Part: 9

Mahi is busy with her projects and now she learnt to expose herself independently. Shabd also became busy and leaving Mahi for herself alone.

Mahi didn't neglect any of his work and Shabd never forgot to update his work related news. They still fight on small topics and go to Dayi Maa for solutions.

One day Mahi finished her college early and went to her parent's house. Raaji and Soni also came there to spend time with each other along with parents. They surprised for sudden visit of Mahi and teased her "Shabd ko chod kar tum akeli kaisi ayi hai, Mahi?" Mahi pouted her lips "Mammiji! Dekhiye nay eh donon kaisey sata rahey hai?"

Mohini supported them "Wo theeky keh rehay hai. Tum yahan ana hi band kar diya. Jab bhi poochoon kuch na kuch excuse deti ho. Abb kaisi hum yaad aagayi?" Raaji chided her.

"Bus di! Shabd toh aaj kal bahut tours kar raha hai aur mera bhi mann kar rahi thi aap sabse milney aur bachon sey khelney ki." Mahi defended herself.

"Abb aur ek saal rehgaya apni khud ki bachon sey khelney ke liye" Nani massi joined in teasing Mahi.

"Chalo, mein toh yahan aana pura band hi kardoongi agar aap mujhey chidna band nahin karey toh" she stumped her feet and sat beside Brij. He smiled and caressed her head. "Padhayi kaisey chal raha hai, Mahi beti?"

"theek chalraha hai papaji!" They both talked about her studies for a while. Mahi forgot herself and immersed in explaining about her ambitions and future plans and her future work with Shabd.

Brij told Mohini in the bed how much Mahi is involved in her studies. "yeh padhayi karkey abb shabd ke saat dena chahti hai. Wo donon ek dooserey ko samjhey iskey alawa humey bhi kya chahiye!!" he praised both Mahi and Shabd about their determination.

Mahi couldn't sleep thinking about Shabd and her sisters' teases. Abb ek saal padhayi theek thaak chaley, aur meri khwaayishey puri hojaay." She again strengthened her decision.

Two months after One day, when Mahi returned home from her college she found a beautiful woman talking closely to Shabd. She wondered as Shabd never brought his friends or colleagues home especially women. Mahi smiled at the lady and Shabd introduced them to each other.

"Mahi! She is my childhood friend, Suhani Jain. She is a professor in Fashion Technology in International Academy of Design and Technology, Chicago. She came here to teach our employees some technical expertise. She will be here for two years. She bought an apartment which will be available in two months. Meanwhile she will stay with us for atleast two months."

Suhani shook her hand with Mahi and Mahi reciprocated. Mahi got freshen up and helped Dayi Maa and the chef to arrange the dinner table.

Suhani is very friendly and talked about many subjects about the latest technology in Fashion industry. Mahi liked her way of explanation and gathered a lot of matter about her studies and her future plans.

Mahi left to her room after dinner while Shabd and Suhani spent more time in study room and later in guest room where Suhani is going to stay for next two months.

Mahi, somehow felt discomfort about Suhani and her friendliness with Shabd. She couldn't concentrate much on her studies that night. She closed her books and lay on the bed early than usual time. "Yeh kya insecure feel kar rahi hoon? Wo toh Shabd ki dost hai. And she will stay only two months. Phir kyon mera mann discomfort feel kar rahi hai?"

Shabd noticed frown on Mahi's face while he is lying on the bed. He caressed her temples to make her comfortable. Mahi opened her eyes and saw him and closed her eyes with a smile. She felt comfortable with his pampering.

Morning Mahi set everything ready for Shabd as usual and left for college alone as Shabd is busy with Suhani. That night at dinner Suhani took initiative and helped Mahi and Dayi Maa despite of their warnings.

"Mein yahan do mahina rehni wali hoon aur agar mujhey kuch bhi kaam nahin kardiya toh main moti ho jaaoongi. Shabd bhi office mein kuch bhi kaam karney nahin deta hai. Sab log itna pamper karey toh mujhey jaaney ka mann bhi nahin karega." Suhani told pleadingly.

Mahi felt jealous at Suhani's statements "Yeh kyon ussey paper karey? Yeh toh sirf dost haina?" She tried to suppress her jealous and behave normal.

Suhani cut jokes at Shabd and talked about Shabd as how he was in his school. Shabd warned her not to reveal everything and Suhani jovially laughed at his fear.

Mahi and Dayi Maa exchanged their looks at their intimacy. Second night Mahi disturbed with her studies and sleeps. Shabd spent more time with Suhani as they both shared more time about their childhood memories. He came to bed early morning and without disturbing Mahi he slept in the couch.

Mahi got up late next morning as she had disturbed sleep last night. By the time she got ready Shabd and Suhani already got ready at breakfast table.

Mahi apologized but Shabd warned her, "Suhani helped, Mahi! Don't worry. One day if you miss my work nothing is going to fall wrong." Mahi thanked Suhani and Suhani smiled "It's my pleasure Mahi! After all this is my friend's house."

Mahi came late from college as she had extra project and Shabd and Suhani finished their dinner early as they had to work on some project. Mahi slept without eating as unusual and Dayi Maa felt something wrong is going in Mahi's mind.

Next morning Mahi got up late again but with mild headache. She tried to skip her breakfast and Dayi Maa held her "Mahi! Kya horaha hai?" Mahi tried to hide her feelings and get away. But Dayi Maa stopped her "Kahin tum Suhani aur Shabd ko lekey pareshan toh nahin?" Mai startled for her direct enquiry and shook her head sideways.

Dayi Maa smiled at her "Wo donon sirf dost hai. Iskey siwa un donon ke beech kuch bhi nahin hai. Tumhara dimaak per jore mat daalo aur padhayi per dhyan do. Ab tak itna determination laga kar pad rahi ho. ab wo adhura mat rukney do."

Mahi smiled and shook head as she relieved from Dayi Maa's counseling. She again resumed her interest on studies and continued with more enthusiasm.