Chapter 10: Extra Mirch Masala
"Ding, dong, ding, dong."
"Oh god, abhi kon ho sakta hain?" Arjun wiped the sleep out of his eyes. He loosened himself from Purvi's grip and hurried to the bathroom to freshen up. "Ding, dong."
"Kambahkt! Main a raha hoon!" Arjun murmured drying his damp face.
He slid a cotton shirt over his head and jogged to the door. With the twist of a knob, he was greeted by a distraught Tejaswini.
"Teju! Hi! How are you? Sorry I took so long. I was freshening up. How's everything at home? Can I get you something? Chai, coffee, pani? How's Manav Uncle?" Arjun rambled.
"Are Arjun, mujhe andar to ane do!" she laughed.
"Oh," he blushed, "please. Come sit." he led her towards their sofa.
"Arjun, kon hain?" called out Purvi.
"Are main hoon pagli! Teju." Teju shouted back.
"Tej?" exclaimed Purvi as she limped out into the living room.
"Yeh kya hua Purvi? Why are you walking like this?" Teju sprung up and assisted her to the sofa.
Purvi glanced nervously at Arjun.
"Oh Teju, she's still recovering from her wound. But she'll be fine in a couple of days." he smiled and began making some tea.
"Kaisi ho Teju? Aai baba kaise hain?" Purvi shifted the topic.
"I'm fine. Baba and Archu Aunty are ok. They have a court hearing next week about their divorce. But that's not what I came for Purvi. I need to talk to you." Teju explained.
"Kyun, kya hua?" Purvi held Teju's hand.
"I wanted to apologize on behalf of Ovi for whatever she did. After that incident, Sachu dada and I went looking for her and we found her in none other than our own home. We got her and Savita aaji the next plane ticket out of Mumbai to Canada. I know she should be booked in prison right now, but Purvi," Teju stammered as tears welled up in her eyes, "she's not okay anymore."
"Teju," Purvi tightly hugged her, "Ovi is my sister just as you are. Regardless of what she did, she will always be my sister. I will always love her and I would never want her to be harmed. She's going through trauma, but this time too, will pass."
"Some chai?" Arjun brought two piping hot teacups.
"Thanks Purvi." Teju wiped the tears from her eyes took a sip of tea.
"Kaisi hain meri chai?" asked Arjun.
"Wow Arjun! I mean Jiju," she winked, "ek dam chakas wali chai hain!" she giggled.
Arjun smile stretched from ear to ear with the compliment.
"Thanks Teju but your Purvi tai doesn't like any of my cooking." he pouted.
"Teju don't you think there's too much masala in this chai?" Purvi teased.
"No Purvi. I love extra masala chai!" Teju replied.
"Oh Tej, tum ko sab main zyada mirch masala pasand hain." Purvi pat her head and smirked, "Always taking your jiju's side."
"Purvi, ab mujhe jane hoga. I'm late for my new job." Teju said finishing the last drops of tea.
"New job?" asked Arjun.
"Oh, I didn't tell you? Well last week I started teaching kids in our chawl tennis part time and I got a full-time job in a telemarketing agency." she said with pride.
"Teju aur telemarketing? Oh god, everyone's wallets will be empty. You'll convince them to buy everything!" Arjun chuckled.
"Hope so," Tej concurred making her way out the door, "see you soon!"
"Bye!" Arjujn and Purvi called.
"Ab chalo Ms. Purvi hume office jana hain." joked Arjun.
"Excuse me, I am Mrs. Kirloskar from now on." she retorted limping back to their room.
Arjun decked up in a navy suit and Purvi wore a white cotton blouse, black slacks, and grey suede pumps.
"You never wear a tie Arjun." remarked Purvi.
"Ha toh?" Arjun buttoned his cuffs.
Purvi removed a dark blue tie from the almari and began adjusting the accessory around Arjun's neck.
"There. Now doesn't that look nice?" Purvi straightened the tail of the tie.
"It looks wonderful." he kissed her on the cheek and hoisted her into his arms.
"Brief me, Mrs. Kirloskar." Arjun said as they made their way downstairs.
"Well, today you have a meeting at 4 with Trivedi and Roy, tenders to fill for the complex in Ghatkopar, and a Goa business trip to organize." she recited.
"Oh boy. We've got a busy day ahead of." he sighed.
"We can do it." she reassured.
Hope this was a treat in advance for the ArVi seperation track. 😊