Hello guys so as you people asked I gave four updates of Khamoshiyan this month!

Because most of you don't check message boards, let me ask here. Next which book's update you want?

Before you answer that I would also like to let you know that Khamoshiyan has max ten chapters left where as Dil ki baziyan has around 20 Or even more chapters left .

So whatever you decide I will proceed accordingly!

Happy reading!

~~~

I walked in as the tip of my heel touched the ground.

"Welcome @BaniSharma ! "

Said the interviewer.

"Thank you "

I replied and settled down. I could see all my friends settled in the front row and even him.

He who was my first source of writing.

Pehele anokhi dosti ke barein main usse milkar likha, phir pyar ke barein main bhi ussi se jan kar likha, bas itna nahi pata tha ki dard aur bewafai ke kisse bhi ussi se jan kar likhungi.

"So Ms Bani Sharma, I am Manara Agnihotri. Your host of the day! "

She said with a bright smile.

"Nice meeting you Manara and Thank you for having me here. "

I said with my widest smile.

"Okay so Ms Bani, Can you tell us a little about Gehraiyan? "

She asked.

"So Manara, Gehraiyan is a take on journalism. The ups and downs that journalists face and the choice between what actually happens and what people want to see happening. It projects upon the atrocities that people face due to abuse of power by higher authorities or people only seeking lucrative deals. "

I said.

"Wow that sounds intense..! So Ms Bani what would you like to tell us about the touch of romance in this novel..? "

She asked.

" Manara the romance in this book is very different from any typical love story. The male protagonist is a Reporter while the female protagonist is from a very poor household where they are being used as puppets by people in power to sell drugs. So the story is very intense. Here the characters are not perfect rather grey. So the romance in this book slowly crepts into the plot and amidst all the darkness the leads find the light within each other. "

I said.

" That's a lovely answer. So now Ms Bani many of your fans are present here today and they are here with alot of questions for you but before that do you want to tell something to your fans?"

She asked.

"My Readers are my strength. As a writer we create a world of our own through the drop of ink on the paper but it's the readers who put life in this world. Who make the characters come alive. No matter good or bad character, the true essence of their creation is through the emotions that the lovely readers attach with it. So yes I just want to tell that I love you all and you keep me going. "

I said with a smile and my readers in the audience along with my friends clapped.

" Aww.. That's really sweet of you. By the way you have your readers right in front of you as well.. "

She said pointing towards herself and chuckled.

"Thank you.. "

I said.

"Okay so now let's start with the fan questions. "

She said.

"Whoever wants to ask a question raise your hands. "

She said and few hands lifted up.

The mic was passed to people.

"Hi ma'am, I am Ankita ! So my question to you is- What inspired you to write this book? "

She asked.

"Hello Ankita ! Firstly please don't call me ma'am, we are a fam so no formalities. Coming to your question So the basic essence of this story came through reading articles on things that are happening around us. We often read alot of articles on corruption, red tapeism and the suppression of the victims but often these articles are being casualised by us. We feel that bhai ye toh roz hota hein iske barein main kyun baat karna . But we need to understand that just cause things happen daily doesn't mean it's right. So my initial thought was to stop this casualisation and take action against these societal evils. "

I said.

"Thank You Di.. "

She said with a smile and sat down.

"Next question"

Manara said.

"Hello author, I am Isha. So my question is with how much gehraiyan did you sketch your male protagonist? "

She asked and I smiled listening to the word play.

"Hello Isha. So the male protagonist is a morally grey character. Initially he is a reporter who is driven by the desire of going at the top. No matter if the news is twisted or partially correct. He just wanted to be at the top but slowly when he investigates this area he sees another perspective of life. He understands through the female protagonist that how we can find happiness in small things. He learnt how no matter how many webs of deception and greed is surrounded around us , finally the truth dusted them off.

So yes The male protagonist is a very layered character. Who will develop as you proceed reading. "

I said.

"Thank you Author but can I ask you a question on a personal note ? "

She asked.

"Yeah sure "

I said.

"Would you give second chance to a guy who has deceived you or was imperfect for you and is trying to become a perfect version for you? "

She said and somehow immediately my eyes locked with Veeranshu's . He also was looking at him ardently. He was impatiently waiting for my answer.

"No.. "

I said and he looked down hiding his very evident emotions.

"I believe no one is perfect in this world. So I don't expect anybody to be perfect for me. When we love someone we love them with their imperfections. So I don't want a perfect guy but I want a honest guy. Someone who will fight for me. Someone who will not break my heart into thousand pieces. Someone who will not break his promises. Someone who will love me forever just like I do.. "

I said as a lone tera escaped my eyes and I could see he lifted his gaze. His eyes were wet and his eyebrows scrunched together.

" Ms Bani got emotional.. "

Manara said and everybody smiled a little.

"I am good.. "

I said.

"Okay so then let's proceed with the next question.. "

Manara said.

"Hello Ma'am! I am Aishwarya. So My question is you often put poetry and shayaris in between the plot which very well correlates with the story's plot. So how do you do that? "

She asked.

"Hello Aishwarya, so many people have asked me this question that how do you do this but honestly it's something that comes very naturally to me. I just imagine the situation and try creating one. Before becoming a writer I was a poetess so that kinda helps. Also, I never force myself to come up with a poetry in every bit of the story wherever my heart tells I just go with it."

I said and she smiled and sat down.

"Okay so let's have the last question of the day..!"

Manara said.

"I have a question "

A girl from the back said.

The mic got passed.

The girl got up . Her face was still down so we couldn't see her. Her hair strands were covering the features of her face as well.

"Bani.. "

She said in a demonic voice and I knew what was going to happen.

NO! NO! NO! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING NOW!

But everyone's here, so they can see what I see.

" Bani.. "

She again said but this time along with her everyone in the crowd stood up.
All of them had a creepy smile and black eyes.

"BANI"

This time all of them said together shivering me to the cor and I stood up from my place as they started surrounding me.

I saw my friends also approaching me with the same look.

"Mayu.. Veer. Meera.. Guyssss what are you doinggggg?? "

I screamed but all of them kept moving near me.

"TRUTH OR DARE BANI? "

They shouted together as I shut my ears.
Suddenly the lights went off and I looked up with my tearful eyes.

When suddenly a dark figure came towards me and I screamed.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

I shouted.

"TRUTH OR DARE BANI? "

The demon asked and her hand was about to touch my neck.

"TRUTH!!!!! "

I said.

"WHAT IS MAYURI HIDING FROM VEERANSHU?"

It asked.

"MAYU CHEATED ON VEERANSHU WITH JAY!!!!"

I said with my eyes closed as I covered my ears with my hands.

Tears were falling from my eyes continuously when suddenly I heard loud whispers around me and the clicks of photographs.

I slowly opened my eyes when I looked around me.

Everybody were seated as it is.
Mayuri was looking at me with hatred in her eyes. Tears were also forming in her eyes.

Veeranshu looked at me with shock and confusion as if he didn't know how to react. His anger thought was quite evident.

All my other friends we're also surprised and the readers were whispering among themselves.

"So guys we need to end the interview now. Thank you from coming here Ms Bani.. "

She said awkwardly.

I saw Veeranshu immediately leaving in anger.

I got off the stage and went towards Mayuri.

"Mayu.. Mayu.. You need to understand I didn't do this wantedly.. The game has followed us back... I had to tell the truth... "

I said as tears fell from my eyes.

Mayuri didn't reply and kept walking.

"Mayu please I am not lying.. Trust me.. "

I said holding her hand.

"Leave my hand Bani Sharma or I will fucking break them... "

She said with pure hatred and anger.

"Mayu please.. "

I said pleading.

"You did my character assassination in front of so many people, I told you... I told you I will tell the truth to Veer today but no.. No... You did all this.. You did it wantedly because you wanted my Veeranshu.."

She said with anger.

"You think I can do that..? "

I asked being broken.

" After witnessing your flip of character today, I think you can do anything homewrecker.. "

She said and I was beyond shocked.

"What did you just call me..? "

I said as my heart broke completely.

"What you heard... Bloody homewrecker or better a fucking slu.. "

Before she could complete her statement and almost kill me from within Meera came there.

"Don't you dare Mayuri.. Because we all know the only one who couldn't keep it in her pants is you.. ".

Meera said and Mayuri looked hurt.
No! No! I don't want all these fights. Everybody's hurt.

It's that game that bloody game. It's not just playing with us physically but also mentally.

It wants to break us, so we kill each other ourselves.

" Go to hell you guys! "

She said and went out following Veeranshu.

"What the hell Meera, Why did you shout at her? "

Tapish said.

"She was spitting nonsense. If Bani wanted Veer she wouldn't do all this publicly, she knows Veer hates all this. And Mayuri cheated so she can't call her what she was about to say.. "

Meera said as I kept quite. I felt numb.

"So we are casually going to ignore whatever happened from Bani's end. What kind of bitch does this to her best friend? "

Tapish said.

"Tapish shut up! "

Aakesh said.

"Bani baby you clearly need some counselling. That night in Goa has affected you badly. Whatever is happening to you.. This fear and voices that you are hearing.. "

She said and I looked at her. How does she know?

"Mayuri told me that things were not that good with you... So I kinda understood. "

She said.

"Guys I know what I am seeing is real! It's actually happening. Michael wasn't lying when he said that if we don't follow the rules of the game we die.. "

I said panicking.

"I can't even tell you what all I am seeing around me... "

I said holding my head.

"Bani you need rest.. "

Meera said.

"I will take care of Bani.. You look for Mayuri "

Aakesh said and Meera and Tapish nodded.

I came out with Aakesh and soon got into a cab to go to the airport.

I was looking outside. The horrific encounters were still running in my mind.

Aakesh did'nt say a word. He gave me that space that I really needed at the moment.

Mayuri's poisonous words were also haunting my soul. I know why she reacted that way after all I humiliated her in front of everyone. Though few of her word choices really hit me.
But at this moment I need to protect everybody.

My turn was over that means it was another person's turn now.

Will the game continue in the same order or will it be random? So many doubts, questions and confusion were going in my mind.

Suddenly while crossing a bus stand, I saw someone familiar.

"Aakesh.. Stop the car.. !! "

I told Aakesh.

Aakesh put the brake.

"What happened Bani? "

He asked.

"I saw Veeranshu.. "

I said.

Aakesh looked back and even he saw Veeranshu.

" Let's get him in.. "

He said.

"Aakesh you go, I will get him. We need to talk about.. "

I said rubbing my elbow being nervous. He looked expressionless and I didn't know what he was going to say.

"Bani I am not going to leave you two.."

He said.

"Aakesh please.. "

I said.

"I will not come out and I will put loud music but I will stay right here... You both can talk.. "

He said.

"Alright.. "

I said.

I slowly started moving towards Veeranshu.

"Veeranshu.. "

I said slowly and he lifted his gaze.

"What are you doing here.. ? "

He said in anger.

"Veeranshu you need to leave with me and Aakesh... Don't stay alone it's not safe.. We don't know whose turn is next.. "

I said.

" Ye sab meri galati hein na.. "

He started speaking calmly in between. But that calmness was dangerous. That calmness was suppressing alot of anger and pain.

"Veeranshu..? "

I asked confused.

"Ye sab meri galati hein na.. Maine tumhe taqleef di aur tum tumhari insaaniyat kho baithi?"

He said and I looked at him shocked.

"What!? "

I said.

"Tumhare liye apna badla.. Apni dost ki izzat se bhi badi hogaya.. Mujhe sabke samne nicha girane ke liye, ye dikhane ke liye ki mujhe bhi rishte main dhoka mila tumne apni dost ko badnaam kar diya..? "

He said looking at me .

" Shut up Veeranshu! Just shut up! Khudko itni importance mat do meri zindagi main. Humare bich jo rishta tha na , jo mohhabat thi, uss mohhabat ke raste ko tum kabka chod kar ja chuke the, piche mud kar ek baar tumne dekha bhi nahi aur tumhare jate hi maine unn rasto ko aage ek deewar bana di.. Jahan se tum aur tumhari yadein dono kabhi wapis na aa paye... "

I said being agitated.

"Accha toh phir aaj tumne jo sab kiya uska kya justification hein tumhare pass..??"

He asked.

"I told you Veeranshu.. It's the game. It has followed us back.. "

I said.

" Jhuth! Jhuth! Sab jhuth! "

He said holding my hand and pulling me closer.

"Yahan agar koi jhutha hein toh woh bas tum ho Veeranshu main nahi.. "

I said firmly as tears formed in my eyes.

" See that's what I am talking about .. You wanted your revenge.. "

He said.

"Tumhe maine pehele bhi kahan tha abhi keh rahi ho.. Tum mere badle ke layak bhi nahi.. Meri khamoshi hi tumhare liye kafi hein.. "

I said.

" Toh phir tumhare ye aakhein kuch aur kyun kehti rehti hein sweetheart? "

He said tucking a hair strand behind my ear.

"Don't Veeranshu.. "

I said taking a step back as my breathe laboured with the proximity.

" Kyun dar lag raha hein ki kahi ye sach na bahar aa jaye ki aaj bhi woh yadein tum main zinda hein.. "

He said.

" Woh yadein fareebi nikli.. Aur fareeb ko kon yaad rakhna chahta hein. Tumne jo mere sath kiya.. Kuch waisa hi tum abb meri dost ke sath kar rahe ho.. "

I said.

" Dhoka tumhari dost ne diya hein mujhe.. "

He said.

"Aur tumhe uss dhoke se zyada fikar mere badal jane se hein. Tumhe uss dhoke se kam taqleef ho rahi hein aur meri aakhon main tumhare liye jo nafrat hein woh tumhe andar andar se zyada kha rahi hein. Toh dhokha toh tumhari taraf se bhi hua na? Dhoka sirf physical hokar nahi diya jata Veeranshu.. Emotional cheating is also cheating. Main ye nahi keh rahi ki Mayuri sahi hein, woh bohot galat hein par tum bhi puri tarah sahi nahi ho. "

I said and he kept looking at me.

"Main ja raha hoon.. "

He said avoiding eye contact.

" Yehi toh tum karte aaye ho Veeranshu.. Bhagte aaye ho.. You were and still are coward!!! "

I said in anger.

"I am not a coward.."

He said.

"Then why did you leave me the very next morning that we slept together? Do you realise how broken I was..? "

I said crying while he closed his eyes controlling his tears.

"For the first time I gave myself to a guy completely and the very next morning I just found an empty bed and a fucking letter... A stupid fucking letter stating that it was a mistake and we don't belong together???? "

I said with tears falling from my eyes.

"Sweetheart.. "

He said moving near me.

" Don't call me that.. Tumhare muh se ye shabdh abb gali lagti hein mujhe.. "

I said with my eyes being all red.

" Agar main kahu meri koi majboori thi toh..? "

He said and I kept looking at him.

" Dur jaane ke ye jahan sau wajah de sakta hein par pyar ke liye rukne ke liye bas ek wajah kafi hti hein. Mujhe sach bata kar agar mujhe tum chorte toh woh mujhe manzoor tha par buzdil ke tarah bhag jana iske liye main tumhe koi maafi nahi dungi.. "

I said as an uncanny silence spread between us.

He didn't say anything either. Tears fell from our eyes.

He started moving towards the car . And I wiped off my tears and went near the car too.

I sat in front and Veeranshu behind.
None of us spoke anything.

We soon reached the airport where everybody were already present.
Mayuri was sitting in a corner with tear stained cheeks.

Three of us were looking lifeless.
No Bani, you can't be vulnerable. You need to save them.

"Guys, I know you might not trust me but I am not lying. All of us have to be careful. "

I said.

"Shut up Bani. Stop this nonsense! "

Tapish said.

"I don't care how much you guys curse me but I AM TELLING THE TRUTHHHHH!! "

I yelled.

"You need help Bani "

Meera said with concern.

"Guys if I am right and the game follows the sequence in which we played the game originally then Jay's life is in danger. We need to alert him. He is an ass but he doesn't deserve to die. "

I said.

"You are a player Bani Sharma. Janbujhkar uss ladke ka naam le rahi ho na tum.. "

Mayuri said moving towards me.

And that was the moment I realised that I had lost my best friend.

Tears again slipped through my eyes.

And that's when our phones beeped with notifications.

I didn't open my phone because I was no more in that state.

All of them looked at their phone except me and Mayuri.

And all of them suddenly gazed at me with shock.

"Wh.. What happened? "

I asked.

" JAY'S DEAD"

Veeranshu said.

And just like that the game of death and separation had begun.

~~~

How was the chapter guys? Sorry agar thoda boring laga ho toh 😅

Did you like Bani's interview?

Comments on Mayuri and Bani's fight?

What about Vani's fight. Who are you siding with ?

Jay's dead :/

Stay tuned to know about the mystery of Jay's death , Vani's romantic flashback of their first time and of course the next victim of the game.

Also, Vani ke beech tension thoda kam karenge. Bohot ladaiyan ho rahi hein😭

Love you all.