Chapter 4

...happy reading...

...👻...

Pankhuri looked at him as if trying to read his expression. Aryan looked at her, while his heartbeat continued to race faster. He gulped down.

And suddenly she burst out laughing, behind her Pallavi and another girl too came out laughing. Aryan looked at them with confusion.

'Look at his face' the other girl laughed. And that's when Aryan realized they played him. He faked laughing and spoke 'HA..Ha...Very funny' Aryan made a face and continued 'Are you three done, making fun of me?' Asked with an angry face.

Pankhuri giggled seeing his angry face 'Don't be angry my princess boy' Pankhuri teased him.

'Actually, after we ran from the park we went straight to Mansi's house and there we played Truth and Dare...So, at last, it was my turn and I choose Dare...hence a sweet little prank' Pankhuri spoke as she pulled his cheeks.

'And what are they doing here' Aryan asked pointing towards both the girls behind Pankhuri

'Nothing we just came here, to drop her off' Mansi spoke and bid goodbye with Pankhuri and Aryan. And then Pallavi too left.

'Sorry...buddy' she spoke making a cute pouty face, which no one could resist. 'Now get lost' Aryan spoke sarcastically and smirked.

'OK' and Pankhuri left.

Aryan looked at her from the back as she stepped out of the room he closed the door and sat on the floor with his back on the door. He smiled to himself remembering the words she said and caressed his curly short hairs. He started to breathe rapidly in order to control his racing heart.

Aryan sat there for hours and tried to fight the turmoil going in his head, before falling into a deep slumber with the dreams of special someone.

...~•~...

'Neelima I am leaving' Pankhuri heard her father speak as she sat on the dining table eating her breakfast.

'Ok, take this' Neelima replied as she stepped out of the kitchen with a lunch box in her hand, and offered it to him.

'I won't need this, I will be back by 1:00 PM' Binay spoke as he looked at his watch.

'Oo...ok!' Neelima exclaimed and took the lunch box back. Binay took his laptop bag and walked out of the house. Before he walked out of the house Pankhuri looked at Binay expecting at least a smile but nada.

Aryan came out of his room wearing a maroon shirt over a white tee paired with blue jeans. He whacked Pankhuri on her head from the back and greeted her 'Hi! Dumbie'. Pankhuri looked at him with squinty eyes and pouted. They teased each other as they continued to eat. And afterward, they sat to study.

Suddenly a phone rang in the house, disturning both of them. Aryan and Pankhuri checked their respective phones. Aryan traced the sound and found a small cell on the table near the sofa.

Pankhuri got up from the chair, took the phone from the center table, and spoke 'this phone belongs to papa...I think he might have left it in a hurry'. After a few rings, the phone got disconnected.

Neelima came out of the room as she heard the ringing phone.

'Pankhuri whose phone is it?' Neelima asked looking at the phone in her hand.

'Mummy, Papa has left his phone' as Pankhuri spoke the phone started to ring again. 'Who is calling' Neelima asked again.

'I don't know...it's an unknown number' Pankhuri spoke as she looked on the phone. 'Ok...pick up the call and tell whoever it Papa isn't at home and ask their name' Neelima spoke and went back inside and continued to do what she was doing.

Pankhuri looked at the number displayed on the phone and picked up, while Aryan looked at her.

'Hello,' A man with a husky deep voice spoke from the other side.

'Hello' Pankhuri greeted back.

'Hello...May I speak to Mr. Binay Mehra' the man spoke.

'Sorry, actually he isn't at home right now and has left his phone' Pankhuri replied to the stranger.

'O..oK tell him to call back, whenever he comes back'

'Ok' as the man was about to disconnect the call when Pankhuri asked 'Excuse me, your name'

'Tell him, Lawyer, Chintan Singhal called some paper has to be signed at immediate' Chintan replied as he sat on a chair at his office. 'Ok...' Pankhuri replied.

'What's your name...' Before Chintan could complete, Pankhuri disconnected the call. Chintan frowned and scoffed in frustration and tiredness.

He threw his phone on the big mahogany table in front of him, leaned back on the big brown leather office chair, and closed his eyes as he rested his head on the headrest of the chair.

*Knock-knock*

Chintan heard a knock and spoke 'come in' he sat straight and huffed.

A beautiful tall and slim girl entered the cabin wearing a maroon formal shirt and a black pencil skirt.

'Hello, Jennifer' Chintan greeted her with a warm smile.

'Hi Chintan' She smiled back at him. 'How did you come here today' Chintan spoke in a friendly manner.

'Actually, Mr. Dewan has asked for the papers you prepared for the land takeover' Jennifer spoke.

'So you came here for the papers' Chintan asked while rummaging through the pile of files in front of him.

After a few moments, he took out a black file and gave it to her speaking 'here it is...and I am also coming along' Chintan completed and took his black coat from the chair and hung it on his shoulder.

'Ok...but I have to make a pit stop on the way to the office' Jennifer spoke looking at the big black clock in the cabin. 'Where' Chintan asked.

'You will see' Jennifer smirked and started to walk behind her.

...~•~...

Chintan walked out of the court with Jennifer and saw Chetanya standing near the parking with a car and smiling ear to ear.

'What is he doing here' Chintan asked looking at Jennifer as he wore his aviator glasses. 'As I was leaving from the office he saw me in the parking lot and offered me a ride' she replied and smiled at him.

Jennifer started to walk towards the car and Chintan looked at Chetanya from far and gave him a smirk as if he just found something.

They both reached the car. Chintan continued to smirk as he looked at Chetanya and in return Chetanya gave him a confused awkward crooked smile.

Jennifer sat next to the driver seat and as Chetanya moved forward towards the driver seat, he got interrupted by Chintan saying 'I will drive Chet'.

Chetanya heard him and looked abruptly towards him in a bewildered look.

'No Bhai...don't trouble yourself you are my big brother I will drive' Chetanya awkwardly spoke.

'No buddy...no trouble' Chintan spoke and smirked as he squished himself between the car gate and Chetanya, then sat on the driver's seat.

Chetanya looked at Chintan and gave him a defeated upset look and walked around and sat behind Jennifer.

Chetanya always knew Chintan and Jennifer share a very great bond of friendship, which can be never more than that. But still, he would feel upset not being able to be with her for no reason, It isn't like he has any feeling for her, or does he have.?

Chintan looked at Chetanya through the rearview mirror and saw him looking outside the window.

'Jennifer you were telling you have to make a pit stop on the way to the office' Chintan spoke bringing Chetanya back to his normal self.

'Yeah, actually I have to stop at Presidency International School... It will Just take some time' Jennifer spoke looking at Chintan who drove swiftly through the busy streets of Delhi.

'Why school' Chetanya asked trying to interject himself into their small conversation. Jennifer started 'Actually I have to pick up my...' but got interrupted by the phone ringing.

Chintan looked at the caller's name and smiled for a moment feeling really happy before sending a quick message ''I am driving will call you back later".

'Yeah, where we were' Chintan asked clearing his throat. 'How was your birthday' Jennifer asked him smiling. 'It was as normal as it daily is' Chintan replied normally with a smile.

'But today will be better...will it' Chintan started to speak with excitement and a smile but towards the end, it turned into a question as he looked at Chintan with his questioning face.

Why it wouldn't it turn into a question when his brother ditched him last night, he said it will be a party night but instead he made it a study night for Kaustubh, whose entrance exams happen to be in few months.

Kaustubh would have studied by himself but after his results, he highly doubts the fact that their father will let him study by himself.

Chintan looked at Chetanya through the rearview mirror and spoke 'hundred and ten percent sure'.

'By the way Jennie...' 'Its Jennifer ' Chetanya started but Jennifer discontinued him.

'Yeah, yeah...whatever...so I was asking, will you like to join us tonight at the party. It will be all fun, Dance songs booze and everything' Chetanya asked all excited wanting her to come along.

'I would love to...but I don't think my family would like that' She smiled and rejected the request politely but with a heavy heart. Chetanya fell back on the back seat with an unsatisfied look.

'Btw...you guys are going tomorrow?' Jennifer asked breaking the silence. 'Yeah we are' Chintan replied being least interested.

'Where are we going and why I don't know about it' Chetanya asked in cluelessness. 'We are going to TD's village' Chintan replied readily for the outburst of emotions.

'What the ****...' He exclaimed and continued 'why what is the need and why I am the only one who is getting to know about it a day before we leave' Chetanya screamed jumping as he penetrated his head in-between the driver and passenger seat looking at Chintan, who nearly lost the control of the car.

'How am I supposed to know man, why you don't know that we are leaving tomorrow' Chintan screamed back with the same intensity as of Chetanya and tightened his grip on the steering.

'When dad told you' Chetanya asked all bewildered.

'When you were busy munching on my cake that day' Chintan responded as the volume of their larynx lowered.

Chetanya sighed with disagreement and leaned back again on the seat for a few moments before again spunging back in between.

'Why are we leaving' Chetanya asked short. 'Actually, there is a construction going on in the village, and...' Before Chintan could complete Chetanya interrupted 'Oh...so just you and dad...good, Happy Journey' Chetanya leaned back again and sighed but this time in relief.

'Heyyy...Shut up!...we all are going, let me complete first... There is construction going on so, for the inspection and It is your Cousin's marriage' Chintan completed and took a swift turn.

'So it's your wedding' Chetanya spoke all confused.

'No...no...no, why it will be my wedding' Chintan again, screamed as he abruptly slammed the car break in the middle of the road and hit the steering with both his palms turning around and looking at him all frustrated. Luckily it was a very empty road.

'Because You are my cousin' Chetanya spoke with a crooked pout.

'It is Avinash's marriage you asshole, your Chachu's (uncle's) son' Chintan spoke with his hot head.

'Oo' Chetanya exclaimed and leaned back onto his seat and looked outside the window with a crossed arm.

Suddenly both the dudes heard a chuckle and looked at the passenger's seat and saw Jennifer looking at them with lips closed tightly together who happen to be all this time tried to control her giggle. 'You guys are funny' Jennifer commented.

And then silence took over.

After a few minutes, they reached near a big modern school building with thousands of kids trotted around.

Jennifer got out of the car and adjusted her dress before walking towards the school in peep toe-platform heel while swaying her hips.

She came out of the building after a few minutes with a cute little chubby boy wearing a school uniform, as she was about to approach them. A guy came and stopped her.

They saw her talking to him. They couldn't hear them but can recognize the fact that the man looked angry and rough, and she looked considerably afraid. After a minute she came towards them leaving the kid with the man.

She peaked through the window and spoke 'Sorry guys I have to leave... I will talk to Mr. Dewan for half-day' and took the bag from the seat leaving the file she walked away, the man held her wrist tightly and pulled her away. She nowhere looked happy about it.

Chintan looked at Chetanya's face become dull looking at her going away.

To lighten the moment he spoke 'You know who he is'.

'Her husband and son' Chetanya spoke being completely blank.

'Very good at least you know that' Chintan spoke with a scoff and drove off.

...~•~...

Chintan looked at himself in the mirror wearing a navy blue and red casual shirt paired with black jeans, before walking out of his room with Sadie.

He stepped down and saw Tushaar at the bar, he walked towards him 'TD I called Mr. Mehra but, a girl picked up the call, so I told her to inform him'.

Tushaar looked at him with heavy eyes and spoke 'So you have not informed Binay about the papers' as he continued to drink.

'Actually, I sent him the papers this morning through the mail so he might have checked it and got it signed' Chintan spoke as he looked at the clock on the wall indicating 9:00 pm.

'Chintan this deal, the takeover is really-really important' Tushaar spoke and sniffled as he continued to take small sips from the glass.

'TD don't worry, I will get it done...at any cost...and I will again talk to Mr. Mehra tomorrow, as we reach your Village' Chintan insured as he took a glass and poured himself a drink.

'I know you will son, Just don't let your bua know your way of dealing, otherwise, first she is going to behead you and then leave me' Tushaar spoke and chuckled.

'Yeah, I won't let it happen' Chintan spoke with a crooked smile and took a sip out of the glass.

'Get home back soon, we have to leave tomorrow early morning, so don't force me barge into your river' Tushaar spoke and took the last sip out of the glass and kept the glass on the counter and left.

Chintan chocked onto his drink and looked at Tushaar with widened eyes as he walked away wearing a white kurta and white pants. He cursed under his breath.

He heard Tushaar speak and his body heat up with fear and he looked towards Tushaar with a startled look who gave a smirk from behind.

'Bhai... let's go' Chetanya came as soon as Tushaar left and spoke as he set his hairs and looked at Chintan who looked afraid rather shocked.

'Bhai. You ok' Chetanya asked as he shook him by his shoulder. 'Yeah...sorry' Chintan spoke clearing his throat.

'Let's go' Chetanya spoke keeping a hand on his brother's shoulder.

'Yeah... let's go, just let me finish it' Chintan spoke lifting his glass and showing it.

He neared it to his lips to take small sips but in between Chetanya took hold of the glass and gulped it all in a single take. Chintan looked at him with heavy eyes and lips parted.

They both came out of the house. Chetanya sat in the car, Chintan before sitting in the car he took out his phone and dialed a number.

'Hello'

'Hello,' a girl spoke from another side as she picked up the call.

'I am coming in an hour, keep it all ready' Chintan spoke and kept back his phone into his pocket. Then sat in the car and drove.

On the other hand, Pankhuri informed her father about the man who called asking for him.

'Ok, when did he call' Binay asked as he took a sip out of the steel glass containing liquor.

'In the morning, after you left' Pankhuri spoke as she gave him his cell phone.

Binay took his phone and called back, but no response. He signed and again took a sip out of the glass.

Neelima came and asked 'Who is Chintan?'

'He is Tushaar's nephew' he replied. 'Aren't they coming tomorrow ' Neelima asked as she poured him another glass of liquor.

'Yeah, they are' Binay replied completing the glass in a single sip and huffed.

Pankhuri looked at them talking about some people she has never met, and with the least interest in hearing about them, she excused herself and walked away.

She entered her room changed her clothes into something really comfortable, laid on the bed as she closed her eyes, she dozed off into a very sweet dream, unknown to the fact that in less than twenty-four hours a hurricane is about to hit her beautiful and tidy life leaving it upside down and all changed.

...__***__...

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A/N: It was a very long chapter, and I am sorry if you felt bored. So, this is the last chapter of them without any interactions. Hope you all liked it.

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