Unhinged

Chapter 7

30th July 2007

Sharanya was excited to attend next meeting but Shashank had told her not to disclose anything to Riva so they had to go secretly. Next three days they couldn't go so Sharanya and Shashank both were upset. Shashank was determined to attend the next meeting.

Shashank, Riva and Rachit were sitting in living room.

"Riva apne flat jao" Rachit declared "Sahi me bata raha hoo.. You know cleaning lady gossips about you everywhere"

"I don't care" Riva said "I really don't care Rachit"

"You should Riva" Rachit said in a serious tone "Janta hoo ki yaha ke gossips tumhare gharwalo tak nahi pohchenge.. Par jara socho ki agar sahi me kisiko shaq hua toh kya hoga.. Itna khullam khulla nahi rehna chahiye.. Tum raat me aati ho idhar koi baat nahi par subah chali jaya karo na.."

"Yeh ekdum chori karne wali baat hui. I don't like it" Riva was adamant "Main kyu chhupau?"

Rachit sighed "Tumhare liye hi keh raha hoo Riva.. Ek baar soch ke dekho.."

Riva also sighed. She looked at Shashank "What do you think?"

"Rachit apni jagah sahi hai.. But it's your choice. If you don't want to think about society then it's okay.. You can do whatever you want" Shashank said.

"Tum ek kaam karo.. Thode din try karo.. Apne hi flat pe raho" Rachit suggested "Shashank ko bhi thoda saans lene do"

Riva heard this and threw a pen at Rachit "Main saans nahi lene deti?"

Rachit and Shashank giggled.

"Thik hai.. Shashank kuch din rahega akele.. Main bhi akele rahungi.. Apne flat pe apne room par" Riva declared.

"Are you sure?" Shashank asked.

"You don't want me to?" Riva asked.

"Of course I don't want you to" Shashank said.

"Still I am gonna do that.." Riva replied.

Shashank sighed "Fine.. Reh lunga tumhare bager"

Riva chuckled and sat on his lap. She wrapped his arm around his neck and brushed her nose on his "Ghar jamai ban ke chaloge upar mere flat pe?"

"I am ready to go anywhere with you" Shashank said.

Rachit looked away as he saw them.

Shashank saw Rachit looking awkward. He made Riva sit on sofa and cleared his throat "Rachit thoda awkward ho gaya"

Rachit scoffed "Beta.. Awkwardness chhota shabd hai.. Rather galat shabd hai"

Riva and Shashank furrowed their brows "Matlab?" Riva asked.

"Nahi. Kuch nahi" Rachit said "Niklo apne flat jao.. Aaj main aur mere do bhai bas.. Bas hum party karenge"

Riva stood up "Fine" She rolled her eyes "Aaj khush toh bahot honge tum"

"Bahot jyada" Rachit stretched his body and said "Finally hamara flat saans lega"

Riva angrily banged her right feet on floor and left.

"Kitna natak karti hai bhai yeh" Rachit said "Dimag kha jati hai"

"Itna kyu hate karte ho use?" Shashank asked.

Rachit heard this and his smile turned into frown.

"Hate?" Rachit said whilst looking down "Hate nahi karta main use.. Hate kaise kar sakta hoo"

"Toh itna satate kyu ho usko?" Shashank asked

Rachit became quiet. He didn't answer and got lost in his own thoughts. How was he gonna tell Shashank that he doesn't hate Riva. That it's not possible for him to hate Riva...!