Chapter 1 - Kuch Toh Tha Tere Mere Darmiyaan

1 months ago

Mrunmayee

@Mrunmayee02

Kuch Toh Tha Tere Mere Darmiyaan

‘A new day. A new start. New hopes. New dreams.’ Taani repeated this mantra in her head while setting up her room. She was distracted and it was taking everything in her not to go into the kitchen to cook something or take the duster to clean the house for the umpteenth time in two days.

“Stop thinking of the past.” She said to herself. Her phone rang, giving her a good distraction from her chain of thoughts. 

“Namaste, tauji!” Taani answered and greeted Rishi.

“Hi baccha! Kaisi ho? Settle ho gayi? I am so sorry beta, maine tumhe kaha tha par main nahi aa paaya Delhi.” 

“Main theek hoon. Room hi set kar rahi hoon. Kal jaake Sharda University mein admission lungi.” Taani informed him. 

“Are you sure Taani? Tum itna accha to kar rahi thi. Tumhare under tumhari college team NDC jeeti. It was such a big achievement. Even after everything you want to leave St.Louis?” 

“Haan tauji. Ab mere liye waha kuch nahi bacha.”

“Kyun? Kya sirf Rey ki wajah se waha thi tum? Sirf wahi identity thi tumhari uss college mein?” Rishi’s questions brought back a flood of memories which she was trying hard to forget. The irony of his questions. She smiled sadly to herself. She had gone to Mumbai, fighting with her family, for probably the first time. She also had taken admission into St.Louis just for Rey, to meet her ‘prince charming’. Sure, she got all what she had dreamed of at one point. But it was what it was. A dream to be with Rey. Reyansh Singhania, heart throb of St.Louis. And the aftermath of it all had still left a bitter taste.

“Haan tauji. Main move on karna chahti hoon. Khud ko ek chance dena chahti hoon."

“Par Taani, the things you have achieved in such a small span of being a GS are commendable. Aur kisi ne kaha ki tum Mumbai mein rehke, St.Louis mein rehke khud ko ek chance nahi de sakti? I would support your decision but fir bhi mere liye ek baar soch lo. Mumbai mein rahogi, Swayam hoga tumhare saath. Chinta nahi rahegi tumhari. And besides me, there is one other person who would like you to be there.” Taani’s immediate thought was Rey but she shook her head. Dwelling in the past would not do any good to her. 

“Kaun? Bhai?” Taani questioned, hiding behind Swayam.

“Swayam to yahi chahta tha ki tum jao naa par main abhi Swayam ki nahi Mr. Gandhi ki baat kar raha hoon.”

“Vp sir?”

“Haan. Ek baar unse baat karlo Taani. He wants to talk to you about your career.”

“Par sir ko mujhse kya baat karni hai?” Taani wondered aloud.

“Vo karlenge tumse baat. Par if you agree with him, then meri taraf se tumhe permission hai.”

“Matlab aap jaante ho ki kya baat hai?”

“Haan. Tumhara phone parso se out of reach tha. And he wanted to get in touch with you. So he called me and we had a talk. And it would be better if you would directly find it out from him taaki vo acchese tumhe explain kar sake and clear all your doubts. I do agree with what he has to offer, but as I said earlier. It’s up to you.”

“Theek hai tauji, main baat kar leti hoon vp sir se.”

“Okay. I’ll try to come there as soon as I can. Tum apna khayal rakhna aur kuch lage to let me know.” 

“Ji tauji. Bye!” 

Taani pondered over Rishi’s advice. Despite her initial hesitation, Taani eventually decided to listen to vp sir after giving it a thought.

“Hello sir. Good evening!” Taani greeted as soon as the vp answered the call.

“Hi Taani. How are you? Delhi mein settle ho gayi?”

“I am good sir. Bas ho rahi hoon. Tauji ne mujhe aapka message diya. You wanted to talk to me?”

“Yeah. Are you sure you want to settle down in Delhi and enroll at Sharda University?”

“Yes sir. I am.”

“Taani, I won’t beat around the bush but I want you to come back to St.Louis.”

“What?” Taani questioned, shocked.

“Yes Taani, I wa..”

“No sir. I have decided and I don’t want to come back to St.Louis.” Taani cut him off.

“Rey ka tumpe itna influence hoga ye maine kabhi socha nahi tha.” 

“Matlab?” Taani frowned, not able to leave that name behind.

“Tum bhi Rey ke jaise impulsive, hot-headed and ziddi bann chuki ho.”

“Par sir..”

“Nahi Taani. It’s about your future. Now listen to me.” The vp said sternly.

“Tum college mid-term chod rahi ho citing personal reasons. You know tumhara kitna growth hua hai iss college mein. You have come so far. And to leave it all behind because of a single person? Is that right?”

“Sir aapko kai..” 

“Mujhe hamesha se pata tha tumhare aur Rey ke beech kuch hai and his changed behaviour is the proof. Tumhare future ka sawal hai Taani and you have proved to be an asset to St.Louis. Itni bright student ko main uske career ke saath khelte nahi dekh sakta. You think about this and let me know after a week. I hope apne liye right decision logi.” The vp advised.

“Okay sir.” Taani replied, meekly. 

Rey had become super focussed on launching D3 professionally and he saw an opportunity in artist manager, Aditya Khurana. Adi wanted to launch Rey and make him a star but Rey convinced him to launch D3. Sharon was still missing from the college because of chicken pox. The gang was trying to behave ‘normal’ in front of Rey but ended up overdoing it. In turn, Rey had started feeling lonely and isolated from the gang. He tried dancing but he kept losing his focus. Whenever he lost focus, Taani's parting promise would flash before his eyes, reigniting his determination and pushing him to do his best.

“Tum chali gayi aur tumhare saath saath meri happiness bhi. Kyun gayi tum Taani?” Rey was sitting on the floor of his room. His back was resting to the bed and was talking to Taani’s photo. 

“Tumhare jaane ke baad I feel as if puri duniya mujhse khafa ho gayi hai. Hamesha sab ke saath hota hoon, fir bhi akela feel karta hoon. I am sorry Taani. I am sorry, tumhe hurt karne ke liye, ek third person ko hamare beech laane ke liye, galti se hi sahi par hamari personal baatein duniya ke saamne laane ke liye. Aur tum iss sab se itna hurt hui ki you preferred going away rather than staying here.” 

Rey touched his forehead to his phone’s screen. A tear slid down his cheek and fell on his hand. He noticed with the tear droplet there was a lash as well. He remembered he had given Taani a fallen lash to make a wish and he himself had wished that she gets whatever she was asking for. He smiled fondly at that memory. He never knew he would hold onto those memories forever. He took that lash and gently kept it on the back of his hand and closed his eyes.

“I don’t know if this is true but if Taani believes in it I want to give this a try and make a wish for myself. I wish for Taani to come back to Mumbai. I wish for her to come back to me. And I hope, for once, this works out.” Rey smiled sadly, knowing his wish would never come true. It was a wish and that's all it was going to remain, a wish.

“Tum samajh kyun nahi rahi ho Taani?” 

“Tauji, aap kyun nahi samajh rahe?”

“Taani, tumhari bhalai ussi mein hain.” 

“Nahi tauji. Wapas jaungi to firse wahi sab..”

“Kyunki vo sab tumhare dimaag mein hai.”

“Tauji, I have decided to stay in Delhi.” Taani, for the second time, was having a fight with Rishi. Taani wanted to stay in Delhi while Rishi wanted her to go back to Mumbai. It was a new experience for her to put forward what she actually wanted in front of Rishi or any family member for that matter. 

“Tum bahut ziddi ho gayi ho Taani.” It reminded her of him again. The more she tried to leave behind Rey and St.Louis the more destiny wanted to pull her back.

“Nahi tauji. Maine socha. Bahut socha par..”

“Par firse bhaag rahi ho. Apne past se, apne career se, Rey se, khud se. Aur tum to badal gayi thi na. Ladna seekha diya tha tumhe Mumbai ne. Jo main itne saalon mein nahi kar paaya, Mumbai ne ek saal mein kar diya. You have become so much stronger, so why run away Taani? Face it. Apne past to face nahi karogi toh apne present mein kaise jiyogi? Firse apne shell mein mat jao. Agar jaogi to iss baar naa tumhara bhai aur naa main tumhari help kar payenge. You know Taani, it's funny. Ek time tha jab tumhe issi college ke students accept nahi kar rahe the. Aur ek hai aaj ka time. Jab everyone wants you back but you don’t want to go.”

“Everyone?”

“Taani, you have made quite an impression. Kisi ko nahi laga tha that your fight would lead to St.Louis winning a national championship. No one thought a non dancer could actually lead a dance team in a national championship and even win it. But you did. It’s because you have it in you.” 

Taani smiled sadly, remembering all the hate she received for being Rey’s girlfriend and an incompetent by-default GS. No one trusted her abilities. Nor did anyone tried to understand her. 

“Taani, Mr. Gandhi wants to have a word with you.” Rishi forwarded her phone.

“Taani! Mr.Shekhwat has briefed me about your conversation. And trust me, I have seen your growth. From the timid Taani you have bloomed into a confident woman who stood against NDC officials for unfairly judging our college’s performance and showing favoritism. You stood up against them fearlessly. The glimpse of the fearless Taani I had noticed then is lost since the past few weeks. I won’t decide for you nor force you but just so you know, you are welcomed here.”

“Sir, I don’t really know..”

“Listen Taani, you were a GS here. There is a seminar in Delhi which will last up to a month. Attend it on behalf of our college’s student body. I would have asked this of our current student body but they are unavailable.”

“Unavailable?” Taani thought out loud.

“Well, Sharon is the new GS and is yet to join her duties as she hasn’t yet recovered from her chicken pox. Rey is busy with Aditya Khurana and so is the rest of the team who is helping them set up their professional team. And so, Swayam and Aashi are swamped with work. But this seminar would give you the perfect time to re-think your decision and there would be one trustworthy person who would represent our Mumbai’s branch.”

“Okay sir.” Taani agreed.

“Great then. I’ll ask Swayam or Rey to mail you the details.”

“Sir, ek request thi.”

“Haan bolo na.”

“I don’t want anyone finding out that I am rethinking my decision. I will inform them if I am returning.”

“Okay Taani. As you wish. You’ll get the details by this evening.”

Sharon had recently joined the college and was at Swayam’s place with him. The gang was at the movies. Rey was in the rehearsal hall sitting alone, waiting for someone to show up. He had called up Sharon to spend some time with her but she had denied stating she was with Swayam spending some quality time after ages. He understood her but wished for them to be there for him. 

“Taani, agar tum aaj yaha hoti to main itna lonely nahi hota.” He brushed off that thought as soon as it crossed his mind. 

“I should focus on my dance and on nothing else.” He muttered to himself and started the music again to rehearse. Rey had shut off the feelings, and tried not to think of Taani much, but when he was alone, they crept up and coiled themself around him. He was guilty, depressed and angry. Not a great combination especially when denial was added. Dance and his friends were the only things in his life which gave him joy. But seeing as his friends didn’t care much, the only thing anchoring him was dance.

He started the music and blindfolded himself. He let the music flow in him and started moving on the beats. He remembered one such evening when Taani had stumbled on him when he was blindfolded and had accidently dropped the CD of her edited dance. That night many things changed. Even though his thoughts were consumed by Kriya, it was Taani’s presence he felt during the blindfolded dance. Her presence has always casted a spell on him and he was lost in her. Even when he had left dance, as it reminded him of Kriya, it was for Taani for whom he had started dancing again. And now here he was, a year and half later, missing her, dancing again, because of the promise made to her.

After ten minutes, he sat on the dice, feeling lost. He kept getting flashes of Taani and their time together. His eyes welled up remembering her. “Miss you Taani.” Rey muttered, feeling lonely and lost. His phone rang forcing him to come out of his thoughts. He noticed it was Adi and lied to him that the gang was rehearsing for the music video. He kept lying, unknown to the fact Adi was headed towards rehearsal hall.

“Kitna jhoot bologe Rey?” Adi asked over the call.

“Sir, jhoot?” 

“Tum rehearsal hall mein akele ho.” Adi announced from the entrance. Rey turned around shocked. 

“Sir vo.. Baaki sab concept..” Rey fumbled looking for a reason.

“Nevermind. I kinda guessed ki tum akele hi practice kar rahe hoge. I am really not surprised. Please have a seat.”

“So tum akele ho yaha? Tumhare sab dost kaha hai?” Adi questioned Rey, passing Rey a coffee and taking out one for himself.

“Sab busy hai sir.” 

“Aur tumhara best friend?” Adi asked, arching a brow. 

“Sir mere dono bestfriend busy hai. Ek dusre ke saath.” Rey replied toying around with the rim of the take away cup.

“Like that. Aur tum isliye bhi yaha akele baithe ho kyunki tumhara recently breakup hua hai.” Rey looked up shocked.

“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Adi served a half hearted apology.

“Anyways, kya kaha tumne? Do bestfriend?” Adi probed further. 

“Haan sir. Sharon and Swayam.”

“Hmmm. Ek ladka, ek ladki.”

“Yes sir. Dono special hai. Mere liye aur ek dusre ke liye.”

“Par, Sharon ko kabhi dekha nahi maine.”

“Sir, usne aaj hi college join kiya hai. Vo unwell thi na.”

“It’s like that. And here I thought, Swayam tumhara best friend hai.”

“Nahi sir. In fact, Swayam ke bahut pehle se Sharon meri best friend hai. You know, from the start of the college. Hum log best buddies hai sir, bahut time spend kiya hai saath mein. Bahut mastiyaan ki hai, saath mein dance karte the hum log. Sab log hamara dance dekhte the. We used to have a lot of fun.” Adi started formulating a plan to create a rift between Swayam and Rey using Sharon and kept listening to what Rey was sharing.

Taani had completely focused her attention on attending the seminar. She had voluntarily participated in a few activities through which she understood that she was interested in business and management and could see her future in the same field. She never knew business would spike her interest but the more she started involving herself, the more she enjoyed it. Taani was slowly understanding how it felt to get engrossed in something, how natural it was for her to completely forget the world around her and just focus on her work. Staying in Mumbai had taught a lot of things, but staying in Delhi gave her a goal. It sparked something inside her. Something which she had tried to bury but failed miserably. Something, she felt only for Rey. Her passion.

“Yaar Taani, tum kabhi hamare saath tumhare Mumbai ka experience kyun nahi share karti?” Richa asked her.

“Haan yaar. Sabke saath rehke bhi chup chup rehti ho.” Abhi commented, sliding an arm around her shoulder. Taani shifted uncomfortably. 

“Tujhe to bas ek chance chahiye flirt karne ke liye na?” Kunal swatted his head.

“Yaar kyun bechari ko conscious kar rahe ho?” Saesha sided with Taani.

“Aisa kuch nahi hai. Bas kaam mein itna busy ho jaati hoon ki..” Taani started but was cut off by Abhi.

“Baaki sab bhool jaati ho.” 

“Vo to bas aap..”

“Yaar do weeks ho gaye par mujhe teri ye aap sunne ki aadat nahi lagi.” Richa commented. 

“Bataiye, aapko kya janana hai Mumbai ke baare mein?” Taani smiled and changed the topic.

“Tum to waha itne time se ho na, so you might have an idea about many things happening in the college.” Saesha started off.

“Seedhe seedhe puch na, tujhe waha ke gossips mein interest hai.” 

“Kunal, main kuch bhi bolu tujhe apni taang beech mein ghusani hain?” Saesha grumbled.

“Okay shut up guys. Taani pehli baar kuch bata rahi hai. Let's listen.” 

“St.Louis Mumbai ke college ka vibe bahut alag hain. Waha dance bas competitions ke liye nahi but passion ke liye kiya jaata hai. St.Louis Mumbai ka naam jab bhi aata hai tab sabse pehle dance ka khayal aata hai and jab Dance ka naam ata hai to uske saath hi St.Louis Mumbai ka bhi. It's like St.Louis and Dance are inseparable. Waha ke hawaon mein kuch alag hi jadoo hai. Alag hi junoon hai. Kuch haasil karne ka. Kuch paa kar dikhane ka.”

“Woah! Aisa lag raha hai tum bahut acche se jaanti ho college ko aur college ke dancers ko? Even we have heard of the infamous dance team jinhone hamare college ko National Level pe present kiya aur NDC jeet bhi gaye. Reyansh, Sharon, Swayam aur baaki sab.” Abhi commented.

“Yaar Abhi bolne de usse. Kitne beautifully bata rahi hai. As if isne ye khud bahut closely experience kiya ho.” Richa reprimanded.

“Obviously Dumbo! Vo uss college ki GS thi to usse to ye sab pata hoga hi na!” Saesha taunted.

“To iska matlab tum Reyansh, Sharon, Swayam aur puri team ko personally jaanti hogi na?” Saesha’s eyes twinkled. Taani tried to keep calm. She wanted to leave those memories behind but they kept haunting her. She just gave a small smile to Saesha’s question neither accepting it nor denying.

Rey was rehearsing in the rehearsal hall on a new routine. The next day was the photoshoot and he only wanted to focus on that, at that moment. It was a step closer to launch D3 professionally. A step closer for him and for the gang to achieve success. And Adi was helping him to fulfill his dream. He was grateful to Adi, for heeding his request and launching D3. He was upset as he had missed Neha’s farewell party. He wanted to be there for Vicky, like he always was for him but the sudden press meet had delayed him and unfortunately, he had missed an opportunity to be there for his friends and to give his best wishes to Neha. The gang seemed normal this morning yet distant. He was surprised no one had commented on his absence yesterday, especially Vicky. Knowing him, he would have chewed his ear off with his tantrums and had later given him an earful for missing such an important event. He was slightly miffed with the gang’s casual approach to this golden opportunity. Everything became too much for him and he missed a step and stopped to take a breather. After a moment, he continued with his next step when the music suddenly stopped. He took the remote and tried playing and pausing but it wasn’t working. He banged the remote on his palms twice or thrice to make it work but to no success. In frustration, he threw the remote away. Taking the support of the mirror, he rested his head on it and closed his eyes. Suddenly, a melancholy music started playing. He slid down the mirror and sat on the floor with his head in his hands when Kuch Kam started playing. He pulled on his hair and his eyes stung with unshed tears.

“I miss you, Taani!” Rey muttered, in a broken voice feeling despaired.

…

Taani was at her home, sitting on the window sill with closed eyes relishing a strong cup of coffee. It was much needed after today’s grilling session at her college. Thankfully a peon had interrupted and given her the message of a professor looking for her. She had made an excuse and ran away. She kept thinking for how long she would run from her past. And if it’s affecting her so much, should she go back and face it just like tauji had said. 

“Hey Krishna! Kuch to sign do jisse mujhe ye pata chale ki mujhe karna kya hai?” Taani muttered, confused. 

The radio which was playing in the background switched the song. The music of Kuch Kam started, forcing her to come out of her thoughts. She knew it was a sign. She had decided what she needed to do.

Kahin to, kahin to, hogi woh
Duniya jahan tu mere saath hai
Jahan mein, jahan tu aur jahan
Bas tere mere jazbaat hai

Hogi jahan subah teri
Palko ki kirno mein
Lori jahan chand ki
Sune teri baahon mein

Jaane na kahan wo duniya hai
Jaane na woh hai bhi ya nahi
Jahan meri zindagi mujhse
Itni khafa nahi

Saasein kho gayi hai kiski aahon mein
Mein kho gayi hu jaane kiski baahon mein
Manzilon se raahein dhoondti chali
Kho gayi hai manzil kahin rahon mein

Kahin to, kahin to hai nasha
Teri meri har mulaqaat mein
Hoton se, hoton ko, chumti
O rehte hai hum har baat pe

Kehti hai fiza jahan
Teri zamin aasmaan
Jahan hai tu meri hassi
Meri khushi meri jaan

Jaane na kahan wo duniya hai
Jaane na woh hai bhi ya nahi
Jahan meri zindagi mujhse
Itni khafa nahi

Helllooo people! I am here with the first part! I hope you enjoyed reading the update. 

This chapter sets the pace for the story by providing a glimpse into Rey's and Taani's lives during Taani's absence from St. Louis.

Also, don't forget to add this story to your library to stay updated on future chapters.

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