||CHAPTER 24||
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"When I texted that the session is scheduled in the morning, I did not mean it to be at the crack of the dawn."

I ignored Ishita's complaints, trying to sit in the Padmasana. I didn't want it to be at the crack of the dawn either, it wasn't my fault that Dad returned unannounced at three in the morning, and by six, was pushing me out of the door for the work-out sessions, which he claimed Arnav and I missed. After half an hour, I returned, claiming that we indeed had a study session at Karan's house. And the rest, I am pretty sure you can guess.

And to be fair, I don't think eight in the morning is crack of the dawn.

"It's all your fault," Ishita hissed. "I can't stay in this posture anymore!"

Again, it wasn't my fault that Celeb Dietician, Mrs Bahl would love having us as her students, making us question our flexibility. I now understood why Arnav and the boys had a sleepover at the Bahl Mansion last night. I was frowning when Daadi allowed him to leave the house at eleven thirty, when Ishita texted us about the Group Study.

"Mrs. Bahl," I croaked, troubled at her determination to make us perform various Yoga positions for the next hour.

"You're doing it well, Arvika," she complimented. "Just deep breaths, remember, deep breaths."

Ishita whimpered beside me, but we were saved when Karan came into view, sliding the glass doors of his backyard.

"Good morning Mom," he chuckled at us, and I stuck my tongue out.

"Good morning beta," she smiled. "Chalo, apne doston ko bulao, yoga mat uthao aur hamare saath yoga karo."

It was our chance to smirk at his horrified expression. "Actually, Mom... Aaj hamara study session hai."

"Haan, haan, aunty," Ishita released her gomukh asan immediately, sitting on her knees. "Hamare exams aa rahe hai na."

"Oh," she replied, realisation dawning her features. "Pehele batana chahiye tha na... Don't worry though. I know the best stress relieving exercises."

"No!" The word left my lips before I realised it. Mrs. Bahl looked at me questioningly.

"Mera matlab, aunti aapko taqleef lene ki koi zarurat nahi hai... Trust me, we're not stressed, but we would be if our doubts aren't solved today."

Ishita's ferverent nods convinced her, and rolling the yoga mats and keeping it in it's place we followed Karan inside the house.

"Mai kabhi subah-subah is ghar mein paav nahi rakhne wali," Ishita declared.

"Tujhe kisi ne invite bhi nahi kiya hai," Karan replied, leading us to his dining room, where the boys were busy eating... popcorn?

Seeing my horrified gaze, Arnav replied, "It was either this or meusli."

"Ew, you guys," Ishita commented, sitting beside Ritwik, popping one into our mouth. "Atleast caramel ya cheese wala tho khate. Ye salted kaun khata hai?"

"I think ki tu bhool rahi hai that this is the Bahl residence. Ham is baath se hi bohot khush hai ki hame popcorn jaisa unhealthy khana mila," Vansh retorted, clearly not in a good mood.

Out of sympathy, I pat his shoulder, "Ye sab sleepover karne se pehele sochna chahiye tha na. Ab bhugto."

Karan raised a brow, "Bhugto? I am having a feast today bro, warna mujhe roz ki tarah subeh-subeh apni ulti gatakni padti."

"Satara saal ho gaye, and you're still not habituated?"

"I don't think koi ghas-poos aur unke milk shake se habituated ho sakta hai," Ritwik defended, and we had to agree.

After their breakfast, we lounged in Karan's room, solving extra questions (I mean I lounged and the others solved extra questions) when Ishita kept staring outside the window.

"Kise taad rahi hai?" I asked, joining her on the window sill.

"Us bhooth bangle ko," she yawned.

"Woh bhoot bangla nahi hai, buddhu," Karan joined us, chucking his textbook behind, letting the other three study.

"Fir waha rehta kaun hai?"

"Woh bhooth bangla inka hai," Karan pointed towards me. "We were supposed to be neighbours once upon a time."

When I didn't deny the fact, Ishita probed further. "Tho tumlog waha kyu nahi rehte ho? Why do you live in that old flat? Aren't all businessmen supposed to be living in huge mansions?"

Our flat wasn't too old, but Ishita did have a point. There was a point when we were supposed to be shifting into that mansion, but Daadi always valued memories more than money.

"Because," I sighed, "Dadaji ki yaadein us ghar se judi hui hai. And ye bunglow Dad ne divorce ke ek saal pehele khareeda. No one really felt like moving I guess. And wo flat old nahi, comfortable hai. We like it there."

The sun was now swiftly moving down, reminding me I had somewhere to go, somewhere to be.

"Guys, I'm sure you can continue the rest of the work without me pretty well," I said, gathering my pens and books.

"It's not like you're even doing anything," Karan scoffs.

I grimace at him, zipping my bag. "I need to go."

"Kyoon?" Vansh looks up from his lying position on Karan's king sized bed. "Are you not feeling well? Tabiyath theek hai na?"

"Haan, I am perfectly fine. It's just that I promised my friend my time tonight, and Arvika never breaks promises. Atleast, I try not to."

"Do I know this friend of yours?" Arnav raises an eyebrow.

I ponder over his question. "Maybe you do. Mostly you don't. Eitherway, doesn't matter. I'll get going."

"If you take the car, how will I get home?" I hear him call out as I get out of the bedroom.

"Don't worry, main cab le rahi hoon."

But I knew their interrogations wont be ending there.

¿¤?

It was a lively atmosphere. Livelier than I'd ever felt in the sixteen years of my experience.

As I climbed the stairs to the secondfloor of the old building, I could feel the energy in the air. It was contagious. I stood infront of the worn out wooden door, eyes wandering to the similar doors beside it.

Qureshi, the name plate said. And so, I rang the bell, hoping I wasn't too late, because I didn't want Jamila Aunty thinking I had stood up her invitation.

There was noise inside the house, which wasn't muffled anymore when the door opened, revealing a thin, young lady adorned in a salwar suit and pallazzo, which judging from the blush on her face and shine on her clothes, was new.

"Ji?" She smiled, albeit awkward.

"Namast-" I stopped, clearing my throat. "Assalame Valeikum. Mai Armaan ki dost, Arvika hoon."

That's ought to be the most awkward introduction.

"Kaun hai, didi?" I could hear Armaan's voice, as he appeared behind his sister. "Oh, Arvika!"

"Ye sach mein tumhari dost hai?" She was looking me up and down, and for a moment I felt underdressed in the long kurti and leggings that I bought from the mall on my way here.

I smile at her, but she doesn't smile back.

"Ab bahar hi khade rahogi ya andar aane ka invitation dena padega?" She suddenly giggles, and I breathe out in relief, removing my footwear outside their house.

Inside, delicious aroma of food comes wafting through the kitchen, entering my nose.

"Itni bhi bhookhi mat act kar," Armaan pats my shoulder. "Dinner pe hi bulaya hai, khane ko bacha kucha mil jayega."

Yeah, now Nerdy Qureshi was quite comfortable around me.

"Tu apne chashme pehen, bina chashmon ke chomu kaise lagega?" I retort, and a man, I'm guessing his brother-in-law chuckles.

"Ye dekh," he leans forward, widening his left eye with his fingers, "iske hote huye mai chashmein kyu pehenu?"

I don't hide my suprise. "Contacts? Tune contacts lagaye hai?!"

He grinned, "Didi ne diye hai, achhe hai na?"

Jamila aunty enters their congested living room before I could reply.

"Arvika beta, aane ke liye shukriya!"

She was looking lovely, though a bit suffocated, in her brown veil. "Mujhe is dawat pe bulane ke liye shukriya," I reply, honestly. "Ye... Ye aapke liye hai."

Looking at the wrapped box in my hand, she takes a step back. "Arey beta, in sab ki kya zarurat thi? Ham aapse ye nahi le sakte!"

Ugh, formalities.

"Nahi aunty, ise aap ek tofa mat samjhiye. Ye to mujhe yaha par, aapke khushiyon ka chota sa hissa baatne ke liye ek... chashmadeet gawah samjhiye."

"That... doesn't make it any better," Armaan slightly whispers. I draw out my puppy dog expression.

"Please Jamila aunty. Aur nahi tho aap ye Armaan ke liye he le lijiye. Mere Daadi ka radio theek karne ke liye? Infact, ye meri Daadi ne hi aapke liye bheja hai!"

I was not lying. Daadi knew about my whereabouts.

Very hesitantly, Jamila aunty accepts the gift. "Tumhari Daadi ko bhi shukriya kehna."

"Zarur," I smile warmly at her, as she unwraps the box, opening it to retrieve a crystal crescent moon wind chime. It was very beautiful, and Daadi had bought it yesterday, after I told her that the Qureshi's had invited me for dinner.

"Ye bohot keemti hai beta-"

"Aunty, keemat pe kya likha hai? Agar baath keemat ki hoti tho shayad hi mai apne Daadi ka purana radio Armaan se ttheek karwati. Please, ise accept kijiye. Mere liye nahi tho mere Daadi ke liye hi sahi?"

Behind her, her daughter was looking at me, probably judging me. But I guess it was okay. She may change her mind, or she may not, and I don't blame her. I am a spoilt kid, but I do know a thing or two about feelings. I may not be humble about it, but I was sure as hell thankful.

"Ab mujhe is khushboo se hi apna pet bharna padega kya?" I asked, looking around.

"Arrey, nahi nahi," Jamila aunty seemed to flash out of her reverie. "Mai bhi na, ao baitho na."

"Calm down ammi," Armaan said to her, "Ye paida hi bhukkad hui hai. Chaar minute mein ye hamare Raichand Biscuits khatam karti hai."

I narrow my eyes at him.

"Arrey, iske baaton ko khyaal mat do, ye tho badbadata hi rahega. Aap baitthiye-"

She was cut off by the calling bell that rang twice.

We turned to look at the door, as Armaan's sister went to open it. And judging by the three pairs of legs that were peeking from the gaps at the bottom that his sister's legs didn't cover, a cold sweat ran down my forehead.

"Ham Armaan ke dost hai... Arvika hai kya?"

Even Armaan's contacts couldn't hide his shock, that was mirroring mine.

_____

Namoshtaii

Any guesses who the guests might be? That's a really easy one.

Did anyone guess who she was going to meet before it was revealed tho?

I did, haha.

Anyways, how are ur new sessions going? Mine, lets not comment at all.

I

f you liked the chapter and the story, please stay tuned, read, vote, comment and promote!

~emcee.