CHAPTER 9
MISHTI'S POV
Heartbroken. Angry. Frustrated.
That is how I feel right now. All at once.
This morning, while I was going to Kunal's room to help him pack, Kunal was encouraging Abir to accept his love for this girl named Kuhu. Now that I think about it, I feel stupid. I should have known that Abir would definitely have feelings for somebody else. What hurts the most is that he told me he isn't in love with anybody, nor does he have any girlfriends. But 'having feelings' doesn't get into both the categories, I guess. And the thing that infuriates me the most is that, Abir not only hid this from me, but there was also no trace of guilt in him for breaking his promise of never lying or hiding anything from me.
So since then, I have been moping around. Yes, Abir tried to get me to talk to him, but it is not going to happen that easily. I heard my phone ring and saw Naira calling me. I picked the call and went to the balcony.
"Hey Naira."
"Mishti! Kunal is leaving tomorrow. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am fine. I've been without him for four years. Another year isn't going to make a big difference."
"Hmm. Something has happened. Tell me, what's up?"
I mumbled lowly, "Hey, nothing happened."
She teasingly asked, "This is about Abir isn't it?"
What?
I stood still for a few seconds, "What?"
She sighed, "Mishti, I am your best friend. I know you like Abir. Now tell me. What happened?"
She knows?
OH GOD, SHE KNOWS!
"How did you find out?"
I could hear her sigh dramatically, "Mishti, I just told you. I am your best friend. I know you inside out. Anybody who has seen the two of you since childhood, would be able to tell. And, I am not as stupid as Abir is, to not notice the looks of pining you give him."
I gasp, slightly offended, "Hey, I don't give him looks of pining."
"You do and that's it. End of topic. Cut the crap. Now tell me exactly what happened."
And so, I told her what I heard. "I feel so stupid Naira. Of course, in his college there would have been really beautiful girls and did I really think I would have a chance with him? I feel so stupid."
Naira spoke calmly, "Mishti, from what you have told me, Kunal says Abir cares for Kuhu. And, it is a very well-known fact that Abir cares for you. A lot actually. So, there is a possibility that you are the one he has feelings for and Kunal might have mixed things up. So, I think you need to confront him."
I ask her anxiously, "What if- what if he sister-zones me? No Naira, I can't do this". That would be my worst nightmare.
Ever.
"Then do the next best thing. Confront Kunal about this. He will not lie to his dearest sister.", she says in a 'duh' tone as if it is the most obvious thing to do.
Actually, maybe I can do that.
Maybe.
After sometime, she continues, "Look Mishti. I think you need to talk to Kunal about this. He would tell you. If you decide to not ask either one of them, one day you might regret everything."
"Okay, I will think about it", I replied softly.
"Bye Mishti. Enjoy some time with Kunal."
I smile slightly, "Yeah bye."
***
It is post-dinner time and the entire time, Abir tried various methods to talk to me, but I didn't give in. I want to talk to Kunal first, before I talk to Abir. So, I sat through dinner silently and after some more trying, he left.
I am now standing outside Kunal's room, in front of a sign that says, 'This room is for Teddys'. I smile at the board, which was my doing when I was around 10 years old. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. After a long time contemplating my decision, I anxiously enter Kunal's room to find him busy with last minute packing.
"Hey, Teddy."
"Hey Mishtu. Come sit. Let's talk for some time."
I feel extremely nervous, so much, I feel as if my nerves are going to burst.
"I- I have something to ask you about."
He looked at me, "Go on."
"Who is Kuhu?"
He froze. He looked shocked as if he had seen a ghost. He stared at me wide-eyed for a few seconds with his mouth agape.
Assuming this as my cue to continue, "I partly heard your conversation with Abir in the morning. You were telling him to accept his love for her. I- I wanted to know about her. And about them."
All of a sudden, he looked so nervous. He kept mumbling something in his breath and kept pacing across his room. This continued for a few minutes and I got fed up.
"Teddy, I want you to tell me something, okay? You know you can tell me anything. And if you don't want to, then I will go and ask Abir myself."
"No- no wait. I- I'll tell you. This is my secret to tell."
I furrowed my eye brows in confusion.
Kunal's secret?
He slowly kneeled down in front of me and held my hands.
"Mishtu, I should have told this to you earlier. I know. My fault. But forgive me, okay?"
I stared at him for a few seconds.
I slowly nodded my head, "Go ahead."
"Kuhu- Kuhu is my girlfriend."
Silence.
I frowned a little, "What?"
He took a deep breath, "Kuhu is my girlfriend. It was love at first sight for me at college. She is my classmate and my love. We have been in a relationship for two years now."
Wow.
"Mishtu, trust me. I wanted to tell you earlier. But when I fell in love, you were barely 13 or 14. But yes, I should have told you sooner. I know. I'm sorry for hiding this all these years."
Not a word of his gets into my mind. I feel shell-shocked.
My brother has been secretly dating for around two years now and I wasn't even informed about it.
I smirked sarcastically, "So if I hadn't overheard your conversation, I wouldn't have known even now. Were you ever planning to tell me?"
He widened his eye and shaked his head frantically, "No no, I wanted to tell you. I really did. I was- I was afraid of your reaction. Abir also told me in the morning to talk to you about this. And I was planning to tell you about her tonight."
I nod again slowly. So Kuhu is Kunal's girlfriend.
Wait a minute.
If Kuhu is his girlfriend, then why was he encouraging Abir to accept his love?
"Kunal, why were you encouraging Abir to accept his love?"
He looked at me for a few seconds, "Abir and Kuhu are like siblings. All these four years, she tied him a rakhi. He loves her like a sister, but he doesn't accept it. You know, his usual love-phobia. I thought if I could slowly make him accept his love for Kuhu, then it will be easier for him to accept his love for his partner in the future, whoever it may be."
I nodded slowly. But the truth hasn't sunk in just yet.
Kunal has a girlfriend. Of TWO years.
Which means, I would have a sister-in-law at home in a few years' time.
What? Oh god, we are aging too quickly!
Kunal smirked slightly, "Why do you want to know about Abir's love life, huh?"
I stare at him with my mouth wide-open, tongue-tied, like a kid who got caught stealing candies.
"Um- Actually- That is- Um"
"Come on, go ahead Mishtu. Tell me. I won't bite you.", he grinned mischievously.
Now that things have come this far, I think it is better if I tell him. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, "I like Abir."
I open my eyes slowly only to see him get up and he fist-punch in the air.
"Whoa. Are you killing somebody? Abir probably?"
He turned to me with a grin, "Why would I kill him? I would give him a marriage proposal on your behalf."
I gasp and get up, "What? Shut up!"
He laughs and starts running around the room, shouting 'Mishtu likes Abbi' in a sing-song manner. I try to follow him and once I reach him, he quickly starts tickling me, causing me to fall on the bed and laugh like a maniac.
"Okay, Teddy- Stopâju- just stop", I spoke between my laughter.
After a few seconds, I slowly catch my breath.
"So, you are okay with me liking your best friend?"
He looked at me as if I am mad, "Of course! Abir is such a nice guy. I am pretty sure he would keep you happy all your life. And for Abir, there is nobody better than you. Both of you understand each other so well. Ju- just teach him to love Mishtu. That's it."
"Teach him? What do you expect me to do? Take a class for him on the symptoms of love?"
He smiles slightly, "No. Just spend time with him when you can. Make him believe you aren't going to leave him unless he wants you to. He has a lot of abandonment issues. So, he will always be afraid to make the first move in a relationship. Make him realize that you are not here to leave and that you are the partner that he needs for his life."
I rolled my eyes, "That is easier said than done."
He patted my shoulder gently, "You'll be able to do it. I know."
There was a comfortable silence between us.
"So, tell me more about Kuhu."
He turned and looked at me with a peaceful smile adorning his lips, "Kuhu is very sweet. She is extremely hard-working and committed. She reminds me of you in some ways. She has gone through a lot. You know, her parents physically abused her when she was young. With all that, she studied well and joined college with a scholarship. You know what? She should be your inspiration Mishtu."
"Wow. She sounds super cool. When would I meet her?"
He smiled at me and brushed my hair lovingly, "Soon. Definitely I will make you meet her."
We stayed like that for a few more minutes, staring at the ceiling, with a comfortable silence.
And then I turned towards him, resting on my arm, "So, take care of yourself and Bhabhi in Mumbai okay?"
He blushed slightly at 'Bhabhi' and then nodded.
"You too. Your college is starting on Monday. Have fun and study properly. And call me if you have any problems here. I'll always be there for you.", he patted my head and kissed for forehead lovingly.
I hug him for a few seconds and I decide to allow him to rest before his journey.
"Good night, Teddy"
He smiled at me warmly, "Good night Mishtu."
I slowly walked back to my room.
Thank God, I took Naira's advice and talked to Kunal. Or else, I would still be moping around with a tub of chocolate ice-cream and red puffy eyes. And I tell you, Moping Mishti isn't someone you would want to see. I sigh and change into my comfortable pajamas and get under the duvet. I recall all the things that happened from the morning.
My thoughts go to the encounter with Abir in the afternoon. His slight touches drove me crazy to the point I almost forgot that I was angry at him.
Oh god. Now that I think of it, I think I was a tad-bit rude with him today.
Now I have a lot of explaining to do to Mr. Weird Rajvansh.
***
Hey! This is Chapter 9!
Hope you guys liked it. Please do vote and comment if you did!
I know, this one had no MishBir, but the next one will definitely have.
Thank you!