CHAPTER 13 - TOMATO AND DRAGON

यादें तन्हाई का इलाज होती हैं, यादें हसीन एहसास होती हैं,

बोलने को जब कुछ न हो, तो खास यादें ही पास होती हैं।

DATE 11.8.2023

📍COLLEGE CANTEEN

~•GEET's POV•~

It is the Day 2 of the event . Book Magnet and I had a really great time together.  It was lunch time basically and I asked him to meet me in the canteen . I was waiting for him and I have no idea where he is. BTW I wore a dark  pink anarkali.

I saw him coming inside while talking on the call. I waved to him so he could find me.He came and sat on the chair nearby.

He wore a white shirt pairing it with jeans.

"Garv wants to talk to you, if you are comfortable", He asked me, showing me his phone.

I agreed and he gave me his phone , it was already on call.

"Khamma Ghani Garv banna"

"Khamma Ghani Geetanjali Baisa" he greeted me.

"Muje ye puchna tha ki mera best friend aapko bore toh nahi kar raha hai."

"No. Not at all. Aisa kuch nahi hai. Aap kese ho and  Sanjana Bhabisa kaise hai " I asked him and Book magnet was imitating his friend's expression.

"We are fine. main point to be noted is mere liye karachi bakery ke fruit biscuits bhej dena. Yehi baat kehni thi" He asked on the other side.

"Sure. I will definitely send it for you"

He signaled to me that he wanted to talk to Garv Banna and I gave his phone back.

They talked for a while and he hung up the call.

I went to get our order and I returned with idli sambhar for him and pasta for me.

"Ms.Shaktawat, I must say you have good speaking skills. You are so talented. Why don't you join your college societies as a secretary?"

He asked while we were busy with our lunch.

" Thank-you for your words. But I have no interest in handling club work." I replied eating my pasta .

We had our lunch and went to the auditorium for the remaining session.

****TIME SKIP****

~•Dhruv's POV•~

The conclave came to an end. We were heading back home and she asked me whether I wanted to purchase anything for my family and friends. She would be tired , after all she worked really hard for this event to be successful.

"Book Magnet, Don't think so much. Let's go to the nearby stores or mall. We will buy something for  everyone, "she suggested.

"Okay. As you say." I replied because I know she won't let me win .

We reached GVK mall. We parked the car and she received a call from her mumma.

"Ji mumma bolo." she asked, closing the door of the car.

She informed her that we will be late as we are in the mall.  She disconnected the call and informed me

"Aapsa's friend has invited my family to attend the function now. They are on their way to the venue. Mumma has asked us to have our dinner she made for us and she has apologize as she should be attending  you as you are our guest "

"It's completely alright. No need of sorry. I think we should start with shopping otherwise we will reach home late."

First we went to buy something for Shivu jija. I called her and she informed me what she would like to have. BTW she is in Ahmedabad.

Rainbow started to find among the various options . She finally selected a blue sharara and pair of heels for her.

After paying  ,we headed to buy for Bhabosa.

We were selecting a shirt for him.

"Book Magnet,  I wish I was able to bargain in the mall" she pouted looking at the price of various shirts .

"Bargaining?But why? " I asked, looking at her face.

"Why? Don't you know the advantages of bargaining?"

"I never know how to do it," I replied, turning over the shirts and informing her of the jal mahal incident.

She was shocked and looked at me, intentionally making her eyes bigger.

"Bhole ho aap,Sach mai.koi bhi aapko loot lega aise toh " She replied, folding her hands.

"But You are there to protect me." the words came out of my  throat without any effort.

She looked surprised  and I diverted her mind by saying" I mean as a friend, you can help me in future for anything. "

We were done shopping for everyone finally. I didn't buy anything as I had already bought many things before coming to Hyderabad.

We were on the way and she asked me to come out of the car as we reached Karachi Bakery. We bought cookies and fruit  biscuits for Vihaan and Garv.

As soon as we came outside of the shop , it started raining. Her smile suddenly turned into a flat line. She quickly went inside of the car and I followed her . As soon as I entered the car, her head was placed on the steering wheel and her hands were trembling.

"Rainbow, kya hua.. Kaanp q rhe ho aap? " I asked, leaning towards her.

She didn't respond but she raised and looked at me.

"Aapke shakal ko kya hua. Are you alright?"

I asked because her face turned pale.

"Nothing. I am fine. We should go  home." saying this she wore the goggles and started to drive.

I could see there is something which is bothering her. Her eyes were filled with pain.

She didn't look at me even once and she covered her eyes with goggles.

I was perplexed because she suddenly changed her behavior .She was cheerful the whole day. There was complete silence in the car. We reached home and no one was there as her family went to attend the event.

She didn't  utter a word and she kept her bag on the sofa . My heart ached seeing her in this condition.  "Rainbow, what happened?" I asked her to stop before she could enter Avanti's room.

" Nothing. I think I am tired and I need to change my clothes" she answered without turning towards me.I could feel there was something because of her painful voice.

Why is she ignoring me? I didn't do anything. I need to find it. Before she could open the door, I stopped her way with my hand. I looked at her. She was crying. Her eyes were red.

She started wiping her tears. "Please, leave me alone. I don't want anyone to console me."

She opened the door and before she could go, I stopped her by holding her wrist and turning her towards me. She tried not to maintain eye contact .

"Please leave my hand! " she asked firmly.

"I won't. We are friends. You can't hide anything from me"

"There is nothing to worry about. It's my mood swings"

"Don't lie. I could see it in your eyes. If you are right, look into my eyes and tell me it's just a mood swings" I asked , loosening the grip.

"Ye sab chodo. Mai thik hu. Aap change kar ke aa jao fir ham dinner karte hai" saying that she entered the room and closed the door.

~•GEET's POV•~

How could I tell him what's bothering me? I am hiding it because if he comes to know about it he will leave me. He will hate me. My family will hate me. Geetanjali, you should take care of yourself. No one has the right to know about you except you.

You can't let him be tense because of your actions. Cool down. Don't panic. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

Nobody will know about this. You have to keep your mouth shut and you should know how to control your emotions.

It was a crime and you are suffering it as a punishment. Not at any cost you will risk your family .  Wipe your tears.

Good, have some water.

Change your clothes and behave normal.

I changed my clothes and wore a night dress. I came out of the room and he was in the kitchen. What is he doing there?

"What are you doing here? You could have told me if you need anything " I asked entering the kitchen and began behaving as if nothing happened.

"I thought you were on periods, that's the reason you may have mood swings. So I was just arranging the dining table" he replied, holding the dish in his hands.

I didn't say a word and helped in setting up the table . We started having our dinner. My family will return after 10pm. The clock striked the time 8.30pm.

He was silently eating and I didn't even disturbed him. Deep down, I felt bad for treating him in this manner.

Suddenly

"Are you sure, periods is the reason for your sudden change in behavior?" he asked .

"Hmm"

"Rainbow, I know you don't trust anyone. You have not told me but I know there is something you are trying to hide. I won't compel you to tell me now. But Remember, whenever  you feel you need someone to listen to you. I will always be there for you!"

" I didn't say this to anyone but Book magnet. I hate rain. I can't say the reason." I informed him and he didn't ask me why.

"No issue. Tell me whenever you feel comfortable. Well, I am going tomorrow. We can have our friends time now"

A tear rolled down from my eyes when I realized he is going Tomorrow. Why is he going back? Wish he could stay here. I tried wiping it before he could notice it.

~•Dhruv's POV•~

I won't pressurize her to tell me the reason why she hates rain. I noticed her tears when I informed about returning to Jaipur.  To be honest,  I don't want to leave her. I have no other option right now. I have to go back.

"Rainbow, don't think, distance will affect our friendship. I will be the same book magnet no matter where I stay."

"I know but Why do you call me Rainbow?" She asked

That question was enough to give me shivers in my whole body. How could I tell her the truth?

I took a breath  and started answering "In my life full of storms, you are my hope, so I call you Rainbow !"

"Hope? " I know she was confused.

"From the last two to three months, no matter what my days look like,There are days when I won't be satisfied with many things. I will be bothered with my surrounding but the thought of you keeps me cheerful. So you are my hope who keeps reminding me that everything is going to be fine!You are the reason why I smile often!"

~•GEET's POV•~

I never knew I could be the reason for someone to smile. Why would he call me hope ?

We had our dinner. Kavya called and informed me they will return by 11pm. Why are they late today? It's already raining heavily.

I was in the living room and he was packing his bag in my room. I don't have the audacity to see him packing because that is enough to make me emotional.

The time was 9.30pm . He came out of the room and he sat near me on the sofa.

"Rainbow, Can I show you something?"

He asked, hiding something behind the cushion.

"Sure." I asked, trying to get a clue hidden behind the cushion.

" Have you ever thought in your mind why do I love reading books?"he asked, moving a little away from me.

"Many times" I replied, keeping my phone aside.

He took the cushion away and showed me a book.  I read the name

" 1001 Arabian Nights"

written on the book cover.

It seems like an old book due to its conditions. I don't know why the book looked familiar to me. Maybe I have read it in my childhood.

"When I was child, I remembered attending a function during Holi. I guess I was 9 years old at that time. I am not able to recall the place name." He started  narrating.

He continued "I met a girl who had this book. She was of my age and was attending the same function. We played for a while and she had this book in her hand."

I am feeling jealous of her. He remembered her even after so many years.

"Then! " I asked curiously.

" We were together only for one day and she left for her home before I could leave. But she forgot her book over there and I kept it with myself. As soon as I came to Sirohi, I read this book, it grew my interest in reading. This is how I entered the world of readers. "

I never knew a girl would make him a reader. He met her like 10 years ago and the impact is still on. Also, he has cherished the book as a symbol of their memory.

"Do you remember her name?" I asked him taking the book from his hand.

" No. But I guess this book was a gift for her. As there is a wish written on the first page! "  he replied, opening the book and turning the page.

I saw something written on the first page.

Happy Birthday Tomato .

From, Pariniti ( The Dragon)

Suddenly, the book fell from my hand and I was surprised . This is my book.

"Book Magnet, you won't trust me. It's me.Tomato."

He was shocked, "How can you be a tomato?"

I MET HIM ALREADY IN OUR CHILDHOOD.HOW SHOULD I EXPRESS IT?

Geet, CONTROL YOURSELF.

"Pariniti was my primary school friend. She used to call me tomato as I had bubbly cheeks and I used to call her dragon because she used to behave  like blowing fire from her mouth! I. can't  believe I made you to be a reader.i can't believe we have met already"

I was not able to understand how to react to it.

~•Dhruv's POV•~

Oh my Gosh! The girl who made me read books is none other than my rainbow. That means destiny made us meet each other. I am running short of words. How could I express it?

" Rainbow, that means destiny has made us cross our paths after 10 years. "

"Doesn't  it seem like a  story from a book. Khade ho jaona aap,!"

She asked me to stand and gave me a high five.  She was jumping here and there .I felt a relief seeing her smile again. I am ready to sacrifice anything to see her happy. Please  Maa, always keep my rainbow happy and remove all her sufferings.

The doorbell rang and she went to open the door. Her family was back.

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Thank-you for 400+ votes on Crushship ❤

I am really bad at expressing my feelings. I am grateful for your love and support.

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Hope you enjoy reading it and don't forget to vote and comment down below.

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See you soon in the next chapter

Avina,

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