Chapter 6

EPISODE – 18

 

Rajveer was in the splits. He was laughing uncontrollably as Naina narrated him her experience with Colonel Sahay. She was sitting right in front of him with a long face. But Rajveer continued to laugh.

"Haan-haan hans lo. Tumhein jaana padta na Colonel Sahay ke saamne to pata lagta."

"Acha. Hum logon ko to bahut attitude dikhati ho... Colonel Sahay ke naam se hi us din tumhari hawa nikali hui thi."

"That's really not funny.Agar kuch gadbad ho jaati to....."

 

Rajveer stopped laughing. She was serious.

"Okay baba... I am sorry! Aur phir tumhare paas to experience bhi nahin tha na apne bhai ki shaadi ki baat uski girl friend ke Dad ke saath karne ka."

She gave him a cold stare.

"Okay... bad joke! But the thing is...." Suddenly the bell rang.

"Navin aur Neetika honge... I'll get them."

 

Rajveer left to open the door and came back with the love birds.

"Hey Naina!" Neetika gave her a warm hug. "Exhibition kaisi thi."

Before Naina could answer Rajveer was again laughing... Though this time in a suppressed laughter.

"Tumhein kya hua?"

"Kuch nahin Niti... Avoid him. He's lost it today. My trip was fine."

"Phir mujhe yahan kuch gadbad kyun lag rahi hai?" Navin was a bit surprised to see Naina's not so nice mood and Rajveer having a hard time controlling his laughter.

"Koi gadbad nahin hai Bhaiyya."

 

But Rajveer's expression didn't let Navin buy that.

"Okay! Both of you... What's cooking?"

Naina and Rajveer looked at each other. Rajveer finally got a grip over himself and especially his laugh.

"Cooking... kuch bhi to nahin." Rajveer answered.

"Waise mujhe bhi lag raha hai ki something is fishy." Neetika was also suspicious.

"Arrey... woh... Cooking...Of course... that's it!! Hum dono aaj dinner ka plan bana rahe the. And I am cooking for all of us."

"What?" Navin exclaimed.

"Haan. Bahut din ho gaye na. To ghar chalte hain and we'll have dinner together. All of us. What's say?"

"Idea is good but it's still a lie."

"Idea is good na... To baaki sab ki tension mat lo. Raj you go change. Quick."

"Right."

 

********

 

They were at Navin's place sitting in Navin's room. They were discussing some official matter. Naina insisted on closing all that but Navin told her to spare them for 5 minutes. Naina excused herself. Once they were through, Navin turned to Rajveer.

 

"Okay Raj. Now I can not handle this suspense any more."

"What suspense?"

"What are you and Naina upto? And don't even bother tell me that it's nothing because I know it's not the case. I know you both atleast this much."

 

A smirk that came on Rajveer's face told him that he wasn't wrong.

"Chal kya raha hai?" Now even Neetika was curious.

"Okay fine. Naina ko aane do uske baad bataunga. Usse pehle agar maine kuch bola to woh mere last words honge. She will kill me."

"Right!"

 

That very moment Naina came back. Her right hand was behind her back and she was holding something in that.

"Here she is." Neetika said.

"Mera wait kar rahe the kya? Kya hua?"

"Yeh to tu bataegi." Navin's tone was rather commanding.

"Kya?"

"Yehi ki what you two are upto."

"Oh that! Acha usse pehle choose one out of this." She said handing him a packet.

"Yeh kya hai?"

"Cards ke sample hain Bhaiyya. By the way, take help from Neetika or better let her decide."

"Wait a minute... Kis liye?"

Neetika also came to her looking worried while both Naina and Rajveer wore winning smiles on their faces.

 

"Arrey shaadi kya bina card chapwaaye karoge Bhaiyya.'

"NO... NO WAY! You don't really mean that. Naina please tell me ki you both have not done what I think you have."

"Oh come on Bhaiyya. Ab aapko no bolna acha lagta hai kya. Aur phir mere Bhaiyya to kabhi galat ho hi nahin sakte na. So you are right."

 

Rajveer gave Naina a high five while Navin and Neetika gazed at the cards horrified.

 

"So did you guys select any card? Hum logon ne next month ki date finalise ki hai. I hope that should be fine with both of you."

A voice came from door. They both looked up and freezed.

 

'This could not be true.' Navin pinched himself and realized this shocking bit of news was for real. They were actually getting married and they happened to be the last one to know about it.

 

Three more people joined the one standing on the door. Navin and Neetika were in a state of shock. It took them a while to react.

"Dad!" Neetika could not manage anything after that.

"I like your choice Niti." It was Colonel Sahay who has come to Delhi with Naina.

"Waise tum dono ne bataya nahin if next month would be fine with both of you." Neetika's mom also stepped inside.

Neetika was now blushing.

 

"Now that looks like a yes from Niti... Tu kya bolta hai Navin." Rajveer prompted him.

Navin looked at him, fuming. But Neetika's blush calmed him down almost imediately.

"Excuse Me." Saying this Navin left the room without saying anything to anyone leaving all of them bemused.

 

Naina was wondering if Navin is upset with her interference in his matter much against his wish while Neetika was a little hurt. All of them looked at each other quietly not knowing how they should be reacting to this. But thankfully Navin returned in 15 minutes.

 

He was holding a big bouquet of red roses. Everyone was looking at him bewildered.

"Why is everyone staring at me like that? Listen I don't want to hear all my life that Raj and Naina did everything for getting us married and I didn't even ask her." Navin's word brough a smile to everyone's face. They all moved aside leaving two of them standing in front of each other.

 

Navin gave her that bouquet and sat down on his knees taking her hands in his own.

"Miss Neetika Sahay, I can not promise you of all the comforts and luxuries of life but can assure you of my never-ending love, care and happiness even in the most awful moments of our lives. I promise you my commitment for our relationship till my last breath. In presence of all our loved ones I want to ask you, Will You Marry Me?"

 

Neetika lowered her eyes. She hadn't blushed so much in her life ever. Every one was waiting for her answer with a bated breath. Naina was so excited that she didn't even realize when she held Rajveer's arm. All the eyes were fixed on two of them. Finally she answered.

 

"Yes... I will!" She hid her face with her palms while Navin got up and gave her a tight hug.

 

"Mission Accomplished." Rajveer whispered in Naina's ear and Naina unable to control her joy hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek.