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Pakhi and Shruti stared into each other's eyes awkwardly. The silence in a particular table of a restaurant was heavier than the noise of the rest of the people presenting here. It couldn't kill the silence between Jaydev and Aryan.
Both are trying their best to ignore each other's presence and behave as if the other person does not exist here. Jaydev is busy in his mobile and Aryan is impatiently waiting for breakfast.
Shruti gestured to Pakhi that she is going to break this never-ending silence. With this purpose, she cleared her throat and grabbed their attention.
" Subha subha kitni taazgi mehsoos ho rahi hai na?"
( It feels fresh in the morning, no?)
She was able to make them look at her but unable to receive their reply. Their silence made her embarrassed- no, she never get embarrassed. She felt nervous.
" Uhm, raat ko ache se soye aap sab?"
( Did you all sleep well?)
Her efforts won and Jaydev parted his mouth to reply.
" No. Thank you. If you stay awake, it is your mouth that speaks; if you sleep, it is your hands and legs that speak. And both times I get in trouble."
Pakhi pressed her lips to suppress her laugh while Shurti made a face.
" I told you to sleep on the couch."
He chuckled sarcastically, " You go to sleep there. Why should I?"
" Then why are you complaining about my sleeping habits? That's how I sleep."
She huffed internally. Aryan rubbed his palm over his face and felt his stomach gurgling due to hunger. When he is extremely hungry, his frustration knows no limit.
" You-"
" Shut up. Shut up. Both of you!"
He burst out in anger and refrained himself from banging his fist on the table but earned a glare from Jaydev.
" Why? If you have a problem, you can change your seat."
Aryan clenched his jaw and was about to reply but pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned his back on the chair and said in forced calm voice,
" Listen. I am not really in the mood. Don't fucking irritate me."
Jaydev narrowed his eyes, " I-"
" Bhai,"
Jaydev looked at Pakhi as she interrupted him. She gestured to him to keep quiet for a while. He rolled his tongue inside the mouth and felt... jealous. He shot glare at Aryan one last time then got up from his seat.
" Bhai-"
Not waiting to hear, he walked away from there. Shruti frowned while Aryan paid no attention. Pakhi sighed knowing very well what happened to her grown up brother all of sudden.
" I'll be back," Pakhi said and stood up.
" Where are you going?"
Aryan asked.
" I am coming in a while," she replied to him in a gentle voice then followed the way he went.
Aryan shifted his attention from Pakhi to Shruti and frowned, finding her glaring at him.
" What now?"
She crossed her hands around chest.
" You are being too much, bhai. I know you both are not friends now but that's not how you behave. See, he got angry because of you."
He chuckled amusingly, " and why are you so affected, my dear sister?"
She rolled her eyes, " listen, I am not affected or anything. It's just that he barely talks but when he is now, you ruined his mood."
He pointed behind, referred to Jaydev then said, " that was not talking. He was arguing."
" Whatever it was. I enjoy it with him," she replied in a bit of annoyance.
" Aha! Mere sath to kabhi enjoy nahi kara," he irked.
( You never enjoyed it with me,)
She frowned, " what do you mean?"
He looked away from her irritatedly, " just go and argue with him."
She sighed heavily and shook her head in disbelief, " don't tell me you are getting jealous now."
He passed her a judgemental look, " look at yourself. Why would I get jealous?"
She shrugged her shoulders and put her hands on the table then stood up while saying, " I should go to SP Sahab-"
" Jahan baithi ho vahin baithi raho."
( Stay where you are sitting.)
He cut her off in the middle and she giggled then sat back on her chair.
" See you are jealous."
Ignoring her above four words, he asked,
" Why do you call him SP Sahab?"
" Just the way I call you Vakil Sahab sometimes," Shruti replied.
" Whatever!"
He mumbled.
" Bhai, listen to me carefully, when he comes back you are not going to say anything whether he talks to me or argues."
" I. Will. Do whatever you want," he said stubbornly.
" Bhai!" she whined.
" Okay okay, goodness! You are so loud," he said when he sensed gazes on himself.
" Just think how embarrassed Pakhi and I feel in the crowd when you two fight," she snapped at him.
" You are talking a lot today," he uttered.
" I always. Leave it! Tell me do you agree?"
He shook his head, " no-"
" Bhai! I will kill you."
" Okay okay. Shut up now."
She smiled widely and raised her hand for high-five, " that's like my Bhai!"
When he did not high-five, she grabbed his hand and forcefully made him do it.
" God!"
He breathed unbelievably at his childish sister. Shurti, while looking around, asked,
" Where did Pakhi go?"
" To pacify him of course," Aryan replied.
" Oh yes," Shruti nodded.
And Aryan was totally right.
Pakhi came out of the restaurant and found him waiting outside. He was silently watching the busy road when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
" Go away, Shruti. I don't want to talk right now," he spat angrily.
" It's me, bhai."
His expression softened as Pakhi's voice entered his ear. He turned his head to the left side and found her standing right there.
" Did you expect di?"
She asked with a smile.
" No, I mean she doesn't leave a moment to irritate me. That is why I thought she again came with such a purpose," he replied.
She nodded and glanced at the road then back at him, " let's get inside?"
" Ahn," he shook his head and faced the road again.
" Why?"
Pakhi asked and rubbed her arms as she felt a cold breeze passing by her. Instead of replying to her question, he asked,
" Isn't the closeness between you and him increasing?"
She frowned, " means?"
He rested his back on the wall and folded his hands around the chest, " nothing."
She blinked, felt confused but chose not to stretch the topic.
" Bhai, let's get inside. I am hungry."
" So, you go and have breakfast," he replied.
She shook her head and grabbed his upper arm, " but not without you."
" He is there. Shruti is there. It's not like I will feed you."
" Bhai," she sulked.
" Stop behaving like a child and come inside with me. I am so hungry."
He clicked his tongue, " I hate his presence."
" I don't know properly but I am sure he does too. Let's keep it aside for a while and eat breakfast first," Pakhi said.
Jaydev looked at her and instantly melted when she casted magic of her innocent eyes. He sighed, " okay."
She knew that it was not difficult to pacify him. She has privileges of being his little sister. He never gets angry with her. Always talk to her sweetly and listen to her quietly. Probably because of his immense fondness and spoiling, she finds it hard to adjust with people opposite of this personality.
Aryan and Shruti looked at them as they came back and took their respective seats. By now they came, their food was already placed on the table.
They started eating their food. Pakhi and Shruti did not step back from conversing with one another while eating and completely avoiding two men.
After having food, they went out of the restaurant and just then Jaydev's mobile rang.
He picked up the call and talked to commissioner Ravi.
" Jai Hind, sir."
" Jai Hind, Jay. I hope you slept properly last night."
" I did sir."
" Did you have breakfast yet?"
Commissioner asked.
" Yes sir," Jaydev replied.
Commissioner hummed and asked, " I got to know your sister and her husband have also come with you?"
He frowned, " who..told you sir?"
" Of course your father-in-law," the commissioner laughed lightly.
" Oh acha acha," Jaydev chuckled to match his mood with the commissioner. Pakhi and Shruti looked at him.
Jaydev cursed mentally his destiny. Perks of being a famous businessman. Rajdeep Chauhan took advantage of his fame and position and talked to the commissioner. Another fact was that the commissioner and him are old friends.
" So, bring them to the wedding as well."
" Uhm, them?"
" Yeah yeah. Rajdeep has especially told me to take care of them."
Jaydev ruffled his hair and replied unwillingly, " okay sir."
" Cool. Marriage is in 4 days. Till then. Enjoy with family."
" Yes, sir. Jai Hind."
Jaydev said and waited until the commissioner disconnected the call.
" Family my foot! I don't know in what unlucky moment my fate was written," he gritted his teeth.
" Maine likhi thi aapki kismat, SP Sahab."
( I wrote your fate, SP Sahab.)
He turned around hearing her voice and she wiggled her eyebrows teasingly at him. He looked around and spotted Aryan and Pakhi on the other side of the road.
" They left without us?"
Shruti hummed, " mai ruk gayi aapke liye. Road cross Kara dungi aapko. Aa jao. Hath pakad lo mera."
( I stayed for you. I will help you cross the road. Grab my hand.)
She forwarded her hand at him. He pushed her hand away, " zip your mouth, professor or I will throw you in front of the running car."
He shifted his mobile in pants pocket and waited until the road got pretty empty then started crossing.
" Wait for me, SP Sahab," she particularly ran to him to walk side by side with him. But as they reached the other side of door, Aryan started scolding Shruti,
" How many times have I told you not to run on roads?"
She waved her head in carefree manner, " take a chill pill, bhai."
" Where should we go?"
Pakhi asked them. Jaydev and Aryan looked at her blankly.
" What? When we have come here, we should look around, no?"
" Of course, Pakhi!" Shruti joined her and went to her side. She grabbed her arm and added,
" We are in Goa. It would be so unfortunate if we don't go to the beach."
" Right!" Pakhi exclaimed. Shruti brought her face close to her ear and mumbled,
" We are now taking them otherwise they will ruin our holidays."
Pakhi nodded but as Shruti withdrew her face, both Aryan and Jaydev said together,
" We will go with you two."
They did not hear her rather they assumed and replied accordingly.
" No thanks. We don't need you-"
" Shut up!"
Aryan interrupted his sister then took out his mobile and booked a cab.
" Which beach?" He asked.
Shruti, while searching for beaches in Goa in her mobile, replied.
" Palolem would be better."
" Okay," Aryan replied. Jaydev was least interested in going to the beach with them but he was just joining them for his sister.
Pakhi, however, can't leave Shruti and Jaydev alone because she has to gather proof against them to free herself.
" You two wait here. We will bring another pair of clothes," Shruti said and before they could say something she pulled Pakhi away from there leaving both the men in awkward silence.
They tried their best not to look at one another's face and partially succeeded. Pakhi and Shruti came back in 10 minutes and the guys breathed a sigh of relief.
Shruti.
Pakhi.
In the next 2 minutes, the cab arrived and they departed to their destination. Shruti, the social butterfly, made a new friend who was a cab driver.
A young man in his early 30's.
" So, you are married?"
She asked the driver.
" Yes. Have a son."
" Cool! You look pretty young. I thought you were in your 20's or something."
Pakhi smiled while the driver laughed, " thanks a lot."
In the midst of jokes and laughing, Jaydev and Aryan's heated gaze stayed on Shruti and the driver.
" Stop the car," having enough of their conversation, Jaydev asked the driver to stop the car.
The driver frowned, " we have not arrived yet."
" I feel like puking. Can you stop the car? Or else I will impound your car."
He hurriedly pulled the car to a secluded area. Jaydev took out his wallet and handed him the money.
" Thanks for a ride."
Shruti and Pakhi frowned while Aryan, after so long, smirked due to Jaydev.
" But sir. I can't cancel the ride like this. I have to drop you at your destination."
Jaydev put another note of 500 on his hand and got out of the car.
" What is happening?"
Shruti uttered and was about to question him but Aryan was quick to open the door and get out.
" Come out," he said to Pakhi who confusedly came out of the car. Jaydev opened Shruti's side of the door and gestured to her by moving his chin slightly outward.
She glared at him and went out of the car. The confused yet happy cab driver drove away because he received a good amount of money in his first ride of the day.
" What was that?"
Shruti snapped, placing both her hands on either side of her waist. Aryan and Pakhi came to them.
" Bhai, we have not reached yet," Pakhi said to her brother.
" Beach is just 500M away from there. We will walk."
" But whyyy!! I won't walk," Shruti whined.
" Okhay!" Aryan showed her thumbs up. Shruti pointed her finger at Jaydev and asked her brother,
" Are you supporting him?"
He shook his head, " not at all but I am against you. Who makes friends so easily? And who told you to ask for his personal details?"
Pakhi made a face realising the reason for the guy's over-reaction. Shruti scoffed,
" I do. When I am unique and you two can only keep stupid cold faces ON everytime. What can I do? Hey! Where are you going now?"
They did not buy her furious reaction and started walking by the time she started her third sentence.
" But Di-"
Aryan grabbed Pakhi's hand and did not let her go.
" She will come herself."
" Par vo vahin bench par baith gayi."
( But she sat there on the bench.)
As soon as Pakhi completed, they stopped on their track along with her. They turned around and groaned.
" God! Shruti!"
She rolled her eyes and tapped her foot restlessly on the floor with her backpack on lap. For a moment, Aryan and Jaydev saw a flashback when she used to behave stubbornly just like this whenever she needed something she couldn't have.
Jaydev clenched his jaw and took long strides towards her.
" Have you gone mad?"
He stood behind her.
" Mera bag pakdo. Tabhi chalungi."
( Take my bag. Only then I will come.)
" Hn, Patthar honge isme. Do mujhe."
( Yes, there must be rocks in it. Give it to me.)
He spat in anger and snatched her bag from her.
" Chalo ab."
( Let's go now.)
" Better," she uttered and finally started walking with them.
" I highly doubt that you will influence my wife," Aryan said to her.
She smiled widely, " she should. She should. Right Pakhi?"
Pakhi chuckled and nodded.
" Don't you dare!"
She startled when both Aryan and Jaydev warned her together in a quite loud voice.
" Cool down. I am not that bad," Shruti defended herself. If she gets angry easily then her moods get better at the same speed. She is indeed unique.
Pakhi's attention diverted to her hand which was grabbed by Aryan. She felt a red hue appearing on her cheeks and bit the corner of her lower lip. She tried to free her hand only to make him tight hold and intertwined his fingers with her.
She sighed softly. It is very difficult to free oneself from his grip. It seems that he does not have his eyes on her but how wrong she thinks. His attention is always on her, no matter where his eyes are.
" Do you guys know swimming? Bhai does and I don't think SP Sahab can."
" You thought right," Jaydev replied.
Aryan parted his mouth to expose his lie but stopped himself and Pakhi interrupted, " he does. Bhai swims so well."
She praised her brother. Shurti's evil eyes landed on Jaydev and she wiggled her eyebrows.
" Jhuth bol rahe ho mujhse?"
( Are you lying to me?)
" Chup raho," Jaydev replied bluntly.
( Shut up.)
Shruti looked at Pakhi and asked, " do you know swimming, Pakhi?"
A look of disappointment spread on Pakhi's face as she shook her head negatively.
" Don't worry. I will teach you."
" No thanks. First learn properly. And who said you are going to swim there?"
Aryan said. Shruti pointed at herself, " I did."
Jaydev looked at them, suddenly felt interested to know the topic.
" Listen, you won't swim at all. Yes, you can swim a little bit, but you don't have the permission to go deep. You should stay near the sea shore."
Her mouth hung open unbelievably and she asked, " bhai. Bachi nahi hu main. Mai to jaungi."
( Bhai, I am not a kid. I will go.)
" Mai bhi dekhta hu kaise," he challenged her.
( I see how you go.)
Jaydev looked in front when Shruti turned her gaze at him for a fraction of a second.
" Listen, biwi?"
Pakhi looked at Aryan and he continued,
" Don't fall into her words, okay? Trouble doesn't go to her. She attracts trouble. So, keep your eyes open when she's around because I don't trust her. You should be sensible, okay?"
Pakhi couldn't hold her laughter and Jaydev was at the edge of smiling. Offended, Shruti scoffed at her brother's warning to Pakhi.
" Bhai, stop embarrassing me. I am not a child."
Aryan chuckled lightly and patted her head, " I am saying it for your good."
" No, you don't."
Shruti pushed his hand away and Pakhi found out that she was really furious at both the men. Means, she will surely do something rule breaking.
" Princess, careful-"
By the time Jaydev finished saying last word, Pakhi was pulled by Aryan to his side.
Oh! She almost hit the poll.
" Thankyou," she said to him in a low voice.
Jaydev watched them momentarily then shifted his gaze somewhere else. He trusts Aryan enough that he will not let Pakhi even get a scratch. But the situation has become such that he is finding it very difficult to accept this new developing bond.
Pakhi must be unaware of it. His sister is innocent. She has no understanding. She is easily misled and gives her heart to someone. What if Aryan successfully gains her trust and makes her fall in love with him? All his efforts will go to waste. And if his sister really starts loving Aryan, will he be able to keep up his hatred with him? What about his revenge? deception? Eisha?
There were questions and answers were known by time only. Every future situation and relationship depends on Pakhi. She can continue with this enmity or even break it.
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