Lockdown

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PARI POV

" Hahaha," they all laughed like it was a joke so I just kept a hand over my forehead. I didn't want to get on that call for that reason specifically. All of them are science geeks and they think that I earn the bare minimum. I've tried to explain a million times but they just find it funny to make fun of me. I'm the target and I kinda always have been. Earlier because I was naive and would get too many proposals at school and later because I didn't choose science. At least Pranav chose science for 11th, 12th.
" Right. Like you even earn enough,"
" Haha. What do you do, Aditi. Sit at home and cook for that rich husband of yours who buys you everything?" I wanted to say but I just sighed and sat back without any interest in talking. I was just going to sit there and talk nothing. That would be the best.
" Besides, you haven't been posting on Insta nowadays. I don't understand what is happening in your lit life anymore," I sighed once again and rolled my eyes. Lit life? They all knew what happened to me still they acted like that. Lit life? As if going into an Arts college just magically made me take all sorts of drugs and drink like a bear.
" Nothing has been happening that I'd want to share with the world or any of you," I smiled sarcastically and for a moment, there was only silence. I bet they found it hard to gulp down that and I would have lovingly cut the call at my high horse when he cut.

" Pari. I'm not getting the sugar. Where is it?"
" Huh?" Sohit was making something in the kitchen and for a quick second, I like, completely forgot that I was even on a call.
" 2nd drawer, Sohit. Seriously,"
" Seriously," I smiled when I heard his voice coming from the kitchen and just for a second, casually looked back at the screen to find everyone freaking out. 

" OH MY GOD!!! THERE IS A GUY IN HER HOUSE!!!" 
" DID YOU GET MARRIED AND NOT TELL US!?"
" PAR!!?!?!"
" YOU DIDN'T TELL US ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!" 

Fuck. 

FUCK! 

I have a clean slate record!!! I, myself have never been caught with a boy in my entire life! In school, whenever a guy asked me out, I'd just reject him and that happened about 2 times. In college, when I finally got one boyfriend, I dumped him early on, before our relationship could even reach 3 months. Why? I caught him chatting with my sister... And after that? I was scarred enough to stay away from men because I was scared that my sister would ruin my life over again. I have been scared to ever approach a guy that way ever since. 

" N-no. Guys. I'm not married!" 
" Shut up. We all know that you are a liar!"
" I still can't believe you wouldn't invite us to your wedding!" 
" OMG, Pari. So not cool! I thought that we were best friends!" this time, I just looked at my best friend on the screen with a worried expression on my face. She was the only one who knew what was happening and she herself was trying to hush down the other married, gossip girls and irritating men who just wouldn't shut it. And well, that chaotic situation continued till I felt something warm touch my cheek. 

That made me look up and this time, I found Sohit holding out a cup of some hot drink for me. The situation on the zoom call was already enough chaotic and I just didn't want to deal with it. So, after staring at his friendly expression for the longest time, I smiled and grabbed the cup softly 
" Thanks," 
" I can do this much for my girlfriend," 
" Huh?" his reply just left me in a shocked state. Girlfriend? When did that happen!? WHEN DID I BECOME HIS GIRLFRIEND!?!??! AND SINCE WHEN THE HELL DID HE START WEARING SUITS AT HOME!? AND WHY THE FUCK WAS HIS HAND AROUND MY SHOULDERS!??!??!? 

I wanted to scream. Scream on the top of my lungs and then, run away from everything and everyone in my life. Instead, there I was, just frozen in my place as he sat next to me and pulled my laptop around a little so that everyone could see his face. Then again, I only sat in my place when I felt his hand around my shoulders pulling me closer to him. I was kind of dumbfounded at that point and speechless. 

" Is that Sohit Kulkarni... Owner of Juggle!?" Harsh asked rather calmly 
" Oh yeah. I know you, dude. You are the IT guy somewhere," Sohit just calmly said while I was freaking out from the inside. Everyone was quiet and just staring at us while I stayed frozen in my place. I don't know how he was not freaking out at that moment though. HOW THE HELL WAS HE THAT CALM!? 
" Infosys..."
" Yeah. Yeah. That company. Of course," and that is how Sohit kind of took over the meeting. Like, he literally took over the meeting. LITERALLY! 

" So... You! are dating... her?" the tone in which she asked that question... It almost made me want to jump up from my place and kick her ass. Seriously!? Like he was some bigshot and I was a nobody. 

Actually... 

Maybe, it was true. 

" Well... We just shifted in together. So..." 
" I cannot believe that she could score you,"
" Pari! Wasn't your mother going to talk about marriage details between him and Prachi just like... 2 months ago? I mean, she was so excited that she got his mother's number and all of a sudden, he is dating you?!" that made me sigh. I wanted to hide my face somewhere. Yes. My mother had nagged me and had been successful at stealing his mother's number from me 2 months ago because she wanted her "dear daughter" to get married to a rich man and he was the rich man. 

In fact, even Sohit looked at me with a questioning face when he turned to look at me and I'll be honest, I haven't been completely honest with him...