Love Necessitates Itself-(RM)*complete*

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Annahet

@sweetestcoolest

Explorer

Posted: 16 years ago

#51

*reserved*....

hiya naseem di...

well well well...just caught up with the first part n it was fab,

hehe....muski told the children not to use the golden words..lolia...

n that irritating jerk sangeet pal singh is there in this fic...this is gonna be loads of fuunn im sure...

n whoa...ure there as well....now im sure ill enjoy this ff all the more even though its already outta the world...

ohh..n i love the title...😊

im dead tired...had a very long day so ill read d other parts tom n comment on them as well

annahet

Edited by sweetestcoolest - 16 years ago

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DMG fan

@DMG fan

Explorer

Posted: 16 years ago

#52

Hi Nj,

Another one from your desk....hmmmmm!

Will be honest with you becasue that is what you want us to be.....right??? I was hesitant to start reading this one, just for the mere love (blind-love) for the favorite jodi - Armaan & Riddhima. Dont take me wrong I "like" RM but just cant see beyond AR. So coming back to this one, I wasnt sure if I really wanna know RM's love story. When I saw you PM I opened the FF and started reading. After just couple of minutes, I went back to whatever I was doing at office still contemplating as to whether I should read it! Again started reading it but only for few more minutes. Went back to the coding and routine stuff that we developers do at work. But this time I went back to reading sooner than I did the first time. This happened for few more times, every time reading for longer and coming back sooner. But then, I dont know at what point, I just wanted to keep reading. I fell in love with RM as much as I am in love with AR. See thats what I am talking about when I say you are one great writter. Thanks for making me fall in love with RM.

I just loved the spark between Rahul and Muskaan at the Taco Bell but the best part was Rahul and Adi. I just loved it loved it and then some more.

👏 Great work!

Edited by DMG fan - 16 years ago

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@spln

Inactive

+ 5

Posted: 16 years ago

#53

@ nijal...kratz....fellas...u both were prompt...the second part...which will be up in a few hours...will be coz of how promptly after reading u posted the comments...um still uncertaoin of a wider response here...but i so wana do this, that il pamper myself n post it nonetheless....its coming in a flow...told ya the prart1 thing took me abt 2 hours that for me is mindblowingly less lolzzzz

@ hinu, palnika, anhat...waiting ladies...with patience i assure u!!!

@ apporva, komz, radhika...welcome RMm folks...been long itching to have one on this couple um glad u all approve!!!

@ saira, anshu...thanx girls...i appreciate the feeed back specially on this one since its so obv not the a particular pick...lovya folks!!!

finally di, @ dmgfan!!!...lolzzz i can see that has happened to alot of people who read my AR fic, getting hesitant abt RM i mean...but like i said i really am in to this concept n it is ao RM n so not AR ion my head...i have to get it done or id be anything but happy with myself over it....glad u approved it after many itermittent unwilling go's at it...will try to maintain the pace n level...its gona be a quick fast fic, impulsively started n qucikly wrapped!!!

Edited by spln - 16 years ago

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Pebblez

@Pebblez

Voyager

+ 5

Posted: 16 years ago

#54

NJ!!!! (i am thinking of a new nick for u all for myself, tabb takk isi se kaam chalati hun hehe)...So i am finally here to do a long analysis of this part. Well, its 4 in the morning and i am still writing this down, cuz the caffeine, unfortuntately, had a little more of the desired effect and now all signs of slumber have left me...and what better way to lull time than to read your ff...

Hmmm....as i told you before, i am not a big RM fan, ok fine, i like the couple, thy look good together, but i missed out on some kind of chemistry between the two, maybe due to the lack of screen space in the drama. However, being big into AR, when i read that u r writing a RM ff, i was a tad disappointed, to tell u the truth. I was looking forward to a light-hearted ff from ur side on AR on the lines of Newton's (which wasnt THAT lighthearted, now that i come to think of it) hehe...i mean, i was expetcing the more casual style of writing than the one you hav adopted for Unleashing...and trust me, i love that as dearly as Newton's....

Okay, i am revealing true facts here...i did not read the intro first...i opened the topic, saw it was a RM topic, wished u best of luck and was off...but the other day, i was talking to mt friend Sana(whose an avid reader here too) and i told her that i feel i should read this one at least to see how you have incorporated RM into the ff.....still, i kept dilly-dallying....and then, the fateful day comes when i discover my long lost fetus, and then i am compelled to read this...not because you are my friend now, but because now that i know you better, i HAD to read this to know what part of yourself or the surroundings around you had pushed the idea of this ff in ur mind...

So now that the foreplay's done, i get back to how i found the ff....So, i read the intro just now...and honestly, what a character you pulled up yaar!! Muskaan was someone i could immediately imagine in that 'perfect' teacher's role...man, would'nt i have killed to have a teacher like her at some point...i guess, at some point when u r kids, teachers are your biggest idols, and for us as we both know, they remained so in later life too...their influence persists for a long time, specially ones as inspiring as the character f Muskaan you have made....she definitely is an enviable teacher...

The four magic words theory....man, can u get better than this? I mean, i felt like you took the words outta my heart and pulled them up here...every so my belief in that four magic words theory....it was genuine, it was logical and made sense...however, its rarely so that we come across people who tend to think differently than the cliched 'beta, you did wrong, say sorry' as if its gonna elp in doing anything hehehe....I believe u when u call me a kid when i say bthings like these...hmmmmm...

You know, the best thing i like about ur ffs is, the characters have a lot of volume to their character and personalities....they are so much more genuine, more human, someone i can relate to...there are different things in ur characters i can relate myself to, and thats the best part... In this ff too, though its just the start, the characters have been etched so sharply and thoughtfully by you....hats off for that!!

Without any second thought, the award of the best character goes to Adi from me...i mean, could a '7 year old' (in inverted commas) be as smart as the guy...i was a lame dumbass, i remember...but he is a charmer through and through...idk why, theres some kind of mysterious side to the boy i would love to explore as the ff moves forward...

As for Rahul, aah...what can you say....though he is not an absolute favorite, but you penned down his character so wonderfulyl...the father-son equation is so beautiful...i guess, what they say about every man being a young boy at heart is true...they all grow up, become mature but their heart is always that of a 7 year old hehehe....

Sangeel Pal...urf Sissy...hahahahahha...what a name you came up with!! I loved it, and OMG< what a superly irritating and annoying character...had i been Muskaan, i wouldnt have thought once before punching him hard...but he adds to the fun part of the ff...

Okay now...Best Scene: Undoubtedly, Rahul and Adi's car scene...idk why, that scene was the limelight of the whole part, made me grin like anything....i guess the father-son relation is a beautiful one to write on...specially when the kid's a smart one!!

Best Line: hmmmm...there are a few to choose from here...

1."I love you," she stated like she was making a business introduction.

"Then you absolutely must go to bed with me..." he replied grinning. That grin, someday he would die for it.

"I LOVE YOU..." she repeated again with gritted teeth emphasizing each word, "Thats the fourth one. Now get out of my way."
......This one made me smile like anything, i was literally laughing, good one Naseem yaar....pulled off the whole 'am-i-getting-under-ur-skin' part of Sissy well!!!

2.Shouldn't you be apologizing?"

"It wouldn't save you the pain and I already saved you the trouble of collecting your stuff."
......

This one made me go all like ' oooohhh lalala.....little miss attitude' hahaha...seriously yaar, those are the kind of one-liners i pull off with people, so i could totally see where it was coming from...

3."That was sarcastic Adi. And why is exciting for you to have her attack me?"

"I don't know. If you tell me that she was good looking I could explain myself better I think."

"Adi!" Rahul exclaimed in finality and it only made the boy grin his widest and cheekiest. "You have to be the world's most insane son, trying to set up your own Dad."
.........This was seriously extremely cute!!

Adi's becoming a favorite wayyyyy too soon hehehe....he's my boy, thru n thru...lol....the RM scene was outstanding...subtle, oozing in sarcasm and attitude, just the kind of blunderous beginning that ends in drastic stories hehehee....

Okay, this analysis got wayyyyy too long...but i loved writing each bit of it...weird thing is, i have never written an analysis as long for your AR ff too...now that owes me one, its up for tomorrow, for sure....

P.s. Putting uo Nijal into this, awww, that was very cute of you...!! :)....shows you are a true friend...

Waiting to catch up the next part...and as i have heard, its under construction ;)....

Take care

Loads love

Your separated fetus cum Kiran!!!

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Krani

@Krani

Dazzler

+ 9

Posted: 16 years ago

#55

Hey!!...it sound very interesting!!!.please continue soon!! :D:D

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Zainab

@Veiledbeauty

Dazzler

Posted: 16 years ago

#56

LONG COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't read yet... hehe... I'll read on monday or something... we got like 2 weddings down here.. one arab, one paki.. saturday and sunday. yawn.

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Nidha

@nidha1983

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 16 years ago

#57

waoh NJ🤗 its superb one⭐️ so sweet😛 and cute one😉 plz continue it soon😊 & thanks for the pm😉 & sorry😭😭 for late reply😳

"Kuch log yadon ko dil ki tasveer banate hai,
doston ki yadon me mehfil sajate hain,

hum thode alag hai jo kisiko yad anay
se pehle unko apni yad dilate hai!"

😳

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harika

@-harika-

Voyager

+ 4

Posted: 16 years ago

#58

reserved!!

how much ever i wud love to finsh reading the part, something has come up..need to go..will come back n read it again from start.

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@spln

Inactive

+ 5

Posted: 16 years ago

#59

~Part 2~

"Vous semblez beaux madamoiselle!" said the sales girl and Muskaan with her ever sharp observation saw the honesty in the remark, not a plain obligatory courtesy. Rather pleased turning around to her best friend she arched her brows in question displaying the outfit in its complete grandeur.

"Tres bien! tres bien!," she replied with a few claps of her hand in approval walking towards Muskaan then just within an earshot of her alone she whispered as a passing comment, "Too much of black in your wardrobe sweets, you're becoming like the old English maidens" Muskaan gave her a direct nasty look and Nijal only smiled back. Turning back to the sales girl Muskaan said in a polite tone of apology,

"Merci beaucoup! Mais...Je suis desole...I'd love to buy, but its beyond my range I'm afraid."

The salesgirl nodded in an understanding pity as was apt for her profession and Muskaan, with a last glare at Nijal who winked back in approval, moved to change back into her own clothes, which she admitted with a half grudging mind, were also black.

"Old english maiden indeed!" she muttered to herself gritting her teeth, "In an off shoulder four inches short of the knees, curve emphasizing exquisite piece she thinks I look like an old english maiden. Hmph!"

"Au revoir dames!" she heard the sales girl greet them from behind at the exit, rather cheerfully for what she would have expected after not making the purchase when she had kept the girl occupied for a half hour. She frowned turning towards Nijal to comment about the same and saw a mysterious smile playing on her lips. It made her frown further, and forget momentarily that she was supposed to be angry.

"Nij...what?" a smiling Nijal shrugged back in response, then spoke on.

"Wana go check out Banana Republic?" which reminded Muskaan,

"NO!" Nijal chuckled taking the escalator up to the food court level. "Why the hell did you not approve of that dress in there?"

"I did not disapprove of the dress Maddy." she replied back simply climbing the steps despite the well paced belt.

"Well you could have approved it then and I would have bought it."

"Which is precisely why I did not." Turning around with a naughty smile as she stood just off the top step, she said pointing to the huge handbag on her shoulder, "You did not think I would let you buy the best dress in the store and the only one of its kind that easy did you now?" She winked and Muskaan gaped at her and in that second when comprehension dawned upon her Nijal was already running ahead of her, out of reach as far as possible.

"NIJ...you jerk...come back here right now..." she yelled chasing her having landed on a rigid floor after scaling the last steps of the escalator at last.

"SO YOU CAN KILL ME? Nah missy, 24 and single...that's not how I wish to die!" She replied back sticking out her tongue at Muskaan as she ran backwards having turned about to face her friend.

"OMG...watch your step Nij you are so...AAHHHH"

*************
"ALRIGHT!" Adi exclaimed as he hi fived Rahul and the two of them walked out of the games store grinning like bobcats...pleased, well fed and satisfied bobcats.

"I can't wait to start at this Dad. I talked to Ryan the other day when he called and he said he would play the Falcons against me when we got back together again."

The unintentional words brought Rahul back to a reality check yet again. He looked at Adi chirping away excitedly. He hated having to move stations everytime Adi was beginning to settle in and it was not going to work well forever he knew. He flashed a smile for Adi's convenience as he looked up towards him.

"I would chose the Bears but they did not even make it through to the playoffs this season. What do you think about the Vikings? Or the Eagles?" Rahul grinned.

"Falcons Vs Eagles...thats almost a bird battle dude. I like the sound of it."

Adi smiled in acceptance and looked back at the game in his hand. Rahul out of a sudden impulse pulled him close into what was intended to be a hug. Except that Adi barely made it upto the waist of his tall frame, even if that was considerable for a seven year old. Adi looked up surprised and saw a smile on his Dad's face, the warm plain smile. He hugged back in response and then quipped,

"Ice cream Dad?"

"You can still fit something in that stomach of yours?" Rahul said incredulously, "Jeez Adi! Do you ever give your digestive system a break?"

"He's a hard working guy Dad, hates to get days off!"

"As if." Rahul exclaimed with a smirk, "You don't even let it take lunch break hours off I presume!"

"Huh?" Adi wasn't certain he got this one. Stomachs were supposed to function at meal hours not take the time off???

"Forget it. Let's get your ice cream."

"Can I have a cone today?"

"If you promise to eat more than shirt yes"

"I promise!" Adi spoke cheerful and excited and ran to the Ben and Jerry counter.

"A choco-chip scoop please," as the old lady at the counter lowered her eyes to his voice he put almost an extra effort into standing his full height and said in a voice as impressive as he could manage, "In a cone..." The lady smiled at him and Rahul reached the counter to hear his last words. He broke out grinning, then looking up he found the lady smiling at him and he said with a slight polite nod in greeting,

"Make that two Miss. Both cones!"

"You got it sir, and you too young man. Its a rare sight to have two such charming cute boys at my stall, both grown up enough for cones!" Adi beamed and Rahul broke out laughing as she winked at him processing their order. Grabbing one each their own they moved away after Rahul paid for the ice creams and left a rather generous though absolutely redundant tip. The lady had earned it for nothing but her charm he thought licking his cone and eying Adi with a side look he saw him struggling to not let his cone drip already. He rolled his eyes upwards then said,

"Adi, lets go sit and finish. Then we can drive back." Adi shook his head still struggling and said in between, his concentration clearly divided, "Na-uh Dad. I'm managing fine."

Rahul shook his head and went on with his own ice cream. It would just be an extra clothing in the laundry, there wasn't a point telling him not to mess when he was enjoying it so much. That's the Dad he was. He did not spoil his son, well didn't spoil him for what really mattered he reasoned, Adi knew where to draw the lines even at this tender age and that was all he cared about. Rahul had, as a child himself lived in a house of restrictions alone, in his defiance he believed he had committed several grave errors, one of the biggest had been her. But Adi was not a mistake he had decided from the moment he held him in his arms, and nothing in his life would ever be a mistake he had further vowed. In that one moment Rahul bid goodbye to his life of nothing and found a new meaning in being the Dad to his son he yearned to have had every night of growing up. And it had been a decision he never regretted. And never will, he thought to himself now as Adi was finally more than half done with the ice cream, only the safe insides of the cone remaining. At that moment Adi looked up with a triumphant look at him.

"Told you I'll manage Dad." He grinned then bent down on his knees to his level and tried to wipe away some of the mess of his shirt.

"I can see that dude."

"Whatever..." Adi replied making a face and finishing his last bite. Then he broke into a grin and exclaimed, "So much for telling me off old man. Look at your own self." With a start Rahul realized that in wiping off Adi's shirt he had forgotten the ice cream in his cone was equally capable of melting, and had melted off the cone onto his pant at the bend of his knees.

"Dam!" he muttered quickly getting up. Glaring at the spreading spot on his pants he spoke disgruntled, "Wait here Adi, right here outside..." he looked about and said, "outside this McDonalds. I'll be back in a couple."

Adi nodded grinning at his Dad's fumbling and went to sit on the closest bench. Rahul trotted hastily to the Men's restroom trying awkwardly to hide the spot which refused to miss attention from those walking past him. "Dam" he cursed in an undertone.

***************
Muskaan cursed in an undertone, at everything that had conspired into ruining one of her favorite outfits- Nijal, the stranger who walked into her with his pop, spilling it all over the right side of her knee length tunic dress...and most of all her own lack of attention at where she was walking, in trying to warn Nijal to not overstep a raised platform behind her. She cursed again. Why were her perfect times just short of perfect. This one of course had missed the grade by several leaps she thought frowning at the large spreading spot on her dress. Brushing the back of her hand over it, with no success she spread it further, then resigning she faced up to look for where the ladies room was.

"Dam," she spoke out loud this time at the sight before her a few feet away. Sangeet Pal's Bebe and Bauji, as he addressed his parents. Everything about this addressing was typical of misnomers, his 'bebe' was a typical neo-rich Punjabi lady, spending the most on the worst of stuff-her clothes were gaudy, her sunglasses at least five times over sized following big frame trends, lose even to just nestle atop her offcially graying hair which were curled and colored in Loreal at the best of saloons, in bright streaks of burgundy, for special occasions she got them done blonde. And coming to the mall in downtown was a special occasion Muskaan observed forgetting in moments the distress of her ruined outfit.

His father wore jeans for the most, which were unbelievingly reasonable in colors and sizes even trends, but before you could pass him by as normal you were likely to observe him wearing with it shirts with preposterous captions. Muskaan snickered reading the bold print in shocking pink on his black shirt today, 'GAME OVER' it said under a graphics of a groom from a christian wedding scene, as his bride smiled victoriously in a pose.

Grinning she turned back to the lady again and for a lasting moment their eyes met. Panic registered in Muskaan's eyes as she saw recognition in flicker in the pair she stared at, until she made a thoughtless move turning to her left, opening the first door she saw and walked in. She heaved a heavy sigh trying to steady her breath still registering her narrow escape, if it was one and they would not follow her in here. Her eyes widening at the prospect of that she turned around to find a hideout and it was then that she first discovered what door she had walked through.

"Men's restroom," she smacked her head almost, but stopped edging out towards the door to escape unnoticed as the first impulsive reaction. "Maddy you senseless woman, how the hell did you walk in here and..." she frowned pulling her hand back from the door knob before she turned it open, "I can't walk out of here. They will see me for certain. She probably followed me upto this point and...OMG! what will she think about me entering the Men's..." Muskaan paused her frown deepening but then a slow smile crept to her face, and as her mind worked furiously at a sudden bright idea her smiled widened to a grin.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

She literally jumped out of her skin at the sound of the yell behind her and turning around she came face to face with most shocked expression she could have imagined, perhaps even more vivid. Her eyes travelled down to the hand with which he clutched his shirt close to where the heart is and inevitably a giggle escaped her. Smothering it down she looked back at his face and met the eyes. Hazel.

"YOU!"

They both screamed in unison and by that time a couple of other fellows having wrapped up their private tasks in awkward indignation and more haste than could have been managed in lesser circumstances walked past them shooting nasty glares at Muskaan, and skeptical looks at Rahul.

"What are you doing here?" she voiced her surprise finding her voice seconds later.

"YOU ACTUALLY DARE TO ASK ME THAT AFTER YOU ENTER THE..."

"Later!" she exclaimed interrupting his angry loud remark and then much to his shock, if anymore was possible, she grabbed his hand and turned towards the door. Rahul, limp from lack of reaction to the pace of events that were now beyond his processing, was a subservient target as she dragged him out.

"I need your help."

Said she as a matter of fact; to him it explained nothing more than a road sign would to a blind pedastrian. He complied, overwhelmed to defend himself in anyway, the facts not registering as real yet inside his head. But, as he was to realize in retrospection, this had barely begun. He stared at her as she looked around stepping out from the door, and the din around them brought him out of his reverie. He tried to jerk his hand away, she twirled around in response coming within intruding proximity of his face and before he had a moment to think or retract her lips brushed upon his and then he felt her implant them into a hasty kiss.

*****************
"Nij?" She said tentatively at last watching her friend's straight face, devoid of expressions even though she knew for certain there was a war of thoughts raging inside that moment as she pulled her down the escalator without a look at her. Muskaan received no reply until they reached the car, then suddenly she pulled her roughly in front of herself and said in a solemn voice,

"You did not consider once to let me in on the secret? NOT EVEN ME MADDY?"

Whatever she had expected this was not it. After Nijal had pulled her away from the outrageous hazel eyed stranger, whom Muskaan had now recorded two 'not civil' or 'pleasant' in any way encounters with in less than 24 hours, she had profusely apologized on her friend's behalf. Then dragging her towards the down escalator before the man, who in some tirade of emotions had not been fast enough to react back to this new intrusion in the scene, she had remained wordless and immune to anything around. Until now. And contrary to a lashing she was expecting for her callous act, Nijal was talking to her with great poise, observed poise Muskaan justified in her head giving her a questioning look in response.

"Don't act innocent. I've been trying to hunt you a suitable love interest, at least an acceptable date you would not crib about repeating, for the past God knows how many months..."

"About two years." Muskaan offered, it was a bad idea to interrupt and that with a fact like this.

"Two years," Nijal acknowledged in a steely tone, "If you were in love with him couldn't you have asked me for help? Or in the least gone about it a more subtle way then just catching hold of him outside the Men's restroom and snogging?"

"What?"

"Yeh...WHAT?"

"Nij no its not..."

"I know I'm impossible with ethics Maddy, but this is...did you see his face? He was livid, I was scared of what he would do. And could you have blamed him really?"

"NIJ I DON'T LOVE HIM," Muskaan managed to squeeze in her point somehow. It worked, as Nijal opened her mouth to retort then shut it, clearly stunned. "You heard me. I don't love him. I don't even know his name. In fact I've never seen him before in my life...I mean except this morning at Taco bell when I knocked him down and hit his nose." Nijal gaped, her face blank. A couple of silent seconds and she recovered.

"You what?" then smaking her head she shook it hard and went on, "You're kidding me right?" Muskaan just looked back without a word. "You're not?" This time Nijal shook her head in slow disbelief letting out a low whistle. With a sudden spark of realization she said in an expectant voice, "Someone dared you?" Muskaan rolled her eyes in response and said in a bored voice, "Nij, I said I don't even know the guy." then before Nijal could ask her the obvious, or more likely waste time in meandering before she figured out the real question to ask she added, "I saw that sissy's folks, and they saw me, and trying to avoid them I accidentally entered the wrong washroom. When I realized I knew I couldn't just walk out, then I suddenly had this idea and I just used the situation to my benefit." her pitch now rising in an exhilerating voice she exclaimed, "Don't you see it Nij? I have been trying to get them off my back for like half a year now at least. This is like an infallible attempt. I am certain they saw me enter the wrong place. Then I kissed him when I noticed she was looking at me, his Bebe, and there is no way this will not be the hottest gossip in the desi circle now. Perfect, not only do I effectively ward off that sissy, but also anymore prospective worthless proposals that would have found there way to my door."

Nijal stared at her for several moments. Then she broke into a small smile, and Muskaan saw it spread, despite the reluctance in her eyes which bore a semblance to a fading reproach; in the most however Muskaan knew she had made her argument well and there was nothing wrong with it anyways, nothing at all. Nijal's finally widened smile affirmed her faith and grinning wide she chirped,

"Lets go for a drive Nij. I feel like celebrating and announcing to the world that I've been set free!"

**************
Adi knew something was not fine. From the moment Rahul had walked back to him and muttered for him to follow him out of the mall it was unusual. His father was not in the least attentive to any conversation Adi attempted to make. At last he gave up sulky in silence and even that passed him father's observation unscathed. It felt unsettling, such indifference from his father when all had been just fine minutes ago. He frowned in thought for a bit, then looked up to face his father as they reached the park lot when something caught his eye.

"Its her Dad, look!" Rahul would have missed yet another dialogue but Adi tugged so hard at his hand in his excitement that Rahul was roughly jerked out of his thoughts. Following Adi's pointer he saw nothing at first. "She is my teacher from school." The informing words exactly coincided with Rahul's gaze falling upon two ladies, and without a second of delay he recognized the one in a black tunic dress. It made him scowl hard and when Adi looked up and caught his reaction, it puzzled him greatly.

"Which of those two Adi," Rahul muttered through gritted teeth adn Adi checked himself from asking other questions.

"The one in black, curly hair and..."

"Move on Adi. Its getting late." Rahul said interrupting him and turning around pulling his gaze off that scandulous woman in disgust. Adi obliged in silence, for the first time in his life he was at an absolute loss of comprehension. But he knew better than to clarify his doubts that second. He would, later, he made a mental note of it as Rahul clicked the automation control on his keychain to unlock the car, and within seconds they drove away.

*****************

alright folks part 2 as promised within a day...enjoy reading for those who are following the fic....i hope its making afun read, um having a tremendous time writing it!!!!

since um updating everyday, NO PM's!

pps for those who don't understand french, which i used just for kicks since i based the fic in canada n its a language used very commonly there...

the first phrase, Vouz...madamoiselle..- you look beautiful miss
tres bien tres bien- very good very good
merci beaucoup- thanx a lot
mais-but
je suis desole-I am sorry...
au revoir dames- goodbye ladies!

hope the translations will help!...also...i couldnt fix the right e's in here...for those who know french will see my glaring errors somehow the font wont take it...

~Part 3~

He sat in the bed his fingers sorting unconsciously Adi's soft but thick tuft of hair, very similar to his own, as the boy lay snuggled in close to him. His mind was in another place, occupied with thoughts too many, and he frowned trying to come to a firm conclusion staring unblinking at a fixed spot ahead without having looked at it once. He had to go visit the school tomorrow and talk to the headmistress. He had spent a furious one hour surfing online for a suitable alternate to the school Adi had been enrolled to a couple of weeks before they had moved physically their baggage and home from Chicago, much of course to Adi's chagrin, who did not know what the task was that kept his father away from a night of gaming the new Madden series. He had protested loud only once, then sulked to self loading the dishwasher and the laundry out of turn to show how affected he was and finally hit the bed in quiet compliance even if he was obviously grumpy.

Rahul, at the back of his head, knew that change of school was not a solution of substance. Something about it wasn't anyways. Besides Adi had, in a rare reaction, actually claimed liking it. It was incredible that he couldn't even make up his mind as to whether he was annoyed by the fact or not, that Adi's appreciation in the most had resulted from her presence. When her face flashed in his head again he scowled thinking of the contradiction of the situation.

Her? The woman was a living disaster and he flinched at the thought of that moment again blinking his eyes off the fixed spot at last. The audacity of her to have actually...he wanted to go hit his head in the wall so he could make up his mind about what it was that he actually felt. In the recess of his head he was, he knew, unsure about how much of his anger was actually in revolt to the kiss itself. Why then and what exactly had provoked him so strongly he could not pin down.

"The woman gets under my skin," he concluded out loud and Adi shuffled in his spot frowning his eyes shut but scrunched. Rahul's focus shifted to him immediately and he pursed his lips to not be loud again; This was Adi- he slept like he was at the edge of a flat planet, fearing the whisp of anything could knock him out the precarious balance; he was the easiest to distrub of any creatures that ever went to sleep, Rahul would often tease and say even if he was injected to a hibernating stage he would wake up to a whisper 10 blocks away. As he moved to pull the sheet better over his frame Rahul felt his forefinger clutched tightly in Adi's little hand. Somewhere it tugged his heart.

Little inconsequential vulnerable moments from Adi, which were mostly his subconscious or completely uncosncious reactions, always brought Rahul to face facts for their significance. Adi had, owing to circumstances, grown too fast in his head for a boy his age, even if the innocence was undeniable, to he appeared to any outsider a kid one too smart; Rahul knew better. Yes there was that edge to him, he did seek very strongly and persistently the love he deserved. And it was that which had made him stubborn about moving every single station with his father no matter what.

Rahul sighed. He was despite everything notorious about him, a very agreeable and managable child. He knew when an instruction was intended and had to be followed without being labeled so, he could spot sensitive moments with the eye of a graying mature perhaps as came intuitively in his age of candid innocence. The boy had given him a reason to his life, and Rahul felt a pang at giving him everything except that.

Somewhere, despite how much the the responsibility of Adi had matured him, he still was a wandering mind and was living the life of one who had long been trapped and was in the process of savoring a freedom which had come too late and would never be enough. He had by choice chosen hence, the profession of trade in a way where travel was the underlying rule. And much as he reproached himself when logic visited him, he would in someway justify it all when action had to considered to undo the instability of their life. His evergreen premise remained that he was giving Adi the exposure that would save him many perils which most others around him would face raw, for the diversity his boy was living would teach him in the way of practice how life was anything but steady and constant. Gosh, he thought, I am one messed up man with a messed up head.

"Papa..." he mumbled in his sleep and Rahul looked wide eyes at Adi then his look softened in seconds and finally he bent down to kiss him on his head. Adi called him papa in moments as rare as those where his vulnerability was obvious. Perhaps he had ignored him too much tonight, in his incenssed pursuit. They had not even, Rahul thought ruefully, played the new game.

"I love you Adi," he whispered voicelessly and then lowered himself careful to not disturb him with a resolve to go visit the school tomorrow and decide thereafter what would be the best solution.

****************
"Excuse me?" The man turned around with raised eyebrows and a friendly grin. In his head Rahul was irked by the gesture. He pushed the thought away to later analysis if any and spoke on. "Would it be the next right or the one after if I need to reach Ms. Chaddha's class? Mrs. Stark guided me but I'm uncertain if I may have lost count."

There was a clouding of expression on the man's face Rahul did not fail to observe as he mentioned the name, and on some strange impulse it made him want to grin. The woman was notorious to men in general apprently, he wasn't her sole target. He mused further in a fleeting thought if that offered any solace.

"Why her class?" Rahul half raised an eyebrow at the question. He may have been entirely imagining but there had sounded a streak of strong emotion in his voice, one of unhappy curiosity, perhaps even jealousy? The woman did affect the heads of men in no appreciable way.

"I..." starngely Rahul found himself holding back onto the details of his introduction and purpose. "I have an appointment with her."

He said in a flat conclusive voice. Of course he had none. He had gone to meet the head mistress Mrs. Stark and she had made no secret of her shock at a parent's discomfort in having his ward in Ms. Muskaan Chaddha's class. Muskaan...the name had in his head been an enigma the instant it was associated to her. He had in fact missed partially upon the directions Mrs. Stark gave him to the class, as his mind had wandered to imagining the woman smiling, somehow he could picture it well and found the name befitting. Then he had jerked out of his thoughts unsettled by what he was thinking.

Mrs. Stark had voiced her mind and informed him that the teacher in question was most sought after, one with a record of nothing but appreciation from both parents and their wards and Rahul had in his guilty head acknowledged that his own son held an opinion no different. He had on the exterior however held onto his reserves regarding her, and the headmistress had complied saying she was taking a class and he could see her after she was done. She had further suggested that he observe, without making aware, her at work with the children as it may just change his mind. If it did not she concluded, she would in person come at the hour when class ended and inform Ms. Chaddha about the change.

"Oh..." Rahul snapped out of his thought to find the man before him engrossed in a world of his own. Suddenly, in an unexpected move he looked into Rahul's eyes and narrowed his own. "Colored eyes..." he mumbled and Rahul raised his brows puzzled trying to make sense as he added to the confusion when he stated, "And you look Indian." Rahul gave an un certain small smile.

"I am Indian." then in a lame joke at his slightest irritation at the man before him he added, "Are color eyed men not allowed to meet Mus...Ms. Chaddha?" This time Rahul didn't even observe the reaction in response, he was busy analyzing his almost slip of tongue at addressing her as if he knew her well.

"Follow me," he heard a steely voice and looked up to face a cold expression. This was such an unexplainable situation he thought trying to fit in all the pieces, maybe the fellow likes her? But what's his issue with me? Maybe I should tell him I'm Adi's Dad. Still, he found, contrary to the lack of any reason, keeping the fact to himself.

*************
"Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde?" Muskaan raised her brows in question, and appreciation.

"The strange case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde," Adi corrected her as she gave him a side smile holding the copy in her hand, which had been lying on his desk.

"Its a worthy pick." Adi nodded smiling.

"Dad said it should be my next so I got it."

"I think I read it myself when I was atleast a couple of years elder than what you are right now," Muskaan revealed, in her latent effort to know how much of it he really was understanding and not putting the question to him directly. Little boys had the biggest of egos; and this little boy, she wanted to befriend with the strongest of bias she had ever felt in her few years of work.

"I ask Dad to explain what I don't understand." He stated frankly, and this new nuance to his character surprised Muskaan. Pleasantly surprised her in fact, the boy was a definite delight. She could not think of many she knew, not just her age but even much older, or much younger, who could be themselves so simply and have such an impact. She gave him a warm smile. In a impulsive second she said,

"Can I suggest the next book to you?" He looked up at her and she had this urge to know what he maybe considering. And she wondered why she desperately wanted to hear a yes from him.

"Yes you can." he replied and she felt like a winner. Somewhere, in this answer she knew he had accepted her for more than a teacher, and the feeling warmed her insides.

"Its called Adventures of Mr. Pink Whistle." He raised his eyes at her and she smiled adding, "Its by an English author, and I admit its not a classic work at all, but I loved reading it at your age."

"It sounds like cartoon."

"It's not. Its a children's book."

"But I..."

"Just try it. You can drop it after page one."

"Alright."

And then he smiled at her. Somewhere that sentence she spoke, it reminded him of his Dad. He definitely liked this new school, most importantly he liked her, perhaps he would like Mr. Pink Whistle too? He chuckled at the thought of the name...Mr. Pink Whistle, whoever in the world was called that? When he looked back at her they both grinned at each other, the bond was stamped with a seal.

***************
Rahul stood staring at the interaction he had just observed from outside the glass wall. He had heard not a word of that conversation, but he did not need words to be voiced to read his son. His smile, his grin, his chuckle...all of it indicated nothing but the obvious. As he saw her walk away from him he noticed the smile on her face, she was beaming and then he saw her bend over a little girl's desk and look at the sheet laid on the desk. He saw her frown then shake her head. Then out of no where he saw her stand up and do a dance move and then look back at the girl saying something as if in explaination of the demonstration. The little girl giggled and Muskaan in response laughed airily running her fingers through the strands of hair falling over her face and moving on. Then he saw her say something and from the way every head turned in her direction it seemed she was talking to all of them and then she moved towards the front end still talking, as much with her hands as with her mouth and then she turned facing their direction.

She stopped at the sight of them, and Rahul in a reflex looked away, noticing only then that the man who had guided him to the class was still standing next to him. There was a look on his face, of wistful longing, somewhere Rahul found himself agitated by it.

"Ahem," Rahul cleared his throat forgetting Muskaan for a moment and the man looked his way but before either of them could say another word Rahul felt a whiff of fragrance. Turning around before he knew he was pulled into a hug and he realized in the next couple of seconds that it was her. For one he was utterly shocked, for another he felt no revolting need to push her away. In fact as his eyes wandered to the man's face he almost relaxed in her embrace.

"Hey honey!" She exclaimed to him like they had known each other from before the creation of the planet and he fought to keep a straight face. He lips irked to break into a smile her own infecting him with the urge, and the head inside reminded him it was now the third time the woman had misbehaved. Before he could react anymore, or even let his mental analysis proceed she shot the man next to him a sugar sweet smile, somehow he could swear it was most completely unreal, and somewhere he felt a pleasure in knwoing he was not the one subjected to it.

"Mr. Singh," she spoke and Rahul noticed for the first time that her voice was captivating, he had of course in none of the previous encounters had the chance to notice much in his anger, but this once as her attention lost her focus from him he did. "You would not mind giving us a private moment would you?"

The man shot Rahul an ugly look and Rahul was at a loss of analyzed reaction; then he said in a low voice to Muskaan, "Maddy..." Rahul would have missed his word but Muskaan's reaction registered it to him and he gave a sudden smile, which he hid just as soon before either of them would see it. "Muskaan," the man started again, "I...yes. I have a class." With a disgruntled look he walked away and Rahul stared at his disappearing back until she brought his attention back to herself.

"Did I tell you you're my angel?" She said in a merry voice and Rahul gaped at her foolishly first, then incredulously. It was final, the woman was a retard. When he did not speak she said, "You saved me a lifetime issue." He remained quiet anyways, coming back to reason and his face wore a straight look. Not a pleased one.

"What? Don't say you came for the sorry," she said with a chuckle, then frowning suddenly she said, "Wait on. How did you come here?"

"I drove," he said, understanding her question, but refusing her an answer just to irritate her. Somehow he wanted to. She tolled her eyes at him. "Yeh like I care about that. I mean how the hell did you know where to come?"

"The GPS indiacted the route when I fed in the address. Its how the device is supposed to work." he offered and she almost fumed at him he enjoyed his revenge immensely.

"Look whatever this is for, keep it for elsewhere. If you're desperate for a sorry we can fix date, time and place to sort that out. I dont use the word."

"Yes so I've been informed. Anyways nowhere else. I like this place to settle scores, what's wrong with here?"

"I work here." she stated with delibration.

"And you fear I'll have you fired?"

"WHAT?" she lowered her tone at the amusement of his raised eyes. "Fired for not saying sorry to you?"

"And thank you, since you claim I saved you a lifetime issue. But I've been told thats another phrase out of the scope of your dictionary." She glared at him and he went on, thouroughly enjoying himself, "But I think physical abuse might be the cause we are looking for here to have you fired." She took in a deep angry breath and he chuckled.

"What the hell do you mean?" she hissed. He cocked his eye in mock pondering and said,

"Let's see...a broken nose and a forced kiss," lowering his voice to that of someone in sorrow he said, "Victimized twice to the attacks of a mad woman, that is in everyway reason enough to pose allagations."

"Don't talk like a prude."

"Oh is it in usual acceptance to go launch assaults at innocent men here in Ontario?"

"Where are you from, the world of untouchables? Talking like you've never been kissed before...wait is that it?" Now she found her catch as color rose to his cheeks. Batting her eyelashes at him she said in mock apology, "Oh my god! What have I done? Intruded the grounds of a sworn celibate? Oh my good Lord, will I be forgiven this grave sin..." He heard her murmur at him and then casting quick glances as if to a God above. He scowled opening his mouth to retort when they heard a third voice.

"Oh good! You both have met I see." Turning around they saw Mrs. Stark. Rahul tried desperately to pull a straight indiffernet face befor a third whil Muskaan did nothing to mask her surprise. Mrs. Stark went on, "Did you make up your mind sir?" Muskaan was now completely puzzled. Rahul shot her a look and Muskaan saw the disgust in his eyes, She looked away to face her boss.

"Yes I have Mrs. Stark," he started and she was forced to look back at him. "I have decided I want to shift my son out of Ms. Chaddha's class." It was several seconds before Muskaan registered the sentence. Then she frowned at him and Rahul saw her staring into his eyes. They both heard the head,istress sigh but neither turned to face her.

"Alright then Muskaan, we need to shift a boy in your class to Mr. Singh's class. His admission number I checked before coming is..."

"79524434," Muskaan completed in a flat voice. Turning back to the older lady she said, "Give me a few minutes Mrs. Stark. I need to have the children pack up." Without a look at him she walked back in and for Rahul felt a stir inside. His scandulous foe had suddenly borne a solemnity unexpected, more so he had seen there was no pretense, she had been grave the second she understood, in evident sincerity. Serve her right he wanted to think, but somewhere he found himself jabbed with a pang of guilt.

"Right fellas, lines now. I hope the guys plan to conquer today?"

He heard the cheerful voice as the door was open this time and surprisingly the fakeness of it was glaring at him. His eyes wandered to the children and then he caught Adi's eye who waved at him enthusiatically. Rahul smiled back, and found his heart sink at the sudden realization, how would Adi react to this decision? Pushing away the apprehension he waited looking everywhere and at nothing in prticular as he waited. At last all was sorted the lines were formed, an attendant was called upon to help take them out, and while the shouts of the children filled the air the only remaining one was Adi. Rahul tried to avoid his eyes though he knew Adi was trying to catch his attention.

"This is the file Mrs. Stark. It has everything that is needed for the transfer," he heard her state looking at her, while she he realized with another jab of guilt, perhaps even hurt, avoided his eye as completely as he was Adi's. Then unexpected to him yet again she bent down low towards Adi and said with a smile which loving.

"Here's the book Aditya. I had it lying around in the reading section in class. I hope you will enjoy."

He nodded at her grinning as his eyes intently sought the cover and he turned it over twice in his hands before looking back at her with an excited face.

"Thank you Miss," she raised her eyes and he said smacking his forehead, "Oops! I wasn't supposed to say that. Erm..." he paused thoughtfully then said, "I don't know what else to say though?" Rahul noticed her lower her eyes for a second and in his keen observation he observed the tightening of her throat before she looked back up at him and he noticed her smile had dropped ever so slightly, her features had softened.

"I know you grown boys hate the girly stuff, " he heard her say, "But can I ask for a hug?"

Rahul felt his heart skip a beat as he looked at her now, guilt washed over his whole being. He clenched his fists and swallowed hard to check a display of his reaction. Then as he saw Adi throw his arms around her neck as she hugged him back tight, he thought it was a feeling of deja vu. It unsettled him completely and he wished desperately that he was not there that moment, or that time could be turned back for him to undo things. Couldn't he, his head screamed, but the sanity, which was but a bleak spot inside now, told him it would appear so fickle to change his mind after the confident announcement. Mentally he kicked himself the hardest he could, and wished in a futile hope that she would look at him. She did not as the embrace losened and she turned around to go back into the class and fetch her stuff; Adi in the while turned to him smiling wide, while Rahul with a hasty nod in gesture at the headmistress left the place before he could let another thought, or emotion, run through his head.

****************
alright folks not within 24 hours...but here i am in less than 48 despite my itchy throat....i know not many are reading this piece but as i said before i have a strong bond to writing it, its making me happy to do so.....so for all those who are following...heres part 3....its not a long one...perhaps another few parts n done....enjoy the read!!!

ps: the next part il update possibly in a few hours from now, if i stay up to do it, else in a day as alwaz!

pps...please...if u are a reader, comments are highly appreciated...at leasta click of the thank u!!!

~Part 4~

She flipped channels on the TV, without a speck of interest munching on a pack of Oreos. With the same dejection she wished to shun away she turned it off. Closing her eyes she could shut off everything except thoughts of the past which flooded her.

It was when she had been in the 7th grade, Meher, her sister, a sophomore in high school. She had crushed on a boy in class. He who had stared at her in a way that stirred something within her, and everytime they had caught each other's eye in a furtive glance she had felt herself blush to the roots of her hair. It had been a month long fascination slowly turning into a deeper something as they became good friends and then one day she had returned to find him at her place waiting, in polite conversation with her mother. She had been surprised, then delighted but shy and had greeted him with a hesitant hello. He had responded, she recalled, with a lopsided smile and a slight wink and that acknowledgement alone had set her heart doing somersaults.

She had rushed to her room, as her mother bade her, to change into fresh clothes. As she had walked out past her sister's room some minutes later on her way to the living room downstairs, in her new summer dress, she had heard muffled groans, peeked in through the slight crevice at a spontaneous curiosity and had seen the two of them kissing breathlessly rubbing their bodies against each other, her hands holding his onto her thighs under a skirt in a way that disgusted her insides. She dashed back to her room and into the washroom feeling she may throw up. She had not, but she did break down crying, and then just to subdue the sound of her sobs she had turned on the shower and sat in her tub for a long hour.

When she had come out, a bedraggled image, her sister had been sitting on her bed, applying a new coat of enamel to her toes, a shocking pink. "We almost made out there a while ago," she had informed her in a shameless drawling voice, "your lover boy and me, Maddy. He is quite a catch and if he was anymore mature I would have taken him to bed as he so desperately wanted to be just there." Muskaan had wanted to scream and push her out of the room but some control she had never known to exist had kept her silent. "He will do whatever I say, in fact I was the one who encouraged him, in your name to come over today, and if you promise to not let Ma know about what you saw between Jim and me in the park lot yesterday I'll bid him back to you," as Muskaan had somehow managed to still stay quiet she had added, "Oh and of course, you will have to say please!" And she had laughed in a shrill way walking out of the room blowing a kiss at the drenched Muskaan.

The moment she had left Muskaan had collapsed to the floor, and cried again after having thought that she could no more. She had realized why her sister had done it to her, it was typical of Meher to not only have her way, but also take its possession in the roughest possible manner. What broke her was the fact that it had been him with her sister, not Meher alone. She had shut her door and pretended to sleep until the next morning, much to her mother's displeasure who only labeled it as another tantrum from Muskaan. The boy had come to her next day, his eyes shifty and he had announced to her that he loved her. When she had made to move away without a word of response he had realized that she knew the truth and had apologized to her, with tears in his eyes possibly real, that he had been in grave error, in the temptation of the moment. "Thank you so much," she had said and walked away leaving him puzzled and tearful behind the gym building.

Muskaan opened her eyes now coming back to the moment. She remembered in the earliest of her memories, days of growing up with a sister who was boisterous, imposing and above all a fake. Meher. She was the avowed angel child of the family, who behind everyone's back got involved with everything wrong that could be possible at every age they lived through together. She was currently married to a man madly in love with her and blind to her extra marital affair with his best friend. Muskaan knew it all but kept out of it knowing better than to interfere. She at an early age did not understand enough and carried all the blames without a realization of facts; as they grew older she became aware and that only made things worse. Meher still found her way to the good books, and in trying to bring her reality to light and defending her own self Muskaan built the image of an attention seeking unruly brat. At first it hurt, then she realized with time it did not matter. It became the convenience of her existence. It gave her the freedom to live on her conditions without being bothered with what others would think. And so it was.

That thank you had been the last she uttered in her life for as much as she could remember, with the exception of anything she may have said on clubbing nights when she got drunk. She had learned her lessons with that one incident, which in retrospection was nothing but trivial- she had not really loved the guy, it had been just an infatuation, at least till that point; from Meher's end it had been just another time she ruined things for Muskaan in yet another way; essentially it was not anything of a life changing memory, and yet it had done just that. Perhaps that's why her mother said she was a born with a streak for defiance. Her stubborn head had concluded that moment that she would be what she had grown into today, someone who cared for all that was worth a care with her life, an inch beyond that was devil's concern. She was possibly being a hard head, she was told so more often than not, it was according to most, highly immature in every way. Muskaan knew but one fact- it had made her much happier in her life than she had ever been under the weight of any obligations.

Except today, she mused. She couldn't understand her own self at feeling so strong a loss in the transfer of Aditya from her class. Not only was a first in her career which even though but a few years was something she cared about, but in a mere two days she had developed an unexplainable attachment to him, and it had only just begun. She was furious at his father (hell! she didn't even know his name) for the biased decision, but she was equally helpless at somewhere having been responsible, even if unintentionally, at having been a cause. Now the gem of a boy would be wasted in that sissy's class; and that feeling alone made her feel restless. She wished there was something she could do to change the things, for everything that he thought she was, if only he knew how much she could do for his son. Frustrated she walked to her bedroom. She would have to sleep over it, there was nothing else she could do.

**************
He sat another night, sleepless with the battling thoughts in his head. He had not been able to announce facts to Adi yet, especially as all through the evening the boy had spoken of nothing but 'Miss' in every possible context. Even while they played Madden, which Rahul had thought would distract him from her and then he could inform him about the change of his teacher, Adi had exclaimed how good she was at this stuff.

"There is nothing she can not do Dad," he had said hyper in excitement as he clicked away furiously at the controls of his PS3.

Who knows that better than me, Rahul thought now, with a bitter smile shaking his head. Its unbelievable what a single woman is capable of- she can kiss a random stranger in the middle of a mall out of no where, then she can influence a boy like Adi who had never considered his thoughts worth any of the numerous teachers he had had so far, more than anything after the last exchange between Adi and her which Rahul had witnessed, he admitted grudgingly that she was worth all of Adi's attention. Rahul sighed to himself running a hand through his messed up hair. As Adi snuggled in closer Rahul's eyes fell to his face, there was the reminisce of a smile on his lips and as he stared at the boy he made his resolve.

***************
"I'll have a latte Ben, make it three shots," she announced standing before the counter in the school cafeteria. On a second thought she added, "And I'll have it cold."

Ben raised his eye to himself, but not to her. He knew better. Muskaan, the most cheerful teacher in the school, every child's idol, was also the most unpredictable lady. If she said she wanted a chilled latte on a cold January morning when you could see your own breath exhaled and frozen outside, she needed just that and it was best to comply. Later when she was in a better mood he would chat up and ask her what her devoted Mr. Singh had done this time to give her a hot head yet again; for he was almost certain, the issue would revolve around him in some way.

"Three eighty seven Muskaan," he said, keeping up the ritual though she knew the rates well, and he was aware of that. She gave him a card with a nod and waited.

"It says rejected," he said his own surprise as mounting as hers and then he lifted the card to have a look. Giving a look of comprehension he informed her, "No American Express cards on this machine Maddy did you forget?" She frowned then taking the card from him looked at it and smacked her head making a face.

"Oh lame. I picked up this gift card which has been lying around for ages and didn't realize what it was Ben. My wallet's upstairs."

"Go ahead and collect your coffee. You can pay before you leave later." She shook her head in response and said,

"Nah leave it. I should try to keep away from the caffeine anyways, if no other way then with such excuses I guess. Is it alright to cancel the order?" She had never done it before and was uncertain if it could be undone.

"Forget cancelling, can you double the order please?" she turned around at the new voice and he spoke on, "Keep my latte all same as hers, but I'd prefer it hot."

Ben looked uncertainly at the hazel eyed stranger, then at Muskaan who was frowning at him before looking back at Ben who stood undecided.

"Maddy?" he asked uncertainly and before Muskaan could respond Rahul said, "Please. She will not object. Its just a latte."

She shot him a look of intent and he looked back straight into her eye. Ben waited for a couple more seconds in case Muskaan would word her verdict, when she said nothing he processed the bill. Rahul grabbed orders for both and indicated her to take lead; for no reason she could understand at that point she obeyed and sat on a corner table for two. He took the other seat and put her drink before her.

"Why?" she asked, her cup untouched.

"Because I think you will understand." He stated quietly. "It was my hasty decision, and one under the bias of...reaction I guess. But it was wrong. I realized the moment I saw Adi and you interact in the class that I should not be there for what I was, but somehow things happened before I could reason anymore. And after I talked to you..." he paused, "Can you accept him back?"

"Its not in my hands. Why didn't you go to the Mrs. Stark again?" she asked in a flat voice, but Rahul could sense the underlying accusation.

"Because its you who's approval I want."

"It would not matter whether I approve or not. Like I said its not in my hands."

"Maybe not the decision. But my son will be if I request his transfer back."

"If you're worried I will avenge myself through him you can go back home in peace. I respect the responsibility of my job." Rahul sighed looking down into his cup. Then running a hand through his hair he said,

"Ms. Chaddha, I don't know how to explain this. But its all my mess, and it came as a human reaction to our encounters. Adi...I don't want you to take him back into the class as a part of your job. He just...I've never seem him so taken by another except me and I don't want to screw this up for him. I don't know if I'm making my point at all, but I never thought I would have to ask a third for my son, I thought I was enough by myself to fend for him and his interest. The last thing I want is my mistake rebounding his way." Muskaan frowned at an obvious implication of his words. For the way she was she did not stop herself from asking,

"What about his mother?" Rahul just looked back at her with a meaningful look and she nodded half to herself. Slowly she lifted her cup for the first time and Rahul watched her in anticipation.

"For Adi?" he whispered tentatively.

"There isn't anyone else I would do it for anyways." she replied making her point and he swallowed his pride. "I know I was a rash stranger you met Mr. Grewal, somehow its always that way. People never wait to know me."

He remained quiet at her personal confession. He did not know where it came from, he also did not know how to link it with her, but he definitely understood those words. He was a living paradigm to that statement. She spoke on, "I have known rare occassions which disturb me as much as the proceedings from yesterday did..."

"And I would do anything to undo your humiliation at the expense of my personal bias."

"I can't wish anymore for Adi to be back. But we keep you and me out of this?"

"That we do."

"I don't think the headmistress will be pleased with your fickle decision making, but I will do everything to smooth out the wrinkles I can."

"I will appreciate that."

"Just so you know, I'm taking Adi back only for him," he nodded looking down into his cup; she didn't have to reiterate, "But I'm making it easier for you since you've unknowingly helped me in a tremendous way, not to mention humbled yourself to accept a mistake which is not completely yours. Its my gratitude in return, and then we're even."

Rahul kept his eyes lowered for several moments as he replayed her words. Then he slowly broke into a smile. He had his reasons to have come back and offered explainations. She had none, for her to fair nonetheless...it made him regard her at a new level altogether. Taking a sip he looked up at her.

"The gentleman yesterday...is he the demon I saved you from?" It was her turn to give him a meaningful silent look and he nodded, just like she had, to himself. "That is fairly even then I guess," he said with a smile at her and somehow she saw there was no underlying deceit in it. It was just that, a smile of mutual understanding. She smiled back.

"Since we are at it Mr. Grewal, for no reason in particular, I just want to tell you that I don't usually go around with my physical abuse assaults. Its was circumstantial in everyway, in more than the least unbelievingly coincidental."

"Ah! That hurts my ego, here I thought I was the chosen one!" she chuckled and he added in a solemn voice, "Let's leave the past to where it belongs. We all have notorious nothings to our credits, not all of them intentional, and not half of them as consequential, but notorious nonetheless." Then draining the last of his coffee he added, "Are you going to be done soon or should I fetch a refill to give you company?"

She hastily drained the remaining half of her drink shaking her head slightly while he looked at her with a raised eyebrow at the intake of caffeine and its way. As she lowered it from her lips he looked elsewhere then followed her as she got up towards the trash basket to dump her cup. He followed her in action, and path.

**************
"Mr. Grewal," she said with a stern look in the eyes which peeked out from the rimless glasses on the tip of her nose. He tried to look solemn as his mind suddenly toyed the idea of how the glasses stayed so still at the precarious balance. He almost jumped out of his skin at the light touch on his hand, and it did not take him an age to figure out it was Muskaan's hand indiacting his distraction. he looked back into the eyes of the headmistress, then swallowed ever so slightly.

"I hope you realize how inconvenient this is for us as a management." he nodded for her benefit and she continued, "I will do it only because Muskaan here puts in aword of favor for your reversal of decision." He nodded again and Muskaan felt his fist clench under her light touch. "Are you most certain you will not wake up to a new morning bearing a new idea?"

"No Mrs. Stark. I accept my responsibility for this confusion, I was...erm...misguided by a bias." as she opened her mouth he added quickly, "A human error I will ensure is not repeated in any way." He saw the old lady give a haughty sigh and it reminded him of his own governess for the dorm in his boarding school close to London. He wondered where she was these days, it had been a while since he had thought about...

"Mr. Grewal?" He jerked out of his thoughts and looked at her. Blank.

"I will have him complete all the paperwork Mrs. Stark," he heard Muskaan speak up beside him as she lifted the open folder which he only just realized had been placed before him. "Before the end of this hour." She finished and made an indiaction seeking to be excused. The headmistress nodded at her professionally, then turning to Rahul yet again, much to his apprehension she said in a mature voice, "I have been informed by Muskaan Mr. Grewal, that your son is unusually sharp. I hope you will employ greater wisdom here on for all decisons concerning him." Rahul nodded yet again, then added in tone which was sincere from within.

"I will Mrs. Stark. He is my only real interest. Have a good day!" With that he got up from his seat and Muskaan left after him with a quick look at Mrs. Stark who acknowledged it back.

"Wow!" she exclaimed, still in a hushed whisper and he gave her a questioning look. "Two things. One she rarely gets angry but she did. Two if she does I've known no one to handle her, and actually make a comeback like you did with the end of that speech." she clicked her tongue in approval, "Impressive Mr. Grewal, very impressive." He rolled his eyes at her, then said in a solemn voice,

"My tuppence...once again I really appreciate your help, but that was not a come back remark, I mean it. Adi is all I care about."

"Strangely now, that gives you and me a common." she saw his narrowing eyes and quickly amended her remark before assumptions could be made, "I mean the kids. They are all I care about." Rahul did not even think how unusual it was that she was unintentionally sharing random personal details with him. What he did notice was a strange emotion inside when she confessed that to him. He spoke on getting back to his interrupted talk.

"the second thing on my mind, before I forget it yet again. You did not know I am Adi's father yesterday. Hell you didn't even possibly know I am a father."

"Yeh and that of a seven year old, an unlikely guess it would be from me." she offered.

"How did you know it was him even before the headmistress mentioned the name? Just the similarity of looks? That's easy to miss." She nodded, then looking into his eyes she almost made him conscious of the intensity of her observation but he did not break the look.

"Its the eyes. They are impossible to miss." she paused still looking at him then with a quick smile she concluded, "Good day to you Mr. Grewal. I'm glad something we did together went off well." and with that she walked off as he nodded in response not saying a word.

****************
"Dad? Are we done playing Snow White? I'm famished."

"When are you not you hog?" Rahul said still staring at the mirror, at his eyes first, then at Adi's as he had been for the past couple of minutes.

"DAD..." he moaned exasperrated and Rahul grinned at his image. Adi gave him a crazy look then flaying his hands in the air he stomped away from the mirror wandering to the kitchen.

"Let me get that for you," Rahul said grabbing the packet of Sun Chips froma shelf just beyond Adi's reach. The latter passed him a nasty look, but when Rahul brought the packet before his eyes he took it quickly and ripped it open. Then between mouthful of chips he crunched upon he said, "School was horrible today."

Rahul gave him a innocent look, inside his head he thanked whatever stars had knocked sense into his head to undo his mistake; and Muskaan for allowed him to remedy the blunder. Adi had been grumpy ever since he returned from school, while Rahul had been in unusually high spirits. Almost insesitively he realized, as he had not once offered Adi any comment of sympathy when he had cribbed about the new teacher he had to be instructed by for a day due to some admission complications, as Rahul had informed him in the morning. Currently he said,

"Its going to be fine again from tomorrow kid. Stop grumbling..."

"thank heavens for that," Adi mumbled.

"Now where's the book which your Miss gave you to read. I haven't had a look at it since." Instantly Adi brightened up. taking the cue he ran to his room and came back dragging a school backpack half his own height. Fishing through it he found it almost at the top.

"Here you go."

" Mr. Pink Whistle...?" Rahul looked up quizzically. "Oh Enid Blyton...wow! I never heard of this one by her and I thought I read all her works." Rahul turned to the back cover to read reviews and Adi drummed his fingers in anticipation. "Looks like an old copy, this one." he muutered half to himself.

"Yeh, she said she read it when she was my age." Adi offered, and that second Rahul, having opened the cover up front saw in a scribbled handwriting of a child, clearly printed words.

'This book belongs to Maddy...erm...Muskaan Chaddha :)' Rahul would have not been able to read the last name for it was crossed out several times over, except that he saw the peeking top of the 'C' and 'D' and knew the name it could be. Then his eyes fell to the bottom of the page and he saw it dated back to '92.

"She read it at your age?" Adi nodded. Rahul in his mind, without a realization of why, inevitably calculated the years and concluded upon her age. He felt embarassed almost as if he was intruding into details which were not his to know; but somewhere there was no guilt involved whatsoever.

"Alright then big boy, set up madden whil I fix the dinner. Then we can read it for an hour before sleeping eh?"

Adi nodded vigorusly getting up to set his game and Rahul made a move himself.

"Dad?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why didn't you tell me about Miss being an old friend of yours?"

"Huh?" Rahul was puzzled.

"I saw her run over and hug you yesterday when you came to class. So did the boy next to me, Jake." For a moment Rahul was speechless.

"I...erm...Adi! You silly kid, she was walking towards us and her foot slipped when she came close." he paused not believing himself at having come up with that. Then looking up to face his son he said, "Pssst...hugged me. You silly billy kid!" And he turned back to the pantry.

"Dad?"

"Hmmm?"

"You sure she isn't your friend?" Rahul considered before turning back to face him again.

"Yeh. She is not."

"Oh..." Adi said still looking back at his father straight into the eye, and in that moment Rahul unwillingly accepted Muskaan's analysis about the eyes. "I wish you would make her one then."

"Adi?"

"Yes Dad. Get me some food now or I will call 911 this time for real." He grinned and turned back to his game. Rahul stood for few moments lost with what he was meant to do.

"DAD FOOD!" and he snapped back to facts mumbling inaudibly.

****************

alright...part4 here it is....i had to thank u all, there was a sudden rush of replies, and somehow they were quite unexpected so i cant deny they gave me a swell ego....lovya all tons, um so happy u all are enjoying the story too, coz like i mentioned before, this one is just a light piece um doing, mostly to entertain my own self!!!....

cheers to RM....n to the RM fans who read this oen, n even more so to the non RM fans who are reading it anywaz, lovya all!

nj 😃

Edited by spln - 16 years ago

Quote

Qwerty123rty

@Qwerty123rty

Inactive

+ 3

Posted: 16 years ago

#60

~reserved~

a billion apologies for being so damn late here but you know exams and all..and than something or the other came up...sorry but anyways getting back to the part which was as usual perfect and i had told you on the call itself how much i liked it....

hehehe...nij i loved totally...ahaha she took the dress from her...that was so nij there...lmao

But it was as usual a fun part to read and ouch!! they bumped again and omg she in men's room...not so good but ah!! the kisss and him fuming....that was indeed shocking aaha...b ut kya dimaag chalta hai coz now i don't see that beeji and bauji coming to her again...ahaha

Nj it was a rocking part as usual...and i love Adi u know and the mention of Rahul's wife in between...am not much curious to know who she is...why did they seperate and all coz am enjoyinh this funky Muskaan and adi..heehe

awesome update nj..loved it...will read the next parts now...

315

Edited by krati.mehra - 16 years ago