AbhiGya Fiction ~ Cross Connection - Completed pg 42 (chp. 25 + epil) - Page 9

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Chapter 9

Tanu was sitting in her hostel room applying nail-paint. Bul was sitting on her bed with a Mills & Boons in hand, but she wasn't reading, she was absently staring at it. Tanu frowned, Bul was changing. She wasn't as bubbly as she was even a week or so back. The girl who could chatter around non-stop and even make Tanu's brain go fuzzy, nowadays the same girl remained aloof thinking all the time - who knew what ate her? It would be wrong to say that Tanu wasn't concerned, unlike the behenji, Tanu was quite fond of her roomie Buls. But right now, her curiosity about Suresh's personal life, surpassed her concern for Buls. This was the right time, she could drop in the small question and if she knew better, Bul wouldn't even notice she asked her, she would just answer in monotony.

"Oyi Buls, you okay? You seem very lost" began Tanu.

"Huh? No...no I am fi-fine" she muttered in response.

"Acha woh Suresh, doesn't he have a girlfriend?" she put in as casually as she could. But it didn't help, Bul's head snapped up at the mention of Suresh. She looked at Tanu with an uncertain hope in her eyes, something Tanu couldn't quite place. Then she asked,

"Why do you ask Tanu? Does he look like he is in love?" Bulbul asked, she didn't notice Tanu's intention behind her question, she just wanted to know about Suresh - did others see his love for her? Did she only not notice?

Tanu looked at her face, well there was no teasing coming from her tonight, it was safe.

"I don't know yaar, he seems like someone who can hide his personal life, that makes people curious. Does he have a girlfriend? Have you ever asked him?"

Bulbul lowered her head in anguish, she wanted to tell Tanu that Suresh did have a girlfriend, and a soon to be fianc too - but she remembered that Suresh wanted to hide the news, it hurt her, but she kept quite. Then an idea struck her,

"I don't know Tanu, but I can ask though" Bulbul wanted to know her worth in Suresh's life, her asking would have made Suresh feel she was immature, she didn't want that tag anymore - but Suresh seemed okay with Tanu, however she is, so she decided she could ask this question and say Tanu wanted to know - she and Tanu would both get their answers then. She cheered up a bit.

Tanu smiled, her plan had worked, she would soon know.

***

Abhi was waiting outside the apartment ringing the doorbell for five minutes now. He kept waiting, no one answered the door, he was a bit irritated now, the message was delivered all right, and then what was cooking? He waited for another fifteen minutes and then left the place in blatant irritation.

When he reached the multiplex, he saw that all of them had reached already, they were waiting for him. He eyed her with coldness, and she looked away - her indifference stung. Abhi ignored her and went ahead to chat up with Neil and Aalu. Aalu looked a bit disturbed though, he wondered why.

When they entered the seats row in the screening room, Abhi noticed Pragya jovially chatting with both Suresh and Purab, she paid him no heed. Tanu's eyes were obviously on Suresh's movements, but he had had enough - he saw Purab taking the corner most seat inside, of their row. Suresh followed him. Tanu was about to follow Suresh, but Abhi held on to her hand and gave her a hard look. Tanu obviously didn't want to be too conspicuous so she kept mum and waited with Abhi. But in Abhi's attempt to keep Tanu from Suresh, he realized, he gave a free pass to chashmish to glide in next to Suresh. An angry puff escaped his lip, and before anybody could walk in next, he did, still clutching on to Tanu's hand. After them Neil and Ali followed.

All wasn't lost, thought Abhi. Pragya and Tanu, both were on his either sides. Well the bummer was Pragya had Suresh by her other side too.

The movie began, Tanu let out a bored sigh, she wasn't interested in these movies, her object of interest wasn't near her and being stuck between psychotic Ali and her brother Abhi wasn't exactly going to help her case - especially when Abhi looked annoyed for some reason and Ali looked disturbed.

Abhi was slowly starting to forget his irritation as the title of the movie started rolling on the screen, but a slight movement on Pragya's side made him turn towards her - she was comfortably bending towards Suresh's side of the seat handle. Suresh felt it to, he turned around with a grin,

"Like old times huh Puggy?" he laughed and put his arm casually around her. She didn't flinch away or anything - in fact she was very comfortable, and together after exchanging a smile, they looked at the screen.

Abhi didn't know why he felt the need to break a few things right then. PUGGY!?!? PUG?? Really?

As it is he was having a tough time ignoring their closeness and concentrating in the movie, but within the first fifteen minutes he could hear soft and light snores coming from Tanu's side! It pissed him more. He was watching the movie, but his focus had gone for a toss - occasionally chashmish and Suresh would discuss something about the plot of the movie - of course, for that they needed to get even closer! Suddenly he heard them giggling - obviously some insider joke - but Abhi could take it anymore, he carefully placed a hand on Pragya's shoulder, the part where Suresh wasn't "touching" and pulled her towards him, a startled Pragya fell over his side and grabbed his hand for balance, he smiled internally - much better - then she looked at him with one eyebrow raised, questioning him for his action.

Abhi's irritation was back. "Why did you not reply when you weren't going to wait for me to come and pick you?" he asked all jittery.

Pragya stared at him in blank incomprehension at first, then understanding dawned, "I think you made a mistake in the side - Tanu on the other side" she replied quietly and was turning away. Abhi grabbed her elbow; he wasn't letting it off so easily.

"I am talking to the right person! I had texted you, not Tanu." He replied through gritted teeth.

"When did you text me? I didn't ---" then she produced her phone from her purse to check. Sure enough there was an unread text message in her inbox from Abhi. Oh - she exclaimed, this was the one she didn't read, assuming it was Purab's. She opened it.

6:03p.m. [Hi, I am sorry about last night. I want to sort this - without getting all worked up. Can I come and pick you up for the movie? We will get time to talk then. I know you are angry - so if you really don't want me to pick you, text back a reply. If I don't get a reply, it means you've given consent.]

She gasped, then she turned automatically to look at Abhi, with an apologetic expression.

"Did you go home to get me?" she asked softly, her tone helped in bringing down her anger considerably.

"Yes, I rang the doorbell for fifteen minutes." He replied.

"I am so sorry Abhi, I missed this text completely" she replied in concern.

"It's fine. And I am sorry too. Both about last Friday and yesterday." Abhi managed to revert. She smiled in reply, and then turned to watch the movie. Abhi smiled too, for the first time in a few days, he was feeling light.

After the movie Abhi had decided to have a word with Tanu, so he told her personally to keep herself available - Tanu agreed reluctantly. She neither wanted to crate a doubt in Suresh's mind, nor did she dare goof around right before Purab.

Pragya was hopeful, she had Abhi were in a common space after a very long time, and in all likelihood the space was not just that of acquaintances - true they weren't buddies, but they were slightly more comfortable in each other's company. She almost smiled at the thought when Abhi came to where she stood with Purab, and told them, he was not going to join them any further, as he and Tanu were doing dinner together. As he left, Pragya let out a sigh, that didn't go unnoticed by Purab.

***

Neil was noticing Ali, he wasn't quite okay, he tried asking him, but Ali avoided the topic. He thought it would pass, but Neil was wrong - Ali didn't even watch the movie properly, he was lost in his own world.

"Hey mate, wanna race down?" asked Neil cheerfully.

"No man, some other time" he replied with a sigh.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong? This isn't solving on it's own I hope you can see it to mate" offered Neil cautiously.

"Let's go to the football field" replied Ali in instinct.

Neil had every desire to reject the idea, what was the point of driving all the way to their practice field at this hour? But clearly Ali was very disturbed, maybe he needed space? Like literally? Or fresh air?

"Lets go!" replied Neil with a smile.

***

Bulbul was hanging out with her childhood best friend Purvi. They were catching up for dinner. After a long long time, she was feeling better, because she was behaving like her ownself - Poo would never judge her.

"Hey Poo what do you want to eat? Let's order pizza? Thin crust? Oh Poo it's so good to catch up! Poo is there a new guys there? I saw you blushing while texting! I think I will not have pizza, let's order pasta? Oh Poo it feels so great to be meee" she sang. Purvi laughed, her friend hadn't changed at all. Though Bulbul was a year older than Purvi, she was always the immature one!

"How's Mr. Soulmate doing? I heard from Pragya di that he wants to keep your thing in hush hush? Why did you allow Bulbul?" she asked curiously. After a long time Bulbul felt like she could share her thoughts with someone - she told Purvi all her troubles and soon Purvi was frowning.

"Yaar Bulbul I think it's okay for Suresh to take time. After all you guys were really young when the soul-mate thing got stuck in your head nah. Its okay if Suresh has grown out of it - maybe he came here to give it a fresh shot? It may be slow, but from where I see it, that is not the problem you should be worried about - your threat is that senior who joined you both for dinner - your roomie - I am absolutely sure she has the hots for your Surry" Bulbul laughed in disbelief, Poo was such a kid, after all her worries and tension, she found this one to be an issue? She laughed and turned her head, only to notice the pair of people sitting a little far from them - it was Tanu and Abhi. She smiled. "Look Poo, my potential threat is on a date with Abhi. I told you nah, she was just innocently curious! Now you're happy?"

Purvi looked thoughtful. "Why don't you text Suresh and ask him what Tanu wants to know - see his answer - you will have an answer too." Bulbul's eyes shone at that, it was a good idea.

9:39p.m. [Hi, Tanu was asking this - if you have a girlfriend - what should I reply?]

9:42p.m. [Tell her I am single.]

Bulbul's smile faltered, "See, I told you. He wanted to keep us in the warp, this would be his answer"

"Or maybe he doesn't want Tanu to not know he is taken - can be either ways" Purvi shrugged. Bulbul stared at her in disappointment for a moment - but tonight was hers - after a long time she was herself, nothing was going to dampen her mood tonight. A dimple appeared on her face.

"Poo let's go to scoops for ice-cream after this? Please please please? What flavour will you have? Poo you have out on sooo much weight!! Have you had a chance to hang out with di? Let's book the train tickets together for going home for the summer vacation what say? Ei Poo, imagine we just have twelve more days for exams! I am shit scared!"

The rest of the evening passed happily as Bulbul found a small escape to be herself for the night.

***

Abhi was eating his food and looking at a reluctant Tanu - she was never this bad with him - it bothered him. "Is there something you want to tell me Tanu?" she looked up startled, "Huh, no Abhi, what are you talking about" she stuttered. Abhi decided to be honest about it.

"I think you have developed a thing for Suresh, is it true? You know you can be honest with me Tanu" he shrugged.

Tanu looked at Abhi, she didn't know what was the right answer, a part of her wanted to own up to this and clear off her equation with Abhi - but a tiny voice inside her asked her to wait - wait till Buls gave her the news, what if Suresh did have a girl friend? She would then lose out on both of them - that would be sad. The wiser thing to do was, wait and keep Abhi in the dark, until Buls gave her news.

"Abhi are you mad? I was just trying to make him comfortable in class you know - he is Pragya's friend and we like it or not, she is a part of the group nah? But why do you ask? Jealous huh?" she fluttered her eyes suggestively and Abhi gave a coy smile and breathed in relief - no competition here.

***

Suresh, Pragya and Purab were having dinner together, after a long time she was having fun, she was comfortable around both Suresh and Purab - maybe this was how being with friends felt like - relaxed, casual, fun and warm - she never felt these with her so called group. She smiled warmly seeing Purab and Suresh enthusiastically debate ManU vs. Chelsea. Maybe this was it - her group.