02

1 ~ The Grumpy Visitor

The loud chime of the clock broke the ice of silence in the huge living room. As it rang into my ears, my brain commanded my eyes to move them away from the book and look at the huge clock towered over the room, its circular face framed in aged brass with delicate engravings of swirling patterns. Roman numerals, worn yet regal, gleamed faintly under the dim glow of chandeliers casting shifting shadows on the polished marble floor.

It was old and vintage, yet so classy. The English clock was gifted to my grandpa when he was in his late twenties by one of his English patients. Well, did I mention that my grandpa is a doctor?

He is a walking miracle. His mind and hands always worked wonders on his patients' ailing and frail bodies. As far as I know, and from all the stories I have heard from him, every patient who lay on the stretcher rose back to his feet, fit and healthy.

He has always been pleased with this, and I am proud of him too— a proud granddaughter of her dignified grandfather. But of course, as you say, everything has its drawbacks.

He didn't need much time to know we were lying whenever we pretended to be sick to skip school.

Dukh. Dard. Peeda.

Well, enough of my rants. I again looked at the clock which reflected 5:05 PM.

I kept flipping the pages of the book in front of my face and clicked my tongue, feeling completely bored. It's not that I didn't like reading—books have always been my best friends—but right now, I just wasn't in the mood. I stared at the words, but they didn't make sense, as if my mind refused to focus. With a sigh, I shut the book and leaned back, hoping something interesting would happen.

I slide my hips closer to my feet and laid on the couch, with my eyes stuck at the huge arched windows on the other end of my huge villa hall, which was letting the soft orange light through, adding more grace to the room.

Only if I had agreed to mumma and went to our previous neighbour's baby's naamkaran ceremony, I wouldn't be here, sitting alone in this huge space having absolutely no fucking idea how to pass my time.

It's been ten days since dada dadi have left for their chaar dhaam yatra, and as per my last phone call with them, them will return in next four days and since we can't let them go alone at this age, chachu, chachi and Nik bhaiyya are accompanying them.

Pa and mumma wished to go to but there has bee something important stuff going on in office which he just can't leave and go, so even mumma decided to stay back. And about Meeru, she is amidst her mid semester exams, and currently at her friend's place for a group study.

Esha, my best friend, and also my bhabhi has been in Mumbai since two days because Tanvi di has returned from Australia after two freaking years and there was no chance she would have let go of the opportunity to meet her sister.

And even my bro has stepped his foot out of the house to hang out with his minions and here I am. The only human figure in this huge space, and absolutely bored!

After staring into the huge windows for few more minutes and cursing myself to not go with mumma, I was finally feeling drowsy. But as my eyes were all set to drop, I heard a door click sound and I knew it emerged from the main door. My feet clocked my view so I tilted my head to look and found my loud brother walking in followed my Kabir bro and next entered...him!! The one and only - Mr. Gloomyansh.

This is going to be fun, I thought.

'Why didn't you warn me this tandoori tota was around?" he muttered to bhaiyya, but ouch, I heard every word.

I fell back on the couch my with legs entangled, royally as a queen. 'This is my home, Mr. Gloomyansh, and the only approval I need is from one person. Guess who? Yep—I, me, and myself!'

Till the time I completed my sentence, I was standing in front of him, just few inches away, looking straight into his straight face with my hands resting on the either sides of my waist.

He looked at me for few seconds, before poking my nose with his finger and moving past me. 'Keep your distance, stinky mouth.'

My jaw dropped, and anger flared within me, I felt utterly insulted. How dare he?! I brush my teeth two times a day with Colgate.

Aur mere toothpaste mein namak bhi hai.

'You have the audacity to insult me when your attitude stinks worse than a fish market?', I rolled my eyes at him, but all he did was ignore me and got him comfortable on the couch where I was sitting.

'Shoo, shoo, it's my place. I was sitting here.', he gave me a blank look before jumping his feet and looking a the couch.

'I don't see Tandoori Tota written over it.', he said and again fell on the sofa.

'Guys can we at least try to be civil for once?', bhaiyya appeared into the room again, munching over it Doritos. He offered to Kabir bhaiyya and he grabbed a handful, followed by me and Avyaansh.

'With her standing right there? Yeah, that's a hard no.', he again rolled his eyes. 

'Nope, nope! It's you and your award-winning sulk mode!', I answered.

'Hah! I'm not sulky, you're just operating at an unnecessarily high energy level that normal feels boring to you.'

'Yep, it's called charm, and I have loads of it.', I tossed my hair and did a mock runway walk. 'Try it sometimes, it's not that bad, you know.'

'No thank you. I'd rather stay grumpy.', I rolled my eyes. 'Of course, charm doesn't suit that face of yours.'

He gave me a sharp side glance, scowling under his breath, probably counting to ten to avoid committing murder.

'You have been practising that scowl for years now, haven't you?', it's fun teasing him because I know all he could do is show me eyes, after all I am his best friend's sister, you know.

'It wouldn't be the same without you in the album of my life.', he said in a low tone.

I chuckled and he rolled his eyes, while I heard a loud laugh from Kabir bhaiyya. 'You two are a whole package of comedy show.'

'Well, someone has to keep his life from being painfully boring', I smirked, shooting him a playful glance.

But he chose to ignore. Kabir bhaiyya laughed on my statement and softly punched my shoulder, playfully.

'Kabir, Avi! What a lovely surprise. I had no idea you two were dropping by today,' mumma said said, and I glanced at her as she walked in with her signature smile, passing a bag to the househelp.

'Hello aunty.', they jumped off their seats and gave her hugs from either sides.

They exchanged glances while she waited for their response eagerly. 'Can we be honest?'

Avyaansh said with a little smile and she nodded. 'Of course.'

'We were craving for your handmade food. It's been ages we have had it.', Kabir bhaiyya spoke like a child and fell on her shoulder, making her laugh.

'Bas itni si baat. Abhi bana deti hun, you favorite veg pulao!', she was all set to go to the kitchen but both her sons held her back.

(That's it. I'll make it right now, you favorite veg pulao.)

'No aunty, it's ok, hum toh isliye kyunki humein laga aap ghar par hongi, but you were not. Aap thak gayi honig, let it be, hum fir kabhi aapke haath ke khaane ka maza le lenge.', Avyaansh said and mumma softly slapped his cheek.

(No aunty, it's okay, we were here because we thought you would be at home, but you were not. You must be tired, let it be, we will enjoy your handmade food some other time.)

'Chup. Ma apne baccho ke liye kuch bhi karne se kabhi thakti nahi hai. Aur fir cooking mere liye sirf ek kaam nahi hai, it's a therapy for me.', saying she, she marched towards the kitchen.

(Shut up. A mother never gets tired of doing anything for her children. And then cooking is not just a job for me, it's a therapy for me.)

'Mumma, you need my help?', I shouted, and she shook her head. 'No baccha thank you. Agar zarurat hogi toh bula lungi.'

(No child, thank you. I will call you if I need you.)

'Aunty, we're happy to help, but let's keep her out of the kitchen. We like our food, you know... fully cooked.', he teased me and I gave him a side eye and sprung up on the couch.

'Oh please, at least I can cook! You, on the other hand, would probably burn water.', he gave me a sarcastic chuckle, and I left his face to look at bhaiyya as he coughed fake.

'Oops, sorry to ruin your illusion, Radhi, but turns out he can cook. And really well, too.', he said with a smile....of pity.

'Oh...you do?', I asked him a low tone.

'Yeah I do, but I not as great as Shivaay just mentioned but yeah, at least I don't make 'tari wale pohe'.', he chuckled. My soul left my body in embarrassment.

My level of anger raised as I heard Shivaay bhaiyya giggle and Kabir bhaiyya instantly jumped into the conversation. 'What is 'tari wale pohe' thing that I don't know?'

'Nothing major! Just a tiny mistake, but these two keep bringing it up like it's a national disaster!', I complained like a little child and he chuckled. 'Ok! But what exactly it was?'

'It happened when you were in Lucknow for that case of yours. They were starving, so I decided to make pohe for them. It turned out too dry, so I thought of adding just a little water. But, well... the jug had other plans. That stupid thing slipped from my hands, and before I knew it, there was way too much water. The puffed rice was literally swimming in it.', I could see he bit his inner cheek, trying not to laugh out loud.

'Please complete Radhika that once the water was soaked and evaporated, it wasn't pohe anymore, it was 'pohe ki khichdi', completely soggy!', Kabir bhaiyya giggled a bit and Avyaansh completed.

'Ok fine. It was just an accident. You guys are acting as if you have never had any cooking fails.', I shrugged my shoulders.

They still giggled, but nodded understandingly making me more annoyed. Till then, mumma came back into the room, while wiping her hands with a napkin. 'Maine pulao ko cooker mein chadha diya hai, thodi der aur.'

(I have put the pulao in the cooker, just a little more time.)

'You are the best.', Kabir bhaiyya side hugged her and she patted his head.

The next few minutes passed with fun, for for them though as they continued teasing me. Soon, the pulav was made and we enjoyed it whole heartedly, while showering mumma with praises.

'Aunty, uncle nahi aaye abhi tak?', Avyaansh asked and she shook her head. 'He's been really busy these past few days. Lately, he's been coming home late.'

(Aunty, uncle hasn't come yet?)

'Ohh. Anyway, it's 7.30 and we have already troubled you a lot. So, we will take your leave now.', Kabir bhaiyya exclaimed.

'Late ho raha hai isliye mana nahi karungi. But you guys can never be a trouble for me.', she patted their cheeks before they touched her feet and gave bhaiyya a hug.

(It's getting latte that's why I won't stop you.)

'Drive safe guys and raaste mein marr mat jana.', bhaiyya said and I giggled.

(Don't die on the way.)

Mumma gave him an eye and slapped his shoulder. 'Shh, what is that language Shivaay?!'

'It's ok aunty, it's our bro code. Humara chalta rehta hai.', Avyaansh laughed.

And before leaving, Kabir bhaiyya gave ma hug too before bidding me a bye. 'Bye, gloomyansh.'

I teased him and all he did was give me a fake smile. 'Rude, as always!'

I muttered before opening my laptop again.

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