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Chapter 8 - Dilli Wali Returns

Ahar and Shravan decided what sort of gifts they could possibly get. Being the owner of a fashion company, Shravan immediately finalized getting his mom sari and dad a nice watch. At one of Harayana's best clothing stores, they found a beautiful while sari for Shravan's mother and a gold wristwatch for his dad.

On their way back, Shravan received a call.

"Hello . . . Serious? Why didn't you tell me? . . . No, I don't want to talk to her . . . I'll have my cousin pick you. Sorry, I'm not in town," Shravan said talking on the phone. Ahar wondered who he was talking to. Shravan soon said goodbye to that person and called Manan to pick up his American friends at the airport.

"Everything okay?" Ahar asked.

Shravan sighed. "My friends came for my wedding." He scratched his temple. "My life just keeps on getting better and better." Before he could continue, his phone vibrated again. Shravan frowned before picking it up.

Ahar awkwardly leaned again Shravan's bike as he attended the call.

Ahar didn't bother listening because Shravan's grumpy face told her how he felt.

"What happened?" she asked as soon as the call ended.

With a mock smile, he said, "Sanya's parents are coming this weekend. One week early! They think Sanya's with me!" Shravan clutched his hair, almost ripping it from his head. "What the hell am I supposed to do?! We can't find the kidnappers and suspects within three days. Not even! And . . . "

Ahar zoned him out. Her eyes wandered around her surroundings and she saw movie posters covering some of the walls of buildings.

One was an old Shahrukh Khan movie poster of My Name Is Khan. She suddenly remembered Shahrukh Khan having a new movie with Kajol again this year.

"I wonder when Dilwale is being released?" she wondered aloud.

Shravan's ranting stopped as he processed Ahar's words.

"My fiancé is kidnapped, my wedding is in less than a month, I'm on the verge of committing suicide, and you're worried about when 'Dilwale' is going to be released?" He nearly screamed.

"My mom's in the hospital with cancer. Don't tell me what I should be worried about or not, Shravan." Ahar didn't scream or yell but her icy glare shut up Shravan. Sensing how the mood had dropped, Ahar added, "Are you a Shahrukh Khan fan?"

Rolling his eyes, Shravan told her to get on the bike.

They returned to their town and Shravan dropped her off in front of her apartment building. Ahar started to bid adeiu when her partner interrupted.

"You're invited to the party tonight," said Shravan.

"I have work," she replied.

"I know. Can't you make some excuse?" Shravan asked. "Tell your boss you're in love with me and you need to do everything to impress me. Hence, hanging out with me tonight."

"Number one, everyone knows you're getting married," Ahar said. "Two, why would I try to impress you? You're such a boring and uninteresting human being."

"Says Miss Nobody. Cut her hair without thinking twice."

"Low blow."

"Yours wasn't?"

"Tell your boss you're in love with me," mimicked Ahar. "Oh my god, Virdee, you're the kidnapper." Shravan sat unamused. "It's a miracle Sanya loves you. Don't ruin my reputation."

"Fine. I'll go and stalk your boss myself. He's on the suspect list and the guest list for tonight," Shravan said. Ahar was going to say no again when Shravan said, "And that priest told you to help me, right?" He didn't even know the full details but was using it against her.

Ahar's face fell at the mention of the priest. He said her mother's life will improve if Ahar helped save someone else's. But Ahar was doing the exact opposite. Laksh had already called and told her the consistent poor health of their mother.

"I'll go," Ahar said in a defeated tone.

She knew her boss couldn't be the kidnapper. But she knew that Anchal knew the Sethis' so suspecting him was fair enough.

Shravan grinned in triumph. He waved goodbye and rode away.

Ahar called Anchal after a bit and brought up how she wanted to take her shift off tonight.

"Why?" The question Ahar dreaded the most. "It's not related to the Sethi party, is it?"

"I have to be there for . . . Shravan." I wish I didn't, she mentally added. "Like I said before, he is a friend and I have to help him with some things. Trust me, if it wasn't important, I wouldn't have called you." She heard him loudly sigh. She hated doing this to Anchal who was the ideal boss.

"Fine," Anchal replied after a while.

Ahar thanked him and they hung up on amiable terms.

She went inside her apartment building and ran to her mini-house. Suman was eating chips and watching Queen. Ahar plopped down next to her friend and relaxed. It had been a while since she had a break. She had a few hours till the party. When Suman heard about it, she showed more enthusiasm than her invited friend.

"Why don't you go in my place?" suggested Ahar.

"I have a date with my boyfriend," Suman shrugged.

Ahar frowned. "You still haven't introduced me to him."

"Soon."

Suman didn't say anything further which seemed weird to Ahar but still gave space to her friend. She knew when Suman had asked about Ahar's haircut, Ahar had just replied with a "it was needed."

Suman herself helped Ahar get ready in one of Suman's black and royal blue anarkali dresses.

Ahar, for once, felt better about herself. No one was going to call her a Kurkura tonight.

Ahar left and rode in an auto to the Sethi mansion. The guards allowed her in.

Ahar entered the house and felt the awkwardness wave over. She didn't know anybody here. It was Shravan's parents' wedding anniversary and he was going to be busy with that. She walked and stood to the side looking for Anchal. At least, he'd provide some company.

[Ahar's POV]

"Ahar." I saw Manan waving at me. Wasting no time, I joined him and two unfamiliar people. One was a girl around my age with long black hair and dark brown eyes. She had a cast on her left arm. Next to her was a guy with brownish-black hair and very light colored brown eyes.

"Hello," I said awkwardly. Everyone returned the greetings.

"Ahar, this is Preet and her husband, Rahul--Shravan's friends," Manan introduced. Oh the American friends Shravan had coming this morning. "Preet, Rahul, this is Ahar--Shravan's girlfriend." Preet and Rahul looked surprised.

I was plain out shocked.

Nonsense! "Oi, don't ruin my reputation."

"You're a girl and his friend. Girl friend. People are so stupid, nowadays," Manan said, shaking his head.

"Speaking of stupid, there comes Shravan," Preet commented. I chuckled as Shravan entered the group, saying a distracted hello and began telling Manan to look for something. Rahul, Preet, and I stood just waiting.

"What happened to your arm, by the way?" I asked Preet.

"She was checking me out at the airport when she tripped and landed on her elbow," Rahul said. "We were in the emergency room forever."

"You were checking out your husband?" I asked amused.

He had said it so casually too.

Preet threw Rahul a glare. "He's lying. I was standing on a chair at the airport trying to see above everyone's heads if Shravan was there. I accidentally fell and landed on my elbow." Ouch. "My iPhone broke." I almost laughed at her sad expression. Rahul just rolled his eyes at his wife.

"She's more upset about her iPhone," Shravan stated.

Rich people problems.

Preet was about to defend herself when Shravan's sister came over. I grimaced. When she saw me, her eyes widened. Everyone looked between us two.

"Kurkura became Avatar," Shivani commented. I examined her black and yellow striped dress. She had some sort of a tiara or a crown or something on her head.

"Beats looking like a bumble bee." I shrugged. For effect, I waved my hands loosely by my side and said, "Buzz Buzz."

Preet burst out laughing. Glad I amused somebody. Shivani gave her brother a look.

"Virdee, real mature," said Shravan defending Shivani.

Jerk.

I was the one helping him.

"Did the bee comment sting?" Preet asked, her mouth twitching. She was taking my side. I liked her already.

"Whatever," Shravan said and turned to Shivani. They discussed about the guests and cake cutting. Shravan announced to show around Preet and Rahul but before that, he told me, "You know the plans for today." It was a hint to start working. I nodded.

Again, I was left alone to go stalk my boss.

I searched the whole living room before spotting Anchal with some random guys. From a close distance, I could hear them chit-chat about the cricket match.

How boring!

They droned on and on until Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma dating came up. Why did they even care?

It was a while until the cricket talk stopped and the announcement of cake cutting was made. Everyone gathered around the old couple to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary. I watched Shravan's parents feed cake to each other and then their family. It reminded me of my own family.

Except for after I left.

Mumma was at the hospital. Papa had his job and then Laksh to take care of. Laksh had school and a part-time job. I took a deep breath and stepped out the room. It was getting too hot in there.

I don't know how long I stayed outside the house, hearing laughter, chattering, etc. These people were so lucky.

"There you are!"

I didn't even turn my head at the voice. He would be the one worried about me not watching Anchal.

I stood up, rubbing away any hints of tears. I was missing my family. Maybe after Shravan's problem was solved, I could go back and beg for Papa to forgive me for being so stupid.

"Are you okay, Virdee?" I rolled my eyes. I had a name if Shravan didn't know. He was by my side soon, giving me a sideways look.

"Anchal wasn't doing anything suspicious." I knew he only cared about Anchal. "I'm sorry I walked out. I'll go and watch him--" As I turned to leave, Shravan popped out his arm, blocking my way.

I stared between his eyes and his arm.

"I asked if you were okay?" he repeated. Did he really care?

From the weird look he was giving me, something felt fishy. "I'm fine. What's wrong?"

"The officer on our case called me five minutes ago." Shravan's face was rigid as he put his arm down by his side. Was Sanya found? That'd make our lives much easier. "They found my stolen car."

"What? Where?" I asked.

If the car was found, then Sanya had to be nearby.

"They called me over to the location--"

"Let's go!" I said without wasting time. "Wait, is Anchal inside?" Shravan shook his head. Oh no, Anchal. This didn't seem good. "Let's move then!"

He nodded hesitating. "I don't think you should--"

"Oye, drama baad mein karna (Start your drama later). I'm in this with you," I said in a firm tone.

Strength in numbers. Plus, I couldn't just sit back and wait for the verdict.

Shravan and I hurried out of the main house to the garage.

The ride to the location was fast. Shravan had to stop and ask for directions a lot. I wasn't from Harayana. I knew nothing.

When we ended up in front of an old, run-down building, nervousness overtook. The police had surrounded the entire four sides. Shravan and I headed to one of the officers.

"Why is there so much commotion going here?" Shravan asked.

The officer gave us a look.

"There are people inside."

_____________

A/N

Yes, I cheated a little with the POV change. I wrote the first half of the chapter last week but the 2nd half has been getting nowhere. POV change helped me tremendously. Sorry for the late update.

Anyways, everyone's excited for Dilwale, right?? What did you guys think of Tamasha? I was extremely disappointed. Though Ranbir did a great job with acting...the plot still needed to be put in in a more interesting way. The first half was so pakao (boring).

November is almost over!

Who do you think is inside the building?

I might add more of Preet and Rahul...not sure.

Big boss news: So happy Keith is back!!!! Rimi is out, finally!

Please keep showing your support through votes and comments. They are very encouraging! Also, I have a Alia-Varun cover that needs a home. If you would like to use it, let me know through a PM. :)

--Kiran.