Chapter 49

2 years ago

varshaoforange

@varshaoforange

—Thursday, February 11, 2022, 7:55AM—

Imlie came into the dining room with her favorite breakfast made and ready for everyone. Arpita had tried to stop her from cooking, but Imlie had insisted, saying, ‘Didi, if I can’t make my favorite food for myself, then what’s the point of a birthday?’ Also she got to watch Kaki Maa make her halwa, and that was a treat itself.

Imlie set everything down and smiled, today was starting off perfect, she thought.

Kaki Maa pulled her to her seat, “Are you going to keep looking at the food or are you going to eat it too. But first, halwa. Happy birthday, beta.” Narmada fed Imlie a spoon of the halwa.

Imlie smiled, swallowed and said, “Je Fire, Kaki Maa. Aapki haath ka halwa, mera pura din yaadgaar bana diya.” (Your halwa, it’s made my whole day memorable.)

Arpita laughed, feeding Imlie a spoon herself, “Abhi aur din baaki hai.” (There’s more left of today.)

Imlie looked at her, speaking between mouthfuls, “Matlab?” (Meaning?)

Arpita looked at her mother, smiling, then looked back at Imlie, “Nothing much. Eat your breakfast.”

Aryan joined them a few minutes later, looking through his calendar for the day on his phone. He took a seat next to Imlie and poured himself a cup of coffee, his eyes still on the phone.

Arpita stood up and pulled the phone out of his hand, “At least say good morning to us, UNB!”

Aryan shouted, grabbing the phone back, “Hey! Don’t bother me today, it’s a very busy day, and then I have to come back early too because—” he didn’t finish the sentence, realizing Imlie was sitting there.

Narmada looked at her son, “At least wish Imlie a happy birthday, Aru beta.”

Aryan responded without thinking, “I already wished her in—”

Imlie interrupted him, realizing yet again Aryan would tell the unvarnished truth to Kaki Maa, “the morning, when he was coming out of the gym and I was finishing up the puja. That’s when he wished me.”

Aryan looked at her, pressing his tongue against his cheek, hiding his smile. When Maa and Didi weren’t paying attention he leaned over and whispered to Imlie, “Mere saath ek kamre mein hona ek jurm hai kya? Jo tum Maa aur Didi se chupaa rahi ho?” (Is being in a room with me a crime? That you’re hiding it from Maa and Didi?)

Imlie shot back, “Jurm nahin hai, lekin teek bhi nahi hai.” (It’s not a crime, but it’s also not okay.)

Aryan raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair, “Why, exactly?”

Imlie looked at him, he couldn’t possibly be this dense, “Tum...tum...” (You...you...)

Aryan split into a grin, and added, “Jab tumhare paas koi jawab nahin hota na, tab tumhara eyebrows ke beech mein yeh cute si crease aa jata hai” (When you don’t have a response, then you get this cute crease between your eyebrows.) Aryan then stopped smiling, realizing he’d said that without contemplating the consequences.

Imlie stared at him, her jaw dropping, “Tum mujhe cute ke rahe ho?” (You’re calling me cute?)

Aryan shook his head, looking away from Imlie, “No, no. That’s not what I said, I said the line between the eyebrows, is cute. It’s cute for everyone, everyone usually looks cute when they’re confused.”

Imlie paused and then shook her head, “You know what, I don’t even want to try to comprehend your silliness today. I’m just going to enjoy work and then enjoy me birthday in the evening. I bought Amma a new phone a few weeks ago, and even though she fought it, I made her take it. So I know she’s going to be waiting for me to call, and spend the evening with me, even if it’s just over the phone. Also Dadda’s in Pagdandia, last time I spoke to Amma she said he was coming back, so I’ll be able to talk to both of them.”

Aryan smiled, “Before all that though, remember, you have to come with me at four o’clock. You promised.”

Imlie glared at him again, remembering his mysterious favor, then she tried to put on a sweet face, and smiled dramatically, “But...ABP, I mean, Rathore Sir, you mentioned you had a busy day today, so shouldn’t we just push whatever it is you need to tomorrow—”

Aryan interrupted her, “No, we shouldn’t. 4:00PM sharp, Imlie, meet me by my car outside the office. Also don’t call me sir, it makes me feel old.”

Imlie giggled, “You are old, though.”

Aryan lifted his chin, “Old my foot, okay. I’m only twenty-seven—”

Imlie interjected, “and eight months!”

Aryan rolled his eyes.

—Thursday, February 11, 2022, 3:55PM—

Imlie closed her laptop and gathered her belongings. It was time to get whatever Aryan needed over with, then she could go home and really enjoy her birthday. She smiled thinking about the possibility of Kaki Maa’s leftover halwa along with a nice movie, after her call with Amma of course.

She left the office and headed to Aryan’s car, he still hadn’t shown up. She looked at her watch, 3:58PM. She smiled at the idea of yelling at him for being late, as he always yelled if she were ever late.

Imlie tapped on her watch as Aryan unlocked the car, “You were almost late, ABP. Don’t you know...time is money?”

Aryan rolled his eyes, “I was almost late, but I wasn’t. Also, being early isn’t some special skill. Just get in the car.”

Imlie fastened her seatbelt and stared at him, expecting him to finally tell her what the urgent favor was. He didn’t say anything, he just started the car.

“Ek minute,” Imlie asked, as Aryan pulled out of the office parking lot, “aren’t you forgetting something?”

Aryan absently tapped his pockets with one hand, the other on the wheel, “No, I brought everything, my bag is in the backseat—”

“Not your things, you still haven’t told me what it is you need me to do. Where are we even going?” Imlie asked.

Aryan looked at her, successfully hiding his smile, but adding with an exaggerated tone, “Good things come to those who wait, woh kehte hain na, sabr ka phal, meeta hota hai.” (They say, the fruits of patience, are sweet.)

Imlie rolled her eyes, “Doesn’t your throat hurt after you spend the day sharing your ‘pearls of wisdom’ with everyone?”

Aryan deadpanned, “No, I keep hydrated.”

Imlie crossed her arms and grumbled, shooting Aryan further dirty looks as he drove.

After around fifteen minutes he pulled in front of what Imlie recognized as a department store, and she couldn’t keep silent anymore.

“Your favor was that you wanted to go shopping?” Imlie asked, “Are you serious?”

Aryan rolled his eyes, “Just…follow me.”

Imlie groaned dramatically, muttering, “Spending my birthday shopping for someone else, good job Imlie, keep it up.”

Aryan opened the glass doors for Imlie, she raised her eyebrow at his chivalrous act, but went inside. Her jaw dropped, and she looked at Aryan, “You wanted…to shop…here? This looks like it’s a place exclusively for women’s clothes.”

Aryan rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger, how this girl won a scholarship he would never understand. He looked at her and just pushed her towards the display of lehengas and the first salesperson he saw.

“Excuse me.” Aryan said, towards the saleswoman who was dressing up a mannequin. She turned around and was clearly smitten with the customer, “Hi,” she said, batting her eyelashes, “can I help you?”

Aryan didn’t smile back, “I called earlier, someone named Shivani is supposed to help me with what I need today?”

The saleswoman realized immediately who she’d been talking to, “Oh, Mr. Rathore, right this way. Who exactly are you shopping for if I might ask, your wife, a girlfriend…” she trailed off. Shivani hadn’t seemed to notice Imlie standing right next to Aryan.

Aryan rolled his eyes impatiently, “I was pretty clear on the phone, Ms. Shivani, never mind.” He looked at Imlie, “Imlie, choose a lehenga for yourself, and make it quick, we don’t have a lot of time.”

Imlie stared open mouthed at him, “For who? For me?”

Aryan crossed his arms, “Is there anyone else here?”

Imlie looked between the lehengas, the saleswoman called Shivani, and Aryan, “Why?”

Aryan had to convince himself that banging his head against the wall would not be the best way to get Imlie to listen to him, though he really wanted to do it, “Just, do it. Please?”

Imlie raised her eyebrows, and replied, “Please? You’re saying please to me?”

Aryan, “Are you going to choose one or are you going to make me do it?”

Imlie nodded quickly, “Okay, okay. I’ll do it.” She walked past the first rack of lehengas, they were all gorgeous, but she’d never ever thought she’d get to wear one, let alone even shop for it. She’d never actually wanted one, however, it’s not like she cared about clothes. She turned back to Aryan, “ABP, why from here, you said you got that other one for Malini’s wedding as a knockoff, why not do that again?”

Shivani gasped at the mention of ‘knockoff,’ completely forgetting that she’d still been unable to figure out if this Mr. Rathore was dating anyone or not. “Knockoff? No no no no. I can’t let you do that, Miss.”

Aryan walked towards Imlie, “I’ll make this easy, what color do you like?”

Imlie looked at him, confused, “I like all colors, what do you mean?”

Aryan fought the urge to shake Imlie, “Main puch raha hun ki tumhe kaunsa rang sabse pasand hai?” (I am asking you what color you like the most.)

Imlie realized what Aryan was saying, nodding, “Ahh, right…I don’t have one. I like the rainbow, Indradanush!”

Aryan was very close to strangling her now, but he stopped himself, “Okay, so we’re going to look for a lehenga that has a lot of colors.” He sighed, he hated shopping, he’d hoped since Imlie didn’t care about clothes this would be fast, but no, Imlie had to make everything difficult.

He went through the racks quickly, the saleswoman trying to stop him from damaging any of the lehengas, even in their plastic covers. Imlie walked behind him, she was still confused as to why Aryan wanted her to buy a lehenga, today of all days. Why was this his favor? Then she realized what was going on and she smacked her head, she pulled Aryan away from the lehenga rack, “You’re planning a party, aren’t you? You and Kaki Maa and Didi, for my birthday?”

Aryan stared at her, he wanted to be angry, but she was so adorable he couldn’t find himself to actually be frustrated. He smiled, chuckling, “Tum sach mein tube light ho. Jo der se aur dheere se jalti hai. Why else did you think we were here?” (You’re really a tube light. That turns on late and slowly.)

She crossed her arms and made a face, “How could you expect me to guess that, it’s not like you go around planning parties for every one of your friends. And I know you like to act like you’re mother’s best son, but you don’t always listen to her, do you? She’s making you do this, isn’t she?”

Aryan was insulted, but only a little bit, Imlie was right. Didi and Maa had pushed him into it, but now he was sure it would be worth it, “I’m here,” Aryan stepped closer to Imlie, “helping you buy a lehenga, and you’re going to insult me? Main itna bura lagta hun tumhe, kya?” (I look that bad to you, or what?)

Imlie held her breath then finally spoke, “Tum itna accha bhi nahin ho.” (You’re not that good either.)

Aryan and Imlie looked at each other, neither of them revealing how much they enjoyed teasing the other in the moment. Then Aryan’s eyes fell on a lehenga behind Imlie, hanging on a rack. It was white, but covered in painted flowers of all colors, “Found it,” he said. Surprising Imlie he reached past her and grabbed it. “Here you go, this is close enough to a rainbow, right?”

Imlie looked at it, it was gorgeous, but it was definitely too expensive for her to accept as a gift from Aryan. She looked at Aryan and hesitated, “It’s beautiful, but it probably costs—”

Aryan interrupted her, “Tum mujhe calculator bulaa thi ho, lekin asli calculator tum nikli. Stop fussing about the cost and just try it on.” He turned to the saleswoman, who still couldn’t figure out the actual relationship between the two of them, “Please can you do the alterations that are necessary, and quickly?”

Imlie made a face at Aryan as Shivani the sales woman ushered Imlie to the changing room, Aryan responded with his signature eye roll, which made Imlie smile to herself when she turned away.

Fifteen minutes later Imlie came out of the dressing room, she was back in her salwar kameez. Shivani was holding the lehenga, now pinned in the right places. It would have to be the quickest alteration she’d ever done, because she noticed Aryan was tapping his foot impatiently.

Aryan looked at Imlie curiously, “What, why aren’t you wearing it? Didn’t like it?”

Imlie shook her head, “No no, it’s good. I liked it, but—”

Aryan interrupted her to talk to the saleswoman, “Great, so how long for the alterations? Thirty—forty minutes?”

Shivani was cursing herself for even picking up the phone this morning. Sure this was great for her commission, but it felt like the lehenga was wasted on this girl, “Y—yes, I can get it done by then. Can I ask what the event is that you two are…” she trailed off at the glare she got from Aryan.

Imlie sensing Aryan’s patience coming apart, “It’s nothing big, just a party. Please take your time. We’ll come back when it’s ready.” She pulled Aryan by the arm out of the store. When they were out of earshot she put her hands on her hips and looked at him, “I think I can help you find something you’ve been looking for your whole life.”

Aryan asked, “What?”

Imlie rolled her eyes, “Tameez. If you want, I can give you lessons.” (politeness=tameez)

Aryan deadpanned, “Thanks, but no thanks. Ok, next stop. Let’s go.”

He strode outside and Imlie followed him, they headed back to the car.

“Wait, where now?” Imlie asked.

Aryan looked at her, “Cake. I’m in charge of the cake, and I didn’t buy it yet.”

Imlie stared at him and then burst out laughing, “I love how The Aryan Singh Rathore can run ten businesses alone, but can’t manage his time for a simple party. When did Kaki Maa and Didi start asking you to plan this, yesterday?”

Aryan grumbled, “Listen, okay, I’m not a party planner, chalein?” (Shall we go?)

Imlie nodded and followed him into the car.

Aryan realized too late, because it’s not like he’d ever paid any attention to Didi or Maa when they got ready, “Wait,” he looked at Imlie, “don’t women usually get special jewelry with lehengas like that, doesn’t it have to match or whatever?”

Imlie was still giggling over Aryan rushing to find a cake, but this made her laugh even more. Aryan glared at her as she laughed. She finally took a few breaths and stopped laughing.

Aryan asked, “Ho gaya?” (Done?)

Imlie nodded and added, “I don’t need jewelry, I have a lot of bangles in a bunch of colors that will match, it’s fine.”

Aryan pondered this for a second, “No, that doesn’t work, I’ll tell Didi to lend you something, that’s better.”

Imlie opened her mouth to protest but Aryan was already messaging Arpita Didi, and then a few seconds later he was driving them to the bakery.

Imlie and Aryan walked inside the bakery, a small building squished between a bookstore and a small sari store. Aryan didn’t waste any time, he had to be somewhere by six or absolutely none of this was worth it.

“Excuse me, we need to put in an order for tonight.” Aryan said, grabbing the attention of one of the workers.

The young man, tall and wearing an apron that clearly distinguished him as the person doing most of the baking responded, “For today? My cakes take at least three hours to finish. I doubt—”

“Relax, I’ll compensate you for the rush of the order. Happy?” He looked to Imlie, “Okay, are we getting chocolate, vanilla, what?”

Imlie enthralled by the sweets and pastries in the glass counter, absentmindedly waved her hand in Aryan’s direction, “Whatever you want, I just like sweets.”

Aryan waved a hand in front of her face, “It’s not my birthday, Imlie Ji, krpaya apanee pharamaish hamen bataenge?” (Please, tell me your request?)

Imlie sighed, looking at the baker, then decided there was no better day than her birthday to mess with ABP. She looked at Aryan, grinning. His face fell, he knew that look, nothing good came from that look.

“Can I…since it’s my birthday and all, taste some of the cakes?” Imlie asked Aryan, widening her eyes.

Aryan looked at her, “Main tumhaaree chaalon mein nahin phansane vaala. Jaldi se ek flavor bataao, mujhe aur bhi kaam hai.” (I’m not going to be trapped by your tricks. Quickly tell one flavor, I have other work.)

Imlie frowned and exaggerated her sigh, “Tum abhi pehle apni achchhaee ka gunagaan kar rahe the, aur ab dekho…” (You were just touting your goodness earlier, and now look…)

Aryan groaned, “Fine. Can we please taste some of your cakes? If it isn’t too much trouble.”

The baker, amused by the girl’s antics went into the back and brought out a plate of ten different cake slices. “Here you go, we have a few choices here, they’re the best selling. Can I ask what the cake is for?”

Imlie eagerly picked up a spoon and dug into the closest piece to her, “It’s my birthday, yeh akkad bagga ne cake order karna bhool gaya.” (This Akkad bagga forgot to order the cake.)

The baker laughed, “Happy Birthday, let me know what you decide.” He walked back behind the counter and started helping the line of customers that had been waiting.

Aryan stared at Imlie, who had already taken bites out of half of the slices, “Leave some space for your actual dinner, or are you planning on ruining your teeth in one go?”

Imlie made a face at Aryan, then took a spoonful of a chocolate cake slice and put it in front of Aryan, “Why am I eating everything, you can have some too.”

Aryan backed away, “No, I don’t eat sweets.”

Imlie didn’t move the spoon away, “Islie kadvee baaten hee kahate ho, roz sirf karele ka joos hee peete ho na?” (That’s why you only say bitter things, you only drink bitter gourd juice every day, right?)

Aryan rolled his eyes, “Yeh aura jokes maarne band karo, aur batao, which cake?” (Stop saying these horrible jokes and tell, which cake?)

Imlie shook her head, “Not until you’ve tried them all. Sorry.”

Aryan stared at her, crossed his arms and said, “No.”

Imlie smiled, “Okay, no problem. I’ll just call Kaki Maa and tell her that her son issuing very mean to the birthday girl…”

Aryan took the spoon of cake from her, “I think you were a gangster in your previous life, you know exactly how and when to threaten someone.”

Imlie grinned, and the two of them finished eating all the cakes.

Aryan looked at Imlie after she’d tasted the last one, a red velvet cake according to the little card the baker had put in front of it, “So, which one? I like the triple chocolate.”

Imlie clapped her hands, “Okay, triple chocolate it is.”

Aryan asked, “Wait, wait, which one did you like?”

Imlie replied, “Actually…I liked the chocolate, but the strawberry cheesecake was the best.”

Aryan said, “Then we’ll get that one.”

Imlie smiled, “I’ve never had it before, it’s a good cake right, Kaki Maa and Didi won’t dislike it?”

Aryan looked at her, “It doesn’t matter if they do or not, it’s your birthday.”

Imlie made a face, “But it’s not like I’m going to eat the whole thing, the three of you are going to eat it too…wait who else is coming?”

Aryan deflected her question, either she was wondering if the Tripathis were coming or she wanted to know if Shiv and Priya were coming, he didn’t feel like answering either question, “It’s a good cake, and seeing how you scarfed down these slices, I don’t doubt you can eat the whole cake tonight if you wanted to. You probably won’t let anyone else get a slice.”

Imlie pushed him, “Wah, yeh hai tera achchhaee, mera khana ko nazar mat lagao.” (Wow, this is your goodness, don’t jinx my eating.)

Aryan put in the order for the cake and followed Imlie out to the car. Imlie looked at the bookstore, it looked like somewhere she could spend hours, if she had the time.

Aryan followed her gaze, “We’ll come back here another day, for now I’m dropping you back home. I’ll have someone pick up the lehenga and deliver it.”

Imlie watched as Aryan got into the car, she followed suit, he wasn’t that bad, her ABP.