THE LOVE BIRDS [COMPLETED]

18. PANCHI

"Why are you punishing me God?" I thought aloud sitting in my car. I was stuck in traffic since the last fifteen minutes. If the road didn't clear in the next two minutes I'll definitely kill someone. First Jasmine making Vihang my dance partner. Then practicing with that asshole. Ugh what does he think of himself. And to top it off the dam tire had to go flat today of all days. "You must be so happy today" I said turning my head up towards the sky talking to God. I was in the middle of my rant when my phone rang. It was Manju didi my maid. "Hello" I answered her call and she asked me if she could leave because her daughter was sick. "Yes didi you go and let me know if you need help with anything" I told her and ended the call. I turned on the radio to lighten my mood. It played my Dida's favorite song. I decided to cook one my favorite dish that she taught me. So I parked the car near the market and bought all the necessary items.

"What are you doing in the kitchen?" dad asked me as soon as he came home. I was so lost in my work that I didn't hear him come in. Mostly he had dinner with his clients or with his girlfriends. "I'm cooking dinner because Manju didi had to leave early today" I told him without making any eye contact. To my surprise he was not drunk today and didn't even raised his voice at me. "Ok I'll be in my room call me when it's done" he said and left. I nodded in response but he was gone by then. I continued with my cooking when my phone buzzed. It was Sid asking about my dance practice with Vihang. I was finally in better mood and definitely didn't want to talk about him. I clicked a picture of my kitchen and sent it to Sid. I told him I'm busy so will text him after dinner. He sent me thumbs up and a drooling emoticon in response.

"Is this your grandmother's recipe?" dad asked while eating. I nodded. I asked if the spices were balanced or if anything was wrong with the dish. He simply shook his head. This was my dad's usual behavior. "How are your studies going on" he asked me when I served him another chapatti. I wanted to ask if he was sick or something was wrong. But I chose not to. Instead I replied to the question he asked me. "How are things at work" I asked him and he replied in a single syllable. I told him I was thinking of doing a six month internship at his office. He didn't reply so I didn't push the topic further. After dinner I started clearing the table. "I'll tell Mr Gopal he'll contact you for your internship" dad said and went upstairs to his room. It took me a moment to register what he said. But as soon as it hit me I shouted a thank you while he was midway.

I changed into my comfy nightwear and snuggledin my bed. I was about to text Sid when I opened my gallery by mistake. My fingertapped at Vihang's photo and I started smiling. I realized this after twominutes and immediately I wiped that smile from my face. I don't why butinstead of opening Sid's chat I opened Vihang's and texted him "rehearsalsstart at 11 don't be late. And thank you for helping with everything today😊" The message was delivered but he didn't saw it immediately. I don't even know did Iexpect him to though. I couldn't sleep so I checked my phone a couple of times.Finally Vihang replied after two hours "Okay madam whatever you say🙈"