⚠️This chapter has mature content. Read at your own risk.

***

D: It was used for every scene except the liplock.No vfx, no body double..it was me and Sweetu. Infact we shot the scene only with Senthil and Raj as we are both shy. Real kiss. It took us 72 takes to get it right you know? We shot some more footage also but it was edited because of length of the movie.

Ab: Oh I c...

D: Yes. Sweetu put strawberry flavored lipstick that day and I love strawberries. I bite and chew them whenever it is kept infront of me. That day her lips reminded me of strawberries.

He said casually as he scooped more ice cream into his mouth.

Ab: Hmm...

D noticed a change in the guy's expression, he went from chirpy to dull it gave D a sense of winning and he took out his score sheet again to update.

D: Do you know Sweety's favourite colour ?

Ab: Mmm...black...I've seen her photos she wears black most of the time.

D: Hahahaha no you are wrong that is my favourite colour! Sweety's favourite colour is white. She wears the colour I love and vice versa. Oh and one more thing...

Ab: What is it ?

D: Sweety likes to be tickled. I do that a lot to her then she begins to laugh aloud and she doesn't stop.

He received a glare from the Ab but that didn't stop notorious Pabsu pa from irritating him simultaneously adding points under his name in the scores.

D: When we went to Switzerland to shoot, it was extremely cold Sweetu was freezing inspite wearing tons of thick clothing she began to shiver then I hugged her tightly to keep her warm and she felt better. We know each other for so long afterall if I don't do this much then what's the point in me being her best friend right ?

Abhinav was fuming inside which was visible on his face. He didn't say anything.

D mv: Hahahaha we didn't even go to Switzerland together but mental fella is believing all that I say... oh no stupid petty guy!

D: Mmm...Bangaram is a very nice...

Ab: Hang on ! What is bangaram ? I hear you keep calling her that.

D: Bangaram. That is what I call Sweetu, nickname I kept for her. It means gold. She is a gold so. She calls me Pabsu or Pupsu. Cute no ? She loves puppies and I am a puppy for her so she calls me like that. Actually there is another secret name, she loves it when I call her that but no one knows.

Ab: (Eyes widened) What name is that ??

D: Mmm...secret... Bangaram will kill me if I tell it out.

Ab: But I'm going to be her fiancé soon ! I should know !

D: Mmm ok in that case I will but promise you won't tell anyone?

Ab: It is a shame for me only if I tell it out. I won't.

D: Still I need promise...

Ab: (Rolling his eyes)Promise promise...

D: Ok. I call her pussy cat when we're alone.

Ab: Chi ! Wth!! I know Sweety she is not like that. You're making up things!!

D: Well... you don't believe me.. I'll prove it to you...

Just then Sweety's brother called them in. and they went. When Abhinav got busy talking to her parents and brothers, D went to S.

D: Sweetu, Sweetu... I want to tell you something!!

S: What Pabsu ??

D: You know I heard there is a restaurant in Bangalore where they cook pussy cats. We have to go and try them my friends said it is delicious!

S: Ooowack chi Pabsu... you eat all these ?? Yucks! I am not coming... you also shouldn't go.

D: But its very tasty they said bangaram...

S: No Pabsu... no way !

D mv: Hee...hee..hee... my plan will work out now.

S: Ouch !

She felt something fall inside her eye and she rubbed it.

D: What happened ?

S: I don't know my eyes...it is burning.

D: Wait let me see...

He spread her eyelid open and blew air to clear off the particles. Her sis-in-law came in search of her.

Sil: Sweety... sweety...

She stopped when she saw DS together.

Sil: What are they doing ?? In public ?? Chi...chi...chi...

From the angle she stood she saw their heads tilted and mistook that they were kissing. She shook her head in dismay and went off.

S: I think it's fine Pabsu... I can see now. Thank you.

D: Mmm... wash your eyes in cold water you'll feel better.

After sometime Abhinav approached D.

Ab: You said you would prove something. Show it to me.

D: Oh yes... of course...

He called out to Sweety who was standing at a distance adjusting her saree and talking to her mother and sil.

D: Sweety.... pussy cat...

He called out to her. S who was thinking D wanted to take her to try cat meat threw an admonishing look at him.

D: Saw that... she's pissed that I called her with secret name in public.

Abhinav's face became pale.

D: Wait, let's try one more time... Sweety pls Sweety I beg you pussycat... just once..pls...

He bit his lower lip and made a face like he was begging. S shook her head in denial eyeing him to behave as people were around. No way she would eat cat meat nor allow him to. Involuntarily, she pulled up her pallu at her chest which further became a plus for D. He continued to stir Abhinav.

D: Saw that ? I needn't say more but anyway I'll say. Sweety is a very shy person she doesn't like such open talks and behaviour in public but I had to prove our bond to you as you are going to be her would-be.

Abhinav became speechless. He didn't know what to say or react. D decided to give him the last punch. He pushed his empty ice cream cup to Abhinav's hand.

D: Have the ice cream bro...

Abhinav looked at the cup which was licked clean not even a speck of ice cream was left. It was as if a brand new cup.

Ab: But there is nothing left in this. It is empty.

D: Yeah.. I relished everything. Only empty cup is remaining for you.

D made a slurping sound and rubbed his mouth with the back of his palm. Abhinav looked at the cup in his hand and then at Sweety and then back at the cup and then at Sweety. He swallowed hard. D noticed that and laughed inside. He patted Abhinav's shoulders.

D: Hope everything is clear now. All the best bro! See ya!

He winked at Abhinav who stood shell-shocked and then turned and strode off majestically. He took out the tissue paper from his pocket and updated the score. His eyes twinkled in ecstasy.

D: Petty fella-4, Pabsu pa 100! Abhinav clean-bowled. Winner is: Pabsu pa !!!!
Jahanpanah tussi great ho !! Tofa kabul karo!!

He mouthed a dialogue from
his favorite 3 Idiots movie congratulating and thanking himself. Tossing the paper into the rubbish bin, D wore his shades in style giving a victory smirk.

Young Rebel Star, Thug life ! 😎

***

"Congratulations Abhinav ! Your wife has delivered a healthy baby boy. She is fine. You may go in."

Abhinav was over the moon when he heard those words from the doctor. He rushed in and saw S clasping a bundle to her chest and smiling at it, her hand holding a tiny palm which peeked out of the white cloth and she kissed it every now and then. He smiled as he walked towards and extended his hands to take his little one. She handed him and he cradled it in his arms. He pushed the cloth slightly aside to take a look at the baby's face. To his horror, he saw a dark and attractive child like lord Krishna with a mischievous smile playing on his face. Neither was he dark nor his parents. Neither was Sweety nor her parents. How is it that his child looked totally different from them ??But that face was very familiar. He had seen that features, that sharp eyes, pointy flared nose and killer smile somewhere. He couldn't recall. He had to think. He closed his eyes for a moment and an image flashed before him.

He snapped his eyes wide open and looked at the child who was grinning at him the same way. He screamed and dropped the bundle which was caught in time by S. Baby began to wail. S kissed and caressed the baby once he was alright she glared at Ab with blood-shot eyes.

S: You sinner! How could you be so heartless to drop your own child ??

Ab: It is not mine !

He shook his head nervously.

S: Yes it is yours !

Ab: Noooooooooooo !!!!!!!!

He held his head in his hands and pulled his hair. Suddenly the baby, this time dressed in Amarendra costume, jumped out of her arms and walked towards him.

"Daddy !"

Ab: Huh...uh... no I am not your daddy !

"Yes you are my daddy!"

Abhinav fell to the ground and slithered backwards as the kid advanced menacingly towards him.

Ab: No pls stay away from me ! Don't do anything to me pls !

He moved until his back hit the wall. He couldn't escape. He was cornered. The baby stretched his arms and gripped Abhinav's neck strangling him.

"You are my daddy!"

He coughed and gasped for air yet wouldn't admit that it was his child.

Ab: Nooooo !!! I am not your father but I know who he is! That buffoon friend of your mother, whom the world hails as Bahubali...he is your daddy... you are his blood...don't come to me...nooo....nooo... nooo...!!!

Ab saw S who was looking on proudly as little Amarendra attacked him.

"Fine! You die then !!!"

Ab: Aaaahhhhhhh !!!!!!!!

Abhinav jerked awake and looked around him. He was in his room on his bed. He touched his neck no one was strangling him but he was panting and sweating. A nightmare it was. He took deep breaths to calm himself and gulped water. He felt better and fell back on the pillow. He tossed and turned trying to get sleep.

"Sweety.... sit here....buy a big cot for 3 of us... ice cream... pussy cat... bangaram...he is very attached to her...they are best friends...."

All these overlapping voices echoed at his ears. He opened his eyes and sat upright. Massaging his temples he thought,

Ab: This nightmare shouldn't continue. I should have a peaceful sleep for the rest of my life. I have to do something. I will do it.

Pulling the quilt over his head, he went back to sleep.

At Sweety's home:

D overcome by guilt was pacing up and down in the balcony of his room.

D: Chey... so silly of me. I behaved like an imbecile. Who is he ? Soon to be Sweety's husband. How could I say bad stuff to him or things that never happened between me and Sweety ? That could affect her married life in future. Ohh how could I do such a cheap thing ?? If Sweety or her family knows what would they think of me ? Bangaram will hate me for ruining her happiness and her family will lose their faith in me. I can't let that happen. I have to apologize to Abhinav, say that everything was made up by me and Sweety is innocent. He might slap me or whack me it is alright I will take it all mistake is mine. Tomorrow is the engagement. Let it go smoothly later I will personally apologize to him. If need be, I'll move away from bangaram, forever. She has to be happy. That is all I ask for.

He took his phone and gazed at the wallpaper.

The battery was low.