Fate
The cool monsoon air was getting to her. She felt a chill run down her spine, as she wrapped the cardigan she was wearing tighter around herself, trying to gain some heat as she walked down the silent road.
Looking at her left, she caught sight of a bunch kids playing around in a park. Smiling slightly at the excited squeals and screams, she continued walking. Looking back down at the footpath she was walking on she listened to the sound of her feet hitting the wet ground. Looking back up, she saw the bookstore that her mother told her to go to. Taking one step towards the store, she felt her foot slip slightly but luckily didn't fall. Taking a deep breath she tried again.
"Look out!" a voice exclaimed behind her, making her turn around to catch sight of a boy skating towards her in full speed. Before she could see his face or even move out of his way, he came and banged into her sending the two of them flying to the ground with a loud bang.
Groaning she kept her eyes shut and mumbled an "Ouch" as she felt a weight on top of her.
"Shit! I'm so sorry. I wasn't exactly looking where I was going" he said as he lifted himself of her. "Are you okay?" he sat up and squatted in front of her as she pulled herself up as well keeping her eyes closed, her hair covering her face.
"Are you hurt?" he watched as she shook her head, while still keeping her eyes closed and rubbing her forehead.
"Need help getting up?" he tried and watched as she muttered something incoherently before nodding her head.
"Okay" he said before grabbing her hand. As soon as she touched him he felt an undeniable whiz of current run down his body, making him look up at the girl.
She felt a bolt of current run through her entire being as the boy grabbed her hand lightly. Her eyes snapped open only to meet with the most beautiful pair of eyes she had ever seen.
As if snapping out of a daze, the boy pulled her up with grace.
She watched wide eyed as she steadied herself.
Woah. Body builder much?
She brushed off her tights that were now slightly damp from the fall and looked up at the boy.
"Um... thank you for helping me up". She said as she watched him let out a laugh. "What?"
"I'm sorry for knocking you down" he said jokingly.
She regarded him with interest. Brown wavy hair, perfect brown eyes, looked tone enough, he was quite attractive. She bit the inside of her check as she saw his mouth move slightly, but didn't take in anything he was saying.
"I'm sorry what?" she asked.
He let out a small chuckle. "I asked you your name" he said. "I think I've seen you somewhere"
"Um. Taani Shekawat" she said, blushing slightly.
He looked up at the sky a calculating look on his face. Looking back at her he shook his head. "Nop. Don't remember".
He bent down to pick his skate board back up. Grabbing it he straightened himself and looked at her. "Well it was nice meeting you, Taani. I'm sorry once again" he said dropping the skate board on the road and climbing on it.
Just as he was about to leave, he heard the girl calling out to him.
"Wait, I didn't get your name" she said.
Turning around so he was facing her just slightly he said. "Reyaansh. Reyaansh Singhaniya. But you can remember me as Rey" he said winking at her slightly with a small wave and riding off.
With that, Rey Singhaniya left leaving a mesmerized Taani Shekawat alone on the side of the road.
~~~~~~
The coolness of the monsoon had gotten worse over the weeks. The rains dived in, the heat leaving the atmosphere, sending the coolness in the air up a notch.
Clad in denim jeans, black sweater and boots, Taani made her way towards the coffee shop. Pushing open the door that made a soft ding from the bell that hung over the entrance, she made her way inside as she felt a desperate need of a hot drink. Looking around the place she saw a few people scattered here and there enjoying the warmness of the room and their drinks.
Walking up to the counter she took in a seat. Almost instantly, a girl around 18 came in front of her, a note book dutifully clutched in her hand.
"Hi. My name is Neha. What can I get you?" She asked sweetly.
"Hey Neha. A hot chocolate will be great" Taani said smiling slightly at the beautiful girl.
"Coming right up" she chirped enthusiastically, before moving around the place, making the requested drink.
"You trying to get rid of the cold too?" Neha asked jokingly.
Taani laughed slightly as she answered, "Oh yeah. Desperately"
Neha handed the drink to Taani and said. "That will be 3.12 rupees, Miss"
"Call me Taani" Taani answered as she dug into her bag to find her purse.
Suddenly, a hand came out of nowhere and slapped a card on top of the counter. "Put it into my card, Neha." A masculine voice said.
Neha laughed lightly shaking her head slightly. "Quite the charmer aren't you, Rey?"
Taani looked up and saw Rey looking right down at her, smiling widely. She blushed. She looked back at the girl behind the counter, trying to hide her blush.
"Here's your drink. Don't let this retard get to you" Neha joked as she handed Taani her drink, in a take away cup.
"Thank you" Taani said, lifting herself up from her chair and walking away, hoping to ignore the boy that was following her.
"Hey, Taani" Rey called out on her. Turning around she faced the boy following her.
"Why'd you do that?" she asked mentioning her face to the coffee shop. "You barely know me"
"I know that you are smart enough to stand in the middle of the road to get knocked down by passing by skaters" Rey said, but stopped as he saw Taani glare at him. "What? It is the mere truth" Rey defended himself.
"Doesn't mean you have pay for my drink" Taani mumbled.
"How else was I to get your attention?" Rey questioned.
"Like a normal person. I don't know something like "Oh it's you. Fancy seeing you here" would have worked" Taani argued.
"Who says "Fancy" these days?" Rey said his eyebrows knotted together in distaste.
Taani opened her mouth to answer back but stopped when realization hit her. "Wait you were trying to get my attention?" Rey blushed slightly, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "You did. Why?" Taani asked.
"I dunno. I saw you when I went to visit my sister in the coffee shop, and saw you there so yeah..." Rey finished lamely. He saw a small smile rise up on Taani's face. "Yeah. That's it" he said.
"Neha?" Taani asked. "She is your sister?"
"Yeap." Rey nodded. "Look, umm... do you wanna hang out today? Just the two of us?" He questioned.
Taani looked up at him shocked. Seeing the look on her face, Rey continued to talk. "I mean, I would understand if you didn't want to. I thought..." He saw the teasing smile come up on her face and his eyes widened in realization. "Oh my god. You have a boyfriend don't you? Of course you have a boyfriend" Rey rambled nervously.
"Rey" Taani called to get his attention. He looked up at her, wide eyed, "shut up" he wordlessly just nodded his head.
Taani smiled mischievously at Rey and started to walk away, while Rey just watched on dejected and shocked. Turning back around to face him, Taani said.
"You coming or not?"
Rey looked at the girl, stunned, before feeling the corners of his mouth going up in a smile. Almost running to her side he looked at her from the corner of his eyes they walked side by side.
She was definitely something else.
~~~~~~
Later that day, Taani unlocked the door of her apartment and almost ran inside. Looking around, she instantly knew someone else had been here. There was only one person who had a duplicate to her key.
"Shar?" Taani called out.
"In here" Taani heard her best friend's shout coming from the living room.
Skipping towards the room her best friend was in, Taani squealed slightly, as she caught sight of her.
"Sharon!" Taani said jumping on next to Sharon on the couch.
Sharon looked up from where she sat on the couch at her overexcited friend.
"What is wrong with you?" Sharon asked questioningly.
"You remember the guy I told you about?" Sharon nodded at Taani's question. "Like the extremely hot, amazing, adorable..."
"Yes Taani I remember him" Sharon said interrupting Taani's rambling.
"I met him again." Taani sighed. "He is so amazing"
"So what's his number?"
"OH MY GOD! SHIT!"
~~~~~~
Rey walked into his apartment and yelled a "Swayam" as he banged the door shut.
Swayam walked out of the kitchen with a coke can in his hand.
"How do you always know that I'm here?" Swayam complained.
"Because you're homeless" Rey joked, as Swayam poked his tongue out at him.
"Smooth, bro, Smooth" Rey said nodding his head solemnly.
"Oh shut up" Swayam chided him as he took a seat on the couch.
"Anyways, you remember the girl I told you about?" Rey asked.
Swayam nodded. "The girl you knocked down while riding on your skateboard?" He teased.
Ignoring the teasing he was getting from his best friend Rey continued.
"I met her again" he sighed. "She is amazing"
"So did you get her number?"
"SHIT!"
~~~~~~
Taani smoothed out the skirt of her dress, as she grabbed her purse from the dressing table.
"Yes Dad. Me and Sharon will be right there" Taani said into her phone.
"Hurry up, okay? The party has already started" she heard her dad say.
"Yes dad. We'll be right there" she cut the phone and turned around to face Sharon who was fixing her hair.
"We're late" Taani said.
"So? You're the host's daughter. You have a full right to be fashionably late" Sharon reasoned. "And plus, we're going to meet a lot of hot, hot guys there so might as well as be beautiful right?"
"Shut up. We're late" Taani repeated grabbing Sharon's hand and pulling her towards the door.
The truth was she didn't want to meet any hot, hot guys. She had met a hot guy and forgotten to take his number. She wanted that guy.
She wanted Rey.
~~~~~~
Rey leaned against the bar that had been set up at the end of the room. He was bored. And Swayam's constant chattering wasn't helping any of his issues.
He couldn't stop thinking about Taani. From their earlier meetings she had taken over his mind and heart.
How could he forget to get her number?
"Dude. Lighten up. This is your first office party" Swayam said smacking Rey's shoulder slightly.
"I don't want to "lighten up". I'm bored" Rey complained, crossing his arms over his chest, sullenly.
"You're a kid, you know that?" Swayam said.
Their banter was cut off by a voice that came from behind Rey. "Hello boys. You guys enjoying yourselves?" Anurag Shekawat asked the men who stood at near the bar.
"Yes sir, we are. Thank you" Rey said straightening himself instantly.
"Good. I want you to meet my daughter. She will be here soon." Anurag said looking around the room the thousandth time. Finally, catching sight of his daughter who was walking towards him, with her friend in tow, he waved at them mentioning them over. "There she is"
Rey turned his face to look at the girl that was making her way towards them. His jaw dropped open. Taani.
Taani reached the group and hugged her father not even noticing the man gazing at her.
"Hey Papa" she said kissing his cheek lightly.
"You're late." Anurag chided her playfully.
"Sorry" Taani said offering him a sweet smile.
"Its okay" Anurag said. Remembering the men that stood with them he turned towards them.
"Boys, this is my daughter Taani." Taani turned towards them and saw him standing there. She stared at him shocked. "Taani, this Rey and Swayam. They work in my firm"
Swayam and Sharon regarded their friend's faces and instantly knew that they were the once that they both had talked about. They both snickered foolishly and in synch, causing the two of them to turn around to face each other. Their eyes met and locked to gather.
"Dance?" Swayam asked the girl before him. Sharon nodded blushingly and kept her hand on his outstretched one. Leading each other on the dance floor they started to dance.
Taani and Rey kept looking at each other not noticing that their friends had run off to the dance floor.
"Hey" Rey breathed.
"Hi" Taani answered.
"Dance?" They both said stimunously only to start laughing. Looking around they realized that her father and their friends had gone off somewhere; they made their way to the dance floor.
Giving her hand to his and resting her hand on his shoulder while the other his was wrapped around her waist they started to sway, lost in each other.
"You know how addicting you are?" Rey asked her.
"What?" Taani asked confused.
"You haven't left my mind once since we bumped into each other on that road" Rey said, looking at her softly.
Taani blushed. "Well, you haven't either"
Rey chuckled slightly tightening his hold on her. "Do you want to go out with me, Taani?"
"Yes. Yes, I'd love to" Taani said.
Rey grinned at her widely. "Awesome" he said as he twirled her around.
Suddenly, the party didn't seem so boring after all.
~~~~~~
"Sharon could you please get that?" Taani yelled loudly from inside her room.
"No! Get it on your own!" Sharon yelled back.
"Sharon please?" Taani begged.
Grumbling loudly Sharon walked towards the main door and opened it to see a grinning Rey standing outside.
"Is Taani there?" Rey asked.
"No she isn't." Sharon said.
"Yes she is. I heard her yell" Rey replied.
"Sheesh, you're so in love, it makes me sick" Sharon said, pulling at the door with a force that wasn't really required. "Why are you here?" Sharon asked walking inside.
"Um... I'm here to pick up my girlfriend. Why are you so pissy?" Rey asked.
"Pissy? Is that even a word?" Sharon said, distastefully. Rey raised his eyebrow at her. "Your best friend sucks" She said dropping to the sofa.
"I'll make sure to tell Swayam that" Rey joked.
"Hey Shar, thank you for..." Taani said as she regarded the pair that were in the living room "Acting so pissy?" Taani finished.
"Pissy is not a word" Sharon yelled throwing her hands in the air in frustration.
"Yeah ok. See you later" Taani said walking towards her boyfriend.
"Bite me, Taani" Sharon grumbled.
Laughing slightly, Taani made her way outside with Rey in tow.
"Why is Sharon so angry?" Rey said as Taani shut the door behind her.
"Swayam cancelled their date" Taani explained stepping closer to him. "Hey handsome" She said as she leaned on her toes gave a small kiss on his cheek.
"Hey beautiful" Rey answered wrapping his arms around her lovingly, and returning her kiss.
Rey and Taani were 10 months old now. They had been dating for almost a year, and were still going strong. They loved each other, deeply. They were perfect for each other.
"Where are we going?" Taani asked looking into his eyes.
"The coffee shop" Rey answered.
Taani nodded smiling at him slightly. Their first date had started from the coffee shop that Rey's sister worked in. at that time, they might have not known it, but it was their first date.
"You know, I think us meeting each other is completely fate?" Rey said, leaning his forehead against hers.
"Oh yeah? How exactly?" Taani asked looking at him from under her lashes.
"What? Me knocking you down on a side walk, us bumping into each other at the coffee shop, and then meeting at your father's party again, don't you think that fate wanted us to be together... or something?" Rey explained.
Taani laughed lightly.
"Definitely or something" Taani joked, brushing her lips against his.
Rey smiled widely, before taking her lips in a deep meaningful kiss.
Yup, without doubt it had all fate's doing.
Okay, This sucked. It was cliche and meaningless, but this idea was running in my head and I had to pen it down.
This had to be the worst of my writings. But, nevertheless, it's there and now I'm going to share it with you guys.
I hope you like it. 😊
Please no jhoota, chappals, tomatar or eggs. Just Laav. Spread the Laav, people. 😆
Like and Comment. And dont hate me. 😛
Anupamaa
Hui Ghum Yaadein
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
