"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 7 - Confess Already!

The boys sat around the camp fire, while the girls were busy cooking food.

"Ouch! Don't press so hard!" Laksh exclaimed, as Arjun treated his shoulder.

"How did you get hurt?"

"Ragini and I fell and rolled down the road. That's how"

"She doesn't look hurt though" Abhi remarked

"I shielded her."

"Oooo. I see. Could it be that our little Lucky has taken a liking for Ragu?" Abhi joked.

"Its nothing like that. I would have done that for any other girl."

"But Ragini was calling you her boyfriend, wasn't she? So I guess you agreed to be with her" Sanskar smirked.

"I never said anything like that! She just outright stated that she likes me and that I should be her boyfriend"

"Hahaha... you mean....You mean Ragini threatened you and made you agree to be her boyfriend? Hahaha Lucky. There goes your male pride"

"Shut up Rishi bro!" 😡 Laksh fumed in anger.

"Hey! Ragu isn't such a bad girl. In fact, you might end up liking her Lucky." Abhi patted his arm.

"I doubt it. And why do you keep calling her Ragu? Its not like you know her that well to call her by that name."

"She gave me permission to call her Ragu. So I can. Jealous Lucky?" Abhi wiggled his eyebrows at Lucky.

Lucky flushed in embarrassment. He tried to change the subject "So how did it go with Tanuja, Rishi? Did you tell her how you feel?"

Rishi rubbed the back of his head "Um...err... you see... I did admit I like Tanuja, b-"

"Well done Rishi bro" Laksh gave him a thumbs up.

"I admitted, but-"

"Congrats Rishi" Arjun patted him on the back.

"Thanks Arjun, but-" Rishi tried to speak, but was interrupted again.

"Nice move Rishi" Abhi gave him an one arm hug.

"About time you admitted" Sanskar remarked.

Rishi stood up in frustration 😣 "Guys! Guys! I admitted my feelings about Tanuja. However, I admitted it in front of Maya, not Tanuja."

😱😱😱😱
There was silence for sometime.

"Rishi bro, why are you so suicidal?"

"Rishi if you wanted to die so badly, you could have chosen some other ways." 😒

"Arjun is right. Did you have to choose death through Maya?"

"You also ruined my chance at getting a contract through her" 😑

"What the heck. Maya isn't that bad."

"Didn't you see how she treated her sisters when all they wanted to do was help her?"

"That was because she was angry Arjun"

"Anger is no excuse for acting like an ungrateful, heartless person"

"Arjun, you judge her too much. She isn't so bad. Eeryone just misunderstands her"

"Or maybe it is just you who cannot understand her. Didn't you see how she treated Pagya? Pragya is the most innocent person I have ever seen!" exclaimed Abhi.

"Like I said. Anger brings out the worst out of everyone. But this doesn't mean that Maya is a bad person. In fact, she is the one who encouraged me and told me that Tanuja loves me"

They looked at him shocked.

"I know its hard to believe, but Maya really did help me. She said she wants the best for her sisters." Rishi turned to Arjun "Don't judge her so harshly Arjun. Maya isn't a bad person from heart. She acts though, but she cares deeply for her family."

Arjun still didn't look convinced, but nodded.

"By the way, Maya also told me about some guy named Pawan. Tanuja's family is friends with Pawan's family and they plan to elope them."

"No way. You love Tanuja and now that we know she loves you too, there is no way that you can let some Pawan guy come in between you two"

"I agree with Lucky. You can't let Pawan win Rishi"

"I won't Abhi"

"Do you know his title?" Sanskar asked.

"No. Why?"

"There is a model named Pawan Bhalla that I know. I worked with him once. The guy is a jerk"

"Oh my! If that is the Pawan Maya was taking about, you better tell Tanuja your feelings soon!"

Rishi looked down in thought. He looked up at them determined "I'll tell her right now!" with that he marched towards where the girls were.

#With the Girls#

"Pass me the salt Ragu.......Ragu???"

"Huh? What?"

"Ragu, Swara has called you twice. What were you thinking so hard?"

"Its okay Pragya di. I guess Ragu was dreaming about her new boyfriend" teased Swara, giving Ragini's shoulder a nudge.

"No way. Its true that I am excited about having a boyfriend, but I wasn't thinking about him. I was dreaming about meeting Karan Khan 😍 "

"Meeting Karan? How?" Tanuja asked while slicing the onions.

"Abhi said he would let me meet Karan!"

"Wow. Dream come true for you. But he didn't just say out of his goodness of heart. I bet there was some motive behind it" Swara said.

"Yes. He would let me meet Karan because I threatened to reveal that Pragya-" Ragini realized what she was saying and immediately put a hand over her mouth.

"Me? What about me?" Pragya asked, narrowing her eyes at Ragini.

"Ehehehe...nothing Pragya di!" 😅

"Raguuuu. Don't try to lie to me. Tell me what you were about to say." Pragya held her ear.

"Ow. Di leave my ear please. Ow ow di! Maya di, Tanu di help!"

Swara laughed, while Tanuja and Maya shook their heads at their antics.

"Tanuja. What do you think of Rishi?"

Tanuja stopped what she was doing and looked at Maya, wide-eyed.

The other three stopped to stare at them.

"What...what do you mean Maya?"

"Do you like him?"

"Maya I-"

"Yes or no Tanuja?"

"I...." Tanuja looked down blushing.

Pragya smiled to herself. She already guessed that Tanuja likes Rishi. Now Tanuja's actions confirmed it.

Swara : Tanu di, you're blushing! Does this mean 🤔

Ragini : That you like Rishi?😮

Tanuja turned totally red.

Swara : Di you're blushing like a tomato. This means😁

Ragini : YOU really like him.🤣

Swara : Oh my di! You've finally found
😃
Ragini : Your true love!😍

Swara : Other half!😍

Ragini : Your heart's desire!😍

Swara : The 'straw' to your 'berry'😆

Ragini : The 'peanut butter' to your 'jelly'😆

Before they could continue their crazy antics, Pragya smacked there heads together.

Maya went near Tanuja and placed a hand on her shoulder. Tanuja turned to look at Maya. She was sure Maya would chide her and tell her to stop thinking about Rishi.

However, Maya smiled at her "Tanuja, you don't have to fear that I would reject Rishi. In fact, I believe Rishi would be the right guy for you."

Tanuja looked at her in shock "You....you want me to pursue Rishi?"

"Well, if the others don't mind, then its fine by me" Maya said with a smirk.

"We are happy for you di. Go and tell Rishi how much you love him"

"Ragini is right. We approve of Rishi. Go get him di!" said Swara.

"I already know that Rishi feels the same. I'm sure he can't wait to hear it from you Tanu di." Pragya said with a smile.

Tanuja was about to speak when she heard a voice from behind

"Ta-Tanuja...can I....can I talk to you for a minute?"

'I hope he didn't hear what we were talking about' thought Tanuja "Sure Rishi. Say what you want to"

"Um...can I talk to you...privately?"

Tanuja blushed.

"Sure Rishi! Of course Tanuja di will go with you." Ragini pushed Tanuja towards Rishi. "Go to the tent. You guys can talk there. No one will disturb you. Go go"

Rishi and Tanuja blushed but went towards the tent.

Swara poked Maya on the arm. Maya turned to look at her quizzically.

"You accepted Rishi so easily?"

"I saw the love in Rishi's eyes today. A person's eyes never lie. And I know that Rishi would die for Tanuja." Maya turned to them with a smirk "Besides, I had a suspicion that Rishi liked Tanuja from the first day. So I found out everything about Rishi. He has a clean record and his colleagues, business partners have spoken highly of him. He is also wealthy."

Swara looked at her wide eyed "You ....you spied on him?"

"He is going to be Tanuja's future husband. I couldn't trust Tanuja's life with a guy whom I knew nothing of. I would have done the same for any of you."

Swara looked at her in awe, but nodded.

"I can't wait here anymore. I want to hear what they are talking about"

"Ragu, that's wrong."

"Whatever!" with that, Ragini moved towards the tent where Rishi and Tanuja were.

"Ugh! This girl" Pragya shook her head in frustration.

"Pragya, Swara....I .....I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't mean to snap at you two. I just-" Maya stopped speaking when she felt two hands on both her shoulders. It was Swara and Pragya, who were smiling at her.

"No need to apologize Maya di. We know you didn't mean to lash out at us."

"Yes, Maya. It was your anger. We don't blame you for it. So stop feeling guilty for it" Pragya gave her a wide smile.

Maya looked at them gratefully.

#With the Boys#

The boys watched as Rishi took aside Tanuja to talk to her alone.

"I wonder how Rishi will propose."

"We can ask Rishi later Arjun"

Arjun smirked "True.... But that would be no fun. I think I'll go and spy on them, live 😉 "

"Arjun... " Abhi tried to stop him. However, he was already on his way to the tent where Rishi and Tanuja were.

#With Tanuja and Rishi#

"So... What did you want to talk about Rishi? "

"I did? "

Tanuja looked at him confused "Yes. That's why you called me here, didn't you? "

"Huh. O right! I... I called you here. Haha" Rishi laughed nervously.

"Rishi. Are you alright? "

'No, I'm not. Right now I'm a nervous wreck who doesn't know how to tell you that I love you. Sure I told the guys that I will confess right now, but.... But it's so difficult when you're right in front of me!' Rishi thought in his mind.

"Rishi?"

"Tanuja I.. I wanted to say that"

Tanuja's heart started beating faster 'Maybe Rishi will confess now? '

"I wanted to say ...I... "

"You?"

"I.... I really like your cooking!" Rishi blurted out.

'What? That is what he wanted to say?'

Tanuja felt disappointed but smiled "Thank you Rishi"

'Damn! That's not what I wanted to say!' Rishi mentally smacked himself.

Both of them were too busy with their thoughts to notice the shadow on the tent. It was of Ragini, who was standing with her ear almost glued to the tent.

"Ugh! Stupid Rishi. What's he doing!? He doesn't even know how to confess!" Ragini whispered to herself.

"Be patient. Rishi will eventually man up and confess" said a voice behind her. She looked up to find Arjun.

"What are you doing here? "

"Same thing as you. Trying to hear them"

"Fine fine. Don't make any noise. I don't want to get caught and neither do I want to ruin the moment between Tanu Di and Rishi."

Arjun's eye twitched in irritation 'It's she who talks a lot and I should be the one telling her not to make a noise. Instead, she's bossing me around?' However he kept silent and tried to listen what Rishi and Tanuja were saying.

"If.... If that was all you wanted to say, I should leave then Rishi"

"No! I mean. There was something else I wanted to say too."

"Ok. What is it? "

"I.... I... I was impressed by how you treated my injury" Rishi mentally scolded himself 'What the heck!? Impressed by how she treated me? Who in the world says that! If I keep on being creepy, Tanuja will run away!'

"Ugh! Unbelievable! Is Rishi really that dumb!?" Ragini whispered to Arjun. 😤

"I'm even embarrassed to call him my friend. He's ruining the image of males all over the world 😑  " Arjun said shaking his head.

Tanuja was irritated 😒 . She guessed that Rishi wanted to confess, but he was babbling unnecessary things. She has had enough. "Alright Rishi. Now I think I should leave"

"Tanuja wait!"

"I need to prepare the food Rishi. I need to leave"

"But I haven't finished telling you everything yet."

"You will probably thank me some more for other things. It's okay, no need of that." Tanuja was about to stand up and leave.

'No no no! What to do? What to do?! Damn!'

"I LOVE YOU!"

Tanuja froze. Outside Ragini high fived Arjun.

"I...really love you Tanuja. More than anything or anyone." Rishi held Tanuja's shoulders and turned her towards him. He raised her chin and made her look into his eyes "Ever since the day I saw you Tanuja, I was mesmerized by your beauty and innocence. It was first just an infatuation of mine. But slowly, as I got to know you more....I....I don't know when, I don't know how but...
But I fell for you Tanuja. I fell so hard for you Tanuja that there is no way to bring me back. You make me feel happy, complete. Every day I wait for the moment when I would get to meet you. I would live for you and die for you. You could even ask for my life right now, and I would easily give-"

Tanuja covered his mouth with her hand. "Never speak of giving up your life Rishi. I... I don't think I would be able to live without you." Rishi's eyes widened on hearing this "Yes Rishi, I love you too. I love you Rishi Bedi and I want to be with you forever."

Rishi smiled and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Yay! They finally confessed!" Ragini hugged Arjun in excitement.

"Ack! You're choking me. *cough* let go!"

"Oops, sorry"

"I guess Rishi finally got the courage to confess"

"Only because di said she would leave."

"But it was Rishi who confessed!"

"So what? Tanuja di's actions made him confess. My sister is awesome."

Arjun smacked the back of her head. Ragini turned to him angry and gave him a push.

"What the-" Arjun was about to push her, but Ragini moved to the side and Arjun feel on the tent.

Rishi and Tanuja felt the tent move and come loose.

They got out and found Arjun lying above the tent cloth while Ragini was standing by his side, smiling.

Ragini came up to them and hugged them "Congratulations!"

"Ragu...you were spying on us?"

"Chill di. I needed to. After all, I would be the aunt of your kids. When they ask about their parents, I would need to tell them how their parents proposed to each other, won't I?" Ragini winked at them playfully.

Tanuja and Rishi blushed at the mention of kids.

"I'll go give the good news to the others!" Ragini skipped away to the rest.

Arjun slowly got up.

"Arjun, what were you doing here?"

"I....I....I saw Ragini here. So I came to stop her from interrupting you" he lied. 'Can't let him know that I came to spy on him. He will tease me to no end!'

"Ragu can be quite troublesome sometimes" Tanuja said with a smile.

"I'll tell this once, and I'll say this again.....that girl is crazy!" Arjun exclaimed.

"Hahaha... isn't she your brother's new girlfriend. Maybe she will become his future wife, which means your sister-in-law." Rishi teased.

"If she becomes Laksh's wife, I'll disown Laksh as my brother"

"But what did I do!? You were the one spying on them like a little kid" Laksh said, as he came towards them with the rest.

"Eh? Really?" asked Rishi.

"Yes he was. But now he talks about disowning me. Like I did something!" 😒

"Arjun Sharma, were you peeping into our conversation? Didn't expect such things from a mature grown up like you." Rishi teased

Arjun flushed in embarrassment "Whatever! I'm hungry" with that, he stormed towards the table while the rest laughed.

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To be continued....