Dev was asked by Atharva to pick Tanya from the bus stop located a kilometer from his house. Dev found Tanya there and she waved a ‘Hi’ to Dev with a smile. Dev reciprocated the smile.
Tanya – “Hi dude, how is your life now?”
Dev – “It is going well, Tanya. What about you?”
Tanya – “Its going good.”
Tanya sit back of Dev’s bike and he started to ride the bike. The cool breeze of Shimla drizzled their faces gently. Dev was reminded of his college days with Tanya like how they used to chill out together despite belonging to different courses in the same college. They were united by social media and met each other. It was a ‘Love at First Sight’ for Tanya as she admired Dev’s simplicity and his passion towards his career, someone who is cleared with what he want in his life. She felt that he has a perfect balance between entertainment and work, but in real, it has imbalanced with more focus on career. Dev is quite reserved in mingling with others. Most of his friend circle contains his brother’s friends. Dev looks at Tanya as an amazing and understanding friend. Dev shared all his experiences and feelings with her and she didn’t judge Dev based on that like most of the girls. It is the biggest asset Tanya have, is what Dev feels. Slowly their rapport becomes closer or so. Tanya proposed Dev in the last year, while Dev ignored it diplomatically. Though Tanya is fine with his decision, she is broken by his response. She didn’t have any courage to speak to Dev and the case is similar with Dev as well.
Breaking all the wave of thoughts, Tanya started to speak.
Tanya – “Hey! How is your work going?”
Dev – “It is going pretty good. I am getting a good number of client every month that I could feel content.”
Despite being parted for years, the habits didn’t change significantly. They converse with the same amount of enthusiasm.
Dev – “Haan Tanya, how is your job?”
Tanya – “It is amazing, Dev. Last month I got a project from Textile Company, which is located too far. The only issue is that I have to travel back and forth every day. Otherwise, it’s cool.”
Dev – “That’s good.”
They travelled some distance. Then Dev started the conversation with Tanya.
Dev – “Tanya… When you proposed me, I told you the most random things… You might have feel bad, right?”
Tanya becomes gloomy and then she smiles.
Tanya – “Come on, Dec. It’s been almost a year. I have moved on. Don’t ask sorry. It’s embarrassing.”
Dev nods and the ride continues.
Dev and Tanya reached Atharva’s house. It is a two storied house where the bottom floor is for rent and at the top floor, Atharva and Vividha resides. Tanya get down from his bike while Dev is thinking about something else. Tanya waves her hands to bring him out of dream world. Dev looks at her.
Tanya – “What happened? Come on.”
Dev – “You go. I’ll park the bike…”
Tanya gets inside the house. While Dev is thinking whether he has made a mistake by rejecting a girl like Tanya.
He remembered how he used to crush her at times during college days. But never opened to anyone. If he has the guts to reject his best friend, why can’t he have the guts to rethink about his decision?
Kids on the road, are shooting bubbles from the bubble shooter and one of the bubble poked on his nose and breaks. Dev again comes to reality. The kids on the road laughed at him. He responded a slight smile and parked his bike near the house.
He entered the house and take steps to reach Atharva and Vividha’s room.
There, he sees a girl sitting on the stairs. She covered her face as it seems she cried. Since his shadow was reflected on the floor, the girl was cautioned and looks at him suddenly. Dev was stumbled seeing a girl crying in front of him.
She recognized that he is Dev. Soon, she wiped her tears and make herself alright and moves from there.
Dev didn’t react anything but followed her simply. She too didn’t speak anything to him. She rang the bell of the house.
Dev asked, “Are you Vividha’s colleague?”
She replied with a namesake smile, “I am Deep’s friend.”
Her reply and Vividha opening the door occurred at the same time. Vividha hugged the girl, “Sonakshi… My sweety.”
Dev understood that she is Sonakshi, Deep’s best friend. Sonakshi wished her since it is the anniversary. Atharva also comes outside and hugged Dev.
Sonakshi and Dev entered into. Due to embarrassment, Sonakshi walked away from him. While Dev too moved towards Atharva. Deep and Aarohi are already present there to his surprise. Deep gives a tight hug to Dev since it is been long they had met each other.
Deep has brought Aarohi to this party in order to make her used to his other friends and also come out of her own shell. Deep introduced Aarohi to everyone as his new friend.
The house is so cheerful as if it is a hangover of College students. Deep, Aarohi, Atharva and Tanya are sitting on the sofa while Dev and Sonakshi are sitting on the adjacent arms of the sofa. Vividha served tea to all of them.
Atharva – “How is the tea, dude?”
Atharva asked by keeping his hands on Dev’s shoulder.
Dev – “It is first class, Vivi.”
Vividha – “Did you hear this Atharva?”
Vividha stares Atharva with pride. Others chuckle.
Deep – “Guys, the cake would reach within 45 minutes. Now, let us say what to do for time pass.”
Atharva – “Singer bro, you’re here to make us happy. Play a music for us.”
Deep – “I am a singer not a radio.”
Atharva and Vividha – “But an RJ, right. But the thing is, now you have to sing for our anniversary….”
Vividha looks at his guitar bag near the sofa.
Vividha – “Wow, as per my order, you brought my favorite guitar too… Screw this man (pointing at Atharva). Please play your guitar for the Tamil song ‘Nenjukkul Peithidum Maamalai’.”
Atharva – “No… He will sing.”
Tanya – “No, He will dance.”
Sonakshi – “No, he will jump.”
Aarohi – “No, he will talk.”
Dev – “No, he will run.”
Deep – “Ushhh… Are you making comedy out of me?”
Sonakshi murmured slowly, “Fool understood finally…”
Dev chuckled and looked at Sonakshi. Sonakshi too exchanged laughter.
Deep – “Enough of all your lame jokes. Now, I am going….(stresses)”
Sonakshi shouted – “Jump Jump…”
Deep – “Enough of making fun. If someone is naive like me, all use that well… (others stare at him while he pouts) I am going to sing with my guitar. Any suggestions for the song?”
After thinking for some time, Atharva suggested a song in Deep’s ears. Deep smiles and Atharva winks. He stand up from the sofa and made Atharva and Vividha sit together. He took a chair and sit on the chair with his guitar.
He starts playing the guitar and sings the song Remix version of Mere Rashke Qamar.
Everyone is impressive intensively with his voice and music. They started to reminisce their lovely moments of their life.
Sonakshi was reminded of her memorable crush in college, which she believed to be true love.. How she stalked him in social media and knew all his interests… Wearing lavender colored dresses for all day since he like it… colored her hair for him… Thinking about him all the time… Dreamt of visiting a hill station and he would give a warm hug to get away from the chill… giving his jacket for her to warm…
Dev was reminded of his crush Tanya and other happy moments of life… Their friendship in the college days… How they used to bunk classes at times on her insistence… How Tanya used to catch him with her beauty and how he stare at her sometimes…
Vividha and Atharva were reminded of their love story. They looked at each other and were blushing how they used to get attracted to each other till the marriage and making fun of each other after marriage. They looked at each other and shared a beautiful eye-lock.
Tanya who is looking at others who got mesmerized and lost in the song, smiled and enjoyed the song.
Deep and Aarohi are reminded of their favorite memory. Deep and Aarohi relationship has changed a lot in these 15 days. Deep started to get attracted to Aarohi’s attitude and personality while Aarohi has already fallen for his heart. They were reminded of the pani-puri incident that happened few hours before… Deep took Aarohi to a pani-puri shop and introduced her to the pani-puri as she disliked it since childhood. Deep convinced her a lot and taught her how to eat the pani-puri. Deep ordered a complete spicy masala and for Aarohi, he ordered a less spicy masala. Deep fed a piece for Aarohi. Aarohi coughs and Deep patted her and give her water. Aarohi liked the taste though it is spice. She asked Deep again to feed her. Deep fed her for the second time and she ate it well. “Wow wow… Its yummy Deep… I had golgappe for the first time… I feel like I am a normal girl…,” Aarohi says with happiness…. She moved her hands and found the pani-puri plate and a take one puri and mixed masala in it. “Deep,” she calls. Deep hold her hands signing that he is here. Aarohi touched his face and found his mouth and feed Golgappe to Deep.
Deep was amazed and happy by this attitude. He felt a big amount of happiness in him. Deep wiped the spice in Aarohis mouth and Aarohi did the same for Deep… The incident is one of the most memorable incidents of their life.
Deep completed the song and everyone adulated him.
The doorbell rings. Vividha goes out while Atharva followed her. Dev makes fun of him. Tanya gets a phone call and she moves aside. Deep took Aarohi to the kitchen for having water… Dev and Sonakshi are sitting on the either arms of the sofa.
Sonakshi – “Dev… Why are you sitting alone? ”
Dev looked at her and says, “First, you say why were you crying in the stairs?”
Sonakshi thinks.
Sonakshi – “Okay… Let us have a deal. You also don’t reveal anything… I also won’t reveal. Deal?”
Dev smiles and Sonakshi reciprocated the same.Atharva runs along the way with cake while Vividha is running behind him. On seeing the Dev and Sonakshi, Vividha stopped.
Vividha – “Oh! You didn’t get introduced yet, right? So what… Sona, this is Dev… Dev, this is Sonakshi.”
Sonakshi – “Hey Buddhu! We are already introduced…”
Vividha – “Oh… Whatever…Come on. Let us cut the cake.”
Saying this, Vividha runs in hurry. When Sonakshi is about to go, Dev called her.
Dev – “I don’t know what you’re going through, you’ll be fine soon. Be positive.”
Sonakshi smiled and moves. Dev also did the same.
Everyone gathered at the place where cake was placed. Vividha and Atharva hold the knife together. Dev and Sonakshi captured photos of Atharva and Vividha. Then, group selfies are captured.
Dev and Deep sings, “Happy Birthday to you…”
Atharva pouts, “Anniversary…” He stressed.
Everyone sings the same. Atharva and Vividha cut the cake.
Atharva and Vividha feed the cake to each other. They blushed. Others laughs.
Tanya – “Vividha and Atharva, apply some cake on your face…”
Tanya takes the cream and applied it on Vividha’s face.
Sonakshi – “Hello, this is not enough. Apply the full cake.”
Vividha pouts, “I’ll deal with you later, darling.”
Sonakshi gives a sheepish smile. Vividha and Atharva feeds Deep, Sonakshi, Dev, Tanya and Aarohi. Then, Atharva cut the cake and served all.
Vividha and Atharva danced for Namak Ishq Ka. Others whistled at them
Then, they divided the group into two and had a dance competition. Aarohi, Sonakshi, Vividha and Tanya danced together for a soft song. Then, Atharva, Dev and Deep danced for a rock song in a raw and rugged manner so that the girls too joined them in the crazy dance.
Like small kids, everyone puts their hands on front member’s shoulder and like a train, they rounded the house. Everyone enjoyed forgetting their complications in life and stress. Credits to Vividha and Atharva
After some time, they played Truth or Dare. Atharva and Vividha becomes a single player, Deep, Aarohi, Dev, Sonakshi and Tanya were individual players. Tanya spins the bottle and it pointed at Atharva. (The one who spins the bottle should give the task (or ask the question) to the one who was pointed. )
Tanya – “Atharva, truth or dare?”
Atharva – “Dare!” (He says with a pride)
Tanya thinks, “Hug and kiss Dev and Deep individually…I want to see Dhanak’s genuine reaction.”
Atharva was shocked while others screamed in joy. Dev was embarrassed. Whereas Deep tried to bribe Tanya with his cheesy offers but nothing worked in.
Atharva stands up and Dev and Deep too. Atharva hugged Dev and he too reciprocated. Atharva gently kissed Dev’s cheek. Vividha couldn’t stop laughing seeing the shyness. Sonakshi and Aarohi were anticipated to see what else happen.
Tanya – “I didn’t hear the kiss sound… Um-ma…Make it. Dev also should repeat it.”
Dev – “What? Why?”
Vividha – “If someone show us kindness, you also must reciprocate it.”
Dev – “You’ll suffer more, Vivi.”
Tanya – “First both kiss each other. Deep, take notes from your brother.”
Atharva kissed Dev’s cheek and Dev also kissed Atharva’s cheek. Both released the hug with embarrassment. Atharva and Dev pouts.
Tanya – “Do the same with Deep too.”
Atharva and Deep hugged each other and does nothing.
Tanya – “Vivi, shall we complicate the kiss more?”
Vividha – “Yeah, sure.”
On hearing that, Deep and Atharva kissed each other’s cheeks and one second and break the hug. Everyone laughed.
Atharva spins the bottle and it points at Aarohi.
Aarohi – “Wow, its me… Give me a dare.”
Atharva – “Sing a nice song… After all Deep must have taught you.”
Aarohi – “Aisi ulji nazar unse hatt-ti nahi .Daant se reshmi dor katt-ti nahi. Umra kab ki baras ke safeed ho gayi Kaari badari jawani ki chatt ti nahi. Walla ye dhadkan bhadne lagi hai. Chehre ki rangat udhne lagi hai… Darr lagta hai tanha sone mein ji… Dil to bachcha hai ji…Dil to bachcha hai ji” (From the movie ‘Ishqiya’)
Everyone clapped their hands. Aarohi spins the bottle and it pointed at Atharva again. Everyone got excited.
Atharva – “Seems I have become prey… I’ll go for truth.”
Aarohi – “Atharva, narrate your love story. Vividha will say what happened after marriage.”
Everyone felt she has asked an interesting question. Even though Vividha and Atharva are Deep and other’s friends, they came to know Atharva and Vividha loving each other five days before their marriage. In haste, they told them a short story on how they fall in love.
Atharva – “I met Vivdiha first at College’s Culturals… I was fixing the banner while Vividha is hanging transparent balloons. Her voice attracted me the most. I tried to see her face but it was hidden by balloons… After struggle, I managed to see her face through the transparent balloon and she looked gorgeous with moon face with bright sunshine…. Vividha saw me for the first time when I approached her to be friends… She also found me good and befriend me… Slowly Deep, Sonakshi, Dev and Tanya joined our group… I proposed her after a long time and she accepted it.”
Vividha – “But, our parents didn’t approve this because financially we are less than Atharva’s. Both the families insulted us despite having desirable qualities. So, we decided to live alone and did a register marriage with Dev, Sonakshi, Deep Tanya and two of my cousins. After marriage, life changed a lot. We used to fight a lot over silly things… He is so careless… forgetting etc etc… I told him to change his Facebook Password which is his high school girlfriend but still he didn’t.”
Atharva – “Baby, I’ll change it… You also should not mix too much salt in food. Okay?”
Vividha – “Your mouth is just sensitive to salt.”
Other chuckled.
Vividha – “But I love him the way he is and he love me for the way she is… That’s it… Love success…”
Aarohi – “Fantastic, Vividha and Atharva”
Vividha spins the bottle and it points at Tanya. Tanya opted for dare. Vividha asked Tanya to give sounds like three animals.
Tanya – “Hiss Hiss….. Bow Bow… Meow Meow…”
Then, Tanya spinned the bottle and it pointed Dev. Dev was shocked and excited. Dev opted for truth.
Tanya thinks heavily, “Now, you should say, what are you feeling exactly? Now or for the past few hours which is bothering you…”
Dev – “Oh..”
Tanya – “You should not lie. I’ll find it.”
Dev chuckled, “Are you sure?”
Tanya – “Pakka!”
Dev – “I feel like… I feel like… I am in love with you, Tanya.”
Everyone including Tanya was freezed for ten seconds. They cannot believe what Dev said. Aarohi could not understand what is happening but remained silent. Suddenly the door bell rings again. Atharva gets up wondering who would be the one.
Atharva opens the door. A tall,well-built and handsome man in his white t-shirt and jeans was standing there with a bright smile.
He – “You’re Atharva Joshi…”
Atharva – “Yes.”
He – “Come on, buddy.”
He entered inside with Atharva. Atharva couldn’t understand anything. After seeing the man, Tanya stands up and comes near him. She smiled in embarrassment. She hold his hands and he smiled at Tanya.
Tanya – “This is Rehaan… My fiance. We are going to marry at this month end.”
Rehaan – “Tanya told me that she want to introduce him in a way of surprise. That’s why I came late.”
Vividha knew about Rehaan’s arrival earlier.
Another shocking news was imposed on everyone. Dev was shocked to the hell. Within few seconds of proposal, her fiance or lover is standing with her. Others smiled at Rehaan. Sonakshi looked at Dev and he bows his head down.
Rehaan – “Come on, let us continue the game. What are you all playing?”
Vividha took the bottle and hides, “We are playing antakshari, Rehaan. Come on .. Let us continue.”
Rehaan sit near Tanya and everyone continued playing the game. Dev was completely embarrassed and it is a less word to define what he is undergoing.
The game continued for some more time. Then, everyone had a simple dinner. Rehaan is so friendly that he easily got jelled with people other than Dev. Vividha and Atharva are blinking at each other and hoped that this day ends soon.. In the dinner time, Rehaan made the surrounding chill and comfortable. Everyone felt that Tanya’s choice is extremely superb. Rehaan got introduced to Tanya at a Modelling contest. Soon, they become friends and it turned into love and now they are fiances.
Everyone captured their group photo to include this events in the memories. Dev reluctantly posed the photos while others except Rehaan are looking at Dev with embarrassment.
After some time…
Tanya and Rehaan moved to terrace for some fresh air.
At kitchen, Vividha is berating Atharva for not saying about Dev’s one side love for Tanya. Atharva tried to explain but she didn’t leave him. Aarohi and Sonakshi are also standing there.
Sonakshi – “Vivi, Tanya proposed him a year back. Now, it is is the result of the consequence. Even I got to know from Tanya six months back.”
Vividha – “Atharva, why didn’t you say this? She is in love with Rehaan for the past one month. How will she handle the situation? If I knew that, I wouldn’t have asked Dev to pick up Tanya.”
Atharva – “Vivi… I didn’t think he will propose Tanya like this…”
While at other side, Deep is knocking the bathroom door calling out Dev’s name for around 20 minutes. Dev is crying inside the bathroom by opening the water taps. No one expected that Dev would propose Tanya just like that but Dev didn’t expect that such a disaster to happen. He felt even his worst enemy should not trapped in such embarrasing situation.
Deep – “”Dev, what are you doing? Please come out…”
There is no reply from Dev. After some time, Dev himself comes outside and pretends to be normal. Deep didn’t talk to Dev but just take him to the hall.
Dev comes to Vividha…
Dev – “Shall I go home, Vivi? There is some urgent meeting tomorrow.”
Vividha – “Why? There is no need. You must sleep here with us. I know that the meeting is on tuesday.”
Dev – “But…”
Vividha – “Strictly no. I know why are you saying like this. Its okay Dev. Don’t worry about anything. You are also not completely at fault. We’ll are there for you.”
Dev reluctantly agreed the decision.
Tanya and Rehaan comes from the terrace. Dev go to terrace. No one accompanied him as they felt he might need some time.
Dev was looking at the blue moon for no reason. He felt that it could lessen his pain. Sonakshi comes there and stands near him. She too stared the moon just like Dev.
Dev – “I am a loser, a late bloomer, speaks something inconveniently etc etc… Even I can’t bear the luck to have the first love as my wife. That’s why even the moon is laughing at me.”
Dev laughed with pain.
Sonakshi – “I got a call from my close relative today evening. She offered me an alliance directly and I told her I need some time. She told me that no one would marry a abandoned bride where the groom rejected her at last minute. She insulted me unintentionally. I know, it is difficult for me to get a groom who could love me… But, everything would become alright, Dev. I believe it… I know what are you undergoing… I can’t say don’t be sad… But I can say, please overcome this soon…”
Dev looked at her and smiled.
Dev – “Why are you saying this, Sonakshi? Did you forget our deal?”
Sonakshi – “Everything won’t happen according to our favour. We also have to bend ourself it accordingly. If something else overpowers our favourable outcomes and it is when, we cry. The word happiness lose its meaning if it is not balanced by sadness, Dev. You’re neither a loser nor a late bloomer nor other things… Time and fate is unfair with you. That’s it.”
Dev’s lips curved a little.
Dev – “My love is a disaster… That’s it. Rehaan is indeed an amazing guy. He speaks well and he is friendly. I hope Tanya lead a happy life with him. But what about me… I should involve into my works full-fledged… You… Definitely you’ll find your love… You have a right approach towards love and life. Don’t care much about the other factors.”
Dev finished… Suddenly he realized something else.
Dev – “Though we have a common friend, we were more like strangers and I have seen your photos for sometime… But now… we could even share our emotions, giving advices etc… Strange, right?”
Sonakshi – “Sometimes friends become strangers and the other times, strangers becomes friend… Good night!”
Sonakshi smiled at Dev. Dev wished the same while Sonakshi goes. An heart-warming love story has marked its beginning with the conversion of strangers to friends… Let us see how rapidly they realize their feelings towards each other. The night ends silently.
To be continued…