Chapter 73: Chapter 73
“Hey D” Siddhu waved his hands as he approached where Drishti was waiting with little Dhruv.
“Finally! You found some time to spend with me” Drishti said making Siddhu roll his eyes
“It is you who is always busy. For the last three times, it was me who came to your home for a visit” Siddhu pointed out
“And all you did was mooning over my son. You didn’t even talk to me for five minutes” Drishti complained
“Now Now! Don’t be jealous of your own son, D” Siddhu teased making Drishti huff
“So? What’s happening? Did you finally confess? Or are you still in the pre-relationship stage?” Drishti asked
Siddhu grinned and pointed behind him and Drishti saw a very excited Shreya standing there
“Oh em Gee!! You guys are official now?” Drishti squealed and the other two bobbed their heads in agreement.
“When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me? You used to tell me everything before. Nowadays I am the last one to know about your life” Drishti complained, still miffed at hearing about Siddhu’s trip to Mussoorie a couple of weeks ago from Shravan.
Abhay had told Shravan, and Shravan told Drishti, before Siddhu got a chance to tell Drishti himself. And Drishti was so hurt that she even cried. She is very possessive about all her relationships.
“Oh for heaven’s sake. Stop complaining about it already. It has been a couple of weeks” Siddhu said rolling his eyes
“Hmmmph”
“And I only confessed yesterday. It is to you we are breaking the news first” Siddhu said
He smiled remembering what happened yesterday.
He had been in love with Shreya Maheswari for over five years now. When he first developed a crush on her, she was a twelfth grader, so he had waited for her to turn eighteen before sending her a friend’s request through social media.
And she had accepted his request within minutes.
They had started messaging and phoning pretty quickly.
Over the years, they had developed a deep bonding. They both knew they loved each other, but never said those words.
And finally, it was time for Shreya to return back to Mumbai after her studies and Siddhu wanted to propose to her before she left.
“So? Did you guys kiss?” Drishti asked excitedly
“Bhabhii” Shreya whined as a pretty shade of red crept up her cheeks.
Drishti grinned seeing the blush on her sister in law’s face.
“You guys totally did” Drishti said and Siddhu grinned cheekily
“So? What plans next?” Drishti asked
“My exams will begin next week. It will get over in two weeks. Once that is over, I will be vacating the hostel and going back to Mumbai” Shreya said
“What about the marriage proposal? How are you guys planning to proceed with that?” Drishti asked
“What are you for?” Shravan asked airily making Drishti frown
“Me? What am I supposed to do?” Drishti asked
“Talk to your darling hubby, of course” Siddhu said in a duh tone
“Why would I do that? It is your love. It should be you who should do the toughest past” Drishti said
“What? How can you say that? You are my best friend. I always believed you will talk for me. If I had known that you were going to be of no use, I wouldn’t have-” Siddhu was cut off mid way, when Shreya threw a pointed look his way
“You wouldn’t have??” Shreya asked in a threatening tone making Siddhu chuckle nervously
“I would have prepared myself for it” Siddhu said sheepishly
“Siddhu, you should present it yourself. Otherwise, you will have no respect in his eyes. Once you present it, I will definitely support you.” Drishti said and Siddhu nodded in understanding
“You are right. I don’t want her family to think that I am a coward” Siddhu said
“Even though you are one. Darpok” Drishti said teasingly
“When will he wake up?” Shreya asked, looking longingly at her nephew who was fast asleep in his bassinet
“What enmity do you have with me? Let him sleep” Drishti said making the other two chuckle
“It’s been so long since Dhruv met his bua” Shreya said with a pout
“You visited us three days ago, Shreya. And you slept with him in your room. Remember?” Drishti asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
“That was threeeee days ago” Shreya said with a pout.
“Then come home with me today” Drishti said and both Siddhu and Shreya smiled sheepishly
“What?” Drishti asked
“We are having a movie night” Siddhu said
“Which movie are you going for?” Drishti asked
“We aren’t going to the cinemas. We will be staying home” Siddhu said awkwardly
“No one home?” Drishti asked
“Bhai, bhabhi and the kids have gone for a short vacation. Mom and Dad went to visit some friends” Siddhu said
“Don’t get her pregnant before marriage” Drishti warned
“Bhabhi please” Shreya whined, blushing to her roots.
“What? I am serious” Drishti said
*****
That evening
“Hey Abhay? The Collab project’s file is with you right?” Shravan asked his best friend through the phone.
“Yes. It is there at home” Abhay said
“Okay. I am dropping by to get it” Shravan said
“I am not home, Shravan. Siddhu will be there. Let me call him and tell him about it” Abhay said and hung up the call
A few minutes later he called back
“Hey Shravan, Siddhu isn’t picking up the call. I think he isn’t home. You know the passcode right? It is there on my study table. You go and take it” Abhay said
“Okay. I have to submit it for the audit tomorrow.” Shravan said and hung up the call.
He winced when he noticed the time. It was half past seven. Drishti will definitely have his head tonight!
He drove straight towards Abhay’s family home.
He entered the passcode and stepped into the house. As he walked in, the sight that welcomed him there stopped him in his tracks. All blood drained from his face.
“What the hell!”