Dono Jud Ke Judaa (Slow Updates)

Uljhan

Giving up is the easiest thing you could ever do, but holding it all together when everyone expects you to crumble, that is true strength.

***

By the time I reach home, my nerves are on the edge. Mazak mazak me bhej toh diye applications bade hi josh me par ab darr lag raha hai. Shit!

I hope unhe bhi funny lage. Funny hi toh the vo. Hass ke bhul jaayenge na.

You're talking about Hriday Rajput here. Have you ever seen his lips twitch even a fraction upwards?

Damn!

Ok Avni, tune life me bahot kuch face kiya hai. So this is no big deal. I ring the doorbell and dadaji opens the door.

"Avni hai" he says looking behind at daadi as I enter inside.

"Mai aapke liye cookies laayi hu. Maine khud banaye hai" I say and give dadaji the box as he smiles and opens it.

"Cookies!" Chanchal comes running towards me and hugs my legs.

"Ha khaao na" I say feeding her one.

I see daadi staring at the box. "Daadi aap tension mat lo. Aapko diabetes hai na isliye mai sugar free bhi laayi hu" I say removing the other box from my bag as her eyes light up.

"Tumhe kaise pata" she asks taking the box and opening it.

"Ek baar jab Ekansh aapke liye dawaai le raha tha tab mai uske saath hi thi" I tell her as she takes a bite and smiles in appreciation.

"Aise lag hi nahi raha sugar free hai. Bahot achhe banaa leti ho tum toh cookies" she says.

"Mujhe baking pasand hai. Aapko kuch bhi chahiye ho toh bata dijiye, Mai banaa ke laaungi cafe se" I tell them.

"Bhabhi kal cheesecake laaogi please" Chanchal asks with her mouth full. I wipe off the crumbs on the side of her mouth and say "Done".

Mugdha aunty, Hriday's mom comes into the room and my heart beats become faster. I look down and gulp.

"Chachi dekho, bhabhi cookies laayi hai. Bahot achhe hai, aap loge?" Chanchal asks.

"Chanchal, bahar ka ganda khana khaaogi toh bimaar padd jaaogi" she says.

"Ganda nahi hai Mugdha" daadi tells her kindly as she looks at me with pity.

"Mujhe nahi khaana maa" she says and leaves.

"Mai khelne ja rahi hu" Chanchal announces, stuffing one more cookie in her mouth and leaves.

We three just stand awkwardly in the room not sure what to say or do. The only thing that's going on repeat in my head is that they have the letters.

"Devika ko pasand hai bahot cookies. Tum usse de ke aa jaao baaki ke. Vo jarur khayegi" daadu says and I nod.

I take the box and go upstairs to her room. I knock lightly.

"Come in" she says in an irritated tone.

"Sorry to disturb par daadu ne kaha ke tumhe cooki- tum ro rahi ho?" I gasp.

Her eyes are swollen like she's been crying for a long time.

"Kya hua Devika?" I ask going close to her and she steps away.

"It's none of your business. Kya kaam tha vo bataao aur jaao" she says looking away.

"You can talk to me if you want" I try again.

"No I don't want to talk to you! In fact you're the last person I want to talk to" she shouts as her phone starts ringing.

I see the caller ID as 'bae' with a heart emoji. Bae kya hota hai? Chal bey jaa bey wala bey?