CHAPTER 31
MISHTI'S POV
I stared above at the plain white ceiling and the rotating fan, as I stayed limp on the bed.
This is boring.
I turned my head to my left to see Kuhu sleeping peacefully.
Kuhu decided to stay with us at our place until we left back to Rajkot. These last two days since I got discharged, she has been sleeping with me in the guest room to give me company, while my parents took over Kunal's room. Poor boys, they slept in the living room on a mattress.
I turned to my right and looked at the photo frames on the bed side table. There were two frames- one with Kuhu and Kunal doing weird faces at the camera, and the other with Abir, Kunal, Naira and I sitting under the tree, with mud smeared across our faces, smiling at the camera, but I had the biggest grin possible on my face.
I chuckle as I reminisce what happened that day.
***
The four of us are in the backyard of our house playing, while I tried my best to hold back my tears. The four of us had decided to play catch-and-catch, but I have no mood to play anymore. So, I walked away and sat down under the tree, huffing dramatically.
Noticing me walking out, the other three called out for me.
"Mishtu, what happened?", Teddy shouted from where he was, while I ignored it.
"Mishti, why are you sitting now?", Naira shouted next. Again, I ignored her and made myself comfortable as I sat down on the ground and hugged my knees to my chest.
"Mishtipie, are you okay?", Abbi ran towards me and crouched down beside me. I looked up to see him looking at me, very concerned.
I shook my head slowly as tears filled my eyes.
Teddy and Naira followed him and sat down next to me.
"What happened, Mishtu?", Teddy asked me, as he hugged me by my shoulders.
I hiccupped as I cried, "Nobody wants me."
He frowned, "What are you saying, Mishtu? I am your brother and I love you so much. Mumma and Papa loves you. See, you have your best friend Naira, my best friend Abir, all of us are there, no? What happened?"
I left a frustrated sigh, "You all are there. But I don't have a husband!"
"WHAT!", Kunal reacted first.
I turned to him, "Yes Teddy. Mumma said nobody wants to marry me."
"Wha- Mumma? What did she say?", he looked flabbergasted.
"That nobody wants to marry me because I am a kid!", I was getting more frustrated by the second.
Kunal got up immediately and rushed inside, calling out for our mother.
Abir spoke as soon as he left, "Mishtipie, why do you want to get married now?"
"I don't know. I want to get married.", I spoke stubbornly.
He sighed softly, "Mishtipie, your Mumma is correct. You cannot get married now."
Tears filled my eyes once again at his words, "But- but why? I want to get married. Like a princess. I- I want to wear a garland. A choli! I want a husband!"
Abir replied gently, "People get married when they grow up, Mishtipie. After a few years, you'll get married. And you wait and watch. Time will fly like this-", he snapped his fingers, "-and before we know, our Mishti Princess will get married!"
I asked hopefully, "Really?"
He smiled softly, "Yes. In a few years."
Naira hugged me by my shoulders, "Don't worry Mishti. Both of us will get married to Princes who will love us a lot and buy us ice-creams everyday!"
I grinned at her, "Really?"
Abir pinched my cheeks, "Really."
But then, a thought struck me, "Abbi, who will marry me? Mumma said nobody wants to marry me.", I pouted slightly at the thought.
He thought for a moment before answering, "Me. I will marry you."
I was surprised and excitement filled through me, "You will be my husband?"
He nodded with a gentle smile on his face, "Yes. I will."
As I slowly absorbed what he said, I smiled as wide as I could. As I couldn't control my happiness, I jumped on him and hugged him. He stumbled a little at the sudden force and both of us tumbled and fell on the ground.
Before I could ask him to promise me, I heard mom and Teddy come back.
"Mishti, how many times do I have to tell you that you will get married only when you are old enough?", mom reprimanded me as she came towards us.
Both of us got up, dusting away the mud that stuck to us.
I grinned at her, "Mumma, don't worry. You said that nobody wants to marry me, no? I found myself a husband!"
She looked shocked while Kunal looked murderous, "WHO?", he bellowed.
"Abbi!", I exclaimed and giggled as I saw mom get even more shocked while relief spread through Kunal's features.
Mom got exasperated, "What nonsense are you speaking Mishti? Oh God, please save my daughter! Since the time we came back from Priya's marriage, you have been going on and on about yours! Mishti, nobody gets married when they are five!"
I immediately pulled out my famous puppy dog face, "But mumma, Abbi is eight!"
She frowned, "So? You are still five! Stop talking about this before someone thinks we are planning child marriage for you both and complains to the police!"
Abbi immediately defended me, "Aunty, don't worry. She won't bring up this topic ever again. Right Mishtipie?", he turned to me at the last part.
I nodded, "Yes Mumma."
My mom sighed before she started walking out. I was so happy and wanted to remember this moment lifelong. So, before she went out of sight, I interrupted her, "Mumma, can you take a picture of us like this? Please?"
She frowned, "Like this?"
Naira squealed, "Yes aunty! Please!"
She sighed and nodded before she went back to bring the camera, while I kept grinning for no apparent reason. Seeing Abbi and I covered in mud, the other two also started playing in the mud while I kept grinning. Soon, mom returned with her camera and clicked a picture of us, while the four of us simply grinned at the camera.
***
I felt blood rush to my cheeks as embarrassment filled me. Sometimes when I think about my antics and demands I made as a child, I cannot help but feel slightly embarrassed. Even though it was filled with innocence, now it makes me want to cover my face and run for my life.
I sigh as I look back up at the slowly rotating fan. I watch the patterns formed by blades of the fan for sometime before I get bored. I carefully get up from the bed with the support of my left hand and very slowly limp towards the door. Making sure that I am not making any noise, I quietly open the door and walk out of our room.
I head to the kitchen to make myself some hot chocolate one last time here before we head back tomorrow. A lot of things transpired during this short trip here to Mumbai. A few good things and a few bad, the consequences of which I will have to face back in Rajkot. Even though I am perfectly alright now, Abir is still blaming and hurting himself. Even though we kissed and he constantly showered me with his affection, I am still slightly scared at how things would be once we go back home. Sighing, I silently make myself some hot chocolate and turn around to see Abir staring at me smugly with his arms crossed across his chest.
Damn his biceps are bulging out-
"What are you doing here at this time, Mishtipie?"
His question brought me out of my reverie, "Huh?"
He raised one of his perfectly sculpted eyebrows, "What are you doing?"
Drooling at you, of course.
I cleared my throat, sending my inappropriate thoughts to the back of my head, "I came here to have some hot chocolate."
He furrowed his eyebrows, "I can see that. But why did you come here?"
I frowned at him, "How else do you make it without coming to the kitchen?"
He rolled his eyes, "You should have called me! You should be taking rest now because we have a very long journey back tomorrow."
I gave him a tight-lipped smile, "Same to you, because we are travelling together."
He shook his head and walked in and both of us simply stood there, leaning against the kitchen counter.
Taking a sip, I asked him, "Why did you wake up?"
He shrugged carelessly, "I heard you walk out of your room."
I nodded before I realized something else, "You heard me? I was being extremely silent! Since when did you become such a light sleeper?"
He narrowed his eyes at me, "I was always a light sleeper."
I clicked my tongue in annoyance, "I know, but not this light! I've known you all my life to know that you don't usually wake up for this easily. Tell me. What happened?"
He shrugged carelessly yet again and turned away and looked at the other side of the room. Having understood that it is time for me to change the topic, I ask, "Packed everything?"
He nodded, "I didn't bring anything much. So, no problem. You're ready, right?"
I nodded back at him, "All done."
After finishing my cup of hot beverage, I limp slowly towards the wash basin and wash the mug and my mouth. But when I turn around, I am scared shitless to see Abir standing very close to me.
I gasp at the sudden proximity and watched as his tall figure towered upon me. I looked up and into his eyes only to get bewitched. His hazel orbs shined brightly amidst the darkness in the surroundings and with the intensity he was looking at me, I knew my legs would melt and give up any moment.
As if understanding my plight, he immediately snaked his arm around my waist, keeping me in place. He tugged me closer towards him, making me crash hard against his hard chest. My hands landed on his chest and I couldn't help myself but feel his rock-hard muscles stiffen under my touch.
He cupped my cheek with his other hand and gently caressed it, as his lips parted, which sent another wave of urgency in me. I give in to his touch and close my eyes, feeling the sudden intimacy between us.
I slowly and gently lean in, with every cell of my body buzzing with excitement. Every part of my body tingled as I gradually leant forward, to meet his lips.
But it never happened.
I opened my eyes to see Abir smirking victoriously at me, as if he won something.
He walked back from me, as if nothing happened, and I immediately missed the warmth of his body.
And that's when I felt it. The sudden coldness on my cheeks. As the realization dawned on me suddenly, I placed my hand on my cheeks to find the very same gooey chocolate syrup smeared across my cheeks that I had applied on him just a few days ago.
An unknown anger and irritation filled my body as he smirked at me, "Revenge is very sweet, baby."
***
Hey guys! This is Chapter 31!
Hope you guys loved it!
Thank you! <3