Hello everyone,
Today's mirchi scene inspired me to write about what may have happened later. This is set after the Rathores and Imlie leave Tripathi mansion.
Any comments and feedback are welcome. Enjoy xx
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The pavements were a crazy blur as Aryan Singh Rathore pressed the accelerator. The air inside the car was thick with tension. Even Narmada was quiet, unable to think of a light-hearted comment, fearing her son would explode. So she clutched her seat belt tightly and chose to stare outside, muttering silent prayers that they all reach home safe and sound.
Arpita was nervous. She knew her brother was furious. He hadn't said a word to either of them as they left the Tripathi household, but his eyes were screaming rage. His glare at Imlie was enough to convey the cause of his fury. What in heavens was she thinking? She could still hear Imlie's suppressed hissing, her mouth must be on fire. Arpita's eyes flitted between her brother and the girl next to her. She did not want to be caught in the middle of this one.
Imlie stared outside, blinking back her tears. Was it possible to feel so many emotions at once? She was enraged at her 'Didi' for her continuous abusive game-playing, disgusted by her Babusaheb's attitude, ashamed of herself for taking the bait... again. Why did she have to be so impulsive? This was exactly what her beloved step-sister wanted and she offered herself like a sacrificial lamb on the platter. Her mouth was still burning, but not as much as her heart.
What if Aryan had not stopped her? What would she have done? She had seen lots of emotions in Aryan's eyes before today, even though he didn't say much, she was beginning to understand him and read his expressions. Today she saw concern, disappointment and now rage. She deserved it. After everything she had been trying to do, trying to get over, she fell into the trap. Just yesterday, she had promised herself and him, for the umpteenth time, that she would not cry over Babusaheb and here she was, stuffing green chillies voluntarily down her own throat.
Her thoughts were racing and she let the tears fall. She braced herself for the coming onslaught whenever they reached home. Aryan was silent now, but she knew he would be courteous in the presence of his Ma and Didi. Breathe... she told herself.
Aryan saw her hissing and blinking furiously in the rearview mirror. Gosh... disgusting Malini Chaturvedi certainly played dirty. This was all her plan and that Mr Tripathi knew exactly how to manipulate Imlie and which buttons to press. Match made in hell. They hadn't been fair but this was expected. Why was Imlie so susceptible to their provocations?
Every time he thought she had made progress, she went ten steps backwards. Why would she hurt herself for that vile individual? An independent girl, who has worked her way out of a deep hole, who has harnessed her skills and talents, mindlessly decided to chew on a bowl of green chillies and throw all rationality out of the window. Pathetic.
He was absolutely livid. He was even more angry that he was getting so affected by her. He had to speak to her... alone.
As the car screeched to a halt, he stayed put. His hands were firmly on the steering wheel and eyes staring right ahead. 'Ma, Didi.. ghar aagaya. Aap log andar jaaye, mujhe Imlie se kuch kaam hai.' (Ma, Didi, we are home. You can go inside, I have some work to do with Imlie)
'Humka koi kaam nahi...' (I don't have any work ...)
Imlie was cut off by his stern voice. 'Imlie, hum office jaa rahe hai.' (Imlie, we are going to the office)
'Aru beta... pehle tum usko ghar mein...' (Aru, first let her come home...)
Narmada was interrupted by a gentler tone and he turned to look at her. 'Ma, hum jaldi aayenge, evening mein dinner saath karenge. Don't worry about us.' (Ma, we will return soon, we'll have dinner together.) He gave her a reassuring nod and waited till they left the car.
Imlie's hands were shaking. Last time she felt this way was when she was crouching on top of that slide just before he came and pushed her down.
Silence.
'Tumhara driver nahi hoon mein, sit at the front.' (I'm not your driver) The cold tone was back.
Reluctantly, she opened the car door and came round to the front. She waited.
'Seat belt' .
Oh no... was he going to drive like a maniac again? She braced herself and held onto the seat tightly.
Silence. She sneakily looked at him from the side of her eyes and saw he was still, silent and staring ahead. After a few moments of never ending silence he started the car and drove. They passed the turn for the office and she opened her mouth to ask but decided against it. Where was he taking her?
'Dekho, agar tumka humko maarne ka koi plan hai, to abhi ke abhi bataau. Woh kya hai na, marne se pehle humka humri ma se ek baar phone pe baat karle.' (Look, if you are planning to kill me, then tell me right now. The thing is, before dying, I'd like to speak to my mum once on the phone.)
'Shut up Imlie'. His tone was unreadable. His expression blank. She was really starting to worry now. He wouldn't physically harm her. Nor would he shout at her... he wasn't like that. But she knew he was beyond angry... how would he let it out?
Her thoughts were disturbed when the car stopped outside the park.
'Get out.'
Oh no... was it going to be another ride down the not-so-scary slide?
'Now.'
She hesitantly opened the door and saw that he had done the same. They stood on either side of the car. He put his hands in his pockets and looked at her. He was looking at her for the first time since they had left Tripathi house and she suddenly felt vulnerable. She looked around, folded her arms and appeared nonchalant. Her eyes were swollen but her tears had dried up. Her mouth was still burning but she wouldn't dare show him. So she looked around, everywhere but at him.
'I'll be back.' He turned and walked to a stall by the park entrance. Imlie closed her eyes, started pacing up and down and was preparing herself for whatever lecture was to follow. She would nod, agree that she had been foolish and just listen to him without interrupting. She would not call him khadoos, akadbagga or any other truthful adjective.
Suddenly, she felt a hand hold her wrist for the second time today. She turned and saw him standing next to her, thrusting an ice cream pot into her palm. She looked up in surprise, eyes wide and mouth open.
'Ab muh khul hi gaya hai, to chup chaap ice cream khalo, jalan kam hojayegi.' (Now that your mouth is open, quietly eat the ice cream, the burning will reduce) He pushed his hands in his pockets and looked away from her.
To say that she was taken by surprise would be an understatement. A few minutes ago, she thought he was going to get them both killed and now he was standing next to her watching the children play behind the park gates.
'Jaldi khaao, agar pighal gayi to doosri nahi launga.' (Eat quickly, if it melts, I won't get you another one.' He raised his eyebrow as he said that and caught her eye.
Imlie dipped the spoon into the creamy vanilla and savoured the sweetness. The sensation was a complete contrast to the heat of the chillies.
He looked at her as she enjoyed the ice cream and the satisfactory smile warmed his heart. 'Tumne apne babusaheb se bahut pyaar kiya...' (you loved your Babusaheb a lot)
She looked up at him, unsure if this was a question or a matter of fact, so she waited. 'Rishta ka anjaam jo bhi ho... uss pyar ko apni kamzori mat banana, warna log hamesha iss baat ka faida uthayenge Imlie' (regardless of how that relationship ended, don't make that love your weakness, else others will always use it against you)
She slowly resumed eating her ice cream but his gaze on her was disconcerting. 'Tumhe kisiko kuch saabit karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Woh log tumhe kaafi chot pohchaa chuke hai. Apne aap ko chot deke tum khud, apne aap ke saath nainsaafi kar rahi ho.' (You don't need to prove anything to anyone. They've hurt you enough already. By hurting yourself, you yourself are not being fair to yourself.)
She looked down. A tear made its way down her cheek but she brushed it off. 'Hum jaanat hai... humka pata nai ka hogaya tha.' (I know... I don't know what came over me)
He saw the embarrassment in her eyes and realised she was already beating herself up about this. So he raised her chin using his index finger and pierced her eyes with his gaze. 'Don't ever hurt yourself again... warna...' and he raised his eyebrow.
'Warna?' (Or else)
He smiled. 'Meri Mrs ke saath pehli drive yaad hai na?' (You remember the first drive with my Mrs?)
For the first time that day, Imlie laughed.
CID
