#3
The Meeting
I stared at her blankly. I have to admit, this was not something I expected Minisha Aunty to do. Fine, she wanted Nikki to marry, but finding a guy for her? This sounded unfair even to me. Some days ago, according to my memory, they had a deal that they would let Nikki choose the guy she wanted to marry, and they were giving her about a year's time. But really? Had they chosen a guy already?
"Say something!", Nikki almost sobbed.
"I...Nik, Are you sure?" I asked cautiously.
"Yeah!", her voice rose an octave, "A guy had called me. He said his name is Armaan or something like that, and I am not angry at him. Actually, he sounded so sweet, and understanding. But duh, doesn't every guy sound like that when he's talking to his 'prospective bride'?", she held up two quotation marks in the air, "He said that his parents had chosen me for him, like my parents had...and he didn't want to force this marriage on me. He wanted to meet me just once and if I did not like him, I could say no."
I raised my eyebrows, "So if the guy is not a problem, then why are you so worried?"
She sighed, "Ridz. I don't even know the guy! How do I get angry with him? I'm angry at Mom and Dad. What have they thought of me? Sometimes I feel like a piece of complete trash that they want to throw away as soon as they can. It's not like I'm rebelling. But it's my life, isn't it? Still, I agreed to their deal that I would marry within a year, with the guy of my choice. And they go ahead and find a random guy for me? That's so unfair!", she banged the side of her chair.
"At least you have someone to pester you.", I muttered without thinking. There was a weird silence and when I looked up, Nikki had her head hung low.
"I...", I started, but then stopped.
"You got me, haven't you?", she suddenly said laughing, breaking the tension.
You see, that's Nikkita Malhotra. She always knows how to make things better, with the exception of her marriage case, of course.
"So.", I cough, and begin again, "Are you going to meet the guy?"
She took a sip of water from my glass and nodded, "Uh-huh. I guess so...I mean, it's not the guy who's the criminal here, right? I'm going to meet him, and say a huge NO."
I had to roll my eyes, "Nikki, your parents aren't criminals."
"Well, that's how I put It.", she shrugged, and held my hand, "But do you promise to help me?"
"Me?", I almost said it ironically. She seriously wanted my help in the matters that I myself do not care about?
She clicked her tongue in annoyance, "Of course you, Dumbo. I haven't got a hundred best friends, have I? I'm just asking your help to cool down mom and dad, in case I say NO."
"In case?", I raised my eyebrows.
"Fine, Fine, when I say no, Okay now?", she rolled her eyes, "But whatever. You promise to help me?"
"You know I will even if I don't promise.", I gave a small smile to her.
Nikki stood up, and let out a breath, "Okay, so since this is done, I've got to tell you, that my work on the Sharma's is almost done, and...I've mailed you."
She gave me her signature expression, which told me, that yet again, she knew that I was going to ask her that next.
"Thanks.", I said softly.
"Yeah, yeah, I know.", she waved away my words, "I love you too!", she laughed.
()()()()()()
Fourth cup of black coffee. And it's so annoying that this design does not look satisfactory. Why am I getting into a mess from the morning? First the guy on the phone...Arrgh. How am I even considering him? Then Nikki's problem. And this design now- although the background is coolly lime green, there seems to be something missing. But what?
"Mam, please may I come in?"
"Come on in, Manish.", I said without looking up. I went on with my work, hearing the nervous footsteps as they hesitantly came and stood before my table. Gathering that it would simply be a waste of time if I waited for him to speak, I looked up.
"Did you want to ask me something?", I asked, as kindly as possible.
I watched as he wet his lip nervously and nodded. God knows how this guy was afraid of me. Yes, you've guessed it right- Avi told me this. It was quite a surprise because most of the office seemed to hate me, and love the work/profession they are in- that's actually okay in my eyes, as long as they're working right.
"Manish.", I called out once more, keeping my elbow on the table.
"Mam...I...Ineedaleave.", he jumbled up his words and left a breath.
"I'm sorry?"
"Mam, I...Actually my wife just called. She has been ta...taken for her delivery...So, I was...", he gulped.
"Of course go, Manish. You didn't have to wait so long to ask Me.", I said almost accusingly, "If you um...don't mind me asking, how long do you want the leave for?"
Despite myself, I felt so heartless asking that question. But it seems, it didn't hurt him. Manish's face had lit up, and he was impatiently taking one breath and nodding.
"Yes, I mean...No, Mam I don't mind at all. I'm asking for a week's leave, Mam. By now, I've completed all the pending work, and if you need me anytime, please do not hesitate to call me Mam. I promise, that even if I can't come, I will mail any detail you want."
I had to smile, "Go now, Manish."
His smile was dazzling, "Thank you, Thank you so much Mam."
He turned to the door, and as soon as he had held the door, I felt my insides churning. I wanted to say something, but I've always been very bad at greeting or wishing people. Sometimes I wish I was Nikki.
"Uh, Manish?", I called, rubbing my fingers under the table.
"Yes, Mam?", he turned immediately.
"Congratulations.", I gave a slight smile, and he gave an excited one back, nodding, and left.
Unlike the times that I felt my head paining at the idea of the fact that the most important and required people would not be present in the office, this time I didn't feel that bad. Manish is a good guy, he's about 2 years younger to me, and he married about 1 and half years ago, about a year after he joined I2. Always dedicated and ready to work, he is kind of shy, but I did hear him chatting with his colleagues at lunch break. He's someone who, as my financial adviser, and treasurer, had helped to make the company what it is.
Today, although...I cannot simply say that I let him go just because he's one of my most trusted people in the office, but because he was becoming a father. Father. His family is going to be complete today...Which, probably, will never happen with me. I close my eyes, almost praying that no tears come out. Why do I miss them so much? It hurts.
But I will not fall prey to all these things, that don't matter to me anymore. Or do they matter so much that I can't ignore them, as much as I want to?
()()()()()()
4 days later
"Ridz...", she started again, pleading.
"No.", I stated plainly, starting to type the e-mail address of the Mehta's, whose designs I'd finally finished. I couldn't sleep until I had finished, and part of me was relieved that it was over.
"But what's the harm?", she demanded, now standing with hands on her hips.
"What's the need?", I said, almost tired. This was Nikki. A few days back, she was the one storming into my cabin, her head in her hands, almost crying, angry, frustrated...that her parents had just randomly selected a guy for her. And now, she says, after meeting him continuously for 4 days, that she is kind of confused and wants me to meet him. Wow.
"You're my best friend, Ridz!", she sat down again and held my hand, "And he is seriously...seriously nice. I just wanted you to meet him!", she pouted.
"Nik.", I began as nicely as possible, "If you want to marry him, go say yes. I mean, you are the one who's going to take the decision, so why do I need to see the guy? And if you do say yes, I'm going to meet him anyway."
She crossed her hands in front of her chest, "And you know that I know you're lying.", it was a statement, not a question. And yes, I did now. Her cross look said it all. I sighed.
"Nik, you know..."
"I know that you don't like to meet people, and you feel uncomfortable. But Ridz, it doesn't do any harm. If people want to judge you without knowing you, it's their problem and not yours...and that's why, you are coming with me."
I gazed at her, and sighed again. By now it was clear that I couldn't refuse her. A smile crept to her face, knowing that she had won yet again. With a sudden jerk, she stood up, grinning.
"And anyways, Ridz. You're my best friend...so you have to sniff and snoop and decide whether the guy is okay for Me.", she gave me a challenging look.
"Fine.", I said grumpily, "When?"
"Tomorrow, after work. Um...Say 6 o'clock?"
I blinked. "Okay. So you already knew I would say yes?"
"Nope. I already knew that I would convince you to come.", she grinned.
Sometimes, I really don't know how I got a friend like her. And Where I would be without her, for that matter.
()()()()()()
"Look, if you're busy, you don't need to do this, Avi."
"Riddhima, I already told you. If I need to go out for some important work, I will. But not until I drop you to the caf. It's late."
I felt like I just had to roll my eyes, "Avi...Its just 6 o'clock."
"And your car's tyre is punctured. What's the big deal if I'm dropping you? I'm your boyfriend.", he laughed at God knows what.
*Weird silence on the boyfriend issue.*
"Um, thanks.", that was all I could manage out.
"No problem.", he smiled.
I let out a breath, as there was silence in the car again. It was nice, and soothing, the way I could be only to myself. If you think I'm kind of a loner, yes, you can be almost right. I watched Avi's fingers drum on the steering wheel while his face almost showed impatience at the red signal.
I wonder what Nikki will say, though. I haven't told her that I was bringing Avi along. I also haven't told her that my car's tyre is punctured. Actually, I didn't want to bring him along. It's not because of the way he treats me so nicely and I feel weird, it's because I feel almost embarrassed at the way people scan him up and down, then me, and think, 'What the hell is he doing with a girl like her?'
I bite my lip slowly, careful not to hurt myself. As the roads pass off behind me one by one, I can't help but dread this meeting. Why did it have to be me? I mean, I wasn't the one getting married. It's her, right? What good would it do that I see the guy and go, 'Nikki, I don't like this guy'? It's going to hurt her all the more. But...
I pause thinking as the engine grumbled to a stop. I glance at him, and Avi immediately passes a smile back at me. I look away and outside his window to see the huge banner of Caf Expresso. Consciously, I stare back at my clothes. Unfortunately or fortunately, Nikki had literally forced me to wear jeans, and tuck in my light pink formal shirt. Although I have to admit it looked nice (Avi said so, too), but I can't help thinking how uncomfortable I feel with the material of the jeans sticking to my skin.
Avi looks at me curiously as I let out a sigh. I shake my head at him, then we both come out of the car, he pauses to lock it, and we walk inside the bustling caf. From mostly youngsters, to rich-gangs, to couples, my eyes finally reach Nikki. I chose to ignore the fact that Avi is engaged in his phone, and that the people of my age in that very caf were dressed like "normal people" (in Nikki's words) and they were grinning at me, as if I was their new-found-joke.
Nikki was frowning when I reached her, and she showed me the watch, which meant that I was late. I gave her my 'you-know-right' look. Once Avi and I had reached her, and Avi excused himself for a phone call, she held by elbow and whispered furiously,
"What the hell is he doing here?"
I moved so that she could let go of my elbow, "My tyre got punctured, and..."
"SO?", she said almost loudly, "I didn't want him to come here and spoil our day!"
"Nik...", I began.
"Now, don't you start telling me that he wouldn't. He would, and you know that. I don't like him around you, and me, for that matter.", she crossed her hands in front of her chest, annoyed.
Yes, Nikki hates Avishek. If not as her colleague and the company's CEO, but as my 'boyfriend', that was sure. She thinks that Avi is the one who doesn't let me even forget about work for a while, and there was something weird in his sweetness that made her all the more suspicious.
"Okay. Nik, so where is the guy you were talking about? He could be an example of punctuality.", I said sarcastically, and looked at Nikki to see her face glowing.
"There he is!", and I don't know why, I felt my body stiffen.
I looked back to see a guy in black jeans, a light blue (ew, two buttons unbuttoned from the top) shirt, and black goggles. I groaned to myself. These show off guys were in my topmost hate list. They can just pass off pathetic lines to impress girls, and have no other work except tell everyone how well their dads are doing in the business. Nikki liked this guy? Even Minissha aunty? What was wrong with everyone?
"Isn't he so handsome?", Nikki piped in with a dreamy smile.
I looked at Nikki and then back to the guy, who passed a dimple to her as he took off his goggles. He was good looking, fine.. what Nikki calls 'handsome', but seriously? Is she going to marry this guy? This guy?
I rolled my eyes, "I thought you didn't like show-offs.", I whispered to her.
"He's not a show-off Ridz ! You don't even know him...And you're talking!", Nikki protested, while the guy came over.
"Hey Niks!", he said, his voice impressive (but there are loads of people like him in this very cafe), while Nikki got up and hugged him. I held my head, praying to God that this might be the last thing I had to encounter...
"Meet my best friend, Riddhima. And Ridzi, meet Armaan."
I got up and he stuck out his hands with a dimpled smile again, "Armaan Mallik. Heard a lot about you."
"Riddhima Gupta. Can't say the same thing, though."
He grinned, "I hope pretty soon you'll able to say that."
"Don't hope for it.", I told him truthfully. I saw Nikki banging her head against her fists.
At that very moment, Avi finally finished his call and came back to the table.
"Riddhima, I-", he broke off, seeing Armaan, and then back at me.
"Hi, Armaan. The guy you all were waiting for." Avi shook his hand unsurely and nodded.
"And you are?", Armaan gestured.
"Riddhima's boyfriend.", he answered promptly, making me go red with embarrassment.
"Sure.", Armaan laughed, "But I asked for your name, not designation."
"Avishek.", he turned to me," Riddhima I got to go. They're going shopping for the fabrics."
"Oh. Sure. Thanks Avi!", I called out to him as he left.
The guy-Armaan, was eyeing me. And I didn't like it. I passed a glare to which he raised an eyebrow, and all I could think was, this is going to be the worst evening of my life. God, help.
Suddenly Nikki jumped in her seat, "Um, hey. I'll get the menu."
Immediately, he held her hand, as if it was already his right to, and went, "Don't you worry, babe. I'll get it."
Nikki didn't seem to mind the fact that he was still holding her hand, and said, "No, no. You two talk, and I will be back.", then she leaned in and whispered something in his ear, which made him grin and her smile, and eventually he left her hand and nodded.
Curiously enough, I looked at Nikki who passed me a slight smile, and left the table. I was confused totally as to what was happening. Why was Nikki behaving as if this whole 'see-the-guy' was for me? Why was she behaving like some matchmaker?
"Hmm. You're a lot better than you actually pretend to be.", I looked back at him as his voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Excuse me?", I glared at the attempt of flirting.
"No, neither you have blackened teeth, nor are you too old to be with 10 children. Unless you had 'decaplets' (10 twin children) and made a world record?", he grinned at me.
Realisation sunk in, and the only thing I could think was, Oh. My. God. No ways!
****
Comments and likes please! :) PMs l8r, gotta rush for ttns! :(
Love,Maitree.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
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