Kuch Love Jaisa (VirMaan FF)

Part 11

Part Eleven


Maanvi rushed into the bathroom dodging Dabbu and others who stood in her way. The door closed shut with a loud thud and she cried, cried harder on looking at her image in the mirror. Her eyes were already red, puffy and she looked horrible. She splashed water across her face. What did she deserve to feel like this?

"Stop it! Mannu!" she chided, before breaking into another sob, "tujhe abhi rona nahi chahiye.. ugh! Tujhe tab rona chahiye jab.. jab tu apni di ko chodke, Rishikesh jayegi! Aur tum.. us.. us Virat ki vajay se.."

Another sob. She washed her face again, "di... di upset ho jayegi! I must calm down!"

'Kya chakkar hai tum dono ka?'

Virat's words echoed in her ears. Why was he acting like a jerk? She sniffed sighing. What else was she expecting? It was foolish of her! To think that he liked her.. just the way jiju liked her di. To think that he was jealous seeing her with Prem. To think that the compliments, the jhumkis, his following them to the restaurant actually meant something. Expectations always result in heart break. She was helping Prem, just like a friend and he had to insult her for that? He would never have done that if he truly liked her. She wiped away fresh tears that leaked from her eyes.

"Relax Mannu!" Manvi urged herself. Slowly, she got out faking a smile as she walked towards the mandap.

~ ~
Prem stood paralyzed on the spot. He wanted to slap Virat for his stupidity, but Maanvi had done it for him. His expression changed as he eyed his friend who looked almost pained. He was tempted to go, place a comforting hand over his shoulder. Virat was building up too much tension. Why couldn't he just accept he had fallen for the pretty girl who slapped him?

This wasn't the part of plan. He needed to do something.

He cornered Virat, "apne gussa doosron pe nikalne se kya hoga? Pehle soch! Kyon bura lagtha hai tumhe.. voh mere sath date pe jaathi hai toh tumhe kya? Woh mere saath baat karthi hai toh kya problem? Aaj tum shayad use rok loge.. magar kal? Main pehle se dekh raha tha.. tumhari problem kya hai!? Kyoun tumhe-"

"Chod yar! Main tumse baat nahi karna chahtha!"

"Virat! Aaj main tumhe nahin chod saktha! Yeh toh hadh hogayi... Zaroor koi problem hai, varna..varna tum aise behave nahi karthe! Look at you! Kya tu wohi Virat hai! Nahin, aajkal woh Virat kahee nazar nahin aaraha..jo sab se miljulke baat kartha hai..jo humesha doosron ko hasaatha hai! Jo khud humesha khush rehtha hai! Kya hua us Virat ko? Javab do... kya yeh badlaav tere aasapaas hua hai..ya tere andar?" Prem pointed a finger into his friend's chest, "bol... Come on dude! Main tujhe is tarah nahin dekh saktha aur-"

"Shut up! Mere saath kuch hua toh tujhe kya-"

"Ididot! Please.. hum best friends hai.. kamsekam ab toh bol.."

Virat took a deep breath, "I'm sorry. Prem main.. Its nothing! I'm okay!"

"Okay? Oh toh isliye tum Maanvi se jhagad rahe the! Use neecha dikha rahe the! Kyon Virat? Poocho apne dil se.. Kya yeh isliye hai ki tu Maanvi ko pasand kartha hai aur tu use kisi aur ke saath nahi dekh saktha! Akhir kyon tum khadoos ki tarah-"

"KYON KI MAANVI SE MAIN PY- " Virat closed his eyes, as he leaned against the wall. Did he really love her? Where did that come from?
Prem smiled, "hmm.. pyaar huh?"

Virat glared at him.


"Mujhe ghoorne se kya hoga? Tujhe sochna hoga dude! Kya tu usse sach mein pyar kartha hai ya nahin! Pyaar karna koi galath baath nahin hai, dost!"

"Virat beta!" Vanshika came hurrying his way, "neeche chalo, beta! Prem.. tum bhi! Maanvi aur Pooja kahan hai?"


"Bas unko leke aajaaoonga!" Prem smiled and ran towards Manvi's room.


He rounded the corridor and almost collided into someone.


"Maanvi!" Prem smiled, "tum.. teek ho na?"

"Haan!" she smiled, her eyes were still red. He hated Virat for hurting her.

"Voh.. voh duffer hai! Un logon ko chot pahunchadeta hai..jo uske kareeb hai! I'm.. sorry, Maanvi! Its my fault!"

"Oh! Nahin! Maano ya na maano Prem! Kuch hi dino mein hum ache dost bangaye! Tum ne koi galthi nahin ki!" Manvi smiled again, "Puja kaha hai!"

"Mandap mein!" Prem replied, "chalein!"

"Chalthe hai.. par haan! Tumhe aaj usse apne dil ki baat kehna hoga!? OK?"

Prem scratched his head. How could he tell her! That he felt the same way about her! Ever since Shekar had let out her secret he was feeling a bit different. He was noticing every single detail about her and he wanted nothing but see her smiling always.

"Prem!"

Speak of the angel! He didn't notice it before, but she was looking gorgeous in her cream and violet colour saree. All that extra jewellery and accesories fitted well-

"Prem! Maanvi! Chalo na.." Puja pulled him by his arm.

It was then he noticed that she was actually draging them both.

"Tum bahut sundar lagrahi ho!"

Puja went still as Prem blurted it out. A faint blush crept up her cheeks.

"Thanks!" she smiled at him as Maanvi patted his back.

"Toh may I.." he offered his hand and Puja took it. Was she dreaming?

"Chooo chweet!" Maanvi cooed as they all made their way towards the mandap.

The mandap~

"Kaha gayi thi tu.. Jeevika di kab se tumhe dhood rahi hai!" Dabbu began, "teri ankhon ko kya hogaya?"

"Kuch nahi.. Dabba kaheeka! shaadi pe concentrate kar!" Maanvi retorted as she went to sit behind her di.

"Mannu?" Jeevika frowned, "tu.. ro rahi thi kya?"

"Nahin!" her jiju turned to her and she smiled. The shadi rasm had begun, "nahi di.. I'm just happy! Ye khushi ke aasu hai!"

She looked up feeling someone's eyes on her. Virat

~ ~ ~ ~


Virat blinked. Tears formed in his soulful eyes as he recollected what happened earlier. She- she slapped him? Oh he deserved that! He had insulted her! Spoiled her fun. But he couldnn't help it. Everytime he saw her, she was hanging around with Prem, laughing at something he said or listening to him playing guitar. It hurt him to see her that way. He thought it would go away if he avoided all of them. It didn't. The pain was getting too much for him, and he wanted to do something. He wanted her to feel his pain for once, he wanted her to cry, he wanted her to experience the agony that he was experiencing. And he succeeded. But why was it hurting him? Why was he feeling guilty upon seeing her distressed? Shouldn't he be happy?



Prem walked up to him, seeing his pained expression. Virat looked away. He felt even miserable when Prem reached up for his hand and gave it a squeaze.

"Prem- I'm.. I'm.."

Prem shushed him, "chod yar! Tujhe use sorry kehna chahiye! " He pointed to Maanvi, "but now, enjoy the shaadi! Agla shaadi patha hai kiski hai.. Meri aur Puja ki!"

He said the last sentence loud enough for everyone to hear.Vanshika smacked his head.

"Outch!"

Virat furrowed his eyebrows and whispered, "really?"

Prem winked, "yup!"

Virat couldn't stop the smile that made its way onto his face. Prem and Puja? Prem wasn't in love with his Maanvi.. Wait! Did he say his? Scratch that part! He looked around, everyone was happy, even Maanvi.He smiled. He was happy too for his bhai.

~ ~ A few hours after the shaadi

Virat was pacing the living room. Everybody was dancing, the music was loud. Beeji was shedding happy tears. Manvi was hugging her di. He hugged his bhai and it was all over. But there was one thing left to do - apologising Maanvi. Swamini had asked the chowdharis to stay there for the new year celebrations. He had three days of time, but, how could he go to her? What was he supposed to say?

Virat was frustrated all day and even yelled at the event manager for no reason. It was then he noticed that he wasn't alone there. A faint tune reached his ears and he turned around to spot Maanvi. She was still clad in her ghaghra, humming to herself, she was playing with her cellphone.

That was it! It was his chance. He sneaked up behind her and cleared his throat.

She looked up at him and glared.

"Maanvi..."

But she was gone.

~ ~

The next two days witnessed the same. Everytime he tried to apologise Manvi would throw a nasty glare in his direction before sprinting away.

Virat checked his watch, three hours to mid night. Three hours and the misery would end. He had to talk to her at any cost. He was hiding behind a door, ready to attack his prey.


~
Maanvi was casually walking in the hall way when someone pulled her by her arm.

"Kaun hai! Chodo! hmmm.."

The person pressed his palm against her mouth preventing her from talking.

"Tum!"

She narrowed her eyes on noticing who the person was.

"Please! Meri baat suno!" Virat yelled as she walked away swiftly.

"Kyon sunoon main?"

Thankfully the hallway was empty, the Vadheras and others were gathered in the garden, busy with new year celebrations.

"Please! Listen to me- I'm sorry Maanvi!"

"You're sorry huh?" Maanvi laughed maniacally.

"Dekho suno.. I'm being honest I swear, I'm sorry Maanvi! Mujhe patha nahi kya ho gaya tha! I want to say sorry! please mujhe maaf kardo.." Virat pleaded her.

"Hogaya? Tum ne mujhe hurt kiya and after three days all you say is sorry! Funny Virat!"

"Toh aur kya kahoon main!" Virat shot back, "I don't know Maanvi.. jab bhi main tumhe Prem ke saath dekhtha tha.. I didn't like it! I didn't mean to hurt you.. ab main dobara sochtha hoon toh lagtha hai ki.. I was wrong! I'm sorry for that! This is really difficult! Pehle mujhe kabhi aisa mehsoos nahi hua.. jaisa tumhare saath hua tha! I do care for you..."

He trailed off looking at the ground. Did he love her? That much?

For some reason, Maanvi's heart was throbbing faster as she heard him.

And something unexpected happened. Maanvi jumped at once and embraced him, sobbing. She hated that she was weak. Oh, she missed him terribly. She missed his smile, his complements and especially him. This was not her, why was she feeling this way for him? Who was he? 'A friend, jiju's bhai.' She reminded herself or much more she was not sure.

"Dobara kabhi aisa math karna..." she mumbled against his chest. He hugged her close.

"I'm sorry.. I swear! Kabhi..zindgi mein kabhi aisa nahin hoga! Mujhe maaf kardo, bandariyaa!"

She chuckled releasing him, "teek main.. main tumhe kshama kar deti hoon!"

He laughed while wiping her tears and even wiped his. She beamed at him. She didn't want to talk to him, but then she realised she couldn't be mad at him.

Virat's heart swelled with joy on seeing her happy.
Oh merlin! This is what they call love! He loved her! He closed his eyes reliving those moments he spent with her. She had been so special! How could he be so dumb at realising that!

"Kya hua?" Maanvi asked him. He just smiled and kissed her forehead.

Should he ask her out? What if she laughed at his face. He was lucky that she had forgiven him. He didn't want to upset her anymore. He'd talk to her for sure, but later. Prem was a genious, he was the first person to realise that he loved Maanvi.

"Chalein?" he offered her hand. She took it and they walked together into the garden.

They watched the fireworks and cheered along with the others.

~~ in the garden, Vadhera house

The youngsters were loitering in the garden as the elders went to bed. Even Jeevika and Viren (On dadaji's insistence) had left.

Prem dragged Puja towards him. He smiled as she got tensed.

"Prem- yeh tum kya- kya kar rahe ho!" Puja stuttered as Prem brought his face closer to hers. He was looking at her lovingly.

"Tumne pehle kyon nahin bataya?"

Puja choked at this, "kya- ..kya nahi bataya?"
Her heart was beating faster and she could feel Prem's wild heart beat as he hugged her.

"Tum kuch maango aur maina karoon! Bachpan se aisa kabhi hua hai kya?" he asked her, enjoying her discomfort.

Puja looked around. People were starting to notice them. Maanvi was giggling.

"Kya matlab? Chodo.. door raho mujhse! Sab log dekh rahe hai Prem!"

She tried to push him away, but Prem pulled her even more closer and whispered in her ear, "I love you!"

Puja's eyes widened. Did he just- Oh god!

"K- kya kahan?" she wasn't dreaming, was she?

Prem chuckled, "I love you, Puja. Main tumse bahut pyar kartha hoon! Humesha se kartha tha! But.. pehchaan nehi paaya! Tum... tum mujhe bataa sakthi thi ki tum bhi..."

Puja's head was spinning, "main bhi kya-"

Now, she was smiling at him, a small smile played at her lips.

"Oh come on! Kamsekam, ab toh bataado!" Prem looked cute when he pouted.

"Tumhe lagtha hai.. yeh koi mazak hai kya? Mazak bahut hogaya!" Puja shot back. Prem gave her a look that said 'ye mazaak nahin hai'.


"Come on, Love! Yeh mazaak nahin hai! I know you love me.. keh do.."

She glared at him mockingly. He called her 'love'? she couldn't have asked for more!


"Okay! Tum abhi mujhe chod do.. phir bataadoongi!" she whispered. Atul and Shekar grinned.

Prem distanced himself from her. Puja turned red.

"Uh.. woh! Main.." Virat and Maanvi joined their fun.

"Sab hume dekh rahe hai Prem.." Puja whispered.

Prem glared at them, "Oi.. yahan koi picture dikhaa rahe hai kya! Jaao sab log. Tum sab log us taraf mud jaao! Turn around! Haan! Puja.. ab kaho na.. "
Puja bit her lip. She couldn't believe he actually said that! Sure, he was acting all sweet around her from the past week but.. but wasn't he always like that!

Prem seemed to have realised her hesitation,"you know Puja.." he began seriously, " hum humesha saath the! School mein , college mein, US mein.. aur dekho! Hum kahan aagaye! Aur main soch bhi nahi saktha tumhare bina.. age ki zindgi kaise jee paaoonga!"

Tears gathered in Puja's eyes, " I love you too, Prem!" she whispered in a voice that was barely audible.

But Prem had caught it. And pulled her into a sweet embrace. He glanced over his shoulder. This was his happy ending and he hoped Virat would find his happy ending too. The fire works had started.

It was going to be a fabulous new year!

~ ~ The next day

Virat woke up with a groan that morning! He jumped up in his bed. Maanvi would be leaving that morning. How could he forget that! He was an idiot!
~~

"Ab hume chalna chahiye!" Beeji exclaimed as she smeared Jeevika's eyes.

"I'll miss you di!" Maanvi hugged her, "bye jij! Bye dadaji! Bua ji.. hum chalthe hai!"

She bade good bye to everyone. Except him, Virat! Prem shook her hand. Puja, Atul, Shekar waved good bye.

"Stay in touch, Manvi jee, " Prem whispered, " yeh duffer kaha gaya?"

Atul nodded, "I'll get him. Virat!" He ran inside.


"Maanu beta chalo.." Beeji dragged her towards the car.

Maanvi sighed, "this is our good bye then.. Virat!"

~ ~

Virat nearly tripped on the stairs. He ran into shlok and nearly dropped his gift that he bought for Maanvi.

"Subah subah jaag gayye! Shlok?" he asked, walking into the kitchen. Where was everyone.

"Haan! Woh Maanvi di jaa rahi thi toh!" was the boy's reply.

"Kaha hai.. woh? "

"Woh toh abhi jaa rahe hai! Jaa chuke honge shayad!"

Atul, Prem, Puja, Shekar ran towards him, "dude! Jaldi..woh jaa rahi hain!"

Virat ran as fast as he could not even caring that he dropped his gift on the way, only to see that Maanvi's car had already zoomed past their house. She was gone, with out any good bye.

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