The Other Half

Chapter 4

(1999: Persona non grata)

"You know this all is such crap!" NK was saying. "I didn't come to Allahabad for this!"

"So what did you come to Allahabad for?" Dev asked.

"Well, honestly to see how good the girls are. And primarily to see your childhood city."

"Thanks for being dead honest."

"The only thing you have to complain about me is that I call you by that name, am I right?"

"It's fine NK, I can't erase that."

Crash.

"Look where you are going kid!" Advay turned to see bright blue eyes atop a chubby face. He couldn't move.

"Sorry, wasn't looking."

"It's okay."

"Tumhara Bhai kahan hai?" (Where's your brother?)

How did this girl know I have a brother? Probably saw me talking to NK! Dev pointed to NK.

"Not him. Your twin, silly."

"I don't have-"

"Khushi! There you are. Come with me, Mumma is worried."

"Payal, I made a twin friend!"

The new girl looked at Advay. More bright eyes. Bright brown."Where's your twin?"

"That's what I was telling your friend here. I don't have a twin."

"First, she's my twin. Second, she's erratic. Please don't mind."

"I'm not erractic!" Khushi was indignant.

"Who insisted I call her Jiji because she's two minutes older than me?"

"Hmph." Khushi frowned.

"Chalo. Mumma will be angry." Payal pulled at Khushi and started to walk slower every second.

"Payal?" Khushi put her hand on Payal's shoulder.

"Yes. I'm okay."

Khushi was not satisfied with the answer. "You seemed about to faint."

Payal smiled energetically. "And now I feel like flying!"

"And you call me erratic." Khushi turned. "By the way, what's your name non-twin?"

"Ad-" Advay felt wrong to wear a mask in his hometown. This was where he lived, laughed, loved. This was where he would end up. And Dev would never let a mark on such a place. "Dev. My name is Dev."

"Have fun, Dev. Sorry we took your time." Payal smiled.

"Yeah. Have fun, Dev. And don't overthink." Khushi matched Payal's smile.

Dev turned to crash into another kid. Are kids raining tonight? Looking up, he froze.

"Arnav?"

She doesn't even remember me! And here I am just.... wow, just wow! She didn't deserve him unmasked. She didn't remember him enough to feel him right beside her. How much more could he tolerate?

I saw Mahantni ji flying in the air.

Dev closed his eyes. This was where he lived, laughed, loved. This was where he would end up. And Dev would never let a mark on such a memory. "Advay."

"Sorry, mujhe laga tum wo-" (Sorry, I thought you were-)

"Badon ko aap kahte hain." Dev gritted out of habit. Realizing his error, he fled.