NiBirTS:By Mistake Part2 Updated - Page 2

"Nervous eh?" Saurav pulled my leg.

"I'm not nervous, I'm not like you" I jeered.

He chortled, "Yeah, you really aren't. I can't read the book upside down like you"

"Oh shut up yaar" I stated snapping the book at the table.

"Come on yaar... Kabir's just coming with his parents, why are you getting so nervous?"

"Saurav, will everything be alright?" I asked with hopefulness.

Saurav placed his hand on my shoulder,"Yes, Nisha everything is... and everything will be alright for sure"

He shook me next by my shoulders, "Now stop acting liking a typical tv serial heroine unnecessarily doubting future with dhoom taana taana na tune"

I stared wide at him first and then we shared a boisterous laughter. He knows very well how to cheer me up. Saurav is my best friend since childhood and he is not less than any gem to me... And I really owe him for helping me to tell my parents about Kabir. Though I had also helped him hiding the secret of his girlfriend but still... I feel really grateful to have a friend like him in my life...Partners in crime since childhood. Yeah!

My mom entered my room and gawked, "Nisha what is this? Why aren't you ready yet?"

And poor Saurav was also the target of her verbal bullets this time, "Saurav! I had asked you to bring sweets and you are chatting here with Nisha! She isn't ready, sweets aren't there! And..and Kabir's family would be reaching any time! God! What do I do now?"

I neared my mom, "Relax mom, just relax..."

And the next moment I myself got panicked hearing a horn and sound of opening the gate.

Saurav started to run but my mom held him, "Go via the backdoor"

He nodded and left.

"And you! Hurry up!" my mom tapped my temple and went.

I quickly got ready wearing a pink salwar-suit. I don't take much time maximum 15 minutes. I took a final look at mirror. I breathed heavily with a wide smile as I heard Kabir talking with my parents. I could no more wait to see him...I know I sound impatient but really I was... and hell nervous too.

I took a deep breath and peeped out from the little gap slightly opening the door. I could finally view him. He wore simple clothes yet looked so breathtakingly handsome. He always looked handsome to me since the day my eyes fell upon him irrespective of the clothes he wore.

I still remember how we had met for the first time. I had just completed my training of my job and would be working at actual projects then. So, all the trainees who were going to be executives the following day had thought of celebrating at the office's canteen.

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Snacks and cold drinks were ordered and we sat in a circle. Everybody got up excitedly to cheer with the cold drinks raising it high. We delicately struck the bottles in merriment. All others took a sip lowering it down while unexpectedly my bottle slipped off my fingers to fall behind my back. A loud smash of breaking of glass startled everyone. I gulped and turned about swiftly.

I looked at innumerable glass pieces lying scattered at the floor and as I drew my eyes up, I saw a guy with his hand tightly stretched down and fingers parted. I pulled my eyes to the spot where he was looking at. And my pupils flared wide... The very first shirt of Kabir I had ruined with the cold drink by mistake.

I was guilty but I think I bore a dreamy face and found him in utter shock and anger. I straightened my face quickly.

"I'm sorry...it...it happened by mistake" I muttered and advanced towards him.

"Ouch" I flinched in pain as a sharp glass piece pinched my foot inside my juti.

My friends drove me back and made me sit in an American leg cross.

Tanya started to take my juti off but I winced in ache again and hence she stopped.

"It will hurt a little Nisha, please understand" Tanya spoke concerned.

"No...no" I cried

Kabir spoke softly to Tanya, "Please side"

The next moment Kabir bent and removed my juti off in a go clasping my ankle. The injected glass piece too got detached along with the juti.

I gripped his shoulder in stimulus shutting my eyes "Ah!"

He stood up and warned, "Next time be careful!" and left the place.

I let out a short breath and Tanya wound her handkerchief on my feet to ease my pain temporarily.

I don't know he was talking about to be careful for what. Was it to walk carefully next time watching the things lying on the floor or was it for damaging his shirt?

And I got the answer when his second shirt was spoilt by me by mistake. The then pune was an aged man. He was working in the same company since years and hence was allowed to work owing to his poverty stricken state even if he must have been in his seventies. Office's staff was good and respected him always. He used to call me lady Iron man' and we shared a grandfather-daughter bond. There was a day when he was ill and still came to office. As I noticed I told him that he should go back and rest. He was reluctant as there were many important meetings going to happen that day plus many punes were already on holiday. So, I along with some of my friends coaxed him that we'll do his work for the day to provide him some rest.

I delivered tea in all the cabins and started for the workbenches. I shortly reached the last workbench and slid the tray forward.

"Excuse me, here's tea"

Kabir whirled around in his rotating chair and my hands trembled in nervousness... Next he fumed with dripping annoyance clenching his jaws, "You again!"

"bbb...by mistake...sss...sorry" I swallowed hard.

His fingers moved in air as if he wanted to strangle me then and there but couldn't and treaded towards the washroom.

I suspired sitting on his chair. Oh this guy! Here I'm fallen for him and he always looks at me in exasperation. Actually I had got attracted to him the day itself I had seen him for the first time. He possesses such a charisma that any girl can fall for him and when I say this I really mean it. There were many girls who were after him. I don't know how he was still single.

Especially that Samaira! Argh! My blood boils when she doesn't leave a chance to stick to Kabir. Calm down Nisha...Calm down...Phew.

Well I had gone near his workbench to thank him after he had helped me out regarding that glass piece the same day. I really wish I could have thanked him that day but I couldn't as I was lost in his smile... such an enchanting smile he bore talking over his phone. I admit I was truly observing each movement he did while talking with a bright shine in his eyes. I was pulled out of trance when I heard Tanya, "Nisha your foot his hurt, don't stand, come along with me, let's go"

And I could not thank him ever as our all the subsequent encounters marred his shirts and I had to be sorry.

I used to watch him intently from a long distance. His entry in office, when he used to leave for home, at canteen etc. and every time my lips used to portray a smile...Not only because of his looks, but also because of his nature. He was so caring, helping, and friendly, I could easily make out depending upon how he used to chat with his colleagues, his boss, over phone, to strangers...but it did seem to me that I was an exception. His face never used to light up the same way when he sees me rather the shine used to wipe out. Though it wasn't his mistake but also not mine...it was just...just mistake.

In the by mistake shirt-ruining encounters I regard as third and he fourth, I had found him little hesitant and his expressions weren't of fury. He had just surpassed me without a word which had sounded strange to me then.

Was his behavior changing towards me? I had given a thought smiling ear to ear but my smile was ruptured at the fifth encounter (according to me) where his infuriation had made a comeback.

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I was dragged to present by click of fingers, "Zoned out again?" Saurav stood before me blocking my view.

I gave a nervous look. He looked at his back and then again at me smirking.

"So desperate huh?" he teased me.

I narrowed my eyes, "What are you doing here? Keep the sweets in the kitchen idiot! Otherwise mom will murder you"

He scratched his head, "Yeah" and immediately left.

Then I saw my mother getting up from the sofa so, I closed the door hastily. She came in within few seconds and pulled my cheeks, "Nisha they are calling you baccha...come"

"Baccha?" I questioned incredulously.

She laughed, "Okay, alright... come join now"

I wagged my head up and down and she took me along with her. I wanted the moment to cease then and there when our orbs met...

I sat in front of them with my mother and spoke politely, "Namastey"

"Namastey beta" his parents said in unison.

"My daughter-in-law looks beautiful" his mother addressed me.

"Thank you aunty" I blushed.

"Aunty?" she inquired lifting her eyebrow.

I blinked twice and my mom poked her finger at my arm.

"Call me maa" his mother grinned.

"Ye...yes maa" I smiled wide.

His father uttered,"So, Ramesh, we had talked with our Panditji and he says muhurth is best next month. Any problem?"

"Not at all" my dad said overjoyed.

"Nobody introduced me" Saurav made a puppy face coming towards us.

"Sorry" I pouted to Saurav and averred to all, "Let me introduce him. He is... an idiot" and I laughed at my own wit for a while hysterically.

Looking at everybody's serious faces and gaping Saurav, I swallowed my laugh.

I'm a bigger idiot than Saurav! Which girl talks non-sense in front of her to be in-laws? But I need not be blamed because I always return to my stupid self when Saurav is around.

"Erm...sorry"I pasted a half-smile.

And Kabir stated crossing his hands, "One shouldn't be sorry for speaking the truth" and his lips curved up. Saurav glared at Kabir with his hands on his waist.

Kabir chuckled, "Maa, Papa, he's Saurav... Nisha's best friend since childhood and dad's proud son" He said flashing his eyes towards my dad.

"Yeah... Namastey Uncle, Aunty" Saurav beamed.

"Namastey beta" his parents said happily.

"What do you do Saurav?" his dad asked Saurav.

As other people chatted, I glanced at Kabir and found him smiling at me. Oh God! His smile bears an unknown magic... Since the day he proposed me his smiles at me frequented exponentially. I always get drowned in his thoughts when he looks at me like this.

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It was the day of housewarming party thrown by Kabir to all the collegues. I had also got an invitation, though not directly by him but one of his friends who helped him in distributing cards. He gave one to me too. And I had reached ecstasy. And my ecstasy had to sigh when I told about it to my parents.

My parents had strictly told me I won't be allowed to go if not taken Saurav along. I was disheartened as Saurav had just suffered from an accident and he wasn't able to walk properly due to his wound. But I told you Saurav is a gem... He agreed to come along using crutches and I didn't stop tears flowing out of my eyes in front of him that day. He had lashed my arm because he never liked over-sentimental people. Yet I was really touched and I promised him that I too would always be by his side whenever he needed me.

We were welcomed in new home of Kabir like several others. Kabir had a fake tight-lipped smile when he asked me in... I could deduce. I wasn't disappointed as I had expected the same and I behaved normal.

Once the party began, several group games were rolled out. All participated enthusiastically. I had to isolate myself when it was announced that the next game would be truth and dare. It wasn't that I didn't have guts to speak the truth nor was I coward, I just hated this game since when I was a kid and Saurav knew it. It was so because once when I was some 8-9 years old, I was given a dare to present a flower to the person who enters the classroom next. I had easily completed my task but I was flabbergasted as I was slapped hard leading the blood ooze out of my lips by the man who stood before me.

I had slipped in depression due to this traumatic incident as a kid. I'm grateful to God that my parents consulted a good child psychiatrist and the medication improved my state and I was totally normal as I crossed my adolescence. So I just used to be away from this game. Saurav had come to me but I didn't want him to skip his joy because of me.So, I persuaded him to join the game. I sat away at one of the corners watching the game.

And then a dare was given to Kabir to dance with Samaira. He accepted and started dancing. I glimpsed towards them. Their proximity was getting really untolerable for me. There was a sudden emotion that crawled to my brain and then I was overpowered. The feeling of jealousy slowly grew into my skin, saturating my blood. I locked my eyelids tightly.

I felt my head throbbing hard when I opened my eyes. The vision was blurred and I pressed them again.

"God! My head..." I groaned as I clamped my head with my hands getting up. Wait...Getting up? I snapped open my eyes and found myself on a bed. I scanned my surroundings in an unsettling fear.

"Take this you'll feel better" Kabir advanced towards me from the entrance of the room.

I looked skeptically at the glass he offered having a translucent liquid.

I took it pressurizing my brain to understand what was going on. Yeah, I was at the house warming party of him...yeah... and I recollected everything what had happened thereafter. Hmm...So I had taken cold drinks kept at the table and then...what happened after that?

Kabir waved his hands in front of my eyes, "Hello? In this world?"

I nodded.

"Then take it, your headache will lessen"

How does he know that I'm suffering from a headache? And what would this liquid do?

"What's this?" I inquired out of confusion.

"Lemon juice; You were drunk yesterday night" he said in a go.

"What!" I screamed in utmost bafflement and the lemon juice landed at him by mistake. Oh no! What's wrong with me yaar?

He sighed dusting his shirt off.

He sighed? He didn't say a word? Isn't he angry?

"Sorry b...but where's Saurav?" I asked apprehensively.

"Here I'm" I heard Saurav who appeared behind Kabir's back.

Kabir spoke to Saurav, "I'll bring another juice" and left the room.

Saurav took little steps with his crutches and eventually sat beside me smiling.

"Saurav, Kabir says I was drunk?" I asked in worry.

He giggled, "Yeah you were"

"But I had taken cold drinks!"

"You took those cold drinks kept aside for the only boys' late night party" he quoted boys' late night party using his index and middle fingers.

"What?"

"Yeah they had vodka mixed in them"

"What!" My eyes bulged.

"Yeah" he laughed.

"Yaar" I uttered irritated.

"And you know what you did thereafter?"

"What?" I asked casually.

"You almost strangled Samaira. All others had a hard time separating your hands over her neck. Poor girl..."

Samaira and poor? Well, I would definitely tell this to Saurav's girlfriend that he regarded that miss sticky' as poor for cracking such a pathetic joke about what I did.

And he got a tight blow of pillow from me, "Stop joking!"

"Ouch! I'm not joking yaar!" he fumed.

I gulped.

"W...what happened next?" I asked with reluctance.

"What do you think? Then Kabir had to call off the party for the day..."

I lowered my head with guilt.

"Since I couldn't take you back at your residence totally drunk, so I requested Kabir to let you and I to be here and he allowed us for the night. He then carried you to this room as my leg is injured...and erm... I had dozed off on sofa due to painkillers while waiting for him to come back... when I opened my eyes I found myself on a bed of the room attached to this" Saurav explicated.

I let out a heavy breath.

"Take this" I saw a glass in front of my eyes with lemon juice held by Kabir.

"Sorry...yesterday...I...I ruined your party...I'm sorry" I spoke directly looking at him.

"It will be somewhat okay if you don't let this glass dash at my shirt this time" he sighed.

I took the glass from him sheepishly while he shook his head.

"Take this and freshen up, we'll leave, I had told your parents that we were at Priyu's home okay" Saurav said to which I nodded.

Both of Saurav and Kabir left.

After finishing the lemon juice, I went to bathroom to wash my face. I splashed water at my horribly looking face. Yeah seriously, it was looking weird to me...smudged kajal, no lipstick, fluffy eyes, frenzied hair... I took the towel hung beside with closed eyes. I smelled a familiar scent. I smelled it again and recognized subsequently. It was of my lipstick. Since when did the company start selling perfumes of the same scent? And who on earth sprinkles perfumes on towels?

I opened my eyes swiftly and my pupils' diameter widened. I held a shirt instead of a towel.

"We're getting late Nisha, hurry up!" Saurav shouted.

I immediately took a towel, wiped my face and came out.

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"Well... both of us are right about my shirt getting ruined by you...by mistake... for you it was 6^th but for me it was 7^th"

"Don't pressurize your brain, you won't recall...you were totally drunk the night of my housewarming party and yeah...by mistake"

"Take my shoulder and sleep, I know you'll doze off"

These words of him echoed in my ears and relating to what would have happened a pink hue swept my cheeks.

Saurav nudged me and my brain landed back in the present time. He nudged me again. I doubtfully looked at him. He flashed his eyebrows to hint me to look at Kabir's parents. I diverted my gaze to them and then to Kabir and then back at him. Everyone was silent and I bore a puzzled look.

Saurav whispered, "Answer Kabir's parents idiot! Why were you looking like blushing?"

Answer? But what was the question? I don't know! God!

"Erm..." I started but Kabir's unusual stare lowered my confidence. He must have guessed then that I had a recent zoning out session.

"Nisha, don't be reluctant..." his father spoke.

"Say Nisha" my mom said.

But what's the question? Can somebody repeat please?

"Hmm...so your silence means a yes?" his mother asked.

Arey yaar! Question?

"They are asking whether you want to continue your job after marriage or not" Kabir said whilst crossing his hands.

Thank God! He repeated. You definitely deserve a standing ovation Kabir.

"Yeah...I...would like to continue" I affirmed.

"Good then, we'll love to proudly welcome our working daughter-in-law next month" his father smiled.

"Thank you so much" my dad acknowledged.

My mom indicated to touch Kabir's parents' feet and I did it. So nice of them that they blessed me and then his mother kissed my forehead.

"Okay then... we should leave" his father said.

"You people didn't have anything...please feel free..." My mom spoke indicating the dishes kept at the table.

"Snacks were too good and our stomachs are full" his mother chortled.

"Okay then just sharbat...Nisha bring it" my mom ordered me and I brought the glasses from kitchen.

I offered his parents and then to Kabir. His parents smilingly took it when offered but Kabir's lips went distraught. Here I'm with another blunder with his shirt. A loud applause! How does it happen so perfectly yaar? Or imperfectly? Whatever it is!

He made a face and I apologized, "Sorry"

My mom said, "Nisha guide him to the washroom"

I nodded and beckoned him towards my room.

Once there, he said while wiping his face with a towel, "I think I would be wearing a new shirt every day after our marriage"

"Kabiiir" I groaned and clicked my tongue.

He chuckled, "Well... but today I don't mind because I got a chance to talk with you privately due to this"

"Means?"

"Means...erm...you know..." he took my hand in his.

"No I don't" I rejected straight forwardly.

He grinned and pulled me towards him while I took support of his shoulder not to crash in him.

"Now you know?" he smiled mischievously.

"Nisha, I don't know how and why but I fell for you long back. I couldn't term it as love then."

As his words during the proposal struck my ears again...questions piled up in my mind.

"Kabir, can I ask you something?" I asked looking deep in his eyes.

"You don't require any permission" He replied.

"Why do you want to marry me?"

He smiled "It's obvious Nisha; because I love you"

"Why do you love me?" I asked again.

"becau"

He was going to answer but I interrupted in a serious tone, "because of what had happened the night I was drunk"

"Have you lost it or what Nisha?" he gritted his teeth.

I exhaled noisily, "You only had told me that you fell for me long back but couldn't term it as love...so it was lust... simple!"

"Our marriage has just got fixed if you remember" he spoke with clenched jaws.

I looked away still quiet thus, he continued with a soft tone, "It wasn't lust Nisha... I don't know why are you saying like this...do you know what had happened that night? It was you who ruined my shirt after confessing that you love me. I did nothing. I myself had got a 440 Volt shock when you ripped off the upper buttons drawing the shirt off my shoulder and still you are terming it as my' lust..."

I swallowed hard and stammered, "I...I was...drunk...s...sorry Kabir... Not in senses...Please forgive me. I won't"

And he put his index finger on my lips, "Don't apologize. I enjoyed it" He smirked.

I furrowed my brows.

He displayed a huge grin, "Enjoyed the whole of it in fact" and moved behind me.

He wrapped his arms around me and started swaying us both lightly.

He said putting his chin on my shoulder ,"It is indeed true that I fell for you long back. And I couldn't term it as love then... because l don't believe in love at first sight."

"Love at first sight?" I questioned him dazed.

He grinned, "Yeah...And I saw you first during the interview. I had just merrily exited an interview panel after talking to the HR about my joining and my eyes fell upon you. You were praying to God with folded hands waiting for your turn. I still remember you wore a light pink suit with white chudidaar. And you know what... you stole my heart away that day itself..."

Is this reality? Somebody please pinch me.

He continued, "I tried hard every time to live in reality but I hallucinated you. I was hell irritated with my mind games and so when we actually met in person at canteen I was shocked and angry simultaneously...and that was not because of the by mistake ruining of my first shirt..."

He took a deep breath that fanned my neck and I closed my eyes.

He spoke again, "One day when I was over phone,I noticed that you stood at a far distance smiling at me. My heart skipped a beat and I tried to concentrate back on the conversation yet simply couldn't. I was not able to digest the infatuation I felt. I had termed it infatuation Nisha...not lust"

I opened my eyes and my voice quivered as I spoke, "I'm sorry Kabir...I hurt you always"

"No Nisha...it's not so. Who said this huh? I know I was hell annoyed and furious at you when you marred my dear shirts that too by mistake. But I think anybody would react the same way in such a case. Wouldn't you? 7 brand new shirts gone in just two months? And this one is eighth! I mean seriously huh... But...but I never felt hurt because of you alright"

I sighed and rotated to embrace him, "Thank you so much Kabir. I love you..."

"I love you more" he tightened our embrace.

"And you know what my genius mind has found a solution so that my shirts are saved" he spoke elated.

"Really? What is it?" I delightfully looked up at him in his embrace.

He spoke huskily "I won't wear shirt when around you" and he winked.

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