"Jiya?" Ranvir's Smooth voice flew in like butter. "O-Oh, yes. Its Me..." She chuckled awkwardly "Where are you?" "NO!, wait I mean... Why didn't you pick up my calls before? I was worried..." "I... was busy,"
He had a girlfriend? "Why so busy?" "I went out of station for some work... You know how it is..." He sounded tired and worn out...
Then she heard a knock on her door "Wait a minute, there is someone on my door." Jiya got up with great effort and opened to door.
It was Ranvir.
A wide innocent grin folded across her face. "You came!" And immediately wrapped her arms around him. Ranvir being careful, wrapped his tough looking arms around her gently. "of course, I did..." He barely restrained himself form calling her some endearment term.
"would you like something to eat? Or drink? or anything?" She asked enthuastically. "No, Jiya... Let's just talk. We haven't talked in a while" He led her back to the bed and sat down on one end. Jiya climbed up to sit at her spot with her back to the headboard.
Then they talked...
"Where is Pawan, Jiya?"
"I dunno... He left without telling me and now his phone is switched off..."
"strange..."
"Don't worry, a maid told me they went abroad for few days... maybe a week..."
And Before they knew it, It was dark outside.
So... Ranvir asked if he could stay the night. And thankfully by this time, Pawan's Phone was turned on. Apparently, he and his family were in UK.
"But, remember. No funny Business with Jiya. You just keep her company." Pawan's words kept ringing in Ranvir's mind throught the dinner, His eyes remained distant.
"Ranvir...?" Trying to make eye contact with him "bachha... don't eat while talking.[1]" he scolded gently and her lower lip sticks out to a pout "You know you can go to your home if you don't want to be here..." She nudged him gently, While his gaze was distant and fixed on a point on the floor.
He finally sighed after few tense moments. "I'm sorry Jiya, I am just... stressed..." "Stressed? you know you can't be saying that word to a teacher." She grinned playfull. "You know, we can try stuff to reduce your stress!" "Oh, what is that, Miss Teacher-with-no-stress?" "um... Cooking!" She dropped her spoon by mistake in excitement.
"Cooking? Strange..." He mumbled "NO, not strange. We can Try! Uh... we can make... something!" Seeing her enthusiasm, he chuckled, reached out and ruffled her hair "Alright, Little Jiya... We'll cook."
Jiya, being the ball of joy - she was, ran into the kitchen, despite the late hour "Jiya-" Ranvir cuts himself off, a soft smile on his lips as he followed her. "Careful with your bad side..." He mumbled softly, gently pulled her into a soft hug. "We'll make you feel good." He promised, his voice barely above a whisper.
Soon, water was boiling on the stove. Her giggles were echoing in the now empty kitchen. Bhumi, the head maid of the mansion, secretly took her picture of laughing with ranvir, knowing that Pawan would be really happy to see His Jiya happy.
Jiya and Ranvir ended up with a mystery stew and faces red with laughter.
Meanwhile,
Pawan sat at the other end of the world, waking up to find tons of picturs of Jiya and Ranvir.
Together.
Happy.
Pawan felt a pleasant heat in his chest seeing hisJiya smiling but also a spark of... protectiveness seeing her with Ranvir. Maybe jealousy too.
Jiya called him after Ranvir left. and when he didn't pick up, "Helloooo, Pawan!" She shouted in the voice mail. "Get your annoying arse here!" She added with a giggle. She knew he was busy and she decided to annoy him no further
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[1] Bachha means Child/a term of endearment used for 'little one'(s)