Kumar went into the theatre and tried to find the place to sit. Preeti was sitting in the aisle seat with Kalyani beside her. So, he had to sit beside Kalyani. The movie started, but Kumar was not interested in it. As soon as the titles started he dozed off. Kalyani saw this and whispered something into Preeti's ears. Kumar woke up hearing some giggles, understood that the girls were laughing at him, but did not bother to get up. He closed his eyes and slept peacefully. Kalyani was about to hit him and wake him up, but Preeti stopped her from doing so.
Kumar woke up in the Interval and started looking around unable to understand where he was. Looking at his pale face and confused look Kalyani started laughing out loud. Preeti hushed her, but Kalyani was not to listen. Kumar was embarrassed, but got up with a wry smile on his face and went outside. He tried to call Kishore, but his cell was still unreachable. He went to the stall at the theatre and took 3 popcorns and 3 soft drinks (1 coke, 1 Maaza and 1 Thums Up). He preferred either Coke/ 'Thums Up' and thought that girls preferred 'Maaza' kind of stuff (which are not aerated), but Kalyani was tom-boyish and would prefer aerated drinks, he thought.
He went back to his seat and offered the snacks to the girls. Kalyani immediately took pop-corn and 'Thums Up'. Kumar smiled to himself and thought that he was right in deciding the drinks. He offered popcorn and the soft drink to Preeti and she looked at Kalyani, who had already started eating her pop-corn and gulped half the 'Thums Up'. Preeti, reluctantly, stretched her hand towards 'Coke' when Kumar handed her the 'Maaza' bottle.
Preeti stared angrily at him and almost snatched the 'Coke' bottle from him. Unable to revolt, Kumar handed the 'Coke' bottle and offered pop-corn to her and Preeti ignored him. Kalyani pointed that Preeti does not like popcorn. Kumar wanted to go back to his seat and asked Preeti for a little place to move to which Preeti obliged. Moving on looking at Preeti to say 'Thank You' he did not notice that Kalyani stuck her leg out hindering Kumar's path. He stumbled, almost fell, but balanced himself just in time; in the process, both the popcorn cones were on the floor with popcorn lying around wasted and the 'Maaza' bottle was half-empty with the remaining on the floor with a little on his Jeans and shirt too.
He sat in his chair and looked at Kalyani who was laughing and showing all her teeth. He glanced at Preeti and she was trying to hide her smile. Embarrassed in front of the girls, he sat in the movie trying to understand what was going on. He could not understand what was happening in the movie as he had slept in the first half and was sipping the drink he did not prefer. He was frustrated that he was watching a movie with 2 unknown girls who were making fun of him in a totally new city.
When credits rolled on the screen, Preeti and Kalyani got up and started to leave. He sat back relaxed for everyone to leave and by the time he reached outside Preeti and Kalyani were waiting for him. He walked straight to them. Kalyani had a cunning smile and pushed Preeti with her shoulder hinting something, which Kumar thought they might have discussed when he was not with them. Preeti held her hand out and in front of Kumar and said "Twenty Rupees". Kumar looked at Kalyani who was still smiling. Kumar put his right hand in the pocket and brought out closed fist and placed it beside Preeti's hand. Kalyani tried to open it, but Kumar slapped her hand with his left one. Seeing this Preeti withdrew her hand. Kumar slowly opened his fist and Preeti and Kalyani saw him with surprise when he laid the empty hand forward and demanded….
"Thirty Rupees!"
******************** To be continued ****************
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