Chapter 29: Tomorrow

“Cabir’s crush?” Harshil asked, cocking his head to one side.

“Couldn’t have put it better myself!” Aakash slapped Harshil’s back.

“Yeah, what about her?”

“Well, today’s Monday, right?” Aakash enquired.

“Uh huh.”

“Yeah, so…you know that just like Cabir, Prisha too stays over at our place whenever she visits?”

“I think I know where this is going…” Harshil cracked a grin.

“So, Prisha’s coming on Friday. She’ll be staying for a week. Cabir is staying for two weeks. And he doesn’t know she’s coming!”

“Oh, what wouldn’t I give to see his face when he sees her!” Harshil broke into a fit of laughter.

“Right?” Aakash asked, eyes gleaming.

“Cabir will be soooo shocked!”

“Shocked at what?” A lazy voice drifted over. Cabir had stepped into the dining room and was making his way towards the kitchen.

“At my plan for getting you back for all those times you dumped water on me when I was sleeping.” Aakash replied coolly.

“And it’s one hell of a plan.” Harshil added on, completely unruffled.

“Dumped water? What water?” Cabir raised an eyebrow as he leaned onto the counter. He glanced at the mops in his friends’ hands and then the floor. “Well, you better clear up this water first unless you want Aanya to get back at you two.”

He shrugged and gave them a cheery wave before walking away.

“That little…” Harshil’s eye twitched in annoyance.

“Well, he’s right at least. Let’s get this done.” Aakash resumed mopping with renewed energy.

“Yeahhhhhh…” Harshil heaved a sigh. He rolled his shoulders and his damp shirt pressed into his back. “Oh, man…” He heaved another sigh. “It’s gonna be so damp and musty driving back.”

“That’s why you should never start a water fight in someone else’s home. I’m just gonna go change when you three leave.” Aakash beamed at him.

“Fuck off!”

*****

“So, you up for a guy’s day out tomorrow? For four?” Harshil asked Aakash as the two made their way across the dining room.

“You, me, Cabir and Aarav? Sure. What do you have in mind?”

“Oh, Aarav? Well, you can bring him along. That’d make five of us then.”

“What?” Aakash paused mid-step.

“Oh, I was planning to visit Jeet. Thought we could all go together.” Harshil shrugged.

“Wait…Jeet’s here? In Mumbai?” Aakash’s mouth formed an o.

“Do you two even keep in touch with Jeet and Jatin when I’m not around?!” Harshil looked astounded. “He’s been here for about half-a-week. I’ve been too busy and had already planned to visit you so I didn’t go to meet him!”

“Woah…well, what’s he here for? Work?” Aakash asked as he waved up at the stairs. The two women were climbing down while the two kids trailed behind, chattering.

“You do remember what he does for work, right?” Harshil asked sarcastically.

“He’s a soccer player.” Aakash shrugged.

“So, his club’s here for a friendly match with one of the clubs in Mumbai. It’s tomorrow. So, let’s go to the stadium at like…6:30 pm?”

“You’re going to watch a football match tomorrow?” Aanya asked. As she neared the two men, she wrinkled her nose. “Why is there a damp smell-” She paused as she looked at the drenched shirts of the two men, “Why are you both wet?! Does washing dishes entail taking a bath with clothes on?”

“Uh-” Aakash grinned sheepishly. “You know…just this and that.”

Aanya cast her husband an annoyed look at which he gave an abashed shrug.

“Well, anyway…about the match thing. I don’t like going to noisy stadiums as such but oh, well. Harshil invited so I guess, I’ll go.” Aakash shrugged. “7:00 pm, it is then.” He nodded at Harshil.

“I said 6:30, man.” Harshil gave him a ‘didn’t-you-hear-me?’ glance.

“Yeah, you said it. And you’re always late.” Aakash flashed a brilliant smile.

“F-” Harshil began…and immediately bit his lips. The glares by the two women made him cast a look behind them and spy the two children.

“A-Anyway, I’ll be on time. Or we’ll miss him.” Harshil informed.

“Huh? Won’t he be playing the match?” Aakash frowned.

“Dude…I don’t like crowded stadiums either. His match starts at 4 something…if we reach by 6:30, there should be enough time to catch him as he comes out. I mean, like a match of ninety minutes and the half-time break and stuff...he should be done by 6:30 pm. Plus, I’ll call him once to let him know that we’ll meet him outside.”

“Great. Aarav, you want to come?” Aakash asked his son.

“Um…dad. Actually, Saakshat invited me to go watch a movie tomorrow evening. I just asked Mom and told him that I would.”

“How long is Jeet in Mumbai?” Aanya asked.

“Two-three more days, I guess.” Harshil scratched his head.

“Fix a date when you meet tomorrow. We can all meet up. The kids haven’t met our oldest friends, have they?” Aanya told Aakash. “It’s been too long since we’ve all had a proper reunion.”

“I agree! It’ll be fun to see Jeet again!” Janya piped in.

“Great idea!” Aakash said. “Well, let’s ask Cabir if he’s free. He said he had to meet his client tomorrow.”

As the group was almost at the living room’s entrance, Harshil spoke up, “Cabir enjoys watching matches in the stadium. Let’s not tell him that we’re planning to visit after the match is over.”

He had on his mischievous smile and brought up a fist.

“Deal.” Aakash chuckled and bumped fists with him even as he winked at the living room door out of Harshil’s sight.

“Boys…” Janya sighed while Aanya gave an amused glance.

“I’m gonna tell Uncle Cabir.” Kavya piped up.

“Yikes! You heard me?” Harshil jumped.

“Oh, was that supposed to be a whisper?” A sarcastic voice was heard from the living room’s entrance.

Harshil staggered as Cabir appeared in front of him smirking.

“Well, lucky you. I have a meeting. I’ll be free late so won’t have time to reach the stadium early either. So, I’ll meet you guys at the stadium at 6:30 pm.” He poked Harshil’s chest, “And you better not be late tomorrow.”