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UNDER THE SKY LANTERNS - PART 32
An original story by Archana Vinod
At that point of time, Roli was all prepared to spill out the beans, but now... no!
Maybe I should just wait a bit longer, she thinks; after all, I'm not really sure what Atul is up to. I'm not even sure where this is all headed to. Might as well find out this evening... Yeah, right, I think he likes me; he does seem a bit too friendly as well. But...
Siddhant knocks her gently on the forehead and startles her.
SIDDHANT: Hello? Anyone home?
ROLI: (rubs her forehead) Oww...
SIDDHANT: So. Tell me.
ROLI: (tries to play innocent) What?
SIDDHANT: You were going to tell me something.
He pulls off his blazer from the chair and puts it on.
ROLI: What?
SIDDHANT: What what'?
ROLI: Huh?
Siddhant just looks at her for a moment. Then...
SIDDHANT: Are you in love?
BOING! That just knocks the senses out of Roli. What did he just say now?
ROLI: (tensed) What? W-what do you mean?
SIDDHANT: I asked Are you in love'? How difficult is that?
ROLI: No! Why?
SIDDHANT: Just asking. Typical symptoms you know...
ROLI: (tries to hide her nervousness) What symptoms?
SIDDHANT: (in a casual tone) Oh you know... the usual... being lost... acting dumb... the inability to understand et cetera et cetera...
ROLI: That tho even you are like that sometimes. So which means you are in love too.
He just laughs.
ROLI: (grins) So tell me. Who is it? Huh? Come on. Tell-me-tell-me!
SIDDHANT: (buttons up his blazer and smirks) Nice try. But don't change the topic. Now answer the question. What were you trying to tell me before?
ROLI: Uffoh! What? I don't remember! When I do I'll tell you about it!
SIDDHANT: Whatever... How old are you by the way?
ROLI: Why?
SIDDHANT: Just tell me.
ROLI: You're not supposed to ask a girl about her age.
SIDDHANT: I understand. But you're not a girl, right?
ROLI: Phir kya? Do I look like an alien to you?
SIDDHANT: Not really. You look like an aunty.
ROLI: (gasps) Aunty?!? Oye! Hello! I'm not that old! Okay?
Siddhant simply laughs and walks off to the counter.
Roli suddenly feels conscious about her figure and checks herself out quickly.
ROLI: (mutters to herself) I seriously can't be looking that old, can I?
Siddhant is at the counter now. He pays off the bill as Roli approaches him. Her eyes fall on a bowl of saunf and sugar. She scoops up a spoonful and pops it into her mouth.
SIDDHANT: Let's go.
They walk out of the restaurant and along the pavement. They brave the afternoon summer sun as they close in on their office building.
ROLI: So tell me na Siddhant. How old do I look?
Siddhant just laughs.
ROLI: What's so funny?
SIDDHANT: (nods his head, laughs) Nothing.
ROLI: (irritated) No tell me. I cracked a joke kya?
SIDDHANT: (still laughs) No.
ROLI: Then? Why are you laughing?
SIDDHANT: Told you, nothing.
ROLI: Then something's wrong with you. Chalo. Papa's younger brother is a psychiatrist. Let's go meet him. He can solve all your problems.
Siddhant laughs more.
ROLI: (gnashes her teeth) Will you stop laughing?
But he just can't. Roli is really pissed off now.
ROLI: Ja cutty!
She begins to storm away but he holds her back.
Both of them are stunned for a split second, but they manage to cover up the awkwardness of the situation quickly.
Did he just reach out for me, thinks Roli, that's probably the second time after the flyover incident. The flyover incident brings embarrassing memories flooding back to her.
Shit yaar, did I just hold her hand, thinks Siddhant, hope she didn't think something funny.
SIDDHANT: (laughs sheepishly to cover up the embarrassment) Fine yaar. Chill. I was just pulling your leg. (gets a grip on himself) Actually the thing is... you look like... (crosses his arms, checks her out from head to toe and pretends to think) around twenty five...
Roli flashes a broad smile. She's so happy that she looks younger than her actual age!
SIDDHANT: ...plus fifty five...
Roli's smile fades away as her tube light' blinks.
SIDDHANT:... equals to eighty..
She finally gets it!
ROLI: (gnashes her teeth loudly) Youuu!!!!
Siddhant bursts out laughing and ducks just in time to avoid her slap!
SIDDHANT: (laughs) No! Think about it! How else could you have such a bad memory?
ROLI: Get back here! I'll kill you today!
TECHSEARCH - VERY SOON
Siddhant walks in to the office followed by Roli. To their dismay, they find Vikrant strolling around like a hawk. The moment he spots them, he glances impatiently at his watch.
VIKRANT: (smiles dryly) Finally! Love birds are back! What took you so long? Fell asleep?
Siddhant grins awkwardly. Roli attempts to blind Vikrant with her smile.
SIDDHANT: (quietly) Sorry.
VIKRANT: Sorries and smiles won't work man. I need results. What's going on with those requirements?
Siddhant and Roli are in a very uncomfortable situation now. Remo and Vimla glance at the duo from the corner of their eyes.
ROLI: Vikrantji... That...
VIKRANT: (interrupts her with a smile) I need the week's report from all of you guys by end of this evening just so that we can find out how far we've reached. Game?
SIDDHANT: Sure.
ROLI: Haan ji.
VIKRANT: Excellent. Let's do it.
Siddhant and Roli get back to their seats.
Remo stealthily rolls towards Siddhant and Roli on his chair.
REMO: (quietly) Psst! What took you guys so long.?
Siddhant glowers at Roli.
ROLI: (whispers, stares at Siddhant) Why are you looking at me like that?
Siddhant gnashes his teeth furiously.
Remo giggles.
REMO: (whispers) Achcha listen, I'll log into my messenger. You guys still need to suggest something romantic for the evening. Through messenger. (winks)
ROLI: Now?
REMO: Yeah, now.
SIDDHANT: Not a good idea. If Vikrant catches us once again, he'll screw us all.
REMO: He won't know man. Don't be a chicken. Catch you online.
Remo rolls back to his place and pings his mates.
The three spend half of the afternoon planning out for the evening.
Roli gets occasionally lost amidst suggesting romantic tips. How she would love it to happen with Atul.
In the meantime, Siddhant throws sideward glances at her. The teeny-weeny smile on her face catches his attention.
Roli is fully engrossed in her chat with Remo. She doesn't notice Siddhant watching her.
Siddhant too... doesn't realize that he's watching her. That he's fully engrossed with Roli's expressions and movements. He doesn't realize the warm feeling building inside him.
Gosh, I feel like pulling her chubby cheeks, thinks Siddhant with a warm smile on his face and a glow in his eyes, that smile makes her look so innocent, like a small kid. And that look in her eyes... it's so full of life and excitement. So full of fire ...
... TO BE CONTINUED
An original story by Archana Vinod
At that point of time, Roli was all prepared to spill out the beans, but now... no!
Maybe I should just wait a bit longer, she thinks; after all, I'm not really sure what Atul is up to. I'm not even sure where this is all headed to. Might as well find out this evening... Yeah, right, I think he likes me; he does seem a bit too friendly as well. But...
Siddhant knocks her gently on the forehead and startles her.
SIDDHANT: Hello? Anyone home?
ROLI: (rubs her forehead) Oww...
SIDDHANT: So. Tell me.
ROLI: (tries to play innocent) What?
SIDDHANT: You were going to tell me something.
He pulls off his blazer from the chair and puts it on.
ROLI: What?
SIDDHANT: What what'?
ROLI: Huh?
Siddhant just looks at her for a moment. Then...
SIDDHANT: Are you in love?
BOING! That just knocks the senses out of Roli. What did he just say now?
ROLI: (tensed) What? W-what do you mean?
SIDDHANT: I asked Are you in love'? How difficult is that?
ROLI: No! Why?
SIDDHANT: Just asking. Typical symptoms you know...
ROLI: (tries to hide her nervousness) What symptoms?
SIDDHANT: (in a casual tone) Oh you know... the usual... being lost... acting dumb... the inability to understand et cetera et cetera...
ROLI: That tho even you are like that sometimes. So which means you are in love too.
He just laughs.
ROLI: (grins) So tell me. Who is it? Huh? Come on. Tell-me-tell-me!
SIDDHANT: (buttons up his blazer and smirks) Nice try. But don't change the topic. Now answer the question. What were you trying to tell me before?
ROLI: Uffoh! What? I don't remember! When I do I'll tell you about it!
SIDDHANT: Whatever... How old are you by the way?
ROLI: Why?
SIDDHANT: Just tell me.
ROLI: You're not supposed to ask a girl about her age.
SIDDHANT: I understand. But you're not a girl, right?
ROLI: Phir kya? Do I look like an alien to you?
SIDDHANT: Not really. You look like an aunty.
ROLI: (gasps) Aunty?!? Oye! Hello! I'm not that old! Okay?
Siddhant simply laughs and walks off to the counter.
Roli suddenly feels conscious about her figure and checks herself out quickly.
ROLI: (mutters to herself) I seriously can't be looking that old, can I?
Siddhant is at the counter now. He pays off the bill as Roli approaches him. Her eyes fall on a bowl of saunf and sugar. She scoops up a spoonful and pops it into her mouth.
SIDDHANT: Let's go.
They walk out of the restaurant and along the pavement. They brave the afternoon summer sun as they close in on their office building.
ROLI: So tell me na Siddhant. How old do I look?
Siddhant just laughs.
ROLI: What's so funny?
SIDDHANT: (nods his head, laughs) Nothing.
ROLI: (irritated) No tell me. I cracked a joke kya?
SIDDHANT: (still laughs) No.
ROLI: Then? Why are you laughing?
SIDDHANT: Told you, nothing.
ROLI: Then something's wrong with you. Chalo. Papa's younger brother is a psychiatrist. Let's go meet him. He can solve all your problems.
Siddhant laughs more.
ROLI: (gnashes her teeth) Will you stop laughing?
But he just can't. Roli is really pissed off now.
ROLI: Ja cutty!
She begins to storm away but he holds her back.
Both of them are stunned for a split second, but they manage to cover up the awkwardness of the situation quickly.
Did he just reach out for me, thinks Roli, that's probably the second time after the flyover incident. The flyover incident brings embarrassing memories flooding back to her.
Shit yaar, did I just hold her hand, thinks Siddhant, hope she didn't think something funny.
SIDDHANT: (laughs sheepishly to cover up the embarrassment) Fine yaar. Chill. I was just pulling your leg. (gets a grip on himself) Actually the thing is... you look like... (crosses his arms, checks her out from head to toe and pretends to think) around twenty five...
Roli flashes a broad smile. She's so happy that she looks younger than her actual age!
SIDDHANT: ...plus fifty five...
Roli's smile fades away as her tube light' blinks.
SIDDHANT:... equals to eighty..
She finally gets it!
ROLI: (gnashes her teeth loudly) Youuu!!!!
Siddhant bursts out laughing and ducks just in time to avoid her slap!
SIDDHANT: (laughs) No! Think about it! How else could you have such a bad memory?
ROLI: Get back here! I'll kill you today!
TECHSEARCH - VERY SOON
Siddhant walks in to the office followed by Roli. To their dismay, they find Vikrant strolling around like a hawk. The moment he spots them, he glances impatiently at his watch.
VIKRANT: (smiles dryly) Finally! Love birds are back! What took you so long? Fell asleep?
Siddhant grins awkwardly. Roli attempts to blind Vikrant with her smile.
SIDDHANT: (quietly) Sorry.
VIKRANT: Sorries and smiles won't work man. I need results. What's going on with those requirements?
Siddhant and Roli are in a very uncomfortable situation now. Remo and Vimla glance at the duo from the corner of their eyes.
ROLI: Vikrantji... That...
VIKRANT: (interrupts her with a smile) I need the week's report from all of you guys by end of this evening just so that we can find out how far we've reached. Game?
SIDDHANT: Sure.
ROLI: Haan ji.
VIKRANT: Excellent. Let's do it.
Siddhant and Roli get back to their seats.
Remo stealthily rolls towards Siddhant and Roli on his chair.
REMO: (quietly) Psst! What took you guys so long.?
Siddhant glowers at Roli.
ROLI: (whispers, stares at Siddhant) Why are you looking at me like that?
Siddhant gnashes his teeth furiously.
Remo giggles.
REMO: (whispers) Achcha listen, I'll log into my messenger. You guys still need to suggest something romantic for the evening. Through messenger. (winks)
ROLI: Now?
REMO: Yeah, now.
SIDDHANT: Not a good idea. If Vikrant catches us once again, he'll screw us all.
REMO: He won't know man. Don't be a chicken. Catch you online.
Remo rolls back to his place and pings his mates.
The three spend half of the afternoon planning out for the evening.
Roli gets occasionally lost amidst suggesting romantic tips. How she would love it to happen with Atul.
In the meantime, Siddhant throws sideward glances at her. The teeny-weeny smile on her face catches his attention.
Roli is fully engrossed in her chat with Remo. She doesn't notice Siddhant watching her.
Siddhant too... doesn't realize that he's watching her. That he's fully engrossed with Roli's expressions and movements. He doesn't realize the warm feeling building inside him.
Gosh, I feel like pulling her chubby cheeks, thinks Siddhant with a warm smile on his face and a glow in his eyes, that smile makes her look so innocent, like a small kid. And that look in her eyes... it's so full of life and excitement. So full of fire ...
... TO BE CONTINUED
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