“Madness melts in bliss”
when she hung up the phone abruptly after giving her Dad an impassioned speech
Pawan called her too
“I cannot give up my friends, I cannot learn more fluent Punjabi and Hindi, I am tired of the restrictions you placed on me”
He asked her why she didnt come out with it?
“Because I lacked the confidence to say anything. I am insecure and anxious and have low self esteem” she said calmly
“You have caused great deal of hurt and humiliation to me and my family, come back soon so we can forget this all and get married”
“Nahi hoga Pawan... I am in love with the man I am living with...” she began to weep
“I understand all that, but its important that you return fast”
“No, you don’t I have not taken even one decision of my adult life by myself, my mother has always run over me with truck”
“Your mother loves you she is smart and...”
“Beautiful?” she asked bitterly
“Oh no... oh no... you dont make this about me” “You have no right” Pawan shouted
“You are always gushing, she is always hovering over me, following me, in front of me” Shubhra argued
“You are lucky, so many parents dont even care”
“Oh she cares... she cares so much she brought you for me”
“I am good looking... way... good looking, smart and wealthy”
Tapan was talking to his people in Delhi and the security agency
“Thanks for insulting me Pawan, why do you even want to get married to me?”
“Its been decided”
“No nothing is decided, roka is this sunday and I dont wnat it”
“You went away with a man you hardly know”
“Ive known him a year and half, he is decent and kind, and makes me laugh, and is vulnerable and... you know what? “He has offered to return to Delhi after we get married” she was moved again
“Arey kaam vaam nahi hoga yaar uske paas”
“You are arrogant and selfish, and you are so self absorbed you dont even hear the fact that I am no longer interested”
Her brothers were calling back to back as news had finally traveled to Australia and Singapore
She had never caused her family so much confusion ever before
She was jittery and upset about the whole thing now
What was she thinking...
She did not have an atom of courage to face her mother who was definitely going to chew her up
She texted her brothers saying she would call them both back and texted her friends to let them know what she had been upto, all three would be shocked (though they were some what aware of her reckless behavior)
they didnt know about the navel ring or the giftbow tattoo she had gotten over her lower abdomen a week before heading out to the US as a prank
She thought it would be a fitting “gift” (pun intended) for Pawan Monga on wedding night
But Tapan had found it (more on that later...)that night when they had given in to their 1.5 year old hunger
When she went out of the room
"Main keh raha hoon tumse yaar” Tapan was agitated
“I cant not call him” she argued
“Tumhe pata hai wahan kya hua hai?”
“Nahi” she shook hera head innocently
“Your Dad... hired some guy to rear end Jeeju’s car, ist totaled now” he said between gritting his teeth
“OHMG” she clasped her mouth in horror “Did the guy say he was paid by my Dad”
“Tumhe abhi bhi vishwas nahi hai?”
“Nahi Tapan... main yaha involved hoon, I am shocked he would do that”
“He sent my parents packing... what do u think?” he challenged
She cringed
They both avoided each other for the next couple hours
He left home to go to work
There was no easy way to address Manik’s doings and get over, healing was an all different story
Now they were just singing their fingers in that fire and running away as fast as possible and blowing on it
If their relationship hast to last then it has to have the courage to address the crimes
When he returned she had fixed dinner, basic italian pasta with a sauce from a jar and salad, and baked frozen cookie dough
“I did a load of laundry, I could not open the dryer, it asked for a code, from your phone”
“Oh” he released the door remotely
“I have to start packing”
“Idhar aao” he invited
“Tapan main ek din mein ja rahi hoon...” she muttered swallowed tears... “If it all crashes and burns... I hope, you”
“Ruko.. ruko... kya hua?” he growled
“I mean... this is all such a mess, tumne sahi kaha tha”
There can be no happiness, there was too much sordid history and death that would chase them the rest of their life
“Khaan kha loon?” he asked his eyes like glass chips
They ate quietly
“I like the dressing” he licked the fork
“Tumhare paas sirf dahi waala tha” she smiled
“Oh yeah.. p...” he stopped
“Yeah princess hates dahi” she nodded
It was the first angry/passionate nickname he had given her, she would carry it with her
“Pawan ne kya kaha?” he growled
“I told him he was too controlling”
“Nice” he smiled in appreciation
“Tumhe lagta hai main lad nahi sakti?”
“Bilqul nahi, jaanta hoon... kitna chilla sakti ho tum, jaise toofan ki tarah ghusi mere friend ke travel agency ke andar CP mein” he laughed
She looked up at him in awe
“yaad hai tumhe”
“Chup chaap khao” he ordered guessing why she was being so fatalistic
“tapann”
“Ab kya hua?” he asked piercingly
“My flight is at 3 PM on Saturday”
He ate quietly
“Tapannn”
“Main ladne ke mood mein bilqul nahi hoon yaar, khaate hain... “
“tapannn” she pleaded
He looked up
They just stared at each other soulfully
“Khaana achha bana hai” he said quietly
“Oh?” she blushed at his casually thrown compliment
Cricket
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
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