Love Started With A 'Boo' | ✓

Episode 11

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘩, 2017
𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘬𝘢

"Who. The. Hell. Is. He?"

If jealousy were to be a viscous liquid, it would be my honour to announce that it was dribbling from the begrudged countenance of Mr Lawyer who had his jaw gripped as if I had just knocked it out and I could also notice his congealed fist. Who said love was in the air, I could already cut jealousy through the visionary principles of my combat skills. 

Having a cunning smile dancing on my lips, I whispered, "Plan number 11," inside the ears of the same man who had mutated Mr Lawyer to his usual Mr Hippo vogue.

There was one famous saying, the one who gets annoyed easily, there's a greater vigour to aggravate him more. My conspiracy was already contrived, I just was left to electrocute it.

"Well, I'm her boyfriend. Pritika's boyfriend. Do you've any problem with that?" 

Amandeep Veerji was the most consequential dramebaaz kinsman of mine who was also my partner-in-crime who had been remarkably accommodating in all my escapades which were already written in the golden folios of our chronicle, I giggled jocularly and glanced at Divyaant's face which was worth howling in utter hysteria. His mouth was ajar for a fly to do its afternoon chores and his eyes were resembling the top-eyed toy I had bought for Noor.

And then Mr Hippo decisively closed his mouth to squeak a, "What?".

"What is he saying, Pritika?" Plan number 11 was working splendidly now, I grunted beneath my breath and gave him those He-is-stating-the-truth looks which prompted another set of eloquence on his features. I had a hard time to control my smile, better serve you, Mister, for cancelling the date, I mused victoriously and feigned those innocent looks of feeling guilty and gloomy. "But you were single, no?" the bluntness of this lawyer, I tell you, I swivelled my eyes and smiled inwardly. He looked adorable though with jealousy warping his grimace.

"Actually....he's just joking. He's my cousin, Amandeep," not wanting to make this chap cry in heartbreak and melancholy, I stated out voluntarily and broke into giggles because Divyaant was looking extremely ludicrous in his 'All red mode on' resembling a lost hippo of Kaziranga national park. 

I now knew that he was jealous, very jealous. Amandeep Veerji too chortled in laughter and Noor likewise wasn't behind, she started tittering noticing how her aunt, as well as her Funny uncle, was laughing.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Divyaant, right? Have heard a lot about you," Amandeep Veerji beamed and forwarded his hand towards Mr Hippo for a handshake which he oh-so haughtily overlooked. "It wasn't nice to meet you," Divyaant glared at Amanjeet Veerji and then at me, this man surely didn't like pranks and jokes, did he? Giving us a last dazzle and bidding, "Bye Noor. Bye Pritika," he subsequently left for wherever he was heading towards earlier but now in a very foul mood.

I looked at his back and regretted whatever I did with him. I shouldn't have(s) and I should have(s) started playing Kabaddi in my head and the more they argued, the more penitent I grew. 

"Oye, Preet. I think I should leave immediately, I had to exchange a shirt and Amanjit would be waiting for me at home. Say my Sat Sri Akaal to all. Take care and you too, my baby," giving back Noor in my arms, Amandeep Veerji belatedly left for his house; he was always in a rush, be it for his office-going day or a day at Elante.

With a little contrition and despondency in my heart, I further split towards the Kids' store with the subtle and sober Noor in my arms. My remembrance was showing me the flashbacks of the time when Divyaant was socialising with me. I never left a chance to irritate him, how could...my solicitudes in the spur of the moment suspended abruptly when a shrill 'boo' was trumpeted aloud in my delicate ears. "What did you think? I'd let you go for your stunts, Miss Boo?" playfulness and smirking demeanour lacing his features, Divyaant stated softly, staring right through my soul.