Okay, so I got kind of carried away, but as a treat to you guys, I'm posting both Chapters 14 & 15... Surprise! :)
Recap: Someone calls Archana to which Soham answers, Arjun and Purvi share an eyelock, Riya asks about what happened between Manav and Nikhil
Chapter 14: Just There… April 2nd, 2012: Karanjkar Chawl, 2:00 p.m. Archana: Soham? Has Seher come from school?
Sohama: Nahin, Aai. She still has half an hour left. It's only 2. What is going on? You've seen so out of order lately…
Archana: I don't know… I talked to someone the other day about something, and know I can't remember anything, and—I just don't know, beta.
Soham: Well, yesterday, someone called and was shocked when I told them who I was. Is that who you're talking about?
Archana: What? Who called at that time?
Soham: I don't know. The number wasn't saved, and it seemed as if he knew you. He also got shocked when I told him my name. He was really weird and abrupt about it too.
Archana: He? Who's he?
Soham: I wish he told me. He said he was a friend of yours.
Archana: But who is it? I mean… he? And he was shocked to hear your name? Why? That means he knows you too…
Soham: Oh! He also knew Baba…
Archana: Huh! *stands up shocked* I totally forgot about Harish! How could I? Oh my gosh.
Soham: Who's Harish?
Archana: Kunjal's dad!
Soham: Who's Kunjal?
Archana: Kunjal Mishra.
Soham: Aai, I've only live with you for a couple of years. I have no clue who these people are.
Archana: Sorry. I forgot. Kunjal Mishra. Kunjal was Purvi's best friend. Manav and Harish grew up together, but they've always belonged to the higher class. Harish was really excited when he found out that my daughter, meaning Purvi got admitted to the same college as Kunjal. After college, Kunjal and Harish moved with Kangana—Kunjal's mom to London and they stopped keeping contact with me. I don't know about Manav though. Why would they call all of a sudden?
Soham: I honestly don't know Aai—*crash*
Seher: Oops.
Archana: It's okay, Seher. I'll—
Soham: I'll go clean it up Aai.
Archana: Okay.
Now… I have to call him back.
****
April 2nd, 2012: 11:30 p.m., ADK Industries
Things have been really weird. I can't even say how weird. It's like after yesterday, she just kind of… stopped talking. I like the quietness in the office, but she hasn't annoyed me, which doesn't give me a reason to annoy her. It isn't fun that way. Sure, whatever happened yesterday was really weird, but we should get over it and move on right? Like, all day, she's been working silently on the projects for the conference, and—*phone rings*
5 minutes later:
Arjun: (yelling at Nikhil) Hey, hey, hey! I never said that you were an idiot. Oh, stop acting like a baby. Sorry, that YOU forgot the house keys, and now YOU have to wait 'til Riya gets back home. You know what—
Purvi: *walks in* *I honestly think I should stop coming into Sir's office while he's on the phone. I mean last time he was…*
Arjun: Nikhil! Please, just stop it. I'm not coming all the way over there to unlock the door. Well then sit out in the cold, what do I care! Nikhil! Nik— Hey! Stop—no! What are you doing? You'll set off the—
Purvi: *tries not to laugh*
Arjun: if you do ANYTHING like that, mein tere kaan se... Nikhil! You know what!? Bye! *hangs up*
Purvi: Wow, sir. You seem very happy.
Arjun: What do you want?
Purvi: I just came to tell you that I'm done and I kind of need a ride home. *tries not to laugh*
Arjun: What's your problem?
Purvi: Well, you see, you have a weird way of threatening people. Honestly, I think you should become one of those… uh… Oh yeah! A H-inglish teacher. Bohot kaam aaye ga.
Arjun: Hey, just do your work. Mere Hinglish se kaam hoga.
Purvi: *tries not to laugh again* Oh, sir but—
Arjun: Just go, do your work.
Purvi: You know, I'm starting to think that you only keep me to do all the office work while you sit around and yell at Nikhil all day in your master Hinglish.
Arjun: Are you trying to make me mad? You know that that's not good for you, and for my blood pressure.
Purvi: You do realize that I'm done and that I need a ride home.
Arjun: *sigh*Why didn't you say that before!?
Purvi: If you haven't noticed, I kind of did.
Arjun: Don't talk back to me, Miss Deshmukh. Can you wait half an hour?
Purvi: Maybe.
Arjun: Miss Deshmukh!
Purvi: I'm kidding, sir.
Arjun: *mumbles* Believe me, I can't wait to get rid of you.
Purvi: Excuse me?
Arjun: Nothing. Nothing at all.
P: Theek hain, Sir. *smirks and walks out*
A: Why the heck was that so funny to her? Am I missing something? Arjun! Stop talking to yourself. *sinks back in his chair* I have to get her out of here. Soon.
April 3rd, 2012: 10:00 a.m., Mumbai
Soham: So, all in all, what exactly did you tell him, Siddarth?
Siddarth: I told him that he could stay here for a while, but then he would have to leave. He should show up at anytime.
Soham: Wow. I haven't seen him since he left and everything. It's like—
Viren: Siddarth!
Siddarth: Viren Bhaiya!
*They walk up, shake hands, and quickly hug*
Siddarth: Soham, yeh hain Viren. Viren Bhaiya, yeh hain Soham.
Viren: I've seen you somewhere.
Soham: Mein, uh. Mein, Vishnu. But my real name is Soham. Soham Deshmukh.
Viren: Vishnu!? I mean… Soham. Nice to see you after so long.
Soham: Nice to see you too, Viren. Where did you go after college?
Viren: From Delhi, I went to Kolkata. There I pursued higher education, and now I'm a computer engineer for a multimillion company.
Soham: Wow.
Viren: And you, my little brother, where do you work?
Siddarth: Well, after everything, I moved here and got a job with a multimillion company. From then, I'm now an assistant manager.
Viren: Good. That's like my little brother. And you, Vish—I mean Soham?
Soham: I'm a… I'm… Well, I'm a mechanic.
Viren: Aaha. You seemed to have an interest in cars.
Soham: *What?* Yeah. *shakes head*
Viren: Well, it's been nice to catch up, but here's what I really need. I only have the permission to be here a couple of days, and in that time, I need to find a home.
Soham: Actually, I can help with that. We'll go house hunting for the next couple of days.
Viren: Sounds like a plan.
Siddarth: So, we have a lot to catch up on, Bhaiya.
Soham: And I got to go. See you guys later.
Siddarth: See you, Soham.
Viren: I'll call you tomorrow.
Soham: Okay.
****
April 3rd, 2012: 7:30 p.m.. Karanjkar Chawl
*knock knock*
Soham: Arre! You're home early today.
Purvi: Haan Dada. I've been working hard, and I got my work done. All that's left is to pack for tomorrow.
Seher: Where are you going, Tai?
Purvi: We, are going to Delhi for 2 days for some work. Very boring stuff, Seher.
Soham: What?? You're going to Delhi, and leaving your big brother behind?
Purvi: Haan. I'm really mean na. *sarcasm*
Soham: *laughs*
Archana: Purvi!!
Purvi: Haan, Aai?
Archana: Purvi beta, before you start packing, I need your help with something.
Purvi: *confused* Okay…
Soham: Seher, challo. Let's go play with something in your room.
____
Archana: Purvi, can you hand me that cup?
Purvi: Okay. *pauses* Aai, what happened? You seem either really excited or really worried.
Archana: I was going to tell you something, but then you came home and reminded me that you won't be here for a couple of days.
Purvi: Why? Were we doing something special?
Archana: Actually, I was… never mind.
Purvi: What? No! You have to tell me now, Aai.
Archana: No. It's going to be a surprise for after you get back.
Purvi: No fair. *acts like a little kid*
Archana: Don't act like a little kid. Let's just keep it a surprise for either your reward for doing really great at the conference, or something to cheer you up for doing something wrong.
Purvi: *sarcasm* Way to boost my self-confidence Aai.
Archana: Sorry, beta. Speaking of the conference, you have to promise me something.
Purvi: Ask away.
Archana: Purvi, promise me that you'll be careful when you go out to the conference.
Purvi: *smiles* I will, Aai. Don't worry.
Archana: And, promise me that you won't go anywhere alone!
Purvi: I won't, Aai. I know you love me, but I have that much respect for myself. I'm sorry, if I offended you.
Archana: Nahin, beta. You didn't. Just… be careful.
Purvi: Thanks Aai. I'll go pack now.
Archana: Okay.
Purvi: Don't worry.
Archana: I won't.
I watched her put down the kitchen towel and walk out. I know she tells me not to worry, but I can't help it. She's my angel. I don't want anything to happen to her. Now, if only I can manage to hide the surprise from her…
Precap: Conference Time!
*********************************
Chapter 15: Not Riding Solo
April 5th, 2012: Somewhere along the way, 12:00 p.m.
Okay. So I have the worst luck ever. It just so happened that everyone else that was going decided that they all hated me and left me to ride the 17 hour drive ALONE with Mr. Khadoos. God, save me. We left at around 3 in the afternoon from Mumbai yesterday. We stopped somewhere at 9, and then Mr. Khadoos convinced everyone that it was necessary that we leave at 3 in the morning. Just 4 more hours, Purvi. Just—
Purvi: Hey… why did we turn?
Arjun: Well, I forgot about something.
Purvi: *Oh, God.* Um… Am I missing something?
Arjun: Before we go to the conference, we have to gift the corporation something.
Purvi: So… we're going shopping.
Arjun: Right. We…
Purvi: *annoyed look* Were you seriously going to send me on my own?
Arjun: No! I never said that. Just get out of the car.
Purvi *annoyed look; gets out of car* So… what exactly are we getting?
Arjun: I was hoping you would know.
Purvi: *shocked face as she followed him inside*
____
We've been walking around for almost an hour doing our shopping. We're not even halfway done! I think I'm missing something, because we'll walk into a store, then Mr. Khadoos will see something and then walk out. And because I'm the one who's carrying all the shopping bags, I have to follow suit.
Arjun: *serious face* Walk to the left side of me.
Purvi: Oh, so now I'm getting orders on this, too?
Arjun: I have my reasons. Just do it.
Purvi: But—
Arjun: *gets dead serious* Now, Miss Deshmukh.
Purvi: *confused; does as he says* Why did I…?
Arjun: You see that man with the glasses on? He's been following us for the past hour. Or at least you.
Purvi: Why though?
Arjun: Do I have to explain to you how it isn't safe for anyone to be alone anywhere in this country? I thought you were the one that lived here.
Purvi: Okay, but don't they normally—
Arjun: *serious* Come back on my right.
Purvi: *does what he says* Don't you think he's realized that you're purposely trying to get me away from him?
Arjun: *sarcasm* No. I don't think so.
Purvi: Sir… He's walking towards you.
Arjun: What? What exactly is he doing?
Purvi: Just look to the windows on your right.
Arjun: Miss Deshmukh, come to my left again, and walk as close as you can to the shops.
Purvi: *does so, but loses a shoe*
Arjun: Gaah! Hurry up and get your shoe!
Purvi: *runs to go get her shoe*
Arjun: *mumbles to self* Why is he… Shit*.
____
Okay… so, I pick up the shoe, but someone decides that it's a good idea to grab my hand and pull me away, so I drop my shoe again. By the time things were clear again, the shoe was gone. But, he… was in front of me.
Arjun: Did you have to wear stupid sandals today?
Purvi: I don't own any other kind of shoe…
Arjun: You do realize that he was only inches away from you, right? Something bad could have happened. You better be happy that he's lost our track, otherwise—
Purvi: Sir—Sir.. Sir! You can let go of my hand now.
____
Okay, so I knew that in order to pull her away from there, I had to grab her hand. What I didn't realize though, was that I was squeezing her hand really hard. When I let go… her hand was really… uh… red.
____
Purvi: Thank you. Now do we have to—
Arjun: Let's just go. We're late anyways.
Purvi: *confused* Okay?
____
I promised her mom… I wasn't being weird or anything. I think. I may not be sure.
*****
April 5th, 2012: Market, 1:30 p.m.
Seher: Auntie, what about this one?
Archana: Maybe. There aren't any dents in it right?
Seher: I don't think so… Nope.
Archana: Excuse me, Dada. I'll have that one please.
Vegetable Seller: Okay.
Seher: Auntie, can I go see what the price for some apples are over there real fast?
Archana: Okay beta. Be quick, please.
Seher: Okay! *takes off*
____
Archana: Seher! Seher! Seher?
Seher: Auntie! I'm right here.
Archana: Oh—huh! Seher!
Seher: Auntie, I'm fine. It's just a cut.
Archana: What happened?
Seher: I was coming over here, and then I tripped.
Archana: And it doesn't hurt, beta?
Seher: Nope.
Archana: Hold on. I think I may have some bandages in my purse….
____
That's the first time I saw her. The first time—in so long. The first time after everything. The first time after almost 21 years. There she was, tending to a little girl who had a cut on her knee and kept saying that she was fine and that it didn't hurt. Nothing played through my mind. I was dumbstruck. After everything that happened, I see her at the market of all places. I couldn't think straight. I just thought, that she was great. She looked happy. She was smiling at least. And I knew that it wasn't because of me.
I don't know what got into me, but for whatever reason, I couldn't stand there and see her. I felt so… guilty. I left from there, as fast as I could, but everything that happened, everything that was uncovered came back. And because I'm weak unlike her, I couldn't take it. But my heart soared, knowing that she was fine.
****
April 5th, 2012: Delhi, 5:00 p.m.
Arjun: Hey, we're here…
Purvi: *wakes up* Tsst. I was so comfortable. Why'd you wake me up.
Arjun: *snaps in front of Purvi's face* Oye! Wake up!
Purvi: I'm sorry, sir. I didn't realize… I. I'll get out now.
*both get out of car*
_____
Employee: Ma'am, Sir, you're here.
Arjun: Right. Okay, so the events for tonight start at 6:30. No one is to leave from here. We'll all leave at 6:00 to make sure that we get there on time. Now is that clear?
Employees: Yes Sir.
Riya: Okay, so here's how the rooms and stuff will work out…
____
*knock knock…. Knock knock*
Riya: Arjun?
Arjun: Riya, where's Miss Deshmukh. I needed to review a file.
Riya: She's… not here.
Arjun: What? Where is she?
Riya: She got ready and said she'd be back at 6:45 ish.
Arjun: And you let her, go?
Riya: Well yeah. I at least trust her that much.
Arjun: Now if, you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look for her.
Riya: But—Arjun? Why is he in a hurry?
****
Precap: Someone's fashionably late 😉
Enjoy it? Pls like/comment
Things to think about: Chapter 14: What exactly is the reason Viren decided to come from Kolkata to Mumbai? What is the surprise Archana has for Purvi? Chapter 15: Why did Arjun promise Archana? Who saw Archana and Seher at the market? Where did Purvi go? Will Arjun find her? Who's late?
NOTE: I have break for the next three weeks, so I'll be updating a lot now. Yay!:)
Avatar and Signatures Shop
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
Indian Mythology
Sampoorna
