Mere samnewali khidki mein

Chapter 6 - "Ladies vs Gentlemen..."

Scene 1:

"What expected? Ms, hold your tongue. It was not intentional. The driver abruptly clutched the brake and I lost balance. Even you fell on the person in front of you. He didn't allege or insult you like this. Don't take advantage of being a female. If you want the comfort of a sedan car in a crowded bus then it's your illusion."

Manik scoffs out. He already has recognised Nandini but didn't show it. Nandini gapes in surprise. She didn't expect this reply at all. However, before she can reciprocate with equal hostility, the person whom Manik mentioned reacts,

"He is right, Madam. This kind of thing often happens in a crowded bus. That doesn't mean all guys seek for advantage. You can't insult a person like this."

Manik shrugs in agreement. Nandini was about to answer but a mid-forty's lady intervenes,

"Don't blame the crowd, Mr. We also ride crowded buses every day. We know who is taking advantage and who is innocent. But the problem is men will be men. All are pigs."

Instantly some young guys oppose,

"What do you mean by pigs? All women are Goddesses, right?"

In a wink, a nasty brawl starts inside the running bus. Now it has become a ladies vs pigs....means not so gentlemen battle of honour. All are balancing themselves and spitting out their unfriendly comments. One of the ladies spits out,

"That's why I always carry safety pins in my bag. These perverts only deserve a prick."

Another person seconds her,

"Exactly! But I prefer a perfect stomp with my high heels. Tit for tat."

A middle-aged guy protests,

"It shows how violent are the females. They only act docile and innocent."

That mid-forty lady hostilely spurts back,

"To hell with your innocence. You all only understand the language of slapping."

In reply, many of the male passengers yell,

"Don't even try. If you all are so strong then why do you nag for a lady's seat? You take all the benefits of being a female and after that, play the victim card."

Manik yells in between,

"Agreed. She can't hold the handle because of her short height and she is blaming me for losing balance. How convenient!"

Nandini rolls her eyes in disagreement.

"Don't comment on my height again. I think you haven't recognised me. That pub incident was enough to know you. You are an insolent, arrogant and dirty-minded fellow. I will see you."

She brandishes her index finger in front of Manik's nose while hissing out. Manik leans forward and retorts,

"Then see me. I know I am handsome. And by the way, I meet hundred girls in a day. You are not any special to keep in mind and keep this information in your mind, Ms snooty."

"YOU....!"

Nandini only can say this much. In between the conductor invades the crowd and complains,

"Don't fight over here. Get down, get down."

In return, he is honoured with a unanimous scolding,

"You get down. Why should we get down after paying the fare?"

Only then, the driver wails,

"Ballygunge Phari.....Kishan (the conductor)drop the passengers."

Manik and Nandini get back their rational minds. This is their stop. Both yell,

"Stop...Stop....I will get down."

After lots of struggle, they finally bid adieu to the chaotic crowd.

"Are you following me? Don't even dare."

Nandini chides at Manik as she observes that Manik is walking just behind her. Manik looks his left and right and replies with a snicker,

"Don't say you own this government road, Ms snooty. Because then I really shouldn't dare."

"Don't call me, Ms snooty. I am Nandini Murthy."

Nandini yells in anger. Manik chuckles and winks.

"Thank you, Ms Nandini Murthy. Nice to meet you. Again. By the way, I don't have an elephantine memory but still, I remember you. You are not so common. Bye....hope to see you again."

Manik mouths with lots of fun and mockery and disperses with a confident stride. Nandini keeps staring at him. Gradually, her forehead lines with a deep frown.

"Shit! He again played the game. Stupid me! What did I need to tell him my name?"

She curses herself with gritted teeth and adds,

"Okay, Mr ladder. Even I won't let you forget my name. Never. Just meet me one more time. I will show you who is tall and who is short."

Suddenly, her eyes fall on her shadow on the road made by the street light. It seems shorter than her actual height. She stomps on the ground and mumbles,

"I am not short. I am just cutely small."

Gradually, a bright smile peeps on her lips. She holds her bag under her armpit and waves at a taxi."

................................................

Scene 2:

Cabir is standing on the balcony of Manik's room. Mihika has informed him about Manik. Although Dhruv, Harshad and Abhimanyu have already left for Princep Ghat Cabir didn't feel like going outside. He has a late-night program on the radio station and he is already feeling tired. It's evening but the outside is still lit up with the alpenglow. Cabir rests his hands on the balcony railing and looks forward. There is a five-storied building just opposite this house. The 3rd-floor flat balcony faces this 2nd-floor veranda. Cabir leisurely eyes that side. Only then, he locates a girl dancing and swaying slowly on the opposite balcony. He squints his eyes to get a clearer view. The girl is having a headphone. She must be listening to music. Cabir's lips curve. He balances his face between his palms and keeps watching her distrait dance. She is wearing a hot pant and a loose top. Her eyes are closed as she is deeply sunk into the music. Cabir slowly takes the mobile out of his pocket and switches on the camera. He takes 2-3 shots of that dancing diva. Suddenly, the girl opens her eyes. Her eyes directly fall on Cabir. She yells,

"Hey!"

In a blink of an eye, Cabir's mobile falls from his hands and straight smashes on the down alley. Cabir chides,

"Oh, shit...!"

He stares up and meets the girl's surprised eyes.

"Oh, shit...."

She echoes his line.

Author's note: Who is this dancing queen? Manan fought again. How will be their 3rd encounter? To know, keep reading. 🙏❤