SS2 FF Full Update (Parts I - IV) - Page 39

Dipika was the last out of the room bringing her suitcase, after checking and making sure nothing was left behind…. Coming to the stairs she placed the suitcase down and adjusted her handbag on her shoulder…. When her hand went down again to her suitcase's handle, instead of the roughness of the handle she encountered the smoothness of skin…. As the hand left the suitcase handle and fiddled with her fingers she didn't have to even guess who it was…. Smiling she looked sideways at him and her smile turned into a blush when he lifted her hand and kissed knuckles…☺️

Even though she liked it, much more yearned for it she couldn't encourage it outwards….. With great difficulty to evade him she looked at him stunned and ran her eyes around to check whether anyone had noticed? Seeing no one was around she breathed a sigh of relief…. 😳

Others were outside near the main door, getting the things loaded into the cars and chatting…. Pulling her hand from his she chided him saying….

Dipika: Aryan!!! Kya kar rahe ho? Koi dekh lega…😳

Aryan: Dekhne do… Ab kya chupana?!❓

Saying he came closer to her grasping her hand again…..

Dipika: (Shivering with his closeness☺️) Haan…. Chupane ke liye kuch nahi hai… Lekin itna bhi obvious karne ki zaroorat nahi hai…. Dekha naa breakfast ke waqt kya hua tha…. (A little stern but actually liking him been so cozy with her) Galat hai!

Aryan: (Innocently) Achcha? Waise…. (Whispering in her ears) Galat kya hai aur sahi kya hai?😉

She narrowed her eyes wondering why he asking such a weird question….. What was he doing? Seeing the gleam in her eyes she understood he was teasing her….😃

Dipika: (Shaking her head) Jaise tumhe nahi pata….

Aryan: Nahi pata hi samjho!

Dipika: (Wrinkling her eyebrows she said) Vo kaam jo sabse bataya jaa sakta hai, sabko maloom ho sakta hai vo sahi hai aur galat kaam ko of course kisi se bata nahi sakte, kisi ko uska pata chalne nahi de sakte!

Aryan: (Wrapping an arm around her shoulders) Oh! To jo sahi hai vo sabse kaha jaa sakta hai? (To her astonishment he steered her away from the landing and pulled her closer taking steps backward) To phir ab main jo karne jaa raha hoon, use sabko jaake bata sakogi…. Right?

Before Dipika could even understand the meaning of his sentence he had backed her against the pillar few feet away from the head of the stairs…. 😲 ☺️

Without waiting for her repsone he whispered a kiss on both her cheeks and nuzzled the side of her throat as the warmth of his touch spread wavering across her body….

Surprised, stunned and shocked all she could do was surrender to his action…. She was already mesmerized with the scent of his male fragrance and his touch made her feel fluttery deep inside…. The grip on her handbag slackened and it fell down to the floor as she circled her arms around his neck, tilting her neck to give him more space… She buried her head in his shoulders, taking deep breaths to calm her rapidly beating heart….

Parting from her he lifted her face to make her look at him and whispered….

Aryan: (Pulling her even more closer) Hmm.. Sabko jaake batao yahan kya hua!😉

As she looked at him stunned shaking her head he teasing smiled and said…😲

Aryan: Matlab ye galat hai?😃

She bit her lip in surrender as she realized the meaning of his question, for which she could not give an answer and smiling shook her head again and lowered her eyes….☺️

Aware of someone calling her she pleaded to him silently to be let go…. She wiggled herself out of his grip and moved away from him, with great effort on her part to control her smile and blush and the need to be near him always… As she came around from the pillar she felt a tug on her duppatta…. Smiling she stopped and looked over her shoulders as he lifted his hand to indicate that he was the one catching her duppatta and of course was not going to leave it…. At least so easily anyways! 😳

Before she could do anything about it she heard Mrs. Malhotra's voice from below…. She peeped a little over the stair case and saw Mrs. Malhotra at the main door calling out to her…

Mrs. Malhotra: Dipika! Wahan kya kar rahi ho? Neeche aana jaldi… Sab nikalne ke liye taiyaar hain!

Dipika: Ji Aunty… (Catching her duppatta around her throat) Vo… Lagta hai duppatta kisi me atak gaya hai… Bas nikaalke aayi!

Mrs. Malhotra: (Concerned took a step inside the house) Kya hua? Madad chahiye? Kisi ko…😕

Dipika: (Hastily) Nai…. Nai Aunty…. (Tugging again at her duppatta) Kuch nahi…. Bas maine lagbag nikaal di hai…. Main aayi! Aap chaliye!😒

Mrs. Malhotra: Achcha phir… (Looking around) Waise ye Aryan kahan gaya? Vo bhi nahi dikh raha! (Turning around to look at Dipika) Tumne Aryan ko kaheen dekha?

Dipika: (With a hopeless expression with all the tugging answered flustered) Nahi to…. Nahi dekha…

Mrs. Malhotra: Theek hai…. Theek hai… Itna utaavla kyun ho rahi ho! Jaldi neeche aao!

As Dipika nodded with a faint smile as Mrs. Malhotra turned around and left the house…😉

Going out the door Mrs. Malhotra smiled to herself thinking of Dipika…. The pillar was way behind the stairs, away from the path they would take from the room to the stairs…. Yet her duppatta had taken a pleasure tip on its own to get caught in that…. Well… Well… Kids! She has been par their age and very well knows how duppattas get caught in a smooth coated pillar! She was happy for both of them…. Happy more that Aryan is able to put his past behind and behave with Dipika as normal as anyone else!😃

Breathing a sigh of relief Dipika turned around to look at Aryan clearly…

Dipika: (Lightly tugging at her duppatta again she pleaded) Aryan pleeeease chodo naa… Aunty bula raheen hain! Baal baal bache! Agar vo dekhti to?😔

Aryan: (Smiling) Kuch nahi… Khush hoti apne bte aur bahu ko is tarah dekh!😉

Only after he had said that sentence did he realize its full meaning… Surprised at his own remark he looked at her and reciprocated the same happy, glorious smile which had formed on her face…😳

He pulled the duppatta towards him and she took tentative steps back to him… Wrapping his hands around her slim waist from behind with the duppatta he whispered near her ear….

Aryan: (Softly) Maine sahi kaha naa?❓

She hit his head lightly against his and nodded softly…. He could never be wrong…. At least where she was concerned….

Dipika: Mmm…. Hmm… Bilkul!👍🏼

She closed her eyes as he tightened his grip around her caressing her bare arms, sending shivers down her spine….

Aryan: (In a hoarse whisper) Waise… Mere sawaal ka jawaab nahi mila hai ab tak! (In childish tone) Sahi ya galat?❓

With no answer to give him she just looked at him sideways smiling blushing….😳

She turned around in his arms looking at him thoughtfully…. Catching his shoulders for support she lightly gave a peck on his right cheek, much to his astonishment…. Surprised as he savored that kiss from her with his hand she released herself from his grip and hurried back to the stair case landing….

Before going down she again looked over her shoulder at a very much satisfied and smiling Aryan and said….

Dipika: Sahi hai! Bilkul!😊

She hurriedly picked her bag and ran off down the stairs as he looked on impressed and happy…. He was the luckiest man in the whole world he knew…. But he also knew he could not get enough of her… She was becoming his habit…. Without her around he was feeling lost…. Few hours…. Just few hours when they had to be separated, to get ready to leave he had felt the whole world amiss…. Never ever before had he felt so much attached and loved by any one…. Her love was overwhelming…. Touching…. Making him feel like a man… In literal senses….❤️

He wondered…. It might be also because he had been lonely for long…. Very long in fact…. And when unexpectedly he was showered by her care and love, he had real trouble keeping steady!😳

Dipika came to the door her smile never leaving her face… She risked a glance back up to the staircase and saw Aryan lifting her suitcase…. Involuntarily the smile that had formed on the staircase broadened thinking about him…. Something about his presence, his closeness made her feel light, happy and reassuring…. Made her feel feminie and desirable…. Which she had never felt before!😊

Hearing her name Dipika turned around and saw Vishal behind his car…. The dickey opened…

Vishal: Dipika! Tumhara suitcase kahan hai? Wahi laane gayi thi naa? Bhool…

He stopped mid sentence looking behind her, stunned and looked back at her in disbelief…. Seeing him stop talking mid way the others turned around to look at him…. They trailed his eye sight and smiled seeing what had made him stop mid sentence…. They smiled trying to be ignorant of the scene they were seeing but had trouble, very great trouble not noticing it!😃

Vishal folded his arms across his chest in an impressed way as Aryan walked over to his car with Dipika's suitcase and loaded it in his car…

Vishal: (As if Aryan was doing something very much important, in a very sincere tone) Fine! Portery se shuru kar rahe ho!😆

Aryan glared at him as other sniffled laughter and Dipika turned a bright red at his cheeky comment…..

Zubin: (Puzzled) Portery?!?!? Ye portery kya hoti hai? Pottery suna hai! Lekin portery?

Vishal: (Looking at him) Zubin! Pottery matlab pot banane waale ka kaam.... Right? (Zubin nodded in acknowledgement) Portery matlab porter ka kaam…. Tumhare chief jo hain ab porter ban gaye hain! Ab aage aage dekhna hai ki kya kya bante hain! (Putting his arms around his shoulder) Waise tum lecture de sakte ho ki kya kya bante hain…. Experience to bahut hai naa tumhe!😉

Zubin looked at him grinning sheepishly while Purvi standing beside Dipika blushed…. Dipika glared at Vishal while he just gave a shrug and closed the dickey of his car… He never could get enough of teasing her and now even others!😃

The group stopped chatting looking behind Dipika smiling and waving… Dipika turned around and saw Ajay, Neha come out of the house….

She wished Ajay good morning and hugged Neha…

Mrs. Malhotra who was standing with Vishal walked over to Ajay and Neha…. And he took her blessings….

Vishal: Hey newly wed! Aap hi ka intezaar tha… Aunties ka order hai ki aap logon ke nikalne ke baad hi hum sab nikalein… Aap logon ki gaadi taiiiiyaaaaaar hai!😛

Saying he indicated the specially decorated car for Ajay and Neha…. Ajay and Neha looked at each other smiling and blushing…..

Vishal: (Looking about sincerely😳) Waise Ajay… Tumne aaj portery nahi ki?😉

Others laughed out hearing Vishal phrase his newly found word, as Ajay and Neha looked at him puzzled….😆

Cynthia: (Mildly stunned😲) Ye Vishal to sab kuch aise bol jaate hain ki we cannot even retort…. Dipika!

Dipika looked at her helpless…. She looked around and her eyes fell on Sandhya who was locking her own car's door…. Smiling she indicated Vishal and Sandhya smiled her response walking over to him… Okay…. Now at least someone could get at him!

Before Vishal could get into the car she stopped him, one hand on her hip and one hand on the car door handle….

Sandhya: Baaki sab ki chodo…. Tum kab karne waale ho… (As if thinking) Vo kya tha? Po... Porter…. Portery? Haan… Portery!😃

As the others grinned hearing her comment they knew that Sandhya was the only one to whom Vishal succumbs… Else he and his cheeky comments always made people embarrass…. But they also knew he was just teasing and they liked his jovial mood around…. No offence in that…. But it was always good to see the teaser been teased!😃

Vishal: (Mildly stunned) Abhi ke liye uska irada nahi hai!

Saying he tried to by pass her but she blocked his way and retorted….

Sandhya: Ab nahi… Lekin kabhi to irada hoga…. Wahi pooch rahi hoon kab?

He moved closer to her and his eyes darkening said softly, with full emphasis…

Vishal: Abhi nahi…. Kabhi nahi!😳

And without a word he by passed her and went over to Ajay and Neha's car where everyone else was….

Dipika who was talking with Neha turned around to look at Sandhya and she frowned seeing the dark, hazy expression on her face… She had noticed Vishal tell something to her…. What did he say which had made her happy, glowing face go dark so instantly…. She hurried over to her and placing a hand over her shoulder called out to her….😕

Dipika: Sandhya!

Still dazed she turned to look at Dipika…. She responded with a weak smile which made Dipika feel sorry for her….

Dipika: Neha tumhe kab se bula rahi hai!

Sandhya looked over and saw Neha calling out to her…. Smiling she went over and hugging Neha wished her all the best….

Neha: Tum ghar aa rahi ho naa?❓

Sandhya: (Smiling) Sorry Neha… Mujhe aaj hospital jaana hai…. Mere patients mera intezaar kar rahe honge….

Neha: I understand…. Thank you very very much…. Mere marriage ko itna grand banane ke liye!

Sandhya: Thank you for inviting me…. Bahut dinon baad maine is tarah enjoy ki hai… I feel full rejuvenated to go back to my regular duties!

Dipika: (Coming over to them) Neha der ho rahi hai… Chalein?

Neha nodded and giving another hug to Sandhya bade her bye….

Boxer: (To Ajay and Neha grinning😃) Chalo nav var aur nav vadhu… Aapka rat aapka inteeezaaaar kar raha hai!

Ajay punched him playfully on his arms as he opened the door for Ajay….. From the other side Cynthia opened the door for Neha….

Dipika: (Bending down to look at Neha through the window) Tum log ab nikalo… Aunty ghar me intezaar kar rahe honge…. Hum bas peeche hi aate hain!

Boxer: (Giving a card to the driver) Ye address hai… (Looking back) Okay Maamu…. Bye!

As the car started the group followed the car to the gate and bade them bye…

Dipika stayed behind with Sandhya and still looking at the moving car asked….

Dipika: Vishal ne kya kaha?❓

Sandhya: (Barely managing a smile) Kuch nahi… As usual kuch bak bak kar raha tha!

Dipika turned around to look at her and saw that she looked thoughtful….

Dipika: Usne zaroor kuch aisa kaha hai jisse tum….

Sandhya: (Interrupting) Dipika! Usne aaj aisa kuch nahi kaha jo main pehle se nahi jaanti thi…. Bas usne aaj khulke bata di hai and that has kindled my thoughts….. Nothing else…. (Looking at her watch) Main bhi chalti hoon Dipika…. It is getting late!😊

Dipika: (Hugging her❓) Hospital directly jaa rahi ho?

Sandhya nodded while Dipika accompanied her to her car…

Dipika bade her bye as she drove off passing by Vishal's parked car… Near the gate she stopped the car besides Vishal who was coming back from the gate…. Even though he wanted to move on he couldn't…. He stopped and looked down at her….💔

She looked at him for a long while…. He wanted to move away from there, but his legs heavy with his heart feeling his deep emotion stood rooted to the space…. Taking a deep breath, still looking at him she said…

Sandhya: Aaj Haseena ko check up ke liye laana hai! Bhooliye ga mat Abbas ji!

She gave a glance towards Boxer who had just reached them… Boxer looked at her astonished she had remembered Haseena's check up date and nodded his response…

Purvi who was coming with Cynthia having heard Sandhya talking to Boxer stopped surprised…. Bending down to look at her clearly Purvi asked…

Purvi: Wah Sandhya! Tumhe Haseena ki check up date yaad hai? Without consulting your schedule?👍🏼

Sandhya: (Glancing at Vishal and back at Purvi) Main mere patients me hamesha se hi zyada interest leti hoon Purvi… Aur ye patient to (Looking at Vishal) mere kisi khaas ki wajah se mere paas aayi hai.… (Smiling back at Purvi) Haseena ab meri achchi dost bhi ban gayi hai…. Isliye professional aur (Looking back at Vishal) personal interest hai meri! (Bading bye to the others) Main ab chalti hoon! Keep in touch!😊

Cynthia: (Leant in to give a small hug to Sandhya🤗) Bye Sandhya! Miss you! Haan of course ab sabka milna jhulna to hota rahega!

Bading bye to everyone she drove off…

The others made way to their cars… Vishal stood his place as he looked her drive away… He hoped… Prayed… Again… Wished that this would be the last time he saw her even though his heart ached at the thought…. 😕

She looked at him through the rear view mirror till she turned around the drive way… She hoped…. Prayed…. Wished that this wouldn't be the last time she was seeing him… She could never bear the thought in itself… What would she do if it would become reality? Her heart ached at the thought!😕

She forced herself to concentrate on her driving thinking about the busy day ahead at the hospital!

While Dipika waited for the others she saw Sandhya's car stop beside Vishal…. Boxer was nodding… Some conversation was going on….. Just then she felt a hand clasp around her left hand, entwining his fingers with hers… Smiling she looked up at him smiling as he pulled her closer…. ☺️

Suddenly there was a tug and Dipika's hand was pulled away from his… Startled she looked around and saw Vishal shunting her towards their car…. Opening the front passenger door he indicated her to get in standing there with a strange expression on his face…. 😃

Dipika glared at him and looked behind at a visibly upset Aryan....😡

Dipika: Vishal! That was rude!!!!

Pushing her inside he shut the door and coming over to the driver's side said…

Vishal: We are getting late! Tumhare guturgoo ke liye abhi waqt nahi hai! (He put his head out smiling and called out to his mother) Maa chaliye! Hey Boxer! Chalein? Aur kis ke liye wait kar rahe hain?

Mrs. Malhotra who was talking to Purvi and Cynthia looked at him and told him to wait….

Mrs. Malhotra: (To the others) Chalo sab… Der ho rahi hai… Ajay Neha ke ghar me sab intezaar kar rahe honge!

The others hurried to get into their cars… Aryan accompanied Mrs. Malhotra to Vishal's car… He helped her get in and shutting the door bent down…. He was actually bading his Maasi Maa bye, but his eyes and hands were set for someone else….

Dipika had lifted her hand to pull down the seat belt to fasten it when his hand scraped against hers…. Surprised she gasped…😳

Vishal: (Concerned😕) Kya hua?

Dipika: (Pulling down the seat belt) Nahi…. Bas.... I felt something scrape against my hand! Nothing!

Vishal looked at her frowning and glanced back at his mother…

Vishal: Chalein maa? ❓

Mrs. Malhotra: Haan…. (Taking a look behind) Sab ke liye gaadi hai naa…. (Looking at Aryan) Agar nahi to koi is gaadi me bhi aa sakta hai!

Dipika fastening the seat belt had casually placed her hand on the window….

Aryan bent down to answer his Maasi Maa but his hands smoothed across the front passenger window to find her hands…. When she felt the warmth of his hand on hers she smiled….

Aryan: Sabke liye gaadi hai Maasi Maa…

She glanced sideways at his hand trying not to be conspicuous…. She tried to move away her hand but he had placed his hands firmly on her fingers…. She looked at him through her side view mirror while he side glanced at her as he was saying….❤️

Aryan: Aap log pehle nikaliye, hum peeche aate hain!

Vishal: (Starting the car) Haan of course…. Lekin…. Pehle haath chodo to hi gaadi nikal sakoonga naa? Warna agar tumhe chot lag gayi to mujhe hospital me admit hona padega!

Hearing his tart comment Aryan straightened releasing his hand from her grip while Dipika slid her hand down onto her lap…. Mrs. Malhotra had noticed what Vishal had too, about Aryan's hand…. But she had tactfully ignored it…. Well…. Her son was doing it on purpose to tease Aryan and Dipika she knew…. But what she didn't understand was…😃

Mrs. Malhotra: Vishal… Agar Aryan ko chot lagti hai to tum kyun hospital me admit hoge?

Vishal: (Shifting the gear) Maa…. Agar Aryan ko chot lagti hai to meri pyaari dost (Glancing sideways at Dipika) jo yahan hain, mujhe to aise chodengi nahi… Maar maar bharta naa bana deti… Phir hospital me kise admit hona padega?😉

At this Mrs. Malhotra smiled and looked at Aryan who was pointedly looking elsewhere…. She hit Vishal on the shoulder and said….😆

Mrs. Malhotra: Ab bas bas…. Bahut bolta hai…. Gaadi nikaal! Bye Aryan!

Aryan bade them bye and stood there till the car disappeared around the drive way corner….

Dipika watched him through the side view mirror till his image diminished… Somewhat this small separation between them was laden heavy in her heart…. Sweet torture…. She resigned back defeated by her own heart….

Vishal: (Turning on to the main road) I need that side view mirror to watch the traffic…. Don't eat it!

Startled Dipika came out of her thoughts and looked at Vishal…. Oh… This friend of hers was sweetly irritating and frustrating…. Just then he stopped his car and cursed under his breath at the traffic block ahead….

Dipika: Ghabarana mat… Your mirror is safe and sound….

Vishal: (With mock sternness) Thank you! Sab uski galti hai… Romance karne ki jagah nahi hai? Ab uski wajah se hum late ho rahe hain!😳

Dipika: (Stunned) Vishal! Agar traffic block hoti hai to isme Aryan ki kya galti hai? Waise… (Pausing and then continuing) Aankhein tumhari har jagah hoti hai kya?

Looking sideways at her he grinned and said….😃

Vishal: Police waala hoon madam…. Aankhein upar, neeche, aage, peeche sab jagah ghumana padta hai…. Warna kuch log hain jo sir pe mirchi laga dete hain!

Dipika: (Widening her eyes at his open retort) Vishal!😳

Vishal: (In the same tone) Dipika! 😳

Dipika: Tch… Tum to naa.…

Vishal: Main to kya?❓

Dipika: Hmpf!

Vishal: Hmpf!

Dipika: (Irritated that he was copying her) You are irritating!

Vishal: Of course dost hoon kiska? 😉

He started the car as the traffic moved on….

Dipika: (Sternly😡) You mean to say I am irritating!?

Vishal: Well if you say so then!

Dipika: I didn't say anything!

Vishal: You did just now!

Dipika: But I didn't say that!

Vishal: Whatever…. But you did say something naa!

Dipika: (Rolling her eyes) Vishal!😒

Vishal: Dipika!

Dipika: (Folding her hands) Oh no! Not all over again…. (Fake crying) Please…. Sir…. Mujhe paksh dijiye!😕

Vishal: (Satisfied😔) Hmm….. Ek shart par… (As Dipika looked at him puzzled) Aryan ko irritate karna mera habit hai…. I have got to do it…. So don't stop me from doing it….

Dipika: Ah! Agar kehti bhi to tum maante jaise!

Vishal: (Glancing at her) Well been my cousin costs something right?

Dipika hit him on his arm a little harder than expected…. He made a face out of it and immediately concerned she rubbed the place and said….

Dipika: Oh! Sorry! Bahut dard ho raha hai!

Vishal: (Smiling at him) Hey no…. Tum phir dosti ka usool tod rahi ho… Dosti me…

Smiling she chorused with him "No sorries… No thank yous!"😃

Laughter echoed inside the car as they happily chatted about the marriage and celebrations!

Seated behind Mrs. Malhotra silently watched smiling the beautiful bond of friendship gleaming between Dipika and her son!⭐️

Vishal had changed so much… He was outright stubborn…. Never much caring for anyone…. Strict police officer…. Stern…. Rough.… His years of service had made him so…. He had not much considered even coming home before, stating profession as his reason…. But of course he loved his mother and father very much!

But now….

In these two years she had seen a remarkable change in her son…. He had become lively…. Caring…. Responsible…. He was strict and rough in his profession as always where he never compromised… But personally he had made a remarkable discovery out of him…. He had become the son she had always wanted him to be…. Maintaing a perfect balance between professional and personal life….

She was happy he had stopped going for undercover operations and joined the CBI permanently…. He was the adventurous type, trying out new things…. He was always in one sting operation or another…. Even though she was proud of him been in the force saving the nation, she could never approve of him going for operations which demanded her not to contact her son for long long months…. Why for people in military too, they could contact teir family and their family them…. But here she couldn't speak to him unless and until he contacted…. 😊

Now…. Everything was fine…. He was within her reach…. He had friends who took care of him more than her…. And she had a very prospective family to look forward to!👏

Ajay's Home…..

Ghar Pravesh was a grand affair….

Neha was asked to tilt the brass rice pot and enter the house…. Mrs. Desai put a red duppatta over her head… It was Mrs. Desai's when she had become as daughter-in-law of the Desai family…. Neha was then taken straight to the Pooja Room for lighting the lamp and praying for a healthy, wealthy and prosperous life ahead….😊

Many a times Neha had come to this home… She had never felt strange or uneasy…. But today….. She felt strange in the right sense…. When her position changed from a lover to a wife the vision with which she looked at her home also changed….. Her home!?!?? Did she just think that? Home!!!! So home was like this… She had a home before marriage too… But that was hardly where you lived because living alone never gave a building the feel of a home!😳

Refreshments were been served and everyone was sitting around talking, relaxed….

After a while….

The group looked at each other indicating it was getting late…. And they had to leave…. They were not going to office…. They had taken today off too… But still they all needed to get back and rejuvenate themselves for office tomorrow….

Dipika looked at Cynthia who nodded and from her bag removed an envelope…. She gave it to Aryan who giving it to Ajay and Neha said…

Aryan: Ajay! Neha! Ye aap ke liye!😊

Ajay: (Taking the envelope surprised) Ye kya hai?

Vishal: Kholke to dekho pehle!

Surprised Ajay opened the envelope and out fell a small folder…. He gave the folder to Neha as he fished inside the envelope and brought out four tickets…. Air tickets!

Neha: (Opening the folder exclaimed) France!😛

Purvi: (Smilin😊g) Haan… Hum saaabbb ki taraf se tum dono ke liye shaadi ka gift!

Ajay: (Awed) Lekin guys itna sab kuch?!? 😲

Boxer: Warna Maamu aap log to hume taana dete rahoge ki dekho shaadi ka gift hi nahi diya! Hum is bure daag se kyun jeeyein?😉

Neha: Aap logon ne pehle hi bahut kuch kiya hai…. Shaadi ki sab preprations se leke ab tak…

Shotgun: Humne kya kiya hai Neha? Sab to us marriage contract waale ne kiya!

Dipika: Haan we just took part…. Aur aisa waise kuch kaam kiya!

Ajay: Ye aisa waisa hi bahut tha…. Cards printing, distributing…

Vishal: Silence…. Yaar…. Mouka mila hai hai duniya ghoomne ki to ghoomke aao naa, itna sawaal poochta hai…

Zubin: Sachchi…. Agar tum nahi jaana chahate to hume de do… (Glancing at Purvi) 😃

Purvi: (Shocked) Zubin!😲

As the others laughed Ajay asked confused….😆

Ajay: (To his mother) Lekin maa… Aapne kaha tha ki ghoomne ka intezaam aap karengi….

Neha: (Puzzled) Haan… Aur aapne humse poocha bhi ki India me koun si jagah ghoomna pasand karenge…. Phir…

Aryan: Neha… Isme itna sochne ki kya baat hai? Aunty ne hi arrange karna chaha…. She wanted our help to decide the places….. Tab hume ye idea aaya ki kyun naa aap logon ko bahar bhejh diya jaaye… India to aap log khud baad me ghoom sakte hain…. Lekin aise opportunity baar baar nahi aati naa!

Dipika: Exactly… Isilye just shun out all the grateful feelings and get ready to leave….. Kal early morning flight hai!

Ajay and Neha: (Stunned) Kal!??!?😲

Mrs. Naik: Isme itna surprise kyun ho rahe ho?

Neha: Lekin maa… Tickets keh rahe hain ki pandrah din…. In and around France! Lekin humne to leave….

Boxer: (Interrupting her) Are yaar…. Aap log kitna sochte ho…. Diya hai to jao naa…. Sawaal pe sawaal kiye jaa rahe ho!😕

Dipika: Worry not Neha… Tumhare Chief hain naa (Glancing at Aryan who was looking at her) Unhone graciously tumhare leave ko extend kar di hai!

Ajay: Aryan!😊

Aryan: Hey… You guys have earned it…. Jab se humne Special Squad join ki hai tab se zyada leave liye, Sundays ko bhi kaam kiya hai… Requires a compensation for that right!

As the others nodded Shotgun said….

Shotgun: Guys… Nikalein?? Mom aaj wapas aa raheen hain… She must be home in fact…

As the others acknowledged…. With a heavy heart Mrs. Naik went over to Neha…. Neha who was talking to Dipika stopped and looked at her mother…. One look at her and she knew the bitter moment of separation had come… Upset she hugged her mother….

Neha: Maa!

Mrs. Naik: Neha!

After a strong affectionate hug they parted and Mrs. Naik giving a feeble smile said…🤗

Mrs. Naik: Tum samajhdaar ho…. Kuch bhi kehene ki zaroorat nahi hai! Just… (Pausing) Take care!

Neha: Maa! Ek aur din ke liye ruk jayiye naa….

Mrs. Naik: Lekin…

Mrs. Desai: Neha theek hi to keh rahi hai Samdhan ji… Kal inhe airport send off karke chale jayiyega!

Mrs. Naik: (Not wanting to stay in her daughter's home) Ma….

Mrs. Malhotra: Maan lijiye…. Beti keh rahi hai!

As Mrs. Naik looked unconvinced….😒

Ajay: Mummy ji!

Hearing it Mrs. Naik looked at Ajay surprised… The others also smiled hearing Ajay Desai calling someone like that so affectionately….😳

Ajay: (Going over to Mrs. Naik) Ruk jayiye naa… Apne Damaad ke saath thoda time to spend kijiye…

Mrs. Naik looked at everyone who nodded their response and finally she agreed….

Mrs. Naik: (Smiling) Damaad ji kehte hain to manana padega!😊

There were cheers around the hall as everyone cheered!👏

Dipika: Aunty! Phir hum chalte hain…

Mrs. Desai: Tum log bhi chaho to ruk lo beta… Lunch karke jayenge!

Dipika: (Looking at the others) Nahi aunty…. Aaj nahi… Ab to get togethers to hote rahenge… Sab bahut tired hain…. Ghar jaake rest nahi li to kal office nahi jaa sakenge!

Vishal: Haan… Waise bhi mujhe abhi office jaana hai report karne…. Thoda kuch kaam aa gaya!😊

Neha: Guys… Lekin kal send off karne to aaoge naa?❓

Cynthia: Of course Neha… We can never miss it for anything!

The others also bade bye and left to their respective homes…. Vishal dropping Dipika and Mrs. Malhotra at their respective homes on his way to office!😊

Finally……………………………………………………………………………….😃

A grand celebration…. Came to a romantic ending!❤️

This memorable marriage of Ajay and Neha was an event which can never be forgotten by anyone who attended it even if they wanted to…. It had been grand and celebrative…. With many simulatenous happy and sad moments occurring…. But nevertheless…..😳

It was an event to be registered in Gold! ⭐️ 👏 ⭐️

It was not the first time!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😊

He had been living in this house for years now…. Not the same house he lived before…. After the horrible turn of his life he had rented another flat….. He could not live in the same house with happy and bitter moments of his life tormenting him….. Wherever he turned he had seen her, found her smiles, her talks, his daughter's talks, her walks, her memories in the walls…… It was a nightmare for him….. And finally he had to let go of that house if he had to live!

But all the same he returned to this house day and day again…. And has been for four and half years…..

But today….. 😳

It looked different to him…. Very different! It didn't have much in the name of furniture…. There was no need for them…. He had sold all his old stuffs when he had shifted…. Just a sofa, a dining table, a small cabinet with drawers below the window, a bed in the bedroom and a small side table besides the bed…. No decors… Just curtains for the window which he never opened….. The kitchen also had very few utensils as he seldom cooked at home…. One of the bedrooms lay unused!

He knew it was not worthwhile for living as a family…. Well…. His life had not been worthwhile for living before…. But suddenly this small uninteresting flat of his looked beautiful to him…. It was simple…. Neat…. He wondered how Dipika would react to this house… She would definitely not like it this way…. Many changes were in order he understood… And he eagerly waited that day! ❤️

Dipika…. He sighed as he sat down on the sofa…. What had he done to be showered with such happiness in his life!?!? He knew… He could feel it… He smiled…. Call it his 'Gut Feel'…. His life was going to be one awesome journey about which he had never dreamt of before…. ⭐️

Going over to his bedroom he took out the chain wrapped in the small pink paper…. Looking at it he turned towards the photographs kept at his side table… Of Niharika and Pallavi's…

The pain was there….. It would always be there…. It was not one which was easily to be forgotten…. But somehow…. It was not as throbbing as before…. He had moved on…. Picking up the photographs he smoothed his hand over Niharika's photograph thinking…

He had no doubt on whether he was doing right or wrong…. Because if he had understood and known Niharika as well as he thought he did, she would have wanted him to move on in his life!😳

Earlier his grief, his anger, his obsession was so crowding his thoughts that he never had given a thought as to what Niharika might have wanted…. She would definitely have felt sad seeing him suffer so much about her and their daughter!

His thoughts and mind clear now he walked over to his cupboard…. Pulling a neat white cloth from it, he placed the photograph in it….. Placing the pink paper wrapped chain on it; he carefully wrapped the cloth around them…. Securely he placed it in the drawer of his cupboard!

Closing the drawer and the cupboard he smiled…. He had definitely moved on!😊

The parted soul would be happy now he knew…. And the soul which was attached to him now would also be happy hearing his voice… Smiling he took his mobile and dialed her number….

The phone was busy…. Wondering who she might be speaking to he tried it several times but no answer…. He debated on trying her landline…. Deciding to try once he dialed her landline, but still no response…. Maybe she was asleep…. They were all tired after the hectic marriage celebration….😔

And she hadn't slept yesterday night too…. So she must have decided to take a nap after all…..

Sitting down on the bed he smiled…. Remembering her…. Her feel in his arms…. Her touch…. The way she melted, reciprocated when he had kissed her…😳

And him!!??!?!❓

Lying back on the bed he thought…. It really was different…. He didn't remember him been so passionate ever before…. He himself was seeing a totally different side of him…. But with Dipika around he never wanted to control himself…. He never could control himself….. Something about her, her presence, her closeness brought down the veil he had raised around him…. He was never in his senses with her around….. He was discovering a new himself…. And he liked it!!!!!!!! ☺️

He sighed, relaxed and peaceful and closed his eyes!😳

Dipika pushed open the door of her house….. Dragging her suitcase just inside she flopped down on the sofa….🥱

Phew….. What a longgggggggg weekend!!!!!!!!!! Tiring tooo…… Getting up early…. Roaming around with no rest….. Dancing…..😕

Physically, emotionally and mentally it had been a tiring holiday….

She smiled….. But it was a celebration she wouldn't forget…. One reason of course would be because she had never participated in such a celebration before…. Grand was a short simple word for it…. 😊

Another important reason…. Her life…. Her future was decided…. She had never thought the day would ever come…. And when it did it was so overwhelming that she was afraid it was a dream…. She would wake up and find herself alone in bed!

But no…. It was reality….. His passionate kiss yesterday had proved it all…. She blushed thinking of the places his hands had caressed her….. An investigative officer's hands used for bashing criminals had been soft and senstitive like a child's…. His touches were light and feathery that she had doubts that he had touched her until she felt the electricity soar through her right to her heart! ☺️

Drawing her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them…. Thinking of his touch made her feel cold and shivering…. It was amazing…. Her life was suddenly filled with colors…. All she now thought about was him, him and him only…. She had not spoken to him since leaving Ajay Neha's home…. And she really wanted to hear his voice now…❤️

Fishing the phone from her bag she looked at it for a long….. She lay down on the sofa staring at it…. She shook her head…. Turning around balancing on her elbows she dialed his number from her memory….. But her fingers wouldn't move to press the green call button…. She just couldn't pluck the courage to do it…. She felt so… Oh….😳

Throwing the cell by her side she sat up frustrated crossing her legs and pulling one of the cushions onto her lap…. Why was she behaving like a love locked teenager?!?!?! Come of it Dipika Gosh…. You are old enough for this!!!!!!!!!!!

But… Well… When love meets the inevitable no one knows how anyone would behave….🤪

She felt a tickling sensation in her nose…. She held her nose and twisted it…. It was gone!😕

She sighed deeply….. She had nothing more to worry about… All her wishes fulfilled….😳

Her mother's only wish about her marriage to be fulfilled…. Her daughter's….. She paused her thinking, straightening…..

Sri…. She had to tell her…. That she had finally sorted out things with Aryan…. She remembered about her telling that Aryan would speak to her from her phone…. And if he did what Sri can call him!😳

She jumped up startled at the sudden vibration she felt near her…. Her mobile was ringing…. Picking it up she looked at the number and smiled…😊😊

Sniffing she attended the call…

Dipika: Hello… Maa!

………………

Dipika: (Excited) Shaadi bahut achchi thi…. Very very grand…. Abhi ghar aayi!

………………

Dipika: Aap school me hain abhi?❓

……………….

Feeling an itchy sensation in her throat she cleared it before speaking….

Dipika: Haan Neha unke ghar chali gayi… Humne last week hi uske samaan sab Ajay ke ghar shift kar di thi…. And she wrapped up her rent contract also!

………………

Dipika: (Hesitantly) Maa…. Vo…. I wanted to tell you something!

………………

Dipika: (Blushing wondering how she was going to break the news☺️) Maa….. I… Er… Maine Aryan se baat ki!

……………….

Dipika: Actually humne baat ki…. And well…. Vo….

……………….

Dipika smiled hearing that her mother had correctly guessed what she wanted to say…..

Dipika: Yes mom…. We spoke our hearts out!

………………

Hurriedly fetching a hand kerchief out from her purse as she felt the tickling sensation in her nose again….

Dipika: (Blushing a little😳) Sab kuch theek hai maa…. No more barriers between us!

………………

Dipika: Mom Sri to ab class me hogi naa?

………………..

Sniffing again….

Dipika: (Hurriedly) Nahi nahi… Ab mat bulayiyega…. Main shaam ko baat karti hoon… After she comes back from school! Main phone karoongi!

She turned in her position, and her eyes fell on the landline…. She burrowed her eyes wondering how the receiver was not kept properly!?!?! Still speaking over the mobile she leant and kept the receiver properly!

………………..

Dipika: (Wiping her running nose) Nahi mom…. Nothing…. Lagta hai kuch dust chala gaya naak me!

…………………

Dipika: Sure….. I will take care!

…………………

Dipika: Bye mom! You too take care!

Saying she cut the call…. Cradling the phone in her hand she again debated calling him…. She really wanted to talk to him… Her heart had started to ache not hearing his voice for so long! She smiled thinking the way he had caught her at the stairs…. He was been so passionate with her that she had trouble of her time fending him off! She never could she realised!❤️

But before she could decide on anything she hurriedly put the phone down…. Closing her nose with her kerchief….

She sneezed!!!!!!!!!!!!😲 😕

He had not spoken to her all morning…. And somehow not hearing her voice was giving him an uneasy feeling!😕

It was lunch time already…. He had no idea of cooking anything at home…. Not that he knew much to cook except daal and rice…. He would often go over to the mess a street away from his home…. But today….. He smiled…. They had their day off…. From tomorrow it was back to work and he doubted whether they would be able to take time off to spend together….. 😊

Yes… That was it…. Make hay while the sun shines! Looking outside he wondered what you make when it is raining like this!??! No proverb for that!!!😃

Shaking his head he wondered from where he was getting such weird ideas of thinking proverbs for weather conditions…. 😆

This time he panicked… She was not the type to sleep during the day for so long… How much ever tired she was!!!!!!!!😒

Not thinking twice he hurried out of his house grabbing his car keys!😳

Aryan would definitely have crashed the door down had she not opened it when she had….. Now….. He had been ringing the bell consistently for five minutes!

Standing at the door way in her night gown, blanket wrapped around her she looked at him groggily and surprised said….

Dipika: Ar…. (Sniff) Aryan!🥱

Aryan: (Relieved) What happened??!? Phone kyun nahi utha rahi thi?!? (Looking at her disheveled state, he came inside a step and took her face in his hands) And what have you done to yourself?!?😔

Dipika: (Coughing) Kuch nahi Aryan…. Bas thoda cold aur cough hai…. I was sleeping upstairs….. (Remembering) Shayad phone neeche tha, isliye suna nahi!

She covered her nose hurriedly with the cloth she had in hand and sneezed hard….🤢

Aryan: (Feeling the cold) Pehle andar chalo…. It's cold out here!😕

Saying he closed the door behind him, wrapping his around her shoulders took her inside….

Sitting beside her on the sofa he saw her pink face and knew the cold was bad….

Aryan: (Worried) Subah tak to theek thi!!! Achanak kya hua?❓

Dipika: (Sniffing her nose again) Ab cold, cough kisi ko poochke thodi aata hai Aryan!

Aryan: (Feeling her forehead) Fever to nahi hai naa?❓

Dipika: (Shaking her head and stopping it wincing) Bas cold, cough and now headache!

Aryan: Doctor ko dikhaya?❓

Dipika: (Incredulously😳) Aryan it's just a cold…. Iskeliye thodi koi doctor ke pass jaata hai…

Aryan: (Exasperated) Are… Tabiyat theek nahi hai… To doctor ke pass jaate hain! Cold ho ya kuch bhi…. What if it becomes serious? (Getting up and pulling her hand) Abhi chalo… Let's go!😕

Dipika: (Pulling back her hand looking up at him) But Aryan…. It's an ordinary cold…. Har cheez ke liye doctor ke pass nahi jaate! I have taken the cold flu medicine…. Thoda rest le loongi to theek ho jaoongi! (Crinkling her face she hurriedly left his hand) Oh dear!

She sneezed again harder this time and simultaneously coughed…. She put her head in her hands supporting on her knees leaning forward….🤢

Worried he sat down again and placing a hand on her shoulder asked….

Aryan: Is it very bad?❓

She slightly nodded her head….

Aryan: Here!

Saying he made her put her head back on the sofa and closed her eyes… He slightly started massaging her temples and felt her relax…. He moved his way upto her hairs and slowly massaged them… 😳

She felt so relaxed and warm…. She sighed and smiled little….

Aryan: (Smiled seeing her relaxed) Feeling better?❓

Dipika: (Eyes still closed) Hmm….😳

He continued his massage and felt the tension ease out of her….

Dipika: Waise Aryan tum yahan achanak? Koi zaroori baat thi? You phoned?

Aryan: Nahi…. Bas…. (Hesitating) I just wanted to take you out for lunch!

She sat up straight and looked at him mildly surprised…. He wanted to take her out for lunch!?!? That was really a surprise…. Aryan Khanna having lunch in itself was a surprise… And him taking her out for lunch was more surprising….☺️

Dipika: That…. That's really nice…. Main abhi ready hoke aati hoon!

Saying she made way to get up, but he caught her hand restraining her and said…

Aryan: We are not going anywhere…. Not with your health like this….

Dipika: Lekin Aryan…. I am fine now…. Thoda running nose hai bas….

She hadn't completed saying it that she sneezed again….

Aryan: (Smiling) I can see how well you are! But again no…. Hum kaheen bahar nahi jaa rahe…. It is raining outside and your cold can get worse….

Dipika: (Making a face) Lekin mujhe to bhook lagi hai!

Aryan: Oh! Tumne abhi tak khaana nahi khaya?❓

Dipika: Kaise khaathi? With me (Indicating herself) like this…. Jab se aayi hoon tab se aise hi hoon!

Aryan: Phir… (Thinking) Kya karein!?!?

Dipika: Nothing… I have to cook!

Aryan: (Hastily) Nahi… Nahi… Is halat me strain kyun kar rahi ho? Hum hotel se mangva lete hain!

Dipika: Aryan! (Indicating the window) Dekha kaisi baarish ho rahi hai…. Itne baarish me I doubt koi aayega…. Aur itni jaldi!

Aryan: (Dejected) Yeah…. Phir….😒

Dipika: Phir ek hi raasta bacha hai….

Saying she looked at him smiling a little and he understood…. He shook his head and Dipika nodded her head in response….😉

Aryan: Oh dear! Dipika…. Lekin mujhe zyada kuch banana nahi aata… Bas daal and rice!

Dipika: Aryan! Agar tum zyada kuch banate bhi to main khaa nahi sakti! Rice and daal would be perfect!

Aryan: (Frowning) Lekin…😕

Dipika: (Making a pitying face) Aryan! Mujhe bahut bhook lagi hai!

Seeing her like that his heart melted and he nodded not convinced with himself…

Aryan: (Smiling) Alright! Bas tum aur sick naa ho jao mera khaana khaake!

Dipika: (Shaking her head) Jisme pyaar ho vo zehar bhi sehat ke liye achcha hota hai… Maa kehti hain!

Aryan looked at confident face…. Smiling he kissed her forehead and got up to start his cooking session….😊

Dipika: (Looking up at him) Waise rice se pehle agar soup hota to achcha hota!

As Aryan looked at her with a stunned expression Dipika chuckled and said…😲

Dipika: Tumhe kuch karne ki zaroorat nahi hai… Fridge me soup packet hai…. Packet ke peeche instructions…. Bas khole, daalo aur ubalo!

Aryan gave a curt nod and walked to the kitchen to start his pre-cooking session….

Seeing him disappear inside the kitchen Dipika smiled to herself…. He was so adorable…. He was there for her whenever she needed him….. Call it destiny or their love which each other shared, somehow they found each other when the other was in need…. Previously it had not been that obvious…. But now when love surfaced everything was becoming crystal clear! ❤️

Dipika: (Calling out) Mixer ke neeche waale cabinet me apron hai…. And the hot and sour soup would do well now!

Saying she sneezed again and wrapped the blanket around her more tightly!😊

Pulling the blanket more protectively around her she drank the soup…. It was really very hot and for her sore throat it was a welcome…. As the hot liquid coursed through her throat down to her stomach it was like heaven….. Warm and soothing!

Dipika: (Between mouthfuls) Oh Aran! It's so wanderphul…. 😊

And in the course of speaking few drops dripped down from her mouth…. Hastily she started to wipe her mouth with the back of her hand when Aryan pushed it away and wiped it with the tissue he was holding the soup bowl with….😃

Aryan: (Wiping her mouth) I can believe it! Itni badi ho gayi ho….. But you are worse than a kid!! Spilling food down you! Feeding your dress!😳

Dipika: (Swallowing the soup) Maine kya kiya?😔

Dipping the spoon again the in the soup he extended it towards her and commented….

Aryan: Nothing…. (While she drank) Just that, this is the third time you have spilt food all over yourself! I forgot to put a kerchief over your front like when they feed small kids….. (Exasperated) Khaate waqt baat nahi karte ye pata bhi nahi hai!

Feeding her the soup again…

Dipika: But…

She was again about to speak with her mouthful, but stopped seeing him glare….😡

Dipika: (After drinking) Lekin pehli do baar meri galti nahi thi….. First time the soup was so hot that I burnt my tongue….. Second time I had to sneeze…. And third time, I was trying to tell that you have made a wonderful soup…. Mujhe abhi bahut achcha mehsoos ho raha hai! (Looking at him out of the corner of her eyes knowing how he would react if she praised him, with a slight blush and smile that could get any man crazy) You do cook well!😳

He looked at her smiling and his heart went crazy with thumping seeing her look at him so…. Indeed some of her color had come back…. She had looked pale and grey when he had come…. The soup seemed to have revived her…. She was looking and even talking much better…. 👍🏼

He had to admit, even now she looked beautiful….. Wrapped from head to toe in blanket she was sitting cross legged on the sofa with him besides her…. The tip of her nose had become pinkish with all the cold and her cheeks were rosy…. Like a small kid…😳

As he dipped the spoon back in the bowl it scraped empty bottom of the bowl…. He looked in the bowl…. The soup was over….

Aryan: (Appreciatively) That's good! Poora ka poora soup pi liya… Maine suna hai jab sardi ho to theek se khaana chahiye! Need another bowl?❓

Dipika: (Widening her eyes😲) Oh nahi! Bas…. Ab ke liye mera pet full hai! Tumne nahi pi?

Aryan looked at the bowl and back at her making a face….

Aryan: I don't think so I would appreciate that! Mujhe iska taste zyada pasand nahi hai… Not at all!

Saying he shook his head….

Dipika: (Smiling) Phir jo tumne itna saara soup banaya hai, vo koun piyega?

Aryan: (Getting up looked at her stunned) Isliye sab kuch main pi loon? No way! Anyways this soup seems to be fit for only for sick people! Daadi Naani ke nuske jaise taste tha, when I tasted it for salt! (Walking into the kitchen) Hot and sour! Tumhare sardi ke liye theek hoga, lekin mere liye… Nah hunh!!!!

He started to wash the bowl when Dipika called out in a little high voice but still heard softly because of her sore throat…

Dipika: Dishes rakh dena Aryan…. Shaam ko kaam waali bai aayegi…. Vo kar degi!

Aryan: (Drying the bowl) Don't worry she will have work…. Baaki saare dishes use hi to dhone hai! And clean the kitchen too….. She will have lots to do after I finish with your dear kitchen!

After statement of his she could not just sit there.... Wondering what he was doing in the kitchen she walked upto the kitchen and peeped in… Well the kitchen was still neat and clean… She noticed the cooker on the stove which he was opening now…

Taking out the daal from it he gave a close look at it and then a satisfied smile spread across his face…. Putting it down she heard him mumble….

Aryan: (Looking around the kitchen shelves) Daal ka baaki samaan!?!?

He was just about to turn to call out to her when she walked to the kitchen shelves and brought out all the things he would need to prepare the daal…. Salt, chilly and other garnishing items…

Aryan: (Taking the salt from her) Tum yahan kyun aayi? Wahan se keh bhi sakti thi naa?❓

Dipika: (Looking at him fondly) Wahan se kuch kehti to tumhe theek se sunayi nahi deta, for the way I speak…. Chawal, daal ke liye hi tumhe kitne baar hall me aake poochna pada…. (Giving him the oil) Waise bhi baithe baithe bore ho rahi thi…. Let's see how the Chief of Special Squad works in a kitchen!😊

Aryan: (Turning on the stove smiled) Well…. Seems I have to be careful then… Is tarah koi agar supervising karta raha to main nervous ho jaata hoon!

Dipika: (Upset😔) Oh! Aisa hai to no problem…. Main hall me hi wait karti hoon!

Saying she started to leave the kitchen when he put out his hand and stopped her…. She looked away from him... Wrapping his hands around her he pulled her closer and said….

Aryan: Lekin maine aisa to nahi kaha… (Pulling her closer) Ki mujhe pasand nahi!

Smiling she looked back at him gazing at her with those adorable, beautiful, deep mesmerizing eyes…. She blushed with his comment and his gaze… Her hands were trapped inside the blanket she had wrapped around herself and couldn't fend him….☺️

Dipika: (Softly) Aryan! Tumhe bhi sardi lag jayegi!

Aryan: (Tightening his arms around her) Lagne do… Anything with you, I take it as it comes!

Just hearing it her eyes started to water…. Wiping the slight tears peeping from her eyes, Aryan shaking his head said…

Aryan: Dipika…. Ma…

Shaking her head she finally pushed herself away from him… She hurriedly brought out her kerchief and was in time to cover her nose as a strong sneeze made its way out….

Aryan smiled at his stupidity… She was not been emotional; the tears had appeared due to the stinging of the sneeze… Well one thing he knew was that emotional or not, he definitely didn't like her eyes glistening…..⭐️

Straightening rubbing her nose Dipika said something…

Dipika: Shovemedahl!

Aryan: (Confused) Kya!?!?

Still closing her running nose she turned him to look at the stove…. The utensil he had kept on the stove to make the daal had got hot… In fact it was already hotter than required….

Aryan: (Slowing the flame) Oh!

He started to make the daal as Dipika watched pleased…. She really did feel physically better… And with him around she felt light at heart too… He was already concerned about her…. With not a day gone by with them accepting each other…. She wondered what he would do as days went by and their two separate lives became one!

Aryan: (Switching off the gas) Over! Easy does it….

Wiping his hand in the kitchen towel he turned around and saw her looking at him….

Aryan: (Waving his hand in front on her face) Hey! Kahan khoyi ho?

She came out of her trance and shaking her head said….

Dipika: Kuch nahi! Bas yoheen!😳

Aryan: (Pulling up his collar) Appreciating my cooking skills?😉

Dipika: (Pulling the blanket more around her) Ye to khaana khaane ka baad pata chalega naa…. (Peeping behind him at the daal) Dekhne me to achcha hai…

Aryan: Madam… Dekhne me bhi aur khaane ke liye bhi achcha hoga… Hum agar kuch karte hain to perfection se karte hain!

Dipika: Dekha maine… Waise manani padegi…. At least cooking me sab rules follow kiye hain…. Just as in order!

Aryan: (Smiling understanding what she was hinting at) Well….. Cooking aisa kaam hai jisme golmaal karna theek se nahi aata ho to proper rules follow karna hi behtar hota hai…. If you know how to mix and match well you can very well do anything… Ye area humara weak hai isliye risk nahi li!

Dipika: (Nodding) I see…. Dekhte hain ki aapka bina-risk-rules-followed cooking kaise rang laya hai!

Removing his apron Aryan nodded and showed her way out of the kitchen while he brought out the things for eating…. Neatly setting them on the table…..

Before he could sit….

Dipika: Aryan! Paani laana bhool gaye!😳

He looked at the table and noticed he indeed forgot to bring water…. He went back to the kitchen and brought back two glasses and a pitcher of water…

Again before he could sit….

Dipika: Aryan! Pickle laa doge…. I like to have pickle in my food!😳

Aryan: Okay!

Nodding he went to the kitchen only to remember that he didn't know where the pickle was….

Aryan: Dipika! Achaar kahan hai?

Dipika: Stove ke opposite shelf me!

Getting the pickle he came back to the table….

Aryan: Ye lo… Tumhara pickle!

He was about to sit again when again she said with a pitiful face….

Dipika: Aryan! Ye to amla ka hai! Mujhe aam ka khaana hai!😳

Aryan looked at the bottle and at her…. Shrugging his shoulders he again went to the kitchen and brought her the mango pickle….

Aryan: (Putting the bottle in front of her) Here madam… Your mango pickle!

Anything else?

Dipika: (Thinking🤔) Welll….. Agar papad hote to aur bhi achcha hota…. That pepper one!😳

Aryan: Hmm… Pepper papad….. Ghar me hai?

Saying he was about to go back into the kitchen when she caught his hand and stopped him….

Aryan: Hey papad chahiye the naa…. Abhi banake….

Shaking her head she made him sit beside her on a chair and said….

Dipika: Kabhi to naa kaho Aryan! Kitna bhaga doudi karoge?😕

Aryan: (Taking her hands he squeezed them protectively) Jitna mujhse ho sake… Agar nahi bhi kar saka, to bhi karoonga…. For the woman I am crazy about… Anything and everything!😳

Dipika looked at him surprised at such a statement from him….. She felt the happiness of the whole world rush into her system…. She placed a palm on his cheeks lovingly and closed her eyes thanking all her stars for giving her such a wonderful person!

Feeling his lips on her palm she opened her eyes and smiled blushing…. Taking her hand away she said….☺️

Dipika: (Softly) Khaate hain!

Aryan: Lekin tumhare papad?🤔

Dipika: (Shaking her head) I was just joking…. I actually don't like pepper papad… Aur mere ghar me papad hai bhi nahi!

Aryan rasied her eyebrows surprised at her and understood she had been teasing, making him walk to the kitchen and dining area again and again and again….

Aryan: (Accusingly) To ye sab mazaak tha?😡

Dipika: (Grinning😃) Welll… Shayad…. Dekhna chahathi thi ki tum kya karte ho… Kabhi naa bologe bhi! But I was wrong!

Aryan: (Getting up) Well… Ab iskeliye punishment milegi… You don't mess around like this with Aryan Khanna!😈

Dipika: (Looking at him stunned) Oh! Kya…

She stopped saying anything further seeing him pile her plate with all the rice it could fit in… It was more than what she usually had….

Dipika: (Shocked😲) Aryan! Itna saaraa khaana?!?!?! Main to…

He was already filling a big bowl with the daal….

Aryan: Well… Yahi hai punishment…. You have to eat all this, until I am satisfied that you are not hungry anymore!

Dipika: (Incredulously😕) Lekin tumhe kaise pata chalega ki meri bhook khatam ho gayi ki nahi?

Aryan: (Mixing the rice and daal) When I know your heart I will know your stomach also!😳

Saying he put the spoonful of rice mixed daal in her mouth… She looked at him smiling at his comment and started munching her lunch!

But looking back at her plate she thought a little exhausted already "It was going to be a longggggggg lunch!"😵

She sighed sitting on the sofa…. Man….. She really was full upto her throat…. She couldn't move even a bit with all the food stuffed into her…. She yawned…. All the cold and food was making her sleepy…. Above all she just had her cold medicines….. 🥱

He was still in the kitchen wrapping up things…. Putting things to wash and all… He was oh so loving in the kitchen in that apron… It had been fun watching him do all the work…. And thinking about him always brought a smile on her face!

She curled up on the sofa thinking….

She admitted that he definitely was a good cook… He might not know much to cook but whatever he did was delicious…. Maybe she should train him to cook more…. She could make him cook someday while she relaxed, after marriage…😃

Marriage!!!!!!!!! That word was so different to hear now…. If life with him was going to be like today she would want that life for how all births she would take…. If re-births were true….. She knew he was caring but to such an extent as this she had never imagined…. She really was re-discovering him each time they met!😳

Standing at the kitchen door way he swept his eyes around the kitchen for final check…. Well it was clean…. He had cleaned it and put away dishes for washing as best as he could…. He just wished he didn't leave anything making Dipika to do anything afterwards!

Satisfied he hadn't left anything he came to the sofa to tell her to rest….

He smiled… Seems he didn't have to tell her… She was already curled up on the sofa, hair all over her face…. Only then he noticed she was wearing a sleeveless blodd red colored night gown….. The blanket she had wrapped around her had come off a little… Making his already crazily beating heart to flutter beyond his control!! 🤪

She filled his eyes!❤️

Kneeling down he moved the hair away from her face tucking them lightly behind her ears, caring not to wake her up…. She looked so beautiful sleeping…. Gorgeous in fact… He could stay forever like this just looking at her…. Her pink nose and rosy cheeks making her look kid like!😳

Standing up he arranged the blanket around her and carried her carefully upto her room…. Laying her down on the bed, he removed the blanket to cover her up properly….. Going over the shelf he searched for another blanket and put that too…. The more warmth she felt she would sleep well…. He searched for the first aid kit and taking the cotton stuffed them in her ears to keep out the cold air!😳

She rolled over snuggling into the blankets and now only her head peeped out of them….

He sat down on the bed just looking at her…. Looking…. Looking…. Looking…. 😍