It’s Not Right…but It’s Okay

by Anuj Tiwari

  ‘Then never leave me,’ she kisses him on his chest.

  They are standing in the hall and the moon outside seems closer than before.

  ‘You’ll have other days to do all this. Let’s have dinner first. You must be hungry, Ved,’ she says.

  He sits on the chair and finds the envelopes with all the cards. He places the last one along with the others, while Angira serves food for both of them.

  ‘You are such a romantic. I never thought you’d be but I wish this goes on till our last breath,’ she pours water in his glass.

  ‘I am much more than you think,’ he says with a smile, putting a chapati on his plate.

  ‘As long as I give you some more leverage,’ Angira says, patting him on his shoulder.

  Happy Hours

  ‘Can’t you stay here tonight?’ Angira asks Ved while getting up from the chair.

  She wants him to be with her tonight. These moments are rare and don’t come by always.

  ‘Are you sure?’ he asks while washing his hand in the basin.

  ‘Yes. Charu will come after two weeks,’ she repeats herself.

  ‘I am asking if I can stay here. Are you sure about it?’ He wipes his hands.

  ‘What’s wrong in that?’ Angira asks, taking all the vessels to the kitchen.

  ‘There is nothing wrong,’ Ved answers

  He walks in the hall randomly as he does every day after dinner. He remembers that he has to go with Arjun for an event tomorrow, but he doesn’t want to go away from her either.

  ‘What should I do?’ he wonders.

  ‘Then stay here,’ Angira insists.

  ‘Okay,’ Ved checks his cellphone standing near the window.

  He messages Arjun that he will stay at a friend’s place tonight and will reach home on time tomorrow.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she asks, standing far away from him.

  ‘Just dropping a message to Arjun. Otherwise, he is going to kill me if I don’t reach home on time. Tomorrow he has an event. I have to go with him for it.’

  ‘What? What name did you just say?’ Angira asks.

  ‘Arjun. Why, what happened? He called you or what?’ he turns his back on the couple walking in the park holding hands.

  ‘Arjun, the author?’ she asks him again.

  ‘You have read his books? You know him?’ Ved asks her, sitting on the sofa.

  ‘Fuck.’ Angira can’t believe that Ved knows Arjun. ‘How do you know him?’ She is totally confused and surprised.

  ‘What happened? We are flatmates,’ he doesn’t understand what’s going on in her mind.

  ‘Nothing. Can you give me your phone? I want to see his picture,’ Angira sits next to him and takes his phone.

  ‘But what happened?’ Ved doesn’t know what’s going on.

  ‘Nothing,’ Angira gets his phone.

  Ved takes his phone back and shows her the WhatsApp picture of Arjun. She is amazed and shocked. She is just stunned as she tries to connect everything that has happened.

  ‘He is Anushka’s best friend. I know everything about him. He is the one who convinced my mom to let me come to Mumbai to study fashion designing,’ Angira informs Ved. ‘Does he know about us?’ she asks him.

  ‘No, he doesn’t. This is going to be a little awkward,’ Ved has mixed feelings.

  Angira tries to connect everything but fails to understand how Ved and Arjun can be flatmates in the most crowded city. Ved is also surprised. The world is indeed small. At the same time, to have something like this happen in Mumbai is unheard of.

  ‘But I am still confused. How do you know each other?’ she asks.

  ‘We are from the same college,’ says Ved.

  ‘Really?’ she asks again.

  ‘Yes. Anushka, Arjun and I were classmates of Jaypee University,’ Ved explains everything about their friendship and the moments they spent together during their college days.

  ‘Seriously, this is unexpected,’ she feels like everything has an underlying intention.

  ‘So you getting my number was not a coincidence? Did Anushka give you my number?’ he enquires.

  ‘No, I haven’t even discussed about you with Anushka,’ she says and recalls that on the night they went to the karaoke bar, she used Arjun’s phone to call Anushka and then saved his number on her phone. What happened later at the girl’s hostel has somehow been a hazy memory.

  ‘The unexpected is always meant to happen,’ says Ved and kisses Angira on her hand. ‘I love you.’

  ‘But this is beyond my expectations. You know what happened yesterday? We were on a conference call and Anushka was asking Mom what if Arjun liked me,’ Angira says while holding his palms in her own.

  Ved doesn’t say anything.

  ‘What do you think?’ he asks her.

  ‘He is a nice guy. I like him and I respect him more than anyone, but I love you more than anything else. So don’t be possessive,’ she smiles looking at him.

  Does Arjun have feelings for Angira? He never told me about Angira. Maybe Anushka and Arjun like each other.

  ‘Should I tell Arjun about us?’ Ved asks Angira.

  ‘No, don’t tell him about us as of now. Else he’ll tell Anushka and then my mom will call me back to Delhi for sure.’

  ‘Don’t worry.’

  He starts kissing Angira on the sofa. She responds softly. Soon it gets intense.

  ‘It feels so good to be with you,’ he says softly into her ears. ‘Let’s go into the room.’

  ‘No,’ she says.

  Things are moving smoothly; she places her head on his shoulder and he touches her earrings, planting a soft kiss on her neck. They both are lying on the sofa. Angira is looking at the ceiling.

  Ved glances at her and he puts his index finger on her lips, ‘I love you, and I just want to love you forever. Don’t leave me ever.’

  ‘I love you too.’

  Holding her even more firmly, he softly kisses her on her forehead.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she asks.

  ‘I just don’t want to leave you.’

  She runs her fingers through his hair.

  ‘Let’s go to the bedroom,’ she says tenderly.

  Within moments they end up in the bedroom.

  ‘You want a water bottle?’ she asks him.

  ‘Yes.’

  The moment Angira comes back, Ved grabs her by the waist as she’s switching off the lights. Lying in bed, they cuddle gently.

  ‘Is this our Happy Hours?’ Angira asks, still playing with his hair.

  ‘Yes, it is. Don’t you think so?’

  ‘I like your hair,’ she runs her hand through his hair.

  ‘Remove this,’ Ved pulls her shirt.

  ‘No,’ she responds and holds his hand.

  ‘Please, I want to kiss you again,’ he pulls her t-shirt off, and taking off his own, throws them somewhere in the room.

  ‘Why do you wear a bra at night?’ he asks.

  ‘Usually I don’t but…’ she is just about to finish her sentence when Ved unhooks her bra and throws it away.

  They are almost naked.

  ‘You’re too fast. How many girls have you slept with?’

  ‘Shut up! I never think of the past. It was a nightmare,’ Ved looks a little serious, but as soon as Angira kisses him he forgets all his troubles.

  She doesn’t want to discuss the past either. She just wants to cherish these moments and share them with Ved.

  ‘But you look hot and attractive. Girls must surely check you out,’ she asks him again.

  ‘Do you think so? I have never turned up for any girl yet. You could be the special one. Now don’t distract me. I am not going to leave you.’

  He starts kissing her neck.

  She laughs and moves his hand away, ‘Ved, stop, I feel ticklish.’

  But Ved continues…

  Angira moans and grabs his shoulders. He gently puts his palms on her breasts and squeezes them.

  ‘Stop it, Ved. It’s hurt
ing…I am not well,’ she says.

  Ved moves his hands over her pants, and says, ‘I want to take this off.’

  ‘Not now…please!’

  He slides his fingers into her pants.

  ‘Stop it, please, don’t do that.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Please,’ she turns away. She seems nervous and looks like she is thinking of something else.

  ‘Why?’ Ved doesn’t want to leave her.

  ‘I may have my period. It may happen anytime. I am sorry,’ she looks embarrassed and apologetic.

  ‘Hey, don’t be sorry. I love you. Are you in pain?’ Ved understands.

  ‘Yes, my stomach is aching.’

  ‘I am so sorry, I didn’t know,’ Ved looks embarrassed.

  ‘Just chill, I am not sick. It just happens before chums. Hope you don’t mind seeing me like this,’ she smiles.

  ‘I know you are not sick, but I am concerned. I know it happens with a lot of women.’

  ‘Ahem, you know a lot,’ Angira looks at him. ‘Don’t worry. I will put a hot waterbag on my stomach and the pain will be gone,’ Angira says while putting on her clothes.

  ‘No, you sit. I’ll get it for you,’ Ved says while wearing his clothes.

  ‘Chill, I’ll get it for myself,’ she pulls him back on the bed.

  ‘Shut up. You lie down, I’ll get it. Just instruct me how to get through the mess in your house,’ he gives her a pillow and follows her instructions.

  He goes to the kitchen to warm some water. He comes back with a hot waterbag and a water bottle. A towel hangs on his shoulder.

  ‘You wet my bedsheet,’ Angira says.

  ‘I’ll change it,’ Ved says, feeling embarrassed.

  I should have worn a condom.

  ‘What are you thinking? Hey chill, that’s okay’ she says, teasing him.

  ‘Wait, I’ll change it,’ he pulls the bedsheet off.

  ‘That’s okay, Ved. I’ll do that.’

  ‘Will you please lie down for some time?’

  Angira lies on the bed. Ved takes the hot waterbag and then keeps it on her stomach. He looks over her till she sleeps off and covers her with a bedsheet, then checks her cupboard to get a pad for her. He searches the whole room but doesn’t find any. He risks breaking the protocol of a girl’s privacy and goes to Charu’s room. He opens her cupboard and takes the packet and keeps it on the table near her bed. He goes to the hall and watches some television shows.

  In a while, he too falls asleep after setting an alarm to go with Arjun to his event early next morning.

  Happiness Is Sharing Secrets

  The month of October arrives. Angira is spending a lazy Saturday night chatting with her friend from Delhi. Suddenly, Iona writes to her on Facebook. Though they hit it off quite well on the only night they had spent together in Delhi, they had sparingly kept in touch due to their conflicting schedules. She writes back to Iona, ‘Hey Iona, send me your number.’

  Iona responds promptly. Angira calls her.

  ‘Hey! How are you?’ Iona says over the call.

  She seems excited to hear from Angira. Angira hopes that Iona can come to Mumbai soon, something she had promised a long time ago.

  ‘I am good. You just forgot me. You are so mean,’ Iona puts the blames on Angira.

  ‘No, I still remember you,’ Angira replies playfully, poking fun at her. ‘I actually messaged you on the number I had saved that night. Turned out to be a wrong number thanks to us being completely buzzed at that unforgettable party. It’s like I can only remember a few scenes from that night and the rest have vanished like those smoke rings.’

  ‘Yeah, you were quite drunk that day. But that was an amazing night out! We were talking nonsense. Anyway, I have good news,’ Iona says eagerly.

  ‘Are you pregnant?’ Angira laughs again.

  ‘Shut up,’ Iona says lovingly. ‘I am coming to Mumbai for garba night next month.’

  ‘That’s great! Awesome news,’ Angira says excitedly. ‘I am missing you guys. I am bored here. Anushka is also coming next month. When are you coming exactly?’ she confirms the date because she thinks of inviting everyone to come to Mumbai around the same time.

  ‘I’ll be there on the first week of the next month.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘What happened,’ Iona questions.

  ‘Nothing, I’ll tell Anushka to come a week before. Then we can go for garba night together. Or the two of you can coordinate and reach Mumbai at the same time,’ Angira says, counting the days on her fingers.

  ‘Yes, that’s a good idea actually,’ Iona confirms her dates and makes a mental note to call Anushka after talking to Angira.

  I’m going to make that week unforgettable. I have heard so much about the garba night here. Angira plans it out in her mind.

  ‘Okay, done. So what else is happening? How’s life in Mumbai?’ Iona asks.

  Girls have so many things to talk, but Angira doesn’t know where to start.

  ‘Life is good. I met someone here,’ Angira says and before she can elaborate, Iona interrupts her.

  ‘Are you serious?’

  ‘Yeah, will tell you when you get here.’

  ‘You got lucky just on reaching Mumbai. I’m happy for you. Keep smiling sweetie,’ Iona laughs. ‘So, did you kiss him?’ she asks candidly.

  Times have changed—people exchange kisses before exchanging proposals.

  ‘I’ll tell you everything once you come here,’ Angira wants to keep it a surprise for everyone. Iona uses her sense and tries to guess what must have happened between them. Angira doesn’t want to tell anybody about Ved because of a few reasons. She doesn’t want Anushka and her mom to find out because they will call her back to Delhi. Whatever hurt her in the past was because of a guy, so she wants to remain cautious. It’s difficult to convince Indian families about a love marriage. Though Punjabi families tend to be liberal, her family is against the concept of a love marriage, just like Arjun’s.

  ‘So what’s his name, what does he do? At least tell me something. Now I am excited to know your story,’ Iona says, feeling happy for Angira.

  A month ago, Angira wasn’t even ready to believe in any kind of relationship and now she talks positively about love and relationships. She is enjoying her life.

  ‘His name is Ved Gulati and he is a football player,’ Angira says, describing how her relationship started in the first place.

  ‘And where does he live? Is he in Mumbai?’ Iona asks.

  ‘Yes. Soon, he is going to play for a Kolkata team as well. He is such a nice guy. Actually, we kissed last week. My roommate was out, so I called him for dinner and then unexpectedly things happened.’

  ‘Oh my god! You are such a fast ass. Did anything else happen?’ Iona teases her.

  ‘Nothing. I love him. He is such a sweet guy,’ Angira says and then realizes that she ended up revealing everything.

  ‘So what, if you love him you won’t have sex with him? Have you told Anushka about him?’ Iona says.

  ‘No, only Charu knows and now you. You and Anushka come to Mumbai, let’s meet up and then I’ll tell everyone. Please don’t tell anybody right now. I need to plan how to disclose this news the right way.’

  ‘Good idea. Sure, I won’t.’

  The new generation is growing and getting smarter at a faster rate. Now we have started talking about relationships openly with our families, which has helped resolved so many issues. Things will get even better once we can talk about sex openly without being judged.

  So It’s Just You and Me Now

  It’s been more than a week since Ved and Angira last met. Angira has been busy with her work, while Ved is getting bored sitting alone at home. He decides to call her to his apartment to spend time with her.

  ‘Are you sure? Have you told Arjun about us?’ she asks him.

  ‘He isn’t home,’ Ved replies.

  ‘Are you sure he won’t be home anytime soon?’ Angira asks one
more time.

  ‘He will be back early morning on Monday,’ Ved confirms. ‘At what time will you leave?’

  ‘Can we meet in the evening? I need to wrap up some work with Charu,’ she says.

  Charu shouts at the back, ‘Ved, please take care of her. Keep her in your control. She troubles me a lot these days!’

  ‘Just ignore Charu. She has gone mad,’ Angira says playfully.

  ‘Are you going to stay with me tonight?’ he asks her, planning to cook for her in case she stays over. Ved wants to take the opportunity to show off his cooking skills.

  ‘Are you inviting me, Mr Gulati?’

  ‘What do you want me to say?’

  ‘Invite me nicely,’ she laughs.

  ‘Angira. I’m going to kick your ass. Get up, breakfast is ready,’ Charu shouts from the hall.

  ‘Need to go. I’ll text you once I leave. And listen, I love you,’ she kisses him over the call.

  ‘Wait, what’s your favourite dish? I want to cook for you today,’ he asks her excitedly.

  ‘Are you joking?’

  ‘I am not a great cook but good enough to be able to feed you well for a lifetime as your life partner,’ he says.

  ‘These are false promises. Nobody does all this after the wedding,’ Angira tells him the truth about Indian husbands.

  ‘I will. I promise. You just need to stand by my side,’ he assures her and this means a lot to Angira.

  ‘Wow. You know all the tricks to impress a girl. Don’t be cheesy,’ she gets up as Charu has served her omelette for breakfast.

  ‘Okay, forget that. Now tell me what’s your favourite dish?’ he asks her again.

  ‘Cook anything you feel like. Let me see what you can come up with. By the way, I am totally impressed by you. Now let me go. Bye.’

  Ved cleans the whole house. Arjun is surely going to be shocked to see that he did everything on his own. Once he is done with his household duties, he calls Angira.

  ‘Where are you, Angira,’ he asks over the call.

  ‘I am on the way. It will take some time to reach there,’ Angira replies, her voice barely audible from a crowded bus.

  ‘Are you in a bus?’ Ved asks.

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Is it crowded?’ he is excited to see her but is also very concerned about her.