Part 3
"Maaa", Virat whined, as he pulled his blanket over his head to block the light coming from the window as his Choti Ma moved the curtains letting the light in.
"Viratt, its time to get up now..", she said sitting down next to him on the bed, pulling his blanket off his face and running a hand through his hair.
"Just a while longer, please..", Virat said taking her hand in his and holding it under his head as he turned to his left towards her, his eyes still closed.
"Its already 11 beta..", she said to him, smiling at his antics.
"11!?", he asked as he sat up bolt right.
"Haan..kyun?', she asked him, seeing his reaction.
"DadaJi kahan hai?", he asked her now.
"He went to Di's earlier..and your Chachu and Shlok too.", she answered him with a confused expression.
"Thats even better..ill go get ready, app bhi ready ho jao'and we'll go over together..", he said to her as he got off the bed, grabbed a towel and headed towards the washroom to go wash up.
"Lekin kyun?", she called after him.
"Ill tell you with the others!", he called out as he shut the door behind himself.
Smiling lovingly Khadambari shook her head, knowing he wouldn't make the bed himself and how he hated when the maids touched his bed she went ahead and did it for him. After doing so she headed to her own room to get ready and then gave the cook and the housekeeper Tarun, orders for the day.
Smiling to himself as he thought of his Bhabhi's behna, Virat stepped out of the washroom after his shower and walked upto his cupboard as he dried his hair. Grabbing a button down shirt, he slipped it on and then buttoned it. For some reason, his Bhabhi;s behna hadn't been far from his thought since he had seen her. Just then he heard his Choti Ma calling him, quickly brushing his hair into place he grabbed his phone and ran downstairs.
"Virat'breakfast!", she called to him as she saw him grab his car keys off the kitchen counter.
"Lekin Maa'", he started to whine.
"Oh no you don't, forget it!", she yelled at him, placing her hands on her hips.
Dejected, Virat slumped his shoulders and took a seat at the breakfast table, beside which she was standing. He then watched her place two toasts and an omelet onto his plate, as she began to fill him a glass of orange juice, Virat secretly stuck his tongue out childishly. As he took his first bite, she grabbed his ear between her thumb and finger.
"No shaitani Virat'", she scolded him.
In answer he held his other ear and made a sorry face, laughing she let go of his ear and erged him to finish his breakfast. Once done, together they headed out in Virats car.
As he parked his car in front of his Bua's house, 15 minutes later, Virats phone started ringing. Seeing that it was from his old roommate Prem, he ushered his Chachi inside as he answered the phone.
"Prem! How are you?", Virat asked as he stepped out of the car.
"Im good, but it seems as if you are better than us..not a single call after the first day'.huh?", Prem said to him.
"Arre nahin yaar, just a little busy with family and getting settled in again'actually yaar, I'm with family even now.. can i call you later??",he asked.
"Lol'sure yaar, chal ill talk to you later'take care, bye..", Prem said.
"Ok bye..", saying that Virat hung up and walked inside.
Khushi was upstairs pacing back and forth in her room, knowing that Virat Bhaiya would be over any minute and tell everyone what he had learnt yesterday at the Chaudhry's. She had heard most of the Chaudhry's conversation yesterday since Manvi hadn't ended the call, but just when Dadu had announced that Arnav would be punished, her phone had died on her. She had spent the whole night worried sick expecting Virat Bhaiya to barge into the house any minute due to his temper, but when he hadn't showed up by 4am, she had figured that he would come during the day instead. She had tried calling Arnav to find out what had happened, but his phone was switched off, she had even thought of calling Manvi a few times, but just couldn't make herself do it at the end.
"KHUSHI! KHUSHI!!", she heard him yell just then from downstairs, making her jump and start biting her nails.
"KHUSHII!!", as she heard him yell again, she quickly headed out of her room and downstairs, knowing if she took her time it would just make him even more angrier.
"Virat'hua kya? batao tho?'ithnai gusai men kyun ho?", Swamini Bua asked him standing up as everyone else also stood up, and they all wondered the same thing.
"Ek minute Bua, Khushi koh anne dho..", he said waiting for her.
Just then he saw her come down the stairs and stand behind the sofa, her head lowered.
"Khushi'come here!'", he said holding his hand out for her to take.
Slowly she walked upto him and placed a shaking hand in his.
"Virat, hua kya hai?', Viren Bhaiya asked him, worried.
"Uncle? Bua?'Isne jho ghalthi ki hai, woh mein appko khud nahin batha saktha' lekin jho saza isse milni chaiye woh mein appko batha saktha hoon..", Virat said facing them and makeing Khushi face them as well.
"Virat'don't talk in circles'tell us clearly, baat kya hai?", DadaJi said to him.
"Uncle, Bua, kaal Abhi Dadu or unka parivaar ahh rahain hai yahan' appki ijazat se woh Khushi or Arnav koh ek saath zindagi bhar ki saza dehna chahthai hai..", Virat continued.
"Virat beta'kuch samajhe mein nahin ahh raha'tu teek se batha na'", Choti Ma said to him.
"Kaal Abhi Dadu or unka parivaar, appse Khushi ka haath magne ahh rahein hai'Arnav kai liye!", Virat said, shocking everyone.
"What?!"
"KYA?!"
"HUH!"
At once everyone bombarded him with questions and demanded answers at the same time. Laughing he relieved everyone of the fear that his temper would explode any second and explained the whole fiasco that took place yesterday. During the middle Khushi had gotten tired of the teasing and went to hide herself in her room.
Same Time- Rhishikesh
"Good Morning, Badi Ma!", Manvi said as she stepped into the kitchen, hugging her Badi Ma from behind.
"Good Morning, utt gayi meri bachi?..aja nashta karleh'", Badi Ma said, ushering her to the breakfast table outside and making her sit, before filling her a plate with paratas.
"Good Morning'Maa, appka beta main hoon ya Manvi?..jab dekho app uski fikhar karthi rethi hai..", Arnav whined as he took a seat across Manvi.
"Kyun ki main jaanthi hoon, kai tu kaisa hai, or yeh kaisi hain..", Badi Ma replied.
"Churail hi tho hain, or kya..", Arnav said under his breath, yet everyone heard it.
"Badi Ma! Bhaiya ne mujhe pirse Churail bola..!", Manvi whined.
"Arnav, kithni baar kaha hai tujse, ithna bara ho gaiya, phir bhi samajhe main terai nahin ayi yeh baat..", Badi Ma scolded him.
"Kya Hua Di'ithni subah merai ladlai koh app kyun daant rahi hai?", Shruti Ma asked Badi Ma as she walked in with Jeevika, Dadu, Badai Papa, and Papa.
"Samjha de tu isko Shruti, abb tho iski shahdi ki baat bhi chal rahin hai, phir bhi baaz nahin aya..har rooz ki tarah Manvi koh tang kiye bigar jaise tho iska nashta hota hi nahin'", Badi Ma said to Ma as everyone laughed, for this was a regular meal with breakfast daily.
"Kya Ma' merai tho dho bachai ho gaiyge thab bhi mein isse aise hi chirhao ga!", Arnav replied, making everyone else laugh and Manvi stick her tongue out at him.
With a harty laugh everyone finished breakfast, right before they were all about to get up, Jeevika called Dadu.
"Dadu?", she said.
"Ji Beta..koy kaam tha?", he asked her turning to face her on his left.
"Is it ok if i call Viren Ji and ask him to come get me?..", she asked.
"Di! Please kaal thak tho rook jao na' hamare saath chalai jana, pleasee..", Manvi said cutting in.
"Lekin Mannu..Swamini Ma might need my help for tomorrow..", Jeevika said giving her a pleading look for her to understand, as she waited for Dadu's answer.
"Kithi samajhdar ho gayi hai meri gudya'Haan beta, Viren koh zaroor phone karleh'lekin usse yahan na bhulana, usko kaam hoga ghar pay' Arnav tujhe shod ayai ga'teek hai..", he said getting up from the table at last, and patting Jeevika's head before heading to the family room, followed by his sons as Jeevika went to call Viren and pack her stuff, Manvi followed her upstairs as well.
Pinky and Shruti watched their daughters head upstairs.
"Shruti' baki sab ki jho thori si fikar thi woh tho haat gayi.. yeh tho hamein hamesha se patha tha kai Jeevika appne ghar mein aise ghul mil jayaige jaise hamesha se unke pass hi thi.. or Arnav tho hamare hi pass rahe ga, or uskai liye Khushi se baitar koy mil hi nahin sakthi' lekin jaise jaise Manvi koh Vidane ki ghari pass ah rahin hai, merai dil mein ek ajeeb sa dar hai'", Pinky said to her as she stood watching the sisters turn into the corridor leading to their rooms.
"Ha Di' hum sab jaantai hai, kai Jeevika or Arnav appna haq manglai ge humse, lekin Manvi'?'woh tho hamesha se chup si, bhooli si, or thori natkat si hai..", Shruti replied lovingly.
"Yeh daar nahin hai, kai woh kaise appne app koh use ghar main adjust karegi, woh tho ek pal mein hi unki ho jaiyge'sirf yeh dhar hai kai kya woh isko samjh paiyge? Kya woh ladka, hamari Manvi koh samajh paiga?", Pinky asked.
"Appne merai har dhar koh zuban di hai Di'lekin abhi waqt hai, or waise bhi hum aise hi thori na usko kissi kai bhi hiwalai kar deh gai? hmm?", Shruti consoled herself and Di.
Together they helped the servants put every thing away and then gave them the menu for lunch and dinner. It was true they were Devrai-Jeetani, but their bond was more of like sisters. They loved the others kid/kids more than their own and understood what was going on in the heart of the others in seconds, their bond was indeed special and an example to everyone who witnessed it.
Upstairs in Jeevika's room, Manvi was helping her Di pack, as her Di called Jeeju.
"VirenJi?'how are you?", she asked him.
"Kya bataou Jeevika'Temperature, or BP tho normal hai'lekin heart rate mein boot gharbar hai'", he said
"Kya? Kya Matlab?'you didn't eat too much oily food did you?", she asked panicking as she paced back and forth to the window with her sister behind her giving her these weird looks.
"Oily food??..Nahin tho'", he replied.
"Phir?!", she asked, stopping by the window.
"Heart Rate ki baand tho iss liye baji hai kyunkai tum merai pass nahin ho..", he said.
"Kya!?", she squealed in a small voice, as she blushed, turning around she faced Manvi who was making lovey doovey faces at her.
"Acha batao'kya chal raha hai?", Vren asked her.
"Packing..", she replied, still blushing.
"Packing! Sach main! lekin Kyun?!", he asked at once in a excited voice.
"Ji Sach mein'Arnav Bhaiya is going to drop me off in a while..", she replied as she popped her eyes out at Manvi in warning, who in return stuck her tongue out at her.
"Achanak?", he asked.
"Actually' you already know na, how everyone is coming over tomorrow..tho Ma koh meri help ki zaroorath pard sakthi hai na'issi liye..", she replied.
"Arre haan, i almost forgot..chalo yeh tho great hai' dho hafte baad appka chehra dekhnai koh milenga motharma..", he said.
"Ok, ill hangup now.. i need to finish packing'see you in the evening..", saying it she hung up.
Walking upto Mannu, who was putting her things in the bag, Jeevika smacked her lightly behind the head and grabbed her ear.
"Owww DII", Manvi said.
"Waise tho DI Di karthi rehthi hai' or phir Di koh chirhati bhi hai..hmm?", Jeevika asked letting go of Manvi's ear.
"Arre Di.. app tho meri ek loth Di ho na'tho ithna tho banta hai na!", she replied as she made a run for her own room next door.
"Mannu..kya hoga tera?'With us your so open and playful, and in front of strangers your so quiet' i just wish and hope you get someone who really understands your worth..", Jeevika thought to herself, then with a sigh she turned to finish packing her things.
Next Day- 2pm, Chopra Mansion
"Bhabhi'can i ask you something?", Khushi said to Jeevika, as Jeevika adjusted Khushi's dupata into place.
"Of course darling..", Jeevika replied.
"Your his sister, yet why are you here with me and not him?", Khushi asked her with a confused expression.
"Woh iss liye, because i also have a responsibility towards you now, my relationships have changed, just as yours will after marriage and your responsibilities too..",Jeevika explained to her.
"Ohh..", Khushi replied.
"Waise after the wedding you'll be My Bhabhi too you know!", Jeevika teased her.
"KYA'no way Bhabhi please, APP mujhe Bhabhi na bhoolana, i'll feel so old! I would even tell Manvi not to call me that.. lekin who meri sunai tho na!", Khushi said with a worried expression.
Jeevika laughed at her Nanad and soon-to-be- Bhabhi's expressions, calming her down, she finished helping her dress and headed downstairs to check with Kadambhari Mami if everything else was done.
"Mami'everything is ready na?", Jeevika asked her, as she stood beside her by the kitchen counter.
"Haan Beta, everything is ready, I'm just double checking everything.. go see if DiDi needs you..hmm?", Kadambhari Mami said to her.
"Ji, teek hai..", saying that Jeevika headed into the hall where her mother-in-law was instructing the servants on how to handle everything.
"Ma?'can i help you in anyway?", Jeevika asked her.
"Nahin Beta, thank you'waisee, it would be good if you rested for a bit, you've been running around since you got home yesterday!", Ma said to her lovingly.
"Haan Ma..you explain to her, i've been telling her all day, but she's just not listening to me..", Viren said as he walked into the hall from upstairs.
"Its ok Ma'i'll just rest tomorrow, after everything goes smoothly today..", Jeevika said to her with a pleading look.
"Acha teek hai'but tomorrow, you won't touch a thing'is that clear?", Ma ordered her.
"Ji Ma..", Jeevika replied with a smile.
Just then the rest of the men also stepped down (Shlok, Ram Papa, Inder Mamu, NanaJi, and Virat) , they had all been locked away upstairs in the study with snacks so they wouldn't ruin any of the preparations as they were fond of doing so in the past.
As they heard cars park outside and doors closing, they all walked upto the door to greet the Chaudhry's with Mami joining them from the kitchen.
Manvi looked up excitedly at Chopra Mansion as she stepped out of the van and towards the front door, behind everyone else. She had been here plenty of times since her Di's wedding and so far had many fond memories of her time spent here. Every member of Di's family loved her, including DadaJi, Bua, Uncle, Chachu and Chachi, Khushi, Shlok and her lovely Jeeju, she in return also adored them all. She was extremely excited to see everyone, especially her Jeeju with whom she had a special bond. They all greeted each other with warm hugs, and as everyone else stepped inside to the hall, Manvi walked upto her Jeeju whom she's saved for last.
"Jeeju!", she squealed, as she ignored her Di who was standing next to him, and hugged him lovingly.
"Kya Mannu, mujhse nahin milegi? Sirf Jeeju se milna hai kya?", Jeevika asked her.
"Appse kya milna Di, apptho kaal hi wapas ayi ho'or Jeeju se tho milai dho hafte ho gayai!", Manvi said with a teasing laugh as her Di stood shocked at her answer.
"How are you saali-sahiba?", her jeeju asked her laughing and hugging her back.
"Great! You?", she asked him as they turned to head inside together, arms linked together at the elbow, leaving Jeevika behind them..
"I too was great,'until your sister showed up last night!", he said to her with a wink as they high-fived each other making her angry.
"Its ok Bhabhi, I'm here now to support you, you are no longer alone against those too" Virat said as he stood next to his Bhabhi and linked arms with her as he smiled.
"Saach?", His Bhabhi asked him with a loving smile.
"When Virat is Here, Not to Fear!", he said to her with a wink.
Together with their arms linked they walked past Manvi and Viren who were surprised to see this new development. Coming to a stop behind the sofa where his Uncle and Bua sat, Virat watched his Bhai and his Bhai's-Saali shrug at each other and go stand across from them behind the sofa were his Bhabhi's parents sat. As the elders discussed the issue at hand, Virat stood watching the girl who had recently taken over his mind, he didn't quiet understand it, all he knew was that life was getting more beautiful day by day. He didn't notice his Bhabhi leave to bring Khushi down, until he followed her eyes towards the stairs and saw his little sister and Bhabhi come down the stairs. His Bhabhi helped Khushi sit next to Arnav on the sofa, and the elders finalized everything including the engagement which was to be held next week, here at the Chopra's.
Manvi saw Chachi get up to get the sweets from the kitchen since Jeevika Di had gone to grab Khushi's kundli and Bua had to help chose a date, before Chachi could take another step Manvi quickly walked upto her.
"Chachi.. you sit..ill go get the sweets, waisee bhi subah se kaam karke app thaak gayi hogi..", Manvi said to her.
"Its ok Beta, main kar lohngi..", Kadambhari said to the lovely girl before her.
"Please Chachi..", Manvi said with puppy eyes.
"Acha teek hai'but call me if you need something.. waisee tho it should all be ready..", Kadambhari said to her patting her cheek lovingly.
Smiling, Manvi headed towards the kitchen herself as she was already familiar with the house and servants since she had spent a few days here before, with her Di's family. Stepping in she turned left and walked to the window-counter and saw the sweets and chai ready and sitting in two separate trays. She picked one up, and was about to carry it out when she noticed that the cook had forgotten to add dishes and spoons for everyone to eat with. Putting the tray back down on the counter, she stepped out of the kitchen to check if a servant was around to help her. Seeing no one, she sighed and turned back into the kitchen, and stepped to the cupboard on the left. Opening it she saw the spoons in a box on the bottom shelf, taking those she placed them with the trays then turning back she reached for the plates that were on the top shelf.
"Ek tho na' Di se kehna padega, ithni upar koy plates rakhta hai kya?", she complained as she tried to get a hold of the plates standing on her tip-toes.
She felt the cold air behind her turn warm as the empty space was filled with someones presence. A strong arm and hand reached next to hers for the plates, making her tremble as her heart beat raced. She stood frozen in her place and watched the hand easily grab the plates and hand them to her.
"Di kai alawa bhi tumhe koy dikhta hai kya??", he whispered in her ear making her skin crawl as she closed her eyes tightly, recognizing the voice even though she'd heard it just a few times.
As he stepped away from her, Manvi turned around to face him, the plates in her hand.
"Nahin dikhta, tumhe kya?", she replied to him, giving him evil eyes for interfering in her work.
Steping around him, to the counter she placed the plates and spoons on the tray with the sweets as she picked it up he stood behind her, watching.
"Lekin, abb tho dekhna padega..", he said grabbing the tray of tea.
"Kya?", she asked confused.
"Apni Di kai alawa bhi abb tumhe kissi koh dekhna padega'", he said to her with a raised eyebrow and then walked out with a wink.
Leaving Manvi standing frozen in the kitchen, "Did he just say'what i think he said?", she asked herself letting his words register in her brain and heart.
"Manvi? kaha reh gayi tu'?", Jeevika Di called out to her, making her come back to reality.
Taking a deep calming breath Manvi headed back to the hall, placing the sweets down she served them to everyone and kept avoiding his eyes in the process, even though she could see that he was trying his best to catch her attention. The rest of the day passed in fun and laughter as both families spent it together, around 8pm the Chaudhry's took their leave and headed back to Rhishikesh refusing the invitation to spend the night with either the Chopra's or Vadera's.
Chandighar
Laying in his bed, Virat thought of the moment in the kitchen, he had overheard the cute conversation between his Ma and Manvi. After a few minutes passed he had quietly excused himself and walked over to see her in the process of trying to get the plates off the top shelf. Knowing she wouldn't succeed herself, he couldn't stop himself from going in and helping her. He knew what he had said to her had been a little forward, yet he couldn't stop himself from saying what he had..now he was just waiting for next week, when he would get to see her again.
Rhishikesh
Manvi turned sides in her bed for what felt like the hundredth time...his closeness, his words, his expression, his meaning, just wouldn't leave her be. Finally she succeeded in forcing herself to think of her Bhaiya's upcoming wedding, and drifted off to sleep thinking of the fun and masti to come..
___
So how was it?? Comment and criticisms, both are welcome.. don't forget to comment or hit the like button..
-Luv Pari
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
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