The Mridangist - Part 5

Disclaimer: The story is a figment of my imagination. The characters and incidents does not relate to anybody.

Please find the previous parts here (Previous Parts)

“Boyfriend??” - Abhi asked with his trademark crooked smile. Sathvika ignored him and swiped the phone once to answer the call. Abhi opened his mouth to say something but Sathvika silenced him with one dirty look. Abhi's smile widened and he shrugged nonchalantly.

“Hello, am I talking to Sathvika?” - said a deep voice from the other end of the phone.

“Hello. Yes.” - said Sathvika politely.

Before Sathvika could speak further, Vidhyuth jabbered away - “Hi Sathvika, this is Vidhyuth Kaustuban here. My sister told me that you'd called the other day. Like she said, I am free on March 14th and will be able to play for your concert. She also said that you are going to have the rehearsal tomorrow. Can you tell me the exact time and venue?”

Sathvika was dumbstruck at the rate of his speech. She took few seconds to comprehend what Vidhyuth had said. She played his words more slowly in her mind and understood what he wanted.

“Hello.. Are you there?” - Vidhyuth asked.

“Oh oh, yes. 5 in the evening. I'll text the address to you in sometime. Is that fine?” - Sathvika hastened to say.

“Perfect!! see you tomorrow. Bye.” - he said and disconnected the call.

Sathvika looked at her phone for a second before putting it back into her bag. “Was it a lightning call?” - Abhi asked, raising one eyebrow. She turned and found that he was studying her face curiously, leaning on the gate.

“No no. Its the mridangist guy.” - she said distractedly and added - “Ok. I am leaving.”

“Hey waitt.” - he said. He bustled forwards and stood in front of her bike; placed both his hands on the handle bar as if he wanted to make sure that she doesn't leave before he was done with her.

Sathvika looked a little taken aback and frowned at him. “Are you a full-time dancer?” - he asked breezily, raising his eyebrows twice in quick succession, beaming. Sathvika couldn't help but notice that he was always full of expressions when he spoke.

“It hasn't got anything to do with you, does it?” - she retorted, flaring up.

He drummed on the handle bar absentmindedly.“Yeah, true that. I am just curious. Well, why don't you come in?” - he said, pointing at his house.

“No thanks. I have to leave. I am running late already. Now, please move before I get impatient.” - she said, suggesting impatience in every word she spoke.

He laughed airily and said - “That you already are, Sathvika.”

She puckered her lips irritatedly but her exasperation didn't seem to bother him even in the slightest. He folded his hands and asked thoughtfully - “So, that mridangist who called you now.. is he coming to meet you tomorrow? How good is he?”

“Look, you are interfering in things that doesn't concern you even remotely.” - she warned him menacingly.

“Ok.. Ok.. relax..” - he said, raising his hands defensively.

He peeped into her Activa and said, shaking his head- “Oh, you still don't see the importance of wearing a helmet then. Very bad.”

She made to turn her handle bar and he said - “Ok. I will see you tomorrow then. You may leave.” He moved away from her path swiftly and bowed his head, showing the path with both his hands.

“Idiot.” - she muttered through gritted teeth and raced away in her Activa, leaving Abhi behind; a mischievous grin spread on his face as he looked at her retreating back.

To be continued...

P.S: I had actually planned to end the story in this part but had a change of mind in the end. This story will have one more part and that will be the climax.