CHAPTER 23 - CLARIFY THE CONFUSION

एक तू और एक तेरी मोहब्बत,

इन दो लफ़्ज़ों में है दुनिया मेरी।

~•DHRUV's POV•~

His eyes were staring and I assumed what he had found out. I took a breath and went near to the study table. His body sat on the chair with no motion, was holding the book in his right hand.

2 steps away from him, I stood unafraid,  looking directly into his eyes.

"Garv.." I called him.

He didn't reply anything.

"Say something Garv" I asked him again, placing my hand on his  right shoulder.

"What is this?” He asked me, thinning his eyebrows and that stare acted as a force on my hand as I removed it from his shoulder.

"Wait,  let me explain! " I started clarifying taking the book from his hand.

"What are you going to explain? This!! "He  screamed, removing the book from my hand , and pointed it through his eyes.

"Garv Wesa nahi hai jaisa soch raha hai. " I answered.

(It 's nothing what you are thinking)

"Kya ha kya.  Ye din dekhne ke liye bada kiya tha tujhe" He started scolding as desi mom.

(What?  What?  I have raised you to see this day)

"Mumma thodi hai tu jo aise bol rha hai. "I moved a little back because I knew my friend very well.

(You are not mom who speaks like this)

"Ruk mai tuje batata hu. "He warned taking steps a little forward.

(Wait,  let me show you)

"Garv tujhe hai na misunderstanding hui hai" I said,  moving backward.

(Garv, you have some misunderstanding)

"Itne din misunderstanding hi thi, aaj toh sach saamne aaya hai ki tu kya padta hai. "  He spoke, speeding his footsteps.

(I had misunderstanding all these days, today your truth has came out)

Before he could catch me,  I ran away and he followed me ,matching my pace.

"Ruk kaha bhag raha hai?"He said, running all around the room.

(Wait,  where are you running?)

"Garv maine bola na misunderstanding hui hai" I ran and stopped by jumping up on the bed.

(Garv,  I told you there is some misunderstanding)

"Tu ye nahi karega Garv. Tu ruk.  Promise kr tu muje thappad nahi marega.  Chota bhai hu tera. I am innocent "

(You won't do this. Stop. Promise you won't hit me. I am your younger brother)

He stopped and focused on my bookshelf with his eyes.

"innocent? . Iske liye tu 4 -5 book stores mai chakkar maare hai.  Huh " He complained and took my books off the shelf.

(For this book, you have roam around 4 to 5 book stores)

"Ye saari books aisi hai?  Ye bhi ye bhi ye bhi"He started throwing books one by one on the table.

(Are all these books the same? This one. This one and This one)

"Pad b li toh kya hua. Hu toh 18+ na" as soon as I realized what I said, I closed my mouth. He looked surprised and then looked at the books.

(I am 18+ and there is nothing wrong in reading it)

"That means you have read these books? " He asked with a big smile on his face.

I shook my head saying no. He may be the sweetest person you ever come across but his anger can burn you alive.

" hawwwwww! " He closed his mouth while his eyes widened and buried his face in the curtains.

"What happened Garv? "I asked noticing his actions which made me nervous thinking about what he has interpreted.

"You are reading this books so you can do this with her. Hawww. !" He said and again hid his face in his hands.

"No Garv.  I won't do this.  Please try to understand yaar. " I stepped down from the bed and walked towards him.

"Tu uss masoom ke sath… …"He shook his head in disappointment.

(You, with that innocent girl ……)

"Stop yaar. There is some misunderstanding which has to be clear" I informed him removing his hands which covered his face

"Dhruv tu ye sab… uske saath …nahi "

(Dhruv you and all this… . With her …..No)

"No garv."

"Tu uske sath….. ye umid nahi thi" He kept repeating the same words again.

(With her…  I didn't expect this from you)

"Usne hi bola padne ko" the words came out of my throat which weren't supposed to be.

(She told me to read this)

His eyes thunderstruck and my eyes were filled with shock at what I did say right now. No no no Dhruv what he will think about her.

"I mean I bought this on my own" I lied.

"I know. She won't ask you to read it!"  he announced proudly as if he knew she had no hands in this whole book scenario.

I nodded and went outside of my room. I dialled her number to ask why she made me to buy this book.

~•GEET's POV•~

I had my dinner and was busy with arranging my cupboard. You know the mess the girls cupboard witness. I planned to make some tea because tea is the secret of my energy.

I came back to my room with my cup and I heard my phone ringing.

I placed my cup on the table near my bed and answered his call with a smile.

"Hello. How are you Book magnet?"

"Hi.  I am good.  Well I have to ask you something." He said in soft tone

"Hm. Ask! "I replied taking a sip from the cup.

"You have suggested me to read a book. Have you read it? "He asked.

In order to impress him, I said  I have read that book. I started recollecting what Anaya mentioned about this book.

"Yeah, ofcourse . It is cute na" I replied.

"Cute?  Are you sure?  I have sent you a photo check if it is the same!"

I opened the chat and it was the same book.

I returned to the call and he was waiting.

"Yeah. It is the same. I said na it is cute. You should read it once. We will recreate those moments."I declared ,laid on my bed and hugged a pillow.

He started coughing as soon as I completed my sentences.

"Are you okay? Please drink some water "

"I am fine.  Wait, You really want me to do this. Are you serious?" He asked firmly .

"Haa." I replied and then stopped. I realized there was something wrong with that book.

"Do you know what kind of book you have told me to read?"

His question made me anxious. What should I reply? Should I ask him to explain to me what he was trying to say?

"Dhruv, please tell me.  Is something wrong with that book? " I asked slowly, so slow that even if a person would not hear me speaking sitting nearby.

"That book contains… " He stopped before he could complete it.

"What!?Tell me. I am getting nervous "

"It's 18+ . The level of whatever it contains is really hm hm hmmmm" He informed and I was feeling so shameful what I did by trusting my friend on the name of cute story.

"How did you find it? "I asked , trying to act innocent, which I actually was.

He explained how the book fell from his shelf and his eyes caught attention of one line of the book.

Geet, who told you to add that sentence

" I want to recreate those moments with you"

I wish I could go back to the time when I was in the canteen and clicked the photo of the book.  How stupid of me. I should have checked the book description.

"Are you there?" He asked

"Yeah. Sorry I didn't read that book. I just said to impress you. "I justified my act like a child who usually wants to escape from his/her parents .

He started laughing on hearing me.

"Who told you about this CUTE BOOK? "He asked, stressing on the last two words.

"Aa.. Anaya" I answered slowly, feeling like a criminal commited a crime by blindly trusting my friend's words.

"oh. But what was the need to impress me. I have already told you and I will say it again I Iove you for who you are. There is no need to do anything to impress me.  I am yours remember that! " He assured me and made me understand, which actually made my cheeks pink. Who needs to buy a blush when you have him?

"Hm. I love you and sorry"

"I love you too and I have to go now. Don't worry, I will talk to you tomorrow. "

"Yeah.but  I miss you Dhruv." As soon as I said this,  I felt my tears streaming down on my cheeks.

"There is no need to cry when you miss me. Just smile and I told you I will come soon to meet my Rainbow."

"I know. You should sleep now. You have practice session as well in the early morning."

I reminded him looking at the wallclock striking time 11.25pm and he has to attend his practice session at 6.30am

"Good night Geetanjali."

"Good night Dhruvpratap"I hung up the call and I felt so bad for making him stay in long distance. It has been just more than a month since we met last time. I don't know where and when we are going to meet again.

I don't have any plan to reveal my past. The crime. The secret hidden in the Rathore Villa.

Suddenly I heard a notification  on my phone. I ignored it. Because I kept a custom ringtone for his notification.

Again I heard my phone ringing, it was from Virendra Bhabha.

Why is he calling at this time? I decided to ignore it at first and then I realized why I should be scared of him.  I received it and heard his words

"Hello Geet. How are you? "

"I was good till now. Tell what made you to miss me today? "

"You are my cousin. Should  I need a occasion to call you? "

"Ofcourse. Well, I am sleepy. I need to go to my bed. "

"Wait Geetanjali, answer my question, tell me what you and dadisa are hiding from us?  I heard you both talking on that day. "

Wait,  how did he hear it. The door was closed. Nanisa informed him or he was pretending to be clueless.

"Nothing just Nanisa and my talk related to the wedding preps." I lied because I can't trust him

"I heard you talking about some deal. Why don't you make a deal with me?  Tell me about it and we both will make a good team" He offered and I knew he was on his aim to find out.

"Oh really. If I told you about it, you would be the one who would boycott your family. Better just stay away from me Mr.Virendra  Singh Rathore. Concentrate on your studies and give a good life to yourself."with this, I disconnected the call.

THE NEXT DAY

"Mumma muje aaj late hoga, mai Anaya ke sath shopping par jaa rahi hu. " I  informed her while having my breakfast.

(I will be late today. I am going out for shopping with Anaya)

"Kaha jaana hai? "Mumma asked, feeding Kavya with her hands.

(Where are you going?)

I stopped eating immediately when her words entered my ears . How can I tell her that I planned to buy something for his birthday which is in 2 days.

"Woh… mumma… Anaya ke cousin ki shaadi hai toh usko jewellery leni hai." I lied, escaping to make eye contact with her.

(Anaya wants to buy some jewellery for his cousin's wedding)

"Okay.  Par andhera hone se pehle muje tu ghar par chahiye."She ordered and I nodded my head agreeing with her.

(But I want you at home before it turns dark)

My sisters already left for their school and I left for my college .Anaya was waiting at the entrance gate of the society.

We reached our college and I asked her to accompany me today for shopping. Okay,  I lied to her that I need some decoration items for future birthday celebrations at our home.

***Time skip***

We were done with our college and had our lunch in our college canteen. We were on our way to the store which is near the mall.

Anaya was doubtful looking at me as I am not someone who loves celebrations. Now,  I was engaged in selecting birthday decors and other stuff.

"Geet,  Are you okay? "She asked with a glare.

"Yeah. I am fine. What made you ask this to me? "I replied smiling ,looking at her.

"You are not that same girl whom I know. You have a different shine on your face. You seem more happy from the last 6 to 7 months." She asked, stopping me from searching for fairy lights.

"Look at me. I think you love someone" She questioned looking into my eyes.

"Wait . I remembered what I was supposed to ask you. You told me yesterday that the book is so cute etc.  Do you even know what kind of book that is? "I changed the topic, waiting for her response.

"It's an 18+ book. have you read it? " She teased and smiled.

"Not at all. I am not a reader. We will talk about this later. Let me complete my shopping"I diverted my mind from our talks to shopping again.

I bought decoration items and then Anaya suggested going to the mall as she wanted  to buy something for herself. We were in a clothing store.

"How is it? "She asked, displaying a western dress, basically a frock  of a knee length.

"Good. Buy it! "I replied, looking at it, checking the fabric.

"Geet, you should buy this as well. You would look so pretty!"She suggested, daydreaming of me wearing it.

"I don't wear this you know it very well. "I replied, giving my attention to t-shirt sections.

"But you have to buy it for our farewell as well. And your family does allow Avantika and Kavya,  I have seen them" She started mentioning,making me try it .

I went to the changing room and returned outside wearing it.

"Geet you are buying this. You look so pretty"She complimented.

I denied it at first but no one can beat my friend when it comes to convincing. I bought it and we carried our bags to the parking area . I started my scooter and we reached our home along with having some chat items on our way.

I stood near my entrance door , before I could knock or ring the bell, I heard my mumma scolding someone.  I checked the time and it was around 6.45pm. I was on time. I rang the bell and Kavya opened the door.

"Two three shopping bags, is there something special today ? " She asked as soon as she opened the door and tried looking into the bags.

"It's Anaya's bags. Don't try to look at them." I entered the home and Mumma was scolding Avantika.

Kavya then pulled me to match her height and whispered into my ear "Avu jija has got a haircut. Now she doesn't have waist length hair."

I looked at her astonished and she nodded.

I moved a little forward only to realize it was  not a lie.

"Ye kya hai ?Bina bataye baal katwa diye?"Mumma shouted at her and she was least affected by it.

(What is this?  You did a haircut without telling me anything)

"Avanti, ek baar bata deti na ki ye karne wali hai. Itne achebaal the bigad diye "She continued in same tone. Kavya with  a bowl full of chips sat on the sofa and enjoyed the whole drama

(You could have asked once that you are planning to do it. You have ruin your beautiful hair)

"Mumma, muje nahi pasand lambe baal. Shoulder jitne pasand the kara diye. Chill krona. Ab chillakr Waps aane se rahe "Avantika  replied calming our mumma's volcanic eruption of anger.

(I don't like long hair.  I like keeping at my shoulder length and I did that. Just chill. There won't grow back to the same length on your scoldings)

"Badtamiz ho gai hai. Har baat ka jawab hai iske pass. Tere aapsa ko aane de fir batati hu unki beti ke kaarnaame" She screamed while sitting on the sofa.

(You have become so rude. You have answers for all the questions .Let your father return home today and I will inform him about his daughter's act)

"Aur tu kavya, ky poore din  khana peena laga rkha hai. Jaa kitchen me sabji kaat. " She ordered with her eyes in the shade of red.

(And you Kavya, you will eat all day. Go and cut the vegetables in the kitchen)

Kavya , without uttering a word, walked towards the kitchen and turned back to act like mumma,  repeating the actions including the facial expressions.

Mumma looked at me and I stood with nervousness expecting for her reaction.

"Geet, jaa kapde badal kar aa. Aur jo bhi lekr aai hai andr rkh. Kitchen me help kara chup chap. Kisiko parwah nahi hai meri" She ordered taking the bowl of fruit peels which was resting on the table near to sofa

(Go and change your clothes. Whatever you have brought today, keep it inside. Come and help me in the kitchen. No one cares about me)

Avantika looked at me , smiling ear to ear, flaunting her new haircut. She was so carefree even after  getting to hear something much from our mother.  I really wanted her attitude of not being affected by anything. Please God, Keep safe Garv Banna from her if there is any chance of them being together in future.

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See you soon in the next chapter

Avina,

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