The Angst

Chapter 1: In Denial

"What did you just say?" Parul was aghast! Was she listening correctly or was she mistaken? Ben Baa was talking to someone over phone. It was about bailing out Naman. How could that be? "What did I just hear Ben Baa? No. No no no no no... I must be mistaken. You wouldn't do such a thing, would you?"

One look at Meenakshi and Parul knew what she had overheard was indeed true. "How could you! WHY would you?"

"Parul... whatever I am doing is for the betterment of my family. Don't worry. My plans never backfire."

"That's what you think, Ben Baa."

"Parul! I will do whatever it takes to keep my family..."

"Family my foot! You are only concerned about satisfying your EGO! I will not be party to this madness. I've had enough!"

"Parul... you cannot ditch me like this?"

"Then why the hell is Naman Agarwal out on bail. Didn't you just say that into the phone?"

"Naman Agarwal?" Abir Rajvansh approached Parul from behind. " Maasi! Did you just say Naman Agarwal? Mishti's father? What about him?"

"Abir..."

"Maasi... I heard you mention that name. Is he out of jail? Who got him out? What's going on? Speak up Maasi! What were the two of you discussing? ...Maa? What is it?"

"Uh... Abir, it's just... nothing relevant actually, son!" Meenakshi.

"Your Maa got a call from someone. He told Naman Agarwal is out on bail." Parul.

"Who called? And who bailed him out?"

"I have no clue, Abir." Meenakshi.

"I see..." He was already lost in thoughts. And all he could think of was Mishti. She shouldn't get this news. If Naman Agarwal is out of jail, he will definitely try to contact her. Mishti coming face to face with her father was the last thing Abir wanted.

Naman was her father and yet the biggest source of disappointment for her. He had only caused her trouble so far. Abir didn't want him anywhere near Mishti. He had to make sure of that... anyhow. Even if he and Mishti were not on talking terms currently.

It was a week ago that they had had their first serious argument. He couldn't even call it their first, since they were officially not a couple, yet.

He was deeply, madly and irrevocably in love with her. And he knew the feeling was mutual. He knew, she also loved him. But was in a denial mode. He was trying his best to get her out of this misery.

Past few days he had been harassing her, trying to make her jealous about his non existent girlfriend. He even used her own painting and photographs against her... pretending that they were somebody else's. And she actually had fallen for his prank. But little did he know that it would backfire this badly.

That morning she didn't talk to him. In the meetings she seemed reserved, withdrawn in her shell. There was something that was troubling her. Abir tried to get her to talk but it seemed she was consciously trying to avoid him. Kept in the company of the NGO ladies. Had her lunch with them, instead of him. She was replying to his text messages...all were to the point, curt, one word replies. That was so uncharacteristic of Mishti.

By the second evening, Abir was getting edgy. He thought of confronting her the next day. It was late evening when he was leaving for home, that the courier arrived. It was addressed to Mishti. "Such a big courier at office... for Mishti?" Not that she never shopped on line, but It was very unlike Mishti to order personal stuff at the NGO. he was puzzled no doubt, but took it in stride. It was a pair of sports shoes!! Mishti had ordered a pair of brand new shoes. He noticed a volunteer and called her out. "Didi! Mishti's courier has arrived. Will you please keep it on her desk."

"Oh yes, ofcourse! Must be the shoes she ordered yesterday. That was pretty fast. She will be very happy to see them. Poor girl, dropped one of her shoes somewhere while she had gone cycling the other night. "

It was then, that the alarm bells went off in his head. He had a shoe with him. It belonged to someone who had been sneaking out of his room two nights ago...

When Mishti walked in the next morning, she had two parcels waiting on her desk. The bigger one she recognised. It was from the vendor that she had ordered her shoes from. The second one was a smaller package, gift wrapped as a toffee in bright pink colour. It was addressed to her but the sender's name didn't reflect on it. So, hesitantly she opened it, not sure what to expect. It was her lost shoe! Surprised, she shrieked "my shoe! I found my shoe!"

"You angry chorni! Yeah... that's what you are! It was you all right. You broke into my room the other night... not only did you break in, you took off with poor Jugnu's uniform! What were you doing there?" Abir was standing in front of her, his hands on his hips, suspiciously eyeing her. He looked really cute... all worked up! The mere thought that she had been in his room when he was sleeping and she kept quite about it! His curiosity was at its peak. It was then, that she confronted him.

Yes. She had sneaked into his house that night. And she got to see that secret painting of his! He had been troubling her for no reason. And she was upset. Gave him an earful. He had no choice but to bear the brunt of her anger. It was justified afterall! He promised not to play any more pranks on her, but the damage was done. She was still in denial about her feelings. Keeping her family above everything else. The family that had given her refuge, taken care of her when her own parents had abandoned her. She was forever grateful to them for what they had done for her.

She was a practical girl. Always thinking everything through before taking any action. Where as Abir was a free spirited person. Always led by his heart. He had tried his best to make her understand that they were destined to be with each other and it shouldn't be that difficult to work out if they work on it together. But alas! Mishti won't even talk about it. He didn't want to pressurize her in any way. So, to avoid making things uncomfortable, he backed off for the time being.

But things were now changed. Especially after knowing that Naman was free, Abir couldn't let the status quo be. He had to now get into action. Afterall, Mishti was his topmost priority.