Hey, you all! Here’s the next chapter of the fiction. Thank you for your wonderful response on the previous chapter. Happy Reading!
PREVIOUSLY, Twinkle and Yuvraj have a heated conversation for Aarohi; Leela talks about Mrs. Sarna’s son’s alliance with Twinkle.
EK THUKDA PYAAR – EPISODE 2
Twinkle picked up the files that were sprawled in front of her, and stood up to tidy her workspace. It had been a while since she had worked from home, and it wasn’t a thing she preferred. She closed her laptop and picked up her belongings when she heard the approaching footsteps and saw her mother entering the room.
Leela: Are you not getting late? Reaching that restaurant would take you some time, it isn’t very close-by.
Twinkle: I know. I don’t know why would anyone choose a place that far-away. But I’m just about done.
Leela (settling down on the couch and sighing): He must’ve work there, Twinkle. I think, him agreeing to meet you in such short notice is, in itself, something you should be appreciating. (she paused and looked at her daughter) Are you going to wear that?
Twinkle: Really, Maa? I don’t think so. He could’ve just disagreed on meeting, if that was really such a bother. (looking down at her monochrome outfit) No, I just had an official meeting, but I’ll be changing into something more casual.
Leela (nodding her head): That sounds fine. (lacing her fingers together) Appreciate the small things, Twinkle; It makes you a better human. It is very easy to find flaws all the time.
The thought resided in the crevices of her mind, but she always overlooked it. She knew her mother was right. Her tendency to look flaws in every situation was a link that was brought down from her profession to her personal life, and she lacked the ability to balance between both.
She stacked the files on the table-top and moved toward her cupboard, drawing out a plain, simple kurti.
Twinkle: I’ll just change, and then I can leave. An hour would be sufficient to drive there, I think!
Leela: Okay. And also, will you pick-up Aarohi from school?
Twinkle (turning around to look at her mother): Why? Are the school buses not plying as usual today?
Leela: They are. But since you’re free and her school would be on your way, anyway, you can pick her up with no difficulty. The two of you have, anyway, not spent much time together lately.
Twinkle (in an understanding tone): I know. But I don’t know if that’d mean anything to her. I don’t see how you see any benefit there.
Leela (slapping her forehead): You do not see benefits all the time, Twinkle. This is a relationship, not a court case. (pausing briefly) And it is always the small things that count. So, when you’re returning, just pick her up and come.
Twinkle (after a minute of silence): And you think I’d talk to Mr. Sarna for that long?
Leela: Why not? There must be a plethora of things you two would’ve to talk about, if this is really happening. And if not, I’m sure you can find yourself something to do. (looking at her sternly) Now, change and leave. Don’t argue with me anymore.
Twinkle sighed and walked towards the closet to change. She wasn’t trying to argue, she was just trying to throw more light on what was more practical, according to her. She hadn’t even talked to him yet, and her mother was already expecting for them to have a long conversation. But her mother had experience and she was a woman of emotions and psychology, who wove her way around people, unlike Twinkle. And that was why, Twinkle often found herself guided on the softer, emotional path around people.
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Twinkle entered the restaurant, and looked around for Mr. Sarna. She had read about him in a few of the famous business magazines, but she did not believe them to be true. Twinkle believed, with fame, gossips and attention was a complementary and seemingly necessary combination that couldn’t usually be avoided. Yet, if someone really did want to, they could.
“Miss Taneja,” a deep voice unravelled from behind her and she turned around toward Mr. Sarna. He looked sinfully handsome in a black formal shirt and he forwarded her a hand, while pulling off a courteous smile. Twinkle nodded and then shook his hand, reflecting him a small smile in return.
Kunj guided her to a table, away from the bustle of the restaurant, and pulled out the chair for her, chivalrously. To Twinkle, this appeared like any other client meeting she usually was involved in. She made herself comfortable in the plush chair and waited for Mr. Sarna to settle down, to her opposite. She waited for him to initiate a conversation, and stared at the salt-pepper shakers.
Kunj: So… It was my mother who proposed for this marriage, which I assume was a week or two ago, and I doubt she was expecting a response in return.
Twinkle (amused): I’m sorry, I did not know it was that long ago. I was just told about it yesterday and my mother believed we could meet up once to see if things could be in our favour.
Kunj (a small smile curving his lips): That makes me believe, you didn’t want to meet me.
Twinkle (embarrassed): Of course, I did not mean it that way, but it was mainly Maa who suggested and persuaded. In my defence, I’m not sure if I’d like to settle down yet.
Kunj: I can understand. It is not an easy decision to take, anyway. (hesitantly) And I suppose we don’t really stand at a point either where things are very easy for us to decide.
Twinkle (nodding her head): I’m glad you understand that. Of course, we might not be dealing with similar situations, but the thought of settling down at this age is a little frightening, if not anything else.
Kunj (in an understanding voice): Yes. And for things to work between us, I think there are a lot of issues and situations that need to be addressed before we move further.
Twinkle nodded her head and looked at him. He was a person who talked of maturity and it made Twinkle feel at ease to converse. She wasn’t very comfortable talking about her life with people around her, but Mr. Sarna was definitely attempting to provide her the comfort and sensitivity that she wished for.
Twinkle (sitting up straight): Alright, Mr. Sarna. I’m sure you must know, I’ve had a failed marriage before and while that has had happened to be a while ago, I still have an aftermath of it that does affect me, and I’m not sure, even if I invest myself into another marriage, I’d be able to forget that or the past experiences. I’m very unsure of it, and I wouldn’t hide the fact that I’m still in contact with my ex-husband, and in a situation as mine, I doubt I can give up on that contact or relation, whatever you may like to call it.
Kunj (in a soft voice): Miss Taneja, I wouldn’t ask any of that from you. All of us have had a past and even if, by any chance, we do want it to be erased, I think it is hardly possible. Your past is what forms you, and I doubt your existence would be meaningful if you try erasing it.
Twinkle looked at Mr. Sarna in amusement. She did not expect a reply such as that from him and it did unravel in her a surprise, she wasn’t very well-versed to. A small smile curved her lips and she looked at him in the eye, satisfactorily.
Kunj: Also, (he paused hesitantly) would it be fine if I call you Twinkle, Miss Taneja? This way, (referring to their current scenario) it feels more of business, and less of two people who are seeing each other for a marriage proposal.
Twinkle (smiling): Of course, Mr. Sarna. (she paused and looked at him directly in the eye, again) I’m sure you must know of my daughter, though. And I hope you understand that this marriage needs to be out of an understanding from her side, too. I won’t be the only one who can say yes, and I hope you’d understand that.
Kunj (nodding): Yes, Twinkle. I absolutely understand, and I did want to talk about that. I would like to know your daughter first before we proceed ahead and take a decision for ourselves.
Twinkle: That sounds wonderful. I’m sure we can arrange a meeting for the three of us. (unsure of her next question, she stopped and looked down in nervousness) This might be a little personal, but why did you not get married?
Kunj (sighing): I’d like to hold in that answer for a while. I’m sure you’d understand that since it is slightly personal, I’d like for us to develop something personal, too, before letting out all of it.
Twinkle nodded her head, but disappointment crawled within her. She had unravelled the entire of her past to him, and she had expected him to reflect the same trust in her. A strange emotion tightened the knots in her stomach, and she was suddenly unsure of continuing the conversation. Yet, she relaxed in the comfort of the chair and looked down at the laced fingers on her lap. The two of them sat in silence for a brief period and the quietness embraced them tightly, the brewing tension from before, slowly dissipating.
Twinkle (unsurely): Mr. Sarna, My marriage with my ex-husband failed because both of us had issues, no one is to be blamed solely. But in my defence, I really had a lot of contribution to why the marriage failed. (she looked up at Kunj whose gaze was fixated on her) I cannot balance and prioritise, and I am still blamed for that. While my past makes me and builds me what I am today, there are also certain things which haven’t changed, or may never change.
Kunj: I can understand, Twinkle. I, myself, may not be the right person to advice on prioritising and balancing life, but I think the least which all of us can do is, TRY. And by try, I mean, trying really hard to change.
Twinkle nodded her head, and as she tried to respond, her phone rang and distracted her. She looked down at her phone and dismissed the set reminder. She stood up hurriedly and picked up her belongings from the table and looked at Kunj who stood up and looked at her in concern.
Twinkle: I’m sorry, Mr. Sarna, I’ve something important to catch up-to, but it was wonderful meeting you.
Kunj: It’s alright, Twinkle, you needn’t apologise. It was wonderful meeting you, too, and may be, if you agree, we can meet some other day?
Twinkle smiled and turned around in haste. While the thought had appeared displeasing to her earlier in the morning, she couldn’t wait to see how her daughter would react when she’d pick her up from the school. She pulled the door and as she stepped to leave, Kunj’s deep voice called her from behind.
Twinkle (turning around): Yes, Mr. Sarna?
Kunj: If there’s a next time for us, Twinkle, I’d love for us to leave business and professionalism out of the conversation and behave more… (hesitantly) personally.
Twinkle smiled and nodded before leaving. She walked up-to her car and ignited the engine, while her mind swarmed with thoughts of Kunj. She appreciated the way he twisted his way with words and attempted to make her feel more comfortable. Her mother was perhaps right. She really did converse with him for that long, and it didn’t feel boring or forced. All the time she stayed with him in that space – under the same roof – it felt extremely congenial and pleasant.
That’d be it for this episode, I’d love to know your thoughts. Twinkle and Kunj will grow closer, but keeping in mind the plot and character consistency, it may take just a while. Thank you!