Hi All,

Thank you for all liking my earlier FFs . Here's some more of the amazing duo . I have tweaked and adapted some of my earlier writings.  Hopefully they can match to some degree the sweet sizzle and the fun  of our awesome show. Sincerely hope you all like it. Thank you for reading. And please keep those comments coming. And please don't be sad with the current track, this too shall pass...

PART V

Maheshwari Residence:

Sameer strolled in the family room to see his mother and Naina's Taiji perusing something in a magazine.  Taiji kept agreeing with whatever Vishakha said and that made Vishakha and Naina exchange knowing glances.

Ignoring Sameer, Naina tried to focus on her book as she sat on a sofa away from the ladies. What are you reading, Chicken soup for the fool?' mocked Sameer, dropping down on the plush ottoman next to her.

Nope. I am reading 101 ways of recognising a nut!' Naina shot back, quietly without looking up. 

            Self-awareness! That's good reading!'

For an answer, Naina, slyly, rubbed her chin with her middle finger.  Her Oh Bai' Taiji who had PHD in finding faults in every living being that crossed her path could forgive even murder done by Maheshwaris, especially Sameer. Even if Sameer killed Naina, Taiji would still somehow make it Naina's fault and not Sameer's.

Grinning, Sameer turned to his mother. Mom I'm going away for three months!'

Finally some good news! What are the charges?' Naina slammed the book shut hoping the sound was loud enough to cover her exchange with Sameer.

Attempted murder of a brainless wonder!' Sameer said from the side of his mouth even as he flicked his long locks back.

Ooh! You mean suicide!' Naina spoke her lips curved in a guise of a smile.

Will you both please stop?' Vishakha wasn't fooled even for second. She knew them both well.

 It's all Naina's fault. Naina, let Sameer speak,' Taiji said, her tone sharp. Next time you speak I will ask you to put your finger on your mouth.

Oh that's so sweet of you Taiji.' Sameer said giving Naina a wicked look. Listen to your elders.'

Sameer!' His mother said rather sternly.

Fine you will only take this Bhenji's side.' Sameer quipped. Taiji started laughing hiding her mouth with her pallu. Sameer saw Naina's lowered eyes and her mouth turned into an upside down curve. I was kidding ya Bh- Naina. Sorry Bh- Naina.'

Naina frowned at him and muttered. I don't like you.'

But I do!' Sameer shot back and then realized what he had just said. Flushing he cleared his throat. What I meant was that I could like you if you changed thousand things about myself.'

Naina rolled her eyes. I wish I could change my house or my neighbours.

Sameer switched his attention back to his mother. Nanaji and Bhaiya want me to spearhead the new project for our manufacturing sector. For that, offices have to be set up in big apple and Dubai. There will be a lot of travel back and forth, so staying here doesn't really make sense. I'll be working out of our Mumbai HQ.'

When do you have to leave?' Vishakha questioned her expression glum.

Tomorrow morning. Mom please, don't look like that, it's just few months.'

 You won't understand what a mother feels when a child goes away,' Taiji sighed. 

 Aunty its no big deal,' Naina tried to perk her up. In our college we call this. GRBR.'

GRBR? Has to be something lame?' Sameer quipped.

Good riddance to bad rubbish,' replied Naina, her tone condescending.

Sameer shook his head. Why do I even talk to you?'

Because you're so needy and pathetic! And because no one else will talk to you. I am just doing charity.'

Needy and pathetic! Big words for someone like you. Charity is what I do when I let you sit next to me or touch my CDs and blue rays, which you literally beg for!'

The only thing I'll ever beg for is a knife, so I can do you-know-what- to-you-'

Sameer cut in, How about, I first demonstrate you-know-what- to-you with a knife then-'

Enough, both of you!' Vishakha and Taiji hollered simultaneously.

Do you both even realise that there are other people around you?' said Vishakha, ticked. You both are so lost in fighting with each other.'

Naina experienced some awkwardness, so did Sameer. He got to his feet.

No Vishakhaji don't say anything to Sameer. It is all this Naina's fault. At home this one keeps fighting with Preeti and here with such a good boy Sameer.'

Naina tried to hide her hurt by swinging her face away.

What I know of Preeti she will be very mad on hearing anyone say bad things about Naina. Anyone!'

Taiji and Naina were stunned into silence by his defence of Naina. Vishakha hid her smile by clamping her mouth.

Mom I'll be in the gym. Bye aunty, bye brainless wonder!' Sameer was quick to  exit. 

Next day, around 9 am, the phone in the Agarwal household rang.

Naina its Sameer. He wants to talk you,' Anand relayed to his niece.

Naina and Preeti were engrossed in seeing, a sea sponge beat the dear life out of a squid while a squirrel with her head stuffed in glass bowl, looked on. SpongeBob Square pants Sillies!

Sameer wants to talk to me? He's on his deathbed or what?' Naina whispered to Preeti taking the receiver from Chachaji.

 I heard that!' Sameer retorted.

Good! What do you want?' Naina asked, she kept her voice low.

Why aren't you here yet? I am leaving in twenty minutes!'

 Your highness, am I supposed to carry your bags to the car?' Naina asked sweetly.

Not for me, for mom!' Sameer barked, hanging up.

Naina exhaled. Preeti glanced at her. Kya hua?'

Bulawa aaya hai. White House se.' Naina said wearing her slippers. White House was the nickname Preeti gave to the Maheshwari mansion.

Naina went looking for Bela Chachi. She found her in the balcony loading clothes in the washing machine.'Chachiji I got a call. Sameer is leaving city for a few months and I think Vishakha Aunty is sad. Should I go there?'

Her Chachi nodded. Bhagwan jhoot ne bulaye, but Vishakhaji is your Bhabhiji's age and from the same town but look at how she behaves and how Bhabhiji behaves. One is Mother India and one. . She went back to putting more clothes in the washer.

One?' Naina said her smile mischievous.

Come here.' Bela Chachi gestured at Naina. And one is Mogambo.' Bela Chachi whispered in Naina's ear and started laughing.

Chachi aap bhi.' Naina grinned. Waise Satya vachan.' She winked at her younger aunt who was the closet thing Naina had to a mother. I should be back soon.'

Ask Vishakhaji over for lunch. I'm making chinese phood.' Chachi said.

And after that we all can go for a movie. White House waloin ki treat.' Preeti joined them.

 That's a great idea!' Vishakha, Bela, Preeti and Naina, did not miss a single movie in the theatres Hindi, English or with subtitles. No amount of teasing and mocking by the families could encumber the movie struck group.

Maheshwari House

On entering the living room, Naina spied Sameer hauling his luggage down the stairs. He looked up on hearing footsteps.

Where's Aunty?'                                    

 In her room.' Sameer opened and started putting a few things laid on the dining table into his suitcase.  Naina observed him, bemused; she had assumed the servants packed for him or lugged his stuff around.

Sameer looked up. What?'

Naina shrugged her shoulders and looked away. On cue, Vishakha and Mr. Somani appeared from their room. Hello Naina,' Mr. Somani greeted her.  You're ready to leave son?' he asked Sameer.

Yes?'   Sameer replied tersely. Mr. Somani and Sameer did not have the most pleasant of relationships. Every time they were in the same room they reminded Naina of boxers in a ring. But Naina wasn't close enough to either to give advice so she did what everyone else did. Ignore them! Where are Nanaji and Bhaiya?'

We'll pick him up from the office. Let's go!' Mr Somani walked to the front door.

Seema!' Vishakha called.

Seema bhabhi got a small bowl of dahi and cheeni, which she handed to her mother in law.

Take care of yourself; make sure you eat your food on time. Come back soon Sammy,' Vishakha sniffed, feeding her beloved son.

Mom please! You are so filmy,' Sameer hugged her.

Next, Sameer hugged his sister-in-law. Seema take care of yourself . . . for me.' In good humour, he received an elbow in the ribs.

            Naina standing next to Seema bit her lip. What should I do if he hugs me, she thought.

Sameer gave her a quick side-glance. He stepped towards her. Naina stiffened.

 Take care!' was all Sameer said and did.

You too,' Naina murmured, slackening; the fleeting disappointment confounding.

The servants carried the bags to the awaiting car. Everyone except Sameer, who was yapping on his cell with best friends, Munna and Pandit, headed outside.

Few minutes later, Mr. Somani impatiently said, Seema, see what is taking Sameer so long to come outside?'

Seema, a serious horticulturist, was at some distance inspecting the newly laid grass with her mother-in-law.

Poised close to the main door, Naina offered, I'll go and check'. She ventured inside and glanced around. There was no sign of him.

 Sameer, Sameer, uncle is calling you!'

 I'm right here!' sounded Sameer's voice.

Startled Naina whirled around. Sameer stood close behind, his eyes fixed on her.

Uncle is calling you. You're . . . getting late!' Naina stuttered, unnerved by the sudden proximity.

Sameer languidly hooked a finger under Naina's chin, tipping her face to his. Wary, she stared back.

After a few, kind of like waiting-for-the-needle-to-pause on the weighing scale, breathless seconds of Naina's life, Sameer murmured, Try not to miss me too much!' Briefly, his thumb caressed her chin, the touch so brief that Naina felt she had imagined it. But she felt the warmth of his callused finger even when he had withdrawn his hand. The stared in each other's eyes. Naina's gaze confused and wide; Sameer's gaze hooded and bemused. He lowered his face inch by inch, Naina stopped breathing and felt rooted to the spot. She was snared by his obsidian eyes and her body started warming like an oven turned on. His breath grazed her lips and Naina stepped back. On seeing her panic, Sameer smiled a knowing smile. After eating wipe your mouth. Khana laga hai bhenji.'

Shut. .up!' Naina stammered her chest heaving like she had run a mile. She could not meet his eye and stared at the floor confused. What just happened, she thought.

Bye bye Bhenji!' Speedily Sameer headed out. Naina touched her chin, struggling to comprehend the melancholy stoking her.

At the threshold, Sameer paused and turned around. Naina still had her fingers on her chin where Sameer had touched her. Naina saw a tender look come in his eyes. She felt like curling her toes and her body continued to get warmer. Take care of yourself will you?'

Naina was shocked at Sameer's softly uttered words and before she could react he was gone.

 Leaning against the wall, Naina took a few deep breaths till she felt more of her former self. What nonsense! It was nothing!' She unsteadily challenged the empty hall, shaking her head trying to free it of someone. When she finally emerged outside, Naina saw the car leaving the driveway. Her eyes fell on Vishakha Aunty who forlornly gazed at it.

Aunty it's time to open the champagne bottle!'

Sammy has been away from me for so many years, I was just beginning to enjoy being a mother to two sons. Now he is gone again.'

It's no big D, four months will fly like this,' Naina snapped her fingers, plus you have me to keep you busy. Remember ME?'

Even you'll get married and go away one day. Then again I'll be alone!' Vishakha grumbled.

Naina hugged her from the side. Please, now you are purposely thinking of reasons to get sad. Let us go home. Bela Chachi has made Chinese food and has invited you over and after that we all are going for a movie. Ranvir Singh's latest,'

Oohhh! I like Ranvir Singh,' Vishakha, squealed, like a giddy headed teenager.

Oohhh! We like him too!' Naina squealed right back as she high fived Seema.