Rudra
I couldn't sleep, after that moment Shalini and I shared on the ghat , whenever I closed my eyes I could see her , feel her in my hands .
The note that Madhav had put for me last night saying ' happy night with the wife , take my Bhabhi home safe u crazy man ' did not help much.
Why was she there last night, I never got to ask her that but one thing was clear to me .Even if I like her it doesn't mean she likes me too .
She is not comfortable with our real marriage , earlier she was helping me but now things have changed.
'I need a cigarette and tea' I thought to myself and decided to go with the plan . I got up from the bed and started searching for my pack of cigarettes.
My stupid brain was again thinking about Shalini, she don't like cigarette and smoking in general . I stopped smoking whenever she was around and now I don't even remember when my last puff was .
I found my pack in the drawer of my desk . I opened the pack only to find it empty, I took a deep breath and threw the pack in dustbin and decided to make the tea anyway.
......
" God where is the tea pan " I said to myself.
I have been in the kitchen for around 15 minutes just searching for the utensil in which I could make my tea.
" What are you searching for" I heard from above me .
I was sitting on the floor trying my best to find the pan .
I looked and thought that now I can even see her , she is everywhere but I soon realised she was actually standing there waiting for my response.
" Good morning ... Argh" I said , I had hit my head with the countertop and it hurts .
Seeing me hitting my head she put her hand on my head and started rubbing it for me .
" Are you 5 year old , be more careful .....why are you smiling" she scolded me but I was smiling like crazy, she cared about me .
" Nothing" I said looking at her , I was still showing my pearly whites that was for sure .
She could punch me at that movement if I was not careful.
" Someone wake on the wrong side of bed , why are you irritated this early in the morning " I asked curiously
" What are you trying to find in the cabinet " she asked changing the topic . I decided to respect it and go along with her
" Tea pan "
" It's there " she said pointing towards the pan I have been searching for like
FOREVER.
I took the pan and placed it on the Stove
" I am making tea ,what some" I asked Shalini
No response, I looked at her and noticed she was somewhere deep in thoughts.
" Earth to Shalini ... Shalini" I called her, to bring her out from her thoughts.
What was going on, first she is awake this early...even the sun is sleeping , second she looks irritated , third she is deep in her thoughts that she can't even listen to me calling her (I am confused is an under statement)
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Shalini
All I wanted was to make myself a worm coffee and enjoy it without thinking about this idiot.
Now I was in the kitchen with this idiot who was trying to find a tea pan .
Why is he everywhere, in front of me , in my mind , in my heart.....
I was scared of the last few words which crossed my mind, he was not in my heart , not my heart...
I felt worm hand around my waist, Rudra had lifted me up and made me sit on the countertop. His large frame was blocking me from getting down .
He was leaning towards me his hands on either side of me .
" I am making tea , want some " he asked me .
I am dyeing, my heart is beating like crazy . It's not normal , I am sure . My eyes couldn't leave his , he was looking at me like a lover would but he is no lover to me . ( I am going crazy)
" Shalini" he called my name again, did his voice became deeper." Tea??"
I nodded to his question. What is going on with me .
" Good , I make good tea . You will enjoy it " he said moving away from me , he was smiling again like nothing happened.
I was back on earth , as he moved back to the stove and added water for the tea .
I wanted coffee you idiot.
...
" Here " he gave me the tea he had just made.
I took it , it did smell nice and looked fine .
I was shocked at how good the tea was after taking the first sip.
" Good " he said with a smirk on his face , he could see I was enjoying the tea .
" Where did you learn to make this good tea " I asked
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Rudra
When Shalini asked me about the tea I couldn't help but smile.
It was the only good thing I learned from my ignored past .
" It's a long story"
"No one will be up for another hour or so , I don't think you have to go anywhere so start the story"
" Fineeee" I said taking sip of my tea
" When I was in senior years of my school, their was a senior of mine who was involved in all wrong things.
I was young, full of testosterone , nowhere to let my frustrations out , I had this weird aggression.
One day I saw that senior in a fight, I was fascinated, I wanted to be like him .
Soon after that senior took notice of me.
He were quite famous in our area to be honest, had many connections, people were scared of him .
He did all the wrong things which one should not do . When I went to 10+1 ,I was fully involved in his company. Smoking, drinking, being out at night late , fights. You name it , I properly did it .
In 10+2 I even threaten few people for him , but fortunately or unfortunately someone I had threaten told my grandfather about my involvement with him .
I was with him when grandfather found me smoking, he twisted my ears and brought me home.
Asked me to promise him that I would never talk , meet or be involved with that senior.
I kept his promise but I couldn't help but leave two things he tough me one smoking, two this tea."
" So, you were a Gunda back then " she a said after listening to my story.
I laughed at her reaction and nodded my head in a yes .
" He was my senior in college too , so people think we are still in touch. This is the reason why people in the wedding stood when I entered " I said thinking about the look Shalini had when the scene happened at the wedding.
" Is he still that influential" she said
" He is a politician now "
She nodded in understanding .
...
" It's not the right rate bhaiya, I will buy it only at right rate " Shalini said to the vegetable seller.
We both were currently in the market buying things of the list that Amma gave us .
We both were still drinking the tea and talking when Amma entered the kitchen and told us to go and get some things for her .
And at this movement, Shalini was busy bargaining with the shopkeeper .
Her bargaining skills were great she had done it with almost every Shope we have went to .
She was smiling when I looked at her , she looked as if she has won a war , the shopkeeper has finally given up and agreed at her rate ( not my first time seeing her win , every shopkeeper has given up ever since we got to the market)
" Congratulations you win the match "
I said when we stared moving to the next shop according to the list . I was teasing her "To be honest, you have amazing skills ."
She laughed at my comment
" thanks, I will teach you . No need to worry, you will be a pro in no time " she said teasing me back .
She was making fun of me . The reason was that I am bad at bargaining, I just can't fight with shopkeepers .
" But Rudra you are very bad at bargaining "she said still laughing
" Come with me " I pulled her hand and took her for one of the best thing she will ever experience.