CHAPTER 17
Slightly different from Normal
Monday
A full day has passed since S & K's date. Sujal had carefully avoided meeting Kashish or Piyush coz his hands were just itching to commit a perfect murder. Kashish had been pulled into preparations for Nick's arrival and hence had been unable to take out time to for Sujal, besides she was hoping that Sujal wud visit.
**********
Tuesday
(Nick's arrival)
Kashish had gone early in the morning around 06.00 am to receive Nick from the airport an even now around 12.00 pm the celebrations of his return and non single status were being celebrated.
The whole house was in a frenzy of excitement which had no signs of lessening. Every1 had taken the day off from their work and were ruthlessly grilling Nick for details of his whirlwind affair and courting.
Sujal arrived around lunch time looking more dashing than ever in blue denims, white shirt with top buttons open to just give a glimpse of his marvelous, well toned upper torso, black stylish glares and a day's growth of beard. He looked devilishly handsome, causing K's heart to skip a few beat and his cool, carefree personality made Nick think twice about getting tied down with marriage
Nick shook his head and gave himself a mental kick' Sujal is a confirmed bachelor. What am I thinking of trying to become like him and throwing away the perfect woman' I guess he has that effect.
N '"Hey!!! There u are finally! U a**! U promised me u wud come to the airport! There I was waiting at the airport for my buddy and in turn got greeting by this sleepyhead with a big wart like frown making her look like a evil witch'"
K '"Just be thankful that I picked u up or u wud have been sitting there all day. Nobody was actually really interested in picking up from the airport, u know'" Evil witch!!!! U sea scum!!! I know Sujal wud say something in my defense now. Just u listen to him now
S '"I hope she didn't make u travel on her broom, or turned u into a toad first'. Be careful, witch's always use love struck ppl to make strange spells'. You just might be another ingredient in her recipe"
K stared at S open mouthed 'That is No defense!!! He insulted me!!!! Calm down. He must have had a reason for being rude or he is just playing around as usual. Maybe its coz he doesn't want any1 to suspect anything' He is soo clever'. Am I drooling over him now? I must stop myself from doing that.
N '"Ha-ha' I don't know man. I am counting u to save me from this witch's hexes and curses'"
K '"Hey!!! I am still standing here'"
S '"Uh don't count so much on me. She may have already spun some spell over me to render me helpless."
N (looked amazed at Sujal) '"Cast a spell on YOU'. Wow! What kind I wonder'.."
K blushed slightly and turned away to leave'. Memories of their sweet date flashing vividly on her mind's screen.
S (icy cold tone) '"Ever heard of voodoo dolls? I believe she has one for me and she has been sticking me with 100 pins, making me do and say things I don't mean and don't want too'" I wud never let this witch put any spells on me. Oh! She did make a good try, a very nice one infact, nearly successful too.. But she underestimated my power to resist and made the mistake of thinking me a fool, a gullible fool so drowned in her charms at I wouldn't care for her 2 timing'. A beautiful, deadly Witch..
K paused for a moment b4 continuing to move away'.. His tone, his words were just more than an act of hiding anything' The harsh cold tone in which he had insulted her was too cold and too real to be just a joke.. He couldn't pretend something like that' Something was wrong. Something had gone terribly wrong since their date. But what?
Every1 settled down for lunch after that. S and K sat next to each other as they had been doing so for some weeks much to Nick's surprise and to Sujal's annoyance. He wanted to be nowhere near her. Her manipulative double attitude had not just put him off. It had angered him and brought out the strongest emotions of loath from deepest recesses of his heart. Kashish too for the first time felt so uncomfortable sitting next to Sujal. His annoying attitude she cud bear. But today was something different she cud sense a bad, black aura emanating from him, which gave her slight Goosebumps
What is wrong with him? What happened? '.. k '"Sujal pass me salt please"
Sujal passed kashish salt wishing that it wud turn to arsenic or something like that on his touch. Well, it didn't. Sujal saw Kashish gingerly sprinkling some salt and then munching away happily at her food. Look at her smile.. So nice, so angelic' so well practiced, that it even fooled me. Huh<snort> Isn't she happy! The whole world revolving around her. Seeing her smile makes like this me throw up in my own mouth!
Sujal abruptly got up from his startling every1
S '"Sorry I just remembered I had to be somewhere. I have to leave now."
Before any1 cud protest K gently put her hand on top of his and spoke in her sweet gentle voice with and edge of command in it.. Once again surprising Nick
K '"Oh don't go! Atleast finish ur lunch-"
S snatched his hand way with the suddenness of being touched by a hot iron. How I hate her deceptive touch. I wonder where all has she touched that scum of a lawyer ' sujal pulled an immediate halt on his thoughts and walked away with a "See u later bro" thrown casually over his shoulder.
N '"What's with him? He was acting stingy' Kashish did u say something to him again"
Kashish who had been shocked and hurt by his reaction was now in a bad mood herself
K '"Yah I did! Whatcha gonna do abt it huh? I told ur bestest friend that he's a total jerk. A big dumma** jerk with a heart which doesn't beat!!!"
Before any1 cud reprimand her kashish too got up in a huff and rushed to her room.
I just can't understand why he behaved like that after all that had happened b/w us.. How cud he? If I did something wrong, then why doesn't he tell me abt it? If he is having some prob then why doesn't he share it? What happened to 'us' suddenly'.. K wondered with a sad face and sinking heart.
Sujal came around to the house again when he knew for sure that Kashish wouldn't be around. He chatted with Nick for a long time. Teasing him, interrogating him and making fun of him by turns. All the time when Nick wud bring anything about his behavior earlier today or his rapport with Kashish, Sujal wud neatly side step the question and ask him something embarrassing in return. It was long after Sujal was gone that Nick realized that Sujal had not told him anything which had been going on his life for the past two months.
********
Nick finally decided to bring u the subject with every1 over the dinner where both S and K were absent.
N '"Hey Dad'. What's up with Sujal? He seemed pretty disturbed with something."
A '"Well I don't really know the exact thing but since he had been out with Kashish on that dinner.. Things have been slightly different from normal."
Sid '"Yah I guess they had real BIG war over something. Why, as I remember he had teased her too much after that and today he just raised his level of-"
Sam '"I think they like each other"
Every1 shouting '"WHAT?!"
Nick started laughing in bouts'. Sid frowned at his twin and Kaveri stood open mouthed.
A (Strictly) '"What sort of nonsense is this? I don't approve of such jokes Siddhart."
Sid '"Well I think they do and I am not jokin. I don't think this is a topic open for joking."
Sam threw a hand towel a Nick '"Shut UP! This is serious man."
A '"It very much is! What ever gave u such idea?"
Sid '"Well I-"
Nick (forcefully controlling his laughter) '"Sorry to interrupt bhaiya, but really, Sujal and Kashish? Together? (Long struggling guffaw) I am sorry I just couldn't help but imagine them proposing marriage as seriously and solemnly as 2 enemies across border offering peace and mounting their artillery at the same time'."(another long bout of laughter)
A '"Nikhil!! Enough Now."
Sid '"I know it sounds stupid and outrageous' I don't know I just thought so'.. Look all I am trying to say is that they fight like an old married couple over such small things which only one's spouse notices' and what happened today'. I can only expect to get that react from kaveri for myself, coz she is my wife and she is very unhappy with something I had done."
Sam '"U do have a point there.. But seriously, them, liking each other that much is just taking ur imagination too far. Don't forget that when Sujal had been seeing Sneha quite seriously Kashish was quite happy and planned for his marriage and Kashish is still seeing that Jake guy'. Shouldn't they be jealous or something over it?"
Nick '"Wait Sneha who? Who the hell is dating my younger sis? I'll teach him a few rules first!!! Why wasn't I told anything about this earlier? Dad!!??"
Every1 '"Shut UP Nick!"
A '"Now is not the time for whining. U were away and we all consented to her dating. Swayam has a point Sid. What do u say to that?"
Sid (sighing deeply) how do tell them that what I saw the night they both retuned from dinner'. He was so happy about it'.. He was jealous only he didn't show it in a natural way, he started teasing her coz he was jealous but they just won't understand'. I have to try a different approach
Sid '"Ok. Alright. Fine, let's just say they don't like each other. Can some1 tell me why they hate each other?"
Sam, A, Kaveri '"____________"
N '"I know! Its coz Sujal once called K's cat a diseased thing!. She hates him since then and now he is so annoyed by her behavior that he just teases her badly and hates her right back."
Every1 '"Nick!! SHUT the hell UP!"
Sam '"Well they actually don't have much of a reason to fight either'"
Sid '"The cat incident happened long ago Nick. Kashish has grown up since then."
Kaveri '"Ok, so they just don't like each other for no particular reason. That happens sometimes. It's natural. That doesn't mean they have to like each other too."
Sid '"well, I suppose they don't'. But dad don't u think the 2 of them wud look good together? Whatever misunderstanding or hate they have towards each other.. It should be sorted. I think they wud make an awesome couple."
A '"Well it's true they wud look good together. But that isn't a reason enough to throw 2 ppl together."
Sid '"Well there are other things too. We know Sujal and we know he's a great guy. He wud be a nice husband. It wud mean we wouldn't have to look for a groom for her."
Sam '"Yah! And we wouldn't also have to wonder about her living with some stranger.."
Sid '"+ her dating wud stop!"
Nick '"That wud be great! I am into ur plan!"
Sid '"Not only this. Dad, Sujal wud then officially be ur son. Isn't that something u always wanted?"
A (warming up to the idea. Nodding his head looking excited as a kid) '"Yes yes. That wud be great. Continue!!"
Sid '"And lastly, Kashish wud keep on living her with us even after her marriage! Sujal is practically living here only."
Nick, Kaveri '"What a great idea!!!"
A '"It is!!! Let's try and get them together."
Nick '"This is so cool!! Me and Kashish settling down at the same time!!!!"
************
Kashish tossed and turned in her bed. It was 2 a.m. and she had not been able to get a wink of sleep since Nick had arrived' To be honest since sujal had started treating her like dirt and much worse. The way he wud talk, behave and ignore her was so infuriating and degrading'. Just over dinner tonight he had flatly refused to go and pick up Sanskriti from the airport just coz Kashish was coming along. Not only did he refuse, he refused stating the above reason only. He didn't even try to be subtle about it, infact so much was rudeness that even Ashok had to reprimand him.
What has happened'. Why is he treating me like a tramp? What have I done? At first I might have believed that it was all an act to make sure no 1 suspected anything but now'. I know its not. It's as if he has unleashed some wrath of hatred towards me and I don't even know why. Damn him!! I have been running after him like a sick puppy wagging my tail for 3 days and he doesn't even bl**dy care!!! It is enough! I have no idea what the hell went wrong. I don't know what I did to upset him. But he crossed the limit 2nite! I just don't care about that date now. I'll just think of it as a dream nothing more. From 2day he can take his high handed attitude of rudeness and shove it up his a**! I don't give a freaking damn!!!!
Kashish got up with a sudden burst of energy and inspiration stood straight in front of her mirror and scolded herself for crying over the heartless Grewal. She savagely removed the ring which Sujal had given her at the carnival and threw it in the dustbin. And went back to her bed. Eyes determinedly closed to fall asleep. After an hour or two she got up again, retrieved the ring from the dustbin and hid it in the darkest corner of her cupboard where she wud never see it.
I don't have to throw that revolting piece of junk away'. Come to think of it some1 might see it in my trash + it was the '. Well just for old times sake. Maybe I cud wear it again when I am 65 and laugh about the whole thing'
************
Today was the last date for the hearing of the 'Bigamous Husband' case' it had been going on for a month now. And both sides have given up. It was impossible to find the killer' Today sujal was just gonna wrap up the whole affair. He wud prove the husband innocent of murder, guilty of adultery and urge the prosecution to leave the case in unsolved section. It was a short, easy trial. Sujal wud have plenty of time to go and pick up Sanskriti along with Nick after that. There was only one problem. The prosecution lawyer was Piyush and his sight made sujal's blood boil these days. He had to make sure he doesn't turn his closing speech in a mud slinging campaign' It was gonna be a tough long day ahead.
Bailiff '"All rise!"
J '"please be seated' Well gentlemen. This trial had been going on for a long time now.. I am under the impression that we have exhausted all clues from both the sides towards finding and concrete result for this case. I wud now call the defense attorney .. Mr. Grewal to give his closing speech."
S '"Thank you Ur Honor. My client here had been indeed proved guilty of adultery and he pleads guilty for it. He says that it was his passion which made him do what he did. And a man of such passion cud never in my opinion and as has been proved , cud commit such clod blooded heinous acts. He has legitimate alibi for the time when the murders were appx. committed. As the prosecution (throwing a contemptuous look to Piyush) has been unable to prove him guilty and has been miserably incompetent in finding the real murderer, I wud like to appeal, for this case to be considered as unsolved and my client to be freed of all the charges of murder against him. The defense rests."
J '"Hm.. Does the prosecution rests?"
P '"The prosecution rests, with the appeal to charge the accused for adultery and the defense attorney not to insult the investigation and the prosecution team. We-"
S '"I am sorry ur honor. I had no idea I had been insulting while I had been stating the obvious truth. I don't remember the last time the prosecution lawyer (throwing daggers at Piyush with his eyes)had not tried to put an innocent man behind the bars"
Mild laughter in the court room
J '"Order order. Gentlem-"
P (Trying too look back intimidatingly at sujal) '"Perhaps then I should tell u Mr. Grewal that it's not my job to find the criminal. I just fight the case. It's the police and the investigating teams jo-"
S '"That's right' (Dry chilly tone) Put the blame on others when the noose tightens.. Right Mr. Prosecution?"
J '"Gentlemen pl-"
P '"oh! Are u calling me a coward who plays the blame game? Well then Mr. Splendid Grewal why didn't u find the criminal this time too? Did ur brains rust?"
S '"I didn't call u any such thing but I am happy that u know what u r' As for my not finding the criminal I thought I wud let u do ur job for once and prove ur dedication.. I see it was a grave mistake on my part. Be assured it won't be repeated again."
P '"Why u pompous a**!!!!" lunging forward towards sujal with his hands opened like claws.
Sujal immediately went for Piyush's throat too. He had been waiting to long to do just this. His ultimate dream was getting fulfilled. The whole courtroom was in an upheaval. The two lawyers were known to be arch enemies but never had a trial led to a fist fight. This was a sensation. Juicy news for tomorrow's newspaper.
Judge got up in furry and immediately called security to separate the two uncivilized lawyers. When the court had regained somewhat of its former order, Judge sat down angrily and asked Piyush and Sujal to approach the bench.
J '"I won't tolerate such rouge behavior in my court, even if it is from the two most respected attorneys of the state. If I hear another insult, remark or see any incriminating gesture, I wud have both of u evicted out of here and if I receive any reports of violence from outside then I'll gladly, temporarily debar the two of u for 6 months. Am I clear?"
P '"yes sir.(pissed off tone.. he had really wanted to end it with Sujal today)"
S '"Yes u honor. My sincerest apologies(giving Piyush a sliding glance)"Darn it! I couldn't injure him much, just 1 black eye and a split lip! Damn it all!!
Soon sujal's plea was accepted and the case was declared as unsolved, left to be buried under the old rotting piles of unsolved mysteries. Sujal and Piyush both left the court house at the same time, both were red faced from the anger which the both had been unable to suppress in the court.
*********
Nick and Sujal(on the way to airport to pick up sanskriti)
Nick with mighty annoyed but more over highly surprised by Sujal's court outbreak. It just wasn't like Sujal to lose his cool like that. Nick just couldn't understand how to approach the matter with Sujal.
Sujal himself couldn't believe what he had done he kept touching scratch marks on his neck which tht bit*h lawyer had inflicted upon him, to make sure it all had been real. He had no idea what had suddenly come over him. But1 thing was certain 'He had enjoyed it! Punching that creep was exhilarating and no matter whoever condemned him in whichever manner. Sujal definitely was not offering any apologies for his actions today.
N 'Hey man.. What's wrong?
S stole a glance at Nick without so much as even tilting his head by an inch. That was all the attention and care he was gonna give to Nick right now.
N 'Acting silent now won't help bro. What in the heck came over u? Just why did u punch him? And wudn't u open ur mouth and give me some good explanation?
S opened and then closed his mouth again. He exhaled a deep regretful sigh and remained silent.
N 'What the hell man?! Are you gonna give me the silent treatment now?!! Me!? You trying to imply that something is so wrong that u can't even tell me? I thought we always-
S 'Shut up. (Bored voice, hardly looking at Nick) It was nothing. That pig had been getting on my nerves for a long time. He made the first move and I couldn't resist the opportunity to punch some sense into him. That is all.
N 'I see'. That is all.
5 min silence.
N 'What do u mean that is all??!!!! I know u! You can't be provoked by mutts like him. If everything had been right with you, you wud have made some acid remark over his actions made him look like an asylum refugee and ur self a saint but u- U decided, No! U lost ur senses and dropped down to that scum's level. I have never in my life seen u indulge in fistfights. No matter how angry or irritated u are. Not even once in the 17 yrs I have known u, have u lost control of ur self and let ur aggression get better of u. Something much deeper is wrong and u-
S 'Fine! Enough with the lecture. Ok. I'll admit it. U r right I let my aggression and my feelings get better of me. I lost control and stooped to that rat's level. I acted unlike me, in a very undignified manner and I'll admit that my behavior was completely wrong. Now u happy!?
N 'No'.. I just wish u wud tell me why that happened'. Ur my best friend, my bro. If something is disturbing u I wud like to know.
S 'Good thing u didn't ask me to apologize, as I wouldn't have. As far as something being on my mind' There is nothing. I am perfectly fine. I am not a saint. Sometime or other I had fall from the pedestal u have placed me on, right?
N 'Pedestal? What nonsense. U are talking as I worship u or something like that. U better fall a bit more and get ur head out of clouds. And I don't believe u. U r side steeping, I know something is wrong and u are not telling me.
S 'There is nothing.
N 'Liar.
S (Irritated by now)-U are very sure there is something wrong, right?
Nick nodded his head. They have almost reached the airport now.
S 'Well how can u be so sure of that?
N 'How? Coz I know! We've always know if something was wrong with other one.
S 'If u r so smart to figure out that something is wrong, then u should be able to figure out what it is too. Coz I have been drooping enough hints for any1 to see what is wrong.
N 'Don't beat around the bush. Look we have reached the airport. I want u to spit out everything before Sanskriti's plane lands, coz after that-
S (Dry, slighty bitter voice) 'Coz after that u wud be too busy tailing after her. Like u have been for the last months and like the way u have been whining for last 5 days, u have been away from her. Coz u simply wont have the time after she comes. And it is coz u didn't have time earlier also, that u don't know what is wrong or if anything is wrong or not. I don't want ur spare pieces of attention and care. Go somewhere else and show ur fake concern!
Sujal got out of the car in a huff, and slammed the door hard. Walking away like a boxer who has lost the final match, ready to punch the first man who approaches him with anything, leaving behind an astonished and silenced Nick.
15 min later both S and N were standing at the arrival terminal watching the stream o people coming. Both of them regretted there conversation in the car but none of them wanted to say anything or apologize. It was too muddy, confusing and they didn't have enough time to sort it out and Sanskriti cud now be seen coming forth with a trolley loaded full of bags and cases.
Sujal saw a fair, tall girl with slightly brown hair Is that hair coloring? She had slim model like built and a strict looking face She isn't pretty like kash- Then sanskiriti smiled upon spotting nick and hurried their way. The smile changed her entire image. Hmmm' nice smile. She has the girl next door look. Her smile is engaging.. Guess that's what got poor nick hooked' Nick' I am sorry man I didn't want to say those mean things' Not that they are not true.. But I don't blame u for them. I'm glad u did what u did' I am just'. Going crazy these days. I don't even know what I feel anymore.
Nick gave Sanskriti a warm hug and then turned to Sujal, who stood there with a kind smile which was slightly forced, but only Nick cud tell that' I hope u don't create a scene in front f her. U r right I have been selfish and only cared about Sanskriti and not given u a single thought for the last month' I don't regret running after her'
N 'Sanskriti this is-
San 'I know! Sujal right?
Nick watched as sujal nodded and shook hands with Sanskriti' but I do regret our fight. I wish u wud tell me and I am sorry for pushing you'. Nick caught hold of Sanskriti's luggage and watched her talking with Sujal.
S 'How did u guess?
San 'Why wudnt I? U r the only person Nick keeps talking about'. To tell u the truth when we initially went out, I had doubts about him having a crush on you!
Nick turned slightly red from embarrassment and Sujal gave him an ironic smile
S sorry for ealier, I am such an a** -Nick is just.. Well flattering. For me he is my family and my brother. I doubt I wud have done something different had I been in his position..
San 'But tht wud never happen, right? I mean as Nick told me. U are a born bachelor.
S 'So he made me look like a Casanova huh?
N 'Ok now. Sanskrirti u r not suppose to blabber tht much. And sujal u know I wud never say a foul word against you behind ur back.
S 'I know. And me too' wud never say'
San 'Ah and I forgot. Sujal, Nick is afraid of u. Thts why he just told me to shut up.
S 'He doesn't have to be. It's not like he has stolen my girlfriend aga-' As if I wud ever beat him up' Ha-ha(nervous evading laughter)Nick change the topic idiot! As it is my brain doesn't work much theses days.
San 'U mean nick Stole ur GF once?(looking surprised and angry at Nick)
N 'NO. No, Sujal was just talking'. Hypothetically' U know the way lawyers do? They make u assume a situation and all.. like tht. He is not serious' are u man?
S 'No.. no of course not. Nick wudnt dare cross me anyways.
************
The 3 went back home in senseless chatter. With Nick and Sujal still unable to clarify about their fight earlier. Nick was worried about Sujal's behavior and felt bad as he wudnt be able to do much. He felt as if he was failing their friendship and yet he cudnt do anything about it.
At home Sanskiriti got the warmest and heartiest welcome she had ever received. Every1 was falling over her, talking to her, trying to make her feel comfortable, ordering her, questioning her. Creating a complete chaos.
But in the chaos still, Sujal and Kashish were as aware of each other as if they were alone in a lighted closet with no one to disturb them and tht is why they were careful not to get in each others way'.
The day passed in a happy blur and no one noticed S and K's slightly odd behavior, but during the night when everyone had retired Ashok called Sujal to his study and gave him a hard tongue lashing for his behavior in the court. It was the first time Ashok had scolded Sujal so hard. He for the first time had raised his voice with him. First time addressed him as Mr. Grewal, breaking all the pretences of Sujal being his son with a blow of 2 words. And sujal too in his hyper and confused mind argued back and for the first time turned his back on his mentor, his father like figure and slammed the door on Ashok's face.
1 day 3 fights. Lots of door slamming and swearing. Little bit of punching and regretting. Just slightly different from normal'..
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