Chapter 4

Ananya Banerjee

@ananya269

Shiva got a text early in the morning. 

“Saree pehenu ya salwar? Ya western?”

Shiva banged his head on the wall before him and kept his mobile on the side. He heard it vibrating once more, but he didn’t even check what she’d sent him next. He quickly took a bath and got ready for the mandir. 

When they reached, they found Raavi already waiting for them. She was wearing a gorgeous blue anarkali and Shiva just rolled his eyes. Who dresses up like that in the morning? He found Raavi glaring at him, and he knew it was because he didn’t reply to her text. 

Raavi couldn’t believe that Shiva took no efforts to get ready for her. He was wearing his usual vest and shirt, when she had woken up at 6, and gotten ready so beautifully! They went to the mandir, and Raavi stood right next to Shiva the entire time. When he rang the temple bell, she kept her hand on his and looked at him shyly. 

Dhara didn’t know what she just saw. Did Raavi and Shiva just ring the temple bell together? Or was it a mistake? But why was she blushing like that? She convinced herself that it must be a mistake on her part. It was definitely some overthinking on her part. 

“Ae maami ki behen ki beti, saradin aise hi chipki rahegi kya?”

“Girlfriend hu teri. Obviously chipkungi.”

“Zyaada chipak mat warna tera stupid plan cancel.” Shiva warned. 

“Tu chahe toh jaa sakta hai. Main Somnath ki sabse khoobsoorat ladki hu. Fake boyfriend toh mujhe koi bhi mil jayenga.”

Shiva sighed, and let Raavi hold his hand, but unfortunately no one noticed this. When they got out, Gaumbi suggested they have breakfast together. Raavi got on Shiva’s bike, shocking Dhara once again. 

When they got to the restaurant, and took their places, Gaumbi passed the menu to everyone asking them to order whatever they wanted. Raavi sat next to Shiva. When Gaumbi passed her the menu, Raavi saw another chance and took the menu. 

“Main burger khaungi aur Shiva chole bhature.”

“Ae mami ki behen ki beti, main khud ke liye order kar sakta hu.” Shiva snatched the menu from her. After a minute, he passed the menu to Krish.

“Kya hua? Order nahi kiya?” Raavi smirked. 

“Haa chal chole bhature hi khaa lunga.”

Raavi laughed. She knew exactly what he would want. Dhara was finding this entire thing very confusing. Why was Raavi ordering for Shiva all of a sudden? And why was she so chummy with him? She always sat next to Dev, but she had never ordered for him. With Shiva, she was different. 

“Raavi tum chocolate milkshake logi?”  Dev asked, when he got the menu. 

Raavi was happy. Dev knew she liked milkshake, and offered her. Maybe her plan was working, maybe seeing her order for Shiva made him jealous.

“Banana milkshake.” Shiva said. “Ise banana milkshake zyaada pasand hai.”

Dhara was going crazy. What was happening here? Shiva was ordering for Raavi now? He knew what she liked. She looked at Gaumbi, but he seemed oblivious to what was going on. Even Dev and Krish were now discussing what to eat.  

When they finished eating, Gaumbi went to the store, Krish went to his college, Dev went to drop Dhara home and Shiva went to drop Raavi home

“Shiva ghar nahi chalenge. Mujhe park leke chal.” She said, as she got on his bike. 

“Chipkali tu kal se mujhe bohot irritate kar rahi hai.” Shiva said. 

“Shiva ab tu boyfriend hai mera, toh meri demands rakhni paregi. Hume plan bhi banana hai toh chal jaldi.”

Shiva sighed and took her to the park. They saw a park bench empty and sat on it.

“Haa toh ab sun.” Raavi started. “Tujhe na thoda zyada boyfriend banne ki acting karni paregi. Tu abhi bhi mere saath Shiva jaisa hi behave kar raha hai.”

“Kyu meri jaan lene par tuli hai?” Shiva asked. 

“Tu boyfriend hai abhi toh teri jaan meri. Mera plan yeh hai ki hume Dhara di ko yakeen dilana parega ki hum dono ke beech kuch chal raha hai.” Raavi said. “Par kaise?” She started thinking. Suddenly she saw a ice cream stall. “Ice-cream!!” She shouted. 

“Milkshake aur burger khake pet nahi bhara jo tujhe ice cream khani hai.” 

But Raavi wasn’t listening to Shiva. Her plan was ready. She was going to make Dhara realise that there was something going on between them. Raavi silently applauded herself for being so smart. She dragged Shiva to the ice cream stall. 

“Shiva ice cream kharid de.” Raavi said. “Bhaiyya ek chocolate brick de do.” She told the ice cream vendor. 

“Sukh, chain toh cheen liya ab paise bhi nahi choregi.” Shiva muttered to himself as he paid for the ice-cream. 

“Ab Pandya house chal.” Raavi said. 

Shiva decided to silently comply. He knew this girl wouldn’t let him live in peace. So best to get it done and over with. They got on his bike and drove to Pandya house. She got down and rushed inside. Shiva parked his bike and went inside. 

“Shiva tu toh ise ghar chorne wala tha?” Dhara asked. 

“Dhara di, mujhe ice cream ka stall dikh gaya toh maine socha main sabke liye ice-cream le aati hu.” Raavi smiled. “Aap sab baithiye, main aap logo ke liye ice cream lati hu.”

She went into the kitchen. Raavi knew Dhara would come to the kitchen anytime now to help her. This was her chance. She texted Shiva.

“Kitchen mein aa jaldi.”

Shiva came. Raavi was actually impressed at how much he listened to her. She served some ice cream in a bowl and handed it to Shiva. 

“Mujhe khila!”

“Kyu? Gabbar ne tere haath kaat liye?”

“Oh romance ka dushman. Jitna kaha hai utna kar.” Raavi said. 

She saw Dhara coming to the kitchen through the corner of her eyes. It was time for some action. Shiva held a spoon of ice cream to her. She looked at it shyly then ate it. Then when he held the second spoon out for her, Raavi pretended to blush. 

“Shiva bas kar. Koi dekh lega!”

This time Shiva was sure, Raavi was upto something. He tried to turn around, but held his hand, making him him eat from the spoon. Raavi noticed that Dhara had hidden behind the wall after noticing them together. She almost laughed at the success of her plan.