Bumping Into A 'Superhero' (BIAS)

Chapter 08 : Creep-er

I took a deep breath as I stood at the entrance of my house. Cool down Sejal.

I unlocked the door only to find my mom waiting for me. But she wasn't alone. Along with her were Lalit and his entire family. The creepy clown is here with the whole circus ? This is going to be quite a show.

"Sejal darling, come in", Lalit's mother - Monica called me as she made a fake smile.
"I suppose this is my own house and I don't need any invitations", I smiled back.

Mom stared at me blatantly.
"Great sense of humor. You haven't changed a bit", Lalit's dad joined the commotion too. I noticed Lalit staring at my chest. I guess the ripped saffron dupatta exposing some of my skin was enough to bring out his lust.
"Yess, I guess some things never change", I commented as I adjusted it purposefully.

Lalit noticed it and tried to greet me but I stopped him with my palm. "But first I want to talk to my mom."

I took her to another room. "What are these clowns doing here ?", I asked.
"Trying to clear the mess you've created", she said.

"What mess ? These are the things that needed to be done long ago. And have you seen our shares ? They've hiked up ! It's the highest this year !"
"Shares go up and down Sejal. I don't want you to be a part of all this. I care about you."

"Mom", I made her sit on the chair. "I know that you care about me. You don't want me to get my hands dirty. You don't want me to get involved in this politics, right ?"
"Ohh so you know. That's better", she said. "Do you know what else I want ?"

"To get me married. But that's not happening so soon-"
"I'm not telling you to get married. I know you'll run away from the marriage at the last point. So right now, I'm just asking you to take in Lalit along with you in your new project."

"Project Affection ? What's Lalit going to do there ?", I tried to laugh it off.
"Do it or else I'll cancel it", she ordered.

"He's a creep. Even you know it. If I'll take him to our campaign, he'll just keep eyeing the teenage girls that will mostly come in", I protested.
"But he's a good doctor. He can help ! Look at the good aspect too Sejal", my mom said as she got up. "Trust me on this. He'll be useful."

She was about to leave when she turned around again. "Why are you wearing a ripped saffron dupatta though ?"
"Uh, I can explain."

"I'm sure you have a lot to do."

***

The party was boring. Mom said it was for the new project but no one showed any interest. I texted Tejas - "Can we talk ?"

"What is it ?", he texted back.
"I'm sorry about the thing that happened. I just went out of control for a while."
"I was so scared that time. Blood freaks me out."
"Ohhhh"
"So what are you doing ?"
"I'm at a boring party. Please kidnap me !"
"What ?!"
"Just take me away from here"
"Where do you live ?"
"I'm sending you my location"
"Woah. You live nearby"
"Nearby as in ??", But I couldn't press send as I saw lightning again. "Satvar ?"

"So what do you want to do ?", he asked.
"I'm hungry. And I don't want to eat pakau salads", I said as I recalled the party's menu.

"I have a great place in mind", he said. "But how shall we go there ?"
"Can't you just pick me up and run ? Like how they show in the movies ?"

"That's not exactly how it works. It could snap your neck", he said.
"Then how did you bring that guy ?", I asked.
"I didn't care about his neck", he blurted out. "Uh oh"

I spread my arms towards him. "I'm so going to try regret this", I remarked.
"Ok so here we go. Close your eyes", Tejas wrapped his arms around me and we ran. I felt the wind at first but then I felt as if we entered vacuum. I opened my eyes hurriedly to see complete darkness. I gasped.

We stopped all of a sudden as Tejas heard me gasping. "What happened ?", he asked. "Did you open your eyes?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry. Are we there ?", I asked.

"Yes, it's about to close !", he said as he rushed towards him at normal speed and urged him to stop. "Bhaiya please, just 2 plates !"
That's when I noticed the name of the shop. It wasn't even a shop. It was a stall-cart it whatever they call it. "Seriously Golgappe ?"

"It's Panipuri !", Tejas said.
"Eww, it's so unhealthy. You know the water they use it's so dirty !", I said as I saw the big containers.

"This girl hasn't yet eaten panipuri ! Please just to show her. Please prepare 2 plates", Tejas continued to plead.
"Ok ok. But there can be just one plate. I don't have any spare puris. Just 5 of them", the panipuri wala guy said.

"I don't understand what's so special in this ? Will it be better than the coffee we had in the Prince Cafe ?", I yelled at Tejas. "You only eat that unhealthy panipuri !"
"Ma'am, you just eat it once and then you'll understand why people flock for it", the guy opened his mouth again. I left the place and sat on the nearby bench.

Tejas came near with the panipuri. "I'm not eating it !", I protested as I turned to the other side.
"Ok I'll eat it alone", Tejas simply started eating. What ? How could he do that ?

I turned around quickly and Tejas took the chance to catch me off-guard. He put the puri in my mouth all of a sudden and started laughing at my filled mouth.

I saw a girl and a boy coming towards us. I couldn't spit it either. That's when it hit me. The taste - it was so goooodddddd. I ate it quickly and even snatched the plate from Tejas's hands. He protested but eventually gave in.

"Dr. Sejal ?", the girl asked.
"Yess that's me. Are you here for project Affection too ?", I asked.
"Yes, but it's my brother that needs help. He heard your speech on TV", she said as the boy nodded his head.
"Don't you have someone for the boys too ?", Tejas asked as he picked up one of the puris.

I frowned but that's when I realized.
"Actually I have one", I smiled.