Removed - Page 21

Chapter 45

Evening,

Rawte Mansion,

Neha came in with lots of shopping bags. She ordered the servants to get the other bags from her SUV.

Rahul - [looking at shopping bags] Poora Mumbai khareed kar aayi ho kya?

Neha - Ise diwali ki shopping kehte hai dada!

Rahul - nahi, ise to diwala nikalna kehte he!

Shalini - tum dono aate hi shuru ho gaye? Jao pehle fresh hokar aao, khana thanda ho raha hai!

Ok Aai' both said in unison n went to their rooms.

Later at night, ladies were sorting the things Neha had bought today.

Shaina - Neha, kaisi rahi aaj ki shopping?

Neha - puchiye mat bhabhi.. bahot thak gayi hu! Mujhe samajh nahi aata ki aap sab itni shopping ek sath kaise kar lete he.. main to ek din me hi thak gayi! Isse jyada to kisi criminal ko pakadna aasan he!

Shalini n Sunanda laughed at her comment.

Shaina - maine ko mana kiya tha na.. lekin tumhari hi zidd thi ki diwali ki sari shopping tum akele karogi to ab jhelo!

Neha - haan! [takes a saree] Aai, ye paithani kaisi he?

Shalini - bahot acchi hai! [puts it on her shoulder]

Sunanda - ye rang aap par bahot accha lag raha hai tai!

Neha - I knew it! Maa, ye paithani aapke liye aur bhabhi ye aapki! [gives them their sarees]

Sunanda - Sonu, iss baar to koi kaand nahi kiya na shopping karte waqt?

Neha - Maa, aisa kabhi ho sakta he ki main shopping karne jau aur koi kaand na ho?

Shalini - he deva! ab kya kaand kar diya tumne?

Neha - relax Aai! bas wo aapki paithani lete waqt thoda sa..

Sunanda - thoda sa kya?

Neha - wo hua ye ki mujhe Aai ke liye koi bhi saree pasand nahi aa rahi thi, phir mujhe ek aunty ke paas ye paithani dikhayi di.. maine unse pucha ki wo ise khareed rahi he to unhone mana kar diya, maine jab iss saree ko mere liye pack karne ko kaha to wo aunty kehne lagi ki main ise nahi le sakti kyuki pehle unhone ise dekhi thi.

Shaina - to tumne kya kaha?

Neha - maine bhi keh diya ki jab maine pucha to mana kyu kiya? Ab to ye saree main hi lungi, maine shop ke owner se kaha ki main iss saree ki dugni keemat dekar ise khareedungi, phir aunty se keh diya ki unhe chahiye to wo mujhse jyada paise dekar ye saree le sakti he, lekin phir unhone mana kar diya aur maine ye saree lekar aa gayi!

Shalini - tumne aisa nahi karna chahiye tha Sonu, ye galat he beta!

Neha - aai, sahi-galat mujhe nahi pata lekin itna zaroor pata he ki ye saree jitni aap par acchi lagti utni unn aunty par nahi lagti.. aur waise bhi galti aunty ki he, pehle lene se mana nahi karti to main thodi aage baat karti! Aur maine unse bilkul bhi badtameezi nahi ki aur na hi unchi awaz me baat ki, bahot hi aaram se pyar se baat ki thi maine!

Shaina - tumne aaram se baat ki thi Neha?

Neha - haan, wo Dj tha na sath me, chillax karwane ke liye, isliye! khair wo sab jane dijiye, ye saree to aap hi pehenengi ye baat to pakki he!

Shalini - nahi Sonu, main..

Neha - aai, mana mat karna nahi to dhai lakh pani me jayenge!

~

Rathod's house,

Kajal - Maa, aap aaj shopping karne gayi thi to mere liye kya laayi?

Damini - bahot kuch, yahan aakar hi dekh lo!

Kajal is busy looking at the stuff.

Karan - Maa, aapko Mumbai kaisa laga?

Damini - Mumbai to thik he.. lekin yahan ke log, Ram Ram! aur khas kar ladkiya, bilkool bhi tameez nahi he, wo jitne kapde pehenti he usse jyada kapde to hamare Udaipur ke bacche pehente he!

Manushi - Mami ji, ye Mumbai he, yahan aisa hi fashion he!

Damini - fashion ke bare me to nahi pata lekin haan agar tum dono [Kajal&Manushi] ne aise kapde pehenne ke bare me socha bhi na to keh deti hu, ghar se nikalne nahi dungi! aur bahar gayi to ghar pe wapas mat aana!

Kajal - Maa, hum aise kapde nahi pehente!

Karan - [in mind] are maa se to jhoot mat bol kajal! Maine khud tujhe Rahul ke saath mini skirts aur one piece me ghumte huye dekha he!

Sameer - Maa, kya baat he? aap bahot gusse me lag rahi he, kuch hua he kya?

Damini - kya batau beta? Aaj jab me saree khareed rahi thi to wahan ek ladki mili, usse badtameez ladki maine aaj tak nahi dekhi! Bado se kaise baat karte he use to pata hi nahi!

Manushi - ye kab hua Mami ji?

Damini - wo tum apni dost se milne gayi thi tab! ek lakh 25 hazar ki saree ko usne dhai lakh me khareedi, itne paise ek saree ke piche koun barbaad karta he? aur upar se mujhe keh rahi thi maine pehle decide nahi kiya ki saree khareedni hai ya nahi! Suna tha ki Mumbai ki ladkiya badtameez hoti he aaj dekh bhi liya! Ek aur baat, khabardaar agar tum dono [Sameer&Karan] me se kisine bhi Mumbai ki ladki ko pasand kiya he to, wo mere ghar ki bahu nahi banegi, bilkool nahi!

Karan - [whispering to Sameer] bhai, maa ne unki dono bahuo ka patta fit hone se pehle hi kaat diya! ab?

Sameer - relax chote! hum mana lenge, waise bhi Aisha aur Neha dono hi Maa ko pasand ayenge iski to mujhe garantee hai!

Karan - waise bhai, kal hum Rawte Mansion jayenge na, Lakshmi pujan ke liye?

Sameer - haan, aur kal hi unki dono bahuo se milwa denge, phir to mana karne ka koi sawal hi nahi!

Karan - done bhai!

Sameer - done!

Damini - Sameer, Karan, kya khus-phus kar rahe ho? Koi baat chhupa to nahi rahe na?

Sameer - nahi maa, aisa kuch nahi he!

Karan - Maa, hum ye soch rahe the ki kal Lakshmi pujan he, hum kounse kapde pehenenge?

Damini - tum dono ke liye bahot acchi si sherwani chun kar layi hu, ye dekho!

~

Next Day,

Evening,

Rawte Mansion was decorated with lights n flowers, it looked like a bride. A rangoli was made at the main door of the mansion. Servants were busy with the last of preparations, while Aryan n Rahul were ready to welcome the guests which were going to arrive. Shalini was checking the preparations of puja with the Pandit.

Soon, the guests had started arriving. The business partners n associates, family friends, team members, n many more were on the guest-list.

Neha was sitting in front of her dressing table, getting ready for the occasion. In front of her was her tab, in which she was in a video chat with Shanaya.

Neha - Sweet-heart, aapke yahan Lakshmi pujan ki taiyaria ho gayi? [she asked, while wearing a necklace]

Shanaya - haan, almost ho chuki he! waise Chutki teri jewellery bahot heavy he nahi?

Neha - nahi Di, ye to kuch bhi nahi he, mere paas to isse bhi heavy neck pieces hai, aur itna wajan to uthana hi chahiye, aakhir Rawte's ke class ka sawal he!

Shanaya - sahi he! lekin baad me pata chalega ki itni heavy jewellery pehenne se kya taklif hoti he!

Neha - mujhe to aadat he di, waise bhi diwali hi to ek aisa mouka hota he jahan itna saj-dhaj ke nikal sakte he, if you've got it, then flaunt it!

Shanaya - Chutki, iss baar London kab aa rahi ho?

Neha - London? do mahine me ya phir thoda jaldi, meri exam ki dates par depend karta he! Ek aur khush-khabri he aapke liye, jab main London aaungi to aapke ghar rukne wali hu!

Shanaya - that's great! waise do mahine me to meri godh-bharayi bhi hogi, tum aaogi na?

Neha - sure di, itna important function main miss nahi karungi! waise me bhagwan se pray karungi ki meri exam aur aapki godh-bharayi dono dates paas me ho, taaki me aapke paas jyada din ruk saku!

Shanaya - main bhi pray karungi! waise do mahine ka intezaar kitna lamba hoga na? thoda jaldi nahi khatam ho sakta kya?

Neha - Di, aap kyu nahi aa jati Mumbai? intezaar karne ki zarurat hi nahi!

Shanaya - tere jiju nahi manenge mujhe aisi halat me wahan bhejne ke liye!

Neha - hmm.. koi baat nahi, hum video chat me baat kar liya karenge aaj ki tarah!

Shanaya - haan, ye bhi accha idea he!

Neha - hona hi chahiye, mera idea jo he! [Neha stood up]

Shanaya - kya hua Chutki? tum khadi kyu ho gayi?

Neha - Di, wo payal pehenni hai na isliye! [she replied, putting the golden anklets on her leg] Di! I'm ready! Kaisi lag rahi hu?

Shanaya - ek dum Indra-lok ki apsara jaisi! bahot khubsurat! [gave a flying kiss]

Neha - thank you! [caught the kiss n kept hand on her heart] love you Didu!

Shanaya - love you Chutki!

Neha -[there was a knock on the door] Di, main abhi aayi! [she said n went to open the door]

Arjun - Neha! Kya kar rahi ho itni der se? Sare mehmaan aa gaye he, chalo jaldi!

Neha - bas panch minit aur bhaiya! please!

Arjun - thik he lekin sirf do minit!

Neha - ok! [closed the door n came in] Sorry Di, gotta go now,will talk later! Happy Diwali in advance!

Shanaya - no worries dear! Happy Diwali! [they closed the chat]

Shanaya had heard the voice of Arjun, it hadn't changed even after 10 years n she remembered her college days.

~flashback~

It was Valentines Day, the college premises was full of red coloured roses n love birds. Shanaya was walking to n fro in the garden of the college, eagerly waiting for her valentine. But there was no sight of him.

Shanaya - [muttering] ye Juno Boy na hamesha late aata he! Main kab se intezaar kar rahi hu aur janab hai ki unka kuch ata pata nahi!

Goldie - Shan! Tu yahan kya kar rahi he? Chal jaldi, college ground me sab tera intezaar kar rahe he!

Shanaya - mujhe nahi aana! pata nahi ye Juno kahan reh gaya?

Goldie - Shan! Juno Ground me hai, chal to!

Shanaya - chal! [they go to the college ground]

Arjun was standing on the stage with his guitar. He saw Shanaya coming.

Arjun - [on mic] Hello everyone! See here comes the most awaited lady! Cheers for her!

Shanaya - nautanki! Main wahan uska wait kar rahi hu aur ye yahan hero ban ke baitha he!

Arjun - [on mic] this song is for.. you know who! [he winked at her, to which she blushed deeply] He started singing,

Suraj Hua Maddham Chand Jalne Laga,

Aasman Ye Haaye, Kyu Pighalne Laga,

Main Thehra Raha Zameen Chalne Lagi,

Dhadka Yeh Dil, Saans Thamne Lagi

Oh, Kya Yeh Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hai

Sajna Kya Ye Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai

The crowd cheered, "Woohoo!! Say Yes!!"

Arjun got down from the stage n came before her, got on his knees n took out a red rose.

Arjun - Will you be my Valentine?

Shanaya - yes..

~flashback~

~

Neha picked the shawl n put it on her shoulders n walked out.

Neha - bhaiya, main kaisi lag rahi hu?

Arjun - hamesha ki tarah.. ab jaldi chalo!

Neha - what? Maine pura ek ghanta lagaya taiyaar hone me aur aap keh rahe he ki hamesha ki tarah.. thik se taarif bhi nahi kar sakte na aap? [she pouted]

Arjun - [sighed] bilkul dulhan lag rahi ho, tumhare dulhe raja ke aane ki deri he bas!

Neha - dulhe to aap bhi lag rahe he bhaiya, aapki dulhan bulwa du?

Arjun - baad me!

Neha - sacchi??

Arjun started walking without replying, Neha joined him soon.

Suryakant - ye Sonu kahan reh gayi? aur kitni der lagayegi taiyaar hone me?

Shalini - wo dekhiye, aa gaye aapke raj dulare!

All eyes were set on Neha n Arjun as they were coming down the staircase. All the men were mesmerised by the beauty in front of them. Dressed in a dark pink Paithani saree, the heavy gold jewellery, n no make-up except the kohl n lip-gloss made her look like a royal princess. As she stepped down, her anklets made sweet ringing sound which made her look like a celestial nymph.

The ladies were busy looking at Arjun who looked no less than a royal prince, dressed in a cream coloured Sherwani.

They reached at the middle of the stairs, Neha took the mic n started speaking.

Neha - [she joined hands] Namaskar! Aapan sagle aaj Lakshmi pujanat sahabhagi honya sathi aalet hya baddal aapla khub khub dhanyawaad. Lakshmi maate chi krupa sarvan var aasawi aashi prarthana.{aap sabhi aaj Lakshmi pujan me sahbhagi hone ke liye aaye islk liye dhanyawad. Lakshmi maa ki kripa sab par bani rahe aisi prarthana.} [she kept back mic n came down]

As Neha walked through the guests n reached the temple area, she could hear the envious ladies talking about her extravagance.

Neha - Pandit ji, aarti kab shuru karenge?

Pandit - beti, abhi shubh muhurat shuru hone me 10 minit shesh hai, tat paschyat aarti shuru karenge.

Neha - avashya pandit ji.

After praying to the Goddess Lakshmi n giving the prasad, it was party time.

Neha was talking with the ETF team, all were teasing her n enjoying their time. Neha was eagerly waiting for Karan who hadn't arrived yet.

Shree - Neha, tum humse baat kar rahi ho ya darwaze se?

Chotu - Shree, tu kehna kya chahta he?

Liza - yahi ki dekho to kitni besabri se intezaar ho raha kisika!

Chotu - ye haal to yahan bhi he aur wahan bhi, haina Aisha?

Maulik - haaye! kash koi isi tarah mera bhi intezar karta! [he said resting his elbow on Neha's shoulder]

Anjali - [hitting his head] karta nahi karti!

Maulik - wahi! waise ye DQ kahan he? dikhayi nahi de rahi!

Neha - [jerked her shoulder n made him a little imbalanced] idhar hu..bol!

Maulik - ye aur DQ??[looking at her from top to bottom] ho hi nahi sakti! sorry for disturbing you ma'am.. hum to apni DQ ko dhundh rahe the! aap koun he?

Neha - DQ ka bhoot!

Maulik - hmm.. dekha ye DQ nahi he.. uska bhoot he.. chal Anji DQ ko dhundhte he!

Anjali - DQ ko dhundhne ki zarurat nahi he MD, ye samne hi khadi he!

Neha - MD, you're drunk?

Maulik - shh.. chup pitwayegi kya? Dad yahi khade he, tere bhi aur mere bhi.. dono pakadke dhobi ghat bana denge..chup reh!

Neha - [shook her head] tu chal mere sath, Anji tu bhi!

Maulik - kahan?

Neha - dhobi ghat! chal be!

Neha n Anjali took Maulik out n made him sit in the SUV. Neha sat in the driver seat n Anjali settled behind. Neha drove off.

Neha - MD, gadhe.. itna drink karke koi aisi party me aata he kya?

Maulik - haha.. main sirf ek peg vodka pee kar aaya tha.. wo to tujhe wahan se le aane ke liye acting kar rahe tha.. phir ek baar meri acting se phas gayi tu!

Neha -[stopped the SUV] what?? not again MD!!

Maulik - yes again DQ!

Neha - main ghar wapas jaa rahi hu.. tum dono ko kya karna he bata do!

Maulik - nahi.. tu hamare sath chal rahi he, hum pehle Sim ke ghar jakar use pick karenge aur phir Mitro se milne DJ ke ghar jayenge samjhi?

Neha - lekin mere ghar pe bhi to party he!

Anjali - main to puja thi na.. wo ho gayi.. ab party to friends ke saath hi maza aata he na!

Neha - fine but ghar jaldi jana padega! Main kisiko batakar bhi nahi aayi!

Maulik - to phone karke bata de! simple yaar!

Neha - [calls Arjun] Bhaiya, main mere friends ke sath bahar hu, do ghante me wapas aa jaungi.. ghar pe sambhal lena please!

Arjun - haan lekin.. [call disconnected]

Maulik - chal ab jaldi!

Three of them first went to Simran's house, took blessings of her parents, talked with them for a while n then went to Daljeet's house along with Simran.

At Daljeet's house,

Daljeet, Ashfaq n Sukhi were already present there when Maulik, Neha, Anjali n Simran arrived. They had a dinner together with Mitro.

Mitro - he sacche baadshah! mere saare bacche ko aise hi hamesha ek sath rakhna! Inki khushiyo ko kabhi kisiki nazar na lage!

All chatted n enjoyed for a while n then went to their houses.

As Neha reached Rawte Mansion, it was quite late, party had already ended n all the guests had left. She jumped from the SUV n winced in pain. She removed the bellies n looked at her feet, the new bellies had made cuts on her feet.She picked the bellies in her hand n started walking slowly. She walked in through the lawns. Aryan, Shaina, Arjun, Sameer, Rahul, Kajal, Karan n Manushi were sitting n chatting there.

Arjun - do ghante ho gaye tumhare??

Neha looked at him n others n then at her cell, 60 missed calls! It had been more than 3 hours now. Khidki se chadhkar room me chali jati to accha hota,bekar me saamne se ane ka socha.. ab daant suno!' She thought.

Neha - sorry.. wo mera phone mute mode pe tha to mujhe pata hi nahi chala ke itne call kab aaye.. [shook her head] main bahot thak gayi hu.. to sone jati hu.. bye everyone.. [she waved n started walking]

Aryan - [stood up] Ms. Rawte! Wait! [she stopped] You're drunk??

Neha - [shook her head vigorously] nah.. no!

Aryan - [clenched his fist tightly] jhoot mat bolo!

Neha - [counting on her fingers] 3.. bas teen glass.. glass not grass! usse jada bilkul nahi [pinching her throat] sacchi! I swear bhau!

Arjun - why again??

Neha - celebration drink ke bina thodi pura hota he? aur maine to sirf champagne hi li thi.. no whisky no vodka no rum.. not even beer! only champagne!

Aryan - Arjun ise keh do ki kal subah 5 baje taiyaar rahe, koi bahana nahi chalega! aur 5 baje se ek bhi minit jyada huyi to har minit ke liye 2 round badh jayega!

Neha - no.. not again!

Her cell ringed,

Hosh Walo Ko Khabar Kya Bekhudi Kya Cheez Hai..

Hosh Walo Ko Khabar Kya Bekhudi Kya Cheez Hai..

She took the call..

Neha - Aap jis vyakti se sampark karna chahte he wo ghar pahuch gayi he lekin abhi class me vyast he, kripaya call na kare! dhanyawad! [she disconnected the call n looked at the logs] oh s#!$ Mote Saand ke do missed calls.. Neha tu to aaj gayi.. tujhe koi nahi bacha sakta! [She immediately called Turnbull, the call was picked on the second ring]Bull..

Turnbull - Agent Mona.. finally you got time to answer me! Where the hell were you?

Neha - Where was I??[she muttered] aay shabas..aaj tak mere papa ne mujhse kabhi ye nahi pucha to tu kis khet ki muli he be? [talked]that's none of your business!

Turnbull - fine, you haven't replied to the mail sent to you 2 days ago today is the last day, reply me within an hour n it's really important case so be quick! [he disconnected the call]

Neha - my goodness! Bhabhi.. mere room me do teen cup strong black coffee bhijwa dena! [she threw the bellies n sprinted off to her room ignoring the pain of her feet]

chal beta kaam pe lag jaa.. aaram haram he! [she sat on the couch with her laptop] Oh God! 150 pages ki information! ek ghante me kya karungi main? jo bhi hai karna to padega! [she read the details of the case n her coffee arrived soon]

She worked for the whole night on the case details. Next morning around 4 o'clock she drifted off to sleep on couch itself.

Ayan knocked the door at 5 a.m. sharp. But no one answered. He knocked again n the door opened. He stepped in n saw Neha sleeping on the couch, three cups of coffee were on the table n the laptop too. The lights were on showing that she's slept only a while ago. Her face looked tired. He switched the lights off n went out, locking the door, letting her sleep.

Neha woke up 2 hours later. She got ready n went to ESS office directly.

Aryan - aaj punishment nahi di iska matlab ye mat samajhna ki tumhe maaf kar diya he, kal subah 5 baje aaj ki punishment complete kar lena aur sath hi 5 rounds extra bhi lagana, ek din late ho isliye!

Neha nodded n got back to work.

~

Diwali's evening,

Rawte mansion had been decorated with diyas n lights n flowers too. The rangoli at the door was done by Neha. Mansion was ready for another pompous party tonight. The guests had arrived.

Neha was walking through the corridor of mansion when she felt a tug on her hand n next her soft body crashed on to a hard one. A strong masculine scent filled in her senses. His hand held her waist firmly, it sent chills down her spine. She opened her eyes n found him staring at her every curve shamelessly.

Dressed in a peacock blue-green paithani saree, she looked breathe-takingly beautiful. The gold ornaments just added to her beauty. Her curls were tied into a bun n the sweet smell of gajra was around her. The deep shade of red henna on her butterly white hands n the golden rings that adorned her fingers made her look like a bride.

Neha - aise kya dekh rahe ho Rats? jaise pehle kabhi koi ladki dekhi hi nahi?

Karan - main dekh raha tha ki meri hone wali dulhan kaisi lagegi?

Neha - jab tumhari dulhan banungi tab dekh lena.. abhi jane do bahot kaam karna he!

Karan - kaam ke alawa kabhi to mere.. khud ke liye time nikala karo!

Neha - wo to iss waqt hone se raha.. abhi jane do.. baad me baat karti hu tumse!

Karan - jane dunga lekin uski keemat chukani padegi!

Neha - kaisi keemat?

Karan - just one kiss not more!

Neha - okay.. pehle apni aankhe band karo aur jab tak main na kahu kholna mat! [he closed his eyes n she looked at both ends of corridor n saw Arjun coming this way, she quickly stepped behind n before Karan could understand she went away]

Arjun - Karan?! tum yahan aankhe band karke kyu khade ho?

Karan - [opened his eyes] wo.. main.. Neha.. [he looked around to find no trace of her]

Arjun - sapne neend me dekhna abhi bahar chalo sab tumhara intezaar kar rahe he!

They went out, Neha was busy with others in bursting fire-crackers. Neha looked at him n smiled. Mujhe phirse bewakoof bana diya!'Karan thought.

Neha - Bhabhi, ye aunty yahan kya kar rahi he?

Shaina - kounsi aunty?

Neha - wo jo abhi maa se baat kar rahi he!

Shaina - tum unhe nahi janti?

Neha - nahi.. lekin ye wahi aunty he jinse maine Aai ki saree ke liye jhagda kiya tha!

Shaina - tab to tum bahot buri phasi ho!

Neha - kyu?

Shaina - wo tumhari hone wali saas he.. lekin ab hone ke chances pata nahi!

Neha - what? oh hell!

Arjun - jyada mat socho, jao aur unke pairo me gir kar unse maafi mang lo!

Neha - meri galti nahi thi, main kyu maafi mangu?

Shalini - Sonu! idhar aao beta!

Neha - ji aayi.. aai.. aayi! [she goes there]

Sunanda - Damini ji ye he meri beti Neha, uss din nahi mil payi thi aap!

Neha - [joining hands] namaste![she bent slightly to touch her feet]

Damini - nahi thik he!

Some other friends of Shalini n Sunanda called them.

Sunanda - aap dono baate kijiye hum abhi aate he! [she left]

There was a silence for a while.

Neha - Aunty, uss din ke mere bartav se aapko bura laga ho to uske liye mujhe maaf kar dena. I'm sorry for that.

Damini - tajjub hota he mujhe tumhe dekh kar! itni jaldi itne kirdar kaise badal leti ho?

Neha - agent hu.. kirdaar badalna mere baaye hath ka khel he!

Damini - agent? LIC ki?

Neha - nahi.. police officer hu! waise aapko party me maza to aa raha he na?

Damini - haan.. kaafi acchi arrangements karwayi he!

Neha - ji nahi.. maine khud ki hai!

Her cell rang.. "No Pains, No Fears, No Shouts, No Tears!"

Neha - excuse me for a while! [took the call] Bull, I'd call you later, I'm at the party.

Turnbull - that's ok, just to inform you that your mission should start within the next 5 days.

Neha - sure! [call disconnected]

Neha - waise aunty aap kuch lijiye na.. juice magwati hu aapke liye! [ordered a servant to get juices. She gave Damini orange juice n picked up apple juice for herself]

Arjun was searching his kids when he saw Neha with apple juice, he coughed n caught her attention.

Neha - kya hua bhaiya? bahot khasi aa rahi he aapko! dawai du?

Arjun - nahi main thik hu!

Neha - [whispered him his ears] zara apni saas ko sambhaliye main aati hu!

Arjun - jaldi aana!

Neha went to the empty corridor, where she got a call.

Caller - Neha madam, ye case lene ki galati mat karna nahi to ...

Neha - nahi to kya kar lega be?

Caller - paithani se jyada acchi tum swim suit me lagogi nahi? [call disconnected]

Neha's mind was blank for a few seconds,then she felt someone trying to hug her from behind. She immediately turned, ready to fight.

Neha - stay the hell away!

Karan - meow?!!

Neha saw Karan n hugged him tight. He hugged her back.

Karan - meow? kya hua?

Neha - kuch nahi.. [composing herself] rats! tumhe kitni baar kehna padega ki piche se mat aaya karo!

Karan - wo to pichli baar tum mujhe bewakoof bana kar chali gayi to socha ye mouka nahi jane de sakta! [he said holding her hand]

Neha - ye romeo-giri aaj mat karo.. kisine dekh liye to bahot badi gadbad ho jayegi! let me go now!

Karan stood there looking at her retreating figure. He felt someone standing beside him.

Karan - maa aap yahan?

Damini - uss ladki se dur rehna beta! zarurat se jyada chalak ladkiyo se dur rehna hi behtar hota he!

Karan - wo meri zindagi he, main usse dur nahi reh sakta! [he muttered n left.]

It was diwali's night so playing the game of cards was a custom. The Rawte siblings were seated on a table playing rummy. Each one had a good amount of cash kept with them for the game. Aryan distributed the cards to each one.

Aryan - Sonu, shuru karo!

Neha - ok.. [she took 25000's bundle n put it in middle of the table] ye meri chal.

Rahul kept 10,000.

Neha - kanjus dada! jyada rakho na! itne se paiso ke liye khelne me kya maza?

Rahul - meri chal he, meri marzi jitne paise lagana chahu!

Arjun took 5000 from Rahul's bundle n kept it in middle.

Arjun - ab khush?

Neha - thik he.. ab aapki baari!

Arjun n Aryan put 20000 each. They looked at their cards.

Neha - kisiko aur paise lagane he? [all nodded] ok then show!

Aryan showed his cards, two queens n a jack. Arjun's cards were a king, two queens. Rahul showed his cards, an ace n 2 n 3 numbers. Neha showed her cards, all three were kings. She collected all the money.

Rahul - bhau.. this is cheating! aapne jaan-boojh kar Neha ko acche cards diye!

Suryakant - Rahul! bahot galat baat! pehli baazi agar meri beti jeet gayi he to tumhare pet me kyu dard ho raha he? are abhi to puri raat baki he.. subah tay hoga ki asli khiladi koun he! chalo natak mat karo aur chup chap khelo!

Rahul - ok baba!

Neha - lijiye dada..iss baar aap shuffle kijiye!

Rahul shuffled the cards n distributed them. At the end, Neha had got all three aces n she won again.

Neha - iss baar kuch mat kehna dada.. cards aapne khud diye the!

They played the game for whole night.

~

The morning of Bhai-dooj,

Aryan, Arjun n Rahul were seated in a row, while Neha was busy in preparing the aarti's thali.

Shalini - Sonu, beta ab sab ho gaya he.. chalo aarti kar lo!

Neha nodded, n stood in front of Aryan. She applied a small dot of kumkum on his forehead n a little rice, akshat' n then did his aarti'.

Neha - Aap hamesha khush rahe aur jaldi se ek aur nanha sa mehmaan hamare ghar aaye!

After doing Arjun's aarti'.

Neha - Meri bhabhi ko dhundne ka kasht aap karenge ya ye bhi main hi karu?

Arjun - uski koi zarurat nahi he, mera faisla aaj bhi wahi he jo pehle tha.. main shadi nahi karunga!

Neha - main bhi dekhti hu kab tak!

After Rahul's aarti'.

Neha - Aapka har business hamesha profit me rahe aur to kya kahu?!

She kept the plate on the table n stood with her hands folded.

Neha - ab laiye mera gift!

Aryan - gift?!

All three stood up. Arjun removed a black strip from his pocket n tied it on her eyes.

Rahul - follow me!

Neha - aankho par patti bandhi he.. kuch dikhayi nahi de raha.. follow kaise karu?

Arjun - chalo [he held her hand n she walked along]

Neha - hum kahan jaa rahe he?

Aryan - dhiraj ka phal meetha hota he.. chalti raho!

They reached at the main door.

Arjun - aage steps he..dhyan se utarna!

Neha - mujhe pata he bhaiya!

They walked a little more, then she heard a door of car click open. Arjun picked her n made her seat on the driver's seat, then closed the door. She heard the other three doors lock.

Aryan - ab tum patti khol sakti ho!

Neha opened her eyes n looked. Aryan gave her the keys of the car.

Neha - Range Rover Evoque!! I don't believe this!

Rahul - [hit her head playfully] ab yakeen hua?

Neha - thoda thoda! [she put the keys n started the ignition n blowed the horn] woohoo! [she screamed in happiness]

Arjun - ek test drive ho jaye?

Neha - test-drive kyu? let's go for a long drive! Fasten your seat-belts, the plane's ready for take-off! 3.. 2.. 1.. woohoo! [she started the SUV n zoomed off]

After 15 minutes they stopped at an ice-cream parlour n ate ice-creams. After 20 minutes she stopped the car again.

Rahul - ab kyu roka?

Neha - pani-puri khani he! aapko aana he to aaiye nahi aana phir bhi aaiye! chaliye!

After eating a plate of pani-puri each they settled in the SUV again. Neha drove through the roads of Mumbai n reached Siddhi Vinayak temple. They prayed there n then came back to mansion after 2 hours.

~ ~ ~

That's it!

Almost 5200+ words update in total!

do drop in long comments dearies!

Precap - Neha goes for the mission n Damini's reaction on knowing about SaSha n Karan-Neha!

Stay tuned to know more!

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