CHAPTER 7
"Kiski yaad aa gayi di?" Shreya asked observing Kajal's face.
Kajal turned to Shreya, "Shreya wo kuch mahine pehle jab main US me thi, to meri ek friend ne mere liye ek blind date arrange ki thi. Date pe main jis ladke se mili, uska naam bhi Sachin tha."
"Oh I see!" Shreya exclaimed, "phir kya hua di. Aap usko yaad karke kuch sad lag rahi ho!" Shreya said occupying a seat beside Kajal.
"Shreya us date pe bahut gadbad ho gayi thi!" Kajal told.
"Aisa kya hua tha di?" Shreya asked.
"Shreya, jab main usse mili to main bahut khush thi. Wo bahut handsome tha. Aur phir baate Karna shuru kiya to main uski teraf attract hone lagi. He was so impressive. Mujhe aisa lag raha tha ki iss insaan ke sath to main sari zindagi reh sakti hu. Phir kuch aisa hua ki..." Kajal stopped abruptly.
"Kya hua?" Shreya asked.
"Shreya phir usne bola ki use ek jaroori phone call karna hai aur bas 2 minute me aa raha hai. Wo chala gaya. Main baith ke uska wait kar rahi ki tabhi ek waiter mere paas aaya ek parcel lekar."
Flashback
"Mam there is a parcel for you!" Waiter said to Kajal giving the parcel to her along with a chit.
Kajal took the parcel and the chit, "But who told you to give me this?"
"The handsome guy who was sitting with you a few minutes ago!" Told the waiter.
"Sachin?" Kajal said, "Alright, thanks!" She opened the chit and as she started reading the message her eyes popped out. She opened the parcel and found a book inside having a title as '121 tips for a better sex'. Her blood started boiling.
Meanwhile Sachin came back.
"Hey, I am back. So...
He shut his mouth as he received a hard slap right on his cheek from Kajal. He was shocked with kajal's act.
Sachin tried to say something but Kajal grabbed his collar.
"How dare you? You are such a bastard!" Kajal yelled at him dragging the attention of public.
"What happened Kajal?" Sachin dared to ask.
"What is this?" Kajal said showing the book and chit to him.
"Kya hai ye?" Sachin asked holding the chit in his hand.
Kajal gnashed her teeth, "To ye hai tumhara asli chehra. Itni der se main tumse impress huye ja rahi hu. It was a blind date but I was glad that I met you. Nobody ever treated me so good. You made me feel special. Main to humari is mulakat ko aage badhane ke bare me soch rahi thi but mujhe kaha pata tha ki tum itne cheap ho. Wo meethi meethi baate karna sirf ek natak tha mujhe impress karne ke liye!" Kajal shouted almost crying.
Sachin was totally confused. He started reading the chit to know the matter. He was also shocked after reading the chit.
It was like that
"Darling you are looking so f*cking hot in this short dress. I have booked a room for us in a private suite. Come tonight, we will have fun. I know you are experienced but I want you to learn some new positions you would have tried never before. So I am sending this book to help you as a guide."
Sachin was dumbstruck after reading the message. He looked up at Kajal.
"Kajal, ye maine nahi likha, aur ye book bhi maine nahi bheja? Main aisa kyun karunga?"
"Just shut up! Mera naam mat lo apni gandi jubaan se. Kya soch kar aaye the mere sath date pe? Tumhe sharm nahi aati apni lust puri karne ke liye seedhi sadi ladkiyon ko blind date pe bulate ho. Tumhare paas to bahut paise hain na? Kisi prostitute ke paas kyun nahi chale jate!" Kajal screamed loosing her temper.
Sachin was offended with her words, "Kajal just shut up! Mind your language. Maine kaha na ye parcel maine nahi bheja!"
"Oh shut up, natak band Karo. Mere to samajh ne nahi aa raha main tumse baat hi kyun kar rahi hu?" Kajal said angrily.
Meanwhile the waiter came there.
"Excuse me mam! I am really sorry. Actually that parcel was not for you. It was for someone else."
Kajal looked at the waited shocked, "W-what?"
A man came there, "Yes, that was for my wife. She was sitting on the table next to you a few minutes ago. This stupid waiter misunderstood my instructions and delivered the parcel to you." The man took back the book and chit.
Kajal was speechless. She turned to Sachin only to find him glaring at her with mixed emotions .
"Sa-Sachin... I am s-sorry!" Kajal said trying to apologize for her stupid behavior.
Sachin gave her a fake smile, "Never mind! Jo hona tha ho chuka. Itne sare logo ke samne tumne mujhe thappad mara aur jo man me aaya wo bola. Pata nahi kaise kaise allegations lagaye bina meri koi baat sune. Tum baat aage badhane ke bare me soch rahi thi? Huh, tum jaisi short tempered ladki se mujhe dobara milna hi nahi hai. Jo samne wale ki baat sunna hi nahi chahti sirf apni baat sunana janti hai." He said and turned to go. Kajal grabbed his hand.
"Sachin please ruko, mujhe maaf kar do. I am really really sorry!"
Sachin removed her grip, "just get out of my way Kajal! I don't want to meet you again." He jerked her and left.
Kajal was stood there watching him going with tears in her eyes.
Flashback over
Kajal finished and Shreya noticed her eyelashes wet.
"Shreya, main tumhe bata nahi sakti main us incident ke liye aaj tak guilt feel karti hu. Sachin bahut achha ladka tha aur sirf meri ek galatfehmi ki wajeh se maine sabke samne uski itni insult ki. Even galiyan bhi di maine usko. Jabki uski koi galti nahi thi. Use kitna hurt hua hoga. Maine use sorry bola but wo chala gaya. Usne kaha ki wo mujhse dobara nahi milna chahta aur sach me uske baad maine usse milne ki bahut koshish ki par usse kabhi contact nahi kar payi!" Kajal said sadly.
Shreya pressed her shoulders, "Di ek minute! Kya kaha aapne? Aapne use sorry bola? Really? Aapne?"
Kajal stared at Shreya.
"Di I just can't believe it. Jaha tak main aapko janti hu aap kabhi kisi ko sorry nahi bolti bhale hi aapki hi galti ho." Shreya said in disbelief.
"Shreya meri galti thi aur maine jo kiya uske liye mujhe bahut bura bhi lag raha tha. Isliye maine sorry bola." Kajal said very innocently.
Shreya smiled, "Di pehli baar aapki aankho me kisi ke liye aansu dekh rahi hu. Aap kab se kisi ke liye itni emotional hone lagi."
Kajal immediately rubbed her tears, "Aisa kuch nahi hai. I am just feeling guilty. Main kyun rone lagi!"
Shreya again smiled, "Di, jis Sachin ki main baat kar rahi thi na, wo bhi NRI hai aur bahut handsome bhi hai, kahi ye wahi Sachin to nahi?"
A shine appeared in Kajal's eyes, "Shreya please mujhe usse milna hai. I wish ki ye wahi ho. Main usse milkar phir se sorry bolugi aur iss baar use mujhe maaf karna hi padega. Uski itni himmat, wo mujhe aise ignore nahi kar sakta."
Shreya squeezed her hands, "Theek hai, main aapko usse milwa dungi. I also wish ki ye aapka hi Sachin ho?"
"Aapka?" Kajal asked.
"I mean, aap jis Sachin se milna chahti ho ye wahi Sachin ho." Shreya said correcting herself.
"Fingers crossed!" Kajal said crossing her fingers and both smiled at each other.
"Achha abhi sham ko Daya hume disco le chal raha hai na, to taiyar nahi hona?" Shreya said.
"Are han main to bhool hi gayi thi. Aaj to bahut maja aayega!" Kajal said excitedly.
o-o-o
At night Daya along with Kajal, Shreya and Nikhil reached at the disco on their fixed time.
"Wow!" Kajal exclaimed entering the disco and seeing the youngsters dancing on the loud music and having lot of fun.
Ek ho gaye hum aur tum
Humma humma humma
To udd gayi neende re
Hey...humma humma
Her feet automatically started moving with the beat. Shreya too joined her.
"Shreya, kajal tum dono dance Karo. Main aur Nikhil bas thodi der me aate hain!" Daya said taking Nikhil with him in a corner.
"Are lekin kaha ja rahe ho tum dono?" Shreya questioned but Daya didn't reply.
"Jane do na unhe Shreya!" Kajal said swaying her body on the beats.
Humma humma
Hey Humma humma humma
Daya took Nikhil in a corner, "Listen, Tasha bas aati hi hogi. Koi gadbad nahi karna uske samne ok?"
Nikhil tried to say something but couldn't say as before that Tasha's voice fell into his ears.
"Daya!" Tasha called Daya.
Daya and Nikhil turned their heads. Nikhil gasped in nervousness seeing Tasha that too with Divya.
"Ye yaha kya kar rahi hai!" Nikhil murmured.
"Hi Tasha, hello Divya!" Daya greeted both of them.
"Hi Daya, main late to nahi hui?" Tasha asked.
"Bilkul nahi, ekdum sahi time pe aayi ho tum" Daya said smiling.
"Main achhi to lag rahi hu na?" Tasha asked in whispers.
"Very pretty!" Daya said smiling at her.
"Thank you! To kaha hai wo? Batao na daya I am dying to meet him." Tasha said.
Divya and Daya exchanged glances seeing her excitement. Nikhil was silently standing behind daya.
"Han han milwata hu na. Pehle tumhe bata dun, wo bahut shy hai. Wo tumhe bahut pasand karta hai, lekin tumse direct baat karne me dar raha tha toh mujhe baat karne ko kaha." Daya told.
Tasha was smiling continuously.
"Tumhe pata hai Tasha tumhare liye uske dil me jo bhi feelings hain na wo usne ek kagaj par likh diya hai, kyunki usne kaha ki wo tumhari aankho me dekhte hi kho jata hai to confession kaise kar payega!" Daya said.
"Really? Kya likha hai usne?" Tasha asked almost jumping in excitement.
"Batata hu batata hu!" Daya said and took out a paper from his pocket, "Ye dekho, main padh ke sunata hu!" Daya said and started reading.
She is unique
every time I see her
I just can't seem to know how to speak
everything around her is a total blur.
With her beautiful blue green eyes
the way her hair flows in the wind
why did she take me by surprise?
She is just one of a kind.
Her laughs lightens my day
when I see her...
Daya continued reading. Nikhil was bewildered, "Ye maine kab likha? Ye daya bhi na jhooth pe jhooth bole ja raha hai meri aur Tasha ki setting karwane ke liye."
Tasha was overwhelmed, "oh my God! Ye sab usne mere liye likha?"
"Han, sirf tumhare liye!"
"This is so cute!" Divya said smiling at Tasha.
"Par Daya wo hai kaha? Ab mujhse aur intejar nahi hota!" Tasha said restlessly.
"Ok ok, milwata hu. Just hold your heart, hear you go!" Daya said and brought Nikhil in front of them. "Ye hai wo ladka!"
As soon Nikhil came in front of Tasha her smile disappeared slowly and she was shocked. "Nikhil tum?" She uttered.
Divya was also shocked, "Nikhil? Ye Tasha se pyar karta hai?"
Nikhil looked at Tasha then at Divya and then at Daya. He was confused what to say.
Tasha stared at him, "Nikhil tum mujhe pasand karte ho? Main tumhe achhi lagti hu? Bolo na?"
Seeing Nikhil speechless Daya jumped to reply, "Tasha maine bataya na ye bahut shy hai. Isiliye to apne dil ki baat chitthi me likh kar laya tha. Ye to bolega nahi toh main hi tumhe bata deta hu. Ise na tumse love at first sight ho gaya tha jab tum pehli baar humare office aayi thi aur tum dono ek dusre se takra gaye the, yaad hai? Tabhi se pyar karta hai tumse!"
"Daya bas karo jhooth bolna mere bhai!" Nikhil prayed in his mind.
"What? Love at first sight?" Tasha exclaimed looking at Nikhil.
Meanwhile Daya spotted Vivek making his entry. He glanced at Shreya and found her busy in dancing with Kajal.
"Tasha-Nikhil tum dono baate Karo, mujhe ek important kaam hai, main bas aata hu." He said and left from there patting on Nikhil's back.
"Bye!" Nikhil said and turned to Tasha.
"Nikhil bolo na, kya Daya ne jo bhi kaha wo sach hai?" Tasha asked looking into his eyes.
Nikhil stared into her eyes for a moment. "H-Han han Tasha!" He finally managed to say yes, "Ye sab sach hai. I really like you aur wo lines maine hi likhi hai."
Nikhil finished and was waiting for Tasha's reaction when his ears got filled with Divya's laughter.
Tasha looked at Divya who was laughing uncontrollably. "What's wrong with you Divya? Kyun has rahi ho?" She asked.
"Sorry Tasha! But mujhe lagta hai ye tumhe bewkoof bana raha hai. Mujhe nahi lagta ye sach bol raha hai. Aur iski aankho me tumhare liye feelings kam aur apna jhooth pakda jane ka dar jyada dikh raha hai. Aur wo poetry, I am hundred percent sure, ye copy paste hai. Ye likh hi nahi sakta, shakl dekho iski. Tum bahut bholi ho, ye log bas masti kar rahe hain tumhara sath! Love at first sight? What nonsense!" Divya said making fun of Nikhil.
Nikhil was about to say something but before him Tasha snapped, "Kyun? Isme nonsense kya hai Divya? Kyun nahi ho sakta ise mujhse love at first sight? Main khoobsurat nahi hu?"
Divya tried to calm down her friend, "Look Tasha main bas ye keh rahi thi ki..
Tasha cut her, "Main sab samajhti hu Divya. You are jealous. Tum humesha se aisa boyfriend chahti thi na jo Nikhil ke jaisa romantic ho. Usne mere liye poetry likhi. Kya tum sapne me bhi soch sakti ho ki Rajat tumhare liye poetry likhe? Kabhi nahi, wo nikhil ke jitna romantic ho hi nahi sakta. Isliye tumhe bura lag raha hai. Tum nahi chahti ki mujhe itna romantic boyfriend mile!" Tasha said angrily.
Divya was shocked but Nikhil was smiling.
"Tasha aisa kuch nahi hai. Main kyun jalungi tumse! Agar tum khush ho to main bhi khush hu. Agar Nikhil sach me tumse pyar karta hai to main bahut khush hu ki tumhe itna romantic boyfriend mil raha hai" Divya said softly.
Tasha said nothing and turned to Nikhil, "jiske dil me mere liye itna pyar ho, main use na kaise bol sakti hu?" She said and hugged Nikhil, "I love you too Nikhil!"
Nikhil was shocked hearing I love you first time from a beautiful girl's mouth. He looked at Divya and found her unhappy with Tasha's decision. So just to tease her he hugged Tasha back.
Divya was staring at both of them. She was actually jealous. She had never imagined Nikhil to be so romantic. She had thought he was a stupid. But when he was hugging her best friend, she found him so romantic.
She was lost in her thoughts, "Oh god! Ye meri humesha ki problem rahi hai. Jo dress mujhe pasand na ho wahi agar Tasha kharid le, to mujhe wahi dress pata nahi kyun achhi lagne lagti hai. Ye Nikhil bhi na idiot aaj itna cute kyun lag raha hai? Pehle kitna stupid lagta tha. Aaj Tasha ka boyfriend ban gaya to apne aap handsome lag raha hai. Tasha kitni lucky hai. He is so romantic. Main aur Tasha ek hi din usko ek sath mile the na. Phir use mujhse pyar kyun nahi hua? Mujhse pyar hoga bhi kaise, milte hi ladai jo shuru kar di thi maine!"
Nikhil was hugging Tasha but his eyes were fixed on Divya. He was reading her expressions and he was sure that she was jealous. To tease her more he separated from the hug and cupped Tasha's face in his hands. "Tasha, jab tumhare jaisi itni khoobsurat ladki samne ho to mood apne aap romantic ho jata hai!"
Tasha smiled but Divya frowned and made a face.
"DJ koi achha sa romantic gana lagao. I am in love!" He shouted making Divya more jealous.
"Let's dance!" Nikhil said holding Tasha by her waist and they started dancing.
Divya was silently watching their moves. Nikhil was not enjoying dancing with Tasha but actually he was enjoying Divya's annoyed expressions.
Here Daya went and met Vivek, "Hey Vivek!"
"Hi daya!" Vivek replied.
"Aao aao, dekho Shreya kabse akele dance kar rahi hai." Daya said pointing at Shreya who was dancing gracefully on the music.
Vivek glanced at Shreya and began to move towards her when daya stopped him by holding his hand, "Ek minute Vivek, ruko to."
Vivek stopped and looked at Daya.
"Dekho Shreya kaise carefree hokar dance kar rahi hai. Kitni khoobsurat lag rahi hai na?" Daya said staring at Shreya.
Vivek smiled, "Wo to hai, Shreya jab aise khush hoti hai aur masti karti hai na to uski khoobsurati badh jati hai."
"Right, aur uski smile, uski adaayen, uski baate, kitni pyari hain na ki kisi ko bhi usse pyar ho jaye!" Daya said glancing at Vivek through corners of eyes.
"Right!" Vivek said smiling.
"Jaise ki tumhe ho gaya, hai na!" Daya said looking at Vivek.
"Han!" Vivek said lost in admiring Shreya. But soon he realized what he said, "kya? Ye kya keh rahe ho tum daya? Main aur Shreya bahut achhe dost hain. Pyar jaisa kuch nahi hai humare beech!" Vivek said clarifying his point.
Daya gave him a big smile, "Oh come on Vivek. Tumhe aur Shreya ko dekh kar koi bhi bata sakta hai ki tum dono ek dusre ke liye bane ho. Tumhe itne dino ke baad dekh kar Shreya ki aankho me jo aansu the na wo saaf saaf bata rahe the ki uske dil me tumhare liye feelings hain. Aur feelings to tumhare dil me bhi hain uske liye, bas tum realize nahi kar pa rahe ho aur baar baar just friends keh kar taal rahe ho. Friendship achha excuse hai!" Daya said with a teasing smile.
Vivek nodded his head, "Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai Daya...
Daya cut him, "Pyar aur dosti me jyada fark nahi hota Vivek, isliye tum realize nahi kar pa rahe ho. But I can see that, you both love each other damn it. Shreya tumhare sath khush rehti hai, tumse apne dil ki har baat share karti hai, tumhare sath hone par protected feel karti hai... Ye sab sirf dosti nahi hai mere bhai. Try to understand it's love." Daya said and looked at Vivek trying to read his face.
Vivek was trapped successfully, "Really Daya? Main Shreya se pyar karta hu? No no no, maine aisa bola to Shreya mujhe thappad maregi." Vivek said fearfully touching his cheek.
Daya laughed, "Are nahi maregi. Ek baar usse bol kar to dekho. Agar wo bhi tumse pyar karti hai to wo pehle bhaw khayegi, friendship wagera ki baate karegi aur phir kahegi ki soch kar bataungi. Aur agar wo tumhe dost se jyada kuch nahi samajhati to...direct thappad maregi. Try kar lo." Daya said staring at Shreya.
Vivek looked at him. Daya placed his hand on his shoulder, "Aur waise bhi kal ko kisi na kisi se shadi karni hi hai, to kyun na usi ko humsafar bana lo jo tumhari sabse achhi dost hai!"
The arrow hit the target. This line touched Vivek's heart, "Shayad tum theek hi keh rahe ho Daya. Main abhi ke abhi baat karta hu Shreya se." Vivek said and moved towards Shreya.
Daya took a deep breath, "Shreya tum to gayi!" He smiled and followed Vivek.
"Hi Shreya, hi Kajal" Vivek greeted both the girls.
Daya started dancing with Kajal but keeping an eye on Vivek and Shreya.
"Shreya ek minute suno, ek jaroori baat karni hai tumse." Vivek said holding Shreya's hand and dragged her in a corner.
"Han bolo kya baat karni hai." Shreya said.
Vivek first hesitated but then directly proposed her. "...aur mujhe lagta hai hum dono ek dusre ke liye bane hain Shreya. Ab hume humari dosti ko pyar me badal dena chahiye. I love you!"
Shreya was dumbstruck. Her throat dried. She came out of the shock after sometime and looked at Vivek, "Vivek sach sach batana, ye sab kehne ke liye Daya ne kaha na tumse!"
Vivek smiled, "Han, thanks to him. Uski wajeh se hi to mujhe realize hua ki hum dono ka rishta dosti se kuch jyada ka hai."
Shreya banged her head, "Jiska dar tha wahi hua. Daya ne bechare Vivek ka bhi brainwash kar diya." She took a glance at Daya, "Daya I will kill you!"
"Kya sochne lagi Shreya? Han ya na, kuch to bolo? Kya tumhare dil me bhi mere liye feelings hain?" Vivek asked desperately.
Shreya was busy in cursing daya. She replied absent mindedly, "Soch kar bataungi!"
"Oh yes!" Vivek exclaimed. "Usne direct thappad nahi mara, "soch kar bataungi ka matlab hai YES!" He concluded in his mind.
.
.
...to be continued
