There Was You

Chapter 12: Abhay Kaun?

• Raining, Man! •

By the time I left the Khan mansion, towards my hotel it was already 10 to midnight .

The slight drizzle outside my car did not fail to dampen my mood further.

I found out a lot of new things today. Some (more than others) I'm not happy that I did.

One, I have a shoe bite and they're no joke.

Two, all prostitutes from the Red-light area in Mumbai do not wear red blouses.

Three, I'm an awful human for even believing that joke my cousin told as a prank.

Four, my grandpa has been sleeping with the house help. (Not surprised but would have appreciated without certain vivid images that I can't unsee. Ever.)

Five, I'm adopted. (Well, in all technicalities I've known this one for over a week now. But I'm still kind of salty about it.)

"You still hate Baarish, Baba?" asked Ramu Kaka from the driver's seat, looking me in the eye, with a teasing glint, via the rear view mirror as I shivered and made faces at the water droplet.

I nodded and he let out a hearty laugh.

"That's why you should have just stayed in the mansion as I told you," he shrugged.

"Under the same roof where I caught my grandfather and Shalini aunty going at it?" I asked the question and answered it myself, sarcastically, "Yeah, I would love to, but no thanks!"

He let out a laugh again.

"You've got your grandfather's wit. You remind more of him, everyday."

"I am sorry, I think you might have forgotten about the fight Dhadha and I had today. You know, the one where I was yelling that I was adopted and he kept drinking his whisky on the rocks?! Yeah! News flash, Ramu Kaka, I'm adopted!"

The man just pissed me off further with his ruffled laughter.

"See, just like him."

"Whatever."

"Just like him," he mutters again, with a snort.

"Screw you!"

I look out the window, on to the lighted building we stood next to, whilst waiting for the traffic lights to go green.

And that's when I saw her. Her red blouse, wet and almost translucent. Her gray saree, stuck to her body. Her wet hair, falling onto the crevice of her neck. Damn, that woman was hot! (Thanks to the rain Gods, I guess.)

And familiar.

She was trudging the familiar luggages as well.

"Kaka, pull over onto the sidewalk."

And he did as he was told.

He stopped right beside her, and she took a step away, giving a little glare. Was she always in a bad mood?

I opened the door for her and she met my eyes.

Her nose scrunched up in disgust and her cheeks turned red with anger. A valid reaction, I suppose.

"Get in."

"Go fuck yourself," She says with a snort, making Ramu Kaka grunt uncomfortably.

"Let this be my apology, I realized I was wrong-"

"Rude, crass and judgemental," she finished, smiling, haughtily, through the rain.

"And you can be the sweet, nice lady you are by accepting my apology. Be the better person," I say.

"I would rather be a sinister nun, thanks."

"Let me put it this way- the rain is not going to stop, you're unlikely to get any rides at this time and I can see your black bra," my words made her scowl deeper and made Ramu Kaka launch into a fit of coughs.

"You're fucking unbelievabl-"

"Okay, that's enough, kids!" Ramu Kaka declared, recovering from his coughs.

I watched him as he got off the car onto the sidewalk, and pulled out an umbrella from the trunk.

"Baba, you take the car and get yourself to the hotel. I shall fetch another ride for the young lady!"

"What? No-" I was rudly cut off.

"Even if she agrees, I refuse to be in the same car as your immaturity. Follow the GPS. You probably won't get lost."

"Ramu Kaka, I am not used to driving on the left side of the road!"

"Pathetic excuse," the girl intervened, " If you get into an accident, make sure you ask for Dr. Sankari Swaminathan. I shall put in a word for a better bed in the ER, for your entitled ass."

She held on to Ramu Kaka's elbow as they trudged down the other direction carrying the bags.

I distinctly hear them calling each other dear.

And I just sat there. Confused as fuck.

What just happened?

*****
In the wise words of Chris Hemsworth, " I'm back bitches!"

I am really sorry for being M.I.A almost all the time!

I love you guys.

Please don't hate me!

I dedicate this chapter to my favs!!! thewayilookatbacon rainbowwveins Aliferous__ Sxboor

Love y'all!
Until next time,
S.L