Chapter 16
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Chapter 30- Clicking
"Angad!" Mahi woke up breathless and sweating. Angad, laying beside her woke up suddenly. Mahi had been having nightmares and Angad, gracious as he was volunteered himself to sleep beside her. Mahi and Angad really clicked, and Angad cared what seemed like far too much about her.
"What happened?" Angad said, rubbing her back.
"I felt…I felt…never mind…" She replied breathless.
"What did you feel….?" Angad asked gently, pulling at her shoulder.
"I felt like something kicked me." She held her stomach. "Hard."
"Mahi, it's gone. You miss it, that's it." He rubbed her shoulder, she winced away.
"I remember what it felt like when I got kicked, that was a kick." She said stubborn, clutching her stomach.
"And yesterday you felt like you were being watched. It's impossible. You just miss your baby." Angad said pulling onto her. She hugged him.
"Yeah. I guess I do…Hey." She said perking up.
"What?" He asked.
"My cousin is coming over today." She said happily, "She's the best!"
"Cool. Well you might want to get ready then. You're not very presentable right now." He laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. I look hot, you know it! Look at you." She looked him up and down. He even looked good just waking up. He was in his boxers and shirtless, his hair was tousled and his face was stubbled. Mahi smiled.
"You're checking me out?" Angad asked, getting out of the bed.
"So I am. Like you weren't."
"No need to check you out. You're hot all the time."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"After we're married, we're going to have A LOT of very
good-looking children."
"A lot? Try two." Mahi scoffed, walking into the
bathroom, leaving to the door ajar.
"Only two? But that's no fun." Angad whined, standing outside the door.
"No." She spat toothpaste out and waved the toothbrush at him. "Hum do humare do."
"Can't it be hum do humare saat?" He grinned foolishly.
"Seven kids?! Angad you must be crazy." She said, rinsing her face.
"Okay, six? Happy?" He stood, peaking out of the door.
"No. TWO!" She said, "One boy, one girl."
"Two boys, four girls." Angad said stubbornly. Mahi glared at him, fakely.
"Two."
"Six."
"Two."
"Seven."
"You're going the wrong way!" Mahi whined.
"Three, are three okay?"
"Yes. Three are fine. Two girls and one boy."
"Two boys and one girl."
Mahi huffed, "We'll see."
"We will see." Angad smiled. He liked the idea of two but bothering Mahi was so much fun. "I love you, Mahi." He smiled, pulling on her waist.
"Angad, let me brush my hair." She waved the hairbrush at him sternly.
"I'll do it for you." He turned her around and sat her on the bed. Taking the brush from her hand, he gently pulled the brush through her hair. He fluffed the strands, like they were cotton candy.
"Angad sweetheart, what are you doing?" She asked, sweetly curious.
"Your hair is so soft. It's like silk." He said smiling. "I'll braid it." He slowly pulled her hair tightly into a thick braid.
"The purple makes it pretty." Angad said stupidly.
"You're so simple minded." She laughed pecking him on the lips. "Go brush your teeth."
"I don't wanna." He whined.
"Then no breakfast." She said. He frowned then finally
went into the bathroom.
"You're cute when you're sulking." She shouted from downstairs.
"I'm cute all the time." Angad shouted back.
"Yeah, yeah Mr. Stuck Up." She whispered.
"I heard that!" Angad yelled. Mahi laughed as she fried a puri. Halwa-puri was the best breakfast food ever, both Mahi and Angad agreed. Half an hour later, Angad came down with wet hair wearing dark jeans and a black tight-fitting shirt, it showed off his muscle.
"Oh God, don't wear that shirt." Mahi groaned.
"Why?"
"You look like a roadside Romeo. Go wear something
decent."
"I could tell you to wear something decent too." He replied, curtly. "Wow halwa-puri."
"I'm wearing decent clothes." Mahi argued, looking down at her outfit. It was a plaid black and red mini with black ripped tights and a midriff revealing black top. In her nose she wore a red garnet stud.
"Uh huh. If hookers look decent then sure." Angad placed a large helping of halwa on his plate.
"What?! At least I don't look like some gunda." She handed him a puri in anger.
"You look like a gundi." He laughed, while chewing. Mahi rolled her eyes and stomped into the room. She searched for something not black. She found a green kurti and jeans. As she zipped her jeans, Angad walked behind her.
"Better?" She asked, annoyed. He opened the cupboard and put a red T-shirt on. Mahi gaped at him shirtless.
"Close your mouth Mahi, you might swallow a fly." He laughed.
"Whatever." She said with attitude. "Nothing I ain't seen before, I'm just remembering that concert of yours
I went to."
"You came to my concert?" Angad asked, amused.
"Every one I could. I was your second biggest fan." She laughed.
"Yeah, my biggest fan was this person named Div88. Crazy lady she was."
"That was Vidya." She laughed. "And I was MAC88."
"I remember you!" Angad said in epiphany. Mahi laughed. "I read your letters. Every one of them." Angad said.
"Really?" Mahi said, blushing.
"Yeah. They went a little something like 'I love you
Angad, I love you.' About 487 times."
"You counted?!" Mahi gasped. Angad nodded. "Vidya wrote it 500 times each letter."
"Yeah. But hopefully you meant it." Angad noted. Mahi smiled. The doorbell rang.
"I'll get it." Angad volunteered. Walking to the door, he whistled Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai's title song. He opened the door to find a little girl in a pink pinafore, standing there hands on hip waiting.
"Hello, princess." Angad kneeled down to her level. "What's your name?"
"My name's Pari. What's yours?" She asked sassily.
"Angad Khanna. Pleased to meet you." He held his hand out, the girl shook it reluctantly.
"The pleasure would be mine, if you told me where Mahi is." She smiled brattily.
"Mahi, you have a visitor!" Angad sighed, shouting into the house.
"It's PARI!!!!!" Mahi said, running to the door. Getting onto one knee, she hugged the girl. Pari's face lit up upon seeing Mahi.
"Hey Di." Pari said. "You're crying?" She asked Mahi.
"Nothing. I just missed you." Mahi said.
"Di." Pari started. "Who's he?"
"This is my fianc, Angad. Quite the charmer, isn't he?"
"I suppose he is." Pari said, thoughtfully. "Isn't Vidya Di in love with this guy, he comes on TV."
"Yeah. Being a rock star is so overrated. I've never met this Vidya girl, but Pari I must tell you I'm quite smitten by Mahi." He said, dramatically falling to his knees before Mahi. Mahi laughed and hit him in his head.
"I like him, Di." Pari said laughing.
"Me too." Mahi winked. The phone rang. "I'll get it."
"Hello?" Mahi said, happily.
"Are you okay, do you want me to come back home?" Suhani asked concerned.
"No Hani. I'm great. I've got Angad, he's taking great care of me. Even Pari is here."
"Okay, are you sure?"
"HANI! Stop calling me! I'm fine!!! I have Angad and I'm supposed to be with him right now! Pari's probably bothering him!"
"Are you sure?"
"Hani. Stop calling me. I love you babe but you GOT TO stop calling to check up on me. I'm fine. Angad ki kasam."
"Well, you better be telling me the truth or else we're losing a VERY worthwhile guy."
"Why would I want to endanger my husband's life? He's sooooo sweet. God broke the mold after making him." Mahi laughed.
"Husband? Aw, you're marrying him? Vidya will be crushed." Suhani laughed.
"Aw, pshaw, she has Sagar." Mahi said, simply.
"Just a friend, she insists." Suhani says properly.
"That's because she doesn't know but they've both fallen for each other. Why do you sound so British?"
"It's that boyfriend of mine. It's all his fault." She sighs.
"Aw. So sweet."
"I talked to Ishaan the other day!" She exclaims loudly.
"So?" Mahi asks.
"You don't know?" Hani asked, breathlessly.
"Know what?"
"Ishaan has had a crush on me since ever."
"Aw, I could've told you that." Mahi laughed.
"Why didn't you?" Hani huffed.
"I don't know. You never asked. Acha okay, I'm starting to miss Angad. I'm leaving now." Mahi said into the phone, smiling.
"Really? So sweet. Makes me feel so special." Suhani stated sarcastically. "I won't call anymore."
"Thank you. I'll call you. Can't wait till you get back." Mahi said. "Okay, love you. Bye. Muah." She kissed into the phone.
"Bye." Hani laughed.
"Angad!" Mahi ran into the living room to find Pari and Angad engaged deep into conversation.
"Yes, but Angelica only acted out because she was insecure." Pari explained.
"Or jealous of Tommy." Angad stated, pouting.
"She was so misunderstood." Pari sighed.
"And VERY mean. I don't care whether she was misunderstood, she was always scaring Chucky."
"Gosh, such intelligent conversation." Mahi mused. Angad rolled his eyes.
"He's stubborn." Pari concluded. "Thick in the head."
"She's annoying." Angad concluded, mocking her tone.
"Here you are, struggling with one. And you were
talking about six."
"I said seven." He said pouting.
"We settled on three."
"Whatever." He sulked. "Our kids will not be this mean."
"I'm not mean. You're just immature." Pari said. Angad shrugged it off.
"Pari, when are uncle-aunty coming to pick you up?" Mahi sighed.
"In about ten minutes."
"Oh." Mahi frowned. Angad and Pari argued the last ten minutes, it amused Mahi immensely. She held back laughter, finally Pari left.
"That was mature of you." Mahi rolled her eyes.
"Your cousins are mean. Are there any more?"
"Two, but they're boys. They'll love you."
"I say we elope." Angad moped.
"Why would we do that?" Mahi laughed, "We were arranged."
"So?" Angad pouted. "I can't wait any longer…." He frowned.
"Well you're gonna have to wait till March. My birthday. Before that, it's not even legal."
"Yeah. Where are you going to college?"
"Mumbai University."
"Hey. I live there. You should live with me!!!" Angad said, excited.
"Maybe. I don't know. I might not go there. I've applied a couple other places. And I don't know where those three bi***es are going either." She sighed.
"You guys are all so mean to each other." Angad laughed.
"So we are. I haven't talked to Vidya and Niharika since a really long time ago. Wonder what they're up to."
"A lot, if they haven't called you." Angad replied.
"Yeah." Mahi said, thoughtlessly. "Let's go to Vidya's house." She proclaimed. Angad nodded, "You should call first. She might be out." Mahi agreed. She dialed the number.
"Hey, Vee." Mahi said coolly.
"Hey, Mahi. Oh my god, I haven't called in ages. I feel so bad." Vidya said guiltily.
"Where have you been?" Mahi asked.
"I spent last night at my house. But the power went out so I couldn't call."
"Were you scared?" Mahi asked, knowing Vidya too well.
"Nah. I had Sagar here. And now we're headed to his house."
"His house? He spent the night? Vidya…" Mahi started, in a cautious groan.
"Nothing like that, Mahi. We just…were bored. Yeah, I'm going to meet his family and spend the night. No big deal, just a dare."
"Yeah, Vee. Sure. A dare. Be careful with him." Mahi groaned.
"Mahi, I'm fine. I can take care of myself. You take care too."
"Okay, phir. Bye." Mahi sighed.
"Bye, I love you." Vidya chirped.
"I love you too." Mahi sighed again, turning to Angad.
"What?" He asked, getting up. He looked concerned.
"She's going to Sagar's…just me and you now." Mahi smiled at him.
"Let's go get ice cream." Angad suggested.
"Let's go." She said. She might as well, she concluded.
Chapter 31- Promises
"Is everything okay?" Rajvir asked, concerned.
"No. One of my friend's just had a miscarriage."
Running her hands through her hair, she was about to pull it all out. She was frustrated beyond reason. "She won't let me come back home. I really want to be with her right now."
"She sounded pretty chill." Rajvir said, pulling her into his lap.
"Yeah, she did. I guess Angad really is taking really good care of her. Where is everyone?" She turned toward him.
"Hm? I don't know. Maa is probably at Maya's house. It's just me and you now." He laughed evilly. Suhani giggled.
"You don't expect me to let you touch me, do you?"
"What's wrong with touching?" He asked, confused.
"Nothing until one thing leads to another. Among the four of us, one non-virgin is enough."
"Hm…so you're afraid of losing your virginity…?" He pondered.
"Yes, I value my chastity before marriage very much. So I'm going to sleep in the guest room and you're going to sleep in the room farthest away from me." She got up. He pulled her back down.
"I'm not going to attack you. But can I get a kiss?" He asked, sweetly.
"I'm not allowed to." She smiled, sweetly.
"It's only eight o' clock." He pouted.
"I'm sleepy." Suhani argued.
"You're afraid of me." Rajvir said, smirking.
"I am not." She argued.
"Mhmm…" He replied smugly, flipping through an upside
down magazine.
"I'm not talking to you, you're mean…"
"Suhani, you know we haven't known each other very long
but…" His voice trailed off.
"But?" Suhani turned around, curiously.
"I was wondering…Um…" He held out a box. "It's a promise ring…" He gulped. Suhani smiled, taking the box from his hands. She opened it, her face lighting up.
"It's beautiful…you're so sweet." She pecked him on the lips. He smiled nervously.
"Does that mean you're accepting it?" He asked. She kissed him again, letting her lips linger along his.
"What do you think…?" She whispered sweetly. He kissed her again, letting time pass between breaths. The kiss deepened and the doorbell rang. Suhani smiled, "Go get that."
Rajvir groaned and got up. "Maa?" He asked, opening the door.
"Beta, whatever is wrong with you? Up so late? It's bad for your eyes…and why is your mouth so red…?" She blabbered coming in. She frowned upon seeing Suhani on the couch, with smeared lip gloss. Suddenly, she understood the red on Rajvir's mouth.
"Miss Patel, I thought you were headed to the Hilton like the rest of the workshop students…" She said, disappointed.
"Oh, I just dropped by to say hello. I'm headed to a hotel too. I should take my leave now." Suhani said politely. She curtsied and took her purse.
"Suhani, I'll come with you. Maa, I'll just drop her and be back." Mrs. Goswami nodded and went into the kitchen.
Chapter 32- Meeting the Parents.
"Maa?!" Sagar yelled coming through the door.
"Beta, we were worried. Where were you all night? Oh, hello." A woman replied, fixing the palu to her sari. She looked old and her eyes were kind.
"Maa, this is my friend Vidya." Sagar managed to say, nervously.
"Namaste beta." The woman smiled. Surprising Sagar, Vidya touched her feet.
"Namaste." Vidya said sweetly, Sagar's mother smiled at her. Sagar looked at her helplessly, he mouthed 'What are you doing?'
"Sagar, that is how you greet elders." Vidya said sassily. Sagar shut up. His mother smiled at the two.
"Beta, what's your whole name?"
"Vidya Thakur, actually Auntyji, mere Mummy-Papa France gaye hua hai. Iss liye, Sagar said I could stay the night here. If that wasn't that much of a problem." She asked sweetly but with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"It would be fine, beta but guest room is taken by Gehna."
"Gehna's here!?!?" Sagar yelled.
"Yeah, she's been waiting all day yesterday for you."
"Maa, please. I don't want to talk to her." He whined.
"Who's Gehna?" Vidya asked, confused.
"Iss ki mangetar." Sagar's mother beamed.
"Mangetar?! Maa no way! I don't even like her! I'm too
young to die--."
"You're not dying, Sagar. I told you not to say that again…." Vidya replied, angry.
"Vidya…" He groaned, he glanced toward his mother who was smirking to them.
"Where's Di, Mahua, and Chandra…and Papa?"
"They're in their rooms." Maa said smiling.
"Oh." Sagar said, sighing.
"Vidya beta, would you like something to eat?"
"Oh no, I'm full. Plus, I don't think you guys would have anything I could eat."
"She's vegetarian." Sagar added.
"Oh yes, Thakurs are vegetarians." Sagar's mother said,
smiling.
"Vidya; you and I should go talk to Mahua." Sagar sighed. Vidya nodded and followed him into the room.
"What was that?!" Sagar yelled.
"What?" Vidya asked, looking around curiously.
"Auntyji. Namaste. Aashirwad. You're gonna get me killed. Try to act more modern around my dad."
"I was being polite. That's how I've been brought up." Sagar turned her around by the shoulders.
"Well please try not to be so perfect around my family." He pleaded.
"Perfect?" Vidya mused, noticing his hands which made their way comfortably at her waist.
"Don't act like yourself."
"You're saying I'm perfect?" Vidya, unknowingly put her arms around his neck.
"You're the closest thing I've seen. Beautiful, intelligent, innocent…" With each adjective his lips drew nearer. A lazy smile played across Vidya's smile.
"Will you kiss me already?" She whispered. A smirk spread across Sagar's face.
"You can wait. Our first kiss was a bit useless." He said, echoing her whisper.
"You can continue now. Beautiful, intelligent, innocent?? You know what Sagar?" She said in another low whisper.
"What?"
"You're a liar."
"I can go on. Innocent, stubborn, sweet, forgiving, caring, did I say stubborn…?" He laughed. Vidya pouted. "Vidya…" He whispered, hovering his lips over hers. She leaned forward and just as their lips touched.
"What the heck?!" A girl exclaimed from behind.
"Mahua…God, you scared me." Sagar sighed relief.
"What are you doing in my room? And who's she?"
"This is Vidya. She's staying the night."
"So you where with HER last night?" She asked,
amused, "Gehna was asking about you."
"Gehna, Gehna, Gehna. I don't get why she doesn't leave me alone." Sagar said, collapsing on the bed.
"Well, she is your girlfriend."
"WHAT?!" Vidya exclaimed. Mahua shot her a laughing glance.
"Was, Vidya. Was." He sighed.
"Now she is?" Mahua asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No." Sagar and Vidya answered at once.
"Sure. Hence, you guys were making out."
"We were not." Sagar said indignantly. Vidya pouted
because unfortunately, he hadn't kissed her.
"Whatever, you wanna meet Gehna?" She asked Vidya.
"No thanks. I'll pass. Where am I going to sleep?"
"My room." Mahua exclaimed happily. Vidya nodded in agreement. "Sounds fun.You're brother is no fun. Me and you can have a sleepover."
"That sounds fun. I never get to have my friends over. How old are you?"
"Seventeen. You?"
"Sixteen."
"Great, I believe this is your room." Vidya said to Mahua. Mahua nodded, and the two stared angrily at Sagar till he left.
"So two days straight with my idiot of a brother? I have got to give you props."
"He's not that bad," Vidya defended.
"Well he is to me. But he's my best friend, so he's allowed to be an idiot. We're like this." She crossed
her fingers.
"Me too. I think."
"You spent two straight days with him. To tolerate him, you gotta be like that." Mahua laughed. Vidya laughed along.
"Who's Gehna?" Vidya asked, still bothered.
"Probably my to be bhabhi." Mahua said. "She's a little weird in the head if you ask me. Bhaiya doesn't like her at all."
"Oh…" Vidya said. "You have a boyfriend?"
"Yeah, but don't mention it out there. His name is Kartik."
"Aw. So sweet."
"You have a boyfriend, Vidya?"
"Nah. Guys don't like me." Vidya sighed.
"B.S." Mahua laughed. "Bhaiya seems to like you plenty."
"We've got a love-hate relationship. Or like-hate actually. We spend most our time arguing and fighting."
"Who wins?" Mahua asked, curious.
"I do." Vidya grinned.
"That takes skill. It's impossible to win against him."
"No it's not. Quite simple really." Vidya explained.
"You're special. I think Sagar has finally found his match."
"He's got one helluva temper though…" Vidya shuddered.
"You've seen his temper?"
"Yeah, spent a while in the hospital cuz of it." Vidya
laughed.
"WHAT?!" Mahua exclaimed. "Our mom has taught us better than that."
"I slapped him. No big deal. I forgave him."
"You shouldn't have."
"I beat him up afterwards. And he apologized like crazy and he hurt his own hand to make up for it."
"Oh, that was what happened …when Maa asked he said he accidentally broke a glass."
"Yeah, my window." Vidya laughed.
"I think he's in love with you." Mahua said.
"Why do you say that?" Vidya asked, confused. She had that same thought during Truth or Dare but that was sheer foolishness, she resolved.
"He brought you home." Mahua raised an eyebrow. She seriously did think her brother was in love with Vidya, he was so oddly free around her and a strange grin was on his face when she was around.
"It was a dare; either he could let me spend the night or go seven days without me."
"Why didn't he choose the second one?" Mahua asked. Vidya shrugged.
"None of his friends have seen him for months."
"We spend a lot of time together…I guess?" She stated,
more like a question.
"More like every waking moment together." Mahua laughed. Vidya laughed too. That was a joke, right?
The door opened in the living room, and the house went silent.
"What happened?" Vidya asked in a scared whisper.
"Papa's home. Dinner time. Let's go." Mahua said happily. They linked arms and headed toward the dining
room.
"Baba, this is Vidya. She's friends with Bhai. Her parents are in France, can she spend the night?" Mahua asked nervously.
"Of course beta." He narrowed his eyes to Vidya, "Sagar's friend?"
"Yeah. My name's Vidya Thakur. Namaste uncle." She touched his feet.
"Namaste beta. Your parents…in France?"
"Yeah, usually they take summers off to vacation with me but some important clients called so…"
"Acha acha. So they had work. That makes sense. You know Sagar?"
"Yeah…" She replied uncomfortably.
"Since when?" He asked. What was this, twenty questions?
"We both go to the Academy, but we became friends a few
months ago." She replied nervously.
"Friends?" He asked.
"Yeah, friends. Like enjoying the other's company. Not
in love with each other…" Okay, too much said.
"Not in love with each other." He repeated, musing.
"Yeah. Stress the NOT part." Vidya said, almost too quickly.
"Right. Where do you plan on spending the night? The guest room is taken."
"By Gehna. I know. I plan on staying in Mahua's room."
"Wonderful arrangement." He said. "Now that we're acquainted, let's eat." The food sat there, chicken, mutton, beef. Hell, there was even fish there. Vidya couldn't look at it.
"Excuse me." She said, running to the bathroom.
"What's wrong with her?" Sindura asked.
"She's a vegetarian." Sagar said, putting his napkin down, following her.
"Vidya, are you okay?" He knocked at the bathroom door. He heard puking.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I can't handle seeing that much meat at once." She laughed, wiping her mouth.
"Maa, I'm taking Vidya out to eat." He shouted, grabbing his car keys.
"Sagar." A voice said, sternly.
"Y-yes, Papa?"
"You have not been excused…" He said sternly.
"Well, I'm hungry and Vidya's hungry and there's definitely nothing she can eat here." He said rudely, slamming the door shut.
"That was rude, you shouldn't have talked to your dad like that." Vidya said, taking her dupatta off. It was really getting to her now.
"Whatever Vidya, he'll get over it. What do you want to eat?"
"Why are you so pissed off?"
"You haven't ate anything but popcorn in two days…you need food. Real food." He said stressfully.
"Not the reason you're mad."
"You're pale, Vidya. I don't want you getting sick."
"You don't want me at your house, do you?" Vidya smirked.
"What do you want to eat?!" He yelled. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Seriously, Vidya. I don't want you getting sick."
"Swear on me that's it…."
"That's it." He sighed. His father was a reflection of his being, he was an exact copy of him personality-wise, and he didn't want his father telling him anything he wasn't ready to hear yet. They pulled up at a Hyatt. He ordered her Chinese vegetable soup and two sodas.
"After this you should take me shopping." Vidya smiled. Sagar raised an eyebrow.
"Fine." He huffed.
"You liar! You don't want me in your house. You hate
shopping." She gulped her soup in a very unladylike manner, she was famished. She hadn't noticed until
Sagar had mentioned it.
"I hate shopping but I hate that damn salwar kameez more." He said, half truthfully.
"Fine, you're paying then."
"Fine." After eating they went shopping and bought two outfits. One for then, one that was comfortable enough to sleep in. She changed into a pair of dark jeans and an orange kurti.
"Orange?"
"Gotta be patriotic somehow." Vidya smiled, Sagar huffed. "Who are you calling?" He asked. She shoved her finger in his face, gesturing him to shut up for then.
"Hello?"
"Hello?"
"Auntyji. Is Uncleji home?"
"Yes, he is. He's reading a magazine right now."
"Could I talk to him?"
"Yes, beta. Sure. Let me call him." She said politely.
"Hello?" His husky voice said.
"Hello uncleji, this is Vidya. I called because I felt really bad about what happened earlier today…"
"That's quite alright, dear. I know Sagar didn't mean harm."
"He wanted to apologize to you."
"I what?!" Sagar exclaimed.
"Sagar, saying sorry won't make you any less of a man."
Vidya explained, annoyed.
"So? I'm not apologizing."
"Sagar, your father is on the line, listening to us. Apologize or you're gonna have to do the other bet."
"What?" He asked confused.
"I'm not going to talk to you, or see you for a month."
"A MONTH!?" He yelled helplessly. She nodded. Defeated he took the phone.
"Hello?" He said, defeated.
"Sagar beta, I heard what Vidya said."
"Okay, so I don't have to say it right?"
"If you don't want Vidya not talking or meeting you till next month, yeah."
"This is blackmail!" Sagar whined. "I'm ss-ss…"
"Sorry. Say it. I've never heard you say it." His father said immaturely teasing.
"I'm sorry." He muttered.
"I've got to give Vidya an applause, I've never heard you apologize to anyone before…"
"Papa, just drop it, okay? Here, talk to Vidya."
"Okay. Vidya beti, I just wanted to thank you. Those were, perhaps, the first time I've heard those words from him."
"He's said it enough times since he's met me." She mused. "We'll be home a little late, is that okay?"
"Uh, where are you going?" He asked, unsure.
"Shopping?" She asked, unsure.
"Come straight home, as soon as possible. No shopping."
"Okay, fine." Vidya whined on the phone.
"Bye beta." He said, laughing.
"You're dad's cool." Vidya said, laughing.
"No." He said. "He's not. He's terrible."
"No, he reminds me of my dad. He called us home ASAP."
"Why?"
"Because…he did. Let's go."
"We're going cuz he said so? That's dumb. Let's go clubbing."
"We're going home. Uncleji said so." Vidya argued.
"Fine." Sagar huffed, driving home.
"Wow, you actually listened." His father marveled when
they got home.
"It's late. I'm going to bed." Vidya said, pulling Mahua into her room. Everyone soon went to bed.
"Can you switch spots with your brother?" Vidya asked, expectantly.
"What? Why?"
"I'm used to sleeping…" With him, carried the wrong
connotation. "Near him."
"He's a room away, you're near enough."
"Please Mahua…." Vidya whined.
"Just this once…" She warned. Soon, she left and Sagar came in, laughing in a whisper.
"I was about to ask her the same thing…." He laughed. He lay down on the bed. She lay down besides him.
"I like your family." She said, finally. He rolled his eyes at her and turned the lights out. He turned his back to her and the two laid in silence. He felt a finger drag across his back.
"Vidya…" He said, annoyed.
"I'm bored." She sighed.
"You're an insomniac, I swear." He said annoyed.
"Maybe. I was thinking…" She said, slowly."Where are we going…?" She asked gently in a whisper. He turned around. "What do you mean where are we going?"
"Listen, next year is senior year, and then we all go our separate ways."
"We'll stay in touch…" Sagar defended.
"So they all say…" Vidya sighed. "Where are you going
to college?"
"Mumbai University…" Sagar said.
"Oh." She said, disappointed. "I'm going to Delhi."
"Did you apply anywhere abroad?" He asked, expectantly.
"Yeah. ODU. Where Ishaan Bhaiya goes… We all did."
"We all?" Sagar asked.
"Yeah. Me, Hani, Nihu, Mahi."
"Oh. I didn't." He scratched his head. "You getting married any time soon?"
"Probably. You know the Benarasi way…"
"Yeah, married early…usually as soon as it's legal. You thought of anyone?"
"Nope. I'm letting my parents choose."
"You wanted a love marriage." Sagar remembered.
"Need to fall in love for that. Besides, love is…perception. It's illusion."
"It is not." Sagar defended. "Love is real."
"You're in love, Sagar…who is it?" She asked, curious. He glared at her in the dark; he knew she couldn't see him in this pitch black. That was a dumb question. So he was in love. But what kind of question is who is it? You know exactly who it is.
"Gehna." He said, sarcastically.
"Oh." She said quietly, "I haven't met her yet. I should approve her before you go and marry her."
"You're dumb." Sagar muttered.
"What?"
"I said yeah, you should." Sighing, he got up. "I'm going back to my room."
"Why? I still can't sleep." She said, he could hear the false happiness dripping off her voice. One thing was certain, in pitch black; voice expression was clearly detected. Sagar's question was why she believed him. He returned back to his position on the bed.
"I lied, you know."
"About what?" Vidya asked, slowly. There were short breaths between her words. Like sniffles almost.
"Are you crying?" Sagar asked, too stern.
"No…" She said, she paused. "Yes."
"I was lying about being in love with Gehna."
"I know." She sniffled. "You love me."
"Yeah. I do love you." Sagar said, lamely.
"I love you too." She sniffled, and sobbed. He listened
to her cry for a while.
"Why are you crying?" He asked, annoyed.
"Sorry, couldn't help it." She laughed, still
sobbing. "I'm going to miss you."
"What?" Sagar's confusion was clear in his voice.
"We're not in a relationship and we're not best friends. Pretty soon, you're gonna forget about me."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. You're going to find someone better and
marry her."
"I don't know…maybe. I might not."
"Well, if you don't. I will. This sucks." She stated, not crying anymore. It was true, it did suck. Sagar
gasped, at her usage of the word sucks. It was a pet peeve to use that word around her. She said it was so unintelligent, it was disgusting.
"What sucks?" Sagar asked.
"We love each other and we have no future together."
"You think too much. We'll think of the tomorrow when it comes, right now is about today." He said, getting up. "I've got to go back now." He sighed.
"Why are you always saying that? Mahua's asleep. Why do you want to leave?"
"Cuz I have the sudden urge to kiss you and I'm afraid of what I'll do." He said, scooting away from her. She flicked the lights on.
"You're afraid of what now?" She asked, amused. He rolled his eyes at her.
"Vidya, go to sleep." He turned the lights off. He laid down again and she laid in his arms. He kissed the top of her head. "Good night." He wrapped her arms around her waist and she fell asleep in his embrace.
The next morning, she woke exactly when the sun rose. She felt the rays of sunlight play across of her face. She smiled. She kissed the arm that was wrapped around her. He didn't wake.
She turned around, and kissed him lightly. "Sagar." She whispered. "Sagar…" He slept like a rock. "Sagar." She shook his arm.
"Vidya, ten more minutes."
"No! Wake up now!"
"Eight more minutes?" He negotiated groggily.
"Arrey? Auntyji, aap?" She said, questioning the door.
Sagar shot up, looking around.
"Not funny." He said, stretching.
"You're right. It was hilarious. I'm going to wake
Mahua up." Vidya said, smiling.
"I'm up." Mahua said at the door, staring at the disheveled bed. "Umm, guys?"
"Nothing happened Mahua," Vidya said yawning, pulling a hairbrush through her hair. "You're brother wouldn't
touch me," She sighed.
"Hey, I held you. Wasn't that enough?" Sagar said, still in his half waken stupor.
"I guess." Vidya sighed, going into his bathroom. She brushed her teeth and came out soon.
"Whose toothbrush did you use?" Sagar asked.
"Yours." She pecked him on his lips. He grumbled
grouchily.
"When's breakfast?" Vidya asked Mahua. "In ten minutes," Mahua replied
kIrAn...E>GA<3 39313.8680555556
"Angad!" Mahi woke up breathless and sweating. Angad, laying beside her woke up suddenly. Mahi had been having nightmares and Angad, gracious as he was volunteered himself to sleep beside her. Mahi and Angad really clicked, and Angad cared what seemed like far too much about her.
"What happened?" Angad said, rubbing her back.
"I felt…I felt…never mind…" She replied breathless.
"What did you feel….?" Angad asked gently, pulling at her shoulder.
"I felt like something kicked me." She held her stomach. "Hard."
"Mahi, it's gone. You miss it, that's it." He rubbed her shoulder, she winced away.
"I remember what it felt like when I got kicked, that was a kick." She said stubborn, clutching her stomach.
"And yesterday you felt like you were being watched. It's impossible. You just miss your baby." Angad said pulling onto her. She hugged him.
"Yeah. I guess I do…Hey." She said perking up.
"What?" He asked.
"My cousin is coming over today." She said happily, "She's the best!"
"Cool. Well you might want to get ready then. You're not very presentable right now." He laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. I look hot, you know it! Look at you." She looked him up and down. He even looked good just waking up. He was in his boxers and shirtless, his hair was tousled and his face was stubbled. Mahi smiled.
"You're checking me out?" Angad asked, getting out of the bed.
"So I am. Like you weren't."
"No need to check you out. You're hot all the time."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"After we're married, we're going to have A LOT of very
good-looking children."
"A lot? Try two." Mahi scoffed, walking into the
bathroom, leaving to the door ajar.
"Only two? But that's no fun." Angad whined, standing outside the door.
"No." She spat toothpaste out and waved the toothbrush at him. "Hum do humare do."
"Can't it be hum do humare saat?" He grinned foolishly.
"Seven kids?! Angad you must be crazy." She said, rinsing her face.
"Okay, six? Happy?" He stood, peaking out of the door.
"No. TWO!" She said, "One boy, one girl."
"Two boys, four girls." Angad said stubbornly. Mahi glared at him, fakely.
"Two."
"Six."
"Two."
"Seven."
"You're going the wrong way!" Mahi whined.
"Three, are three okay?"
"Yes. Three are fine. Two girls and one boy."
"Two boys and one girl."
Mahi huffed, "We'll see."
"We will see." Angad smiled. He liked the idea of two but bothering Mahi was so much fun. "I love you, Mahi." He smiled, pulling on her waist.
"Angad, let me brush my hair." She waved the hairbrush at him sternly.
"I'll do it for you." He turned her around and sat her on the bed. Taking the brush from her hand, he gently pulled the brush through her hair. He fluffed the strands, like they were cotton candy.
"Angad sweetheart, what are you doing?" She asked, sweetly curious.
"Your hair is so soft. It's like silk." He said smiling. "I'll braid it." He slowly pulled her hair tightly into a thick braid.
"The purple makes it pretty." Angad said stupidly.
"You're so simple minded." She laughed pecking him on the lips. "Go brush your teeth."
"I don't wanna." He whined.
"Then no breakfast." She said. He frowned then finally
went into the bathroom.
"You're cute when you're sulking." She shouted from downstairs.
"I'm cute all the time." Angad shouted back.
"Yeah, yeah Mr. Stuck Up." She whispered.
"I heard that!" Angad yelled. Mahi laughed as she fried a puri. Halwa-puri was the best breakfast food ever, both Mahi and Angad agreed. Half an hour later, Angad came down with wet hair wearing dark jeans and a black tight-fitting shirt, it showed off his muscle.
"Oh God, don't wear that shirt." Mahi groaned.
"Why?"
"You look like a roadside Romeo. Go wear something
decent."
"I could tell you to wear something decent too." He replied, curtly. "Wow halwa-puri."
"I'm wearing decent clothes." Mahi argued, looking down at her outfit. It was a plaid black and red mini with black ripped tights and a midriff revealing black top. In her nose she wore a red garnet stud.
"Uh huh. If hookers look decent then sure." Angad placed a large helping of halwa on his plate.
"What?! At least I don't look like some gunda." She handed him a puri in anger.
"You look like a gundi." He laughed, while chewing. Mahi rolled her eyes and stomped into the room. She searched for something not black. She found a green kurti and jeans. As she zipped her jeans, Angad walked behind her.
"Better?" She asked, annoyed. He opened the cupboard and put a red T-shirt on. Mahi gaped at him shirtless.
"Close your mouth Mahi, you might swallow a fly." He laughed.
"Whatever." She said with attitude. "Nothing I ain't seen before, I'm just remembering that concert of yours
I went to."
"You came to my concert?" Angad asked, amused.
"Every one I could. I was your second biggest fan." She laughed.
"Yeah, my biggest fan was this person named Div88. Crazy lady she was."
"That was Vidya." She laughed. "And I was MAC88."
"I remember you!" Angad said in epiphany. Mahi laughed. "I read your letters. Every one of them." Angad said.
"Really?" Mahi said, blushing.
"Yeah. They went a little something like 'I love you
Angad, I love you.' About 487 times."
"You counted?!" Mahi gasped. Angad nodded. "Vidya wrote it 500 times each letter."
"Yeah. But hopefully you meant it." Angad noted. Mahi smiled. The doorbell rang.
"I'll get it." Angad volunteered. Walking to the door, he whistled Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai's title song. He opened the door to find a little girl in a pink pinafore, standing there hands on hip waiting.
"Hello, princess." Angad kneeled down to her level. "What's your name?"
"My name's Pari. What's yours?" She asked sassily.
"Angad Khanna. Pleased to meet you." He held his hand out, the girl shook it reluctantly.
"The pleasure would be mine, if you told me where Mahi is." She smiled brattily.
"Mahi, you have a visitor!" Angad sighed, shouting into the house.
"It's PARI!!!!!" Mahi said, running to the door. Getting onto one knee, she hugged the girl. Pari's face lit up upon seeing Mahi.
"Hey Di." Pari said. "You're crying?" She asked Mahi.
"Nothing. I just missed you." Mahi said.
"Di." Pari started. "Who's he?"
"This is my fianc, Angad. Quite the charmer, isn't he?"
"I suppose he is." Pari said, thoughtfully. "Isn't Vidya Di in love with this guy, he comes on TV."
"Yeah. Being a rock star is so overrated. I've never met this Vidya girl, but Pari I must tell you I'm quite smitten by Mahi." He said, dramatically falling to his knees before Mahi. Mahi laughed and hit him in his head.
"I like him, Di." Pari said laughing.
"Me too." Mahi winked. The phone rang. "I'll get it."
"Hello?" Mahi said, happily.
"Are you okay, do you want me to come back home?" Suhani asked concerned.
"No Hani. I'm great. I've got Angad, he's taking great care of me. Even Pari is here."
"Okay, are you sure?"
"HANI! Stop calling me! I'm fine!!! I have Angad and I'm supposed to be with him right now! Pari's probably bothering him!"
"Are you sure?"
"Hani. Stop calling me. I love you babe but you GOT TO stop calling to check up on me. I'm fine. Angad ki kasam."
"Well, you better be telling me the truth or else we're losing a VERY worthwhile guy."
"Why would I want to endanger my husband's life? He's sooooo sweet. God broke the mold after making him." Mahi laughed.
"Husband? Aw, you're marrying him? Vidya will be crushed." Suhani laughed.
"Aw, pshaw, she has Sagar." Mahi said, simply.
"Just a friend, she insists." Suhani says properly.
"That's because she doesn't know but they've both fallen for each other. Why do you sound so British?"
"It's that boyfriend of mine. It's all his fault." She sighs.
"Aw. So sweet."
"I talked to Ishaan the other day!" She exclaims loudly.
"So?" Mahi asks.
"You don't know?" Hani asked, breathlessly.
"Know what?"
"Ishaan has had a crush on me since ever."
"Aw, I could've told you that." Mahi laughed.
"Why didn't you?" Hani huffed.
"I don't know. You never asked. Acha okay, I'm starting to miss Angad. I'm leaving now." Mahi said into the phone, smiling.
"Really? So sweet. Makes me feel so special." Suhani stated sarcastically. "I won't call anymore."
"Thank you. I'll call you. Can't wait till you get back." Mahi said. "Okay, love you. Bye. Muah." She kissed into the phone.
"Bye." Hani laughed.
"Angad!" Mahi ran into the living room to find Pari and Angad engaged deep into conversation.
"Yes, but Angelica only acted out because she was insecure." Pari explained.
"Or jealous of Tommy." Angad stated, pouting.
"She was so misunderstood." Pari sighed.
"And VERY mean. I don't care whether she was misunderstood, she was always scaring Chucky."
"Gosh, such intelligent conversation." Mahi mused. Angad rolled his eyes.
"He's stubborn." Pari concluded. "Thick in the head."
"She's annoying." Angad concluded, mocking her tone.
"Here you are, struggling with one. And you were
talking about six."
"I said seven." He said pouting.
"We settled on three."
"Whatever." He sulked. "Our kids will not be this mean."
"I'm not mean. You're just immature." Pari said. Angad shrugged it off.
"Pari, when are uncle-aunty coming to pick you up?" Mahi sighed.
"In about ten minutes."
"Oh." Mahi frowned. Angad and Pari argued the last ten minutes, it amused Mahi immensely. She held back laughter, finally Pari left.
"That was mature of you." Mahi rolled her eyes.
"Your cousins are mean. Are there any more?"
"Two, but they're boys. They'll love you."
"I say we elope." Angad moped.
"Why would we do that?" Mahi laughed, "We were arranged."
"So?" Angad pouted. "I can't wait any longer…." He frowned.
"Well you're gonna have to wait till March. My birthday. Before that, it's not even legal."
"Yeah. Where are you going to college?"
"Mumbai University."
"Hey. I live there. You should live with me!!!" Angad said, excited.
"Maybe. I don't know. I might not go there. I've applied a couple other places. And I don't know where those three bi***es are going either." She sighed.
"You guys are all so mean to each other." Angad laughed.
"So we are. I haven't talked to Vidya and Niharika since a really long time ago. Wonder what they're up to."
"A lot, if they haven't called you." Angad replied.
"Yeah." Mahi said, thoughtlessly. "Let's go to Vidya's house." She proclaimed. Angad nodded, "You should call first. She might be out." Mahi agreed. She dialed the number.
"Hey, Vee." Mahi said coolly.
"Hey, Mahi. Oh my god, I haven't called in ages. I feel so bad." Vidya said guiltily.
"Where have you been?" Mahi asked.
"I spent last night at my house. But the power went out so I couldn't call."
"Were you scared?" Mahi asked, knowing Vidya too well.
"Nah. I had Sagar here. And now we're headed to his house."
"His house? He spent the night? Vidya…" Mahi started, in a cautious groan.
"Nothing like that, Mahi. We just…were bored. Yeah, I'm going to meet his family and spend the night. No big deal, just a dare."
"Yeah, Vee. Sure. A dare. Be careful with him." Mahi groaned.
"Mahi, I'm fine. I can take care of myself. You take care too."
"Okay, phir. Bye." Mahi sighed.
"Bye, I love you." Vidya chirped.
"I love you too." Mahi sighed again, turning to Angad.
"What?" He asked, getting up. He looked concerned.
"She's going to Sagar's…just me and you now." Mahi smiled at him.
"Let's go get ice cream." Angad suggested.
"Let's go." She said. She might as well, she concluded.
Chapter 31- Promises
"Is everything okay?" Rajvir asked, concerned.
"No. One of my friend's just had a miscarriage."
Running her hands through her hair, she was about to pull it all out. She was frustrated beyond reason. "She won't let me come back home. I really want to be with her right now."
"She sounded pretty chill." Rajvir said, pulling her into his lap.
"Yeah, she did. I guess Angad really is taking really good care of her. Where is everyone?" She turned toward him.
"Hm? I don't know. Maa is probably at Maya's house. It's just me and you now." He laughed evilly. Suhani giggled.
"You don't expect me to let you touch me, do you?"
"What's wrong with touching?" He asked, confused.
"Nothing until one thing leads to another. Among the four of us, one non-virgin is enough."
"Hm…so you're afraid of losing your virginity…?" He pondered.
"Yes, I value my chastity before marriage very much. So I'm going to sleep in the guest room and you're going to sleep in the room farthest away from me." She got up. He pulled her back down.
"I'm not going to attack you. But can I get a kiss?" He asked, sweetly.
"I'm not allowed to." She smiled, sweetly.
"It's only eight o' clock." He pouted.
"I'm sleepy." Suhani argued.
"You're afraid of me." Rajvir said, smirking.
"I am not." She argued.
"Mhmm…" He replied smugly, flipping through an upside
down magazine.
"I'm not talking to you, you're mean…"
"Suhani, you know we haven't known each other very long
but…" His voice trailed off.
"But?" Suhani turned around, curiously.
"I was wondering…Um…" He held out a box. "It's a promise ring…" He gulped. Suhani smiled, taking the box from his hands. She opened it, her face lighting up.
"It's beautiful…you're so sweet." She pecked him on the lips. He smiled nervously.
"Does that mean you're accepting it?" He asked. She kissed him again, letting her lips linger along his.
"What do you think…?" She whispered sweetly. He kissed her again, letting time pass between breaths. The kiss deepened and the doorbell rang. Suhani smiled, "Go get that."
Rajvir groaned and got up. "Maa?" He asked, opening the door.
"Beta, whatever is wrong with you? Up so late? It's bad for your eyes…and why is your mouth so red…?" She blabbered coming in. She frowned upon seeing Suhani on the couch, with smeared lip gloss. Suddenly, she understood the red on Rajvir's mouth.
"Miss Patel, I thought you were headed to the Hilton like the rest of the workshop students…" She said, disappointed.
"Oh, I just dropped by to say hello. I'm headed to a hotel too. I should take my leave now." Suhani said politely. She curtsied and took her purse.
"Suhani, I'll come with you. Maa, I'll just drop her and be back." Mrs. Goswami nodded and went into the kitchen.
Chapter 32- Meeting the Parents.
"Maa?!" Sagar yelled coming through the door.
"Beta, we were worried. Where were you all night? Oh, hello." A woman replied, fixing the palu to her sari. She looked old and her eyes were kind.
"Maa, this is my friend Vidya." Sagar managed to say, nervously.
"Namaste beta." The woman smiled. Surprising Sagar, Vidya touched her feet.
"Namaste." Vidya said sweetly, Sagar's mother smiled at her. Sagar looked at her helplessly, he mouthed 'What are you doing?'
"Sagar, that is how you greet elders." Vidya said sassily. Sagar shut up. His mother smiled at the two.
"Beta, what's your whole name?"
"Vidya Thakur, actually Auntyji, mere Mummy-Papa France gaye hua hai. Iss liye, Sagar said I could stay the night here. If that wasn't that much of a problem." She asked sweetly but with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"It would be fine, beta but guest room is taken by Gehna."
"Gehna's here!?!?" Sagar yelled.
"Yeah, she's been waiting all day yesterday for you."
"Maa, please. I don't want to talk to her." He whined.
"Who's Gehna?" Vidya asked, confused.
"Iss ki mangetar." Sagar's mother beamed.
"Mangetar?! Maa no way! I don't even like her! I'm too
young to die--."
"You're not dying, Sagar. I told you not to say that again…." Vidya replied, angry.
"Vidya…" He groaned, he glanced toward his mother who was smirking to them.
"Where's Di, Mahua, and Chandra…and Papa?"
"They're in their rooms." Maa said smiling.
"Oh." Sagar said, sighing.
"Vidya beta, would you like something to eat?"
"Oh no, I'm full. Plus, I don't think you guys would have anything I could eat."
"She's vegetarian." Sagar added.
"Oh yes, Thakurs are vegetarians." Sagar's mother said,
smiling.
"Vidya; you and I should go talk to Mahua." Sagar sighed. Vidya nodded and followed him into the room.
"What was that?!" Sagar yelled.
"What?" Vidya asked, looking around curiously.
"Auntyji. Namaste. Aashirwad. You're gonna get me killed. Try to act more modern around my dad."
"I was being polite. That's how I've been brought up." Sagar turned her around by the shoulders.
"Well please try not to be so perfect around my family." He pleaded.
"Perfect?" Vidya mused, noticing his hands which made their way comfortably at her waist.
"Don't act like yourself."
"You're saying I'm perfect?" Vidya, unknowingly put her arms around his neck.
"You're the closest thing I've seen. Beautiful, intelligent, innocent…" With each adjective his lips drew nearer. A lazy smile played across Vidya's smile.
"Will you kiss me already?" She whispered. A smirk spread across Sagar's face.
"You can wait. Our first kiss was a bit useless." He said, echoing her whisper.
"You can continue now. Beautiful, intelligent, innocent?? You know what Sagar?" She said in another low whisper.
"What?"
"You're a liar."
"I can go on. Innocent, stubborn, sweet, forgiving, caring, did I say stubborn…?" He laughed. Vidya pouted. "Vidya…" He whispered, hovering his lips over hers. She leaned forward and just as their lips touched.
"What the heck?!" A girl exclaimed from behind.
"Mahua…God, you scared me." Sagar sighed relief.
"What are you doing in my room? And who's she?"
"This is Vidya. She's staying the night."
"So you where with HER last night?" She asked,
amused, "Gehna was asking about you."
"Gehna, Gehna, Gehna. I don't get why she doesn't leave me alone." Sagar said, collapsing on the bed.
"Well, she is your girlfriend."
"WHAT?!" Vidya exclaimed. Mahua shot her a laughing glance.
"Was, Vidya. Was." He sighed.
"Now she is?" Mahua asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No." Sagar and Vidya answered at once.
"Sure. Hence, you guys were making out."
"We were not." Sagar said indignantly. Vidya pouted
because unfortunately, he hadn't kissed her.
"Whatever, you wanna meet Gehna?" She asked Vidya.
"No thanks. I'll pass. Where am I going to sleep?"
"My room." Mahua exclaimed happily. Vidya nodded in agreement. "Sounds fun.You're brother is no fun. Me and you can have a sleepover."
"That sounds fun. I never get to have my friends over. How old are you?"
"Seventeen. You?"
"Sixteen."
"Great, I believe this is your room." Vidya said to Mahua. Mahua nodded, and the two stared angrily at Sagar till he left.
"So two days straight with my idiot of a brother? I have got to give you props."
"He's not that bad," Vidya defended.
"Well he is to me. But he's my best friend, so he's allowed to be an idiot. We're like this." She crossed
her fingers.
"Me too. I think."
"You spent two straight days with him. To tolerate him, you gotta be like that." Mahua laughed. Vidya laughed along.
"Who's Gehna?" Vidya asked, still bothered.
"Probably my to be bhabhi." Mahua said. "She's a little weird in the head if you ask me. Bhaiya doesn't like her at all."
"Oh…" Vidya said. "You have a boyfriend?"
"Yeah, but don't mention it out there. His name is Kartik."
"Aw. So sweet."
"You have a boyfriend, Vidya?"
"Nah. Guys don't like me." Vidya sighed.
"B.S." Mahua laughed. "Bhaiya seems to like you plenty."
"We've got a love-hate relationship. Or like-hate actually. We spend most our time arguing and fighting."
"Who wins?" Mahua asked, curious.
"I do." Vidya grinned.
"That takes skill. It's impossible to win against him."
"No it's not. Quite simple really." Vidya explained.
"You're special. I think Sagar has finally found his match."
"He's got one helluva temper though…" Vidya shuddered.
"You've seen his temper?"
"Yeah, spent a while in the hospital cuz of it." Vidya
laughed.
"WHAT?!" Mahua exclaimed. "Our mom has taught us better than that."
"I slapped him. No big deal. I forgave him."
"You shouldn't have."
"I beat him up afterwards. And he apologized like crazy and he hurt his own hand to make up for it."
"Oh, that was what happened …when Maa asked he said he accidentally broke a glass."
"Yeah, my window." Vidya laughed.
"I think he's in love with you." Mahua said.
"Why do you say that?" Vidya asked, confused. She had that same thought during Truth or Dare but that was sheer foolishness, she resolved.
"He brought you home." Mahua raised an eyebrow. She seriously did think her brother was in love with Vidya, he was so oddly free around her and a strange grin was on his face when she was around.
"It was a dare; either he could let me spend the night or go seven days without me."
"Why didn't he choose the second one?" Mahua asked. Vidya shrugged.
"None of his friends have seen him for months."
"We spend a lot of time together…I guess?" She stated,
more like a question.
"More like every waking moment together." Mahua laughed. Vidya laughed too. That was a joke, right?
The door opened in the living room, and the house went silent.
"What happened?" Vidya asked in a scared whisper.
"Papa's home. Dinner time. Let's go." Mahua said happily. They linked arms and headed toward the dining
room.
"Baba, this is Vidya. She's friends with Bhai. Her parents are in France, can she spend the night?" Mahua asked nervously.
"Of course beta." He narrowed his eyes to Vidya, "Sagar's friend?"
"Yeah. My name's Vidya Thakur. Namaste uncle." She touched his feet.
"Namaste beta. Your parents…in France?"
"Yeah, usually they take summers off to vacation with me but some important clients called so…"
"Acha acha. So they had work. That makes sense. You know Sagar?"
"Yeah…" She replied uncomfortably.
"Since when?" He asked. What was this, twenty questions?
"We both go to the Academy, but we became friends a few
months ago." She replied nervously.
"Friends?" He asked.
"Yeah, friends. Like enjoying the other's company. Not
in love with each other…" Okay, too much said.
"Not in love with each other." He repeated, musing.
"Yeah. Stress the NOT part." Vidya said, almost too quickly.
"Right. Where do you plan on spending the night? The guest room is taken."
"By Gehna. I know. I plan on staying in Mahua's room."
"Wonderful arrangement." He said. "Now that we're acquainted, let's eat." The food sat there, chicken, mutton, beef. Hell, there was even fish there. Vidya couldn't look at it.
"Excuse me." She said, running to the bathroom.
"What's wrong with her?" Sindura asked.
"She's a vegetarian." Sagar said, putting his napkin down, following her.
"Vidya, are you okay?" He knocked at the bathroom door. He heard puking.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I can't handle seeing that much meat at once." She laughed, wiping her mouth.
"Maa, I'm taking Vidya out to eat." He shouted, grabbing his car keys.
"Sagar." A voice said, sternly.
"Y-yes, Papa?"
"You have not been excused…" He said sternly.
"Well, I'm hungry and Vidya's hungry and there's definitely nothing she can eat here." He said rudely, slamming the door shut.
"That was rude, you shouldn't have talked to your dad like that." Vidya said, taking her dupatta off. It was really getting to her now.
"Whatever Vidya, he'll get over it. What do you want to eat?"
"Why are you so pissed off?"
"You haven't ate anything but popcorn in two days…you need food. Real food." He said stressfully.
"Not the reason you're mad."
"You're pale, Vidya. I don't want you getting sick."
"You don't want me at your house, do you?" Vidya smirked.
"What do you want to eat?!" He yelled. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Seriously, Vidya. I don't want you getting sick."
"Swear on me that's it…."
"That's it." He sighed. His father was a reflection of his being, he was an exact copy of him personality-wise, and he didn't want his father telling him anything he wasn't ready to hear yet. They pulled up at a Hyatt. He ordered her Chinese vegetable soup and two sodas.
"After this you should take me shopping." Vidya smiled. Sagar raised an eyebrow.
"Fine." He huffed.
"You liar! You don't want me in your house. You hate
shopping." She gulped her soup in a very unladylike manner, she was famished. She hadn't noticed until
Sagar had mentioned it.
"I hate shopping but I hate that damn salwar kameez more." He said, half truthfully.
"Fine, you're paying then."
"Fine." After eating they went shopping and bought two outfits. One for then, one that was comfortable enough to sleep in. She changed into a pair of dark jeans and an orange kurti.
"Orange?"
"Gotta be patriotic somehow." Vidya smiled, Sagar huffed. "Who are you calling?" He asked. She shoved her finger in his face, gesturing him to shut up for then.
"Hello?"
"Hello?"
"Auntyji. Is Uncleji home?"
"Yes, he is. He's reading a magazine right now."
"Could I talk to him?"
"Yes, beta. Sure. Let me call him." She said politely.
"Hello?" His husky voice said.
"Hello uncleji, this is Vidya. I called because I felt really bad about what happened earlier today…"
"That's quite alright, dear. I know Sagar didn't mean harm."
"He wanted to apologize to you."
"I what?!" Sagar exclaimed.
"Sagar, saying sorry won't make you any less of a man."
Vidya explained, annoyed.
"So? I'm not apologizing."
"Sagar, your father is on the line, listening to us. Apologize or you're gonna have to do the other bet."
"What?" He asked confused.
"I'm not going to talk to you, or see you for a month."
"A MONTH!?" He yelled helplessly. She nodded. Defeated he took the phone.
"Hello?" He said, defeated.
"Sagar beta, I heard what Vidya said."
"Okay, so I don't have to say it right?"
"If you don't want Vidya not talking or meeting you till next month, yeah."
"This is blackmail!" Sagar whined. "I'm ss-ss…"
"Sorry. Say it. I've never heard you say it." His father said immaturely teasing.
"I'm sorry." He muttered.
"I've got to give Vidya an applause, I've never heard you apologize to anyone before…"
"Papa, just drop it, okay? Here, talk to Vidya."
"Okay. Vidya beti, I just wanted to thank you. Those were, perhaps, the first time I've heard those words from him."
"He's said it enough times since he's met me." She mused. "We'll be home a little late, is that okay?"
"Uh, where are you going?" He asked, unsure.
"Shopping?" She asked, unsure.
"Come straight home, as soon as possible. No shopping."
"Okay, fine." Vidya whined on the phone.
"Bye beta." He said, laughing.
"You're dad's cool." Vidya said, laughing.
"No." He said. "He's not. He's terrible."
"No, he reminds me of my dad. He called us home ASAP."
"Why?"
"Because…he did. Let's go."
"We're going cuz he said so? That's dumb. Let's go clubbing."
"We're going home. Uncleji said so." Vidya argued.
"Fine." Sagar huffed, driving home.
"Wow, you actually listened." His father marveled when
they got home.
"It's late. I'm going to bed." Vidya said, pulling Mahua into her room. Everyone soon went to bed.
"Can you switch spots with your brother?" Vidya asked, expectantly.
"What? Why?"
"I'm used to sleeping…" With him, carried the wrong
connotation. "Near him."
"He's a room away, you're near enough."
"Please Mahua…." Vidya whined.
"Just this once…" She warned. Soon, she left and Sagar came in, laughing in a whisper.
"I was about to ask her the same thing…." He laughed. He lay down on the bed. She lay down besides him.
"I like your family." She said, finally. He rolled his eyes at her and turned the lights out. He turned his back to her and the two laid in silence. He felt a finger drag across his back.
"Vidya…" He said, annoyed.
"I'm bored." She sighed.
"You're an insomniac, I swear." He said annoyed.
"Maybe. I was thinking…" She said, slowly."Where are we going…?" She asked gently in a whisper. He turned around. "What do you mean where are we going?"
"Listen, next year is senior year, and then we all go our separate ways."
"We'll stay in touch…" Sagar defended.
"So they all say…" Vidya sighed. "Where are you going
to college?"
"Mumbai University…" Sagar said.
"Oh." She said, disappointed. "I'm going to Delhi."
"Did you apply anywhere abroad?" He asked, expectantly.
"Yeah. ODU. Where Ishaan Bhaiya goes… We all did."
"We all?" Sagar asked.
"Yeah. Me, Hani, Nihu, Mahi."
"Oh. I didn't." He scratched his head. "You getting married any time soon?"
"Probably. You know the Benarasi way…"
"Yeah, married early…usually as soon as it's legal. You thought of anyone?"
"Nope. I'm letting my parents choose."
"You wanted a love marriage." Sagar remembered.
"Need to fall in love for that. Besides, love is…perception. It's illusion."
"It is not." Sagar defended. "Love is real."
"You're in love, Sagar…who is it?" She asked, curious. He glared at her in the dark; he knew she couldn't see him in this pitch black. That was a dumb question. So he was in love. But what kind of question is who is it? You know exactly who it is.
"Gehna." He said, sarcastically.
"Oh." She said quietly, "I haven't met her yet. I should approve her before you go and marry her."
"You're dumb." Sagar muttered.
"What?"
"I said yeah, you should." Sighing, he got up. "I'm going back to my room."
"Why? I still can't sleep." She said, he could hear the false happiness dripping off her voice. One thing was certain, in pitch black; voice expression was clearly detected. Sagar's question was why she believed him. He returned back to his position on the bed.
"I lied, you know."
"About what?" Vidya asked, slowly. There were short breaths between her words. Like sniffles almost.
"Are you crying?" Sagar asked, too stern.
"No…" She said, she paused. "Yes."
"I was lying about being in love with Gehna."
"I know." She sniffled. "You love me."
"Yeah. I do love you." Sagar said, lamely.
"I love you too." She sniffled, and sobbed. He listened
to her cry for a while.
"Why are you crying?" He asked, annoyed.
"Sorry, couldn't help it." She laughed, still
sobbing. "I'm going to miss you."
"What?" Sagar's confusion was clear in his voice.
"We're not in a relationship and we're not best friends. Pretty soon, you're gonna forget about me."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. You're going to find someone better and
marry her."
"I don't know…maybe. I might not."
"Well, if you don't. I will. This sucks." She stated, not crying anymore. It was true, it did suck. Sagar
gasped, at her usage of the word sucks. It was a pet peeve to use that word around her. She said it was so unintelligent, it was disgusting.
"What sucks?" Sagar asked.
"We love each other and we have no future together."
"You think too much. We'll think of the tomorrow when it comes, right now is about today." He said, getting up. "I've got to go back now." He sighed.
"Why are you always saying that? Mahua's asleep. Why do you want to leave?"
"Cuz I have the sudden urge to kiss you and I'm afraid of what I'll do." He said, scooting away from her. She flicked the lights on.
"You're afraid of what now?" She asked, amused. He rolled his eyes at her.
"Vidya, go to sleep." He turned the lights off. He laid down again and she laid in his arms. He kissed the top of her head. "Good night." He wrapped her arms around her waist and she fell asleep in his embrace.
The next morning, she woke exactly when the sun rose. She felt the rays of sunlight play across of her face. She smiled. She kissed the arm that was wrapped around her. He didn't wake.
She turned around, and kissed him lightly. "Sagar." She whispered. "Sagar…" He slept like a rock. "Sagar." She shook his arm.
"Vidya, ten more minutes."
"No! Wake up now!"
"Eight more minutes?" He negotiated groggily.
"Arrey? Auntyji, aap?" She said, questioning the door.
Sagar shot up, looking around.
"Not funny." He said, stretching.
"You're right. It was hilarious. I'm going to wake
Mahua up." Vidya said, smiling.
"I'm up." Mahua said at the door, staring at the disheveled bed. "Umm, guys?"
"Nothing happened Mahua," Vidya said yawning, pulling a hairbrush through her hair. "You're brother wouldn't
touch me," She sighed.
"Hey, I held you. Wasn't that enough?" Sagar said, still in his half waken stupor.
"I guess." Vidya sighed, going into his bathroom. She brushed her teeth and came out soon.
"Whose toothbrush did you use?" Sagar asked.
"Yours." She pecked him on his lips. He grumbled
grouchily.
"When's breakfast?" Vidya asked Mahua. "In ten minutes," Mahua replied
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