Haider - Mistake!? Aapke liye kal jo kuch bhi hua woh ek galati thi! Toh phir thik hein Meera... Ohh sorry, Ms. Kapoor. Aap jaisa chahti hein bilkul waisa hi hoga.

(She doesn't respond and Haider leaves)

*In the evening*

Meera returns to Savitri’s house. Haider had not spoken to her throughout the day. The only conversation they had had the whole day was project-related. Completely formal.

Meera was upset and her heart was aching. She wondered why she wasn’t at ease, after all, that’s what she wanted, right?

To relax she goes to the terrace.

Virat comes to the terrace and sees Meera lost in her thoughts.

Virat-Meera, you alright?

Meera-Umm... uhh... Yeah. I am fine. Good.

Virat- You sure?

Meera- Yeah. Positive. (she nods, but doesn’t look quite convinced)

Virat - Aai aapko khaane ke liye bula rahi thi. Saie bhi gayi hein Haider ko bulane.

Meera- Ohh...

Virat- Meera I completely understand that we are strangers par... kabhi kabhi parayon se dard baatna, apno ke saath dard baatne se zyaada aasan hota hai. Kya pata isi se aapka dil bhi halka ho jaaye.

Meera- Aese koi baat nahi hein Virat. Mein thik hoon.

Virat- Well as you know, I am an inspector aur jhooth toh mein kaafi jaldi pakad leta hoon. (He says with a tiny smile.)

Meera (giving a smile) - Pata nahi Virat…(she sighs)

Kuch puraane jazzbat waapis se dastak de raha hein... par puraane dard...purane dardon ko yaad kar inn jazzbaaton ko sambhalna mushkil ho raha hein.

Virat- Jazzbaton ka hona hum insaanon mein aam baat hein Meera. Par sawal toh ye hein ki ye jazzbat kinke liye hein? Aur jinke liye hein, kya woh ye deserve nahi karte ki hum unke liye inn puraane dardon se lade?

Meera- Aur agar wohi zakhm wapis mile toh?

Virat-Bharosa har rishte ki buniyaad hein Meera. Agar bharosa nahi toh rishta nahi. Unhe qubool karna seekhiye.

Zakhmon se bhaagne se voh aur gehre ho jaate hai, bharte nahi. Har rishte mein takleef hoti hai. Par agar unn takleefon ke dar se aap uss rishte ko jode hi na ,toh aap un acche palon ko bhi kho dengi aur naainsaafi bas aapke saath nahi, aapko pyaar karne vaale ke saath bhi hogi.

Meera-Thank you Virat. Abb mujhe pata hein ki mujhe kya karna hein. Main apne jazzbaton se aur dur nahi bhagungi. Apne Haider se aur dur nahi bhagungi.
(She realizes that she just took Haider's name in front of Virat.)

Virat smiles

Virat-Beach pe aapko aapki manzil mil jayengi.

She smiles and leaves

Virat calls Saie.

***

Meanwhile

Haider left for the beach to collect himself. He was heartbroken. He could feel Meera's pain but...

Haider (looking at the waves) - Kabhi kabhi toh lagta hein Meera ki aap ye lehron ki tarah hein...aur main iss samandar ka kinara. Hum mil zarur sakte hein par ek saath tham nahi sakte...

Saie-Lehron ko bhi pata hein ki shayad woh kabhi tham nahi sakti par yeh dukh unhe rokta nahi hai...voh phir bhi samandar ki taraf khich ke aa hi jaati hain.

Haider-Saie aap?

Saei-Aap yahaan akele kya kar rahe hein?

Haider- Bas yunhi...

Saie- Meeraji se aapki ladai hui hein kya?

Haider-Meera se ky...kyun

Saie-Aapki aakhon mein unke liye pyaar saaf saaf dikhta hein.

Haider-Accha(he gives a dry laugh) shayad bas unhein nahi dikhta.

Saie-Haider main nahi jaanti ki aap dono ke beech kya hua hein par haa itna zarur keh sakti hu ki ek rishte mein ek dusre ko samjhna bohot zaruri hein.

Haider- Main unhe samjhta hu Saie ji. Bas ek bar woh mujhpar bharosa toh kare...

Saie- Bharosa tootne mein ek pal lagta hein aur judne mein saalon lag jaate hein. Waqt hi hein Haider jiske saath har chot par marham apne aap lag jata hein.

Haider- Aap sahi keh rahi hein Saie.Mujhe unhe waqt dena chahiye.

(Saie smiles and turns around to leave. Her phone buzzes and she sees Virat's name popped up. She walks a little further and picks it up.)

Virat- Mission accomplished from my side. Tumhari taraf se kya update hein?

Saie- Mission accomplished here too. (she chuckles)

Saie- Dono kitne pagal hein na ek doosre se itna pyaar karte hein par ek dusre se dur bhaagte rehte hein.

Virat- Well, I really hope our plan works.

Saie-Of course! It will work.  Aakhir kar idea kiska tha.

Virat (chuckles) - Thik hein madam. Abb jaldi se ghar aa jaiye kyunki abb pyaar ki itni batein hogayi hein ki mera man bhi kar raha hein ki meri bahon mein koi ho aur main uske ke pyaar mein ghum ho jau.

Saie- Kya aap bhi Virat!

(Saie blushes)
***

2 days pass by. Bani was engrossed in her work. Meera was returning today. Bani was busy doing all the arrangements.

Her heart was still aching by the mere thought of Veer but she had somehow convinced herself that Veer wasn't in her fate.

That's when she gets a call from her dad.

Bani-Hello dad.

Rakesh- Beta tum ghar aa sakti ho?

Bani- Sab thik toh hein na dad...Aapki health...

Rakesh- I am alright beta, bas tum ek baar ghar aa jao.

Bani leaves her office, wondering what had happened. She reaches Sharma Niwas.

Bani- Dad sab kuch thik hai na?

(That’s when she turns and notices Veer standing beside her dad. This was the first time she saw him after their fight. His eyes no longer possessed the affection they once had for her. They had pain...only pain.)

Bani- Tu...tumm?

Rakesh- Beta (placing his hand on her head) mujhe maaf kardo.

Bani- Maafi...Kis liye?

Rakesh- Selfish hone ke liye...

Bani- Dad aap ye...?

Rakesh- Mujhe tumhare aur Veer ke rishte se koi problem nahi hai beta. You have my blessing.

Bani was surprised, shocked, confused, and even happy.

Bani- Dad...

Rakesh- Veer ne mujhe sab samjhaa diya hein beta. Usse behtar tumhare liye aur koi ladka nahi ho sakta hein.

*Flashback*

Veer reaches Sharma Niwas

Rakesh-Tum yahaan! Tum mere ghar mein kya kar rahein ho?!

Veer-Mr Sharma please meri baat suniye.

Rakesh-Mujhe tumhara ek shabd bhi nahi sunna hein. Nikal jao yahaan se isse pehele main tumhe guards se kehkar dhakke maar kar yahaan se nikal du!

Veer- Mr. sharma aapko Bani ki kasam. Meri baat ek baar sun lijiye.

Rakesh- Tumhari himaat kaise hui meri beti ka naam bhi leni ki! Main tumhara saaya bhi apni beti ke aas pass nahi dekhna chahta!

Veer- Toh phir congratulations sir! (He raises his voice a little) Kyunki mera saaya bhi Bani par nahi padega! Jaante hai kyun?? Kyunki aapki khushi ke liye usne mujhe chod diya. Aur apki zidd ke kaaran shayad apni khushiyon ko bhi.

Rakesh- Kuch waqt baad woh khud hi samjh jayegi ki mera faisla thik tha.
(Rakesh starts leaving)

Veer- Aap usse kitna pyaar karte hein sir?

Rakesh- Tum ye sawal mujhse kar rahe ho? Uske baap se?!

Veer- Haan sir. Main ussi itni mohabbat karta hu ki mera pyaar usse aazaad karta hein. Par aapka pyaar usse bandh raha hein. Kya ye sahi hein?

Aap usse jitna pyaar karte hein sir utna hi pyaar main bhi usse karta hu. Aaj woh aapke samne muskuraa toh zarur rahi hein par uska dil ro raha hein. Woh hein hi aesi...dusron ko humesha khud se upar rakhti hein. Pata nahi aap yeh kyun dekh nahi paa rahe hein...ya dekhna nahi chahte hai.

Rakesh- Tu...tum

Veer- Sir please mujhe ek mauka toh dijiye. BANI MERI JAAN HEIN! MERI ZINDAGI HEIN! Please sir mujh par nahi toh ek baar apni beti ki pasand par bharosa kar lijiye. (He says joining his hand. Rakesh holds his hand)

Rakesh- Main tayyar hu Veer.

*Flashback ends*

Bani looks at Veer but Veer’s gaze doesn't budge.

Veer - Main chalta hu Mr Sharma.

Rakesh -Beta tumhe itna formal hone ki zarurat nahi hein.

Veer (gives a small smile) - Okay Uncle.

He starts leaving while Bani keeps looking at him.

Rakesh- Jao beta usse baat karlo.

Bani (nods) - Thank you, dad.

Bani rushes out to meet Veer.

Bani- VEER!

Veer doesn't turn

Bani- VEER! Ek baar meri baat toh suno!

(Veer still doesn't turn and moves towards the parking lot. He is about to open his car's door when Bani holds his hand. Veer looks at Bani.)

Bani- Main tumhe kabse bula rahi hu Veer.

Veer- Maine suna. Aaj Meera aur Haider wapis aa rahe hein, I think we should focus on that. (He says with a stoic expression)

Bani- Veer main jaanti hu tum mujhse naaraz ho aur tumhara hak bhi banta par please ek baar meri baat sunlo.

Veer- (slightly raising his voice) -Tumne suni thi meri baat. Maani thi meri baat? Nahi na. Toh phir mujhse ye ummidein kyun laga rahi ho??

Bani- Veer, papa ki halat bohot kharab thi...mujhe kuch samjh nahi aa raha tha, mujhe laga ki hum door rahenge tabhi tum shayad khush reh paaoge.

Veer (irritated) - Khush? (Moving towards her and giving a dry laugh) Toh bolo kya main tumhe khush lag raha hu? (Moving closer ) Bolo na chup kyun ho.

Bani- Ve.., Veer...mujhe sach mein nahi pata tha ki...

(Bani says avoiding eye contact. She didn’t have the strength to face him after all that had happened)

(Bani's back hits the wall. She was now between the wall and Veer)

Veer- KI KYA BANI!? (He hits his hand on the wall)

Bani- VEER...Pagal hogaye ho kya! Ye kya kar rahe ho! Tumhe chot lag jayengi!

Veer- Chot toh lag chuki hein Bani aur itni gehri ki mujhe pata bhi nahi ki usse ubharne mein kitna waqt lagega.

(Veer starts leaving)

Bani- Please Veer. Ruk jao.(She hugs him from the back)

(Veer stops for a moment...taking it in...he then turns)

Veer- Ek baar tumne mujhe kaha tha Bani, ki jis rishte mein trust na ho uska koi matlab nahi. Yaad hai? Toh ab tum batao. Do you trust me?

Bani- I do.

Veer- No! you don't. Warna tum mujh par bharosa karti. Mujhe bataati. Lekin tumhe toh rishta todna sabse aasan laga. Kal ko hamari life mein koi aur problem aayegi toh tum kya karogi? Yunhi mujhe chod kar chali jaogi. Dobara. Haina!?

(Bani was at a loss for words. She knew he was right. She should have fought for their love... but she didn't...She thought breaking it all would save him from all the pain. The humiliation.)

(She turns and starts leaving. Veer could see that she was hurt. His heart desperately wanted him to go embrace her. He was hurt too. For him, she was the person who he wanted to spend his entire life with...but the mere thought of her not trusting him was piercing his heart. He understood her dilemma but the fact that she was ready to leave him was hurting him.)

(That's when he hears her wince in pain. Her ankle twists)

Bani- Ouc...Ouch.

(Veer moves towards her and holds her before she falls.)

Veer- Sweetheart! Tum thik ho?

(Bani looks at Veer. Her pain was subdued by just hearing him call her his sweetheart. She had hated it when he called her that for the first time. But now...now this word was enough to ignite all emotions within her. Veer on the other hand...he had said it as a habit…)

Bani- I am fine (she tries walking but falls again)

Veer- Bani sambhalke.

Bani- Main dekhlungi Veer.

Veer- Dikh raha hein woh mujhe.

(He lifts her in his arms and takes her towards his car. Bani keeps looking at him. He places her on the backseat and starts searching for the first aid kit.)

He places her feet on his thigh and sprays a pain reliever on it.

Bani- Main karlungi Veer.

Veer- Shhh...Mein kar raha hoon. Tum bas dekho... thoda sa dard karega.

Bani- Veer...I am sorry mujhe maaf kardo... I really Love You.

Veer- I love You too!

(This shocks her. That’s when he twists her ankle slightly so that the pain goes away. Bani hisses in pain due to the sudden movement.)

Veer- Par kabhi kabhi shayad woh ek rishte main kaafi nahi hota. You alright?

Bani nods. Though hearing him say that their love wasn't enough for them to be together hurt her.

Veer- Main tumhe upar tak chod deta hu.

Bani- It's alright Veer main chali jaaungi. Tum Meera aur Haider ke aane ki tayyari karo. I will join you in the office.

Veer nods his head and starts leaving. He glances at her in the rearview mirror while leaving.

Bani (in mind) - Main jaanti hu ki maine tumhe takleef pohochai hein Veer. Par main tumhe manaa kar rahungi kyunki main jaanti hu ki tum mujhse utna hi pyaar karte ho jitna mein tumse.Tayyar ho jao apni sweetheart ka naya andaaz dekhne ke liye;)

***
Meera reaches the beach and sees Haider standing on the shore alone. The waves washing over his feet and the sand settling on top of them.

Meera- Haider…

(Haider turns around. His eyes soften at the sight of her)

Haider-Meera aap yahan, aacha hi hua aap aa gayi...I really wanted to talk to you...

Meera- Mujhe bhi aapse kuch kehna hein Haider.

Haider-Meera I am sorry. I really didn't wanted to rush things between us...I am ready to give you all the time you want. But I just don't want you to deny what you feel.

Meera- Haider...

Haider- I know Meera shayad main selfish sound kar raha hoon. Maine apne jazzbaton mein aakar aapke zakhmon ke baare mein socha hi nahi. Par main bas aapse itna kehna chahta hu ki MAIN AAPSE BEINTEHAN MOHHABAT KARTA HU. I LOVE YOU MS. MEERA KAPOOR. Aap meri rooh ban chuki hein Meera. And I can't imagine my life without you. Aapke bina main (cupping her face) adhura tha par aapke aane ke baad yun lagta hein maanlo mein mukkamal hogaya hu.

Meera- Haider I...

Haider- I know Meera I am probably crossing my limit and I am sorr...

(Before Haider could complete his sentence Meera crashes her lips on his. Haider was definitely taken aback, his mind had a thousand questions but his heart just wanted to live in the moment. This moment.

Iss pal Haider ko bas yahi lag raha tha manlo Meera nahi balki puri kainaat uski baahon mein ho. Aur Meera...Meera ke liye ye pehela lamha tha jab uske dil aur dimag mein bas ek hi cheez chal rahi thi...koi sawal nahi...koi bandish nahi...koi duri nahi. Bas ek khayal. Haider.

Haider holds her waist and pulls her closer, trying to get her closer to him...trying to take her in...all of her. Meera cupped his left cheek with one hand while the other held his shirt’s collar. They had longed so long for each other...this longing rushed in all of their passion...passion that had been held within till now...

They slowly pull away... gazing into each other's eyes. )

Haider-Meera...

Meera (putting her finger on his lips) - shh...abb meri baat suno.

(Haider nods)

Meera- Aap jab se meri zindagi mein aaye hein tab se bas siyappe huye hein. Pehele party mei ladai, phir cabin mein ladai. Then I got drunk and did embarrassing stuff. And said even more embarrassing things...

Haider-Meera...

Meera-Shh...Listen to me.

Meera- In my life everything was planned. Hamesha se sab socha hua tha. Par aap...Aapke aate hi sab kuch badal gaya. Woh Meera jisne apne aap ko dusron se humesha alag rakha... Dusron se toh kya...apne jazzbaton tak se khudko alag rakha, usmein jeene ki chah waapis jag gayi, mohabbat paane ki chah jagayi aur mohabbat karne ki...

(Holding his hand)

Aapne mujhe waapis muskurana sikhaya, jeena sikhaya... aur mujhe mere sangeet tak se jod diya.

Hum sab saalon se apni zindagiyon ko plan karne lag jaate hein par you know what! Sabse khoobsurat pal humesha unplanned hi hote hein.

Aapka meri zindagi mein aana, meri zindagi ka sabse khubsurat surprise hein. 

I LOVE YOU MR HAIDER ALI KHAN!
Aur aapke bina main bhi apni zindagi ke barein mein nahi soch sakti.

(She says cupping his face)

Maine apne andar kai tanhaaiyon ko dabaa kar rakha hein Haider. Aur main jaanti hu ki aapke andar bhi tanhaiyan hein jinhein aap apni muskurahat ke peeche chupate hein. Par aapke liye...apne pyaar ke liye...mein inse ladne ko tayyar ho. Cause you are worth it. We are worth it.

(A tear rolls down his eyes)

Meera- Haider…maine kuch galat keh diya kya...?(she says looking a little worried)

(He hugs her  tightly)

Haider- Meera I...I ju...just can't believe it. I love you soo muchh. Ye koi khwaab toh nahi.

Meera-Nahi Haider... ye koi sapna nahi hein. THIS IS REAL. WE ARE REAL.
(She pecks a kiss on his lips)

(They stay at the beach for a while. Gazing at each other. Then at the sunset...taking in the unreal moment…)

Meera- Abb chale...

Haider (looking at her with an arched eyebrow, teasingly) - Kahan...

Meera moves closer to his face. He shuts his eyes expecting a kiss. Meera whispers in his ear

Meera- Khaana khane.

Haider (opening his eyes) - Khaana khane?

Meera- Haan aur nahi toh kya? Savitri taai ne itne pyaar se banaya hein aapke liye.

Haider- Meeraaaa!

(Meera laughs pulling his hand to make him move)

Meera - Abb chaliye!!

***
Yeh raasta bhale tha pyar ka
Par tujhe pane ki na khwaish thi
Bas tu muskurate rahe
Khuda se yehi numaish thi!

Hello Dear Readers!
I am done with my exams and I  really missed you guys🥺
So how was the chapter?
HAIRA are officially together❤
Veer ne Mr sharma ko manna liya!
Abb kya karegi Bani Veer ko manane ke liye😉

Stay tuned ;)