Chapter 37: 35

Chapter Thirty-Five

"Fake in-laws?"

× ANANYA ×

"Should I help you out?" I asked Aditi Bhabhi, entering her room. She was struggling to adjust the pleats of the saree she was wearing for a small puja.

[Puja - To worship God, or show respect to God, for example by saying prayers]

We had come to her house for the puja which were to be performed by Abhinav and her. I was feeling left out between their family talks so I asked her Mom if Bhabhi needed help and here I am.

She looked at me, gave a warm smile, and replied, "If you don't mind then, sure."

"Why will I mind?" I bent on my knees, brought all the pleats together, and pressed them on her leg.

She was looking so beautiful in the pastel pink saree and minimal makeup, her hair tied up in a bun and just a few strands were on her face. Aditi Bhabhi was naturally so beautiful, the type of girl every Mother looks for his Son. Her skin tone was as fair as milk, with naturally pink lips and a dimple arising every time she smiled, her facial features were soft and therefore she had a baby-like face. She looked much younger than her age.

I wish I was that fair.

The thought arose in my mind and it was just another day of seeing beautiful girls and wondering why am I not beautiful enough.

It happened every time, I did not wish their bad but just a thought that why am I not like her? Even Kirti, is so damn beautiful, so many guys were dying for her back in college. They would do anything to be with her. And she always ended up choosing the darkest red flag.

Not going to lie, but getting hurt by so many people in terms of relationships, she started becoming a red flag. I've told her many times that in front of her face, tried to make her understand but now the only thing she is interested is in having some fun and then telling each other to fuck off.

Her words. Not mine.

And that habit of hers gives me answers to why am I, not her. And why I shouldn't be.

Everyone has one bad quality in them, I agree. No one is perfect, agreed. Neither is she, nor am I. I'm not the one to judge her or anyone, but I cannot come across as like her in terms of relationships. She is a very good friend. The best one could ever find. But I'm not sure about girlfriend. And she never listens in that case too, so I stopped my attempts.

And about Aditi Bhabhi, if I was her, I would be an introvert, a person who rarely speaks. I wouldn't like that too. So I'm happy that I'm not her too.

And ladies and disappointments, this is how I satisfy myself when the thought arises.

I just lack in the looks department. Or else I'm good the way I am.

But why do I have glasses, I look better without them. And the dark circles. And pink lips would have been better. And fair skin of course.

"You look so lovely, Bhabhi. Nazar na Lage" I moved my hands in a circular motion above her head and pressed my knuckles on the side of my forehead. She blushed which was very clearly seen because of her skin colour.

[Let no evil eye spoil you]

"Abhinav bhai toh gaye aaj. Sambhalna unko pata chala behosh ho gaye aapki khubsoorati se Aaj" She shook her head and smiled widely.

[Abhinav is so gone today. Just take care that he doesn't get unconscious because of your beauty today]

"Arey, kuch bhi" She replied, and the dimple on her right cheek appeared.

[Anything]

"You know, I'll be by your side in every function now. I get bored alone, though there is Sahil and Vivian, but they are the problems, I would rather like to stay with the girls. Preet had an exam today, even she couldn't come. And those boys just either roasted me or teased me and Sahil in which he was just blushing, he couldn't even stop them or say anything, Dumb human" I said and shook my head with disappointment. She just looked at me with an amusing smile.

"Oh, I speak too much, is that what you're thinking? Um, sorry?" I asked awkwardly.

Typical Ananya, forgetting the place and person once she starts speaking.

"No, I am enjoying it. Don't be sorry. It'll be fun at least now that you're here. , I was kind of getting bored alone. I do not even have a sibling, so" she explained.

"Okay, I'm not calling you Bhabhi now. " I declared and her brows furrowed.

"Why? Did I-I say something wrong?" She asked with panic.

"Arey, no no, sun toh lo pura, I'm calling Abhinav, Jiju from now onwards. I was also very confused regarding the endearments so now it's sorted. Aditi di and Abhinav Jiju"

[No, no, let me complete,]

[Jiju - Brother-in-law]

"Adi, Mumma" Avyaan called out multiple times and ran towards us. Or should I say her?

"Haan, mera bacha" She bent down and saw his arms forward and hugged him. I noticed one thing, whenever Avyaan wants a hug, he runs the whole path towards the person with his arms in front of him.

[Yes, my kid]

"Nu?" He called out and looked at me with his big doe eyes.

"Yes, Avi?" He just smiled and didn't reply. He was quite shy and silent compared to the other kids of his age.

"Mumma, aap bohat Sundar dikh rahe ho, aaisa papa ne kaha tha mujhe aapse kehne jab mai aandar aau tabh.  He said with a breath of relief as if he had learned those lines. I chuckled and Aditi blushed.

[Mumma, you look beautiful. Dad told me to tell you this when I come inside.]

"Thank you" Aditi bhabhi, no no, Di said and her baby grinned.

I'm sure Abhinav would never regret giving marriage a second chance. Especially after looking at the bond, Avyaan shares with her.

"Aapke papa ne yeh toh nahi kaha hoga ki mummy ko aaisa kaho ki papa ne kaha tha" I told him making a thinking face for him. He opened his mouth and scratched the back of his neck in confusion.

[I'm sure you're father didn't tell you to say that he asked you to say this to your Mom]

"Oh no!" he said after understanding my words. His reaction of pure shock. Both Aditi Di and I laughed at his cute antics.

"Woh bhul jao" he cutely said.

[Forget that]

"Thike, bhul gaye" I showed him a thumbs up and he passed me the same.

[Okay, I forgot that]

"Cutie." His cheeks got red just like his mother's.

After a while, we went into the kitchen first to get some water, there we found Abhinav. I smirked  and said, "Lo le aayi main aapki future wife ko"

[Here, I brought your future wife]

"Abh na, Jiju, Aap khud hi ek do compliments dedo enhe. Avyaan bichara thoda confuse hogaya uss kaam mei" I teasingly said forgetting that he was my boss.

[Now, you give her compliments by yourself, brother-in-law. Avyaan got a bit confused in that that work]

But Abhinav himself told me that I should not think about that and get comfortable with him as I am Sahil's girlfriend, so here I am getting comfortable.

I just hope he doesn't deduct my salary as revenge.

"Jiju?" He questioned.

[Brother-in-law?]

"I somewhere switched my team, so now I'm the bride's sister," I explained.

"And the groom's brother's girlfriend." He added.

"Correct. Now I'll take your leave and give you some privacy" I left the kitchen and went outside the kitchen with a grin on my face for absolutely no reason.

I hummed a random tune and moved my hands doing some weird steps along with my head while walking. I closed my eyes for a second while the high-note part of my song came and someone dumb, bumped into me. I lost my balance and shut my eyes in fear of falling.

"Abey-" I was about to scream but then I realized that even my future-in-laws were in the other room so I should not use this language.

[Abey- A slang word]

Future-in-laws?

Fake. Of course.

Fake in-laws?

Uh. Nevermind. Forget that.

Two hands held my waist and my hands immediately went to hold something, I held a cloth. A familiar cologne hit my nostrils.

Can they not see that a person whose eyes are closed is standing there?

"Don't scream" I heard Sahil's voice, a sense of relief hit me and I opened my eyes to find his staring at me. We looked at each other for a few seconds.

"La la, la lala, la la la lala. La la lala-"

Someone's voice broke our trance. I don't know being high on what, Sahil suddenly removed his hands from my waist and I fell on the ground along with him as my hands were still holding the collar of his purple kurta tight. Before my head could bang on the floor, due to the weight on me, I felt a hand below it, protecting it.

"Hahahahaha" I heard Vivian's evil laugh with the maximum volume possible. Dumbhead.

"Chodna hi tha toh pakda kyu?" I cried out while standing.

[Why did you hold me if you wanted to leave?]

"Ghiro na, esliye" he simply replied as if nothing happened.

[So that you don't fall]

"Toh fir choda kyu?"  I irritatedly asked and he passed me an apologetic look.

[Then why did you leave?]

"Sorry"

"What happened here?" Sahil's Mom rushed towards us and asked.

"Hahahaha, woh Bhai, haha, Ananya, hahahaha" I glared dangerously at Vivian and so did Sahil.

[Hahahaha, bhai-, hahaha, Ananya, hahaha]

"Batayega ya sirf jaaega?" She asked.

[Will you tell or just laugh?]

"Hahahaha, wait" Vivian showed his palm to them and continued laughing.

"Eska kisi din murder kar dena hai maine!" I heard Sahil mutter.

[I'm going to kill him someday]

"Tumhe lagta hai tum kar paoge?" I asked him giving him a side eye.

[You think you'll be able to do that?]

"Good Point. You murder him, I'll help you. I'm sure you can do that" he said and I nodded.

"Sure. But I'll take fees"

"What fees? Which fees?" He asked.

"If I'm risking my life and killing someone then I need fees" I explained and Aunty caught us talking.

"Tum dono kya khus phus kar rahe ho? Batao kya hua?"

[What are you guys having a conversation about? Tell us what happened.]

"Romantic moment chal raha tha. Hahaha, main, haha, Main edhar aaya aur, haha-" He started laughing again. I put my head down in embarrassment.

[A romantic moment was going on, hahaha, I, haha, I came here and haha]

"Aur?" She asked.

"And?"

"Dono ghir gaye ek dusre par" he burst out laughing again. Aunty started laughing too this time.

[Both of them fell on each other]

"Repeat it once again na, please bhai, please Ananya" he requested us and I glared at Sahil.

He is the reason for everything now.

Fool, Dumb, Irritating, Hooman.

"I, I'm going to the washroom," Sahil said after gulping, I knew he was going because of my constant glare at him. He turned back and started walking in that direction.

"But the washroom is on the other side," Aunty told him.

"Oh, so I'll drink water and come" He excused himself and went away.

"Aunty, aapka beta bohat kharab hai, mujhe ghira dina usne, dust kahika" I complained about him to her.

[Your son is very bad, I fell because of him, evil person]

"Arey, arey. Lagi toh nahi tujhe?" She asked me, with a concerned look.

[Are you hurt?]

Vivian was still laughing in a slow voice muttering something to himself.

Esse toh main badme dekhti hu.

[I'll deal with him later]

"Kuch nahi bus meri kamar tut gayi hai. Ek toh kitna bhari hai woh, aur merepe ghir gaya" I whined like a child in a baby-like tone.

[Nothing, just my back is broken. He's so heavy and then he fell at me]

"Arey arey, mera bacha. Ruk aane de usko batati hu main." she said and came forward to hug me while chuckling.

[Aw, my child. Wait, let him come, I'll teach him a lesson]

I kept pouting while she hugged and consoled me. This is the first time after years I complained to someone like a child and got upset. And the first time someone didn't tell me to let it go but hugged me rather and was with me. Even if it was based on almost nothing.

The hug felt good, really good, but my back was still hurting. All thanks to that Dusht, Papi, Manav.

[Evil, human!]

🦋

"Can I come in?" Sahil asked after knocking on the open door.

"Sure. Why not?"

"Hi" he randomly said and I passed him a look.

"Uh, hello"

"Ma sent this for you. Y-your back is hurting, so" He showed me a bottle of spray that had a picture of a woman holding her back in pain.

"Yeah, all thanks to you."

"Uhm, I'm sorry about that?" His face showed embarrassment.

"You should be." I narrowed my eyes taking the spray from his hand.

"Do you need help?" He asked me after a few seconds and his face said that he immediately regretted it.

"I, I mean, you won't be able to spray that-" I cut him off before the guy gets more embarrassed.

But either way, it's fun to see someone who's not me getting embarrassed.

"I get it, I get it," I said and passed him the bottle. Taking the bottle, he went to close the door first and then came back. I turned around and waited but there was no action. I turned my head to look at him and he pointed towards my oversized t-shirt.

"Your T-shirt-"I nodded.

Why is this so awkward?

I shouldn't have accepted the help. But then he would be embarrassed.

I pulled my T-shirt up from behind and heard him ask, "Where does it hurt?"

I kept my hand towards the place and he sprayed there. "A little above"

"To the right"  I placed my hand on the place where it was hurting on my back. He sprayed there.

"A little up, now" My hands couldn't reach the place.

"Where?" He asked.

"Up" He let out a sigh, kept just his index finger on the upper side, and asked, "Here?"

"No, up" he kept his finger on the clothed part of my back and asked if it was there. "To the left"  he slided his finger instead of keeping them directly there and that made some current run through my body.

"Here?" He asked placing his finger exactly at the place where it was hurting.

"Ouch, yes, yes, exactly there." My hand which was holding my T-shirt started hitting and it fell. Before I could pull it up again from behind, he on the support of that one index finger pulled it up, making sure that his finger did, for a few seconds his finger went the whole way touching my back and my breath hitched. Then he made sure that his finger didn't touch me at all.

Why the fuck am I stuck in this awkward situation?

He sprayed it within a second this time and removed his finger and my T-shirt fell.

"Thanks," I said and he nodded. Just when I turned around, I found his head down and ears red.

Aw.

"I'll go, now," he said going towards the door of the room.

"Oh, wait, the cousins are calling you outside in the garden. They are playing some game" he said after turning.

"Okay, I'm coming after a few minutes"

Let me inhale a good amount of air  first because this awkward thing didn't let me breathe

He left and I took a deep breath.

Damn. This small interaction was enough to bring the whole zoo to my stomach.

Damn, Sahil has already made a permanent place in my mind now, it doesn't seem to leave him even for a second. And now I think it's even harder to do that.

Patting my cheeks to remove that fucking stupid smile from my face, I walked towards the garden.

"Ananya came" Vivian shouted as soon as he saw me.

They had arranged a small bonfire and were sitting on the chairs with a can of cold drinks in their hands.  As soon as I walked towards them, Rahul, one of the cousins, stood up from his place which was beside Sahil, and asked me to sit there.

"I don't want to separate the love birds," He said and I just dismissively waved my hand.

"Nothing like that" I replied.

"We understand, Ananya. It's okay" I was about to start the only thing I'm expert in, arguing, but I felt someone pulling my hand and making me sit on the chair, I turned to see it was the cause of my problems. Sahil.

"Sit quietly, chamatkar," He said and we got tons of ohs and aws from them. I glared at him and he bit his tongue. We agreed on the settlement that he'll not use in front of everyone so what was this now?

"What a nickname ji, what a nickname!" Rahul exclaimed.

"Unique toh hai," Abhinav said and chuckled.

[It is unique]

"Stop, guys. The more you tease us, the more taunts I'm going to hear from her" I gasped.

When did I say anything to him?

I directly threatened him being the Mafia Queen Ananya.

"Lol, you're so scared bhai!" Vivian said.

"What is the story behind this name?" Rahul asked.

"You are playing or should I leave?" Sahil warned Vivian and Rahul while they made a face.

"So, What are we playing?" Preet asked.

"The classic, Truth and Dare?" Rohan suggested. We all agreed on that.

Preet and Vivian argued a little about who was bringing a bottle and gave each other a few curses and then eventually Vivian had to go. He came back with the glass bottle which I don't know from where he got.

He spun the bottle on the table kept between the circle and it came on Abhinav and Preet. Abhinav asked her a question indirectly asking her if she had a boyfriend and when the answer was yes, her three brothers, Sahil, Abhinav and Rohan bombarded her with questions of who he was and everything. While the rest two Vivian and Rahul teased the hell out of her.

Poor girl fell into their trap.

"Okay, next turn" the bottle flipped again. And it was Rahul and Sahil.

Sahil chose truth and Rahul asked him, "Why do you call her chamatkar?"

Sahil smirked and looked at me asking me if he should answer that. Through my eyes, I warned him not to even think of that.

"We want to know the whole backstory, Bhai" Preet said excitedly.

No, I do not want to get reminded of that. And on top of that, I do not want to get embarrassed in front of all of them.

"Um, that-" he started while looking at me mischievously. I glared at him.

"Why do I call her chamatkar?" He repeated the question creating suspense.

"Because..." my eyes didn't leave his. They were still glaring.

"Because she's a chamatkar in my life"

🦋

Not gonna lie, this was a filler chapter.

My babies always end up making romantic moments either funny or awkward. 😭

I don't have anything much to say, so I'll leave that on you. Do click the star button and share your views.

🤝🏻