Chapter - VII - The Girl Next Door

April 15th, 2017

Aalochna (on phone): Hey Dhruv, you love me.

Dhruv (on phone): How’d you get my number?

Aalochna: You love me. (Aalochna hangs up)

Dhruv (to himself): What is up with this girl? (Dhruv searches on the internet for - A girl keeps on saying that I love her but I don’t what should I do? As he reads the result) Congrats! what are you doing, taking this for granted. This is a once in a lifetime chance. Just go with the flow. (slamming the phone on the bed) What is this, I don’t love her.

Khushboo (in kitchen; shouts while laughing): But she knows you do!

[Rizwan and Rozee reach their destination, there they see a moving van and beside it a welcoming couple with their daughter – Aalochna. Rozee comes to her].

Rozee: Aalochna what are you doing here?

Aalochna (points at the flat above Rozee’s flat): We have bought that flat, and now we’ll be living there, but I should ask you what are you two doing here together? (Rizwan and Rozee blush)

Rozee (surprised; pointing at Aalochna’s flat): Really that flat.

Aalochna: Yep that one it is.

Rozee: That flat is directly above mine.

Rizwan: What a coincidence.

Rozee: There is one more coincidence (to herself) or that was foreshadowing.

Rizwan: What?

Rozee: You said we might find Aalochna here and we did (both laugh).

Aalochna’s mother: So, you are her new friends.

Rozee: Yes.

Aalochna’s mother: Who is that faithful person she thinks is in love with her now?

Aalochna: Mummy! (Aalochna leaves)

Rozee: You know about her passion of that sorts!

Aalochna’s mother: Yep I do, I bet it’s not this boy.

Rozee: No, it’s not him but your new neighbour.

Aalochna’s mother: You!

Rozee (points at Dhruv’s flat): No but you see that flat there the boy who lives there, he’s the one.

Rizwan: We are going to his home let’s take Aalochna too.

Aalochna’s mother: Aalochna, come here.

Aalochna: What is it?

Aalochna’s mother: Your friends are going to give you a great surprise.

Aalochna: What is it - I love surprises.

Rizwan: What about Dhruv?

Aalochna: You are a silly boy, he loves me.

Rizwan: That means you don’t love him. (Aalochna is speechless).

Rozee: Anyway, let’s go.

[They all go to Dhruv’s place. They are standing in front of their door].

Rozee (in Aalochna’s ear): Keep him busy for a minute. (to Rizwan) Bye I am going.

Aalochna: Bye.

Rizwan: Bye but why are you leaving?

Rozee: You’ll know, now just ring the doorbell. (Rozee leaves)

Aalochna: I’ll ring it!

Rizwan: Ok.

Aalochna: Not ok I am the only one who’ll ring it!

Rizwan: Go ahead, ring it as much as you like.

Aalochna: I shall ring it not you.

Rizwan: Okay ring the bell and get over with it.

Aalochna (ringing the doorbell): I’ll ring it!

Rizwan: Finally. How does Dhruv put up with her?

Aalochna: Because he loves me.

Rizwan: Yeah! we know that already.

[As the door opens they are shocked seeing Rozee opening the door and behind her their teacher Khushboo].

Rozee: Welcome to sis’ home.

Khushboo: This is the first time my students have come to my home. I feel like crying.

Rozee: Come in have a seat.

Khushboo (sad): Rozee you are saying all that I want to.

Rozee: Ok, let’s do this again. go out both of you.

Aalochna: Dhruv loves me.

[Dhruv in his room]

Dhruv (to himself): Did I hear Aalochna? this couldn’t be, how’ll she come here.

[Khushboo opens the door]

Khushboo: Welcome, kids, come in, have a seat.

Aalochna: Where’s Dhruv. (Rozee leads the way)

Rizwan: I just want to know why Dhruv lives with you and how did Rozee open the door?

Khushboo: First make yourself comfortable.

Rizwan (sitting down): Tell me Ma’am.

Khushboo: Don’t call me Ma’am here, sister will do, it embarrassing to hear, being called Ma’am outside the school. Tell me what would you like to have?

Rizwan (shy): You are being awfully kind to me.

Khushboo: Oh! I’m just like this.

[In front of Dhruv’s room]

Rozee (to Aalochna): You be quiet. (to Dhruv) Open the door, I need to enter, close your eyes.

Dhruv: Why do I need to close my eyes?

Rozee: Just do it.

Dhruv: Ok, but I have a bad feeling about it.

Rozee (while entering): Don’t worry, something really - good is going to happen.

Dhruv: I don’t trust you on this. Now can I open my eyes.

Aalochna: Yes, you may.

Dhruv (while opening his eyes): What happened to your voice? (eyes now opened) Ah! No, no this can’t (jumping from his room to Rozee’s room) I am out of here.

Aalochna (caught his leg; didn’t let him reach Rozee’s room): No, you don’t.

Dhruv: What have I done to deserve this!

[In living room]

Rizwan: So, I take it Dhruv must be your husband.

Khushboo (laughing): No, silly boy, he’s my brother.

Rizwan (to himself): I’ve been hearing this a lot lately. (to Khushboo) And what about Rozee.

Khushboo: For that go there (points the way to Dhruv’s room. Rizwan leaves. To herself; aloud) Wow! My students have come to my home to study yeah! First, I should make some tea.

[Khushboo goes to the kitchen. Dhruv’s room].

Rizwan (shocked seeing Dhruv being pulled in from the window by Aalochna and Rozee laughing; shouts): What the hell! Aalochna what are you doing!

Aalochna: Can’t you see I’m pulling him in, he was trying to run away.

Rizwan: He’ll get hurt, Rozee why are you just standing here and laughing?

Rozee: Rizwan, he won’t get hurt compared to Khushboo sis’ rage this is nothing.

Rizwan: Rage? She is as kind as a con man.

Dhruv (being pulled in): Don’t call my sis a con man.

Rozee: Not cool Rizwan.

Rizwan: I didn’t mean it like that.

Aalochna (pulling Dhruv in): Then what did you mean?

Rizwan: I was just - wait a minute we are getting of topic here.

Rozee: No, this is the ‘topic’.

Rizwan: Sorry okay sorry. Maybe I’m not good at comparing things.

Aalochna (pulls Dhruv in; to Rizwan): Yes, you’re not.

Dhruv: let me go! (Aalochna leaves him) I could have died back there.

Rozee: You think we wouldn’t let that happen.

Dhruv: Why are you all here, especially Aalochna.

Khushboo (in living room; shouts): Come here all of you, have some tea.

[All coming in]

Dhruv (coming in, seeing Khushboo smiling to herself): Why is she so bubbly?

[All sit, Aalochna jumps on the seat besides Dhruv].

Aalochna: Dhruv loves me.

Khushboo: I won’t mind Aalochna as my sister-in-law (except Dhruv everyone laughs).

Dhruv: Don’t you start with it.

Aalochna: Hey since we all are here I have a query.

Dhruv: It must be something like me loving you.

Aalochna: I don’t need any queries for that because I know that you love me (Dhruv sighs, Khushboo laughs).

Aalochna: You guys are in the same class as Shagun, right?

Rizwan: Yeah, we are so?

Aalochna: You noticed how mean and rude she is to Vinay.

Rozee: That she is, but how come you’re so interested in it?

Aalochna: Because I saw love for Vinay in her eyes.

Dhruv: I saw it too. (to himself) She’s becoming a love guru all of a sudden.

Rizwan: And Vinay is kind to her then why would she be rude to him?

Khushboo: You guys have exams coming up don’t you, so stop with this soap opera and tell me your doubts.

Aalochna: Who said we have doubts. Does anyone of you have any doubts?

Rizwan: No.

Khushboo (angry): Then why’d you come?

Aalochna: I don’t know, I was invited here.

Rozee: Rizwan and I came here to hangout and on the way, we meet Aalochna and invited her too.

Khushboo (angry): Then go home and study or you’ll fail.

Dhruv: Sis, don’t be a party popper.

Khushboo (enraged): What did you call me!

[Dhruv tries to run away but Khushboo grabs him and throws him out of the window, Aalochna jumps after him. Rizwan is frightened. Khushboo and Rozee sit calmly and enjoy the tea].

Rizwan (shouts): OMG!

Khushboo (sipping the tea): Don’t worry Rizwan, Dhruv and Aalochna will be fine.

Rizwan: How can you sit calmly and drink tea after throwing your brother. And Rozee you too.

Rozee (sipping the tea): Cool down Rizwan nothing will happen to Dhruv.

Rizwan: What about Aalochna then?

Khushboo: He won’t let anything happen to her either.

Rizwan: Sorry but I’m worried so I am going to check on it.

[Dhruv slams open the door with Aalochna in his arms fainted, not from the fall but from being in Dhruv’s arms].

Dhruv (enraged): What the hell sis, you drank my tea also!

Rizwan (runs towards him): Are you alright man, do you not realise that you were just thrown out of the window.

Dhruv (putting Aalochna on the sofa): I don’t mind that, but my tea, my tea!

Rizwan (shocked): You are worried about the tea!

Dhruv (sitting down): Hey, Rizwan can I have your tea.

Rizwan (still in a state of shock): Yeah of course. But there’s Aalochna’s tea also so - (turn around and looks at the tray) Oh, you drank it already.

Dhruv

: Rizwan you look pale I think you should go home now. Should I accompany you?

Rizwan (still shocked): No, I’ll go myself.

Khushboo (stands up): No, you won’t I will take you home. Until I come take care of Aalochna.

Rozee (in sync with Dhruv): Ok.

Dhruv: I have an idea let’s sprinkle some water on her face so that she wakes up.

Rozee: Ok I’ll just bring some.

Dhruv (with a naughty smirk on his face): No, let me.

Rozee: No, Dhruv no whatever you are thinking I won’t let you do it.

Dhruv: Please, I just want to throw a bucket full of water on her so that she wakes up.

Rozee: No.

Dhruv (sighs): I’m going to my room. (He stops as he is pulled) Now what is it? (Dhruv is shocked).

Aalochna (pulling on his shirt): Bring the bucket. I am ready.

Dhruv (smiling): You sure are diligent.

Rozee (imitating Dhruv): Your love has come sweet heart (all laugh).

[Around 6 o’clock Kanika and Sahil are in a park]

Kanika: Look an ice cream stall, let’s go there.

Sahil (while walking to the stall): So, which flavor would you like?

Kanika (blushing; while walking to the stall): Anyone will do if you’re the one giving it.

Sahil: So, how about chocolate?

Kanika: Ok. (they reach the stall and finds Ishita with a guy there).

Sahil: What are doing here and who’s he? 

Ishita: Arnav - We are going out

Arnav(in sync with Sahil, to the vendor): One chocolate ice cream please (both laugh).

Kanika (to Ishita): Why they are ordering only one ice cream?

Ishita (to the vendor): Please make it four ice creams.

Arnav: No.

Ishita: Yes! (they all go and sit down on a bench and eat their ice cream). Isn’t this tasty.

Kanika: Sure is.

Arnav (sad; eating the ice cream): Could have been more if we shared.

Sahil (sad; eating the ice cream): Yep

[Later that evening, Rozee, Aalochna and Dhruv are at their room’s windows, talking].

Aalochna: I think we should go and meet Shagun tomorrow and ask her about it.

Rozee: I’ll ask others, if they want to come but anyway I am and (loud) Dhruv are definitely - coming.

Dhruv: Even if I say no, I know I would be dragged to Shagun’s place (all laugh).

Khushboo (shouts): Either you study or go to sleep!

Dhruv (without thinking): Shut up! Oh no, bye guys remember me.

Khushboo (shouts): Dhruv!

April 15th, 2017

[In Aalochna’s house. After midnight]

Aalochna’s mother (to her husband): Wake up! I hear noise coming from Aalochna’s room.

(wakes up, hurries out of the bed): Lets hurry, I hope it’s not what we think!

Aalochna’s mother (heading to Aalochna’s room): I’m scared.

Aalochna’s father: I’m also scared but we must be strong for our daughter. I’ll call the -