PART 18
Panchi opened her eyes dazedly; she was faintly aware of the light seeping in through the thin curtains and closed her eyes again. It was too early to get up and her shoot didn't start till late, she stretched and met with an unfamiliar resistance. She reached her hand out and felt an arm pull her closer. Her eyes opened in surprise and looked over at Shabbir.
Her heart racing, she sat up quickly, grabbing the bedside clock and checking the time. How had she ended up here? She knew they hadn't drank anything or come to think of it even had dinner but remembered falling asleep and sighed with relief once she had ascertained they were both fully clothed.
It was 6am and Panchi turned cold with fear, her parents would have been sick with worry by now. She nudged Shabbir firmly but he caught her hand to stop her from repeating the action. "Shabbir…" she hissed, "Shabbir…Utho…Bauhat der ho gayi hai…"
She ran her hand angrily through her hair and climbed out of the bed, this was insane, she would have to get home before her parents woke up. That was, if they hadn't noticed already
She walked quickly to the front room and rummaged through her bag, picking out her phone. She turned it over in dread but was relieved when there weren't any missed calls or messages. She heard Shabbir shuffle behind her, "Panchi…" he called and she turned to him furiously and raised her voice an octave. "Shabbir…Why didn't you wake me…It's 6am!"
He looked at her for a moment and scratched his head sleepily, when she took in his crumpled clothes and unruly appearance her anger dissipated. He yawned as he walked over to her and Panchi stood frozen in defeat. When he looked like that she couldn't still be angry with him.
"Shabbir…" she said disappointedly, "You have to take me home now…my mother will get worried."
He merely smiled at her and pulled at her elbows, guiding her towards him. She made a feeble attempt to push him away but soon surrendered in his firm hold. "This isn't funny you know…" she said with fake petulance as she felt his chest move in laughter and thud her fists against his chest. He leaned back to survey her and she smacked her palm across his cheek softly.
"Hey Panchi…" he said finally, "I love you…" and she smiled despite herself
He leaned in to kiss her but she arched her back against his arms, shaking her head, "Shabbir…morning breath…"
"I love your morning breath too…" he replied laughing, but Panchi turned her head.
"Pyaar main log zindagi bhar intazaar karte hai…aap mere liye ek subah bhi nahi?" she said dramatically, placing her hand to her head and Shabbir could no longer contain himself. He laughed uproariously and held Panchi close to his body.
Bending down to brush her hair behind her ear he whispered, "Zindigi bhar kya hai jaaneman? Hum tumhare liye kayamath thak intazar kar sak te hain…"
Panchi smiled and turned her head and found his lips graze hers softly; she didn't resist but pulled away when he attempted to deepen the kiss. She now knew he love her but she could not get over the consciousness of herself.
"Shabbir…Please chalo…I need to get home."
He drove her home, but she was distinctly aware of the speed and kept looking over his hands to check. Shabbir kept his face expressionless and betrayed nothing. He knew he was going purposefully slow but he couldn't bare the thought of having to be away from her again. He pretended like he was tired and wasn't paying attention but it took all his might not to slam down on the accelerator and drive faster. Panchi sat nervously on her hands, for she was anxious and Shabbir didn't seem to understand the severity of the situation.
Once he slowed the car to a halt, Panchi leapt out of the car and ran to her door. Opening it slowly she tiptoed inside, leaving Shabbir without a word. He banged his fist on the car and looked up to see, curtain on the upper level of the house twitch again. He got in his car quickly and drove back home to shower and get ready for the shoot. At least he would see her there, but he couldn't wait and called her on the phone. She disconnected several times and making one last attempt, he called and she picked up.
"Panchi…"
"Shabbir…" she whispered
"Tum itne halke se kyun bol rahi ho?"
"Shabbir sub sou rahe hai…"
"Tumne phone pehle kyun nahi uthaya?"
"Shabbir, I'm in my room now, I couldn't pick up before…"
"Hey jaan…"
"Hum…"
"I love you…"
"Shabbir…?"
"Hum…"
"I love you too…"
He smiled, when she had said his name, he had perhaps expected her to make a joke. He was glad she hadn't, he loved hearing that.
😊