CHAPTER 23
MISHTI'S POV
If there was a machine that detected the level of awkwardness in a room, it would have exploded.
That was how awkward it was to be sitting side by side with my brother.
Well, I don't even know why I am reacting this way, considering he was just kissing his girlfriend. But I think now the truth just hit me like a truck that we are all grown-ups now and no more the young teens. Back then when I was 14, I thought that things would be the same once the two boys came back for good after 4 years of college. But now, it all feels the same, yet different. We are no more the carefree young kids who could do anything they wanted. Both the 'men' have a lot of responsibilities rested upon their shoulders and both of them are slowly settling down in their lives, in terms of their careers as well. Abir will soon become the sole owner of Rajvansh Enterprises while Kunal will take up Minal Group of Companies.
The tension was thick and I decided to break it.
"Teddy, just chill-"
"Mishtu, that's not wha-"
Both of us spoke at the exact same time and both of us started laughing. Teddy hugged me tightly by my shoulders, still laughing.
"Happy birthday Bhaiyya", I continued laughing.
He pinched my cheeks with a wide grin on his face, "Thank you my Gudiya"
Hugging my brother after around 6 months made me feel nice. Elder brothers always give you a sense of protection that cannot be found elsewhere. I smile made its way on my face automatically.
He kissed my forehead, "Thank you for this beautiful surprise. Seeing you in person here makes me so happy, that I can't express.", he kissed my forehead again, "Thank you", he smiled down at me.
I hugged him again and we stayed like that for a few more minutes.
Kunal broke the silence, "By the way, did anything happen between the two of you?"
I pulled away from him and frowned at him, "I told you last Sunday that nothing is happening!"
He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, well, the two of you travelled for more than 14 hours all alone. Something would have definitely happened!", he wiggled his eye brows.
I scoffed, "Oh, please. Abir is slower than a snail. Nothing would change in a matter of 5 days."
He nodded, "More truer words have not been spoken."
Actually, that is very true. Abir has never taken a single clue all these years. Everybody else found out about my crush on him, other than the man himself.
Kunal suddenly spoke, "Did you make a move?"
I scowled slightly, "No. I don't want to spoil what we already have."
He smiled, "If you're going to hold yourself back, it might never happen Mishtu. Take your chances. Tell him how you feel. Give him some time to think. Even after all that if his answer is going to be no, then ask him if he's willing to be friends again. But it will mostly be a yes, I know it."
"Teddy, I-I don't know. Of course, I want my happy ending with him, but is it worth risking our friendship? What if he doesn't want to be my friend again?"
He smiled again, "If he is going to be willing to throw away your friendship, you don't need such a friend."
I looked at him blankly. Again, he makes a lot of sense, but the actual thought of losing Abbi frightens me.
Our conversation came to an end as the door to Kunal's room opened and Kuhu walked out.
She gave away positive vibes as she walked towards me and engulfed me in a bear hug. I was taken by surprise at first, but then I slowly recovered and hugged her back.
She smiled at me, "It's so nice to actually see you in person. You're more pretty in person than the photos. The photos don't do you justice"
I blushed slightly at her comment and muttered a thanks.
But then, something popped in my head, "Um- Should I call you Bhabhi?"
She looked terrified, "Oh god, please don't. Kuhu will be just fine. Bhabhi gives me aunty vibes.", she shook her head.
I laughed at her comment. To be honest, I would also not want anyone to call me Bhabhi.
Not as if Abir has any siblings, but still.
I snickered slightly at my thoughts and realized that he was still in the room. I walked in to find him sitting on the bed, absorbed in his own thoughts.
"Abbi? Are you okay?"
He looked up at me from his trance and stared at me for a few seconds.
I got creeped out.
What is wrong with him?
He cleared his throat, "Mishtipie, how do you want your life partner to be?"
His question took me by surprise, but I tried my best not to show it. I walked to the bed and sat beside him, "Well, my ideal life partner should be caring and loving. He should be a person who would prioritize me just like I would prioritize him. And most importantly, he should be a person who would trust me against the whole world, just like I would trust him and defend him in every situation possible. However bad my day might have been, it must turn into a good one just by seeing him trying to make me smile. He should be somebody who will fulfill my ice cream wishes amidst car drives. Oh, and also, he should buy me chocolates every day. KitKats especially."
I heard Abir chuckle and I smiled at him.
I smiled at him, "Now, tell me about yours."
He seemed to be taken aback but he shrugged and looked straight into my eyes, "Well, she should be someone who can understand what's going through my head just by looking at me. She should be someone who makes me forget all my problems just by looking at her smile. I want to go eat ice creams in roadside stalls with her, even though I hate roadside stalls. I want to sit in the open air with her and count stars and constellations in the night. And sometimes, I would want both of us to act like stubborn kids, fighting for chocolates. Now tell me. Do you know such a girl?"
I sat there flabbergasted. I seemed to fit in his description of an ideal life partner but what if I tell him that and he laughs in my face?
I cleared my throat, "Abbi, I thought you were saying no love, blah blah blah and all. What happened now?"
There was a ghostly smile on his lips as he looked deep into my eyes, as if looking into my soul, "Well, I may be re-thinking my decision."
My heart went into a frenzy mode at his revelation. And if I wasn't wrong, I could see a slight red hue form on Abir's cheeks and his ears were of the colour of a tomato.
Oh my god! Abir is blushing!
Huh. Cutie Rajvansh.
And this cute sight made me blush slightly too. I could feel my cheeks heating up and I couldn't prevent the blush that formed on my cheeks.
The door flew open and Kunal barged in, "Guys, did you buy me cake? There is cake on the dining table!"
I got up and Abir followed me, "Yeah we did. Now lets go cut it!"
We walked back to the dining room and I set up the cake properly. All of us sand the 'Happy Birthday' song for Kunal while he cut the cake. He fed the first piece to me, then Kuhu and then Abir.
I took a little bit of the frosting from the cake and applied it on Teddy's face. I drew a mustache with the cream while he stood there like a statue.
My brother can be very slow sometimes.
Kuhu and Abir were laughing at Kunal while I tried to control my laughter. Kunal recovered quickly and took a piece of cake, with the aim of smashing it on my face, but I was fast. I quickly ran and hid myself behind Abbi, and I got perfectly hidden due to his tall form.
Huh. Oversized Rajvansh.
Abbi covered his arms around me protectively, as Kunal stood in front of him.
"Abir, move. This little devil behind you needs some good treatment."
I could feel Abir shaking his head, "Nope. My Mishtipie is safe over here. "
And I froze.
My Mishtipie?
Kunal noticed it too, since he asked, "Your Mishtipie?"
I could feel Abir stiffen in front of me. There was an awkward silence in the room, that nobody was willing to break.
Kuhu then fake yawned, "Guys, I'm feeling sleepy. Can we eat and go sleep now?"
I thanked her mentally and all four of us had a piece of cake on the dining table, in complete silence. Nobody uttered a single word.
Talk about being awkward.
Then, with silent 'Good-nights', Kuhu and I retired to our room while the boys went back to Kunal's.
***
Hey guys! This is Chapter 23!
Hope you guys liked it!
Thank you!