Part 52
After official proposal ….A formal engagement ceremony was decided few days later …where the wedding date wud also be decided …& no one was happier than Raj ….
Today after lunch Raj was supposed to go shopping with Nandini…since morning he had been busy in meeting …after meeting spent rest of the morning so that he cud finish work asap…
Raj was in his cabin engrossed in some work… when….some1 barged into Raj's office….
Maya (Raj's PA): Sorry sir… I tried to stop but...(scared as Raj has asked her not let any1 disturb him)
Raj: (sitting back comfortably in his chair): Its ok Maya…I'll handle it…(she left)So Mr.Rohan , kahiye aapke liye kya kar sakta hoon kyunki ab tak jo tumhare saath kiya who tumhe samjhane ke liye kaafi nahi tha…isliye itna hone ke baad bhi tum yahan aaye… tell me what can I do for u? (spinning the paperweight around)
Rohan: Cut the crap Raj …tumhari wajahse se barbaad hua hoon aur kehte ho "what can I do for u?"
Raj(all innocent) : Meri wajahse barbaad hue ho? (twisting his chair side to side…smug grin on his face)…maine toh tumhe pehle hi warn kiya tha ki nandini se jitna door rahoge tumhare liye achha hoga…infact Mr.Dixit ko bhi bataya tha…but guess tum dono ko itni simple si baat samajh nahi aayi…Mere mana karne ke bawjood tum abhi tak nandini ko follow kar rahe ho…usse dhamkane ki koshish kar rahe the
Rohan (who was fuming) tum us do takke ki ladki ke liye mujhse dushmani kar rahe ho…tumhe andaza bhi nahi hai main kya kar sakta hoon… tum sab kuch kyun kar rahe ho?…sirf us ladki ke liye…usne tumhe kuch bhi kaha tumne maan liya … who hai hi aisi…tum uski baaton mein aagaye…dekhna who tumhe bhi chod degi…mujhe bhi chod diya tha… us ladki ke liye tumne mujhe barbaad kiya… Ek ladki ke liye mujhe barbaad kiya tumne…tum toh mere dost hua karte the
Raj: Dost …Hume mein kabhi dost bhi the …I don't remember…aur plzz is galatfahmi se bahar aao…aur agar tumhe yeh galat fehmi hai bhi…toh tumhare jaise log kisike dost kehne ke layak hi nahin hai. (getting up from his chair…walks round to Rohan) Uss din toh tumhe maar hi deta agar Nandini wahaan nahin aa jaati. Aur jisse tum do takke ki ladki keh rahe ho…who meri hone wali biwi hai…shayad nandini ke rokne se Raj ruk jaye…lekin meri hone wali biwi ke khilaaf kuch bhi kaha toh I wont leave u… Tumhe jo karna hai karo…par meri warning yaad rakhna…nandini se tum aur Mr. dixit door rehna… Now get out of my office before I have u thrown out!
Rohan: bahut galat kiya hai tumne! Mujhe barbaad karke….I will get u for this and that b***h usse toh main tumse door karke hi rahunga…u will see to it…mujhse dushmani bahut bhaari padegi tumhe…
Raj (grabbed him by the neck…almost throttling him) Nandini ko gaali deta hai…u…. (pushes him to the floor.. then calls security…they arrive in his office in minutes.) Security! Throw this man out!
Rohan(dragged out): Raj bahut bhaari padega tujhe. You watch! I will get u for this…u and that small chit of the girl…
Security drag him out…staff members are shocked with the scene.
Arjun & suhan rush to Raj's cabin hearing all the commotion.
Arjun: Raj yeh….yeh arjun yeh yahaan kya kar raha tha…aur hua kya?
Suhana—Raj are u OK…
Raj (straightening his collar): yeahh I am fine…& Kuch nahin hua …mujhe dhamki der raha tha…mujhe barbaad karega! …
Arjun—par …yeh yahan aaya kyun achanak…
Raj—iske business partners ko iski asliyat jo bata di…iske bankers & investors ne iske business se loans wapis le liye…Nandini ko dhamkane chale tha…who toh acha hua maine 3-4 din pehle hum dinner par gaye the toh maine isse nandini ko warn karte hue sun liya…warna nandini kabhi nahi bata ti…infact abhi tak nahi bataya usne mujhe…
Suhana—Can blame him Raj…she must be scared for u …isliye nahi bataya hoga…
Raj(sighed)—I know … & ab tum dono…apna muh band rakhna…nandini ko batane ki zarut nahi hai…
Suhana—Raj par…
Raj(interrupted)—Bekaar mein pareshan hojayegi…don't worry I will handle her…tumhe kuch nahi kahegi…
Arjun(mumbled)—chalo kisi se toh bandariya ko dar lagta hai…
Suhana—tumne kuch kaha (Arjun nodded in NO)
Raj just shook his head…when her cell rang it was nandini who was waiting for him since they had to shopping…it had almost slipped from his mind in this whole fiasco…he left from there in hurry…
As he reached there he cud make out she is angry…
Raj—sorry…thoda late hogaya…
Nandini—Thoda…1 baje ka kaha tha …its almost more than 3… main pagalo ki tarah wait kar rahi thi...jab der se aana tha toh bata dete …
Raj(sheepishly) –sorry ..ab chale…ab aur late karne ki zarut nahi hai…come…
*********
Nandini keep on selecting & rejecting kept on blabbering which is nice & which is not…without noticing that Raj is not paying attention he seem to be in some serious thots.
Nandini turned to ask his opinion—yeh acha hai na? (seeing him not answering she shook him)Raj dress tumhare liye select ho rahi hai meri nahi atleast bata toh do… which one is good already tum help nahi kar rahe…
Raj coming out of thots without even looking at outfit she selected –haan lelo…(absent mindedly) its nice
Nandini cud guess something is wrong he is in some serious thot…dismissing it to be just her imagination she turned back to select few other outfits when again she asked Raj she saw him still worried & tensed. As whenever they shopped Raj had various reasons to trouble her & irritate her…he had his own ways to reject whatever she selects & today he is not even giving his opinion that too when they are shopping for him only.
Nandini—ermm yeh wala Lele…
Raj(still lost)—Haan lelo…
Nandini(to check if he was even paying attention)-- yeh yellow sherwani bhi
Raj—haan haan lelo it will look nice…
Nandini—dekho toh sahi….& green sherwani bhi ….
Raj—Haan baba lelo …
Sighing Nandini returned dress to person & almost dragged Raj out of shop—Chalo…
Raj(surprised)—chalo matlab?kahan? I think hum shopping karne aaye the?
Nandini(still dragging him)—thank you for informing…I didn't knew it…ab tum chalo (reaching parking lot) baitho…
Raj—huh?
Nandini(irritated)—Raj don't test my patience chup chap baitho…
As she drove…Raj tried to ask her
Raj –hum kaha ja rahe hai? (he was surprised since since last 2 days she was upto him to take out time from office & come along)Shopping nahi karni…?
Nandini—jaise tum bada kar rahe the shopping ?
Raj(realizing) –ermm who…but still kahan lekar ja rahi ho…
Nandini(irritated)—tumhe kidnap kar rahi hoon happy…
Raj(momentarily forgot his tension…excitedly)—kidnap wow!! So exciting…but a little scary too…tum kuch karogi toh nahi…(pretended to be scared prayed to god) bhagwan meri raksha karna meri izzat aapke haanthon mein hai…
Nandini(shook her head)—bhagwaan ko kyun shock de rahe ho… pehli baar koi ladka unse aisa keh raha hoga
Raj—haan toh ab roz-roz thodi na koi ladki ladke ko kidnap karegi who bhi mall jaise public place se…
Nandini—tum na…arrggh 4get it…(After few minutes she stopped at the place) utro…
Raj(looked around it was surely a secluded & calm place)—wow! This is b'ful mujhe toh laga kidnap karke kissi bhutiya khandar mein lekar jaogi…but this is b'ful …kitna acha hai yahan par…(pointing to sunset) & yahan se sunset bhi acha dikh raha hai…
Nandini—tumhe yaha sunset dhikhane nahi layi?
Raj (pretended to be scared)—toh phir? tumne sach mein kidnap karne ka plan banaya hai …I feel like 70s heroine bhagwaan ke liye mujhe chod do…
Nandini(irritated) –ha ha ha very funny…hogaya…(Raj just nodded) ab poochna padega …kya problem hai…ya khud bataoge…
Raj –what? Problem kise? Mujhe ..
Nandini(irritated)—bhagwaan kaha fasa diya? …Raj yahan tumhare alawa koi aur hai?ofcourse I am asking u… koi problem hai…jabse aaye pata nahi kahan khoye ho?
Raj—ermm …nothing koi problem nahi hai…seriously…errmmm
Nandini(interrupted)—jab jooth bolna aata nahi ho na toh nahi bolna chaiye…tum mujhe kehte ho na…ki main tumse jooth nahi bol sakti…same goes 4 u… saaf pata chal raha hai…ki koi problem hai…
Raj—tum bekaar mein soch rahi ho…koi problem nahi hai…&
Nandini—theek hai…nahi batana mat batao.. .toh ab next time main tumse kuch chupao…toh mujhse mat expect karna ki main tumhe bataungi…
Raj—next time ki kya zarut hai…jab already chupa rahi ho…
Nandini(surprised)—huh? Main kya chupa rahi hoon…? Baat tum nahi bata rahe & blaming me…
Raj—kyun tum nahi chupa rahi …are u sure…
Nandini(almost guessed it.. but still denied )—nahi…I mean …
Raj(pulled her to himself)—really ? tum nahi chupa rahi…kuch nahi chupa rahi na… tum yeh nahi chupa rahi ki 3-4 din pehle Rohan warned u…tum nahi chupa rahi…ki usne tumhe kya kaha…tum nahi chupa rahi…(Nandini gave him surprised look) wat? Aise shock confused expression dene ki zarut nahi hai…I am not speaking French jo samajh nahi aa raha tumhe …
Nandini(sighed)—fine…maine nahi bataya…happy…aur isme itna issue banana ki kya zarut hai…Rohan ne jo kuch bhi kaha…it was not something I cant handle… zara si baat thi…
Raj(irritated)—zara si baat …are u kidding me Nandu…who tumhe almost har jagah follow kar raha tha…& tumne mujhe batana zaruri nahi samjha? Rohan almost threatened u…aur tum isse zara si baat keh rahi ho…u are too much…itna sab kuch hone ke baad u didn't bother to inform me…(he was little angry that nandini taking it lightly) tumne ek baar bhi mujhe nahi bataya…
Nandini—aur tumhe bata kar kya hota?
Raj (cudn't believe)—kya hota matlab? I wud have killed him…chodta nahi usse…
Nandini(smiled)—isiliye nahi bataya…
Raj (surprised)—par …
Nandini—mujhe pata tha mere bata te hi tum uske sir pe chad jaoge…& Rohan chup chap baithne walo mein se nahi hai…who tumhe aur pareshan karega…
Raj—aur tum khud pareshan hui…who…mujhe pehle se bata deti toh…aaj uski mere saamne aane ki himmat nahi hoti…
Nandini(confused) –saamne ?aaj ? matlab?
Raj(realizing his slip)—I mean ..woh…
Nandini—kya kiya tumne?
Raj(innocently)—kuch nahi…who sirf thoda sa samjhaya…bas
Nandini(shocked)—thoda sa samjhaya ya mara?
Raj(turned other side tried to control his laugh) —errmm bilkul nahi…
Nandini—meri taraf dekh kar bolo…why I have hard time believing u
Raj(laughed)—what? U don't believe me…dats not fair…
Nandini—mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tumhe super hero banne ki kya zarut hai…
Raj—superhero?
Nandini—ofcourse…tumhe zyada shauk jo hai superhero banne ka… mere mana karne ke baad bhi tum Rohan se lade …Right?
Raj—ermm No…bilkul nahi…
Nandini—really toh fir yeh(pointing to his right cheek where it was little bruised) tumhe aise hi apne aap lag gayi hogi nahi?
Raj(touched his cheek to lighten)—wow !! tumne notice kiya…iska matlab mujhe bahut gaur se dekh rahi thi itni der se…how I didn't realize that….
Nandini(smacked him)—Raj be serious…
Raj(pulled her closer) ofcourse I am serious maine sach mein notice nahi kiya tum kab mujhe itne dhyan se dekh rahi thi…
Nandini—topic change mat karo Raj… why did u get into all this…
Raj—aise hi…its my favourite game…anyways I will deal with that who meri problem hai… (moving a little closer) ab itna super hero ka kaam kiya hai toh don't u think I deserve a reward…
Nandini (moved back understanding that he is intending to kiss still pretended not to understand) – ermm reward? I don't think so ?
Raj(coming more closer)—U are too much … itna sab kuch kisi film actor ne kiya hota na… tum ladkiyan uske peeche pagal ho jati …ek hi baar mein impress ho jati …par yahan itna karke bhi koi value nahi hai…
Nandini(blushed)-- kisne kaha value nahi hai… (moved a little closer) aur rahi baat actors ki toh u know me…main kisi filmy hero se impress nahi hoti…
Raj—dats gud…matlab mujhe darne ki zarut nahi hai…(was abt to kiss her when her cell rang)
Nandini laughed & picked the call it was Jai asking her where she was…she informed him she will reach soon…
Nandini—ab chale…(turned to leave)
Raj (caught her hand)—mera reward…
Nandini—next time…ab chalo…(she moved ahead)
Raj (sighed) –next time…all the best Raj… (he was still standing there when nandini came back & kissed him on corner of lips)
Nandini—ab toh chalo…
Next day
Nandini was all alone at home as jai had taken his parents for their medical check up…they wud be back till lunch…also Charu was supposed to come home for holi vacations …also for Nandini's engagement next week…. She decided to make special lunch for her…
Nandini was busy with lunch preparation…when the doorbell rang. She was surprised since she wasn't expecting any1 …charu was supposed to come only after 1pm
Nandini : Ab iss waqt kaun aya ? (wiping her hands…she went to open the door)…Tum…!!!!
Before Nandini could say another word…a bucket full of dried leaves was thrown in her face …someone giggled and ran off.
Nandini (shaking off all the leaves): Sonuuu….!!!!! Kya mazaak hai yeh?
Sonu was the 10 year old chubby kid next door…who enjoyed troubling Nandini. His school holidays were on so was always upto some mischief or the other. He particularly enjoyed teasing Nandini , since she never scolded her much also gave him chocolates & spoil him like anything… She also scolded the big boys of neighbourhood when he complained to her…She was always there to help her out…Nandini really adored her…He was a cute boy...just little mischeivious…
Nandini closed the door and cleared the mess…went back into the kitchen. The doorbell went again.
Nandini: Phir agaya yeh? (She opened the door carefully this time…peered out and saw no one… she opened the door fully… when Sonu threw another bucket full of leaves at her!) Sonu…Holi kal hai aaj nahi…ab bahut hogaya bas karo…bahut kaam hai mujhe. (she slammed the door shut…and cleared up again) Ab doobara doorbell bajayega toh darwaaza hi nahin kholungi!
Same happened thrice…after clearing mess for third time Nandini went back into the kitchen…continued cooking…few mintues later the doorbell went again. She…sighed deeply…but continued cooking, ignoring it. The doorbell went again…and again…and again!
Nandini: Yeh Sonu ko toh aaj nahin chodungi…hamesha mujhe hi tang karta hai…lekin aaj nahin …I have to get him! (looks around then grabs a large saucepan…fills it up with cold water….adds ice….then heads to the door. The doorbell was still going…Nandini stood at the side of the door frame…then opened the door suddenly…splashed the water…then gasped covering her mouth with her hands … The saucepan, crashed to the ground nosily. Raj stood before her completely soaked….looking completely shocked.
Nandini just froze …then saw Sonu giggling behind Raj
Sonu: Uncle… I told u if u keep ringing she will definitely open the door. (giggled)
Nandini (yelled): Sonuuu! (Sonu ran off laughing)
She looked at Raj and lowered her head….looking very embarressed.
Raj-- Hi! (wiping his face) … Suhana toh keh rahi thi tum holi nahi khelti & she stopped me from inviting u…didn't knew u were so excited for holi…
Nandini—Sorry…didn't realized its u….mujhe laga…
Raj—jo bhi laga..still aise paani… Urrr can I come in… Ya phir mujhe yaheen pe khade rehna hoga? I am feeling kinda cold.
Nandini (snapping of her thoughts): sorry…sorry… (she moved aside to let him enter)
Picking up the saucepan she moved aside to let him in…Raj made his way in….shivering.
Raj :Thank god its me…koi aur hota toh… Mehmaano ka aise swagat karte hai ? I hope u are not gonna hit me with that saucepan next?
Nandini (embarrassed ): Nahin…mein bas… I'm sorry…for drenching …woh itni der se Sonu parishaan kar raha tha… …
Raj-- Its ok…apologies accepted …but do have to stay drenched like this…can I have a towel or maybe use your bathroom (taking his jacket off)
Nandini -- Oh…haan I'm extremely sorry (nervously)….aye mere saath…(she led him to the downstairs bathroom) towel wahaan pe hai… jacket de do…will dry it off…
Raj (giving him) : Thanx.
He was abt to go in when nandini stopped him…
Nandini—ermm shirt…
Raj(was abt to get heart attack)—huh ?
Nandini—shirt bhi toh geela ho gaya …
Raj (teasing)—u asking me take off the shirt…
Nandini—ofcourse ab wet shirt mein kaise rahoge?
Raj(coming closer) —tumhe sharam nahi aati…
Nandini—hadh hai…simply tumse shirt maang rahi hoon aur tum ho ki…(realizing why he said that(pushed him back) u are too much I am going…tum jao bathroom mein…
Raj (teased her)—shirt nahi chaiye…(nandini noded in no) matlab thand mein aise hi main…
Nandini—toh de do…(instantly) nahi mat do…
Raj— make up ur mind confused girl shirt utaro ya nahi?
Nandini—ermm nahi…
Raj—Nahi?
Nandini—argghhh …ek min…(she went to Jai's room brought one of his shirt) here u go…jab tak tumhari dry hoti hai …
Raj—thank u…waise for once u scared me…
Nandini(pushed him in bathroom)—jao… (she left from there)
Back inside
Raj (shook his head and laughed): Poor girl… Chehra bhi laal hogaya hai…poor girl…(rubbed his head with the towel.)
After changing Raj made his way into the kitchen…smelling something good…Nandini was busy cooking…
Raj : Mmm…that smells good …palak paneer hey? My favourite…tumhe Mumma ne pehle bata diya tha ki I am coming…
Nandini—Aunty ne? Nahi toh…waise achanak kaise…aaj office nahi hai…
(Actually Raj had come to keep a check on her as he was still apprehensive abt Rohan coming here since he had known she must be alone he had a small chat with Jai when he had called to invite every1 for Holi. )
Raj—ermm haan tha… running a late today so decided to go after lunch…waise Jai bhaiyaa ne bata diya than a kal ki Holi party ke liye…
Nandini—haan…
Raj—good ….so be on time… & can I have some coffee? Thand ke maare jaan nikli jaa rahi hai
thanda paani pila hi chuki ho…ek coffee hojaye … (Nandini just smiled)
Next day at Holi party
All have assembled in back garden of Mehtas …next morning wishing each other holi… but still Nandini found Raj is not there …she had asked arjun where he was he had no clue…
Nandini—kamal hai…mujhe toh bada bola tha be on time…aur khud gayab hai… (when she got SMS from Raj calling her inside…excusing herself she went in & was surprised not to find him she was abt to leave when bumped into him)
He looked at her outfit, and saw that she was wearing all white… & happy that she still hadn't colour splashed on her…
Nandini—bahar sab wait kar rahe hai…aur tum mujhe andar bula rahe ho?
Raj—actually kaam tha…tumhe rang jo lagana tha…& tumse Rang jo lagwana tha…
Nandini –haan toh…bahar aakr bhi lagawa sakte the…
Raj—ofcourse …but I know bahar jate hi…arjun wud have got me…bahar hi wait kar raha hoga…I know him…& I wanted u to be the first…
Nandini(blushed)—tum bhi…(she was abt to put colour …when Ria walked in with her hands at back…)
Ria—Chachuu…Mumma bula rahi hai aapko…
Raj—aa raha hoon main chalo…
Ria(amanant)—nahi pehle chalo…
Raj(picking her up)—chalte hai…(ria patted his cheeks smearing colour on him ) par pehle
Nandini looked at him and burst into a fit of laughter. He looked at her strangely, wondering why she had laughed. Ria had a habit she always patted his cheeks when she wanted Raj to pay attention to her… but Nandini's laughter wasn't dying. Looking at her curiously, she pointed to a mirror. He saw that Ria had patted green color on his cheeks and left two tiny hand prints. Smiling, he kissed Ria on the cheek …& put her down …& she ran thinking Chachu will chase her…
Nandini(laughed)—its Ria who gets u first … Mr.Raj Mehta… Happy Holi… (turned to go)
Raj (caught her hand leaned in… Rubbing his cheek against hers…he left some of the color on her cheek-- Very funny, Mrs. Mehta…
Nandini—Ab chale isse pehle sab andar aakar tumhe colour lagaye…
Raj (smiled)—chalo…
They headed out to the lawn where the family was welcoming guests for the festive occasion.
He saw everyone smearing colored powder on each others cheek… The moment Arjun spotted Raj … he saw him & Muskaan running towards him with buckets.
Raj-- Stop! Don't get me just yet! (Turning around he put his hands up to stop them.) I promise you can get me… just wait!
Muskaan-- Why should we wait?
Raj—first right to nandini… although Ria got me first…
Nandini took a bit of the color and rubbed his cheek gently…. while the guys just patiently waited. As soon as she smeared it Arjun & muskaan were too quick in dumping the buckets on him… leaving him soaked from head to toe.
Raj chased both of them long… made all of them laugh. They looked like elementary school kids chasing each other in the school yards.
Neelu-- These always turn into kids during Holi… Just watch after they have their share of bhang…(added laughing) Make sure you avoid it… I had some last year, and let me just tell you. Big mistake
Nandini laughed and sat there with neelu njoying watching all of them play…she was not much into playing…
Raj noticed nandini was joining them in fun she was abt to go & call her when aditya pulled him some where
Raj(confused)—kahan le ja rahe hai bhai?
Aditya-- Where do you think?
Raj(realizing) — oh no… I don't want any… not this year (understanding what they were getting at)
Arjun --What?! You have to! Its tradition! Come on… Don't disappoint us (Dragging Raj who was still refusing, they force fed him a glass of bhang. Eventually… he held the metal glass himself, and drank quite fast)
Arjun was abt to give him 1 more
Raj-- No- no more! One was more than enough!
Arjun—come on plzz mere liye bhai ke kehne se ek toh mere se bhi…
The boys kept forcing him to drink and Nandini watched from afar… keeping a quiet eye on him.
By the time they finished, all stood around swaying together singing loudly.
"Rang… *hic*… barse…." Arjun crooned
"Bheeege…..*hic*….." Aditya joined. "Chunar *hic* wali…
Arjun—waise why all we are soaking wet & girls are not ?
Aditya—Neelu bhi nahi… dats not fair…(he stared at the women.. who were busy chatting and laughing amongst each other.) "Idea!"
Raj—what ?
Arjun-- Lets make a bet…The last to dunk the girls in the water *hic* has to kiss their partner…
Raj-- I don't want *hic* anymore…"I didn't want to drink anyways!"
Arjun-- Arre yaar… sirf ek din ki baat hai! Aur waise bhi its only b/w u & bhai…main toh out of question hoon… 😆😆
Raj—Noo…Nandini gona kill me… 😆😆
Arjun(pushed him )--gooo...aur kisne kaha tujhe last aana hai & kiss her...first aa jana...
Nandini was busy chatting with suhana when Raj came up to her
Raj (tapping her shoulder)-- I want to peek to u *hic*
……….to be continued…..
...
😆😆
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