Tejran- Three meetings,One secret

The Houseguest

It had been two weeks since the music video shoot ended. Neither of them had reached out to the other.

One evening, Karan was lounging in the living room with his parents when his mother received a call from Tejasswi's mother.

Aai: "We'll be visiting our son for a month, but Teju can't come with us. She can't take time off from her shoot."

Mom: "Then why don't you let her stay with us?"

Aai: "No, no. She'll manage. She doesn't want to trouble anyone."

Mom: "Don't worry. I'll talk to her. She won't be able to refuse me. Do you have any objection?"

Aai: "Of course not. In fact, I'll feel more at peace knowing she's with you."

Karan's mother hung up and immediately dialed Teju. As expected, she gently but firmly persuaded her until Teju gave in. When the call ended, she turned to Karan.

Mom: "Sunny, I want you to pick her up when she comes."

Karan groaned. "Why me? I'll send Parvez."

Mom: "No. You have to go. I want her to feel welcome here."

Karan: "You already forced her to live with us—how much more welcome does she need?"

Mom: "You know I'm not well, otherwise I would've gone myself."

Karan narrowed his eyes. "Emotional atyachar. I saw you do the same thing to her just now. Fine, I'll go. Just tell me when."

Mom: "They leave Monday. Pick her up that night."

Karan: "Call her and confirm where I need to meet her."

Mom: "Okay, Mr. Saddu."

Karan: "Do you want me to go or not?"

Mom: "I do. Fine—you're not saddu, happy?"

Karan: "Better."

When she called Teju again, Karan pretended to be on his phone but was straining to catch every word. His mother noticed and smirked but didn't say anything.

Later she informed him, "She'll drop her parents at the airport and head to shoot. She'll message me when she's free."

Karan just grunted.

⸻

The day arrived. After dropping her parents, Teju messaged his mother with her schedule. Karan bristled when he found out.

"She can't even message me directly? What did I do? Nothing. I don't care about her. If Ma hadn't asked me, I wouldn't even be picking her up."

Just then, his phone pinged. He stared at the screen in disbelief.

Teju: Where are you? I know Aunty must've forced you to collect me. We can meet halfway.

Karan: Okay. Sending my location.

They met near a mall. Teju slipped into the car with a shopping bag while her driver transferred her luggage.

Karan: "Hi."

Teju: "Hi."

He nodded toward the bag. "What's in there?"

Teju: "Your mom mentioned her knee pain. I bought this oil for her—it really works."

Something in his chest softened. He glanced at her, admiration flickering in his eyes, but quickly looked away.

Karan: "Shall we?"

Teju: "Hmm."

⸻

At home, his mother was waiting near the balcony. The moment she saw Teju, her face lit up. The two women embraced like family, laughter and warmth spilling across the room.

Karan muttered, "Great, the whole vibe of the house just changed in five seconds."

At dinner, Teju chattered with his mother while Karan quietly observed. When Teju received a call mid-meal, her mood dipped.

Mom: "Everything okay?"

Teju: "It's Mom. They reached safely."

Mom: "Then why do you look upset?"

Teju: "I wanted to go with them. I'm already missing them."

His mother pulled her into a hug. "Then take me as your mom for a few days."

Karan excused himself, overwhelmed by the scene. Later, when he returned, he found Teju sitting cross-legged on the floor, massaging oil into his mother's knees.

Mom: "No, beta, I'll manage—"

Teju: "You told me to take you as my mother. Don't argue with me now."

Karan lingered at the doorway, his throat tight, before slipping away silently.

⸻

That night, he woke for water and noticed the balcony door ajar. Teju was curled up on the swing.

Karan: "What are you doing here?"

Teju: "Couldn't sleep."

Karan: "Why?"

Teju: "New place. I'm not used to sleeping alone."

Karan: "You don't sleep alone at your place?"

Teju: "I do, but that's my home. I know every corner of it."

Karan: "Hmm. Come, I'll sleep with you—" He froze at his own words. "I mean—you on one couch, me on the other. Same room, different couches."

Teju burst out laughing. "Haan, okay."

Karan: "By the way, what did you think I said?"

Teju: "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

Karan: "Really? Nothing?"

Teju: "Shut up."

They both chuckled, and within minutes she drifted off, leaving him awake, watching her. For the first time in a long while, he felt peace.

⸻

The next morning, Teju emerged in ripped jeans and a T-shirt, hair still damp from her shower. She spotted Karan on the couch with tea in hand.

Karan: "Good morning."

Without warning, she took his cup, sipped, and handed it back.

Teju: "Now it's a good morning."

Karan blinked. "You keep it. I'll make another."

Teju: "No time. Bye, Aunty!"

His mother hurried out with a lunchbox. "Wait, beta, here's your breakfast."

Teju kissed her cheek and rushed off.

Karan stared at the door. "What is this girl?"

Mom: "I like her for you."

Karan: "What? She's so weird."

Mom: "Shut up, Karan."

Whenever she called him Karan instead of Sunny, it was her way of scolding him.

Karan threw his hands up. "One night, and she's hijacked you completely. Unbelievable."

Mom: "Nautanki."