<Whistle sound>

"Last stop, last stop!! Come on get down", the bus conductor announced.

They both open their eyes. Her head was on his shoulder and his head rested on her head. There was an awkward silence. They both got up from their seat and get down from the bus.

Sidharth: (Yawns and stretches his back and hands) Baite Baite meri peet akhad gayi. Once home, can you give me a massage?

Shehnaaz glares at him.

Shehnaaz: Achcha? Acupressure, Reiki, Hot Shower, Thai massage yeh sab nahi chahiye? (Sarcastically in a sweet tone) Take, hold this bag and follow me. Massage chahiye!! Huh!!

He smirks and puts on the backpack and starts following her. She was lost in her thoughts and stops suddenly and he bumps into her.

Shehnaaz: Ouch!! Are you blind? Can't you see before crashing your JCB like body onto my delicate body?

Sidharth: Oye! You didn't give signal before pulling sudden brake. It's normal to have an accident in such situation. I should be the one scolding you. Yet I am humble. Meri achchai ka aisa fayda matt uttao.

Shehnaaz: Chup!! Jyada pachad pachad kiya toh yahi choddke chali jaungi.. phir sona footpath pe akele tandh mein.

Sidharth: (murmurs) Bol aise rahi hai jaise ghar le jaake apne saath sulaane wale hai.

Shehnaaz: What did you say?

Sidharth: Nothing! I said sorry!!

Shehnaaz: Then say it audibly enough.

Sidharth: Okay, madam Sorry! (Folds hands)

They take an auto to her rented apartment. She opens the lock and he follows her inside. All her clothes were scattered everywhere.

Sidharth: (murmurs) What a mess?

Shehnaaz: Did you say something?

Sidharth: Aaa.. nice house! You stay alone here?

Shehnaaz: Nahi, puri baaraat saath rehti hai. Listen, apne kaam se kaam rakho. You don't have to try to be extra sweet, I know the house is messy. My maid stopped coming a week before I went home. I kept busy with interviews and all so didn't find time to clean.

Sidharth: No worries. I understand! Hmm.. So you need a new maid.

Shehnaaz: Uski kya zarurat? You are here, since you aren't giving me rent, do the work. There are no free meals.

Sidharth: I don't mind sweetheart!

Shehnaaz: Arghh... Sweetheart??

He smirks.

Sidharth: Tell me one thing. Won't your family find you here?

Shehnaaz: No, cause I shifted here a week before I went to my hometown and I didn't give them my new address.

Sidharth: Huh? You said your maid stopped coming a week before you left.

Shehnaaz: Yeah! Baayi stopped coming since I shifted here because it was too far for her.

Sidharth smiles and starts picking up the clothes lying on chair, floor and table. He pulls the bra hanging on chair and the strap breaks.

Shehnaaz: Oh Shit!! What did you just do?

Sidharth: (horrified) Sorry sorry! Apna size bata do mein kharid ke laa dunga naya wala..

Shehnaaz: What? Khudh ke underwear kharidhne ke liye toh abhi tumhare paas paise nahi aur mera size puch rahe ho?

Sidharth: Oh hell!! I didn't mean that!! You know I have a girlfriend.

Shehnaaz: Oh hell! Haan, I know! Why don't you hang a placard around your neck saying I have a girlfriend? Girlfriend hai toh kaunsa bada teer maar liya? Musibat ke time pe toh tumhe meri help leni padh rahi hai.

Sidharth: Oye, don't say anything to my girlfriend. She would have kept me on her head like a crown jewel if she was here now. Just wait for few days, she will be back soon and I will introduce her to you.

Shehnaaz: Bla-bla-bla.. kitna bolte ho yaar tum. I have no interest in you or in your girlfriend. As of now, I am going to freshen up and take bath. Wait a minute.

She picks up her mobile and clicks his picture.

Shehnaaz: Side profile dikhana.

Sidharth: What? Matrimonial pe dalna hai kya? Why are you taking my pictures.

She takes around 4-5 pictures of him from every angle.

Shehnaaz: I am taking my phone inside. If you run away by stealing something from here then remember I have your picture with me. This will be on every social media site and notice board of police station as wanted criminal.

He folds his hand and she goes to take bath. He opens the fridge door and takes out an apple and bites it. The doorbell rang, he ignores. It rang again and he opens the door. A lady in her late 50s stares at him.

Lady: Who are you?

Sidharth: Arey! You rang the doorbell and asking me who am I? Who are you aunty?

Lady: What's going on? This is my house! Where is that tenant girl, Shehnaaz?

Sidharth: She is having bath.

Lady: I had told her no boys allowed here. This is a decent society. There are lot of kids and young children staying here. What will be the impact of this in them? Call her now, I want her to vacate the flat now.

Sidharth: Oh sorry Aunty! I am Shehnaaz's husband. We got married last night itself. If you don't believe, see this. (He opens up the bag and shows her the bridal clothes.)

Shehnaaz comes out of bathroom. The lady looks at her mehendi in her hand.

Shehnaaz: (horrified) Aa.. aa.. aunty? (She gulps and looks at Sidharth who was smiling)

Lady: Aww.. nice couple! Rab ne bana di jodi! Congratulations my child. God bless you both. I just came to see you since I shifted to my another flat beside you. I sold off my earlier house since it was too big. I'll be close to y'all now.

Shehnaaz looks at her in confusion and passes a faint smile. The lady goes to her flat. Sidharth closes the door.

Shehnaaz: What was she talking about? Why did you open the door? She had said "No boys".

Sidharth: Everything is under control. She thinks we are husband and wife who got married yesterday.

Shehnaaz: What? Why would she assume such things? (Shocked)

Sidharth: (He bites the apple) Because I told her so.

Shehnaaz: What? Why the hell did you tell that? You, me - husband and wife?

Sidharth: Hello, she was about to throw you out of the house. I saved you from being homeless. For that matter what harm will it do to you? You don't even have a boyfriend or fiance who will have problem with this. Problem is for me, you know I have a girlfriend.

Shehnaaz picks up a knife on the table and places it near his neck in frustration.

Shehnaaz: Arghhh.. one more time you say girlfriend, I will cut your throat and change my permanent address to central jail.

He gulps down the apple and looks at her horrified. She throws the knife back on the table and pushes her hair back in tension.

Shehnaaz: Why only husband? You could have said you are my brother or cousin. (She keeps her hands on her hips)

Sidharth: (resumes eating) Mein befaltu ke relations nahi banata..

Shehnaaz: Achcha? Toh husband wife relationship nahi hai? Brother ya cousin bolte toh kuch din baad jab tum chale jaate toh bol deti ki mera bhai waapis chala gaya. Ab husband ko kaise gaayab karoon?

Sidharth: Bol dena divorce ho gaya yaa phir tumhare pagalpan ke dauron se pareshaan hoke bhaag gaya..

Shehnaaz: Abey.. mein chup hoon, iska matlab tu meri hi firki le raha hai. Sach mein chaaku ghusedh dungi dekhna?

Sidharth: Dekho!! Bhalaayi ka zamana hi nahi raha. Ek toh isko ghar se beghar hone se bachaya, aur ab madam mujhe hi maarne ki dhamki de rahi hai.

Shehnaaz: Bhalaayi? Dhaabe se uttake mein tumhe ghar laayi aur tum mere pe ehsaan jata rahe ho?

Sidharth: Haan toh teek hai, you saved me once and I saved you once. Score 1-1.

Shehnaaz: Arghhh.. (she picks up the knife again and puts it on her neck) I think I better slit my neck before arguing with you.

He holds her hand and pulls the knife out of her hand and throws the knife. His intense gaze into her eyes gave her a shiver.

Sidharth: Dare you do such thing. You aren't going to harm yourself. (Serious tone, gritting his teeth)

Shehnaaz: (fumbles) W.. wh.. why? My life... I.. I can do.. whatever I want..

Sidharth: Arey yaar! That aunty saw me here, she will report to police that I murdered you. Simply I will end up in jail then my (closes his mouth) ummmumm (opens his mouth) will have to suffer outside.

Shehnaaz: Did you just say girlfriend?

Sidharth: No, I didn't. But I did!(Laughs)

Shehnaaz rolls her eyes in disapproval and facepalms.

She takes him for shopping. She sells her bridal lehenga and buy few pair of clothes, inners, and other necessary items for him.

Sidharth: Why did you sell your bridal wear?

Shehnaaz: Because I needed money to buy things for you.

Sidharth: But.. you escaped with money and jewellery before running away from wedding, right?

Shehnaaz: No! I have a younger sister at home who is yet to marry. If not for me they can use it for her.

Sidharth: Then, what were you hiding in the handbag?

Shehnaaz: My big joint family photo. I ran away from my home for my happiness but that doesn't stop me from loving them. I love them a lot.

He looked at her in amazement. She was a tough girl yet a very soft hearted and sensitive towards her loved ones.

Shehnaaz: Come, let's go! You are stinking, better take bath with Dettol disinfectant liquid.

He smiles without arguing with her. They go home and he freshens up and comes out of the bathroom. She goes close to him and smells him.

Sidharth: See, am I not smelling good now? Meri khushboo se khichi chali aayi tum.

Shehnaaz: Idiot, you used my soap?

Sidharth: Toh? Soap is soap. Kya heere moti jadhe the usmein joh jhadh gaye mere body ko touch karne se?

Shehnaaz: I hate sharing my soap with anyone. Joint family mein rehke bhi I use a different soap. Besides didn't you check the shopping bag, I had got you another brand soap.

Sidharth: Sorry, I've already used it.. Thodha so do lena use karne se pehle. Soap hi toh hai.

Shehnaaz: (frowns) Soap hi toh hai.. Saara ghar tehas nehas kar diya mera. Chalo jaldi, bhook lagi hai, khaana khaate hai, phir mujhe subah office join karni hai kal se. Tum bhi lag jaao naukri ki talaash mein kal se.

Sidharth: Oh wow! Congrats! What time you are leaving?

Shehnaaz: At 8:00am. First day hai, I don't want to be late. Impression kharab ho jaati hai ussey.

She gives him a bigger piece of pizza and eats a smaller one herself. She then goes and arranges her bed properly. Sidharth looked perplexed as to where he was going to sleep.

Shehnaaz: Raat ko kharaate ya haat pair toh nahi maarte na?

Sidharth: Huh?? Pata nahi.. kyu?

Shehnaaz: Abhi bagal mein sone wale ho toh safety ke liye puchna toh padega hi na?

Sidharth: Bagal mein? In your bed?

Shehnaaz: Toh? Floor pe so-ogey kya? Tandh lag jayegi.. Agar kharrate maara ya bunker ke iss paar tumhari naakhun bhi aayi na toh dekh lena? Suzie ke saath sulaungi tumhe.

Sidharth: Suzie kaun? Tumhari friend? (He asks excited)

Shehnaaz: Nahi.. gali ki kuttiya hai. Roz khana khilaati hoon usse. (Giggles)

Sidharth: Achcha.. Sadda kutta toh Tommy hai.. Okay! I won't cross the bunker but I hope you wont cross it too. You know I have a ...

Shehnaaz: I will strangle you in your sleep. Girlfriend! Girlfriend!! So jao ab.

Sidharth: Par maine toh woh word bola bhi nahi.

Shehnaaz: Sab pata hai mujhe.. mujhe mat sikhao. I know you very well by now.

Sidharth: Wow!! You are a great observer. Don't think so much about me that you fall in love with me. I hate breaking hearts.

Shehnaaz: (rolls her eyes) Love with you! Never!!

He goes and occupies the other side of the bed and stares into her eyes.

Sidharth: Why? What's wrong with me?

Shehnaaz: (shivers again at his gaze) I.. I.. I need to sleep. Good night!

___________________________

To be continued.. ❤️❤️