Hello everyone, first of all I'd like to apologize to each and everyone of
you who have read my fan fic and were waiting for an update. I was
involved in a road accident in Germany in July 2007 and since then, I've
been in and out of hospital. I've suffered multiple fractures and thankfully
owing to good treatment and God's grace, I'm feeling much much better
right now and can use all my limbs. I'm home finally and am undergoing
therapy now but am able to use my hands very well.
I'm so very sorry for leaving all of you stranded and in fact the first thing
that I did when I was back home finally mid December sans the cast and
plaster was to get online and check on india-forums. However, I waited
till now to make my first post as along with my apology, I also wished to
post a couple of chapters to the fan fic. I will definitely complete this fan
fic and I sincerely apologise to everyone who has been kind enough to
read my fan fic. There is nothing more irritating than an incomplete fan
fic and I understand your ire and really beg your pardon and hope you will
understand me.
I have of course been watching the Adi-Maithili-Garima track and it has
been difficult sometimes to get any inspiration for a romantic track but I
have tried my best and hope you will not be too disappointed. Look
forward to hearing your comments and once again, I apologise for this
long delay.
Recap: Adi rescues Maithili from some hooligans and realises that he
wants to explore the strong feelings that he has for Maithili. Maithili is
coming to terms with the fact that Pranay really does not have any
feelings for her but she is confused by the feelings that she starts feeling
for Adi.....
Chapter Seven:
Adi walked into his house, a slight smile still on his lips, the softest
butterfly touch still lingering on his cheek…….. his smile deepened,
'You know Vikam Aditya Mehra, you are really sweet' it amazed him
how much he liked hearing her say his whole name, it just sounded so
right….. the Lord knew that he hated having such a long name, but
somehow when Maithili said it, it sounded perfect,
totally perfect! "Adi, my dearest child, come to me darling," the dulcet tones of his
grandmother broke into his thoughts. As she moved to hug him, she
suddenly held him at arms length, "Adi, where have you been, you
naughty boy! You look like you've waded through a gutter!"
As he opened his mouth to speak, she continued, "Never mind, Never
mind, just go shower quickly, then come down to the Family room for a
total surprise."
"Go on," she urged him as he opened his mouth again to question her,
"Go on, rush, it's a big surprise, hurry up."
"But Daadi.…," he protested, wanting to find out what was happening, but
she had already started walking away.
Next morning:
Maithili hurried towards the canteen during lunch time to get a sandwich.
She looked frantically at her watch, 1:20....and grimaced.
Shucks, if I
don't finish the report that Ma'am wants by 2:30, I'm gonna get it from
her for sure! Hurry Maithili, don't dawdle. Throughout the morning, she had found it difficult to concentrate. She
had looked for Adi as she had walked into the college but had only
countered what she had thought was a knowing look from that idiot
Dhruv Raichand.
I'm sure Adi must have told that big mouth the whole
story and then she had spent some time wondering why that thought
made her feel so flustered.
Then, just as she had settled down at her desk, Pranay had called asking
her to listen to a new poem he had written. ['Please Maithili, I know you
must be busy right now but I would really like your opinion on this.'] 'Ask
your darling Mallishka' had been on the tip of her tongue as she heard
this but he'd continued, ['Come on Maithili, don't say you can't, you are
my dearest and best friend, whom else can I ask?'] and she had sighed,
wondering whether Mallishka had had a fight with Pranay, feeling a gush
of sympathy for the pathetic undertones that she thought had laced his
request and cursing herself silently for being such a soft touch.
So, she had asked him to email it to her. ['Thanks Maithili, for being there
for me always. I know I can always count on you, my dearest friend. I
have dedicated this poem to you and will publish it as such'] he had told
her earnestly with a smile in his voice. She had read the poem; it had
taken her some time to get through as it was very intense, though
excellently written. It was about people and relationships, focusing on
friendship and she had been touched that he was thinking about
dedicating it to her.
She had at that moment looked at the picture on her desk, taken ages
back, it was of Pragati, Pranay and herself in the gardens at Agarwal
House. Pranay, tall, skinny and loose limbed, an arm around both of them,
Pragati smiling into the camera and she, (she shook her head ruefully)
she, laughing up at Pranay who had been smiling into the camera
obliviously.
She had called him back to let him know that she had really liked the
poem and Pranay had been effusive with his gratitude. He was coming
home over the weekend apparently and wanted to meet her to tell her all
about the launch and stuff.
For sure he's had a fight with his darling
Mallishka, she'd thought and then whiled away some more time
wondering why the heck that didn't make her feel like dancing a jig.
At that moment, Janki Ma'am had walked in, bringing her back abruptly
from her wandering thoughts and enquired whether the Report for that
afternoon's meeting with Mr. Mehra was ready. She had gulped and
murmured that she would hand it in by 2:30.
Janki Ma'am, she had thought, had looked at her sternly, ['No later than
2:30, remember, I'm leaving for the meeting at 3:00 as Mr. Mehra is not
coming here today and if there are any changes that I want made, you
need to factor in time for that as well.']
The mention of Mr. Mehra had reminded her of Adi again and how he had
rushed to her help yesterday.
First impressions should never be last
impressions! Honestly! Vikram Aditya Mehra is living proof! She
smiled, unconsciously slowing down, 'I must look for him at lunch and
thank him again,' she thought.
As she got her sandwich at the counter, she looked around for Adi's
usual table and saw his friends chatting around, finishing their lunch. Adi
was not there today, she realized, startled by the disappointment she felt.
She caught sight of Dhruv who was walking towards the counter and
hailed him. "Wassup Maithili?," he asked her, trying to get a look over her
head at the food left in the fridge. "Is Adi not in today?" she asked him.
"Uhh…actually, he's not coming in today." "Is he alright? He's not unwell
or anything?" she continued and was startled to have him rock back on
his heels and favour her with a raised eyebrow and a considering look.
"What?" she asked him startled by his demeanour and he suddenly
grinned. "Adi's not unwell," he told her, "but you can call him up if you're
that worried."
His grin suddenly resembled a smirk and she felt the colour rising in her
cheeks, suddenly uncomfortable and recalling the knowing look she had
detected in his eyes that morning.
"Thanks," she muttered and turned away feeling like a fool.
Stupid
Dhruv! making it sound like…anyway blast him, annoying juvenile
little….shucks, its 1:40, gotta rush back. After work, she decided to take a de tour on the way home as she wanted
to look for a birthday gift for Pragati whose birthday it was in the coming
week.
Of course, this year would be different, she thought with a small smile,
Pragati would not be spending her birthday with Maithili, she would
probably be having a totally romantic day with Ankit.
How time flew! It seemed just yesterday that Pragati was telling her
solemnly that she just wanted to study, become a lawyer, have her law
firm and that she just did not wish to get married. And, within the
twinkling of an eye, Ankit happened.
Honestly, although Pragati had taken to the marital state like a fish in
water, she couldn't help wishing, sometimes, very selfishly, because she
really missed having her best friend around her all the time, that Pragati
hadn't gotten married so early.
She had been shocked when Pragati had spoken to her about Ankit, she
recalled. Pragati, who had never even looked much at any guy before,
really, it was strange when she got thinking about it.
Of course, to give him some credit, Ankit seemed like a really nice guy, he
was so much in love with Pragati and Pragati, in turn, adored him
completely. Touchwood, she thought, absently. Pragati hasn't had a very
happy life, poor thing. I hope that she finds every happiness with Ankit
and that Ankit always keeps Pragati very very happy.
She entered the shop she was looking for and started looking around for
something suitable. Something pretty that Pragati could keep in her new
house.
There was something so lovely about doing up one's own house. She
sighed, hopefully, someday she could do up her own house, with
someone who loved her as much as she loved him. 'Hmm…mm, what
should I buy her?'
She looked around the shop and did a sudden double take, then smiled
happily. Pragati's mother was standing by the corner of the next row,
looking at some artefacts. "Gunn Aunty," she called out, as she walked
towards her. Pragati's mom turned and smiled. "Maithili, how nice to see
you, how are you, my dear," she asked, patting her cheek affectionately.
"Aunty, you got back this morning didn't you?" asked Maithili, "Pragati
mentioned that you would be coming back from your Mamma's house
today." "Yes, beta, I got back in the morning, how is your Dadaji?" "He's
fine Aunty, thank you, he's at our village, some work relating to some
land," replied Maithili, "I've come to look for a gift for Pragati" Gunn
Aunty smiled, "Me too, my dear."
They looked around for a bit. Maithili placed a little jade figurine on the
shelf she had picked it up from and sighed.
Too small, too expensive
and so not worth the price! She turned to see Gunn Aunty smiling ruefully at her, "My feelings
exactly. I also can't seem to find anything today, I'll think I'll try again
tomorrow, feel slightly tired today." "Aunty," Maithili, asked her, the idea
coming to her on the spur of the moment, "Would you like to have a cup
of coffee with me?" She thought Gunn Aunty hesitated for a moment, but
then she smiled, "Sure, beta, where do you want to go?" "There's a
Starbucks round the corner, should we go there?" Maithili asked her. She
nodded smiling.
Since Starbucks had opened outlets in Mumbai only recently, it was at
that moment, very very popular. Maithili grinned in relief as she found a
table for two in a corner and she asked Gunn Aunty to sit down.
"I'll get the coffee Aunty," she told her firmly when Gunn Aunty began to
protest, "just tell me what you will have." "Come on Aunty, you call me
'beta' don't you? Then, no arguments."
Maithili went to get the coffee. There was quite a queue and it was some
time before Maithili made her way back slowly with the tray in her hands.
As she neared their table, she saw, to her surprise, that Gunn Aunty was
no longer alone. A guy was seated opposite her, speaking to her.
Now
who's this? As the guy's back was facing her, she could not see his
face.
Gunn Aunty was looking very surprised, Maithili noticed, but she was
listening intently to what the guy was telling her. Maithili approached the
table and stood there uncertainly. Gunn Aunty looked at her and then at
the guy sitting opposite her.
He immediately stood, "Oh! sorry, is this your chair," he started to push
the chair towards her. "No, its alright," Maithili told him, I'll just borrow
that one, I don't think anyone is joining them, she said, tilting her head
towards the next table.
She asked the girl seated at the other table and borrowed the chair. The
guy remained standing until she was seated and then he sat down.
So
gentlemanly! "Will you have some coffee?" Maithili smiled at the guy and offered "You
can have this one if you like, it's a latte, I'll get another one." "No, please
don't bother, I was just having coffee with my son and nephew," he
pointed towards the other end of the room.
"By the way, I'm Nikhil," he shook her hand, "Nikhil Mehra." "Pleasure,"
she murmured, "I'm Maithili Rai." Nikhil smiled at her ('Likewise') Maithili
looked at him curiously,
Nikhil Mehra! 'Nice clean cut features, dark
brown wavy hair, charming smile, charming manners' she thought. Good
Looking and a Mehra! Interesting! 'Who can he be?' she wondered, 'any
relation to Adi, could it be?'
'A friend obviously as Gunn Aunty looks comfortable.' 'Strange! I never
thought Gunn Aunty had any friends, she's always so quiet and reserved,
I've never even seen her with anyone apart from the family.'
He was saying something to Gunn Aunty softly and Maithili looked away,
not wanting to appear too curious. Hearing the scraping back of the
chair, she turned to see him standing up. "I must go now," he said
pleasantly, "I've met my nephew after so many years, he's taking me
around, he'll be getting impatient. Gunn, we must speak again, I'll call
you later. Maithili, it was nice to meet you."
After a while, Maithili asked, "Gunn Aunty, this Nikhil Mehra, is he related
to the Mehra family?" Gunn Aunty nodded, "He is Suyash Mehra's second
son, Shikhar Mehra's younger brother."
'So, Adi was the impatient
nephew!' She turned to see if she could see Adi.
"What happened Maithili? Whom are you looking for?" Gunn Aunty asked
her. Maithili glanced back self-consciously, "Nothing Gunn Aunty, do you
like your coffee, she asked hurriedly, conscious of the colour rising in her
face.
Damn why do I blush so easily! They finished their coffee and walked outside the outlet, Maithili tried to
see if she could see Nikhil Mehra and Adi,
just curious! but they
weren't to be seen.
Shucks! As the stood on the kerb, waiting to cross the road, a sleek black
Mercedes came to a halt right next to them. The rear window smoothly
zipped downwards, "Gunn," Nikhil Mehra looked at her, his face looking
disarmingly boyish, "Are you parked here or at the main car park at the
next block? We can drop you off."
Gunn Aunty had stiffened slightly and Maithili smiled at Nikhil Mehra, "Oh
no! we're just planning to take a bus home, no worries. Thanks a lot
though."
"In that case, get in, we'll drop you home," he answered, looking intently
at Gunn Aunty.
I like that! I'm speaking to him and he's looking at her!
So much for gentlemanly behaviour! His voice had a quiet authority to
it though and he sounded very serious.
Maithili looked sideways at Gunn Aunty, who looked like she wanted to
protest.
Yeah! That's the spirit! Nikhil Mehra pushed the door open.
And Gunn Aunty quietly got in,
How disappointing! Should have stood
up to him! telling Maithili to get in also.
"But I'll go on my own Gunn Aunty", she protested. She could see Adi
grinning at her from the driver's seat. "Oh! Get in already Maithili, I don't
want a traffic ticket, come on, I'm parked at the kerb, get in," Adi told her
arrogantly, a slow smirk on his face.
Like that would bother you, Mr.
Lawless! "Go on, get in, what are you waiting for? Christmas!" She sniffed at him
and got in ungraciously, uncertain whether she was happy to finally see
him
after looking for him so much! or whether she was miffed at his
usual high handedness.
Hmph..! Seems like a family trait! "Gunn, Maithili, meet my son Shravan, Nikhil Mehra gestured towards the
front of the car, and my nephew Vikram Aditya. Boys, this is an old friend
Gunn Agarwal and this is….." "Maithili, I've met several times, Nikhil
Chachu," interrupted Adi cheekily.
"Yes, of course," said Nikhil, a smile on his lips. Maithili tried to look at
Shravan but as she was seated directly behind him, that was quite
impossible. His "hey" had sounded sullen and bored
Another spoilt
brat! and she was keen to see how much he resembled his cousin.
Hah!
'What a really nice car,' she thought, 'how many sleek cars did these guys
own anyway.' She shrugged. 'They probably bought cars like she bought
bread,' she thought amused. "
"What's so funny," Adi asked her breezily and she looked up at him
sharply, he was looking at her through the rear view mirror, she realized,
"Nothing," she told him, meeting his eyes in the mirror, feeling a strange
thrill of pleasure course up her spine as she took in the intent look in his
eye as he looked at her.
He raised an eyebrow slowly. She smiled inspite of herself. "Nice car! Not
your usual style though," she told him loftily.
Adi grinned, "This is my Dad's car," he told her, the cheeky grin plastered
onto his face, "I still prefer the sporty models," he continued, his eyes
brimming with laughter, "deadly curves, you know."
"I'm sure", Maithili retorted primly, rolling her eyes at him.
"Hadn't you better concentrate on the road," she continued coolly, as he
opened his mouth to say something.
He laughed and continued looking at her, his eyes lighting up
mischievously, daring her to say something further.
Her lips tightened and she was about to tell him off when his cousin said
something to him and he looked away from her, eyes back on the road.
Yeah! Before you do something crazy like drive us into a ditch…or
worse! She sniffed trying not to think about how cute she thought he was
looking, especially with that mischievous look in his eyes.
"Gunn, how come you didn't drive today," she heard Nikhil Mehra ask
suddenly, and before she could think, she found herself answering on
behalf of Gunn Aunty, "Oh! Gunn Aunty does not drive and Trishna Dadi
doesn't… she trailed off uncertainly, looking at Gunn Aunty's face silently
signalling that she not say anymore.
She saw Nikhil Mehra look contemplatively at Gunn Aunty, who looked
down quietly into her lap. Maithili looked through the corner of her eyes
at Nikhil Mehra, Gunn Aunty's profile and then at Adi who was also
looking at her curiously, his eyebrows raised, a question in his eyes. She
shook her head slightly and then shrugged.
"Nikhil, just drop us off here," Gunn Aunty spoke softly, they had reached
the outer road near Agarwal House, it was just a five minute walk from
there. Nikhil bit out something softly,
nothing complimentary, I'm
certain! "Some things have still not changed huh Gunn?" his voice sounded faintly
bitter and Maithili was by now completely intrigued, 'what in the world
was going on here?'
"Nikhil, please," Gunn Aunty sounded very weary, "There is so much that
you don't know, you've just come back, Its been more than eighteen
years Nikhil"
"So tell me what happened Gunn," he retaliated promptly, "go on, tell
me." "Nikhil," Gunn Aunty now sounded piqued and looked pointedly at
Adi, Shravan and Maithili, "Just let it be, no point speaking of the past
anyway. And thanks for the lift"
"I'll call you later Gunn," he told her unsmilingly as Maithili got off and
held the door for Gunn Aunty. Maithili leaned forward and murmured her
thanks, looking at Adi who had just received a call on his hand phone.
She thanked Nikhil ('pleasure' he muttered). She watched them drive off,
trying to catch a glimpse of Shravan but the glass was too dark and her
attention was caught by Adi waving at her at the intersection, his glass
rolled down, before speeding away.
Maithili looked at Gunn Aunty curiously. She was really looking very tired
suddenly. "Aunty, are you feeling okay," she asked her.
"Yes, Maithili, I'm just a little tired, nothing really, anyway, why don't you
come and have dinner with us"
"Thanks Aunty," Maithili told her, "but I've got loads of stuff to get
through at home, so I'll just head home now." "I enjoyed spending time
today with you Gunn Aunty. It was really nice," she continued, and Gunn
Aunty smiled and hugged her suddenly, "You are so sweet Maithili, its
always nice having you around. You take care and keep coming to see me
okay. Now that Pragati is married and away, I don't want you to keep
away. Go home safely and give my regards to your Dadaji when you
speak to him. Maithili nodded and started walking away.
A/N: The next two chapters are also finished and I'll be posting them very
shortly. Thanks.
Edited by queenpersephone - 16 years ago
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