Empty roads. The rain was still hissing a bit. Thank god they were not much far from her house.
"Kitne baje hai?" he asked looking sideways towards her.
"11 baj gaye Nachiket!" she said with a little surprised tone as she looked at her wristwatch.
"Ab der to honi hi thi. This didn't came out easy!" he said
Suddenly the rains intensified. The faded drops turned into a heavy drizzle.
"Oh god! Nachiket!!" she screamed a bit looking towards him.
"Ragini bhago!" He held her hand and they started running.
Her building was not very far. They reached there after running for half a minute. Finally, they were under the roof of her building.
"Ragini.. You okay?" he asked her as he saw she was totally drenched.
"Haa..thik hu main!" she said wiping off her wet hands with the pallu.
He noticed this action of hers.
"Ab isse kya hoga? You need to change your clothes Ragini. Warna sardi lag jayegi. Jao upar." he said with a worried voice.
"Aur tum?" she asked
"Mera kaam tha tumhe ghar pohochana, so pohocha diya. I'll leave now. Good night!" he said removing his wet jacket.
"Nachiket..bahar baarish ho rahi hai. Aur tum kaise jaoge ghar ha? Gadi hai tumhare paas? Ya yuhi daudte hue jaoge?" she said with a little giggle.
"Very funny! I'll manage Ragini. Aur waise bhi tumne hi to kaha tha ki 'mehman banke aaye ho..khao, piyo aur jao'!" he said making faces.
"Nachiket stop it! Chupchap chalo upar. I won't let you go and you know that!" she said as she headed towards the stairs. She turned to look behind. He was still standing there.
"Hamesha ke liye nahi bula rahi hu. Baarish rukne do..phir chale jaana!" she said with her usual stern voice.
"Tumse kabhi koi jita hai!" he said as he accompanied her climbing the steps.
"Tum koshish hi kyu karte ho phir?" she asked ringing the door bell as they reached her house.
"I like to loose if its you!" he said with his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Nachiket tum..."
They were disturbed as Ashaben opened the door.
"Ragini! Beta kaha thi tum?"she said with a worried voice holding Ragini's shoulder.
She then noticed Nachiket who was standing besides her.
"Nachiket! Tum Ragini ke saath the? Itni der kyu hogayi tum dono ko? Pata hai main kitni pareshan ho gayi thi!"
"Maa..wo bohot lambi kahani hai! Hai na Ragini?" he said looking at Ragini with the same mischief in his eyes. Ragini stared hard at him which made him giggle.
Ashaben looked at both of them. They were standing at her door. She loved that sight.She remembered the days past 15 years ago, when Ragini and Nachiket frequently visited her place after their marriage..sometimes just both of them and sometimes with the kids. She used to get delighted on seeing them after opening the door. She felt the same delight now. And with that delight she noticed that they were still standing at the door.
"Arrey! Main bhi na! Tum dono andar aao pehle. Aao Nachiket beta!" she gestures him to come in with a slight smile.
They came in. Nachiket looked around while Ragini was still busy with her saree.
"Ragini! Kitni bhig gayi ho tum! Aur ye kya..ye daag kaisa?" she said pointing towards the dirt on her saree.
"Apne ex-damaad se hi puch lijiye maa! Main change karke aati hu." she said throwing a glance at Nachiket and left for her room to change.
Ashaben gave a questioning look to Nachiket.
"Chodiye na maa! Aapki beti ab tak nahi badli." he said as he kept his wet jacket on the sofa.
"Achha? Wo nahi badli, to tum kaha badle ho beta? Mera damaad aaj bhi waisa ka waisa hi hai!" she said with a slight smile.
"Ex damaad!" he said emphasising on the word 'Ex'.
And they both started laughing.
"Accha Nachiket! Jao beta, tum bhi fresh ho jao."
"Us sherni ke room main?" He said widening his eyes.
"Nachiket!" She glared at her which in turn made him giggle. "Nishi ka room khali hai waha jao."
"Thik hai maa. Thanks!" he said as he headed towards theNachike
"Pagal hai dono ke dono!" she said smiling to herself
After 10 minutes :
Ragini came out of her room. She had decided to wear a saree again, as her 'ex' was around.
"But where is he?" she thought.
Just then he came out with a fresh look on his face.
They found the dining table arranged with the plates ready.
"Aagaye tum dono? Chalo ab, jaldi se khaana kha lo. Bohot bhuk lagi hogi na?" she said as she filled water in their glasses.
Nachiket quickly sat on the chair.
"Haa maa! Bhuk to bohot lagi hai! Kya banaya hai aapne?" he asked curiously rubbing his hands.
"Anjaane me hi sahi, tumhara favorite khana banaya hai aaj, Mutter Paneer!"
"Mutter Paneer!! Wah! Aaj to maza aa gaya" he said joyously.
Ragini sat on the chair opposite Nachiket.
"Arre! Dr.Aman kaha hai? Kahi dikh nahi rahe!" he said with a surprised face.
Ragini and Ashaben looked at each other.
"Woh? Woh hospital gaya hai. Koi emergency thi shayad." Ashaben tried to control the sitution.
"Ohhhk! I hope pyjama pehen kar nahi gaye honge! Kyu Ragini?" He said with a smirk.
"Maa! Aap ise chup rahne ko kahiye!" She said with a pout not looking at him.
"Nachiket!" Ashaben gave a glare at him. She served them the Mutter Paneer.
"Maa..aapne aur naani ne khana khaya na? Aur Aarav so gaya hai na? Use subah jaldi college jaana hai!" She asked her as she served a chapati to Nachiket and herself.
"Haa Ragini! Tum hamari chinta mat karo. Humne kha liya hai. Ab chalo..jaldi se khana shuru karo tum dono!" She said with a pat on her back.
"Maa..bohot raat ho chuki hai. Aap so jayiye." said Nachiket whilst eating.
"Are nahi beta. Main thik hu!" she said
"Maa! Nachiket sahi keh raha hai. Aap jayiye, so jayiye. Main hu na yaha!" said Ragini
"Beta.." she said with a hesitation
"MAA!!" They both said together as they gestured her to go and sleep.
"Achha achha thik hai! Jaati hu. Ragini..dhyaan rakhna, saara khaana khatam ho jana chahiye! Agar Nachiket ko kuch chahiye ho de dena thik hai? Aur Nachiket beta, jab tak baarish nahi rukti kahi mat jaana thik hai?" she said ordering her kids.
"Pakka! Nahi jaunga!" he said with a thumbs up.
She smiled in reply. "Ragini! Maine kya kaha suna na? Nachiket ko.."
" jo chahiye wo de dungi! Maa, sun liya maine! Main hu na yaha..jayiye aap!" said Ragini
Ashaben gave a final look at both of them; she smiled at the scene and left for her room.
"Mmm! Lovelyyy!!" he said pushing himself back on the chair as he continued to eat.
"Kya lovely?" she asked
"Hum, tum aur ye mutter paneer!" he said winking with a paneer in his hand.
"Nautanki kahike!" She said laughing at his gesture.
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