KKB (A mysterious love story) (Part 22)

Hey guys! I’m back! Sorry for leaving. I was having a lot of issues regarding my health and my studies. I hope you all can forgive me.

Ep-22: Phone call

Manvi

If hell was an actual place on Earth, it would be the Mehra-Kohli household. The amount of times Manvi had to hear someone shout, “JUST LISTEN” would now cross thirty or something. Then again, she was friends with someone like Anamika, so her tolerance was higher than what people thought. Right now, she was in the kitchen. Why? Because the damned family members were too busy arguing with each other to clean the damn kitchen, and Manvi, being the clean freak she is, was not ready to see a messy kitchen for the rest of the day.

"I DON'T CARE IF SHE'S AN IMPORTANT BUSINESS ALLY! I AM NOT LETTING A COMPLETE STRANGER STAY IN THE HOUSE!", an old woman shrieked.

"BUT PALLAVI, JUST LISTEN, I-"

"Oh, that is it!", Manvi threw away the blue rag she was using to wipe the counter and went to the living room, where the family members were. Two women were screaming, and two girls were lazing on the couch. They were wearing headphones, clearly annoyed by all the shouting and drama.

"Hey HEY!", Manvi practically yelled to get their attention.

"Oh, hello, there.", a man with whispy greying hair and glasses waved back at her.

"Um, hello", she replied, clearly flushed by the sudden awkward silence, "Okay so, I've heard what all of you have been screaming about, AND Anamika and I will leave, but any sign of disrespect will end up with you people crawling on your knees.".

"You can't do that!", a woman wearing a saree screeched. "This is OUR house! OUR HOUSE, alright. You two are the guests. YOU should leave.".

The lion, the witch and the audacity of this b**ch.

"Shush, Pallavi.", a kind looking elderly woman said, "They're our guests. We should treat our guests with respect.".

Of course, Manvi didn't know this angel, but if she did, she'd probably do everything and anything to protect this kind soul.

"Dude,", a lean and good-looking guy took out a wireless earbud from his right ear, "I get that you're annoyed with all this stuff going on, but can you please not disturb the drama going on. I've missed this for YEARS.". He grinned.

"Oh so, them planning to throw us out is entertainment to you?", she cocked her head to the side. The guy smirked, clearly amused. "Well that's what happens when the family practically sidelines you and your mother for, like, twenty years, so yeah. Deal with it, I guess". He popped the earbud back into his ear and turned his attention to his phone.

That insufferable, dumb, cute, hot bastard!

Wait, wait, wait, hot? Cute? What the hell, Manvi.

She mentally gagged. Ever since Vihaan - her ex from high school- she'd clearly developed bad taste.

The girl with wavy hair took off her headphone and sighed. "I'm so sorry you're going through this. More specifically, I'm sorry that you have to listen to them.". She ignored the look of disapproval Pragya(Anamika/Prachi's mom) sent towards her. "Anyway, I'm Rhea.".

"Well, hey Rhea. I'm Manvi. Anamika's PA"

"Sup, you listen to Taylor Swift?"

"God, who doesn't!"

Rhea grinned. Manvi liked this girl. Then she remembered that this is the same girl who tried to ruin Anamika's life.

"See!", she turned towards the other girl who had straight girl, "I told you that people like Taylor's music!".

The other girl rolled her eyes. "No way, Doja Cat rules.".

"Nuh-uh, Shahana.", Rhea responded, "Taylor Swift"

"Doja Cat!"

"Taylor Swift"

"Doja Cat."

"Nope, you're both wrong.", a lean and young guy plopped down onto the sofa beside Shahana. "Rihanna is the best.".

"What's going on?", Anamika walked down the stairs. Ranbir Kohli tagged along with her. Manvi was not at all ready to let her stay in the same room as the guy who practically messed up her life, but at the same time, she did not want to deal with Anamika's constant childish nature of not eating proper food.
Manvi snorted. What's going on? Ma'am, you just woke up from a panic attack. "Nothing,", she replied, "Other than the fact that these people are planning to throw us out.".
Anamika shrugged, "Not like I'm interested in staying. We can leave right now.".

Manvi rose an eyebrow. This girl was far from looking ready to go out. "You're in your pajamas.", she pointed out.
"I know."
"So change from your pajamas."
"I know."

If you're wondering how to define our relationship, this is how:
Anamika: I know exactly what I'm doing.
Manvi: She has no f**king clue about what she's doing

God forbid the amount of times I had to save this idiot's hide.
"Let's just go.", Manvi pulled her and walked up the stairs.

Anamika

It's alright. Everyone gets panic attacks. No shit sherlock, yeah, I know.
Anamika wanted to punch that idiot when he told her that. Like she doesn't know?
Anyway, getting ready was not the hard part.
The hard part was seeing the people she really did not want to see.

Pallavi was a menace. Period.
Mitali, no idea. Literally!
Ranbir, a god-damned hopeless lost case who seriously needed to move on because she already did.

Of course, she wasn't dating anyone, but a girl doesn't always need a guy to prove her worth. A girl needs her intelligence and success to prove her worth. That was what Netra told her.
"Hey, your phone's ringing.", Manvi handed her the phone.
"Who's it from?"
"I don't know. Unknown number, apparently."
Anamika groaned. "Let's just hope it's not Arjun calling from another phonebooth in the country.". She already had Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Tripura, Chennai, Pune and Punjab's ones saved.
She swiped up the receive sign and put it to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Ms Singhania or whatever your name actually is."
Cold rage and fury seemed to churn in her.
"Mr Raichand, ", she said with venom lacing her voice. Catching Manvi's eyes, she gave her the signal. Lock the windows, doors, whatever there was.

She could practically hear him smile.
"Is there a reason behind this call? Our meeting ended long ago."
"Oh I know about the meeting, but it's not that."
"Really? Then, pray tell, why have you called."
"I heard that my wife has been sent to jail."
"Oh, is that true, now.", she feigned surprise, "How sad. That's your third wife, am I right?"
"Cut the crap, Anamika or whoever you actually are.", he spat out. "Let her out."
"Oh, I'm sure she can do that on her own, knowing her history with jail."
"I'm giving you an ultimatum, Anamika.", his voice came off with an edge, "Let Tara out in the next twenty-four hours, or you'll regret it.".
That made her laugh, and she laughed out loud.
"Why should I? Give me a proper reason."
"That is a proper reason, although....", he kept quiet.
"Although what?", she hated the way desperation creeped into her voice.
"Although, I wouldn't trust so many people as you do."
"Why are you afraid? That's a nice joke, Deep Raj Singh."
"No, I'm saying that because someone you know has already betrayed you.", Prachi drew a sharp intake of air. "And betrayal never comes from your enemies.", he added before cutting the call.
With a trembling hand, she threw her phone at the wall.

Just when I thought I was getting ahead of him.

Manvi looked at her with a poker face. "Are you alright."
"No, Manvi, I'm not", she whispered.