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Aryan, Pakhi and Jaydev ran toward drowning Shruti. Because Jaydev was closer to her, he was the first to reach. Due to God's mercy, a man was swimming behind and saved her but due to anxiety and sudden push in the water, she got breathless.
The man held her by keeping his hand under her armpits. Till he was saving her, Jaydev entered the sea. He held her hand and without waiting for a second, he lifted her in his arms.
" Shru-"
Aryan followed him as he ran to their resting place. Pakhi too ran behind them but came back just to say,
" Thank you!"
to the generous man. She ran back to her family.
Jaydev put Shruti on the bed and she clutched him by grabbing his arms and coughed near his chest. Aryan sat behind her and patted her back.
" Calm down," Aryan said while rubbing her back. Jaydev, too, tried to calm her. She coughed water and felt her vision coming back to normal slowly. Jaydev took a breath of relief along with Aryan and Pakhi.
Seeing the girl alright, the people who gathered, went to their own place. Pakhi opened the bag pack and took out a shawl from it.
" Bhai, let me."
Jaydev hummed and tried moving back but stopped when he found her fist tight on his shirt. She was shivering due to the cold.
" You are okay. You're okay now," Aryan shushed her. She finally let go of his shirt and he stepped back. Shruti grabbed her brother's hands instead and Pakhi came to Jaydev's place who watched her from behind in concern.
She took their breath for a moment. None of them said anything until Pakhi was drying her hair and exposed part of body.
" Di's clothes are wet. What should we do? We have only brought a pair of pants."
Jaydev grabbed his jacket from bed and handed it to her.
" Make her wear this."
Pakhi took it and nodded.
" There's a restroom near food stalls. You can go there," Aryan informed them.
Pakhi nodded and helped Shruti standing up. Shruti sneezed then rubbed her nose. Jaydev and Aryan waited for them and it took them almost half an hour. When they came back, Pakhi had a tray in hand in which 4 cups of tea were placed and Shruti was holding some snacks in another hand.
She was grinning, smiling and saying something to Pakhi. They put everything on the beds and took their own seats.
" So!"
Shruti uttered cheerfully and looked at Aryan and Jaydev.
" Dara Diya na Maine? Vaise mai bas natak kar rahi thi-"
( Did I scare you? I was only kidding-)
" Chup!"
( Shut up!)
They said in unison and Shruti sealed her mouth instantly.
" I told you not to go in depth then why did you oppose my decision? Have you literally lost your freaking mind."
Shruti looked down her lap as Aryan scolded her.
" Dimag to kachre mein hai iska," Jaydev too did not leave the opportunity to scold her.
( Her brain is in garbage.)
Pakhi felt bad for Shruti and decided to take her stand.
" Guys, let it be. Di is okay now. Why are you making a fuss about this?"
" You don't know anything-"
" Bas kariya na ab," Pakhi interrupted Aryan and showed a displeasing expression. He was left tongue tied and immediately agreed.
( Leave it now.)
" Okay."
Shruti grinned tk herself.
" See. See. Look at her. She is smiling. Do you think she regrets-"
" Bhai! leave it," Pakhi shut her brother's mouth as well. He sighed irritatedly and nodded. Shruti couldn't be more thankful to Pakhi who forwarded two cups of tea to them.
They quietly took it and started taking sips of it. Jaydev's eyes roamed on Shruti who had worn his jacket. Sleeves are long for her and she looked adorable. Her nose has turned crimson red, maybe due to changing weather. Her hair is still wet.
He was genuinely scared for her. He thought a piece inside his heart was pricking after seeing her condition. It seemed like the world would collapse if something happened to her.
After having their snacks and staying at the beach till sunset, they departed to their hotel. They dropped the plan of exploring a market due to exhaustion and booked it for tomorrow.
...
Jaydev turned his head behind when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
" I talk to you later," he disconnected the call and asked to Shruti while facing her,
" What?"
" Uhm," Shruti locked her hands behind her back, " I wanted to apologise for the trouble I caused you."
" What trouble?"
He asked and walked toward the bed.
" The drowning part."
He nodded and placed his mobile on the nightstand.
" Did you apologise to your brother? He was more worried than any of us."
" I have not yet but I will tomorrow," Shruti replied.
" Then.."
Jaydev moved back on the bed until his bed hit against the headpost.
" Why are you saying sorry to me?"
She frowned, " hm? Because you were worried and I caused you and everyone so much trouble today."
He shook his head, " not me actually. I mean, yes I was worried but like all other strangers there."
Shruti's smile faded and expression dropped as she uttered in a low voice, " oh."
She licked her lower lip and suddenly felt overwhelmed. She looked everywhere but him.
" Uhm, I'll be back."
" Where are you going now?"
Jaydev asked as she walked toward the exit.
" Just... fresh hair. I'll be back in a while."
He nodded, " make sure you don't push yourself in trouble. You brother will eat my ears."
She grabbed the doorknob and put a fake smile on her lips then faced him and replied, " it's not like you care anyway."
A line formed on his forehead as his eyebrows knitted together. Before he could decipher the meaning behind her sentence, she left the room.
He cares.
He does care for her but doesn't know through which relationship. It's complicated. He has trapped himself and even her in a bond of complications. The end will only bring heartbreaks, sorrow and immense pain. He is not ready for such feelings. He can not go through his past again. That is why he would try not to develop a bond with her.
He needs to fix his gaze on his goal and only strive for it.
Shruti came to the garden of the hotel and sat on the bench.
He hurt her.
He hurt her without his knowledge. He has no fault but she can't help. She feels bad when he utters such things about her. He could have lied that he was worried for her. Who told him to become the embodiment of truth?
He and Aryan, both care about Pakhi only. If she asks them to be quiet, they become quiet. If she asks them to speak, both of them start speaking. If she asks them to dance, they will definitely start dancing. She doesn't matter to them.
The above thoughts were enough to bring tears to her eyes. She wiped it with the back of her hand, " they only scold me and give all their love to Pakhi."
She was being childish, she knew. But she craves Jaydev's worry. She thought he was genuinely worried for her but he broke all her hope and shattered her heart in two pieces.
" He is stupid. He is cold. He doesn't have a heart. He doesn't deserve my tears. Then.. then why am I crying?"
She questioned herself and wiped her tears. She felt pain in her throat.
" Nobody will come to call me. Bhai is with his wife. And he? He is too ignorant to think that his contract wife is sitting outside on a cold night. A stupid heartless monster he is."
She scoffed.
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Pakhi sat straight when she saw Aryan finally disconnecting his call.
" Why do you look so happy? Is there any good news?"
She asked curiously.
" Not good news actually but I have received an invitation to a Christmas party at a friend's house."
" Friend?"
He hummed.
" He got to know about my stay here so invited us."
Pakhi smiled happily, " Di and Bhai can come?"
" Of course. I mean I didn't want to take Jay but I can't help. It will not be good to leave him alone."
He said while climbing the bed.
" What date is today?"
Aryan chuckled lightly, " Christmas is the day after tomorrow."
" Okay," Pakhi replied and started laying down on the bed.
" Are you going to sleep? At this time?"
Aryan asked with furrowed eyebrows.
" Yes. It's past 9:30. Do you need anything?"
She asked while half laying. Her whole weight was handled by her elbow which was on the bed. He nodded and she raised her eyebrows, " what?"
" Tum."
( You.)
He replied. She blinked her eyes while his orbs sparkled when she started sitting up. She faced him, folded her legs and studied his expression for around 10 seconds before asking in worried voice,
" Sar dard ho raha hai fir se?"
( Is your head aching again?)
" Noo!"
He failed to hold his laughter while Pakhi frowned.
" Did I say something funny?"
" Yes yes," he agreed while laughing. She scoffed and glared at him.
" Jao. Baat nahi karti Mai aapse."
( I won't talk to you.)
She leaned back to lay down but,
" Are ruko ruko."
( wait wait.)
He held her elbow and did not let her lay down.
" Pehle hasna band karo," she pointed out.
( First stop laughing.)
Her warning only increased his laughter. The situation wasn't really funny but she made it hilarious by her expressions, responses and words.
" Aap chup kyu nahi ho rahe hain?"
( Why are you not stopping?)
She whined, furious by his laughter.
" I am trying. I am trying..haha.. I am trying..hahaha.."
She clenched her jaw and kept glaring at him till he was laughing. By God's mercy his laughter came to a decent end in 5 minutes.
" Pehli baar itna hasa mai," he joked.
( I laughed for the first time this much.)
" Hn. Vo bhi mujh par?"
( and that too on me?)
" Can't help. You are unintentionally funny."
" I-"
Before she could throw her hands, he added.
" That was praise. You are becoming the reason for someone's happiness. You should feel encouraged. You are doing great social work."
" Hn, to ek kaam karti hum sab logo ke liye 1 ghante ke hasne ka session rakh deti hu. Sab aayenge aur hass ke jaa sakte hai mujh par. Haina?"
( Yes. I should start a one hour session for everyone. They can come and laugh at me. right?)
His expression changed intensely as he said, " daant tod dunga mai un sab ke jo tum par hasenge."
( I will break their teeth.)
" Why why why? Wasn't I a social worker?"
" Okay, I take my words back," he said.
She hummed, " better. Now tell me what do you want?"
He rested his back on the bed headpost, " let's... talk?"
Smile carved on his lips, " aap baat karenge mujhse? Aap mein pakka koi aatama to nahi aayi?"
( You will talk to me? Are you sure you are not possessed?)
He rolled his eyes, " stop it. I am serious."
She grabbed the pillow and put it on her lap.
" Kahiye. Kya baat karein?"
( Tell me. What should we talk about?)
He shrugged his shoulders, " you start."
Pakhi fell into deep thoughts and asked after almost a minute, " why did you marry me?"
He stared at her in disbelief, " what type of question is this? Of course! Because I loved you."
" Why didn't you choose another way then?"
" Because your brother challenged me. Okay, let's not bring past topics. Ask something else."
She shook her head and thought of another question.
" Your favourite colour?"
He chuckled, " a typical quiz."
" Answer please.."
He smiled and looked down at her night dress. She has worn a light green cotton kurti with a white plazo.
" Jo bhi rang ke kapde tum pehnti ho, vo mera pasandida ho jata hai."
( Whatever color cloth you wear, it will become my favourite.)
A perfect answer to trap a girl. He uses his words so wisely. Pakhi only wondered if he made them or were they really genuine?
" Your favourite actor?"
" Hrithik Roshan," he replied and she frowned.
" Actress?"
" Amrita Rao," he answered and smirked.
She gasped, " you are cheating. These are my favourite."
" So how did it become a scam?"
He asked.
" Aap fasana chahte ho mujhe apne pyar mein," she replied.
( You want to trap me in your love.)
He passed her an impressed look and sat straight. She moved slightly back when he leaned his body close to her. She was left stunned when he wrapped arm around her waist to stop her from moving further back.
She looked into his eyes with her wide ones as he uttered near her lips.
" To fas jao na. Itni koshish kar raha hu."
( Why don't you get trapped then? I have been struggling so much.)
Her cheeks turned crimson and eyelashes fluttered down. A shy smile appeared on her lips.
" Okay," she replied timidly and pushed him back because the proximity flipped her stomach from inside. Butterflies erupted in her belly.
" Okay? Matlab fas jaogi mujhse?"
( Means you will for me?)
He teased her.
" Noo! I mean.. I mean,"
" You mean?"
She licked her lower lip and felt difficult to voice out her emotions.
" Just leave it."
He chuckled and again rested his back against the headpost.
" So, next question."
She mentally took a deep breath to calm her racing heart beats then asked the next question.
" What do you like to do in your free time?"
He gestured to her with his chin, " think about you."
She passed him the 'done' look and not paying attention to his reply, she asked another question.
" Mumma or papa?"
He frowned, " why are you going off track? And how can I choose one among them?"
" Because you are not replying to a single question properly."
" These are the proper answers only," he defended himself.
She tilted her head, " means you think about me in your free time? Is this how free minded you are? Do you not think about your cases and all?"
He shook his head, " tum jitna bhi chaho koshish kar lo. Sach nahi badlne vala."
( You can try as much as you want. Truth won't change.)
She sighed and chose not to begin a debate with him.
" Okay, what is...the definition of love according to you?"
He smiled, " The definition of love, for me, is not a very long statement. Keval hai ek shabd hai mere liye pyar ka matlab."
( Only one word is the definition of love for me.)
" What?"
Corner of his lips curved into a small smirk which surely did not contain any evil plans. He parted his mouth and replied,
" Pakhi."
It took her a moment to process the meaning and when she did, she couldn't stop the urge of blush. Her heart skipped several beats hearing his words. She searched for a lie but again, found nothing but genuine emotion in his eyes.
" Oh."
She uttered and shifted on her place then scratched the end of her eyebrow.
" Uhm.. l.. let's sleep now."
He agreed by gesturing to her to sleep first. She lay down and faced her back at him. She put her palm under her cheek and smiled to herself. Just when she was about to close her eyes, she felt him shifting close to her.
He put his chin on her arm and she felt her heartbeat racing instantly.
" Abki baar fasa nahi raha tha. Sach keh raha tha."
( I was not trapping you this time. It was true.)
She parted her mouth to reply but stayed quiet when he brought his face close to her and put his pair of lips on her cheek. Her eyes closed and hand fisted the duvet tightly.
She shut her closed and he withdrew his lips only to kiss her once again. This time, his lips stayed on her cheek longer than before.
" Ab so jao."
( Now sleep.)
He whispered and went to his side. She gulped. Her cheeks tickled to smile and she brought her another hand and feathered her cheek with fingers where he just kissed two times.
" Ab usi ke baare mein mat socha. Kahogi to dobara de sakta hu mai."
( Don't keep thinking about that. If you want I can kiss you again.)
" Shut up," she mumbled.
He chuckled and closed his eyes to sleep.
On the other hand,
Jaydev came to the garden and sighed heavily.
" God knows why this girl is after my peace. I wish the ink of God's pen would run out while writing my fate for the next birth. I don't know why a woman named Shruti got into my life."
He gritted his teeth and started looking for her. He spotted her sitting at a bench with a guy. He frowned.
Wow! Enjoying it. Isn't she?
He shook his head then turned around to walk back as if he doesn't care-
" Fuck!"
He cursed and decided to go to her. He stood behind them and unfortunately they did not sense his presence. Well, that's what he thinks.
" Yeah, I came with my brother and sister-in-law."
The guy nodded, " boyfriend?"
" Not yet."
" Really? It's unexpected-"
" Sweet heart?"
Jaydev clenched his jaw and called her. His tone was neither sweet nor furious. Shruti and the guy turned around but found no one because Jaydev had already come in front.
" I am here."
Seeing him, Shruti made a displeased expression while the guy frowned.
" Yes? What do you want?"
The guy asked.
" Yes. Who are you? What do you want?"
Shruti pretended to be a stranger and raised her eyebrows at him. Jaydev rolled his tongue inside the mouth and chuckled.
He looked at the guy and said, " you may leave now. She's my wife."
The guy frowned, " but she said she is not married-"
" She is mad. The screws on her brain are light. She sometimes sits on a tree at midnight. Make friends in the cab. Make friends and lie to them about her relationship."
Shruti's mouth hung open while the guy's confusion grew deeper.
" W..what?"
" Are you going or not-"
" What the hell?"
Shruti stood up and asked him. The guy flinched at her sudden outburst and looked at her with wide opened eyes.
" Should I drop you?"
Jaydev ignored the girl and talked to the guy who slowly stood up and nodded. Shruti looked at him to clear the misunderstanding but Jaydev's heated glare was enough to scare the guy away.
Before leaving he looked at once then went to the hotel.
" What the hell is your problem?"
Shruti snapped at him.
" What is your problem? Who sits outside on this cold night? Have you gone nuts? Don't you get tired?"
Shruti rolled her eyes, " so what? Aapko to parvaah nahi na meri? To kyu aaye."
( You don't care about me then why did you come?)
He sighed, " let's fight inside."
He tried holding her hand but she stepped back.
" No thanks. I am going."
Jaydev clicked his tongue and watched her going to the hotel direction. 10 seconds passed.. 15 seconds passed.. 25 seconds passed.. 45 seconds... and 1 minute passed.
" Ahh! Mammi."
Jaydev shook his head in disbelief as she tripped on a stone and stumbled on her steps then fell on her knees. She broke into light sobs while holding her knees.
He walked toward her and stood in front of her.
" Aur karo manmarziyan."
( Wanna do more as you wish?)
She glared at him and harshly wiped her tears. He forwarded his hand at her but she pushed his hand and stood up on her own.
With faltering and slow steps, she started walking.
" Stupid. Jerk. Monster. Heartless. Beast. Fatal enemy. Peace breaker- ah! Mammi!"
She gasped for the second time when she felt herself in the air but it was him who lifted her in his arms.
She wiggled to free herself, " leave me-"
" Chup! Ek Dum chup!"
( Shut Up!)
He scolded her and the professor finally shut her mouth.
Well, not literally.
She mumbled some words like stupid, idiot and monster in repetition throughout the way and glaring at everywhere but him.
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