The Other Half

Chapter 3

(Allahabad: IV vs KG Part 2)

"We can't go in that way!" Shikha whispered.

"Why not?" Khushi asked. Isn't this the entrance to the Mahant House?

"We are not supposed to be outside." Shikha sighed.

"So how did you get out?" Khushi asked.

Shikha visibly gulped.

"Veer?" Chandani whispered in her half-conscious state.

"Haan jiji." (Yes sis)

"Ye ladka... pitega... ek din... mujhse." (This boy is going to get beat by me one day)

"Aaj toh phul mala pehnake bulao usko!" Khushi noticed her comment earned a scarlet reaction from Shikha. "Jao usey bolo tum dono ko wapas usi raste ghar mein pahuchaye. Phir wo wali khidki se humein ishara karna. Hum tumhari jiji ko le ke saamne wale raste se aaenge." (But today shower him with roses. Go and ask him to get you in the same way. Then come to that window and signal me. I will come inside with your sister after that.)

"Par Ma ko kya kahenge?" Meghu asked. (But what to tell Ma?)

"Ki Chandani k-" Khushi noticed Chandani swung her head in a no very slowly. (That Chandani w-)

"Kya?" (What?)

"Jo bhi hua hai, hum bta denge. Tum dono ki baat beech mein nahi aaegi." (Whatever happened, we will tell. You guys won't need to be mentioned.)

"Par apne Shikha ke kapde pehne hain." Meghu reminded her. (But you're wearing Shikha's clothes)

"Mujhe pata hai ki ye K ka design hai. Kyuki... kyuki mere hotel room pe same piece hai. Ye pieces commercial hote hain Meghu, yaha sirf tum pehanti hogi, shehron mein har party main kam se kam same design ke same kapde 3-4 log toh pehante hi hain. Bohot common hai. Kuch nahi hoga. Tum dono jao." (I know these are designed by K. Because I have the same piece with me at the hotel. These are commercial pieces Meghu. Maybe it's only you who wears it here but in bigger cities, in parties you will find at least a dozen people wearing the same dress. It's common. Nothing will happen. Now, off you both go.)

"Thank you." Chandani said when the sisters had left.

"Tum idhar aao." Khushi made Chandani sit on the street side. "Apni behenon ko kyu nahi btaya ki tumhare piche gunde pade hain?" (Come here. Why didn't you let me tell your sisters that goons are after you?)

"Wo... Ma... Ma pareshan hongi." ( Ma will get worried.)

Khushi melted. Biting her lip, she asked. "Ma hain. Wo nahi pareshan hongi to kaun hoga?" (She is your mother. If she won't worry, then who will?)

"D.... "

"Dad?"

Chandani shook her head.

"Dadaji?" (Grandfather?)

Again a no. "Dev..."

Maybe God had a sense of humor, because the window opened and Meghna peered out with a thumbs up and a smile, officially ending the conversation.

"Chalo. Utho, thora araam se." Khushi helped Chandani till the main gate. "Umm, better call someone. I don't think I should come in." (Leave that. Get up, slowly)

"Aise kaise... please come..." Chandani moved across the threshold with Khushi in tow. (No don't leave...)

A blow of whistle filled the air. A simple sweet melody. A feeling of hope. Of home.

Khushi took up the beat and moved to the next part.

"Where did you learn that tune?" A man of barely 21 stood against one of the pillars.