𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐘𝐀

C H A P T E R - 21

Aarav

I scrolled through my social account with forced attention as the conversation around me didn't peak my interest.

In the process I happen to find an account under xxmayhem name. There were no mutual I don't know how it got in my suggestions. Someone called me and it registered a little late. "Yes maa?" she eyes me with death glares. Correction. She eyes my phone with death glares.

"Why don't you join your father?" as she suggests I look around to see dad playing lawn tennis with Mayank Chachu. The rest of my cousins played audience.

The lawn behind the mansion was a special get together area for the entire family. And even if not every one can gather at the same time most of us scoop out some of our time to spend here.

From the corner of my eyes I noticed Iti bhabhi with Mayra crossing the lawn to approach our table.

"Let's see who'll win" I got up with fierce will however dad's a champ in Lawn Tennis. On my way I halted Mayra, she looks anxiously at me. I like her more scared.

Mayank Chachu hands me over the racket and I roll up the sleeves of my shirt before servicing but dad cuts me first "We're just playing not sporting" the corner of his mouth lifts "Where's the challenge in that" a smirk forms on me before I hit the ball.

The speed of it was quite impossible for a normal player to strike but dad manages to hit and divert its direction. I run to strike again. He pulls the same. the match carried on for full five minutes.

I hit again this time the ball rose to an impressive height. As soon as the ball reached him he pulled that winning stroke he usually opts with me using his strength. 

The ball barely misses the net before entering my part and I jumped to hit it when a pitched voice shouted. And I missed the ball. 

I kicked the dirt and tossed the racket on a nearby bench. We turned in unison to find bua hurdling towards us. 

Guess bad omen really has a face. Dad nears me patting my shoulder "You did well this time" I sighed but he clutches me in a tight embrace. 

"We're all gathered here. Why not do dinner together?" he suggested and all of the members appeared to agree. 

As soon as I see a pair of sibling approach I left dad's side to join Adi. I found him munching on some chips. 

Moksha made a pleading face when Navya, daughter of my lovely bua decided to sit with her. I suppress a laughter but it quickly died when Navya's brother. Rudransh settled beside Mayra.

I'm guessing with her no-male-interaction code he'll soon be shooed away. For very strange and unknown reasons I can't seem to take my eyes off of them.

She's all glaring and hissing with me and now she's having a proper civilized conversation with a complete stranger.

She clearly has lowest of the standards. If you even call him standards. 

I remembered these past two days, she's been nothing but a leech in my life since she'd made a re-entry. First that attitude and then my house and then my fvcking bedroom. 

"Hey Aarav?" the voice broke the chain of my thoughts "Yes?" Navya leans a bit for us to hear her "Is she Iti bhabhi's sister?" my eyes narrows on her but Moksha answers for me "Yes. She's Mayra" she nods while eyeing the said person.

"She's so overdressed." her statement irritated me, as far as what I noticed Mayra prefers to wear ethnic and what's wrong with that.

"Of course Navya when you're used to wearing one pieces mostly. Traditional seems to appear overdressing." her eyes roam around the table for any defensive comment from her side. She restrains back while setting her hair when no one bothers.

From beside me I heard Adi and Moksha muffling their laughter.

Soon our parents filtered out of the lawn to head for the dinner. I got up before anyone from my table and left.

Inside the dining hall, I found all the plates and table set. I followed maa in the kitchen "Maa. Can we go out. You guys have company already" I made a face waving my finger behind me. She clicks her tongue to lower my voice.

She was about to say something when Mayra joins us in the kitchen "Okay take her" she gestures to her and my eyes fell on her. She looked confused passing her glance from me to maa.

"Mayra beta, tum baki baccho ke saath jao. Thoda ghum bhi loge aur agar koi pareshaan karta hai to mujhe batana" (Mayra dear, go hang out with them. You'll feel good. And if someone annoys you come to me) she gives me a look. 

Lady, I am your son. Why does she think I have nothing else but pranks to annoy her precious Mayra.

"Okay" she replies and I gesture her to follow me but before we could cross the hallway the bad omen calls on us "Aarav where are you going?" Kiran bua interrogates.

To hell with you.

"At a friend's" she raises her brows at Mayra beside me "And you?" Mayra answered "Going out with Muku" Rudransh eyed her with interest.

"Acha acha. Tum to Iti se bhi zyada sundar ho" (Okay okay. You're more beautiful than your sister) she wasn't complimenting and we all knew that. My gaze unwillingly fell on Iti bhabhi who didn't pay any attention to her.

"Bas thodi badi hoti to tumhari hi shaadi krwa dete Manav se" (If you would've been a little older we might have wedded you with Manav) I could hear the sharp inhale as she neared behind me as if hiding from those pins wrapped in cinnamon roll compliments.

"Though many times you don't have another beautiful options. Right Navya" I don't care if my comment was harsh, someone needs to keep them in check.

My hand found Mayra's before I entangled my fingers with her and led her outside. She was quite the entire time I dragged her till the exit. "Why did you say that?" she looked elsewhere.

"Because no one else would" she doesn't questions further when I tell her to settle in the car.  After great calculations she finally settled in the passenger's seat.

I geared the engine just when she gives me a look "Where's Adi and Muku?" I partially turned to her "They're coming behind" I acceded the car before she objects further. 

I glanced at her fidgeting hands and then her face, she was busy in her thoughts "What are you thinking?" even though I'm hundred percent sure she has zero interest in sharing her thoughts with me.

She opens "I-I'm sorry" the steering wheel rolled due to the slip of my hands and I made a vigorous break "What?" she looks shocked "Why did you stop the car?" I ignore that "You apologized to me!?" she rolls her eyes to the other side.

"I know you're not use to.." I stare at her with interest and reply "Yeah. A little out of character for Ms. Prim and Proper" she scrunched her nose "How many names do you call me?" I bit my lips to suppress the smile her annoyance pulls on me.

"Right many. But you know what my favorite is?" she looks anticipated but as I stared at those red tipped ears she got her answer.

"Fine" a chuckle despite all the efforts leaves me. 

"Why sorry, though?" she glances the road ahead, at those cars passing by and the glowing streetlight lamps ahead "Muku told me about the dare. And I didn't tell on you" my forehead pinched as I took in on her words.

"Are you suggesting me a truce. Perhaps a hand to friendship?" she hisses shuffling in her seat "No. I'm still not forgiving you about leaving me back in the airport. And there are other things too" I chuckled how she was turning pink by the end of her statement.

"That's better Mayra. You're better off hating me" the engine roared again as we rode the rest of the ride in silence.

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