Timeless Passion: Chapter 2: Emotions in Turmoil

Title: Timeless Passion
Author: Roshni & KC
Rating: PG
Pairings:U-Know/KC, Micky/Jouty, Xiah/Naina, Max/Salma, Hero/Roshni
Word Count: 3,375
Disclaimer: We do not own DBSK or the songs used in the story. This is a work of fiction. This was written for fun. No profit is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

Introduction , Chapter 1:Inevitable Meetings

Chapter 2: Emotions in Turmoil

On the outskirts of Edinburgh stands the Nanda Mansion, the house where the famous Ranbir Nanda lived. In the house Ranbir is sitting with his head in his hands. The phone rings, “Hello” Ranbir says softly.

“Ranbir, all the arrangements have been made. Mr. Chatterji, the one who does business with us has a daughter who is studying in Lerwick. She'll do all the arrangements. Did you know that they had three children? I always thought they had two: Kuldeep and Kiran.” Ranbir’s brother Aditya finally takes a breath.

“Really who is the third daughter?” Ranbir asks surprised.

“Kaula... koala... I don't know some funny name. All you have to worry about is getting there on time. She's in university and probably has a busy schedule to keep.” Aditya informed Ranbir.

“Did you speak to Pooja?” Ranbir asked anxiously.

Aditya tried to reason with Ranbir. “No, she has her lips zipped. Ranbir I think its time you moved on. It has been four years.”

“How do you move on when your heart is with someone else? I don't have anything to offer anyone else. Please bhaiya (brother), can we not talk about this today? Tell me how will I know who this Kaula is?” Aditya feels the pain in his brother’s voice but decides to let the subject go.

“Kaula will call you once she has the arrangements finalized.” Aditya gets off the phone only to be a bit more worried about his younger brother.
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Back at the university Naina and Xiah are sitting at the cafeteria for lunch.

“I can't believe I ran without my glasses and didn’t bump into anything. You’re a naughty boy though…” Naina trailed off.

“Why?” Xiah asks confused as no one has called him naughty before.

“Because…” Naina begins but gets lost in her own thoughts. How do I tell him about the kiss? That was electrifying. If a kiss on the cheek made me feel like that then when we kiss on the lips I think I'll explode.
Xiah snapped his fingers in front of Naina. “Where did you go?” Xiah asked with a small smile.

Naina comes out of her thoughts, “Nowhere. Look there’s Jouty and Micky.” She raised her hand and shouts Jouty’s name to get her attention. Jouty and Micky make their way to where Xiah and Naina are sitting.

“I thought we'd never get a place to sit. Thank God you guys are here. Micky lets go grab something to eat.” Jouty finally takes a breath and started to walk towards the food counters. Micky dumps his bag on one of the empty chairs and follows Jouty.

“They make such a cute couple.” Naina vocalized her thoughts to Xiah. “Yeah one that will ultimately cause the end of this world.” Both of them burst out laughing at Xiah’s thought.

“Why?” Naina asked curiously.

“Have you seen Jouty? Man, when she's mad she's like a lioness. How many times has she stood up to U-Know for harassing KC and Micky on the other hand is so diplomatic.” Xiah tried to explain.

“All four of you have flaws and you're lucky to have cool Chic's like us as friends and partners.” Naina says playfully.

“Really, I think it should be the other way around. You girls are lucky that you have four handsome guys as your friends and partners; speaking of partners there's my buddy Max. Max over here.” Xiah ended in a shout. Max makes his way to the table as Jouty and Micky get there with their lunch trays.

“What is this? An art conference?” Max joked.

“Kind of, since we will be working together and we are neighbours, I guess we should hang around together.” Naina replied.

“Yeah tell that to U-Know. When he sees Koala... ow” Micky snorted. Jouty looked at everyone innocently.

“I meant KC. It's going to be like bombs everywhere. Speaking of the devil, look who's here.” Micky stammersed trying to sound innocent.

“Hey U-know.” Naina greeted him.

“I didn't realize we were so desperate for female company.” U-know says in response to Naina.

Max tries to diffuse the oncoming confrontation. “Come-on man we are going to be working together, so we might as well get to know each other.”

Xiah is quick to agree with Max but then turns the tables on Yunho by asking him about his most prized jacket.

“I…uh...I think I left it in my last class. Yeah” U-know stammered coming up with an excuse.

Naina and Xiah exchange knowing looks. Max and U-know go off to get some lunch and in the meantime Salma joins the group.

“Hey guys. Do you mind if I sit with you?” Salma asked hesitantly.

“No babe, you are part of our little family. So feel free.” Naina gestured to the seat next to Max. Salma put her stuff down and walked off to get lunch and bumped into Max and U-Know on the way. After everyone was sitting at the table, Naina pondered on where KC and Roshni could be out loud.

“Well you guys know what Koala's eat, so our dear Koala won't be joining us. She has gone to meet her fellow Koala's and eat dried eucalyptus leaves.” U-know said teasingly.

“Think again, there she is; head of our second year and that jacket she's holding looks familiar. Wait a minute that looks like your jacket U-know…” Xiah trailed off.

Oh what the. Why God? Why me? Why now? U-Know vehemently denies the jacket being his. KC walked up to Yunho and tried to hand him the jacket. She tried to thank him but he adamantly refuses the jacket being his.

“Oh, sorry. There is no need to be rude.” KC muttered loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Well why would I give you my jacket anyway? If you ever touched my clothes or me for that matter I'd have to bathe ten times and never wear the clothes again. You can have the jacket.” U-Know cringed as soon as the words escape his mouth. KC is about to retort when her mobile started to ring. She walks out of the cafeteria still holding the jacket.

Jouty looked at U-Know as if she is going to murder him. “You good for nothing...How mean can you get? Ok so you don't like KC but why are you always so horrible to her. Sometimes I wonder why the hell she actually....” She trailed off.

“Actually? Go on…” U-Know tried to prompt her.

“Forget it.” Jouty sighed.

Outside KC is sitting on a bench in the grassy area talking on her phone.

“Hi Kaula. I have some instructions from your father. A business associate of his is coming to Lerwick and needs a place to stay, arrange it and make sure the accommodation is the best. Don't you let us down, your father was very reluctant to give you such a big responsibility but your brother is very busy and Kiran has gone to Oxford to tour the University. Don't blow this. Is that understood?” KC’s mom doesn’t even bother to ask how she is or find out about her studies.

“Yes mother. Who is coming down?” KC tried to sound assured.

“Ranbir Nanda and here is his number. Make sure this is done. I really didn't want your father to tell them you were down here. I mean you are already an embarrassment to us but now it's done. Make sure you do this correctly. The hatred in her mother’s voice brings tears to KC’s eyes. Before KC can say anything else her mom disconnected. KC lets go of the tears that she is trying to keep at bay.
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Lerwick Hospital

After a full check up the patient is declared well enough to leave and receiving permission from his parents. The doctor dropped him off at the campus gate. He started to walk toward the cafeteria when he noticed KC on the bench. He is about to walk towards her but stops midway hearing her phone conversation.

He looks around wondering why isn't someone else with her...someone..like Yunho.

“That idiot will never learn, he can give my jacket away but he can't even talk to her in a decent manner for 2 seconds.” The guy muttered to himself.

He walked towards the cafeteria, he can see them. His heart aches for a second. He really missed his brothers, but he is not sure if he can face them yet. He sees a girl coming in his direction. She doesn’t look familiar to him but he knows everyone on the campus would know U-Know. He reached out and grabbed her hand.

Roshni is walking towards the cafeteria when a hand comes out of nowhere and grabs her pulling her into an alcove. She looked up ready to yell at someone but when she looks up her throat goes dry. She can’t help but think he is beautiful, though it is not right to call a guy beautiful but that's the only word that might be able describe him. She is quite surprised, as she hasn’t thought about anyone that way. She finally looked into his eyes and is surprised to see the mischievous eyes that appear cold but warm at the same time. No one had looked at her in that way such a long time. He is wearing a simple black v-neck t-shirt with jeans. His hair is damp as if he had recently taken a shower.

“Hello” He says with a smile on his face.

She looks at him confused. “Do I know you?”

“No but I need you to do me a favor. Please?” He asks looking at her.

Roshni looks at him irritated but can’t help but ask, “What is it?” She is surprised because by now she would be saying something rude and walking away. For some reason, she can’t identify, for the first time in a long while she feels safe…with a stranger.

“Get U-Know out here now!” He says a bit forcefully. Immediately Roshni flinched and tried to move away from him. She stops immediately as she realized what she is doing and a scowl formed on her face. Roshni looked around and notices KC sitting there.

“Get U-Know out here now and punch him for giving away my jacket.” He says a bit gentler this time.

“huh…jacket?” She looks at him confused. He pushes her towards the cafeteria. She looks back at him only to see him motioning towards the cafeteria looking at KC sadly. She walks into the cafeteria and up to their table.

“Roshni, what’s wrong? You look mad, I mean angry?” Naina asks concerned.

“U-know you're wanted outside.” Roshni says annoyed.

U-know raised his eyebrows questioningly, “by whom?”

“Look just go, I'm the messenger ok.” She then walks up to U-Know and punches him on the shoulder.

“OUCH. What was that for?” U-know asks shocked that her punch actually hurt him.

Roshni shrugs “go ask the person whose jacket you gave away. Don't get it what he's so pissed off about it is just a jacket. Grr oh and tell them, I am not their messenger.” She finished in a shout. Roshni stomps off. It is the first time in awhile that anyone has made her feel this angry. Everyone looks after her as if she has gone nuts.

“Okay…that was a bit weird.” U-Know says bewildered.

U-know goes outside and looks around to see who was waiting for him. He couldn't see anyone as he turned his gaze fell on KC who had her head down. Curious to see what she was doing he went to stand in front of her.

“Koala... what are you hiding?” U-Know asked cautiously. KC quickly wiped her tears and looked up.

“Nothing. What is it to you anyway?” KC says crossly.

“Are you ok?” U-Know asks worried. KC ignores him and gets up to leave when U-know grabs her arm and turns her to face him.

“You've been crying? Who made you cry?” U-Know asked forcefully.

“Why U-know... I didn't know you cared so much. Be careful or I might actually think you care for me.” KC replied sarcastically. KC grabs her hand back and walks off. U-Know watched her walk off. KC goes to the park. He follows her and sees her sitting on the swing. Not wanting to disturb the peace he just goes and sits next to her without saying anything. A comfortable silence drifts over both of them.

“Don't you have something else to do?” KC inquired.

“Nope.” U-Know replied.

“Don't you have somewhere else to be?” KC tried again.

“Nope.” U-Know repeated.

“Don't you have anyone else to bother?” KC asked crossly.

“Nope.” He deadpanned.

KC sighed.

U-Know sighed.

“Stop it.” KC ordered.

“You stop it.” U-Know copied her.

KC looked at U-Know enquiringly.

“Being all un-KC like.” U-Know said softly.

KC looks at him as if he has gone bonkers, “I have no clue what you mean.”

“That is exactly what I mean my KC would never take anything from me, smart comeback would have been my KC's way.” U-Know murmured. KC feels happy on the inside for some unknown reason as those words escaped U-Know's mouth.

“Feeling better? You'll feel even better if you let it out.” U-Know says softly.

The smartest kids in the second year can be so stupid sometimes. Yunho, you can be a prise idiot at times, now tell your Koala bear how you feel or some prince charming wanna be will come and sweep her away. The guy in the black v-neck thought watching them from a distance.

Xiah, Naina, Max, Salma, Micky and Jouty are wondering where KC and U-know have gone.

“That definitely was U-Know's jacket; nobody in this university can have that jacket because it belonged to Hero. Roshni was pretty weird. Looks like Hero got his revenge on U-know for giving his jacket away. I can't believe her punch actually hurt U-know the macho man.” Max says light-heartedly. “Back to being serious, it had Hero's name and that little sticker on it so it was definitely his jacket and not a copy.”

Micky agreed with Max and unintentionally says, “Imagine that U-know is finally opening up to his Koala bear.”

Jouty questioned his slip of Koala bear.

“Yeah, ok if we tell you, you have to promise not to tell KC or U-know or else we are going to get skinned alive and you wouldn't want that now would you?” Xiah responded.

“That would be an interesting sight to see. I mean all you three in your birthday suits getting skinned. Wow I could sell tickets. Can you imagine how much money I would make?” Naina says mischievously.

“Yeah Naina, that is not such a bad idea and what with KC being head of our year this would be like event of the year.” Jouty started to scheme.

Micky looks a bit put off. “Maybe we shouldn't tell them. What say guys?” Xiah agreed with Micky.

“Then maybe you won't find out what I know about KC.” Jouty snapped back.

“So let’s make a deal. We tell you about the bear and you tell us about KC.” Max tried to make a deal only to be interrupted by Salma. “I think it’s horrible that you are willing to tell their secrets. Give them time and slowly as they get to know each other maybe they'll realize that they could be friends after all.”

“Salma is right. Those two just need time. I mean if U-know really hated KC why would he cover her with his most prized jacket.” Xiah quickly agreed with Salma.

“Yeah but after denying it, what must KC think?” Naina asked.

“Hey KC gives as good as she gets and besides I think we should go see where they are. I hope she hasn't killed him by now.” Jouty started to get up but is interrupted by Salma telling them to leave KC and U-Know alone.

“Yeah besides if we butt in it’s our butts that will get kicked.” Max joked but Salma suddenly goes pale.
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Flashback

She was sitting in another cafe with some people. Everyone's faces are blurry but she heard a voice, "tomorrow it's our butts that will get kicked."

End Flashback
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"Salma, hey are you ok?" Max voice is laced with concern.

Salma looked at him baffled.

“Yeah you disappeared for a second?” Max explained.

Salma reassured him and excused herself.

“That was weird.” Max declared.

“Yeah it was. Max what did you do to the poor girl?” Jouty teased him.

“Nothing why do you think I did something?” Max raised his left eyebrow in question.

“Well she was sitting next to you...” Naina trailed off as if that explained everything.

“Nah Max isn't like that. He respects women.” Xiah speaks up in Max’s defence.

“Yeah he does. It's us playboys you have to watch out for.” Micky wiggled his eyebrows.

“Really? Playboy did you say?” Jouty snorted.

“Did I say playboy? I meant good boys...” Micky says trying to look innocent.

“Yeah right! The whole lot of you are flirts, even KC's U idiot know it all.” Naina says heatedly.

“I bet he loves that name.” Xiah says laughing. He looked at his watch and realized that time has really flown.

“I have to get to creative writing.” Xiah begins but is interrupted by Naina asking if it is with Professor Roberts. They both rushed off in hopes of finding seats together.

“What do you have now Jouty?” Micky asked and was surprised at her response of Introduction to watercolours. He offered to walk to her. He turned to Max who was also getting up and looked at him in concern.

“You going to be all right?” He asked Max in concern.

“Yes, I’ll meet up with you later tonight.” Max replied softly.

Max departed from there and went down to the beach, which is 3 miles from the university. He sat on the beach and stared at the ocean. From his pocket he took out a picture. It was a picture of him and a beautiful girl. Max was wearing a tux while the girl was wearing a white simple wedding dress.

Salma where did you go? Why did you leave me? Was my mistake so big that you left me forever? Max gets lost in his thoughts. He starts to remember when he and Salma first got together. How they had fallen in love. They had run away on Valentine's Day to get married. Max looked at the picture once again and then looks up to see Salma walking past him.

Why do I feel myself being pulled towards her? She only shares my wife's name but I feel this connection with her. Why? Max thought feeling perplexed.

Salma on the other hand was walking along the beach to calm herself. In her hand she had a wedding necklace, the only possession of her past life. Due to the accident she had lost her memory and severe facial scars gave her a new face. If her husband were out there looking for her then he wouldn't recognize her.

Max gets lost in his recollections. I still remember the first time I bumped into you Salma. The first time you said I love you. I still remember the nights both of us stayed up watching romantic movies.
Tears started to flow out of his eyes freely. He kissed the picture of Salma and thought of the future they both had envisioned.

I have nothing to live for Salma. Please come back to me. Why did you do this to me God? Did I do something so bad in my life that you took away my wife and my hyung (older brother/friend) in one hit? Everywhere I look all I see is your face smiling at me Salma. How do I live without you? The pain my heart goes through, not being where you are... All my dreams were broken in the month two of the most important people in my heart were gone. Please wake up Hyung. His thoughts turned to Hero who had helped him get closer to Salma and through the rough times, when he found out Salma was pregnant and the miscarriage.

Originally Posted on May 9, 2008 at I-F.

Chapter 3: Reminiscence