I have been trying to pm you since last week. Pls empty your pm dabba.
Hello, shello everyone. Thanks for all your love and encouragement. We are in the second thread of this FF, yooohooo. But Jhootis and chappals welcome after reading this update. But pls do comment. Cheers đ
Part 40
Milind closed his laptop with a sigh and stretched down on his first class seat. Seated opposite to him, Vicky smiled at him, "Feeling better, now?", he asked him.
Milind grimaced, "Sorry mate, I wasn't much of a company. Prachi was very emotional when I left, you seeâŠ..", he said softly.
"I know, bro. Is everything okay?", Vicky asked as he sensed the tension in Milind.
With a sigh, Milind told him about Inder's opinion about him and his argument with Neev, leaving out the conversation between him and Prachi. Vicky frowned when Milind told him about his suspicion about Neev.
"You will have to talk to this guy directly, Milind. He seems to be too thick to take hints. Don't leave it for too long. Sooner you deal with it, the better", Vicky advised looking concerned.
Milind nodded and checked his watch. They will land in London in a couple of hours. Calculating the time difference, he quickly made an in-flight call to Prachi.
Prachi was at Lisa's house, along with her friends. Lisa and Peter were leaving for Peter's home and Prachi was helping Lisa's mom in packing the sweets that were to go with Lisa. She smiled remember the way Lisa blushed and stammered as they teased her in the morning and pulled her leg with too many intimate questions. As the girls giggled around her, Lisa could do nothing but blush. Taking pity on her friend, Prachi rescued her from her other friends. Once they were alone in Lisa's room, they had hugged each other. Prachi's eyes filled with happy tears on seeing the happiness in her friend's eyes. Prachi had been keeping herself busy from morning trying hard to not think about Milind. But his absence made her even more aware of him and she missed him so much. Shrugging off such thoughts she concentrated on what she was doing. She was glad that Neev did not come home even in the morning. Now, he was busy with the guys in the lounge. In a way, she was glad that she would leave Ooty the next day. She will just have to survive the journey back to Chennai and try to avoid Neev's questions. Her mother would arrive in Chennai tomorrow morning and Inder was staying back in Mumbai for a few more days. She missed her mother and longed to see her. Just as she finished packing, her phone rang. Pleasantly surprised to hear Milind's voice, her face broke into a big smile.
"Hey Cherry", his familiar drawl soothed her aching heart. "Missing me already?", he asked softly.
"Yes..", she said huskily. He only had a few minutes to talk to her but that was enough for her. "I am sorry about last night, Milind", she said slowly. "Please don't worry about everything and enjoy your holidays. Don't mix too much business with it and take it easy. But be careful. People say that skiing accidents could be dangerous", she spoke rapidly.
Milind smiled. She sounded much calmer today. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I will bring myself back in one piece. You take care and I will call you later", he hung up feeling way better. With a smile, he leaned back and was soon lost in his thoughts.
Vicky who was watching him closely, smiled on seeing the look on Milind's face. "So bro, when are you going to pop the question?", he asked slowly, his eyes dancing naughtily.
Milind's smile grew wider. It didn't surprise him at all that Vicky could read his mind so easily. "As soon as I come back, bro and do I have your approval?", he asked his friend.
"My heart felt approval, Milind and you know it. Prachi is the perfect girl for you. Lets make use of this holiday and talk to mausi and uncle. I am sure that they will be very happy to visit India soon. But I would advise you to talk to Prachi's parents as soon as you come back", Vicky said.
Milind nodded, "That's the plan, Vicky. I am on the lead in this, mate. You still have a long way to catch up", Milind grinned teasingly.
Vicky raised his eyebrows, "Don't be too sure, Milind. I might follow suit very soon".
Milind whistled softly, "Looks like Pooja made a very big impression on you in the first meeting itself".
Vicky grinned, "Lets wait and see how things work out" and settled back. He was soon thinking of a good excuse to call Pooja as soon as they reached London.
Walking into his bedroom, Inder saw Premlatha busily packing her suitcase. Seeing him, she smiled, "I can't wait to see Prachi, Inder. This has been the longest 6 days without her. But I wish you could come with me to Chennai too", she sighed clicking the suitcase shut.
Watching her intently, Inder said, "There is no need to pack now, Premlatha. You are not going to Chennai tomorrow". Before his wife could protest, he held up his hand, "Wait. Prachi and Neev are going to come to Mumbai for a few days. You and Prachi can leave for Chennai after a week. Her Uni is closed for christmas holidays. So, it will better if she comes her and I can spend some time with her as well. I have already arranged for the tickets to be delivered to them today. Prachi should be home by tomorrow evening", he said with a satisfied smile.
Confused with the sudden change of plans, Premlatha looked at him. He hadn't even consulted her before booking the tickets. Why? She looked at him searchingly. She was glad that Neev and Prachi are coming to Mumbai and they can all spend some time together here but she wished Inder had told her before. Successfully masking her thoughts, she smiled at him and nodded in agreement.
Neev smiled holding the tickets in his hand. Inder had called him and Prachi in the evening informing them of the change of plans. Prachi was too shocked to respond and Neev was jubiliant. They have had dinner together at home and as usual Ramu kaka's cooking was excellent. Not able to see the confused and worried look on Prachi's face, he had assured that everything was fine and it would be a good time for both their families to spend time together. Though not fully convinced, Prachi had gone to bed early as they had to leave Ooty early next morning. Lying down in his bed, Neev closed his eyes and sighed. At last, things were getting back to normal. "What a holiday?", he thought his lips curling in distaste. He was glad to be going back tomorrow and Prachi would be with him in Mumbai for a few more days. He thanked Inder silently for everything. Now, he would have to be very careful. He can't afford to upset Prachi anymore as it would only push her away from him. He will have to tread carefully. Before she leaves Mumbai, Neev was sure that he would get his old Prachi back. He was sure that his wedding to Prachi would be finalised this week and he might even push for a quicker engagement. Smiling happily, he fell into a deep sleep, his last thought was that Milind was far far away to be any threat to his happiness.
Milind fell in bed, tired and jet lagged. Dinner had gone a bit longer than expected and by the time it was finished, both he and Vicky were ready to scream in frustration. Stretched out in his bed, he suddenly felt lonely. The bed felt empty and cold and he missed the weight on his chest and the warm body in his arms. He smiled to himself. Would Prachi be feeling the same?, he wondered. He missed her already and it was only the first day. He would talk to his parents as soon as he can. As Vicky said, he can't see any problems from his side. And InderâŠâŠ.. he was confident that he would sort that as soon as he gets back to India. He knew that Prachi still had another year of studying but he can't wait anymore. He would get down on one knee and propose to her as soon as he reaches India. They can get engaged atleast and then they can atleast meet each other more frequently and with Prachi's parents permission as well. The wedding will have to wait for another year, he sighed and rolling over he hugged the cushion tightly and fell into a deep contented sleep and with a smile on his lips.
After a relaxed morning at home, Milind and Vicky along with her parents were attenting a lunch thrown by one of the board members. Prachi had called him in the morning about the change in plans and how sorry she was that she wouldn't be able to get on with the interiors of the beach cottage for another week. He assured her that it was good that she was going to Mumbai and catching up with old friends there would keep her mind occupied rather than being in Chennai and missing him. Shrugging off the slight uneasiness, he promised to call her the next day.
After a shot of golf, Milind was chatting to Vicky when Vicky's eyes almost popped out on seeing the girl walking towards them dressed in hot pants and deep necked t-shirt. She looked gorgeous would have been an understatement.
"Watch out Milind, trouble coming your wayâŠâŠâŠ.", Vicky muttered under his breath.
Before Milind could turn back, he felt her hands around him and sexy purr close to his ears, "Hey handsome, missed meâŠâŠ..".
With a silent groan, Milind slowly removed her hands and turned to her and smiled, "Hey Sally".
Prachi was dreaming. The rolling waves crashing on the shore was the only sound around. The gleaming blue sea and the warm sand and the deserted beach didn't register in her mind. Her eyes were glued to the person next to her. Lying on the sand with arms behind his head, Milind turned to look at her. The sand stuck to his skin gleamed in the sun. Prachi looked at him shyly, unable to take her eyes off his gleaming chest. The broad chest and taut muscles stirred something in her and she moistened her lips nervously. She slowly raised her hand and trailed her trembling fingers down the column of his neck and moved lower, hesitating a bit. She looked into his heated eyes and her breath caught in her throat. Her hand moved lower, her fingers trailing down his chest. The heat of his skin and the cool sea breaze did havoc to her senses. Leaning closer, she placed her lips against his neck and slowly kissed her way down.
Neev turned to look at Prachi sleeping peacefully in the seat next to him. She looked so beautiful, he thought to himself. He was happy to see her back in her own self and happily chatting on the flight. Seeing the stray hair fluttering on her face, he had to stop himself from moving it away. He didn't want to wake her up. He smiled on seeing her smile in her sleep. She murmured something in her sleep and he bent down closer and caught a drift of it, "MilindâŠâŠâŠ.". Neev jerked up as if slapped and looked at her sleeping face with shock evident in his eyes.
Book Talk
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
