KINE's HOME, GENERAL POV
The next day, Kine's home, full of chaos
Kine's Pa : Honey, how long will it take? They will be here anytime.
Kine's Ma (taunting) : What are you expecting me to do it all alone in the kitchen? Come here and help me.
Pa goes into the kitchen to help Ma. Rather than helping her, he back hugs her and flirts, even though Ma was liking it she tries to resist.
Ma (loving it yet resisting) : What are you doing, leave….. Someone will see us.
Pa (not letting go of her) : Whom are you fooling? Nobody other than you and Kine enter the kitchen. Let me just stay like this for a moment na….
Mek : (clears his throat) Ahem! I think the food today will have an extra flavour of love today (smiles)
Ma and Pa separate embarrassed. Mek *touches both of their feet and greets. Kine enters from the back.
Kine (in dismay) : Did I miss something?
Ma (still embarassed) : Nothing much, wash up fast and seat yourself for lunch. God only knows if you guys have even taken your breakfast properly.
Mek meets other members of the family but Roxine as always ruins his mood. Her unnecessary questions and flirting. Vikki calms him down with his unnecessary questions.
Vikki : Bro, why don't you visit often? Ma and Pa miss you so very much….
Roxine (unnecessarily) : Who are you talking about Vikki, Mek or your elder brother? Knowing he has a family back here, he seldom stays at home.
Vikki : My dear Sister-in-law, it's you who is away most of the time so, "the pot shouldn't call the kettle black". Anyways, we are not expecting you to understand.
Roxine, furiously gets up and leaves the food untouched and goes to her room. Furiously, she sits on bed, planning something bad. She gets a call.
ROXINE's POV
Roxine (furious, taking out her anger) : What now? Didn't you have enough last night? I'm not in the mood as well, so don't....
Henry (in a vicious tone) : Baby, I think I got something you would love to see. Moreover, this is something that you need right now. Here, sent it to you….
Roxine sees the photos, evil thoughts run through her mind.
{For those who don't remember Henry, he was Kine's rival for HOD position and was insulted by Kine in front of everyone because he was the one who brought alcohol to Di's birthday celebration and Di drank Vodka.}
GENERAL POV
The day passed with no commotion, just happy family time.
On the weekend, KINE AND MEK's POV
As planned Kine was supposed to introduce Mek to his boyfriend and her bestie. Upon reaching their decided destination, Kine and Mek sit on their reserved table and wait.
Mek : Bro….. Is your boy not sincere enough?
Kine : (who was looking at his phone a while ago, looks at Mek with confusion) : Why do you ask so….?
Mek : Why isn't he here yet?
Kine : Are you for real? (hits Mek playfully on his head) Dumbo! They aren't late, we're early.
DI, KINE AND MEK's POV
Since Kine sat facing the gateway, he saw Di entering with Riv's purse. Kine was glad yet confused. As Di comes near, Mek's gaze falls on him. Both of them recognize each other instantly. Kine breaks the ice.
Kine : So...., where's the lady or should we talk to her purse instead?
Di : She's got a call from her office, and will be back soon.
Kine : Okay, in the meanwhile let me introduce you two…..
Mek (cold) : We've met before.
Kine (surprised) : You have met my boyfriend before…?
Mek : (confused, outraged) : What?! (grabs Di's collar) How dare you! How dare you cheat on your wife? Don't you know how sensitive she is…. If you can't cherish what you have, don't toy with it!
Di and Kine both were baffled when Mek acted so. Lacking words to say, both froze in their places and rage filled Mek's eyes. He looked at Di as if the next moment it would rather be him or Di.
RIV, DI, KINE AND MEK's POV
Riv hastily enters the scene and frees Di from Mek's grip.
Riv (furiously) : Mr. Mahek, please leave him at this very instant.
Upon hearing such protective words for Di, Mek felt a heartache and let go of Di's collar. His eyes filled with tears and mind filled with thoughts. Kine tries to calm down Mek while Di does to Riv.
Di (worried) : What's with you Riv? I've never seen you so?
Riv (tries to calm herself) : Nothing. I just can't stand my loved ones getting mistreated.
Mek (trying very hard to hold back his tears, calmy, to Kine) : Bro, I just require some fresh air, I'll join you in a bit.
Mek moves out to the terrace, Kine gestures Di to take care of Riv and he'll take care of Mek and goes behind Mek.
On the terrace, KINE AND MEK's POV
Mek somehow held back. Kine places his hand on Mek's shoulder and Mek bursts out into tears and cries while hugging Kine.
Kine (worried) : Mek, you okay? Tell me…..
Mek (crying, mumbling) : How could she..... Dothis…..
Kine, fed up with him crying, gently hits him like he's a small kiddo. Pats his head to comfort him. Mek wipes his tears and clears his voice to tell Kine.
Mek (still sobbing) : You..... remember….., the girl.... I've always liked….. …. It was Riva….. I waited till now just to be capable enough for her. Seeing her in Thailand that too with some other man …..already upsetted me a lot and.... knowing that her husband is cheating on her with you she still..... is protective of him and... me idiot….. I lost my control even after knowing everything's over...I don't why am I reacting so... I just lost face in front of her back there.
Kine (in a low yet clear voice) : And you are telling me this now. For real you are an idiot (gently hits him on his head) and for your information, they are just friends. They got nothing like couples between them and you stood a chance. However, (looks at Di pacifying Riv who still has a cold, furious face) I can't guarantee that now. You are on your own now bro….
Mek (not fully convinced) : Then why would she call Di her…
Kine (hastily) : DIPOLE it is! I am also angry with you holding his collar back there. How rude of you! Call him Dipole, no Di for you until he forgives you.
Mek : Yes sir! But temme na, why would she call him her husband if there's nothing.
Kine : Maybe because she is protective. Only she knows… If you're alright now let's go in.
KINE, DI, MEK AND RIV's POV
Kine and Mek head inside and by that time Di had already persuaded Riv a bit. Kine tried to lighten the atmosphere by flirting with Di (only way to make Riv happy for now). Though Riv kept a poker face Di and Kine both knew she was melting.
Kine (flirting) : Apple, I'm really jealous now. Like Riv just defended you once and you have already started to ignore me. You're not even asking me if I'm okay. I don't like it (pretends to be angry).
Di (plays along) : Oh my honey….., You jealous (Kine nods) Come here (hugs him while sitting) let me coax you….
Seeing Di and Kine so forcefully lovey-dovey, Riv finally speaks up.
Riv : Stop with that already you guys. I'm fine, just care for your friend Kine. (gives Mek a not very pleasing look)
Mek (tries to be modest) : I am fine too. I am just sorry (stands and bows to Di) Mr. Dipole, I acted out of impulse which was too rude for me to behave like that. I plead to you to kindly forgive me.
Di was too startled by Mek's actions. He felt really embarrassed. Di couldn't stand Mek bowing to him like this. He quickly holds Mek by his shoulders.
Di (politely) : Mek please don't do this…. I understand you. If I were in your shoes I would have or maybe worsely reacted to a situation like this. I also cannot stand my childhood friend being treated like this.
Mek and Kine both are surprised.
Kine : Childhood friends?
Mek : You still remember me from back then?
Mek is on the top of the world, knowing Riv remembered him all these years. Finally he got something to talk about. He explains all of the memories he has of Riv and him together except for Roxine's intrusion cause of course it would ruin the atmosphere again. Everyone eats happily and Riv and Mek don't talk directly to each other.
After dinner,
Kine (hugs) : See you soon, my apple….
Di : Hmm…. So when is this soon happening, my gullu-bullu???
Kine and Di continue to flirt while Mek tries to stir up a convo with Riv
MEK AND RIV's POV
Mek (to Riv, a bit awkward) : So…..
Riv (expressionless) : You like me, don't you?
Mek (taken aback) : How do you know?
Riv and Mek stood a bit far from Di and Kine. So the talks of Riv were not audible to Di and Kine.
Riv (still expressionless) : Isn't it all written all over your face? (Mek scratches his head in embarrassment) However, don't you dare do anything stupid at the office tomorrow.
Mek (salutes) : Roger that my lady!
Riv (scoffs) : Better luck getting me then…
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*touches both of their feet and greets : Indian way of greeting elders.