Hello everyone! I’m back with the second chapter of TAL!! Hope you are liking this story.
Thank you everyone who has commented on the previous chapter of the story. Keep supporting!
Not Proof read, Ignore grammatical errors and typos.
Link to chapter 1 Chapter 1
THE AUTHOR’S LOVE!!!
Chapter 2 ~Best Friends
SWARA’S P.O.V.
I returned back home, expecting my parents to be there, after having a tiring day with my friends. In spite of being tired, I was looking forward to spend the evening with them, having a family dinner or a movie night like we used to have some time back, before everything was fine.
I reached home, only to be welcomed by the locked doors, cold walls, and the lifeless furniture in there. I fished out my phone from my pocket, to call my mom and dad. But they weren’t responding. They might be on their way back home. I decided to get myself cleaned up, before they’d be here.
I checked out the voice messages on the phone in my room, once I was out of the shower, fresh and dressed up in my pajamas. All of them seemed unimportant to me, except for two of them. One from my Mom, and the other my Dad! They left a voice message, saying they can’t make it tonight, as they were busy with their work. They asked me to have my dinner, and go to bed, and not wait for them.
Wow! Both of them couldn’t take out time for their daughter, or maybe they couldn’t stand each other for even some time. I should’ve expected this; instead I let my hopes rise. The two of them, in spite of working together, couldn’t send a single message. They had to send two separate messages about not being able to come.
I closed my eyes, and let the tears run down my face. I curled up on the bed, hugging my knees to my chest and cried out. This was not happening for the first time. Every time we plan it, the same thing happens, yet I hope this time would be different.
My mom and Dad are the best example of how parents should never be. They claim to love me, but they never showed that affection towards me. They basically can’t stand each other, and that is one reason they never spend time with me together. All that they do when they come face to face is to yell at each other.
I cursed my fate, for having to deal with everything in my life alone, when I needed my parents beside me. I love them both so much, that it hurts when I see them fighting. This was not how I pictured my life to be, but nevertheless, it’s happening!
I stared at the blank ceiling of my room, for how long, I didn’t know, but I was brought back to my senses, when my phone buzzed. I looked at the caller ID and noticed that it was Ragini. Ragini is like my other half, who knew me in and out. She was my inner self, who stands by me, every time I need her.
I composed myself, and attended her call, “Hello,” I said, in a feeble tone.
“Shona, I’ve a very important news to tell you.” I sensed the excitement in her voice, while she continued, “I’m so sorry Shona! I know you are with your mom and Dad. I don’t intend to disturb your precious evening…”
I was holding myself, with all my might, but I couldn’t anymore. Not in front of Ragini at least! I was not really strong, as I like to show myself. I broke down into tears, and sobbed, making Ragini worried, “Shona? Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine Ragini! What were you saying?” I asked her, after composing myself.
“You aren’t! Tell me what’s….Is it your parents again?” She asked me. I didn’t say anything. “Shona! I’m coming there. Give me ten minutes.” She hung up without waiting for my reply. I was glad, I had a best friend like her.
After about twenty minutes, I heard a knock on my front door. I opened the door, and let Ragini in. She hugged me for a minute, and that made me feel better than I was before.
“Shona, I know you didn’t have your dinner, so I brought pizza for us to munch on, while we watch a movie.” She made her way to the couch in the living room, and I followed her silently.
I sat on the couch, and grabbed a slice of pizza, while she went through the stack of DVDs, and finally picked up a Disney movie. Like, Seriously? But I didn’t argue with her, as I was in no mood to. Besides, Disney movies do make me feel better.
By the end of the movie, I was feeling much better. All thanks to Ragini! I remembered, she wanted to tell me something important, when she had to stop because of me and my pathetic life. She was cleaning up the front table, when I finally asked her, “Ragini, what were you saying on the phone?”
She looked at me for a moment, like she was debating whether to tell me or not. Finally, she spoke, “Ohh…That’s nothing, Shona! Just forget it!”
She went back to the kitchen, leaving me alone in the living room. I followed behind her, “C’mon Ragini! You were saying it’s something important.” She remained silent.
“Ragini?”
“Don’t over react Shona! But, Laksh proposed me!” She let it out in a single breath. “Oh!” was all I could manage to say. So, this was the matter, and I’m not surprised she was debating whether to tell me or not.
“Shona…I know you aren’t…” Ragini started to say, but I cut her off, “Ragini! As much as I know you love Laksh, I still think it is not right.”
“Shona! Laksh loves me, and I love him. Why don’t you have trust on me?” She asked me.
“Ragini! It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that I don’t trust love. Who knows how it changes in future? Do you believe Laksh will still love you the same, even after years? Don’t get me wrong Ragini, but I don’t want to see you hurt in the future,” I contemplated.
“I know Shona, you want me to be happy. I also know, you have seen the worst of worst situations of love. But, trust me, Laksh loves me. And I believe, he’ll love me the same. There is no love without trust Shona, and I trust Laksh.” She answered firmly, and I nodded.
I was glad that she trusts Laksh so much, but I never wanted her to be the victim of failed love stories, like that of what I’ve seen in my life.
“Shona…” Ragini hesitated, and I knew she had something else to tell.
She continued, when I didn’t say anything, “Will you come and meet Laksh tomorrow?” I immediately knew the reason behind her hesitancy.
“Why me?” I asked. “Because you are my best friend! Don’t you want to meet him?” She asked me, rather cutely.
“Ragini, you know that I don’t believe in Love and stuff; why do you want me to come over and meet Laksh? It would be awkward for both Laksh and me.” I answered.
“May be because, Laksh is bringing his best friend too. Besides, Laksh already knows about you; you don’t have to be worried about things being awkward. If not tomorrow, then some other time, you can’t avoid meeting him.” She explained.
‘She was right about having to meet him, sometime or the other. What’s wrong if I meet him tomorrow? May be I should go’ I debated whether to go or not. I finally decided I’d go, and let her know that I’d come. Ragini squealed like a kid, who got his favourite chocolate, and hugged me tight.
“When are we meeting?” I asked her.
“Lunch, tomorrow!” She answered, and I nodded. She muttered a Thank you to me before leaving to her house.
~*~
SANSKAAR’S P.O.V.
I sat in the balcony of my room, trying to put my thoughts together to pen down something on a piece of paper. But I was facing the worst situation ever; my brain was clouded with numerous thoughts, yet nothing seemed appealing. Penning down my thoughts was never a difficult task for me, as they come out straight from my heart. For the first time in my life, I was confused about what I should write.
I was staring into the distance, and thinking, when my best friend’s voice pulled me out from my thoughts, “What are you thinking about, Sanskaar?”
I turned back, and saw him standing, leaning against the door frame of the balcony, with hands folded across his chest.
“Hey Bro! Nothing. Just figuring out what I should write.” I laughed, while he came over and made himself comfortable on the chair, next to me.
“”So, the great author ‘The Varun Kapoor’ is in a dilemma as to what to write. Hmm…This is a serious issue!” He mocked at me, and I glared at him.
“Laksh!” I warned him, while he held his hands up in surrender, making me chuckle.
“Tell me what are you here for?” I asked him, coming straight to the point.
“Can’t I just visit you?” He feigned hurt. “Of course, you can! But, you never do that!” I reminded him.
“Hey! I do visit you casually!” He complained.
“But, I know you are here to say something. So, spill it out!” I ordered him.
“Whatever! So, the thing is, I proposed Ragini!” He said, waiting for me to react.
“Finally, you proved yourself a man! I thought you’d never do that!” I ridiculed him. Finally this idiot showed up some balls to go and propose his girl. Otherwise, I thought, Ragini would be the one to propose him.
“Sanskaar, Remember this talk. I’d be saying the same things when it’s your turn.” He smirked. “As if I’d fall in love someday,” I laughed.
“Time will show, my friend.” He patted my back, while I rolled my eyes.
“But for now, Get ready. You are coming with me,” He ordered. I gave him a questioning look, when he continued, “I want you to meet Ragini.”
“So, finally, I get to meet my Bhabhi?” I asked him.
“Yes, and Ragini’s friend will be there too. Just like you are to me; Swara is Ragini’s best friend. And, Man! Ragini is one crazy fan of you.” He laughed, like an idiot when he said the last line.
That didn’t come as a surprise to me, the author Varun Kapoor, is adored by many girls out there, so it isn’t something I didn’t expect. Call it overconfidence, but that’s the truth.
“I would love seeing her reaction, when I tell her that you are Varun Kapoor. I’m sure…” He was speaking, when I cut him off, “You are not telling her anything. At least, not until I want you to.”
“But, why?” He asked me, confused.
“I’m still not ready to reveal my identity, Lucky!” I told him. I wasn’t comfortable about sharing my personal information, and no one, except for Laksh knew about my passion for writing, not even my family.
“Okay. As you wish. But we are meeting them in an hour, for lunch.” He informed me, and I nodded.
***
A/N:
So, How is the second chapter? I know it’s kind of filler, but it’s a sneak peek into the characters lives. Anyone out there waiting for Swasan meet? Well, I am! If you are, then comment in the comment section below. Criticism is welcome.
Thank You!!! <3
Love,
Ashu