Conversation with Kajal had left Tarun restless, he wasn't a fool to realise that something had happened between their last meeting and his travel. He pondered over the different scenarios but couldn't draw a conclusion. He knew , questioning Kajal directly could increase the gap, he decided to take the help of the person he trusted the most.

Praveen, checked his watch, it was about 1:30PM. He decided to go for lunch as he had an upcoming meeting in an hour. His phone buzzed, ''hey Tarun!.''

''Praveen I need your help.'' Tarun's voice was enough to raise alarm in Praveen's head, he asked Tarun to share the details. Praveen heard everything attentively, ''May be she dosen't want to take this further.''

''No Praveen, she promised to wait till I am back. Something else has happened. I don't want to speak to her parents. Tell me what should I do.''

''Why are you telling me all this?'' Praveen asked making Tarun frown

''Because you are friend. Someone, who understands my situation and can advice me correctly.''

''Correct! Now, you will have to get Kajal talk to someone similar like I am for you. Do you know any of her friends?''

Tarun thought, ''Yes, her name is Tia. I don't anything more about her.''

''Can you get me her number?'' Praveen asked

Tarun thought and agreed. Next , he dialled Kajal's father and briefed him about the situation. When Arun offered to speak to Kajal, Tarun politely requested him not to. He didn't wanted her to feel pushed under family pressure. Arun agreed, he gave Tia's number to Tarun wishing him luck.

Praveen walked into a beautiful house, the outer structure was inspired by old Indian architecture, with an extended porch and a huge wooden swing . He smiled looking at the greenery around, the inhabitants were definitely nature lovers. He pressed the door bell, waiting for the door to be answered

''Praveen, hi I am Tia!'' A girl of around 24-25 answered the door. Dressed in a khadi ethnic outfit she looked more like and upcoming political leader. She guided him to a room which looked more like a library come office, ''Please have a seat.''

''You are an avid reader.'' He said staring at the large collection

She smiled, ''I am a researcher in human psychology , finished my masters and now pursuing Doctorate . Have to study a lot.''

Praveen nodded, he briefed Tia on the issue. She looked thoughtful, ''What do you want me to do?''

''You are her best friend. Someone she has known for 2 decades, just get the things out of her . Since you said, you are into human psychology , I am sure it wouldn't be difficult.''

''Praveen, don't mind. But I feel, may be Kajal is feeling burdened with this love less relationship and this is why she calls it a mistake.''

''That's the point. It's not loveless, on the contrary these 2 fools haven't realised their feelings yet. I won't deny that Tarun is at major fault but he is trying otherwise he wouldn't have called me and begged me to see you. They understand each other, it's just that they will have to realise that and soon. I just don't want any of them taking a wrong step.''

Tia thought, ''Fine, I will go and see Kajal soon. If you are right, trust me I will do all in my power to put some sense into her head.'' Praveen thanked her before leaving, his mind still working in every direction. He couldn't conclude the reason for sudden change in Kajal but hoped things turned favourable for her and Tarun. His prayers were genuine and true, and they do get answered. Praveen wasn't aware that soon he would uncover the complete truth.

***

'Good Morning! Have a great day!' Kajal stared at the message from Tarun before pushing the phone away from her. He had been messaging her daily without fail, she wanted to reply but had decided against it. She didn't wanted to raise his expectation from this relationship. She was proud for being in control of her emotions and acting normally after being hurt so bad in heart. She was wrong, she failed to notice that her annoyance and foul expression gave her state of mind. Her parents asked the reason but she brushed it off rather strictly, they decided to let her be.

Kajal had been working on the third and final set of designs but nothing seemed to come up right. Irritated she crumbled the paper dumping it on the floor. ''WOW! Looks like I have to swim through the sea of crumbled sheets.''

Kajal looked up to find Tia smiling down at her, ''What are you doing here this early in the day.''

''I didn't feel bad about your tone. Now your  answer, I am bored studying stupid human brain. I wish they were as simple as electrical circuits, all similar. I could have plugged and unplugged the right and wrong sockets. But No, God had to make things complicated for a poor soul like me, billion people and billion different brain. '' Tia replied looking all agitated

Kajal gaped at her, ''When have you met billion people? As per my knowledge, you are still a junior psychologist working under a professional one. ''

''So, does that mean I do nothing! You don't know, it's the interns who do the max while seniors get the credit.''

''You will do the same in future.'' Kajal replied with a shake of her head

''NO! I am righteous person, I will never take advantage of anyone of my juniors.'' Tia replied all serious, her chin high. Kajal pressed her lips at her drama, ''Okay, what do you want?''

''Let's go out, will have fun and then go for lunch.''

''I am busy. I have to finish this in a week and I haven't even started.'' Kajal tried refusing

''And you won't be able to''

''Why so?''

''Look around. There is a carpet of rejected sketches , you are not able to think and don't deny because I know better.''

''yeah why not, you the psychologist here! Give me 10 min.'' Keeping her stuff aside, Kajal quickly walked off to change. Tia picked up few random papers to check, she smiled at the contents . Praveen was right.

Tarun stood opposite to the majestic window, watching the pour down on the other side of the glass. His working hours were over and he was waiting for the downpour to stop.

***

''What are you staring at Son?'' Tarun's stance was broken by his boss, Liam. He was of Tarun's father's age and quite a happy soul. His peers loved working with him for being extremely supportive and motivating.

''Nothing, was waiting for rain to stop.''

''So you wouldn't leave if it doesn't stop today?'' Liam asked, his experienced eyes focused on Tarun's lost expressions

''No, I would. I mean after sometime if it doesn't stop I will find a way to reach home.''

''Why?''

''because that's what we do after done with office!'' Tarun replied little confused at the question Liam threw at him.

''Tarun, never do things because they are done by others or its right thing to do according to the world. Do it, because you feel right about it.''

Tarun stared at Liam, not able to comprehend the relevance of the conversation. Liam understood, he wrapped an arm around Tarun's shoulder, walking him in he added, ''If you can't leave now, then why later and if you will leave later why not now? Who knows it worsens. Look son, face the situations the moment they come, the more you pile up that bad it gets. There is something you are worried about, and I could easily make out you aren't yourself since last week. You can't go on like this for long, find a solution ,get rid of the load and then try dancing in the rain.''

Tarun blinked and then smiled, ''I should leave.''

''Hey, I wasn't talking about the rain. You better wait for it to stop.'' Liam winked and walked off but the conversation did leave a smile on Tarun's face

He went back home all in smiles, determined to solve the issue between him and Kajal. He was busy preparing his meal when his phone flashed Praveen's name, ''Hi bro''

''You won't believe Tarun! There is someone who is gathering all details on you, he is some Shekar and has befriended our friends.''

''WOW! That means, someone is taking interest in my martial life.'' Tarun concluded, after a minute he asked, ''How did you get to know of this?''

''Saqib was doubtful about this so called new friend, he got introduced through Sejal. Since they have met, time and again that man asks questions about you, directly or indirectly. Mostly from Sejal, and she is dumb enough to cry the melodrama.''

''Fine, thanks. I will take it from here.''

''Don't you want to know who is behind this?'' Praveen asked curious

''No, doesn't matter. What matters is Kajal's trust on me, rest is all just waste.'' He concluded the call disconnected . Praveen smiled, 'Good going Tarun, you are too close to your destination.' Praveen pulled out his phone and made a quick call to Tia.

***

''Now tell me what's bothering you?'' Tia asked straight once they were seated in a posh restaurant for dinner. Tia realised Kajal wouldn't give in easily, so she decided to fool around and distract her completely. It took her one day and the plan of lunch got stretched upto the dinner. Having relaxed completely, Tia knew Kajal was a easy nut to crack.

''What are you talking about?'' Kajal asked, still laughing on the last joke

Tia took out few crumbled sheets, straightened them and placed in front of Kajal, ''Who draws a name Tarun for a design and then discards it.''

Kajal swallowed the lump, ''I don't want to talk.''

''Oh you will, or I go and tell everything to your parents.'' Tia looked serious. Kajal narrated about the last dinner date and the conversation over the phone.

''What happened between that dinner and phone call? You seemed all happy and fine to me after the dinner''

''I realised I am running after a sham, a mirage which isn't true.'' Kajal replied

''How did you suddenly realise that? Or let me reframe, what made you realise that?''

Kajal huffed and narrated the proposal story she witnessed at ENCHANTED office, the story of Soniya being broken by a man who left her for another and then her true love Mikahail. Tia frowned, ''Did Soniya tell all this while she was getting engaged?''

''No dummy, Robin did''

''But Why?''

''Just like that.'' She didn't find any thing suspicious about it

''If it was 'just like that', then what was the need for him to tell you the epic love saga. He could have simply told you about them getting engaged, simple.''

''What do you mean?''

''Kajal, its Robin who told you all this shit. Who knows its right or not? And why was he discussing all this with you? I don't remember you being his best buddy.''

''Come to the point.'' Kajal was restless

''Robin is manipulating your emotional state.'' Tia came out clear and confident

''Why would he do that and how can you be so sure.''

''There is no reason for him to discuss love theories with you, second why was everything that happened was somewhere related to your situation. Kajal, when we want someone to get influenced by us, we tend to control their minds and emotions. I know it may sound idiotic to you, for once just sit and think about all your interactions with Robin since your wedding. You will have all your answers''

''But why would he do that?''

''Ask him, I think you should handle it on your own.'' Kajal nodded. They finished the dinner in silence and Tia drove Kajal home. Kajal stayed quite lost in her own thoughts, her mind had started connecting dots. Robin's outburst after her wedding, the party, his proclamation about his love being married and not happy . Lastly, the last interaction which made her go rude with Tarun. Her fingers started curling, if Robin dared to play with her emotions she wasn't a doll to allow that. She was determined to confront him.

''We have reached.'' Tia broke her thoughts

''Thanks for making me realise that I was being manipulated.'' Kajal said before getting down

''Then thank Tarun!'' Kajal froze. Tia added, ''He was worried about your emotional meltdown, he pulled the strings so that you un burden your heart.''

''he told you to cook up this story?''

''You will always be dumb Kajal! If he had to cook a story he could have used your parents, in name of society , bonds and relationships. Instead, he reached out to me because only a friend is someone who takes all shits and understand you like self. Think before you decide. And there is more, but that you will uncover yourself. Remember, everything has two sides. Good and bad!'' Kajal nodded, she walked away after greeting and thanking her friend. The night was again going to be long

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