Chapter Nineteen
"Am I safe here?" Mohan asked doubtfully when Megha went on explaining Guru's tricks played on many other troublemakers in the past
Though Mohan found it unbelievable, he took an immediate liking to the protective instinct of Guru. He was amused with Guru's story. When he was a child, Guru met Megha's parents in their village. He was the son of their house helpers. When they asked him, he immediately agreed to join them to the city. They put him into school and he returned their favor by doing his side of help to their family. He was like a brother to Megha. Though they both of the same age out of respect Guru calls Megha Di'.
When Megha eloped, it was Guru who was the most upset and was looking for her everywhere. It was only when she moved to Mumbai, did she reveal her details to her parents. Guru didn't delay anymore to join her and came to stay with her, doing everything for her.
Mohan respected Guru for his strong support to Megha but when it came to Nanhi, he still envied Guru the most. He held his grudge to himself and decided to fight it as need be. He kept on throwing staring glances whenever Guru took over his affectionate gestures with Nanhi.
"Guru is going to the evening college doing his MBA. I didn't want him to discontinue his studies because of me" Megha said with pride
They were sitting and talking like good old times. It was only that Megha seemed to be lot more outspoken without guarding her own. Mohan didn't miss to catch this change in her and found it refreshingly new and adorable. He had known to lose himself in love once but now it was the time he found himself again. If it's anything possible, then am falling for her, all over again!
"So you could still do with another Nanny shift?" Mohan hinted at her
"Yeah, I could. If I get someone as good as Guru" Megha squinted in tease
He wasn't offended "May be my boss is forgetful! I had set the standards" He shrugged his shoulders
They shared a moment of understanding silence which was disturbed by Guru
"Di, dinner is ready"
"You are such a darling, Guru!" She hugged him affectionately and turned to invite Mohan
"Will you stay for dinner?"
Mohan was silently observing the scene and said with a smile "I thought I will get to eat your traditional cooking"
Mohan and Megha remembered the special breakfast prepared by Megha and laughed at their reminiscence. Guru gave a confused look at them.
"Now I am better. Thanks to Guru, my cooking guru" Megha said patting on Guru's shoulders
"You have talent only for your painting, Di! Don't refer to me as your teacher" Guru bantered with her and for the first time Mohan agreed upon something with Guru
"I am with you, Guru. If at all she comes to us for recommendation in cooking, she is for a wrong asking!" Mohan joined Guru's tease against Megha's cooking
Guru and Mohan slapped their upraised palms, in elation. Megha ignored their teasing instead enjoyed they getting along after their initial malaise.
But when the food was served, Mohan took his guards on against Guru. It was only when Megha approved it, did he start eating. He couldn't help but appreciate Guru's skills in the kitchen.
"We would make a good team in the kitchen, Guru" Mohan praised to which Guru gave a shy smile
Guru had to give up his time with Nanhi to Mohan, on Megha's request. But he didn't bother to leave them alone. He sat down with his study books as if reading but intently evaluating the visitor, guarding his lovely family.
Mohan took full advantage of his time with his Cookie and didn't spare a minute of hers alone. He played, laughed, jumped and tried all stunts with her. The new footsteps of Nanhi amused him and he followed her wherever she took him in and around the house. Nanhi too enjoyed the whole attention she received from her new admirer. She appeared to be a sweet kid, who got attached to anyone in ease but with Mohan it seemed to be mutual and deep. She showed her newly acquired skill of walking in pride and boastful.
It was long after dinnertime, Mohan left Megha's house, still not wanting to leave. But he was in high spirits and elated when he reached home.
"I want details" He was alarmed by Neya's strong voice echoing in their living room
"Where are you?" He couldn't find her in his visible range
"Do the magic, then I will appear" She said in a giggling voice
"Hey Sweety, I am home!" Mohan's eyes twinkled in tease
"Wrong magic code!" Neya's response made him chuckle
"Sweety, I have got your favorite chocolate" Mohan displayed the box of chocolates
"Smart approach but still wrong magic code!" Mohan couldn't suppress his laughter anymore. He was in a playful mood thanks to Neya's refreshing pranks
"Ok, I give up! I am in love all over again" Mohan knew that this should work and it did
"Magic worked!" Neya popped in front of him grabbing the chocolates from his hand. She didn't wait a minute to unwrap it and she began her next mission
"Welcome home, Devdas! So, how was your day with Paro?" She held a rolled up paper like a mike in front of him and interviewed
"Do I look like a Devadas now?" Mohan countered her question
"Actually not! You look lot happier to be one" She smiled prettily and hugged him affectionately
"Now I don't blame her for keeping you away from us. But that's only if you return home this happy everyday" She added with her mouthful of chocolate
"Now now now! Will I get my chance to talk to my darling nephew?" Jiji joined their humor
"Anything for my darling aunt!" Neya continued her dramatic tone extending the pretend mike to Jiji
"I am very happy for you, son" She kissed on Mohan's forehead who was still beaming in excitement
"I know you will be, darling" He returned his affection with a warm hug
The two lovely ladies sat down drilling out all the details from their handsome young man, who was radiating in love and opening up slowly. After a non-stop interview session, a tired Mohan hit his bed, instantly to fall asleep.
Jiji's heart was contented seeing Mohan glowing in happiness. She knew that Mohan was never a dull person but when he was happy, it showed in every act of his. His joy was so contagious that everything around him appeared to be cheerful. She wanted the merry around him to spread across and last forever.
Jiji remembered her own merriment when she was in love with the man of her dreams. If only things had turned out well she would have had him with her now. Her brother, Mohan's father, protected her in his affection, like her own father. He demanded Jiji's lover to hold a steady job instead of roaming around aimlessly. Jiji's lover being a king of his own world never bent for any rules. He was raged with her brother and walked off, to prove himself. But he never returned back to her world.
She knew well, that he had good intentions but wasn't sure why he had taken so long. But she held her hopes for him and never stopped waiting for him, even after continuous efforts from her brother to have her married. She took the sole pleasure of upbringing her niece and nephew, and led a happy life in her own way, waiting for her man. She had never forgotten her love and she believed that it would bring all the madness one needed to unfurl oneself across the universe.
Her love story and romantic heart never failed to impress Mohan and Neya. They held high respect and affection in their hearts, for their beloved aunt. They found her to be the happiest person not because she had the best of everything but because she made the best out of everything. Neya took her aunt as her inspiration and was awaiting her Prince as strong and arrogant as the man in her story.
Jiji was glad that Mohan hadn't needed to wait forever like her. It wasn't that she was leading a sad life waiting for her man. She had chosen the path of her life and had been happy in her course with her positive attitude. It was only at a moment like this, she missed him badly, where she missed the joy of spreading the happiness around.
"Don't you think we should meet the reason for this joy?" Jiji asked Neya
"Definitely. And I will be ready with my interview questions!" Neya sounded serious as Jiji shook her head hopelessly at her silliness
***
When Guru found the same car approaching their house, he was raging enough to send Mohan away without getting down from the car. He rushed towards the car shouting on top of his voice
"What do you think of yourself? Why would you want to disturb us often?" Guru threw the words before he could see the pretty girl who was on the driving seat.
"Will you shut up?" Neya raged back at him
"Oh!" Guru was spellbound knowing he attacked a wrong person but he wasn't ready to apologize seeing the rude behavior of his opponent
"Hello Ma'm! Talk respectfully!" He said in anger
"Hello Sir! Give respect and take respect" She snapped back
"Will you both stop now?" Jiji came in between
"You must be Guru!" Jiji said making the environment friendly enough to make Guru smile at her
"Do you know me?" He asked eagerly
"Yes, you must be the famous President of India" Neya looked at him from top to bottom and giggled at her own joke. Guru curved his lips to one corner in irritation.
"We are here to meet Megha" Jiji announced and stopped the bantering between the duos
"Guru, what's happening?"
As Megha came out hearing the noise, Jiji and Neya glanced at the pretty form of the woman walking towards them, with a beautiful baby in her arms.
Chapter TwentyEdited by Senpoo - 12 years ago
