Chp. 12 The village, again.
Abhimanyu woke up early in the morning. He thought about the events that had taken place the day before. He got out of bed, got dressed after a shower and had a quick breakfast. He had to inform Nikita about yesterday's events. But first he had to check on kunwarji and find out how was he. He went to see kunwarji and knocked on his door. After two knocks, when kunwarji still didn't answer the door, he opened the door and went inside. If kunwarji didn't answer the door even after 2 knocks, no one was supposed to knock again or enter the room without his permission except for Abhimanyu. Kunwarji was not on his bed, nor in the room. He had woken up early and was in the shower. Upon hearing footsteps he asked, "Who is it?"
"It's me kunwarji, Abhimanyu," he replied.
"Oh Abhi, I'll take around 10 minutes, you have a seat," he said from the shower.
"It's ok kunwarji, no problem, I'll be back in a while," said Abhimanyu.
"Ok, as you wish," he replied. By the time Kunwarji got ready, Abhimanyu decided to go and see Nikita.
Abhimanyu went to her room and knocked, "Come in," she said.
Abhimanyu went in and greeted her, "good morning Nikita ji."
"Abhimanyu!" Nikita was surprised to see him.
"Abhimanyu, when did you return from the village, you'll were due today morning right?" she queried.
"Yeah, quite right, but we had to change the plan due to a little accident-"
"Accident?" Nikita interrupted Abhimanyu before he could complete his statement.
"Are you alright?" she asked in a panicked tone scanning him from head to toe and before he could reply she continued, "How's bro? Is he fine? I need to see him."
She was about to rush towards the door, when Abhimanyu caught her by the shoulders and said, "Relax Niks, everything's fine, ok? Now listen."
He seldom called her Niks, but whenever he did, they both liked it. He told her about the turn of events that had taken place the day before and by the time he finished, she was rooted to the spot in shock and horror.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it earlier, I didn't want you to be worried," he said, his voice dropped to a soft murmur.
"O Abhimanyu, I'm so sorry," she replied.
"It's ok Niks, but you know one really good thing happened among all this," he said cheerfully.
"Good thing?" she asked incredulously wondering what good could have happened.
"Yeah," he said and told her about the "riverside girl" and her conversation overheard by kuwarji and the way she had cared for him. Nikita was delighted to hear it all. She had totally forgotten about the riverside girl and their plan to get her and Armaan close to each other.
"Abhi, this is amazing news. You've made my day! I can't believe so much has happened in one day. I definitely need to meet her and thank her. I'm so happy for bro!" she said enthusiastically and hugged him.
Abhimanyu was surprised but also quite happy. She then released him of her hug and said, "How's bro?"
"He must be fine I suppose, I'd gone to check him but he was in the shower. I'm going to his room right now, you can join me," he replied.
"Ok sure, let's go," she said. She closed the door and they set out to go to Armaan's room.
***
Armaan was sitting on the bed thinking about the 'riverside girl' when someone knocked. "Come in," he said.
Abhimanyu and Nikita entered. "Nikita, how are you?" he asked.
"Bhaiyya," she said and rushed to hug him.
"Nikita?" he said. She was sobbing.
"Relax, I'm fine," he said patting her back.
He knew that Abhimanyu must've told her about his little accident in the village yesterday and that was the reason she was crying. She stopped crying and said, "Show me your hand." Armaan put forward his hand and showed it to her. "I want to see the wound," she commanded.
"But didn't you say that you wanted to see my hand," said Armaan innocently to lighten up Nikita's mood.
"Funny, is it?" she replied.
Armaan and Abhimanyu grinned and Armaan rolled up his sleeve, but the wound was still not visible.
"Bhaiyya, remove your shirt,'' she said getting impatient.
"What?" he exclaimed.
"Oh come on Bhaiyya, I'm your sister, not any stranger," she said mischievously.
Armaan eyed her and Abhimanyu suspiciously. Abhimanyu looked away whereas Nikita grinned. He unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. Nikita examined the wound.
"The wound has been treated well. But why have you not bandaged it? You should not leave it open," she said.
"It was bandaged, but I opened it before going for the shower," Armaan replied.
"Abhimanyu can you please bring me the first aid box?" she asked. Abhimanyu got the first aid box and Nikita bandaged the wound.
"There you go, now you can put on the shirt," she told Armaan.
Armaan put on the shirt and said, "Thank you sis. Oh yeah, what was it that you were saying about a stranger?"
"Oh nothing bro," she replied.
"Are you sure, it was nothing?" he asked.
"Of course bro, what could it be?" she replied innocently. Armaan could very well understand what she was hinting at.
"Ok then, if it's really nothing then can Abhi and I get to work?"
"Yeah bro, sure, even I've got some work, got to leave now," she replied. She told them good bye and left.
Armaan turned towards Abhimanyu, "Hmm, Abhi, what was Nikita saying about a stranger?"
"Oh nothing kunwarji, nothing," he replied mischievously.
"Really?" asked Armaan and they both burst out laughing. After a few moments, they stopped laughing and Armaan said, "Ok, now let's get back to business."
"Sure Kunwarji," Abhimanyu replied.
"Yesterday, before my accident, I had completed 3 locations and 2 still remain. What about you?" he asked.
"Kunwarji, I had finished all the locations before I came looking for you," replied Abhimanyu.
"Fine, so what do you think? Which location is the most suitable?" Armaan asked. Abhimanyu and Armaan discussed the six locations and decided to check the remaining 2 locations before coming to any conclusions or finalizing any location.
"Yeah, kunwarji, great idea, maybe we might get a glimpse of the 'riverside girl' even today," said Abhimanyu playfully.
"Well hope so," Armaan replied. "Let's go."
"I'll get the car," said Abhimanyu. "Fine, meanwhile I'll inform Nikita. They soon left for the village in Armaan's Porsche with Abhimanyu in the driver's seat.
***
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