Chapter 23: Chapter 23

"Friendship is the only way to get a gist how exciting and how aloof your life is."

Abhimanyu's Perspective

With that the door flew open. An extremely terrified, Shree came out. Tears were running down her eyes silently and her nose was red complementing her eyes.

"What happened?" I was worried and she kept crying, looking at my face. I gripped her shoulder and pulled her closer, "Tell me! What happened?"

"Abhimanyu..." She sobbed.

I cradled her face in my palms and she sobbed more. I couldn't understand what to do, so I hugged her tightly, "What happened to you? Are you alright?"

"Spider!" Her lips quivered.

"What?"

"There's a spider in there." She pointed towards the bathroom and sobbed hard, clutching on to me. I peeped inside to find a dead spider on the floor. Wait, what?

"I was wearing bathrobe when it crawled on me and I swatted it off and then I don't know how I killed her. It was so creepy." She rubbed her nose on my shoulder and her hands never left.

"It's okay. It's dead now. Relax." I prevented myself to buzz in laugh and rubbed her arms horizontally until her breathing calmed down. Her bathrobe was the only barricade before us, and her scented hairs were doing no good to me.

"How did it come in the bathroom?" I mumbled and she glared me, looking up, "How would I know? I didn't invite her to join me."

She pulled back and frowned. "Don't you do pest control once in a while?"

I opened my mouth to say something but she walked past me and took her clothes from the cupboard, "What are you still doing here? Go and throw it away."

"You seriously are that scared of a mere spider?" I raised my eyebrows; thankfully my sisters were courageous enough to kill cockroaches, spiders and lizards.

"I am not scared of it. I am just disgusted." She scrunched her face and I pressed my lips to not chuckle. I cleared the corpse of unfortunate spider who must've come under her feet and gestured her to go and changed. After a moment or two, she came out dressed and blow dried her hair when I laughed out.

She sent me a nasty look and I scoffed. "I never knew I can use spider as my trump card against you."

She widened her eyes and pointed the blower at me. "Don't you even think about that? I am only scared of spider. I hope you don't want cockroaches in your study table." She mock threatened me.

"Cockroach!" I exclaimed, pointing behind her and she jumped up, screaming. "Where?"

"I am only scared of spider. Huh!" I imitated her, smirking and she glared me, combing her hair.

"Btw, what time do we go for the party?" I gazed at her confused, "What party?"

"You told me that your friends are throwing a party for us ensuing Saturday." She said in a 'Duh' tone.

"Yeah but! You were extremely busy, so I denied them." I shrugged and she exclaimed, with her hands in air. "You denied for the party!"

"No, I actually asked them to postpone it. Since I am also leaving for Gurugram that day."

"I was completing my deadlines, so that I can be free early on Saturday. Next time please tell me, if you decide to change the plan suddenly." She twisted her lips, it was clearly written on her face how pissed off she was.

***

"Mom! I wanted to go home. It's been days I haven't met mom and dad." She broached the topic on the dinner table.

"Yeah, sure! Why don't you stay there for few days? Abhi is also going Gurugram." Mom assented.

"I will drop you there on Friday. Do your packing." I said and she nodded, smiling at me. When I was back in my room after a few hours working in the study room, she was packing her bags. "You ready?"

She uplifted her eyes and smiled at me, "Yes, almost."

"Good."

"Hey, I will stay for a week, Is that okay?" She asked out of her habit and I sighed. "Yes, it is fine."

I was really a buffoon to doubt her intentions and affection. She was always pure and filled with love for everyone. I was really stupid. "Shree..."

"Hmmm..."

"Take care." I cradled her face. She was perplexed. She blinked her eyes thrice and nodded, "You, too."

Shree's Perspective

Two days rolled by in a blink and he dropped me at my home. He stayed a few minutes and then took his leave. He had to go Gurugram a day later so I didn't pester him more for staying. He needed to do his packing.

"So! Is everything fine now Butu?" Mom asked when I was relaxing in my room and I smiled, placing my head on her lap, "Your Butu is a warrior mom. I made everything on track."

"You happy?" She caressed my cheek and this was sort of retrospection. My mind wandered around the flashbacks, there were so many variations. I got to see and know a new Abhimanyu altogether every day.

"Yes mom, I am happy." I prattled, grinning ear to ear. The conversation led on and I updated mom about everything and everyone. A satisfactory smile posed on her lips as she got expected replies.

***

"Calm down Butu please!" Rhea pleaded but I wasn't in mood, I threw her teddy bear at her and it hit her head.

"Ow!" She rubbed her forehead and tried to duck my next object which was a pillow.

"Arghh! No no please don't throw it. Akshat gifted me that." She yelled, horrified as I was about to throw the showpiece.

"You bitch! Why didn't you tell me this? When was I supposed to know about your engagement?" I exclaimed, incredibly. I suddenly decided to drop by my friend's place and I got to know that she's getting engaged next month and that twerp! She didn't even say a word about that.

"Looks like we're not the friends we used to be." I sighed, plaintively and she knelt next to me, "Butu please yaar don't say like that. I was about to tell you by myself and trust me, I was going to come Abhimanyu's home but you came here."

"I am staying in my mom's home from past three days and you've got no time for telling me." I snorted, querulously.

"Babe! You didn't inform me. Now I don't get dreams that you're in your home. How was I supposed to know?" She pouted, petulantly.

"Alright! What's the date?" I twitched my lips, munching on the wafers.

She blushed, looking down "August 30. Our parents have discussed the dates together and marriage after six months."

"Six months? Isn't that too long?" I oppugned and she rolled her eyes. "There were no good date aforetime."

"Leave 'bout that and tell me, how's your life? Has Abhimanyu changed into uxorious or he's still -"

"He's on the way and for the last time, I am telling you don't tease him. He's a man." I called a spade, and she guffawed. "Of course I know. I just enjoy his discomfort. He's my favorite jij you know."

"Yeah right!" I rolled my eyes and we discussed the plan as to when and how we'll set on the shopping spree.

"How long are you going to stay in your paternal home Shree?" Aunty asked when I was about to leave.

"Four days more, Aunt!" I hugged her and she caressed my hair, "Then stay here tonight. I will inform Prerna, you both enjoy!"

We exchanged glances and I jumped in glee. Could this day have been more exciting!!!!

***

"That's it. I am not going there again." I threw my hands up in the air, defying and Rhea pleaded, "Please Shree, I am sure I've seen that suit in 'Keisha Collections'."

"Tch! Rhea, that wasn't in 'Keisha Collection' I've seen that in 'Mary Apparel'. I think we should head for the jewelry now. You can buy dresses with aunt." I suggested.

"Okay. But I've to shop for my wedding and two-three dresses won't be much. Check that out please."

"I am not going that's final." I declared and huffing, she followed me to accessories store. Three days more were to go for her engagement and Rhea hopped in my home as in Abhimanyu's home to request me to accompany her.

"Hah! Finally." I heaved a sigh of relief and it started pouring cats and dogs. Weather forecast didn't inform about the sudden downpour. Where the whole Jaipur was dancing in the first shower of monsoon, I was busy sulking as I was stuck in a mall.

"Hey, call Abhimanyu. He'll pick you up." Rhea suggested. Good idea!!

I dialed his number, he picked up after second ring "Hello?"

"Hey...um...actually I need a favor." I hesitated and Rhea grimaced at my tone, "I came for shopping and it started raining suddenly. I've not brought my car or umbrella. So-"

"I am coming in 5mins." He said and hung up. I waited, moronically counting minutes and he really came after five minutes, for he called me up, "I am at the entrance. Come!"

I pulled Rhea with me to exit; he was standing, leaning on the bonnet under shed. His eyes caught mine and swerving a cozy smile at me, he came to me.

"Give it to me!" He took my bags.

"Abhimanyu...if you don't mind shall we drop Rhea first?"

"Yeah sure!" He nodded, keeping bags on the backseat and climbed on the driver's seat. I mentally debated whether to sit next to him or beside Rhea in the backseat. I wanted to choose former but thought Rhea will feel ignored, so I hopped beside Rhea. While sitting my eyes noticed his through the mirror, a ting of annoyance flashed through them.

He started driving and didn't look back even for once. His clenched jaw clearly depicted how offended he was. A message pinged on my phone; I swiped the lock pattern and checked. It was from Rhea.

'Why did you hop in beside me? Are you guys on not speaking terms?'

I cringed and typed back 'No, I thought you will feel alone. But looks like he's gotten angry'.

An unmannered chuckle escaped through her lips, 'and I began to think you were smart'.

'Shut up!' I typed back. Suddenly, the whole atmosphere became tense and I started feeling suffocated. I couldn't decide whether it was humidity or Abhimanyu's penetrating gaze which I avoided.

"So jij?" Rhea chirped and I slapped my forehead. To make the things messier, give her the credit, "All's well?"

"Yeah. What about you?" He replied decently, taking a sharp turn.

"You know what jij; I missed you so much since we last met." She flirted and I refrained smirking.

Yeah right!

"Too bad! Even I missed you so much. I was wondering to visit you once but work engaged me up." He replied amorously, making my eyes go wide.

Did he just flirt before me? That too with my best friend? A strange unwelcoming feeling trespassed me and my face sullen.

Their conversation geared up and at times, I wanted to throw Rhea out of the car and at times, I wanted to wring Abhimanyu's neck but I did nothing and sat looking outside the window, dejectedly. The prime thing I wished is to drop Rhea at her place.

Soon, the car halted at her doorstep and she left biding adieu, I didn't bother hiding how offended I was. The reason was still unknown to me.

"If you're done gazing outside, ma'am..." I snapped my head at Abhimanyu's querulous voice; he posed me a fake smile. "Come to the passenger seat. I am not your chauffer."

"I am better here!" I quibbled and he scowled. "Fine! I am not driving."

I thought he was joking, but he really ignited off the engine. I contorted my face and succumbed to his wish. I sat on the passenger seat and he accelerated the car.

ESV suggested, 'Isn't he too stubborn? I believe we should do something to bring him down'.

"Don't act like spitfire. We were jesting." He murmured, keeping his eyes on the road. I mocked. "Yeah, I saw that. Grinning and laughing all the time."

"You don't need to jealous. You're my wife; no one will ever take your place." He reassured and I was baffled, exuberant, perplexed, mortified at the same time. He had easily chalked out my exasperation, though I managed to retort back. "Excuse me! I am not jealous."

"Sure!" He caved in but his tone grotesque. I looked away with a vague smile crept on my lips.

He parked the car and opened door for me. I climbed out, wait for him to give me bags but he raised his eyebrows.

"Bags!" I pointed and he rolled his eyes, "I am bringing them. Go!"

I pranced inside home as it was still drizzling; now count me in with those thousands of people who were happy for the downpour.

"What you bought for me?" Vidhi Bhabhi asked, excitedly as I perched on the sofa.

"Yes, a lovely choker."

"WOW!" She squealed and suddenly, sheer pain hit my back. A muffle gasp escaped through my lips.

"You okay?" She patted my back and I nodded, "Yes, I am— no.....Shit!"

"Oh okay!" She blinked in understanding and I ran to my room.

Abhimanyu's Perspective

As I entered, my eyes found her, sitting on the bed, resting her head against the headboard. She looked...pale. Her eyes closed and she had broiling bag pressed on her stomach. What happened to her suddenly? I thought not to disturb her and kept the bags on the bed, beside her.

"What happened to you?" I asked as she opened her eyes, she squirmed and shook her head. "Not feeling well. I think I caught cold."

"Cold!" I chuckled, "in this burning weather, you caught cold. Interesting!"

I sat on the couch, working on my laptop and she lied down, soon she was snoring calmly. I got up and adjusted her blanket, placing the broiling bag out and kept it on the bedside table. Perhaps shopping squeezed out her energy. I smiled, recalling how pettish she behaved when I japed with Rhea. I winded up things and jumped next to her, slipping inside the duvet.

I opened my eyes as my body rebooted after a few hours and yawned rubbing my eyes. It was eight in the evening and Shree wasn't in the bedroom. I sat up, cracking my neck as I knew that she would be downstairs busy in household chores. I wanted to ask her if she was feeling okay then. Hence, I sprinted downstairs. As predicted, she was there on the dining table chopping veggies with Badi ma. She was looking better but her face was still not having its glow.

What has happened to her?