Chapter 10 - The Changing Camaraderie
Sunday Morning
Anokhi was sitting at the dining table, eating her breakfast simultaneously browsing and applying to various internships. The previous night, Reema had called her to convince or rather force her to go shopping for the freshers' party. They had taken Kabir on the conference call, and he was too up for the plan.
Anokhi had to finally give in to their demands and they planned to meet her at home at 10 a.m. So, she had woken up early to complete some pending chores and feed her details and resume in the app for her to apply whenever she gets some time.
She was halfway through her breakfast when she heard loud thumping sounds coming from across the hall. Furrowing her brows, she opened the gate and found Ahir screaming at the top of his voice while banging the door.
"Ahir?"
Ahir turned, his brows crinkled in irritation "Hii Anokhi, sorry maine disturb kar diya?"
"Nahi...lekin aap aise...I mean.." She stuttered, confused.
Ahir understood and went to her, complaining "Yar 10 minute se ghanti baja raha hu, yeh Shaurya darwaza hi nahi khol raha hai. Phone kar raha hu toh phone bhi nahi utha raha.". He sighed, clearly annoyed, turning back to look at the door.
Anokhi checked the time on her watch. It showed 9:30 a.m. She shook her head directing her eyes to Ahir's face "Koi fayda nahi hai. Vo darwaza nahi kholenge. Abhi unki Good morning nahi hui hai"
Ahir narrowed his eyes in confusion"Matlab"
Anokhi chuckled "Aaj Sunday hai, vo aaj apne pure hafte ki neend puri karte hai. In fact, ab toh dhoodh wala bhi packets directly mujhe dekar jata hai. 12 baje se pehle vo darwaza nahi khulega. Isliye aap baad mei aayiega"
Ahir's anger amplified and he growled "Aree. Aise kaise nahi uthega? Humne bahar jaane ka plan bnaya tha. Mai ise uthakar rahunga.". He turned around to break the door open when Anokhi held his arm, stopping him.
"Arre. Arre. Ek second. Darwaza matt todiye."
She went inside her home and came back within a few seconds"Yeh lijiye". She handed him a key while Ahir just stared at her perplexed.
"Spare key hai. Aastha aunty ne kaha tha ki hum dono ke paas ek dusre ke ghar ki chaabi honi chahiye....just in case kuch emergency ho jae toh.". Anokhi explained, hiding the incident that had led to this exchange i.e., the first day of college.
Ahir nodded, heaving a breath of relief "Thank you yar."
He strode towards Shaurya's flat and Anokhi too followed him closely while holding the milk packets. He opened the door and they found Shaurya sprawled on his couch with his laptop resting on his stomach, some registers and notebooks on the table, and a few opened packets of chips and biscuits scattered on the floor.
"Kumbhkaran" Ahir muttered, gritting his teeth in annoyance.
Anokhi controlled her chuckle and went to the kitchen, carefully placing the packets on the slab. She watched as Ahir shifted the laptop to the table and then started shaking Shaurya ordering him to wake up.
"Oye! Shaurya ...Uth!"
After a lot of attempts, Shaurya finally responded turning the other side "Sone de na.."
Ahir took a deep breath and yelled "Maine tujhe kal hi kaha tha ki aaj kuch bhi ho jae tu mujhe time par ready chahiye. Lekin nahi. Meri baton ki toh koi kadar hi nahi hai."
Shaurya tugged the cushion from beneath him, throwing it at Ahir's face "Chup kar yaar! Sone de. Subah subah bhashan de raha hai".
Ahir caught the cushion on time. Biting his lips, his eyes blazing fire, he was about to throw the cushion back at Shaurya when Anokhi gestured him to stop.
Ahir furrowed his brows as Anokhi pulled out her phone and started talking on it without dialing the number "Hello Aastha aunty! Good morning. Kaise ho aap?" .
She glanced at Shaurya but no response. Ahir looked at her as if she has gone mad and started pulling Shaurya by his arm, in return earning resistance from him. He was surprisingly strong.
Anokhi then started talking a bit loudly "Kya? Shaurya phone nahi utha raha?. Aastha aunty aap..."
Shaurya suddenly jerked upright listening to Aastha's name "Maa?" At the same time, Ahir too pulled him with full force and both landed on the floor with a thud with Shaurya on top of Ahir.
"Ahhh! SHAURYA!" Ahir screamed at the top of his voice while Shaurya groaned in pain. "Ughh! Tu pagal hai? Itni tez kon kheechta hai?"
Anokhi clamped her mouth at the sight, her eyes widen. A second later, she started laughing aloud holding her stomach.
Ahir tried to move and shouted "Ab uthega mere upar se!?"
Shaurya glared at him, his chin resting on Ahir's chest. They were throwing daggers at each other, both for different reasons.
Just then they heard a *click* sound and a flash went off. Their eyes snapped up to Anokhi, who was still laughing, continuously clicking their pictures. "Oh god! This is THE PERFECT MOMENT. "
"Anokhi kya tum bhi..?" Ahir exclaimed irritably. Both then stood up, frowning at her with their hands on their hips.
Anokhi pursed her lips, quietly kept the phone in her pocket, and started to walk past them when Shaurya pulled her back.
He then forwarded his hand asking for her phone. Anokhi gaped at him, shocked and denied shaking her head. Shaurya raised his brows asking for it again but Anokhi stared at him with the same intensity and said "Not a chance"
A second later, both were running around the hall with Shaurya chasing Anokhi whereas Ahir shook his head, facepalming at their childishness.
"Anokhi phone do.." Shaurya ordered running behind her in the kitchen
"Nahi dungi.." Anokhi clucked her tongue out laughing and then ran away to the dining area.
"Acha matt do..lekin delete those pictures right now" Shaurya stopped, standing at one side of the dining table while Anokhi stood on the other.
"Nahi, bilkul nahi! Aise nazare roz dekhne ko nahi milte" said Anokhi and ran towards Ahir, hiding behind him.
"Anokhi..." Shaurya warned.
"Shaurya.." She said in the same tone. Ahir chuckled but stopped seeing Shaurya's anger who then gestured him to move aside. Ahir passed an apologetic look to Anokhi who looked at him, shocked.
He moved away and Shaurya almost pounced on Anokhi causing her to lose balance and in an attempt to save her, Shaurya gripped her waist but he too lost his foot causing them to land on the couch with Shaurya on top of her.
His one hand was beneath her clasping her waist while he transferred his weight on the other keeping him in place from falling on her.
Anokhi, on the other hand, had her eyes closed tightly due to the sudden fall but when she felt a warm breath on her face, she opened them slowly, straight away looking into his eyes.
Both just stared at each other, forgetting about the phone that had fallen from her hands during the fall. Anokhi gulped seeing the intensity in his eyes while Shaurya's gaze involuntarily followed the movement of her throat moving up and down which then travelled and rested on her lips.
*Cough* *Cough* Ahir cleared his throat making Shuarya snapback from the reverie and he immediately stood up, helping Anokhi as well. She straightened her top and grabbed her phone instantly, hiding it behind her back. Shaurya noticed this and an idea clicked his mind.
"Tumne jhooth kaha tha? Maa se baat karne ka natak kiya tha?" Shaurya asked in an impassive tone. Anokhi turned blank at his sudden serious expression while Ahir stood there, confused.
Shaurya smirked seeing Anokhi's guilty face and he was about to snatch the phone from her when Ahir spoke up.
"Toh orr kya karti vo? Kumbhkaran ki tarah so raha tha tu. Uthne ka naam hi nahi le raha tha. Bas nagaade bajana reh gya tha." He quickly defended her.
Shaurya bites the insides of his cheek, annoyed at the interruption, and raised his finger to give Ahir some piece of his anger when they heard a knock on the door "Anokhi?"
Anokhi who was now standing with her eyes lowered finally looked up and found her 2 friends standing at the doorstep, confused.
Her lips curved in a smile "Reema, Kabir...shukar hai mata rani ka...bachh gy." She muttered and went to them "Tum dono aagye. Muje bas 2 minute dena..mai change karke aati hu." And she ran away without waiting for their reply.
Ahir and Shaurya just kept on looking at what just happened. They then exchanged smiles and greetings with the 2 guests and Shaurya started cleaning the mess, angry at having his plan failed.
Reema and Kabir just stood there not knowing what to do or where to go.
Ahir sensed their awkwardness and tried making a conversation"Vaise tum log kahan jaa rahe ho?"
Reema smiled, replying "Freshers party ki shopping karne."
"Aree. Kya baat hai! Hum bhi vahi jaa rahe the.." Ahir said grinning while Reema scrunched her brows in amusement "Shopping?"
"Han kyu? Ladke shopping nahi kar sakte?" Ahir became a little defensive and Kabir too crossed his arms staring at Reema. "Han jawab de"
"Kar sakte hai na...mai toh bas aise hi. Hum log toh Sarojini market jaa rahe hai. Aapne chalna hai toh saath chal sakte ho." Reema suggested with a smile and Kabir too nodded agreeing with her.
Ahir was surprised by this idea. He turned to Shaurya and asked "Bol bhai! Kya kare? Chale inke saath?"
Shaurya was still irritated with his sleep-deprived state. He picked his towel to take a shower "Neend toh meri kharab kar hi chuka hai. Ab kya puch raha hai muje?Jo karna hai kar." And the bathroom door was closed with a thud.
Ahir shook his head at his cranky mood. Quite scared of handling him alone, he agreed "Hum chalte hai tumhare saath"
***
The next half hour went away in discussing the seating arrangements and planning the particular stores to visit. Boys had no clue about it, and the same was the case with Anokhi. But Reema being a Delhiite knew all the routes and best and cheap places to shop.
In between Shaurya kept glaring at Anokhi while she kept averting her eyes. In the end, it was settled that Reema would accompany Kabir on his bike while Ahir, Shaurya, and Anokhi would travel by cab.
To Anokhi's shock, Ahir sat in front making her stuck with Shaurya in the back seat. Just the opportunity that Shaurya wanted.
Before he could say anything, Anokhi apologized "I'm sorry! Aage se aisa kabhi nahi hoga...pakka! Please gussa matt karna..."
Ahir too joined in"Han Shaurya chorr na uss baat ko. Khatam kar."
Shaurya looked at Anokhi who had her lips curved in a cute small pout. He was amused that she took him so seriously.
Taking a deep breath, he too masked a serious tone "Okay fine! Lekin agli baar se Maa ke naam par koi mazak nahi"
The pout turned into a smile and Anokhi nodded "Han. Okay! Mai dhyaan rakhungi" Shaurya smiled back and Ahir too grinned, relieved that he was safe.
"Ab pictures delete karo." Shaurya said getting a hold of her phone that was lying on her lap.
"I'm sorry, vo toh nahi hoga" said Anokhi, grinning, showing him the password protected screen to which Shaurya scowled in annoyance.
***
Sarojini Nagar market was considered a heaven for girls, famous for a roadside flea market with top to local brands, its collections were unlimited. Price ranged from as low as Rs.50 to as high as you want. The whole area was divided into sections of stores, malls, and street food.
The moment they stepped into the market, Ahir, Kabir, and Shaurya were shocked to see the crowd of girls. It was like the whole of Delhi has chosen this day to visit the market.
Reema laughed at their expressions informing them that this was a regular affair at Sarojini Nagar, shocking them more. Anokhi, on the other hand, was surprised and happy to see the price tags.
They then decided to separate into 2 groups. Reema dropped the guys at the stores of men's collections and dragged Anokhi to the women's collections. Anokhi was still reluctant to shop for just a party, especially after she saw the store's variety.
Because the more she browsed through it, the shorter the dress got in length. Reema facepalmed seeing the fuss she was making and moved her aside taking the task in her hand.
An hour later, Reema finalized the dress for herself but she was confused for Anokhi. The same dress was available in two colors making it difficult for her to chose one.
Anokhi was getting irritated "Reema koi bhi le lena. Please jaldi kar"
"Hello. Humari shopping hogy hai. What about you?" Shaurya asked Anokhi on call making her angrier
"Han bas ho hi gya" she replied calmly.
"Okay! Hum bahar wait kar rahe hai"
Hanging up the call, Anokhi crossed her arms, annoyed, staring at Reema who was busy in contemplating on the dress color. She was totally ignoring Anokhi after her constant excuses, and Anokhi would have almost run away from there if Reema hadn't threatened her of making her sit with Kabir for a whole one week.
In the meantime, Shaurya, Ahir, and Kabir were munching on chaat-papdi and gol-gappe. It didn't take them much time to choose their outfits. They had selected different styles and colors, but they were least bothered about it. They were just happy for getting done with the shopping work.
"Humne galti toh nahi kardi ladkiyo ke saath shopping par aakar?" Kabir asked stuffing a piece of momos in his mouth.
Ahir and Shaurya passed each other a serious look and nodded "Han, Shayad"
"Par jo bhi kaho, yahan ke nazare bohat ache hai." Kabir exclaimed looking at the young crowd. Ahir nodded laughing while Shaurya just shook his head smiling, concentrating on the plate of momos.
After half an hour, Shaurya called them again.
Anokhi was infuriated "Aap isi se baat karlo" she handed the phone to Reema.
"Hello. Reema kitni der yaar?"
"Bas ho hi gya"
"Aadhe ghanta pehle bhi tumne yahi kaha tha" Shaurya said looking at the time.
Reema sighed, staring at Anokhi "Ab mai kya karu? Yeh Anokhi kisi kaam ki nahi hai. Isi ke liye dress choose kar rahi hu. Lekin color samjh hi nahi aa raha" Anokhi gritted her teeth in response.
Shaurya massaged his temples and asked, "Kya options hai?"
"One is silver and the other one is black" Anokhi heard this conversation confused. Why is she asking Shaurya?.. Oh! I'm a fool. Of course! Who else is she gonna ask then? Everyone has seen his dressing sense. It was no secret.
After a brief second of thought, Shaurya said "Black bohat common hogya hai. Choose the silver one. These kinds of light colors suit her more". Ahir and Kabir who were having snow-cones at that time, suddenly looked up at Shaurya, their eyes widen.
Reema glanced at Anokhi who was dressed in a white patiala suit with a blue dupatta. She smiled nodding "Sahi kaha aapne. Thank you. Hum bas 5 minute mei aa rahe hai"
"Haa please! Jaldi." He hung up the call and turned to find Ahir and Kabir staring at him with an amused smirk. He narrowed his eyes to ask what's the matter but they just shrugged in response.
Reema bought the outfits and Anokhi thanked Mata rani once they were out of the store. When they exited, they saw the guys holding plates of chaat and momos for them, while Kabir bought them some chilled juices. The girls thanked them and handed them the bags till they filled up on the street food.
After having the spicy aloo- tikki, Anokhi bought herself a bar of chocolate. Tearing up the wrapper, she offered it to everybody but they declined since they just had their fill on snow cones. But when she offered it to Shaurya, his eyes screamed a "Yes" but his hands were full of bags of clothes and some stuff that he had bought for his flat. So he denied shaking his head.
Anokhi understood his frustration because during these days she has come to know that he was a foodie. He couldn't deny food under any circumstance. So, she broke a piece of it, offering it to him.
Shaurya was surprised but then he smiled and happily accepted it as Anokhi stuffed it in his mouth. Whereas, others kept walking unaware of the happenings behind their back.
The group was basically roaming aimlessly in the market and Reema was stopping at almost every store to check out stuff. The guys were enjoying this at first but then after some time, they started to get annoyed as well. Anokhi passed them a knowing smile as she has gone through the same thing in the store.
Kabir planned to somehow drag Reema out of the place and was successful after 5 attempts. If it weren't for the time, she would have bought the whole market.
Since it was 5 p.m. already and the party was to start at 7, Reema went to Anokhi's home to get ready whereas Kabir decided to join Ahir at Shaurya's flat.
***
I hope you enjoyed reading it.
Please do leave behind your feedback.
Silent readers, please do share your thoughts . ❤❤
***
Chapter 11 -Pg 35
Link
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/158296937
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Edited by tanieg0911 - 4 years ago
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