5: Past, present and future
Dhriti goes on a date/not a date with a former boyfriend. Vani wins a case and attends Sitara's wedding. Karan decides to host a party.

tw: a court case regarding an acid attack, and a description of it. the part is marked with asterisks (*) if you wish to skip.

"Hello, hello hello, funny how plans work, right?" Aditya said smiling at his ex-girlfriend.

"Adi..Aditya hey" Dhriti greeted him awkwardly.

"I was coming to Pune tomorrow, to meet you but I met you today. Interesting" he said, but looked like he was talking to himself.

"When did you come back? Meet me...me?" Dhriti looked flustered and stuttered words.

"Aye kaaay madhe ubhe ahet doghe bavlat?" (Why are these two idiots standing in the middle?) someone said loudly and the two awkwardly made their way to a table.

"Let's get our food first?" He asked and she nodded. She was curious about what he had been up to since their...breakup.

As they waited at the counter, she quickly sent a message on the girl's group chat.

Jonathan Bailey FC

Dhriti
I MET ADITYA!!!!!

In five minutes the two had settled down and were ready to eat. Despite Dhriti's initial hesitation and awkwardness, she now felt extremely comfortable and relaxed, just like in the past. The two chatted about random and mundane things. He recollected tales of New York and she shared tidbits of Pune. The two shared laughs as they savoured the delicious pizzas and sandwiches they had ordered.

Dhriti liked to listen to Aditya's talks. He had a way of talking which was effortlessly charming. He was an entertaining speaker and no one could not be inattentive while he talked.

Why is my ex so attractive?

"Yeah, so that was how I returned home!" He ended the tale of his adventurous journey from NYC to Delhi.

"International travel mhanun nakosa vatato" (That's why I don't like international travels) she commented and the conversation came to a sudden awkward halt.

"So, when are you going to experience hell again?" She asked, air quoting hell.

"Why so eager to send me back? I'm here forever, babydoll"

"F-forever?" She stuttered.

"Yeah," he said casually as if it was not a big deal.

"So what city will you live in?"

"Pune, of course"

"Oh"

-

After two long hours, Karan and Tara were done with their shopping. As they stepped out of the shop, both of them realised that they had kept their differences aside and had an actual fun time together. Unbelievable!

"So should we head back home? Or do you have more work? More to shop?" Karan asked and both of them felt a little nostalgic, remembering the first time they lived in the same society.

"Actually, I am staying at my parent's place for the weekend, so I'll just...go there" she said and Karan nodded.

"Oh, I see" he said, disappointment hit him.

Why am I feeling...weird?

"Well, thank you Tara. I could not have done this without you!" He said, with his signature smile and she smiled back at him.

"It's okay, I guess you aren't that annoying, so I helped you"

"Good to know that I am not that annoying" the two chuckled.

"You're not going to visit your house?" She asked.

"Uh no, Aai Baba are in Hyderabad right now, visiting my cousin"

"Oh" Tara would by lying like a liar if she wasn't disappointed. The prospect of spending some more time with Karan (!?) didn't seem as unpleasant as she had thought before.

"By the way, are you going to be free next Sunday?"

"Why, do you want to clothes shopping?" She asked.

"No, wait- what's wrong with my clothes?"

"Uh..nothing"

"Wait no tell me!"

"You're literally wearing a checkered t-shirt!"

"So?"

"And then you ask- what's wrong with my dressing sense?" She said, trying to mimic him.

"That is so not how I sound"

"That sounds exactly like you. Arrogant and a know it all and a...blah blah blah"

"You can't even name my bad qualities!"

And the arguments which were on put on a pause while shopping were resumed.

-

(the next day)
***

Vani came out of the courtroom, glowing at the joy of yet another victory. Being a lawyer specialising in business, the chance of fighting a case in court was rare. The few pro-bono cases Samaira makes her take were always a great experience for her.

The family of the victim came out and thanked her with a few tears in their eyes.

"Thank you, madam, thank you madam" they expressed their gratitude multiple times, folding their hands in front of them.

"Kaka, kaki majhya samor haat naka jodu, please" (Uncle, Aunty please don't bow in front of me) she said softly.

"Majhya mulila nyaay milvun dileli mauli ahes tu baala" (You are like God to me for helping my daughter get justice)

Hearing that, Vani teared up a little, she had underestimated the impact she had on lives with her work and felt proud of herself.

"Majhyakadun Durva Tai ka congratulations dya, me nantar phone karenach!" (Congratulate Durva on my behalf me, I will call her soon!)

"Ho ho" (Yes)

"Ajun kiti divas lagtil bara hoyla?" (How many days more for her to get better?)

"Doctor mhanale ajun don teen athavde" (Two or three weeks more)

Vani had just won the case for an acid attack victim. The culprit was rejected by Durva, and as 'revenge' he threw liquid acid on her, while she was walking on the road. It was her everyday route, and many people walked on that road every day and all day; except for one secluded ally which was a two-minute walk. That's where he attacked her and ran away, without anyone noticing (or so he thought). The poor girl was left there, scared, in agony and crying for help. It was her sheer luck that a few people rushed her to the hospital the moment they found her.

Her healthy skin, which she diligently took care of making sure to follow her skincare routine before she slept every night, no matter how exhausted she was, was burning. Burning by the marks he had left. Burning because of his so-called revenge. Burning because he grew up nurturing the fragile male ego.

The suffering was so intense, that she couldn't even find a voice to scream and wail. The horror of facing the consequences because someone else couldn't handle rejection was overwhelming for her. Why me? What wrong did I do?

The tears which rolled down her cheeks also stung her. Thankfully, her family reached the hospital and were quick to take action. The moment Samaria read about the news, she offered to fight it for the family who were indebted to her. Durva was also on road to recovery, though everyone knew that she was going to need time, love and care to recover mentally from the traumatising incident.

"Aaj majhya bahini cha courtatla lagna ahe ani mag tyachyanantar functions ahet, mhanun Taila bhetata nahi yenar. Pan lavkarach yein!" (Today's my sister's court marriage and then there are the wedding festivities, that's why I won't be able to meet Tai. But I'll come soon!) Vani assured them and they nodded.

"Thank you, parat ekda"

***

Vani quickly changed into a salwar suit which she had bought for the occasion. The kurti was a lavender flowy kurti with embroidery on it. Her pants were of the same colour with a same coloured dupatta. She had left her hair down, letting it cascade down her shoulders.

Taking quick steps, she finally met Sitara and Shardul who were waiting in the passage with their parents and an unknown face.

To use the words of Penelope Feathorington- the great Lady Whistledown herself- 'He is not unpleasant to look at.' Shardul had later introduced the man as his best friend: Kushal.

The court marriage was a short and sweet affair. The two signed the certificates and exchanged garlands. The ceremony was succeeded by a nice lunch and a detailed photoshoot.

"Well, I'll go now, happy marriage you two" Vani announced at it was almost 6:30 p.m.

"Thank you Tai" Sitara said as Vani hugged her and Shardul.

"Thank you for coming today, Tai" Shardul said, in a formal tone and Vani smiled at.

"Don't be so formal with me, Shardul. We are family now" she gave him a warm smile and he grinned at her.

Taking a rickshaw, she went back home- feeling immense joy for her sister, and nothing else; though it did make her wonder and dream about her own marriage. Would she ever find someone? Or would she have an arrange marriage?

-

Manav felt his eyelids drop down as he stared at the screen to recheck his e-mail. He had written the e-mail which was to be sent to their CEO in a pure state of sleep. A groan left his lips as he got up to fetch himself his third cup of coffee or the day.

"Where are you going?" He heard Karan's voice.

"To get coffee" he mumbled drowsily.

"You are going to die so soon"

"Yeah, cool"

"I'll walk with you"

"Are you sure your knees won't hurt by walking, old man?" He commented and Karan rolled his eyes.

"At least I don't need drugs to do shit."

"Fair enough," he hummed, as the two walked towards the coffee machine. A frown appeared on their faces as they saw Manish Raina leaning on the doorframe of his cabin, talking to Alisha Khair.

"All three of us got promoted at the same time, then why the fuck does only he have a cabin?" Manav whined.

"Yeah what the fuck, he's a good for nothing doofus anyway. I don't know what Jha sees in him." Karan agreed, he did t care much for a cabin as long as he got the increased amount of money- but to see an incapable bastard having an ego boost and boasting around, hurt Karan's ego.

"What do you want?" Manav asked.

"Nothing."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah"

"Alright...so are you settled in your new home?"

"Yeah, went to buy some stuff yesterday, now I am all set" Karan said.

"Cool, when can I come and see your house?"

"Anytime, want to come today?"

"Nah, I'll come over the weekend. We could watch the finals"

"Oh sorry, I'm going to watch it with my other friend group."

"What the fuck, you won't prioritise me?" Manav asked theatrically and Karan laughed.

"Yeah, but I am thinking of keeping a small party thing on Sunday, so you could come then."

"Oh superb! Though I am telling you already, I'll come only if we win!"

"Understandable" Karan replied and the two sighed, going back to an unfortunate day for all Indian Cricket fans.

"So Sunday's final?"

"I just have to confirm with a few other close friends today and then I'll send the invites. I might have a puja too!"

"Aww, I am in one of your close friends!" Manav said and Karan rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I don't know why."

-

Dhriti stood at the gate of her resort, wearing a black dress reaching her ankles. She was wearing a jacket over it, as Mahabaleshwar tends to be cold. It was not raining at the moment, thankfully. She hoped that it would not rain till Aditya was there with his car.

Oh yes, she was going on a date (he insisted that it was a date) with her ex-boyfriend. Hallelujah!

Dhriti and Aditya had finished their lunch and were exchanging goodbyes at the exit of Mapro Gardens.

"It was nice meeting you, Adi..tya" Dhriti said, smiling. Their spontaneous lunch had been a 'friends' thing for her, and they used to super tight friends before they started dating.

"Same here, Dhriti." He said, but something about him felt off.

"I'll go now" she said, heading towards the parking. She walked ahead for three minutes when he came running to her.

"Dhriti, Dhriti wait." He said and she turned to face him.

"What happened? You forgot something?"

"Yes. The entire time we were together today, I purposely avoided every single topic which was related to our relationship. I pretended that we were never together just so I could hang out with, have a nice lunch with you, but I..I can't. The reason I was going to come to meet you was that I am begging you for a chance, Dhriti. I know the way we ended..it was not ideal, at all. I chose my career over you, went to New York, because that felt like the right thing to do. We were dating for two months, and and it was New York, it was fucking New York. I won't say I regret it, because the exposure I got, and the money, of course, but my feelings for you, they never ever stopped. I can't tell you the number of times I have picked up my phone, wanting to text you, wanting to call you to just hear your voice, but I was scared. I fucking messed up, I am so sorry, could you just..just give me a chance, please?"

"Oh, wow" Dhruti muttered under her breath, astounded at his confession.

"Oh wait, fuck. I forgot to ask, are you dating someone? Because if you are, this makes me a huge asshole. I am sorry  I really am. I won't bother you again"

"Oh my God, can you stop saying sorry?" Dhriti said, a little loudly and he nodded. His face was all red, and Dhriti thought he looked cute, all shy and flustered.

"I really don't blame you for choosing a dream job over a two month relationship, Adi. I always considered our relationship as something nice and sweet. Yes, it did hurt, but I never really blamed you. And it was because we're friends, friends even before we started dating."

"I'd like to be a lot more than friends" he breathed out and it was Dhriti's time to look all red and flustered.

"Will you go on a date with me, today?" He added.

"Well, we could go for dinner, it does not have to be a date, date" Dhriti said.

"Alright, I'm calling it a date though!" He declared grinning. "I'll pick you up, be ready at 7. God, I am so glad that you are here, it would have been not as romantic in Pune!"

Dhriti always liked Aditya. Even when he broke things off, he had been nothing but respectful and considerate of her feelings, which made her hate him more in the first week after their break up. Her phone rang and it was Vani.

"WHAT ARE YOU THINKING DUMBASS?" She heard her friend shout.

"Listen, I know"

"Who goes for dinners with their exes?" Vani interrupted her.

"Look, I know you think this is a bad idea, but I just want to try this out once"

"What is wrong with you? Quitting jobs, going on dates with exes, so unlike you" Vani said, and Dhriti decided to stay silent.

"Okay listen, I am sorry I overreacted. I just don't want you getting hurt" Vani said, listening to her friend's silence.

"I know that Vani. I just want to see where this goes, I promise. The moment I feel an incoming heartbreak, I will put a full stop to all of this."

"Okay let's stop all this heartbreak discussion" Vani said, as she got reminders of Sahil- her ex-boyfriend. "What are you wearing?"

"Oh, wait- a nice coincidence, I am wearing the dress you had gifted me on my birthday!"

"Lord have mercy on Aditya!"

"That's flattering, wait is that him, that's him Vani! Bye!" Dhriti hung up hastily. Aditya stepped out of the car, he was wearing a blue polo shirt and black jeans.

"Hey I am so sorry I am late!" He said, approaching her.

"Not a good impression for a first date, Mr. Jadhav" she teased him.

"So you agree this is a date?"

"Nope, but it's a date from your perspective, isn't it?"

"Fair, but- anyway, you look way too gorgeous. It should be illegal to look this good!"

"Flattery is not going to help with being late!" She said walking towards the car.

"This woman is going to be the death of me" he muttered under his breath.

A/N: I called the last part the longest, whereas this is way loonger, haha. Teared up writing about Durva. Also, do you have a favourite character yet? Like whom are you rooting for the most? Or what is your favourite relationship/friendship? Would love to know❤️