Chapter 41: Uninvited Guest

Aakash was washing the dishes when the doorbell rang.

“So soon?” The spectacled man tilted his head as he looked at his wife, who was wiping the table.

“Ah…” Aanya glanced at the time; it was barely 1:30.

“Go on, go on.” Aakash motioned, “Leave the chores to me. I’ll clean the table right after I’m done with these dishes.”

Straightening up, Aanya came over to wash her hands as Aakash made way for her. Casting a helpless smile at her husband, she quickly made her way out to the living room, pulling her long, wavy black hair smoothly into a ponytail along the way.

After she crossed to the other end of the living room and opened the door, Aanya smiled brightly, “It’s so nice to see you-”

“…Cuz you wanna get screwed?”

Aanya gaped as unexpectedly, a familiar grinning face came into view.

As she stood surprised for a few moments, Cabir grabbed the chance to add another jab, “Look…it’s impolite not to let me in. I did refuse your ‘invitation’ but still, we are friends, aren’t we?”

“Impolite?” Aanya spoke slowly, gathering her wits. “I don’t mind it.”

With that, she closed the door in his face. Turning around, she went back to the dining room, leaving a speechless Cabir outside. Within moments, he began ringing the doorbell repeatedly.

“What happened?” Aakash asked, quite surprised as his wife came back while the house resounded with the sound of the doorbell.

“An uninvited guest; he’ll see the door is not bolted when he begins banging on it.” Aanya spoke indifferently, flicking the switch which controlled the bell. The sound immediately stopped.

“Oh.” Aakash nodded knowingly before wetting the cloth for cleaning the dining table.

“I’ll do it since Jui isn’t here yet.” Aanya reached out.

“No need.” Aakash shook his head, “Just go look over your files in case you need something for your work.”

“Shouldn’t be much. Jui has the necessary files…” Aanya trailed off, “But yeah, I guess I’ll at least bring my laptop.”

“Mmm.” Aakash nodded with his usual, easy-going smile.

“Switch on the doorbell’s power after the buffoon comes in.” Aanya reminded him before she ascended the staircase.

*****

“Why is she so childish?! She’s around forty for god’s sake!” Cabir yelled as he collapsed onto the sofa in the living room.

“…Don’t you think that coming from you…it’s a bit hypocritical?” Aakash shook his head at his best friend as he entered the room, drying his hands on a handkerchief.

“Henpecked husband.” Cabir glared at him.

“I don’t see Aanya anywhere that’d indicate I’m intimidated.” The spectacled man shrugged.

“You are so scared of her that you take her side even when she’s absent.” Cabir scoffed.

“I’m analysing objectively. You’re just too easily annoyed.” Aakash shot right back.

“Screw you.’

“Rejected.”

“That’s not what I meant!” Cabir erupted.

“Karma’s a bitch.” A clear feminine voice sounded near the door.

“Screw-” Cabir stopped himself in time.

“Lucky,” Aanya was disappointed as she entered with her laptop. “I was looking forward to you completing that phrase.”

“You…”

“Dad, Mom, Uncle Cabir!” A youthful voice called out loudly as he marched into the room.

“Hmm?”

“What is it, Aarav?”

The three adults looked at the excited teenager who stopped, feeling the atmosphere in the room. His gaze locked onto Cabir’s deflated shoulders just as the man perked up.

“What happened, kiddo? Tell us!” Cabir urged him, a big smile plastered on his face.

“Did you get bullied again, Uncle Cabir?” The boy tilted his head at him, instantly seeing through his fake energetic act.

“Gah!” Cabir threw his hands up in the air. “I’m going to go change!”

“Wait, wait, wait!” Aarav stopped him. “There’s a new movie releasing on Friday! Can we go and watch it? Please?!”

“Which movie?” Aanya asked, an indulgent smile on her lips.

“It’s-”

Just then the doorbell rang loudly.

“It’s her!” Aanya exclaimed. “Aarav, we’ll talk later; it’s a meeting, okay?”

“Okay, Mom!”

Even as Aanya kept her laptop on the table, she motioned to the man sitting on the sofa, “Cabir, shoo! I have an important guest!”

“What the f-” Cabir began even as the woman swept towards the door. “What is this?! Unacceptable behaviour!” Cabir whispered in a stern tone to Aakash even as he stood up from the sofa.

“You don’t like it?” Aakash asked.

“Who would?!”

“The front door’s always there if you can’t take it anymore.” The professor just smiled at him genially.

“You little-” Cabir stopped when he saw Aakash’s eyes become serious. He turned to see Aanya letting in two women.

“Ah…you?” The blonde woman in the lead stopped in surprise as she stared at Cabir.

“Hello, Ms. Jui,” Cabir nodded at her with an affable smile, “This is a pleasant surprise.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” The woman snapped back to her senses and lightly inclined her head, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“We’re all old friends.” Aakash smiled, “Please, make yourself at home.” He gestured towards the sofa. As Jui returned the smile, Aakash’s gaze landed on the other young lady behind her.

His eyes promptly narrowed.