"Bhaiya, ullu na banao. Daily aapse hi khareedti hoon..."
("Don't fool me, brother. I buy from you every day.")
Mrinal said with an annoyed scowl as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, trying to keep her bag from slipping off her shoulder.
The vegetable vendor looked up from arranging his carrots and gave a half-smile, scratching his head.
"Aree didi, kya baat karti ho! Aaj hi to dusri mandi se yaha shift hue hain... thodi to lajja khao."
("Oh sister, what are you saying? I just shifted here from another market today... have some shame.")
Mrinal rolled her eyes and crossed her arms tightly, her tone turning sharp.
"Lajja nahi, tamatar khaungi main. 40 ka lagate ho to theek, warna rehne do."
("No shame. I'll buy tomatoes-only if you give them for 40. Otherwise, forget it.")
The vendor gave a frustrated chuckle, trying to keep the deal alive.
"Accha thike, 45 de dijiye... ab khush?"
("Okay fine, give 45... happy now?")
He smiled nervously, assuming she would budge.
But Mrinal's face hardened. She raised her eyebrows and said,
"40. Na ek upar, na neeche."
("40. Not a rupee more, not a rupee less.")
The vendor sighed in defeat and started packing.
"Accha thike, le jaiye..."
("Alright fine, take them...")
On the Other Hand...
"Sir, 950 rupees," the sales assistant said, handing Tej his sleek, eco-friendly shopping bag filled with polished vegetables at Nature's Basket.
"OK... I will pay online," Tej replied with a nod, tapping on his phone as he turned toward the escalator.
Descending with poise, he stepped into the parking lot, unlocked his luxury sedan, and gently placed the bag in the passenger seat. Adjusting his sunglasses, he slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and leaned back as the air conditioning cooled his face.
Five minutes later - CRASH!
A sudden jolt rocked the car. A screech of brakes. He shot forward in his seat.
He looked up - a scooty had collided with the front bumper.
And off it tumbled - poly bags strewn, tomatoes rolling like marbles, onions bouncing away.
And standing in front, raging with fury - Mrinal.
Her eyes blazed, her hands clenched into fists. Tej gulped visibly, taken aback by her fury. Mrinal, fuming, parked her scooty roughly to the side and stormed toward him.
She knocked on his window, hard.
"Kholiye!"
("Open up!")
Tej, frozen, blinked and then rolled the window down silently.
"Bahar aaiye."
("Get out.")
Mrinal ordered, jaw tight.
Without a word, Tej stepped out of the car, straightening his shirt.
"Dekho-" he started, his hand raised slightly, trying to defuse the situation.
But she cut in immediately.
"Pehle main bolungi."
("I'll speak first.")
Her voice sliced the air like a blade.
"Bhaang pike gaadi chalate h kya? Ya apni badi si gaadi ke aage sabko keeda makoda samajhte h? Abhi marr jaati main... phirrr... meri mummy ki beti banke pahunch jaate aap unke paas!"
("Are you driving after drinking bhang or do you think everyone in front of your big car is an insect? I could've died just now... zoom... you would've gone to my mother as her daughter!")
Each word hit harder, her volume rising, hands gesturing wildly as her earrings jangled with every head shake.
"Dekho, ye galti se hua... sabzi hi to hai, phir se khareed lo. Don't overreact."
("Look, it happened by mistake... it's just vegetables, buy them again. Don't overreact.")
Tej said calmly, but his tone held firmness.
Mrinal huffed, her nose flaring.
"Wow! Sabzi hi to hai, phir se khareed lo... Jaan hi to hai, wapas le lo! Baccha hi to hai, phir se paida kar do! Sab mazaak lagta hai aapko!"
("Wow! It's just vegetables, buy again... life is just life, get it back! A child is just a child, make another! Everything's a joke to you!")
Tej stared at her, stunned. How was this small incident becoming a life-or-death courtroom drama?
He took a deep breath, pulled out his wallet, and without a word, handed her two 500 rupee notes.
"Take this and buy your veggies. Keep the change to yourself. And now, let me go."
He said sternly.
That was the final straw.
Mrinal's nostrils flared, her voice rising.
"Samajhte kya h aap khud ko? Kahi ke Ambani ho kya? Hadd hoti hai! Bilkul! Nahi chahiye mujhe aapke paise! Rukiye aap!"
("What do you think of yourself? Are you Ambani of somewhere ? This is the limit! Absolutely! I don't want your money! Wait right here!")
She grabbed his wrist.
"Chaliye aap... ab dilwayi mujhe sabzi! Nikal wau aapki saari hekdii!"
("Come with me... now you'll buy me my vegetables! Let me crush your arrogance!")
She started dragging him by the wrist toward a sabzi vendor.
"Aeee! Chhodo mujhe! Kya kar rahi ho?!"
("Hey! Let go of me! What are you doing?!")
Tej protested, pulling back.
Mrinal leaned in close and whispered coldly with a smirk,
"Agar awaaz nikli to sabko chillake bol dungi ki ched rahe mujhe! Yahi izzat ka falooda-rayta ho jana hai, main keh rahi hoon... jaisa keh rahi hoon waisa kariye." Shanti se .
("If you say a word, I'll scream and tell everyone you were harassing me. Your honor will turn to complete chaos. Do as I say.")
Tej clenched his jaw. He was boiling, but said nothing.
They reached the sabzi vendor.
"Bhaiya, tamatar kitne ke hain?"
("Brother, how much for the tomatoes?")
Mrinal asked sweetly, flipping her braid behind her shoulder.
"60 ke hain didi."
("60, sister.")
The vendor said, eyeing Tej's clothes curiously.
Mrinal turned to Tej and whispered, her eyes sharp.
"Maine 40 ke liye the bargaining kariye ... aur lijiye, 40 ke."
("I bargained for 40... now go get them for 40.")
Tej looked around, completely baffled.
"Pagal ho gayi ho? I can buy this whole market, aur tum mujhe bargaining karne ko keh rahi ho?"
("Are you insane? I can buy this whole market, and you're asking me to bargain?")
He whispered, trying not to draw attention.
"Aap karte hain ya..."
("Will you do it or...")
Mrinal began, raising her eyebrow.
"Bhaiya, 40 ka de dijiye."
("Brother, give them for 40.")
Tej blurted out.
Mrinal smirked. Tej shot her a glare.
The vendor scratched his neck, eyeing Tej's watch and shoes.
"Sahab, aapke liye 55 kar denge. Usse kam nahi."
("Sir, for you, I'll do 55. Not less than that.")
"Okay, to aap kar di-AAHH!"
("Okay, then you do-AAHH!")
Tej cried out as Mrinal pressed her heel into his foot discreetly.
"Bhaiya, 40 ka de dijiye na..."
("Brother, please give them for 40...")
He added through clenched teeth.
The vendor laughed.
"Didi, kyun sahab ko dara rahi ho? Itne acche pati mile hain aapko... woh kanjoosi nahi kar rahe, to aap kyun kar rahi ho?"
("Sister, why are you scaring your husband? You've got such a nice man, he's not being stingy, so why are you?")
Mrinal turned sharply toward the vendor, fire in her eyes.
"Mere pati main darau, maaru, todu, pyaar karu-tumhe kya? Tum apna kaam karo aur shanti se tamatar 40 ke do."
("Whether I scare, hit, break, or love my husband-what's it to you? Just do your work and quietly give me the tomatoes for 40.")
The vendor, intimidated, quickly packed the tomatoes.
Tej stared at her, stunned.
Husband?
She turned to him, eyes sharp.
"Kya hai? 'Pati' bolne se ban nahi gaye jo ghoor rahe h."
("What? Just because I called you 'husband' doesn't mean you've actually become one, so stop staring.")
Tej sighed and gave up on logic.
They picked up a few more vegetables, each one a new level of mental torture for Tej.
He finally paid the vendor.
Back at the car and scooty, Mrinal put her veggies on her scooty .
And came towards him ..she took out 350₹ fron her purse and placed them in his car .
"Har cheez paise se nahi khareedi ja sakti, sir... tameez naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai. Ainda se dhyan rakhiyega."
("Not everything can be bought with money, sir... there's a thing called manners too. Remember that next time.")
And with that, she spun on her heel and left.
Tej watched her disappearing figure, speechless.
He looked at the money she had placed back in the seat...
Then, silently put it into his wallet...
...and drove away.
-----------------------------------------------
College
Keerti was walking down the corridor, her expressions tensed, lips pressed into a thin line, irritation evident in the way her eyebrows furrowed. She clutched her books close to her chest, lost in thought.
Mrinal, noticing her best friend’s sour face, leaned slightly towards her.
“Kya hua, ye muh kyun sadaye hai?” (What happened, why the long face?) she asked, eyebrows raised.
“Aaj hum saath mein nahi baithenge…” (Today we won’t be sitting together…) Keerti muttered, her lips forming a small pout. “Upar se un ladko ke saath baithna padega…” (And on top of that, I’ll have to sit with those boys.)
Mrinal rolled her eyes lightly, trying to ease her friend’s worry.
“Arey, par class to same hi hai na? Aur tu itni tension mat le… bas kuch din ki baat hai. Project mein busy ho jayenge to pata bhi nahi chalega kab time nikal gaya.” (Hey, but it’s the same class, right? And don’t stress so much… it’s just a few days. Once we get busy with the project, you won’t even realize how time passes.)
Keerti nodded reluctantly, though her shoulders were still tense, as they reached the classroom.
Inside, she saw them the four boys already seated. Two on one bench, and the other two right behind them. She hesitated at the doorway for a fraction of a second before walking in, her footsteps careful.
She chose the seat next to their bench, comforted by the fact that she was at least alone. Placing her bag on the desk, she adjusted it neatly, trying to calm her nerves.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. She looked up and flinched slightly. Sameer stood there, leaning a little too close, his smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Sir asked to sit together in groups,” he said casually, but there was a glint in his eyes that made her uneasy.
Keerti’s throat went dry. “But… we are sitting together, na? There was no space, that’s why I sat here. You guys are already on two benches, it’s fine… Sir won’t say anything.” Her voice was low, shaky.
Ashish, sitting on the other bench, leaned forward. “Dude, you can’t sit alone. You can sit with Sameer, or come to my seat. Or we three can sit together.”
A bead of sweat slid down Keerti’s temple. Without another word, she moved her bag, making space for Sameer to sit beside her. Her hands gripped the edge of the desk, a faint tremor in her fingers. She didn’t know why, but their smirks unsettled her the kind that wasn’t friendly.
From the doorway, Mrinal noticed Keerti now seated beside Sameer, with Ashish sitting alone behind them. She had just started walking toward them when Agastya entered the class.
His sharp eyes scanned the room. “Good. You all are sitting with your teammates,” he remarked, his tone neutral but authoritative.
As he began teaching, Keerti tried to focus on the board, forcing herself to write notes. But she could feel it a pair of eyes on her. Slowly, she turned her gaze just enough to confirm, and caught Ashish staring. The moment their eyes almost met, he looked away, pretending to listen to the lecture.
She quickly grabbed her water bottle, taking a long sip to distract herself. But before she could put it back on the desk, she felt it a hand brushing against hers.
Her breath caught. She froze.
Sameer’s fingers wrapped around the bottle. “I was just taking the bottle to drink water,” he said, voice low, lips curling into another smirk.
Her heart pounded in her ears. “Oh…” she managed, pulling her hand back and sliding further away from him, trying to put space between them.
Sameer glanced down at the hand that had touched hers, his expression dark with a hint of something unpleasant.
By the time Agastya finished the class and began packing up, Keerti was barely listening. Two minutes later, she quickly stood, her movements almost hurried, and left the room without a word to anyone.
Her eyes darted around the corridor, searching until she spotted Agastya’s tall frame walking toward his cabin.
Her footsteps quickened. Her breath was uneven.
As he stepped into his cabin, she didn’t wait she pushed the door open abruptly.
Agastya’s head snapped toward her, his expression instantly sharpening.
“Are these your manners, Miss Keerti, to enter your professor’s cabin without permission?” he said coldly.
Realizing what she had done, she stepped back, closed the door, and knocked softly before asking to enter.
“Come in,” came his crisp reply.
She walked in, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, beads of sweat forming along her hairline. She drew a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
“Ab aap bolne ka kasht karegi, Devi ji?” (Now will you take the trouble to speak, Your Highness?) Agastya asked, his gaze fixed on her face, trying to read her.
Keerti’s eyes flickered from his to the floor. “Sir… wo… I wanted to change my teammates,” she said in a shaky tone.
Agastya studied her for a moment, then let out a short, sarcastic chuckle.
“Why not, Miss Mishra? Kal ko aapko aapke professor change karne honge… phir kuch din baad college ke dean… Sab aapke according hi toh hoga. Agar aapko college ka interior change karna ho toh bataiye we’ll change that also for you.” (Why not, Miss Mishra? Tomorrow you might want to change your professor… then the college dean… Everything will happen according to you. And if you’d like to change the college’s interior, do let us know we’ll change that too.) His tone was firm, almost cutting.
Her eyes glistened, unshed tears threatening to fall. She swallowed hard. “Sir… I am not comfortable with them, that’s why I’m saying this. I’ll work with any other group, whoever you say… just change them. I can’t work with them,” her voice trembled, the helplessness evident.
Agastya’s expression hardened. He stood up slowly, walking toward her. His gaze was intense, and the closer he got, the faster her breathing became. She instinctively took a small step back.
His voice was deep when it came, close enough for her to hear every word.
“Miss Mishra… padhai comfort-discomfort dekh kar nahi hoti. Aur nahi aap iss university ki most special student hain… toh khud ko itna importance dena band kijiye. Jo team aapko mili hai, unke saath kaam karne pe focus kijiye.” (Miss Mishra… education doesn’t happen by deciding what’s comfortable or uncomfortable. And you are not the most special student of this university… so stop giving yourself so much importance. Focus on working with the team you’ve been given.)
He returned to his chair, dismissing her with a look.
Keerti’s vision blurred slightly from the tears that finally escaped. Without another word, she turned and left his cabin, her footsteps quick and heavy.
“I didn’t ask you to leave, Miss Mishra” his voice followed her, but she didn’t stop.
_______________________________
How was the chapter guysss ??
What are your thoughts about those boyss ?