Fitoor

Chapter 53

Kaimur

Bihar

Mishti Bose

We reached the old haveli in less than half an hour. The incident in the forest had lightened whatever tension that hung between me and Abir. He seemed less guarded and relaxed, which in turn made me relieved too. I didn't need another headache amidst every other issue I had dug out, after returning to India. We observed Maanav and Geet, standing outside, awaiting for us.

"Ek number ka gadheda hai tu!" I stormed and hit his head. Revenge for leaving me alone with that monkey's incarnation.
"Are! Aaj amavasya hai kya? Itna badak kyu rahi hai!" I kept on punching and hitting him, that I didn't notice Geet had cleared her throat, signalling her grandfather's arrival.
"Kyu shor macha rahe ho! Geetanjali, andar aao." His gruff warning made us gulp.
"Yaar ye budda dean ki yaad dila raha hai. Wo bhi sada hua karela jaisa tha. Mar gaya saala." Maanav muttered.
"Dean tapak gaya?" I asked, shocked.

"Mai to bhul hi gaya! Tu kohinoor churane gayi aur udhar hi settle ho gayi. To tujhe kaise pata hoga ye sab." His sarcasm made me smack his head again. Geet and Abir followed us silently. Ofcourse. How could they talk between two obnoxious people on this planet! I counted me too. Hehe.
"Tu na, ek aur important cheez bhul gaya." I pointed out.
"Wo kya hai mem saab?" He added dramatically.
"Ki tere aur Geet ki setting karna mere haath me hai. Zyada zaban chalaya na, is dharti se direct narak ka ticket lagaungi." I smiled as he shut up.

"Geetanjali, idhar aao." Her grandfather called again and Geet stepped infront of him meekly.
"Humare pure khandan me aisa kaam, sirf aapne kiya hai. Doosri jaathi ki nahi, balki aapne to-"
"Dadaji, humne bina soch ke ye faisla nahi liya hai. Humko pata hai ki dono parivaaron pe is shaadi ka asar padega, isiliye sabke sahmat ke saath hum dono aage ka step lena chahte hai. Par-"
"Badi hogayi hai aap." The old man interrupted quickly.
"Itni badi badi baatein bhi karne lage hai. Yahi sikhaya jaata hai aapke college me?" I wanted to smack this dude's face instead of Maanav's now. But I controlled the urge, since the mediator responsibility was mine.

As if he heard my inner voice, he looked at me and Abir in a condescending yet curious look.
"Ye dono kaun hai?" Before I could reply, Geet had already answered.
"Humare dost hai. Pati patni hai." My mouth was wide open, similar to Abir's eyes.
"Haa, dadaji. Inka bhi love marriage hua tha." Maanav added masala. I would strangle everyone in the room if I had the power and requirements.
"Accha? Shaadi ko kitne saal ho gaye?" His question was directed at us this time. I stared at Abir, as the answer rolled out unknowingly.
"Teen saal." I said.

He stared at me, and put up his best fake smile, that actually stung. He wasn't even happy about the thought of our marriage. And he was forced into a situation like this, all because he had accompanied for my stupid therapy sessions.

"Mai Bengaluru se hu, aur ye Bengal se. Jaathi bhi alag hai, aur reeti rivaaj bhi. Par hum dono ke families aur hum, bahut khush hai. Aapko proof chahiye tha na, ye raha." Abir stood beside me, and joined our hands. I stiffened but immediately gave in. His hand was warm and comfortable, and still fit into mine, like it was tailor made. I couldn't help but smile at the familiar ease cooping up my heart. And the irrational part of my brain was happy after a long time.

But the rational part had to remind me that this only would last for few days. Then I'd be back in the hell I designed for myself. Despite all the warning bells, I tightened my grip on his fingers, and gave one of my genuine smiles towards the old man, showing him that the challenge had just begun. And I was ready for whatever tests he had in store.

Even though it meant, I had to be close to the person from whom I wanted to run away.

Durga maa, bachalo.