Started Typing On - 03/03/2019

Chapter 71- 'My Clown'

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Author's Pov:

On their sixth day in New York, Kiaan woke up early like always. It's strange because he wasn't an early riser until he graduated, that's when life got serious. For work issues, he's made himself step out of the bed even if it was cursing his boss who paid him. Unlike going to school or University, he always had his mum, Roshni to wake him up. Sometimes sweetly, stocking his hair whispering, 'Get up son,' and sometimes shaking his shoulders, pissing him off and taking the blanket of his cold body. One way or another, he got up.

On the other hand, Jaanvi loved sleeping. It was the opposite because you'd expect a girl to wake up early compared to a guy in a relationship, or in general but she doesn't care. The only time she'd wake up by herself was if her father, Ansh, had an important meeting to attend early in the morning, then she'd wake up and sometimes make sandwich for him-which he always did by himself. He didn't like disturbing anyone, least Juhi because it wasn't her job to provide him food according to Ansh-and kiss his cheek before he left, muttering a small 'good luck,' or waking up to check on her old grandma. Otherwise she'd a lazy sleepier.

He yawned, walking out the bedroom, rubbing his still sleepy eyes. Opening up the living rooms curtains and windows to let the light and air in, Kiaan walked into the kitchen to make morning tea. "Wasi toh, she doesn't deserve getting greeted by morning tea for annoying me last night but I'm nice." He muttered under his breathe, turning the stove on.

(Wasi toh doesn't mean to be honest but it kinda goes like that in this sentence or it could go like, 'Or if I look at it like that'----Sorry, I suck at translating Hindi into English or English into Hindi.)

The water was boiling up, ready for the milk to be poured in when he heard the bell followed by a knock on his door. Who'd knock after ringing the bell? Stupid. He thought, narrowing his eyes in a little annoyed way. Walking towards the door, he stopped noticing his white T-shirt, grabbing it in his hand, he quickly wore it but leaving two buttons open since he felt hot. Straightening up the shirt, a smile curved in his thin lines lips, 'how many white shirts do you have?' he remembered his wife's words, mocking it into her voice in his head.

Hearing the knock again he rolled his eyes, not liking the impatient person already, who stood across the door. Unlocking the door, his hand clutched the door knob tightly, opening it wide. Oh lord. The first person he saw in the morning was Tina. Why did I NOT see Jaanvi's face in the morning? Now my day would be ruined. He forced a frustrated smile her way, taking small steps back, praying she doesn't hug him or Jaanvi would murder him alive before ripping his heart out.

Two girls should never fight over one day. In the end, the guy is with the black eye. He remembered Aarav's lecture from university. "Hi!" she squeaks louder than needed, obviously so Jaanvi could hear it. I thought my horoscope said I'll be fit, safe and happy this years, doesn't seem like it. He put an awkward thumbs up seeing Tina's -waiting-expressions on her face. What the fuck am I doing? Thumbs up? To a girl?

Tina giggles, making Kiaan confused. He looks down at his thumb, turning it into a fist, not angry fist, just the one we make when we're in an awkward situation or want to fidget with something. Jaanvi didn't even smile at my sandwich joke and she's giggling at my thumbs up? Justin Bieber I totally support your song 'What Do You Mean,' women are impossible.

He couldn't help but think about a joke he told Jaanvi when he was fifteen.

"Let me tell you a joke." They, Jaanvi, Kiaan and Dhruv sat inside Jaanvi's bedroom, doing their homework. Well, Jaanvi and Dhruv were, Kiaan just lied to his parents and Ansh saying he'll help the two since he's done the same assessment two years ago.

"Dhruv tell your brother to shut up." Jaanvi dropped her head on the desk, acting like she'd totally over Kiaan's antics on trying to speak to her or get her to talk to him.

"I gave up thirteen years ago." Dhruv replied, rolling his eyes.

"What? So you gave up on him straight after mum gave you birth?" Kiaan asked, not happy how his brother supported Jaanvi. "Now listen," He gave his brother a quick, -You-better-laugh-look before saying, "Jaanvi, so have you ever eaten a sand before?"

She shook her head negatively, "Ever ate a witch?" he pressed, making the situation look more dramatic then it was. She shook her head into a 'no,' again. "Haven't you ate a sandwich before?" He laughed, earning a -are-you-ok-look- from the other two.

Jaanvi looked at Dhruv, clearly annoyed. He passed his hard covered book to her, "hit him. Please." To which she nodded, grabbing the book, ready to hit him when he ran away. Jaanvi ran behind him yelling "Idhar aa tu! Idiot, 'haven't you ate a sandwich?' who says that?" (Come here, you.) She mocked, copying his tone exactly the way he said it.

Even now he smiles remembering how childish he was, and even now is with her. If you'd contact his high school classmates or university friends they'd all describe him as 'mysterious' or, 'quiet.' Or even 'dark,' at times. Always serious. If they see this side of his they'd be shocked. Jaanvi brings out the childish me out of this adult body. His smile faded away from Tina's voice.

"Oh my God, Kiaan. You look so hot in this t-shirt." If only Jaanvi ever complemented me like Tina, showering me with unwanted complements ever two second. He forced a pleasing smile, nodding and shaking his head.

"You're just being nice." Or flirty he wanted to add but stayed quiet.

"And you burnt the tea! It's all over the gas." He heard Jaanvi's annoyed voice from behind. Turning around, he noticed there stood Jaanvi in her black night gown, glaring at him as she tied the knot of the gown in frustration. Can you burn the tea? It's like she read his expressions, which is why she added, 'Not burnt bu-but l-like." She moved her fingers around, annoyed not being able to express herself, "It's just-ruined!" she finally gave up, ready to dig her sharp fingernails into her soft palms.

Without even greeting, she stormed into the kitchen, Kiaan gave Tina a small smile, telling her to sit down while he also walked into the kitchen.

"Now who will clean this mess? Me. I just woke up, thinking Mr would be bring tea but no! And the first thing I have to do before having a shower is clean this, not that I mind but ser--" she was angrily talking to herself when Kiaan walked in, scratching his neck, guiltily before interrupting her. 

"Hi." He waved, when she looked back.

"Why is she here?" She asked, scrubbing dried stove with a wet cloth.

Ignoring her question he asked, "Were you saying you missed my morning tea? Are you used to it, wife?" His brows shoot up. He looks genuinely surprised, all the earlier frustration from last night leaving his body.

"I have to clean this." She pressed, trying to divert his attention to the mess he had created.

"So you did miss my morning teas." He finishes of the sentence with a statement rather than a question. His eyes flash. He looks very pleased with what she said few minutes ago without realising he was behind me, listening, and her cheeks are going hot. So embarrassing. She thought, thinking of how to change the subject.

"What is she doing here?" She questioned, her one eyebrow arching, indicating it's not a good sign for Kiaan's wellbeing.

"T-tha--" he paused, tapping his hands on his thighs, trying to think of what to say. "she just came." He quickly said, looking everywhere in the kitchen expect Jaanvi.

"Just like that?" She further asked, washing the cloth who had turned brown by now from the teas colour.

"Yeah, I mean, how else are you supposed to come?" He questioned back, staring at her back.

"You," she pointed at him. "-will tell her to go, or shoo her away quickly, I'm telling you, she's trouble. Your sister's favourite trouble bag." Jaanvi said what she felt, not liking how Tina kept interfering in their life indirectly. Having a crush on Kiaan is fine, but she should understand he's married, god he's in his honeymoon! What if we were busy? She shouldn't have come without informing.

"Why are you bringing my sister in this?" he questioned, honestly, a little pissed. He accepts how his sister had accused Jaanvi of stealing her jewellery but he couldn't understand how Tina's visit had to do anything with his little sister.

"You can't see this but your sister isn't a fan of me."

"And neither is Tina."

"Excatly! You just accepted it yourself." She held the wet cloth in her hand, gazing at Kiaan. "Fine, talk to her, feed her, I'm just going to maintain my distance." She walked out the kitchen, into the balcony to place the cloth into the hanger, not before muttering a small, 'I'll get you water,' to Tina. Jaanvi doesn't want to pick up unreasonable fights or arguments with Kiaan but she can't also forget how mean Tina was when they were kids.

"So Kiaan," Jaanvi heard Tina's voice as she was walking inside the living room, going into the kitchen when her eyes fell on Tina's hand, and leg. Where is MY KNIFE? Tina was sitting beside Kiaan on the couch, but facing him. Her one hand on his, and her leg little on top of his leg, blowing up Jaanvi's head.

By now Kiaan hadn't noticed Jaanvi, but he noticed Tina's intentions. Feeling awkward, he slightly moved her leg away from his, shuffling to the corner of the touch, creating some safe distance. "-we all walked over and noticed Mrs Johnson--" she shuffled closer.

Kiaan was about to get up and move away when Jaanvi sat on the wooden armrest of the couch beside Kiaan. She placed her hand on Kiaan's shoulders, looking at Tina with a smug smile, "Sorry, I just couldn't hold myself back after hearing Kiaan's teacher's name." I hope Mrs Johnson was his teacher? Kiaan leaned back, his back touching Jaanvi, making her roll her eyes. Overacting. She thought, plastering a smile on her face.

He sat there, carefree now, just loving how close Jaanvi had sat to him. His legs wide open, how guys usually sit, his expressions bored, not interested in Tina's blabbering. Each passing second, Kiaan was leanig backwards into Jaanvi but stopped feeling her palm on his back, strongly and firmly pushing him forward. He gazed a little to his right to see her pass him a -don't-you-dare-look, making his scowl. Unromantic women.

Tina wanted to make Jaanvi jealous, she was even succeeding but everything turned upside down seeing how close Kiaan and Jaanvi looked to her. She thought maybe creating a little drama could help ruining the couple's relationship, but seeing the lack of attention she received from Kiaan she texted Kajal.

Tina- He would never leave Jaanvi. You were wrong.

Kajal- What do you mean? Try! My brother wouldn't spend his life with a spoilt brat like her!

Tina- Maybe you just don't know your brother! To me he seems happy. I'm done. I'm not going to waste my time, definitely not behind a married man who ignores me.

With that Tina excused herself, walking out the house lying about having an 'important work to attend.' As soon as she left Jaanvi elbowed Kiaan, making him groan in little pain, "Make me tea." She ordered like a queen, leaving him alone in the living room while she went inside the bedroom to make the bed.

I was better single. He shook his head, smiling though, as he walked inside the kitchen. Jaanvi opened their bedroom curtains, letting the strong sunlight embrace their large master bedroom as she arranged the bed properly. She saw her husband's green top, laying on the floor. He probably took it off at night. She folded it, putting it inside the washing machine before turning her switched phone on.

It wasn't even something big but her heart beats were going fast, seeing the bright black Apple logo she waited for the phone to turn on. Typing away her passcode she saw messaged from Aditi and one from Rashi.

Hesitating before pressing on her cousins name, she sighed, it read.

Rashi- It's ok. Thanks. Please ask him to cook-

And there was a long list of curries she'd named. Just reading her response hurt Jaanvi. "She doesn't care about my apology. She still cares about the food." She lifted her hand up a little, rubbing it into her nose to push away the sad feeling. "I'm not staying in New York forever, she knows I'm coming back yet she sent me those curry names." Inhaling sharply, she jumped onto the bed, her back touching the wall. "Good." She whispered.

"Good Ma died." She said after a long pause, staring at the blank screen of the TV in front of her. "She wouldn't have liked Rashi. Or Jay. Or Juhi." It was the first time Jaanvi had ever called her aunty from her name. After being through so much, she never dared to pronounce her name. Maybe Kiaan had influenced her, or many she saw her family's true colours. "Selfish. Rashi is selfish. If everything is according to her, it's good otherwise she's unhappy. Like those spoilt brats. Jay. Young boy-young adult, hit's the gym, wastes money on parties but can't or should I say, too busy to help my papa shop for his own sisters work. Their mother, the most jealous women I ever saw. Good, good, I'm glad Ma's not here. Good." She muttered, shaking her head, putting her warm palms into her face, to wipe away the tears which were threatening to fall.

"And in between them, papa, dadi, (grandma) and I are stuck. No, I was stuck, until now."

"There is your special tea made by this soon-to-be thirty year old man." Kiaan walked in, holding the tray with two cups of tea in his hand with style. His bright face smiling widely as he approaches her quickly, making Jaanvi smile at this behaviour. Bowing down as he passed her the cup of tea, he held her hand, bring it closer to his lips. Pecking them softly he muttered, "This poor man would love some kisses if you love the tea, your highness."

She giggled, but didn't take her hand off, of his. She nodded, taking the sip of the tea as he sat in front of her, weakly smiling when she wasn't looking. He had heard everything she said while he was walking in. Stopping at his steps, he felt ashamed of himself for telling Jaanvi to apologise to Rashi. Rashi doesn't even deserve it. This is why he walked in such a way, bowing and all to lift her mood up.

By now he had realised on thing, the broken relationship between the Ahuja cousins couldn't be fixed. It was too deep now, too late to repair.

And in that broken, sad, boring life, walked in my clown. A clown I'm not scared of. Kiaan. She thought, lifting her curly lashes up after taking a sip of her tea, watching him as he watched her, both smiling.

Married My Enemy