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Nahinnn

PART 49 B

11: 40 AM, Shivneri Nagar, April 30^th, Saturday

Khanak (suddenly self conscious) What are YOU doing here? (confused)

He arches his eyebrows,and looks at her dryly "Why do you think?"

Khanak: on a Saturday morning? (stands by the door and continues the argument)

He leans on the door jamb, tucks his hands in his pockets and readies for it like he has all the time in the world "You don't see visitors on a Sat morning?" (mocks)

Checks her out'''

Khanak: Bus aise dikhti hoon main roz subah (saccharine smile) Having second thoughts?

Shaan: Not at all! (softly)

He pauses on the mole under her collar bone.

Khanak: Do you want to come in?

Shaan: Nope! The hallway is good! (laughing under his breath)

Asha's voice pleads "Pyaasi hoon main pyaasi rehne do" just as their eyes connect.

He seems taller than the 5'8" in his tennis shoes, she feels shorter than the 5'.

He is showered, shaved, smells like a cologne, squeaky clean, his jaw is green, the twin creases on his cheek pronounced as he tries to hold his amusement.

She feels like a slob, unkempt and messy.

Shaan: I am going to be accused of cradle robbing! (in her ear, she shuts her eyes when his face is by her ear)

Khanak: You should be! (unsteady)

Ritu walks out from the bedroom, "Arrey tum Shaan? Itni subah? But I am sure Khanak is thrilled" (nudges her)

Khanak: Hmmmpff! (steps away)

Shaan: Thrilled is not the word for it! (referring to the private exchange a minute ago).

He straightens, walks in casually. There is stuff every where, shopping bags, newspapers, clothes, books, CDs... Khanak has gone into the kitchen, to lower the heat, on the stove and...

Ritu: Don't mind haan! Jisko under dressed hona chahiye who space suit mein hai, aur main aise! (sheepish, looking down at her shorts and tee)

Khanak brings water and sets it on the 4 inches of space on the coffee table, as she bends down, she can feel his eyes on her neckline.

Shaan: The space suit is not bad at all! (leaning on the wall by the window, as there is no room to sit)

Khanak coolly walks into the bedroom and picks out the burgundy cotton supatta and swathes herself in it, looks at the mirror and winks, before stepping out.

Ritu: Achha sun, I am going to go take a shower, I am going to Mamiji's

Khanak: Kyon? (her heart sprints at Olympic speed) Ghar kaun clean karega? Kahin nahi ja rahi ho tum.

Ritu: Samjha kar yaar

Khanak Busy chopping curry leaves in the kitchen " Kyon?"

Ritu: Mamiji is inviting a guy, SOME GUY for lunch Ahem! (winks)

Khanak looks at her in shock, she signals her that Shaan is in the room and if she should be sharing such private news publicly.

Ritu: Don't be silly (whispers) Its OK

Shaan is checking messages on the phone, looking out the window every few minutes.

Khanak: Why do I feel you made that up in the last 5 minutes?

Ritu: (dialing) Yeh le phir talk to Mamiji.

Khanak: No! (softly)

She busies herself making poha,

Ritu: Off to take a shower.

Microwaves some peanuts, when she senses him enter the 5*10 kitchen, stands by the gas, watches her do one task after another. Being quiet is her forte so it does not bother her. He is learning the art also, he just observes. She bends down to get a serving bowl from the shelf under neath the granite counter, her dupatta falls off one shoulder, he drapes it, back chastely.

Shaan: If that's not good enough, I can wrap you in it! (mocks)😆

Khanak: Oh! This is just PERFECT! (smiles)😃

Silence

Khanak: aap khaayenge? (softly)

Shaan: Sure! (simple, "Yes"s and "No" s)

He reaches for a spoon by the side of the serving bowl, his forearm grazes her bare arm.

She drops the serving spoon with a clutter.

Khanak: you need to be in the living room (whines)

Shaan: There is no room to sit! (complains back)

Khanak: this kitchen is tiny!

Shaan: Seems fine to me! (stops her from picking up the filled serving bowl, by placing a hand on her left hand, she sets the bowl back on the counter, and withdraws her hand, his hand is still holding hers, thumb on the ring)

Shaan: I want to taste some first! ( scoops some with the spoon in his left hand)

Khanak watches the food travel from spoon to mouth. Waits in anticipation'.

Shaan: Delicious! Khanak...Looks like you've heard of the "the way to a man's heart,..."(mocking)

Khanak: Oh! I just strive to get to his bed! (casual, without blinking an eyelid, sassy, feisty)😉

She feels the grip tighten on her left hand, and the smile wiped off his face to be replaced with something very disturbing.

Aditee,