CHAPTER 22

Abir watched Mishti enter the dining room and motioned her to wait for a moment as he continued to talk on the phone.

Abir : Ji Rajshri aunty! Yes, I know. Wait a minute. I'll ask her to talk to you. She just came in. You'll talk to her now? Just one minute.

Mishti (surprised) : Is that Ma? Why is she calling you?

Abir (handing over the phone) : Wow! I don't know. Maybe because you switched off your phone for about 3 weeks now and she's worried sick?

Mishti (wincing at the truth of his words) : Fine! Just give me the phone.

Rajshri (her releief unmistakable over the phone) : Mishti beta!

Mishti heard the relief in her mother's voice and felt guilty that she had caused her so much worry.

Mishti : Ma! How are you?

Rajshri : How am I? I'll tell you how I am, Young lady. One day, You were here in Rajkot and then the next, You just ran off to Sighla. If that wasn't enough, You switched off your phone, disconnected the landline and you didn't even check your email. Did you even think about your poor mother?

Mishti was stunned. She hadn't felt like a 12 year old in a long time, but the way her mother was scolding her sure made her feel like one.

Mishti : Ma...

Rajshri : Don't Ma me, Mishti Rajvansh (Mishti winced at the sound of her full name; her Ma was really angry with her) You may not be a child anymore but I am still your mother and I expect some feedback from you. You cannot cut off your family.

Mishti : I didn't mean to.. I just was...

Rajshri (her voice gentle now) : Scared? Shocked? Helpless? Did your running away have anything to do with Abir?

Mishti (pausing for a minute before replying) : I didn't run away.

Rajshri : That may have convinced someone else, not me. Mishti beta! Give him a chance.

Mishti (her feelings all in a muddle again) : Why? How?

Rajshri : You deserve to be happy, Mishti. And Abir... He.. (stopping herself and changing her sentence) Abir's a good man. Why not?

Mishti (thinking) : Because I want someone who won't make me breathless. Because I want someone who won't make me feel.

Mishti (to her mother) : Ma! I'm sorry. I promise, I'll stay in touch. Don't worry about me. I'll talk to you later.

Rajshri : Alright, Mishti! Take care. I'm not worried. Abir's been giving me daily updates. Just be safe. Think about what I've told. Love you.

Mishti (smiling slightly) : Love you too.

She hung up the phone and returned the phone to Abir who was looking at her slightly curious. She sat down besides him and accepted a plate filled with toast and jam.

Abir : Tea?

Mishti shook her head. She took a slice of bread and then stared at Abir as she applied butter to the toast.

Abir : What happened?

Mishti : You've been talking to my mother?

Abir nodded and smiled.

Abir : I went and met her the day I left Rajkot. She asked me to tell her that you were alright. Rajshri aunty made me swear I would call her everyday.

Mishti (demanding) : Why didn't you tell me?

Abir : I should have done so earlier.

He got up and came and stood behind her. He bent down.

Mishti (slightly squeaking) : What are you doing?

Abir (his lips near her ear) : Will you forgive me?

Mishti gulped.

Mishti : You could have told that from there, You know. Why did you come so.... So close?

Abir stood up and grinned.

Abir : What's the fun if I can't make you blush?

Mishti flushed crimson at that and then mentally scolded herself. She finished her toast and then stood up and faced him, scowling.

Mishti : I'm going.

Abir (looking innocent) : Ok madam.

Mishti (pointing a finger at him) : Don't you dare stop me.

Abir (his hand on his chest) : Kill me if I do so.

Mishti's scowl almost turned into a smile, but then she stopped herself. She nodded regally at him and then turned to go out. She reached the door surprised that she hadn't been stopped when she heard his voice.

Abir : Don't forget. Be ready at 5. We have a date.

Mishti (without turning back) : I'll think about it.

Abir (cheerfully) : Oh! If you're not ready to go out, Don't worry. I'm sure we can entertain ourselves at home, Mishti.

Mishti (muttered) : I'm sure you can.

Abir : I'm sorry? Did you say something?

Mishti turned to look at him.

Mishti : NO!

Abir grinned and winked at her.

Abir : We can entertain ourselves right Mishti? We can use our hands... (his voice reducing to a husky timbre with each syllable) or maybe our lips? We could...

Mishti : God! You told me you'll take me on a date. I agreed. I'll be ready at 5. I promise. Until then, Bye.

She ran off. still blushing. Abir smiled once more.

Abir : She's melting. Maybe... Someday, my love won't be unrequited, at least a little?

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IN HER BEDROOM

Mishti paced about in her room, muttering to herself.

Mishti : You are a foolish, foolish girl. You keep giving him the upper hand. What's wrong with you? How can you blush at everything he said? Foolish foolish me. Mishti Rajvansh, God knows what will happen to you.

Someone knocked on her door.

Mishti (snapping) : Enter!

A housemaid entered with a package in her arms.

Maid : Sir asked me to give this to you.

Mishti : Abir?

She took the package surprised.

Maid : Yes madam.

Mishti : Thank you. You may go.

She waited until the maid had left then opened the package. There was a practical yet elegant looking full sleeve top. Mishti searched around for a note and found one.

NOTE : As much as I want you to wear that lovely saree for our date, Since we'll be venturing into the woods and we'll have to walk a bit, I thought it'll be easier to wear something you'll be comfortable in. I really hope you'll enjoy the place I'm taking you to. Besides, You look lovely in anything --- A

Mishti looked at the note in wonder. Abir's thoughtfulness and his sweet words touched her more than she realised. She looked at the top once more and then at the chair where the saree that Abir had given her lay.

She took the saree and looked at it in wonder. It really was beautiful. She placed it on her shoulder and looked in the mirror. It looked really pretty. Mishti smiled.

Mishti : A date. I'm going out on a date.

She looked at the clothes once again and then made up her mind.

Mishti (thinking) : One day. I'll allow myself today with Abir. Tomorrow, I will tell him we can't continue like this anymore. I cannot allow him to succeed in his seduction. I... I need to tell him no.

She tried to ignore the pain that she felt as she thought, but couldn't help the lone tear that slipped from her eye.

Mishti : Stop it Mishti! You can't behave like this. You're not thinking rationally, that's all. You need sleep. Two days without sleeping is very harmful. Go sleep.

But she knew she couldn't. There wasn't anyone to hold her.

Mishti : One day and then it all ends. 

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Sorry for the short chapter. I may not be able to post tom night so I'll see if I can post in the evening at least or try to post asap