KATHA

26 KATHA - FREAKY IN SOLARIUMS.

Kalki was lying on the velvet diwan in our living room as I tended to his wound, my hands worked with a mix of concern and conflicted emotions. The anger that had driven me to strike him was now entwined with a strange tenderness, a paradoxical blend of regret and care.

I hated regret.

Apart from Kalki's occasional wincing, Rishi was literally rolling on the floor laughing. He clutched his stomach and everytime he managed to stop and take a breath, he looked at Kalki and started laughing again. I was trying hard to not roll along with him and laugh because I could hear the gritting of Kalki's teeth from there.

"You sure I can't kill him, Little gazelle ?" It was literally the fifteenth time he asked me that.

Rishi laughed harder.

"You can but then I'll have to kill you ?"

"But you love me and won't kill me. There is that possibility."

Rishi was going mental with his laughing, "You sure about that ?"

"You're lucky you're her family. Besides, I'm in a good mood today."

"Well up and behold, The mighty king of Bombay in a good mood after getting a taste of his own medicine. Who would've thought the big bad stalker could end up on the wrong end of a blade ?"

Kalki winced slightly as I cleaned the wound, but amusement danced in his eyes. "You know, Rishi, I think teasing me might not be the wisest move. I sent men screaming to the dunes of Thar for lesser audacities."

"Oh, spare me the mafia talk, Samrat. You're the one with a stab wound in the room. Now back to the hot topic. So Mister Stalker who chopped men for touching Angel, how does it feel like to end up being the star of your own show ?"

"Kathavali, love, can I please shoot the bastard now ?"

"No. And stop wiggling or I'll drive this needle upto your kidney."

"How romantic." Rishi commented from somewhere on the floor. He'd stopped laughing but made himself comfortable there by the wooden pillar. He was strange like that.

"Rishi shut up til I treat the wound."

He feigned innocence. "Oh, right, of course ! Treating the wounded stalker is our top priority."

Kalki's lips curled into a playful grin that aimed straight for my goddamn heart. "Careful, Sharma. Mocking me might result in more 'accidental' stabbings."

"Ah, the infamous 'stabbings' that seem to follow you around. Must be tough being the ruler of Bombay's underworld. Oh, dear future brother-in-law, it's a tough world out there for a stalker. You've got to watch your back, or in your case, your front, sides, and every other angle."

I couldn't hold my laugh anymore.

Kalki mock-scowled and suppressed a smile at the ceiling. "You two seem to be having a grand time at my expense."

I shrugged innocently. "What can I say ? It's not every day we get to see the king of Bombay being stabbed and then roasted."

Rishi nodded in agreement, his grin widening. "That's what I've been saying ! It's like a rare celestial event, worthy of celebration."

Kalki rolled his eyes. "You're enjoying this way too much."

Rishi shrugged nonchalantly. "Hey, it's not our fault you decided to dabble in the fine art of stalking and... got stabbed for it."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "And here I thought you were too busy running Bombay to engage in 'artistic' pursuits."

Kalki let out a mock-sigh. "I guess my hobbies are catching up with me."