Rahul-Muskaan/Atul-Anjali FF: Rishta IMP NOTE PG30 - Page 15

Originally posted by: PaNa4ever

I know this is WAY overdue...I've been so busy that I never had time to reply properly, and I am very very very sorry!!!! Yeah dude. I know. It's always the "I was so busy, I'm so sorry!" Typical. 😆 Kidding, stop glaring at the screen. You're making ME nervous.

ROFLMAO...The whole "family sitcom" scene with Anjali, Khushi, and Mehak, followed by the grand entrances of Kunal and Atul...That was hysterical - especially Kunal and Atul going totally OTT with Anjali! First of all... ROFLMAO? Nice short cut! HAHAHA! Yeah that part was ESPECIALLY FOR YOU! I kept you in mind when I wrote it. I was like... HELL Veeru's gonna love this!

"Pyaari maa..." 😆 I thought that was funny, but then Atul came in and totally outdid his son! "Pyaari Anjali..." 🤣 Along with Kunal's aside: ["Mera poora scene kharaab kar diya yaar.] Godd, the Joshis are just tooo cool! OF COURSE the Joshis are too cool! They're THE JOSHIS! And Kunal does what he does cuz of his excessive time spent with Muskaan Chaachi. More details in future parts. But Atul is Atul. ORIGINAL! lol

"Popcorn bhi laa doon saath mein? Idiot." Hahaha, that is such a Muskaan-type thing to say! LOL! She IS, afterall, her mother's daughter! rofl!

Pyaari maa and her "Nautanki bete" dialogue was hilarious, true Anjali-style! Pyaari maa was supposed tobe a bit more dramatic, but then I was like no... Anjali is so the no-nonsense type in this type of situation. Plus she was getting late. 😆

Kunal is a total dramebaaz; that trick he pulled about hurting his head badly was so funny..."Meri kamar toot jaayegi!" Khushi's concern for him was very sweet...As always, these little sweet moments are paired with lots of fighting afterwards...LOL! It kind of takes away the impact of the sweetness for a bit, but I like it anyway! (A tomato in the mouth to stop Khushi from talking, that reminded me of this one random Garfield comic I saw in the paper a long time ago, LOL!) Whoa! Really? I haven't seen one of those Garfield things in like forever! Jeez I'm behind! You know what, just for you, I'll give them a sweet scene, followed by no fighting. I want to leave the impact for a while. 😉

The cooking scenes with both KK and RM were so well-written...Granted that RM's was definitely more sweet, the parallels between the two couples were so nice. I like how Khushi is almost a complete reflection of Muskaan at times like this...These constant tiffs with Kunal seem to be a favorite pastime of hers. Okay, well obviously, since this an R-M ff, their scenes have to be constructed a bit more passionately. Although I'm definitely considering editing the name to be R-M and A-A ff: Rishta. Dude, A-A are equally as important as R-M in this. And yes, Khushi and Kunal won't have that umph if they don't fight! rofl!

I loved the part about the jasmine plants. That was really sweet! How Kunal always wishes Khushi first and always gives her a jasmine plant for her birthday...How lovely! Arrey haan...Atul's name formula, that was a nice little flashback! Anjul, and now Khushal...I wonder when Khushi will figure that out...I have to add here that when Muskaan opened the door and hit Rahul in the face, I couldn't stop laughing during the scene! I love reliving those moments! How did I KNOW you would catch that! ROFL! cuz u were the first one to comment in my AA ff. rofl. I really need to start updating that as well. I know not many people would read it, but oh well. I love AA. He doesn't always give her a jasmine plant on her birthday. It was just that one birthday and well, this... NOT her birth- day. rofl! Khushi has for the most part, if u remember from the last part, understood her feelings. Remember she said she wished that the someone Kunal was waiting for would be her. So she knows what she wants. I guess you could say that they're both still just a tad bit doubtful or confused about the other's feelings. Otherwise, their plane is pretty much good for take-off. rofl. The R-M scene, ROFL! I loved writing that bit!

I'm so tired now...And I know that this is not the most detailed comment either...Blame it on my tired brain...*sigh* I'll hopefully make it up to you in my comments for the next part. If part 5 includes what I think it includes, then you might just have another extremely long comment...You know me. It's okay! The anticipation killed, but I FINALLY, after annoying you constantly, got my comment! Tired brain? U have one? ROFL! Had a Juji moment there! ROFL! Part 5... well, I don't know what u think it includes cuz I haven't even started writing it yet. Yeah... got caught up with the one-shots and stuff. MY BAD! But you k now, you could always CHEAT *cough cough* an tell me what it is u think it is, and we can stick that in there. 😃 Either way, whether what ur thinking is in the next part or not, ur my favorite reader cuz I always get LONG COMMENTS from you!!! MWAHAHAHAHA! You never let me down! That's why I look forward to your comments! ROFL! I know you? really? Kaun ho tum? ROFL! Well YOU know me. I love comments! I don't care if it's about the part or not! I just like reading them! rofl!

Love you, Komzie! DUDE! The image! remember... I'm Gabbar, you're Veeru! DUH-UH!

(You know, until I got to the end of the part the first time I read this update, I forgot that I am Veeru...LOL! That was quite a while ago, though.) Well I guess my previous statement was pointless, since you DIDN'T remember that you were Veeru! ROFL! Yes stupid! I dedicated this to you! No, it's for the ACTUAL Veeru, Dharam Paaji. God Borna, seriously dude? Confused soul! rofl! Kidding! Love you too!

Originally posted by: AshiYuvi4life

Part 5 dedicated to Sambha, Veeru, Basanti, Thakur, & Imane

Car ride home…

Anjali- (holding Atul's hand) Atul… thanks so much. I really needed this you know.

Atul- (driving, looks over and smiles) No problem Anjali. I know kitna kaam hota hai. Kabhi kabhi agar main tumhe baahar le jaoon, toh tum bhi relaxed hojaaogi aur main bhi.

Anjali- (smiles) Pata hai Atul, tum bilkul nahi badle. Pehle bhi bohot sweet the aur ab bhi utne hi sweet ho. No change.

Atul- Change hai na Anjali.

Anjali- Kya?

Atul- Tab main tumhe bike pe leke jaata aura b main tumhe car mein leke jaa raha hoon. (smiles as Anjali shakes her head) Nahi? Achha, tab main tumse bohot pyaar karta tha.

Anjali- (makes a face) Aur ab nahi karte?

Atul- (smiles and gives her hand a gentle squeeze) Ab uss se bhi zyaada karta hoon.

Anjali- (smiles deeply and rests her head on his shoulder as he drove) Atul…

Atul- Hmmm?

Anjali- I love you. (both smile)

Next morning... 5:03 a.m….

Subha subha utthke sunrise dekhna… eik ajeeb sa sukoon milta hai. It's so beautiful… so relaxing. (heads up to the terrace) You know, kaafi dinon se soch rahi thi ki yeh karoongi. Finally chance mil gaya. (she goes to the easel set up right in the center of the terrace with her paintbrushes and tubes of paint) Pappa ji ki footsteps pe chaloongi. Aaj tak itni paintings ki hain, lekin yeh nahi kar payee… jo mere Pappa ji ne sirf eik hi baar kiya tha.

*flashback*

Rahul looked closely at Muskaan's sleeping figure. She had the most peaceful of expressions on her face. Her gentle smile spoke volumes to him as he bent down and kissed her softly on the forehead. She was his peace and heaven on earth. Amidst all of the hate in the world, she was the beauty unseen by many… his sanctuary.

Awoken by the feel of her body, he opened his eyes to find her snuggled up close to him, one hand clutching his vest, the other carelessly resting on her side. He smiled and shook his head at how comfortable she felt in his embrace.Whether she was sleeping or awake, she always managed to label herself as his chipku. He chuckled lightly at the thought of her expression had he said that to her while she was awake.

Taking a quick glance at the clock, he smiled. 4:37 a.m. The sun would be rising in 20 minute's time and today he didn't plan on missing out on nature's second most beautiful and natural phenomena, the first being a certain sleeping beauty that he gazed at ever so lovingly. Yes, nothing could beat the beauty of his Muskaan… not even the rising sun.

She reached over in her sleep only to not feel his body next to hers. She opened her eyes slowly, becoming completely aware of the absence of her husband. Calling out to him twice, she got out of bed and headed out of the room, unsure of where he could have disappeared to so early in the morning. Suddenly hearing a soft rhythmic sound coming from the stairs that lead to the terrace, she followed it all the way up, only to find her dear husband hard at work. She smiled deeply and headed towards him.

Unaware of her presence, he countined his soft strokes with the size 6 Taclon brush he held loosely in his hand, his back to her. When a brush was in his hand, the whole world was non-existent, except for him and the object he worked on bringing to life. Standing firm and lost in his work, his concentration could not, under any circumstances, be broken…

Muskaan- (hugs him from the back and kisses him on his shoulder) Good morning jaana. (rests her head on his back)

Okay… maybe under ONE circumstance…

Rahul- (smiles, momentarily coming back to the real world) Good morning. Tu itni subha kaise utth gayee?

Muskaan- (not moving her head or her embrace for that matter) Tujhe miss kar rahi thi. Haath badhaaya toh tu ghayab… issiliye tera peecha karte karte aagayee.

Rahul- (smiles while he continues to paint) Achha? Aur tujhe pata chal gaya ki main yahaan hoon?

Muskaan- Haan. Woh kya kehte hain, heart-to-heart connection. (smiles)

Rahul- (stops his strokes and leans back to kiss her forehead as she still remains in her previous position) Sorry. (turns back to his painting and continues as she moves to stand next to him) Main tujhe chodke aagaya. Tu so rahi thi, aur main bohot dinon se soch raha tha ki sunrise ki painting karoonga. (pouts and gives her a puppy dog look) Sorry jaana.

Muskaan- (looks at his face and pulls his cheeks with a big smile) Awww.

Rahul- (smiles deeply) Tujhe sona hai toh so jaa jaake. Main painting poori karke tujhe uthaa doonga.

Muskaan- (fixes his hair a bit) Mujhe tere bina neend aayegi? (smiles) Tu painting kar, main yaheen behatoongi.

Rahul- Sure? Force mat kar apne aapko.

Muskaan- (smiles)Neend aayegi toh jaake so jaoongi. Pakka.

Rahul- (smiles) Theek hai. (continues painting)

She stood next to him for sometime, taking in every minute detail he added, bring his painting to life. It wasn't even halfway complete, yet it looked so realistic… After a while she leaned over and quickly kissed him lightly on the cheek, making sure not to disturb the artist at work. He smiled as he saw her walk over to the swing from the corner of his eye. She sat quietly admiring him at work, not once letting her gaze wander.

Rahul- (smiled broadly as he was painting) Aise dekhegi toh mujhse kaam nahi hoga.

Muskaan- (smiled) Main tujhe distract kar rahi hoon?

Rahul- Not intentionally. (both laugh)

Muskaan- Theek hai. Tu pretend kar ki main yahaan nahi hoon.

Rahul- Difficult hai.

Muskaan- Kyun?

Rahul- Heart-to-heart connection. (smiles and winks)

Muskaan- (laughs lightly) Usska main kuch nahi kar sakti. Main yahaan se jaa sakti hoon, lekin connection toot nahi sakta. Sorry.

Rahul- (laughs) Tujhe bhi yahaan se jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main… control kar loonga.(evil grin)

Muskaan- (eyes widen) Chi! Apni fantasies apne tak rakh!

Rahul- Maine kahaan kuch bola Muskaan. Tu kuch bhi sochti hai. (grins at her annoyed expression)

Muskaan- Dekh Rahul, tu mujhse subha subha pitt jaayega.

Rahul- (laughs) Theek hai. Peet le, lekin abhi nahi. Mujhe painting complete karne de.

She simply smiles in return and makes herself comfortable on the swing. It was a nice morning and nothing could beat the comfort of being on the terrace, in her extremely comfortable pajamas, with her husband standing right in front of her eyes with such an intense look on his face. She smiled at how focused he was. Boy, he really lost himself when I got down to details, but it made sense nonetheless. All of his paintings were exceptional, each one better than the last. She dozed off eventually while watching him paint, his image fresh in her mind, allowing her to sleep a more peaceful sleep than she had ever slept.

A couple hours later, he finished off the small details. The main stuff had to be done rather quickly, before the sun rose completely, but the details he worried about later. He looked over once or twice during the past couple of hours only to find her sleeping ever so peacefully, the light of the sun emanating on her face. After finishing up, he headed towards her smiling, ready to wake her from her peaceful slumber.

Rahul- (bends down) Muskaan… (gently) Muskaan…

Muskaan- (stirs in her sleep) Hmmm…

Rahul- (strokes her hair and holds her hand with his free hand) Utth ja jaana.

Muskaan- (opens her eyes slowly and smiles sweetly) Painting hogayee?

Rahul- (smiles and kisses her hand) Hogayee. Chal.

Muskaan- (gets up slowly and stretches) Dikha.

Rahul- (takes her hand and leads her to the painting) What do you think?

Kunal's room…

Kunal was dead-to-the world in the messiest position, sleeping on his belly. He was sleeping at an angle, one arm hanging off the bed, the other stretched out on the slanted pillow. One leg was bent up while the other lay straight. Half of the bed sheet was hanging off of the bed and a few pillows were already on the ground. The air conditioning was on full blast and he was getting kind of annoyed by it. He woke up from his sleep, grabbing the remote control to turn it off completely.

Kunal- (turns off the AC) Kya musibat hai yaar. AC ke bina bhi nahi soya jaata aur usske saath bhi nahi soya jaata. Uppar se baar baar washroom jaana padh raha hai. (sits up) Very good. Aur so thande kamre mein. Kamra kam, ice box zyaada lag raha hai. Naturally, pressure toh aayega baar baar. (gets up and heads towards the washroom)

After coming out, he fell back on his bed and grabbed the remote of the AC once again, and then dropped back on the desk instantly.

Kunal- Chod yaar. Aaj taazi hawaa khaate hain. Nature is the best air conditioning. (gets up and ipens the window) Haan. Yeh hui na baat. Fresh air. (inhales deeply and sighs) Kamaal hai. (smiles and turns to head back to his bed when he hears a soft humming…)

Kunal- Yaar yeh subha subha gaana kaun gaa raha hai? (expression changes for confusion to annoyance to fear) Bhoot?! Nahi nahi. Chor hua toh? (determine expression) Chal beta Kunal. Ghar ko protect karna hai. (follows the sound of humming) Musical chor. Duniya kitni advance hoti jaa rahi hai.

He followed the sound all the way to the terrace only to find a certain someone standing there, painting, their back to him.

Kunal- (scratches his head) Oye teri… kaafi talented chor lagta hai. (looks closely) Hey yaar yeh toh chorNI hai. Ab dekh chorni, teri kher nahi. Kunal Joshi ke ghar mein chori karegi. Abhi bataata hoon tujhe.

He quietly tip-toes towards her and grabs her around the waist.

Kunal- Chor chor chor! Pakad liya! Mere ghar mein chori karegi?!

Khushi- Chodo mujhe! CHODO!!! (struggles to get out of his grip) Ahhh!!! (shes elbows him in the gut really hard, knocking the wind out of him)

Kunal- (bent over trying to breathe) Marr gaya yaar!

Khushi- (turns around) TUM?!

Kunal- (eyes widen) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! BHOOT!!!! BHOOT!!!!

Khushi- (screams) Ahh! Kahaan hai???

Kunal- (stutters) T...T…TUM!

Khushi- KYA?! Main bhoot?!

Kunal- Tum BHOOT!

Khushi- (yelling) Kunal kya bakwaas kar rahe ho! Main koi bhoot voot nahi hoon, main Khushi hoon Khushi!

Kunal- (stops yelling) Khushi??? (moves closer to her face and wipes some paint off her face and starts laughing) Khushi??? (laughs really hard) Eik baat bataao, yahaan iss get up mein, mahaulle ke bachhon ko darrane ke liye ayee ho?

Khushi- Kya?!

Kunal- I was right. (still laughing) Tum bhoot hi ho! (she looks at him weird) Eik minute. (grabs her hand and picks up a piece of foil she was using and holds it in front of her face) BHOOT! (starts laughing)

Khushi's face was covered with paint. Pink paint on her forehead, light purple paint near her hair line, orange paint on her ear, golden yellow paint on her cheek. She looked like a complete clown.

Khushi- Haiye mera moo.

Kunal- (laughing) Phitte moo!

Khushi- Oye chup kar kaan khajure! Woh saamne se mera washcloth do. SAAF WAALA!

Kunal- (hands her the clean washcloth) Kyun apni shakal AUR bigaad rahi ho. (laughs)

Khushi- (wipes off the paint) Shut up! (throws the washcloth at him and walks back to her easel)

Kunal- (laughs and follows her) Chill. WOW yaar! Nice! Finally main tumhe painting karte hue dekh sakta hoon.

Khushi- Irritate nahi karoge toh dekh sakte ho. Don't disturb!

Kunal- Yeah yeah!

Khushi- Achha tell me, why are you up so early?

Kunal- Tumhaari besuri awaaz se utth gaya. (hits her on the back of the head lightly)

Khushi- Ainwaiyee! Main toh nahi gaa rahi thi. Tumhaare kaan bajj rahe honge. (hits him on the head lightly as well)

Kunal- Arre nahi yaar, you were humming.

Khushi- Paagal ho kya?

Kunal- Then who the hell was humming? (looks down scratching his head and thining)

Khushi- (looks at him strangely then pats him on the shoulder) Woh rahi tumhaari humming bird. (motions behind him with her eyes)

Kunal- (turns to find their neighbor, Borna, humming on the terrace next door) Oye buddy!

Borna- (looks over from her yoga) Hey guys! Tum dono itni jaldi utth gaye?

Kunal- Well main tumhaari humming se utth gaya and Khushi toh pata nahi kab se jag rahi hai.

Borna- (laughs) Sorry yaar! I didn't mean to wake you. Aage peeche toh tum gadhe ghode bechke sote ho. Kyun Khushi?

Khushi- (laughs) Baat toh sahi dude. Tum utth kaise gaye aaj Kunal.

Kunal- Woh fresh air ke liye window kholi thi. Oh forget it!

Borna- (laughs) Okay… you guys enjoy. I'm going back to my room. See you!

Kunal-Khushi- See you!

Kunal- Oh by the way, tum kaafi surili ho yaar! Beautiful voice. (winks)

Pari- (smiles) Thanks buddy! (leaves)

A couple hours later…

Khushi- HA! I'm done!

Kunal- (jerks up from his sleep) Hein?

Khushi- Hein jee. Jaldi aao.

Kunal- (rubs his eyes and gets up off the swing quickly and walks over to Khushi's side lazily, while stifling off a yawn) Kya hai?

Khushi- Meri painting poori hogayee! (bright smile)

Khushi- (hit him on the shoulder) Bas nice?!

Kunal- Yaar bohot achhi hai. Ab main so jaoon?

Khushi- (rolls her eyes and looks at the time on her phone) Yeah right Kunal. Time for work. Duty calls.

Kunal- Work? Itni jaldi?! Nahi!!! I'm sleeping yaar. (rests his head on her shoulder while she finished cleaning up her work area)

Khushi- Kunal… get off of me. Your head weighs 50 kgs! Hatto! Mujhe kaam karne do. I still have to get ready! Kunal! Kunaaaaal!!!!

Kunal- (annoyed, he covers her mouth with his hand) Chup! Subha subha chilla rahi ho! Behra nahi hona mujhe. Yaar tum itna dimaag… (rants on and on)

All this time Kunal was yelling at her and she was staring into his eyes… completely clueless to everything and anything he just said. She was in her own world… His hand was still clamped over her mouth but her lips were curved into a smile underneath it. He moved his hand, not paying attention to the smile that had appeared on her face, and continued ranting.

Kunal irritate hota hai toh kitna cute lagta hai. Shayad issiliye main usse irritate karne ke koi chance nahi chodti. Yaa shayad issiliye kyunki usse irritate karne ki aadat si padh gayee hai. Ghusse mein yeh apni already badi badi aankhon ko aur badi karke ghoorta hai toh pata nahi kyun mere chehre pe badi si smile aajati hai. Irritate hoke pata nahi kya kya bolta rehta hai, lekin mujhe achha lagta hai. Bolte bolte khud hans padta hai toh…

Kunal- (blabbering all the time she was thinking) Oh hello! (snaps his fingers in front of her face)

Khushi- (snaps out of her thoughts) Huh? Sorry. Kya keh rahe the tum?

Kunal- (dumbfouned expression) What do you mean by that?! Main itni der se yahaan bak-bak kar raha hoon aur tum sunn hi nahi rahi thi?! Jee thanks!

Khushi- Obviously, tum bak-bak karoge toh I'll zone out naa. Big deal. (starts to walk away)

Kunal grabbed her hand and it was like a breeze hit both of them… a strange new feeling… or an old one that they disregarded?

Very slowly, Khushi turned to look at Kunal. He had the exact same expression on her face as she did… they were both so lost. It wasn't the first time he had held her hand. In fact just last night she was tackling him downand sitting on top of him… okay well… they did get lost in each other's eyes for a slight moment, but it was all under control. So why was this so different?

Kunal swallowed hard trying to figure out the strange fuzzy feeling as he looked at Khushi as if it were the first time he was seeing her. Maybe as more than the girl he grew up, the girl he called his best friend… maybe something more than that…

They stood at an arm's distance from each other, him still holding her hand, but it felt as if they were closer now than ever. A feeling that neither he nor she could explain. He knew he'd been attracted to her for quite some time, but today was different. Sparks? Hesitantly he let go of her hand, and they both kind of felt uneasy, looking here and there… anywhere but each other. A few moments of silence and that was it. Someone had to break the ice…

Khushi- Uh… neeche… neeche chalein? (still not looking at him) Woh… hosp… hospital jaane ke liye ready…

Kunal- (instantly) Uh haan. Chalo. (motions for her to go first, and after she leaves, he says to himself…) Magic? Nahi. Attraction? Yaar woh toh pehle se hi tha… well mujhe toh tha. Anyway, time for work. (heads down)

Locker room... TACOS part 2…

Sunny- What are you saying yaar???

Kunal- Haan yaar. Pata nahi kya tha.

Sid- Lekin you already like Khushi naa?

Kunal- Haan… but pyaar???

Sunny- Obviously yaar, like ke baad bhi kuch aayega ya phir tata bye bye?

Kunal- Wohi toh problem hai!

Sid- Dude! Tu Khushi ko college ke time se like karta hai right?

Kunal- LIKE karta hoon. Maine kabhi nahi kaha ki pyaar karta hoon.

Sunny- Same difference yaar!

Kunal- (puts his arm around Sunny's shoulder) Mere bhai, there's a FINE LINE between pyaar and LIKE.

Sid- (laughs and puts his arm around Kunal's shoulder) MERE bhai, tune woh line toh KABKI cross kardi hai. Bacha kya??? (highs fives Sunny)

Sunny- Exactly. (puts his arm around Kunal's shoulder) Wohi toh mainkeh raha hoon. Yaar tum dono eik saath rehte ho in the same house, aur woh teri best friend hai. Bachpan se hum sab guys mein woh tujhse zyaada close rahi hai. Aur tu hi toh bol raha hai ki she was uncomfortable.

Kunal- (puts his arm around Sid's shoulder) Haan, lekin isska matlab yeh thodi hai ki she feels the same way.

Sid- Tune pata karne ki koshish ki?

Kunal- (looks at him) Nahi yaar.

Sunny- Toh kar naa!

Kunal- (bright smile) Haan yaar! Mere bhaiyon, tum log great ho!

All 3 of them do a group hug and kiss each other on the cheek… when...

Khushi- (walks over looking through a file) Hey Sunny woh… (looks up) Oh wow… okay sorry. Main baad mein aati hoon. (odd expression an walks out)

All 3 guys, still standing in a semi-hug, look at each other then at Khushi's retreating figure and then back at each other, and they jump 2 feet away from each other!

Kunal- (calls out) Khushi… Khush… (she was out of sight) Kaminon! Mujhe bol rahe the, pata karo. Ab kaise pata karoon?! Ussne toh sab ghalat malat sochliya yaar. Tum logon se control nahi hota kya? Saalon, koi bhi dekhega toh usse toh aise hi lagega ki yahaan ulti Ganga beh rahi hai.

The 3 look at each other and make a disgusted face…

Sid, Kunal, Sunny- SICK! (all grab their stuff from their lockers and head out)

I.C.U.

Khushi- (pacing around) Sachhi mummy! Pata nahi kya tha. Itni strange feeling… pehle toh kabhi aisa nahi hua. Mera matlab hai ki… (sighs) pata nahi. Jab bhi kuch aur sochti hoon toh phir wapas aake wahin ruk jaati hoon… ki main aur Kunal toh best friends hain. Best friends ke beech mein yeh pyaar vyaar… Pyaar? Did I say pyaar? (sits down next to her real quick) Mummy… main paagal toh nahi ho rahi? Yes! That's it! Main paagal hogayee hoon. I've gone mad! Pyaar? Aur uss… uss Kunal se? CHI! Mera taste itna kharaab nahi ho sakta. (thinks) Lekin phir baar baar, yeh ajeeb se khayaal kyun aate hain dimaag mein? Woh hanste hai toh yeh, ghussa hota hai toh woh, irritate hota hai toh kuch, aur tang karta hai toh kuch. (sighs deeply) Pata nahi kya ho raha hai. Mere toh kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha. Aapko pata hai maine abhi abhi usse kya karte hue dekha? (narrates the whole scene) How wrong does that sound naa? (rests her head on the side of Muskaan's bed, holding her hand) Aap theek hoti toh meri kuch toh madat kar sakti. (looks up at her mom and gives her a childish look) Mummy! Tussi kaddon theek hoge? Aap sirf sunnti ho. Bolti toh kuch bhi nahi ho. (lets go of her hand and rests her head next to her hand) Ab main kya karoon? (starts to think of what she can do or who she can talk to)

8 years and she'd remained unresponsive. Everyday she'd layed in the same position, listening to her daughter. Experiencing her grow to become the beautiful young girl that she is now. She heard everything, felt her daughter's pain when she'd come to her crying about something. She felt the emptiness her daughter felt for the past 8 years on her birthday when everyone was there to wish her, and the only one missing was her mom. Her friends had taken such good care of her daughter. She was treated like a princess. Everyone was fond of her, and Atul-Anjali had raised her so well. They'd been there for her when she needed them the most. Her best friends had raised her Khuhsi for half her life, not once treating her as an outsider. She was always treated as their own. Anjali had given her the love of a mother and chaachi all at once. Atul had been like a second father to her, regardless of the fact that she had always been closest to him since she learned how to walk. He had been her guide and friend. Her Sweetu Chachoo, but she knew very well, that even though Khushi would never admit it to anyone, she had that empty space in her heart that longed for her mom. Mehak had filled the gap of a sister, being her best friend and confidant over the years. As for Kunal, she had always been fond of the boy. She often told Rahul how much she loved seeing the two together. He was a decent boy, and one of her favorites of the lot. He was closest to her. During his childhood, he would spend hours with her, and even as he grew older, he gave her the place of his second mother. 8 years… she lived through every single thing that happened in Khushi's life. Never missing a single detail, and today, she knew Khushi really needed her mom. Now, her daughter was starting to experience… love.

It's not really explainable how or what caused this miracle to happen, but as Khushi sat there with her head resting near Muskaan's hand, thinking out loud about what she would do to figure out the "strange feeling" Muskaan's hand twitched a bit and it reached over and rested gently on Khushi's head…

Khushi- … Lekin agar maine disregard kiya toh… (finally feeling Muskaan's hand, her eyes open wide in shock as Atul walks in) Mummy!

Atul- (sees Muskaan's hand resting on Khushi's head and Khushi in a state of shock not moving) Khushi… Muskaan… Muskaan ka haath…

Khushi- (not moving from her position with Muskaan's hand still resting on her head) Sweetu Chaacho! Mummy… Mummy…

Atul- Relax… Kya Muskaan ne…

Khushi- (shocked) Haan Sweetu Chaachoo!

Atul- (speechless, he pages Anjali and Dr.Keerti) Finally…

Anjali and Dr. Keerti came rushing once they saw the words "emergency in I.C.U." flashing on their pagers…

Dr. Keerti- (running in) Dr. Atul… Kya hua?

Atul- (no response)

Anjali- (puts her hand on his shoulder) Atul…

Atul- (says nothing but points to Khushi-Muskaan)

Dr. Keerti- (shocked) Oh my god! Dr. Atul, kya Muskaan ne…

Atul- (nods his head without uttering a word)

Anjali- (tears up) Muskaan…

Dr. Keerti checked for another response on Muskaan's part… nothing. She tried everything she could to get Muskaan to move once again… still nothing.

Anjali- (runs over to Muskaan's side) Muskaan, baby please. Haath hilaao. Kuch bhi karo. Please Muskaan. (crying)

Atul- (comes and takes Anjali to a side and hugs her tight) Ro mat Anjali. Hum dekh rahe hain. Muski theek hojaayegi. Itne saalon baad agar ussne Khushi ki kisi baat pe react kiya hai toh woh phirse theek ho sakti hai.

Anjali- (crying while hugging him tight) Atul… Muskaan…

Atul- (kisses her in the forehead) Theek hojaayegi. (looks back at Muskaan as he sees a lone tear roll down from the side of her eye)

Kunal- (comes running in) Dad!

Atul- Hey.

Kunal- Dad, Chaachi.

Atul- Ussne aaj respond kiya.

Kunal- What??? (excited) That's great! Khushi? Khushi kahaan hai?

Atul- (points to Khushi, who was still in the same position as before) Woh rahi.

Kunal- (goes to her and bends down to level up with her) Khushi?

Khushi- (smiles through tears) Mummy…

Kunal- (smiles) Chaachi theek hojaayegi Khush. I know it.

Dr. Keerti- Dr. Khushi, aap apni duties pe jaaye. Main Muskaan ko dekhti hoon.

Khushi- (finally gets up and kisses her mom's head) Bye Mummy…

Kunal- (leans down and kisses her forehead) Get well soon Chaachi. (turns to Khushi) Khush, chalein?

Khushi- Haan. (wipes her tears) Chalo.

Cafeteria… lunch break…

Khushi- (sitting with Kunal) Kunal… I can't tell you ki main aaj kitni khush hoon! Mummy ne react kiya! (bright smile)

Kunal- (smiles) Maine toh pehle ki kaha tha ki Chaachi theek hojaayengi. I knew it.

Khushi- (smiles) Thanks.

Kunal- Kis liye?

Khushi- Woh… mera saath dene ke liye.

Kunal- (smiles) I'm always here for you Khush.

The beginning of their eye-lock had been rudely interrupted by the waiter who came by with their coffee…

Khushi- (snapping out of her unintentional emotional moment) Uh… waise… tumne aaj kaafi dinon baad mujhe Khush bulaaya hai… Kyun?

Kunal- Kyun kya matlab kyun? Bas… aise hi.

Khushi- Kunal…

Kunal- (sighs) Main tumhe Khush tabhi bulaata hoon jab tum tense ya emotional hoti ho. I noticed it relaxes you a bit. (smiles and puts his hand over hers)

Khushi- (smiles) Pata nahi tum mujhe itne achhe se kaise jaante ho.

Kunal- Waise eik baat bataao. Tumne aisa kya keh diya Chaachi ko ki unhone first time react kardiya.

Khushi- (smile disappears) Uh… (in her head) Damn it! Ab kya boloon? Main toh iss hi ke baare mein baat kar rahi thi Mummy se. Baba ji… hun ki karaan?

She smiled nervously at him as he raised his eyebrows at her… She was officially, STUCK!