Ardent Lovers

From Friendship to Love - 1

It was afternoon when Abir had received a call regarding some urgent work to be handled at the NGO. He couldn't risk leaving Mishti at the Rajvansh house while Varun was also staying with them. He was sure that not a single member of the family would protect Mishti in his absence. So, to avoid taking any chance with her health as well as to keep her away from Varun, Abir had asked Mishti to tag along with him, saying that he wouldn't be able to manage all the work alone. So here they were, at the NGO. Abir was at his desk, working on his laptop. Mishti sat opposite to him. As soon as Abir was done with his work, he shut the laptop and said, "Kaam hogaya hai Mishti. Chalo, chalte hai."

As Abir got up from the chair, Mishti asked, "Yaha toh jyaada kaam nahi tha Abir. Toh fir tumne mujhse yeh kyu kaha ki bahut kaam hai?" 

Abir sighed. He had seen this coming. But before he could answer, he saw realization dawn upon Mishti's face as she said, "Varun se dur rakhne ke liye?" Abir nodded.

How well did his wife know him! He came and knelt down in front of Mishti and took her hands in his. "Haa Mishti. Mei koi risk nahi lena chahta tha. Aur mei jaanta hu ki meri absence mei ghar par koi tumhara saath nahi deta."

Hurt flickered in his eyes as the words were out of his mouth. Mishti squeezed his hands to provide some comfort. She passed him a small smile. Abir smiled looking at her and asked, "Ab chale Angry Chorni? Shaam ho gayi hai. Ghar par sab wait kar rahe honge," he chirped. Mishti bobbed her head. They both got up and headed towards their car. 

As Abir was about to get in the car, something caught his eye. He shut the door of the car and sprinted in the direction of the road. Mishti, who was going to sit inside, halted and stared at his back in confusion. Her eyes crinkled at the corners and a huge smile spread across her features as her gaze followed Abir. She saw Abir helping a blind woman cross the road. Once they were on the other side of the road, the woman blessed Abir for his generosity. Mishti's heart inflated with pride as she admired her husband. Abir's soft-hearted nature was what she had fallen in love with. And watching her husband help others without expecting anything in return was a treat to Mishti's eyes. As she saw Abir walk back towards her, she heard two kids who were standing at a little distance.

"Happy Friendships Day," the little boy wished the girl and handed her a small gift. The girl giggled and wished him back, "Happy Friendships Day."

Mishti quickly looked at the date on her phone and realized what day was today. "Aaj Friendships Day hai! Oh my God! Shayad Abir ko yaad nahi hai. Abir itne dino se mere liye itna kuch kar raha hai. Ab meri baari hai. Aaj ka din mei Abir ke liye special banana chahti hu. Aur hamare pyaar ki shuruwat dosti se hi toh hui thi. This is the perfect opportunity to surprise him!" She thought to herself. 

Abir noticed that Mishti was lost in thoughts. "Mishti, chale?" He asked.

"Huh?" Mishti came out of her trance. "Abir, woh.. woh actually mujhe na kuch kaam hai. Tum.. tum ghar jaao, mei thodi der mei aati hu." She tried to send him away so that she could implement her plan.

Abir furrowed his brows in confusion and asked, "Tumhe kya kaam hai Mishti?" Mishti glanced at Abir in surprise.

"Woh.. woh.." she stammered. "Woh mujhe na market jaana hai. Ketki ke liye gift kharidne," she lied. Abir could catch her lie in a second. But this time, she was hoping he wouldn't. And he didn't.

"Haan, toh mei bhi tumhare saath chalta hu. Fir hum dono ghar chale jaayenge," he suggested.

"Nahi!" Mishti said, a little too loudly as her eyes widened. "I.. I mean uski koi zarurat nahi hai Abir. Tum ghar jaao. Sab ghar par wait kar rahe honge. Aur kuch dino mei Ketki ki shaadi hai. Tumhe uske saath time spend karna chahiye. Mei nahi chahti hu ki meri wajah se tumhe apni behen ke saath time spend karne ka mauka na mile." She averted her gaze. She said it so that Abir would leave but she knew that because of her, Abir hadn't been able to spend time with anyone in the family.