Fitoor

Chapter 7

Mishti Bose

I sat and applied kohl to my eyes. Baba and Maa had already gotten ready. Niha was looking good too. Normally I loathe these kind of parties but this one has got me excited. Because I want to see what that arrogant fellow has planned for me. And let him also have a taste of my vengeance!

Alright alright. I received one hour lecture from both Kuhu and Maanav and they said they'd kill me if I didn't attend the "party". They politely insisted so I had to agree. Kuhu was all riled up because her mother had forced her into this. Maanav was ready because of the free food and wine. I am an active member of team Maanav! Why else anyone wants to attend these parties.

Once we reach the venue, I noticed the place was extravagant and screamed rich. Even we were the second best industries in Bangalore. Baba earned in millions but we never showed off. All that money goes to the employment development funds and NGOs. So only our house is not a bungalow and we don't wear expensive jewellery.

Baba and my policy is to be simple, while Maa, Niha and Dadi like to show off. That's why we often are in a mid ground where Maa doesn't force me to be an Indian soap 'bahu' who applies makeup while sleeping too. Niharika is just makeup. Period. Not that I complain but she spoils her natural face because of that.

"Hey! Thanks for saving my ass." Kuhu came to me and whispered in my ear smiling.
"Chal drama mat kar. Waise bhi, mai tumhare liye nahi aayi." I ignored her successfully and was searching my enemy.
"Phir? Lemme guess. Khaana." She smiled sarcastically.

"Haa wo ullu kaha hai?" I asked about Maanav.
"Yaha. Aur ani mi ullu nahi." He complained like a kid.
(And I'm not an idiot.)
"Tujhe pata hai na hume Marathi nahi aati hai." Kuhu said.

"Haa isiliye baat karta hu mai us language me. Common sense kehke ek cheez hai. Use karo kabhi kabhi." He shoved us both away and marched towards the food section.
"Ruk na. Mai bhi aarahi hu." I ran behind him.
"Dono meri izzat utaarne me kya maza le rahe ho yaar. Kya paap kiya tha maine pichle janam me!" Kuhu exclaimed.

"Chup chaap follow kar warna tere majnu ke liye doosre laila dhoond lunga mai." Maanav warned.
"Bhos-"
"No swearing!" I shushed Kuhu before she could complete the word.
"Theek hai mom. Chalo ab." She grumbled as we both chuckled.

"Accha maharani ji, aaj kyu nahi padhaare college ko? Haathi ne holiday li thi kya?" Maanav giggled.
"Haa. Isiliye lekar jaa rahi hu kuch khilane ke liye." I said and entwined my hand around his.
"Mai haathi to tu mere saathi." He said as me and Kuhu looked at each other.

"Isko kuch pilana yaar. Warna aise C grade jokes maarta rahega." Kuhu whined when we reached the bar section.
"Topic divert mat kar. Kyu nahi aayi?" He asked seriously.
"Are wo chai wala-"
"Abir Bharadwaj is here!" Kuhu literally squealed. Because of her I splashed the water on Maanav.

"Abe-"
"Kunal is here too!" She shouted again and this time I spilled another glass on him before he could complete his sentence.
"What the fu-"
"Fish! Fish try kare?" I nervously smiled as I saw Maa, Baba, and others approaching us.
"Ye geela kyu hai?" Baba asked.

"Baarish uncle. Baarish." Maanav said glaring at us.
"Koi baarish nahi hua. Hum sab to yahi the." Maa replied.
"Special type ka baarish tha Maa. Sirf Maanav pe gira." They stared at us like we're some aliens.
"Chal. Tujhe sukhate hai." I said and dragged him and Kuhu out of their sight.

As I was about to take them to a room, I found myself colliding into a wall. I stepped back groaning holding my forehead. Actually it wasn't a wall. It was him! This dude is seriously disastrous. Har jagah dikhta hai. No difference between him and wall tho.

"Phir se tum. Aankhe kaha rakh ke bahar aate ho?" Abir scolded. Not gonna lie, he looked dashing in that black tux. Neatly gelled hair and that chiseled jaw line of his looked amazingly handsome. Mishti! Focus! I narrowed my eyes at him and started to speak but Maanav cut me.
"Haina? Mai bhi che saal se wahi puch raha hu." He chuckled.