Array
(
[text] =>
Target
Votes: 110
Comments:55
********
POV AUTHOR:
(One Day Later)
Tara paced her room, chewing on her nails as nervous energy filled the air. Her steps were hurried, her brow furrowed, and her lips mumbled incoherent worries. On the bed, Shivi sat cross-legged, lazily munching on chips and shooting irritated glances at her friend, who had been circling like a caged animal for half an hour.
“Bas bhi kar, Tara! Rishta pakka karne nahi ja rahe waha! Tu itni tension kyun le rahi hai? Mera sar ghoom gaya hai tujhe dekh kar!” Shivi exclaimed, throwing a pillow at Tara.
(Stop it, Tara! We’re not going there to arrange a marriage! Why are you so stressed? You’re making my head spin watching you!)
“But Shivi, what if Tarun’s mom doesn’t like me?” Tara asked for the hundredth time, clutching the pillow to her chest. Her eyes were wide with genuine concern.
Shivi sighed, exasperated yet amused. “Tara, meri jaan, listen to me carefully. You’re amazing, okay? Perfect in every sense. Aunty will absolutely love you. Ab bas, overthinking band kar aur ready ho ja! It’s already 11, and we have to reach there by 11:45.”
Tara hesitated but nodded, biting her lip. Her nerves were still jittery, she shuffled to her wardrobe to get dressed.
********
Tara emerged from her room wearing a white crop top, a black skirt, and a matching jacket that made her look effortlessly chic. She glanced at herself in the mirror, smoothing her hair and taking a deep breath. Her bag, packed with essentials for the trip, hung over her shoulder as she descended the stairs.
(Her outfit reference)
Downstairs, her older brother Manav stood before their father, who was mid-monologue.
“Manav, tum dono sambhal kar jana? GPS on rakhna kahi bhi jao toh , aur phone silent mat karna! Tara ka dhyan rakhna, samjhe?”
(Manav, you both be careful, okay? Keep the GPS on wherever you go, and don’t put your phone on silent! Take care of Tara, understood?)
Manav nodded mechanically, his face betraying his boredom. Shruti, their mom, and Shivi stood to the side, stifling their laughter at the scene.
“Dad, bas kare! Hum bas do din ke liye ja rahe hai, not a lifetime expedition!” Tara intervened, rushing to her brother’s rescue.
(Dad, stop it! We’re only going for two days, not a lifetime expedition!)
“Tumhe toh meri baat lecture lagti hai!” her father retorted, feigning hurt. “Jab kisi ki beti ho, aur woh bhi itni sundar, toh baap ko tension hoti hai!”
(You think my words are just lectures!)
(When someone has a daughter, and such a beautiful one at that, it’s natural for a father to worry!)
He has always been like this whenever tara goes out somewhere.He doesn’t care much if his wife or son goes anywhere but if tara goes he behave like this
Shruti playfully huffed. “Huh! Aapko humari koi tension nahi hoti. Sirf beti ki care karte hain!”
(Huh! You never worry about me. You only care about your daughter!)
Tara smirked. “Aww, mom! Jealous, much?”
Shruti raised her chin defiantly. “Jealous? Not at all. He’s mine!” she declared, pulling her husband toward her.
“Ha ha mumma he is all yours waise bhi mai or bhai do din ke liye bhar ja rahe ho toh enjoy ha”Tara said with a playful wink, making her parents blush.
(Ha ha, mom, he’s all yours. Anyway, my brother and I are going away for two days, so enjoy!)
“Besharam ladki!!” Shruti said with her red face.
Manav and Shivi burst into laughter, clapping and hooting as their parents blushed. Tara rolled her eyes but smiled, feeling a bit more at ease.
********
At Tarun’s house, the group was already gathered, buzzing with excitement. Rajveer checked his watch impatiently.
“Finally! Let’s go. It’s 11:50. We’re cutting it close,” he said as Tara, Shivi, and Manav joined the group.
“Tara, relax. Aunty is chill,” Manav said, patting his sister on the shoulder. She nodded, taking a deep breath as they rang the doorbell.
The door swung open, and Tarun’s mother, Vandana, greeted them with a warm smile.
“Hello, beautiful people!” she teased, making the group chuckle.
“Hello, aunty!” they chorused.
“Come in, come in. You’re late, as usual,” Vandana said, holding the door wide open.
“Where’s Tarun?” Rahul asked, craning his neck to look inside.
“He’s been grumpy since evening, and I don’t know why. But you all go ahead; he’s in his room,” Tarun’s mother said, stepping aside to let them in. The group exchanged mischievous smirks, their eyes darting toward Tara. They all knew exactly why Tarun was grumpy—they had warned Tara not to talk to him all day, fearing she might accidentally spill the surprise. Not to mention, she hadn’t even told him her father had granted permission for the trip.
“Don’t worry, aunty. Your grumpy son is about to turn into a lovey-dovey one in no time,” Rohan quipped, earning chuckles from the group. Tara’s cheeks flushed pink at the comment, but she said nothing.
“Tara, you stay here. Come in with the cake at midnight. Until then, we’ll handle things,” Manav instructed, patting her shoulder reassuringly. Tara nodded, watching as the group disappeared upstairs toward Tarun’s room.
“Tara, beta, come sit,” Vandana called, gesturing to the bar stools in the kitchen. Tara hesitated before walking over with the cake in hand.
“So, you’re my son’s girlfriend?” Vandana asked casually, taking the cake and placing it on the counter.
“Yes,” Tara replied softly, her fingers fidgeting nervously.
Vandana studied her for a moment, then smiled warmly. “Now I understand why my grumpy son is suddenly so… whipped.”
Tara blinked in surprise. “Whipped?”
“Beta, you’re stunning! Any boy would fall for you,” Vandana said, making Tara blush deeply. They continued chatting, and slowly, Tara’s nerves eased.
******
The group burst into Tarun’s room without warning, startling him out of his trance. He was lying on his bed, staring at his phone.
“Oye, grumpy! Kisike call ka intezar hai kya?” Rahul teased.
(Hey, grumpy! Are you waiting for someone’s call?)
Tarun’s eyes widened at the sight of his friends.Instantly his eyes searched for someone but his face fell in disappointment not seeing that person.
“Kya dhoondh rahe ho, bhai?” Tiya teased, smirking
(What are you searching for bhai?)
“Tara kaha hai?” Tarun asked, his tone gruff but tinged with disappointment.
(Where is tara?)
Manav shrugged dramatically. “Usse permission nahi mili. She’s not coming.”
(She didn’t got permission)
Tarun’s face fell instantly. “Then what’s the point? The trip’s canceled. I’m not going.”
“Arre, serious ho gaya!” Shivi laughed, but before anyone could tease him further, the door creaked open.
“Oo is it the party cancel then should I go back home?” He heard a voice and instantly his head snapped towards the door and a wide grin came on his face and the room erupted in cheers and laughter as the couple shared a shy smile.
The night was young, and the celebrations had just begun.
*********
Hey, lovelies! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Don’t forget to hit that vote button and leave your thoughts in the comments. Till then byy see you soon ❤️
Thank you for your love and support!
Love from,
Miss Sharma ❤️
[text_hash] => 548410bd
)