Hi friends,
I am back with an OS. It took more than a week to write this. If you ask me, if it is anything special, the answer is a big no. It is just that my brain works very slow.
Thank you to all those who had read, reacted, and commented on my previous OS. They all meant so much to me. I have tagged here those kind souls who liked my previous work and showed their support. I hope they don't mind.
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Ajinkya POV:-
We were talking excitedly about the birthday celebrations when Sai started coughing suddenly. I looked around Sai’s bedroom and found a water jug on the bedside table. I felt relaxed thinking she would take that and drink it but she was just busily coughing. I panicked and poured water into the nearby drinking glass. I held out the water glass to her but she was facing down and coughing now ignoring me royally. I could not even see her face while standing and hence sat beside her on the bed. I made her drink water by holding her head. At that exact moment, I heard hurried footsteps from the side of the room entrance.
I turned my head and saw Virat sir storming inside the room like Captain America. Well, it was a bad comparison since Captain America is a cool guy with a level head but I still did anyway since these two are my favorite. I got up from the bed to greet him but got confused seeing his furious reaction. What happened to him? Did he miss catching some terrorists today? It always excites me to think that the police life would be more adventurous than a doctor. But sadly I opted for medicine since here I just have to treat others' wounds, not my own. I would not get sick only if the blood is coming from others’ epidermis. Adding to that, I am basically a nonviolent person which is the only reason I did not ‘beat’ Virat sir during the face-off at my college.
I turned around when I heard some disturbance behind me. Sai was standing with her eyebrow raised at her husband, the ACP. I turned back to see the said ACCP opening his mouth as if to shout something but closed right away seeing his wife's reaction. He gulped and his eyes too have no more the fire he had when he stormed just seconds before. Wow! Police or Doctor - wives can put an end to all those adventures with a raise of their eyebrow. I chewed my lips to hold back my laugh since his face reminded me of the goldfishes found in the aquarium. This one is a stunning goldfish, though.
Sai walked past me towards Virat sir. She stopped before him with a pointed look. I too took a step forward towards them but then decided against it and moved to a comfortable place from where I can watch the scene perfectly. Only a comfortable seat and a popcorn tub were missing to complete the scenario.
“What happened, Virat sir? Why have you come running?” Sai asked, making Virat sir gulp. I looked at them curiously.
Virat sir laughed, nervously. But, why?
“Running? No, I just came by…” he stammered but Sai interfered before he could complete his sentence. What is she doing? How can she interrupt when the ACP sir is talking? I am sure even our college Principal would never dare.
“Virat sir! You were heavily breathing which means you surely came here quickly climbing the stairs” she declared folding her hands across her chest. I immediately looked at Virat’s sir broad chest and sure enough, he was gasping for breath. I admired her eye for detail. My friend is a genius.
“Sai… I…” Virat sir drawled with a constipated look. I felt a sense of déjà vu. He was looking all around the room like a lost puppy. So cute! How come this fiery wild panther had become an adorable puppy within these four walls? I like this bedroom avatar more. Maybe I should visit more often just to witness this endearing side of him.
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard the subject’s voice.
“I came to use the restroom,” he said, giving Sai a sheepish smile and pointing towards a door like a small kid. Of course! This justifies the constipated look. Even superheroes cannot resist nature's call.
It was Sai’s turn to blink but not as cute as Virat sir though. Are they both having a blinking competition? Should I join too? But, the non-violent me would not like to beat anyone, and hence, no!
“Running?” Sai asked, squinting her eyes at Virat sir. What is this nonsense? I almost run several times every day for this. He too must have been in a hurry. These girls could never understand men’s problems.
“I am in a real hurry”, said Virat sir impatiently running to the door. See, I had already said so - okay, thought so.
“But..” Sai called out behind him but Virat sir dashed into the bathroom, ignoring her. Thank god! He closed the door. Many times, I forgot to close it in a hurry. But, Virat sir is old enough to be responsible, I guess.
Sai walked and stood before the said bathroom door. This is annoying. I could never do it properly if someone stands outside my door tapping their feet impatiently. I opened my mouth to tell her to give him some space but Sai signaled me not to make any noise and my mouth instantly became mum. It seems my brain automatically obeys her words after it has seen the mighty ACP become a mouse in front of her. Hence, to pass the time I looked at the wall clock and started counting the minutes.
One…
Two…
Three…
Four…
Five…
The door opened. Wow! What timing! He is the Indian Sheldon Cooper - well, Sheldon would never barge into the toilet at the last minute though. He looked more relieved and composed now. Of course, I could understand it all being an I-would-not-piss-till-I-really-need-to boy too but sadly not Sai, the clueless girl. She immediately started her interrogation right away like some paparazzi outside a celebrity house.
“Done?” Sai asked Virat sir. What is this stupid question? She is a state topper for god’s sake. It’s not like anyone could stop it midway and come out for a chit-chat. Is it? Wait a minute! Do the girls have this super cool power? I snapped back into reality when I heard Virat sir’s voice.
“Yeah!” he answered his annoying wife with a small smile and she smiled back.
“Was your stomach upset, Virat sir?” she asked kindly. Oh, my mistake. She was just worried about her husband’s health. He looked thoughtful for a moment before answering.
“Yes!” Virat sir replied, nodding his head.
“Is it alright now?” she asked gently with a smile.
“Yes!” he again replied with a nod.
Wow! What a boring scene! The wife asks, the husband nods, the wife asks again, the husband nods again and the cycle goes on. I shook my head and looked around the room to find something else interesting enough to watch. Nothing special here except for an ugly statue. But for some reason, I could not take my eyes off it. It is so bad that it is good.
“Were you lying all this time?” Sai’s next question made me swiftly turn back to look at them.
“Yes!” Virat sir replied, nodding fast. He instantly winced, making me blink in surprise. Virat sir immediately closed his eyes and murmured something like a curse meanwhile I scratched my above statement. This is not boring.
“Virat sir!” Sai called him but his eyes were still closed. She moved closer to him.
Sai held Virat sir’s sharp jaw with her right hand and turned his face to look at her. Virat sir instantly opened his eyes to meet her fiery ones. This interrogation session is getting too intense. They are so close that if either one moved an inch, they would end up kissing. It excited me like the K-drama I watched last week. Wait a minute! But, this is my friend Sai and her husband. I should not watch this. Do they even remember I am still standing here? Should I do a fake cough to let them know about my presence? But the scenario looks too beautiful to break. Sighing heavily, I stopped fanboying and took a step towards the exit but halted abruptly at my friend’s next startling words.
“Were you doubting me?” she angrily shouted, making both Virat and me blink. Oh no. Why was Virat sir doubting Sai? But, he is the great ACP, he would not doubt anything simply. What has his friend done, now? She is not only active in studies but also in mischief too.
“No... Sai… I would... never...” Virat sir stammered again, stepping back from Sai’s hold while I was using my district-level topper brain to find what must have transpired before me, and Virat sir entered this room.
To do that, first I must put myself into Sai’s shoes or to be precise sandals. What wouldn’t I get if I am sick and trapped in my bedroom which is situated in the strict officers’ Chavan Nivas? Let’s start with the basic human needs: Food, Shelter, and Clothing.
Food - I have tasted her lunch a few times and to be honest they were delicious.
Shelter - I looked above my head and concluded that the shelter is no problem.
Clothing - Well, that area surely needed some improvement!
“Yes, you are now!” Sai furiously pointed her finger at Virat sir but I ignored them and continued my analysis.
She roams around the college with costumes resembling Sasural Seema Ka’s bahu. I remember very well how on our first day of class, the whole first-year batch including me wished her good morning thinking of her to be some young professor when she entered the class for the first time. My bench mate even commented that she is our own Premam Malar teacher.
But there is no way Sai would have purchased new clothes. She never buys anything for herself. Hell, she doesn’t even buy study books but hibernates in our college library. Moreover, she doesn’t have much money either. She had spent all her savings on that Harmonium. I guess with the money that remains in her purse as of now, she could only afford to buy a few Vada Pavs.
Of course! It’s the first option ‘Food’! She loves fast food so much that she would bring one or another variety every day to the rehearsals. Girls used to wonder how she is lean after eating so much outside food and boys… Well, we just steal some of it. But, maybe she thought we did so much because soon she started sneaking food. I am sure she must have hidden some fast food here too inside her room. Maybe all these accusations at Virat sir are just a ruse to hide her secret stash.
“No… You are mistaken… I just came to use the restroom”, said Virat sir in a trembling voice, shaking his head furiously and pointing back to the bathroom.
Poor Virat sir! Why does Sai have to overreact like this? Whenever I sneak food into my room without my roommate’s knowledge, he too doubts me but I never shout at him. Instead, I surrender and share the food with him and ta-da, the issue is resolved. Sai always complicates the simplest matters.
She dresses up like Choti behen but screams like Badi behen. I looked all around the room searching for some takeaway package, but there was none. I started sniffing hard for any type of aroma lingering in the air. But, there is no sign of any fast food at all. Maybe she hasn't opened it yet. Oh… That is why she is angry; it appears we both had interrupted her snacks session.
“Oh please, for cleanliness sake, stop lying, Virat sir!” Sai shouted at him. This halted my raid process in the middle and diverted my attention back to them. I am confused now. Why Cleanliness sake? What happened to God and heaven? Are these Chavans Atheists? No, they hold pooja almost all the months in a year. Or maybe Sai is suffering from OCD?
“Huh?” Virat sir looked at her confused. I had the instant urge to do the ‘same pinch’ to him.
“Okay then are you telling me that you, the great ACP Virat Chavan didn’t flush the toilet after using it?” she asked, folding her hands across her waist. Virat sir closed his eyes and cursed again but loudly this time.
What? Yes, of course. If I recall now, those five minutes were indeed quieter than our library had ever been. Damn! I even heard that clock ticking. The flush sound would have made a huge difference during that pin drop silence. But, how come I didn't notice it before? Sai chose the wrong profession. She is surely a Sherlock Holmes. Wow! Could he apply for the position of Doctor Watson when she opens her detective agency?
Sai moved closer to her husband and clutched his collar. He opened his eyes but didn’t try to escape the hold. Okay, scratch the above job application. It seems to be a highly risky one. He cannot go around the city and wrinkle the ironed uniform of policemen.
“Answer me! Did you doubt me so much that you came running here like a madman, Virat?” she roared like a lioness. Both Virat sir and I were shocked at her outburst.
“Virat?” I could not help but wonder loudly.
“He doesn't deserve the title anymore!” Sai immediately shouted without breaking the fiery eye-lock she had with her husband. What? Well, it’s time she dropped the title anyway. Who calls their husband ‘sir’? My mom calls my dad with almost all the animal names from Zoo but never once have I heard the title ‘sir’ in my house and I don’t think she would call him so, even if the Queen of England honors him with one. I could not help but laugh when a particular memory of my mom calling my dad ‘elephant seal’ flashed in my mind.
Hearing my laughter, the couple turned together at once to look at him, making him gulp in nervousness. OMG! It was so scary to see Mr. and Mrs. Chavan’s startled look. I should have brought my self-made invisibility cloak to hide from these error-spotting trained pairs of eyes. I could not think much when I noticed Sai’s tear running face.
“Sai…” I called out in panic.
Both blinked at me. Sai removed her hands from Virat sir’s collar and moved away from him, breaking his hold on her. Now, Virat sir tried to pull her towards him. ACP Besharam sir!
Now, the blinking game got over and the push-pull game started it seems. When I shook my head at this k-drama couple, I saw Sai too shook her head at Virat sir. She wiped her tears off her face and looked determined.
“Please trust me, Sai” Virat sir begged in a pleading voice, which even melted me so much that I took a step towards them. This Sai is too much sometimes, one big officer is begging her, but she is standing like a flag pole.
“Why should I trust you when you have never trusted me in the first place?” Sai asked angrily and Virat sir’s face changed instantly from miserable to panic in no time.
“I have my full faith in you, Sai. Please believe me…” he almost wailed before her.
“How can I believe your words after seeing you barging here like Hulk” she shouted at him. Hulk? I facepalm at her choice. Seriously, Sai? Mine was better. How can she compare a handsome hunk to Hulk?
“I trust you, Sai. I just don’t trust Pajinkya” Virat sir shouted back, pointing in my direction. Who? Who is this Pajinkya? Ajeeb name!
“AJINKYA!!!” Sai shouted my name, gritting her teeth. I was about to respond but stopped after hearing Virat sir’s voice.
“Oh yes… Ajinkya!” He rolled his eyes but his hand was still pointing at me.
But, why? I turned back to see whether someone was hiding behind me. But, alas there is no one there. Then, I blinked so many times to see whether the scene before me changed, but no… But, what have I done? I am innocent. Oh no… Does he think I brought fast food to the sick Sai? I am studying to become a doctor. I know very well not to give fast food to sick people.
“Don’t blame my friend instead of your filthy mind, Virat!” Sai warned Virat sir. Thank you, Sai. I owe you one.
“Oh really! Then why did he come up here to our bedroom? What were his intentions?” Virat sir asked, shrugging his shoulders while Sai glared at him. My intentions? I am confused now. Why is Virat sir concerned with my goal to get above 90 percent in the coming weekly test? Does he want me to get lesser marks than his wife?
“He knows very well that you are alone here!” he declared, making Sai glow in anger. Wait a minute… Bedroom - Sai is alone - My intentions! Something is missing…
“Did you leave your brain at your office, Virat?” Sai asked sarcastically.
“If he really has filthy thoughts, do you think he would come at daytime when our whole family aka mini-village is wandering below like predators on the ground floor?” She added while Virat sir and I became thoughtful.
Filthy thoughts? I analyzed the hints again. Bedroom - Alone Sai - My intentions - Filthy thoughts. No!!!
“No!” I shouted suddenly, making both jump.
“What?” Both asked me in unison.
“Virat sir… I have no bad intentions or filthy thoughts. I can never do anything wrong to Sai. The maximum I could do is to steal her lunch…” I started blabbering and Virat sir raised his eyebrow at my last statement.
“... which I am planning to stop effective from today” I completed in panic.
Sai rolled her eyes but Virat sir took a step towards me in anger. I panicked and held both my hands up in the air.
“I don’t want to come up. That lady only sent me here” my mouth worked on its own in panic mode but the effect is good because Virat sir has halted in his steps. Both were shocked and looked at each other with a questioning look. They both started moving towards me like a zombie couple, making my legs move on their own backward. This continued till my feet hit something solid. Must be the wall. How I wish I could walk through the wall!
They both came too close and their faces were just inches far from me. I glanced at both sides to check whether there was an escape option, but nothing since both of them stood on either side. Once I am sure there is nothing I can do, I surrendered to God as per human nature. I prayed to God that they should not cough or sneeze till they hold their current position.
“Which lady?” They asked me in unison which. I agree that they are made for each other and all but they should stop talking like this which is very scary. It’s like they both can read each other's minds. I gulped and got ready to participate in their interrogation.
“The lady down there”
“All the ladies are down only. Which lady exactly?” Sai asked.
“The one who is wearing Saree”
“Karishma out.” Sai said and Virat sir nodded.
“More details…” Virat sir demanded.
“She had open hair”
“Kaku out.” he said and Sai nodded this time.
“More…” he demanded again.
I tried to think but their proximity reminded me of all the vampire movies and their interaction style reminded me of ManiRatnam movies. These all confused my brain.
“More…” Virat sir pressed, making me tremble in fear.
“Don’t scare him, Virat. He is shaking” Sai moved from me and pulled her officer husband too. I breathed in relief.
“I am just trying to collect information,” Virat sir stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
“For god’s sake, Virat! He is not some terrorist.” she said in exasperation. Yes, tell him Sai. I don't even know to burn crackers. My Diwali starts with sweets and ends with diyas.
“Yes, but this is very necessary information.” he said in his defense.
“As if you are going to do something to the lady who had tricked him to come here.” she said in a sarcastic tone to which Virat sir gave a constipated look.
“That's it!” I shrieked pointing a finger at Virat sir’s face and both looked at me in confusion.
I wiggled my finger at his face to make them understand what I had remembered, but they looked clueless.
“She had the same constipated look on her face like Virat sir has now” I informed them. Sai looked utterly shocked while Virat sir glared at me.
“Oye! Who are you calling consti…” Virat sir shouted moving to me but ducked down when Sai shrieked. I too crouched to the floor.
“What happened, Sai?” he asked, keeping his hands on both the ears. She smiled brightly and sat down too. She removed his hands from the ears.
“Ajinkya said that lady had a constipated look on her face” she explained to Virat sir again as if I was talking Korean before.
“Pakhi!”
“Pakhi didi!” they said in unison again making me roll my eyes.
“I am going to thrash her for sure!” Virat sir got up but Sai pulled him back immediately.
“Let us confirm once, Virat” she suggested and Virat sir nodded. They both turned towards me, making me shiver again.
“Tell me how was her earring, Ajinkya. Does it have anything you found in the zoo?” she asked me gently. I used my topper brain and re-run the scene. Once it started playing in my memory theatre, I zoomed in to her left ear that is only visible.
“It’s a peacock!” I exclaimed in joy while Sai looked determined.
She got up and Virat followed suit. They both looked at each other.
“Now, you can go, Virat sir.” she said and sighed hard.
Virat sir kissed her forehead suddenly making me and Sai gasp. I knew it! They were standing so close to each other for the last few minutes that a kiss is irresistible.
“It’s Virat for you or else you could think of some other pet name too.” Virat sir said in a husky voice to her and walked to the exit with a smile. I looked back at Sai. She was standing there like a statue.
“Sai…” I got up and poked her slowly on her shoulders making her snap back into reality.
“Wait, Virat!” she called out for Virat sir and he turned back.
“I am coming too.” she said with a bright smile and Virat sir nodded with a more bright smile. Are they trying to make me blind?
Sai ran towards Virat sir and clutched his hands.
“What about me?” I asked in confusion.
“Please stay here for some more time, Ajinkya. We will come back soon. I owe you a proper apology” Virat sir said kindly.
I nodded at them and they went out of their bedroom. I was about to move towards the ugly statue to analyze it when Sai peeped suddenly at the door.
“If you are bored, have some chat from the parcel kept under the bed” she quickly said before disappearing again.
I knew it!
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How was it? I hope you all liked it. Thanks in advance.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Indian Mythology
