Chapter 1

Swaron SS

Tere Binn..

Part One

At Swayam's house..

It was late at night, but Swayam had no plans to sleep.. His destiny was busy playing funny games with him.. For the very first time Swayam was facing hell lot of confusion in his life..He was sitting on the edge of his bed lost in his thoughts..

Really Swayam? Mujhe itna chillane ke baad tum main itne guts hai ke tum mujhse pucho ki main Kria ke saamne jhoot bolungi ya nahi?!

Ek baat batao.. Jab main kuch accha karne ke liye jhoot bolti hu toh tum mujhe criminal ki tarah treat karte ho.. Aur wohi kaam jab tum karo toh tum hero!'

Kya main yeh nahi keh sakti ke tumhare liye bhi All is fair.. Tum kisi bhi kaam ko poora karne ke liye.. kisi bhi hadd tak jaa sakte ho..'

And you better understand..Kabhi kabhi friends ke face par smile lane ke liye jhoot bolna galat nahi hota.. Aur agar hai bhi toh tum usse judge nahi kar sakte'

Kria ke saath friendship karne ka main reason Swayam ko paane ke liye tha'

Swayam then remembers all the times when Sharon and Kriya were together and also the way they would get worried for each other..

Swayam: Kya main Sharon ko samjh sakta hoon? Pehli baar.. Pehli baar Sharon ko samjh nahi pa raha.. Pata nahi maine kabhi tumhe samjha tha bhi ya nahi.. Kriya ke saath dosti ki, mere paas aane ke liye.. Aur uske baad bhi tum Kriya se waise hi baat karti ho jaise pehle..Tum kab itni badal gayi Sharon? Tum pehle toh kabhi aise nahi thi?! Ya pehle bhi aisi hi thi par shayad main dekhke andekha karr raha tha?! Tum mere liye ek khulli kitaab ki tarah thi par ab.. (after a few moments) Kya maine sach main Sharon ko iss hadd tak judge kar liya ki aaj maine..Aaj jo maine kahan.. woh.. woh mujhe nahi kehna chahiye tha.. Sharon aur mere beech chahe kitne bhi problems ho mujhe aise sab ke saamne Sharon ko hurt nahi karna chahiye tha.. I'm sorry Sharon.. I'm really sorry..

He sat there staring blankly into thin air..

In Sharon's room..

Sharon was sitting by the window.. Her tears were no way on the verge of stopping.. They were streaming down without her knowledge.. The more she tried to sort her life the more it got tangled..

Kria ne mujhse pucha aur maine jhoot keh diya ki humare beech sab kuch normal hai'

Main Kria ko upset nahi karna chahta tha.. waise bhi do din baad woh jaa rahi hai so I thought ki agar woh hume normal dekhe jaate hue toh accha hoga.. I mean why upset her over nothing..'

I'm sorry.. Agar tum nahi karna chahti ho.. Theek hai.. I understand'

Tumne Kria se dosti iss liye ki na taaki tum mere paas aa sako.. Mujhe jeet sako?'

Main toh wahin tha tumhare saath.. Ab bhi wahin hu.. Bas tumhare paas nahi'

Relationship ka Matlab bhi samjhti ho?'

Maine tumse iss liye break-up kiya kyunki tum khud sure nahi ho ke tum mujhse pyaar karti bhi ho ya nahi?!'

You just think that you love me.. You don't love me'

Jo tumne Kria ke saath dosti ka drama kiya hai na..uske baad main tumhara dost bhi nahi bann sakta..Aur yeh pyaar, yeh definitely nahi'

Agar pyaar karti toh yeh sab nahi karti'

Apne destination tak pahuchne ke liye woh koi bhi raasta le sakti hai..Everything is fair in her dictionary'

Sharon: Really Swayam! Itni easily tumne mujhe judge kar liya? Ek baar bhi meri baat sunne ki koshish nahi ki? Aaj mujhe pata nahi kyun aisa lag raha hai ke shayad main tumhe kho chuki hoon.. Hamesha ke liye.. Main jaanti hu maine galti ki aur mujhe tumse Sorry kehna chahiye aur tumhe manana chahiye.. Par Swayam manaya toh unhe jaata hai jo manna chahe.. jo samjhna chahe.. Tum toh meri koi bhi baat sunna hi nahi chahte.. But ab bas.. Ab main tumhare peech peeche nahi aaungi.. Tumhe pareshaan nahi karungi.. Shayad phir tumhe khushi mile.. Ab kal tum ek alag Sharon ko dekhoge Swayam..

Sharon continued looking at the crescent shaped moon.. The night felt darker than usual as if depicting her life.. As dark as the night and minimal moonlight which was not enough to light up the path ahead.. She drifted off to sleep in the same position as her head felt heavy after a while..

Next morning in canteen..

All were sitting in the canteen except Swayam.. The boys were on with their own boy talks and the girls on with their gossiping.. Sharon was sitting there with a blank face and her eyes glued to the ground.. She was there physically but mentally lost in her own world.. Rey noticed it and sat next to her..

Rey: Sharon..

No response..

Rey (putting his hand around her shoulder): Sharon..

Sharon's head shot up and she looked at her side.. Rey was sitting right next to her due to which she was a bit startled..

Sharon: Haan Rey.. Bolo!

Rey (thinking for a minute): Chalo.. kuch order karte hai..

Rey gets up while holding her hand..

Sharon (trying to pull back): Nahi Rey! Mujhe kuch nahi khaana..

Rey (pulling her): Aare chalo na!

Sharon was is no mood to argue so she gave in.. She followed Rey to the counter.. there again she stood quiet..

Rey: Kya kahogi?

Sharon: Mujhe bhook nahi hai Rey..

Rey: Chalo main hi order kar deta hu.. (to waiter) Ek vegetable sandwich aur do cappuccino..

Rey looked at Sharon.. She was so silent that now it was worrying him..

Rey: Sharon! Aisa kuch hai jo mujhe pata hona chahiye? Ya tum mujhse share karna chaho?

Sharon (looking at him): Nahi.. Aisa kuch nahi hai..

Rey: I'm your best-friend.. Tum mujhse toh jhoot mat bolo..

Sharon (fiddling with her mobile): Nahi Rey aisa kuch nahi hai.. Agar kuch hota toh tumhe zarur batati..

Sharon's eyes fell on the date and something clicked in her mind..

Sharon: Rey what's the day today?

Rey (confused): Monday.. Kyun?

Sharon (sighing in relief): We still have 4-5 days!

Rey (confused): Kis liye?

Sharon: Swayam ka birthday aa raha hai Friday ko! Bhool gaye?!

Rey: OH SHIT! Yeh affiliation aur sab ke chakkar main bhul hi gaya tha.. Chalo jaldi sabko batate hai..

Both of them go to their friends..

Rey: Guys! Swayam ka birthday aa raha hai Friday ko..

Kriya: Aare haan.. Hume kuch special karna chahiye uske liye..

Simi: But kya?

Sharon: Guys let's think of something..

After a minute..

Nil: Hum usse kisi ladki ke saath dinner pe bhej dete hai..

Vicky: Haan.. Like a blind date!

Simi: Swayam ko apne jaisa samjh rakha hai?!

Sharon: Guys I have an idea..

All: Kya?

Sharon: Knowing Swayam, usse koi grand party ya expensive celebrations nahi pasand..

Rey: You have a point!

Sharon: Exactly! Toh hum Swayam ko birthday ke din wish nahi karenge

Simi: You mean Friday ko aise behave karenge jaise ke kuch hai hi nahi..

Sharon: Yes! Aur sab normal behave karenge as if its just another day.. Shaamko Surprise party rakhenge.. And as weekend hai toh Swayam ki birthday celebration weekend ko bhi continue karenge.. Uske liye bhi mere paas ek plan hai..

Kriya: Good idea!

Simi: Amazing idea Sharon!

Rey: I agree! Simple and fun! Swayam toh poora din pareshaan ho jayega..

Sharon: Nahi hoga.. (in mind) Swayam ko toh apna birthday yaad bhi nahi hoga..

Rini: Matlab?

Sharon: Ummm.. Kuch nahi..

Kriya: But guys yeh Swayam ke liye surprise hai toh party tak sab normal behave karna taaki usse doubt na ho..

Aashi: Haan haan woh toh theek hai par kaun kya karega? Party ki tayaari toh sambhalni hogi na?!

Sharon: Haan toh.. Amar, bharat aur Rinni tum log khaana aur drinks ka arrangement karo.. Aashi aur Simi tum log music dekh lena.. Vicky aur Nil tum log decoration sambhaal lena.. Aur haan Swayam ki birthday party hai toh sambhalke..

Rey: Main aur Kriya kya kare?

Sharon: Rey tumhari duty hai Swayam ko yahan lane ki.. Aur Kriya tum please gifts ka dekh lena..

Kriya: Aur cake?

Sharon: Cake aur VP sir ki permission main dekh lugi.. Aur weekend ke arrangements bhi ho jayenge..

Rey: Ok great then..

Swayam: Hey guys! Whats up?

Everyone freezes for a second.. Swayam came and stood between Sharon and Rey.. Sharon didn't turn to look at him.. Swayam looked at Sharon but saw that she was avoiding his gaze..

Kria: Hi Swayam.. Kahan the tum ab tak?

Swayam: Aare woh kuch reports ka kaam tha.. so yahan kya ho raha hai?

Rey: Kuch nahi woh bas aise hi..

Sharon: Excuse me guys.. Main tum logon ko baad main milti hu.. Mujhe kuch kaam hai..

Rey (trying to stop her): Aare Sharon..

But before he could say anything Sharon had left.. Swayam saw her retreating figure but didn't react.. Rey turned and looked at Swayam.. The rest of them were busy chatting so Rey pulled Swayam at a distance..

Rey: Sab theek hai na?

Swayam: Haan.. Aise kyun puch raha hai?

Rey: Main tere aur Sharon ki baat kar raha hoon..

Swayam: Hum dono ke beech kuch hona chahiye kuch theek hone ke liye.. Jab kuch hai hi nahi toh..

Rey: Yaar tu..

Swayam (cutting him): Please Rey.. Tujhe kahan hai na main iss baare main koi baat nahi karna chahta..

Swayam moved to the rest of the gang..

On Swayam's birthday..

As Sharon had thought, Swayam didn't remember that it was his birthday.. He took as any other day..Though he thought his friends were acting weird.. And also Sharon was behaving differently from the past few days.. She had been avoiding looking at him also.. He was confused with her behaviour because she had gone completely silent all of a sudden.. This was bothering him somewhere..

In the evening, everyone except for Kriya, Rey and Swayam were busy organising everything.. All dressed in decent casuals.. Sharon was monitoring everything..

Sharon: Simi.. Music system set-up ho gaya?

Simi: Haan ho gaya..

Sharon: Nil.. Decorations done?

Nil: Yes..

Sharon saw the Vicky putting some colourful streamers..

Sharon (shouting): Vicky! Maine tumse kahan tha sambhal ke.. kisi bacche ki birthday party nahi hai.. Phir yeh streams kyun laga rahe ho?!

Vicky: Aare Sharon! Streamers are a must in Birthday parties..

Sharon (diva attitude): Hote honge! But Swayam ke birthday main nahi! Abhi ke abhi sab streamers nikalo..

Nil: But Sharon!

Sharon didn't say anything but just gave Nil a Diva look..

Nil (walking backward): Haan.. nikaal.. raha hu..

Sharon: Rini, Amar and Bharat.. Khaane ke arrangements?

Rini: Done!

Sharon: Good!

Sharon looks around.. There was Happy Birthday Swayam put up right above the counter.. All tables arranged for them to sit, in the front and the counter having the food kept on it.. They had shifted the rest of the tables aside to make some space for dancing.. There were blue and white balloons all over the floor and a few silver streams hanging here and there.. A few bunch of balloons were put on the pillars.. The music system arranged adjacent to the food counter..

Sharon: Perfect! Now that all of this is ready I'll get the cake..

Sharon calls someone and tells them to get the cake.. After a few minutes Sharon's driver walks in with a huge cake in his hand.. There was a table arranged in the middle of the canteen specially for the cake.. Sharon opened the box and everyone was amazed with Sharon's choice.. It was a huge snow white coated rectangular cake with a complete black in colour miniature of MJ made of sugar and flour standing right in the middle in the 'This is it' pose.. 'You define dance' was written right above 'Happy Birthday Swayam'.. The cake looked classy..

Aashi: Sharon yeh cake toh perfect types hai..

Bharat: Haan yaar yeh toh mere bhai ko mast lagega..

Rini: Tumhe kaise pata ke Swayam ko Michael Jackson itna pasand hai?

Sharon (fumbling): Woh.. main..woh

Simi: Aare guys! Michael Jackson toh sabko pasand hai..hai na.. Specially dancer!

Nil: Haan woh toh hai!

Vicky: Aare after cake Sharon ne laya hai!!

All: Right!

Sharon: Haan toh main Rey ko call karke puchti hu ke woh kahan pahuche..

Sharon calls up Rey and asks him where they were to which Rey informed that they were in the parking.. She informed everyone about the same.. Amar immediately switched off the lights and all stood there waiting for them to come.. Swayam, Kriya and Rey walked through the atrium discussing about the affiliation..

Swayam (confused): Guys hum log canteen kyun jaa rahe hai.. Rehearsals toh rehearsal hall main hongi na?!

Kriya: Woh.. Swayam.. canteen main mera kuch saaman reh gaya tha toh usse lene jaa rahe hai..

Swayam: Agar tumhara saaman reh gaya tha toh hum teeno kyun jaa rahe hai?

Rey: Aare kaisi baatein kar raha hai Swayam, ek akeli ladki ko itni raat ko akele canteen main kaise jaane de sakte hai..

Swayam: Aare tu jaa na mujhe kyun leke jaa raha hai?

Rey: Aare tu akele rehearsal hall main kya karega waise bhi abhi tak koi nahi aaya.. chal humare saath!

Kriya and Rey force Swayam to come with them.. As soon as they entered the canteen..

The lights go on!

All: SURPRISE!!!!

Vicky and Nil burst the party bombs while the girls were busy spraying the foam and strings.. Swayam was shocked.. Amazed.. Surprised and what not.. Everyone sing the usual Happy Birthday Song for him and pulled him to the table where the cake was.. Swayam blew the candles and cut the cake.. Everyone hooted and Swayam fed the cake to them.. He noticed that someone was missing.. And it didn't take him long to guess who it was..

Swayam (in mind): Maybe usse yaad nahi tha.. Or maybe she didn't want to be a part of it.. (to everyone) Thank you!! Thank you so much guys!

Rey: Aare thank you kya bol raha hai.. Its your birthday! You are suppose to have fun!

Nil: Haan dude!

Simi: Waise bhi there is a compensation for you as hum sab ne tumhe kal raat se pareshaan karke rakh tha..

Swayam (confused): Pareshaan?

Vicky: Tujhe kisi ne birthday wish nahi kiya toh tu pareshaan nahi hua?

Swayam: Aare guys mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi tha.. Waise Thanks guys itni mind-blowing party organise karne ke liye..

Aashi: Thanks hume types nahi.. Sharon ko kehna types chahiye..

Swayam (puzzled): Sharon ko?

Bharat: Aare banta yeh poori party uss ne or.. or..or

Amar: olganise (organise)

Bharat: Haan woh-ich ki hai..

Simi (looking around): Organise toh Sharon ne ki hai par woh hai kahan?

Rini: Haan Sharon kahan hai? Lights band karne tak toh yahin thi?!

Swayam (surprised, in mind): Sharon ne?! Mere liye party?! Phir woh kahan hai?

All through this while no one had noticed that someone was looking at them while standing at a distance.. Sharon had sneaked out while the lights were switched off.. She was hiding by the wall near the entrance.. She was standing there looking at him laughing and enjoying with their friends.. A smile spread on her face while looking at him smile whole-heartedly..

Sharon (with silent tears in her eyes): Happy Birthday Swayam.. Main party main present hoke tumhara mood kharab nahi karna chahti thi.. Mujhe pata hai mujhe wahan dekh ke tum apna birthday poori tarah se enjoy nahi kar paate.. I hope you enjoy yourself.. I love you..

Sharon slowly move her hand to her lips and gives Swayam a flying kiss..

Everyone was looking here and there looking for Sharon.. Kriya saw Sharon standing there with tears in her eyes.. Rey saw Kriya looking outside and followed her gaze.. As soon as Sharon spotted Kriya looking at her she just nodded her head negatively telling Kriya not to tell anyone.. Rey got an idea of the situation but at the same time his heart ached looking at his best-friends going through all of this.. Sharon immediately left from there before anyone else saw her..

Simi: Wait I'll call her.. (on the call) Hey Sharon tum kahan ho?

Sharon (controlling her tears): Simi.. woh.. Dad ka call aaya tha aur kuch important kaam aa gaya tha iss liye I left..

Simi: Par tumne kisi ko bataya kyun nahi?

Sharon: Woh kisi ka mood kharab nahi karna tha.. iss liye chup chap nikal gayi..

Simi moved to the side while talking over the phone..

Simi: Sharon tum theek ho na? Are you crying?

Sharon (wiping her tears): No not at all.. I'm fine.. Chill ok?!

Simi (not yet convinced): Ok..

Sharon: You all enjoy.. ok?!

Simi: Yeah.. but you take care..

Sharon: I will..

Both hang up.. Simi was not yet convinced with Sharon's excuse, she knew there was something wrong.. Simi told the rest of them about the reason behind Sharon's absence and they continued enjoying..

Here Swayam had overheard their conversation and he was convinced that Sharon didn't want to be a part of the celebration so she left..

To be Continued..

Part Two : Pg 14

Part Three: Pg 20

Part Four : Pg 27

Part Five: Pg 33

Part Six : Pg 39