The Girl Behind The Door

Part 31 - Nok Johk

Anu POV

It was a hot afternoon and the humidity was as high as ever, but nevertheless it seemed as if the whole town was out and about, the road was filled with traffic, the the sounds of horns, and vehicles, and street vendors, and chatter all merged into one big chaotic soup of noise, and movement, and dust, and heat. There wasn't even any space in the tea shop for us to sit down so instead I waited outside for Bhavik to catch up.

I watch as he walks towards the shop, the way his hair sticks to is face, and the sides of his neck, how he is constantly flicking his head back mumbling himself, probably about how he's so annoyed he forgot his headband, his light blue shirt, which was very neatly worn when we first left the house, now has the top three button undone and has started sticking to his body, his eyes take a rest from squinting at the sun as he looks around trying to find me and I raise my head signaling for him

( Ē'i nina āpani cā)

"Here's you tea"

(Dhan'yabāda)

"Thank you" I reply taking the glasses from the shopkeeper

"For your hard work" I praise as I give hand Bhavik the glass

"When did you learn Bengali?" he asked as he places the grocery bags on the floor and wipes the sweat off on the back of his sleeve and takes the glass from me.

"I bought a book a few weeks ago and started learning it a bit." I reply sipping on my tea

(oh accha, phir aap ham donon ke lie bol sakate hain)

"Oh nice, you can speak for the both of us then"

"Oh I don't know about that, I don't know much" I reply defensively

"Eh it okay" he shrugs

We stand in the silence before Bhavik turned towards

(ruko, isaka matalab ye hai ki aap jante the ki sabji ki dukan par aadamee se kya khana hai)

"Wait does that mean you knew what to say to the man at the vegetable shop" he question, his eyebrows furrowed and a a slight annoyance lacing his voice

"Ummm... well" I look away sheepishly

(kya, main vahaan naachate hue bandar kee tarah nakal kar raha hoon aur cheejon kee or ishaara kar raha hoon, aur aap poore samay bas baat karte reh sakte hain)

" What, I out over there miming and pointing to things like a dancing monkey, and you could've just been talking the whole time"

"Well, it was quite funny" I reply stifling a laugh

"Oh shut up... idiot" he whispers turning away from me

"Oi" I reply feigning anger

"This heat is ridiculous, it's like we are in the desert" he states as he sips on his tea fanning himself with one hand

"Hmm" I reply

A sudden pull on my dupatta grasp by attention and I flick my head around to find the loose end of my pink shawl wrapped Bhaviks, head, and I can't help but burst out laughing

"Hahahaha... what are you doing"

(kya...chup raho, pahale mujhe bandar kee tarah nachaane ke baad tum kam se kam itana to kar hee nahin sakate)

"What... shut up, it's the least you can do after making me dance like a monkey earlier" he replies indignantly.

And I let him stay there,as I look towards the street and finish me tea, not wanting him to see my redding cheeks and the smile I'm trying to control