Fitoor

Chapter 34

So sorry I forgot to mention! Dhunuchi is an earthen pot that the ladies use while dancing. They add incense and camphor so that it gives a smokey effect.

And Dhak is nothing but the drums. To their beat, ladies perform infront of Durga Maa.

Mishti Bose

Waking up in Kuhu's house, coming back to mine, packing our belongings, then leaving to the airport, everything happened in a jiffy. I was still shook by yesterday's events. I couldn't even think about it. How could I loose control and break down! I had to be strong and not panic again but it didn't happen the way I wanted to. And now I'll face thousand and one questions by him.

"Itna kya soch rahi hai? Tera brain already half dead hai padh padh ke. Ab completely switch off hogaya kya?" Niha nudged my shoulder and giggled.
"Are yaar! Chup rahegi thodi der ke liye? Maa maardegi mujhe." I grumbled irritated.
"Kyu? Ab kya kaand kiya tune?" She laughed.
"Abe yaar! Maa ne bola ki aaj navami hai aur Durga pooja ka aakhri din. Hume waha already rehna chahiye tha. Par kal to-"

"Tu busy thi aur mai so gayi thi. Yaar Maanav bhaiyya pe blame daal dete hai ki unhone der kar diya party se aate wakt." Niha suggested as I looked at her smiling.
"Tu bhi seekh gayi." I grinned mischeviously and dialled that idiot's number whilst carrying our bags inside the boarding room.
"Excuse me ma'am?" Maya, that chick in Abir's office appeared suddenly infront of us. Cutting the call I looked at her.

"Hey! Tujhe abhi tak fire nahi kiya us bandar ne?" I giggled as she shook her head and smiled.
"Nahi ma'am. Actually aajkal wo kaafi busy haina. Isiliye." She smiled knowingly.
"Kya matlab aajkal busy hai? Wo to har wakt busy hi rehta hai. Ajeeb praani." I muttered under my breath as Maya chuckled.
"Ma'am, aapko yaha seperate runway pe jaana hai. A small change in course of flight." She requested.

Niha had already taken her whole luggage and moved front. Glaring at her I followed Maya too. When we reached the runway, there was he. Standing like a light pole infront of the flight. Sorry sorry, charted flight. Is he that rich? Ofcourse. He owns a multibillion company. So this was his plan of getting me to talk.

"Aayiye ma'am." Maya directed us towards the entrance as Niha and Abir did a fist bump. When did these two get so close? Anyways, I ignored him completely and got inside only to find others. Abir's parents, his brother, Maanav, Kuhu and Kunal.
"Chaunk gaye?" Maanav questioned after taking my bags.
"Tum log yaha kya kar rahe ho?" I asked.
"Aao Mishti beta." Roopa aunty called as I smiled and went in.

"Aap yaha?" I asked again.
"Har dussehra ko hum Mysore chale jate the. Inka hometown haina to hum bahut dhoomdhaam se celebrate karte the." Aunty smiled as uncle sat down with us.
"Is baar hum ek change ke liye Bengal aarahe hai. Bose family ke saath tyohaar manaane ke liye." Shashank uncle smiled and kissed Niha's head fondly.

"Jitna Abir aur Pranav humare bete hai, utna hi tum aur Niharika humare betiyan ho. Hum thodi na humare bacchiyon ko akele jaane dete! Isiliye pure paltan ke saath aagaye." Aunty chuckled as I hugged her smiling widely. This is the best Navratri ever!
"Chalo chalo. Kuch khaalo warna Abir mujhe kha jayega. Subah se bol raha hai ki, the instant you guys arrive, you should be fed." Aunty hoisted us up.

As I finished the breakfast and settled down near the cabin, I looked out and enjoyed the view. That's when someone cleared their throat. Maanav.
"Tu yaha 'no sharab devdas' ke tarah akeli  kyu baithi hai?" He plopped beside me.
"Maanav, wo-"
"Dekh Dholu, nahi to Bholu hai?" He crinkled his forehead as I smacked his arm.
"Kuch bhi. Tujhe explanation dene ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Jab tera mann kare tab batana." He patted my arm.