chronicles of da red sneakersch45/pg16 - Page 8

Chapter 25- Weekend

"So where are we going?" Suhani whined. Rajvir shot her an angry glance, diverting his eyes from the steering wheel.

"Why do I even go out with you? You're such a damn nuisance." He sighed, annoyed.

"What?! You're the one who kidnapped me!" Suhani hid her smile, annoying people was oddly amusing she just discovered.

"Would you rather me leave you at Workshop for the cleaners to get you?" He said eerily. She shook her head.

"You're mean! Where are we going? Rajvir!!!" She whimpered.

"That's it." He said, pulling over. "We could do this the easy way or the hard way, which one do you want?" Rajvir said stubbornly.

Suhani grinned, childishly she said, "Which way will get you more annoyed?"
Rajvir sighed defeated, "Fine. Let's not go anywhere."

Suhani raised her eyebrow, "What?! How difficult is it for you to tell me where we're going?"

"There's this club I own. We were going to go there." He said, smirking.

"You own it? Is that even legal?" She inquired like a good citizen. He
shrugged. "Isn't there like…an age requirement?"

"Not for us, there isn't." He said, flashing that Close-Up smile again. That's what Suhani called it because he looked like he was doing a toothpaste ad.

"Tho chalo." Suhani said in a duh tone.

"Tik hai chalo." Rajvir said, smiling. That was the first time Suhani had heard Raj speak Hindi. It was flawless, with the slightest hint of British in it. It was adorable. She wanted to hear more.

"Ek baat kaho mein?" Suhani asked as Rajvir turned the ignition again.

"Kaho." He said, smiriking.

"Tum Hindi teek tak bol lethe ho."

"Pata hai. Mugar tumhari Hindi bilkul bakwaas hai." He laughed, jokingly. She hit him hard in the arm.

"Ow." He said.

"Haha, VERY funny. Wait till I teach you Gujrati. Then we'll see whose zubaan is more bakwaas."

"Gujrati? Dude, can I get any more culturally diverse than I already am? I'm a Bengali-Punjabi British Indian that speaks fluent Arabic, Spanish, and Hindi and now Gujrati?" He sighed dramatically, "I don't get paid enough for this job."

"Yeah, yeah. Save it for someone that cares." Suhani said with sass. Rajvir huffed as he pulled into a nearly empty parking lot. It was a large lot but only 20 or 30 cars in it. She raised an eyebrow at him, he shrugged it off and led her to the nearly deserted building. It was eerily quiet, at the door, a small slot opened with a man's bloodshot eyes showing through. Was this a club or a drug house?

"It's me." Rajvir said, mimicking an American accent. Once the door opened, all silence was gone. It was loud with strobes and loud music there. Rajvir went immediately and kissed the deejay. Who was that girl? He whispered something in her ear that made her glance toward Suhani and giggle. Rajvir moved back to Suhani, upon seeing her annoyed "What?"

"Bade friendly ho rahe the uske saath." She said taunting.

"Jealous?"

"Nope." She turned away, not caring. "I'm going to dance…"

"Wait for me." Rajvir said, as she turned around.

"No one said, I'm dancing with you." Suhani replied sassily. She swayed carelessly to Cash before she glanced at Rajvir.

"How do they have Indian music?" Rajvir smirked and shrugged. She sang out loud (terribly) to Naughty Naughty. Rajvir stared at her, she was hilarious. She danced beautifully and carelessly though. She frowned as the song ended and changed to a romantic track. A tall dude, was holding onto her waist. Reluctantly, she pushed him away. Rajvir instinctively got up and made their way to her.

"I own this place, may I cut in?" He said politely. The guy backed off.

"Thank God." Suhani said. He nodded and rested his hands at her waist. She leaned into him as they swayed. He twirled her around so his lips rested on her neck. His hot breaths tickled her spine. He moved his hand to graze her arm and drew near her. His lips drew closer to her in seriousness before…

"AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH." Suhani burst into laughter abruptly. Rajvir pouted at her childishly. He looked at her with anger until she stopped laughing, which was three minutes later.

"I'm sorry." She said, resuming composure. "Really, I am." She said, still giggling.

"May I be so bold to ask what was so funny?" Rajvir asked, annoyed.

"It's just that this whole being romantic business, it's so…" She began laughing. "I'm not going to lie, you're terrible at it." She laughed upon seeing him pouting again, "Maybe you are, I think it doesn't suit you." She stroked his cheek and he flinched away like a child.

"You're mad at me?" She asked, trying to hide her smile.

"My other girlfriends say I'm great at being romantic. Someone should learn how to ruin the moment from you." He said. Sighing he said, "I'm going to talk to Vedika." (Played By Achint Kaur from Virrudh)

"Who's Vedika?" Suhani asked, confused. He pointed to the tall deejay he was talking to when he came in. She was pretty, Suhani noted. "Oh. go ahead then. I'm leaving."

"Leaving? Where?" Good question, where? Workshop was closed all weekend and she hadn't the vaguest clue as to where she was. She shrugged,
"Somewhere."

"Fine." He said, stubbornly. Were they fighting? About what? She raised an eyebrow but refused to talk to him for the rest of the night. She walked out of the club and mosied along the desolate road for a while. It was dark and lonely and silent but she found it comforting. Suhani wasn't the type for adventure but she hated those ditzy, paranoid types that screamed over everything. The type Maya was. She laughed to herself.

Suhani didn't know where she was going but she had her cell phone with GPS if it was necessary. In her purse she had a first aid kit, flashlight, and pepper spray. She was pretty much ready for anything.

Her cell phone rang. She saw the caller ID and was instantly excited, she sat on a rock and picked up.

"Hey." She said chirpily.
"Hey." Niharika said miserably. "Are you aware of what is happening in our absence?"
"Uh. Loss of virginity, getting beat up, engagement, recovery….that's all I've been informed of…Why?"
"You were never told of a pregnancy, a break up, being attracted to Sagar?" She asked, confused.
"WHAT?! Mahi's pregnant? And attracted to Sagar…wait what?" Suhani asked more confused.
"Yeah, Shabd broke up with her and then he came wanting to get back together with her and she was stubborn as always and kicked him out and VIDYA is getting attracted to Sagar."
"I thought she wanted Angad…now poor Angad has no one. It's okay, I'm there." Suhani said evilly.
"Not the best joke, Hani. And I'm next in line. And how can we even be talking about this, I mean…Mahi's pregnant." She sighed. Suhani nodded into the phone.
"Maybe we should go back…I think Mahi needs us." Suhani reasoned
"And Vidya's a helluva mess right now two. Everyone's got two guys goin but me. God."
"But you? Puh-lease. I only got one guy too." Suhani argued.
"Yeah, about that. You know Ishaan's had a crush on you since ever."
"WHAT?! Ishaan? Dude, you mean your brother? The one who hates me?!" Suhani screamed into the phone.
"Guess he doesn't hate you after all." Niharika joked.
"This is not funny dude. I mean ISHAAN, of all people, he likes me?!"
"Well, Hani babes. You know you're gorgeous." She listened to hear Suhani sigh sarcastically, "And smart, and you paint. Hell Hani, if I was a guy I'd be chasing you like there's no tomorrow."
"So it's the family choice." She stated sarcastically. "Whatever, I have no intention of pursuing this or even looking like I know. So don't like…tell him, okay?"
"Aww, I was looking forward to you being my bhabhi." Niharika joked.
"You think this is so funny, don't you?" Suhani asked, annoyed. Niharika laughed.
"Hilarious. So where are you, it's awfully quiet. What time is it?"
"It's 3 in the morning. I'm not sure where I am exactly. I'm on a road. It's dark and quiet. I was clubbing with Vir but we had a fight, I think about something so I left."
"He let you go in 3, alone? In an unknown country? In the dark? By yourself? What is wrong with you?! I said don't be so Suhani. I didn't say be super-idiotic. When I meet him, I'm giving this Rajvir guy a piece of my mind."
"Chill Nihu. I'm fine. I got GPS. Plus, I feel like I know where I'm going."
"Well, I'm an advocate for gut feelings. But last time I went with that, it didn't turn out so well…" Niharika sighed.
"What happened?"
"Bhaiya met and scared Vedant."
"Wait, where are you?"
"Norfolk, well actually we drove down to Virginia Beach so that's where we are. Where are you?"
"A little city off of Madrid. Yeah, I didn't even know little cities existed. Raj owns a club here. I didn't know that was even legal anyways."
"Cool, so what are we going to do with the confused ones?" Niharika asked, concerned.
"Let's give them a week to sort it out themselves, if not. We're coming to their rescue."
"Great plan. Hey, I gotta go now. I think Vedant and Ishaan are wrestling. Or maybe they're trying to kill each other. Or maybe both. Either way, I gotta go." Suhani laughed at the explanation and how it was probably true.
"Okay. Love you. Take care."
"Thanks you too," She yelled away from the phone, "Oye, get off of him!" Resuming the phone tone, she finished breathlessly. "Bye."

Suhani laughed and clicked the phone off. Her cell rang again, Rajvir. Angry, she cut him off. She looked to where her feet had brought her, it was a church. The massive stained glass windows reflected the moonlight beautifully, the moon was still out was surprising. It was nearly sunrise. She tried to go in but the doors were jammed shut and in scrawled red handwriting it said, "No Trespassing." on the door. Trespassing? This was a church. God's Home, open to all. Ignoring the odd sign, she pushed the jammed door open.

Burned out candles sat in a sandbox before the alter. Dust speckled the entire edifice; the pews were old and creaky. The statues of Mother Mary and Jesus on the cross were untouched, flawless, and dustless. They gleamed in the moonlight as if God himself had polished them. Pulling a lighter out of her purse, she lit the blown out candles. The wicks were malted with wax as a result of the ages of disuse and it took a while to light all of them. Suhani did it, nonetheless. There were forty something of them. Each represented the prayer of someone that came to ask God for something. The candle represented their plead. It was so heartless of the wind, or someone, to blow their prayers out so.

Suhani kneeled before the dusty alter. She bowed her head and sat deep in thought. There was such a peace in the place. In her heart, she recited Our Father Who Art in Heaven before she heard footsteps. She wasn't scared, just alarmed. She left her eyes closed and her neck bent in prayer. Nothing and no one was more important than God. She felt the footsteps come and kneel beside her. She sighed.

"Suhani…" The voice started.

"Shhhhhhh." She hushed him. After finishing her prayer, she gestured the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and got up. "Must you bother me when I'm praying?"

"Sorry, I didn't know you were Christian." He said apologetically.

"All four of us are unofficially part everything…" Suhani stated matter-of-factly.

"Interesting."

"How'd you find me here?" Suhani asked, Rajvir shrugged.

"This is my favorite place. I figured you'd be here. I hoped actually. You gave me quite a scare." He sighed.

"I can see that, seeing that it took you an hour to realize I was even gone." Suhani said sarcastically.

"Are we supposed to be mad at each other?" Rajvir asked, confused.

"Yeah, but you started it." Suhani answered childishly.

"Oh yeah. Sorry." Vir sighed embarrassed.

"It's okay. You even know what you're apologizing for?" He shook his head,
"For getting mad at you not being able to control your laughter."

"Pretty much. I'm sorry I left like that." She said.

"It's okay. Me and Vedika aren't like that…in case you were wondering.
She's an old friend. Happily married might I add."

"Hm." Suhani muttered. looking around awe-struck. "What's the deal with this place?"

"It's an old abandoned church. What do you mean?"

"Why is it abandoned? Who puts a No Trespassing sign on a church? You come here a lot?"

"Yeah, I do. There's been some religious tension around here for a while, and this church was a common target. So they closed it down. Since then, no one comes here. I sneak in sometimes…but I don't think there are any real consequences for that. This place is awesome. It's so peaceful. You lit the candles?"

"Yeah. It's sad they went out. I mean people pray on those. It's like killing their chances of them being fulfilled."

"No one really cares about anyone but their own selves. I never really paid them much mind."

"Never paid them much mind? It's someone's prayer. You've never lit one?" Suhani asked, staring at the cross statue. Her eyes were fixed upon the crown of thorns upon Jesus' head.

"I've never lit one. Duh, I'm Pagan. You thought I was joking when I said my mom was a witch?" He chuckled. Suhani stared at him wide-eyed, "Wh..whaaat?"

"I'm kidding. I pray to the Trinity."

"The trinity…" Suhani echoed, still mesmerized by the cross.

"The Hindu one anyways." He chuckled. Suhani felt a great sensation come over her, her stomach settled. "Suhani…are you alright?"

"Hm, yeah. Excuse me for a minute." She said as she ran out of the church. Quickly leaning against the gigantic pair of doors, she recovered her cell phone and dialed a short series of numbers.

"Hello, Niharika?"
"Suhani? Yeah."
"Is everyone there okay? You, Vedant, Ishaan…everyone?"
"Yeah, we're all great. Suhani, what's wrong? You sound worried."
"I am, I'm getting a bad gut feeling. Just watch out okay?"
"Hani, we will. We know how superstitious you are. You take care too though, don't make yourself sick."
"I won't. I'm gonna call the others now too. Bye."
"Accha bye."
"Hello Mahi?"
"Suhani? How are you? Haven't heard from you in like a week…" Mahi tried to sound happy.
"Mahi are you okay?" Suhani interrupted her concerned.
"Yeah, Hans mein tik hoon. Kyon? Suhani, why do you sound so scared?"
"I'm getting a bad feeling. It's like…ominous, you know?"
"It's probably nothing. Anyways, let me guess, you already called Vidya and Niharika?"
"Not yet. Only Niharika. Be careful though. Take care of yourself. I'll talk to you later. I love you."
"I love you too. See you later."
"You too."

"Hello?"
"Hey Vidya." Suhani said, trying to sound not so uneasy.
"Suhani! Hey, what's up? Your at workshop? They have phones there?" Vidya said pretending to be chirpy.
"Vidya, I'm not at workshop. It's the weekend, cabins are closed so I'm at a church. So listen, are YOU okay?"
"I'm…" Vidya thought, "fine. Why?"
"Nothing, I was just worried. It's nothing. Just take care of yourself."
"O…kay then? I'll call you later…I…have to go." Vidya said, stuttering.
"Fine. Bye." Suhani said, angry almost.

"Hey. What's wrong? I heard you dialing like crazy. What's up?" Rajvir asked, concerned.

"Bad feelings. I called everyone to make sure they were okay. All three of them bitches are lying to me." Suhani said, instinctively. She snapped her hand over her mouth, looking around at the church, looking up she mouthed, "Sorry God."

"I'm sure he doesn't mind that much. So is the bad feeling gone yet?"

"Nope. It got worse…" She said, clutching her abdomen.

"Well, maybe you're in danger." He said evilly.

"Funny. Let's go home."

"Workshop's closed."

"Where we going then?"

"Maa's house?" He said reluctantly.

"Fine. Maya's not there, right?" He shook his head.

"So let's go."

Chapter 26- Awkward

"Hey." Vidya clapped her hands in glee as she opened the door for Sagar. "Come in."

"Sup? I was bored so I thought…" He looked around, "God, this place is clean."

"I've been cleaning. Isn't it nice? You hungry, thirsty?" She chirped.

"Vidya, are you…okay?" Sagar asked feeling her forehead. Her head was hot but probably from all the physical activity.

"You're burning up, Vidya." Sagar said concerned. He seated her on the sofa. He handed her a glass of water.

"Just a little fever, I'll sweat it out. Nothing big really." She said, getting back up but falling back to the sofa. The phone rang.

"It's Suhani. She's paranoid." Vidya said amused. Sagar shot an angry glance as he picked the phone up.

"Listen bi***. I don't know who you're trying to fool. Tell me what's wrong before I fly back to kick your a**." Suhani shouted over the phone.
"Suhani, this is Sagar. Vidya's sick and can't come to the phone."
"See? I knew it. Let me guess, she's got a temp and the house is spotless?"
"Yeah." Sagar replied confused.
"She's been worrying. A LOT. She got herself stress sick. Hopefully, you're they're before she gets all chirpy and crap."
"She is chirpy. VERY chirpy." Sagar said, pushing her back onto the couch.
"Hey, can you do me a favor then? This is gonna sound so weird but…"
"But what?" Sagar asked into the phone.
"Can you please make her cry?" Suhani asked, half-unsure of herself.
"What? Why?"
"Because Vidya's the type of chick that needs to cry stress out and she won't because she's too damn stubborn. She won't be better until she unwinds and cries. Sagar, please?"
"Fine. I'm going to hate doing this though." He complained.
"Why?" Suhani asked, interested.
"Because I hate seeing her cry." He said in almost a whisper, shielding the phone from Vidya.
"Really? You do a bloody good job of making her cry though."
"I know I have. But now, I'm trying to keep her happy. I like her better when she's happy. She's got a beautiful smile…" He snapped himself out of his trance. Whoa, weird.
"Okay? Remember what I said. Okay? Bye."
"Bye."

Sagar sighed. How was he supposed to make her cry? He could make something sad up. Nah. He could make up something that would make exclusively sad. Angad died, he thought smirking. No, that would give him too much pleasure.

"Vidya, I'm dying." Sagar blurted.
"What?" Vidya said, awe-struck.
"I'm dying. I…have leukemia. I can't be treated. Last stage."
"Sagar, that's not funny." She said, tears springing in her eyes.
"I know. Tell me about it."
"Sagar, I'm serious. It's not funny." Her eyes were turning red, her voice turning seriously slow.
"I'm serious." He said slowly. He ached seeing Vidya on the verge of crying.
"But…but…why can't you be treated?" She said, tears rolling down her porcelain cheeks.
"Last stage, Vidya. Nothing can be done about it."
"Of course something can be done." She said, crying hysterically.
"No, Vidya. Listen." He said, holding onto her.
"I don't want to hear anything! Of course something can be done! We're rich! We can go somewhere better. The US!"
"Vidya…"
"Shut up! Sagar…" She cried into his shirt. Her tears went through his shirt like daggers. The silence lasted for about an hour with nothing but the sound of Vidya sobbing.

"I'm fine." He whispered into her hair. "I was lying." He couldn't take it any longer.

She looked up at him with puffy teary eyes, and cried harder. This time she pulled away, punching Sagar senseless in his ribs.

"I hate you! That wasn't funny! What did you do that for?!" She cried herself back into his arms. He talked softly into her hair again, "I had to make you cry. You were going to worry yourself sick."

"Bi***." Vidya muttered, still crying. "What?" Sagar asked. Vidya exclaimed louder, "Suhani's a bi***."

"Yeah, I hated doing that." Sagar sighed into her again. He noticed for the first time since the poolhouse, they made physical contact. They had just held each other for what seemed like hours and it felt like energy passing through its source. Vidya pulled away, finally noticing the closeness.

"Sorry." She muttered, wiping her tears.

"Hm? Yeah, its okay." He said, fixing his shirt. As he straightened it, he saw a large wet spot where Vidya had been crying. Vidya's eyes wandered to the spot too. Sagar raised an eyebrow at her as the two burst into laughter.

"Dude, don't do that ever again. Or I'm not gonna talk to you anymore."

"Your eyes work like Niagara Falls."

"Well, it wasn't very nice of you to joke like that."

"I know. I hated making you cry. Sorry. I felt like I was about to cry too." That was so sweet. Vidya smiled at him, earnestly.

"Thanks, I hate crying. I would hate to see you cry though too." That was an awkward statement, Vidya resolved as a clumsy silence fell over the room.

"Guys don't cry." Sagar said defensively after a few moments of thought.

"My foot, yes they do."

"No, we don't."

"I don't wanna have to prove you do."

"We don't."

"Sagar, if I kicked you in a very unladylike manner in a very…dreadful place, would you not cry?"

"Okay, on second thought, I would. I don't wanna test you. So…what do we do now?"

"Um…you hungry, thirsty? Or just bored to make me cry again." She glared at him.

"Dude, I said I was sorry. I felt terrible. But I am hungry."

"What do you want to eat?" Vidya asked, headed to the kitchen. "I can cook pretty much anything."

"Well, I don't want to eat your cooking." Sagar shouted toward the kitchen, she came out, angry and sad.

"Fine. I'll cook for myself then. You can watch me eat." She said, smirking coldly.

"So what am I going to watch you eat?"

"I want Italian. I think I'm gonna make Fettuccine Alfredo."

"Sounds good." Sagar said, flipping through channels. As Vidya made immense amounts of noise in her kitchen, Sagar sat immersed in a rerun of a soccer match. Eventually, Vidya came out, hands on hips.

"You're pissing me off, Sagar." She said angrily, Sagar tried not to smile.

"What did I do?"

"Nothing, that's what's pissing me off, you are sitting here watching an old football match." Vidya said, snatching the remote from his hand. She pulled him up and dragged him to the kitchen.
"I can't cook. You can't make me! Vidya! What the
heck?!"

"Yes you can cook. Yes, I can make you. And if you don't want to, you're free to get out of my house." She said, pointing a knife at him.

"You and that knife, I swear. Sometimes you seem less my friend, more my wife."

"Please, if I had a husband like you, I'd keep him in line."

"Why don't you try?" He said, taking the knife from her.

"Maybe I will." Vidya smiled, the conversation sunk in entirely as Vidya and Sagar quieted down.

"You made me miss the match." Sagar broke the silence, smirking.

"Brazil wins. By a ton. I have it on tape, watch it later. Cut this." She handed him an onion and broccoli.

"You want me to cut this?" He said, staring awkwardly at the broccoli. "How do you even do that?"

"Like this." Vidya laughed, taking the broccoli and cutting into tiny florets. "Now you." Sagar took the knife and cut large, clumsy pieces. "It's not working." He stated.

"Hold the knife like this." He moved his hands on the knife and held his hands there. "And then you pull it through like this." She said, pulling his hand through the green flesh, making a perfect cut.

"It's like rocket science." Sagar sighed.

"Not really, you're just not very bright." Vidya laughed. "After you're done with that, do the onion."

"I am very bright. And this is gonna take eternity." He said, cutting the broccoli carefully as if it were brain surgery. She pulled another knife out and took the broccoli from him. "Work on the onion."

Sagar held the onion up to the light as if it were a magnificent alien being.

"Sagar, I don't need a still life, just cut it." He obeyed and sliced the edge, pulling the skin off and then expertly began slicing it into rings.

"You know how to cut an onion but not broccoli?" Vidya asked, stirring the pasta in its water, not yet to boil.

"Yeah." He said, sniffing. His eyes were already teary. "Who eats broccoli?" He said, disgusted and crying.

"I do. It's yummy." She looked at him, tears streaming his face. "Awww, poor Sagar." She mused, wiping his tears. She went and wet a paper towel. "Close your eyes." He obeyed as she laid the wet paper towel on his eyes. "Old trick. It helps." Smiling, Vidya pecked him on the cheek and took the towel back.

"No, THAT helped." Sagar smiled flirtatiously.

"Yeah, yeah. Cry baby. Finish the onions."

"Hmmph, cry baby." He said, huffing finishing slicing the rest of the onion. Vidya got out a frying pan and readied the white sauce, and then in another pan seasoned and cooked the olives, broccoli and onions (not in that order of course.)

She drained the pasta and added it into the sauce and then the vegetables, with a few quick seasonings, she was done.

"Dude, smells good." Sagar said. Vidya smirked. Sagar saw her smirk, "Have fun eating, I'm gonna…ummm…go for a walk."

"Come eat. I didn't cook all this for myself." His face lit up. "Really?"

"Nahin, I'm kidding. I'm seriously mean enough to make you, hungry watch me eat."

"Vidya, you're the absolute BEST." He said, grabbing a plate.

"I know, but you gotta WORK for your food."

"What?" Sagar, asked putting his plate down. "What are you thinking, Vidya?" He groaned as Vidya looked evil.

"Well, we should play a game." She said, dramatically.

"No games." He groaned again.

"Are you scared, Sagar Pratap Singh?" Her eyes challenged him.

"A Singh is never scared, what about you, Vidya Thakur?" Sagar replied proud.

"Thakurs never get scared either." She replied in her headstrong manner.

"Well then, truth or dare?" Sagar smirked. Vidya's eyes gleamed at the challenge.

"Truth."