I was editing the story draft that I had completed writing two months ago. I had edited more than three chapters and more ten chapters were on the way.
Appu placed the bowl of cornflakes in front of me. She began eating the cereal from her bowl. I frowned at her.
"Why again the cereal?"
"It was two weeks ago," Appu shot me a glare.
"Ani mi kadhihi tula tokat nahi jevha pan tu andyachi bhurji kartes,"
"And mind you, I never complain whenever you make the same scrambled eggs for the breakfast."
I rose from the chair and went to the kitchen to make Maggi for myself. The last night I didn't had any dinner as I dozed off early and I was too hungry in the morning. Just the dry cereals were not going to fulfil my appetite.
"What are you searching for?"
"Maggi,"
"It's in the third row,"
"Thanks," I said plainly.
My parents had went to Pune to visit my grandmother as she was admitted in the hospital due to some reason I was unaware of. Ved had went back to Mumbai the last week after Raksha Bandhan. It was just me, Reason and Appu in the house.
"Don't make that face, I'll get you chinese for dinner."
I cocked my eyebrow at her and asked, "You are not lying, right?"
"No, I'm not."
"Okay," I grinned at her.
I boiled the noodles and added extra chilli powder in it. One packet of Maggi tastemaker never worked for me. I would add a whole teaspoon of chilli powder to make it spicy.
"Tula pahije ka?"
"Do you want the Maggie?"
"Even I could have made the Maggi if I had that much time. I am getting late,"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"You have your dentist appointment today at five. So do go to the dentist, okay?"
"Did you get the appointment or baba did?"
"No, it was me,"
"I'll go along with Atharv,"
"Okay, now I've to go. Please do the dishes,"
"I'm not doing dishes tomorrow then," I demanded.
"Okay, fine. But please do wash these and keep them inverted for drying."
Appu threw the bowl and the spoon in the sink and handed me her credit card for paying the doctor's bill.
"Don't spend extra money, okay? If you do so, you won't get anything for dinner and also no pocket money for two months." she crooked her finger at me.
"I'm not even allowed to get a juice for myself? You know it helps my gums to soothe after the appointments,"
"Okay, but just the juice nothing else,"
"Okay,"
Appu back hugged me and kissed my cheek before leaving. While the Maggi cooked I checked for the ice cream in the fridge.
I turned on the T.V and changed through the channels to find the cartoon channel. Since my parents weren't home, I could eat the entire tub of ice cream without getting scolded.
I was staying home for two days as I couldn't leave Reason alone in the house.
After finishing the Maggi and the ice cream I did the dishes. I showered and got changed into my pyjamas.
I lied on the couch, leaning over Reason and watched Doraemon on the Disney channel. It was so relaxing.
My phone buzzed. I extended my hand to the coffee table and grabbed my phone. Ryan had texted me.
~ You fine??
~
~ I didn't see you in the college
I thought of asking Atharv
But then remembered about the deal and kept mum🤭
I passed a chuckle.
~ im at home
with reason since no one's here to look after him 😕
aai baba have went out for two days
Reason looked into my phone as we chatted.
~ oksss
Do you like animated film? 🧐
~ Yes, I do 😈
I opened the camera and clicked a picture of the cartoon show I was watching. I sent the picture to him.
~ you will find it creepy
But I watch Doraemon every day🤪
🙈🙊
~ there's no wrong in watching cartoons
even my brother watches though he is 25 😂
~ I'm relieved 😂
Btw let's go for Happy Bhaag Jayegi at 4.30
I worried if I should tell him about my dentist appointment. I never got delayed my dentist appointments as it was the matter of my teeth. And I didn't wanted anything more serious happen to my already ugly looking teeth.
~ I have my dentist appointment today 😕
I didn't ask him to cancel the plan or anything. If he didn't let me go see the dentist, I would had to cancel the appointment.
~ Time?
~ 5
~ Can I take you to the dentist?
I read it again. I cocked my head at Reason with surprise. After the terrible experience that happened on the Raksha Bandhan day, I didn't expect Ryan to be so sweet to me.
~ Are you serious? 😱
~
When Ryan himself was being good to me, why did I have to be salty to him? Even I decided to be good to him. Maybe, if I start behaving good to him I would get rid of the deal very soon.
~ ok 🤪
~ I'll pick you up by 4.15
I checked the time. It was three in afternoon. I didn't had my lunch because my stomach was full by the brunch I had earlier.
I made it safe after the appointment. I looked outside the window wondering why Ryan had stopped at a cafe on the way. He asked me to wait in the car while he gets back soon.
Whenever my father would take me to the dentist he would get me my favourite chilled guava juice after my dentist appointments as a token of appreciation.
My phone rang flashing my mother's name through the screen. I wanted to avoid the phone call since she kept on giving me unnecessary advices like I was still her five year old kid.
I waited for the ring to end and once it did, I texted my father.
~ i went to the dentist and got my braces fixed
please don't ask your wife to call me again
she bugs my head
😫
I noticed Ryan crossing the road and walking towards the car. He had two large cups of juices in his hand. I pondered. He stepped in and handed me one of the cups.
"That's your guava juice,"
"Thanks, but how do you know I have this after my appointment? I don't remember mentioning this to you,"
He looked at me with confusion. His lips curved into a smile and he said, "I just guessed. Because usually I get cold juice to soothe my gums."
"You were accurate,"
"Surprisingly," he joked.
I sipped on the juice. My phone buzzed. I checked the message.
~ what did the doctor say?
~ the same thing he says every time
do you want me to repeat?
~ 😑
Where r u now?
~ returning home
in a cab
~ you're alone?
~ atharv was busy so i had to muster some courage
~ alright
take care 😗
~ 😗
90s songs were playing on the radio and I silently hummed to the songs. The old songs have something in them that makes my mind refresh. Though I would listen to new songs as well, I preferred the old ones over the new.
"What is your favourite 90s song?"
"I cannot specifically choose one. There are so many beautiful songs,"
I and my father love listening to the 90s songs at night after having our dinner. Because of my busy schedule we didn't do that in my secondary year. I noted to myself to take out an hour for my father to hear the 90s songs with him.
"Are you helping your batchmates for the freshers party?" he asked.
"Sort of, we have a group of ten. We are planning the menu," I titled at him.
"Okay,"
"What about you?"
"Rohan was thinking about joining the group that makes the posters and also distributes them. Let's see what happens,"
The seniors would get divided into eight groups - first group would plan the theme and and do the decorations, the second group would decide the menu, the third would organise dj and speakers and it went on. Whoever interested would join the groups and the rest would just do nothing and enjoy the party. The management would pay the total cost for the party without letting the seniors or the juniors pay. And at the end of the party the best senior group would get awarded.
"Why don't you join our group?"
"I suck in deciding menu,"
"Who asked you to decide the menu? You can suggest some good catering shops or get snacks,"
"I'll ask Rohan and then tell you,"
"Okay,"