P&P Part III - Page 8

Satyen walked back to the courtyard as he spotted Raanav leaving with Rakshit and Lekha and Sarika, and his friends, Viveka turning to look at him, and their eyes meeting across the vast room

She quickly turned away, when she realized Raanav had caught her staring

But did not bother to come back and give her the customary high society spousal hug and peck on the cheek (peck on the lips if it was a young couple)

it’s almost cruel of Ranaav

Newly married they are and he is going along with his friends for night.

I feel as if Viveka is all by herself.

Thank God atleast Satyen is there.
Kitna bhi jhagda ho don’t let you partner down in public Ranaav.
Smrita would indeed be happy.
she will find it easier to draw a wedge if she spots them at war.

Congratz dear for the new thread😊😊

Sorry, bit late to this thread. Rolling well.

For a guy who prides himself on his attention to detail, this must have felt like someone popped his balloon and sucked his wind out. The pipeline project was a big deal, and his investment on that is considerable. He went about it with confidence as he thrashed out margins and cost of managing Human Resources and such.

It must be gutting . The guy is obviously smarting over his faux pas. So is equally if not more demoralizing a set back in terms of her app and profile getting rejected.

The thing is papers don't tell a true story and yet kaagaz carries its weight that overrides the potential.

It's dejection both sides and Misery loves company ... so they say.

If only they have the courage to show that vulnerability, then they can be each other's balm for more such brave and committed endeavors in the future.

"Akash ..chhoti rayi or badi rayi ki chhaunk

Satyen then explained how adrak has to be grated and not diced for some UP subzis " 😃

This made me laugh aloud. You had this in all the losses the two have suffered and their mutual fight. Anyway older men and the love for food and knowing the gritty details of cooking. Have heard my dad say this sometimes. Glad Akash and Satyen are chatting late night again 👏

This was lovely as usual.

Nisha, can Satyen talk to Ranaav and explain why he wanted these two married so desperately?

Also, maybe be he initially owes it to them coz of zabaardasti ka marriage to make it work. Maybe he could tell Ranaav what happened to Viveka and also ask if he has confided in Viveka. Explain him importance of sharing such things with spouse.

Both Raanav and Viveka are so guarded about their emotions and what is happening in their lives. I guess without any kind of communication, this type of friction is bound to happen. Wonder when and how they will start talking.

Meanwhile Smrita is enjoying seeing their cold war.

Inder's behan is another Lekha. So Smrita's side of the relatives are birds of the same feather.

Did Naina even have a tiny bit of chance with Inder, ever?

It was so sweet to read about Akash and Satyen's conversation. Was missing their talks from long time.

Feeling sad for both of them. Raanav, who wished Viveka to just be with him, unintentionally judged him. Even not saying aloud, she meant he got everything easily. Their coldness was evident to his parents.

Viveka, was also feeling low due to her rejection. Otherwise she would have made attempt to talk to him. Both set of fathers are so protective. It would be interesting to see how they are going to break the ice and be more communicative in their relationship.

So well written Nisha.

Carb Combat!

Of course he knew she had difficulty sleeping by herself all alone in the strange new house. He was home by 11:45, she tried to sleep and got up to look up her application to Kharagpur on her computer, scrolled up and down reminiscing how excited she was that day

She also went through every document in the folder labeled “ Kharagpur-Here comes Veev!”

She had saved up over a dozen examples of her wonderful writing and a dozen more examples of her data analysis

She had another folder for recommendations

Every Faculty she had ever worked with at DU and JNU had bat for her

She brushed her teeth and went to bed

Tossed and turned and heard a noise in the bathroom

She sat up stiffening “Its probably him!” she told her self

She still didn’t know where the kitchen was. How bizarre! I have been in this house two weeks I don’t know s---

She would have joked with Naina about it but that link was broken

She texted Naina

“kaisi ho?” Naina asked

“I am awake, I got declined from Kharag .. Kharagppor” Veev texted in the dark

She saw ….

She knew there will be no response

She tucked her phone under her pillow and it buzzed

She pulled it out

Naina had sent a crying face

“thanks” Viveka wept and rolled over when he came to bed

He smelled like soap and aftershave and toothpaste

She did not turn

She felt his arm go around her waist, she had worn a cropped hoodie over her salwar, knowing fully well he wont be home, just to goad him in her thoughts

He dragged her stiff body closer and she felt his smooth cheek on her ear as he planted her close

“Kyaon aaye lautkar? kuch ladna baaqi tha?” she asked

“Why are you wearing your glasses to sleep?” he asked without responding

“Tumhe kya?” she said he pulled them off gently

They held each other

“Raat ko 12 baje shave kar rahe the?” she asked trying to make conversation

He grunted and buried himself into her neck after mounting her and fell asleep on her

They needed each other she realized, he wasn’t going to say it, but this sweet weight of his body crushing her was reassuring

Helped her forget her failure

They slept in each others’ arms peacefully, both sleeping through their personal alarms, and waking up only around 8 AM

She gently disentangled herself from under his body and stood up, he opened his eyes and rolled over to his back and opened his eyes

“jaldi kyon laut aaye?” she asked him first thing

“Can you get me a cup of coffee?” he growled not answering

“I was able to sleep fine” (without you) she told him pointedly

“Witch!!” he cursed and rubbed his eyes

She brought him coffee after wandering in two directions and eventually spotting Mahesh coming down a grand staircase to the east

“Kitchen kaha hai?”

“Main show karta hoon” he promised

She brought him his coffee and sipped her chai in her spot looking at her application again

She didn’t know what she would do in January, there is only so much room for “hangers on” at any University

She could drag Dr Ansari’s article for a month or two with revisions, he could point her to some other Faculty for some other journalistic assistance on some scholarly piece.

But how satisfying was it goingt o be

The lounge chair was by a wall, the bed was in the center of the giant room

He was still in bed, sitting up now on his phone and ipad doing email

Mahesh knocked and came in and brought an array of newspapers and wheeled in a cart with breakfast

She continued to drink her chai and stare at her computer thinking of her next steps

“This must be yours” he dangled the fine black beaded mangal sootra, she sometimes took it off and tucked it under her pillow since it choked her if it tangled in her hair at night

“Unless you bring married women to this bed” “U are right” she mumbled and walked over to grab it, he closed his fist and shoved it into the pocket of his sweats

He messed with her all the time, with her lingerie, with her bangles, with her hair ties… every hour during their brief honeymoon he tormented her

He wanted her to climb on the bed and retrieve it herself

She didn’t

“Did u ask for breakfast?” he questioned

“I did…” she nodded serving herself totally unhealthy things as he watched

“Why so much sugar?” he demanded

“Kyon?” she turned to him arguing

God!! He was annoying!! Lawyers were annoying… always probing!

Get the F off my case dude!” she thought

“Muffin, donut and a cinnamon roll?” he questioned

“I am PMSing… I am not going to put it back even if it hurts your eyes” she chuckled and shook her head and poured more chai for herself

He got up took the most sugary thing and put it away

“I can pay you if they are expensive” she taunted and served it back again

Rakshit came in after knocking

“run?” he asked cheerfully

“Abhi to nahi jaayega shaayad kyon ki mujhse lad raha hai” she told Rakshit

Rakshit burst out laughing at her captivating candor

“That’s funny!” he gasped… “that’s funny” he repeated “chal see u” he mumbled leaving

Raanav put the muffin back again

“Kya kar rahe ho raanav? Tumhe kya? Agar maine carbs khaayi to?” I AM not a runner” she scowled

“Do I get a thanks for returning early” he demanded

“MERI wajah se laute?” she asked anger mixed with angst unable to hide her emotions

“What do u think?” he tucked his hands in his pockets as she ate her entire donut in four bites to taunt him

He made her feel alive. Just being in the same room with him thrilled her. He was like a fit animal, always ready for a conquest. She felt the same around him. Inch by inch they scoped each other out, compelling, fascinating, They both were adrenalin fueled creatures that wanted each other and sought each other out

Chalo Bande ko thodi to fikr hai Biwi ki.

Happy that he came back early. The fact that he held her close does speak for itself.

Now Viveka is spoiling for fight for sure. Let them rip each other out once nicely and finally surrender to each other.

Generally I have had my favorites in all your stories.

R&B, Suvi, Tapan, Avantika, Trisha

In this one it’s difficult to decide.

Someday its Ranaav. Someday its Viveka.