looked hell pissed right now ignoring the irritated look Taani was passing him. She took a deep breath before returning to reading her file. Rey calmed himself down and started saying,
"Taani.."
Before he could complete her phone rang, she looked at the caller ID to see Mr. Gupta calling her, she picked up the call not noticing the irritated look he carried on his face.
What the hell is her problem. Can't she see I am trying so hard to talk to her.
He thought angrily but calmed himself down knowing his anger can only turn the matter to worse. Then suddenly a smirk appeared on his face when a naughty idea to tease her and grab her attention passed his mind. Moreover he wanted to see if he still affect her the way he did all those years back. He walked towards Taani whose back was facing him and stood so close to her that his front was touching her back and stealthily kept his right hand on her waist pulling her to himself.
Taani who was busy talking about her meeting froze with the sudden familiar touch. She knew this touch, her body shivered recognizing the person who was close to her after so long. Rey smirked seeing her go still in his embrace, he bent her head towards her left year where she was holding her phone. He kept his left hand on her shoulder before tracing it to her palm making her heartbeat quick and take heavy breaths. He took the phone from her hand slowly before he cut the call and put it on the table in front of them. He bent down a little more making Taani close her eyes, he hushed in her ear in a soft voice,
"You can talk to everyone later jaan, yeh time or yeh moment hamara hai."
She opened her eyes before looking at him sideways, he lazily intertwined his right hand with hers while his left one still rested on her shoulder. He so wanted to kiss her having her in his arms where she truly belonged but kept that thought away. He knew it would be too soon for that unless he wants her to run away from him again. So controlling his emotions he just bent down a little and pecked her lightly on her head. He was nuzzling his head in her hair inhaling her scent which he craved for,
"You have changed so much, but your scent is still the same. I missed it so much."
He said to her breaking her reverie. That's when she came to her senses and realized what was happening, she jerked him away from her before turning around to face him and stating firmly,
"Don't you dare touch me again. Stay away from me."
She growled furiously giving him a shock at her tone, she never used to raise her voice on anyone specially him unless it was something really serious. But then too it was never this rude and furious, she was seething in anger right now.
She moved past him trying to walk out when he caught her left hand tightly stopping her that caused her to hiss in pain. By mistake he touched her at the spot where hot coffee fell on her hand and held it too tightly causing a burning sensation.
"Taani, are you okay?" He immediately looked at her hand when she hissed in pain only to see the back of her hand swelled and the skin was sensitive there with a little burn mark. Rey's eyes widened realizing how he didn't notice it before.
"What happened?" He asked looking at her with concern while she continuously tried to snatch her hand back,
"Nothing, leave me." She was adamant but he suddenly jerked her feeling anger and concern course through his veins,
"Taani, stop being stubborn. Your hand is burnt badly and its not a new burn, definitely you got hurt few days back and you didn't treat it, right? How can you be so irresponsible Taani?" He quickly looked for the medical kit in room before he cleaned the burn area with water and then after drying it he put burn relief antiseptic on the area. All the while she was looking at him shocked,
Why does he care? After giving me such deep wounds he is treating a mere burn on my hand. What about the time when he was the one to burn my heart whose ashes I am still carrying inside of me.
When Rey was done she quickly took her hand back and strolled out of the room without saying anything making him sigh in dejection. He shook his head before placing the box at his place and washing his hand he too went out behind her.
You still have a long way to go, Rey.
________________________________________________________________________________
Yipeeee!!! Guys they finally met each other, how do you guys like their meeting after so long. Tell me in comments section. And don't forget to hit like button too. And I will be posting the next couple of chapters soon which will be Taareylicious that's my promise.
Till than Loads of Love
XOXO
Regards
Meera