Apulki Chapter 4 – The Pan Strikes Back
- Hansa
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
Recap Chapter 3: Isha confided to Yamini why marriage felt like hurling her dreams out the window. Neerav dished out fish curry to his father who fretted about his future. Back at the girls’ apartment, their burnt milk pan stank up the place so badly that Isha and Yamini decided to forget about scrubbing and just chuck it!
Puppy Eyes and Nail Files
Isha and Yamini were sprawled in front of the TV, happily lost in a movie marathon, when the doorbell rang. Yamini went to open it – and froze.
There stood Neerav, holding up the burnt black pan like it was Exhibit A in a crime scene. Akash trailed behind, looking half asleep already.
“Somebody left this outside your door,” Neerav said, wrinkling his nose. “It’s stinking up the place.”
“I did,” Isha admitted.
“Why would you do that?”
“The sweeper was supposed to throw it away,” Yamini jumped in, slipping on her chappals. “Give it here. I’ll chuck it in the community bin.”
She whisked the pan away, leaving Neerav to plonk down beside Isha while Akash settled on the rug, pulling a cap over his face.
Neerav leaned close. “So? Is it a yes?” he whispered.
Isha stiffened. “No pressure, Neer. I told you I need time.”
“Okay, cool. No pressure.” He sighed dramatically. “Doesn’t matter if the suspense kills me.”
Isha rolled her eyes.
By the time Yamini returned and sat down, Neerav had decided the movie was boring. He picked up Isha’s hand and started playing with her fingers.
“Next time I cook for you,” he whispered, “I’m going to add an aphrodisiac. Then the moment you see me, your eyes will go saucer-saucer and…”
He dropped onto his knees like a puppy begging for biscuits, tilted his head and in a thin girly voice declared: “I love you, Neer. I beg of you, please marry me.”
Isha burst out laughing and gave him a playful smack. Neerav grinned, sat back down, and without missing a beat picked up Yamini’s nail file. He took Isha’s hand again and began filing her nails as though he did this every evening.
“Had another argument with Baba,” he muttered, eyes on the nail. “He thinks no one will respect me if I choose cooking as a career. I told him I don’t care about respect. I want to bring smiles, win hearts, through my dishes. That’s all.”
Isha’s eyes softened. “That’s so sweet… That’s why I love you.”
Neerav looked up quickly, their eyes locked. “But not enough to marry me?”
The moment stretched. Isha looked away. “Don’t start again.”
“Okay, okay. I’m cool.”
Later, when a dance number lit up the screen, Yamini jumped up and started grooving, much to Akash’s annoyance. From the kitchen came clinks of pots and pans and Neerav humming to himself.
The Colony Complains
The doorbell rang again. Yamini opened it to find a scowling man holding up – yes – the same cursed pan.
“Is this yours? It’s stinking up the entire colony. Kindly keep your belongings inside your house.”
Yamini’s jaw dropped. She slammed the door, pulled a face, and mimicked: “Kindly keep your belongings with you.” With a flourish she chucked the pan onto the floor. “Belongings my foot.”
Just then Neerav walked in with a tray. “Tea and cookies anyone?” He nudged Akash awake. “Come on, Akku. Mint tea, your favourite.”
Akash rubbed his stubble and sat up, yawning. Neerav began pouring tea, then paused mid-pour, nose twitching.
“You guys burned another pan?”
“Nope,” Isha replied with a sigh. “Same old pan. That society fellow fished it out of the bin. Said it was stinking up the whole neighbourhood.”
Akash and Neerav doubled over laughing.
“Looks like you’re married to this pan forever,” Neerav grinned.
“No wonder Isha’s not accepting your proposal,” Akash added. “She’s already taken.”
Neerav threw a mock punch at him and joined in the laughter.
Bejal Steals the Dream
Later that night, the girls lay in bed, the lights off except for the soft glow of Isha’s lamp. Isha was nose-deep in a book while Yamini scrolled furiously through her phone.
“Bitch, bitch, bitch!” Yamini exploded.
“What happened?” Isha asked, still reading.
“That stupid Bejal.”
“Bejal?”
“Arre, don’t you remember? That new friend of mine. Big Sunil fan?”
“Ah, yes. What about her?”
“She met Sunil.” Yamini snapped off her phone in disgust. “That bitch should be sent to prison.”
“For meeting Sunil?”
“For stealing my dream. It was my dream to meet him.”
“Chill, yaar. Just because she’s met him doesn’t mean you can’t.” Isha closed her book, switched off the lamp, and lay down.
“True. I do know where he lives.” Yamini gave Isha a loaded pause, then added casually, “By the way, you still haven’t given Neerav your answer, have you?”
“I don’t know how to say no to his face.”
“Don’t keep him hanging.”
“Hmm.”
The 3.00 a.m. Escape
Darkness fell.
Until – beep beep beep.
Isha yawned, groped for the alarm clock, and switched on her lamp. The time glowed back at her: 3.00 a.m.
She nudged Yamini awake. “Yammu, get up.”
Yamini groaned, pulled on her shoes, slung her backpack across her shoulder. Together, yawning and tiptoeing, the two of them crept out of the apartment into the night.
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That burnt pan sure has its way home...😅
Neerav seems sweet but sweetness alone cannot make a compatible partner. Hope she won’t rush into things.
loved the neer scenes, so finally we got nickname of akash. And im sure they are going on a mission of chucking pan rofl. married to pan 🤣 so what could be ship name of neerav and isha. neerish ravisha nisha 😁❤️
just one word Aces. 😍💯❤️
Lol this pan refuses to go away 🤣
I finally threw away my burnt milk pan and thankfully no one returned it 🤣
I wanted to ask about Sunil Waghmare's character since there was no mention of him since chapter 2
Didn't he message her? What was that about? Hope the next chapter answers these questions. Great chapter as usual. Waiting for the next chapter