A new beginning?
I got back into my car as we all called it a night. It had indeed been an eventful one, with a lot of new revelations and confrontations.
“Hope we meet again…” Sidharth came up to me and bent before my window. His voice was filled with hope along with…..certainty?
“Nice finding a new friend in you, Sid!” I waved goodbye as the engine revved, ready to race back home.
“Driverji, please switch off the AC.” I asked as I lowered the window to find the cool breeze touching my face. My long hair danced with the wind as I recalled all the events that took place today.
I wondered why I got this adrenaline rush whenever I faced him...I always seemed to get this sudden wave of energy and courage...that allowed me to affect him…..to hide my inner feelings…..until we both discovered our new trait….hearing each other without communicating verbally.
I decided to pay attention neither to him nor to his thoughts, instead to the new friend I met today. Sidharth Nigam; another growing teenage sensation! My thoughts soon floated to our recent conversation.
“Hi, again!” Sid greeted with another of his cheerful grins.
“Hey !” I greeted loudly, try to talk over the energetic disco music. Our formal and sophisticated ball had turned into something we immensely enjoyed; dancing freely!
Within a blink of an eye, he took my arms into his, slid his other arm around my waist, and started twirling me to the enthusiastic beats. I readily swayed, astonished at first, yet impressively comfortable the next moment.
“Was this an attempt to flirt?” I smirked at him.
“Might as well say so…” He winked.
“You do not need to worry about finding someone, a handsome hunk won’t face many difficulties…” I winked at him.
“I’ll take that as a compliment?”He proposed fervently.
“By the way, I’ve heard rumors about you dating my best friend…..is that so?” I amusedly asked as he sashayed. .
“So have I about you dating Faisal.” His comment made me halt abruptly. I retreated my hands and moved aside, too uncomfortable to discuss this with a friend I barely knew.
“I’m extremely sorry, Roshni….I did not intend on making you nervous or uncomfortable.” He sincerely apologized as he joined me.
“It’s not your fault, I shouldn’t have reacted….so differently.” I tried to maintain my voice as nonchalant as possible.
“No...please…” He started apologetically once again.
“C’mon Sid, we shouldn’t waste our memorable time on apologizing and expressing our modesty.”
“Plus, rumors are supposed to be fake, right?” He beamed, cheering me up.
“Right! Doesn’t seem like that in your case though, does it?” I teased.
“Roshnii!” He playfully hit me as I burst into a fit of laughter.
“You have to admit, you are really lucky to work with a co-star like Reem!” I praised with pride.
“Sure thing…..you and Reem are so similar!” He commented, amazed. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he elaborated.
“She used to constantly praise you and Jannat during our shooting days….such a chatterbox!” He whined. I shot an angry glare at him to which he immediately defended.
“Joking...I was describing myself!”
“That’s a close one, Sid!” I chuckled.
“Wish she was here!”
“ Aww…..missing her?” I provoked once more.
“Nah….thought you would be, though!” He sighed.
“Don’t fool around with me Mr. Sidharth Nigam….you know you like her, don’t you?”
“Hey Sid!” Someone called out, interrupting our intriguing conversation.
“Perhaps I’ll have to answer that question later!” He winked boisterously before waving a goodbye.
We drove past the Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Terminus, which pulled me out of my thoughts. An unknown smile paved its way through my face; it felt amusing to tease Sidharth and Reem…..their constant yet untrue denial was one of a kind.
My phone buzzed, startling me. I checked to find the screen display the Caller ID; an unexpected person.
“Yes, Mr. Foolish Stalker!” I greeted with my sweetest voice ever.
“So this is what you’ve named me!” He grunted at my chosen nickname.
“Suits you perfectly!” I retorted with a sly smirk.
“Sure….Stubborn Creature!” He revealed.
“Excuse me?! What kind of a name is this?” I protested.
“Suits you well too!” He taunted to which I just gritted my teeth in anger.
“So, you’ve just called me to announce your chosen nickname for me?” I asked, coming to the point.
“Oh please, I have better things to do rather than calling you just to reveal your true name!” He scoffed.
“Very well then, BYE!” I was about to hang up when he screamed out loud,
“AHHHH!”
“Faisal? Are you okay? What happened?” I bombarded him with questions filled with concern.
“I did not expect concern for myself….from you.” He smirked once again as I realized his antics.
“I can’t believe I fell for that!” I was disappointed at myself.
“Don’t need to retort yourself Rosh….it's my charm and talent in acting that can fool anyone.” He boasted.
“Don’t give yourself so much importance, Foolish Stalker! You don’t deserve any!” I snickered with a victorious smile.
“And who are you to judge this…...my so-called ‘soulmate’?” He asked rhetorically. The thought that he didn’t prefer me as his soulmate somewhat disturbed me. I could curse him, but he had no right to think of me like that.
“My name should be added to the list of unfortunate people, for having you in my life!” I spat repulsively.
“You think I consider myself very lucky for having you as a part of my life….well then, you are mistaken, Ms. Roshni Walia!” He fired those words through the phone, and it stung me as sharp as a scorpion’s vicious bite. Each word hurt me more than the previous one…...he was never going to change, was he? I rummaged through my brain; I had to come up with a strong response.
“What happened to the helpless Faisal Khan who was pleading for my apology a few hours ago?” I challenged, proud at myself. For a brief second, I heard nothing but a guilty sigh on the other end. He had no comeback to that, but it unusually felt as if he didn’t want to counter me, he didn’t want to win our umpteenth verbal battle.
I tried to relax the atmosphere by breathing deeply, “Faisal….I’ve had enough for the day! Please, I have no strength left to fight you. Don’t trouble me anymore…”
“Are you okay, Rosh….what happened?” His voice softened.
“I’m just tired….so you just called me to announce your chosen nickname, debate whether I am perfect for the role of your soulmate, and annoy me with your patent ‘Rosh’...?”
He laughed in response to my complaints, but it wasn’t a demanding or taunting one, it was a genuine, ‘Faisal’ laugh that my ears longed to hear.
“Okay, coming to the point, I just called you to inform to be ready at 11 am tomorrow. I’ll pick you up from your place.” He spoke in a formal tone.
“May I ask why?” I questioned, confused.
“Don’t you remember our conversation with Sheetalji? So I decided we should travel to Rajasthan and investigate the matter ourselves. We’ll be able to clear their doubts too. Afterall, it’s about us.”
“Oh…” I left my sentence unfinished. I saw a glimpse of the old Faisal…..the mature and organized one who was always ready to fight to save anyone’s reputation and self respect. It felt reassuring to see him back…..maybe, just maybe there might be some scope?
“Okay, tomorrow at 11.” I agreed without any arguments.
“Rosh agreed without any questions or interruptions, well, that’s a start!” He spoke, thanking God for such a miracle.
And I could do nothing but roll my eyes at him!
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