Chapter 44

—Monday, February 7, 2022, 7:30AM—

Imlie finished her morning prayers and started heading to the kitchen, then she saw Aryan head into the house from his morning run. It seemed he’d decided to run outside this morning instead of in his gym at home. She stopped in her tracks without realizing, and just stared, almost open mouthed. The man had spent God knows how long in a tank top and shorts, outside. A tank top which was now just dropping with sweat. Imlie stared as he opened his water bottle and gulped down water. After what was clearly too long staring at him, Imlie focused her gaze back towards the kitchen, but she was too late.

Aryan walked towards her, catching up to her before she made it to the kitchen. “Imlie, I know I’m handsome, but if you stare at me so openly, so early in the morning, won’t you Sita Maiya feel jealous?” He chuckled.

Imlie scoffed, recovering as fast as she could, “Please, I was just wondering how you could manage to run in those clothes without completely scandalizing everyone in the neighborhood. Aur, tujhe sharam nahin aati, aise Bhagwaan ke baare mein baat karte hue? (And, don’t you feel ashamed, talking about God this way?)

Aryan raised an eyebrow at her, and grinned. He leaned close behind her and whispered in her ear, “Mujhe is tarah ghoorate hue tumhen sharm nahin aaee, to mujhe sharm kyon aanee chaahie?” (You weren't ashamed staring at me like that, so why should I be ashamed?)

Imlie tried to come up with a fitting response, but she couldn’t, and Aryan winked and headed up the stairs to his room to shower. Imlie stood there, in the middle of house, wondering both what had gotten into her, and what had gotten into Aryan. Why was he in such a good mood? More importantly, why had she been staring at him for no reason? She felt her face, it was getting hot again as her mind drifted back to the sight of Aryan sweating, and then him behind her, his breath in her ear. She shook her head and took a deep breath. It was nothing, she was losing it, that was it. She was just going mad. She rushed to the kitchen and decided to focus on making her favorite breakfast instead of anything else.

—Monday, February 7, 2022, 8:30AM—

Imlie was almost done with her breakfast, and she was consciously trying to avoid Aryan’s eyes. She didn’t want him making fun over what happened this morning in front of Didi or Kaki Maa. Who know what they would think if he did that. Imlie shuddered at the thought, and then tried to focus solely on her work for the day.

Arpita noticed Imlie had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally she asked, “Imlie, sab theek hai, na? Are you stressed about something? Your exams? You know, if you focus on something for too long, it just gets more confusing.” (Everything is fine, right?)

Aryan chuckled, and Imlie choked on her juice.

“Didi, you’re right, I think Imlie needs to change what she focuses on. I mean if you stare at something for too long, it’s just so dazzling, you get confused. Right, Imlie?” Aryan said, biting back a grin.

Imlie said nothing and took another sip of her juice, trying to control her breathing. She glared at Aryan, he couldn’t hold the grin back any longer. He winked again.

Arpita stared at the two of them, “I’m missing something, aren’t I? Dazzling?”

Imlie finally interjected, “It’s nothing Didi. Nothing. ABP, aren’t we getting late? We should go, right? To work?”

Aryan nodded sagely, his grin still dancing around his eyes, “Sure, sure. Let’s go. You head out first, I wouldn’t want to confuse you.” He said the last bit so Arpita Didi and Maa couldn’t hear.

Imlie coughed loud to hide his words, and her discomfort. She grabbed her bag and headed out the door.

Aryan looked after her, and Narmada and Arpita stared quizzically at him.

“Beta, what’s wrong with Imlie? Did something happen?” Narmada asked.

Aryan smiled wider, “Nothing Maa, I just caught Imlie staring at me after my run…” Aryan trailed off. He cursed himself for his inability to lie to his mother.

Arpita laughed and then gasped, “Wait, she was staring at you, how? Why? Did you finally tell her how you feel? Do you need tips on flirting, because I don’t know if teasing her is the right way to do it.”

Aryan rolled his eyes, “Didi, stop. Please. God, this is embarrassing.” Aryan grabbed his bag and headed out as well. Leaving Narmada and Arpita giggling into their breakfasts.

Imlie was waiting outside Aryan’s car and he clicked it open as he approached the driver’s side. He smiled at her, “Please don’t stare too much at me as I drive, it will mess with my concentration.”

Imlie rolled her eyes, “Shut up.”

He laughed and they got into the car.

When they finally reached the office, Imlie clicked open her seatbelt and started to get out of the car quickly, but then noticed Aryan hadn’t moved.

“Aren’t you coming?” she asked.

Aryan replied, “No, today’s my board meeting, I won’t be in the Bhaskar Times’ offices today.”

Imlie added, concerned, “Wait, if you had your board meeting today, then why did you drop me? I could have taken an auto? Tujhe time waste karne ka shock hai kya?” (Do you enjoy wasting time?)

Aryan looked at her, and then realized he had driven her when he hadn’t needed to, “I drove you because…I like to drive.” He nodded, as if that made all the sense in the world.

Imlie stared at him open-mouthed, “I think you need to drink less coffee, it’s messing with your ability to think properly.” She opened the door and got out, adding, “Don’t come back for me in the afternoon, ABP, I’ll find my own way home. You and your Mrs. Lambi Gaadi should focus on your own work.”

Aryan stared at her, “You have a problem with me doing something normal and nice?”

Imlie looked back at him, “Yes, because you, Akkad Bagga, are neither normal nor nice. ‘I like to drive.’” She muttered the last bit, “Totally crazy.”

“What was that?” He called out.

“Nothing!” She said, “Are you going or not, you’ll be late.”

Aryan started the car again, and Imlie shut the passenger side door. Aryan opened the window, and shouted at her, “I was just waiting because it seemed you wanted to get a few more seconds of staring done before I left.” With that he drove off, Imlie yelling her favorite obscenities and nicknames for him as he left.

Aryan smiled to himself, he genuinely hadn’t realized he didn’t need to drop Imlie off. It just seemed like the natural thing to do. He’d obviously remembered his board meeting today, he’d been focusing on it all morning over breakfast too, but then when Imlie suggested they leave, he just drove her. He only realized he had to be at the other offices for Rathore Enterprises a few minutes before he parked. He also smiled remembering his conversation last night, everything was going according to his plan. He took the next turn and drove towards his other office, thinking back to this morning when he’d been so close to Imlie again that he could smell that damned flower on her. He really needed to just break into her bathroom and find the stupid shampoo bottle once and for all.

—Monday, February 7, 2022, 4:30PM—

Imlie managed to keep thoughts of Aryan out of her head all day. At least she tried. However, every so often something completely inane would remind her of Aryan this morning, or Aryan last night, or Aryan confronting her in the hallway the other day. Sometimes it was the scent of someone’s leather bag passing by near her. Another time during lunch it was just the sight of someone cleaning their spoon with a napkin that left Imlie in silent giggles as she remembered how Aryan had devoured her cooking at that daaba near Pagdandia ages ago. Finally, though, she’d finished her work for the day — despite feeling distracted all day. She couldn’t figure out why today, of all days, she had thought so much about her Akkad Bagga, wait, not her Akkad Bagga, just Akkad Bagga. She shook her head trying to physically push the Freudian slip out of her head. She packed up her laptop and things, and headed out of the office, waving to her editor and a few of her colleagues. She just needed to get home and finish studying for her exam. The exam was tomorrow and she needed her whole brain to just be focused on that.

As she waited for an auto, Imlie’s phone pinged twice and she checked the messages. One was from Shiv and the other from Aryan.

Shiv: Good luck on the exam tomorrow, I’m sure you’ll do great! Do you need any more help studying?

Akkad Bagga: Do you need a ride home? Your exam is tomorrow right? Stop working and go home and study for the exam. If you need a ride, I can come over in a few.

She replied to Aryan first, assuring him that she didn’t need a ride, and that she was on her way home to study right now. Then she texted Shiv.

Imlie: Actually, would I be able to get some more help, I wrote up a few mock essays and answers to past exam questions…

Shiv: Sure, do you want to meet at the same café

Imlie pondered this, she didn’t want to spend another evening out, even if it was just studying, it would be better to study at home.

Imlie: Let me call Kaki Maa and ask if you can come over? Would that still work for you, it’s not too far from your own house right?

Shiv: Sure, that’s fine.

Shiv had hesitated at the last text, he wasn’t sure how Aryan would act if he came over to help Imlie. He also worried that even though Imlie was so far oblivious to the fact that his feelings were changing, he doubted Aryan would be. But the desire to help Imlie pushed the concerns away for Shiv. He’d figure it out, he’d be able to get it into control. He wasn’t about to become some sad character from a tragic romance novel that pines after a girl that was never going to be his, he wouldn’t.

Imlie called Kaki Maa, and she answered on the first ring, as always.

“Imlie, sab theek hai, na?” Narmada asked. (Everything is okay, right?)

Imlie laughed, “Yes, yes everything is fine. I was just wondering, can my friend come over this evening. I just want to bug him some more as I’m studying for my exam. I promise we won’t be a bother.”

Narmada hesitated, she knew Imlie probably meant the friend she’d gone to meet yesterday, the one that Aryan seemed so bothered by. But she couldn’t well refuse Imlie just because her son was acting like a gaddha, “Of course, you don’t even have to ask. Yeh bhi tumhara ghar hai.” (This is your house too.)

Imlie sighed in relief, “Thank you Kaki Maa. I’ll see you soon, I’m heading home right now.”

She texted Shiv immediately and Shiv confirmed that he’d be there soon.

—Monday, February 7, 2022, 6:30PM—

Shiv and Imlie had been talking and working non-stop for around one and a half hours, and this was the point at which Arpita realized that maybe Aryan had been right to act like a jealous baby yesterday. Arptia watched the two of them laugh and get along as if they’d been friends for ages, not just a week. And then Arpita heard the front door unlatch, and realized she and Maa would be dealing with Aryan’s bad mood yet again.

Aryan walked into the main living room, and at first he walked straight past Imlie and Shiv. Then he did a double take and felt like his head would implode at any second. There was Imlie, sitting on the center table, writing something and nodding at Shiv, who was sitting on the couch.

Shiv noticed Aryan first and he stopped talking, hesitantly offering a smile to Aryan. Imlie looked up and realized why Shiv had stopped talking.

“ABP, tum aa gaye? Kaise tha tumhara board meeting?” (You came? How was your board meeting?) Imlie asked him, smiling. In that moment, Imlie completely forgot she had been studying for an exam, she forgot anything having to do with history, actually. All she noticed was how ridiculously handsome he looked when he came home tired from work. His hair messed up and curling despite whatever product he put in it; the way he held his jacket over his shoulder, like he was some hero in a Bollywood movie. Then she realized what she was thinking about and snapped out of it. Aryan still hadn’t answered her question, he was just staring at Shiv, and Shiv was staring at him. She looked at the two of them, then joked, “Are you two having a silent conversation so I can’t hear? What’s going on?”

Aryan snapped out of it first, he looked at Imlie, “Do you not pay attention in class, is that why you need a private tutor?”

Imlie made a face at him, “Don’t be mean to me today, I’m stressed. Shiv was kind enough to help me.” She got up off the table and grabbed a glass and poured some water. Shiv expected her to drink it herself, but she walked over to Aryan and handed it to him. Aryan raised his eyebrow, and looked at the glass. Imlie stared at him, expectantly, when he didn’t take the glass, she pushed it into his free hand, “You look exhausted, did you drink or eat anything today? Go ask Kaki Maa for some food.” She went back to the table and took her seat again.

Aryan drank the water and headed out of the room, muttering, “Pehle mujhe shock dehti hai, phir us shock ke liye paani deti hai. Kamaal hai.” (First she gives me a shock, and then for that shock she gives me water. She’s amazing.)

Imlie looked back to Shiv and asked, “Where were we?”

Shiv unclenched his hand, his eyes still on the empty glass of water sitting on a side table where Aryan had left it, and looked back to Imlie, “Right, we were talking about the argument you made here about the Indian constitution and the right to vote, I think you should change it…”

Aryan set his bag and jacket on the dining table and saw Maa and Didi approach him, as if he were a wounded animal who would start hissing at them at any moment.

“What, why are you two looking at me like that?” Aryan asked.

Arpita looked at Narmada, and then back at Aryan, “We just wanted to tell you not to worry. It’s still salvageable.”

Aryan looked confused, “What’s salvageable?”

Narmada smiled, trying to hide her pity for her son at this moment, “I don’t think she actually likes him like that. I wouldn’t worry about it. You are…planning something…good for her birthday, right?”

Aryan looked between the two of them, “What? Who doesn’t like who? Why would I worry? What are you two even talking about?” His last question was louder than the first, so Arpita shushed him.

“Talk quietly, you don’t want her to hear. We’re talking about Imlie.” Arpita whispered, walking closer to him. “Maa and I don’t think she likes him. And I don’t see any chemistry, none at all. Don’t worry.”

Aryan rolled his eyes, “Didi, please. I’m fine.” Aryan looked back at the living room, he heard Imlie laugh at something in the distance, and clenched the back of a chair, then when the laughing stopped, he snapped out of it and let go. “It’s fine.” He said this more to reassure himself than Maa or Didi.

Half an hour later, Imlie looked at her watch and realized why her stomach was grumbling.

“I think I’ve studied all I can without food. I’m going to go see if Kaki Maa needs any help with dinner.” Imlie said, getting up.

Shiv stood up too, “Right, then I’ll get going.”

Imlie pulled him back, “Tum pagal ho kya? If I let you go without eating am I even a good friend? Wait, let me just ask Kaki Maa or Didi if it’s okay, I’m sure it is.”

She didn’t wait to listen to Shiv’s protests, and she ran into Arpita Didi just as she was heading to the kitchen.

“Arpita Didi, kya Shiv dinner ke liye rukh sakta hai?” Imlie asked Arpita, “He’s been such a help, and,” she turned to look at Shiv, “He’s already so skinny, I don’t think he’s had a proper home cooked meal in ages.” (Can Shiv stay for dinner?)

Arpita nodded, not finding any reasonable way to refuse Imlie. She smiled nervously at Shiv and said, “Of course. Thank you so much for helping Imlie. I know she didn’t need it, but it’s so nice of you.”

Imlie clapped her hands, “Great, Shiv I’m gonna go help Kaki Maa, see you in a second.”

The five of them sat down at the table, but this time, Aryan didn’t take his usual seat next to Arpita and across from Imlie, this time he sat down in the chair Imlie had pulled out for Shiv. She looked at him quizzically, but didn’t say anything.

“I’ll just sit over there,” Shiv said, walking to the seat next to Arpita.

Arpita and Narmada just waited for perhaps the most awkward dinner they’d ever had in the house to end. Only Imlie was really conversing, ending the painfully long gaps in conversation with her usual chirpy stories about her day, the work she was doing, and especially tonight—what she was worried about for the exam.

It was only when Shiv actually left the house, in fact, only when Arpita could hear his car drive away, did she finally breathe and actually look at her brother. He didn’t look too worse for wear, though it did seem like the vein near his temple was bigger than it was before dinner. She also didn’t remember it throbbing as much.

“So,” Arpita clapped his hands, looking at Imlie, “you feel ready for your exam?” She specifically hoped Imlie wouldn’t bring up Shiv, but Imlie, as smart as she could be—didn’t seem to see some things that were right in front of her.

Imlie smiled, “Yes, I really think I am. I think I completely pulled out every bit of information Shiv had in him. Poor guy. If I end up doing well in this exam, I’m going to have to find a way to thank him.”

Arpita nodded, “Hmm, right, right.”

Aryan didn’t say a word, and just went upstairs. Imlie watched him leave. She looked to Arpita.

“What’s wrong with him?” Imlie asked Arpita.

Arpita smiled and shook her head, “No, I don’t think so, he’s just in one of his moods.”

Imlie sighed and muttered to herself, “Someone should tell him he looks better when he’s smiling.”

“Kuch kaha turne?” Arpita asked. (Did you say something?)

Imlie shook her head, “No, no, nothing. I’m going to go to my room and study some more. Night you two.”

She hugged Arpita Didi and Narmada good night. The two of them were alone in the living room, and when they looked at each other Narmada had to stop herself from laughing and Arpita had to stop herself from complaining about Shiv.

Narmada whispered to her daughter, “Honestly, I know it doesn’t make me a good mother, but it’s good to see Aryan jealous. It means at least now he’ll try something…and finally, I’ll get a daughter-in-law.”

Arpita grumbled, “This UNB better do something, or else we’ll all be attending Shiv’s and Imlie’s wedding in a year’s time.”