''Kajal, come soon the movie is about to begin'' Tarun called her out from his room where he had made the perfect arrangement for a horror show. Kajal blinked entering the pitch dark room, Tarun had covered the windows with news papers and curtains preventing any light from entering the room, ''Come in and close the door.'' He said

''If I close the door how will walk in the dark?'' She asked. He huffed and switched on the lights. She giggled looking at the arrangements. He had sealed all the entrance other than the door and had placed cushions on the bed in every direction, ''What's that for?'' She asked pointing towards the cushions

''That's to prevent any kind of accident out of fear.'' He replied feeling content about his arrangement

Kajal shook her head and sat next to him , pulling a pillow in her lap. Tarun quickly pressed the play button and then switched off the lights. She couldn't help but smile watching his child like excitement. They both had started interacting like friends and never bought up the divorce part.

Kajal watched the movie but without any trace of fear, Tarun tried scaring her at times but she showed no reaction disappointing him. Somewhere around the climax scene, where the priest performed the exorcism on the protagonist little girl, Kajal found Tarun completely engrossed. The back ground score too had turned scary and all close camera shots added to it horror effect. Through the dim light of screen she could see Tarun chewing his nails, she smiled. Leaning more on the head board she slowly extended her hand onto the side table to grab the first thing. To her luck, she caught hold of a small show piece making minimal sound. As the movie reached its peak, and the possessed girl spoke in the voice of the devil twisting her limbs in all directions, Tarun watched with his mouth slightly open. Kajal slowly lifted the show piece and rubbed it along the length of his arm. Tarun screamed and fell off the bed as Kajal doubled up in laughter, ''So much for your preventive measure.'' She pointed out that his pillows couldn't save him from landing on the floor.

Tarun watched her with wide eyes and madly beating heart, ''That arrangement was to keep you safe.'' He replied sitting up, supporting his body on his hands

Kajal stretched her body lying on her tummy, she placed her chin on the cushion of her hands and looked into his eyes, ''So you care''

''I do...and I always have cared about you.'' He replied rubbing the region of impact. She moved closer and took him by surprise placing a peck on cheek, letting her lips linger there for more than required. Tarun pulled her back before she could retreat, they stared at each other in the minimal available light enjoying the darkness more than ever.

A sudden scream from the movie made the couple scream all the way louder and next minute there was the sound of the door bell. They quickly moved out tumbling over one another to answer the door. The couple was surprised to find their neighbors at the door looking worried, ''Are you guys fine? We heard you screaming.''

''We actually were watching a horror movie, Kajal got scared and jumped on me making me scream in return.'' Tarun replied keeping a straight face as Kajal stared at him dumb found.

The neighbors gave the young couple teasing smiles before going back to their respective apartments. Tarun kept his smile under control as he locked the door, he slowly turned to find Kajal staring at him, ''What?''

''Why did you lie about me getting scared, when it was actually you?''

He smiled, ''revenge for pulling that prank on me.'' Her jaw dropped, as he walked back to his room his chin lifted high. Tarun made himself comfortable on the bed , moving his eyes to Kajal he added, ''Just imagine everyone in our building giving you teasing smiles about this adventure.''

''Why everyone? Its just two of our neighbors''

''yes, but that includes the females in neighboring apartments who might be feeling jealous about our amazing couple bonding. They will surely tell the others in the building adding spices to our story.'' He teased. Kajal looked thoughtful but when he chuckled she threw the cushion on his face making him laugh more.

''Tomorrow's Society Headline- Kajal-Tarun's horror romance.'' He added dramatically making her stomp. She now chased him as he threw more teasing words at her, ''I never knew you were so mean Tarun.''

''Hey, since when did teasing own wife turned  mean? I thought it to be romance.'' He replied as she lunged at him. Tarun locked her into his embrace, ''Calm down wife, no one would dare to tease you.''

''Why?'' She asked

''because Like me even they are scared about getting reprimanded by you.'' He replied seriously making her smile. She placed her head on his chest as he held her without any awkwardness. He led her to the bed and walked back to table to get his laptop, taking the place next to her , he clicked on to a folder to open the box of memories .

''Is that you?'' She pointed towards a very fat boy in an old picture.

''yes, that's me. The fat, cute girly Tarun.'' He replied with a not so excited voice making Kajal fix her eyes onto Tarun's face. After a minute he added, ''Everyone said I was blessed with good looks but can anyone imagine I got bullied for the same during my younger days. I did my initial schooling in a prestigious boys school. But my days in hostel were a nightmares, some senior boys would comment that I could easily pass for a girl. Few even asked me shed my clothes and prove that I was a born male.''

''Did you tell your parents?''

''I did, and I am glad for having supporting parents. They helped me change into more confident and better person. Like all, I too hated my looks once, and the process molded me into a Tarun who looked for perfection in him and outer world. It gave me immense pleasure when people praised me for looks, choices or anything. I hated criticism, whenever my faults were being pointed out, I worked on them and when I couldn't eliminate them, I surpassed them by my strengths. The model like Tarun is result of all the hard work, I strive to be perfect and don't know when my choices got driven by them. '' He took a deep breath and turned his eyes to Kajal, ''I am sorry!''

She threw her arms around  his neck as hugging him tight. Tarun moved the laptop aside as his arms went around her waist in reaction. He slowly pulled her up on to his lap, making the position more comfortable for each. They sat in each other's arms without uttering a word, providing the silent comfort.

Kajal slowly moved back, ''Its late , we should sleep.'' She tried getting out of his arms but he held her. Kajal's presence gave him amazing calmness, ''Stay, I promise not to be naughty.'' That earned him a light slap on cheek and he quickly pecked her palm. She slid of his lap blushing and moved to the other end.

''Don't move more or you will crash on the floor.'' He teased. She just smiled and quickly got herself settled closing her eyes,  pretending to be sleepy. She just wanted to cover up her happiness and excitement she felt in that moment. 

''Good night!'' He whispered switching of the lights and she opened her eyes, she wasn't interested in dreaming when reality was so beautiful. Kajal wasn't aware that even Tarun was wide awake smiling to himself.

***

Robin had tried to reach Kajal six to seven times over the phone but she kept disconnecting it . He had convinced the board members about launching a fresh chic silver collection for college going girls and had suggested Kajal's name for the same. Since the day she had taken the break he couldn't speak or reach out to her. He was desperate to see her and was ready to all in his power for the same. 

When she didn't answer the eight time he decided to try next morning but he couldn't sleep, his mind clouded with different images of her with the man who wasn't him. He pulled out a cigarette and stood leaning against the wall taking puffs. He couldn't understand how he was  not better than the man who judged her on looks. 

He decided to take a twisted route. He could understand the reason she was avoiding him. He huffed, if not his she will definitely answer the call from a senior person from Enchanted.

***

Kajal deleted her call log, she easily understood what Robin was trying do now. She had decided not to interact with him for now till things settle . She was also planning to check other brands looking for freelancers like her. She was even ready to consider Tarun's initial suggestion of taking a full time job. She blinked when Tarun snapped his fingers opposite to her eyes, ''Where are you lost?''

''I am planning to take a full time job.'' She replied with a smile  

Tarun held Kajal by her shoulders , staring at her face he tried reading her thoughts, ''Why should you stop doing something because of a moron. Work the way you want to, and someone had once mentioned that Kajal Mehra is a brand.''

''That was Kajal Bisht!'' She corrected

''That was before...now the brand has evolved and glamorised itself with a new name, 'KAJAL MEHRA...THE DESIGNER.' '' 

Kajal laughed, the ring of her phone broke the perfect moment. She answered but kept it brief, ''All good?'' He asked

''Yes, Enchanted folks wants to meet me. I had told them that I won't take any assignment for this year. I have done three and that's too tiring.''

Tarun rubbed her back, ''What's the harm in meeting them, the final call will be  yours. Get ready, I will drop you.''

''I can drive!'' 

''What if I want to drive you to work!'' he asked with a smile. She nodded and quickly walked off to get ready.Tarun dropped Kajal at Enchanted Office and asked her to call him once free, driving off next minute . Kajal stood at her place till his car disappeared. She decided to plan another date and soon.

Kajal greeted everyone in the best professional way and that included Robin. He guided her to the board room where the meeting was being organised.

***

''Thanks buddy ! If you hadn't helped I wouldn't have been able to manage this team.'' Praveen patted Tarun's back.

Traun just smiled, ''What are friends for.'' They decided to take a break and Praveen couldn't help but notice that Tarun looked happier than before. They discussed about random things including Tarun's life and Praveen's upcoming wedding. Their conversation was broken by Tarun's phone, he answered and his face lost the colour, ''I will be there in some time.''

''Hey what's wrong?''

''Kajal's dad has been admitted and her number is not reachable. I will go and check on him in hospital and then go to pick Kajal.''

''Tarun, I will go the hospital you go an pick Kajal up.'' Praveen offered. Tarun was half listening, his mind moving the Kajal again and again. Her phone being not reachable was turning him mad with worry. He cursed himself for suggesting her to go for the meeting. He drove off his office campus thinking about the different scenarios in which Kajal failed to answer his calls. His mind went to Robin and his grip on wheel turned hard. 'I swear, I will rip you with bare hands if this has to do anything with you Robin.'

All his way he kept trying her number but it came unreachable every time giving him all kinds of wrong ideas. He cursed the traffic, the signal the roads and the distance. The drive was turning the longest one of his life. He recalled their moments a day before and his worry peaked, 'Please let my Kajal be fine.' He made a silent prayer as her work place came in the range of his vision.

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