Part-7
"Hi"
Nidhi's face brightened up on hearing a husky masculine voice...
"Aap airport se ghar aa gaye?"
"Mein apne makaan mein hoon...maalkin ke bina ghar, ghar nahi kehlatha"
Nidhi smiled to herself and then said" Itna bada bungalow banwaya par abtak ek maalkin lekar nahin aaye?"
"Well..the bungalow did have a maalkin...now it is waiting for her bahu"
"Oh is it???"
"Yes...and I have already chosen a befitting girl"
Nidhi was delighted but wanted to hear more from her Ashu.
"Oh..so who is it"
"You'll have to guess..I will give you hints"
"Go ahead"
"She is 5'10", has big blue eyes and is the smartest blonde ever to be born on this earth"
"Fine..be with her..bye". Nidhi cut the call.
Nidhi had enough of Ashu's teasings...she knew that it was just for fun, but the way he described some of the girls made her feel inadequate. She was beautiful and she knew it ..but what if Ashutosh's parameters of beauty have changed?? The mere thought of him thinking about someone else as beautiful sent waves of pain through her heart.
Ashu felt that he had gone overboard...after all wasn't it his first call after reaching India. He had called to ask whether she was free that evening but ended up doing something else.
He called her many times over the next few hours ..but Nidhi was in no mood to forgive him so easily. His pleas sent via sms didn't help either.
She waited for his calls...they gave her an affirmation of his love for her...he was worried about having upset her...
His series calls and sms ended after three hours...Nidhi felt bad that Ashu gave up so soon...but then a new worry took over her...did she go overboard this time??
Anji entered her room after a cursory knock..."Nidhi, have these jalebis. Dad brought these from Natthu raja halwai"
"Kya kya?? kaun se halwai se?"
"Natthu raja" Anji chuckled "Whenever Mom gets really upset , Dad gets them for her...the shop is near govt law college- Mom and Dad studied there..and God knows how many times did he treat her to Nathu's sweets...have some...they are really good"
"Hey Anji, please give me more trivia"
"There are many...you know, one day when I was all alone at home, I went on an 'archealogical' trip to the attic...I managed to find some really interesting relics...
one of them was a love note-
Shyama oh meri Shyama,
Tere bin mein bin daage ka pyjama
Sone jaisa badan hai tera, heere jaisa mann,
tu hai choli aur mein hoon daamam
Both the girls burst laughing
"Anji, uncle has opened a cloth store in aunty's love"
"I wonder how Mom agreed to marry Dad after reading such an amateurish and hilarious attempt at poetry"
"The jalebis are so tasty that no woman can refuse the love of a man who gives them to her"
"Do you really think so?"
"Why not?"
"Teekh hai, then listen...Dad didn't bring these jalebis...my beloved jeejaji, Dr.Ashutosh got them for you" Anjie ran after doing a jig
"Whaaat? and you had the nerve to bring them to me..."
"He passed the test and I awarded the grade..simple"
"What test? how did he contact you ? you are joking isn't it?"
"Nope...He has a pretty good network of friends...one of his friends has a brother who is my classmate.he got my number from him...your guy is pretty smart when it comes to getting what he wants...Have you already given him what he wants????"
Anji's last sentence irked Nidhi
"Don't talk rubbish...tell me about the test?"
"What is so bad about it?? You are beautiful, he is handsome...both of you are young...hormones, passion, desire...Don't they teach you anything about "that' at med school?"
Nidhi gave an exasperated look and Anji continued..."Nidhi remember..you once told me that you find theory boring and practicals interesting?"
"That was about academics...now start speaking sense or else I will never speak to you again"
"Chill Madam...Hua yeh ki...Mr Romeo called me and asked for my help..I had some fun at his expense and then gave him this test...I told him to get you jalebis from Natthu raja halwaii and also tell me the address for confirmation...poor guy, he had a hard time finding it...it can't be found in google maps...GPS didn't help..
Romeo roamed around Lucknow for his Juliet...
He called me once he found the shop and I instructed him to stand with it near the clock- tower...I went there to pick this up for you...didn't want the elders to be suspicious...
Poor guy...he looked so haggard when I met him...but ladka handsome hai...I am willing to have him if you aren't interested.."
Nidhi threw a pillow at Anji...
"Oye Juliet, call your Romeo right now...he must be waiting for your call"
"And...btw the story about mom and dad's romance is true" Anji winked at Nidhi.
Next day
At cosmos mall
Nidhi and Ashu couldn't take their eyes off each other...their recent fight had only intensified their feelings for each other.
They were to watch a movie after ten minutes but it seemed as is looking at each other would be more enjoyable than staring at the multiplex screen.
once they were in their seats,Ashutosh placed his hand over Nidhi's shoulder and played with her hair...
Their physical proximity stirred something deep within them...
The movie had a lot of romantic scenes,they found them enjoyable but yet it made them uncomfortable at one level.
Watching the leads express their feelings tempted them...
Ashutosh fought with his heart to control himself...he succeeded in it …...he bid Nidhi a hasty goodbye...had he waited a minute longer,the risk of his feelings taking control over him would have risen exponentially.
Nidhi knew the reason behind Ashu's sudden change in behaviour...she was glad that her partner had control over himself...she would have capitulated if he had been a bit more bold...
She wanted to experience intimacy with Ashu on their marital bed and not inside a room of some seedy hotel.
The gifts he had bought for her remained in the car...
"I shall give them on our next date...gifting them today would have broken our restraint"
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