Better ✓

44. One last time

All of a sudden, Sejal moved towards Karan, pinning him with her sharp gaze. Karan, who was casually leaning against a table, stood up abruptly, looking at her approaching him. Sejal's plan had been to stand somewhere near his table to stare at him in return. But Karan grew nervous. "I was..." He was dumbfounded when Sejal passed him and moved sideways towards the table on his right.

Sejal paused. Surely enough, she had heard his nervous murmur, she turned towards him and Karan's features hardened in anger. Why was he getting nervous for?

"Did you say something to me?" Sejal pointed her finger towards herself while asking him. Looking at her arrogant stance, Karan didn't want to answer her at first place. But, then he said, "I am thankful to you for orchestrating this party according to Riddhima and thank you for coming."
Sejal felt a bit odd, listening those words from his mouth. It was like someone was grabbing his jaw to force out these words from him. His expressions and his tone were in deep contrast to each other. Sejal smiled and invited herself to his table.

"Well, thank you. The moment I entered the party, I felt you wanted to speak something to me. So, this was ...."

"You look beautiful. Black really suits you."

What it was. Sejal completed the words in her mind.

She didn't expect a complement from him. "Uh! Thanks." She suddenly felt flustered.

Karan didn't know, when the words just flew out of his mouth. This was going on in his mind, ever since he was so brazenly staring at her.

After few minutes, when nobody else approached their table, an awkward silence rested between them. Sejal admired her black and silver nail art for the time being. Finally, Karan decided to talk.

"How is your work going? Are you settled in your appartment?"

"Yeah, well settled. Work is fine, not that much as it was back then in Goa or Mumbai, but it's okay. I have joined a firm."

Karan nodded at her and then hesitated before saying, "Your life had been greatly disturbed due to Raisinghanias. Even real relations do not stand with us these days. What have you done for my sister.... I can never forget it."

Sejal grew a little uncomfortable and wanted to interrupt him, "Um..."

Karan didn't let her speak and continued, "I am not saying that it was very great of you to do such a favour upon Riddhima or us. I am just saying that.... You are family. You should know that. We may differ in some things but, well, I hope you understand. You can ask for our help whenever you need it."

Sejal just nodded at him in a daze. He had understood those things that she never brought to her lips. She had such bond with Riddhima. But Karan? She didn't even know him well. Except his chauvinistic ways.

"Hey, Sejal! You look..." Sara approached Sejal and whispered in her ear, "Sexy." Sejal turned towards her, raking her eyes up and down her red midi dress. "You too look beautiful," and then bent to whisper in her ear, "I wonder who convinced your brother." Both the girls giggled among themselves while Karan narrowed his eyes at them.

*

Riddhima just wanted to grab Rajveer and ask him that what is wrong with him. She felt he was aloof, distant and deliberately avoiding being alone with her. A minute ago, he was here and now he has disappeared.

"Bhabhi?"
"Huh?"
Riddhima got out of her reverie at Roma's call.
Roma noticed her searching gaze and said, "Rajveer has gone for an important call. We are here planning shopping plans and you are ignoring us. Not fair Bhabhi."
Riddhima tried to focus her attention on what Roma was saying.
"What shopping plans?"
"Me, you, Sejal and Sara. What say girls?"
"Yup," said Sejal while Sara nodded excitedly.