Part 10
āHere is your favorite lemonade.ā Neil bowed down like a waiter in front of Mini and she just smiled. āYou want anything else Mini madam?ā Neil asked as he sat down on his knees on the side of Miniās chair. āNothing chef, you have taken good care of me. Actually I am impressed with your services.ā Mini replied as she winked at him. āNothing is free Mini madamā¦you have to pay me for all this. āNeil teased her. āOh I am more than ready for it.ā Mini said and put the glass of lemonade aside. She leaned in his direction and kissed him on cheeks. She moved towards his lips but he put his hand in between them. āFinish your lemonade first, love. You have to take medicines also after that.ā Neil picked up the glass again and gave it to her.
āNot fair, jab bhi mujhe romance karna hota tumhe kuch na kuch yaad aa jata hai.ā Mini pouted. āIts about your health. I cant compromise on that nowā¦can I?ā Neilsaid as he lovingly carassed her face. Mini took the glass from him and drank it quickly then ate the medicines as per Neilās instruction.
They were in Goa for now more than 3 months. When Mini got to know that they were going to Goa she was really surprised and worried too as she had no idea why they were going there and what will they do there. She had thought that they are just going for some alone time and to get their minds off from all the fights and arguments and may be after 10-15 days they will return back. But she was really surprised when they didnāt checked in into any hotel and instead Neil took her to this beautiful two storey beach house. āWhat is this place? Where are we?ā Mini remembered she had asked him. āThis is our house. This was supposed to be our retirement house....butā¦looks like we will be starting our new life here.ā Neil had answered.
āOh God! I cant believe itā¦Neilā¦that retirement plan you talked aboutā¦.I thought it was just a jokeā¦.I didnāt know that you have really brought a house here.ā Mini had asked as she couldnāt hide her shock any more. āTold you loveā¦.I have planned everything.ā Neil had winked at her while replying. And indeed he had planned everything. The house was perfect having interiors done according to Miniās taste. It had kitchen garden in the backyard and small studio for Mini.
Mini was speechless when she noticed that from the floor tiles to the ceiling everythingā¦.every f**king thing was selected keeping her likes and dislikes in mind. It all screamed of his love for her. Mini had become emotional as she realised once again how much Neil loves her. After all these years of their marriage and being together, it still amazed her that Neil never gets tired of doing things for herā¦little things which will make her happy.
Pregnancy was already making her crazy and Mini was very fragile emotionally. On one hand she loved what Neil did for her but on other hand she really hoped things will get better soon at Patiala so that she can go back to her familyā¦.her childrenā¦.she already started missing them. But Neil had forbidden her from making any call infact any contact with anyone at haveli as he was of the view that there is no use of arguing with them again and again. He was worried for Miniās health and he knew it can have bad effect on their babyās health also. The taunts, the accusations of the family members had left him disappointed to the point that he was not willing to go back unless they call them on their own and apologise for their behaviour. Mini was hurt also. Mother inside her wanted to talk to her children but wife inside her knew Neil has taken right decision. She could tolerate her insult but she couldnāt bear Neilās insult and couldnāt forgive children for that so easily. Therefore since 3 months now they were living in their own heaven least bothered by anyone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
āWhat is this Biji? I am tired of eating this aloo puri again. I told you I want to eat something nice and you made aloo puri again?ā Aayat complained on the breakfast table. āYes, even I wanted spanish omlette for breakfast.ā Ayush also complained. āShut up and eat it quietly. If you have forgotten I am not a chef jo tumhare liye ye sab special dishes banao. Mujhe jo best aata hai maine bana diya.ā Biji scolded them. āYes, behenji is right. Zara unki umr ka toh khyaal karoā¦.jitne log hain is ghar mein utne hi alag tarah ka nashta tum log demand karte ho roz subah akele ye sab unse kaise ho payega?ā Naeem bi supported them.
āToh pehle kaise hota tha?ā Armaan asked innocently. āPehle breakfast ki zimmedari Neil ki thi. Becharaā¦main to roz dekhti thi kitni mehnat karke kitne pyar se tum logo ka manpasand breakfast banata tha. Magar ab wo nahi hai toh jo mil raha hai usi se kaam chalao.ā Biji reminded them the bitter reality. āWe also used to help him in that.ā Ayush replied. āHaan, pata hai mujhe kitni help karte theā¦zara si prepration mein help kya kar dete the aise jataa rahe ho jaise saara kaam tumhi karte the. Aur itni hi yaad aa rahi hai unki toh badtameezi kyu ki thi unke sath?ā Biji replied back.
āHey! Aap to aise baat kar rahe ho jaise humne hi mom dad ko yaha se bhaga diya. It was not our fault alone. That time we all were against them. We all angry with them.ā Ayush fought back.
āJust stop it both of you. Enough of it. Ever since mom dad has gone we have not spent even a day peacefully. Either we pick up fight with outsiders or keep fighting between ourselves.ā Armaan replied as he was irritated now. āArmaan is right. 3 months ho gaye mom dad ko gaye hueā¦.We should stop denying the fact that it doesnāt bother us at all. We all are missing them and came to know how important they were for this household. Unke hone se hi ye ghar..ghar tha.ā Aayat confessed and stood up from the table without eating anything. Others just hung their head in disappointment as they realised her each and every word is true.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
āNeil, at least now tell me where are we going?ā Mini asked as she was tired now with a blindfold on her eyes. āJust a second love.ā Neil said and opened the blindfold. Mini slowly opened her eyes and saw they were on the beach. She saw there was a yatch in the sea decorated with flowers and light.
Neil saw Mini was looking at it with excitement. āYou liked it?ā he asked. āWowā¦.that yatchā¦.ā Mini struggle to say as she felt her eyes were welling up with happy tears. āYes, for our special nightā¦.Its our anniversary after allā¦.come lets go.ā Neil took her hands in his as he lead her to the yatch.
Mini looked in awe as she saw the photos of their sweet sour memories were used to decorate the inner compartment of yatch. The golden and silver lights and Miniās favorite orchids were used along with that. In the middle there was a table where her favorite cake was placed alongside Champaign.
Neil took her to the table they cut the cake. āHappy anniversary love.ā Neil wished her as fed her some cake. Mini stopped him and took the piece of cake from him and fed him instead. Then she leaned in and kissed him tasting the remaining cake on his mouth. āHappy anniversary chef Neil Oberoi.ā Mini whispered huskily in his ears after ending the long kiss. āYou donāt leave any chanceā¦.do you?ā Neil teased her. āIt would be a shame to leave any chance to show you my love. Ab tumhari tarah mujhe itne ache ache ideas to aate nahiā¦.so this is how I show my feelings.ā Mini said and kissed him once again.
Neil opened the champaign and pour it only in one glass. āHey where is mine?ā Mini asked. Neil picked up the bottle from the below the table and poured lemonade in one glass for Mini. āThis is for you.ā Neil gave it to many and tilted his champaign glass asking for cheers. āNot fair!ā Mini pouted. āSorry, but no hard drinks for you in pregnancy.ā Neil explained. āI am not getting drunk. Little bit of champaign wont cause that much harm.ā Mini requested. āI wont permit even a sip to you.ā Neil stated clearly. Mini turned around and pretended to be angry.
āNow, you want to waste this special night while sulking or you want us to enjoyā¦..there is one more surprise waiting for you.ā Neil whispered in her ears as he hugged her from behind. āOne more surprise! Neil Oberoiā¦now whatā¦we are getting married again?ā Mini asked in excitement. āNot literally butā¦.aisa hi kuch samajh lo.ā Neil gave a hint which increased Miniās interest more.
Neil bentdown on his knees and took out a box from his jacket. He opened it and picked up a very beautiful bracelet from it. He asked for Mini's hand and put it while explaining what it means. āI never got the chance actually to propose you for marriage. So I thought why not I fulfill that wish on this day. Normally people propose with a diamond ring but I am giving you this bracelet. This signifies our whole life love. Are you seeing the charms hanged in it? There is one shaped like your camera, then one shaped like a knife for me, then initials PB for our restaurant, the cake which I made for you first time, the lock and key signifying I was tenant and many moreā¦.each one will remind you our momentsā¦special moments of our lifeā¦.this is our whole lifeā¦whole life weaved in one braceletā¦life which has become beautiful just because of youā¦our loveā¦I am glad that you came into my lifeā¦.without youā¦I would be like homeless wanderer, mere body without soulā¦you are my soulā¦you have made me complete. So Mini madamā¦on this dayā¦I am asking youā¦.will live your rest of life with me? Will you start your life with me all over again?ā Neil asked.
Mini was silent for sometime as she was struggling with her emotions which were making it difficult for her to utter any word. In that moment she just wanted to throw herself in his arms and cry happy tears to her heartās content. Even though Neil knew her answer but still her silence made him worried. He started feeling nervous. Why she is taking so much time? Did she even like all this? Was this over the top? Is she missing children? Does she wants to go back? Hell! She doesnāt find him worthy of saying yes to him again?ā Neil was about to ask from her when she finally replied, āStupid! You brought me here because you said all that emotional trauma back at home was affecting my health now what are you doing? Making me emotional again and againā¦.you know ever since I become pregnant how difficult it is for me not to cry on silly thingsā¦.and look what are you doing here?ā
āOh! I didnāt realize it. I thought you will be happy. I am so sorry loveā¦ā Neil replied as he stood up at once and looked here and there in nervousness. āIdiot! I was joking.ā Mini said and hugged him tightly. Neil sighed finally he felt relieved. He had started thinking that this was really stupid idea. Mini felt he sighed and she giggled again. āAfter all these years spending together how can you doubt even for a second that whatever you do will cause any harmā¦.any discomfort to me? Whatever you doā¦in any wayā¦you always give priority to me, my choicesā¦.you have given me your whole life Neil Oberoiā¦so yes you made me emotional..very every emotionalā¦but I can give my life to live this moment again and again. I cant tell you how happy I am. First I was skeptical when we left the house but now I am sureā¦.I can start my life all over again when you are with me. I love so much Neil.ā Mini replied and hugged him as if her life depended upon it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
āToday is mom dadās anniversary. If they would have been here then how much fun time we would be having right now.ā Aayat said as she was looking at the old photo album. āYou were right. Mini aur Neil ke karan hi ye ghar ghar banta haiā¦.patthar aur deewaro ne sirf is ghar ko support kiya hua haiā¦is ghar ko jodne waleā¦apne pyar se wo dono hi haiā¦.humne bahut galat bartaav kiya unke saath. unhe samajhne ki koshish karni chahiye thi. Unke bina ye ghar kaatne ko daudta hai.ā Biji finally accepted.
āWe have started noticing that now no one taunts us in our friend circle.ā Ayush shared. āYes mohalle ki aurtein bhi shant ho gayi haiā¦ab jyada kuch nahi kehti.ā Naeem bi shared. āIts been 3 monthsā¦ab ye news sabke liye purani ho chuki haiā¦.us time ye latest gossip ki tarah thiā¦taaza and masaledarā¦ab baasi ho chuki haiā¦.they are tiredā¦.now looking for some new gossip and new targets to harassā¦..aise hi hote hain logā¦aur humne aise logo ki kuch baaton ka bura maan kar mom dad ko pata nahi kya kya suna diya.ā Armaan understood societyās mentality.
āYou know what? I went to Kabirās house today. There I overheard his mom and dad were talking about me.ā Aayat shared. āThey were asking Kabir that he is making them understand but what about Mr. and Mrs. Oberoiās own children and family? What kind of children are we who doesnāt support their own parentsā¦.how I can be a good daughter in law when I cant be a good daughter first? How I can be a good wife when I cant respect my parents marriage and their right to take personal decisions as husband and wife. This made me realize that yesā¦.I am a pathetic daughterā¦.Mom dad never left me in any difficult situation and Iā¦just pushed them awayā¦refused to even listen what they were trying to say.ā Aayat started crying now.
āNot only youā¦.we all are pathetic. Dad was rightā¦we are selfishā¦ā Ayush agreed. āAnd foolish too.ā Armaan added. āAur hum to itne bade hokar bhi apni naadani mein unhe chot pahucha baithe.ā Biji expressed her regret. āSahi kaha benheji, humne bahut jaldbazi ki un dono ko galat thehrane mein.ā Naeem bi agreed.
āBut, what they didā¦.I mean its still weird and sort of un acceptableā¦I mean..ā¦.āAayat started was interrupted by a voice. āWhat is not acceptable and weird? What is happening in this house? Where is veer balika and genie?ā Arya said as she came inside.
to be continued....
Edited by anjali0111 - 4 years ago
370