Here is the next part guys, enjoy 😃. ( I couldn't post images in here. I tried copy and paste, didn't work, can anyone help please 😕 )
PART 6
Prachi was up before the dawn next morning. Excited about the day, she didn't waste any time getting ready. Dressed in pale blue jeans and a red and yellow kurti, sensible flat shoes, her hair tied back in a pony tail, she looked young and chirpy. Slinging her shoulder bag on, clutching her binoculars and I-pod, she waved a excited bye to her parents and walked to the coffee shop near the lake. It was only half past seven in the morning. The mist was slowly clearing away and the soft sunrays were glistening on the morning dew. "Its going to be a fine day, perfect for sightseeing", thought Prachi happily.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the shrill of her mobile phone. She was surprised by the voice from the other end. "Neev, hey, how are you"?, exclaimed Prachi clearly surprised. "Thank god, you still recognised my voice, haven't heard anything from you for 2 days, the longest ever, What happened to all the promises of calling me daily"? , he complained. Prachi felt very guilty immediately. She had completely forgotten to call him. "I am so sorry Neev, I was so busy meeting my friends and all that. I went to a bbq party and went shopping with mom and dad and today I am going out with friends again for some sightseeing. Actually I am on my way to meet them now. You just caught me on my way".
Neev was taken aback completely, "Am I really talking to Miss.Prachi Inder shah, Who are these friends Prachi, apart from Lisa you didn't have any other friends in Ooty"? Suddenly, at a loss to what to say, she stammered slightly , "Errrr...., they are all Lisa's and Peter's friends actually. I was just getting bored at home and you are not here as well, that's why.....Let me call you tomorrow, Neev. I will tell you everything in detail. Okay, call you later and have a good day", She hung up quickly without letting him talk much. "Why am I feeling so awkward to tell Neev about Milind and ........others"? She flushed guiltily and reassured herself she would talk to him tomorrow.
When she reached the coffee shop, there was no one about. "Looks like no one's here yet", she thought to herself. "So, I was right , wasn't I ? You did come" Came a voice from behind. Prachi turned around and her face coloured immediately taking in the image in front of her. Clad in dark blue jeans that emphasised his strong thighs and a white shirt with 2 buttons undone showing an expanse of his chest, wearing sun glasses and comfortable trainers, Milind was leaning against the steps with a coffee cup in hand and a slight smile on his lips. Prachi quickly raised her eyes from his chest and managed a smile, "Hey". Very much aware of the effect he was having on her, he asked, "Coffee"?. She nodded, anything to get her senses back in control.
He quickly joined her handing her a cup. Giving her a full appraisal, he cocked his head and said "You look good. Actually I prefer your hair left open. But today tying it back does make sense. I will live with it". Looking at him surprised, she said softly, "I am just dressed comfortably like you suggested". Her innocent reply made him smile. Looking in her eyes, he said huskily, "Of course, To be honest, anything would do, as long as you are here".
Just then Vicky rode in with Neelam on his motorbike , followed by Peter and Lisa on another and Rishi and Suraj on the third one. Lisa jumped off the bike and came running towards prachi. "Hey, you came early. You know we are going to the falls first and then to dodabetta and in the evening we will go for dinner. That's the plan".
"That's okay, but what is Neelam doing with Vicky"? Prachi asked her in a low voice. "Don't mind them, Vicky is Neelam's date for today but girl, you are the one going to have most fun, huh", nudging Prachi, she grinned at her teasingly. Prachi gave her a stern look warning her to be quite. "And Prachi, Its Milind's idea that we should go on the motorbikes because it will be quicker but you are okay with that, aren't you" ? On seeing prachi's confused look, Milind smiled at her, "Don't worry about Prachi , Lisa , She will be fine. Riding a bike would take us much quicker wherever we want to go and it would be more romantic", he gave a thumbs up at Peter and winked at her. Lisa giggled and ran back to peter and jumped on the bike holding him tight around his waist and leaning over to him, she shouted for anyone to hear. "Let's make a move. No more wasting time". Peter laughed at her impatience and kick started the bike. Vicky did the same with Neelam hanging on him and winked at Milind. "Come on bro, catch up if you can and I am making a head start" and zoomed off with the others following him. Prachi stood still trying to comprehend what was happening. Was she supposed to go with Milind on a motorbike!!!? She looked at him with wide eyes.
"You heard that, didn't you, and I am not going to let Vicky win, come on now", he picked up her bag and rushed to his red bike, parked near by and kick started it. Looking back at her, he sounded impatient, "Come on now, Prachi, what are you waiting for? Hop on". Prachi walked slowly towards him and tried to sit behind him when his voice stopped her. "Sit astride prachi, I can't afford to let you fall off the seat everytime I negotiate a bend. Have mercy on me, sweetheart. My poor heart won't stand the tension", he grinned devilishly. Face turning red at his teasing, prachi sat astride on the bike behind him as far from him as physically possible and tried to hold on the handle behind her. Giving an exasperated sigh, Milind swung his bag behind his back. "Now, that will keep a decent distance between us. Atleast hold on to my bag if not me. Relax prachi and enjoy. This day is for you, .......for us", he gave her his best convincing smile. Relaxing considerably, Prachi smiled at him, "Thanks". The bike jerked forward. As he negotiated the first bend without slowing down, Prachi was scared out of her wits. "Slow down milind , I can't hang on to your swaying bag. Slow down milind, please". The second one was even faster, closing her eyes tightly, Prachi clutched his shoulders. Milind's face broke into a grin. Slowing down he leaned back and said "Good girl, now we can enjoy the ride". Prachi couldn't help but smiled back at him, hitting lightly on his shoulders, "You are impossible".
"So I have been told" He grinned at her. The ride from then on became very pleasant. The roads were lined with tall pine trees on both sides. With the wind on her face and the slight warm sunrays dancing through the leaves, she through her head back with sheer happiness and smiled broadly. Leaning slightly towards him, she sighed contently, "Oh milind, this is so nice. I am sure the day can only get better and better". He turned back slightly and smiled at her, "That's just what I want to hear. We are going to kalhatti Falls first. You know, they say it is very good for bird watching.
"Oh, I love to bird watch, you know that's just what I was doing when I saw you near the lake on that day" Prachi cried excitedly.
"And you stopped watching the bird and strated watching me". Seeing her blush, he couldn't resist adding huskily, "I am so glad you did though", making her ever more red. He loved it when she blushed. Placing his hands lightly on her hand that was clutching his shoulder, he squeezed it gently, "I am really glad that I met you my cherry girl, am really glad". Her hands tingled under his and her heart constricted suddenly with an unknown emotion. Eyes filling up slightly, she replied softly, "I am glad too".
When they reached the falls, a bus carrying a horde of tourists was just leaving. Milind rode the bike as close to the waterfall as he could and then they had to walk a short distance to actually get there. Prachi looked around her. The chirping of different variety of birds and the swaying tall trees , the sound of the water fall and and the fluttering of wings as the birds flew away from a tree, lifted her heart in unspeakable joy. "Oh milind, this is pure bliss", she turned and looked up at him her eyes sparkling. Milind just stared at her upturned face, and his lips easing into a smile, he said softly, "This is what I wanted to see, your smile and the sparkle in your eyes. Every minute I spent planning the day is definitely worth it". She gave him a big smile and ran towards the fall. There was no one about. Looking at the deserted place, she turned to Milind, "Where is everyone else"? Milind shrugged carelessly, "Oh, they would have stopped on the way for something. We beat them to it".
"Oh, that's very good then", clapping her hands , Prachi went closer to the falls. Extending her hands, she felt the spray of cold water on her hand and giggled at the sensation. "Careful Prachi, it might be slippery", Milind rushed to stand near her. Ignoring him, Prachi continued playing with the water and sprayed on him as well. Soon, they were spraying on each other and giggling like young kids. Rolling his jeans up Milind put his feet in the clear water and indicated prachi to do the same. Taking her shoes off, Prachi put her feet in the water and squealed as it was very cold. As she was about to move away, Milind pulled her back near the water and continued splashing on her, ignoring her squeals of protest about getting wet. Prachi couldn't stand it anymore and with a vengeance, got Milind as wet as she could. Both were laughing their minds off. It was completely exhilarating nonetheless.
( KalhattiFalls is about 13 Kms from Ooty on Sigur Ghat Road. This is a beautiful picnic spot where the height of the falls is about 122 feet.
Buses are available upto Kalhatti village on the 6th mile on Sigur Ghat road and one has to cover the next two miles by foot to reach the falls. Nevertheless, the falls is connected by a motorable road. The wild habitants include panthers, bison, wild buffaloes, wild dogs, spotted deer, sambhar, and different types of hill birds
It is ideal for persons fond of Hiking, Bird Watching and Trekking).
Just as a few tourists started coming in, Milind pulled prachi away and went to sit on a near by rock slightly away from the prying eyes. Prachi hair was all wet and some strands were sticking in her face. Milind bent near her and tucked them behind her ears. Prachi shivered slightly as his cold fingers brushed against her cheek. Her slightly wet top was sticking to her chest, and Milind's eyes were drawn to their soft rise and fall. Quickly turning away he pulled a towel from his bag and covered her shoulders like a dupatta. Understanding his gesture, Prachi turned bright red in embarrassment. Clutching the towel close to her chest, she mumbled a thanks. It was more than one and half hours since they came and there was no sign of others.
"What's keeping them so long, Milind ? let me call Lisa", completely impatient now, Prachi pulled out her mobile and called Lisa. Within minutes, she was screaming into the phone, "What, you guys are at the pykara falls, that far, why did you go there? We are waiting for you at the kalhatti for more than an hour". Turning to Milind, she complained, "Vicky has taken them to Pykara instead of coming here. Can you believe it? I am going to tell him to come back here". "He wouldn't dare", muttered Milind flushing slightly. "What did you say"? prachi asked him. "Nothing, let me speak to Lisa". Taking the phone from her hand, he quickly instructed. "Listen there is no point in us coming to Pykara or you all coming here. That would be a complete waste of time . Lets have an early lunch where we are and ride back to Dodabetta, We will meet you guys there by 3 pm" and clicked the phone off without letting Lisa protest much.
Edited by ambul30 - 16 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Kumkum Bhagya
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
