Concert

Ishaan did not want her to leave with Arjun under any circumstances, and it was taking everything he had to not let the kids inside of him yell out or hit him, or stomp his feet in anger.

But at least, he could try one more time. Yes, he must give it a shot. He was about to go towards her to help her get up, when Vendy held him back by holding his elbow. Giving him a quick glance, she smiled and said "Thanks Manya, I know you have always cared for me, but now look at you! It is genuinely so sweet of you to remind him to take me on a date, or else he tends to forget about these little things! Isn't it so, Ish?"

She directed her smile towards Ishaan and widened it further, meanwhile he was glaring with a raging fire in his eyes. If he had his way, he would have burned her to ashes, right there and right then just with that glare!

She fixed her faltering smile again and turned back towards Manya and Arjun. She knew what's going to come for her, but at least she has tried her best to buy time for the both of them. Because of this, Manya would get to experience real happiness and get a few moments of peace with some genuine people, who loved and respected her at the same time. And if she had played her hand, two could play at this game- Ishaan could also stretch the drama a little longer.

"We will be taking our leave then, take care and drive safely. Arjun, don't let her drive," she said, lightly teasing Manya with a smile and turning towards Arjun.

Arjun smiled and replied in the affirmative by nodding his head, when Vendy started again. "You don't mind me calling you Arjun, do you?"

"No, no, not at all! I am actually glad that you are calling me by my first name."

"Then so it shall remain. I guess this is goodbye for today! Bye bye guys, take care!"

She said and turned around to drag Ishaan out with her, who was still standing there and staring at Manya like a child staring at forbidden candy at the store. 

Ishaan felt his hand being yanked and finally looked at her, slightly annoyed. After getting an indication from Vendy to move, he faced Manya once again and spoke tenderly, "Yeah! Take care Manu! Love- Just don't drive in this condition, okay!"

"Okay, Ish! Bye, and you too take care and drive safely." Manya waved, giggling.

After they left the room, Manya turned to Arjun and stared at him wordlessly.

Arjun noticed Manya staring at him, and he got self-conscious for a second. He asked, bringing his hand up to his nose, "What happened Manya!? Is there something on my face?"

"Nope!"

"What then?"

"Can you please take me-"

"Back home? Of course, I was just thinking that you should rest for a little more while here, before you go home. And also, what are we going to explain to Maenu about your wound? Speaking of, I have a heartfelt apology to make myself, I think it will be better if-"

Arjun had led himself into a spiral of thought, and Manya knew he was going to go on for quite a while. She thought it best to interrupt his train of thought at the earliest, before it could turn into a wreck.

"Arjun Chauhan! You can never let the person in front of you speak properly and complete their sentences, can you?"

She shouted out in anger, mixed with the care she had for him, which was buried somewhere deep within, with her love wrapped around it. 

"What do you mean?" Arjun asked, puzzled at what he had done to deserve her wrath.

"I mean, I was not finished!" 

"You weren't?"

"No! I was going to ask you to take me to-"

"Home! Weren't you?" Arjun interrupted her again, this time intentionally, because he had been missing her yelling at him for the past many years. Now, he was willing to happily take whatever he was going to get, because he knew what was coming next, and he had missed that sight so badly.

Manya widened her eyes and glared at him in anger, as if wanting to say that he was lucky that she did not have the ability to devour with her eyes, and needed to follow some dietary instructions to stay fit! Or else, he would not have been able to crawl out of this room that day. 

The next words that came out of her mouth were in a very grave tone. "A.R.J.U.N CHAUHAN ! Are you going to listen to me, or should I have to wait till the end of this year? Will that length of time be sufficient for you to present all your imaginary endings to my half-a-sentence, in front of me on an ornamental platter?! Only then will I choose from one of them, that...yes, this is it! This was the thing I wanted to ask you, a year ago?!"

Arjun tried to hide his chuckle and ended up smiling even evidently. He put a finger on his lips like an obedient kindergartner and spoke, "Okay, sorry Minnie! I'll let you talk now, I promise."

Manya laughed, knowing what must be going on in his head. She then said a little seriously, "Can you take me...take me to someplace where we can just watch the night sky and talk?"

"Minnie!" Arjun turned to her and looked her directly in the eyes, and then spoke tenderly, "You are missing messo, aren't you?" 

"Yes! Juno, please." She repeated.

*Arjun knew this pleading tone of hers very well, as it had always held some kind of power on him. She could literally make him jump from the building with this tone. And he also knew that if she was using this, it meant that she is really close to running away again, or definitely feeling tortured and depressed by something.*

He let out a breath and asked again.

"You want to visit a place, something like we used to go to in our teenage years, like the roof of your out-house?!"

"Yes, exactly!" Manya's eyes lit up.

"Okay, I got you covered. Let's go." 

~~~

Ishaan was trying to hold in his anger somehow, till they would be out of everyone's sight. As soon as they reached the parking lot and got near their car, he exploded.

"Have you forgotten what your real job is? Or do I need to remind you yet again? How dare you make me look like a fool, as I let her go home alone with that Arjun? You are supposed to seduce him, not plan dates with me or complain about me to Manya! Are you even listening to me?"

He roared again, grabbing her upper arms and shaking back and forth rigorously. "Tell me! Or do I need to remind you what you are, and what can happen to you?"

Vendy hissed due to the pain from his tight grip as well as his nails digging into her flesh, and finally managed to speak after getting startled badly. She spoke with a slight stammer, "I-I...w-a-s, I was just…" 

"Speak fast, I don't have a whole eternity to waste on you! This is the difference between you and Manya; this is the difference that the class she possesses, brings to her personality. She always knows what she is going to say, or what she needs to say at that moment. But you...just- nevermind! It's not my problem what standard you belong to, or what is the class you are supposed to be in! So just spill it, before I change my mind about your punishment and make it even more deadly." Ishaan directed the hellfire towards Vendy again, making sure to choose the comments that would hurt most. 

"I was just trying to help you!"  Vendy blurted out as fast as she could manage, then flinched away slightly to protect herself in case he decided to use his hands again.

*Having known Ishaan for quite a few years, she knew how the duality of his personality worked. No one could be capable of that level of care like he was, if he loved someone; and no one could be as cruel as him if he didn't like them. But the thing she had found most alarming was his possessiveness; if he wanted something, then he wanted it at any cost. He didn't care about the methods to achieve it, so if he was talking about punishment and penalties for her, then they must surely be the worst things that she could ever imagine in her lifetime.*

"Huh! Help me? It doesn't seem like that for sure." Ishaan commented, smirking.

"Ye-yes!" She stammered again, looking at the ground instead.

"Oh, for God's sake! I am really done with you. Like seriously, can you manage to speak one complete sentence without stammering all the time? As far as I noticed, you were super fluent just ten minutes ago while we were inside, when you were speaking to ruin my life! Now spill fast, I have already told you that I have business to tend to. I don't have much time to waste on you, or have you actually started dreaming about going on dates with me?"

"No- no! Actually, I was trying to make Manya jealous. Till now, she is the only one you used to go out to have your meals with, or spend time with! But now, I was trying to make her think that her place has been taken by someone else. So this is what I was just trying to do, in the process of helping you. And don't worry, I know my place in your eyes- so I don't have any kind of imaginations about any sorts of dates with you. You can breathe normally, and be assured about that topic." Vendy spoke out whatever she needed to; due to the changing emotions on Ishaan's face, her courage was returning.

Ishaan took a pause for a moment, then spoke again with his eyes narrowed. "And what exactly made you think that she would be jealous? She is Manya Rahal, the girl of my dreams. She knows her place well enough, and she is also quite aware of the fact that nobody can take that place, nor will anybody be able to snatch it from her hands in a hundred years. She would never get jealous over trivial matters like this."

"She definitely will be! If in any case, she likes you back, then she will definitely be jealous, even though she is unaware of her own feelings for you! No matter how secure and confident she is in other aspects, she would definitely have noticed it. This is human nature, just trust me on this."

"Yeah okay, whatever! But you should at least have indicated your intentions to me beforehand, so that I could have acted along with you!" Ishaan replied.

"Oh! I most certainly would have, if we had the chance to sneak away for a small conversation, or if I had at least gotten a little chance."

"Well, nevermind now. Just remember this lesson from next time, and try to clue me  in, at least."

"Okay, I understand!" She nodded before hopping into the car.

~~~

Arjun drove her back to his apartment, acutely aware of the fact that it was the second time he was taking her there. 

*The first time he had brought her to this place was when she had not been fully conscious. And the first thing she had done, after coming back to her senses-or he should rephrase as the first thing he had done, was kiss her. He couldn't exactly say that he regretted it one bit, but he could not exactly call it their first kiss as well. Because for him, their first kiss was supposed to be full of love and emotions and that were meant to be reciprocated from both sides. He was sure about what was in his heart, but he wasn't sure about her side of things. He still carried the doubt that she must have been in a daze due to the anaesthetic. Even after its effects had worn off, she had been trying to talk to him about this, and he was too panicked to listen to anything carefully, let alone talk about it. He somehow managed to calm his mind, because she had asked him for something, for the first time since they had met again. He had imagined way too many scenarios in his head, in which they had never been separated from each other; where they were always by each other's side- sitting on the roof, talking to each other, sharing everything with the other person- from trivial matters to discussing their future plans and sorting out their problems, talking about his insecurities and her wishes to achieve the things she dreamt of, and only God knows what not. And that scenario had never actualized, due to their respective circumstances. And yet, when he was least expecting it, or had even given up hope, it was so close to coming true at last.*

The guard snapped to attention as he saw the car coming from a stance, saluting smartly. He had learnt from his mistakes the first two times, and had now stopped relying on previous notice completely, given his master's changed ways.

A smile appeared on Arjun's face as he parked the car, as he acknowledged the guard. After parking it, he quickly stepped out of the car and rushed to the other side to open the door for Manya.

Manya had already noticed the smile on his face, which had made her smile in anticipation as well. The nostalgia was overwhelming for her.

*Finally, finally she felt ready to step out of her partially self-imposed exile in hiraeth. But there was a part of her that was wondering how it could be. This was not the home she had been craving for, it was not even close to it- and yet, there was a voice inside of her, urging to give in. She wanted the answer so badly, but she was nowhere close to it.*

It took her a moment to realise that Arjun was still standing out there, holding the door of the car open with one hand and offering his other hand to her. She quickly grabbed his hand after realising this and stepped out. They climbed the flight of stairs, neither of them saying a word as they approached the familiar room. She had already visited this place once, and she felt a sprinkle of memories that lasted a brief moment.

Arjun was the one to speak first, as she looked around the room. "I think you need to change your clothes to more comfortable ones, so that you can relax on the roof."

"Umm, I also think that would be a better option. But you know what, I think you have forgotten that I am not at my house, and I don't have clothes at your apartment either! And let me tell you a funny story, when we are already on the topic of clothes. I didn't have enough clothes in my own home as well, since I had just moved directly over there. So, I had to resort to borrowing Sia's clothes! Isn't it funny how our little girl has grown so much, so suddenly? And just after two days-"

"It will be her birthday! I know, and I am just as amused." Arjun completed her sentence once again.

"You remember her birthday?!" Manya asked incredulously. She was a little shocked that after so many years, he really did remember almost each and every thing.

"Of course I do! How can I forget our one and only Sia's birthday? But, I seriously think you should change."

"I think you didn't hear me correctly, I was saying that on the very first day at my own house, I had to borrow Sia's clothes. Then what do you want me to do, borrow your clothes? Actually I wouldn't mind otherwise, but I don't think they will be my size." 

Manya replied , looking at him from head to toe, in an attempt to tease him further.

But Arjun only smiled in her reply and stepped forward to open the door to the closest.

*Manya was shocked to look at the collection of dresses which could go for each and every possible event, and tucked away in a corner, were comfortable night-wear as well. She turned to ask him to whom all of these belonged to, but then suddenly her heart ached in warning, as if it was not exactly ready for listening to the answer. Her heart was not ready to know the name of the owner of the dresses yet, and she didn't want to...she never wanted to…*

Arjun noticed her turning to him and then back towards the closet again, without saying anything to him. He had imagined her reaction would be turning back to him in excitement and delight, not in this way!

He asked, "Minnie, what happened? Is there something you don't like?"

*"Yes, the probable owner of these clothes- I don't like her!" She wanted to shout this out in reply, but she controlled herself. She realised that what he did in his own time, at his own place was not her business. Yes, she might feel just as comfortable with him as if they had never been separated, but that didn't mean that the last twelve years had never happened at all. And quite a few things were liable to change as well…*

She was not in the position to say anything about this, so she made an excuse that she needed to inform her mumma and Sia that she would not be returning till late.

Arjun nodded and said, "Okay, you take your time and get changed. I will be in the next room, in case you need anything. Once you are done, then let me know and I will take you to the place you wanted to visit."

Manya smiled and nodded, " Yeah, I will do. Meanwhile, you should also go and change!" 

*She maintained her sweet tone, even though her inner self wanted to kill him for his polite tone. A part of her was dying to scream, "Why do you exactly think that I will appreciate the chance to change into the clothes of a person I don't even know? And you want me to try to feel comfortable in it, when all the time I will be bothered about somehow knowing the identity of the person to whom the clothes belong. Hell yeah, what a great plan, Arjun"!*

~~~

Manya dialed Sia's number as soon as he left the room. She was too anxious before calling, and she didn't even know the reason for it. But her anxiety changed into concern as soon as she heard her sister's voice.

"Di!" Sia shouted at her highest pitch. The loud music and the noises were making her unable to hear anything properly, so as a reflex, she was shouting her best to get heard.

Manya yelled back, asking "Sia! Where are you?!" 

"Di, I am currently in a concert and will be going to an after party, just in the next half an hour."

*Manya became even more concerned about her safety, as she was not even eighteen yet. Once again, she realised that her sister was going to be eighteen in just

two days, as her brain came up with the tag of a hypocrite for herself. She used to spend her nights out for much later at night during her teen years. But within seconds, she managed to scare her own brain into submission, as to how Sia is her small child who needed to be protected in a layer of bubble wrap.*

She shouted out again, "Does Mumma know about whereabouts?" 

"What, Di? Sorry, I can't hear you!"

"Does Mumma know about whereabouts?" 

"Wait, give me a bit, Di. I am going out , just give me a minute!" Saying this, she stepped out of the party and found a place near the entrance where she could tuck herself in.

She spoke out again, "Now tell me Di! What were you asking?" 

"I was asking, does mumma know where you are? Aren't you supposed to be home at this time, because kids are not supposed to roam around this late?!"

"Didu! I am going to be eighteen in two days!"

"Exactly what I was saying! A kid! Now tell me, does mumma know? Are you with guards?"

"Nope Di, please handle it na! I somehow manipulated Danny to help me sneak out."

"What do you mean? Where are you that you need to sneak out?! Tell me the address, and I am coming there right now."

"Di, relax. I am just in the concert, and I didn't sneak out, I was just kidding you. And yes, the guards are also with me, so don't take stress! It's just that I was supposed to return before 1 o'clock, but there was an awesome party which I didn't want to miss. So I simply asked Danny to help me out, and I am so lucky that you also called! Please help me if you are my lovely elder sister, please please please? Please say that if Danny will not be able to manage everything, you will?!"

"And what makes you think that I will be helping you here, young lady?"

"Because you are my super di!" Sia knew how and when to push Manya's buttons.

Manya laughed at Sia's cuteness and replied, "Okay, but you better be safe okay? Promise?"

"Promise!"

"Okay then. Bye, love you!"

"Love you too, Di." Sia disconnected the call, making Manya smile once again, thinking that this kid definitely knew what she was doing!

~~~

Shikhawat left his house, thinking that it had been a really long time since he had made himself like Siddhant again. But that day, he had to! After all, it was going to be his one and only daughter's birthday, in just two days.

¥¥¥

A/N-Hello my lovelies! This took a little longer than expected, but here's your bonus chapter❤️❤Stay tuned because the last three days of this month will have longer chapters as a bonus!Much Love ❤️