SS2 FF Full Update (Parts I - IV) - Page 40

Rolling over she felt her neck… There were beads of sweat…. Surprised she woke up fully…. Sweat…. She was feeling hot?!?!? She sat up stretching and noticed two blankets roll down from her… Two??!!? 🤔

Aryan! 😳

The room was slightly dark…. She was in her room?!!?!? Oh… How?🤔

Aryan!😳

She looked out the window…. It was just getting dark…. Seems the rain had stopped…. But she felt very quiet… Something was not right…. It was quiet been late evening she guessed, but so quiet…. 😕

Feeling something pressing in her ears she felt it and was surprised to see cotton stuffed in her ears…. She smiled looking at the two small balls of cotton….

Aryan again! 😳

She sniffed her nose and was pleased to notice that her running nose had stopped…. She still had slight cold and a littttttttttttle sore throat…. But she was feeling way way better than in the afternoon!

Aryan!?!?! Was he still there? Or had he left in the afternoon itself…. But he wouldn't just leave without telling her… She climbed out of the bed to check for herself….

But looking down at herself she stopped…. She was wearing her thin strapped blood red colored night gown and her hair was disheveled…. She couldn't go down like this…. What if he was there??!!😳

Blushing she went to freshen up… Changing from the night gown to something warm she brushed her hair and pulling it up into a pony went down….⭐️

Coming down the stairs she at once felt the cold and….. His presence… The lights were on downstairs and the wonderful smell of ginger tea wafted up her nose…. Surprisingly she also smelt incense stick smell…. She looked at the small shelf at the end of the hall and saw the lamp lit and the incense stick lighted….. Her usual evening tasks….. He had thought of everything!👏

Coming down to the hall she noticed him sitting in the balcony with his back towards the hall….

As if he too had felt her presence he turned around immediately…. One look at her and he knew she was feeling fine now…. His face split into a wide smile as he stood up, setting the cup down…

As if the small distance between them was tormenting they hurriedly closed the distance between them….

Taking her into his arms he raised his eyebrows appreciatively and said…..🤗

Aryan: Looking fresh and good! I like it!

Saying he buried his face into her sweet smelling hair…

Dipika: (Wrapping her hands around him) All thanks to you! I am feeling much much better now!🤗

Aryan: (Tucking the loose tendril behind her ear and looking down at her) I do see that! Lekin dopahar ko jis halat me thi, dar tha ki aaj raat tak guzar kal subah tak soti rahogi! You were so bad! Agar tabiyat theek nahi hai to kisi ko phone karke help ke liye bula leti!

Dipika: (Parting from him) Lekin Aryan it was just a small cold! Iskeliye itna halla hoo kyun machana!

Aryan: (Walking with her to the balcony) Bhukar ho jaata agar theek se dekh baal nahi kiya hota to!

Dipika: (Sitting) Tum aa gaye na time pe…. (Peeping into the almost empty cup) Hey…. Tea! (Looking up at him ever so fondly😳) I love ginger tea Aryan! Especially aise climate me! (Wrapping her arms around her)

Looking down at her smiled knowing what she actually wanted now….

Aryan: (Bowing a little) Yes madam! 😊

Saying he went off to get her a hot hot cup of tea…. Seeing him go Dipika smiled to herself…. He was looking so cute to order about…. But she had to be careful…. Over of ordering can result in hazardous results!😉

He came back and gave her the tea…. Sipping it she said aloud in amazement…..

Dipika: It's wonderful…. 😛 Tumhe tea bhi banana aati hai?

Aryan: (Smiling) Abhi tak to nahi!

As she looked at him puzzled he said….

Aryan: Maine Maasi Maa ko phone kiya aur kaha mera man kar raha hai aaj chai peene ka! She instructed on phone and I followed it! Pata tha ki aise climate me tea is a good choice…. Aur to aur tumhari tabiyat ke liye bhi yahi sahi hai ab!

Dipika looked at him really amazed at how well he had handled everything….. Taking care of each and every of her need…. To even keeping the house as she liked it!👍🏼

She came out of her reverie feeling the cold touch of his hand on hers…. She looked at him and saw he was a little closer that before, automatically she went a little back….

Aryan: (Softly) Chai thandi ho rahi hai!

She nodded nervous with his sudden touch and voice and sipped the tea… All the while aware of his eyes on hers, she was having a difficulty finishing the tea…. After what seemed like eternity she finished and looked up to see him still looking at her!

Dipika: (Stammering) Main…. Vo…. Cups rakhke aati hoon!

He smiled seeing her shy and go…. His smile widened thinking how authoritative she was in office… Ordering everybody about and never letting them go their way…. And when he remembered how childish she had behaved in the afternoon he was getting more surprised…. He was seeing more faces of her….. Discovering so many new things about her…. And now, she had blushed and moved away from him like a perfect woman… Who can believe that a woman has so many avatars in her…. He was seeing this in person and it amused him all the more…⭐️

He was jolted out of his thinking when he heard Dipika's voice….

Dipika: …aayi thi?

Aryan: (Calling out) Kuch poocha Dipika?

Dipika: (Coming out of the kitchen looked at him confused) Kis jahan me ho Aryan? Maine poocha ki kya kaam waali bai aayi thi?

Aryan: (Shrugging his shoulders) Well nahi…. Usne phone kiya ki baarish bahut hai to aa nahi sakti!

Dipika: (Surprised) WHAT??? Phir ye saare dishes tumne kiye Aryan?😲

Aryan: (Getting up) Well….. Er…. Haa….

Dipika: (Walking over to him) Aryan! Agar kaam waali bai nahi aayi, to dishes rakh dete…. Kya zaroorat thi sab karne ki…. Main kar deti baad me!

Aryan: (Wrapping his arms around her waist❤️) Isiliye! Isiliye kiya…. When you are having cold it is better to stay away from cold water…. Mere liye khud paani itna thanda tha! Agar tum haath rakhti to sardi bad sakti thi!

Dipika: (Protesting) Lekin Aryan… Tum ye sab kyun kar rahe ho? Dopahar ka khaana hi main nahi chahathi ki tum banao… But….

Aryan: (Placing a finger on his lips) It is perfectly fine Dipika…. Apne ghar me karta to hoon…. Waise bhi is ghar me kam karna ek routine to ho gaya hai…. Pehle bhi jab aaya tha tab noodles banaya tha and I had partly cleaned the kitchen too!

Dipika: (Placing her hands on her hips which actually ended up on his arms😳) Aryan Khanna! Partly cleaned the kitchen!?!?? The kitchen was partly only clean not because of your cleaning but because you had so much obliged to leave that area clean! Baaki sab to ganda kar diya tha…. Sirf ek noodles ke liye! I am surprised ki aaj kitchen itna clean tha!

Aryan: (Slipping his hand behind her head fingering her ear with his thumb) Welllll…. Aaj clean hai shayad isliye kyunki maine seekh liya… Sri ne bataya tha ki tumhe sab kuch neat and clean pasand hai…. Anything out of order irritates you!😊

Dipika closed her eyes feeling his caress move from the nape of her neck to her cheek…. She failing again in his arms had trouble holding herself steady…. When his thumb moved over her lips she shuddered and took hold of his collar to try stop her shivering…☺️

Seeing her shudder so much in his arms his smile new no bounds…. He might think she was used to his touches by now…. But each time he touched her, even casually her hands, she reacted as if electricity parsed through her….. And that….. That exactly wanted him to touch her again and again…. Keep her in his arms forever….😳

He slowly moved his hand upto her pony and pulled out the band tying it… As her hair cascaded below her shoulders she looked up at him surprised…

Aryan: (Murmuring) I don't like your hair tied up when you are with me!

She blushed and blushed sensing the blood rush to her cheeks and ears blocking all the sounds making her feel dizzy…. She buried her head deep into his shoulders tightening her grip around him….☺️

He softly placed a kiss on her cheek just near her lips… And felt her smile against his lips….. He definitely liked those small things of her which made him go crazy like never before making him feel years younger, as if he had fallen in love when in college!😳

He warmly wrapped his arms around pulling her even closer, to feel the way her heart beat while she was with him…. Man it was rapid and fast just like his…. He felt her wrap her hands behind him and place her head against his shoulder….

He tilted his head to place it on hers and they stood thus!

For how long they stood thus they never knew…. They could sense each others heart beat…. The slow, shallow breathing…. The hearts were speaking to each other, their minds where conversing with each other, their senses sensing each other…. Their whole system savoring the love of another of its own type, but still caressing the opposite feel in them….❤️

Hoping and praying and wishing the world would stand still and let them be like this forever and forever!!!!!😳

DING! DONG!

Wham! Both of them came out of their wonderful world where they were lost…. They opened their eyes and looked about wondering where they were doing what….

It was Dipika who sensed where and how she was… She immediately unwound her arms from around him and put them behind her scared they themselves would find way again to him… Reluctantly and against his own will, for the need he let her go and restrained his hands from pulling her back into an embrace…. Not daring to look at him she stepped back and went to answer the door bell!😳

Seeing her go back with slow and deliberate steps to answer the door he smiled…. Phew…. She was oh so darling…. And his hands ached yet again to pull her back to him… Why did he have to let go of such an adorable doll!??!😊

Fiddling with the band in his hand he thought….. Doll!!?? She was a doll… He had used that term once before….. In office… In the spur of the moment….. He had thought maybe because of his touch as a colleague, as a man she had shied…. But maybe it was more than that from her at least….. He was a little surprised too because he had never been so close to anyone in office before…. It had come out on its own will…. He had felt her very easy to get along…. To talk… To confide in…. She was strict; stern and he agreed professionally that was advisable…. But personally she had been a wonderful person to get acquainted with…. He had never felt any hesitation in that…. And that was when he barely knew her….😊

And now when he knew her so much, he really had trouble keeping himself away from her.... He decided….. Aryan Khanna! You are a goner for sure…. Get prepared to be her slave forever and ever and ever and ever…. And better do it fast!😃 😉

Feeling her hand on his he came out of his wonderful wacky thoughts about her and saw her asking surprised….

Dipika: You ordered dinner?!?!❓

Aryan looked at her and at the door…. A delivery man was standing with few packets in his hand…. And then he remembered…. Of course he had ordered dinner…. He had actually sort of forgotten it…. Oh dear… With this lady around he was going to get such bouts of memory loss often from now on he knew…

Aryan: Vo… Uh… Haan…. Order kiya tha!

Saying he went to attend the delivery man…. Paying him he got the packets and looked inside for confirmation that all was there….

Dipika: Lek….

Aryan: (Interrupting) Ab ye lekin wekin shuru mat karna…. I can never let you cook for the night… You need your rest…. Aur phir se raat ke liye tum daal chawaal khaana pasand nahi karogi… Isliye shaam ko hi order kar diya tha….

Dipika: But….

Aryan: Dipika…. Tum bahut bolti ho…

Saying he kissed her lightly on her lips and went off the deposit the packets on the table….😲

That definitely had shut her up, but had shocked her too… She raised her hand unsteadily to touch her lips looking at him stunned….. Looking back at her fingers she thought surprised…. He did what!?!?!??!😲 😳

Only after putting the packets on the table Aryan seemed to realize what he had done… Oh…. Oh…. He looked behind shocked wondering how she was taking that sudden action of his… Because as of now he knew he required permission to cross that particular border between them….. When he had asked her yesterday night, it was his first time with her…. He required her to know he was crossing that limit…. And she had known! But now…..😕

He smiled relieved seeing her smile back at him shyly….. So….. Now he knew anything he did, she was welcome with that…. Oh dear…. She was his strength and weakness…. And he was falling in love with her again and again….. He prayed that this magic stay between them forever and ever!😳

But just to be sure….

Seeing him walk back to her she turned around and took deep breaths to calm herself…. She looked over her shoulder just as he wrapped his hand around her hips….☺️

Aryan: Sor…

He didn't continue further as she blocked the movement of his lips with her hands…. She just looked back at him and shook her head…. Smiling back he nodded and kissed her fingers making her retreat back into her abode of shyness, closing her eyes.….

Aryan: (Softly whispered in her ears) Dinner?❓

Opening her eyes she looked at him and shook her head….

Dipika: Thodi der baad! (Turning around) Ussse pehle hume kuch karna hai!

As Aryan questioningly raised his eyebrows she led him to the sofa…. Making him sit she took her cell phone… Before she could dial she saw that there were missed calls… Surprised she looked at the number and exclaimed out despite herself….

Dipika: 35 missed calls!?!?!? (Looking at Aryan she showed the cell phone) Aryan! Itne saaaare phone calls!?!?? Magar… Kab? Kyun?😲

Saying she scanned the call log for the details…. All were listed afternoon and that too continuous….

Aryan: (Pulling her down beside him) Well…. Jab se ghar se nikala tha tab se try kar raha tha, you didn't pick up! What was I supposed to do? Not only that…. Main jab yahan aaya tha tab paanch minute se ghanti baja raha tha and you didn't open… I was just going to crash open your door, hadn't you opened it when you had! Subah se tumhara pata nahi tha!

She looked at him in shock and couldn't help laughing out…. Oh… What was she to do with such a man in her life!?!?? Laughing a little she caught both his cheeks and pinching them said….😆

Dipika: Oh! Dear! Dear! Dear…. You are becoming insane Aryan!

Placing a hand on his cheeks he looked at her surprised at what she had done…. Wrapping his arms around her shoulders he pulled her closer and said….

Aryan: Becoming!?!? I already am!😉

She giggled hearing the answer…. What had she really done to be bestowed with such care and love…? Even before they had a stronger bond between them…. She really couldn't control herself and gave a peck on his cheek…. Pleased with the tiny action of hers he blew the hair off her face…😃

Seeing he was becoming cozy again she pushed him away lightly and said…

Dipika: Maine kaha naa ek zaroori kaam karni hai…

Saying she dialed a number and waited for the other end to answer…. He waited wondering who she was calling now!!!!!!! 🤔

Dipika: Hello!

……………… (Sensing her cold from the way she spoke)

Dipika: (Glancing at Aryan) Thodi sardi ho gayi thi!

…………….

Dipika: Ab theek hoon!

……………..

Dipika: (Smiling) Ji!

Saying she turned to look at Aryan and said….

Dipika: (Softly) Aryan! Tum ab baat karo!

Aryan: (Puzzled) Lekin Dipika… Koun?!!?❓

Dipika: Aryan! Bas…. Hello to bolo!

Saying she put the phone on speaker…. After a while a tiny voice exclaimed out 'Hello Mommy'

Hearing the voice Aryan's face split into a thousand watt smile…. He looked at Dipika and mouthed Sri?!?! She nodded and told him to speak….. Seeing he was still surprised she just urged him to just speak….

Sri: Hello Mamma?!!?! Naani mamma baat nahi…

Aryan: Hello! Sri… (Glancing at Dipika) Main Ary…

He hadn't even finished telling Aryan when he heard the loudest exclamation he could from such a small voice calling out….

Sri: PAPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😛

Aryan stared at the phone in Dipika's hand as if it had stung him… Or it was something alien…. Or he was seeing it for the first time!!!!!!!!!!! His hands slipped down from Dipika's shoulders falling numb at his side….😲 😳

He could faintly hear the tiny voice screaming out with the same excitement as before….

Sri: Pappa!!! Pappa!!!!! Wow!!!! Naaaaniiiiiiiii………. Pappa baat kar lahe hain! I…. Ma…. (Breathless)

Mrs. Gosh: Sri! Sri! Beta dhyaan se... Gir jaoge!

Seemed she was jumping around the whole room with the phone in her hand…

Sri: Naaani! Mamma ne plomise rakh di!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mujhe Pappa mil gaye! Mujhe Pappa mil gaye!😛

Mrs. Gosh: Sri! Sri beta! Baitho pehle! Are aap aise koodte rahoge to koun aapke Pappa se baat karega?

This seemed to have brought senses to the little girl… This seemed to have quietened down the girl… With breathless trembling excitement she again called out….

Sri: Pappa?!

While all this was going on at the other end, Aryan was still shell shocked hearing him been called what he was…. Dipika had smiled tears glistening in her eyes hearing Sri's excited voice calling him…. She had correctly remembered…. It was like she had been thinking about this only daily waiting Aryan's call…. And when it had come that little girl was finding it difficult to contain her excitement….😳

Feeling no response from Aryan she looked at him and saw him staring at the phone….

Dipika: (Worried😕) Aryan! (No response) Aryan! (Slightly shaking him a little louder) Aryan!

This seemed to bring him out of his reverie…. He turned to look at Dipika just like a robot and said in a stunned voice…😲

Aryan: She… What… Called…. (Indicating himself) Me… Pa… Sri…. Called… Pa…

Dipika: (Smiling a little) Aryan! Aryan! Haan… (Glancing at the phone hearing her mother trying to quieten Sri) Sri ne (Pointing his finger at himself) tumhe Pappa bulaya!😊

Aryan: (Finally having realized it was real grasped her shoulders) She did!?!?❓

Dipika: (Smiling understanding the reason for his surprise) Haan Aryan, she did…. And she is again calling out to you!

He let go of her shoulder and looked at the phone hearing the tiny excited voice calling out to him again….

Sri: Pappa?!?!❓

Aryan: (Taking the phone from Dipika slowly) Sri b….

Sri: (Again shouted) Pappa! Oh!!! Mamma ne jaise kaha… Waise kal diya… I am chhhhhhhhooooooooooooo appy!!!!!!!!! Mamma! Mommy aap ho naa?😛

Dipika: (Smiling) Sri beta…. Mamma yahan hain!

Mrs. Gosh: (In between) Are baba! Sri… Baitho abhi… Itna koodo mat beta!

Sri: Mommy! Mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you! I love you! I love you! Mujhe Pappa mil gaye! Mommy Pappa baat kyun nahi kar lahe?

Aryan: (Smiling) Vo… Kuch nahi… Aap pehle baithiye… Aur phir hum baat karenge!

He looked at Dipika and she noticed that ever since she had known him his eyes were glistening for the first time….. Before she could do or say anything he had taken her hands and kissed them… Smiling she rested her head on his shoulder satisfied while their daughter caught her breath and started her ranting again….😛

Sri: Pappa! Sri abhi theek se baith gayi!

Aryan: That's like a good girl… (Pausing) Pappa's good girl!

Sri: (Excited😛) I am Pappa's good girl!?!? Oh Naani aapne suna… Main…

Dipika: (Chuckling😆) Sri! Aap kisse baat kar rahi ho… Naani se ya…

Sri: Nai… Main aapse… Nai… Pappa se… Nai… Sab se…. Sabbbbbbbb se… Baat kar lahi hoon…

Aryan: (Smiling) Theek hai… Ab ke liye mujhse baat kijiye!

Sri: Pappa! Mujhe abbbhiii aapko dekhna hai!

Aryan: (Surprised) Abhi!??! Well… Main bhi aapko abbbhiii dekhna chahatha hoon…

Sri: Phir Pappa jaldi se yahan aa jao naa…. Ya… Sri wahan aayegi! Theek hai naa Naani?

Aryan: Oh! Pappa bhi Sri se bahut milna chahathe hain… Lekin ab ke liye… (Clearing his throat wondering what excuse he was to give) Yahan climate theek nahi hai naa… Zoron se baarish ho rahi hai… Isliye jitni jaldi ho sake Pappa Sri se milne aayenge!

Sri: Jaise Mommy aati hain?

Aryan: (Puzzled) Mommy aati hain?!?🤔

Dipika: (Looking at him) Vo… Main most weekends Pune chali jaati hoon…. Wahi keh rahi hogi… (Over the phone) Haan beta…. Jaise Mommy aati hain… Lekin is baar akeli nahi!

Saying she glanced at Aryan who nodded his approval with all his heart….

Sri: Pappa…. Main kal school me saaaaaaaabbbbbbbb se jaake kahoongi… Sri ke bhi Pappa hain!!!!! Hain naa? Main baataaoon naa?❓

Dipika: (Shocked a little) Sri! Ab….😕

Aryan: (Interrupting) Haan Sri beta…. Aap zaroor jaake batana… Sabbbb se batana…. Kisi ko bhi mat chodna!

Sri: Yeah!!!! Naani suna aapne?!

Mrs. Gosh: (Kissing her forehead) Haan baby…. Suna!

Dipika: (Whispering) Aryan… Lekin… Ab…

He just placed a finger on her lips shaking his head…. Hearing her voice jump out of the phone they turned their attention towards the phone where she had started her tirade of what she was going to do when she got to school tomorrow and what she wanted them to do when they came to meet her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😳

After a long long long….. Very reluctantly both sides phone were kept…. Not at all wanting in the least to stop hearing the excited over whelming voices….😊

Mrs. Gosh was also very happy hearing Aryan's voice…. And there was no need for him to call her Aunty any more… And when he had called her Maa she had over whelming said herself to come over the weekend itself!👏

After cutting the call Aryan cradled the phone in his hand for a long time as if it was in itself Sri and he never wanted to let go off it….😊

Dipika just sat beside him seeing the various emotions playing across his face… He was happy… A little emotional…. Very much more surprised at the turn of events…. She saw a tear peeping out from his eyes and wiped them….😳

He kept the phone down and glanced up at her looking down at him…. He kept looing at her for long and then….. Just….. Hugged her!🤗

Dipika gasped for a moment with his crushing bear hug….. Smiling she tenderly wrapped her arms around him as he said….

Aryan: Maine aisa kya kiya hai Dipika, ki mujhe itniiii saari khushi ek saath mil rahi hai!

Dipika: (Mildly surprised seeing Aryan go emotional) Aryan!😳

Aryan: (Kissing her in her hairs) A successful marriage turned all tragedy…. Maine socha meri zindagi, personal…. Waheen tham si gayi…. Saalon tak uske baare me sochte sochte apne frustrations apne profession me dikha raha tha!

Dipika: (Soothing his back) Aryan!😳

Aryan: (Pulling her closer fearing she might be gone) And suddenly you bloom out of the dry sky and my life is all colors again…. Main such me nahi jaanta ki maine aisa kya kiya hai… To… To earn all this!?! Am I even worth….

He paused not knowing how to continue… Not in his life had he ever become emotional like this… Professional he had many a time lost his control for various reasons….. But never for personal reasons…. Upset he might have been… But so deep down uncontrollable… He had never been….😒

After a long while she slowly parted from him and saw him very tired out….

Her eyes glistenened automatically….😭

Dipika: Oh Aryan! (Lowering his head to kiss his forehead) You haven't earned anything…. You didn't work for it Aryan! It's a gift…. A prize for all your good deeds… Crime ho jaata hai…. Nothing about that can be changed…. The victim will never come back to live…. Lekin uske family…. Vo yahi chahathe hain ki gunegaar sazaa paaye… For the torturous ending of their dearest family member…. Your give them justice and they give you their blessings Aryan! (Both remembered moments where the family members thanked them for getting them justice and blessed them too) Issse zyada aur tumhe karna kya hai… Aur is maamle me…. (She looked deep into those mesmerizing eyes she liked so much to get lost in😳) More than you have got you have given…. Fulfilling a mother's wish for her daughter's settled future….. Fulfilling a small girl's wish for a father…. Fulfilling a woman's wish for a loveable, caring, supportive future! 😊

Kissing both the tearpools of her eyes he hugged her again…. The hug was tender this time yet as intimate as it ever could be! 🤗

After few minutes he parted from her and holding her hands asked….

Aryan: Lekin Sri ne ek dum se mujhe kaise Pappa bulaya? I mean tumne ussse humare baare me ?!?❓

Dipikia: (Smiling) Vo…. Hrrmm…. Maine usse nahi usne mujhse tumhare baare me baat ki!

Aryan: (Surprised) What?!?!😊

Dipika: (Nodding) Pune jaane se pehle…. She talked to me about you….. Tum use bahut pasand aa gaye…. Aur mujhe pata nahi ki use idea kahan se aaya, but she seemed to sense that…. Er… (Hesitating) Well… I too liked you… Hrrmmm…. And you me!

As he raised his eyebrows questioingly amused at what she had just said Dipika blushed and averted her eyes…..😳

Dipika: (Continuing not looking at him) Well… Maine use promise kiya tha ki main tumse baat karoongi aur agar sab kuch theek se hua main tumhari baat ussse karaoongi through my cell phone! And if that happens…. (Looking back at him) She can call you… Pappa!

He just looked on…. He just looked at her not knowing exactly how he was expected to react in this situation…. Not that he was not happy…. He was ecstatic…. How cannot one be!?!? So many relations showered upon a person at the same time…. Unexpectedly!

Dipika: (Seeing him not reacting) Aryan! Tum kuch keh kyun nahi rahe? ❓

Aryan: (Kissing her hands) Kehne ke liye kuch bacha hi nahi hai…. Maa beti dono ne itni planning ki hai, ki…. I am just lost…. In your love!❤️

She smiled blushing and tried to look away…. But he pulled her closer into his arms…. 😳

She was seated by the balcony enjoying the cool breeze when she heard him say….

Aryan: You are going to catch cold again!

Dipika: Nahi Aryan…. Tum dekh to rahe ho upar se neeche tak fully covered hoon… Isliye cold….

She looked behind at him and saw him holding two small pots surprising her…😛

Aryan: (Seeing her excited look like a kid) Maine socha ki abhi dessert doon, lekin agar is tarah thand me balcony me baithne ka irada hai to….

Dipika: (Getting up immediately) Maine to yahi kaha tha ki thand nahi lagegi, yahi thodi kaha ki balcony se aaoongi nahi.… Tum bhi naa Aryan… Tch!

Saying she came inside the house… Grabbing her pot of sweet from his hand she made way to the sofa…. Looking her go he smiled thinking how every minute he was looking at a different Dipika!😆

Closing the balcony door he accompanied her in the sofa and was surprised to find that half of the pot was empty already….

Aryan: (Opening the seal of his pot) Oh My! Bachche bhi dheere khaate hain…

Dipika: (Shaking her head immersed in her pot) Not with the number one favorite in front of their eyes! (Looking up at him asked softly😳) Waise Aryan! Sab mere favorite dishes the aaj…. Tumhare favorite ka kuch to laate!

Aryan: (Extending a spoon of mishti dohi to her) Mera favorite to mere saamne baitha hai! Tumhe khaa loon?

Dipika: (Shaking her head blushing lightly) You wish!😉

Aryan: (Looking at her through the corner of his eyes) I wish… Really!

She looked at him surprised and saw him looking back at her cheekily…. Oooo… My…. This Aryan Khanna was really surprising her…. He dared say things which she had not even imagined him to say!

Secretly she did like him more and more this way! Making her fall madly in love with him again and again! ☺️

She saw him set down his pot aside…. Her heart started to beat fast making her tremble…. Fearing the pot might slip out of her hands she caught it tightly… But again she feared it might break if she caught it too strong…. Just as his hands reached her she stood up and stuttered…

Dipika: (Not looking down at him) Main… Vo… Ise…. Dustbin….

Saying she started to move away from there…. But hadn't got far…. Catching her wrist he stopped her…. Stadning next to her he pried the sweet pot out of her hands and set it down on the table…. When he straightened he saw she was walking away from him glancing nervously back at him…..😳

She was modern in her outfit but her slight blush and tentative walks all talked of how perfect an Indian Woman she was inside!👍🏼

Dipika was just combing her hair when she remembered....

Aryan: (Murmuring) I don't like your hair tied up when you are with me!

She blushed again sensing the blood again rush to her cheeks….☺️

Just as she finished with her perfume the cell phone buzzed.... Seeing the number she smiled....

Dipika: Hundred years! And good morning!

.....................

Dipika: Kehte hain jinke baare me sochte hain aur vo tabhi aa jaate hain to vo sou saal jeete hain!

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Dipika: (Blushed😳) Only if I forget would I have to remember!

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Dipika: (Smiling at his "That's sweet" comment) Aryan! Ab bolo phone kaise kiya?

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Dipika: Pehle se behtar.... How am I sounding? 😊

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Dipika: No no! (Walking down the stairs) Main khud aa jaaoongi!

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Dipika: Aryan! Vishal also wahan hoga.... Agar usne dekha ki hum saath aaye hain to meri khair nahi.... I had declined his offer of picking me up this morning! (Opening the door) So...

Surprised she just stopped herself from dropping the things in her hand as Vishal exclaimed....

Vishal: (Spreading out his hands) Ta…. Da!!!!!!!!

She just looked on at him surprised and stunned and shocked…. 😲 Not expecting him she looked at him wide eyed her mouth open slightly as she was talking over the phone….

Vishal: (Cheerily) Good Morning! 🤗

He gave her a sweet little friendly hug…. Seeing she didn't respond he shook her lightly and asked….

Vishal: Hello! (Waving his hand in front of her eyes) Kya hua? Aise kya dekh rahi ho jaise bhooth dekha ho!?!?

Dipika: (Shaking her head) Er…. (Stammering) Vi… Vishall…… (Forcing a smile😕) Hu… Hi… Go… Good Morning! Tum itni subah subah yahan kya…..

Vishal: (Interrupting) Hey… Maine kaha to tha ki subah pick up karne aaoonga!

Dipika: (Incredulously) Leki…. Lekin maine to kaha tha ki main khud aa jaoongi…

Vishal: (Laughing a little) Kab?!? 😉

Dipika: (Shocked😲) Kya kab? Maine kaha tha airport jaane ke baad office jaana hai… Tumhara aur mera office city ke do corners pe hain Vishal! Kal gaadi se utar…

Vishal: (Interrupting) Waise yahan khade hoke mujhe interrogate karne ka hi irada hai kya? Abhi nahi nikale to flight miss ho jayegi…. Aur ye haath (Indicating her right hand in which she had the phone) ko aisa kyun rakha hai? Naya style hai kya? 🤔

Before he could complete saying Dipika turned around and inwardly hit her head….

Dipika: (To herself) Oh Aryan phone pe hai aur main bhool hi gayi…..

Sensing him tap on her shoulder she turned around smiling trying to think of some excuse…

Vishal: (Wrinkling his eyebrows) You are behaving weird!😈

Dipika: (Bringing down her right hand) Kuch nahi Vishal…. Bas vo…. (Thinking fast) Darwaza khola aur tumhe dekh kar shock ho gayi naa, isliye haath upar hi rakha…. Vo…. Ek kaam karo…. (Giving him the laptop and coat) Tum gaadi me baitho… Main vo gas check karke aati hoon… Haan right…. Gas…. Cylinder check karke aati hoon!

Vishal: (Shrugging his shoulders) Yeah okay…. Lekin ispe itna kyun nervous ho rahi ho? Chalo!

Saying he went off whistling…. Hurriedly she went to the kitchen to check the cylinder… Speaking on the way….

Dipika: I am sooo sorry Aryan…. Vo…

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Dipika: (Smiling) Arryan!!! Well that idiotic cousin of yours and friend of mine is just been as he has been always…. Maine mana kiya tha nahi aane ko….

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Dipika: (Looking at the watch) Achcha…. Bye… Main abhi nikal rahi hoon…. Warna phir se aa jayega…. Meet you at the airport!

Saying she cut the call…. Smiling she thought how he got irritated that Vishal had materialized at her home…. His voice clearly said he didn't like it…. Well… Not his friendship with her but the fact that he was in a position to be as free as he wanted with her and he, Aryan couldn't…. 😳

Two men crazy about her in different perspectives…. She knew she was going to have the tough time of her life with them two…. Which was also going to be a wonderful time… She was sure of that! 👍🏼

Hurriedly she really checked the cylinder and made her way out locking the door….😊

Vishal: (Giving a mock salute) Yes mam!!! 😃

Dipika: (Looking at him) Ab such batao…. Kyun aaye? Maine mana kiya tha naa!

Vishal: (Turning the corner) Ab agar main tumhari har baat maanane laga to Vishal the Great nahi hota….. Right?

As Dipika looked at him amused slightly coughin to clear the flem from her throat he asked….

Vishal: You have cold? ❓

Dipika: Haan thodi…. Kal se behtar…. Kal bahut worse tha…. Couldn't even get up…. Then A…

She paused just in time mentioning Aryan's name…. Biting her tongue she glanced at Vishal and saw him looking at her suspicious…. 😈

Vishal: Beech me ruk kyun gayi? 🤔

Dipika: Nahi… (Stammering) I…. Main bas yeh keh rahi thi ki bahut zyada sardi aur khansi thi kal… Baad me dopahar ko uthi, made myself soup…. Slept well…. Baad me jaake theek hua!

Vishal: (Shaking his head upset) Bahut zyada sardi thi to call kar diya hota mujhe… Waise bhi office me zyada kaam nahi tha! Ya maa ko call kar diya hota!

Dipika: (Smiling) Oh my dear friend…. Sardi hi to thi…. Iskeliye sabko kyun pareshaan karna? Waise bhi aunty ki adrak waali chai ki kamaal se dekho… (Indicating herself) Main pehle se behtar hoon in fact!

They were waiting for a signal when Vishal turned to look at her more accusing than ever…. Glaring at her he said….😳

Vishal: Adrak waali chai!?!?

Seeing his look and hearing his statement she knew she was a goner…. Oh she and her tongue….. Been with Vishal made her so at ease that she forgot to control her mind and tongue!!!!

Dipika: (Clearing her throat) Haan… Kyun? ❓

Vishal: (Interrupting a little stern) Stopppp…. Stop it! Before you start lying.... Kyunki tumhe jooth bolna bilkul nahi aata Dipi…. Not with me at least anyways.... Adrak waali chai?!??! Hunh? To janaab jab adrak waali chai ke baare me pooch rahe the to vo aapke ghar me the!

Dipika: (Trying not to understand him looked elsewhere) K… Koun? Kisne poocha Vishal? 🤔

Vishal: Oie ladki…. (Catching her hand made her look at him) Better tell me now… He was with you since yesterday evening? Maine to socha tha raat ko hi aaya hoga…. Lekinnn….. Shaaaaammmmm se janab waheen hain!

Dipika: (Surprised) What? You knew Aryan was at my home yesterday night? Lekin kaise? 😲

Vishal: (Smiling crookedly snapper his fingers) Ah ha…. So he was at your home then?

Dipika bit her tongue trying to free her hand from his… But stubborn as he always was he shook his head and said….

Vishal: Ab batao…. Kya chakkar hai?❓

Dipika: Kuch bhi nahi Vishal…. Vo bas…. Casually….

Suddenly there was a loud horn noise from behind…. Both of them looked up and saw that the signal had turned green and behind vehicles were demanding way….

Dipika: (Hastily) Vishal…. Jaldi gaadi nikalo…

Vishal: (Folding his hands across his chest) No! Jab tak tum mujhe such nahi batati, main gaadi nahi nikalne waala!

As the honking increased….

Dipika: (Shocked😲) Vishal…

Vishal: No….

Dipika: (Forcing his hands on the steering wheel) Tum… You are creating public nuisance! Jaldi gaadi nikalo! Warna koi…. Oh no!

She looked ahead and saw a traffic policeman walking towards them…. Looking behind she again looked at Vishal who was calmly drumming on the steering wheel whistling…

Dipika: Alright! Alright! Batati hoon… He was there! Fine? Ab gaadi nikalo…

Vishal: (Shifting the gear) Ab aaya naa oonth pahad ke neeche…. Lekin soch lo… Agar gaadi start karne ke baad muh nahi khola…. To beech road me gaadi rok doonga!

Dipika: Achcha baba…. Ab to gaadi nikalo!

With a curt nod he started the car and drove out of the signal just as the traffic police man reached them….. Sighing with relief she leant back on the car seat and closed her eyes shaking….. Oh my God!!! He was impossible! 😕

Vishal: Now! Full details!

Opening her eyes she looked at him and didn't know whether to get angry at him or feel happy about the way he bonded with her….😊

He glanced at her and indicated her to start else threatening to stop the car… She indicated him to wait and taking a deep breath said…

Dipika: Vo… Kal… Ghar aane ke baad mujhe sardi ho gayi thi… With cough and headache…. Isliye sone chali gayi….

Vishal: Fair enough…. Phir?

Vishal: (Smiling to himself) Phir? ❓

Dipika: (Blushing lightly thinking of the way Aryan said he was about to bring down the door) Jab phone nahi uthaya he became worried and came in person!

He looked at her and his expression clearly indicated he was impressed with the way Aryan had behaved…. 👍🏼

Vishal: (As if evaluating) Hmm…. Good…. Phir?❓

Dipika: (Smiling) Jab usne dekha ki mujhe sardi thi, to usne help karni ki offer ki… He made me soup, rice and daal for lunch!

Vishal: (Grinning😃) Wow!!!! Aryan the Chief became Aryan the Chef!!!! Hmm…. Maa se kehena zaroor padega…. He was never ever cooked much in his life! Lekin sirf daal chawal? Arrreee… Pehli baar cook kar raha hai to kuch khaas karta!

Dipika: (A little stern😳) Vishal! Meri tabiyat theek nahi thi…. Kuch zyada khaa bhi nahi sakti thi… Waise bhi Aryan ko daal chawaal ke alava kuch banana aata bhi nahi hai!

Vishal: I know…. I know…. Better train him… He can get used to all the cooking! Baad me kaam aayega/.... 😉 Phir? ❓

Dipika: (Shaking her head) Main kya kahani suna rahi hoon…. Ki sab details pooch rahe ho? (Imitating him) Phir? Phir? Phir!?!

Vishal: (Turning left into a residential road) Kahani ki tarah hi to hai…. (Imitating stage narration) You don't pick your phone… He comes to your house…. You don't feel well… He takes care of you…. Yahan tak ki adrak chai ki recipe maangke tumhare liye banaya…. So what's next in this fairy tale?!?! (Incredulously) Just that he didn't propose you! Man that…

Dipika: (Clearing her throat said very softly) He did!

She jerked forward as suddenly the car braked halt…. The seat belt thankfully held her back…. Mildly stunned at the sudden halt, she looked at Vishal sideways and saw him looking at her stunned more like a zombie…. He was blinking open mouthed like a fish….😆

Smiling she closed his mouth and hit him lightly on his cheek which seemed to make him come out of his trance….

Vishal: (As if forcing out each word) He… Did…. What?!?!?!!?😲

Dipika: (Slightly blushing😳) He proposed his love to me!

Vishal: (A slow unbelievable smile spreading across his face) You mean he said those three golden words!?!!?🤗

Blushing at the way he persisted her statement she nodded lightly…. She became surprised as he whooped in air… Removing his seat belt hurriedly he leant over and gave her a bear hug which she gracefully accepted…. She knew anything good or bad happened with her Vishal was one of them who would feel the utmost for her…. And she exactly knew how he felt now….😳

She herself couldn't believe her ears…. Her eyes… It was all like a dream…. She had never thought Aryan would be so romantic in any ways…. And when he had finally said his love to her she was sure at that moment in the whole world she was the one and only lucky woman…. Proud woman!⭐️

Parting from her Vishal looked at her deep, searching…. He should have noticed…. She had been more than happy since morning…. Some sort of glow showed on her face…. He had thought it could have been because Aryan was with her the evening before… But he had never imagined that the shy cousin of his had actually, finally proposed his love to his dear friend…. He had thought it might be a marriage proposal…. But well… At least for nothing he said his love to her which was good!😃

He wondered…. It had taken him sooooo long to propose his love to her…. He really wondered when he was going to propose her for marriage…. Oh boy…. Hope they didn't have to cook up plans again to get them so closer that Aryan would soon enough propose Dipika for marriage! 😆

Vishal: So finally us ghonchu ko kuch to courage aaya!

Dipika: (With mock stern) Vishal!😳

Vishal looked at her and winked… Seeing her smile, he took her hand and said with genuinity….

Vishal: Jokes apart…. I am really happy for you…. Really really…. Uske muh se aisa kuch nikale, isikeliye maa lagbag tap hi kar rahi thi!

Dipika: Pata hai… (Smoothing his hand) Aur aap sab ne bhi itna kuch kiya hai….

Vishal: (Smiling) Well… We liked playing cupids….. And with that small cupid in hand our plan was successfully executed…. Oh…. Sri must be so happy!😛

It was now Dipika's turn to glare at him as she pinched him on his hand….😡

Vishal: Ouch! Kya…..😵

Vishal: (Puzzled) What? ❓

Dipika: (Suspiciously) Tumne Sri ko mere aur Aryan ke baare me bataya naa?Aur vo sab visits…. Her liking Aryan so much!!!

Suddenly Vishal seemed to have a coughing fit and started to cough freeing his hand from her…

Vishal: (Looking outside the window) Hey…. Hum beech road me hain… Pehle gaadi nikal doon… Phir….😉

Dipika: (Keeping her hand on the steering wheel) Beech road me hain… Yes…. Lekin main road nahi hai, isliye it's okay…. Mere sawaal ka jawaab dekar gaadi nikalna…. (Threatening) Usse pehle agar nikalne ki koshish ki to…

Vishal: (Taking his hand away from the steering wheel) Vove… Vove… Theek hai yaar…. Itna bhi chote bachche ko darate nahi hain!

Dipika: (Raising her eyebrows) Tum? Aur chote bachche!??! Isliye chote bachche ke saath itni planning ki hai?😳

Vishal: (Looking at her) Wellll… Sri hai hi intelligent… Aur tum dono ne uske saamne aisa behave hi kiya tha…. Ki bina kuch kahe that smart girl understood everything!

Dipika: (Surprised) She did?!? 😲

Vishal: Haan…. Jab hospital me thi to tumhare aur Aryan ke beech kuch kuch cooking hai vo samajh gayi!😉

Dipika: (Mildly surprised at the way he used the words) Vishal!

Vishal: Usne mujhse poocha aur tumhe to pata hai main jhooth bol hi nahi sakta!😃

Dipika: (Chuckling😆) Yeah… Of course…. Harishchandra ke pote jo ho!

Vishal: Nai… Dipika Gosh ka dost hoon!👍🏼

She looked at him smiling the way he replied back to her making sure she was always there in his conversation!

Vishal: (Continuing) She really actually liked Aryan way before she knew you both liked each other…. Usne mujhse poocha aur hume bhi koi chahiye tha jo you know, can play cupid between you two… Lekin haan… Sab kuch humne nahi sikhaya use… Kuch kuch bachchi ne khud kiya! Just as smart as her mother! What to do!😉 👏

Smiling all Dipika could do was agree with him…. There definitely was no doubt Sri liked Aryan very very much…. She was genuinely impressed with the way he played with her, talked to her…. Treating her his own…. That little girl who had never before known what a fatherly love was, was overwhelmed so much with his bond with her that she had openly asked Dipika whether Aryan could be her father!

Dipika: (Thinking back) She really did like Aryan very much…. She was in fact in awe with him…. They way he treated her sometimes like a big girl asking her opinions for small things.... And sometimes treating her like a kid and getting what she liked.... Usne kabhi kisi ko, is tarah uske saath behave karte nahi dekha…. Aur usne to ghar ko neeche la di kal chillake!

Vishal: (Confused) What? 😕

Dipika: (Remembering) Oh…. Maine kal Sri se baat ki!

Vishal: (Smiling) What? Tumhare aur Aryan ke baare me?? That's great…. Kya kaha usne? 😛

Dipika: (Smiling back) Usne Aryan ko Pappa bulaya!

Vishal looked at her in wonderment and in fact was very very happy that words failed him… He saw she was getting a little emotional and took her hands in his soothing them….

Dipika: (Looking at him with a layer of tear in her eyes) Sri itni khush kabhi nahi thi Vishal… Maa ne kaha ki vo kursi sofa par kood rahi thi Aryan ki awaaz sunkar… Aur Aryan… (Remembering his emotional words) Vo bhi bahut emotional ho gaya tha Sri ko Pappa kehte sun! Maine Aryan ko itna emotional hote hue kabhi nahi dekha hai Vishal…. It was as if everything was a dream!

Vishal: (Squeezing her hands) Just that this is not a dream…. Not a fantasy…. As with all fairy tales this also has a wonderful beautiful ending! Mujhe pata hai Aryan would make a very good life partner…. And a very good father too…. (Smiling a little) Jitna vo tumhe satayega utna tumhara khayal bhi rakhega! 😳

As Dipika looked at him smiling blushing a little at his last comment Vishal leant over and kissed her forehead affectionately….

Vishal: (Starting the car) Well… Bahut hi emotional drive ho chuki… Ab nahi nikale to hum airport Ajay Neha ko unke trip ke baad receive karne hi pahoonchenge! 😆

As Dipika chuckled Vishal drove out onto the busy road leading to the airport! 😊