The Tenants from Flat no #2 - Part 12

She was upset again. She curled her lips in disgust. She already had a tough day and didn't want one more headache for the day. With her both fists clenched tight, she spoke angrily, "I told you! What part of discreetly you don't understand?" Zain covered his face with his hand. He started gently rubbed his face while he thought deeply. He didn't like her upset. He wondered how he could make her feel better.

Meanwhile Usha Tai was searching for number of gas agency. She searched everywhere.  She checked the She checked every drawers and cabinets in her house. It wasn't there. She flipped the newspaper and magazines. It wasn't there either. She checked the boxes and jars in kitchen. It wasn't there. While she opened the fridge to quench her thirst, she thought she saw something. She closed the door and found a sticker that contained the number.

She remembered Ravi , the gas agency owner sticking it on the fridge. He was her son's best friend during childhood. He was like her son. He helped her with any task she asked. After trying his hand in all kinds of business, he found his true calling in setting up a gas cylinder agency. "I should have called him directly. How could I forget him?", she thought. She called him. After short chat, she asked him to deliver a cylinder next day.

Later she climbed the stairs to her tenant's flat. The climb was like Mount Everest summit to her. Her leg ached with every step she took. She sighed when she reached. But a female voice startled her. She thought it was from other flat.When she got close to her tenant's flat, she was shocked. She could hear Jasmine screaming in top of her voice and Zain was cooling her down. She didn't understand why they were fighting.

She tried to put her ear on the door to listen carefully. Suddenly the door opened. She almost tripped over Zain. The couple looked at her with astonishment. They feared whether their secret was out now. She smiled weakly, fearing of giving opportunity to them to taunt on her for snooping over their personal space. They smiled back pretending as if nothing happened few minutes ago.

"I .. I got the phone number of gas agency.", Tai said hesitatingly. Zain took the slip she gave. He wondered whether she had heard anything. To confirm this, he said, "Sorry for the loud voice. We were arguing on very petty issue. You know how siblings are." Tai was relived that they weren't offended. She replied, "Voice was loud. I thought something happened. Anyway, I didn't hear anything. I have called them to come tomorrow morning at 9 am. Next time onward, you book the gas. Don't bother me." Everyone were relieved. Their secret was not out. But they had to make sure that they didn't commit this blunder again.

(To be continued)

The Tenants from Flat no #2- Part 11

Zain was relieved nothing happened. He thought she had seen him throwing the paper box into garbage. He was happy that nothing such happened. He was not as scared then as he was now. He was daredevil in his childhood. He was always into some mischief. He didn't mind getting caught and beaten by his dad. But now fear of getting thrown out of house for small silly mistake would cost him lot. He would lose his girlfriend and his family wouldn't trust him.

Jasmine reached. But she was right behind Shweta. Shweta was engrossed into her phone and was planning what to say in her briefing with her employees. She immediately bent down before Shweta could turn and catch her. Other employees watched Jasmine crawl down and sneak towards her usual place next to Tina. They were nervous as they gave her way . Shweta shifted her gaze from her phone towards her employees. Their nervous expression looked suspicious. Jasmine got up to stand. "That was awesome.", Tina whispered.

"What happened?", Shwetha asked her staff. They nodded saying nothing. Shweta continued to brief them about the new products they were going to use and different hairstyle they were going to innovate. She ended the discussion by talking about the film festival she was going where she would take three of her best staff. "So in this three months, I will check on your work and if I am happy with your work, three of you will come with me to this event where we would styling none other than Ranveer Singh.", she spoke excitedly. Everyone cheered.

"Ok! Now disperse. Let's get back to work.", Shweta said. Jasmine was in her own world. She wanted this opportunity. If she wins it, she could show everyone her worth and no one would ever make fun of her profession. She was already planning her course of action to impress her boss. There weren't much clients today. Many of them only wanted her to either wash their hair or color their hair. She wasn't impressed with her day.

Zain's day was normal. The work load was not much. The project he was handling had six month deadline. There was still more time for completion. He lazily sat on his chair, staring at his laptop. He was still thinking about the morning. That was a close escape from Tai's eyes. He constantly thought about the consequences. He didn't hear his friend calling out his name. "Zain! Dude! What happened about the protocol?", his friend asked. Only when he nudged him, he came back to reality. "What?", Zain asked in confusion. "The protocol?", his friend asked. "Working on it.", he replied. His friend wasn't convinced. "What happened, dude? You looked lost.", his friend asked. "Nothing !", he replied. "New place. I didn't get enough sleep.", he replied. His friend teased, "I understand. New place !" Zain smiled as he got back to work.

He got back home and saw sulky Jasmine lying in the sofa. She was staring into her phone. He knelt down next to her. He gently brushed her hair and asked, "What happened" "My day wasn't good. Shweta is taking top three people with her to assist her in styling Ranveer Singh for upcoming film festival. She will decide those three people based on how they impress her with their work in these three months. I didn't get anything interesting to show her.", she replied sulkily. He smiled and said,"It's just first day. You have still three more months. I know you can do it." She smiled as she got up and hugged him. Suddenly she remembered, "Did you throw that paper box?" "Yes I did! I threw it in the garbage outside the building", he said. "Shit! Why did you do that? I told you to throw it discreetly", she said , raising her tone. She immediately released herself from the hug. Her expression again turned into sulky one.

(To be continued)



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The Tenants from Flat no #2 - Part 10

Morning arrived as usual. It was warm weather outside. Jasmine was ready for work. She rushed to Zain's room. The door was open. She saw him sleeping on his back and his legs were stretched out of the bed. The bed was too small for him. She felt sorry for his state. She gently knocked on the door. He didn't hear. She knocked again. He didn't hear again. He was sound asleep. 

She looked at her watch. It was already past nine and she was late. She called his name. He didn't respond. She was getting irritated. She thought about Shweta Dave - her boss. Shweta was known for her fiery tongue. She had already got twice warning from her for being late. She was not a easy boss whom you could fool. She had to get before her. Her phone vibrated due to message notification. She jolted for a minute thinking it was Shweta. It was her friend Tina. She asked her whether she left. She quickly messaged her back yes. 

She rushed towards him. She bent down to nudge him. Before she could do anything, he pulled her close to him. Their face were almost close. She blushed slightly. Her phone vibrated again which pulled her back to reality. "I have to go. I am late.", she said as she tried to release herself from his hold. He smiled. " I won't. I will hold you like this whole day.", he teased her. "Please Zain, you know how Shweta is. I need to get there soon before her.", she argued. 

He released her. "Fine, I leave you today. But not tonight.", he joked. She rushed towards the main door not before turning back to tell him, " Ha ha very funny. Before you leave for work, can you throw that paper box ? Usha Tai will come to know. Throw it discreetly." He nodded. There was small bang of main door confirming she had left. 

Zain woke up lazily. He stretched his hands and legs. He freshened himself and tiptoed downstairs with white cover containing the paper box. He found a large garbage bin which was brown coloured barrel outside the building. There was no one outside.  He threw it after making sure no one was looking. He rushed inside and was almost about to climb the stairs when he heard Tai calling his name. He froze.

"How was your stay yesterday? Everything was good? ", she asked. He was relieved. He turned back to her and said, "It was great, Tai. But the gas cylinder is empty. If you can help us get one cylinder.", he said. Tai stared at him as if he had asked her one of her kidneys. "Ok! I will get you one this time as per our terms and conditions. But next time you get it.", she said sternly. He nodded his head and rushed towards his flat. He sighed as soon as he closed the door.

(To be continued)

The Tenant from Flat no #2 - Part 9

Usha Tai left . Jasmine closed the door only when she was sure she was not there. There was going to be war now with her boyfriend. It’s wasn’t first. They had many fights. But today wasn’t acceptable to Jasmine. Before she could come into her combat mode, she stared at him for few minutes and left toward her new room. He followed her but she shut the door on his face. He wasn’t surprised. He knew the reason.

He wanted to say sorry. He never thought it would be like this. He wanted to give her best life. Unfortunately the beginning went all wrong. An idea struck him.  He took out his phone to order food. He ordered her favourite Chinese dish. As he waited for the food, he heard her open the door. She had maggi packet and a small silver vessel in her hand as she headed towards the kitchen.


She tried to switch on the gas stove with gas lighter to boil the water. Nothing worked. She tried to use matchstick to light the fire. Zain watched her burn in frustration. "It's no use trying. There is no gas in cylinder.", he said with a smile. His smile irritated her more. She threw the match stick box aside in anger and stomped towards her room. She shut the door again.

Zain knocked the door. "Don't get angry, darling. I have ordered your favorite food. I am sorry for all the inconvenience.", he consoled her. She didn't open the door instead she said furiously "Don't talk to me, Zain. I am angry." "I am sorry", he repeated. There was no reply only sobbing. Suddenly she said aloud, " I wish I hadn't agreed to living in with you." Her words struck him like sharp knife. It pained deeply.

The food arrived. But he didn't have the appetite. His eyes were almost closing when suddenly he heard someone standing behind him. It was Jasmine. Though her eyes were red ,her expressions were calm now. She was holding the paper lunch box given by the restaurant.  "It smells yummy.This is non veg. What if Usha Tai catches us?", she asked.

He smiled. "Don't worry. She will not get to know.", he said as he pulled her hand and dragged her to sit close to him. They shared their first meal together. Love got back again and filled the atmosphere between them. After scrumptious meal, they chatted for a while. Zain mostly joked while Jasmine laughed delightfully. As she called it nights, he wanted to spend more time. They playfully argued until they decided it was time to go to bed.

(To be continued)

The Tenants from Flat no #2 - Part 8

Zain triumphantly opened the door of his new house. Others followed him. Mahesh handed him the copy of contract papers and said, "Keep this safely. If there is anything you need, you can contact Tai. She stays downstairs. She will be there for you now on." Tai smiled and said with tint of irony, "They are like my kids. I will take good care of them in absence of their parents." Everyone knew her words weren't true.

Mahesh bid him goodbye and left immediately. Tai didn't leave. Zain and Jasmine wanted her to leave but didn't say anything. They smiled at her. After few minutes , Zain asked, "Do you need something, Tai?" "Nothing!", she replied not realizing that they wanted her to leave.  Zain looked at Jasmine with pleading eyes that asked her what to do. Jasmine didn't know either. She only knew that if she opened her mouth, Tai would start either belittling her or bragging about her children. It will continue whole night.

Tai remembered at last what she had to say. "The house is in best condition and I want it in the same condition when you leave the house. Last tenants were so unclean. I had to fully renovate this house.", she said as she made her comfortable on the sofa. Jasmine folded her arms in frustration and gestured Zain with her eyes to ask Tai to leave the house. "I also don't want too much noise. Youngsters these days love to party and dance in lewd songs. It won't happen here.", Tai continued.

"Bring your friends. Talk to them and serve them food. But don't put loud music and dance. I get headaches from the thumping of feet sound. Anyway, I am sure you don't drink because of your religious beliefs. But don''t cook or bring non veg food. I am pure vegetarian. I don't my house to be contaminated. Whatever you want to eat, eat outside and come. I think Mahesh must have told you.", she said.

The couple stared at the old lady in shock. "No non veg?", they blurted out in surprise. Tai looked at them suspiciously. "Didn't Mahesh tell you about this? I am surprised. I told Mahesh about this conditions before renting it to you guys. That man is a rascal. Always behind money. Anyway, now you know, I am sure you will follow this rule. Or else you can vacate the house and take the money", Tai said firmly as she got up from her seat to leave.

Zain agreed with heavy heart. He had invested lot of effort and money in finding a house. He didn't have energy to find a place to stay. He had already vacated his room which he shared with his friends. That was not the problem. Problem was that he had bragged that he had got nice place to stay with his girlfriend. He didn't want to go back. He also didn't want to Jasmine to go back. Now she wouldn't get the room back in her PG. Contrary Jasmine wanted to slap him tight. "How much should we adjust?", she wondered.

The Tenants from Flat no #2 - Part 7

The weekend arrived soon. Jasmine wasn't as excited as Zain. She wasn't happy with exorbitant rent they were going to pay. She hated the landlady already. Tai's bragging nature was too much for her to handle. But Zain wasn't bothered at all. He was happy that he was going to be with his lady love. The rent is high but he knew he could manage to pay it. He was earning quite enough from the tech startup he had set up with his friends.

They had reached the apartment with only three suitcases. Mahesh was already at the apartment. He was having poha with masala tea that Tai had prepared. He gestured if they would have some. Tai made a face and whispered, "He is acting as if it's his house." She looked at them. They had declined his request. She sighed with relief as she didn't have to prepare the food.

They sat on the sofa. Mahesh took his time to finish his meal. Everyone were cursing him in their minds as they pasted their lips with fake smile. "So which celebrity's hair did you cut?", Tai asked Jasmine. The girl was annoyed by her question. "Not again", she muttered. But she immediately replied with a smile, " I didn't cut anyone's hair. I.." Tai interrupted, "Oh! It's Tuesday for you today." Jasmine smirked and said, "No, it's not Tuesday. We don't consider any day inauspicious. We style our client's hair everyday. By the way, I usually don't cut people's hair. I style their hair. My clients are all celebrities." 

"Oh! I see ! I thought you follow your calendar of auspicious and inauspicious day as per your religion. Nowadays youngsters follow their own rules. These traditions have no value for them.", Tai ridiculed. Jasmine didn't say anything. She had learnt quickly that if she argued more with this lady, she would only get hurt by her comments. Mahesh coughed to interrupt Tai before she could say anything.

" Everyone, I have got the contract paper ready. Tai,  Please read it and let me know if you need something." he said. Tai read every line carefully. She didn't believe Mahesh. Everything seemed fine. "It's fine." , she said and handed the copy to Mahesh. He handed back to Zain and asked him to read before committing to the contract. Before Zain could start reading, Jasmine snatched the contract papers. Tai looked at her suspiciously. She wondered why would a younger sister take charge when her brother was here. But she didn't say anything.  Jasmine read it to make sure it was all right. Everything looked fine and then handed back to Zain after saying sorry. 

Later Tai and Zain signed the documents. "How will you pay the deposit and rent?", Mahesh asked. Zain replied, "Through paytm, please let me know your account details . I will send it directly." Tai immediately spoke, "No! No! You sign me a cheque. That will be fine for me. I don't believe your modern techniques of payment." Zain agreed. He opened one of his suitcase and took out folder where he kept his cheque book. He signed it and handed it to Tai. Later with heavy heart, she handed the keys to Zain. 

(To be continued)

The Tenants from Flat no #2 - Part 6

Mahesh was turning red. He had almost settled everything by not letting both the parties speak. Now he could see his commission being withhold by this nuisance young man. He shouldn't have promised him anything before coming here. He tried every possible way to coax him to say yes. Nothing was working. He had to do something fast before Zain would say no. 

"Zain, my dear ! Your girlfriend and you are only going to stay in this house. Outside the house, people will know you as siblings but inside the house, you can do anything you want. No will ask.",he said but before he could continue, Zain interrupted. "People will still doubt. These doors too have ears. What if people come to know that we are not truly siblings.", Zain argued in hush tones. "You are not understanding. Why people will say anything? No one will doubt you are not siblings. Your family will also not doubt. What if someday your family member passes this street and gets to know you are married? Haven't you seen movies? There will lot of brawl. They will get you forcibly married to the girl. You tell me are sure you and your girlfriend want to marry each other in future?", Mahesh said firmly.

Zain looked down. He wasn't sure of the relationship. So was she. They had just started dating since few months. He had no idea about how she was when they got together in one roof. Marriages this days don't survive too long. He was still struggling in his career. There were many more aspects in the relationship which he had to explore. He didn't know whether they were compatible. He hated this.

Pretending to be siblings wasn't bad idea. He would still have time to explore their relationship. If they found it was not working, they could anyway break off. No one would question. No one would find anything. They could move on with life as if nothing happened. "Ok! I am up for it. I will convince Jasmine some how. You finalize the deal.", he said.

Mahesh was elated. As he was about to walk towards the ladies to announce their decision, Zain spoke, "One more thing".Mahesh grunted softly out of frustration. "I want my money back from that fake certificate agent.", Zain said. Mahesh relived a sigh and nodded his head. He walked towards the ladies with excitement. The ladies seemed quiet now. There was some one sided conversation going between them which had ended much before Mahesh had arrived.

Jasmine stared at him with bored eyes. She wanted this end early. She had almost decided to give up the idea of living in with Zain. Usha Tai understood from the excitement of Mahesh that deal was finalized. She felt disappointed. "The deal is finalized. Both the parties are okay with the terms and conditions. So I will get written copy of deal within the end of this week and you pay me the rent and deposit that time. I will give you keys once we have received the payment.", Mahesh said excitedly. He was happy that he was going to get good commission out of this. He was planning already what he was going to do with the money.

(To be continued)