Kaisi yeh Yaariyan Season 3

Chapter 139

"I am hosting a show on TV, for channel M." Manik broke the news, grabbing Nandini by arms. "I got a show dammit, can you believe it Nandini?"

"Manik got a freaking show with Channel M, can you believe it?" Ranbir exclaimed almost at once, punching the air with his fist. The kind of lulling comfort he felt uttering those words, can only be understood by a severely constipated man, after having relieved himself.

Navya, who was silently watching the scene unfold, kept staring suspiciously at Ranbir ,for a second too long.

"What?!!!!? Why are you looking at me like that? Mere thobre mein kya likha hai, Manik ko congratulate karo.."

"Tumhare thobre mein yeh likha hai ki tumhe pehle se pata tha." She turned to Nandini and back to Ranbir "Nandini, hum yahan pareshan huye fir rahe the aur yeh janab masti maar rahe the. Aise aise bhi dost hote hain duniya mein jo dosti ke naam pe dhabba hain."

"Seriously, you knew?" Nandini asked Ranbir. "And you Manik? How could you do this to us?" she punched him in his abs.

Too late for an excuse, Manik thought and shot an angry glance at Ranbir, 'you-couldn't-keep-one-secret-safe-moron'. Ranbir rolled his eyes back at him, in a sly manner, 'Its-not-my-fault. Its-their-fucking-detective-brains.That's-why-I-keep-saying-I-dislike-this-species.'

Manik thought at least together they could do something to bring the situation under control but he had somehow forgotten, how Ranbir carried the same genes as cabir.

"Yes, yes, blame me, main hi to hoon blame karne ke liye, lekin yeh koi mat poocho ki how many times I asked Manik if I should tell you. But no, Indian nari always believes husband, why should you believe a friend. And then at the end of everything, I am the villain. So much for keeping friendship!"

Manik couldn't believe his ears, neither his eyes. This man was lying, blatantly, shamelessly , intentionally lying and that puppy face, man he could contest for the Oscars. Manik clenched his teeth, muttering profanities under his breath. If he could kill Ranbir, he definitely would have.

Ranbir's act was definitely worth a consideration, if not for oscars, at least for the IIFAs, for Nandini instantly softened, her anger now solely targeted at Manik. "Sorry Ranbir, I didn't mean to... I should have known its not you."

"its ok Nandini..part of life, I get it." He replied, adding more melodrama, yet making sure he didn't overact. "May be we should go and let you two sort it out."

'Really?!!!' Manik thought, having gone furiously red.

And then Ranbir slowly slipped through the crowd, only turning back for one fleeting second to wink at Manik, wishing him good luck for the consequences Nandini was about to subject him to. But as Ranbir left, so did Navya. What would she do between these two love birds, who right now were looking more like 'Angry birds'. She was glad, Manik had bagged the offer. She also knew, this was a mock fight. Nandini wasn't one of those girls to bicker and fight on such trivial issues, especially on a day when her prayers had been answered. But at times, its good to go silly with the people you love, it keeps the love going, she thought.

"Ranbir!!!" she called out as she made her way through the thick swarm of people. "Ruko..."

"Chalo kuch to akal di hai mata rani ne, mujhe to laga you will stay chipkaoed there."

"Shut up Ranbir!!"

******************

There was no way one could drive through Mumbai today. On their way to Manik and Nandini's place in the afternoon, they had taken an auto instead of driving in, but now even that seemed to be an unworthy option. They would be stuck on the road for ever. "Doomed man...we are doomed today! Ab chalo yaha se paidal."

Navya looked around. For once Ranbir wasn't exaggerating, it was indeed that bad. People had spilled out on streets like grains from a leaking bag of rice. It were days like these when you realized just how many people Mumbai fostered under its wings. Navya thought for a while , "train le lein?"

"You mean Mumbai ki local trains?" Ranbir asked, surprised.

"Hmm"

Any other day and Ranbir would have started walking in the opposite direction, but right now, taking the train seemed like the better option over walking 15 plus kilometers. He checked google maps for the nearest railway station, which thankfully turned out to be well under 2 kms.

The afternoon was loosening up into a breezy evening as the sun began to retreat, leaving behind a golden trail of fluffy clouds. They made their way through the rows and rows of people to finally reach the station.

"Holy shit!!! look at that Navya. How are we ever going to board a freaking train man?" Ranbir had never seen anything like this before. If the streets outside were crowded, then this was a whole different level altogether. All they could see were heads and torsos. "How many years of experience do you have? Will you be able to guide me through that crap?"

Navya stared apologetically at Ranbir. "mera bhi first time hai"

"We can no way make it through this. Let's get out of here." Ranbir spoke half to himself, half to Navya and turned around.

Right at that very instant, the 7.45 pm local pulled in haltingly. The crowd which was scattered even a minute ago, jostled ahead to form what looked like a swarm, pushing itself into the train with great force. And when that mass moved forward, it dragged along whoever or whatever happened to come in its path.

Navya was pushed forth so suddenly and with so much force that she couldn't escape. Ranbir who was next to her was also dragged along. Even before they could realize what was happening, they had been shoved into the compartment. Being a little over 5', Navya was literally tossed around and amid all the madness; she felt a sudden bang on her head. Losing balance, she was just on the verge of tripping over, when she sensed someone frantically pulling her by the arm. she strained her neck to find out who her saviour was, only to realize it was none other than Ranbir, who by now was clutching her tightly with one hand. With one hand he held the overhead holder and with the other he held Navya in a half hug. As her eyes met his, Navya saw a shadow of concern in them. Breaking away from the glance, he looked first on the left & then to the right and back to the left. She followed his gaze.

Ranbir looked over the sea of heads all around with sheer dejection and his glance returned to Navya. She was struggling to catch the holder above her head but because of her short stature, she could barely reach it.

"Hold me, I won't let u fall" Ranbir said.

She felt something in the pit of her stomach. Had anyone ever told her that ? Did she ever have anyone to catch her, lest she fell down. Yes, once upon a time someone had watched her back and today his shadow was watching over her. She placed one hand on his shoulder and wrapped the other around his waist. They were almost tied in an embrace. They had never been so close, not even gone as far as holding hands, theirs was a relationship like that of a cat and mouse, but today, right in the middle of a public place, surrounded by uncountable eyes, they were sharing a private moment and no one even batted an eye lid.

Navya looked deep into Ranbir's eyes, and through his eyes, I could read his soul. His concern for her & his strong resolve to protect her from all harms, She could feel it all. Not a word had been spoken, yet a lot had transpired between them. Everything was chaotic around, but they were lost in each other, or may be two lost souls had found each other.

At every station thereafter, there was turmoil as people moved in and out of the packed compartment. But Navya stood oblivious. she was secure in Ranbir's arms. She didn't remove her eyes from his face even for a second, even though Ranbir would intermittently look around to check out the moving people and protect her from getting hurt. Love holds different meaning for different people. For some it's romance, for some its passion, for some its being able to be silly with someone, but for Navya it was having someone who'd stand by her, stand in for her and stand next to her through thick and thin.

She didn't wish for this moment to pass, for on the other side, when they would emerge, it would be back to who they were before entering the train.  

*******

A/N: Thank you!!!! a million odd times for your patience and support. Its short I know, but shorter updates are easier to write, especially when you are trying to slip back into routine. 

Thank you once again sweethearts!!