2 Sides

Misunderstandings

Palomi walked to the kitchen with a lot of pent up anger. She continued washing the vessels.
Kabir followed her with a serious expression and looked at Palomi. He said, "Omi. What's the matter? What did I do this time?"
"You didn't do anything. It's all my fault!"
Kabir did the 'chh' sound and he didn't know what to say. He looked at Palomi again and said, "What's going on in your complex mind?"
Palomi gave him a look. She winded up with the vessels and walked to the bedroom. Kabir grabbed hold of her arm. He didn't let her go and pulled her back.
Palomi was irritated. She shouted, "Just leave me alone Kabir. I'm not in the mood."
"I'm not going to irritate you I promise."
"Well, you have succeeded in doing so."
Kabir let out a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry. But if you don't tell me what's wrong, I won't know. And you know that I am ready to listen."
Palomi looked at him with her moist eyes. She wanted to say something but by then, tears rolled out of her beautiful eyes. Kabir wiped her tears and was feeling sad from inside. He said, "Don't act like a mute Pallo. You have a mouth. Use it."
Palomi started crying more.
Kabir regretted what he said. He consoled her by saying, "Okay I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Just tell... What are you hiding from me?"
Palomi rested her head on Kabir's chest and he hugged her in return. He stroked her hair and he patiently waited for Palomi to slow down.
After a few seconds, Palomi paused, withdrew herself from Kabir and walked towards the bedroom. Kabir was perplexed this time. He followed her cluelessely.
He saw that Palomi was making their bed and she announced, "Tomorrow evening we have our school reunion. They kept it tomorrow because they wanted you there."
Kabir came near Palomi but she avoided him and walked to the other side of the bed.
Kabir asked, "What time?"
"7"
"Are you coming?"
"I don't know."
"Don't you want to meet our friends?"
"No, not really."
"Come on. It'll be fun and refreshing. Trust me you'll have a great time."
Palomi didn't reply. She said, "Good night Kabir," and she went off to sleep.

***

Next evening, Palomi and Kabir didn't seem to be talking much. Kabir was ready and he was waiting in the living room, looking into his mobile.
He went inside the bedroom to see what Palomi was doing. She was wearing a simple top and jeans just like him and was applying lipstick in front of the mirror. She was looking simple yet elegant.
Kabir prompted from behind, "You're looking hot."
Palomi said a blank thanks and was putting her mobile inside her sling bag.
She was heading out to the living room and Kabir was blocking her.
She said, "Thank you."
"For?"
"You just called me hot!"
"Oh okay for that."
Palomi was making her way out but Kabir didn't let her go.
She was irritated as usual and said, "What do you want?"
"I want you to smile."
She gave a fake smile which faded out in a second.
"I want a real smile. Let's start from a new page and try to be how we used to be before. So filmy and cheesy all the time. Remember? We used to have so much fun then."
"We used to. Come on, we're late."

***

It was 8pm. Palomi, Kabir and their batchmates had gathered around in a small restaurant. There were 15 - 16 people present for the reunion.
Everbody was having a great time. Kunal, a very closefriend of both Palomi and Kabir joked about them by saying, "Guys. Today we have the two lovebirds together. We should pull their leg. Shouldn't we?"
Everybody agreed and started laughing. Kabir was blushing while Palomi gave her fake smile.
Twisha, a girl from the gang asked, "Seriously guys. I mean trust me when I think about love, I think about the two of you. You both are just... Just made for each other."
Palomi said with sarcasm, "We love each other a lot."
Ansh, another guy said, "You guys were dating since... Nursery?"
Everybody laughed except for Palomi.
Kabir corrected, "Are you crazy? We're dating since college."
Few girls did the 'aww' expression while some were blushing and making fun of them.
Kunal shouted in a funny way, "Oh my God! This is indeed true love. They are a perfect couple!"
Everyone was in a light mood but Palomi looked uncomfortable. Kabir saw that and asked, "Hey, you okay?"
Palomi looked at him and looked at everyone around them.
She announced, "Actually no. I'm not okay."
Everybody stared at her in an unusual manner including Kabir.
Palomi said in a very blank tone, "There's nothing between us."
Everybody shouted, "What!"
Kabir whispered, "Palomi stop."
She went on, "Okay, we are in a relationship. That's there between us. But what you guys tease us by calling us lovebirds, that's not there. And let me correct you Kunal. We're not a  perfect couple. We're the complete opposite. What you think is not true."
Everyone was silent and glared at Kabir. He felt embarrassed.
Palomi got up and said with her fake smile, "I'll just make a call and come in about ten minutes. You guys carry on."
She exited from the back door of the restaurant. Now, all eyes were on Kabir. He couldn't take the attention so he made an excuse.
"Guys chill. She's just a little stressed out because of the workload. She'll be fine. Whatever she said wasn't the whole truth. She's over - exaggerating things."
Kunal said, "Just go and talk to her bro."
Kabir said, "Yes. I'll be back."
He exited from the back door and was in a mood to argue with Palomi.

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