SS2 (III) (Pg 150 Full Update(In progress)) - Page 106

it was awesome.

BTW what's your name

Originally posted by: legends

hey diiiiiiiiii my name is reenaa
i m a post gradute in commerce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Walking into the textile shop as the guard opened the door for them….

Neha: Baap re! Itne invitations honge maine kabhi socha hi nahi tha… 😲

Dipika: (Smiling) Haan aur do din ke record time use distribute bhi kar diya….

Neha: Lekin aap log agar help nahi karte to mushkil ho jaata…. Ek ore main, ek ore mummy ji, ek ore Ajay…. And you all were there to give to people we know in common, saving lots of time…. Ajay was right…. We should have started it early… (Glancing back) Ajay se batana mat… I can't bear his tantrum on winning! 😉

Climbing the stairs to the women's section in the first floor….

Purvi: (Laughing😆) Wah Neha! Pehli baar tum Ajay ki kisi baat se agree kar rahi ho…

Neha: (Nudging her) Bas pehli aur aakhri baar.... Vo bhi kyunki vo is baar sahi tha... Isliye.... Lekin thank God sab kuch ho gaya!

Cynthia: (Joining them) What an irony?! Humne shaadi ke cards ko to distribute kar di hai… Lekin shaadi ki shopping abhi shuru hi kar rahe hain! 😃

The ladies laughed as they walked the length of the first floor…..

Dipika: Shukar manao abhi shuru ki usne… Warna shaadi ke pehle din hi shuru karti….. (Ruffling Sri's head who was looking around in wonderment at the various colors around)

Neha: (Casually) Oh Dipika! How tough should it be?

Saying she looked at the others who shook their heads in response…

Women?!?! And shopping? And easy!?!?! Should be the joke of all the millennium years put together!

Seeing their expressions Neha just grinned back and indicated the saree section….

Neha: What say we start from there? ❓

Dipika: (Confused🤔) Tumhari saree to Ajay ki mummy ne order kar di hai naa?

Neha: Shaadi ke liye haan… These are for the other ceremonies! Not exactly for saree…. But shopping is for (Ticking off her fingers) pooja, mehndi, sangeet, reception, grah pravesh…. Maine dikhaya tha naa mummy ji ki list!

Purvi: (Rolling her eyes) Yeah... When we started shopping.... Four shops before!

Neha: (Glaring at her) Main kya karoon? Mujhe kuch pasand hi nahi aaya… Its my D Day…. I can't wear just anything…. And I want it to be special in everyway it can… Including my guests! Hmph!

"To phir... Kyun na kuch special hi karein?"

Everyone turned around at the voice and smiled... It was Sandhya… Neha had invited her too for shopping….. Shopping with family was enjoyment…. And with everyone from Special Squad, connected to Special Squad in anyway, was a family for every member in the team…. 😳

Sandhya had said she would join them at the shop directly from hospital….

All the ladies had decided to go shopping together… Because it was a festivity after a long time in their team… And they didn't want to miss the opportunity…. All ladies of the Special Squad team and Sandhya were out for a shopping spree….

Sandhya had taken her half a day off from work… Neha had already given her leave application for her marriage…. Dipika already on leave… Well…. Cynthia and Purvi were free…. So… Shopping was their priority now…. Their only priority! 😃

God save the shops! Actually this one now…. Previous three were turned in out!

Sandhya: (Walking over to them and bending down to give a kiss to Sri) To batao… Kaisa lagega ki shaadi me hum sab ek hi style ki dress pehenein to?

Purvi: (Understanding) Oh! Saree matlab sab saree… Lehenga matlab…

Cynthia: (Getting the point) sab lehenga….

Dipika: Idea to achcha hai… Lekin Neha ki shopping to alag hi hogi! Neha tumne decide kiya kya pehene waali ho reception ke liye?

Neha turned to face them and said….

Neha: Tum logon ne socha kya hai, ki kis liye tum sabko yahan laayi hoon? This traditional shopping is not my choice…. But of course I should like its looks.... That's a different issue…. (Thinking) Bolo to halter top, skirt pehenke reception me baithoon… I have no problem!

A stunned voice called out….

Ajay: NEHA! Halter top and skirt!?!?!?? 😲

The group turned around to look at him as Neha said rolling her eyes….

Neha: Ajay! I was joking….

Ajay: (Walking over to her in a thinking gesture) Actually mujhe bhi koi problem nahi hai… Bas ki maa ko samjhaana padega! Nahi to kya…

The others laughed at this as Vishal joined them and hitting him hard on the back said….

Vishal: Kyun Dulhe Raja!?!? Tum reception me seedha baithna nahi chahate kya? Aunty ko pata chala, to Neha ko to kuch kehene se rahein… Tumhari band baja degein! 😉

Boxer: Haan… Aur tumhare baarat me band ki zaroorat hi nahi hogi!

Ajay: (Glaring at him😡) Tum sabki kya problem hai?? Meri shaadi me kyun yaar itne problems create kar rahe ho!?!?! Pehle se hi ye shopping! Ye fourth shop hai jahan pe hum aaye hain aur ise kuch bhi pasand nahi aaya…. Aaj to sirf clothes dekh rahe hain…. Kal to jewellary ki shopping hai…. (Literally crying😭) Mujhe lagta hai is shopping ke chakkar me hi main boodha ho jaoonga….

Neha: (Wiping his unseen tears) Ajay! Na… Na… Naa…. Agar tum boodha ho gaye to, don't worry…. Main apne husband se kehke tumhare liye ek achchi ladki doondh doongi!

Ajay: (Stopping his crying face and glaring at her) Tumhara husband?!!?

Neha: (Suppressing her smile) Yeah… You don't expect me to marry an old man, do you!?? 😉

Saying she laughed out as others also laughed and there were claps of hands between Boxer, Vishal and Purvi, Cynthia!

Ajay: (Glaring) Karo naa! I'll be happy…. Bala tali ye sochke!

Neha: (Hands on her hip) Ha ha ha… Mr. Ajay Desai…. Don't even think of it…. Is janam me hi nahi… Saath janmon tak saath nahi chootne waala mera! Mujh bala se behtar tumhe koi milega bhi nahi!

Ajay: (Making a face) Pata hai naa…. Isliye kuch keh bhi nahi sakta, kuch kar bhi nahi sakta…. Bhaag bhi nahi sakta!

Neha: Hmpf! Bhaago naa… Kisne roka hai? 😡

Saying she turned away her face, arms folded…. Ajay shook his head and catching her shoulder turned her around and said….

Ajay: Are baba! (Catching his ears) I am sorry…. Tumne mazaak kiya to maine bhi mazaak ki…. Ab bhala aapse door hum reh kaise sakte hain!

Saying he tried to near her when Neha glared at him and pushed him off…. She looked about shying and saw that her friends were suddenly interested in the different color textiles around the shop…

Neha: (Hissing) Ajay! Hum bahar aaye hain…. (Clearing her throat said aloud) Waise bhi…. Kal tumhe aane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai… Mummy ji ne kaha hai ki vo aayengi…. Jewel selection me tum karoge bhi kya? Just pester….

Ajay: WHAT!?!? I pester you…. You are only pestering the poor shop guys…. Kuch decide hi nahi kar rahi…

A small voice that of Aryan said from behind the gathering…..

Aryan: Ajay! Neha! Tum log apni khit phit khatam karoge? Shopping karne aaye hain to shall we start…. (Looking around the huge shop) Itni saari shopping! Lagta hai mid night ho jayegi!

Aryan had also joined them directly from office…. Taking a half day off… Because they had to shop for Ajay…. He and his trendy clothes were what was at home and his choice…. But for marriage he was worse than Neha to choose for himself!

Hearing him everyone looked at him and nodded in agreement… Sri who was clinging to Dipika's hand left hers and ran to Aryan… Seeing her Aryan bent down to kiss her and caught her hand…. Dipika looked in surprise at Sri's action because she had never done that ever before now…. Aryan and Dipika shared a little eye lock session, meaningfully understanding Sri's action…. 😳

Sri was discharged from hospital four days back….. And Aryan was there promptly in the morning for her discharge…… She was perfectly fine…. The doctors had certified….. But still she was asked to take rest at home…. But knowing Sri and her energy Dipika could contain her in home only for one day…. From the very next day she wanted to roam around…. More because Aryan had promised her an outing and he never broke promises….

For the past three days Aryan was prompt on her door step at 5.30….. He used to leave from office half an hour early to reach Dipika's home exactly on time…. Sri was ecstatic seeing him daily…. 😛

First evening Aryan took her to beach…. His choice and Sri's excitement knew no bounds….. She played and ran and jumped around with Aryan….. Dipika was surprised to see her and him like this…. But she reminded herself that this was her first ever outing away from Pune…. Even though Dipika had taken her to all places in Pune, she had never taken Sri out of Pune… Mainly because she was too young to enjoy places and also Dipika found less time…. But now it seemed, situations had changed…..

And Sri enjoyed Aryan's company very much….. Dipika's words were not considered anymore…. Not that she complained…. Seeing Sri like that she felt very happy…. In her whole six years with her, Dipika had never seen her so happy and enjoying… And the main reason for all this was Aryan….

While with Sri you cannot find Aryan Khanna, Chief of Special Squad for miles…. No…. This was the plain Aryan Khanna playing and running in water with a small kid…

More and more Sri and Aryan enjoyed time together Dipika and Aryan came closer….

She was parroted by Neha as to how to use opportunities to bring Aryan and Dipika closer….. Playing in the beach Dipika was content sitting on the beach but Sri had dragged her in…. And needless to say the three of them had enjoyed their time there….

Once while running around for catch and catch, Dipika slipped losing balance in the retreating waves of the sea…. And Aryan Khanna was by chance near by to catch her…. BY CHANCE?!?!? 😉

Next day been Sunday Aryan was prompt to take them to a matinee show for a children's movie…. Sri's choice here too….

As for Sri.... She was a royalty fully enjoying herself…. Lunch? Sri's choice….. Dinner? Sri's choice…. Dipika's cooking…. And Aryan was taught to do coloring….. It was the first memorable Sunday Aryan had had in years….

Well…. The third day was a little work loaded for Dipika as she had promised Neha with her marriage preparations…. So they had all helped her with the pending invitation distribution yesterday…. And since yesterday they were out for Neha's marriage… All this was new for Sri and she enjoyed every moment of it! 😊😊

Even with such laughter and teasing going on around, Sri's tiny action didn't miss two pair of eyes…. Neha and Vishal looked at each other suppressing their smiles, glancing at Dipika and Aryan…. ❤️

Dipika: (Responding to Aryan's surprise) Agar hota hai bhi, to bear karna padega…. Ladies shopping hai… Aur shaadi humare liye bahut hi special…. Isliye no compromises….

Dipika had meant this in general but had said looking at Aryan who just smiled and answered back…

Aryan: Of course…. Of course… Humare liye bhi special hi hai… Hum kaise deny kar sakte hain?! Mid night or next day's noon…. No problem…. But the only thing is the shop keeper would chuck us out late night…. So I think at least we can begin? ❓

The others chuckled seeing how immediately Aryan's disagreement tone had changed to agreement with Dipika's word…….. Everyone nodded and went off to their respective sections… Women to theirs and Men to theirs….. 😳

Before Dipika could turn around to go, she called out for Sri….

Dipika: Sri!

Aryan looked back at her and at Sri who was holding her hand…. He looked back at her smiling and said….

Aryan: Use mere saath rehene do…. I'll take care!

Dipika: It's okay Aryan…. Vo jiske saath hai safe hi hai…. Lekin vo to bhaag jaane waalon me se hai… (To Sri) Uncle ke saath rehenaa…. Kuch dekha aur pasand aaye to Mamma se aake kehena… Dekhenge… Khud jaake kuch mat dekho… Samjhi?!?!

Sri: Ok Mamma…

Dipika smiled as Aryan nodded and took Sri with him....

Before Vishal could leave, a hand pulled him back… He stumbled back a little and hit against her…. Turning around he glared at Sandhya who was looking back at him not batting her eyelids…..

Vishal: (Sternly) Kya hai?

Sandhya: Are! Itna kyun bhadakte ho? Jaise kisi dushman ko dekha ho!

Vishal: Tume unse kum thode ho! Haath chodo!

Sandhya: (Hands on her hips) Dekh chilgose! Main to tumhari madad karna chahati thi…. Kaho to aake tumhare liye dress select kar sakti hoon!

Vishal: (Smiling for say and again sternly) Kyun?!??! Taana maarne ke liye, ki mujhe dress bhi select karna nahi aata!?!?! Bandariya…. No thanks…. Main khud select kar loonga!

Sandhya: (With mock surprise😲) Such!!! Tumhe dresses bhi select karne aate hain?!!? (Thinking) Tumhe to hamesha dekhke aisa nahi lagta…. Kabhi kabhi film me aane waale villain bhi theek se dress karte hain!

Vishal threw up his hands infuriated….. He knew she was teasing him on purpose…. Stamping his foot he left the place…. 😡

Sandhya: (To herself) Jaa jaa… Chilgose! Shaadi me tu meri hi selection pehenne waala hai…. Dekh lena! 😉

Dipika: (Calling out) Sandhya!

Sandhya: Yeah…. Coming!

Purvi: Sandhya tum kuch keh rahi thi? Ek hi dress?!?!

Sandhya: (Pulling the small chair in front of the saree counter) Haan…

Saying Sandhya explained her idea…. The ladies looked impressed as they all liked the idea and immediately agreed to it….

Sandhya: Isme hum sab… Main, Dipika, Purvi, Cynthia aur meri behen Aadhya hogi…. Haseena ko hum baksh sakte hain…. She would not be comfortable!

Dipika: (Flitting through the sarees) Sandhya mehndi aur sangeet ke liye kuch socha hai?

Sandhya: (Puzzled) Socha hai? Kya sochna hai?

Dipika: (Showing Neha a saree) Neha ise dekho… (To Sandhya) Sandhya humare group me dancer tum ho… Even organizer…. Tumne apne hospital ke event ko bahut achchi tarah organize kiya hai…. Ab shaadi hai to sangeet bhi hogi… Uske liye kuch sochna hoga naa?

Sandhya looked at Dipika bewildered as she smiled back with a known expression on her face….

Neha: (Looking at Sandhya) Haan Sandhya… Tumhara last performance bahut hi achcha tha… Mere liye meri shaadi me tumhi naachne waali ho… Sirf sangeet ke liye hi nahi…. Vo sab shaadiyon me hota hai… Tum use special karogi no doubt…. Lekin main chahoongi ki mere reception ke liye bhi tum ek performance do…. Please… Dogi naa!?

Dipika: Haan Sandhya… Why call someone from outside when someone from us is talented?

Sandhya: (Thinking over) Hmm…. (Then smiling) Neha ke liye kuch bhi… Lekin isme mujhe aap sabki help ki zaroorat hogi…. Done?!?!

Saying she extended her hand forward palm upwards! Cynthia, Purvi, Dipika and Neha smiling kept their hands on hers smiling!

Neha: (Hugging Sandhya) Thank you! 🤗

Cynthia: Neha…. Tumne decide bhi kiya hai ki tum kis ceremony me kya pehenane waali ho?

Neha: (Looking back at the selections) Maine kaha naa… Tum log hi batao…. Get me something to work… In computers….. I'll do it! But it is a tough job selecting all these…. (Waving her hands in front of her)

The others smiled sifting through the various selections…. Getting confused more and more looking through the various selections…. 🤪

After a while….

Dipika: (Putting down a lehenga) Tum log dekho… Main bahut confuse ho rahi hoon… Waise baaki sab kahan hain? Hum khud itne confuse ho rahe hain… Pata nahi unka kya haal hai?

Sandhya: Dipika… Unka kuch nahi hoga… Humari tarah selections go through thodi karenge… Jo pehle salesman ne dikhayi usi ko utha lenge….

Dipika: (Thinking) Hmm… Tab to… 😈

Sandhya: (Nodding and smiling) Hume khud jaake dekhna hai!

Dipika: Neha tum log yahan dekho… Hum ladkon ki haalat dekhke aate hain!

Saying Sandhya and Dipika moved on to the men's section in the second floor…

But how wrong they were this time… More than the women the men were getting confused as to what to select…. Boxer and Ajay were at the traditional section while Vishal was flitting through the suit section… 😆

Seeing them Sandhya and Dipika did their best to control their laughter….. Dipika searched for Aryan and found him seated simply playing with Sri…. 😳

Seeing a figure stand in front of him Aryan stopped fiddling with Sri's finger and looked up….

Dipika: Aryan!

Aryan: (Shrugging his shoulders) Hunh!?!?

Dipika: Tum yahan Ajay ko uski shopping ki help karne aaye the… (Hitting Sri's head lightly) Iske saath khelne nahi!

Sri looked up at Dipika and made a crying face rubbing her hand at the place she had hit her for sake….. Dipika glared at her and Sri shrugged her shoulders and looked at Aryan who was in the spotlight now! 😡

Vishal: Tell him….

Dipika laughed looking at Vishal who had five suits held in his hand…. Three in one hand…. Two in the other…. And one over his shoulder…. She helped him with them taking two suits from him and looking at it…. 😃

Vishal: Main kab se bula raha hoon… Aa hi nahi raha…. And this is for him too!

Dipika: (Looking down at Aryan who didn't care about what was happening) Aryan ke liye?!

Vishal: Haan… Maa… (Indicating his mother) Iski Maasi Maa ke orders hain… Vo iske ghar gayi thi kal… Dekha ki koi bhi kapda achcha nahi hai… To unhone kaha ki shaadi ke liye full new shopping karni hai iske liye…. Jaise ye dulha ho! Maine to kaha ye nahi maanega…. Lekin ek badi list bhejhi hai iske liye… Use select karne bulaoon to aa hi nahi raha! I can't go and get scolding from her!

Aryan: Vishal… Maasi Maa… Aisi hi hain… You know she exaggerates…. Ye sab shopping nahi chahiye mujhe… Mere paas kapde hain… I'll wear them…. Main unse baat kar loonga!

Vishal: Look here Aryan… It's not my orders…. Maa ke hain… I have to follow…. You like it or don't like it… I don't care…. Actually mujhe bhi tumhare liye shopping karna achcha nahi lag raha… Lekin kya karoon? ❓

Aryan: Phir…

Dipika: Aryan! Aunty keh rahi hain to khareed lo naa…

Aryan: Dipika! It's a waste…. Mujhe nahi…

Dipika: Achcha chodo… Lekin Ajay ke liye to select karo… Bechare ki halat dekhi hai!

Aryan and Vishal looked over at Ajay who was standing near by Boxer and Sandhya with hand over his head… He was really frustrated…. He thought his shopping at least would be easy… But his seemed tougher than what he had endeared in the police training….

During the whole shopping spree they had chanced to even look for himself only here…. And he was damn confused….. At least he was spared from selecting his main attire for marriage…. His mother had done it….. But for other ceremonies?!!?

Aryan: I think you are right…. (Looking at Vishal) Hume uski help karni chahiye… Meri shopping baad me dekh lenge…. Chalo!

Dipika waited for few moments and went over with them…

After a while Ajay's shopping was just about over… It would have of course got over much before hadn't Sandhya and Vishal come down on a bickering tournament as to select a Sherwani for him…. The match seemed never ending…. And Aryan had suggested that Ajay take both….. He could wear one in one ceremony and the other in another….. Ajay postponed the decision of wearing which dress to which ceremony later seeing that another match was brewing up between them! 😉

They were just waiting for the salesperson to write down the dress details when Dipika said…

Dipika: Main neeche jaake dekhti hoon… I think they should have got done with theirs by now!

She glanced at Sri who was now looking bored around….

Dipika: (Kneeling down) Sri! Kuch chahiye? 😊

Sri: (Hugging her) Hmm… Mujhe bhook lagi hai!

Dipika: (Smiling) Bas? To chalo… Bahar maine ek badiya restaurant dekha hai… Hum wahan chalte hain….

Sri nodded enthusiastically…. Dipika got up and looked at Aryan who was already watching them… He nodded smiling and Dipika took Sri with her…. 😳

Women's Section……

Dipika came down the stairs…. Purvi and Cynthia were going through the last few selections they had rounded off too… A small pile of the finalized selections were beside them which the salesperson was folding to be billed!

But Dipika noticed Neha upset…. She had looking over somewhere when she averted her eyes to watch Cynthia and Purvi, seeing Dipika come down the stairs….

Dipika glanced over at the direction Neha was looking at, the saree section and saw it… An elderly lady was selecting something for a younger girl…

The girl was saying….

Girl: Maa… Meri shaadi hai… Meri shopping ho gayi… Lekin aap apni shopping nahi kar rahe? Aapko khareedna hai… Aapne mere liye shopping ki, main aapke liye karoongi… Wait…😕

Saying the girl started to sift through some sarees…. Seeing that scene Dipika understood what Neha was going through….

Dipika: (Going over to her) Neha!

Neha: (Fiddling with the hem of a lehenga on the table) Ha… Haan… Unki shopping ho gayi?

Dipika: (Nodding) Haan… Lagbag… Kuch aur dekh rahe the…. Upset?

Neha: (Still not looking at her) Upset?!?! Main kyun upset hone lagi…. It's my D Day shopping….. (Faking a smile😳) See all those (Indicating the pile) are my shopping…. Nice selections naa? That green one is for my….

Dipika: (Catching her arm) Chalo…

Neha: (Stunned looking at her😔) Kahan?

Dipika: Just come… (To Cynthia and Purvi) Hum bahar waale restaurtant me wait karte hain… Bill lagane ke baad aap sab bhi wahan aa jaana… We'll finish our dinner there!

Both of them nodded and went back to their finalization process….

At the cash counter Dipika paid cash and collected few parcels…. But Neha was too upset to notice this….😳

Garden Restaurant….

Dipika: (Making Sri sit on chair) Sri beta… Boliye aapko kya chahiye?

After going through the menu card like she understood them, Sri said her choice…. Ordering for Sri, Dipika ordered soup for herself and Neha…

Seeing that Sri was comfortable in having her dinner Dipika turned her attention to Neha…. She purposefully didn't start the moment they had come in, because she wanted her to have time to get control over herself…. To compose herself! 😕

Dipika now looked at Neha who was just rotating her spoon in the soup…. Staring at it but not taking any interest in it…. As if she could find answers for all her confusions in it….. 😒

Dipika stopped her movement with her hand making Neha look at her…. Neha dropped the spoon in the bowl and took a deep breath preparing herself for what she knew Dipika was about to ask!

Dipika: Ek such baat boloon? ❓

Neha looked at her questioningly not expecting Dipika to start like this…..

Dipika: (Smiling) Tum Special Squad waaloon ko jhooth bolna bilkul bhi nahi aata hai! (As Neha looked puzzled) Well… Haan, main bhi Special Squad team me hoon…. Lekin tum log shuru se ho naa… Isliye….. Main humare team, jo pehle se bana hai use indicate kar rahi hoon!

Neha smiled faintly hearing this….. Of course…. They never knew how to tell lies….. Hadn't they tried so much in their past….. And always Dipika was the one to catch them red handed in their fraud dealings! 😃

But this time Neha knew very well that Dipika was not indicating anything official……

Dipika: (Checking on Sri who was busy with her fried rice) Pehle soup piyo, thandi ho jayegi!

Neha opened her mouth to protest that she wasn't hungry but Dipika forced back the spoon in her hand and she herself started on the soup…… Neha nodded slowly and they both started on their starter…..

Dipika: Feeling warm? (Neha simply nodded her response) Ab bolo kya baat hai?

Neha: (Putting down her spoon) It really is nothing Dipika….. Just I am tired…. Ghar jaake araam kar loongi to theek ho jaoongi….

Dipika: (Smiling) Ghar jaake araam karogi to tan ki thakaan door ho jayegi…. Lekin man ki?!?

Neha: (Sighing and shaking her head) You won't understand Dipika…..

Dipika: (Placing a hand over hers said consolingly) I may not understand…. But I definitely can feel it….. Try me! 😊

Neha looked long at her but couldn't get herself to talk about her….. The only person in the whole world she hated so much! Not exactly hate…. But still the only person she didn't expect to react like that!

Dipika: (Slowly) Maa ki yaad aa gayi? 😔

Neha: (Instantly angry😡) Definitely not…. Main to unhe apni maa hi nahi maanti….. Phir hi to yaad aana…. Unke baare me main sochna tak bhi nahi chahathi…..

Dipika: Khud socha nahi…. Lekin kuch to unke baare me yaad aaya…. Shop me un maa beti ko dekh!

Neha looked at her still angry about her mother…. But she very well knew Dipika had seen her look at the mother daughter duo in the shop….. And she hadn't taken trouble to mask her expressions…….

After a while she softened and said….

Neha: (In a dreamy state😳) Bachpan ki yaad aa gayi… When I was young…. Vo bhi meri shaadi ki baat karti thi…. Used to tell her imaginations of how she would want me to look…. What all she would shop and how she would get me ready with her own hands….And I used to deny angrily that I wouldn't leave her and go anywhere….. (Becoming bitter again😡) But that was past…. My childhood… The time of life everyone likes to re collect about….. Jab mujhe apne baare me hi kuch pata nahi tha…. Jab apne baare me aur doosron ke baare me pata chalne laga.... To…

Dipika: (Concerned) Neha! I really understand…. Lekin tumne kabhi bhi apne maa ke nazariye se dekha hai? Have you ever thought what she….

Neha: (Interrupting angrily) Why should I? Mere pappa to unhe sirf ek ghar ki machine samajhte the…. A robot looking after his house…. I regret been born as his child…. Lekin jab main kamane lagi to maine ghar choda…. Wahan reheke unki manmaani sehan nahi kar sakti thi?! Maa ko apne saath bulaya tha maine…. But when I left the house she was the one to scold me first…. More than that man my mother is the one I am angry on…. Not because of her scolding…. That isn't a matter at all…. Negligence sehenaa hi kyun? When you know a person is not good why live with him?

Dipika: Neha! It's not about good or bad…. It's about living together…. The time…. It's about the generation…. The society…. Tumhari maa previous generation ki hain… Three generations back auraton ko padne nahi diya jaata tha isliye unhe ghar me hi rehena pada, jitni bhi zulm kyun na ho… From the next generation situations changed when women started to get educated…. They did become educated but still breaking the bonds of family and society was a question out of thought…. Kyunki society is tarah badlaav dekhna nahi chahati tha…

Neha: (Indignantly) Society!?!? Who makes that society? We… Right? Agar koi uski shururaat nahi karega, to shuru hi nahi hoga…..

Dipika: (Trying to get in her point) Tabhi to is generation me…. Humne (Stressing) uski shuruaat ki hai…. Now no one just keeps bearing uncivilized behavior…. You had the confidence to leave your home…. You have started it…. But your mother…. Unke liye ye mushkil hota… Vo bhi padi likhi hain…. Phir bhi man me kaheen na kaheen is society ko face karne ka dar raha hoga! 😔

Neha: (Sternly) Hota…. Lekin jab maine unhe samajhaane ki koshish ki to maanane ke liye taiyaar hi nahi thi…. She flatly refused to see my point…. Us aadmi ko chodke aana, jo unhe ek kat putli samajhta ho, pata nahi usme kya mushkil ho sakti hai?

Dipika: (After a pause said softly) Kya tumne kabhi ye socha hai ki tumhari maa shayad unhe pyaar bhi karti hogi?

Neha: (Sarcastically) Pyaar aur us aadmi se?!!? A woman should be deaf, dumb and blind to….

Neha's voice faltered as Dipika's words got deep into her mind…. Her father who was an perfect example of a male dominating personality never considered his wife as even a human being let alone life partner! But her mother definitely did…. Many a times when he was sick… When he came home late…. In any state… She was there for him… She used to take care of him more like a child than a husband…. But of course all this went to deaf and blind ears and eyes of her father and he never showed any appreciation for her mother…. But still she had never complained! 😕

Dipika: (Seeing that Neha was thinking) Neha! Your mother very well must be knowing her life is not so good as she had expected it, when she got married…. But still somewhere down the line, she had started to love your father… Maybe yahi pyaar unhe lachaar karti ho!?

Neha: (Angry again😡) Aise pyaar ka kya faida jo dhokha de? Jo aapko ek jeeta jaagta insaan hi naa samjhein…. Uski kadar tak nahi karni chahiye…. Why forgive and then suffer?

Dipika: (After a little hesitation) Don't mind me saying…. Lekin kabhi Ajay ne bhi tumse kuch chupaya tha…. Vo bhi dhoka hi tha! Tumne ussse baat tak karni band kar di thi…. But now we are out for your marriage shopping… Somewhere down the line the love you had on him made you give him another chance… Right?!?! Trust him again! Maybe your mother has been giving such a chance like that to your father! It's just that she has been giving many chances and still is!

These words may have struck the cord because Neha thought about that incident…. Of course…. She was deeply hurt when she came to know about Ajay sleeping with another woman…. She had always known he was a flirt and liked to flit around like a Casanova…. But this one was shocking for her…. She regretted having loved him in those few months she hadn't talk to him… But knew that she still loved him and he too! Maybe Dipika was right that her love towards Ajay did make her give him another chance…. To believe in him again!

But… Her mother?!?! 🤔

Neha: (Coming out of her reverie she said determined) I gave him another chance…. Just only one other chance! But never again! 😳

This time it was Dipika's turn to get a little shocked seeing the expression on Neha's face…. First time itself Neha was difficult to convince….. She just wished Ajay would be careful enough not to indulge in anything like that again which would put his and Neha's relationship at stake!

Dipika came out of her shock when she heard voices…. She looked behind towards the restaurant entrance and saw the others coming in…. Sandhya was few feet behind them talking to someone… Someone she must know! The others were coming towards them!

She indicated to Neha and smiled at the others…. Neha too composed herself by the time everyone reached their table….

Ajay: (Flopping down beside Neha) Baap re! Finally textile shopping over! (Looking at the various baggages everyone was clutching) Lagta hai hume ek tempo ki zaroorat padne waali hai ye sab le jaane ke liye….

Boxer: Maamu! Tempo kyun? Tu hai naa…. Tu kaafi hai…. Sab kuch tumhare peeche load kar dete hain..... We'll walk free…. Paisa save hoga! 😆

As others laughed…. Dipika glanced at Aryan who sat on Sri's other side and was talking too earnestly about her dinner…. She smiled!

Ajay: (Sternly) BOXER! Maaf kiya…. Kyunki mujhme strength nahi hai tumse behas karne ke liye….. Feeling very hungry… Kuch order karo naa? (Looking at the soup bowls) Hey! Tum logon ne shuru kar di? Not fair…

Dipika: Ajay bas soup hi to hai… You don't expect us to sit in a restaurant simply!

Ajay: (Drinking from Neha's bowl) No problem…. Jab tak tum log kuch order nahi kar dete, this will do….

Vishal: (Mock shock😲) Neha your soup! Gaya! (Seeing no response) Neha!

Dipika squeezed Neha's hand as she came out of her swarming thoughts again…… She indicated to the table end and said.…

Dipika: Vishal tumhe bula raha hai!

Vishal: (Concerned) Kya hua? Any problem? 😔

Neha: (Smiling faintly) Nai… Vo…

Dipika: (Covering up for her stall) Oh ho Vishal! Ye bhi koi poochne ki baat hai? Of course there's a problem…. We have been roaming since afternoon…. Zaahir hai tired hogi… Not only she…. We everyone….. 🥱 Isliye jaldi dinner order karo….

In the mean time Ajay concerned asked about her health…. Neha looked at him for a while before shaking her head and smiling said she was okay….. She glanced at Dipika who had watched what had happened….

They really were a good couple… But both had their egos in them… And they were a little immature when it came to real life… But she knew they were learning to live it… Atleast there was an elder in Ajay's family to look after them…. 😊

Vishal: (Was saying) Right ho madam! Waiter! Come on guys! Shoot… Only orders not bullets!

The waiter had come to place plates and other accessories for the dinner…. Now he came back and waited for the orders….

Vishal: Sab apne apne orders denge to der ho jayegi…. One or two together decide and give your menus….. Main aur Boxer…. Cynthia Purvi tum log bhi jaldi decide karo aur Neha tum aur Ajay….. (Very casually) Dipika tum aur Aryan…. Sri… (Looking opposite at Sri's empty plate and smiling) Oh! Madam ne to khaanaa kha liya?!?! 😳

Sri: Haan… Madam's stomach was……

As Sri paused to think about the word to fill the space….. Few people around the table who didn't know Sri's habit looked confused as to why she stopped speaking suddenly and went into deep thought about something….. And few people who knew her tendency to search for words smiled….. 😊

Dipika: Is baar kya hai?

Sri: Mamma! Wahi naa…. (Indicating her stomach) This makes some noise when Sri's very hungry….

Vishal, Neha, Aryan and Dipika smiled and together said…. "Growling!" 😃

Hearing this there was a burst of laughter around as…. 🤣

Sri: (Surprised) Wow! Sabko pata hai…. Wahi…. Growl! Isliye Sri ate….. (Tugging at Dipika's kurta sleeve) Mamma…. Hand wash!

Before even Dipika could respond….

Aryan: Main karata hoon… Come!

Saying he carried her from the chair and took her to the wash area…. Surprised at Aryan's instant response Dipika looked back at them go…. Sri was continuously talking something indicating around the restaurant and Aryan kept nodding his head, whether it was right or wrong…. Whether he already knew or not…. Who cares?!?! 😊

She turned back to the table smiling and saw the whole table watching her….

Dipika: What?!? Waiter humare orders wait karne aaya hai…. Time wait karne nahi…. He's waiting! 😆

Immediately there was a shuffle of cards as they all started to look at the menu cards in pairs….

Vishal glanced up from his card and looked at Dipika who was in her thoughts a smile lighting her face….

"Hmm… Lagta hai plan kaam kar raha hai… Bachchi to badi kamaal ki nikali…. Before she leaves to Pune in these five days….. More should happen…. It will!" 😉

He immediately looked down at his card as Dipika glanced over at him… Shaking her head she also glanced down at the menu card to order for herself and Aryan!

Just then she looked up again startled as she heard a loud squeal…. It was Vishal…. Sandhya who had come there had stamped his foot hard! 😃

Sandhya: Ek baat bata chilgose…. Sabke sab order kar rahe hain…. Mera naam kyun nahi liya? Kyun? Mujhe bhook nahi lagegi? 😡

Vishal: (Standing up) Such me?!? Tumhe bhook bhi lagti hai?! Mujhe laga ek baar agar khaa logi to din bhar bhook nahi lagegi!

Sandhya: (Fuming😡) Matlab…. Main itnaaaaa khaati hoon…. Khud ko to dekh… Lagta hai khaane ke alava kuch soojta hi nahi hai!

Everyone around the table rolled their eyes towards heaven because they were blaming each other unnecessarily…. Both Vishal and Sandhya were really fit and slim…. No one could say any one would be healthier than them, let alone be fat! 😊

Dipika: Offoo…. Stop fighting… Khaana to shanti se khaane do! Sandhya…. Aao naa… Main tumhare liye order karti hoon….

Sandhya: (Walking over to sit on Dipika's other side) Tum kyun karogi? Jisne mera naam choota vo karega….

Vishal: (Turning around to look at her) Ah ha ha ha ha ha…. Khud khaana khud order karo…..

Sandhya: (Showing the butter knife) Nahi order karoge? Hmm…. (In a sing song voice, indicating the day she had gone to his home and they had come a little close) Pyaar ki ek kahani suno…. Ek kaali raat…. Ek khaali ghar….. Ek akeli adki…. 😉

Vishal: (Trying to stop her😲) Nai… Maine abhi tak apni baat khatam hi nahi ki….. Poora to suno…. Khud khaana khud order karna normal circumstances me hota hai…. Ab saath aaye hain…. To in pairs order kar rahe hain…. Main Boxer ke saath teamed up hoon, (Hastily before Sandhya could open her mouth again) Lekin no problem… One more shouldn't be a problem…. Not at all… (Sitting down and looking at the menu card said grudingly) Apni choice bata do! 🤢

Sandhya: (Smiling and silently clapping Dipika's hand beneath the table) Hmm…. No problem…. Jo kuch tum order karoge…. Kha loongi… Zindagi bhar jo seheni hai abhi se shuruaat kar loongi!

At this Vishal glanced at her and immediately looked back down to select the menu….

Other smiled silently selecting their menu! 😳

Dinner was a fun affair… Everyone talked…. Everyone ate…. Everyone joked…. Everyone ate…. And finally everyone did remember to wash their hands and leave!

By the time they started from the restaurant Sri had fallen asleep sliding down Dipika's lap, sitting on her chair itself…. When Dipika found it difficult to get up with Sri on her lap Aryan was prompt beside her…. He carried her to Dipika's car while she went to wash her hands…..

Vishal did notice Dipika's discomfort in getting up but had refrained from helping her and acted like not noticing talking to Boxer and prayed that Aryan notice it before she called to him for help…. His prayers hadn't gone unanswered….

By the car…..

Vishal: (Giving Dipika a good night hug) Good night!

Dipika: (Still in a hug asked in a low voice) Vishal…. Vo packets?!?!

Vishal: Sahi jagah pahoonch jayenge…. Kaise main nahi bataoonga… Lekin pahoonch jayenge! Fine? (Parting from a smiling Dipika) Lekin meri zindagi me itni shopping ki hi nahi hai maine!

Neha: (From the back of the car adjusting all the parcels between her and Cynthia) Aadat daal lo Vishal…. Aage aage shayad aisi shopping, ya issse bhi zyada karni hogi…..

Vishal: (Arms round Dipika turned to look at her) Kis ke liye?!?! ❓

Neha: (Teasing knowing he was playing) Who knows? Agli number tumhari bhi bhi lag sakti hai! (Winking at Dipika who smiled😉)

Vishal: (Shocked😲) Meri!?!? Never dream…. Meri shaadi ke liye shopping hi nahi hogi…. Is tarah bahar aake main thode trouble loonga…. No mandap, no jhanjhat…. No shopping, no nothing…. Seedha jaake register office me kar loonga!

Neha: You should say that to your would be… (Glancing at Sandhya in the front who was having a sleeping Sri on her lap)

Vishal: (Promptly) I will when I meet her!

At this he exclaimed suddenly as he got punishment from both sides….. Dipika had hit hard on his hand on her shoulder and from the other side Sandhya had pinched him hard on his left hand…. He was standing next to the passenger door of Dipika's car….

Vishal: Ouch!!!! (Wringing his left hand where Sandhya had pinched him, really hard) Tum log mujhe bakshoke! Keep hurting me…. 😃

Dipika: (Twisting around to face him) Then don't say rubbish things….

Vishal: (Looking at Sandhya sternly) By the way… Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho? Tumhari gaadi kahan hai? Khamakhaan pareshaan kar rahi ho Dipika ko!

Dipika: (Trying to intervene) Vishal… It's fine… M…

Sandhya: (Interjecting) Mr. Chilgose…. Aapki kya takleef hai? Dipika mujhe lift de rahi hai… Naaki aap…. Her house is in a location, to which anyways she has to go passing by all our houses…. Lekin (Smoothing a finger on his left hand which he jerked hard and moved away from the window) agar tum mujhe lift de rahe ho…. To bhi no problem!

Vishal: (Pushing Dipika to the driver's side) Nai…. Yahi bas hai tumhare liye…. She is a really good driver….. Drop kar degi!😆

Dipika hit his arm hard again to stop him from pushing her and chuckled seeing him so uneasy…. Neha and Cynthia in the car smile too!

Just then Aryan, Ajay and Boxer also reached them……

Vishal: Oie Aru tu ab tak nahi gaya?

Aryan: Jaana hai… Tu kyun nahi gaya? Tumhari gaadi kahan hai?

Vishal: (Purposefully placing his arm around Dipika's shoulder again) Jaana hai…. Gaadi peeche hai…. Guard ne kaha hai leke aayega…. Don't worry main Dipika ke saath nahi jaa raha!

Aryan: (Looking at him sternly) Isliye nahi poocha… Bas ki agar gaadi nahi laayi hai to lift de sakta hoon!

Vishal: (Placing a hand over his heart) Haila! Aryan! Tu mujhe lift dega?!? (Looking up) Chaand wrong direction se to nahi utha hai aaj!😲😉😊

Cynthia: (From the car's other side at the back) Chaand?!?! Suraj se to ye comparison hoti hai naa??!🤔

Vishal: Tch… Cynthia… Raat ho chuki hai naa… Isliye humare hisaab se sab change kar sakte hain!

Saying he winked as the others laughed lightly at his joke….😆

Dipika: Vishal! (To Aryan) Purvi tumhare saath aa rahi hai naa?

Aryan: (Nodding) Haan…. Mere ghar ke paas hi Zubin ka ghar hai… I'll drop her…. You already have to drop Neha and Cynthia….

Ajay: (Looking in through the window) I am sorry….. I have to drop Boxer at his in laws….. Other end of the city…. Isliye tumhe Dipika ke saath….

Neha: Oh ho Ajay! It's fine…. Maine kaha naa…. Jaise aaye the waise jaa rahe hain…. Lekin night hai, bike carefully chalana! (Ajay kissed her hand and nodded)

Vishal: (With a pleasant expression) Oie hoie! (Immediately changing his expression as if he was irritated) Agar tum logon ki koochi koo ho gayi ho…. To ab sab nikalein… (Raising his voice a little) It's getting late!

Everyone around smiled and Dipika got into her car….

Ajay turned to glare at a grinning Vishal and turned back to Neha….

Ajay: (Giving her a kiss) Bye then! Good night!

Aryan: Good night!

Dipika and the ladies in the car waved bye as she drove off….😛

it was awesome.

hey that was excellent!!!! i have run out of words to praise u!!!!!

so finally neha ko mom ki yaad aa gayi....i knew it!!!!

👍🏼

hmmmmmmmmmm diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
dil khush kar diya aapne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!