Question: has anyone ever fallen in love?
I wanna know if the sparks and pacing heartbeat etc in books is true.

Chapter 7 - You're Stupid, Shravan

"Where's Sanya?"

That was the first question raised by Shravan as soon as Ahar met him. A worried Ahar had been contemplating about asking Shravan if she could borrow money from him. He had called her his friend. Ahar's money worry set aside as she processed the words thrown at her.

"How am I supposed to know?" she calmly asked.

"Don't play this stupid oh-I'm-innocent game with me!" he said sharply. Seeing Ahar still giving him a what're-you-talking-about expression, he continued, "There are two kidnappers. One guy and one girl. I get a call and you know what I heard?"

"Enlighten me."

"The girl didn't have a Harayanvi accent." Ahar found that somewhat of a clue, but she didn't see how she was involved. "Shivani has the accent. You and her are the only female suspects."

"I'm a suspect?" Ahar asked taken aback.

"Obviously!" he said frustrated. "You were one of the first people I met in this country. No one just decides to help someone else out without their own motive behind." Ahar watched him, controlling herself. "You don't have the accent! You and your partner--probably your boss--work together to kidnap Sanya!"

Quietly, Ahar crossed her arms. "And what's the motive?"

"Obviously, money! Every time I offered you money, you took it."

Ahar immediately regretted taking money from him. She slightly felt smart for not asking him for money today. Shravan had lost his marbles and was blaming Ahar and Anchal for no reason.

"You don't have a Harayanvi accent either," Ahar said, "Does that make you a suspect?" Shravan narrowed his eyes at her. "You're stupid, Shravan. I don't know how you built up this nonsense accusing me, but it's completely wrong. I helped you because--why am I even explaining myself to you?" Ahar didn't have a lot of time and she needed to get money for her mother. "You have no proof of me kidnapping your girlfriend. Do what you want. Forgive me for trying to help. Apparently, that motive is sketchy enough."

She walked away, rubbing her face.

She felt hurt.

All along Shravan considered her the enemy. She had wanted to shout and snap on him, but who was he to her?

Nobody.

One thing she had learned in school was that don't waste your time on people who don't value it.

Ahar had spent a lot of time trying to find Sanya when she could've found herself a job. Today was Thursday. Shravan was out of her help line. She couldn't ask Suman since her rommate was already taking care of all the bills and rent. Anchal was a potential option but she had already taken her salary of the month out.

She had no one.

Plan B is gonna suck, Ahar thought, running a hand through her hair.

She went home and called all the potential buyers. The highest amount of money she could attain was fifteen thousand rupees. She already had five thousand. Ahar would still remain ten thousand short. She had no other choice. Ahar finalized the deal with the man and they decided to meet after her work.

On the other side, Shravan became furious after Ahar walked away. She still pretended to be innocent!

He decided to follow her every move until he got proof she wasn't innocent.

Ahar went to work as usual.

She came back to her house an hour earlier than normal. Shravan was confused. He waited half an hour and saw a girl come out with a scarf covering her head and face. She held black box in hand. Shravan wouldn't have known it was Ahar if he hadn't seen her outfit earlier . . . and the glasses.

He followed her.

Shravan was sure Ahar was going to meet Sanya or the other kidnapper.

Ahar entered a dark alley. Shravan hid behind a car that was parked nearby. He had his camera ready to snap evidence. Shravan's heartbeat increased as his hopes of finding Sanya ascended.

However, bewilderment overtook when he saw an unfamiliar, short man with a mustache meet Ahar. The man handed the scarf girl money in return for the box. Many questions arose in Shravan's mind. What was in the box? Moreover, where was Sanya? Was this short man the kidnapper?

Ahar told the man something and left in a hurry.

Shravan ran and caught the man as soon as Ahar disappeared from view.

"Stop!" Shravan said, blocking the man's way. His gaze on the box. "What's in there?" Shravan asked. The man gulped. "Give it to me."

"I--"

Shravan hated doing it, but he snatched the box and opened it. Seeing its content made him queasy. His thoughts went back to Ahar and how she wore a scarf.

Was she doing black magic?

"What?" Shravan whispered. "Who are you?"

"I'm a simple barber. That girl called me to sell her hair," the man replied. "It's for her mother's treatment."

Shravan's face fell. It was not the explanation he expected for the hair that was in the black box.

"What treatment?" Shravan asked.

"Her mother has cancer, she told me," the barber said.

Shravan's hand went to his forehead and he mentally cursed. He had completely forgotten about that day in the hospital when Ahar was frantically searching for her mother. No wonder Ahar took the money Shravan offered.

She needed it for her mom!

Maybe that was what she was talking about on the phone that day.

"Goddammit!" Shravan said angry at himself.

"Can I have the box back?"

"I'll pay double of whatever you paid her."

The men made the deal and parted ways. Shravan sat on his bike with the box, just wondering why he even bought it back. For his innocent friend?

He went to Ahar's apartment. A sleepy Suman opened the door.

"Ahar's not back from work yet."

The door slammed shut on Shravan's face. So polite, thought Shravan.

He went back downstairs and wondered where Ahar's family was. He knew absolutely nothing about her.

Seeing no signs of Ahar, Shravan resolved to go home. On his way back, he dropped by the major temple in the area. Maybe God might help him out when no one else could. He left the box on his bike and ran up the steps. Even at midnight, there was a priest and three people.

His eyes coincidentally went to the priest who was talking to someone. As soon as he saw the scarf and glasses, Shravan knew it was Ahar!

Shravan waited off to the side, eavesdropping.

Ahar was continuously wiping her eyes as she talked.

"I don't know what to do," Ahar was saying. "I saw my family for half an hour this year. Half an hour!" The priest gave her a sympathy look. "I made one wrong decision and . . . Papa won't talk to me. Laksh has to sneak to call me. Mumma's in no condition to chit-chat." Ahar clutched her face. "Today, the guy you told me to help accused me of being his enemy! And I made another ridiculous decision."

She left it at that and buried her face in her hands.

Shravan's expression fell. It clicked. The "priest" was . . . an actual priest.

Shravan hit his head against the pillar he was leaning on. It was official: he was stupid.

"Everything happens for a reason, beta (dear)," the priest said. "We don't know what you're destined for, but I will pray for you and your family's well-being."

"Thank you," Ahar meekly replied.

The priest nodded and scurried to the statue of Lord Krishna.

Ahar sat down and let the long scarf loose from her face. How much worse could things get?

Shravan took the opportunity to join her. When Ahar paid him no due, he spoke up.

"Virdee?"

Ahar's ears perked up, hearing her surname. She turned. Her eyes almost popped out of her head seeing Shravan.

"What're you doing here?" she asked.

"What do people visit temples for?" he sarcastically asked. Seeing her glum expression, he softened, "I needed to send a message to God too." Ahar didn't bother replying. She remembered the accusations he had made earlier. "Sorry about this morning. I know you're innocent. I shouldn't have said all that."

"What changed your mind?"

He scratched his forehead. The box was still on his bike. "You really want the answer to that?" Ahar reluctantly nodded. Shravan didn't give her a chance to grasp her headscarf as he yanked it off. The sight wasn't as bad as he expected. But the hair that reached down to her hips now couldn't even reach Ahar's shoulders.

She gave him a horrified look before covering her head again. She couldn't get over the fact that she cut her hair still.

"What the--?!"

Shravan grimaced. "If I had known about your mom . . . Why didn't you tell me?!"

"What would you have done? Taken pity on me?!"

"Were you taking pity on me when you decided to help me find Sanya?"

Ahar sniffled. She had enough trouble for one day. She wondered how Shravan even knew about her mom. Did he go to that hospital where they had met? What about her hair?

"How did you find out about my mom and my hair?"

He gave a childish smile and scrunched up his face. "A little barber told me." Her nose flared. She had told the barber to keep this between them two but nope. "Don't be mad." Ahar pointedly turned away. She was fed up of everything. Her once happy life had turned awful as soon as she stepped out of her house for good. "Just give me one chance."

"Excuse me?"

"Look," Shravan said, "neither one of us are at the brightest time of our lives." Ahar couldn't deny that. "Forgive me for my stupidity. Life is about second chances right?" Ahar wasn't the one to hold grudges, normally, but she still was unconvinced.

"How do I know you don't still consider me a suspect?"

"Stab me with a knife if I ever bring that up again," he deadpanned. Ahar was the only person who knew his situation and could help him. He needed her. Plus, he felt terrible to his "friend"--as he had called her some days ago. "Come on, it's past midnight. Let bygones be bygones." He could see her thinking it over. "I really need your help to find Sanya."

Ahar could understand his problem. She realized Shravan was only going to be in India for a bit. She might cut him some slack. People made mistakes. She herself made quite a lot.

"Fine," Ahar said. "But promise me that I'll get the first wedding invitation."

For the first time since he was with Ahar, Shravan gave a true smile. Ahar couldn't help but smile back.

"I can gurantee that."

Shravan and Ahar both had a different sense of relief. Shravan had his partner and friend back who was innocent. Ahar just had a friend. Also, according to the priest, she needed to help save Sanya so her mother's health could be saved.

Both of them spent only a few minutes more in the temple before taking their leave. Ahar was walking home alone because she needed time to herself. Shravan drove to his house, the box still with him. He just had to wait for a better opportunity to give it to Ahar. As soon he has entered his house, he realized someone was already waiting for him.

Manan.

"What?" Shravan asked.

"What, meri butt (What, my butt)!?"

Manan's retort made no sense. "Something wrong with your bum, bro?" Shravan asked feigning concern.

"No!" Manan whispered harshly. "My bum still dohls to engine ki seeti (dances to the whistle of the engine)." Shravan heavily sighed before heading towards the stairway. Manan was insane and Shravan was not in the mood for this. "Do you know what time is it?"

"I don't care," Shravan replied.

"But you made quite the issue with Shivani."

Shravan turned and faced Manan. "My issue was with her going to a cheap and downmarket place."

"Where were you?"

"Hunting elephants, Mom."

"Your parents want me to stick around with you while you go hunting elephants," Manan said, crossing his arms.

"I was at the temple." Shravan knew he should've been more careful. "Go ask the priest."

"You hang out with the priest from ten in the morning till one at night?"

Shravan rubbed his eyes. He was glad he had left the box containing hair under his bike. That would have raised more questions. He looked at Manan who didn't look he was leaving anytime soon. Since Manan was innocent, Shravan internally debated telling him. His parents put Manan to keeping tabs on Shravan. Shravan needed his cousin on his side.

"If I tell you this, you have to promise not to tell anyone."

"You're in love with the priest?" Manan blurted out.

"Shut up and come with me to my room."

Before Manan could make a wrong remark, Shravan dragged his younger cousin to his room. He told Manan everything and asked for him to be on his side.

"Don't worry, I got your back," Manan promised. Shravan nodded. "And I'll help you find her!" Manan got up and ran to the door. He feared Shravan might say no. "Remember, I report everything to your parents!"

He scrammed out, leaving Shravan shaking his head.

Shravan ran a hand through his hair and sat back.

Now, he had two people helping him.

* * *

"Hey gorgeous, how are you?"

"Hey monkey, stop leaning on my bike," Shravan said before Manan could get anywhere with flirting with Ahar. Manan stood up straight, diappointed by his cousin's stop to his words.

Ahar laughed. When Shravan told her Manan was helping, she raised no objection. For Ahar, Manan brought an optimistic aura.

"What're the plans for today?" Ahar asked.

"Party tonight at our house," Manan announced. Shravan groaned. He had told his parents no parties until Sanya's parents were here.

"What for?" asked Shravan.

"Your parents' marriage anniversary," Manan said smugly.

Ahar looked at Shravan who had that look on his face. The look that said he had completely forgotten what was going on. Ahar patted his shoulder. "Let's go find a gift." Shravan nodded and sat on his bike. He gestured for her to get on but Ahar hesitated. She looked at Manan who was looking at Shravan.

"Ahar, get on the bike," Shravan said, trying to hide a smile but failing.

"What about--" Shravan gave Ahar was a firm look. She quietly got on, giving Manan an apologetic look.

"Shravan bhaiya, mera kya hoga (Bro, what about me)?" Manan asked worried. Shravan grinned. His cousin's presence annoyed him. He turned the key in the bike and the engine roared to life.

"Engine ki seeti pe apni bum dolo (Dance your bum to the whistle of the engine)."

___________________

A/N
Things will get better, now. Oh and if anyone wants to make me side graphics, I'd be very grateful! I promise a dedication!!
Happy Halloween, btw!

How was the chapter?

Do you like Manan?

Happy the misunderstanding is cleared?

I'll be honest, I love Manan scenes more than regular scenes. Funny stuff is fun to write. I am sorry for not making this book to much of a thriller. I honestly can't. Too much seriousness doesn't work out for me.

Teaser: Shravan's American friends will be coming soon. Cough cough Preet and Rahul Khurana.

Thank you for supporting me and my work so far. Please continue <3