Chapter Twenty Six
Day Out with trouble begins.
à SAHIL Ã
"Now, let us make some contract to give this a fictional touch. Yay" Ananya said and went to find something, after a minute she returned to the dining table which was currently our discussion place, with a pen and paper.
Sitting on the chair, placed in front of me, with some dedication she wrote something on the paper. Once a while, she looked at me for a long time made some thinking faces and then wrote again.
She looks beautiful in that kurti today!
I kept looking at her, and whatever she was doing. My trance broke when she asked me "Oye, Why are you smiling?"
I instantly settled lips in a straight line. "I'm not"
"Lier. You were. Nevermind, here is our contract. First sign the first clause then we'll go ahead. Here" she passed me the paper. I read the first clause and it was,
I, Sahil 'what nonsense' Khurana, who proposed this idea to Miss Ananya, hereby declare that I will use her birth name and not chamatkar. If I call her by that again then she has every right to break the contract.
Sign here>
I nodded seriously and forwarded my hand for the pen. She looked at me in doubt and asked "You are signing this so easily?" I nodded.
"Pass me the pen" she doubtfully forwarded her hand with the pen, and just when I touched the pen she took it back.
"Dal mei kuch kaala hai."
[Something is wrong here]
"No, pass me the pen, baba." She hesitantly gave me the pen. This time before she could take it back, I snatched it and cancelled everything written in the first clause.
"Hawwww" she gasped. "You can not do that, that's not fair. I trusted you and you cancelled everything? That is why I have trust issues. I'm never trusting you again, I swear. And I'm backing off from this too, you evil human, just wait-"
To shut her mouth, I read the next clause, ignoring her. " Mr Sahil Khurana and Miss Ananya are going to act like fake girlfriend-boyfriend till the end of this year, which is one and a half months from now. They cannot go one day more or one day less."
What useless clause is this? Isn't this the point of whatever we are doing?
I decided, not to point it out because if I did, the radio will start automatically.
"Clause three, in this six weeks, no bigboss like fights/drama should happen, or else Miss Ananya breaks the contract. She lives for peace.But she can't be quiet. Look at the irony. (Yep, she's self aware)"
Alright, she said it before I could.
"Clause four, as they are fake dating, Miss Ananya is allowed to use all her made up (or copy pasted) pick up lines on Mr Sahil Khurana. He need not to take it seriously and just enjoy (Ps she'll be in her limits :p)"
What nonsense are these clauses?
"Clause five, For Miss Ananya, Everything is free in Mr Sahil's restaurant till they are in the phase of contract. (There should be some advantage of being his fake girlfriend!)"
I don't mind that one.
"Clause six, Both of them are allowed to take each other anywhere and neither one should deny. Which means, if Mr Sahil Khurana is taking Miss Ananya somewhere then the next time, Miss Ananya can take Mr Sahil Khurana, and he can't deny it. (Though she'll call him only when no one is there, no troubles :) )
That is so mean. She'll call me only when she has no one else? I'm the last one she'll go to? Sad.
"I guess that'll be enough, you can add one by your side too" I completed reading and shook my head.
In the name of clause, she literally did anything. There was nothing serious.
"Okay I want to add one that 'Miss Ananya is not going to start her chapad chapad anytime, at any speed or else Mr Sahil is allowed to leave her from wherever they are' " I teased and she glared.
"Jab Mai nahi rahi na tabh meri bak bak ki importance samjhegi" she scoffed.
[When I'll not be around then you'll understand the importance of my nonsense speaking ability]
"Aur Kaha Jana hai tune?" I asked.
[And where are you going to go?]
"Anywhere, just far away from this world."
"In Fictional world then?" She looked at me confused.
She still doesn't know anything,lol.
"You told me that when you were drunk" I shrugged.
"What all things did I say, man?"
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Two days passed, not-so-peacefully, my parents never stopped thinking of her as my girlfriend but rather we started acting like one. Most of the times, my Mom would either be at their house or Kirti and Ananya would be at ours. Things were pretty good till now.
My parents, specially Mom is really happy after thinking of Ananya as my girlfriend. There is no doubt that Ananya matches her energy very well, and that is one reason but end of the day, she feels good that I have someone. She has told me that. And to be honest, that's the only reason, I can think of this acting thing.
From the time I broke up, I have never seen my parents this happy when it comes to me. Somewhere I have a fear of disappointing them, I already did that once. If something even a lie makes them happy then I'm sure continuing that lie won't harm. Specially when it is harmless.
"Sahil" Ma called out my name and I nodded asking to speak further, and took a bite of my poha.
I didn't go to work today and thought of spending the day with my parents. Even Vivian didn't want to go to his office but he couldn't take many leaves, so he had no choice left.
"Why did you lie to us and said that she wasn't your girlfriend? It's not like I'm a typical Mom, your Dad might be typical, but you know I'm not, so just curious jhoot kyu bola tune?" Mom asked raising her eyebrows.
[Why did you lie?]
"Han Han, batao batao, bhai. Kyu jhoot bola? Maa se jhoot bolta hai bhala koi?" Over dramatic brother of mine added.
[Yes yes, tell tell, brother. Why did you lie? Anyone lies to their mother?]
"Aur nahi toh kya? Maine thodi na woh khadoos kokila ben banke tumhe ek hone se rokna tha. Ulta mai toh jald se jald shaadi karva deti"
[Then what? I wouldn't be that evil mother-in-law and stop you guys from coming together. I would have rather get you both married soon.]
Kokila ben, the one I've been watching/hearing about since the day I was a 5 year old I guess? My mom used to have a love hate relationship with that serial. She would point out all the possible flaws and unnecessary things yet still watch it everyday and complain.
But anyway, her next sentence gave me a solid answer to her question.
"That was the problem. We didn't want things to rush this time. And once you know then, shaadi shaadi karke sir kha Jana tha mera. We need more time, right now".
[You would've ate my head by changing Marriage marriage.]
"Okay baba. Take your time, I won't say anything." She said and I nodded. Let's see for how many hours. "But I'm so happy that you found her, she is like a star in your life, shining in the darkness without even realising it."
I smiled hearing my Mom's words. I don't know from where she got this poetic touch but that was sweet.
"I don't need a star, I am the only star in my life" Vivian said with the thug-look expression and I rolled my eyes.
"Shouldn't you leave for your office now?" I asked him and he glanced at the watch hanging on the wall.
"Oh f-frush. Cancel that, oh shit." He said and ran into the kitchen to keep his plate. Mom laughed at his antics.
After a few minutes, he got full ready for his office and opened the door, waited near the lift. I sat on the sofa scrolling through my Instagram. I heard his voice "Ananya"
I ran inside the room as fast as I can, before she could notice me. I had worn shorts and the door was wide open. I need to change before she sees me in this.
I took out some black joggers and changed into it when my Mom called me "Sahil, the LOYL has arrived"
I went outside, running my hands through my hair to set them. I glanced at the mirror once which comes between my way to the dining room.
"What LOYL?" I questioned and pretended that I noticed Ananya, standing inside my house, now.
"Oh hi, Chamatkar" she narrowed her eyes.
"Kids and their nicknames, these days" Ma said and chuckled. The person I called by this name glared even more now.
"What was LOYL, mom?" I asked again curiously.
"LOYL means Love of your life" I coughed at this. Why did I even ask?
"Where are you going, Ananya?" She asked.
"To the college where I studied. I need to collect my master's degree from my college." She answered and I nodded. Good for her.
"Why do you want to go alone? Take this idiot with you. He would take forever to ask by himself. " I passed Ma a confused look.
"But Vivian has to go to the office" Ma face palmed herself and Ananya laughed.
"You are the idiot I'm talking about. Why are you letting her go alone? To get bored. Go with Her, give her some company, explore new types of date. Why do you want to sit at home? Your Dad and I made a list of unique dates and visited all of them in your age. And you still want to third wheel your parents." I gave her a accused look. I took a leave to spend time with her and she's calling me a third wheel.
"But Mom, I can spend time with her later. I'm sure she understands. I took a leave-" I was cut off mod sentence by my Mother.
"She doesn't. Wear something nice and go with her. I'm sure she'll wait." She instructed.
"It's okay, Aunty. He met you guys after so much time, I stay beside him so we meet everyday, it's fine I'll go alone." Ananya said and I waited for my mother's response to change.
"Arey, did you not hear? Go and change!" Mom yelled at me and I unknowingly pouted.
"Go!" I sighed and went again in my room to change into some decent wear.
"And Anu, my son is dumb, you need to drag him along. He'll never come by himself." I heard Mom sharing her piece of advice to Ananya while I was leaving..
It's not that I have a problem a going with her but I didn't want Mom-Dad to think that I don't have enough time for them now. But if she wants me to leave them and go, then I have no other choice.
I quickly changed into white t-shirt and blue jeans. What more options do we guys have? They are so limited.
Going outside, I found Ananya and Ma looking at something on Ma's phone and laughing. Ananya had worn a yellow Kurti with jeans along with jhumkhas. She had her hairs open and glasses on her nose.
"I'm ready, let's go" I said and her eyes settled on me, scanning me from top to toe for a while. She then nodded and stood up from the couch, greeting my Mom a goodbye.
"Take care, and don't worry about timings. Enjoy your day out. And Sahil, take care of her." I nodded and we walked towards the elevator.
Stepping inside the elevator, she pressed the ground floor and asked happily "Excited for the day out?"
"Yeah"
"That response tells the opposite but nevermind. You can still go if you want to" she said and I shook my head.
I immediately regretted giving her a dry reply. She is excited and I'm not supposed to break her excitement.
"No, sorry. I was just thinking something. And yes, I am excited, very much" I smiled and she smiled back. Reaching the floor, I opened the door and waited for her to move out. Once, she did, I followed and moved out too.
"Let me bring my car" I said and she held my wrist.
"Who said we are going from car?" She asked and I looked at her, questioning.
"We'll go by train!" She said and I shook my head.
Never in my life am I stepping in Mumbai's local train. I have had my enough share of that when I was in college. Though I might have travelled only a few times but the rush in local train is something out of this world.
"Why? We can go by car" she shook her head.
"It takes more than an hour to reach by train, we'll reach almost till afternoon if you drove. And you'll get tired too"
"I won't. Or else, I'll book a cab" I suggested.
"You have never travelled by train? It's fun" she said and I narrowed my eyes.
"I don't want to be sandwiched between that many people. I am not much experienced, travelling from train"
"Then let's go by train only. We'll go together, It'll be fun. It will remove your fear too. Then from there I'll make you experience bus too. Let's goo" she chirped.
"But what is the point? I can book a cab"
"No, now I want you to travel by train. I want us to travel by train and you are coming with me" she dragged me and I made an irritated sound.
"Please, don't do drama. I'll be fun, I promise." She insisted. I still didn't want to travel by train.
"Pleaseeee, Sahil" she threw the puppy eyes at me which no one can resist.
"Okay"
Day Out with trouble begins.
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Your views on this chapter>>
Their day out is going to be so fun, I swear.
This whole local train travelling thing came to my mind when I saw couples travelling in train IRL. Like they create such bookish moments there that my writer's mind wish to pen those down.
Don't forget to click the start button and now probably the updates are going to take time, I'll try but exams seem to come near and I haven't studied a shit. So wish me luck.
C ya