Ranjish | 𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒋

X. an old nemesis

isha :

Finally, we were starting the preparations of the Annual Fest of Bhonsale Institute of Excellency.
The Bhonsale's fest was almost like a heritage event - it had to be pitch perfect.
There would be immense coverage for the events as well, there would be celebrity invitees.

In short, as Headmistress, it was stressful.
I finally locked my tiffin for college and slipped it into my bag.
I preferred taking my own food there.

Honestly, I hated cooking or doing any of the housework - but I didn't have much of a choice now.
The clock struck 8:40
I checked everything, one last time before walking out of the apartment and locking it.

"Aai.. aap theek ho?", I heard Rajat from behind.
I turned towards him and smiled.
"Ha.. Thank you so much for asking, beta.", I said,
"Tumlog?"
"Ha.. everyone's good.", He said.

I knew he and Savi weren't having the best time as husband wife, but they were trying to manage this marriage of convenience, and I appreciated that deeply.
I never got a second chance, but Savi did, and I truly wanted her to cherish it.
I knew despite our petty battles the Thakkars would keep her well as their daughter in law, unlike the Bhonsales.

"Mai aapko drop kar du?", He asked.

"Nehi—"

We heard the sharp honking of a car.
"Aise horn kaun baja raha hai?!", Rajat said irritably.
The person honked again.

"Mai chalti hu.", I said as I immediately got down the stairs and walked out of the building.

Of course.
Menace was here in person.

Vanraj Shah sat in his purple colour car beaming at me.
He gave me a two - fingered salute as he lowered the window glass.

"It's 8.43 ma'am. I'm before time.", He said proudly.
I nodded my head, sighing, amused as I walked down to his car.

"I thought hum dono kal mazak kar rahe hai.", I said.
"Vanraj Shah sirf dusron ka mazak banata hai, mazak karta nehi.", He said with a smirk.

"Waah!", I said, breaking into a smile.
"Now board the car, warna haath se nikal jayegi yeh golden opportunity.", He said.

He wore his spectacles as usual, hair combed to perfection. Wearing a blue suit over a black shirt.
Knowing there was no point in arguing with him, I sat on the backseat.

"Where to Miss?", He asked, enthusiastically.

Looks like Gujju Vanraj Shah from 90s watched Titanic last night.

"To the stars!", I said returning his enthusiasm.
He started the car.

"I see, tumhe references samajh aate hai.", He said as he drove.
"Mai buddhu nehi hu. Anyways I've watched more English movies than you.", I said.
He glanced at me through the rear view mirror every now and then.

"Haww.. itna confidence? Kyu? Mujhe dekhkar nehi lagta ki mai English movies dekhta hu?", He asked.

"Abhi toh phir bhi lagta hai.. but pehle, with that moustache, definitely not. You looked like an average middle class middle aged dad struggling with Facebook reels.", I said grinning.