Chapter 41

Part 41-  The Surprise!

 

They were in Eklavya's car, driving back to Shantiniketan.

N: So, Manthan, what's the surprise?

M: It won't be a surprise if I tell you.

I: Ok, then give us a hint!

E: Isha, just wait 5 minutes, you'll find out.

             So she did. Well, she tried at least. Every 5 seconds she'd ask him if it had been 5 minutes yet. Once they were finally there, Isha and Eklavya helped Manthan get Nisha out of the car. Manthan again carried her inside and gently put her on the sofa in the living room.

I: Ok, we're here. And it's definitely been over 5 minutes. So what's the surprise?

E: Just wait a second, ok?

I: But you said –

E: Sabr ka phall metha hota hai, you know that?

I: Fine!

M: Ok, you two, just sit here, ok? We'll be back in a while

E: And close your eyes!

I: Eklavya, we're not little kids –

             It was too late. Manthan and Eklavya were already gone. Isha and Nisha stared at each other. That was weird, they both thought. After a few minutes, they came back.

M: Nisha! Close your eyes!

N: Manthan! I'm not a little kid!

M: Close them!

N: But –

M: (Sigh) Please, Nisha?

N: Fine…

E: Isha, tumare liye main koi separate announcement karu?

I: (Sighs) Ok, ok. There. I closed my eyes.

             Both boys smiled and went up to the girls. Manthan placed a golden card in Nisha hands and Eklavya did the same to Isha.

E" Ok open them now!

They twins opened their eyes to find a marriage card in their hands.

N: Oh my gosh!

M: We're getting married at the same time on the same day.

E: We called the pandit yesterday and everybody agreed that we should get married together and this was the closest date we could find.

N: But this is next week!

E: So you don't want to get married early?

N: Of course I do! But how –

M: Leave that to us! We'll sort it all out!

I: Oh my god. We're actually getting married!

N: Wow. We're getting married. On the same day! In the same house!

M: Yes. But Madam, you need some bed rest. And we are going to put you in my bedroom and you're not going to get up until you get better!

N: Manthan, don't pick me up again! –

             But again it was too late. Nisha didn't even bother to whack him or scream at him this time when he picked her up. He laid her on his bed and gently stroked her hair until she went to sleep.

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It was the morning after Nisha's recovery and everybody was at the breakfast table. Thankfully, by now, Nisha had gotten crutches and no longer needed Manthan's "support". Everybody was placed at the break fast table eating and reading the newspaper, and talking merrily.

Damini: Tanya, you know the Oberois? Their son just got a daughter!

Tanya: Really? We need to see them; we haven't met them in a long time!

Archita: Manthan bhaiyya, aap kabb shaadi karo ge aur kuch kabri doh ge?

             Nisha went red. Manthan saw this and grinned.

Manthan: Bohout jaldi, kyun Nisha?

             Nisha choked on the poha that she was eating and gave Manthan a little glare but Manthan only stared back looking innocent. The other's at the table seemed to be enjoying their little staring/ glaring session.

Nisha: (Hissing/whispering) Shaadi nahin hui aur suhag raat ke sapne dek rahe ho?

Tulsi: Nisha, can you pass the poha here?

             Manthan grabbed Nisha's hands under the table and pulled them closer to him so she couldn't pass the pohas. Nisha tried to escape but was too weak for him. She smiled at Tulsi dadi awkwardly.

M: Arre, why are you smiling like that, Nisha? Give her the poha, Nisha?

N: (Smiles at Tulsi) (hisses) Manthan, let go!

M: Nisha, kya kar rahi ho? Give Tulsi dadi the poha already?

N: Woh, my duppatta is stuck Manthan's chair. Ek minute.

             Nisha bent down and grabbed Manthan's hand. She bit his hand, not too hard but not too soft either.

M: AHHH! Nisha! What are you doing?!!

N: (in an innocent tone) Nothing. I was just getting my duppatta. It was stuck to the chair. Here Tulsi dadi. The poha.

             Nisha grabbed her crutches and made her way upstairs, and occasionally looking back and laughing at Manthan.

 

                                  

                                               -Pooja

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