Angel Khanna

It's close to 1AM. Angel is on a call with her friend Ishika.

"Acha sun na, ye Mahu na mujhe.. Mixed signals deraha hai yar. Kya karu main uska?"

"Aadhi raat ko ye bataane k liye phone kia huh?"

Angel can hear her friend complaining... "sone de yar mujhe!"

"Ishu, sun. main sochri hu. Wo mujhe mixed signal de hi raha hai toh, pehle kadam mujhe hi uthana hoga, huh? Kya kehti ho?"

She asks ignoring Ishika's grumbling.

"Ha uthao! Uthao! Mujhe sone do yar... kal jana na Goa!"

Angel chides her. "Itni bhi kya jaldi hai, sone ki? Meri baat important suno na.. Sote hue na suno! Jaagti raho..."

"Tu sone degi tab na.." Ishika sighs on phone, holding back a yawn. "Sunao.."

"Achi baat hai, warna peet deti tumhe main. Acha, suno. Main sochri hu mauka dekh k kuud jau main Mahi pe. Aur usey humesha k liye apna banau.. I mean.. Usey apni dil ki baat batau... ki main ussey.."

"Haan.. bataadena.." Ishika yawns now.

"Ye sahi rahega na. Kuch gadbad toh nai hoga na..."

There's silence. Angel begins to feel doubtful now. "Tu sorahi hai kya, Ishu?"

"Naa, kaise so skti?! *yawn ** Haan, sab thik hoga. Mujhe bhi lagta ki Mahi k dil me kuch toh special feeling hai tumhareliye."

Angel smiles hearing Ishita's words. She feels a little bad for keeping up her friend when she wants to sleep but she's too happy. She hopes Ishu wouldn't mind--

"I'm happy for you Angel..."

Her friend's words bring a smile to her face. How sweet. They both were thinking the same thing... it's a blessing to have good friends like these.

"Congrats Angel. I'm sure Mahi tumhe na nahi bolega."

She giggles at that.

"Haan, na bolpayega. Haha. shayad hai yar, kuch feeling uske dil me. Tabhi toh wo inna sweetly pesh aata mujhse. Roz ghar drop karta. Kal subah bhi ane wala meko pick karne. Bada hi sweet banda... par tease bhi karta hai... aur bhi bahut se emotions honge uske.. I hope wo mere saat sab kuch share kare.. You know..."

Ishu sighs, "haan.. Ab ye conversation end na hogi... main so jau please?"

"Very bad... dost nahi meri tu.... Khair... jaa soja..."

She pouts a little while hanging up. Then she smiles, looks like Ishu dozed off as soon as she said that. Haha.

Cuddling close to her pet Tuffy, Angel too drifts to sleep.

**

The next morning

She's finished washing her hair, giving a bath to Tuffy when there's a knock on the door.

"Mahi is here!"

She runs to the door with a smile on her face. There he is looking handsome as ever. He smiles as he looks at her.

"Hi, Angie, chale?" then he frowns, "abhi uthi kya?"

"Nahi toh..."

"Jaldi karo breakfast bhi toh khana hai..." he hesitates a bit.

She looks on confused.

"I mean kya hai mere naseeb mei tumhara haat ka bana hua ya restaurant ka?"

He looks at her questioningly. She laughs

"Haha. banaungi. Par time lagega."

Mahi pouts, "too bad. Zyada ruk nahi sakte..."

He leans a little closer to look at her with another smile. Picking up a wet strand of her between his fingers, he sighs dramatically.

"Tumhare baal abhi bhi geele. Kahi thand lage toh? Pehle inko sambhalo."

He tucks her hair behind her ear. Almost. Then he steps back looking away.

"Um.. main bahar wait karta hu..."

Angel sighs when he moves to the lawn.

"Mixed signals firse... aur kya kaha? Angie? Aisa toh usne kabhi nahi bulaya..."
She looks at Tuffy, frowning.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai Tuffy? Offo. tumhare baal bhi geele. Chalo dryer lagate dono."

She takes Tuffy back into the living room. Turning on the electric dryer, she dries her and Tuffy's hairs.

***

She's sitting in her favorite restaurant. Pizza for breakfast is something people don't prefer but she loves it. Mahi has got a pizza for himself which is sweet.

While she eats, he watches her with a smile.

"Mujhe kya dekh rahe ho. Khao bahut tasty hai..."

He smiles again.

"Ha tumhe dekh k lagraha hai, ki tasty hai..."

Angel giggles. He's really sweet and a big tease. But wait--

"Mahi tumne mujhe bhukkad kaha?"

He frowns, moving back in his chair as if he's afraid-

"Nahi toh. Par agar tumne kaha toh hogi tum bhukkad."

That was it!

Angel doesn't care who's watching. She jumps up from her chair and moving around the table she goes to smack his head and pull his hair--

"Awhh.. arey chodo... mazak tha.."

She pulls his hair again, gently though. She can't hurt him
"Acha... fir karo mazak..."

She smacks him again. He holds her hands in his.. She pauses. Looking into her eyes, he smiles a bit sadly

"Nahi karunga baba, pakka. Ab baitho. Kehdia na I'm sorry."

She melts but moves back to her chair. Tuffy is waiting in their car. She can't help but want to go back there.

"hmph.."

***

They are in the car speeding away to the society.

"Arey tum naraz ho?"

Mahi asks after few minutes.

"Ha bahut. Par tumhe kaise pata?"

He laughs, "arey pata hai na. Itni chup ho... maine sorry bola na... chalo ab haso..."

"Hehehe... kafi?"

She huffs and looks away. Tuffy is sitting in her lap. She ruffles his hair.

Mahi says sorry again and turns on the mp3 player.

"See I've got your favorite list here. Suno.. aur smile karo..."

A song begins to play. One of her favorite songs..

Ishq bulava aave jab aave..
Main ta kol tere rehna
Main ta baitha kol tere..

She begins to smile.  what a sweet song... it's as if one suggesting the beginning of their love story. Her anger melting away.

Tainu takda ravaan
Baaton pe teri hansda ravaan
Pagal main khud nu banaanda ravaan
Tu hansdi rave, main hansaanda ravaan
Tenu takda ravan...

She looks at him with a smile. He still has his eyes on the road... but... she can keep looking at him... all day... evry second... 

She hopes he knows she never was angry with him.

***

They are at the society. A few minutes later.

Ishika arrives with a bag. The staff are already present, loading some equipment, cameras, safety gear, raingear, etc into the truck.

As Angel greets her friend excitedly, Mahi turns to Ishika with a smile.

"Why don't you join us in the car? Don't worry truck ko staff sambhalenge."

When Ishika nods, Angie murmurs to herself. 'Kabab me haddi. Par dost hai meri. Pyari wali... leke jana hi hai.'

She gets to know only three of them will be heading out this time. They are usually a group of five, led by Mahi's father often joined by one of his friends.

The drive resumes. Ishika sits in the backseat with her eyes closed. The ride goes on, Angel enjoys the breeze as it begins to drizzle. And the songs playing on the mp3, she loves them too...

Jihna ucche daraan ne
Dilase ditte dilaan nu ji
Sajda ae aisi dehleez nu

Ajj nai taan fer kadey
Mull pata lag juga
Chhediye na pyar de mareez nu
Ajj nai taan fer kade
Mull pata lag juga
Chhediye na pyar de mareez nu

Ishqa avvaleyan da
Rab vallon kalleyan da
Eh taan bas jhalleyan da kamm hai
Bheed vich rall kookan
Maarna asool nai ji
Eh taan bas kalleyan da kamm hai

Lovely song...Lovely lyrics...

Soon Tuffy is asleep. So is Ishika..

Aww..

She feels sorry.. Maybe it's because they both didn't get much sleep last night. But it's a good thing now, isn't it?

She's alone with Mahi.

She leans to her side, resting her head on his arm...

He grips the wheel tighter, turning to look at her for a second before looking at the road again.

"Gussa thuk dia?"

She grips his arm

"Haa. gussa kab thi...."

She yawns... feeling almost sleepy.

"Hey don't sleep!"

She hears Mahi as he pushes her back into his seat with his free arm.

"Now you can sleep."

Is he adjusting her seatbelt?

Her eyelids are falling shut.

She can't see. But she murmurs something in her sleep.

What is it?

'I love you Mahi..."

Did she say it aloud? She is not sure.

***

The Ahuja mansion is large, it stands tall, looking like made out of marble. It still shines as the night begins to fall.

There are a few butlers.

Angel watches, Tuffy close by her heels as the staff begins to unload their truck. This is where they are staying huh?

She hears a loud shriek.

"huh? "

She hurries to find Ishika grimacing...

She's dropped her suitcase into a puddle there in the courtyard.

"Oh god... "

The zipper had opened and somehow clothes got wet.

Ishika frowns, "oh god.. Ye mere saat kya hogaya... mere kapde..."

One of the butlers rushes to her.

"Ma'am koi baat nahi. Dhone k liye dedenge hum inhe."

Another butler readjusts her suitcase.

Angel rubs her shoulder, "it's ok Ishu. I'm here na. You can use my night clothes for today."

Ishika smiles...

She hurries after the butler somewhere.

Angel returns to where Mahi is...he's talking to the Mansion's manager, Mr. Robert.

"Ji han, sir. Sab arrangements hochuke. Aap jitne din reh sakte rahiye. Khana peena sab idher hi. Nahi ye mehman-nawazi hi nahi, humara farz hai.. Chaliye... andar... chote saab bhi andar hi hai."

Robert begins to leave. A few butlers carry hers and Mahi's luggage.

"Chalo, Angel..."

Mahi pulls on her hand when she doesn't move.

"Arey Ishu nahi ayi... is it okay?"

"Wo ajayegi..."

With that he pulls her inside.

"Chalo Tuffy..."

At her words, Tuffy too follows inside.

***

Naman Ahuja..

Angel looks at the man Robert points.

He's quite tall, handsome, but his face is pale... his eyes too... as if he were someone dead.

He smiles, approaching closer and shakes hands with Mahi, this handsome man Naman... he's the sarpanch of this beautiful village? He's so young.. And so... mysterious?

Wait...

Just then, Tuffy begins to bark loudly at Naman... Angel has to grip the whip tighter to pull him back

"Tuffy... come back..."

Why... is Tuffy lunging at Naman?

Tuffy is still barking. Mahi thanks Naman for the free stay and other facilities he's offered.

"Yeh toh humra farz tha. Hum logo ki madad k liye aye aap. Ye choti si gaav hai... ye supernatural beings k wajese aur chota hota jaraha. Aap jitna din chahe utna din yaha reh sakte ho.."

Mahi thanks him again.

"Ji thank you. Mere do dost aur hai... wo aate hi honge... thank you. This means a lot. Aap khud apni mansion me rehne ki jaga derahe..."

Angel frowns. Tuffy won't stop barking. Ishika... where is she?

"Mahi ruko!" she shouts

"Tuffy iss aadmi ko dekh k bhaukraha... iska matlab ye ache insaan ho hi nahi sakta.."

Naman turns to look at her. Angel steps back shivering a little.

"Is it? Ho sakta.. Your dog is stressed."

As he stoops down to touch Tuffy's head, Angel tugs her dog back.

"Stop! Tumhara saya bhi Tuffy pe nahi pad sakta... kon ho tum? Aur kaha hai meri dost?"

Naman grins slyly.

Mahi watches with a shocked look on his face.

Angel frowns deeply.

What's going to happen?

****

AN: finally dimag ki batti chali... I rewrote this chap. I hope you guys like it.

sagelRunsh- yar I hope you like it. Love ya. :*

RuVineet- Der, Naman agaya... hehe nxt is Ishu ka pov. Js wait .. Love ya... :*

Anyone who read... thank you.

Pls vote n comment.

Tc.