Inescapably Yours

VIII

Everyone at the party was surprised to see Ranveer Singh back amongst them and were even more surprised still when they saw Deepika back by his side. Most of them couldn't control their wandering eyes and wondering tongues. Aunties asked. Uncles did double takes. Girls freaked out. Boys' hopes died. Basically, they became the center of attention whether they had anticipated it or not.

"I told you it wasn't a good idea," Anisha hissed under her breath.

"It would have happened sooner or later," Deepika replied with a calm façade.

Surprised, Anisha looked at her sister questioningly.

"I don't know," Deepika answered her unasked question truthfully. "He says he's coming with me," she smiled ruefully, "says he doesn't want to risk it again."

"And you?" Anisha inquired softly.

"I still love him," she said simply.

"It's not fair!" Ranveer exclaimed breathlessly as he made his way back to them, "I can't be the only one hounded by the aunties! You should have been there too," he whined.

"You attract attention, Mr. Singh," she shrugged teasingly.

Ranveer dusted himself arrogantly agreeing with her, "as long as you're not standing next to me," he huffed a roundabout compliment.

"You people are still gross as ever," Anisha cringed disgustingly but her smile betrayed her. "Good luck," she hugged her sister tightly before she left them alone.

"Are you okay?" he inquired with visible concern.

"I think so," she reassured him, "it's been a while since I had this kind of attention. I forgot how intrusive it can be. That's all."

"Oh my god! I never imagined I would see this sight again!" a young girl shrieked right in front of their faces with her hands cupping her face for extra dramatic effect.

"Neither would I!" Ranveer returned in the same tone and manner.

"How did this happen?! Are you guys back together? Like officially? Are you moving back to India? When are you getting married? Oh my god are you pregnant?!" She rained her questions without even stopping for a breath.

Deepika clammed up and instinctively took a small step back, which hadn't gone unnoticed by Ranveer.

"Whoa, beta, breathe!" Ranveer put his hand on her shoulder and handed her a glass of water to shut her up.

"Thank you," she gulped down the water, still watching them with hawk eyes.

"Welcome," he replied. "You can't seriously be expecting an answer to any of those questions," he stated humorously with his best charming smile, "but thank you for your good wishes."

Ranveer was watching Deepika from the corner of his eye and he could see her fidgeting uncomfortably while this girl still looked unsatisfied. He scanned the room quickly until his eyes, thankfully, met Neha's. He silently pleaded for her to come with his eyes. She got confused enough to want to understand.

"What?" confused Neha asked.

"Nothing. I was just talking to this cutie," he nodded toward the girl meaningfully.

Neha's brows furrowed then her eyes moved to her best friend to find her plastering her fakest smile. She didn't know what was happening except that this girl needed to go. "Are you from the groom's side?" Neha asked conversely.

"Yes, I'm his cousin's daughter," she replied sweetly.

"Ooh nice! Which one is your mother? Can you point her out to me?" Neha put her arm over the girl's shoulder and walked away with her still chattering.

Ranveer smiled and made a mental note to thank her later...and take her blessing again. He turned around to find Deepika had closed up entirely. "Deepu.." he reached a hand but she recoiled stepping out of his reach.

"I need a minute." She made no further excuse as she made her way through the crowd.

She probably wanted to disappear from his sight but idiot that she was hadn't realized she was the tallest girl in the room and could easily be spotted no matter where she went. Nonetheless, he humored her and let her be.

Neha made her way back to him. "What happened exactly?"

Ranveer relayed the whole encounter. "And now she's 'hiding' over there," he cocked his head in her direction.

"That chutiya," Neha laughed referring to the intruding kid. "Poor Deepika must be traumatized."

"Yeaaahh," he stretched out the word. "We have to do some damage control."

Neha raised a brow at him, "we?" she mocked. "We don't. You do."

"Come on, yaar," he begged, "help me out na?"

She regarded him for a moment before she finally conceded, "fine but on one condition," she told him and waited for him to nod ok, "I need to know you'll make it work."

"You really think I would go this far if I wasn't?" He countered.

"Fair enough," she nodded. She looked ahead in deep thoughts when her eyes fell on Deepika, "duuude," she scoffed, "you have your work cut out for you," she gave him a sympathetic squeeze, "I'm with you."

***

Deepika went back with her parents that night. Her inner turmoil was getting the best of her. It's not that she didn't want to get back with Ranveer or that she didn't want him to come with her. On the contrary, she wanted that very very much. It's just that the expectations from others--who might include her parents--are too much. And she certainly didn't feel like getting their hopes up only to let them down again. Twice is two too many as it is.

She had let go the first time because she believed keeping their relationship was a lost battle, with each of them on different ends of the planet, and she's someone who knows how to lose. Therefore, she had gracefully bowed out letting things take their natural course. In hindsight, she admits she may have been mistaken. Maybe it wasn't such a lost cause after all. Maybe she had let go at the wrong time. And maybe it's not too late to try again.

A light knock sounded at her door. "It's open," she called out.

"Can I come in?" her mother's head peeked in.

She sat up excitedly, "of course!"

Ujjala sat on the bed next to her daughter, "haldi is always a lot of fun," she began and Deepika nodded in agreement. "Did you enjoy yourself?" Deepika nodded again. "I hope Ranveer did too?"

Deepika looked down at her hands contemplating whether to tell her mom or not.

"Beti," Ujjala got to the point of her late night visit, "I know you must be feeling pressured," tears sprung to Deepika's eyes instantly at her mom's home-hitting remark. "I want you to know from my side and your father's, we want nothing but for you to be happy. Your father reacted like that because he doesn't want to see you hurt again. Don't think we're waiting for you to marry--of course we'd love to see you married but only if you want to. You're already making us prouder than any parent could ever dream of," she cupped her child's face smiling lovingly, "don't worry about us, beta. Do whatever your heart tells you. It hasn't failed you yet, has it?"

Disclaimer: this story is work of fiction. It uses real people as characters but it has nothing to do with the real Ranveer or Deepika or any of their industry friends. It's not meant to offend or defraud either. It's just for fun. Take a chill pill and don't share it with the real deepveer because that's a dick move.