(Shanaya came to her room not before getting herself a hot coffee and she got another cup of coffee as well.! As per her deduction she is expecting someone to stop by.!! She went to her room and took shower and changed into her pjs.!! She was just sitting in the balcony that was in her room with coffee in her hand and gazing at the stars.!! It's been a while since she sat like this just for her own me-time.! She was thinking about all the events that took place today.! And a smile spread up on her face.! She then put aside her cup and closed her eyes.... she is now unaware of anything that happens around her or anyone who is coming or going as she is in her "Mind Palace". Basically she is going through all the things and moments that she has witnessed by the time she stepped in Oberoi Mansion till date.! This is a place in her mind she stores everything that she witnessed and that she thought could be important anytime.! This place do not have any unnecessary things or information! She gets so into it that her hands starts to act as if she is touching a touchscreen and sliding the slides of events and moments from one side to another. Basically she is visualizing everything with her eyes closed and going through all the useful memories she has kept from the day 1 in Oberoi Mansion.....
She kept on going through every detail that she has seen and experienced here at Oberoi mansion and outside where she was with Aditya...... usually she will look for everything that is related to the case so that she can get a clue for the main culprit, but this time her heart took over her brain and that was making Shanaya just look for the times when Aditya behaved weird or when he behaved the way he behaved today.! Being Jealous..!! Being Possessive.! She was doing all this and she didn't knew when Manav came into her room and sat beside her not before taking his cup of coffee that was laying on the table with a lid on.! When he saw Shanaya he got scared.! Like really scared...... he tried to call her and get her attention so she stops being this weird and scary as she has her eyes closed and moving her hands in a strange way.! For Manav it seemed as if she was doing some kind of sorcery.!.! He right away video called Priya! After 6-7 rings she finally picked up and before Manav could say anything she started yelling at him in a sleepy voice......

Priya: Maaaaaanaaaaaavvvvvv.!!! You idiot.! You rascal.!!! Are you human.???  Are you even normal.???? If you are a night owl let other normal people sleep you son of a.....(cut by Manav....)

Manav: Stop stop stop.!!! My God.! How can you speak like this while sleeping???

Priya: FYI I WAS sleeping.!!! You woke me up you IDIOT.!!!!!

Manav: Okay okay.!! I am showing you something... please tell me what's wrong with her? I tried everything to stop her from doing that but ..... no use.!!!

(Manav just flipped the camera of his phone and Priya saw what he was trying say and understood what Shanaya was doing and started laughing looking at Manav's situation.!! Watching her laugh made Manav confused and he asked her..)

Manav: Care to explain!!!!!

Priya: She is in her Mind Palace.!!

Manav: Which Palace Now.!???

(Priya then explained everything about Shanaya's way to go back into her memory lane and look for answers and the place where she keeps all her thoughts and memory and every single detail.... Shanaya has named it Mind Palace.! There is no way Manav could bring her back until she opens her eyes on her own.! Hearing this Manav said...)

Manav: What.???? We can do that.??? Like going back into the memory lane??

Priya: Nope.! We can't.! Only SHE can.!!

Manav: So.? I can't wait forever dude.! I need to talk to her.!!

Priya: Then do something that will pull her out of her "mind-palace"!

Manav: Like what? I tried.... But of no use.!!!

Priya: Do something that will make Shanaya take an action, something she don't want to happen.!

(Manav got an idea and he kept his phone on the stand in a way that Priya can see them and he went close to Shanaya and yelled closed to her ear.......)

Manav: OH MY GOD.!!! PLEASE DON'T SHOOT ADITYA.!!!!!!

(Within a fraction of second Shanaya's eyes were open and she was ready to jump and get out of there and move towards Aditya's room...)

Shanaya: Shit.! No no no ...., Where the hell is Aditya.???? Why is he not here???? I need to get to him.!! How come someone come here and break in? Where is the goddamn security.??

Manav: Relax relax.. Shaant Meri Jhansi ki Rani..... Shaant.!!!!!
I wanted to get you out of your "Mind Palace" so just screamed like that.!

Shanaya: The hell????
(She said sighing in relief and sitting down on the couch again)

Manav: Dude.! You freaked me out.! What were you doing? If it wasn't for Priya I would have called an ambulance!!!!!

(Manav said sitting next to Shanaya )

Shanaya: I was just thinking man.!!!!

Manav: Thinking???? About what.???

Priya: Wrong question.! Ask "About WHO?" "Who were you thinking of??" Shaaaaaaaaaan.!

(Priya said through the phone that Manav kept on the stand as the video call was still on...)

Shanaya: Oh! So you are here too.?

Priya: Don't change the topic.. Tell us.! Aditya was the one you were thinking of..! Isn't it.???

Shanaya: Ya.... (She said sighing and looking at the stars again...)

Manav: WOW.!!!!! The Shanaya Shekhawat.!!! Are you for real.??? You are actually accepting that you were thinking about Aditya.!!!!

Shanaya: Ya so.??? Aren't you here to talk about that only.????

Manav: Wha.... What..??? I mean ya... But... How... why.... I mean how come you are so cool and open about it.????

Priya: That's Shanaya for you..!!!

Shanaya: Shut up yaar !!! Calm down.! Have your coffee.!

Manav: Hmm.... So.??? Got your answers..??? (He asked sipping his coffee)

Priya: Ooooo yes.!!! Even I wanna know..! Cz when I disconnected the call he heard you saying that "He is just your CLIENT" idiot.!! You should have told me na.!!!!

Manav: What.? Just a Client.? Shanaya.!!!!

Shanaya: Arey.!!! It was before all that...... that was the trigger point of the whole thing that happened..!!!

Priya: Are but what happened.!??? Can one of you fill me in.????

Manav: So long story short..... Ms. Shanaya FLIRTED with Aditya and left him Speechless.!!!! (He said dramatically....)

Priya: What's new in that.? They always tease each other.! Why are you making it a big deal..!

Manav: Cz it was not a tease.!  Shanaya really "FLIRTED" with Aditya.!!! Ooooo the way I saw Aditya when I reached there....
He was spaced out..... like really out.!! 2 times.! Lemme tell you that too.!!!

Priya: No waaaay.!!!!!

Manav: Yes way.!! Ask Shanaya.!!

Shanaya: He he... (she chuckled) Goodness you two.! Suchha drama.!!! Yes.! Yes I did flirt with him.! Well.. a healthy flirting..! I think it's not a crime.!!

Manav: Not at all..... I to loved it.!!! Dude... his face was priceless.!!!! ( he said laughing)

Priya: Shan.... does that mean..!!!!!?

Shanaya: I don't know okay.! Like not know know..! I do know that I like him.! But it could be attraction too.!!!

Manav, Priya: WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY.????

Shanaya: What.???

Priya: You just said something.!

Shanaya: Oh .! Ya.. it could be attraction.!!

Manav: No no.. in the beginning..!

Shanaya: I don't know.!!!

Manav: What.?

Shanaya: That's what I said in the beginning..!!

Priya: Noooooooo

Manav: In between..... what did you say in between those two sentences.!!!

Shanaya: That I like him.!

Priya: Oh God.!

Manav: Pinch me.!

(Shanaya punched him square on face....)

Manav: What the..... what was that for.... oooouuuuch...! That hurts lady.!

Shanaya: Good.! Now until you feel this pain don't you dare try to do more drama.!!!

Manav: Are yaar.! It's not drama.! You seriously just admitted that you like him.!

Shanaya: Ya.... But I also said that it could be attraction.!!!

Priya: We will see about that... It's new..! Give this new feeling some time.!!!

Shanaya: Hmm..... I was thinking the same.! But you know... I think he doesn't feel the same.! Or... what I think is the main reason is that he is confused and still don't want to believe that he likes me.!!!

Manav: True.! Dude I was actually expecting the opposite honestly.!!

Shanaya: Elaborate....,

Manav: I was expecting Aditya to know his feelings first and you would be the tough one to crack..! 

Priya: I knew it will be Shanaya..! Cz she is very clear about her thoughts.! If Yes than yes if No then it will be forever No.! But now what.!?

Shanaya: Look up until now... there were many... I mean many circumstances that he got jealous or got possessive about me.! So that means there is something.!

Manav: But now we have to make him realize what it is actually.!!

Priya: Hmm.... so we have to make a plan..!

Shanaya: Nope..! Plan is on it's way .!!!!

Priya: What.???

Manav: When did you do all this.?

Shan: Look my phone is not only for you two.! I have other friends too.! Or should I say best friend's boyfriend.!!!!

Priya: NO YOU DIDN'T.!!!!!

Shanaya: Too late.! He is on his way.!

Priya: How in the world did he agree.???? I told him in the beginning.... I tried to convince him like crazy..!!  He said strictly NO.! How in the way did he agree with you.!!!

Shanaya: That's for me to take care of and you to figure out.! (She said winking at her with her signature smirk )

Manav: Damn man.! I was loving that sweet Shanaya.!

Shanaya: Don't you dare call me sweet.!
Anyways he will be here in the morning before breakfast.! So he will be joining us for breakfast.! Make sure Manav, Aditya should come along with me downstairs.! He should meet JAAN along with me.! Not before nor after.!

Manav: Wait.. JAAN???? I thought JAAN is ....

Shanaya: There is a reason why I call him JAAN as well...... Right JAAN.???
(She said looking at  Priya.! To which she just blushed and nodded her head in yes..!)

Manav: Okay. Got it.! But what's the plan.!?

Shanaya: No scripts Manav, go with the flow.! Also he is coming as my back up as uncle has planned a party tomorrow in the evening.! And will stay here for sometime after that so arrange a room for him as well.! You know which room will be better.!

Manav: Okay..... then.... it's really late.! We have got barely 2 hours of sleep left.! Let's go and get ready for tomorrow.!

Priya: Bye guys ..... Good luck.!

(She said and disconnected the call.!)

Shanaya: Yup let's sleep.! Tomorrow it's going to be fun.! Cz the Game is On.!!!!!!!!!

Manav: Hey.! Tell me one thing...(Cut by Shanaya.!)

Shanaya: I think I told you enough for today.!!!

Manav: Just one thing.! You called Priya's boyfriend as you call him JAAN as well..! But you actually got a call from Priya at the gym.! But as you saw that Adi got triggered when you called "someone" whom he thinks is your "boyfriend" JAAN so you called Priya's boyfriend.!!!

Shanaya: Wow.! You know me quite well.!!!!

Manav: I am learning.!! Unfortunately my stupid friend don't.!!! But hey who is Priya's boyfriend.?? Show me the picture.!

Shanaya: Oh ya.! I should have their pictures together.! Wait lemme check.!

(She starts to check the pictures in her phone and finally she got one picture of them together..!)

Here.... It's Priya and her JAAN...... Jihaan. Aka.. JAAN.!!!
(She said showing him the picture with a wink...)

Wanna see which picture she showed and who are they.????

Manav: WOW. .!!!! They look good together.!!!

Shanaya: They both are the best.! You know Priya..... my JAAN..! And Jihaan..... Priya's JAAN..! If I wanna irritate Jihaan.... I call him JAAN.!!!

Manav: Damn son.!!! He. Is. Ripped..!!! And looks...... I don't wanna say but.... He looks HOT.!!!

Shanaya: He is Smart and quick and damn funny.!

Manav: He will be a tough competition to Adi.!!!! Oooooo it is going to be fun.!!!

Shanaya: He he... I know.... now get the hell out of here.... see you in the morning.! Or should I say in an hour.!!! Will have to take a power nap tonight.!!!

(Manav waved her good night and left for his room...she too went to her bed and laid down to take her power nap....)

(It was morning..... Shanaya had skipped her gym routine today as she had to take care of other stuff... Aditya when didn't see her at the gym, asked Manav obviously as according to Aditya, Manav knows everything related to Shanaya.! Manav somehow convinced Aditya saying that as she did her workout last night she didn't want to do it in the morning again.! Which was bit hard for Aditya to believe but he agreed half heartedly..! Aditya was still thinking about what Manav made him realize last night.! He still thinks it's not like that..... Aditya was in his room getting ready for breakfast when Manav came to his room not before giving 3 taps on Shanaya's door which means they will be coming out in 15 minutes.!! Told you.!!! Manav is learning.!!!!)

Manav: So Adi..! Ready.??

Aditya: Almost.!!! Just give me 5 minutes.!!

Manav: So.??? What do you think.??

Aditya: I think I will wear black today.!

Manav: What.? Oh God Adi.! I am talking about last night bro.!!! You think you are in ....(cut by Aditya..)

Aditya: NO.! It was just heat of the moment.!!! That's it.!!!

Manav: Heat of the moment.!!! Seriously.??

Aditya: Look..! She is my bodyguard.! It's just this role playing thing just gets me sometimes.!! I don't think it's something else.!!!

Manav: Seriously.?!! Adi are you kidding me right now.???

Aditya: Look Manav..... Me and her...... We are totally different...... complete opposites.!!! I should say polar opposites.!!! I don't think she even understands the concept of Love and all... Dude she is a bodyguard.!!! She is an agent.! She kills people... she beats the shit out of them mercilessly.! Cz she doesn't have a heart.!!! I don't think she even knows what is it to like someone forget about love..!!! There is no way.... like no freaking way I could fall in love with someone like her..! Who is...... is.....

Manav: Strong..... Tough..... brave.... confident..... powerful..... sassy...... fearless......

Aditya: Stop stop stop..... geez.!! Enough already.....

Manav: No dude...... what you said was more than enough.!!! This is not you Adi...!! What you said was actually your own fear and your inability to accept your true feelings.!! This time you crossed your limits Aditya.! I cannot believe you can say something like that about someone.! And that too for Shanaya..!

Aditya: Hah.!!! Wow.! You are actually defending her in front of me.!!! Dude she already has a boyfriend.!!!!

Manav: Really.??? How are you so sure..??? You just said she doesn't have heart, she doesn't understand the concept of love..... as if you do..?? And what not.??? You said she doesn't have heart and all... Then why did you have her your tears right after you met her .! How in the world did she made you feel friendly and so warm that you gave her your tears that you never showed to any of us..! Not me... not even your own father..! And you are saying she doesn't have a heart.!!! Are you even listening to what you are saying.???

Aditya: Look what I am saying is....

Manav: You are just too scared to accept your own feelings.!! Let me tell you one thing..... She doesn't have a boyfriend..... but.... if you get late..... it will be too late for you to realize what you lost..!!!!

(Saying this he stormed out of Aditya's room and got shocked as Shanaya was waiting just next to his door and unfortunately looking at her...... he understood that she heard everything...... this is the last thing he wanted to happen..... all he could think of is give Shanaya a hug...! And that's what he did.! He could feel Shanaya hugging him back tight and he heard a silent hiccup.... after that Shanaya moved back and she was back to normal..!!! )

Manav: S..So....Sorry..! He is just an idiot.!  Like completely gone case...! He is...

Shanaya: I am fine Manav.!!! It's okay...!!

Manav: Its not okay Dude..! He crossed all his limits today..! I am so mad at him.... I could have punched him actually.... but then thought your punch will be better then mine.!!!

(And then both of them laughed....)

Manav: Glad I could make you smile.!!!

Shanaya: God yaar Manav..... I told you I am fine..!!

Manav: You know.... this nature of yours makes people believe that you don't have heart or you are strong enough that nothing could hurt you.!!!

Shanaya: That's what we have to be right.??? Cannot show emotion in this line that I am..! It's not his fault to actually think like that about me honestly.!!!

Manav: See.???? Why can't he see this side of yours.????

Shanaya: Cz I never showed him.!

Manav: He has to see this side of yours Shan..!!! Please........ I beg you...!!!

Shanaya: Stop it Manav, I know that.... he will see it.... but not like that..... through someone else's eyes...!!!

Manav: Who's...??? Ooooooooohh..... Now I get it........ JAAN..??? You are wicked Shanaya.!!!!!

Shanaya: Thanks for the compliment.!!!

Aditya: What compliment.????

Manav: Compliment??? What compliment.??? When did you come Adi.??

Aditya: Just when Shanaya was thanking you for the compliment.!!!

Shanaya: Oh.! That ... actually Manav just gave me a compliment saying I look pretty and sexy in this dress.!!!! That's why I thanked him.....

(She then moved closer to Aditya and pulled him by his collar and asked in a whisper....)

Shanaya: Any problem Mr. Oberoi..????

(And she backed off with a smirk, Manav was just turned his back and trying to control his laughter as he saw Aditya's situation... it was the same...... he spaced out..!!! Manav got back to normal and shakes him off and Aditya got back to reality and said.....)

Aditya: N....No No... Shanaya.... Infact I was going to say that......

(And the bell rang cutting off Aditya to finish his sentence.... they all descended downstairs where both Mr. Oberoi and Mr. Shekhawat were sitting.... They both looked at Shanaya and gave her and small nod..!!!!

Yup you guessed it right..! Both of them are in this plan..!! They had to.!!!

One of the servants went to open the door and she came back saying there is a guy at the door and is saying that Mr. Shekhawat had called him, she even showed them the ID that the guy sent it through the servant..... Mr. Shekhawat took it in his hand and said....)

Chief: Aahha.!! He is here.!!! Send him in .... send him in...!

Shanaya: Who is here oldie.???

Aditya: I didn't knew someone was coming today.!!!

SO: Well.! As you know we are having a party in the evening so I asked Shekhawat to get some back up.! You know we have Shanaya but she is always busy with you..! She will need help...

Chief: So I called him...

Shanaya: Him who..???

(By that time the guy at the door was in the living room where everyone was there and said.....)

: Me..!!!

(Hearing his voice everyone turned towards him and Shanaya just squealed in joy and ran towards him and engulfed him into a hug and him too... he hugged her back and started twirling her....... both seniors and Manav were enjoying it as Aditya was left completely dumbfounded and in shock..!!!)

Aditya: May I know who is this guy..?

(Even though he tried to ask it normally... but everyone could see his gritting teeth...)

Chief: Oh.! He is my second best agent Jihaan Rajput.!

Shanaya: JAAN.!!!! JAAN JAAN JAAN..! What a surprise..!!!!!

Aditya: JAAN.!??????????

Manav: JAAN.!

Chief: Yeah..! That's what she calls him..! JAAN.! Isn't it sweet.???

Jihaan: C'mon sweetheart.! If I would have told you.! How could I have seen this happy face of yours.! Girl... I so missed you...!

(And he hugged her again..... in the meantime Shanaya whispered to him.....)

Shanaya: Kya timing hai sirji..!!!

Jihaan: You know how I am with timing.!

Shanaya: Thanks buddy.!

Jihaan: I am enjoying it actually.. his face is priceless......

Aditya: Ehem ehem...... Care to introduce him SHAN..!! ( He made sure to give more enhancement to SHAN..!!

(They broke their hug and before Shanaya could say anything, Jihaan spoke...)

Jihaan: Shan..!!??? Dude you can't call her that..!!

Aditya: And why is that.???

Jihaan: cause only those who knows her real self have the right to call her Shan..!! No one else..!

(He made sure he is maintaining eye contact with Aditya when he said that....)

Shanaya: Anyways..... Meet Jihaan.... our agency's second best agent.!! Of course after me..!

(She said flipping her hair... and Jihaan rolled his eyes..!)

Jihaan: Such a show off are you..!! But you didn't introduce me properly... well let me do the honors.....
Hello,
(He said forwarding his hand to Aditya, which he unwilling took and shake the hands...)

Myself JAAN..... Shanaya's JAAN.....

(As soon as Aditya heard that he left Jihaan's hand...)

Aditya: What..? You are JAAN.??

Shanaya: Yup..! He is JAAN.! When we are together..

Chief: People think that they are dating.....

Shanaya: Oldie..!!!! (She said with a bit shyness which Aditya noticed and his eyes grew wide...)

You know we are just friends.!!!
And I was going to say: When we are together every mission becomes piece of cake.!

(Jihaan put his hand around her shoulder and said....)

Jihaan: Of coarse Chief.... we are JUST FRIENDS..!!!!

SO: Look.... I can only say one thing... If being with Adi for this long... She was not affected by him.... like he is so irresistible as per every girl that I know of...! And if still she stays unaffected even after playing the role play of a couple with him... Son....!(he said looking at Aditya and Aditya noticed it..... )
Don't miss this chance..... She is a keeper.! You won't find someone like her ever again.! Take your time but make sure you are not late.... or else you might regret what you lost..!!!! (He said looking towards Aditya and then averted his gaze towards Jihaan.. Aditya knew it was for him..... )

Jihaan: Oh my my..! Got it Mr. Oberoi.! I will keep that in mind.!!!

Shanaya: Okay... You go freshen up, will see you in half an hour for breakfast and your room is right next to mine.!

Aditya: What ??? Why..???

Jihaan: Excuse me.!!

Aditya: I mean.... Aah forget it.... the maid will show you your room.....

(Jihaan took his bag and left..... As soon as he left Aditya came towards Shanaya and grabbed her hand and turned her towards him forgetting everyone was still there except for Jihaan...)

Aditya: What the hell was that.??

Shanaya: What..?

Aditya: He is that JAAN you were talking to last night isn't he.....

Shanaya: Look he is JAAN but..

Aditya: So I was right.... he is your boyfriend....

Shanaya: What..? Seriously..!! After all this.. you want to say this..?? Seriously..!!!!

Aditya: What do you mean..??? I need to know about you..! Everything about you..! You didn't say anything about him..! How and why..!! I saw him at the party the other day too.! Damn it.! I am so mad right now..! You...... How could you......???

Shanaya: I did what Mr. Oberoi...... why in the world are you so mad about..?

Aditya: Why am I mad..? Why am I mad...?? Can't you see...??? Can't you feel..???

Shanaya: I don't think I can feel anything Mr. Oberoi..... isn't it..????

Aditya: So you heard it...!!??? Look I didn't mean that okay....

Shanaya: It's okay Mr. Oberoi... ! I think people who know me.....  know me well....! That's enough for me.....

Aditya: Stop . Calling. Me. Mr. Oberoi..!!!

Shanaya: I don't know what's wrong with you and why you are behaving like this... Just leave me, JAAN will be here any minute ... we have to have breakfast......

Aditya: JAAN JAAN JAAN JAAN..... all I am hearing is JAAN JAAN JAAN from last night .! As if his name wasn't enough... he is here now..! 

Shanaya: God Mr. Oberoi...., Leave me ..! Why are you behaving like this...??

Aditya: Why am I behaving like this..? Why am I behaving like this..??? Can't you see..?? Because I.....

Shanaya: Because you what Mr. Oberoi....??

Aditya: Because I...,.....................................

And that's all for this chapter.....

I know I know....
Bit twisty chapter.!!!
Anyways....
You liked my choice of Priya and Jihaan..!!!?
Do you think their plan will work.?
Do you think it will bring a twist in their story.?

Lemme know in the comments..!!!
If you like the chapter..... like and comment!
Till then....
Aadios Amigos
-HP