Chapter 28: Mein Pareshaan
April 30th, 2012: Deshmukh Residence, 4:00 p.m.
Manav: So… let me get this straight.
Archana: Mhmm.
Manav: So, the girl—she's your adopted daughter, the one that's made sure you were alive til today?
Archana: That's right.
Manav: And… S—Soham's alive? And with you?
Archana: Yes.
Manav: And the girl, the small one—
Archana: Also adopted.
Manav: And that leaves Kunjal to be back.
Archana: Right.
Manav: So now—
Archana: So now our family's extra complete. *smiles*
Manav: *smiles* And the kids all know?
Archana: They will soon. Anyways, Purvi won't show up for a while considering that she spent forever on the phone.
Manav: Okay, so we'll be sure to catch everyone on everything before she gets here that way nothing's awkward.
Teju, (along with Sachin, Riya, and Nikhil): What won't be awkward?
Archana: That, beta, I'll have to explain.
____
Kunjal: Hold up! So let me get this straight. You're blaming me for your bike breaking down?
Soham: Exactly! I hardly ever take more than one person on here at once, so it must not be used to the weight. This isn't a very expensive bike you know.
Kunjal: So now you're calling me fat?
Soham: NO! Did I say that? I did not say that!
Kunjal: You totally did! Don't lie!
Soham: I'm not lying!
Kunjal: Whatever! Your ego is the size of Canada anyways. I don't expect you to apologize.
Soham: Apologize for what!?
Nikhil: (who was watching the whole thing) *ahem* Are you two coming in, or should I let you two stand here and fight all day?
Kunjal: Heck no!
Soham: Does it look like I want to stand out here all day!?
Kunjal: Shut up!
Soham: You shut up!
Sachin: *walks out as they go in arguing, shocked to see Soham* Who the hell was that?
Nikhil: That's your brother.
Sachin: *shocked* My who!?
Nikhil: Your brother! Are you deaf?
Sachin: No! My God! This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder!
Nikhil: What do you mean?
Sachin: Let's just say *loud crash in background* we've met before. Does that happen regularly though? Their arguing?
Nikhil: I have no clue.
Sachin: And I yet once again claim: My huge family is crazy.
Nikhil: I'm not going to deny that.
Teju: *walks out* Dada! The mechanic! Our brother!
Sachin: I know! I'm so confused and—
Teju: So you know?
Sachin: Haan, why?
Teju: It's time for HIM to get to know his little sister.
Sachin: Oh God. It's already begun.
Teju: Why is everyone out here anyways? Oh hey look it's—
Purvi: (who's coming in walking alongside Arjun) I'm pretty sure it's not the first time you've done something like that!
Arjun: How would you know? Like I said, I am perfectly responsible while driving.
Purvi: You know how many ways I could prove you not innocent of that?
Arjun: Like I care!
Teju: Nevermind.
Sachin: *looks at Nikhil* Does THIS happen regularly.
Nikhil: Yes, yes it does.
Teju: *groans* Great.
Sachin: And once AGAIN, I claim:
Teju & Nikhil: We know, we know. Your family's crazy.
****
April 30th, 2012: Deshmukh Residence, 10:00 p.m.
Manav: I'm so proud.
Kunjal: Of what uncle?
Manav: My family… it's a real family.
Kunjal: I'm not going to deny that.
Archana: Wow, Manav. It's been literally only a while, and Teju and Soham are already fighting.
Manav: Don't forget about Arjun and Purvi.
Riya: Oh, that's normal between the two, uncle. They fight at least 4 times on a daily basis.
Kunjal: It's true. I'm the one who has to sit around and listen to her keep venting at home.
Archana and Manav: *laugh*
Manav: See what I mean?
Archana: Well, they do have 21 years of arguing to catch up on…
Sachin: *groans* Great.
Riya, Kunjal , Archana, and Manav: *laugh*
____
Archana: Purvi! Purvi!
Purvi: Haan Aai?
Archana: You've gotten everything settled, na?
Purvi: Haan Aai, don't worry.
Archana: Okay.
Purvi: Hey Aai—
Archana: Hmm?
Purvi: They… all know? And are okay with… everything?
Archana: Haan, Purvi. You're everyone's little sister, remember?
Purvi: *smiles* Thanks Aai.
Archana: No. Thank you. *walks away slowly*
____
Arjun: Uncle? Nikhil and I are leaving now so—
Manav: *comes running* Wait! Don't go yet!
Arjun and Nikhil: *look at each other confused*
Manav: Guys, look. Before you go, I'm… sorry.
Arjun: About what?
Manav; About everything I did that day. To put it in words that make sense, let's just say that form a man's point of view, I was mad at my mom and the world and wasn't thinking. Oh, and from a logical point of view, I was hopeful of starting over but also guilty. You know I'm not great with expressing myself, sooo please tell me you understand, na?
Arjun: *smiles*
Nikhil: We do.
Manav: Let's start over, ha?
Nikhil: Right. Hey, I'm Nikhil Chopra. I'm Arjun's friend.*winks*
Manav: I'm Manav, his so called uncle.
Arjun, Manav and Nikhil: *all laugh as the guys leave*
____
-R: It was truly a day for starting over. The Deshmukh family got a start over. Nikhil and Arjun got a start over. Arjun and Purvi got a start over. Now, it make take time for Teju-Soham and Kunjal-Soham to come along. Looks like Soham's causing a lot of problems… *wink*
****
May 3rd, 2012: Mumbai, 7:30 a.m.
Hmm, the air was such of smog. The streets were crowded, the people were ordinary, and the day was gloomy. It might have seemed ordinary to anyone else, but not me. I'm just too good for that. In the streets, people walk around wearing the traditional Indian typical clothing, but not me. With my designer trench coat and jeans with a brand name shirt, I stood out from everyone else perfectly. And why did I notice these things? Like the fact that people here walked around with no meaning to their time? Well, it's my job. I'm trained to understand and comprehend every single last detail of life. But you know what? As an accomplished lawyer, I really don't have the time for this. Look out India, Lawyer Trishna D'Cruz is in town. And I'm not leaving until my job is done.
*****
May 3rd, 2012: Deshmukh Residence
Sachin: Baba!
Manav: Huh?
Sachin: You know how you were telling me that I should get back to cases soon?
Manav: Yes…
Sachin: Well, I have my first one in a week!
Manav: Amazing! I know you'll do great!
Archana: That's great, beta!
Purvi: *walks in* Kya hua?
Teju: Dada has his first case in India next week.
Purvi: That's great!
Teju: Hmmm… you sure Purvi? Dada's kind of out of shape. It's been a little more than 6 months since his last one…
Sachin: Tej.
Purvi: *smiles* I'm going to go to work now and—
Soham: *walks in* Not so fast little sister! Boring office work and your boss can wait. First, you have to eat breakfast.
Kunjal: Here, I already set the… huge table. Why don't we all eat together for once?
Sachin: I'll go get Seher.
___
Manav: Okay, so Purvi and I are off to work.
Soham: I'm going to the garage and I'll drop Seher on the way.
Sachin: I'm going to the law firm!
Archana: So that leaves me, Kunjal and Teju to stay home!
Kunjal: Or go shopping!
Teju: *walks in, sarcastically* Yay…
Kunjal: Come on, na Tej! It'll be fun!
Teju: Fine… Oh, here's the mail… Purvi this is yours, Baba this is your and Dada this is yours.
Archana: Okay, everyone. Bye!!!
****
May 3rd, 2012: ADK Industries, 9:00 a.m.
"…. so just know that I'll be waiting to hear your sweet, cheery voice. I'll be waiting to see your blinding smile. I'll be waiting to see your charismatic nature.
-SMR"
This, was my mail. And I was terrified. Who the heck was SMR? Why was he complementing me? Why was he waiting to see me? How did he know so much about me? Why don't I know him? How does he know my address? >>>…..
____
Riya: Arjun, have you seen that file? Or does Purvi have it?
Arjun: Purvi's here?
Riya: (who still wasn't used to her brother calling Purvi by her name) Haan. Why?
Arjun: I needed to go talk to her. I'll be right back.
Riya: Wait— *sighs* Don't forget about the file!
Oh, and you know how I couldn't understand anything before and kept suspecting Arjun? That's back again.
____
Arjun: Purvi, I— Purvi, you okay?
Purvi:…..
Arjun: Purvi!
Purvi: *jumps* Huh!?
Arjun: Are you okay?
Purvi: Haan, I'm—I'm fine. What happened?
Arjun: *hesitant* Nothing. What's that?
Purvi: This? It's a… shopping list.
Arjun: Oh. I was just coming to ask if you had that file but you seemed alarmed—
Purvi: I'm fine. I thought I forgot something.
Arjun: Okay. The file?
Purvi: Oh, here.
Arjun: Thanks. *smiles and walks away*
I technically wasn't fully lying.
*****
May 3rd, 2012: Deshmukh Residence, 2:00 p.m.
Archana: Kunjal? You coming in?
Kunjal: I'll be there. Let me make this call, ha? Here Tej, please take my bag.
Teju: Okay…
____
Kunjal: Mhhm. Mhhm. Mhhhm. K, thanks. Bye!
*turns back towards the house, drops phone*
Kunjal: Aap? Aur yahaan?
….: Don't worry.
Kunjal: Why? Last time you said that, it was—
…..: It was only temporary. I know. And it will be this time too.
Kunjal: *suddenly scared* But—you—how—
……: Don't worry. My target's not you. *runs off*
Kunjal: What!? Wait!
*****
May 3rd, 2012: Old Karanjkar Chawl, 3:00 p.m.
Siddarth: Bhaiya!
Viren: Huh?
Siddarth: We need to go see Parma today.
Viren: Oh, yeah. I forgot.
Siddarth: How's Seher and Soham?
Viren: They… moved.
Siddarth: Really?
Viren: Haan. I'll talk to Soham later when I see him though. He still comes by here to work on that old man's bike.
Siddarth: I'll be sure to catch him too. I need to know if Seher's safe…
Viren: Haan. Chale?
Siddarth: Haan, let's go see Parma.
****
May 3rd, 2012: Deshmukh Residence, 7:30 p.m.
*knock knock*
Purvi: I got it! *opens door* Oh! Hey! *smiles*
Riya: Hi, Purvi. Arjun's out on his phone. Again…
Purvi: That's fine. I still have to get used to you guys being home more often. Is Nikhil here too?
Riya: He's coming. Where's aunty? I have those vegetables she asked me to get on the way here.
Purvi: She's in the kitchen.
Riya: Okay.
Seher: *walks in* Arjun!
Arjun: Hey munchkin! What's up?
Seher: Nothing much. Entertaining myself.
Arjun: Well, now I'm here, so don't worry, ha? *smiles*
Seher: Right! Tai! Tai?
Purvi: *jumps* Huh?
Seher: You okay?
Purvi: Uh, yeah. I'm just really tired. Hey Arjun.
Arjun: Hey. You don't seem very tired.
Purvi: I don't know. I'm gonna help out in the kitchen.
Seher: Okay!
Arjun: Seher, what's wrong with Purvi?
Seher: *shrugs*
Arjun: It's okay… *confused*
Seher: All I know is that Kunjal Didi seemed the same way. Maybe everyone's just really tired.
Arjun: Hmmm. Right. Well, let's go over there.
Seher: Okay!
Why was everyone so worked up lately?
Precap: Nikhil coming to the Deshmukh house, Sachin's news to the guys, Arjun confronting Purvi again
Things to think about: Who is this new Trishna character? Who sent Purvi a letter complementing her? Who was talking to Kunjal? Who is Siddarth and Viren going to go see? What is Arjun going to do?
Thanks for reading guys!
Love,
Esha 😃
Marathi TV
