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Shruti moved the speaker away from ear when her father screamed, " WHAT THE HELL?"
Jaydev looked at her then again shifted his attention to the file he was studying. Shruti again put the mobile against her ear, " calm down, papa. You'll make me deaf-"
" Shut up!'
She sealed her mouth and Rajdeep continued venting his anger through the device.
" That stupid creature made this plan, didn't he? How dare he! You cannot avoid marriage like this, Shruti! If you don't want to marry then I have given you the 2nd option as well. Choose it and come back. You are not going there."
" Papa, authorities ordered, otherwise you know how much he loves me. He is literally dying to marry me."
Jaydev choked on his tea which grabbed Shruti's attention. He quickly wiped his lips and put the tea on the table.
" How dare you, professor. Change your words now!"
She covered the speaker of her mobile and snapped, " shut your mouth and let me lie properly!"
He glared at her and felt like sewing her mouth but couldn't because she was, unfortunately, doing his important work.
" Yeah yeah I know very well how much he loves you. I swear to your mother, Shruti. If you go there I will send Aryan and Pakhi there as well," Rajdeep replied in his frustrated voice.
" I won't, papa."
Shruti heard the voice of Pakhi filled with disagreement which means the call was on speaker and everybody was present there except Aryan because if he had been there, a lot would have been broken in the house by now and he would have come here.
" Wait a minute, daughter. Let me convince my stupid daughter first," Rajdeep talked sweetly to Pakhi.
Shruti scoffed mentally and Rajdeep's voice changed into a stern one when he talked to her.
" Are you coming back to us or not?"
" No!"
Shruti gave a stern reply.
" And my good gracious daughter. My jigar ka tukda, do you have any good reason?"
( Piece of my heart.)
His voice was filled with sarcasm which forced Shruti to roll her eyes. Jaydev was least interested in his file now. Shruti's expression which was changing in her every 10 seconds increased his interest to listen to their talk but keeping his ego high, he maintained his posture on the couch.
" Papa, you know I always wanted to go to Goa but your work never allowed you to take me there. Now when I can take a holiday then why are you becoming a hindrance? Marriage will continue. We are not dying."
" Laado! That's not the point. That creature is finding ways to avoid the wedding and you are supporting him. Isn't it suspicious?"
" Papa! Vakil bhai hain aur shaq aap karte rehte hain."
( Papa, bhai is a lawyer but you keep suspecting.)
Rajdeep scoffed, " He doesn't even know it yet. When he finds out, just see what a ruckus he will create. I will also see how my son lets you go with that sneaky bastard."
Shruti raised her eyebrows amusingly, " waah waah! "You suddenly started loving bhai a lot today. Didn't you have trust issues with him?"
Jaydev sighed heavily not knowing when this conversation will reach the conclusion.
" First tell me, when is the flight?"
Rajdeep asked curiously. Shruti smiled excitedly and glanced at clock before replying,
" At 11 PM tonight-"
" SHRUTI!"
She flinched and put her hand on her chest.
" Why are you telling this to me now? It's 6 now. You are such a crazy girl. How can God be so merciless and give two cracked children to me."
Rajdeep complained to God and Shruti made a face. She frowned when she saw Jaydev raising his eyebrows questionably at her, asking her in gestures the current condition of Rajdeep.
Jaydev narrowed his eyes when she looked away from his face arrogantly.
" This woman," he pinched the bridge of his nose and regretted deciding a trip to Goa.
" Can I go now?"
Shruti asked her father.
" Why are you asking me? You've grown up. You did not marry by asking me then why are you worried about my agreement regarding this topic? You can go anywhere in this world you want but don't forget I will send my spies."
" Spies?"
" Have a nice trip," Rajdeep said and disconnected the call.
Shruti sighed and put the mobile down on the bed.
" Did he agree?" Jaydev asked.
" Yeah.. but he said he will send spies."
" Spies?"
She shrugged her shoulders and jumped down from the bed.
" What spies?"
She shook her head, " I don't know."
Both paid no attention to this part and packed the remaining things.
" Listen?"
Shruti continued humming the melody while packing her makeup products.
" Listen you damn professor?"
Jaydev called her once again and clenched his jaw when she ignored him one more time. He took long strides to her and grabbed her elbow then made her face him.
" What the fish?"
She pulled her hand out of his grip and glared at him.
" What is your problem? Can't you digest my peaceful life?"
" I should be the one asking this question," he said.
" What do you mean?"
His gaze caught the sight of his perfume in her hand. He snatched it from her.
" Hey! That's-"
" Mine," he interrupted her.
" Yeah, but I like it. Can't you give it to me?"
" No," he replied and put it behind her on the dressing table.
" You are so childish, SP Sahab," she muttered.
" Aur ek baat, ye baar baar kehna ki mai tumse bahut pyar karta hun, band kar do."
( and yes, stop saying I love you so much over and over again.)
She smiled in most the sweetest way possible and blinked her eyes innocently,
" nahi karte kya mujhse pyar?"
( Don't you love me?)
He cringed and passed her strange look, " why would I? Have you seen yourself?"
" Sundar hun," she flipped her hair sassily and walked past him.
( I am beautiful.)
" And yes I will say this every time otherwise my parents will not believe me. Love does not happen just by saying it, SP Sahab. Take a chill pill."
" Tumhe ho gaya to?'
( What if you do?)
He joked and sat on the stool. She stopped her movement momentarily then replied, " pyar aur aap se? Sapne mein bhi nahi. Mera pyar to naseeb vale ko hi milega."
( Love and from you? Not even in dreams. Only lucky ones deserve my love.)
" Aren't you too full of yourself?"
Jaydev asked.
" Am I? Can't help. That's how I am. You should have thought about this before marrying me."
He chuckled lightly and mumbled, " she talks a lot."
He stretched his arms then stood up and walked toward the almirah. He was taking out his clothes when his eyes landed on the wooden box in which he had collected precious memories of Eisha.
His eyes glistened with sorrow and he covered it once again then closed the almirah. He turned around only to get startled finding Shruti standing so close to him.
" Pagal ho kya? Jaan logi meri?"
( Have you gone mad? Want to kill me?)
" Are na na. Vo plan abhi nahi hai. Aap abhi samne se hatho," she said and pushed him aside.
( No no no. That's not my plan currently. For now, step aside.)
He raised his clothes to throw at her but refrained himself and went to the bathroom to change his attire. While changing his clothes in the bathroom, he heard her voice.
" Is she singing?"
He uttered and focused on her voice. She was actually singing.
Romeo Romeo, Gali ke Romeo.
Bholi shakal vale saare ke saare farebiyon...
Kahein gale pade ho bin bulaye baratiyon.
Le To Gayi Kaleja
Sang Mein Hume Bhi Le Ja
Ye To Chori Pe Hai Seena Zori
Kabhi Lage Monalisa
Kabhi Kabhi Lage Lolita
Aur Kabhi Jaise Kadambri..
" Both the Brother and sister are the same," he almost whispered and tucked his shirt under his pants then closed the button of his pants and zipped it up.
He washed his face and hands then dried them with a towel and went out of the bathroom. The current scene was expected by him. Shruti was dancing on the bed while singing. She had changed her clothes already.
haye, meree param, param, param, param, param sundaree
haye, meree param, param, param, param, param sundaree
sar se pair talak betahaasha husn se bhaaree
haye, meree param, param, param, param, param sundaree
" Don't eat my ears, professor," he said and started walking toward the dressing table.
" Huh?"
Shruti turned to him and he stopped on his track. His eyes landed on her figure. She's wearing a light coloured outfit but the most captivating was her eyes which were adorned with koyl..
He gulped down his saliva. His eyes enlarged slightly and Shruti tucked the loose strands of her hair behind the ear. That's when he noticed her hair. She has tied her hair in a loose low ponytail leaving a few strands free.
She actually looked like a param sundari.
" What did you say?"
He blinked and his mouth parted a little.
" Uhm..carry on," he said.
Shruti jumped down from the bed, " I won't now. You ruined my mood."
He licked his lower lip which surprisingly dried out. He stared at her lips coloured with nude lipstick and hurriedly looked away from her face.
She started wearing her shoes and he got busy with his own work. It was difficult ignoring her presence but he managed and somehow got ready.
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The time Rajdeep disconnected the call, Pakhi started speaking,
" I don't want to go anywhere, Papa. You can't do this to me," she complained.
Her words, complaints and tone depicted that her bond with Rajdeep has been growing in a good way.
" I know, bete. But you have to understand my plan."
Pakhi shook her head, " no. I don't want to go with him."
" But your brother will be there as well," Rajdeep said.
Pakhi got silent with the mention of her brother and thought of something before replying, " but your son will be there as well."
" Why are you forcing her, Raj?"
Ekta asked her husband and he looked at her,
" You know Shruti. She won't tell us anything clearly. We need proof that this marriage is forced then only I can break this marriage. Pakhi will help us in this."
" How?"
Both Ekta and Pakhi asked together. Rajdeep cleared his throat and said,
" You bring proof about their marriage and I will free you from this forced marriage."
Ekta frowned and Pakhi tilted her head confusedly, " how?"
" Just trust me. Let me pull Shruti out of that marriage, then I will help you. I know you want to step out of this marriage neither do I want to force you to run this marriage, daughter."
" What if... he finds out?"
Pakhi asked and Rajdeep shook his head, " Aryan won't get a clue."
" He will create havoc, Raj. What are you saying?"
Ekta snapped.
" Let me, Ekta. Let me. These children have tied themselves into forced relationships."
He looked at Pakhi and waited for her reply. She was silent for a minute, almost then nodded her head.
" I will go.."
" Where?"
Aryan intervenes in the conversation. Pakhi felt her heart coming out hearing his voice. Rajdeep and Ekta looked behind and found him at the entrance.
He came to the living room and stared at them one by one before repeating his question to Pakhi,
" Where are you going without me?"
Pakhi mentally rolled her eyes hearing the last two words from his mouth which felt heavier than rest.
" You both are going," Rajdeep said and Aryan turned his attention to her.
" Where?"
" Goa," Rajdeep replied. Aryan frowned and glanced at his mother who quickly avoided his gaze.
" And... why suddenly?"
He asked.
" Because New year is about to come so we thought why don't you and Pakhi celebrate there?"
" Why-"
" And there's a wedding of one of my friends' sons. I have work here so I can't go. I want you to attend it at my place."
Ekta and Pakhi widened their eyes hearing a white lie from Rajdeep's mouth. They all waited for Aryan's reaction and as expected, the lawyer asked a suspicious question.
" Why do you want to bring us together suddenly and you, Pakhi?"
Pakhi blinked as he looked at her and added, " you agreed?"
" Uhmm," she failed to string her words together and Rajdeep stood up for her help.
" Son, you are so stupid. God knows why I have such idiot children," he blabbered and grabbed Aryan's hand then pulled him to the side.
Pakhi went to Ekta and said in a low voice, " now I know why he and Shruti di are like this."
" Absolutely," Ekta agreed.
Rajdeep mumbled to Aryan, " why are you sprinkling salt on your wounds?"
" Hain?" Aryan stared at his father weirdly.
Rajdeep pretended to be sick of his son and said, " Listen, I am trying to ease your job but you are ruining everything. It took me from morning to evening to convince Pakhi to go with you. Don't you want to stay with her forever?"
Aryan's frown grew deeper and he hummed.
" Perfect!"
Rajdeep commented and continued, " so just do as I say and go to Goa. Try to win her heart there."
" I can do this here as well-"
" Shut up!'
Rajdeep cut him off in the middle then started pushing him to the stairs while saying, " go and pack your things. I have a friend at the airport. He will take care of your tickets. Pack everything quickly. Flight is at 11 PM. I will take care of your reservation at the hotel also."
" Papa-"
" Don't speak much and work fast, son. You are so slow."
Pakhi and Ekta couldn't stop themselves from chuckling while Rajdeep successfully forced him to go to his room.
Rajdeep took a breath of relief.
....
At 9 PM.
Pakhi looked outside the window from the car. She talked to Rajdeep through expressions because he did not tell Aryan about Shruti and Jaydev. Rajdeep ignored her and waved his hand at them. The driver drove them away from there.
She glared at them while Aryan tapped his fingers on the edge of the window angrily. He caressed his forehead with the index finger of another hand.
He is confused, furious and so much irritated. Pakhi looked at them through the corner of her eyes. God knows how she will take care of the situation at the airport.
Her mobile vibrated with a notification of a message and she unlocked it. Rajdeep sent a message to her.
Forgive me, daughter but don't worry Shruti will take care of Aryan's temper. You don't have to do anything. Just cool down and focus on your mission. Okay?
She sighed softly and sent a reply.
Okay.
" Care to explain?"
She was startled hearing his voice in the pin drop silence.
" Uhm," she nervously tucked the strands of her hair behind the ear.
" Uhm, You must be hungry, right? Papa sent us in a hurry. Should we stop at a restaurant? We won't be late-"
" Shhh, biwi."
She blinked twice and pressed her lips in a thin line. He licked his lower lip then asked in calm voice which not calm at all,
" What is papa planning? Don't you dare to lie. I know my father."
She gulped and felt her voice stuck in the throat. Her odd behaviour grew the level of his suspension.
" Hmm? What is he planning, Pakhi?"
" Oh yeah! I forgot. I have a cookie. You can eat it to calm your hunger. It must be in my purse," she said and started looking for the biscuit in her purse.
He sighed heavily and felt like punching the window because of 3 reasons. 1- his head is aching badly. 2- he is confused. 3- he is very much furious and doesn't want to eat a freaking cookie.
" Here-"
" I don't want the goddamn ccokie!"
His voice raised which caused Pakhi to flinch. Her fearful expression made him feel immense guilt. His anger changed into concern and he started apologising immediately,
" I am so sorry. I am so sorry, biwi. I was angry. I.. okay, I will eat this cookie."
He forwarded his hand at her and she quietly put it on his palm before uttering timidly,
" Ye lo."
( Here.)
He mentally sighed because due to his temper he will have to eat a cookie. A cookie? Well, he doesn't have any choice now.
He tore the wrapper and took one piece from it. He ate it and the cookie was actually delicious or maybe it was his hunger which made it delicious.
" Is it tasty?"
Pakhi asked and he hummed. She smiled, " it's my favourite cookie."
" Oh," he uttered while munching on the cookie.
She was thankful when throughout the ride he did not ask any questions from her.
They came out of the car and the driver helped Aryan with luggages then drove back home.
" Let me," he said and grabbed her luggage as well.
Pakhi knows that he will throw the same luggage after meeting his sister and fatal enemy. But according to Rajdeep, Shruti will take care of everything.
" Why are you so slow? Walk by my side," he complained.
She frowned, " aap dheere chal lo."
( You walk slow.)
He stood on his track then nodded, " chalo ye baat bhi Maan leta hu tumhari."
( Okay, I agree with this as well.)
She chuckled mentally and walked by his side.
" Do you like Goa?"
" Hm?"
" The way you agreed to go there with me, I thought you like it."
" Sort of," Pakhi replied.
" By God's grace, I still don't know why I am going there suddenly," he uttered with a sprinkle of irritation in tone.
" You know, Shruti loves to travel. Goa is one of her dream destinations to spend holidays."
" Oh," she replied nervously.
" Don't worry you will soon meet her," she said to herself.
" Yes?"
" N..nothing hehe," she laughed it off and he shook his head in disbelief at her.
" I will talk to Papa properly after these forced holidays."
He said while Pakhi's eyes widened when she caught the glimpse of her brother. Shruti was coming to him from behind while drying her hands with a handkerchief. Jaydev was on his mobile and Shruti, in her own world.
Aryan?
He was too busy looking around to notice them.
Pakhi looked at the three of them one by one. Her heart beat increased with each passing second.
Meanwhile, the daughter on whom Rajdeep had great trust, as soon as her eyes fell on Aryan, she stood still at her place.
In a quick response, she ran to Jaydev and hid behind his back. Pakhi slapped her forehead and stopped on her track along with Aryan when he, too, caught their glimpse.
It was a useless action of Shruti to hide because Aryan had already caught her.
" What the hell, professor?"
Jaydev tried stepping aside but Shruti held his arms tightly, " don't move! Don't move!"
" You-"
Jaydev stopped in the middle when his gaze landed on Aryan and Pakhi. His eyebrows knitted together. The same reaction was of Aryan.
Both the girls knew a disaster was about to break in the airport.
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