Darshan looks at the clock, which reads 3'o clock. He gets up from the sofa and goes to the bedroom. He gets fresh and then, gets ready for the day. He quickly packs his bag and goes down to the parking lot where Naushad, Hardik, and Dushyant are waiting for him. He loads his bag in Naushad's car. He sits in the front passenger seat with Naushad driving the car. Hardik and Dushyant are sitting in the back.
Hardik: Bhai, bhabhi nahi aane wali?
Darshan: Nahi! Woh kal raat uske ghar gae hai.
Hardik: Ok!
Naushad: Chalo Lalit ko pick karna phir Mumbai-Pune expressway pe nikal padte hain.
Dushyant: Bhai, isse accha flight mein chale jaate at least sone toh milta.
Hardik: So true!
Naushad: Meine socha ki subah subah drive ka maza hi alag hoga.
Dushyant: Woh bhi hai!
Naushad drives the car out of the parking lot and starts towards Lalit Shankar's house.
Jaimi wakes up at 3:30 and gets fresh. She wears a white tee and pants. She wears a black and white stripe cardigan over it. She gets her phone and car keys. She leaves a note on her bedroom door which says, "I'm going to Kamshet. I'll be back before the eve. Sorry! I didn't want to wake you guys up so I'm leaving a note. I just need some time by myself." She leaves the house and meets up with Amaal in the parking lot.
Amaal: Jai!
Jaimi: Yes Bhai.
Amaal: Subah ke chaar baje kaha jaa rahi ho?
Jaimi: Neend khul gae thi toh yaha paas mein Kamshet jaa rahi hoon.
Amaal: Ayesha aur Meera ko kaha?
Jaimi: Woh dono so rahe the toh ek note chod diya hai aur agar unko batati toh jaane hi nahi dete.
Amaal: Because jab bhi tum gusse mein hoti ho ya pareshaan hoti ho tab speed karti ho!
Jaimi: I promise I won't speed! Par please, abhi un dono ko mat jagao.
Amaal: Ek shart pe!
Jaimi: Kya?
Amaal: Tumhe mujhe saath le jaana hoga aur abhi jaake apni medicine leke aao.
Jaimi: Ok.
Amaal: Mein ek jacket aur Handsome ko lete aata hoon.
Jaimi: Ok.
They take the elevator up to their floor. Amaal meets his parents and gets a jacket from Armaan's wardrobe. He then bids them goodbye and takes Handsome along with him. Jaimi, on the other hand, gets two water bottles and her medicine. Jaimi gets in the driver seat with Amaal in the front passenger seat and Handsome in the back seat. Jaimi puts her phone to charge. They open the windows to let the natural air in. They drive towards the Petrol pump. They fill up the tank and start for the Mumba-Pune expressway.
(For all who don't know Handsome Malik. He's the pet dog of the Malik family)
The boys pick up Lalit from his house. They start towards the Mumbai-Pune expressway. Darshan is looking out of the window. Anyone who looks at him can see the sadness on his face.
Lalit: Darshan, itna sad kyu hai?
Darshan turns to look at him.
Darshan: Nahi! Mein kaha sad hoon.
Lalit: Tera chehra dekh kar koi bhi kahega ki tu sad hai. Bhai, aisa nahi lag raha hai ki yeh abhi ro dega.
Naushad: Sahi kaha! Kya hua?
Darshan: Kuch bhi nahi!
Hardik: Bhabhi ko miss kar raha hai? Kyu?
Darshan: Kuch bhi!
Dushyant: Nahi! Teri hi biwi hai toh miss kar hi sakhta hain.
The others laugh while Darshan slips into deep thoughts. His mind doesn't stop thinking about Jaimi. Hardik looks at the rearview mirror and sees a white Camry behind them. He turns his body to see the car. He reads the nameplate of the car.
Hardik: Bhai, Ayesha bhi humare saath Pune aa rahi hai?
Naushad: Nahi! Kyu?
Hardik: Woh peeche Ayesha ki car hain.
Naushad looks in the rearview mirror while Dushyant and Lalit turn their head to see the car.
Naushad: Yeh toh Ayesha ki hi car hai par woh car toh Meera bhi use karti haina.
Hardik: Haan!
Dushyant: Bhai, aage koi dhaaba ya restuarent aae toh rok dena. Bahot bhukh lagi hai.
Naushad: Thik hai!
They all chat as they go down the expressway. Darshan is quietly looking out the window lost in his thoughts.
Amaal runs his fingers through Handsome's fur who is quietly sitting on the back seat enjoying the view outside.
Amaal: Kiddo, tu divorce ke baare mein sure hai?
Jaimi: Yes Bhai. Ab kuch bacha hi nahi hai toh iss rishte mein reh kar kya faida hoga!
Amaal: Tu ab Raj Classic mein hi rahogi na?
Jaimi: Nahi! Uske ghar humare divorce tak rehna padega. Iss 6 mahine tak toh ek couple ka hi drama karna padega warna baatein hogi aur mein nahi chahti ki uncle aunty ko abhi kuch pata chale.
Amaal: Tum dono ek hi chhat ke neeche I mean kaise? Tu aur woh manage kar paoge after what happened last night?
Jaimi: Mein 3rd se apni job shuru kar rahi hoon toh subah 8 baje chali jaungi toh shaam ke 5 baje hi aaungi. Woh derr se utha ta hai so subah ka toh problem hi nahi hai. Aur bahot problem hue toh shaam ko koi club join kar lungi taaki raat ko 8-9 baje ghar aau toh usse baat nahi karni pade. Dinner karke so jaaungi.
Amaal: Ok. Aage Starbucks pe rukna. Tujhe medicine leni hai toh kuch khaa lena aur mujhe bhi bahot bhukh lagi hai.
Jaimi: Thik hai.
Jaimi slips into deep thoughts again. Amaal sees it and decides to distract her with questions.
Amaal: Jai, kya soch rahi hai?
Jaimi: Life ke baare mein! I mean meri life mein kuch kabhi normal hota hi nahi. After Mom and Dad... jeene ki koi wajah hi nahi thi par Chetana di, uncle, aur aunty the toh thodi hope thi. Dheere dheere life wapas chalne lagi. Phir meri high school khatam hue aur Di ne shaadi ka faisla kiya. Uss summer sab itna khush the aur phir Di USA chali gae shaadi ke baad. Mein bhi Ayesha aur Meera ke saath Mumbai shift ho gae. Yaha aap, Maan, Neel, aur Delhi gang se mile. Life mein khushiyaan wapas aa gae.
Amaal: You know what? Meine pehli baar tumhe Mom se introdue karwaya tha na tab ghar jaane ke baad Mom ne Dad se kaha ki I wish unki tumhare jaise koi beti hoti. Unki beti ka toh pata nahi par mujhe ek best sister mil gae.
Jaimi smiles at him.
Amaal: Now you continue!
Jaimi: Mein, Maan, aur Ayesha USA move ho gae. Waha pe jaake I felt so happy. Maan aur Ayesha humesha mere saath hote the. Ghar pe bhi hum teeno bahot shaitaaniyan karte the and we were so happy. Phir slowly ek saal USA rehne ke baad Advay ka birth hua. I was so happy! Phir, kuch hi mahino ke baad Di ka divorce ho gaya. Ghar se saari khushiyaan hi chali gae. Ek saal bit gaya and everything was back on track as Diya and Advay bade ho gae aur uncle aunty USA Di ke saath move ho gae. Hum teen bhi Mumbai wapas shift ho gae. Meri magazine company mein job lag gae. Phir kuch mahino ke baad, mein Z... se mili. Phir 4-5 mahine I was so happy then, it all came to an end with Z... Maan aur aap sab ki wajah se phir se life was back on track. Do saal ke baad Darshan se mili. I really liked him aur meine shaadi ke liye haan keh di. Shaadi ho gae and I was so happy. I don't know how, but I fell in love with him. Darshan aur mein, ek saath adjust karne ka try kar rahe the. Phir, kal raat jo hua.
Amaal: Kiddo, tu hi kehti haina ki upparwala sab dekh raha hain! Uncle aur aunty bhi waha se tujhe dekh rahe hai toh woh apni iss cute si princess ke saath kuch bhura nahi hone denge.
Jaimi: I really don't know Bhai! It feels like I'm stuck in a cycle or I should say my life has become a cycle. Thodi der ke liye khushiyaan milti hai aur phir chin jaati hai.
Amaal: Tu hi humesha kehti haina ki Ved uncle aur Sachi aunty ne tujhe bahot strong banaya hai. Ab tu weak pad jaaegi toh unko accha lagega kya? Kisi aur ke liye nahi toh unke liye hi kar. Happiness is within yourself. Darshan nahi hai toh kya hua? Hum toh haina! Aur kisi ke jaane se life nahi rukti.
Jaimi: You're right! Bhai aap therapist bhi ban hi jao.
Amaal: Therapist huna. Meri Kiddo ka!
Jaimi: How sweet!
Jaimi speeds and takes over Naushad's car. After half an hour or so, Jaimi parks her car in the parking lot. She unplugs her phone and gets out of the car. Amaal gets out of the car and puts Handsome on a leash then, the three go inside. Naushad also pulls up the car in the parking lot. They all get down and sees the car there as well.
Hardik: Abhi pata chal jaaega ki iss car mein kaun tha.
Naushad: Chalo jaldi se refreshments le lete hain. Traffic ho jaae usse pehle Pune pahoch na hai.
Darshan gets nervous seeing the car as he doesn't know how to face Ayesha or Meera. He also doesn't want to reveal it to the others just now. They all go inside Starbucks and see a male and female standing in front of the counter with a dog.
Jaimi: I'll have a Midnight Mocha Frappuccino.
Amaal: I want an Iced White Chocolate Mocha. 1 Croissant with strawberry cream cheese and one with chocolate filling. Jaimi, ek kaam karoo tum Handsome ko thodi walk kara do. Mein order leke aata hoon.
Jaimi: Ok.
The three move away from the counter and see the others standing behind them. Darshan gets surprised seeing Jaimi. The three walk towards them and greet them who greet them back. Darshan is standing there quietly while Amaal is glaring at him. Jaimi signals Amaal to behave normally.
Hardik: Bhabhi aap ghaadi chala rahi thi! Hume laga ki Ayesha ya Meera honge.
Jaimi smiles.
Dushyant: Bhabhi, app dono bhi humare saath Pune aa rahe ho?
Amaal: Nahi!
Jaimi: Woh mujhe neend nahi aa rahi thi toh aise hi drive pe aa gae. Bhai ne kaha ki woh aur Handsome bhi join karenge so yaha aas paas hi jaa rahe hain.
Naushad: Ok!
Handsome starts acting up a bit and walks towards outside.
Jaimi: I guees he wants to go outside! Mein aap sabse baadme milti hoon.
Jaimi goes outside with Handsome completely ignoring Darshan as she heads out. Hardik and Dushyant place the order while Amaal is chatting with Naushad and Lalit as he waits for his order. Darshan quietly goes outside behind Jaimi. Jaimi takes Handsome to the little garden that's a few minutes away. Darshan quickly catches up with her and stands in front of her blocking her way. She just looks away. Handsome barks at Darshan who steps back seeing his behavior.
Jaimi: Handsome, no! Be a good boy.
Handsome quietly sits down in between them. Darshan holds Jaimi's arms.
Darshan: Tum kal raat ghar kyu nahi aae? Mein kitna pareshaan ho gaya tha.
Jaimi: Tum kyu pareshaan ho rahe the? And, mein koi choti bacchi nahi hoon!
Darshan: I know ki tum gussa ho and I have no problem with that kyuki tumhara gussa jayaz hai! Tum ghar kab aa rahi ho?
Jaimi's phone rings. She gets her phone from her back pocket and sees Amaal is calling her. She talks to him for a minute.
Jaimi: Mein 3rd ki shaam ko ghar aajaungi. You don't worry. And haan! You are free to do whatever you want with your gf. And just, remember the conditions from last night.
Jaimi walks away with Handsome. She gets in the car with Amaal and Handsome. They leave for Kamshet. Darshan stands there thinking about what she said. He goes back and they leave for Pune.
The rest of the day, Amaal and Jaimi explore Kamshet. They do paragliding, cycling, trekking, and visit Pawna Lake and Badsa caves. Amaal tries to lift up Jaimi's mood with jokes or some funny story or incident. They enjoy their day in Kamshet then, have dinner at a local restaurant. They had back to Mumbai by 11 at night.
Darshan, on the other hand, checks into their hotel with the others. They meet up with the rest of the band. They go to the soundcheck in the afternoon and then, have a concert at night. They come back to the hotel. They all have dinner together and then, depart to their rooms. Darshan lies down on the bed after turning off all the lights. He blankly stares at the ceiling. He calls Jaimi a few times, but she doesn't answer.
Darshan: Mein bhi idiot hi hoona! Raat ke 1 baj gae hai. Woh ab tak so gae hogi.
His phone rings. He looks at the screen excitedly thinking it's Jaimi, but his mood goes down seeing it's Heli calling him. He answers the call.
Heli: Hi Baby! Mera Gabbu kya kar raha hain?
Darshan: Heli please talk decently!
Heli: Kya hua? Hum pehle bhi aise hi baat karte the na!
Darshan: And, pehle meri shaadi nahi hue thi! Meine kal bhi tumse kaha tha ki divorce nahi ho jaata tab tak thoda distance maintain karo please.
Heli: Darshan, tum bahot badal gae ho! Tum pehle kabhi mujhse aise baat nahi karte the. Aur yeh sab tumhari uss so called wife, kya naam hai uska? Jaimi! Haan... ussi ki wajah se ho raha hai.
Darshan: For first Heli, woh meri so-called wife nahi hai. She is my wife! Usko inn sab mein ghasitho nahi toh behtar hoga kyuki uski ismein koi galti nahi hain. So be respectful to her when you meet her! Ok?
Heli: Darshan!
Darshan removes the phone from his ear as someone calls him. He looks at the name on the screen and instantly smiles seeing Jaimi's name on it.
Darshan: Heli, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Mujhe abhi bahot neend aa rahi hai. Bye!
Darsha hangs up his call with Heli before she could say a word. He quickly answers Jaimi's call and sits up in bed.
Darshan: Hi!
Jaimi: Sorry woh mein shower mein thi jab tumhare missed calls aae the.
Darshan: Nahi koi baat nahi! I'm sorry ki meine tumhe itni raat ko distrurb kiya.
Jaimi: It's fine. Tumhe kya baat karni thi?
Darshan: Tumhe kaise pata ki mujhe baat karni thi?
Jaimi: Tumne call kiya hai so of course tumhe kuch baat karni hogi ya phir kuch kaam hoga. Tum mujhe waise hi phone nahi karoge so kya baat karni thi?
Darshan: Uh... woh... I...
Jaimi: Kya hua?
Darshan: Woh meine... meine... yeh kehne ke liye call kiya tha ki... tum mujhe apne office ka adress send kar dena. Mein tumhe third ki shaam ko pick karne aa jaunga.
Jaimi: No need! Mein cab se ghar aa jaungi. Tumhe kuch aur kehna hai?
Darshan: Woh... mujhe...
Jaimi: Kuch kehna nahi ho toh good night! Mujhe uncle aur aunty ko call karna hai.
Darshan: Woh tum...
Jaimi: Un dono ko 6 mahine tak kuch pata nahi chalega!
Darshan: Tumhe kaise pata ki mein yehi kehne wala hoon?
Jaimi: Logo ki fitrat acche se pehchaan ti hoon!
Darshan: I...
Jaimi: Bye!
Jaimi hangs up the call before Darshan could say anything. Darshan gets up from the bed and goes to the balcony. He sits on the little railing bench with his arms resting on the railing. He looks over the golf course. He has a goody smile on his face thinking of his chat with Jaimi a few minutes ago.
Darshan: (In Mind: Jaimi mujhse gussa hai aur hona bhi chahiye! Mein uske saath bahot galat kiya. Aaj usse baat kar ke ek sukoon mila! At lest, yeh jaan kar khushi hue ki woh thik hai. I just hope ki Heli aur Jaimi kabhi aamne saamne na aae warna pata nahi kya hoga. Bagwaan, I know ki meine Jaimi ke saath bahot na insaafi ki hai par please usko saari khushiyaan dena. Aap toh uske saath na insaafi mat karna!)
He looks over the golf course for a while thinking about Jaimi. He goes back inside of his room after a while then, goes to sleep. The next morning, he has a meet and greet with his fans from 9 to 2. Then, he goes back to the hotel with Naushad, Hardik, and Dushyant. They pack up their stuff and leave for Mumbai by 4. They reach Mumbai by 7. Naushad and others drop him off at his house and he bids them goodbye. He goes into his house and lays down on the sofa. He goes to his bedroom and freshens up. He goes to the kitchen as he's hungry. He turns on the lights of the kitchen. The memories from when he and Jaimi cooked together flash in front of his eyes. He opens the refrigerator and grabs an apple. He turns off the lights and goes to the living room. He watches a Netflix series while eating the apple. He doesn't find peace anywhere. He turns off the tv and throws the remote on the window seat. His phone rings. He looks at the name on the screen which reads, "Heli ❤" He lets the ring finish then, switches off his phone. He grabs his car keys and drives to the Juhu beach. He wears his cap and hoodie then, takes off his shoes. He walks along the shore. He seats back down in his car around 10 at night. He starts driving with a blank mind. He drives for 20 to 25 minutes and reaches the gate outside Raj Classics. He parks the car beside the gate in a way so no one can see him. He seats in the car looking at the building for half an hour or so. He sees Jaimi coming out in the balcony of her apartment. She is sipping something in her cup while looking outside. Darshan ducks so she wouldn't see him. She waves at someone who is standing by the gate. Darshan looks towards the gate and finds Amaal standing there waving back at Jaimi. He pretends to do something on his phone so Amaal won't recognize him as he is walking out of the gate. Amaal sees Darshan. It starts to rain. Jaimi goes inside as Ayesha comes to get her. Amaal walks over to Darshan's car and knocks on his car window. Darshan looks at him and gets scared a bit. He rolls down the window.
Amaal: Kya mein tumse baat kar sakhta hoon?
Darshan: Haan zaroor! Aap car mein aa jaiye.
Amaal: Yaha baat karna thik nahi hoga. Mere ghar jaake baat karte hain.
Darshan looks at the building of Raj Classics and gets a bit nervous as the Malik family's apartment and Jaimi's apartment are right beside each other.
Amaal: Yaha nahi! Mera dusra ghar yaha se do building chod kar hain waha chalte hain.
Darshan: Thik hai. Aap car mein aa jaiye bahar bahot baarish ho rahi hain.
Amaal: Ok.
Amaal walks around and gets in the car. He gives Darshan the direction. They reach Amaal's building and Darshan parks the car. They go up to Amaal's apartment. Amaal opens the door and welcomes Darshan in.
Amaal: Tum baitho mein change karke aata hoon.
Darshan: Thik hai.
Amaal goes to his bedroom and quickly changes as his clothes are wet. He comes back to the living room where Darshan is seating. Darshan stiffens seeing Amaal who seats on the longer leg of the sofa.
Darshan: Aap ko kya baat karni thi?
Amaal: Mujhe pata chala jo bhi tumhare aur Jaimi ke beech mein hua. Uss din Jaimi ko Aarey Colony se mein hi ghar laya tha.
Darshan: Aarey colony?
Amaal: Woh waha kisi bench pe bethi thi Aarey Colony mein!
Darshan's face can clearly show guilt and fear. Amaal notices it.
Amaal: Chai ya coffee?
Darshan: Chai!
Amaal goes to the kitchen and makes tea for two. He comes back after a few minutes with two cups in his hands. He gives one to Darshan. They both sip their cup of tea.
Amaal: I know ki yeh tumhari aur Jaimi ki personal baat hai par woh meri family ka hissa hain. Usse dukhi mein nahi dekh sakhta.
Darshan looks down at the floor as guilt rises in his body.
Amaal: Woh andar se tutti hue hai! Please, usko aur mat toddo. Uske aur Z... ke beech mein jo hua tha uske do saal baad woh move on kar paae hai aur phir yeh ho gaya so please jitna ho sakhe utna usse door raho. I know woh tumhare saath 6 mahine rehne wali hai.
There's a silence after that for a few minutes.
Amaal: Usne agree kiya hai divorce ke liye aur usne hi kaha hai ki 6 mahine ke baad divorce hoga no matter what. I hope you know that ki Jaimi se zyada ziddi koi nahi hain. Usne keh diya toh woh divorce degi even if you are with your girlfriend or not.
Darshan looks at him. Amaal could see that Darshan is guilty from his facial expressions.
Amaal: Darshan, the all I'm saying is ki Kiddo ko kuch nahi hona chahiye because of your extramarital affair.
Darshan: I will make sure ki Jaimi ko kabhi kuch na ho! Mujhe pata hai ki aap, Ayesha, aur Meera sab mujhse nafrat karte ho. Meine Jaimi ko kaha because I didn't want to keep her in the dark. Knowing ki mein kissi aur se pyaar karta hoon mein Jaimi ko kabhi khush nahi rakh pata. Meri wajah se woh kyu dukhi ho. Mein uska kabhi bhura nahi chahta. Mein usko abhi bataya kyuki usko baadmein pata chalta toh aur dukh hota.
Amaal: You know? Ki tum ek acche insaan ho aur mein iss liye nahi keh raha kyuki tum mujhe yeh sab abhi keh rahe ho. Logo ki sacchai unki aankhon mein dikhti hain aur tumhara concern Jaimi ke liye tumhari aankhon mein dikhata hai. Aur rahi baat Ayesha aur Meera ki, toh woh dono abhi bahot gussa hai aur unka gussa jaldi thanda nahi hone wala kyuki Jaimi has been through a lot. Un dono se behtar kaun jaanega. Kiddo andar se ek chote bacche ki tarah hain jo apni umra se pehle badi ho gae. Woh apne emotions kabhi khulke dikhaati nahi hain.
Darshan: Yeh Z kaun hai? Kya aap bata sakhte hain ki woh kaun hai? Meine uska zikr kahi baar suna hai par uska koi pura naam kabhi nahi leta. Wait, I think mere paas uski tasveer hai.
Darshan shows Amaal the picture of the sketch. Amaal looks at it for a few moments then becomes quiet.
Amaal: Abhi uske baare mein jaan ne ka sahi waqt nahi hai. Jab waqt aaega toh tum sab kuch khud hi jaan jaaogi ya phir kabhi Kiddo se pooch lena.
Darshan: Thik hai mein aap ki force nahi karunga.
Amaal starts to yawn continuously one after another.
Darshan: I guess mujhe ab jaana chahiye. Raat bahot ho gae hai.
Amaal simply nods his head. They both rise from their spot and start towards the door.
Amaal: I know ki meine tumse bahot baar kaha hai par please Kiddo ka khyaal rakhna.
Darshan nods his head and leaves. He drives the car back to Raj Classic. He parks the car at a little distance from the gate and turns off the car. He lays down on the back seat of the car. He stares at Jaimi's balcony and sleep takes over him after a few minutes.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Darshan cares for Jaimi a lot. I think Amaal is very protective of Jaimi which I think is every brother or you can sibling.
Why does Darshan care so much about Jaimi if he loves Heli? Is Jaimi doing the right thing by agreeing for the divorce? What will happen when Heli and Jaimi come face to face? Who is Z?
Thank you for reading! I know this was truly the longest chapter so sorry for that. I hope I didn't bore any of you. Tell me your thoughts by commenting. ~Jahan💖