Clean Bowled

Chapter 55

*Viraj*

I can't believe Rudra talked me into this. I was supposed to be going tomorrow but he wants to meet me now. Right now. Urgent hai bola.

I take my Harley Davidson on the ferry and many people eye it in awe. I smile proudly.

I have a love for bikes. I have three in Mumbai. I want to remove my helmet but refrain from doing so. Sometimes being famous is a pain in the ass.

I reach near my street and slow down when my house comes into view, just beside Rudra's. I stare at it. Many changes are made by the new people who stay here but once I called it home. Many memories are attached to it. Good and bad. It was a good decision to sell it. The bad memories outnumber the good ones.

I stop the bike in front of Rudra's house and hand whistle. That's how I always called him during college and school days.

He comes rushing outside. "Bhai sorry lekin mujhe urgent jaana hai Pari ke ghar. Uske mom dad ko kuch discuss karna hai. Tu tab tak mere ghar ruk ja. Fir jaayenge vo resort ka final karne" he says.

"Abeyy pagal hai kya? Urgent urgent bol ke mujhe itne jaldi bulaya aur ab yaha rukaa raha hai idiot. Mai nahi ruk raha tere ghar" I say. I saw that he locked the door so uncle aunty are also not home obviously.

"Sorry bhai. Yaar tu moti ki bag laaya kya?" He asks.

Moti?

Oh.. Aslesha. He calls her moti. Pata nahi kyu.. she has lost a lot of weight.

"Ha"

"Tu ja ke usse de aa na. Tab tak mai aa jaaunga wapas" he says.

"Nahi nahi nahi nahi. No way" I say raising my hands up in surrender.

"Ja na yaar. Waise bike toh badi dhaasu hai teri. Ek number" he says and circles me to look at it.

"Topic mat change kar" I say with a poker face.

"Arre please ja na mujhe bahot kaam hai dekh mai late bhi ho raha hu" he says and I shake my head.

"Meri problem nahi hai ye" I reply.

"Bass ha Veer ab. Bahot ho gaya!" He shouts at me and my eyes widen. Rudra ko bahot rarely gussa aata hai aur jab aata hai tab bahot bura aata hai.

"Yaha mujhe itne kaam hai fir bhi koi co-operate karne ke liye ready hi nahi hai mere saath. Sab ka apna hi kuch matter chalu hai. Chup chap Aashi Ko ye bag deke aa" he yells and I nod quickly.

"Ab ja yaha mera muh kya dekh raha hai" he exclaims and I quickly start my bike and leave.

What the hell was that?

Bichara bahot pareshaan hai sab tayyari ko le kar. Mujhe apni pareshaani uspe nahi thopni chahiye.

I go on my way to her house. Does she still stay her? Without any difficulties I reach her place. Is it weird that I remember exactly where she lives ab tak?

No it's not! Mera dimaag kaafi achha hai.

Whatever.

Thunder rumbles above me as I park the bike near her scooter in the small shed. She still has this scooter. Absentmindedly my hand goes towards her goofy looking helmet, images of me buckling it up below her chin flashing in my mind. I shake my thoughts.

Don't go there!

I bring my hand towards her door bell but for some reason I'm not able to press it.