Ishqiya - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

S U H A N A {6 years later}
"Bye Pooja, apna khayal rakhna aur please, don't make the room a dump yard till the time I come back", I begged for the ninth time as I wayed at Pooja and the cab exited the university's campus
[Translation: Bye Pooja, take care of yourself and please, don't make the room dump yard till the time being.]
Well for starters I was currently in the last year of my degree and pursuing a career in CS(computer science). It was a very hard decision to leave home, my parents, my people behind but it was needed if I wanted to do something of my own. So after completing my 12th publish examination, I sat for a scholarship entrance exam, cracking the exam I enrolled myself in a well-known IT University. But the shocker came when I was supposed to leave for another city. It was a tough decision in the initial days but I confronted myself and here I am pursuing my dreams and living the life I always wanted.
A lot changed in the span of five years. The university's life was great, filled with adventures and shenanigans. I got a roommate and great friend in disguise of a devil, Pooja. We bonded well and shared even the tiniest of secrets.
Currently, I am going back home for the holidays. I was going to spend the new year with my family. It was my last chance to go visit my parents before the last semester exam and then I would finally bid goodbye to my university life and start fresh with a new job.
After 6 hours of bus travel, I was finally back, back in my city. I dragged my luggage and walked towards the exit when I was greeted by a loud shrill voice.
"Suha di", my 4-year-old baby brother shrieked as he came running towards me with his wobbled steps.
"Hayyee Mera baccha, kitna bada ho gaya hai", I cooed taking him in my arms and tickling his tummy to which he giggled.
[Translation:hey my baby, you have grown so much]
Yug was the first born of my only Mama who married 6 years back. Even though I was always away for studies, I did my best to maintain a good bond with Yug. We would often have video calls and would meet whenever I visited home. The little munchkin was a ball of sunshine and mischief just like me.
"Bhai behen dono saman hai, pura aap hi per gaya hai yeh", my aunt would always comment whenever Yug would pull any prank on her
[Translation: Brother and sister both are equal, he completely got your traits]
I kissed Yug all over his face and then happily walked towards the direction he directed with him in my arms. My heart raced when I saw the familiar car come into my line of sight.
It has been 6 years but still, my feelings have been the same. Years changed even the seasons changed but my feelings, my emotions and my love for him were constant. A red hue coated my cheeks and I felt warmness spread in my whole body as I recalled his musky scent around me. Neil~
I bit my lips in anticipation but my happiness drowned in the lane when I saw Jay emerging out of the car. He noticed my sullen expressions and his lips twisted upwards in his infamous teasing smirk.
"Waiting for someone else Miss Bajwa?", he would always address me as Miss Bajwa whenever he wanted to get under my skin, he knew I hated it when someone used my nickname but alas the cheeky monster that he was wouldn't listen.
Over the years we have bonded well, We meant me, all of my cousins and the cousins from Yug's side, after the shenanigans during Yug's aunt's wedding we had gotten quite close and had been in constant touch with each other. I chatted with everyone except Neil, because he always managed to make me nervous around him.
"I would slap you but that would be animal abuse", I retorted and saw his smirk vanishing but he quickly masked his expression and opened the car trunk. He whispered incoherent words under his breath as he kept my luggage inside. Yug and I stared at each other and burst into laughter making Jay more pissed than he was.
"Laugh all you want at my expense, ek baar Neil bhai ko aane do, fir dekhta hu kitna khi-khi karti ho tum", he growled and opened the passenger door for us to sit. I took my seat with Yug on my lap and Jay jogged to the other side and slid on his seat.
[Translation:Laugh all you want at my expense, let Neil Bhai come once, then I will see how much you laugh.]
"Aww kyu bacche ko bura lag gaya", I teased pinching his cheek as he ignited the engine and the car roared to life. He threw a playful glare at us and then concentrated on the road as a comfortable silence settled inside.
[Translation: aww, did the child feel bad?]
"Kuch hua hai Jay? This isn't you, itna aaram se gadi tu kab se gadi chalna Sikh Gaya?", I commented with a shocked expression on my face only to receive a bored look from him
[Translation: Has something happened Jay? This isn't you, when did you learn to drive so smoothly?]
"Tumhare Aashiq neh dara-dhamka kar bheja hai mujhe, a single scratch on you or Yug and he'll have my head served on a silver platter", he seemed to recall the conversation in his head before he shivered and then focused on the road
[Translation:Your lover has threatened and sent me, a single scratch on you and Yug and he'll have my head served on a silver platter.]
"Ayye he is not my aashiq, thik hai", I said scrunching my nose in annoyance.[translation: Hey! He is not my love okay]
"Whatever lets you sleep at night tamatar", he laughed especially emphasising on the tamatar part.[translation: tomato]
He knew it would rile me up, the mention of Neil being my lover and then the nickname he gave me. Neil was so possessive over the nickname that he wouldn't let anyone address me with it, he threatened everyone using his big bro card and alas no one dared to go against him. Everyone in the family thought we had something going between us, per abhi inko kaun hi samjhaye~~
[Translation: but who will explain them]
Fifteen minutes later I stood on the threshold of my home getting embraced by everyone. The whole extended family was at the doorstep to welcome me, don't take me otherwise but it looked like a whole zoo. I wondered how all of them fit under the same roof.
"Hayyee meri bacchi, mere jigar ka tukda. Dekh kitni patli ho gyi hai. Diwali per bhi nhi aayi thi, Aisa karte hai apni maa ke saath", my over-dramatic mumma cocooned me in her embrace kissing my forehead
[Translation: aww! my girl, piece of my heart. Look how thin she has become. She didn't even come to Diwali, is this how you treat your mother?.]
"Hayyee hayyee mummy, tabiyat toh thik hai na aapki? Achank se itna pyaar?", I wiped a stray tear that managed to escape her beautiful eye. She chuckled, glaring playfully and softly hit my head, "hatt pagli"
[Translation:Hey Hey Mom, are you feeling well? So much love all of a sudden?
: fool]
"Arre bhai abhi meri bacchi andar bhi aane donge ya Sara laad pyaar ghar ki chawkhat per hi kar donge. Itna lamba safar karke aayi hai bichari ko saas toh lene do", Papa spoke emerging from the group of people trying to lighten the environment
[Translation: at least let my child come inside or you all will shower all the love at the doorstep itself. The poor lad had travelled for so long, let her breathe in peace]
"Papa~", I yelled and jumped in his embrace making everyone chuckle. "My child, I missed you so much. Tujhe nhi pata kitna torture Kiya hai Teri Maa neh mujhe jab tu nhi thi, yeh mat Khao, vho mat Khao, yeh mat Karo, vho mat karo", Papa dramatically whispered with his animated hands and I giggled
[Translation: My child, I missed you so much. You don't know how much your mother has tortured me when you were not there, don't eat this, don't eat that, don't do this, don't do that.]
After taking a warm and comforting bath I sat on the huge dining table with everyone as we were served our breakfast. Gosh, it felt so good and euphoric being surrounded by your people. I smiled at everyone and hogged on my Aaloo Paratha with dahi like a starved animal I was.
[Translation: Aloo Paratha are Indian Breakfast flatbreads made with whole wheat flour, boiled potatoes, spices & herbs.
Dahi: curd]
"Bacche aaram se, kahi bhag nhi jayega khana", my Mausi chuckled while I gave her a grin with my mouth stuffed with paratha. [Translation: slowly child, the food will not run away.]
After having a hearty meal we all cousins gathered in my room. I burped and stretched my arms wide rolling my stressed shoulders.
"Kaise jallad ki tarah khati ho Suha, You are so fat", Jay poked my shoulder as he was sitting beside me. This guy always knew how to get on my nerves
[Translation: you eat like a monster Suha, you are so fat]
"At least I can lose weight but you can't lose your ugly face, so sad for you", I made a pitiful face making everyone laugh and Jay twisted his lips in annoyance
"Keep rolling those eyes and maybe you'll find a brain back there, baby boy", I remarked when he rolled his eyes at me, purposely using the endearment. I knew it got the worst in him and I succeeded when he whined like a kid and punched my shoulder lightly.
"Ouch, that hurts, Bastard", I scooted away from him. "Jay don't hit her, agar Neil bhai ko pata chala na, then you would be the new punching bag in his gym", Jia added and everyone looked at me with teasing glances
[Translation: Jay don't hit her, if Neil bhai gets to know, then you would be the new punching bag in his gym.]
My cheeks burned with a blush and my inside shuddered at his mention. Just what you had done to me, Neil.
"Stop it guys", I yelled embarrassed hiding my face in the pillow. "Why? Aren't you his tamatar, his personal favourite I might add", Sushant teased as he sided with Jia making me redder than I earlier was. That sly fox, I knew he felt something for Jia and would always side her in her teasing sessions against me. Tu ruk bete, tujhe bhi batati hu!
[Translation: You wait, I will tell you too!]
"Pyaari sharma gyi", The teasing session continued for the next few minutes as they partially bullied me with Neil's name knowing very well how shy and scarlet it got me. Neil had successfully managed to rob me of my sanity and he was so proud of the fact.
[Translation: oh she blushed]
"Jokes apart, Suha go get ready. Ham dadi ke gaon Jaa rhe hai", Sushant said, the excitement evident in his tone. A big smile made its way onto my lips and I jumped off the bed in glee.
Sushant's dadi means my Nani, my mother's mother. And gosh I loved that woman a lot. She was my biggest supporter, and inspiration and would always save me from my mom's wrath. And I took pride in the fact that she admired and loved me more than other cousins, me being the eldest girl child. Jalwa hai hamara*smirk*
[Translation: I'm the main character]
My maternal grandparents lived in their native village. They had a big house that could accommodate so many people and the lakeside view was amazing. As a child, I loved visiting them as they had farms and I would spend most of my day tagging along with them in the field work. It always fascinated me.
It was finally time to leave and I was ready in one of my chikankari kurti and jeans. Hairs tied in a messy bun and my phone along with my headphones with me. The elders sat in the other car while our whole gang was in another one. We all squeezed ourselves in the car with the constant 'groans' and 'ouchs' from everyone.
"Jay, you idiot, move your damn ass from my lap", Keshav groaned with an irritated look on his face. "Itna kyu sadh Raha hai, adjust kar Raha hu na Mai. Waise bhi Teri godh meh mujhe baithne ka koi shauk nhi hai. I've far better places to be", Jay answered smirking at his last sentence
[Translation: why are you being so furious, I'm just trying to adjust. Moreover, I don't have any desire to sit on your lap. I've far better places to be]
Jay and Keshav never got along, Jay was so irritating and annoying that he would get the always calm and composed Keshav angrier at his antics. He would lose his sanity and his sensibility would take a bag seat before he would lunge at Jay and have his throat without thinking twice, that brat of a kid Jay was.
Our journey started with a full banger, the stereo blasting with a shuffle playlist, us singing along or most likely bellowing our lungs out. Midway I did pity my throats and lungs but it was long forgotten as a famous Bollywood number played and Jay started shaking his hips and shuffling in his seat much to Keshav's annoyance. Pallu ke neeche chupake rakha hai, Utha doon toh hungama ho..
Pallu ke neeche dabake rakha hai,
Utha doon toh hungama ho
[Translation: It's hidden under my veil, If I reveal it then there will be a commotion
It's suppressed under my veil,
If I reveal it then there will be a commotion]
We all tried our best to suppress our laughter but Jay's iconic and slutty moves and Keshav's exasperated look on his face was too much to take in. In the end, we couldn't control it when Jay seductively traced Keshav's cheek with his index finger and he mirrored a gagging expression ready to throw up. We all chortled a Hyena laugh.
No one could say that we were distant cousins and not blood-related. But our bond grew stronger over the year and we were so habitual of having each one of us around that we would feel the absence of even a single member missing. Like I was feeling now. I was terribly missing Neil. It's always fun with the boys around as they are always quarrelling and bantering over small petty things.
Our journey finally came to an end. We all stepped down from the car as the boys brought all the luggage out. We were supposed to spend at least a week in here along with the new year for which I was so excited.
"Nani", I ran towards my grandmother as she took me in her warm embrace
"Hayyee meri bacchi, kitni badi ho gyi hai. Nani ki thodi si bhi yaad nhi aati?", she cooed her wrinkled hands caressing my face as if printing the memory in her heart and soul
[Translation: Hey my baby girl, you have grown so much. Don't you remember your grandmother even a little?]
"Oh Pushpa I hate tears re", I commented wiping her tears and again hugging her to my heart's content. She was the most strongest female figure of my life, she was the sweetest. Even though Yug's cousins weren't her real grandchildren she always showered an equal amount of love on them all, always welcoming and never being partial.
She welcomed everyone inside and we all ran inside the big abode dashing towards the first floor. The ground floor had a master's bedroom and a few other rooms which would be taken by the elders. While the first floor had a storeroom and only two master-sized rooms, the first one was to be taken by other guests, leaving the other for us cousins. The room was big enough to accommodate all 7 of us. But the biggest fight arose about who would take the bed. And of course, it's always us girls winning.
All the girls opened the bedroom door and jumped on the bed already securing our place leaving the rest to sleep on the mattress on the floor. All seven{7} of us meant, Me, Jia, Priya, Keshav, Jay, Sushant and Neil if he decided to join us. Thala for a reason
The boys groaned in vexation and threw a tantrum. Keshav being the sensible one jumped in between with a brilliant idea and we settled on a conclusion that the bed would be used alternatively throughout our stay, the girls one day while the boys the other.
We agreed and negotiated for the following night because one was sure about more cousins and families joining us. Since my grandparents threw a grand feast and get-together there were more of our cousins joining us soon. Phew a lot of people.
"We can even take up the terrace you know", Jay added being the idiot he was. "And freeze to death in the cold weather? No thanks!", Priya scowled
After a late lunch, we all slumped in the room none in the energy to do anything. But my mind wasn't at ease. Even though I was happy being here with everyone but I wasn't entirely happy. Neil wasn't here till now. Wasn't he going to join us? But he wouldn't miss a chance! Fck! I was overthinking a lot.
"O Majnu ki Laila, kaha khoi Hui ho?", Jay hit me with a pillow which landed on my face making me furious.
[Translation: Oh Majnu's Laila, where are you lost?]
"Get a life!", I threw the pillow back at him which he successfully dodged. "Like yours? Nah! I would rather pass", he smirked only to receive a smack on the back of his head from Keshav
"Why do you always tease her, don't get on her bad side, you idiot. Teri hone wali bhabhi hai! Sambhal ke chote bhai!", a deep masculine voice echoed and I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. Jay's easygoing aura turned serious and he gulped hard.
[Translation:Why do you always take care of him, don't get on her bad side, you idiot. She is your future sister-in-law! Be aware younger brother]
I roamed my eyes everywhere in search of him. I knew whom this voice belonged to. I saw none but a phone in Jia's hand. She had a teasing smile on her face as mirth danced in her eyes. I flushed a deep shade of scarlet when she forwarded the phone to me which I took in my hold with shivery hands.
I took a deep breath with the phone near my ears and walked towards the open window. I heard deep breaths on the other side as my heart hammered against my chest as if it would leap out any second.
"Tamatar", fck! Fck! Fck! Code red! Code red! My knees felt jelly with his husky voice as I imagined him sitting on his office chair with one leg on the other in his business suit looking extremely delicious.
"You there?", I was pulled out from my daydream when he spoke again, "Huh?"
"Maine pucha kya chahiye tumhe?"
[Translation:I asked what do you want?]
"Tum", I bit my tongue at my foolishness when I heard him chuckle slowly, my cheeks burned more as I palmed them but alas they turned more red.
[Translation: you]
"mai toh tumhara hi hu! But on a serious note tell me what you want?", he questioned again. A big smile adorned my face with his remark. [Translation: I am all yours! But on a serious note tell me what you want?]
"I like flowers", I find myself whispering as I can't think of something else. I loved the red rose. There was something different about the delicate flower which always fascinated me. I loved it to the extent that Papa planted a rose garden in our backyard just for me.
"Toh mai varmaala leta hua aau?", he replied and I almost didn't miss the teasing in his voice. He was being an open flirt and it wasn't helping my condition either. I knew I looked like a mess right now, but it was a beautiful mess. He managed to make me breathless with just his voice as I felt warmth spreading inside me.
[Translation: so should I bring the varmaala?
Varmaala:victory garland') is a South Asian garland that is most commonly associated with its eponymous ritual during a Hindu wedding ceremony. Traditionally, a varamala is made of roses and other flowers, though modern variations exist, such as garlands made from rupee notes, and other regional traditions.]
The concept of growing in love is so much prettier than love at first sight, right? like one day you look at someone and you suddenly realize you see them in a different light than you did the night before. that's falling. And yes I'd fallen hard for Neil, more than I could imagine, think or dream in my wildest dream because he made me feel things no one ever did or could.