Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. 

William Shakespeare

Chapter 34: Cleaning the Pool

   Riya let out a scream of frustration as she reread the sentence for the hundredth time.

   Hadoop is an open-source software framework for storing data and running applications on clusters of commodity hardware. It provides massive storage for any kind of data, enormous processing power and the ability to handle virtually limitless concurrent tasks or jobs.

   Why was it so boring? Madhan had suggested she opt for some certifications. Hadoop was quite popular at the moment, so learning this was the best way to be in the market, he had said.

   Her thoughts kept going back to what happened that morning. Madhan refused to tell her what Armaan told him since it was really derogatory. It angered him so much that he kept pacing the room for fifteen minutes.

   Riya had never seen him that angry except for the day the credit card statement came. It didn't help that he left for work with a simple bye. Riya was worried that he would be too angry to drive. If anything happened, it would all her fault. Okay not really, she thought, but the argument was about her! That makes her partly to blame!

   She gave up studying and started to watch some TV. She felt really restless having watched all the Suits episodes. The Tamil TV serial that she watches every day would air only at seven thirty. It was only one in the afternoon.

   She, her mother, and grandmother would be glued to the television every day at seven thirty. She used to scoff at them for watching it before she got hooked herself.

   Riya had happened to overhear some climax scene in it, and it was enough for her to want to come back every day. Who doesn't like drama?

   The serial she watches, fortunately doesn't show people dying every other day and people crying over them. That was the impression she had before she got hooked. It was only later she realized how many messages they conveyed. Although she had to admit she hated waiting, and sometimes she would feel like punching the TV if they dragged a particular story line.

   TV shows should be appreciated for turning a one line plot into a year's worth of drama.

   Riya got reminded of a funny memory that had happened during the month she and Madhan hardly spoke. Madhan had walked in on her shouting at the Television. She had muttered quite a few swear words that he had to close his ears literally.

   Riya didn't see him enter, and she did a karate chop to the side and her fist hit him in the balls; she was short and that's where her fist met. She screamed when she saw a bowled over Madhan, who rasped at her to bring him some ice cubes.

   Riya was so flabbergasted and it resulted in her being really clumsy. She tripped over the sofa and few of the cubes traveled inside his shirt.

   Madhan put the best belly dancers to shame.

   It was really funny now, but the incident put Madhan in a bad mood. Of course, Riya didn't face the brunt, but Armaan did. Let's say his ears aren't so innocent anymore either.

   A laugh escaped Riya's lips. After surfing through a few channels, she came across one particular channel.

   "How to calm a person? It's quite difficult to calm a person since it has to be done inwardly. However it could be worth a try to take their mind off it by doing something else that's drastic."

   Riya pondered and pondered about what she could do to take his mind off of it if he was still angry.

   Slowly, a tube light started to grow brighter and brighter over her head. She was too excited to resume studying. She put all her effort into thinking of ways to do this really inconspicuously.

   At about six o clock, Riya left him a voice mail telling him to leave all his valuables in the car, since she needed him help in cleaning the pool. She went down to the lobby and was pleased to see the pool empty. It made her plan so much easier.

   "Where's the pool cleaner," Riya asked the security guard politely. The guard pointed to a corner. He wanted to tell her that he would do it, but when she was offering to do it, why stop her? It let him take some rest.

   Riya was done fixing the pool cleaner and started to clean the pool when Madhan came a joined her.

   "What are you doing?" Madhan asked, puzzled. He got her voice mail and did as she said. He wasn't in the mood to deal with this crap, but knowing Riya, if he didn't help her, she would do it all by herself.

   "Cleaning the pool, duh," Riya said. She was pleased he had no electronic gadgets with him.

   Madhan tched. "I know that," he said agitatedly. Riya, not now, please, he groaned to himself. "But why?"

   "It's boring staying cooped at home," Riya chirped. "It's good to go outdoors."

   Madhan softened. He scratched the back of his head guiltily. She was cooped up at home. He never spent time with her ever since they came back. Since they were starting over, it wasn't too late. "Let me help," he offered, holding the pool cleaner.

   Riya obliged willingly. It was time for action, she thought gleefully. He was falling for her trick. She moved behind, giving Madhan space to move about.

   She watched him clean and kept moving along with him as he moved.

   Halfway through the cleaning, she found the perfect opportunity. She walked backwards, and after a considerable amount of distance, she ran towards him with an intention to shove him with her arm into the pool.

   At that moment, Madhan sidestepped and Riya fell flat face into the pool.

   "Ugh," Riya sputtered, as she resurfaced a few seconds later. Madhan stood there transfixed, trying to comprehend what just happened. A few water drops splashed on his face. How did she fall?

   "Hello? Help me out?" Riya waved her hands.

   "Use the stairs," he said, pointing towards the opposite corner of the pool.

   "I can't swim that far. It's too cold." Riya crossed her arms and rubbed her hands to prove her point.

   Madhan sighed and eyed her. What did Riya think she was doing? He kept the cleaner down, removed his coat and placed it on a pool chair, kneed down, and gave her his hand.

   But Riya had other ideas.

   She grabbed his hand firmly, and when he was in between kneeing and standing, she used that opportunity to pull him backwards.

   Her plan worked, except, Madhan fell into the pool, right on top of her, pushing her underwater, again.

   Once again, she resurfaced a few seconds later, but this time laughing. Madhan was too busy sputtering water.

   "What the hell, Riya," he said angrily, but Riya splashed water in his face silencing him.

   Madhan shook his head, shaking all the water out of his hair.

   "You asked for it," he growled as he splashed water back at her.

   It led to a water fight and stretched on for half an hour. There were a few compromising situations, however.

   Madhan was submerged and Riya couldn't find him since it was getting dark, and when she did, she was lifted up, her thighs on his shoulders. Madhan didn't give her any time to think, though. He dumped her in the pool.

   Riya resurfaced and was determined to get revenge. She tried to hold his shoulders and dunk him, but he was far too tall and big. He took the opportunity to lift her up and throw her across his shoulders. It was only when Madhan realized he had too much view of her butt that he threw her back in the pool.

   The time was nearing seven, and the sun had set.

   "Brrr, it's cold," Riya shivered, facing Madhan.

   "Your fault," Madhan said cheerfully, splashing water at her again. His spirits were raised and he was grateful to Riya for planning to clean the pool for whatever the heck the reason was.

   "Let's get out."

   "Best idea you've had so far."

    Riya got out first. She rubbed her palms and applied the heat on her cheeks.

   Madhan walked to the pool chair and took his coat. He wrapped it around Riya and told her to go up. "I'll finish cleaning the pool."

   Riya felt guilty. She offered to stay, but he insisted that she go. Reluctantly, she went upstairs while Madhan cleaned the pool, shivering from head to toe.

   Needless to say, when he went back home, his head started to ache and he could feel a slight trace of fever.

   Riya was already out of the shower. Her hair was wrapped in a towel, and she had a mug filled with hot chocolate.

   That sneaky girl, he thought. She had it all planned!

   Please comment and vote <3 Hope you enjoyed the chapter :) So this chapter was all about Riya trying to cheer him up ;) I think it was a nice gesture on her part :P ;) Thank you for reading! :) x I'll be deviating from the original update schedule. Updates will be once in two or three days depending on the response! :)