The Imperfect Couple (Complete)

Chapter 9

Charu stole a glance at him at breakfast. He hadn't spoken to her at all since that Roshni incident in the morning. He unusually looked lost in his own thoughts, ignoring her completely. Why was he behaving so weird? As if she didn't exist at all. Why did grandma leave her alone with him?

"Aditya, when will grandma return?" she asked.

No answer.

"Aditya," she said, tapping her plate with a spoon.

"Don't know."

She could bet he knew it; all he was trying was to irritate her. Still, she tried again, "hmm. Can you tell me her number? I'll call her."

He finally looked at her irritably "there is something called phone book, if you've ever heard about such a thing, refer it instead of eating my head early morning."

Charu glared him with as much fury as she could manage in spite of her insult but he was in no mood and just returned his attention to his plate.

Stomping her feet irately on the floor, she got up and went to find the telephone diary.

Adi's gaze first followed her retreating figure and then came back to his plate.

Charu finally managed to find out grandma's number "Hello grandma. You just left without informing me. Even papa didn't tell me," she pouted.

"Charu, it was really important. Don't worry, we'll return soon. You take care."

"When are you coming back?"

"In two-three days"

"Two or three?" she demanded.

"OK, my child in two days. And how's Adi?"

Her face fell at the mention of his name, "He's fine. "

"Okay then. Take care."

"Bye."

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It was late evening. Adi was at home today. Not that he wanted to stay with her, but somewhere he didn't feel like leaving her all alone at home. But he didn't step out of his study.

 Charu was surprised to find him studying all day. Though she knew he was a topper, that studious look just didn't match with his personality.

She knocked at his door and then entered when he didn't respond.

"Coffee," she said, forwarding the coffee mug.

"Have you taken a part-time job of our servants?"

His insult genuinely hurt her. Here she was doing such favor to him just because he had been studying the whole day and he-

"If you don't want it, there's a one-syllable word called 'no'" she said and turned around, but he took the mug from her instantly.

"Who said I don't want it? I was just asking," he said, smirking.

She was fuming with anger by his smirk. Why did she take such pity and made that coffee for him?

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Adi came to his room at late night. Charu happily had informed him at the dinner that she would be sleeping in the guest room until grandma returns. Even he was relieved. He didn't need to endure her continuous claim for the bed.

But he was bored after almost fifteen minutes. He played with his video game, his basketball and even tried to get busy online. But he was getting oddly restless and irritated by almost everything. He had prayed for his previous life when she used to irritate him in his room. And now when she wasn't here he just didn't feel like doing anything, as if he was missing her. Wait. Just wait. Missing her? This couldn't be possible in the rarest possibility. And if it was; then it's the lamest thing that could have ever happened to him. How could he? Just how could he? Missing a girl? How disgusting. Why was his mind bent on conjuring up such horrifying ideas? No, seriously.

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It was afternoon, and Charu was sitting with Ankita in the canteen.

"Hey anki, why didn't Niru come today?", Charu asked.

"Yesterday she called me. She's gone with her parents to meet her relatives. "

"Seems like everyone has gone to meet their relatives; even grandma and - " Charu stopped as she realized what she was saying.

"Grandma? Charu - " she stopped as she saw Charu looking at a gang of boys entering the canteen. She looked up to find Aditya and his group. Charu was smiling at two of his friends.

"Charu, what is happening?"

"What?" she asked.

"I am noticing you for a few days. Are you hiding something?"

Charu at once became conscious. "Why do you think so Anku?"

"Because I have called you several times in the last few days and even visited your home last Saturday evening, but never found you. Renuka aunty just avoids my queries. Even your behavior has changed a lot. I miss my best friend, Charu. She hides nothing from me."

Charu stared at her for a few moments and then pulled her outside the canteen.

When they were at one corner she spoke, "I'll tell you everything, Anki. But you must promise me, you won't tell this to anyone, not even Niru."

Ankita was now tensed by her words but she asked, "Don't you trust me?"

Charu smiled with moist eyes and hugged her tightly.

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Sitting at the last bench, Charu and Ankita were talking in the break when they heard a lot of cheering. They looked up to find Karan entering the class with his friends. There was an inter-college badminton tournament that he had won. Charu's face brightened up immediately at his entry. She completely forgot what serious matters she was discussing with Ankita a moment ago. Karan once glanced at her and smiled at the grinning girl. Charu went all red at his smile. And all this did not go unnoticed by Ankita.

Ankita once thought of asking her, but then found her query too stupid to be asked. She must have imagined that blush on Charu's face. But she had even noticed Charu visiting the badminton court frequently. From Charu's narration, she knew she wasn't very fond of Aditya, her husband. But still, it was difficult to digest that she could fall for Karan instead of him.

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