MASK {COMPLETED} ✔️✔️

Chapter 9

At dinner

Everyone sat on dinning table. Servants served them. Sid, Avu and Vaish were having casual talks. Sid too quickly mingled up with Vaish. Abhi was eating silently, looking at everyone. He was not comfortable with Vaish in his group. For him it was like she barged in their personal space. Always, it was like Abhi, Sid and Avu. Avu was center of attention in this trio. Now, it was like Sid, Avu and Vaish. Vaish is center of attention. He felt he isn't part of group as Sid and Avu were fully focused on Vaish. Even though, Avu isn't well. He sighed in frustration.

Abhi (sternly): Avu khane par dhayan de. Kya kar rahi hain puri sabzi to vahin par hain. Sukhi puri chabaye jaa rahi hain.

Avu looked at her plate and gave him a sheepish smile. He roll his eyes and took her plate. He started feeding her. Sid smiled looking at them. Abhi is a possessive, caring brother whereas Avu is a bubbly, free girl.

After dinner.

Vaish: I should leave now. Late ho raha hain.

Sid: Come I will drop you.

Vaish: Main chali jaugi. Don't worry.

Sid: Akele vo bhi is waqt bilkul nahin. I will drop you.

Vaish: I do travel alone at this time. So, I am good. Don't worry yaar.

Avu: Huh!! Driver will drop you.

Vaish: But-

Sid (cuts her): Great! So, this is final.

Vaish (frown): Arey! Mujhe bolne to do.

Avu: Nahin Thank you. Tujhe kasht lene ki need nahin hain.

Vaish roll her eyes and agreed with them. After bidding bye, she left. Abhi sighed in relief as she left.

Abhi: Abhi rest karni chahie tujhe. Jaa so jaa.

Avu: No way! Just abhi to dinner kiya. Abhi nahin.

He roll his eyes.

Avu: Movie dekhte hain.

Abhi: Tu pagal hain? Headache hain tujhe fever se or movie dekhni hain.

Avu: Ooopppsss!! Bahar walk ke liye chalo.

Sid (sternly): Avuu bahar bahut thand hain.

She glared both of them and they roll their eyes.

Avu (excitedly): Chalo Vaishu ki book padhte hain.

Abhi: Main sone jaa raha hoon. Good night.

Avu (ordering): Bhai don't you dare to move anywhere. Main aapko meri favorite book deti hoon Vaish ne likhi hui. Vo padho maza aayega.

Abhi: Mere pass faltu time nahin hain.

Sid: Pata hain tabhi hi ek de rahi hain. Warna sare hi de dete.

Abhi stared at them for good seconds. They hi-fied.

Avu: Main book leke aayi. Aap kahin nahin jayege and that's my order. Sid tumhe kaun si book chahie?

Sid: Which we were reading yesterday.

Avu: Main aayi and bhai don't move.

She quickly went in room and came back with books. She handed Abhi one and took one with Sid.

Abhi: Okay! So now tum ye book padhoge, and mujhe ye padhni hogi?

Sidneet: Correct.

Abhi (mimicking them): Correct!! Huh!! Kya correct? Pagal ho dono main jaa raha hoon.

He stood up but Avu again pulled him by his arm.

Avu: Baitho chup chap or padho. Meri baat nahin manoge? Bas itna hi pyaar karte ho mere se?

Abhi roll his eyes, sitting beside Avu.

Avu (happily): Aap meri jaan ho. Ye lo meri favorite book hain. And yes! Beech beech me suspense badega to spoilers ke liye I am here, hmm?

She handed him a book and started reading hers same book. They were sitting close, her head on his shoulder, book in his hand. Both started reading together. Abhi sighed and opened book.

Sid (looking in his book): Jaldi padhna shuru kar.

Avu giggle. Abhi hit on his arm with book.

Abhi (irritated): Saale school me nahin hoon main jo aese sar par chade ho dono.
Sid: Baate band kar or padh. Hume bhi padhne de.

He again shifted his focus on book. Abhi started reading his book. Slowly as he found book is interesting. He started reading with interest.

After an hour

Sid: Chalo abhi hume so jana chahie.

Abhi: Nahin padhne de mujhe.

Avu: Kal padh lena abhi so jana chahie.

Abhi: Haan tum dono jao. Good night.

Avu (snatching phone from Abhi's hand): Aapko story hi janni hain. Main bata deti hoon. Time ho gaya hain phir so jao.

Abhi (snatching book back): Main kal padh luga. Good night. Jaa rest kar tu abhi.

Sid (chuckled): Come Avu. I will drop you.

Avu (rolling her eyes): Room me jaa rahi hoon... Tour par nahin Huh!!

She went in room. Sid and Abhi too went in respective rooms. Abhi continued reading book till he fell asleep.

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter