"Nisha! How much time do you need to get ready?" Kabir said with a frown.
"Kabir can't you be a little patient? Give me another 5 minutes." Nisha pouted.
"If you waste even a minute, everyone will witness Nisha Dahan instead of Holika Dahan." Kabir was very annoyed and that was clearly visible.
At this Nisha got up after giving a few finishing touches to her make up and slowly walked towards Kabir. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said "Mr.Kabir Kumar. How much ever do you try to threaten me, I know very well that you won't let anyone harm me, let alone doing that yourself."
Kabir slid his hands around her waist, pulled her towards him and softly said "You don't know me. I can do anything" and winked making Nisha blush.
"Let's go, we'll romance later" Kabir said as he left her and freed himself from her grip not before placing a small peck on her cheeks.
---
"Lo Nisha aur Kabir bhi aa gaye." Laxmi informed everyone as soon as she saw the couple coming. "Nisha beta, yeh aapki pehli Holi hai na Kabir aur humare saath. Isliye iss baar Holika Dahan aap karengi." Vasundhra smiled at Nisha.
"Ji Maa" Nisha said clearly excited.
Everyone gathered around the pyre. Nisha and Kabir set it on fire as everyone let the fire absorb evil and prayed for the well-being of everyone.
After all the rituals, Kabir was searching for Nisha when a grinning Nisha came in front of him with a plate of colours in hand.
"Kabir," she dipped her hand in the colour and moved it towards his face "Happy Holi!" she smiled. To her disappointment, Kabir held her hand mid-way and said "I'll apply the colour first."
"No!" Nisha argued. "I'll do that first."
"Nishu, I said I'll apply the colour first" Kabir tried snatching the plate from her.
"Kabir, you love me na? Let me apply first." Nisha pulled the plate once again.
"You are talking as if you don't" He raised his eyebrows in questions and tigthened his grip on the plate.
"Nishu, Kabir kya problem hai ab?" Laxmi asked as she saw her daughter and son-in-law fighting.
"Maa, Kabir is not letting me apply colour on him." Nisha frowned.
"Maa, I want to apply the colur first." Kabir counter-replied.
"Nishu beta, let him apply the colour first. He is your husband." Laxmi smiled. Nisha's jaw dropped as Kabir smirked.
"Arey Laxmi, Nisha is Kabir's wife. Rang to woh pehle lagayegi" Vasu came to Nisha's aid. Kabir pouted while Nisha grinned.
"Dekha Kabir? Maa is also telling that you let me apply the colour first."Nisha once again pulled the colour plate towards her.
"But Maa is telling that I should do that first." Kabir applied extra force this time. Nisha grabbed the plate even more tightly and Kabir did the same.
They started pulling the plate until the plate flew in the air due to all the force and the colour landed on Nisha and Kabir. Both of them were shocked. All the family's attention turned towards them. Kabir blinked a few times before he started laughing. The others joined him except Nisha. She frowned and went to her room. Vasu ushered Kabir behind her.
---
"Nisha yeh kya baat hui?" Kabir said as he entered the room. He saw Nisha standing in the balcony, her hands folded against her chest. He walked towards her and back-hugged her. Nisha fidgeted a little before finally relaxing.
"I wanted to apply the colur first. But see what you did." Nisha was very disappointed and Kabir could clearly see it. He turned her in his arms so that their noses were inches apart. "Even I wanted to do the same. But see God fulfilled both our wishes. He actually hinted that we are always going to face everything together, bad or good."Nisha smiled at this and hugged him tight.
They were standing like this for some time when Nisha suddenly said "You know what, tomorrow I'll apply the colour first." and winked.
"No Nisha, I'll do that for sure." Kabir smirked at his wife.
"Oh please Mr. Kabir Kumar I am Captain Jugaadu." Nisha exclaimed.
"How does it even matter Nishu? You are my wife and I am going to apply the colour first." Kabir challenged her.
"Ok fine. Let's see who gets to apply the colour first on whom."Nisha smirked. At this Kabir rolled his eyes. He broke the hug and slightly pinched her nose "I am surely going to win this challenge."
Nisha pushed him away and went inside the room. "Kabir you won't even know and I would have won the challenge." She laid on the bed pulled the duvet over herself. Kabir came and laid down beside her. Both drifted to sleep wondering how to win this challenge.
---
As he woke up to the ringing of the alarm, Kabir's hands automatically shifted to where Nisha usually slept but to his surprise the bed was empty. He lazily opened his eyes but found Nisha nowhere. He then remembered about their challenge and smiled sheepishly.
He looked around the whole room for any sight of Nisha. When she was nowhere to be found he bolted the bedroom door shut and went to freshen up.
As Kabir came out of the bathroom, his phone rang. It was Nisha.
"Isn't she in the house?" Kabir thought as he picked up the phone.
"Hello Kabir beta," Vasundhra's voice came through the other side.
"Maa?" Kabir was slightly confused why Vasundhra had called from Nisha's phone.
"Haan Kabir, main tujhe yahan ka address bhej rahi hun. Jaldi aa ja."
"Par Maa" Kabir couldn't complete his sentence as Vasundhra cut the call.
"Pata nahi kya kar rahe hai!" Kabir slightly shook his head and headed for the living room.
To his surprise the whole house was empty. "No one's at home? Maybe everyone went. How could they leave me behind, though?" Kabir muttered to himself. He took the car keys, shut the door and drove to their farmhouse.
---
"Arey, Kabir beta, there you are! You are so late." Laxmi greeted him as he entered.
"Sorry maa." Kabir smiled and bent down to touch her feet. Usually Nisha accompanied him while touching everyone's feet but today he has to do it alone. Everyone's faces were coloured. Kabir was thinking how to tell everyone about his challenge. He could not lose this one.
"Kabir beta, go and finish all your challenges with Nisha. Since we have arrived Nisha hasn't let anyone touch her face." Vasundhra sighed.
"First time in her life, has Nisha not played Holi for this long." Laxmi added. "Dono sirfire hai" she smiled while Kabir grinned.
"Maa, where is Nisha?" Kabir asked as he picked up some colour in his hands from the plate of colours.
"She was there behind with Kirti a few minutes ago." Laxmi replied with uncertainty.
"I'll find her." Kabir smirked.
As Kabir came to the backyard of the farmhouse he saw Sukku talking to a girl with her back faced to Kabir. 'It is Nisha's dress' Kabir thought. 'Though it doesn't seem it's her. Something's amiss. Well only one way to find out, ATTACK!' Kabir walked slowly towards them unnoticed by both. Kabir swiftly applied all the colour on her face.
As she turned around, Kabir was shocked. "Kirti you?"
"Kabir, what are you doing ?!" Sukku exclaimed.
"Kabir?" Kirti's mouth was wide open.
"I am so sorry Kirti. See please don't apply-"
That's when he heard her laughter. He turned around to find a grinning Nisha standing a few feet away. "Nisha!" Kabir scolded.
"Kabir I knew very well that you are a coward. That's why I gave Kirti the same dress as mine." Nisha smirked clearly delighted with her plan.
"I am a coward?" Kabir asked slowly moving towards her.
She stuck out her tongue "Do whatever you want to Kabir Kumar. I am the winner of this challenge"
Kabir arched his eyebrows "Oh really?" and started chasing her. Nisha's giggles filled the air as she ran with Kabir on her heels. Kabir was happy seeing her laugh.
After a good run around the farmhouse, Kabir caught Nisha's wrist and pulled her towards him. The force made Nisha loose her balance and both of them landed against the side wall. Kabir's hands made way around her waist, locking one of her hands and the other automatically resting on his chest.
Nisha's heart stopped beating for a few seconds. They were very close. The proximity made her thoughts hazy. Kabir's state was no different. Composing herself, Nisha said "K-Kabir, chhodo mujhe."
"Itni mushkil se haath aayi ho, kaise chhod du?" Kabir replied with a smirk. Nisha turned crimson at this. "Kabir chhodo, koi dekh lega" Nisha said looking around to see if someone was nearby. Kabir slightly caught her chin and turned her face towards his. He brought up his other hand which had some colour on it and grinned "Challenge to main hi jeetunga." "Kabir..." Nisha pouted "Please mujhe pehle colour lagane do"
"Kya?" Kabir acted as if shocked. "Itna shock kyu ho rahe ho?" Nisha was confused. "The Nisha Gang- I mean The Nisha Kabir Kumar ne 'Please' bola?"
She used her free hand to hit him on his chest "Jao mujhe tumse baat nahi karni" saying so she turned away her face. "Accha thik hai, par meri ek shart hai." Kabir bit back a smile. "Kaisi shart?" Nisha was sure he had some mischief planned. He pouted his lips and winked "Mujhe kiss chahiye." Nisha's face was worth watching. She had her mouth open in an 'O' and her cheeks heavily crimson.
Nisha loosened Kabir's grip on her other hand slightly. She thought for a second before saying "Accha thik hai, aankhen band karo." Kabir's happiness knew no bounds. His eyes lit up. This was definitely his best Holi till date. He readily closed his eyes. Nisha giggled a little seeing his expressions. Hearing her giggle he opened his eyes but she said "Agar aankhen kholi..." "Accha thik hai thik hai, jaldi karo." Kabir still had his eyes closed, his lips forming a small pout. The clock ticked but Nisha never came close. She finally had her other hand freed. Kabir grew impatient. He was about to open his eyes to check on her when, to his utmost horror, Nisha applied colour on his face. His hands immediately left their place from her waist and made way to his own face. Nisha ran away laughing and Kabir smiled at what had happened. He slightly blushed. Even though he didn't show it, these moments when they were too close, always left him baffled.
He grinned and went back to where the events were taking place. He knew that he had to take revenge from Nisha.
---
Nisha was still laughing when she reached the family followed by Kabir. "Nisha beta, kya hua? You look very happy "Maa main challenge jeet gayi" Nisha proudly replied. Vasundhra smiled at this and ruffled her hair. Kabir murmured "Cheating karke jeeti hai" and sniffed. "Kaisi cheating?" Laxmi asked. "Cheating? Maine cheating thodi na ki Kabir!" Nisha glared at him. "Accha woh cheating nahi thi? Who joh tu waha mujhe ki-" Kabir stopped. He saw Nisha regaining her composure and said "Kuch nahi." Laxmi was confused but at Vasundhra's one glance she understood that the two love birds had a romantic time together. Containing herself she said, "Nisha, andar jaakar zara dekh na khaana taiyaar hua ya nahi." "Jee maa" Nisha replied and rushed inside the farmhouse. "Maa main abhi aaya." Kabir smiled and left. "Haan haan, hume pata hai kahan jaa raha hai." and the whole family laughed heartily.
---
Nisha had checked on the food being still prepared and was about to go to inform Laxmi when Kabir came out of nowhere and stood in front of her. He was clearly angry. "Kabir hato yahan se. Mujhe Maa ke paas jaana hai." "Kabhi itne pyaar se mujhse mil leti." Kabir smirked. "Kabir maine kaha na-" before Nisha could complete her statement, Kabir pinned her to a nearby wall. "Nisha, meri shart puri nahi hui hai ab tak."
Nisha's heart skipped a beat. "Kabir yeh tum-" "Main kuch nahi sunne wala. Mujhe meri kiss chahiye." "Kabir baccho jaise zidd mat karo." "Main baccha hi toh hu. Tum hi toh kehti ho." Nisha frowned at this. Before she could say something, Kabir put his finger on her lips. Nisha's breathing got heavy. Kabir leaned in closer, very slowly. Nisha closed her eyes in anticipation of what was going to happen. It was Kabir's turn to finally take revenge. He rubbed his cheek against hers. His stubble tickled her making her giggle. This was it. The same colour being applied to both of them was an intimately binding act. Kabir lowered his head, leaning closer to her. Their lips were about to meet when they heard someone cough. They turned their heads at the same time, causing them to clash. "Ouch!" Both of them yelled at the same time. They saw Laxmi and Vasundhra standing there looking everywhere except at the couple. Nisha pushed Kabir away and ran outside before they could tease her. Both of them started laughing seeing Kabir so embarrassed.
"Accha Vasundhraji main zara kaam dekh kar aati hun." Laxmi smiled and went away. As she left Vasundhra turned towards Kabir biting her lip to stop herself from laughing. Her flustered Kabir was a delightful sight. Vasundhra ruffled his hair and was about to leave when Kabir stopped her. "Maa mujhe aapse ek narazgi hai."
"Kya beta?" Vasundhra asked, definitely concerned.
"Aap aur Maa humesha mere aur meri biwi ke romance ke beech main aa jate ho" Kabir whined shocking Vasundhra. "Accha ji?" Vasundhra caught him by his ear and said "Beta, main kabhi teri khushiyon ke beech nahi aaungi. Par ab kya kare, jab tu aur teri biwi, apna romance kamre main nahi kar sakte toh problem toh hogi na." Kabir side-hugged Vasundhra as they laughed.
~
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