Fitoor

Chapter 35

10 days later

Abir Bharadwaj

"I'll try my best sir. Kunal ka shaadi haina is Saturday ko, to mai thoda busy rahunga." I informed Vasisht sir on the call, my London branch manager.
"It's alright sir. Humara meeting wait kar sakta hai." He replied and cut the call. I closed my eyes and stretched my hands. Gods above I was so tired! It was 11 in the night when I stepped out of my cabin. Due to tight schedules, I couldn't even be in my own house for more than 4 or 5 hours.

I called her once, twice, thrice but there was no response. She said she'd be awake to study. This girl and her lies! But then panic set in. What if she was in some trouble? Immediately driving towards her house, I ignored a traffic signal and sped up. As soon as I reached, I barged in to see her and aunty giggling about something.

"Abir! Aao, aao." Aunty urged as I went in smiling awkwardly while madam was glaring at me.
"Bahar kya kar rahe ho itni raat ko?" She questioned.
"Office me kaam tha aunty. Kal se shaadi ke functions bhi shuru ho rahe hai na, to aaj hi saara kaam khatam kardiya." I answered and sat on the couch.
"Lo, isko to mai subah se bol rahi hu ki packing start karlo. Warna kal se busy hojayegi. Baat kaha sunti hai meri." She smacked Mishti's head.

"Haa haa karlungi. Abhi time haina." She replied moodily. What was wrong with her now?
"Puchna hi bhool gayi! Tumne dinner to nahi kiya hoga. Chalo mai khaana laga dungi." Aunty smiled.
"Maa, tumi jao. Ami lagiye dicchi. Pehle hi complain kar rahe ho ki pair dhuk raha hai. Jaake rest karo." Mishti sent her mom in.
(Aap jao. Mai laga deti hu.)
"Accha theek hai best daughter of the year. Goodnight Abir." She smiled at me and I nodded.

"Ab aap kyu upset hai madam?" I questioned dramatically sitting down on the floor.
"Suddenly yaad kaise aagayi mai? Abhi to chaar din bache hai. Aur ignore karna chahiye tha." She grumbled irritated. I know I know I wanted to utilise those days to woo her but too many projects were incomplete. Anyways 4 days were remaining. More than enough!
"Are meri jhansi rani, chaar din haina!" I pinched her cheek as she pushed my hand away.

"Mai na bore hogayi hu ghar aur college ke beech me pendulum ke tarah ghoomke. Aur mera aashiq kahi office me apne files aur laptop ko pata raha hai." Mishti stated. I looked at her as she went on and on, talking and talking. Immediately I pecked her cheek and she grew completely silent.
"Jao. Ghar jao." She was pushing me as I giggled uncontrollably looking at her flushed face.

"Oye!" I pulled her fingers.
"Suno to!" I did it again.
"Kya hai?" She shrieked.
"Chalo. Bahar chalte hai." I offered smiling.
"Time dekha hai?" Mishti asked though I knew she'd agree.
"Time ko bolo ki maine use dekh liya. Ab chalogi? Warna mai Maya ke saath jau?" I warned.
"Maya ko kyu beech me laa rahe ho! Aarahi hu ruko!" Mishti said and took her scarf.
"Metro me jayenge." I said as she nodded.

Joining hands, we set out.

Ishq bulava jaane kab aave
Ishq bulava aavee jab aave
Mai ta kol tere rehna
Mai ta kol tere rehna
Mai ta baitha kol tere

We reached the nearby metro station as it started drizzling slowly. I pulled Mishti's hoodie down wantedly to irritate her. She squatted my hands away. And then that turned into a hand fight. She won ofcourse. She has bloody 5 inch nails! Then she offered me a 'gone mad' chocolate and made peace.

Tainu takda rawan
Baaton pe tere hasda rawan
Paagal mai khud nu bananda rawan
Tu hasdi rahe mai hasanda rawan
Tainu takda rawan