The Rivalry Remix

Chapter 2: Imperial Connection

Happy Reading:

Everyone gathered at the mehendi stage where Mehendi was being done for Mishti; Veer looked at her with so much adoration. 

R: Veer, she is your wife only. 

V: very funny

A: Veer, you are looking at her like you are seeing her for the first time...You guys have been married for one year now. She won't run away. Everyone chuckled.

V: wait for your turn, Ayaan.. I will see how you will behave.

They all laughed

Ayaan's smile dropped, but he masked it with his mischievous smile.

A: I won't get married Veer...Ever. So don't have high hopes.

V: Déjà vu Ayaan

A: but I am serious.

V: I was, too.. he winked at him and then looked at Mish. Now see, I am the luckiest, and he blew a flying kiss to Mish, and she blushed.

Vanessa and Shristi also got their mehendi done, which was turn for Pari.

Van: Pari come and apply mehendi first, you can do other works later.

She came near Vanessa and sat

.. and on hearing her name, Ayaan also dragged Rey to the place where Vanessa and Pari were sitting.

Arnav: by the way, Pari, when did you permanently come back from the UK?

P: 2.5 years back, bhai.

R: you studied in the UK? Rey asked, looking at her. Which college?

Ar: Imperial College of London. She did her MBA there. Our girl is bright and talented

Veer: really Pari? It's Ayaan's college, too. He did his Ph.D. from there.

Ayaan and Pari looked at each other.

They again had the eye lock, which was broken by Rey's voice

Rey: that's a height of coincidence.

Mehendiwali: Any letter I should write on your hand.ma'am?

P: No.

Ayaan: I think you should try "A", he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Everyone looked at Ayaan, shocked, and Pari glared.

A: I mean, Pari means "Angel," right?

Van: Smart bro. I like the idea. Please, Pari write "A" 

P: No, Van, it's fine. I am neither an angel nor I pretend to be. So no need,

A: Have you ever tried being an angel before Pari? He asked, making her off guard.

Veer, Rey, Arnav and Vanessa were seeing their word exchanges.

P: No, and FYI, not interested too.

A: I see. he smirked

Van: No one called you Angel before? should I start calling you Angel then? I like the name..she asked happily

P: no, Van, I don't like that name. Call me Pari

Veer: I wish you had known Ayaan while being in the same college. That would have been fun. I suppose he was definitely more raw and unfiltered, probably more dramatic too.

Rey: I can vouch for that. Though he does not fight, he must have been more dramatic surely.

A: yes, I agree. You should have known me Ms, Pari Khanna.. we could have been best friends or rivals or something else..and trust me you would have loved my unfiltered raw side, which no one here had seen.

P: I would have been uninterested to be either your friend or rival. My only focus was my studies there.

A: you are asking me to believe that you have never done any forbidden things in ICL? Except studies? Think again Pari.

Pari looked at him

A: Maybe I could have also met that raw, unfiltered Pari, who is out of syllabus for everyone out here.  What say.? Had I missed the chance of not knowing that version?

Veer and Rey looked at him.

Rey: don't tease her Ayaan

A: I mean, it's pretty clear from her words that she was focused only on studies and books. Nothing else. He emphasized each word.  Am I right, Pari?

R: you know what, Pari. Ayaan was the soccer team captain there, one of the popular guys. You would have heard his name.

A: no, Reyansh.She never knew me. I am sure she had never heard of me either.

Ayaan looked at her.

 I don't think she would ever go to watch soccer or even cheerleading the team. Right, Pari? There are some girls in ICL who wear their friends' and boyfriend's jerseys to show support. What a contrast. Is not it?

Pari looked at him

P to mehendiwali: Are you done with the mehendi? I need to make a call. Mehendiwali nodded. She looked at Ayaan and left.

Ayaan followed her retreating figure.

A: let me grab some coffee, too. I have a headache, maybe because of traveling. He left the place.

R: I think Ayaan's ego is hurt; he is the most popular guy and captain of ICL, and there is Pari, the studious girl, who does not know him even after studying there. That's why he needs the coffee. They both chuckled.

Mishti joined Veer and Rey.

M: what are you guys laughing about? Tell me too.. she made a pout face.

V: cutie.. he made her sit on his lap. We were talking about ICL. Pari studied there and Ayaan too, right?

M: yes. She has done her MBA there, and my sister was the college Tennis champ there. 

Veer and Rey looked at Mish and then at each other..there was silence for a moment till Mishti broke their trance.

M: Veer, your bride is hungry; feed her something. 

Rey and Veer both laughed, seeing her antics.