Prabir swiftly drew back and stood at a distance from Bhargavi. "Yes! Please come in Paru," he said calmly.

"Bhaiya. Are you busy? Should I come back later?" Parul enquired.

"No! Tell me Paru. What is it. You look tensed," Prabir said genuinely.

"Bhaiya. When Som and Siya came, I was downstairs. I had left my phone in my room and Sarvesh kept on calling.

When I went back to my room and saw seventeen missed calls from him, I called him back instantly,twenty one times...four more times than he had called, but he won't receive my calls," Parul sighed sadly pouting.

Prabir roared into laughter. "Getting you married to him..."he held his belly and laughed hard to even breathe," It will be a living nightmare for me."

"How long are you gonna keep taking this shit from him Paru? You are not calling him back," Bhargavi said seething with rage.

She took her phone and called up Sarvesh. He received the call after a single ring.
" Hello!" Bhargavi said softly.

"Hello Di! How are you?" Sarvesh inquired cheerfully.

"Sarvesh. Why does every single thing you do... have to be so particularly designed to irk me?" Bhargavi replied back sounding more hurt than annoyed.

"So that complain box did complain about me?" Sarvesh quizzed sarcastically.

"She was with me, here in Prabir's room. She had left her phone behind...in her room.

And who the f*** are you to tell her what to do and what not do do? If she did complain about you, she did the right thing.

You know what, you are extremely immature, and insanely ridiculous.
If she is unable to answer your calls and calls you back later, what is the problem?

Why do you always act up like a cranky baby, who wants undivided attention. Does she have no other purpose in life...nothing else to do??" Bhargavi concluded bitterly and disconnected the call.

She hurled her phone angrily, which would have broken to pieces, if Prabir had not held a catch. 

"Ugh! That cantankerous mule," Bhargavi blurted irritated, while Prabir and Parul cracked up laughing.

Prabir ruffled Bhargavi's hair a little and inquired cheerfully," How irascible will you become in your old age Bhargu? Maybe I'll have to check your blood pressure six to eight times a day."

Bhargavi rolled her eyes at him coldly as he smiled warmly.

"Paru. Don't tell Sarvesh  anything about what happened in the evening or about Ziko. Okay? " Prabir said grinning at Parul.

"Okay! Bhaiya," Parul said gleefully before she left.

"It takes a mere fraction of a second to intimidate you Bhargu. This is not good for your own health baby," Prabir said softly after Parul's departure.

Bhargavi looked at him blankly, and bluntly stated," Prabir. Why is it that when people see a boy and a girl in a corner simply talking to each other, criticise the upbringing and tell bad things about only the girl's character ?

Why does the society treat boys and girls so differently?

Sarvesh can't treat Paru like this.
He thinks she is a weakling, a complain box. She is not his babysitter, Prabir. She is not responsible for helping him grow up as a man. When I asked her not to call back, why did you ...? " she paused unable to continue.

"Bhargu. They need to figure this out themselves. We must not get involved every single time.
Paru needs to know...how to handle Sarvesh or she should let him go.

If it becomes unbearable for her to let him go, then she needs to take the initiative to change him as a person. It will be difficult I agree,but it's not impossible.We all change with time. She needs to let him know his limits. She will learn eventually, that willingly giving him an upper hand and compromising with everything is not how a relationship can work.

Yes! I know that the way...the society treats boys and girls is not equal, and that is the reason why Baba and I are so worried. If people find out that you are staying here, they are bound to make a fuss.

Still it's a humble request Bhargu, don't let anger get the best of you. When you are in the grips of such a powerful negative emotion, it can destroy your relationships and be fatal for your own health," Prabir mumbled.

She kept staring at him with affection, lost in his enchanting eyes.

"Bhargu. Maa is devasted, please call her once," Prabir pleaded.

"What if she asks me to come back home? I can't risk... letting her know that I was stabbed," Bhargavi replied back seriously.

"Bhargu. She will plead you to come back. Ignore the request and divert the topic to something else. Leave the rest to me," Prabir insisted.

Bhargavi called up Ms. Nalini. She was overwhelmed to hear Bhargavi's voice.

"Hello! Maa"

"Bhargavi?!"

"Yes! How are you Maa?"

Bhargavi could hear Ms. Nalini hiccup and sob, overwhelmed with emotions.

"I am a terrible mother Bhargavi. I am sorry for everything."

"No! you are not. Now please stop crying and tell me what were you doing?"

"I ...umm...I...nothing"

"Maa? Were you crying?"

"Nope! I...I was... What were you doing?"

"I just had vegetable soup."

"I don't think I deserve forgiveness but will you be able to forgive me Bhargavi ?"

"Maa. There is no need to apologise. It's okay."

"Did Prabir convince you to call me? When will you come back home my child?"

"Yes! He did. I will be back Maa but till then take care and don't cry."

"You too take care Beta (child)."

Bhargavi disconnected the call and smiled at Prabir.

"Good! Now you rest for a while. I'll go and make preparations for dinner," Prabir said gently caressing her face.

"Prabir. Thank you," Bhargavi whispered.

"For what?" Prabir enquired seriously.

"For being so patient and understanding always.

You did not like it when I held the blade at Ziko's throat,or when I threatened Mayank saying that I will drill holes in his head, there are many things you don't like about me but you never yell at me or admonish me before others.

You certainly are trying to change me in your own ways, with unconditional and immeasurable love. 

Thank you for being YOU," she smirked.

Prabir had a dead serious expression on his face. "Bhargu. If I don't like ten things about you, there are a million  more things that make me love and admire you.

You did not like the idea of Paru calling back Sarvesh...this very evening, but you said nothing till Parul left.

You always treat me...the way you want to be treated. If you think, I am wrong, you try to rectify me but not before anyone, as you can never bear to see me feel humiliated.

I never want you to be submissive...a bootlicker.

Bhargu...I appreciate your boldness, your impudent nature, as well as your gracefulness and felicitousness.
I will forever be beholden to you Bhargu,for loving me beyond measures," he went on enthusiastically.

******
When Mr. Banerjee returned home, he enquired Prabir instantly as he opened the door," Prabir what did you  think?"

"About what Baba?" Prabir enquired quietly.

"Are you both willing to get married?" Mr. Banerjee quizzed seriously.

"Baba. I need some time to think," Prabir replied earnestly.

"But you love her Prabir, don't you? Then why don't you want to get committed?" He inquired curiously.

"This is not about commitment Baba. She has her responsibilities and I have mine. None of us have even completed our Masters program yet.

Yes! Both of us work part-time but that isn't enough. Now that I have taken up the additional responsibilities of Mayank's Maa, I indeed will have to bust my buns," Prabir whispered.

"I understand your concerns Prabir, but we can't keep Bhargavi trapped here in a room. She needs to attend classes for the next two years.

Even if you both get married, you can continue with your classes and work, it won't be a problem," Mr. Banerjee sighed.

"I have spoken with her Baba. Either she can go back to her home, else I'll arrange her stay as a paying guest for girls." Prabir replied sadly.

Observing that Prabir was not considering marriage at the moment for whatever reason it maybe, Mr. Banerjee did not want to push the matter any further.

They all sat down to have their dinner, with Mayank and Bhargavi also joining them on the table.

"Bhaiya. Everyone keeps reminding me that I am short. And that stupid Sarvesh feels entitled to keep patting my head like I am a puppy.
I always have to be on my toes to reach out to the books... I need in the library or ask for someone's help and it is totally not funny when Sarvesh rests his arm on my head, and I look so tiny in every photo with him," Parul rattled on wistfully.

Mr. Banerjee sighed," Paru. You can never stop whining about something or the other."

"Prabir. I think you should add some fertilizers in her shoes," Bhargavi insisted seriously, making Mr. Banerjee spit out some water on Prabir's face who was seated opposite to him.

"Di?! Am I a sapling?" Parul protested as Mr. Banerjee bellowed.

Prabir wiped his face with a kitchen towel and smiled," Thank you Bhargu."

Mayank, who never had spent time with his family at the dinner table was overwhelmed with emotions. He was used to eating alone.

"Paru. Being short in height is not a sin. It's an irony that you always keep pinpointing petty things without focussing on the bigger picture.

Look Paru, one thing compensates for the other, you may not be tall and slim like the other girls you want to be...but there is no point in comparing yourself with others. Everyone is unique and our physical appearance should not define who we are.

There is nothing great about being tall. How you accomplish great feats is what actually matters," Prabir stated.

"There's only one more point I would like to add," Bhargavi said with a dead serious expression," As stated in the Prabirian theory, one should not talk non-stop about one's to be...future husband all the time sitting at the dinner table." Everyone was convulsed with laughter as Parul blushed rosy pink.

Mayank had no idea that Bhargavi had this side, that she was so incredibly funny and hilarious.

Later during the night, when all were asleep, Prabir slowly whispered Bhargavi's name before opening the door and slowly approached her.The lights in the room were turned off though she was awake, seated erect on the bed,staring at the darkness, outside the window.

"Bhargu? You're still awake? You took your meds?" Prabir enquired concerned.

She nodded in affirmation and then mumbled," I will really miss you, Parul and Uncle once I leave.

I can never imagine to crack up such a joke before Maa...ever. When any aunty in the neighborhood, would report about me to Maa, noticing me just randomly talking to a guy or shaking hands with him, I didn't just have to give an explanation but was thrashed as if I had committed a crime.

It feels strange at times that only three of us stay together as a family - Maa, Bhawani and me, but are unable to share our opinions, our worries. I always felt like I am an odd person in that family...I don't belong...

When I informed her, that I will be staying at your place, I imagined that I'll be brutally beaten up but it was the very first time, she did nothing...when I said that I will share your sister's room. And surprisingly, even when she sees me hug you now...she says nothing." 

Prabir scooted to turn on the lights and remarked her carefully.

"Bhargu. The auntie's who complained about you, might have added a lot more than what actually happened.

You know Maa's nature, she won't listen to you or even think once before reacting. She would assume that the lady objecting to your behavior is an elderly person and won't be lying.

Yeah! She has seen me hug you several times but never objected because she knows that we both love each other and are pretty serious with this relationship. This is not just an ordinary infatuation.

You belong to me Bhargu. I am your family. You can share your darkest, deepest secrets and desires with me.

Okay! Try to get some sleep now," Prabir whispered softly and switched off the lights again before going to bed.

She rested her head on his shoulder as he gently stroked her hair. Very gently he placed his right arm on her back.

"Does it still hurt Bhargu?"he enquired. Though she flinched, she refused to admit that it hurt. He drew his hand off immediately, murmuring " Sorry!"

She lifted her head and gently pecked on his lips, continuously for six to seven times, till he lightly kissed her and pleaded," I know you would love to stay awake all night, maybe for a thousand nights but if you don't sleep now Bhargu, I won't take you out tomorrow.

I am planning to take you out for sometime in the evening as your days are getting as dull as ditchwater."

She smiled brightly and finally was in the arms of Morpheus, when Prabir very cautiously got up and left the room.