Chapter Seventeen
"What if I'm not just his friend"
à ANANYA Ã
A voice I've heard somewhere before fell on my ears and I felt Sahil removing his light grip from my wrist. He took a deep breath as of preparing for what comes next and I stood there confused.
A woman, probably in her early 50's stood there wearing an orange suit and her hair tied in a bun. I can tell that she was fond of jewellery by the amount of it she was wearing. And then it clicked me, she lives just below me. I mean, her house is in the 10th floor while mine is in 11th.
I have met her earlier and I must say she isn't the sweetest person to be with. I accidentally bumped into her and she made faces as if I've stolen her dog. She also has a dog by the way, and he is cute. But he likes to jump on people. And I was traumatized for a whole minute when he jumped on me. But I survived. No injections, no bites.
Yeah so, now I can tell I'm not her favourite by the looks she's giving me. And the looks she's giving Sahil are as if he is cheating on her. Or probably her daughter. The whole betrayed look.
" She's a good friend, Aunty " Sahil said with a soft smile.
" Oh, okay. By the way, Khwaish is coming to India next month. Are you excited to meet her? " The Aunty asked with a teasing smile.
Who is this Khwaish?
" N-Yes Aunty " He looked rather uncomfortable when this name came up.
" You should be. This time I'm going to make you my son in law, I'll go to your parents directly with a marriage proposal. " She said grinning widely.
Can she not notice that the guy is clearly not interested? Or she ignores it?
" Uh. Let her come, Aunty. We'll see then? " He said awkwardly.
" Yeah yeah. You are not in a relationship now, or are you? Ah right, I heard you broke up with the girl you were in? Now you are finally free" And then elders says we are mannerless.
He is free? So what is he? An item which you get for free?
" Sorry to interrupt, but 'finally free'? He was in relationship by his choice, wasn't he? Atleast fake some sympathy, Aunty ji " I said in a politest manner possible. Sahil however, from his eyes directed me to not argue here.
" I meant-" she started but there was nothing to say on her defence so she just glared at me and continued " I didn't mean it that way, Sahil. And I wasn't speaking with you so don't interrupt. And you're just his friend, okay " it looked as if she was convincing herself.
The urge to show her a thumbs up with a fake smile on my face and leave was very strong. But I still stood there shamelessly or else this poor guy, won't speak for himself and hear her talks.
" What if I'm not just his friend? " I asked her with a smirk and then looked at Sahil with the same smirk and winked. He just shook his head and I reassured him by blinking my eyes once.
This is the best way to get this guy out of the situation.
It's my time to be a god's angel in my god's angel's life.
Too complicated.
" What do you mean? " She asked with confusion plastered on her face.
" I think you're smart enough to understand that, Aunty ji. " I said and winked while looking at her. She looked at Sahil in shock asking him what nonsense am I speaking. And I continued " So Aunty, I suggest you to find some other guy for your daughter, because unfortunately this one isn't free, I guess. "
The aunty left while glaring at me and showing Sahil some hurt look. While Sahil stood there not able to digest what happened right now.
" What nonsense? " He whispered to himself. And I gave him a proud look.
" What action did you just pulled? " He asked me.
" I saved you from her because you weren't able to save yourself, dear. Now she won't bug you " I replied to him.
" You chose to save me like that? "
" So how else can I save you? This is what I thought and it was heat of the moment. It looked like you weren't interested in that Khwaish and her mom won't stop so I did it. Or wait, are you? " I asked and he raised his eyebrows.
" Are you interested in her daughter? Oh shit. Sorry. Let me tell her that everything I said was false and I was kidding or something" I just realised that I would have mess things if he was interested.
" Sorry sorry sorry. Really. It just looked like you weren't a bit interested. But I never asked you if you are. " I apologized again.
" No. I'm not. It's clear but she isn't ready to understand that. " He replied.
Exactly. Even I thought that and did whatever I did.
" You did good in one way, but on the other side, what if she tells anyone in the society?" He asked tensed.
" So? Let her. Why do you care? And see, mostly she won't, because I stepped on her ego and she won't bring up her daughter's name in everything " I replied trying to comfort him.
" What if she doesn't bring up her daughter but us in this? " He asked and ran his fingers through his hair.
" Coward "Â The red devil with two horns was back.
" Overthinker " and so was the white Angel with yellow ring.
" Hot " and so was the useless side.
" So let her. Why do you care? You know the truth, I know the truth. Kaafi hai etna. " I told him in a soft voice and touching his hand.
[This is enough]
He is in very much need of some reassurance that what anyone else says does not matter.
By the way he behaved at this, I can tell that he cares a lot about what someone says or thinks of him. Which is wrong but I get it. Some people are just like this. He could not even say the aunty on her face that he isn't interested.
" See, we acted in front of her so we'll act in front of everyone else too. No big deal. If the people are not important then why are thier thoughts? " I asked him, he just nodded but his face was still blank.
At this point, I said whatever I said to comfort him.
" See if this effects you so much, then I'll clear it out. Chill. " I gave him another option.
" No " he instantly said and continued, " she'll bug again about this if you said her truth. Let things be like they are "
" Exactly. Jo hoga dekha jayega " I said like the Mafia Queen Ananya I am.
[Exactly. We'll see what happens]
" What if she tells my mom? " Okay. Now this is scary. I can act in front of anyone I don't know or he doesn't know, or people we don't care about. But his mom? No way.
I don't care what that Aunty thinks of me but I surely care what his mom will think.
" S-she can do that? Okay it's better to clear things out then. I'll tell her the truth, it's better " I hate the way I flipped in 2 seconds.
Now I am in utter need of reassurance.
" No, I don't think she will. And even if she does, I'll handle it. Tu uski tension mat le "Â he said and I nodded.
[You don't be tensed about that]
" Why did you have to mention that? Kitni chill thi main, abh meri bhi fatt rahi hai " I said and regretted my actions.
[I was so chill about that, now even I'm scared]
" Arey kyu? Jo hoga dekha jayega na? " He used my words against me.
[Why? We'll see what happens, right?]
" Dekhna hi padega na, abh toh " I said.
[We'll have to see what happens now.]
The way I invite troubles is something the same as a person wearing red invites buffalo.
" Aur mujhe gyaan baant rahi thi madam " he said and I glared at him while gulping.
[And she was giving me lessons]
" Tumhari madat hi nahi karni chahiye thi. "
[I should not have helped you]
" Maine toh nahi kaha tha." he said. He should comfort me and this is what he is doing. Ungrateful child.
" Aur yeh 'tum' mat bol, bada odd feel hota hai "
[I didn't tell you to/ and don't refer with that respect, it feels odd.]
" Apko ajib kyu lag raha hai? " I intentionally added that.
[Why are you feeling odd?]
" Arey yaar! " He muttered and we both laughed.
By the way, I was still somewhere tensed. The way my luck works is something I am always tensed about. And the way my actions are, tensed word is printed with different fonts in my dictionary.
But Sahil said he'll handle it, so why do I have to worry? His mom, his tension. Why am I this scared?
ð¦
And things get really good from here.
What do you think about this Aunty?
And Ananya, why do you keep inviting trouble, baby?
Do share your thoughts on this chapter. And anything you would like to express or correct.
We'll meet in the next chapter
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