Chapter 42

2 years ago

varshaoforange

@varshaoforange

—Sunday, February 6, 2022, 11:30AM—

Imlie and Shiv had managed to get through a lot in a couple hours. Imlie carried her new bag of books with her to the cafe the two of them had went to the second time they met.

“I could tell you were a bookworm, but I didn’t realize you had it this bad.” Shiv chuckled.

Imlie lifted up her chin, “In Pagdandia, I couldn’t get all the books I wanted. I had to just keep rereading whatever my teacher had in her office. So now, I’m going to make up for that. One day, I’m gonna have a big study in my house.”

Shiv raised his eyebrows, “And you’re going to fill your study with books?”

Imlie nodded, smiling, “Of course. I mean, today I just bought books by journalists, but one day, my personal library is going to be full of all genres, especially histories and novels. Do you have any favorite novels?”

The two of them grabbed a table in the café and Shiv signaled the waiter to them.

Shiv pondered the question, “I don’t have a favorite novel, but I really enjoyed my literature class in college. Have you read any of Orwell’s novels? 1984, or Animal Farm?”

Imlie looked at the waiter first, “Two chais please, and two orders of samosas, do not be stingy with the imli chutney.” The waiter nodded and Shiv laughed.

“Of course you’d be a fan of imli chutney.” He chuckled.

Imlie raised her eyebrows, “This isn’t the first time you’re eating samosas with me, and besides, who doesn’t love imli?” She smiled, cupping her face dramatically. “Also, I have read Orwell, but his writing is so depressing to me. I mean, of course it’s important work, but I don’t really like dystopian literature. Like every other girl in my literature class last semester, I was obsessed with Austen.”

Shiv nodded and grinned knowingly, “Ah, who doesn’t fall in love with Mr. Darcy at first reading?” Shiv wondered if Imlie knew that her tastes in novels might be similar to her tastes in men.

Imlie smiled, pulling out her history textbook from her bag, “Yes I liked Darcy, but actually I preferred George Knightley in Emma. He’s just so much more realistic in my opinion. He’s a bit more self-aware than Darcy.”

Shiv put his elbows on the table, leaning in closer, “So, you’re telling me, you don’t only go for ‘tall, dark, and handsome?’ What you really like is someone who’s willing to challenge you and talk to you like an equal?”

Imlie looked at him, “Of course, doesn’t everyone want that? Now, sadly I can’t talk about novels all day, and since I have you for the day, can I ask you a few questions about my history exam—unless you have other work and you have to leave?”

Shiv shook his head, and the waiter arrived with their order, he took it from the waiter and looked back at Imlie, “You do indeed have me for the day. Ask away.”

Shiv smiled and stared at Imlie as she explained what she was interested in her class, and her doubts. She really was like a character out of an Austen novel, someone like Lizzy or Emma, without a care in the world what others thought about her, just focused on her own goals and life. Shiv realized what was happening to him, and he tried to snap out of it, but it was impossible. Just when he’d thought he’d convinced himself he just saw Imlie as a friend, nothing more, she’d smile again, or ask one of her brilliantly insightful questions on the impact of certain British colonial laws on India’s constitutional development post-independence. For now, he focused on helping her get through this exam, he’d worry about getting over these new feelings another time.

—Sunday, February 6, 2022, 4:40PM—

Imlie’s stomach growled, and Shiv laughed. “I think the samosas aren’t enough for your stomach. It’s been a while since our last order, should we get some other food in you? Also, I think you’re worried about nothing, you’re more than ready for this exam.”

Imlie leaned back, rubbing her stomach, “I am hungry, what’s the time?” She checked her watch, “Oh crap, it’s almost five?! I said I’d call Kaki Maa and Didi if I was going to be late. I’ll just head home, actually. I’ll eat there. You don’t mind right?”

Shiv smiled and shook his head, “Not at all,” then he put on a dramatic sigh, “however, I did just spend hours helping you prepare for your exam, I think treating me to a meal is in order.”

Imlie looked at him, and nodded, “No, of course, you’re right. You’ve been such a big help, what am I saying? Where do you want to eat, my treat. I’ll just call Kaki Maa right now and be back.”

Imlie dialed Kaki Maa’s number and waited for her to pick up.

“Imlie, beta, are you okay? Did you eat?” Kaki Maa answered the phone on the first ring.

Imlie smiled, “Haan haan, Kaki Maa, I ate, but Shiv and I are going to eat an early dinner…or is it a late lunch, right now. So I probably won’t be back until 6 or 7 at least. Just wanted to let you and Didi know.”

“Acchha, beta, no problem. If you need a ride back, let me know, I’ll call the driver and send him to you. Okay?” Kaki Maa replied. She looked at Aryan who was sitting across the room, working on his laptop. She noticed her son’s jaw clench.

“No need, Kaki Maa, I can ask Shiv for a ride, but if he’s too busy, I’ll take an auto. Acchha, mein phone rakthi hun. Bye!” (Okay, I’ll hang up the phone.)

“Bye, beta. Don’t eat too much oily food outside, I know you, you’ll get sick immediately.” Narmada added.

Imlie smiled and added, “Aur aap, don’t forget to eat your medicines just because I’m not there. I’m going to message Arpi Didi right now to remind her.”

Narmada laughed, “Sometimes I think I don’t have two daughters, instead I have two mothers.”

Imlie hung up the phone after Kaki Maa reassured her she wouldn’t forget to take her medication, and looked to Shiv, “Okay, done. Where are we going?”

Aryan shut his laptop and started to head to his office.

“Stop,” Narmada called after him, “Aru, if you’re so angry because Imlie has one friend, why don’t you try to ask her about her feelings? Or share your own?”

Aryan turned to her, “Maa, please. I’m not angry, there’s nothing to ask…or share.”

Arpita walked into the room, she’d just returned from the play with Sundar. “There’s no point in trying to make this UNB understand, Maa. This gaddha will just wait and wait until it’s too late. And then we’ll be the one who has to deal with his moods after everything.”

Aryan looked at her, “What do you mean after everything?”

Arpi looked at Narmada and winked, “By everything I mean when Imlie eventually moves on. She’s divorced Aditya, but it’s only now that she’s finally realized she doesn’t love him anymore. And from what I know about Imlie, she’s not the kind of person to completely close her mind to love forever. Someone will come along, eventually, and steal her heart away again. And then there will be you, sitting here in this house, angrily opening and closing your laptop.”

Aryan made a face, “Steal her heart away? Who talks like that Didi? Stop with the cheesy words, please, we’re not in some movie.”

Arpita sat down next to Narmada, “We may not be in a movie, Aru, but if you don’t act soon, we all know exactly how this is going to play out. Your ‘I’m Aryan Singh Rathore, nothing effects me, grrr, I’m scary’ act isn’t going to work on Imlie.”

Aryan glared at her, and left the room. Shaking his head. He took out his phone, and his finger hovered over Imlie’s contact, ‘Jungli.’ He couldn’t call her right now. If he called right now, Shiv would of course interfere, and worse, what would he even say to Imlie. It’s not like he had a valid reason to stop her from eating with the guy.

Just then the doorbell rang, Aryan headed to the door before Arpi, and opened it. Standing in front of him was Aditya Kumar Tripathi, holding a cardboard box.

Aditya tried to hide his sneer, but failed. Then he put on a stony face, and asked in his most even tone, “Can I talk to Imlie, please?”

Aryan snapped, “Why? And she’s not here. What do you want?”

Aditya pondered this, it wasn’t usual for Imlie to be out on a Sunday, even if it wasn’t that late, and even if she was out, why did Aryan seem to be in a bad mood? “When will she be back? Where is she?”

Aryan glared at him, “Tumse matlab?” (What’s it to you?)

Aditya stepped closer, anger bubbling up in him now, “She’s my—” He stopped himself. Imlie was nothing in his life now.

Aryan smiled, “Your…what, Mr. Tripathi? She’s your ex-wife? Yes, that’s what she is. And I don’t think she’d appreciate you coming over here, she’s made her feelings pretty clear.”

Aryan peered into the box and noticed a couple photo albums, some clothes, and some envelopes. He looked at Aditya, “What, you’ve brought over some of her things and some random reminders of your relationship to try to get her back? You’re dumber than I thought. Do you actually think that will work? Emotional blackmail?”

Aditya shot back, “Shut up, Aryan. If Imlie’s not here, I’ll come back when she is. And it’s not emotional blackmail. I just—I wanted to give her things back to her, that’s it. I’m leaving Delhi soon, and I want to move on. It’s clear she already has.”

Aryan scoffed, “Yea, right.”

Aditya narrowed her eyes, “Where is she exactly? Usually around this time she loves to cook for herself, and from what I remember, her midterms are coming up, right? Is she at the university? Or—”

Aryan looked at him, “Or what?”

Aditya lifted his chin, realizing what was probably going on, “Now I get it, she’s out with that lawyer friend of hers. I noticed they were rather chummy when they came to my house, and at the office. Why wouldn’t Imlie be out with him, he’s helped her so much.” Aditya smiled to himself, he couldn’t believe he’d even considered asking Imlie for another chance. She hadn’t just moved on from him, she was even willing to move on from Aryan Singh Rathore.

Aryan grabbed the box from Aditya, “Listen, just shut up. I’ll give Imlie these precious items, but I’m sure she’ll just toss them out.”

Aditya chuckled softly, “Remember, Aryan, I told you this once. Imlie’s great at moving on. Seems like she left you in the lurch?”

Aryan set the box down and grabbed Aditya’s collar, “Listen, you imbecile, I don’t know what Imlie ever saw in you, but get out of here before I snap you into two. I can’t believe you’re still spouting the same nonsense. Didn’t Imlie prove herself after what she revealed about your other ex-wife? Or is she still your wife?”

Aditya took Aryan’s hands off of him and stepped back, “Sure, she proved that Malini was horrible. But everything after, she’s confirmed that she never loved me. You’re right, I have no reason to be here. Give her those things, or don’t. I don’t give a damn.” Aditya turned and left, leaving Aryan standing in the doorway, stewing over Aditya’s accusations.

—Sunday, February 6, 2022, 6:45PM—

Imlie opened the door of the Rathore house with her key and turned to Shiv, “Do you want some water or something else before you go? Thanks for dropping me by the way. And for all your help with my exam. It’s coming up soon, Sita Maiya, I really hope I’m ready.”

Shiv smiled, as Imlie stepped back past the threshold of the house, “It was nothing, and no I don’t need anything. I’ll—”

“You’re back?” Aryan called from inside the house.

Imlie turned and looked at Aryan, Shiv peered inside as well. He smiled at Aryan, and then his smile fell off his face when he saw Aryan’s face.

“Yea—” Imlie started, then she noticed Aryan’s expression, “Why the angry face? What happened?”

Aryan shook his head, putting on a fake smile, “No, nothing, why would anything happen? Arre Shiv, why are you standing in the doorway, come in. Or do you have to go somewhere?”

Shiv hesitated, he wasn’t stupid, he could tell Aryan’s smile was more murderous than genuine, “No, I’m fine. I do actually have to get going, have an early day tomorrow. Imlie, good luck with the exam, I know you’ll ace it. Also tell me how the books you bought are when you get a chance to read them, I’ll definitely ask to borrow one or two, they looked very interesting.”

Imlie smiled at him, “Of course. I’m dying to start reading them. It’s not even my birthday yet and I got to get myself such a big gift, I’m so excited!” Imlie held the bag with her new books tight against her chest, “I know if I call Amma now and tell her what I bought, she’ll be more excited than me. Dadda too. Actually, I have to introduce you to my Dadda one day, he’s an activist, and I’m sure he’d have a lot of questions for you as a lawyer, especially since you mentioned you’ve worked on civil rights cases before.”

Shiv smiled, “Oh, I would be glad to meet him. Also, your birthday is coming up, when?”

Before Imlie could answer, Aryan did, “It’s on the eleventh. In fact, I think Didi is already planning something. You’ll have to come, of course. Priya too.”

Imlie looked at him, eyebrows raised, “You know when my birthday is?—Wait, Didi is planning a party? Since when?”

Aryan nodded, “Of course I know, you’re my employee. Why wouldn’t I know?”

Shiv chuckled, “I wish my boss knew when my birthday was, alas, not everyone can be as lucky as you, Imlie.”

Imlie smiled nervously, she sensed some sort of tension between Shiv and Aryan, but she couldn’t figure out what it was, “I’m going to go show Didi the books I got today, Shiv, I’ll see you? Night!”

Shiv nodded, “Night, good luck again on the exam.”

Imlie left to the living room, she should have seen Shiv out, but she decided he could probably handle himself with Aryan, and she couldn’t figure out what problem Aryan would have anyway. She was probably overthinking.

Shiv started to turn to leave, but then he decided to give Aryan his advice once more. Shiv knew if he just removed the space to think about Imlie as anything other than a friend, he’d feel better, “Aryan, it’s nice that to hear that you’re planning something for Imlie’s birthday. Does this mean you’re taking my advice, and you’re going to take the next step?”

Aryan approached Shiv slowly, “Pehli baat, main kisee se madad ya salaah nahin leta. Dosor baat, mujhe nahin lagta ki tumhe mere phaisalon mein dilachaspee lene kee jaroorat hai.” (First, I don’t take help or advice from anyone. Second, I don’t think you need to be interested in my decisions.)

Shiv smiled, slightly coldly, “Aur teesri baat?” (And thirdly?)

Aryan smiled right back, “Teesri baat, udhaar rahee.” And then he closed the door in Shiv’s face. (The third point, let that be a debt/surprise.)

Imlie was showing Arpita all the books she’d bought, and explaining how she’d find them useful. Arpita smiled at her, enjoying Imlie’s excitement over books of all things. “Imlie, if you wanted books, I should have taken you to the study. Papa and Arvind have so many books stuffed in shelves there…” She trailed off when Aryan entered the room.

“I didn’t know Arvind Ji had a study, it was also your Papa’s?” Imlie asked, then she noticed Arpita and Narmada looking at Aryan. When she looked at Aryan’s face, her mouth went dry, she realized what Arpita had said and the effect it had probably had on Aryan.

Narmada covered for Aryan’s silence, “All those books are old and probably outdated, I don’t think there’s anything there that would interest you, beta, besides…”

Aryan finished the thought, “Besides, we don’t use that room anymore. If it’s books you want, use your university library.” Then he muttered, “Or roam around more bookstores with your new friend.”

Imlie narrowed her eyes, the sympathy she had waning, “What did you say? What exactly is your problem with Shiv?”

Aryan looked at her, and recovered quickly, “Nothing. No problem.”

Imlie lifted her chin, deciding to ignore Aryan’s lie for the moment, “Didi, why didn’t you tell me you were planning something for my birthday? You don’t have to do anything, but I do want at least one gift, I want…Kaki Maa’s excellent halwa that day.” She looked at Narmada, “Aap mere lie halwa banaayenge, hai na?” (You'll make the halwa for me right?)

Narmada smiled, “Yeh koi poochhne ka baat hai? Zaroor banaoungi. But when’s your birthday? Arpi didn’t tell me she was planning anything.” (Is this something you even have to ask? Of course I’ll make it.)

Imlie looked confusedly at Arpita, “But ABP said—”

Arpita noticed Aryan’s panicked face, and handled the situation, “Haan Imlie, Aru mentioned offhandedly that you were turning twenty, so I was thinking about planning something. But if you don’t want a party, we don’t have to have one.”

Imlie smiled, “No, I definitely don’t need a party. Aap dono aur woh halwa kaafi hai.” (You two and that halwa is enough). She hugged the two of them and then made a face at Aryan, “Aur tum, mere lie tohapha mat laana, par us din mera sir mat khaana.” (And you, don't bring me a gift, but on that day, don't eat my head.) She laughed and headed to her room, adding, “Kaki Maa, I ate dinner, so I’m off to finish some work and study some more!”

Aryan muttered, “Jungli kahin ki. Main usa sar khaata hun? Aur woh, jo poora din mujhe pareshaan karthi hai, woh kuch nahin hai?” (Jungli. I bother her? And her, who bothers me all day, that’s nothing?)

After Imlie left, Arpita looked at Narmada and smiled, then she turned to Aryan, “So lover boy, you’re planning something for Imlie’s birthday, but you want to give me the credit?”

Aryan stammered, “Planning? I’m not planning anything.”

Narmada stood up and smacked the back of Aryan’s head, “Silly boy, if you’re not planning anything, then why do you have her birthday memorized, are you planning to make a bank account for her?”

Aryan rubbed the back of his head, “Maa, please.”

Arpita stood up too and crossed her arms, “What please? You’re obviously going to do something, and if you don’t mujhse buri koi nahin hogi, UNB” (There won’t be anyone worse than me, UNB)

Aryan looked at his mother’s and sister’s expectant faces, “Fine. We’ll plan something. But she already said she doesn’t want a party.”

Arpita patted Aryan’s shoulder, smiling, “Not we, Aryan, you. And just because she says she doesn’t want a party doesn’t mean Imlie actually doesn’t want a party. Do you know anything about women? Knowing Imlie, she won’t want something big or grand, but there has to be something she wants to make the day special. And you have to figure that out.”

Aryan thought for a moment, and then he smiled, “Okay, I know one thing. But you two, don’t tell her anything until I tell you to. Got it?”