Pyaar ki Takrar

Chapter 17 : Tension Unleashed

The air inside the house was so thick with tension that Twinkle felt like she could barely breathe. Neil and Kunj stood at opposite ends of the door, both staring each other down like they were about to start a battle. Twinkle, caught between the two, didn't know whether to speak up or let them handle it.

"Neil, tumhe jo bhi kehna hai, abhi nahi. Aur yeh toh tumhara ghar nahi hai," Kunj said coldly, his eyes hard as steel. He moved to close the door, but Neil placed his hand on it, stopping him.

"Kunj, tum samajh nahi rahe ho. Mujhe Twinkle se baat karni hai," Neil said, his voice firm but calm. "It's important."

Kunj clenched his jaw. He didn't like the way Neil was pushing his way into their lives. The idea that Twinkle's ex was here, trying to 'talk' again, made his blood boil. "Tumhare kehne ka waqt kab ka nikal gaya hai, Neil. Tumhe jo karna tha, woh pehle karna tha. Ab tumhari zaroorat nahi hai."

Twinkle finally found her voice. "Kunj, ek minute," she said softly, placing her hand on Kunj's arm to calm him. "Neil ko bolne do. Let's hear what he has to say."

Kunj looked at her, his jaw still tight, but seeing the soft plea in her eyes, he relented, stepping aside. "Fine," he muttered, though his expression showed he wasn't happy about it.

Neil walked in, his eyes flicking briefly to Twinkle, who looked uneasy herself. Kunj closed the door behind him, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall, clearly keeping a close eye on the situation.

Twinkle sat down on the sofa, unsure of what was coming next. She had no clue what Neil was going to say, but she was tired of the constant emotional rollercoaster.

Neil sat across from her, his face serious. "Twinkle, mujhe pata hai tumne kal jo kaha, uske baad mujhe yeh baat karni mushkil lagti hai. Lekin main yeh sab aise hi nahi chod sakta."

Twinkle frowned. "Neil, maine tumhe already bata diya hai. Tumhare liye jo feelings thi... woh khatam ho chuki hain. I've moved on." She glanced at Kunj, hoping he would feel reassured hearing her say that.

Kunj's face remained unreadable, though Twinkle noticed a slight shift in his posture. He uncrossed his arms and stood a little more relaxed now.

Neil sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Main samajh raha hoon. But tumhe yeh jaan lena chahiye ke main yeh sab genuinely keh raha hoon. Tumhare liye meri feelings ab bhi real hain, Twinkle. And I can't just walk away like nothing ever happened."

Kunj, unable to hold back, cut in. "Real? Neil, seriously? Tum kya expect kar rahe ho? Ke Twinkle tumhare paas waapas aayegi? Yeh rishta khatam ho chuka hai. Tumhaare beech kuch bhi nahi hai!"

Neil's eyes flashed as he turned toward Kunj. "This isn't about you, Kunj. Yeh meri aur Twinkle ki baat hai."

Twinkle stood up, her patience wearing thin. "Bas! Tum dono meri life ke bare mein baat kar rahe ho jaise main yahan hoon hi nahi!" she exclaimed, her frustration evident. "Neil, tum mere past ho. Kunj is my present and future. Aur yeh baat tumhe ab accept karni padegi."

Neil opened his mouth to say something, but Twinkle held up her hand, stopping him. "Nahi, Neil. Tumne apna chance kho diya hai. Mujhe ab yeh sab aur nahi karna."

Kunj walked over to Twinkle, placing a protective arm around her shoulder, his gaze still fixed on Neil. "Tumhe sun liya humne, Neil. Now it's time for you to leave."

Neil stared at them for a moment, as if debating whether to keep arguing. But eventually, he stood up, his expression filled with disappointment. "Twinkle, I hope tum kabhi samjhogi ke main yeh sab kyun keh raha hoon. I really did care for you."

Twinkle nodded, though her face remained firm. "I know, Neil. But it's over."

Without another word, Neil turned and left the house, closing the door behind him. The sound of the door shutting echoed through the quiet room, and Twinkle let out a long, exhausted breath.

Kunj still stood beside her, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders. "Tum theek ho?" he asked softly, his anger melting into concern.

Twinkle nodded, though she still felt shaken from the encounter. "Haan, I just... didn't expect Neil to be like that. It's exhausting, Kunj."

Kunj gently turned her to face him, his hands resting on her shoulders. "Tumhe Neil ki baaton se pareshaan hone ki zaroorat nahi hai. I'm here, okay?"

Twinkle looked up into his eyes, her heart softening. For all the nok-jhok and teasing, Kunj had always stood by her, even when she wasn't sure about her feelings. Now, she could see just how much he cared.

"Thank you, Kunj," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with gratitude.

Kunj smiled, his gaze warm. "Tumhe hamesha support karne ke liye hoon, Mrs. Twinkle Sarna."

Twinkle let out a small laugh, feeling the tension in the room finally start to dissolve. But before she could say anything, Kunj pulled her close, wrapping her in a hug that felt both comforting and protective.

She melted into his arms, resting her head against his chest as she closed her eyes, letting the stress of the day slip away. But just as she was starting to relax, she felt Kunj's lips brush against the top of her head, sending a warm shiver down her spine.

"Kunj..." she murmured, unsure of what to say. But before she could finish, he gently pulled back, his eyes locking with hers.

"Twinkle, main tumhe ek baat bataun?" Kunj asked, his voice lower, more serious.

"Haan?" she replied, her heart racing in her chest.

Kunj leaned in closer, his lips hovering just above hers as he whispered, "I'm falling in love with you."

Twinkle's breath hitched, her heart stopping for a moment as his words sank in. She looked into his eyes, seeing the raw emotion there, and realized that she felt the same.

Without thinking, she leaned in, her lips meeting his in a soft, tender kiss. The world around them seemed to disappear as they shared this quiet, intimate moment, their hearts finally in sync.

---

Twists Ahead

But before the night could settle into this perfect, romantic moment, Twinkle's phone buzzed loudly on the coffee table, breaking the spell between them.

Kunj groaned, pulling back reluctantly. "Tumhara phone har waqt kyun beech mein aata hai?" he teased, though there was a hint of frustration in his voice.

Twinkle laughed, picking up her phone. But as soon as she saw the name flashing on the screen, her laughter faded, replaced by a look of shock.

It wasn't Neil this time. It was someone else. Someone she hadn't spoken to in months.

The name on the screen sent a chill down her spine.

"Leela Maa."

Twinkle's fingers trembled as she swiped to answer the call. "Maa... sab theek hai na?"

Leela's voice on the other end was shaky. "Twinkle... beta, tumhe ek baat batani hai... It's urgent."

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Twist Unfolds 😲

What could Leela Maa possibly want to tell Twinkle that's so urgent? Could it be about her past? Or is something else about to shake up Twinkle and Kunj's lives? Stay tuned for the next chapter!