CHAPTER 21
Is the Hangover over😲?
A few days passed in the same manner….. Kashish took it upon herself to get sujal out of his depression. He may not blame her at all and he may also be right that the accident was not her fault. But she can't let go of the fact that she was involved in it and that remained ignorant of his misery for a whole month.
So come night and Kashish wud bully Kaveri into teaching her some dishes that Sujal particularly liked and then she wud march to his room with dinner for two.
It surprised Sujal that she came again. After all both had ended up crying the first time. But somewhere he was relieved and happy that she came. Dinner was something he looked forward to now.
Although the dinner wasn't like the first one. They hardly talked. Kashish wud come lay down dinner announce the position of his meal and then sit on the right chair and start eating. Sujal too didn't question her presence on the 2nd night and the days that followed. He wud obey her voice and sit down to enjoy his dinner. It didn't even matter to him now, if he blotched his shirt with food, as long as he got to have dinner with her. Maybe life didn't end with his eye sight. He enjoyed hearing different noises she made and matching it to images in his memory. He enjoyed the delicious food and he liked her exotic smell.
A week passed in this manner, at one hand Sujal was accepting Kashish and their dinner meetings; on the other hand family's curiosity was growing unbearable. All Kashish's wud ever say was, "Oh! What's going on? Nothing. We just have dinner together."
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<<Sunday>>
Sujal lay away in his bed.. Sundays are the worst!!! Every1 is always at home and I can often hear them crossing my door.. Their steps hesitating in front of my room. Why don't they just forget that I live here.
#singing …humming#
Who is that? Sounds like Kashish…
Sujal touched his watch to check the time It's barely 6.30 What is she doing up so early? Every1 usually sleeps till 7.30… And why is she singing? Urrgh I wish I knew all the ans…
15 mins later.
Fine!! Ok I admit it. I am curious and I can't control it. I am going to see what she is doing. What a strange tune she was singing.. I'll go and come back before any1 else comes. I have around 45 min. I'll make it 30 min just to be safe.
Sujal got out of his room and followed the singing it seemed to be coming from kitchen with a lot of other noises..
Hmmm sounds like she is cooking..But this early? What's she up to??
#$%#!%!$#%#
And what's she cursing abt…
"Something wrong?" I asked
She replied, sounding oddly happy abt something "Nothing is wrong. What r u doing so early?"
"a…um… I..I…"
"You……? Did u want something? Did I disturb u while coming downstairs?"
"Uhh.. No!.. Nothing like that.. I was just .. Thirsty.. I wanted water." Yah… thts right water the basic prerequisite for life to sustain.
"Fridge is 3 steps to ur left, water's on 3rd shelf of the door."
Sujal nodded and moved to the fridge. Ok… This is weird… She isn't rushing to help me.. She just gave me directions… Is she waiting to see me making a fool by showing my clumsiness or she is training me to be independent enough to get out of her house… Both seem improbable…
"Hey Einstein… If ur done thinking get a move on. Then sit down on the table to ur right 7 steps from where u r right now. I want u to taste my pancakes."
"I don't think I am hungry..", Sujal muttered trying to follow her instructions to the fridge. Damn she I good with this direction stuff. I found the water bottle without groping or bumping.
Kashish waited patiently for sujal to have his drink. As soon as he was done she grabbed his arm and pushed him into the chair.
"There u r. Now what do u want? Chatni(coconut paste) or sambar(pulses)?"
S –I said I am not hungry.(Getting up slowly…Damn I lost my direction where do I turn?)
K –U don't have to be. 2 bites won't be that heavy on ur stomach to make u puke. So sit down and tell me how it is.
S –I didn't brush my teeth.
K –Don't worry ur corpse wud still have perfectly undecayed teeth, if u, for once ate something before cleaning ur teeth.
I heard her placing a plate in front of me and again telling me the position of food. But I stubbornly sat cross armed. No way was anyone making me do anything I didn't want to and that includes her!
"U know I worked really hard to make this. I wud be very happy if u were the fist one to taste it. It's the first time I have made pancakes."
"So what am I now? ur private guinea pig?" Sujal muttered irritably I am not gonna fall for that.. It's really stupid that u wud even come up with that corny line. As if u wud really want me before ur dad and ur brothers..
"Why do have to be so rude? Ok fine I was lying earlier coz I… well I wasn't planning for u to have it, but when u walked in I wanted u to taste it first coz… coz... well.. I…umm.. I…. If u don't have it then it wud mean u still haven't forgiven me.", Kashish completed her sentence in a rush..
"What nonsense?! What r u apologizing abt?"
"About the… umm.. Bad Food. I have been forcing u to eat for the whole week. I know u don't like it taste but u r just too nice to say anything. So u eat it being a gentleman. But I swear this pancake isn't as bad as the dinner. I'll shave ur cheek for 1 week if I am lying and I wud never again force u to have dinner with me again."
"What..? NO.. U don't make bad food!! Who said that? That's not true.."
"Noooo!!!! I know it's bad!! Rin says it's bad!!!! I know it's bad. If it wasn't u wouldn't be afraid to taste my pancake."
"It's nothing like that. calm down!!" Why is she so touchy abt her cooking? She sounds tearful.
"No it is. I get it now. I won't enter into kitchen ever. I wouldn't also force dinner on u!!"
Sujal gulped hard.. Ok…. So she is a bit touchy abt cooking… I don't want her to stop having dinner with me.. And then how cud having pancakes really hurt.. I don't have to be such an ass in front of her… "Can I have a hotter one this one has gone cold…"
Although Sujal couldn't see her but he had a feelinging that she had smiled. She was like a kid at some things… inhibited.. she definitely wud have smiled.. a big smile. Sujal too smiled correctly imaging her reaction.
"So…. How is it?"K asked.
She does sound nervous.. doesn't she know what a good cook she is nervous over a pancake… "It's delicious like all the other things u cook. And I mean it"
"..Thanks…."
Yup she is definitely happy and smiling too, her voice is warm. I didn't know my approval matter that much…
"Want another one?"
How dare I refuse when u ask with such a cute voice on top of making excellent pancake?... "Yes."
"U really think I cook okay?"
"Of course… Why wud I lie?.. I know u won't hit me if I said it was bad… U shudnt listen to Rin that much. First of all she is an idiot and secondly her taste buds are as good as that of stray cattle. She doesn't know the difference b/w grass and hay and absolutely detests civilized, well cooked food."
Sujal heard giggle at his words that made him happy. If he cud do nothing else he cud still make her smile. And he heard another voice.. Sharper, sarcastic, too sweet…
"Really? I didn't know my taste buds were that bad….. But u have to admit Mr. grewal. U r wrong abt one thing. I am not stray."
Uh oh! Why the hell did she have to come when me and kashish were having such a nice time? Did kashish drop a spoon? Sounded like that.. guess she is shocked too. Wait a min!! what is Rin doing standing next to me? Did she just eat from my plate? Yes she did!!!! I don't believe this!!!!
"Ummmm hmmm very nice Kashu.. U did a nice job… But make mine more crispy."
I know I hate her voice now. its too arrogant. Hmmm kashish seems to breathing hard and she just cursed too…. Yup she is angry at Rin… shud I intervene? No.. that wud be suicide.
"Hey sujal! U want some coffee?"
Why r u concerned Rin? "Err…n-"
"C'mon my treat, I won't burden K more with order for coffee too. As it is she is hardly managing the pancakes…"
"Umm.." What do I say??? If I don't say she wud continue her remarks on kashish's cooking and if I do.. I have a feeling that it wud make kashish angry… She really is scrapping the pan hard.. Guess she burned one. I'll just make noise by clearing my throat.
"U know Sujal, coffee is my specialty.. I don't believe I have made coffee for u before, right?"
"Right… But I don't think its as effective as Kashish's black coffee. Nothing better to clear one's head. Why don't u make some for her too? Then she can make ur pancake extra crispy.."
Ok they both stopped moving… Did I say too much? Hmm kashish is cooking again, her breathing seems calmer… Good.
"So when did kashish make coffee for u?"
"Why shud I tell u? Its b/w me and her." Was that choking sound? Did kashish hide her laugh by coughing. Rin seems to be in shock.. Thts Good! Time for her to shut up.
"Sorry I didn't mean to be nosy.. I didn't know that u two had had a…..er…."
Urrrgh!!!!! She just has to have the last word!! I hope kashish burn her pancake black!
"Wow Rin.. There… U have let ur mouth run off with ur over imagination once again."
Kashish said in a dry voice only Sujal cud detect the slight tremble in it.
"Hmm something smells nice.. What's cooking? Uh Rin!! U r working too!"
Damn!! Nick's voice. Why didn't I hear the approaching steps? Thts right I was too caught up thinking about Kashish.
Nick walked into the kitchen and thumped sujal on back without seeing his face, "Morning bro"
"Morning Nick."
#CRASH# Somebody falling over a chair
"^@%^&%$@%^*#@#$@!#"
Okay….. That was some reaction..Did he fall that hard? I shud help. Me help? I'll probably trip over him and hurt him more. I better keep sitting and be out of the way. Okay he is up. And he is having some problem breathing…. Hmm this pancake is extra delicious… Sujal popped another bite into his mouth looking amused..
"What's the matter? U look pale.. seen a ghost?"
Why does Rin say such things? He is pale coz he is hurt idiot. "Hey u okay? Didya hurt urself? Look where ur going man, its not that difficult."
"Huh!! Wha… u… Its.. aaa…. Umm
Hmmm he sounds pretty disoriented must have hit his head… Oh Kashish is helping him up now.. Uh.. I can smell the pancake burning… Maybe u can give this crisp one to Rin…
"Hey Nick… u alright?!! Sit down will u? Rin!! Why don't u make coffee for ur dear brother in law? I am sure he wud appreciate it more than sujal and me.", Kashish said.
Sujal and me…. Its sounds nice when she says my name…
"So..SS.Sujal? How u doing man? I thought u were Sid bhaiya"
"I am fine.. U sure u not hurt.. U still sound startled…"
"Yah.. I am fine I was just surprised to s-"
#Clingggg!!!#(spoon falling)
What did Rin drop? I thought she was making coffee… What's she doing?
Kashish mouthed Rin a thank you and glared at nick and placed a finger over her lips.
"Hey Rin? Cant u even handle coffee?"
"Oh its already made. Kashish left a spare pan in my way and it fell. Here u go its hot be careful."
"Hmm."…. Cocky as ever. Nick is awfully quit though.. Must have fallen hard…
"Here u go sujal.. Nick what do u want chatni or sambar? Hey Rin ur crispy pancake is ready eat it b4 it gets cold"
Hope she gave the burnt one to Rin.. Ummmmmmm how cud Rin ever say that Kashish doesn't know how to cook? Has any1 ever tasted anything better?
Nick –Hmm thanks for the pancake… Umm u did a good job.. U know.
Good. He sounds sincere. It will give a boost to Kashish's morals..
"Morning everyone…"
"Hmmm pancakes!!!!!!!!!!!! Kashish u made 'em!! I thought u were kidding yesterday."
That sounds like Kaveri and Sid bhaiya.. Hmm just two… Its difficult to make out how many pairs of foot are approaching when its more than 1… If I pay more attention maybe I can do better.
S -Morning… Guess what? Rin is making complementary coffee!! Rin wont u make some for them too? I am sure they want some too….
#uhhhuhh ugh huuhh<choking coughing sound>#
Yup, they are astonished to see Rin work.. My... She must be a real pain in the ass… looks like she never lifts a finger to do any work…. Poor Kaveri, I feel bad for her…
Rin –Sure…. Why not?.. Guess I am going to chip my nails this morning.. Slaying off to make coffee for u thankless, ungrateful ppl….
#scraping of chairs, shuffling feet, deep breaths.. awkward silence#
K –Umm so.. Nick.. How's sanskriti?
N –She is fine.
K –And??
N –And?
K –And? Well… u know… What did she say… I mean, She missing us?
Rin –Really kashish get over urself. U r not that popular…
S –Hey Rin make sure the milk doesn't boil over.. U'll chip an extra nail trying to clean that up…
R –Thanks for ur concern but I am sure Kashish being such a caring friend wud offer to do it for me. As it is she wud be cleaning up her mess…
Kaveri –Umm I'll help..I'll do all the clean u don't have to worry
Rin –Oooohhhh u r such a sweetheart. Thanks!!!
Kaveri –No problems.. Umm kashish u need help?
K –Oh no.. I am good. U sit back and enjoy breakfast today. Sujal u want another?
S –Sure… Hey can I some more chatni?
Rin –Here u go.
S –Thanks.
"Looks like I am the last one to wake up today… Morning everyone.."
Everyone except sujal, "Morning dad."
"Hmm Kashish cooking!! What a surprise smells good honey. Oh Sam u r back"
S -"Morning uncle… No kashish told me that Sam's coming back on Tuesday."
A -"Sujal!!!! I….I.."
Rin -"Oh u were waiting for Sam's call right? Yah he called up earlier.. He says he can't make it back early. sorry"
A –Oh..umm. Okay .. I see….
Hmm uncle is much better than Sid, Kaveri and Nick at hiding his astonishment to see Rin working.. Wonder what this really wud be looking right now… maybe Kashish can describe it to me in detail tonight… Hmm the coffee is good, can't believe Rin wasn't bragging about this.….
Sujal sat back and enjoyed the coffee his stomach full now… Listening to evry1's voices with full interest and concentration.
I sure am glad Kashish blackmailed me into eating breakfast.. It is quite nice… and coffee is good too although I wud never tell Rin that. She is already to high up in the clouds…Everybody seems to be liking her pancakes too. This is good for her.. although they sound a bit anxious. I wonder why…
K –Sujal. u sure don't want any more?
S –No. I am full.
Rin –More coffee?
S –Gee I wonder if my stomach can take any more coffee Rin... I think I am full.
#muttering #
Hahaaa!! Guess I upset her now…. She sure was expecting a compliment.. How I love to disappoint her..
Nick –Umm sujal?
S (Casual tone… What's with him? He sounds freaked out.. must have fallen on his head.. why has everyone gone quite?)–Yah?
Nick –Umm ….. So… We gonna see u at lunch too today…?
Sujal froze in his chair OH MY GOD!!!!! I am having a Normal Breakfast!! OUTSIDE My Room!!! That too in front of EVERY1!!!!! Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************
Kashish's version of the morning.
Kashish got up early around 6 am, inspite of sleeping late. Today was a big step. Sleep was inconsequential….
She skipped downstairs making sure that everyone was asleep. It was an essential part of the plan. Around 6.30 kashish glided past Sujal's room humming loudly. A little while later she busied herself in the kitchen.. These days most of her free time seemed to be spent in kitchen only.. How she hated cooking… Standing for hrs in heat serving every1.. Being the last one to eat and then getting reproached for adding too less salt or too much spice.
And now, her mornings too. Life in kitchen is awful Kashish grumbled to herself while working hard to flip of the pancake without breaking it.
"Something wrong?" A deep voice called from behind.
Kashish smiled and answered, "Nothing's wrong. What r u doing so early?" Without turning around. She may not be blind but she wud recognize the voice anywhere.
"a…um… I..I…"
"You….? Did u want something? Did I disturb u while coming downstairs?" Kashish suppressed another smile.
"Uhh.. no!.. Nothing like that.. I was just .. thirsty.. I wanted water."
Kashish finally turned around holding the freshly cooked pancake in a plate and looked at Sujal standing in front of her. Liar… U came here coz u were curious.
"Fridge is 3 steps to ur left, water's on 3rd shelf of the door."
Sujal mutely nodded not moving a step.
"Hey Einstein… If ur done thinking get a move on. Then sit down on the table to ur right 7 steps from where u r right now. I want u to taste my pancakes."
S -I don't think I am hungry
Kashish waited patiently for sujal to have his drink. As soon as he was done she grabbed his arm and pushed him into the chair.
"There u r. now what do u want chatni(coconut) or sambar(pulses)?"
S –I said I am not hungry.
K –u don't have to be. 2 bites won't be that heavy on ur stomach to make u puke. So sit down and tell me how it is.
Kashish placed the plate in front of sujal and again said the directions for food. While sujal sat stubbornly crossing his arms.
I feel like ramming the pancake down his throat.. I didn't get up early to suffer his childish tantrums. Ok calm down. Being violent or threatening won't help. I have to be calm and patient…. Grewal get ready for some serious groveling.
(after argument)
God it is difficult to get him to sit at the table at start eating.. I can't believe I have finally stooped so a low as to emotionally blackmail him.. I am the worst!! Well at least he is eating now..
Kashish gave Sujal a dazzling smile and hurried over to flip another pancake. She noticed that Sujal too was smiling.
K –So…. How is it?
S –Its delicious like all the other things u cook. And I mean it"
"..Thanks…."u had better liked it grewal…"Want another one?"
"Sure.."
"U really think I cook okay?"
"Of course… Why wud I lie.. I know u won't hit me if I said it was bad… U shudnt listen to Rin that much. First of all she is an idiot and secondly her taste buds are as good as that of stray cattle. She doesn't know the difference b/w grass and hay and absolutely detests civilized, well cooked food."
K giggled at sujal's words it was nice to see him so relaxed and laid back..
Rin –really? I didn't know my taste buds were that bad….. But u have to admit Mr. grewal. U r wrong abt one thing. I am not stray."
SHIT!!! What is Rin doing here!! Of all the people I imagined walking into kitchen today why did she have to be the first one??!!
Rin came in her usual overbearing manner and offered to make coffee at which, Sujal hesitated, while Kashish fumed in silence. She hated getting insulted by Rin in front of Sujal.. And sujal spoke up to defend K which pleased K, she had to hide her laughter by turning it into a cough.
But sujal's defense had some which had some unexpected repercussions for Rin being Rin caught smallest of things..And asked if S and K were ever a couple.
Kashish saves the situation by being cool and calm about it and replying in a dry composed voice –Wow Rin.. There…. U have let ur mouth run off with ur over imagination once again."
Then Nick enters the kitchen -Hmm something smells nice.. What's cooking? Uh Rin!! U r working too!
As Nick cud only see the back of the person sitting on the table he thought Sam had returned, so he thumped him on his back.. –Morning Bro
S -Morning Nick.
On seeing Sujal's face and hearing his very normal reply Nick tripped against the chair.. Loosing complete sense of reality he tripped again while trying to get up. He was staring at Sujal as if was some alien from outer space.
BL*** hell!!!!!! God is playing a joke!!! I am hallucinating first Rin working now Sujal here!!! Oh my god!! I am hyperventilating!!! Help!!!! Someone slap me out of this illusion!!
Rin tried to control the situation in her manner and Kashish was just too afraid of everything falling apart to speak at that moment.. Rin then threw a spoon at nick which missed the target in order to make him shut his mouth.
#clingggg!!!#
Kashish mouthed Rin a silent thank you and glared at Nick and placed a finger over her lips. Hope he has some brains to left to understand meaning of all this and not ask oh! Rin why did u try and hit me.. He looks like a complete idiot right now.
Even sujal spoke some words to lighten to situation. He is really worried about Nick's fall. Since he can't see, doesn't know that Nick isn't injured at all and how rudely he is staring at sujal.Finally getting the whole point nick in his own way thanked kashish..
Nick –Hmm thanks for the pancake… Umm u did a good job.. U know.(still staring)
Kaveri and Sid –Morning everyone…
"Hmmm pancakes!!!!!!!!!!!! Kashish u made 'em!! I thought u were kidding yesterday."
Kashish had begged Kaveri a day ago to teach her to make pancakes.
S -Morning… Guess what? Rin is making complementary coffee!! Rin wont u make some for them too? I am sure they want some too….
Kaveri and Sid choked up on their words and breath upon seeing Sujal calmly sitting on the table and enjoying breakfast. Like Nick for them too it was hard to believe the sudden sight.
Rin –Sure…. Why not.. Guess I am going to chip my nails this morning.. Slaying off to make coffee for u thankless, ungrateful ppl….
They then sat down once again lie nick staring at sujal open mouthed at loss of words. Nick, Kaveri and Sid looked at each other and in b/w the glances stared hard at sujal.
Since the kitchen was unusually quiet for so many ppl Kashish tried to brighten up the place, lest sujal suspected the set up.
K –Umm so.. Nick.. How's Sanskriti?
N –She is fine. (too focused on Sujal to ans)
K –And?? (damn its tough to get my pigheaded brother to concentrate!!!)
N –And?
K –And? Well… U know… What did she say… I mean, she missing us?
Rin –Really Kashish get over urself, u r not that popular…
S –Hey Rin make sure the milk doesn't boil over.. U'll chip an extra nail trying to clean that up…
R –Thanks for ur concern but I am sure kashish being such a caring fried wud offer to do it for me. As it is she wud be cleaning up her mess….(Kashish now looks horrified)
Kaveri –Umm I'll help..I'll do all the clean u don't have to worry(Recovering from Sujal Shock first.)
Rin –Oooohhhh u r such a sweetheart. Thanks!!!
Oh Kaveri.. u r so good !!! like my own guardian angel!!! Ok time to settle the atmosphere and get things rolling to normal from high excitation state.
Just when things were returning to Normal Ashok arrived and mistook Sujal for Sam.
"I am the last one to wake up today… Morning everyone.."
Everyone except Sujal, "Morning dad."
"Hmm Kashish cooking!! What a surprise, smells good honey. Oh Sam u r back"
S -"Morning uncle… No Kashish told me that Sam's coming back on Tuesday."
A -"Sujal!!!! I….I.."
Another member added to gawking party… This is great even now dad is an official member of Stare At Sujal club. No wonder he didn't wanna come out. The way they treat him.. uhg.. I get creeps!!!!
Rin -"Oh u were waiting for Sam's call right? Yah he called up earlier.. He says he can't make it back early. sorry"
Although ashoke was able to recover more quickly than everyone else from the shock of seeing a normal sujal… This helped to really make things normal again. Everyone was present at the table now accept Sam. The whole family including Sujal.
Kashish eyed Sujal he seemed happy and relaxed. He was enjoying the coffee and the family chatter.
Nick –Umm Sujal?
S –Yah?
And just when all my hard work and cooking was bearing fruits, Nick had to go ahead and mess everything up!!!!
Nick –Umm ….. So… We gonna see u at lunch too today…?
**************************************************************
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