"Sahil's burnt paratha and sabzi"...
He looked at her. She was standing there nervous, silently praying the dish to taste good.
His face softened...all the flashbacks drained out..only her face was on his mind.
He thought to taste it before anyone does. He kept a spoonfull in his mouth.
The consequences were...
His tongue screamed at him... "Fhat the wuck!!"
His throat burnt as the delicious Paneer Butter Masala ran down through his food pipe.
His belly punched him from inside... "how dare u feed me something like this!"
Shivaay turned to look up at her. She had closed her eyes..nd was looking at him one opened eye.
"Su...Supp..superbb!! Faan..Fantastic."
He managed to say these words. His throat tongue and belly screamed at him for such a big lie.
Anika heaved a sigh of relief. The family members looked surprised. Rudra's mouth watered.
"Reallly... mujhe bhi chaahiye... pls.. after all Anika bhabhi ka pehli rasoi hai."
Rudra jumped from his chair to grab the vessel that carried the exotic "Paneer" made by the one and only Anika.
"No way!!" Shivaay screamed. All were confused at his response.
"No Rudra.. sirf mein isse khaunga... i am very hungry... bo...bohoth bhook lagi hai!"
"Par mujhe bhi bhook lagi hai bhaiyya... aur dekhiye na... itna accha lag raha hai vo Paneer... let me atleast taste it.!" He whined.
"No..Rudra tum gym naate ho..aur aise itni fatty foods tumhari six packs ko kharaab kardega." Saying so he grabbed the bowl for himself.
"Arey billu thodi si de de na... jaante hain ye tumbari patni ne hi banayi hai..par iska ye matlab toh nahi..ki sirf tum isse khaoge.. hume bhi taste karvao." Teased dadi.
Shivaay's head shot up listening to Dadi's wrds. Anika's cheeks turned a light pink, which did'nt go unnoticed by Shivaay.
"Haan Shivaay... mujhe bhi dekhna hai ki issne kaise khaana banaya hai!" Said Pinky trying to grab a the bowl.
Shivaay pulled it back...
"Nahi..nahi..i am..reallly hungry...hungry.." he started gibling it all up.
"Bhayanak! Its bhayankly... fantastic...itna bhayanak aur... ta...tasty paneer apni life mein nahi khayi. Beautiful!"
He commented nd Anika's face glowed with happiness. She just couldnt believe he was complimenting her wrk. She was on the 9th cloud.
Shivaay didnt want to spoil her happiness.
"Arrey hume bhi dedo thodi si.." but the whole Vessel was emptied by Shivaay Singh Oberoi!. Everyone were astonished.
"Srry dadii... khatam hogayi!" He said with a happy sigh of relief.
"Arrey thodi si kadai mein baaki thi... soumya laa rahi hai. Dadi." She said with all smiles.
"WHATTT!!?!?!" He asked shocked to hell.
Everyone were like whats wrong with him?
"Matlab...what...mujhe vo bhi chaahiye!" As soon as the bowl was bought, he snatched it from Soumya's hand nd gulped down leaving some at last. He couldnt take more.
Everyone were shocked as well as surprised. They were gaping at him, at Shivaay Singh Oberoi. Who was burping loudly...which was sooo not him!!
"Bbbuuurrrppp!!"
"Delicious... itna..acc..accha tha..ki meine khud sab khaaliya. Srry guyz!" He said with a fake smile plastered on his face.
Anika's happiness knew no bounds.
"Arrey Anika ki khaana itna accha tha...aur tumne hume nahi diya... soo bad Shivaay!" Dadi said.
"Sach mein itna accha bana tha kya?? Maine isse taste nahi kiya. Mujhe yakeen nahi ho raha hai..ki maine khud itna accha paneer banaya...chake ke dekhthi hun." Saying so she took the bowl where a bit of the paneer was left. As she scooped the left out contents from it and put it in her mouth... her reaction was priceless!! Shivaay was waiting for her to react. Fearing that she might spit it out...he got up from his chair nd stood up.
Her face went through all those yucky expressions which she smartly hid from the family. She forced a smile on her lips.
"Bohoth accha hai right?!" Asked Shivaay leaning in.
"Bohoth...bohoth...acc...aach..acchha tha!" She finally said it. Words were stuck in her vocal cord.
All were still astonished by his behaviour.
"Pata nahi meri heere jaise beta ko kis bhoot ki saaya chad gayi hai!" She taunted and left the place.
"Mujhe taste karna tha... par nahi ho paayi.. but its okay. I know aap mere liye ek aur din banayenge na." She smiled and he left smiling.
The rest too left.
Anika was standing in the kitchen wiping the dishes with the kitchen towel. She was feeling bad... not because she prepared the worlds most stupidest dish... but Shivaay had to eat that dish... that too which went inside her with soo much difficulty.
"Pata nahi vo theek hai ya nahi..." nd she rushed to check on him.
She entered the room nd he exited the bathroom. He was holding his tummy nd rubbing it softly. He went and fell flat on the bed. She looked at him and felt guilty.
She went towards him. His eyes were closed.
"Shivaay..." she called out softly. He opened his eyes only to see her worried face.
He sat up and she helped him. She sat beside him.
"Aap theek toh hai na.. aapko kuch hua toh nahi. Aur kya zaroorat thi vo gandi paneer khaane ki. Kehdete na ki accha nahi hai...puri ki puri khaa li aur dekhiye kya halat bandaiya khud ka!" She said showing her concern by shouting at him.
"Kya kartha?? Agar koi aur kha leta.. toh shayad uska O My Maata hojaata!" He teased her.
"Vaise manna padega...paneer bohoth tasty tha!" He sarcastically commented on her cooking skills..."aur kehti ho ki tum caterer ho.." he continued.
"Thank you" they said in unison...
They shared an eyelock.
"Par aap kyun thank u bol rahe hai??"
"Kyunki aaj tumhaari vajah se maine ek din mein itni baar khud ki bathroom visit karke aaya hun. Aur usse mujhe pata chala ki meri baathroom kitna bada hai aur usme... 2,699 big sized tiles hai!" He said. Nd she smacked his shoulders causing him to look at her.
"Aapko ye sab mazak lag raha hai. Yahan aapki halat itni kharaab hai aur aapko..."
"Mein theek hun... dawayi leliya hai." He said assuring her little.
"Sorry Shivaay meri vajah se aapko vo sab khaana pada...aur uski vajah se aapki tabiyat kharaab ho gayi... sorry... sach mein.."
"Wait..maine ye sab tumhare liye nahi kiya okay!" He said standing up.
"Meine vo sab isiliye kiya taaki..tumhari khaana khaane ki vajah se ghar mein kisi ko kuch ho na jaaye." He said with a straight face.
She was a bit hurt and he saw that.
"Aur tumhe sorry kehne ki koi zaroorat nahi. I am fine. Ye sab sirf apni..."
"Family keliye kiya hai... aap rest kijiye." Saying so she left the room.
"Tumhare liye tha..." he murmured. Nd dozed off falling straight onto his bed.
Next day morning...
Rudra had woke up earlier to work out. He had put on weight by eating 'parathas'. So his tummy was peaking a bit outside.
Rudra heard sound coming from kitchen. He walked towards the kitchen finding it a bit messy.
He saw his Anika bhabhi trying to make something. Her hair was tied in a bun nd her face expressions were totally confused.
"My Cute Anika Bhabhi!" He thought to himself.
He walked upto her and tapped on her shoulder.
Whe turned and saw Rudra.
"Rudra tum yahan..aur vo bhi itni subah subah." Asked a confused Anika.
"Aap yahan kya kar rahi hai? Aur kya hai ye sab?!" He asked looking at the messy counter.
"Vo..vo..." she hestitated.
"Arrey Anika bhabhi... jo bhi hai mujhse bolo i am always there for u.." he said keeping a hand on her shoulder.
"Vo kya hai na... mei khana bana rahi thi... vo foreign vala. Par mujhe isme kuch wrds samaj mein aa rahe hain" she said pouting. She had seaeched on the web for recipes.
"Par aap ye sab kyun kar rahe hai... aur kal hi aapki pehli rasoi khatam hogayi na. Aaj koi nayi rasam hai kya?? Foreign dishes banane ka."
"Nahi rudra..vo main ye sab Shivaay ke liye bana rahi thi.." she said in a flow. A naughty smile appeared on her dear Devar's face.
"Bhaiyya keliye..huh?!" He said smirking.
"Actually na...mein..mein..." she was fumbling.
"Its okay Anika bhabhi.. mujhe pata hai aap bhaiyya ko impress karna chahthe hai... isiliye mein aapki har madad karne keliye tayyar... aur waise bhi y fear when Rudy is here??" He said wriggling his eyebrows.
"Unhe impress toh meri chaandni bhi nahi karegi. Main kahan karungi huh! Main ye sab isiliye kar rahi hun kyun ki kal na Unhone mujhe Raita phelana se bachaliya..."
"Matlab?!" Asked rudra totally confused.
"Matlab...jo Paneer maine banayi na..vo bohoth kharaab tha.. unhone meri image bachane keliye..sab kuch khaliya..aur aap sab ko bhi bachaliya."
Rudra understood what his Superman did. He smiled to himself.
"Smile kyun kar rahe ho?"
"Isiliye kyunki..bhaiyya hamesha kehte hain ki unhe koi farak nahi padtha... par sach mein sab se zyaada, unhe hi farak padth hai...aur hamesha sirf aapki fikr rehthi hai unhe... bhaiyya bhi na!" He sighed happily.
Anika was lost for a moment.
"Toh kaam shuru kare??" He asked.
"Theeke..." and both bhabhi and devar set to work.
Rudra made her understandmany things. He even taught her how to bake.
"Waise aapko bhaiya ki favourite khaana kaise oata hai..."
And anika narrates the story to him. Rudra giggled.
"Aap na...meri superwoman ho bhabhi.."
With the help of both, the internet and Rudra, Anika made Shivaay's favourite dishes. Finally all the wrk was finished by 7.00.
The dishes were beauyifully presented and Rudra tasted and Anika waited for his response.
He looked at her.
"Anika bhabhi..ye kya hai?! Ye accha nahi hai... ye bohoth accha hai"
"Kyun accha nahi bana.. phelgaya raita... saari mehnat pe paanu phir gaya..." she stopped her rant.
"Kya kaha tumne??"
She asked.
"Bohoth accha bana hai didi..." he said all soo happy.
"Pinky promise?" She asked...
"Haan didi pinky promise..." he hooked his pinky wid hers...
She side hugged him.
"Chal khana laga dete hai, phir sab ko bulate hai." Said Anika. Then both of them arranged the dishes on the dining table.
Shivaay got up as usual and found her at the dressing table. He was lazily drooling at her as she brushed her hair and applied her sindoor. She looked elegant in white. The black and red designs in her saree complimented her.
"Beautiful!" He murmured lazily... nd her ears heard that and looked up at him through the mirror.
They had an intense eyelock. She broke the eyelock nd brushed her hair for the last time nd got up.
He went towards her as she turned. He came near nd she was surprised.
He slowly wiped of the sindoor that fell on her nose. He smiled and walked away.
Anika smiled at him and went downstairs. Withing 10 mins everyone were down.
Shivaay was surprised to see all hia favourite dishes on the table. There was tiramisu for dessert, vegetable au gratin, penne with peri peri sauce and the rest.(cuz i dont remember!). A smile formed on his face. Even all were shocked to see the dishes. All sat down to feast... not once they asked who did all this. Anika was a bit nervous.
There were pancakes too! Tej loved them.
"Pancakes... brilliant."
Nd Jhanvi served him.
He relished on them.
"Its really good. Vaise khaana kisne banaya?" Asked Tej excitedly.
"Anika bhabhi ne" Rudra said.. nd Shivaay stopped as he was abt to eat nd glanced up at Anika.
"Anika ne?" Asked Tej surprised.
"Its really tasty Anika." Jhanvi said with a smile.
"N pata chala ki kal Shivaay ne saara paneer khud kyun kha liya?" Asked Dadi teasingly. Shivaay still didnt eat. He too was quite surprised with thw compliments thrown at Anika for her delicious dishes.
"O My Maata... Aniika its nyc!" She too couldnt help praising her.
Anika was quite pleased with the response.
Rudra saw that Shivaay wasnt eating.
"Kya hua bhaiyyaa.. kal toh aise kha rahe the ki..koi aapse vo dish chhen rahe hai... aur aaj kya hua?"
Shivaay faked a smile and put the dish in his mouth. Anika was waiting to see his reaction.
He couldn't believe his mouth... his tongue rejoiced in happiness... his throat gulped it down slowly...tasting it... nd the tummy asked for more...
"Accha hai...bohoth accha!" He said... his reaction was real. Anika heaved a sigh of relief. Rudra smiled widely.
The tiramisu was best for him. He simply loved it. Anika felt happy seeing him relish it. Rudra and Anika did a thumbs up to each other.
"Thanks for this treat Anika. Main toh kal tumhari pehli rasoi mein nahi raha.. par i guess u made up
for it. Good." He praised her. She smiled as he kept a loving hand on her head.
"Thank u Tej Uncle."
"Uh..uh...Uncke nahi... call me Bade papa Anika Beta."
He said. As soon as those wrds left his mouth she looked at him and his eyes held only care for her. She felt soo loved for a moment. And the word Beta was more than enough to make her eyes brim with tears. Shivaay saw that she was getting emotional.
Tej left an smiling Anika.
She looked at Shivaay indirectly thanking him with a smile for allowing her to be a part of a family Shivaay understood her and smiled in return.
All blesses Anika...Pinky too..shayad 3/4th heartedly.
"Rudra...Rudra.." she called out and he stopped on his tracks.
He turned and saw his Anika bhabhi running towards him
"Rurdra..."
"Kya hua Anika didi??" He asked a bit concerned.
"Kuch baat karni thi."
"Boliye."
"Thank u sooo much Rudra. Aaj agar tumne meri madad nahi ki hota toh mein kabhi Shivaay ko khush nahi kar paati. Thank u soo much. Tumne mere liye itna bada help kiya."
"Hmmm...agar maine kiya hai toh..mujhe badle mein kuch milna chaahiye na?!" He said grinning.
"Jo tum mangoge..mein tumhe vo dunga.. tumhara haqq banta hai.." she said confidently.
"Toh theeke... ek huggie do aapke devar ko." He said sweetly. Anika dored this child soo much.
"Nahi..." she said.. nd his face fell.
"Devar nahi...bhai ho.." nd she hugged him. Rudra's face lit up. He too hugged his bhabhi cum didi.
She pulled back and kissed his forhead.
"Tum na ek dum saahil ke tarah ho mere liye." She said as she ruffled his hair.
"Aur aap..meri didi ho...forever." he said.
"Aur aage se kuch bhi chaahiye toh...mujhe bas ek baar pukaar lena...apka bhai aapke saamne haazir.".he said bowing down.
"Tum aur Saahil dono iss duniya ki sabse bade drame baaz ho." Nd they giggled.
A pair of eye witnessed them.
She entered her room. Her face beaming with happiness.
"Vaise khaana sach mein bohoth accha bana tha! Not bad!"
He said as he neared her. She looked up at him, her eyes widened wid a small curve on her lips.
"Oh bete ki! Shivaay Singh Oberoi ne meri tareef ki! Ye toh bohoth ajeeb baat hai!" She said earning a chuckle from him.
"Hmm.. utna ajeeb toh mujhe bhi laga jab tumhari haathon ki banaya hua khaana khaaya tha!" He said.
"Vaise tumne ye sab mere liye kiya hai na?" He asked.
"Vo...aisa...kuch nahi..meine isiliye banayi kyunki kal bohoth kharaab khaana banayi thi. Aur khud ko itna importance mat dijiye." She said as he grinned. He knew she was doing this on purpose. She was about to leave... but a swirl made her land somehwere else. In his arms.
She dashed into his chiesiled body.
"Itni tadi kyun maar rahi ho?
"Whats your language?!"
His eyes widened.
"Matlab..whats with your language."
"Haan...vahi"
He chuckled.
"Paanika...Jab tumhe jhoot bolna nahi aata toh tum bolti kyun ho? He asked soo casually.
"Kya?? Maine kab jh..jhoot bola."
"Abhi..abhi. ki tumne mere liye vo sab nahi kiya"
"Arrey..sach hi toh bol rahi thi.. maine vo sab aapkeliye nahi kiya. Aur mujhe chodiye." She got out of his arms when he pulled her back... at the right place.
"Tum ye sab purposely karthi ho na?"
"Kya sab?" She asked totally confused.
"Tujhe pata hai ki, jab tak tum meri sawaalon ka jawaab nahi deti mein tumhe jaane nahi dunga. Uske bawajood bhi jaati ho. Ye sab isiliye karthi ho na..kyunki tum meri baahon mein baar baar aake takrao." He said with a glint of mischieviousness in his eyes. She gaped at him. She was shocked at the man, in whos arms she was held protectively. It didnt seem like SSO, she thought. She too thought to play wid him.
"Accha.. aapko aisa lagta hai...par mujhe lagta hai ki aap mare jaa rahe hain..mujhe apne bahon mein lene keliye." She said hiding her smiles.
"Patni ho meri... haq banta hai mera." He said shocking her to the core. She was dumb for a second.
"Really??! Ye kab hua?"
"Tab hua jab meine tumse shaadi ki." He said making her irritate.
"Ye kya bakwaas kiye jaa rahe hai aap? Ho kya gaya hai aapko?"
"Hmmm..lemme think... mujhe bas tumse kuch jaan na hai." He said.
"Kya?!"
"Aaj jo tumne kiya...vo mere liye tha ya nahi??"
"Kehchuki hun na... aap..aapkeliye nahi tha."
"Agar aisi baat hai toh tumne sirf meru fav diahes kyun banayi??"
She was speechless...
"Vo..vo isilye kyunki mujhe sirf vo yaad tha jo aapko pasand thi. Aur munhe ye bhi pata nahi tha ki kisko kya pasand hai.." she said nd hugged her closer making her gasp.
"Oh common Anika... maine tumhari aur Rudra ki saari baatein sunliya. Ab bas tumhare muh se sunna hai!" He said feeling so proud cuz she took care of his needs.
"Accha..toh aap ye batayiye.. ki kal jo aapne kiya vo mere liya hi thi, par aapne mana kardiya ki..."
"Tumhare liye tha... main nahi chahtha tha ki tumhari image kharaab hojaaye..aur maa ko bhi tumhe kuch kehne ka mauka nahi de saktha." He told as he cut if her in the middle. She was shocked as well as happy. She saw that Rudra was soo right. He did care for her immensely. She knew he cared but didnt know that it was to this extent.
He snaked his arms around her perfect waist nd pulled her closer. She shyed away. He leaned in and placed his lips on her cheek. Her orbs dilated and within few secs she closed them as she drowned in the moment. He drank in her female scent... "oh she smelt soo good... wild musk!" He thought. He just stood ther placing his lips on her skin. She clutched the lapels of his coat. He moved back slowly to see her lips quivering wid a soft smile at the edge of her lips, her angelic eyes closed nd her cheeks flushed.
She lifted her lashes as she felt his hot breath no more on her face.
They stood there drowning in each other.
He leaned in and she closed her eyes expecting something more this time... but...
"Aaj ke baad ye kabhi mat kehna ki maine tumhe kabhi thank nahi kiya...aur..." he whispered as his lips brushed against her ears making shivers run down her spine.
Okay guyz... i know this is way tooo loonngg.. maaf karna.
Do leave ur comments and likes...
Love Sharmi..