Monsoon

6. Misunderstanding

Shardul discarded the last of the boxes and picked up the stack of books he had left on the table. He had been at setting his office since seven in morning and was almost done, thanks to Bahar, who had stepped up to help. She knew place of every item in this room like back of her hand. Perks of getting old secretary back!

Bahar straightened his framed degree and looked around. "I think that wall is too empty," she said nodding at the bare wall next to sofa.

"We will find something for it," he said without looking up from the bookcase.

"Shardul," Rupal poked her head in his office. "Sorry for disturbing," she added. Rupal was a partner in the firm like him. And her father a Name partner with his dad.

"No problem," Shardul said looking up. "Come in."

"Wow! You got settled already," she said glancing around the office.

"I don't like to waste working hours on these things," he said nonchalantly. "Bahar helped."

"Great!" she said placing files on his desk. "The files you had asked for. And your intern is here."

"Thanks," he said placing a hand on them. "Bahar will take care of him. Won't you?" he asked turning to Bahar.

"Of course," Bahar shrugged. Rupal nodded and took off. The door almost shut behind her but Luv entered without knocking.

Shardul frowned and was about to say something but Luv cut him, "Bahar, can you give us a moment?"

Bahar turned to Shardul, "I will show the intern where to sit. Call me if you need anything," she said breezing out of the room.

"I heard something today," Luv said settling on the sofa.

"About?" Shardul asked straightening one of his trophies.

"Naina."

"We are opening for business day," Shardul said glancing at him. "Surely this discussion can wait till evening?"

"I don't know Shardul?" Luv said calmly. "Aarti Kaki wants me to find out if it is too early to talk to Naina's parents about your wedding. What do you want me to tell her?"

Shardul paused and turned to his cousin. "What?" he blurted.

"Exactly!" Luv said heatedly. "Imagine my reaction when she asked me this. When were you going to tell me? I was tongue-tied in front of Kaki and Baa."

"Hold on," Shardul said raising a hand and sat down at edge of his coffee table. "What wedding? What parents?"

"Kaki wants to meet Naina's parents," Luv said slowly.

"Why? No way," Shardul said firmly.

"Tell that to Kaki," Luv said impatiently. "I am not following anything here. Last I knew you weren't even talking to that girl."

"Stop her," Shardul ordered immediately. "No one is allowed to get involved in Naina's personal matter. That is a very sensitive topic and Naina goes nuts over it."

"What is all this deal?" Luv asked in irritation.

"Just call mom,"

"Don't worry about that," Luv said. "I told her not to do anything without talking to Naina and you."

"She won't, would she?" Shardul doubted.

"Kaki is very understanding," Luv said defending her.

"What exactly did she say?" Shardul asked. "Tell me everything."

"I told you, she wants to meet Naina's parents."

"This is ridiculous," Shardul rubbed his face.

"First tell me where did Naina come from suddenly?" Luv frowned. "And since when are you dating her?"

"I am not dating her," Shardul snapped.

"Kaki said you proposed her!"

"What rubbish," Shardul huffed. "I never said anything like this! I met Naina few days ago by coincidence."

"But you took her out on dinner and-"

"I was catching up with her. It was long time since we had met," Shardul explained. "We bumped into mom and dad there."

"And she came to Holika Dahan also?" Luv raked his brain.

"Mom invited her," Shardul fumed. "Naina came only because she did not want to hurt mom. But she was very, very uncomfortable."

"And engagement ring?"

"What engagement ring?" Shardul enquired. "You know, right? You know I had not seen Naina for two years. Do you think I will get engaged to her out of blue?"

"You were head over heels in love with her since day one," Luv pointed.

"I wasn't," Shardul growled.

"That girl was always on your mind," Luv sighed. "You even broke up because of her."

"That does not matter. Point is, I am not engaged to her."

"Tell that to entire family now. Because talks of your would-be-bride have reached Cambodia to my mother as well.

"What?" Shardul blinked slowly.

"Kaki was describing the ring to Baa and Mom," Luv stated. "Golden band with a leaf motif or something," Luv said carelessly and Shardul face-palmed.

"That ring," he said through his teeth. "Is a gift from her parents."

Luv smirked at the misunderstanding.

"I don't believe mom took her as my fiancée."

"Kaka and kaki are going crazy over her," Luv said leaning back. "Like she is the one meant for you and all."

"Yeah right," Shardul said getting up. "I need to stop mom ASAP."

"Relax, talk to Kaki tonight before this gets complicated," Luv said after a while. "And find yourself a girl or your mom will really marry you off to Rupal."

Shardul threw a disgusted look at him. "That is not happening," he said flatly.

"Then make a move," Luv shrugged.

Shardul bit inside of his cheek thinking through the events. An idea came to him. He clapped once and smiled darkly.

"You know what? I will ask Naina to move in with me," Shardul said directly. Luv turned livid. "Shardul," he warned.

"This is a great plan," Shardul said wickedly. "Let mom think I am dating Naina. Atleast then she will stop thinking about Rupal."

"Have you lost it?"

"I will ask her," Shardul said coolly. "She is anyways coming this week."

"Why?"

"She has a job interview in Mumbai. If everything goes well and I convince her, she can move in with me."

"In our Worli flat?" Luv asked sharply.

"I am sorry, I should have asked you first. Will that be a problem?" Shardul troubled.

"No, but," Luv hesitated. "This is impractical. What you are-" Luv stopped as his phone rang. "What?" he snapped at the caller. "Fine, I am coming," he said cut the line.

"We are not done talking," he said to Shardul. "Don't do anything stupid."

"Sure," Shardul shruggedand pulled the files towards himself. He had to plan everything precisely if hewanted to get through with this plan.