Chapter 47

 Part 47 –  Bakra!

 

             Manthan ran outside to find Nisha. He couldn't believe she had left him like this! How could she have? He had told her everything he had to about Sarika. He had clearily told her that it was just a mistake and the Manthan back then and the Manthan now were like the North Pole and the South Pole; totally different! Then how could she have done something like this to him? He was sure she loved him and he thought he had made it pretty clear that he loved her as well. So why now? On their suhaag raat, had she left him? It just didn't make any sense to him.

 

             He rushed out of his room briskly. How was he even going to tell his parents that his bride had run away? And what if she was hurt right now? Questions flooded Manthan's brain but he got no answer. Suddenly, he heard a noise.  He turned around. He saw Nisha standing there.

 

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             Eklavya sat there, his bed, shocked. He had raised the gunghat to see a pouting Lakshya staring back at him. As soon as Eklavya's face changed expressions from "nervous about his suhaag raat" to "huh?" people started laughing. Lakshya pointed at the closet. Archita opened the closet and came out laughing. Pari came out from another closet. Nakul was hiding behind Archita's closet. They all seemed to be laughing at him. Finally Isha appeared at the doorway, smiling at Eklavya.

 

Nakul: Bakra!

Lakshya: That was a classic!

Archita: Sorry, bhaiya, it was Lakshya's idea.

Lakshya: It was not!

Isha: Ok, I don't think Eklavya cares whose idea it was. Unless he wants to beat the crap outta you later.

 

             One by one, they left, apologizing to Eklavya yet still laughing at the same time. Isha came and pulled Eklavya into a hug. He didn't return it back. Isha stood there stunned.

 

I: Are you mad, Eklavya? I'm sorry. It was just a joke –

 

             Eklavya went to his bed and turned off his lamp. He pretended to be sleeping. Isha looked around worried. He couldn't be this mad at her! It was just a joke. So why was he taking it so seriously? Isha went over to the bedside and tried touching Eklavya. But he turned around the other way.

 

I: Eklavya – I'm sorry! Lakshya and Nakul and Pari and them – they told me -

 

             Eklavya smiled to himself as Isha sat on the beside. With the blink of an eye, he whipped around, grabbed Isha's waist and flung her on the bed, so he would be on top of her and she couldn't escape. Poor Isha was so confused as everything had happened in the blink of an eye.

 

I: Eklavya?

E: You think I'd ever be mad at you?

 

             Isha smiled at him. She gripped the back of his neck and gently kissed him. Eklavya reached his hand over to the lamp switch and turned it off. Everything went pitch back. The only light was the light from the moon.

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Manthan: NISHA! Are you ok? What happened? I thought I cleared everything up with me and Sarika to you. I'll tell you again seriously – nothing happened! Sarika's just lying! Please, believe me, Nisha.

 

             Nisha tried not to show any emotion and went inside the bedroom. Manthan followed her, shutting the door behind him.

 

M: Nisha, please! I really didn –

N: You know something, Manthan?

M: What?

N: Bakra.

M: Kya?

N: (Smiles) You talk too much.

 

             Nisha pulled Manthan close to her and kissed him. For a minute, Manthan was surprised, no, shocked. After all, one minute his wife writes a note saying she's leaving and the next she calls him Bakra and kisses him? Nisha looked at his face and told him that it was all just a joke that Lakshya and the others had planned to get him and Eklavya.

 

M: Kya?!

N: ya.

M: (sounding hurt)And you went along?

 

             Manthan sounded a little offended and hurt. Nisha was scared that he was actually sad right now. She got nervous. Lakshya had said that this was only a joke. They had said that Manthan wouldn't mind and just laugh it off. But Manthan didn't sound the least bit positive.

 

N: Manthan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I never knew you'd – I mean Lakshya told me that you would just laugh it off – I thought –

M: Bakra.

N: - And - What?

M: You can fool me but I can't fool you?

N: Manthan! I was so scared! I thought you were mad at me! I –

M: Nisha, you hypocrite. You talk too much, as well.

 

             Manthan cupped his hands on her chin and leaned closer to her but she pushed him away, smiling. She tried running away but she was reminded of the weight of her huge wedding dress. Manthan grabbed her hand and pinned her on to the bed. He leaned in closer and closer and closer until there was no more space between them. He leaned over and gently kissed her. Nisha stretched herself and blew out all the candles until only the moonlight illuminated the room.

                                                            -Pooja