CHAPTER 8:
The d3 team ran here there and everywhere in the college premises trying to sort out everything for the annual day event which was going to start in 3 hours. Unfortunately, things were just not going right. The lighting was not ready, music was still not arranged and decorations on the stage kept falling off. Obviously there was no doubt that Rey and Kriya were doing a duet. They both were practicing in the rehearsal hall to touch up on their moves. Sharon was getting frustrated due to all the stress but she knew there was one person who could help them out in all of the mess. She quickly grabbed her phone and dialed a number.
After half an hour, the situation was still the same. A girl entered the college and everyone was surprised to see her.
"Taani?!" exclaimed everyone in unison.
"Haan guys, maine Taani ko issliye bulaya taake woh humaari help kar sake. After all, we are all in a mess!" explained Sharon.
Everyone understood and thought that calling Taani was a good idea.
"Ok guys, get back to work. Bohut kaam hai" ordered Sharon. "Taani tum please girls ko decorations mein zara help kar do."
"Ok" replied Taani with a huge smile plastered on her face. As soon as Taani walked into college, all of the memories related to St Louis zapped in her mind. The friendship, dance, fights, fun and...love. It felt so good for her to be back after such a long time that it was hard for her to describe in words.
All became busy in their given tasks but Sharon remembered one major issue.
"Damn! Kriya aur Rey ke costumes!" she recalled.
She took out her phone and called Swayam who was doing other arrangements on the other side of college.
"Hello Swayam. Kriya aur Rey ke costumes!"
"Calm down Sharon. Shop waalon ne kahaan tha ne ke woh log bhijwa denge."
"Yehi toh main bhool gayi thi. Un ka phone aaya tha aur unhone kahaan tha ke humein jaa kar costumes collect karna padega" she said biting her lips.
"Are you serious Sharon?! Anyways, tum tension matt lo. Main yahaan Nil ya kissin ko bhej dunga collects karne ke liye."
"Humein Nil ke saath kissi aur ko bhejna chahiye warna woh kuch ulta hi laayenga. Main Simmi ko college ke gate ke bahaar bhejti hoon aur tum Nil ko wahaan bhej dena."
"Ok" he agreed.
They both hung up.
"Taani, rehearsal hall mein ek decoration box hai, kya tum woh laaongi please" asked Simmi.
"Sure" said Taani politely and she went off to the rehearsal hall. Little did she know that Rey and Kriya were practicing their performance. Rey lifted Kriya in the air and brought her back down. This was witnessed by Taani. Jealousy could clearly be seen on her face but she tried her best to cover it. Kriya was the first one to see Taani.
"Hi Taani" she greeted.
"Hi" replied Taani with a smile.
Taani's eyes fell on the decoration box in the far corner and decided to grab it quickly and leave the room. As she was leaving, she tried her best to avoid giving eye contact to Rey but was in vain. She got lost in his eyes which she was afraid of.
'Koi farak nahin padta hai na tumhe Taani?' thought Rey.
'Farak padta hai Rey'
Without wasting another minute, Taani swiftly walked out of the rehearsal hall.
"Kahaan reh gaya ye Nil?" muttered Swayam to himself.
"Rey, tumhara rehearsal khatam ho gaya?" asked Swayam, meeting Rey by chance in the corridor.
"Yaa" replied Rey.
"Woh, tumhare aur Kriya ke costumes abhi tak nahin aaye, kissi ko jaa kar le aana padega" he explained.
"Tu fikar matt kar, main jaa kar le aata hoon" assured Rey.
"Thanks dude. Aur haan, tu thodi der college ke bahaar wait karna. Sharon bhi Simmi ko bhej rahin hai costumes laane ke liye."
"Theek hai dude" said Rey and he went out and waited for Simmi outside the college gate.
Sharon ran to Taani and shook her by her shoulders.
"Taani! Do me a big big favour. Woh Kriya aur Rey ke costumes abhi tak nahin aaye hai aur bohut problem ho gayi hai aur Simmi bhi gaayab ho gayi hai toh tumhe costumes lene ke liye jaana padega so please go!" said Sharon all in one breath.
"Sharon calm down. Main jaati hoon" assured Taani.
"Aur haan, college ke gate ke bahaar Nil honga aur woh tumhe le jaayenga" informed Sharon.
Rey stood there waiting for five minutes expecting Simmi but was surprised to see Taani heading towards him. Both were oblivious that they were sent to do the same task. Taani glanced at Rey but stood a few metres away from him. She stared at the college door expecting Nil to come out. Rey just stood there and admired her beauty.
'Koi itna khoobsurat kaise ho sakta hai?'
he thought.
Taani felt his gaze on her but decided not to look at him. She could not risk getting lost into his brown eyes again. After a long five minutes, Rey spoke.
"Kiska wait kar rahi ho tum?" he asked softly.
"Nil ka. Aap ke aur Kriya ke costumes collect karne ke liye jaana hai" she answered without looking at him.
Rey did not say anything and opened the passenger seat of his car.
"Betho. Main bhi costumes lene ke liye hi jaa raha hoon." He gave her a soft smile.
Hesitantly, Taani stepped into the car and Rey shut the door for her. In seconds, he sat on the drivers seat and drove off.
They had finally reached their destination after a long, silent drive but Rey had to park his car some distance away from the shop as there was no parking available. The weather was very hot with the sun standing right above their heads. They both walked towards the shop. Rey could see the sweat trickling from Taani's forehead when he was stealing glances of her. He stopped near a small shop to buy a water bottle and gave it to Taani.
"Yeh piyo warna tum dehydrate ho jaongi. Bohut garmi hai aaj" said Rey in a concerned tone.
"Thank you" said Taani and she took a sip of water.
Rey's phone began to ring and it was none other than Sharon complaining about Swayam's stubborn behavior. He finally cut the phone after hearing Sharon rant and turned towards Taani.
"Taani, yeh tumhara bhai itna ziddi kyun hai?!" he asked crossing his eyebrows.
Taani's eyes widened. "What?! Aap mere bhai ko ziddi matt bulao ok?" she retorted.
"Ziddi nahin toh aur kya? Lagta hai ziddi hona Shekhawat parivaar ke khoon mein dorta hai. Swayam Sharon ko le kar ziddi hai, tumhare Tauji Swayam ke dance ko le kar ziddi thhe aur ek tum ho jo ziddi ho kar mujhe chod kar chali gayi thi!" he blurted out.
Rey realized what he had just said. He looked straight into her eyes giving her a 'sorry' look with his eyes. His intention was obviously not to hurt her.
An old couple who was standing near the shop witnessed everything between TaaRey.
"Kitne cute lag rahe hai na yeh dono" said the old lady smiling at TaaRey.
Taani and Rey both turned towards the couple.
"Hum bhi toh jawaani mein aise hi thhe darling" said the old man admiring his misses. "Phir yeh dono bhi budhe ho kar hum dono ki tarah ban jaayenge."
The old man waved at Taani and Rey and they both smiled at the old couple. They did not have the heart to tell them that they are not together...anymore.
"God bless your pair" wished the old lady to TaaRey and the old man took hid wife's hand and walked away. TaaRey could not help but smile at the cute old couple.
'I wish I could grow old with you' thought Rey.
'Kaash main bhi aap ke saath...' she left her sentence half finished.
Taani and Rey finally reached the shop to collect the costumes and walked out within 10 minutes. The temperature outside became even hotter than what it was before. The distance from the shop to the car was fairly short but the boiling weather made it feel longer. Taani tried to gather all of her energy so she can walk to the car but the weather was not helping her. High weathr temperatures was one thing her body could not endure. She tried to walk but in a matter of seconds, she fell down on the street with her eyes starting to close.
Rey was walking ahead of her all this time so it took him a few seconds to realize that Taani was lying on the floor. He droped the bags on the floor and worriedly ran to Taani. Holding her in his arms, he tried to wake her up by gently tapping her on her cheek but was in vain.
"Taani please utho" he said a couple of times with desperation in his voice. All his attempts went in vain as she did not get up due to the exhaustion.
Rey scooped Taani in his arms and hurriedly paced to his car.
Precap:
Gang worried Rey will not be back in time for his performance.
I don't know how this chapter went 😕. Please leave your comments.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Cricket
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