Chapter 12

I wanted to move it away, but I was frozen, unsure of what I was doing. I didn't dare to look at her face, I already felt like a criminal. Why was I so clumsy? I didn't even notice her expression. Eventually, she moved her hand back, and I realized it was again on her thigh. Slowly, I moved my hand and reached for hers. Why was I engaging in such nonsense? I could easily ask for it?

Why the fuck am I doing this? I should focus on studying, not on love nonsense.

Ranjeet looked to me, and I looked him, and I just left her hand like I am doing something as if I'm selling drugs.

He asked me, "We should spend more time."

I replied with a smile, "Yes."

It was so difficult to spend time with Ranjeet.

Chipsy asked me.

"Geeta, I know the best place for pizza? Let's go there. They can spend time alone."

"O kay," Geet looked at me and then at Chipsy. I was helpless. My dad decided this, I can't denied everything. Chipsy left me and Ranjeet at the famous Raj Mandir cinema. It was so beautiful. I cannot express things in words. Blue and orange lighting made it so royal. It's like some Sanjay Leela Bhanshali movie set.

Ranjeet asked, "What kind of person do you like?"

"Anyone except you."

"Why are you so angry with me? I am so nice to you."

"Are you?"

"I love you. Imagine I am loving you."

"Yes, hell no! You are loving me. So, worst."

"Can't we talk politely? Like other couples?"

"We are?"

"Okay, I'll tell you what kind of girl I like."

"I don't want to listen. The movie will start soon. We better not talk."

Ranjeet is still smiling. "I like a soft and intelligent girl who doesn't care about others, who loves her dreams, who has the courage to fight, who has a fit body."

"It sounds like Chipsy. Why don't you marry him?"

"What?" Ranjeet suddenly feels shocked.

"Yes! Are you into guys?" I said again.

"I don't know. I think I am just too honest with him. He also has a different vibe."

"A vibe? Are you really into him?"

"No, really! But..." He is sweating, as if he's scared to tell me, then he starts saying, "I never saw your pic on the phone. I saw him. He was playing cricket on his laptop and eating. He was smiling, wearing red shorts and a sky-blue hoodie. I thought you could be just like him, and I said 'Yes, you Baba!' My grandpa."

"You ready to marry me? Just looking at him? Fuck, you are complicated too. If you like him, then go and tell him. Why the fuck are you marrying me?"

"Baba thinks it's good for business, so I do what Baba likes."

"I do respect your Baba. Do you feel that Baba is right?" I asked him politely.

"He's always right. My dad used to say that and he left us all alone. He ran for his love. My mom and I feel that Dad was so selfish, but Baba gave me love and care. I do think he's always right."

"You think? Sure, I know you're a jerk."

"Don't say that. I'm not. I know I'm a little different, but seriously."

"You think that I am lower than you. Women should think like this. You always say things that make my blood start boiling."

"Baba taught me all this. I think he is right. Although Jay, your Chipsy, always tells me to just be myself. I like when he fought for himself and then became an engineer."

"You think that? You are lying, right?" The movie started. I am leaving the place and started going in.

"I do think Baba is not right always."

I stopped.

"You think what?"

"Yes, I know it's cruel to say it, but I am tired of trying to be like him. I want to be like me. My version of Ranjeet. I do like guns, although I also like strawberries. So, you know, I drink too much, but I do like pizza. I hate my mustache, but I do like..."

"What? Why did you stop?"

"Maybe we should go. I spoke too much."

"Are you crying?"

"No, not at all." (He is hiding his face with his palm.)

For the first time, I have seen him cry. I give him my hanky. He took my light green hanky and cleaned his eyes, then started smiling.

"Sorry, I think I got some allergy."

"No, you are just fine. I know," I smiled at him. For the first time, I felt bad for him. His Baba manipulates him. He can become a jerk, but there's some hope. Maybe he can improve, but right now, he doesn't know that crying is also fine for men.

"Do you want to spend time with Chipsy?" I asked hesitantly.

"No," he replied quickly.

"Okay, I think Chipsy is so clear that he is pansexual."

"What? Who cares?"

"Yes, let's go inside. We missed some parts of the movie."

"Wait! Let's invite Jay also."

"Are you sure? I think we shouldn't disturb him."

"Are you teasing? Let's talk. I'm not interested in the movie. And you know what, I think you also like Geet. Don't you?"

"No, I am clueless."

"Are you not even physically attracted?"

"Can we go to the place where they are having pizza? Do you know the place?"

"Changing the subject. So you are attracted to her?"

"No! I already said! She is confusing and complicated."

"You want to marry her, but you think she is not your type?"

"Not my type? I do know the type. Yes, her words make me crazy. I still have no clue, like no clue about her, 'Kaga re kaga,' some kind of slogan."

"Wait, I have read somewhere. It's in my favorite movie, 'Rockstar.'"

"What does it mean?"

"This is an amazing story."

"Stop it. I do not want to listen to the story. I think forget the 'kaga-kaga re' poem."

We took auto and go the pizza place. they are laughing and Geeta is enjoying his company. we both look it them chipsy is telling some story and Geeta is laughing. chipsy saw us and said Hi to us.

"Chipsy Order some pizza."

Ranjeet sits beside Chipsy. I sit beside Geeta. There was not a choice. "Woofff Jay, are you eating pizza alone?" (Ranjeet takes a slice of pizza from his hand.)

"Ranjeet, how hungry are you? You took my pizza! I love pizza."

"So what? I like it too."

"You like fitness, Frick."

"I like pizza so much! Order some more."

Chipsy looks at Ranjeet, who is eating pizza like he hasn't eaten for decades.

Geeta asked, "What about your date? The movie?"

"The movie is so boring." I looked at Ranjeet for an agreeing look. He nodded. Geeta gave me a look, and she's not eating pizza, then she offered me.

"Do you want to eat my pizza?"

While eating his pizza, Ranjeet said, "Geet! You should feed her."

Geet's face became red, and she ignored his words. I thought friends could do this too, so I opened my mouth.

"Feed me." Making cute face.

"Stop it, Payal! Eat yourself. You're not a baby." I got angry. she looks really cute. dam! fuck! fuck!

So rude! She never behaves well with me. She was laughing with him, and now what? Her face is more serious with me. She avoids eye contact.

"I want to eat you if you're not feeding me."

Geeta gets up and stands by the door. I follow and ask, "What happened?"

"You are not allowed to flirt with me." (I said in serious voice.)

"Friends can flirt with each other. It was a joke. I thought you would feel better." Geet winked

"I'm feeling better, congrats! I'm feeling angry." I took my phone to ignore Geet. my voice like I am old grand-maa.

It looks like she doesn't want to be friends with me. Her anger is so strong, and she's lonely, but she's also closing the door on herself. How can I become friends with her? I think I should give up on her friendship. She's so comfortable with Chipsy. I can't be a good friend because it's my first time. Allowing someone to be a friend is also difficult for me. I hate that she doesn't speak straightforwardly. Geet always dives deep.

"You hate me, I got it. Say it directly." (Smiles on face, looks like she is teasing.)

"No! We are friends and also helping each other. Let's be good friends." (I am feeling nervous.)

"Why do I feel like friendship is not working for me?" (Geet continue and come close to me.)

"Okay, fine. You can flirt with me." (I moved back and said it. I do not know, why I wants to feel her so I did this)

I smile and hug her.

"Stop it. I am not breathing." (She said teasing voice.)

"What, we can't hug each other?" (I felt relax, warm and pure soul. I am feeling different. she is just like best soft bed ...no.. best comfortable pillow...maybe I am not getting the word.)

"Okaaay, fineeeee." (she put her hand on my upper back.)

While hugging her, her scent is so nice. Should I ask what brand she uses? I look at her necklace. I'm still hugging and looking at the necklace. I look at her neck; it's soft. My eyeballs reached to her ear; it's reddish now.

"How long hug do you want? I could die from your hug." (she teased.)

"What can't friends do? Just tell me what you think." (I lost and forget that I hugged so long. I ask in general)

"Kiss and sex. Simple?" (Geet replied, I blushed. why she always talks so straight.)

"KISS? (little loud then back to normal voice tone) We can kiss." Fuck, did I say kiss? I split so much truth bomb.

"Payal, are you okay?" (She smirked and controlling her smiles.)

"I mean on cheeks and on hand. It's a friendly kiss." I reply with a nervous smile. I laughed so hard. that looks so fake. come on why I am so obsesses to touch her lips. I am not curious Okay? okay na?

"Hmm." She nodded; did she agree that I can kiss her cheeks? Why am I being so curious about her cheeks? They are a little chubby. I grabbed her cheeks and smile.

"They are so soft." (Fuck! why I am doing this, my hands are not in control.)

"It's hurting." She is standing with folded arms and says with bombastic eyes.

"You can stretch my cheeks."  I am feeling nervous, so I came with this idea

"NOOO, STOP IT. Go inside." (She is angry on me. she looks cute but she angry.)

"We should not. Look, they are talking to each other." (I show her showing my figure towards them)

"So?" (She said like she does not care.)

"Ranjeet likes him." I told her.

"Kidding?"

"Really, so let's go somewhere else. Do you wanna drink coffee?"

"Do you wanna drink coffee?"

"Yes."

She got a call. "Excuse me!" She moves a little away and looks angry on the phone, as if someone is threatening her, or maybe she just has anger issues. Is this the person called Moon? Who is Moon? Supriya also talked about her, describing this mysterious individual. Moon seems like a villain in her life.

She declines the call. Geet looks scared.

"Is everything okay, Geet?"

"Yeah!"

"If you are in danger, you can ask me for help. Ranjeet can solve these problems."

"It's just a tiny issue. I can handle it myself," she said, forcing a smile. To make her feel better, I held her hand.

We start walking and continue walking. I forgot where we should stop because I'm lost in her hand. I am still walking. We are not talking, and her face is, as usual, serious. She is looking at her phone, checking emails, and I don't know how much we are walking. I don't know the way; I keep walking like I don't know which coffee cafe is good. My dad called me.

"Payal? come home."

"Yes dad"

I hung-up call.

"Geet, let's go home."

"Coffee?"

"We'll drink later."

"We should inform them. Let me call Jay."

"You have his number? Don't worry, I'll call him."

What's the worst part? I said to my phone. "Hey Siri, call Chipsy!"

I'm still using one hand; holding her hand makes me feel calm and safe. Are we such good friends, aren't we? holding is fine. It is not wrong, okay?

We reached the home and dad asked.

"Supriya is leaving, everyone say bye to her and look who came?"

Ranjeet looks at the person and leaves in anger.

I asked him, "Who is he?"

"He is Ranjeet's father."

Chipsy seems worried and follows him. Supriya comes with bags.

Supriya hugs Geet and whispers in her ear. I was still holding her hand and I'm close enough to hear this. "You're an amazing person. I think we should break up. I've been avoiding it for a year, but I think you have Payal now."

Dad asks, "Supriya, the taxi is waiting for you. Now, we think one fight is good to choose the correct partner for you."

Supriya is leaving, and Geet is feeling lost.

"Dad, we can't."

"Why? Do you think she can get lost?"

"No, Dad. I think this is enough."

Geet leaves the place, and I was talking to him. "I told you I don't like Ranjeet. I don't want to marry him."

"Geet? You think Geet is the right person for you?"

My mom is looking at me. My voice is trembling; I am showing some courage.

Mom replies, "I also believe, if she doesn't like him, then we shouldn't force her."

"I'm her dad. Why would I force her? She's just a child."

Mom says again, "You are doing it for business. Stop making excuses."

"You are saying this? You are supporting Payal?"

"Yes. Stop this war! You are a selfish person. You've always been a selfish person. Geet is a billionaire."

"What? She is?"

"She is the owner of GEET, the sim card you are using. She owns that."

"What? Why didn't you tell me this? I always wanted to make a deal with this company. Wait, I think I was so selfish. Sorry, Payal, you will marry her."

"Geet? Marry her?"

"Yes."

My mom and dad are smiling, but my smile fades. I leave and look for Geet, and I find Ranjeet and Chipsy.

Ranjeet is crying like a baby. "I hate him, he left me, now he suddenly wants to come back."

Chipsy hugs him. "Do not cry! Why do you hate him so much?"

"I was 5 when he left me. I used to say that Baba is always right, follow him. He ran from the house. He is so selfish. He never followed Baba."

Then Ranjeet's dad came. I'm still standing there.

Ranjeet's dad says, "Sorry! I was wrong. I was such a loser. I didn't like your mom, my dad forced me to marry your mom. I was scared, so I left you."

Ranjeet says in an angry tone, "You are not my father. Leave me alone! I spent my whole life without you. I need my father whenever. He was a coward who left me alone."

Chipsy said, "Ranjeet, calm down! At least he came back. Don't forgive him, but at least accept him as your father."

"Never."

He left, and I saw his red eyes. Where is Geet? I looked all around, but she's not here. I went back to my room. She's sitting in the dark corner.

"Geet!"

"Payal? She also left me." Her eyes filled with tears, watery eyes and messy hair. Her body is trembling. I felt bad, so I hugged her.

"Everything is fine, Geet! She just doesn't like you. It's not about leaving you; you also don't want this relationship."

"Payal, you know that everyone will leave me. I'm the bad one. Nobody wants to stay with me."

"I'm here! Don't think that I will leave you."

Her heartbeat is so fast, and her body is shaking like she's scared. This looks like some anxiety attack. Should I call a doctor?

"You will also get bored, and that's why I warn you not to get close to me."

"I want to stay with you. I like when I stay close to you. For the first time, I feel safe. I want to be friends with you."

"You're saying that because you think I'm weak! I know I am ugly, and nobody wants to stay with me."

I said in anger, "No, you are not." (I hold her cheeks)

I shouted so loudly that Geet stopped crying and looked into my eyes.

"You are beautiful. I looked at your face when you were sleeping. I never felt that someone could be beautiful like you. You are so cute. Sometimes I want to eat your cheeks. I feel happy when I'm close to you. (I'm also started crying.) I feel safe. I have someone whom I can hug and share my gossip. I never found a friend in my entire life. You came into my life, and I don't know what magic you did. I started feeling good around you. I was flirting with you. I never thought I could be that annoying. I'm not a hug person. I like when I hug you or kiss you. Fuck."

"You say kiss you?"

"Sorry, I mean..." Fuck, I have no words. What should I say? We are in an uncomfortable position. I am holding her cheeks. Her lips are so soft to me, and I am looking. No, no, I should say something. Did she stop crying? Yes, now I'm crying. Fuck, fuck, this friendship is ruined.

"You mean on cheeks?"

"Yes," I said, like she saved me, and I was so excited and did one more mistake. I kissed her cheek.

"You kissed me?"

"Umm, so sorry!" I'm clumsy now? Look, I'm the one who's clumsy because she's just looking at me, like why did I do that? She needs an answer, and I need one too.

"It's fine, Payal. I think you are so obsessed with kissing."

"Am I? I don't know, but maybe I am."

"I like it. You are honest."

I smiled. I have no answer. What should I say? I've never been friends with anyone. Friendship is really difficult if this is called friendship.

"Are you fine?"

"Yes, you really feel happy around me? Payal"

"Hmm."

"Do you want to stay friends forever?"

"Hmm."

She smiled, and I smiled back, then dad came to my room, knocking on the door. I opened the door.

"Payal and Geet, come. Let's choose the lehenga."

"What? For?" Geet asked.

Dad said with a broad smile, "You two."

Geet exclaimed in shock, "What?"

Dad replied, "You're in shock? Yes, I'm happy with your marriage. Come quickly." Dad left the room.

I said, "Sorry, Geet. I don't know how to stop it."

"I don't want to marry you. I should tell him the truth. You don't like girls. If you marry me, you'll be stuck forever with me."

"Yeah, right! I think if I don't marry you, then he'll find another creepy person. So I think..."

"What?" Angry mode.

"We should marry each other. I know we don't like each other. You have me, and I have you. I can do whatever after marriage. If you don't want to marry me, that's your choice."

"What? You want to marry me? Are you sure?"

"Yes! I know that sounds like an Ekta Kapoor serial, but let's get married. Accidentally, I made so many mistakes, but I found you. You're a genuine person."

"What about me? I don't want to marry you."

"That's really insulting. I am also beautiful. You used to like me. You had a crush on me."

"You have nothing. I have no feelings for you."

"So, do I have feelings for you? Let's keep things like business."

"You also think like your dad."

"Let's make an agreement."

"Sounds good."

We both fold our arms and stand in front of each other, staring as if we could fight like cats. It's not possible in India, but it's possible in another country, so we can marry there. At least it's legal. Even if we marry in India, it's legal for us and my parents. I never imagined I could marry a girl? Let me put it in a better way: I could marry that girl whom I rejected in the past. Who would have thought that the crazy, clumsy girl would be my wife?