Hold my hand_ TejRan fanfiction

Chapter 6: Parisian trip

Happy reading

P.S. You can suggest how you want me to unfold their characters, past, and vulnerability. Also, do you want drama or pure emotions? Anyway, I'm not too fond of sad endings.. so the end will always be happy. :D

Tejasswi was still in the dilemma of trusting someone again.. So she just decided not to get distracted by Karan.

But, the following days were a whirlwind for Karan. The upcoming business trip to Paris loomed large, and while the prospect of spending extended time with Tejasswi was thrilling, her continued aloofness gnawed at him. He desperately wanted to crack the code, to break through the icy facade and find the Dia he knew buried beneath.

During work hours, he observed her meticulously. She was the epitome of efficiency, hard work, and a whirlwind of delegating tasks and issuing crisp instructions. Yet, there was a hollowness in her eyes, a flicker of something suppressed that tugged at his heart. 

Their 6 days passed like that, full of work and commitments.

Last night in Paris, their collaborator asked to have dinner together and enjoy, and they agreed due to professional relations.

They reached the noisier restaurant than a club, everyone dancing and enjoying. Tejasswi frowned, seeing that, and Karan noticed it. They all were led to their reserved table and sat.

K: Is this much lively all the time, Mr. Hallovic?

H: pretty much. It's a lively place you have to agree anyway.

They ordered a bottle of red wine.

T: I prefer to be sober. I don't drink..

Karan looked at her. and the previous party night flashed.

K: I will also be in limits. He said, looking at her.

H: No worries, we have a driver to drop you..you can trust and drink 

T: I only trust myself .. so it will be good that I dont drink.. you guys can, at least I can drop you then..

All chuckled at her sarcasm except Karan, who knew she meant each word she said.

They launched into light conversation, discussing travel, music, and shared interests he'd gleaned from her social media profiles,  their life. Slowly, everyone drifted to the dancefloor except KAran and Tejasswi.

K: do you love traveling?

She looked at him..

T: yes. solo..

K: why?

T: no. 1. People are too busy no.2. I'm not particularly eager to wait for others  and No 3. If you enjoy your own company, you don't need anyone.

K: may be there can be some people who will make time for you.. 

T: it's ok Mr. Noon.. I dont belive in all this now.. now life is about business meeting and travelling the world... where I dont expect anyone to be with me..What about you?

K: I love travelling. May be one day we both can travel together too

Tejasswi raised her eyebrow..

T: Haven't we already traveled to Paris together..?

K: not a business trip

A ghost of a smile played at the corners of her lips as they reminisced about obscure bands and hidden travel gems. Yet, the wall remained, a barrier he couldn't quite breach.

K: can we dance? please?

T: ok

He gave her his hand, and they went to the dance floor.

Desperate, Karan took a gamble. He casually mentioned a specific bar in Mumbai, a hidden gem he remembered visiting with a friend years ago. The name hung heavy in the air, a silent test.

Tejasswi's eyes widened for a split second, a flicker of recognition battling with her carefully constructed mask. Then, just as quickly, the dam closed shut.

"Sounds lovely," she said coolly, "But I wouldn't know anything about hidden bars in Mumbai."

Frustration bubbled within Karan. Yet, amidst the disappointment, a spark of hope ignited. Her reaction had confirmed his suspicions - she did remember their past.

K: so you dont drink? or you dont dont with everyone?

T: I dont like..

K: you hate getting out of control and you dont trust strangers. so you dont drink..

She was scared to see he could read his thoughts

T: May be..

K: so if you drink with people, that means they are special..and if you get drunk without any worries with people means you trust them. right?

T: I think so. But I don't drink, actually. also I dont like to be vulnerable and create problem for others. 

K: boring but independent

T: have no said something Mr. Noon?

K: thanks for the dance.

"Mr. Noon," she said, her voice barely a whisper, "thank you for the evening. It... it was unexpected, yet..." she trailed off, searching for the right words.

Karan's heart hammered in his chest. "Unexpectedly enjoyable?" he ventured, a hopeful smile gracing his lips.

A hint of a smile played on her lips. "Perhaps, Mr. Noon" she said cryptically

K: Karan.. you can call me Karan, Tejasswi.. don't you think Mr. Noon and Ms. Chatterjee are becoming too much now, and we will be working forever ..so lets start from now itself.

Tejasswi raised her eyebrow.

T: forever?

K: wishful thinking .. for our business..

T: Okay Karan. She found herself off-guard for reading between the lines.

And Karan chuckled inward. 

They went to a hotel after some time.

K: good night Tejasswi

T: Good night

That night, Karan barely slept. Tejasswi's cryptic response fueled his determination. He knew he was on the right track and that their past connection was the key to breaking through her defenses. Now, he just had to find the right way to unlock it.

The Parisian trip loomed closer, a golden opportunity to spend more time with Tejasswi in a less formal setting. He planned to use it to his advantage, subtly probe her past, and find a way back to the Dia he knew. But more importantly, he hoped to forge a new connection with the woman she had become, the enigmatic Tejasswi Chatterjee.