Arjun and Arohi reached Jai's bungalow and saw him loading things for picnic in his SUV's trunk and Tanvi was standing beside him holding her doll in her hand. They got down from their car after parking it and walked towards Jai and Tanvi. "CHACHI" yelled Tanvi and ran towards Arohi. "Hi Tanvi" Arohi said picking Tanvi up in her arms. Tanvi kissed Arohi on her cheek; it was her way of saying hi. "Where is my kiss?" Arjun asked Tanvi making a baby face. Tanvi giggled and shook her head hugging Arohi tight. Arjun pouted and Arohi showed him tongue teasingly. "Hmmm' then I'll give the chocolates to Jai" Arjun said pointing towards Jai who was walking towards them. "Don't worry Tanvi I'll give you chocolates; more than your Chachu have bought" Arohi said keeping her hand on Tanvi's cheek. "Okay then Jai you can have these, since Tanvi don't want to have chocolate NOW." Arjun said, emphasizing the word 'now' and giving the two big chocolate bars to Jai. Tanvi's eyes grew wide seeing the big bars of chocolates. "I want them now" she said stretching her arms out towards Arjun, wanting to go in his arms. Arjun took her in his arms saying "First I want my kiss." Tanvi immediately kissed him on his cheek and smiled. Arjun kissed her back on her cheek and took back the chocolate bars from Jai's hands. He then gave it to Tanvi which she took it happily and got down of Arjun's arms. Arohi was looking at them with a soft smile on her lips. Arjun looked at her and it was now his turn to show her tongue. She looked away with mock attitude and walked towards Rashi and Archana who just came out of the house, leaving a smiling Arjun behind.
Arjun looked at Jai when Jai tapped on his shoulder. "You are spoiling her" Jai said to Arjun. "Wh-What?" Arjun asked confused. "You'll understand soon" said Jai smiling widely. Arjun didn't get a chance to think as a furious Rashi came towards him with Arohi and Archana few steps behind her with Chirag in Archana's arm's and Tanvi holding Arohi's hand whilst having the chocolate which he gave to her."You are spoiling her" she said angrily, exactly the same words Jai said. Arjun looked at Jai who was trying hard to control his laughter. "What are you talking about?" Arjun said looking from Rashi to Jai and then back to Rashi. "This" Rashi almost yelled taking the chocolate bar from Tanvi's hand and showing it to Arjun. On the other hand Tanvi whined and soon bawling for her chocolate. "Oh" Arjun said with a sigh after knowing the reason for that sentence. He then looked at Tanvi face, tears could any time fall from her eyes. "She's just a kid and there should be someone to spoil them" Arjun said grinning. He then took the chocolate bar from Rashi hand, taking a small piece from it and gave the rest to Tanvi, who gave a teary smile and got back to having her chocolate.
Arjun took Chirag from Archana's arms and put the small piece in his mouth, who took it in his mouth happily like he knew what was given to him; obviously he knew kids are really smart now days. "Not to him ARJUN" Rashi moaned stretching at Arjun's name and stomped her leg in anger. Arjun just laughed looking at Rashi's face. "Wait till your kids come and then see how I spoil them as there should be someone to spoil them" Rashi said repeating Arjun's lines. Arjun and Arohi looked at each other when they heard Rashi. 'Did she really say that?' both were having similar question in their mind and their expressions said it all, she did said that. They looked away from each other highly embarrassed. They were not meeting anyone's gaze. Rashi on the other hand was smirking looking at both their expression and Jai and Archana chuckled. "Umm'J'Jai I'I want to'talk'talk to you" Arjun stammered handling Chirag back to Archana and pulling Jai with him, getting out of the embarrassed situation. Arohi was left behind with the two, she was looking everywhere by them. Archana immediately changed the topic to bring Arohi out of the embarrassed situation.
After few minutes Dhruv came. He had got his football and cricket kit for the picnic. He said his hellos to everyone and then walked towards Jai and Arjun after keeping the ball and the kit in the car's trunk. He reached there and saw Arjun taking Mr. Tiwari's contact number. "Hello" he said to both of them and then asked Arjun "Why do you need Mr. Tiwari's number?" "I have some important work with him" said Arjun and then they started talking. Jai's and Archana's parents along with Rajvir came out. Rajvir asked everyone to get in the car. Jai's and Archana's parents were going to Lonawala to a temple so they thought of pending some time with their kids and then leave from there itself. They sat in the other car which they will be taking to Lonawala and others were to be seated in the SUV.
"I'll drive" said Dhruv moving towards the driver's seat. "No I'm going to drive" said Jai pulling Dhruv back and walking towards the driver's seat. Dhruv again pulled Jai back and said firmly "I'll drive." Jai pulled him and then it went on and on and on. The rest five were looking at the two pulling each other to drive a car, but how can they forget that the two were Jai and Dhruv, they just need a reason to fight. Rajvir said Arjun to go and stop them. Arjun nodded his head and walked towards the two changing his expression to anger. He pulled both aside angrily and said in a strong voice "I'll drive, and before you both start fighting on who will sit in the front let me tell you that Rajvir is sitting and you both quietly go and sit in the back and don't you both dare fight" Arjun warned them and they both nodded their heads obediently like kids. "You both are worse than the kids" Arjun said shaking his head and the rest thanked Arjun; and then sat in the car with Dhruv and Jai at the back like Arjun said with Tanvi joining them, the ladies sat in the middle and lastly Arjun at the driver's seat and Rajvir at the passenger seat with Chirag.
The whole ride to the picnic spot was quite a silent one. They just had little conversations and there was Tanvi who continued her nonstop blabbering and asking random question, Chirag was soon asleep in his father's embrace, Jai and Dhurv sat quietly just giving a glare to each other once in a while and Arjun was stealing glances at Arohi from the rear view mirror who was sitting right behind him and was looking out of the window.
Rajvir walked towards his parents who were standing by their car waiting for them. "What took you'll so long?" his father asked. "Jai and Dhruv" was just Rajvir said removing the car seat from his father's car. The three words said by Rajvir were enough for his father to make out what must have happened. They all then walked in the park finding a suitable place to sit. Jai and Dhruv were walking on either side of Arjun with the rest of them walking in front of them. It's been a long time since Jai and Dhruv were quite, it's not a big deal for Jai but it's very hard for Dhruv to stay quiet for long time and now he wanted to break the silence but could not find a way. That when he spotted a dog who was sitting. "Hello doggie what's up" Dhruv said waving his hand at the dog like the dog was his long lost friend. Jai and Arjun looked at Dhruv with a wired expression. "Seriously?" asked Arjun, shaking his head slightly. "What? I cannot stay silent for a long time you know" Dhruv said casually. Jai burst out laughing and Arjun just looked at Dhruv, he felt like banging his head. "You know just when I think you can't get crazier you do such an act that makes me think otherwise" Arjun said shaking his head and walked towards the others who had find a perfect place under the tree, where there was enough shade.
The elder's were seated on one blanket and the ladies on the other chatting with each other. Chirag was sleeping in the car seat covered properly. The guys and Tanvi were playing with the ball; passing it to one another. After some time Dhruv started placing the stump's so that they can play cricket. "Even we are playing" Archana said standing up. Rashi kept the car seat near the parents so that they can look after Chirag. "Come on Arohi" Archana said looking at Arohi who was still sitting. "I don't know how to play" Arohi said. "Oh that's not a problem even we don't know" Archana said pointing towards herself and Rashi. "It's fun looking at the guys. They get all annoyed with us playing with them but are helpless they can't tell us no" Archana added with an evil smile. "Come on don't be a spoilt sport" she literally pulled Arohi up.
Arjun looked at Arohi who looked uninterested in the game. He walked up to her with a bat in his hand. "What's wrong?" he asked knitting his eyebrows. Arohi sighed and said "I don't know how to play" she paused "and I don't want to play" she moaned and made a baby face hoping that he agrees with her. Arjun couldn't help but smiled. He felt like pulling her cheek's; he also raised his hand a little but moved it back down. Though she looked cute but that doesn't mean that Arjun will agree to her, he'll make sure that she play's and also enjoys it. "Well too bad, you are playing' We are not playing for the Indian cricket team so you don't have to worry and as it is we are playing under arm so it will not be difficult." He then lifted the bat up and said "I'll teach you how to bat' you hold it like this" he showed how to hold the bat that the flat side should be in the front. "Then you concentrate on the ball and hit it" Arjun continued. He then gave the bat to Arohi and asked her to hold it. He put his hand on her to correct the position of her hand when he felt some kind of current, he quickly composed himself. Even Arohi felt shiver ran down her spine at the sudden contact of their hands. Her cheeks turned pink for a split of second and then were back to normal as even she composed herself. This was not new to them; they would always feel some kind of current whenever they would hold hands or their hands would touch and each time when their hands would touch, it felt like it was for the first time.
Arjun taught Arohi few more basics of cricket and then they started playing. They played a little far away from the elder's so that the ball does not go there and there would not be a risk of Chirag getting hurt with the ball. They also made few rules like not hitting the ball too hard, throwing the ball slowly and there were not playing with the scores so there were not any teams. Soon all of them were engrossed in the game. Arohi who didn't want to play before was enjoying the game very much. She did have a bit problem in the start while batting but Arjun was there by her side helping her, even the others were helping her. They were purposely throwing the ball a little slow so that she could hit it and also get used to the bat. When her bat hit the ball for the first time she literally jumped like a kid and slowing started enjoying the game. All of them were enjoying; they were laughing, teasing and were also fighting with each others. They played quite for a long time each one of them getting chance to bat, ball and field. The girls would annoy the guys while fielding especially Archana. She would not even move an inch if the ball would come towards her, poor Jai would have to run and get the ball as the others would not go and why should they go? She is his girlfriend so he has to go. Similar was with Rashi if the ball was far she would not go and Rajvir would have to get the ball. Arjun was quite smart in this, he deliberately positioned Arohi a little behind where the chances of the ball to come was very less and he stood just a few feet's away from her so that even if the ball would come towards her he would hold it before but he did gave her few chances when the ball would be slow and she would not have to run while the others were too busy to notice all this. They ended the game when they were tired and were hungry. They had the sandwiches and fruits which they had got with them. They spoke about the game and cracked jokes.
Archana's parents, Jai's parents, Rajvir, Rashi Jai and Archana were heaving a conversation. Dhruv was lying on the grass with his cap on his face so that he does not get disturbed because of the day light. Arohi looked around for Arjun and she spotted him a few feet's away sitting near a tree leaning his back against it. She stood up and went and sat beside him. Arjun made space for her so that even she can have her back against the tree. He smiled at her when she looked at him and she smiled back. She looked towards the others for a few seconds and looked back at Arjun who was still looking at her. "Thank You Arjun" Arohi said looking directly in his eyes. She was really thankful to him for making her a part of his wonderful life, by being by her side, by taking care of her and more importantly by being her 'best-friend', which she never had before and giving such wonderful friends who were even 'her' family now. Arjun looked back in her eyes and nodded his head with a slight smile. He didn't know the reason as for why she was thanking him but by looking in her eyes he could say that she was not just saying it, she really meant it and he didn't feel like questioning it. Arohi smiled back and then were looking at the others who were having a family moment except for Dhruv who was lying on the grass. Archana was seated between both her parents with her head on her father's shoulders and was holding her mother's hand. Jai had kept his head on his mother's lap who was caressing his son's head lovingly. Chirag was sitting on his grandfather's lap and was chewing his teether. Tanvi sat between both her parents and was playing with her doll. They all were chatting and laughing; they were having a perfect family moment.
Arjun suddenly felt something on his shoulder. He looked at his side and saw it was Arohi who had kept her head on his shoulder. He was taken aback by her gesture. Arohi looked up at Arjun and saw a surprised look on his face. She herself was confused as to why she did this. She just felt like keeping her head on his shoulder, so she did this. May be looking at the others having a family moment she missed her family and she needed a support? Whatever it was she did felt nice the moment she kept her head on his shoulder. Arjun looked in Arohi's eyes and saw confusion in it. Not wanting to embarrass her he moved his hand behind her keeping his palm on her shoulder like a side hug. He slightly pulled her closer so that both of them were comfortable. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Arohi closed her eyes as she felt his warm lips on her forehead. She shivered as she felt something new, something different, something nice; she felt blissful she thought. Arjun let his lips linger on her forehead for few seconds and then moved back a little and that's when it stuck him that what he had done. 'What if she did not like what I did? I shouldn't have done that. She must be angry now' Arjun thought but he didn't do it deliberately it just happened. He looked down at Arohi who had kept her head back on his shoulder. He sighed lightly, she didn't look angry or else she would not have kept her head back on his shoulder. Arohi couldn't look in Arjun's eye's as she felt shy and she could feel her cheeks warm, she knew that she was blushing. She was getting a weird sensation which she could not name but she did feel nice. Arjun kept his head on Arohi's head and they both were looking at the family in front of them. Both were feeling same emotion which they were not able to name but both brushed it off their head wanting to live in the moment; feeling content in each other's embrace. Little did they know that this was a new start of their relationship; that they have entered into the world where they will get what they have craved for all long.
Dhruv, all the while was looking at the two of them. He could see the new start of their relationship and felt happy for both of them. "Haule Haule ho jayega pyar chaleya, Haule haule ho jayaga pyar" he sung in a low voice so that no one could hear him. Not only Dhruv but even the others had notice this. They knew that Arjun and Arohi didn't share a relationship of that of husband and wife. Not that Arjun or Arohi have told them, they just knew their friend very well, even if he didn't say anything they could read him and it was same with Arohi. The way she opened up with them was enough for them to know how innocent she was. They did felt bad for them, but they never voiced it as they didn't wanted to embarrass them and they knew that both Arjun and Arohi are big enough to take care of their relationship and they could feel the change now. And silently prayed for their happiness and hoped that they realize their feelings for each other soon.
Jai's and Archana's parents left after sometime and the rest got back to playing games. The guys played football for a while whilst the girls were sitting and chatting. All of them then just sat chatting with each other, playing other games like dumsharaaz, cracking more jokes and teasing each other. The whole day passes with lots of fun and each one of them enjoyed their day and Tanvi was finally happy. They soon were back to their respective houses after making a note to often go on these kinds of picnics. Now they were so tired that they just wanted to sleep and that's what happened the moment they lay on their beds.
~*~
Arjun and Arohi were having breakfast when Arjun's phone beeped there was a message. Arohi had noticed Arjun looking at his phone again and again and now he was smiling reading the message. Arohi got curious about the message; 'What can the message be that he's smiling' she thought and then concluded 'May related to work.' She came out of her thoughts when Arjun spoke "Arohi we have to go somewhere." "Now?" she asked all surprised. "Yup, in like 5 minutes" said Arjun, he was still smiling. "I'll just get ready" Arohi said getting up from the chair but Arjun stopped her by saying "No, there is no need, you look nice." Arohi looked down; she was wearing a light blue churidar and kurti. 'It does not look bad' she thought and nodded her head. "I'll just be back in 2 minutes" Arjun said and rushed towards the floors. Arohi looked at his back and thought where they have to go early in the morning. She moved her fingers in her open hair setting them up. Like Arjun had said he was back in 2 minutes with his laptop bag. "Let's go" Arohi nodded her head and they left for the place Arjun was taking.
The whole ride was silent. There was only the sound of the music system, which was tuned on some radio station. Arohi was all the while thinking where they were going. She couldn't even guess by looking out of the window as the place was still new to her. Soon they reached the destination. Arohi got down from the car and looked at where they were. Her eyes fell on a big board. She read what was written on it and her eyes grew wide. She was stunned...
~*~
Mahadev And Sons
Current Affairs
Anupamaa
