Kashmakash S2.. NOTE Pg 132 Deepa's VM Pg 142 - Page 2

Chapter Ten

BB: But Vermaji..

Ashu: Baba..let him talk.

CV: What is there to talk Ashutosh? I am at a loss here. I mean, what you are saying..I can't even comprehend it. Aap ke aur meri beti ke beech 18 saal ka farak hain Ashutosh. 18 years! That's like having a complete generation gap and in these days, youth considers 7-8 yrs as a generation gap.

DB: Arre Dr Ashtosh aap toh meri bachchi ke pitah ke umr ke ho aur yeh..

Nidhi intervenes: DB, Dr Ashutosh mere pita ke umr ke nahi hain aur yeh baat aap achchi tarah jaanti hain.

DB shouts at Nidhi: Tum chup raho Nidhi. Don't say anything. Aur koi mila nahi tujhe? Aur kyon? Tere umr ke ladke sab margaye hain kya jo tum jaake..

BB: Kitni ajeeb baat hain na Sarojji…we always ask our children which flower do you like, which colour do you like, which profession do you like. Lekin jab pyaar ki baari aati hain, we ask WHY do you like this person. Does anyone really know the answer I wonder!

CV: I am not against my daughter falling in love Dr Mathur. Most definitely not. Pyaar ki bhaasha mein bhi samajhta hoon. But what these two are thinking of is pure insanity. As a father, I can not accept this.

DB: Yog, why are you even talking about this? I can't even understand how they even dared to come here with this insane idea.

CV stalls her: Bua, please aap chup rahiye. Dr Mathur aur Dr Ashutosh sharafat se izzat se baat ki hain hum se. If we don't like it, we should be equally polite about it. So, please!

Ashu: Sir, I love your daughter and I understand your concerns too. I left this city and KGH for the same reason. But in the end, the distance did nothing to diminish either of our feelings. If anything, it just made them stronger.

Nidhi: Baba, I want to be happy in my life. And my happiness is with Dr Ashutosh. Please Baba, try to understand.

CV looks at his daughter. Confusion, anger, disappointment, frustration..his eyes reveal them all: I AM trying to understand Nidhi. You are thinking of you and Ashutosh now. But I am seeing you and Ashutosh when you would be 50 and he would be what? 68?

Nidhi: Baba, maa toh aap se 5 saal choti thi na. Thi na baba. So where is she now? Batayiye. Who knows what will happen 20-25 yrs down the road Baba.

BB softly continues: Vermaji, I agree that their love would seem like insanity to you but I saw them together. They complete each other. Aur agar Bhagwaan ne inn dono ke beech pyaar jagaaya hain toh koi toh wajah hogi na. please..think about it.

CV: Wajah ke baare mein toh mein nahi jaanta Dr Mathur but right now all I see is the destruction of my daughter's life. Mein iss rishte ko apni razaamandi nahi desakta. Kabhi nahi.

Nidhi: Baba..

DB: Buss Nidhi! Chup! Ek dum chup! Ab ek lafz bhi aur bola na toh yeh padai sab band karke ghar mein bitadungi.

BB gets up and Ashu follows suit: Mein aap ke jazbaat samajhsakta hoon Vermaji. Par jaldbaazi mein koi bhi faisla mat leejiye. Tande dimaag se sochiye. Take your time and think about it. We will wait.

CV: My decision is not going to change Dr Mathur.

Ashu gives him an impassive look: That's what I thought too sir. But..things change. Namaste. (He looks at Nidhi for a couple of moments without blinking, gives her a small nod of reassurance and walks away with his baba. Their car starting and backing out coincides with Anji's arrival. She literally throws her college bag inside her house and jumps over the wall to come to Nidhi's. By then, everyone has gone in different directions. DB to her room in a fit of temper, CV to his own to overcome the shocker his daughter has thrown at him today morning and Nidhi to her own to battle her own resurfaced fears.)

Anji: Kya hua? My prof stopped me just as I was about to leave. Warna mein isse pehle pahunchjaati. Kya kahaa uncle ne? I saw a car backing out. Did they come? Yaar..kuch toh bol.

Nidhi: Baba ne manaa kardiya..aur..aur woh log chalegaye.

Anji: Chale gaye matlab?

Nidhi: Dr Mathur told baba to think for some more time before making the final decision. Baba said there is nothing to think..(Her fear comes to surface full force) What if he goes off again? What if he decides baba is right? What if..

Anji: Tu tension mat le yaar. Did you try calling him?

Nidhi takes out her phone and dials his number. Ashu parks the car to the side and answers the phone: Hello?

Nidhi: Ji..mein..

Ashu looks at his baba before getting down from the car and closing the door: Haan Nidhi?

Nidhi: Ji..woh..aap..mein..you won't go off again, will you?

Ashu closes his eyes. Pain washes through him as he gets a glimpse of what she must be thinking and fearing: Nidhi..no. I promise you..I am not going to go anywhere. Let's give some time to your baba. Let him think it over. It's not easy for him either, right? Tum..sunn rahi ho na?

Nidhi: Ji..mein sunn rahi hoon. Ok. See you then.

Ashu: Take care. I promise Nidhi..I will not leave.

Nidhi sighs in relief and smiles a little: Thank you. Bye.

Ashu: Bye. (He disconnects the call and gets into the car again.) Nidhi ka phone tha. I told her we should give time for her baba to think things over.

BB nods: Let's hope for the best beta. He was very polite despite his refusal. I think he will come around.

Ashu: Aur agar phir bhi na maane toh? (BB had no answer to that and they make the rest of the journey in silence, lost in their own thoughts.)

Next day morning: Nidhi's residence:

DB looks at Nidhi dressed up in her usual salwar kurta with her backpack: Where are you going?

Nidhi: College DB.

DB: Pehle waada kar ki tu uss dactar se nahi milegi.

Nidhi: Woh KGH ke dean hain DB. Aur mein wahaa padti hoon. Na milna na mumkin hain. I can't make that promise.

CV: Is that why chose this college Nidhi?

Nidhi: He was not there when I chose it baba. He doesn't have anything to do with my decision but yes, he was the reason I chose. Ab mein chalti hoon. Der horahi hain.

DB: Shaam ko seedha ghar waapas aana.

Nidhi: Ji DB.

And she leaves, stops at the usual flower shop and makes her way to KGH. Her phone pings with an incoming sms: Where are my flowers?

Her face splits into a lovely smile as tension fades to the background and she types her reply: Stuck in a traffic jam. Pahoonch jaayenge.

Its almost time for her first class by the time she reaches KGH so she practically flies into Ashu's cabin, gives a disappointed sigh to find him gone, changes the flowers and takes another couple of minutes to tidy up his desk and leaves at the same speed almost crashing into him near the door: Ouch! Oh..sorry..woh..der hogayi. I am getting late for the class. Mein aap se baad mein baat karti hoon. Lunch. Bye. (And leaves before he could open his mouth. He huffs out a small laugh and shakes his head ruefully.

Around lunch time:

Ranga looks up at someone knocking on his cabin door: Yes?

Anji peeps in with a shy smile on her face: Hello Ranganath!

Ranga's pen drops from his fingers and he jumps up from his chair as if launched my a spring mechanism: An..Anji..tum..yahaa..mere..mere cabin mein. Come in..come in..please..have a seat.

Anji sits in the opposite chair and fiddles with her handbag: Meine aap ko disturb toh nahi kiya na?

Ranga: No no no..not at all. Its lunch time any way. Kahiye kya karsakta hoon mein aap keliye.

Anji bites her lower lip: Woh..actually..I was thinking..Shall we go for lunch? I mean..you and me..?

Ranga's jaw almost hits the floor: Uh..oh..ummm..lu..lunch? As in you and me only lunch? As in..as in date kind of lunch? (Anji nods with bowed head and pink cheeks making Ranga fairly leap out of his chair and don his coat.) Sure..sure..aap bulaye aur hum na aaye..chaliye chalte hain.

Anji gets up: Just two minutes ok? I want to meet Dr Ashutosh once. He and his father had come to Nidhi's house yesterday but I missed them by minutes. I want to see who it is that Nidhi fell so hard for.

Ranga nods with a smile and checks his watch: I think he will be in the canteen at this time. Uh..how did the meeting go?

Anji shrugs: As expected. Nidhi ke baba nahi maanrahe. Dekhte hain kya hota hain. (Ranga nods and directs her towards the canteen and informs her that he would be waiting for her near his car. With a wave, she goes towards the lifts and soon reaches the canteen.)

In the canteen:

Ashu: Dr Kothari was saying that you stopped coming to the canteen..after I left?

Nidhi raises her eyes to find him looking at her as if waiting for her answer: Mann nahi kiya.

Ashu: I think Dr Khanna also knows.

Nidhi grins and rolls her eyes: Everyone knows! This is KGH sir.

Ashu frowns: No one said anything to me.

Nidhi gives him a get real look: As if anyone would dare to say anything to the Dean! (Then her face softens) They didn't say anything much to me either. So please don't worry about it.

Anji: Hi!

Nidhi whirls her head: Hey Anji! Tu yahaa kaise?

Anji smiles at her before sliding a look at Ashu: I told you na..I wanted an introduction? So..here I am!

Nidhi takes her hand and pulls her closer: Dr Ashutosh..this is my best friend and childhood buddy, Anji Solanki. Anji, Dr Ashutosh, Neurosurgeon and Dean of KGH.

Ashu gets up and shakes Anji's hand: Hello. Nice meeting you.

Anji grins: Same here. I..(She gives a quick look around the canteen where the staff is not even bothering to hide their curiosity and tones down her volume) I wanted to be there yesterday but my prof stopped me at the last minute and I got delayed.

Ashu nods and gestures her to take a seat: You are studying..?

Anji: Fashion designing mein PG kar rahi hoon. Final year.

Nidhi: Lunch karegi? I can get..

Anji stops her: Nahi..mein..I am going out with Ranganath.

Nidhi raises both her eyebrows: Arre waah..kya baat hain! Finally haan!

Anji pushes her: Enough now. I am off. He is waiting. Nice meeting you Dr Ashutosh. (And she leans in to whisper something in Nidhi's ear and runs off before Nidhi could catch her. Ashu observes the whole exchange with a slight smile on his face and raises his eyebrow at Nidhi.)

Nidhi: She said her jeejaji looks very smart. (A moment's confusion and then a slash of red tinge his cheeks making her smother her giggle. Both finish their lunch quickly and leave.)

This goes on for the next three days with a continued impasse at Nidhi's house and both of them limiting their meetings to their lunch time in the canteen which hardly gives any chance or opportunity for a private conversation. Each hides their disappointment and fear of the uncertain future and it makes the already limited conversations more stilted. Questions of what if, what now and how long plague their minds until Ashu's temper is frayed and Nidhi is on the edge all the time. They start relying more and more on sms and soon it becomes a part of their daily routine. One "good morning" wish followed by "how was your day" in the evening and then a "good night" in the night just before going to sleep.

On the Fourth day: Morning:

Nidhi gets a call from Ashu: Ji?

Ashu: Nidhi..you have a minute?

She was on her way to the auditorium with the rest of her class mates so she moves a little away from the group: Ji kahiye.

Ashu: I have to go to Delhi for 2 days. Got a call from AIIMS. Something that I need to wrap up over there.

Nidhi's face dims: Kab jaana hain?

Ashu sighs and starts walking towards the parking lot: I am leaving now. Will be back the day after tomorrow. Ok? (A slight pause and then) I will be back Nidhi. Day after tomorrow. Wadaa karta hoon.

Nidhi smiles: Teek hain. Mein intezaar karoongi. Apna khayaal rakhiye. Where will you stay over there?

Ashu: It's just for a day na toh Armaan ke ghar.

Nidhi: Ok. Armaanji ko mera hello boliye.

Ashu smiles: Kehdoonga. Take care. See you soon.

Nidhi: I love you. (Ashu's feet come to a stand still and his fingers tighten around the phone and his breath shudders out. She smiles.) Happy journey sir.

Ashu: Nidhi..call if..if anything changes.

Nidhi: Will do.

Next day night:

Ashu's phone pings just as he is about to send Nidhi a goodnight message: Hont pe liye hue dil ki baat hum..jaagte rahenge aur kitne raat hum..mukhtsar ki baat hain..tumse pyaar hain..tumhaara intezaar hain.

Ashu traces the message lovingly with his fingertips before typing his reply: Dil behel toh jaayega iss khayaal se..haal milgaya tumhaara apne haal se..raat yeh karaar ki..bekaraar hain..tumhaara intezaar hain.

He clicks the send button before Armaan's voice makes him turn back from his place in the balcony: Missing her?

Ashu nods, his thumb still on the screen of the phone: I was missing her before too you know..for 8 long lonely months I missed her Armaan. Par iss baar..iss baar woh dard alag hain. (His palm rubs over his heart in a subconscious gesture telling his friend where it's hurting him)

Armaan smiles and squeezes his shoulder: You know what..I think you guys should just go ahead and get married. Her father will come around slowly once he realizes his daughter is happy with you.

Ashu: Dekhte hain. Let's give him some time.

Nidhi's residence:

Nidhi knocks softly before entering CV's room: Baba?

CV looks up from his book: Yes Nidhi?

Nidhi sits beside him on the bed: Baba..mein aapse kuch kehna chaahti hoon.

CV: Dr Ashutosh ke baare mein? (She nods) Iss baare mein hum na baat kare toh hi achcha hain Nidhi. If I had even inkling of what was going on in your mind when you joined your PG, I wouldn't have agreed to it come hell or high water.

Nidhi: Baba..when I joined, he had already left KGH on sabbatical.

CV gets up angrily: Then he damn well should have stayed away instead of coming back to wreck your life.

Nidhi: Baba, my life was a wreck while he was away and I think you know it.

CV sighs impatiently: Yeh pyaar nahi pagalpan hain Nidhi aur iss pagalapan ka saath mein NAHI doonga. Have you thought of what the society would say to your relationship?

Nidhi: Mein apni khushi ke baare mein sochrahi hoon baba..society ke baare mein nahi.

CV: You can't say that Nidhi. We LIVE in this society. (He raises his palm as if he doesn't want her to talk anymore.) Buss Nidhi..no more discussions on this topic. Finish your studies. I am sure by then you will be well over this madness and start making some sensible decisions. (Nidhi gives him a helpless look and leaves his room)

Ashu slides off into a restless sleep with all kinds of restless disturbing thoughts crowding his mind. A frown gathers as he turns into a 7 year old once again: "Papa, aap mera doggy wapas do na please. Mein promise karta hoon..mein aapko phir gussa nahi dilaaunga." His father's voice hits him out of the blue, his face twisted with a kind of sadistic pleasure: "That's not a doggy..thats a soft toy. I chopped it off and threw it away." Suddenly, the image of his father blurs and becomes that of CV: "What you are thinking of is insanity..I would never accept it. Aapka rishta mujhe hargiz manzoor nahi." Nidhi's voice and image starts fading into the background: "I have fallen in love with you. I love you..I love you..I love.." Ashu is startled out of his sleep with Nidhi's name echoing through the walls. Did I scream? He runs a distracted hand through his sweat drenched face. What was it? A nightmare? Yes..just a nightmare. That guy died long ago. Nidhi ke baba uski tarah nahi hain. He would accept. He gets up and starts pacing around. But what if he doesn't? What if I lose her? No..I can't lose her now. I can't live without her. I told her everything. I didn't hide anything from her and still she chose me. She is mine now. But she loves kids. He smothers that twinge of guilt. She is an adult and she has thought through and made her choices. I won't let her go. I can't do this. I can't wait any more. I want her with me where I can see her whenever I want..touch her..reassure myself that she is mine. I want to bind her to me in every way possible. Decision made, he picks up his phone.

Nidhi is startled out of her disturbed sleep by the ringing of her phone. She looks at the clock. 2 AM. She checks the number. Dr Ashutosh! She quickly picks it up: Hello?

Ashu: Nidhi?

Nidhi: Ji? Kya hua? Sab..sab teek toh hain?

Ashu: Nidhi..do you trust me?

Nidhi rubs her eyes: Yeh kaisa sawaal hain?

Ashu: Answer me. Do you trust me?

Nidhi: Khud se zyaada.

Ashu: Do you love me?

Nidhi: Aap se zyaada.

Ashu: Will you marry me? (Stunned silence answers him) Will you marry me Nidhi?

Nidhi swallows: Yes. But..

Ashu: I am going to be back in Lucknow tomorrow morning. Meet me at the Ram Mandir at 3 pm. I am going to marry you..tomorrow.

Nidhi gets up from her bed: Ji?

Ashu: I will wait for you. Tomorrow. 3 PM. Ram Madir. (And ends the call before going and knocking on Armaan's door. A couple of minutes later, Mansi opens the door with sleep blurry eyes.)

Mansi: Ashu bhaiya? Kya hua? Kuch chahiye?

Ashu: I am going to marry Nidhi tomorrow. I want you and Armaan to attend. Will you?

Mansi blinks a couple of times before running inside and shaking Armaan awake: Armaan! Armaan! WAKE UP! Ashu bhaiya is going to get married tomorrow.

Ashu hears Armaan's scream of "WHAT" from his place in the hall which adjoins all the three bedrooms. A couple of moments later, Armaan staggers out: Kya hua tujhe?

Ashu looks at him with painfilled desperate eyes: Armaan..will you help me?

Next day: Afternoon: 2.45:

Nidhi grips Anji's hand tighter before taking out her phone and making the call: Baba..baba mein Nidhi. (Her heart thunders out in her chest until she is sure it can be heard by her father through the phone. She didn't have the courage to tell him face to face and copped out by coming out of the house at her usual college time. Ever since Dr Ashutosh and his father had come to talk, the atmosphere at home was stitled and tense so no one questioned her when she made her way out with her usual backpack.)

CV: Yes Nidhi?

Nidhi: Baba..mein Dr Ashutosh se shaadi karne jaarahi hoon. Aaj. 3 baje. Ram Mandir mein. I know you won't, but I would be really happy if you would come and bless me.

Stunned silence follows her statement. Finally: Don't bother coming back to my house ever again. (The line gets disconnected. She closes her eyes tightly so that her tears don't seep out. She has made her choices and she would pray that one day soon, her father would accept and forgive.)

Anji: You ok? (Nidhi nods)

Ranga turns to look at her from his place in the front seat: We are almost there Nidhi.

Nidhi: Thank you Ranganath.

Ranga smiles: Aap ka dost hoon Nidhi. Aur phir..I can't even think of NOT attending my boss's wedding na.

2.55 PM: Ram Mandir:

Armaan hands over the shaadi ka saamaan to the pandit, gestures Mansi to take charge, makes sure Anjali is not climbing any walls and trees and makes his way to Ashu: There is still time Ashu. Ghabra mat.

Ashu's eyes are glued towards the temple entrance: Yes. She will come. She HAS to come.

Armaan: We didn't even tell baba yaar.

Ashu: He is a father Armaan. I could not ask him to support this and if I ask and if he refuses, I can't do this. Its better this way.

Armaan nods and a slow smile splits his face: Lo..aagayi tumhaari dulhan.

Relief almost makes him fall on his knees before a smile lights up his eyes and reaches his lips as he sees her getting down from the cab with her friend Anji and..whoa..and Ranganath too in her tow. Dressed in a simple maroon sari, hair in its usual pony tail and a pair of bangles adorning her hands along with a simple gold chain around her neck. His bride. His treasure. His Nidhi. She would have had so many dreams about her wedding day and here I am..His pang of remorse disappears as she looks up at him and smiles. All three walk up to the mandap and wordlessly, he extends his hand to her in a gesture of reassurance. She places her hand in his without a moment's hesitation and he helps her up the steps. Her gaze slides from his and she gives a small tentative smile Armaan and Mansi. Mansi's own smile widens and she envolopes Nidhi in a hug: Hello Nidhi. I am Mansi. Armaan's wife. Darr lagraha hain?

Nidhi swallows and wets her lips: Ji..thoda.

Mansi: Don't worry. Yeh mere Ashu bhaiya hain na..he will take real good care of you. Ghabrao mat Nidhi. Humsab hain na tumhaare saath? Hmmm?

Nidhi nods and everyone turns towards the hawan where the pandit is sitting and beckoning them. Ashu shakes Ranga's hand in a wordless gesture of thank you and Ranga shakes his head as if to say no thanks needed. Anji quickly adjusts Nidhi's sari and places a red twinkling bindi on her forehead while Maansi gets a red chunar from her bag and drapes it over her head. Armaan gets a pink long dupatta and puts it over Ashu's shoulders. Maansi helps Nidhi sit in front of the hawan and Ashu sits beside her to her right side. Pandit starts reciting the chants and after a small Ganesh puja, Pandit signals for the gatbandhan. Armaan and Mansi do the honours and the couple start their pheras. One oath for each phera. The first four times, Nidhi follows Ashu and the next 3 Ashu follows Nidhi. Just as the Pandit is about to announce "Phere sampann hue", Ashu signals him to wait and turns towards his bride: Nidhi..humaari shaadi mein aat phere honge. Ek aatwa vachan logi mereliye?

(Nidhi looks into his eyes and nods. Her trust in him complete and absolute. He extends his palm and she places hers in it as a promise. He tightens his fingers around her palm) Repeat after me. Ok? (Another nod) I swear before the God and this holy fire..

Nidhi: I swear before the God and this holy fire..

Ashu: That if at any point of time in the future..

Nidhi: That if at any point of time in the future..

Ashu: No matter what the reason or how justified it may appear to be..

Nidhi: No matter what the reason or how justified it may appear to be..

Ashu: If you cause me any kind of physical or emotional harm..

Nidhi finally realizes what he wants her to promise. But there is not an ounce of hesitation as she repeats: If you cause me any kind of physical or emotional harm..

Ashu: I would not think of forgiving you.

Nidhi: I would not think of forgiving you.

Ashu: I would leave you and never look back..ever again.

Nidhi: I would leave you and never look back..ever again.

He gestures her to go ahead for the eigth phera and he follows her. Armaan blinks back the wetness in his eyes and cheers up everyone's sombre mood by scattering flower petals over the couple and lifting up Anjali so that she also can participate. The rest quickly get caught in the enthusiasm and follow suit. Pandit extends the sindoor and Nidhi bows her head as Ashu fills her maang with it. Maansi quickly opens the small box and extends the single strand of black beads in a gold chain with a small locket to Ashu. It had been literally a last minute purchase done while Ashu and Armaan were already at the Mandir and Maansi had run to the nearest Jewellery store. Ashu ties it around Nidhi's neck. She raises her eyes and looks into his. Relief, joy, contentment and love chase each other in both their expressions and they are barely aware of their friends clapping. Anji back hugs Nidhi and kisses her cheek while Armaan slaps Ashu's back and both friends hug each other. Ranga face is wreathed in smiles as he congratulates Ashu before forgoing the protocol and hugging him quickly and stepping back.

"Yeh vivah sampann hua. Aaj se aap dono pati patni." Another round of woohoos and claps go around at that announcement by the pandit.

Ashu gets up and extends his hand to his wife: Ghar chale?

Nidhi places her hand in his.

Chapter Eleven

Ashu's residence: 4.30 PM

BB: Hiraman, Ashu ki flight toh barah baje ki thi na..ab tak aaya kyon nahi? Did he call you? Has left Delhi?

Ashu: Baba..

BB turns towards the door with a smile: Arre Ashu..I was just thinking about..(He looks at the whole group standing at the door and comes to a halt with Nidhi) Nidhi..beta..tum? (His confused eyes taken in her sari, sindoor and mangalsutra and he looks at Ashu) Ashu..yeh sab..

Ashu holds Nidhi's hand and entwines their fingers: Baba..we got married about an hour ago. In Ram Mandir.

BB and HK look stunned and neither knows how to react for a few moments. Maansi takes the opportunity to go inside the house towards the kitchen. BB gives a helpless look: Yeh kya kardiya Ashu?

Ashu: Dilwaala hoon baba..apni dulhaniya leaaya hoon.

BB: Ashu..tum jaante the uss din mere kehne ka woh matlab nahi tha. Beta, aise itni jaldi baazi mein..

Maansi: Uncle, baaten baad mein bhi toh hosakti hain na. Aapki bahu aapke chaukhat pe khadi hain. Usse andar nahi aanedenge? (Saying that she takes the aarti thali towards the couple and does the aarti and tilak.) Ek minute Nidhi..yahi ruko.

(She goes inside and gets the rice bowl and places it near Nidhi's feet) Apne daaye pair se kalash ke giraake andar aajao.

(Nidhi gives BB a slightly apprehensive look before kicking the rice bowl and entering the house for the first time as Mrs Ashutosh Mathur. Both of them go to BB and bend to take his blessings.)

BB automatically places a hand on their heads: Ab mein kya aashirwaad du tum dono ko?

Ashu raises his head: Baba..I didn't mean to hurt you. But I could not take the chance that..

BB looks at Nidhi: Khush raho beti. Sada suhaagan raho.

Nidhi turns towards HK and touches his feet. Starlted, he tries to move back: Arre..yeh kya kar rahi ho beti?

Ashu also comes and touches his feet: Kaka..aap mereliye mere baba se kam nahi hain. (A teary eyed HK blesses both of them.)

Mansi: Aao Nidhi..tumhe tumhaara ghar dikhaati hoon. (Nidhi, Mansi and Anjali go up the steps towards the first floor which has Ashu's room along with a guest room and study and an open balcony.)

Armaan makes sure Nidhi is out of hearing and comes to BB: Baba..please forgive us. I know you are angry right now..

BB: Armaan..I am not surprised that you supported you friend in this. Both of you are more brothers than friends according to me. But Ashu..(He turns towards Ashu) This is so unlike you beta..you always think things through before taking a step.

Ashu: I didn't want to lose her baba. I couldn't take the chance.

Armaan: Baba..Ashu ki khushi Nidhi ke saath hain. I think the last 8-9 months proved that beyond doubt. And I really think she is a wonderful girl. Woh humaare Ashu ko bahut khush rakhegi baba.

Ashu: And I will give everything in my power to make her happy too baba. I promise you.

BB sighs in defeat: Par Vermaji..unka kya Ashutosh?

Ashu looks away: He will come around baba..when and if he realizes that his daughter is happy with me, he will come around.

BB nods: Chalo ab jo hogaya so hogaya. Let's see what happens now. Jaa..andar jaake dekh usko kuch chahiye kya. Nayi jagah hain..ghar mein koi aurat bhi nahi hain..(Ashu nods and goes up the stairs.)

Armaan: Aap ghabrayiye mat baba. Maansi hain na. We will stay for a couple of days.

Ashu's bedroom:

Maansi: Aur yeh Ashu bhaiya ka kamra hain..ab se tumhaara bhi. If you want to fresh up, the bathroom is that way.

Nidhi shakes her head: No. I am ok.

Maansi looks up to see Ashu standing at the door: Aap dono baaten keejiye mein chai banaake laati hoon. Chal Anjali..

Anjali runs and wraps her arms around Ashu's legs: Mujhe mama ke saath rehna hain.

Maansi bites her lip to stop her laughter: Mama se baad mein khelenge. Pehle mere saath neeche chal.

Anjali just clings tighter and starts shaking her head in the beginning of a temper tantrum: Nahi..nahi..nahi..mujhe Ashu mama ke saath rehna hain.

Nidhi: How old are you? 7..8? (Anjali turns towards Nidhi who is standing near the bed and shows 5 fingers. Nidhi's eyes grow wide with wonder) 5? But I thought since you were so big and tall, you must be at least 8.

Anjali's face glows and she takes a small step towards Nidhi: I am the tallest in my class.

Nidhi nods and bends at her waist: I can imagine. Kya peete ho aap? Complan?

Anjali nods enthusiastically: Strawberry flavour.

Nidhi slurps her lips: Yummy! I love that flavour. Aur aapko toh numbers bhi sab pata honge na..(She silently gestures Maansi to leave and Maansi gives Ashu a slightly apologitical look before going down the steps towards the kitchen. Anjali by now has come near Nidhi and both of them have sat on the bed with Nidhi resting her palm on her cheek and Anjali imitating her) Yes..I know numbers and letters and some words too.

Nidhi: Aur colours?

Anjali: Pink. I like pink. Aapko mein kya bulau?

Nidhi looks up at Ashu with her first tense free smile: Aap Dr Ashutosh ko kya bulaate ho?

Anjali: Mama.

Nidhi: Toh mein aapki maami.

Armaan shouts from below: Anju..dadaji tumhaareliye chocolates laaye hain. (Anjali leaps out of the bed and runs down the steps barely acknowledging Ashu's shout of "sambhalke Anju!")

Ashu finally sighs in relief, stuffs his hands in his trouser pockets and looks at Nidhi..his wife. Her wide eyes look back at him as her lips stretch into a shy smile. Did today really happen? Or is it some kind of weird dream conjured by my desperate heart?: Uh..baba is ok with it. Don't worry. Umm..Did you have your lunch?

Nidhi shakes her head: I was kind of nervous. Aur aap?

Ashu gives his famous lopsided smile and shakes his head: I was kind of nervous.

Nidhi: I took off the second half of the day. Kal college jaana hain. Guest lecture in Endocrinology.

Ashu: Sure..no problem. Kal subah..saath chalte hain. What time is the lecture?

Nidhi: 10. But I need to be there by 9..need to catch up on some stuff.

Ashu nods: Ok. We will go together.

Nidhi's face falls but continues hesitantly: Can we leave a little early? I want to go see my baba once. I know he told me not to come back but..

Ashu: Ok..I will take you there. We will leave around 8? (His head swirls towards her suddenly) Do you need clothes? I mean..did you have time to pack?

Nidhi: I have a couple of pairs in my backpack. I am fine for today and tomorrow. Baad mein..dekhte hain. I will ask Anji to..

Ashu: Armaan has his fashion house here. May be you can get something from there. I will take you tomorrow some time. Ok? (Nidhi nods) Bhook lagi hain?

Nidhi bites her lower lip: Ji..thoda.

Ashu gets up: I will go and get something.

Nidhi also gets up: Mein bhi chalti hoon.

Ashu: Nidhi..(Nidhi's steps towards the door halt and she turns to look at him) Thank you.

The rest of the evening passes with everyone trying their level best to put Nidhi at ease, especially Maansi and Armaan. Anjali acts as a great stress buster for everyone entertaining them with a song and dance program until even BB starts grinning and clapping to her "Mein pareshaan..pareshaan..pareshaan" dance. Nidhi sheds her hesitancy during the dinner, courtesy of HK's tasteful meal with special kheer as a part of celebration. Nidhi and Maansi help HK in cleaning up afterwards and Armaan takes Ashu aside after dinner: Ashu..lets talk buddy.

Ashu frowns: Talk? About what?

Armaan smirks: I am your senior now. So if you have any doubts you can clear them up right away.

Ashu's frown deepens before it turns into a glare: Shut up Armaan!

Armaan pulls him back: Arre ruk meri jaan. I really want to say something. (Ashu folds his hands and waits) I think you should shave buddy.

Ashu: Why?

Armaan rolls his eyes: What do you mean why? You are not devdas any more. You are a married man now. Aur waise bhi..you look more handsome clean shaven.

Ashu runs a hand through his beard: I will think about it. (Armaan opens his mouth to protest) I said I will think about it. Ab mein jau?

Armaan: Oye hoe..kya baat hain..

Ashu: Shut up Armaan. I am tired. I am going to bed. Goodnight.

Armaan smiles and hugs him and pats his back a couple of times: Sach mein Ashu..aaj mein bahut khush hoon. Be happy. Ok? (Ashu nods and makes his way to his..their room.)

Nidhi feels better after a refreshing shower and changes into simple baby pink salwar kameez. She comes out of the bathroom and her glance once again takes in the whole room and she sees something that she had missed the first time around. The flower vase with a single flower in it. The one she had bought and put in his cabin after he removed the one he bought. She picks it up to check and make sure it's the same one. Oh..I thought he must have thrown it away or put it somewhere and forgotten about it. She turns her head at the sound of his voice: I took it with me to Delhi. It gave me company for those 8 months.

Nidhi puts it back in its place and turns towards him: Aur yeh phool?

Ashu: I pick one up from your bunch that you leave in my cabin.

(A few moments of silence as they get lost in their own memories..how she used to run to the flower shop every day..still runs..how he first looks at his desk as soon as he enters his cabin..how he tried to guess her shifts..Finally he blinks and clears his throat.) I will just go and take a shower.

Nidhi looks away: ji. Shall I leave? I mean..

Ashu: No. no that's ok. Just relax. I'll just..(He opens his wardrobe, pulls out his clothes) Uh..I will clear space tomorrow for your clothes and stuff.

Nidhi: Ok.

He goes into the bath room and closes the door. A few moments later the sound of the shower running is heard. Nidhi exhales, collapses back into a sitting position on the bed. The events of previous night and the whole of today take their toll on her and her eyelids start drooping. Within a couple of minutes, she loses her battle with sleep. Ashu steps out of the bathroom and stops. Nidhi still has her feet on the floor but her upper body is tilted and fallen on the bed. Her head is resting on her arm and she is fast asleep. His entire face softens at the sight as he slowly makes his way to the bed and gets down on his hunches near her. His eyes devour the fresh innocent looking face of his sleeping wife. His fingers trace her maang where he had placed the sindoor a few hours ago before looking at the mangalsutra dangling from her neck. Finally! Mine! She is here with me..will be with me from now on (He looks at her slightly open mouth and gives a soft laugh) Does she always slide off into sleep so easily? With a rueful shake of his head and the smile still playing on his lips, he adjusts her softly and properly on the bed, covers her with a blanket and switches off the bedside light. His sleep that night holds that reminiscence of that smile and her mere presence beside him keeps his nightmares at bay.

Next day morning:

Ashu gets ready quickly. Sleep the previous night was so deep that he still felt a little doopy but when he got up and found her gone, his instincts screamed at him to run and search for her..until he heard Maansi calling out, "Nidhi..zara idhar aana toh.." A quick glance at the clock suggests 7.30 and he literally runs into the bathroom barely taking time to snatch the towel on the way, gets ready in 15 minutes and comes down to find Nidhi, in her usual attire of kurta pyjama and hair in her ponytail, in the kitchen pouring coffee into the cups. Her entire face lights up as she sees him and he is almost sure that he is wearing a similar expression: Good morning.

Nidhi gives him his coffee cup: Good morning sir.

Armaan chokes on his tea and sprews it all over the table: Sir? (His eyes literally pop out and his laughter is cut shot as his wife knocks him on the back of his head.) What?

Maansi: Chup. What those two call each other is up to them. Don't interfere.

Armaan: Arre par..

Maansi: I said chup.

Armaan grumbles: Bossy woman! Toh..Ashu aaj ka kya plan hain?

Maansi inserts: He has to go to KGH..has OT. She has to go to college..guest lecture. But evening all of us will come to the fashion house for shopping. Kyon Nidhi..teek hain na? (Nidhi nods.) Anjali and I will come from here and both of them directly from the hospital.

BB comes out of his room: Nidhi..

Nidhi gets up and goes to him: Ji?

BB extends a square box to her: Beti..yeh Ashu ke maa ke kangan hain. Meine bahut sambhaalke rakhethe. Lo. Isse apni saasu maa ka aashirwaad samjhkar pehenlena. (Nidhi takes the box and touches it to her forehead before bending down to take BB's blessings.) Jeeti raho. (He grins a little) Tum Ashu ko sir bulao ya kuch aur..mujhe koi parvah nahi. But you have to call me baba. Ok? No uncle vuncle business.

Nidhi smiles through her tears: Ji baba. Thank you. (She goes to Ashu, opens the bangles box and extends it to him. Ma ke kangan! She had them on when she took me to that picnic. Her favourite ones. And she made sure she never wore them in front of her husband. His breath shudders out as he picks them up from the box with slightly trembling cold fingers and puts them on Nidhi's hands. She places her hand on his wrist.) I will always have them with me. (He nods and steps back.) Chale?

Ashu clears his throat: Yeah.

Nidhi: I will just go and get my bag. Just give me a second. (She runs up, collects her bag and turns only to smack right into his hard body) Ou..sorry..(The rest of her sentence gets cuts off as he picks up her hands once again to look at the bangles and suddenly pulls her into a tight hug. Her bag falls slips through her hand and falls as her own arms wrap around his waist and tighten.) I love you..sir.

Her attempt to lighten his mood works brilliantly as he releases her with a grin and picks up her bag. With a final bye to everyone, they leave and soon reach Verma residence. Nidhi gets down from the car with a lot of trepidation. CV, who comes out at that exact same moment takes one look at them, glares at Ashutosh and goes inside. A moment later the main door bangs shut. Nidhi climbs up the portico steps and bends to touch the threshold with her fingers in a gesture of respect: Mere pagphere ki rasam poorihogayi baba. Apna khayaal rakhiye..aur DB ka bhi. Mein jaanti hoon ki meine aap ka dil bahut dukhaya hain..I have let you down in a big way. I know you are angry and don't even want to look at my face now. But I will wait for the day when you will forgive me and open this door for me and my husband. Chalti hoon baba.

Ashu comes right behind her and places his arm around her shoulders. Both of them walk back to the car and CS, who is just on his way in, with his bags full of vegetables, stops: Bibiji..

Nidhi walks towards him: CS..baba aur DB ka khayaal rakhiye. (She turns towards Ashu) Yeh..

Ashu nods: Chote Sarkaar. I know. Nidhi aapke khaane ka bahut taareef karti hain.

CS grins but his eyes quickly fill up: Meri bibiji ka khayaal rakhiye dactar saab.

Ashu pulls out his wallet and takes out his business card and scribbles something behind it: Yeh humaare ghar ka pata hain CS. Jab bhi aapko apke bibiji ko dekhna ka mann kare..aajayiye.

CS takes the card and carefully puts it in his shirt pocket. Nidhi looks at Anji's house and finds Anji pulling Shyama aunty along and pointing towards Nidhi. Nidhi waves and Shyama and Anji wave back. Anji gestures her that she would call up later and Nidhi nods. Shyama blesses both of them from afar. Nidhi and Ashu smile and nod and after a quick look towards the window, she rushes inside. After another wave to CS and Anji, Ashu starts the car and they leave for KGH.

Lunch hour: KGH Canteen:

Ashu: How did the lecture go?

Nidhi: Achcha tha. It was really interesting.

Ashu: What was the topic?

Nidhi: Challenges in assessing prenatal and neonatal steroid exposure. But I don't think any one paid any attention to it.

Ashu: Why?

Nidhi: They were in shock. Jyothika saw me and asked. I told her and..(She gives a small shrug and a smile.) Whats the situation in KGH?

Both of them are startled out of their conversation at the sound of loud clapping that has started in the canteen. They turn to look at most the staff, doctors, interns and PGs who seem to have crowded the whole area with various expressions ranging from open delight to blatant shock. Both of them hastily wipe their hands and get up. Ranga meanwhile pushes through the crowd until he reaches Ashu and Nidhi: Sir, Dr Nidhi, congratulations once again.

Ashu smiles: Thank you. All of you.

Someone shouts from the crowd: Khaali thank you se kya kaam chalega sir? Hume toh party chahiye!

Another voice joins: Aur woh bhi jabardast!

Ranga puts on a completely serious face: Of course, of course. Arrangements are being made as we speak and formal invitations will reach you all soon. Now please, lets let the newly wedded couple have their lunch in peace. (He politely but firmly makes everyone leave the canteen before turning towards Ashu.) Chalta hoon sir.

Ashu: Care to tell me more about this party Ranganath?

Ranga: Uh..sir..Saturday ko hain sir. Yesterday Armaanji and I thought about it. We are arranging a reception kind of a thing. I thought Armaanji would have told you about it.

Ashu shakes his head and takes out his phone: Armaan..whats this reception and party?..uh huh..Lekin..baat toh sunn..FINE! (And stuffs his phone back into his scrubs) He says it's a surprise for us. We are supposed to meet him at his fashion house this evening..after your college.

Nidhi: Aap free hain?

Ashu: I think so. Surgeries are done for the day. So provided there is no emergency..(He shrugs and after that both of them finish their lunch and leave.)

That night: After dinner:

Armaan: So..Nidhi..shopping all done, right?

Nidhi: Ji. Lagta hain kuch zyaada hi done hain.

Armaan: Arre there is no zyaada in shopping. Jitna bhi karo kam hain. Aur waise bhi aapka pati kaafi rich hain. (He winks making NIdhi grin a little.)

Maansi: Did you decide what to wear for the party day after tomorrow?

Nidhi: Nahi. I like both of them. So will decide later.

Armaan: You know..baba told me something about both of you today. (Both Ashu and Nidhi look at him) I came to know that both of you sing very well together. Baba already heard it. So come on..out with it. Gana gao.

Nidhi, peeps out from the kitchen where she is stacking the dishes: I..I don't sing that well Armaanji.

Armaan rolls his eyes: I am not asking you to compete for Indian Idol. Oh come on now you two..sing or I am going to sing.

Maansi looks at Nidhi with a horrified expression: Nidhi..please. Gaado. We recently got a warning notice from our neighbours that either he stop singing or we vacate the apartment. Yahaa pata nahi kya hoga!

Nidhi bites her lip to stop her laughter but after a moment it spills out. She tries to smother it but one look at Armaan's affronted expression sets her off big time and with that the tension of the last couple of days breaks off. Ashu turns from his place at the main door against which he is leaning with his hands stuffed in his trouser pockets, to look at her. His eyes take in her bright face as his ears rejoice the sound of her hearty laugh. He hums out the first line of the song with his eyes still on her face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsEPfTf8us0

His voice draws her like a magnet and she catches the song and continues it.

Nidhi comes out of the bathroom, throws the towel aside and falls on the bed. She stretches herself in sensous abandon before pulling the pillow over her, hugging it and rolling on the bed along with it with a blissful sigh, completely unaware of the pair of the now darkened intense eyes that are taking in her every movement. She rolls on to her back, rests her head on the pillow, hugs herself and closes her eyes with a dreamy smile only to open them suddenly as her hair gets brushed away from her face by the soft glide of fingers. Her instinctive move to sit up doesn't materialise as her wide eyes meet his intense ones. Awareness sizzles and surrounds them until the very air around them thickens. Her tongue pokes out to wet her lips and his eyes take in that small movement. His fingers forgo the pleasure of sliding through her tumbled mass of long hair to slide along her cheek and coming to rest near her chin with his thumb gliding over her lower lip. His palm notes the rapid thud of her pulse at the base of her neck and his own breathing gets rough and uneven. After a moment of shy hesitation, she opens her arms and with a soft groan he burrows his head between her neck and shoulder. Her fingers slide over his cheek and neck before digging into his hair and tightening their grib as his lips slowly acquaint themselves with her neck and shoulder for the first time. Within in seconds, he gets addicted to her taste and slides up to feast on her lips taking in her soft moan into his mouth. This kiss is as different from the first one they shared at the mountain as it can get. The first one had the touch of tentativeness and hesitancy. This one had the confidence and anticipation of delight. That one offered comfort and seeked reassurance. This one owned and possessed. Hands join and fingers entwine as the kiss deepens further. Finally the need to breathe pulls them apart by an inch. Eyelids weighed down by desire slowly lift and meet his passion drugged ones.

Ashu swallows a couple of times before attempting to speak but his voice still has a rough edge to it: Good morning.

Nidhi tightens her fingers around his: Good morning.

Ashu looks at the clock: College jaana hain? (Nidhi nods..her disappointment too obvious in her eyes. It makes him grit his teeth before forcing himself to release her and sit up on the bed. After a small pause she also gets up and adjusts her night shirt which is already half way up her midriff.) Shall I drop you?

Nidhi: Nahi. Aap fresh hoke thodi der sojaayiye. We have the party in the evening na. I am going only for half a day. Will submit my paper and come back. (Then as if unable to resist any more, she leans in and hugs him.)

His arms go around her and he tightens the hug as his fingers weave themselves in her hair. After a few moments of silence, he stretches his hand and picks up the mangalsutra from the side table and eyes locked with hers, fastens it around her neck: Go. Go and get ready. Warna college keliye derhojaayegi.

That evening:

Chaos reigns in Ashu's residence as everyone tries to get ready for the reception at the same time. Finally Nidhi, Anji and Maansi get ready in the guest room and Ashu and Armaan in Ashu's bedroom. Maansi, fearing Anjali spoiling her dress, decides to get her dressed at the last minute and hence hands him over to BB and HK who are ready in their classy kurta pyjamas, courtesy of Armaan's fashion house.

Armaan gets ready first and knocks on the guest room only to be shouted to back off: Hurry up ladies! And Nidhi..aapke pati dev aapko bularahe hain. Issliye thoda jaldi baahar aane ka kasht keejiye. (Sure enough, within a couple of minutes Nidhi comes out and closes the door behind her to give privacy to Anji and Maansi. Armaan's face splits into a wide grin as he sees Nidhi looking spectacularly beautiful in her majenta pink designer wear sari with side dark green border and sequins all over it along with a 3/4 sleeve majenta pink and gold blouse. He kisses his own fingertips.) Now..this is what I call doing justice to a master piece. Bhai waah!

Nidhi giggles: Master piece mein ya yeh sari Armaanji?

Armaan frowns: Of course the sari..what are you saying! I mean..Armaan's very own creation! (Then his eyes soften) You really are looking like a bride Nidhi. Mere Ashu ka khayaal rakhna. (Nidhi nods with a smile and goes into their room after a soft knock and gives out a scream startling Armaan who frowns and then grins.)

Nidhi still has her palm covering her mouth as she mouths: Dr Ashutosh! What did you do?

Ashu blinks: What?

Nidhi: Meri daadi kahaa hain?

Ashu gives her a weird look before throwing back his head and laughing out loud: Nidhi..TUMHAARI daadi?

Nidhi has a complete crestfallen expression: I love your beard! Why did you shave it! Mujhe woh waapas chahiye. (She starts stomping her feet in a typical tantrum) Haa..mujhe woh waapas chahiye.

Ashu shakes his head: Nidhi..I just shaved it. There is no amputation involved here. It will grow back in a few days.

Nidhi continues to grumble as she starts putting on her chudi: Par shave kiya hi kyu? Pata hain aap kitne sexy lagte hain?

Ashu rolls his eyes but a slash of red tinges his clean cheeks. He comes to stand behind her. He touches a spot on her neck: Your skin is too soft Nidhi..

She looks up with a frown and sees him fingering the slight red mark on her neck where his beard had scratched her that morning: Pyaar ki nishani hain sir..I mean Dr Ashut..I mean..(She sighs) Mein aapko kya bulau? (Ashu opens his wardrobe and takes out a flat rectangular box and extends it to her. She opens it to find a beautiful ruby studded gold necklace with matching ear rings and bangles. Her mouth drops open in wonder and with a lopsided smile, he picks up the necklace and fastens it around her neck. She turns to look at herself in the mirror) Its..just..beautiful. But..(Ashu silently extends the rest of the box to her and she gives in and takes it. The bangles complement perfectly with her chudi and she tops everything with a matching twinkling bindi.) Do you I look ok?

Ashu blinks slowly before replying: Aap ke haseen rukhpe aaj naya noor hain..mera dil machal gaya toh mera kya kasoor hain. (Saying that, he extends the tie to her silently asking her to do the honours. Her eyes widen and her smile dazzles him. It's the tie that she had gifted him on his birthday and it goes perfect with his dark grey suit that he is wearing. She blinks rapidly to clear her vision before taking it and placing it around his neck. His arms come to rest on her waist.)

To lighten her own mood she raises her eyebrow: Kya baat hain..aaj doctorsaab shaayar bangaye?

Ashu's gaze continues to roam over her face: Dard e dil dard e jigar dil mein jagaya aapne..pehle toh mein doctor tha..(She laughs aloud at that) aashiq banaya aapne..(With another chuckle, she suddenly raises on her toes and gives a smacking kiss on his cheek. His eyes blaze at her.) Dr Kothari said you had an appointment with her this morning..

Nidhi nods: I..she put me on pill. (His fingers tighten their grip on her waist and she finishes tying the knot and adjusts it to a perfect centre before looking up at him with a shy smile.) Hogaya. All set?

Ashu nods and kisses her forehead softly: All set. Thank you Nidhi.

Chapter Twelve

Anji looks around. Her eyes taking in the beautiful flower decoration of the reception hall and the lavender and pink draped curtains and the round dining tables with red table cloths and the centre stage which is left empty for the guests to walk through and also to dance later on if the mood strikes. Soft music is already playing in the background: Nidhi..this is just beautiful na. Saare arrangements Ranganath ne ki hain. Yeh decorations ka selection..colour combinations..sab kuch..

Nidhi grins: Achcha? But I heard he was too busy ogling you to oversee anything?

Anji gives her a glare: Aisa kisne kaha? He was not ogling me. I just came to say hi and ask if he needs help..you know..and..

Nidhi: Oohoo..Anji Solanki blushing haan! Finally! Jo bhi ho..I am really happy for you. He is a great guy.

Anji: He says he will talk to his parents as soon as they come back from their trip. I am planning to tell papa soon. Tu kya kehti hain..kab batau unhe?

Nidhi's smile dims: I don't think your love story will have objections in that angle Anji..at least not much. Just make sure uncle is in a good mood and tell him. (A slight pause) Did you give the invitation to baba? DB kaisi hain?

Anji nods: I gave him. DB is ok. Still simmering. Unhe thoda time do Nidhi. I am sure they will come around. (She tries to cheer her friend up) Aur mein hoon na. Tumhaari pal pal ki khabar unko dekar unhe tempt karti rahoongi. Edited version of course. (And giggles as Nidhi pinches her arm)

Nidhi: Aunty uncle bhi nahi aaye? (Her eyes go to the door as if she is unable to give up the hope)

Anji: Mom wanted to come. But you know papa na. If Yog uncle is not happy, he is not happy. After you came and went, Yog uncle and papa went out for a long walk. Don't know what they talked about though. He will come around Nidhi. Thoda waqt do unhe. Don't worry and cheer up. Iss pal keliye tumne kitna intezaar kiya Nidhi..ab isse gava mat. Mood teek kar and enjoy yourself. Jeejaji clean shave mein mast hain yaar. He is looking yummmyyy!

Anji's diversion tactic works like magic. Nidhi growls: You stick to your Ranganath ok? Mere pati ko nazar mat laga. And I want that daadi back. I don't want this clean shave veen shave. Woh jaise the..waise hi achche the.

Guests, staff and doctors start arriving and that puts a break on their conversation. Ashu didn't skip any of his collegues or the staff members and Nidhi didn't leave any of her friends out. Dr Sanjay is one of the first ones to come up on the dias to wish the couple: Looks like the mighty has fallen Dr Ashutosh! And what a fall! But take care ok? She is a mighty spirited young lady I must say! Congratulations Nidhi and good luck in your attempt to turn Dr Heartstone into Dr Sweetheart.

Nidhi grins: If he turns into Dr Sweetheart I probably won't recognise him sir. Inhe aise hi rehnedejiye. (After a hearty laugh, he shakes hands with both of them and hands over the bonquet and gift before going towards one of the tables.)

Dr Khanna soon follows: Hearty Congratulations Dr Ashutosh! Although I wish you had done this sooner instead of leaving for 9 months. I would have saved some of my hair at least.

Dr Rao's booming voice reaches them before the man himself: Perfectionist weds another perfectionist! Lord help us! Wish you a very happy married life! God bless! (Soon Dr Kothari joins and shakes Ashu's hand and hugs Nidhi.)

Ashu: Thank you for coming Dr Kothari.

Dr K actually rolls her eyes: As if anyone would even THINK of missing this one! Either they are genuinely happy or genuinely curious. Congratulations Dr Ashutosh and good luck! I have a feeling you are going to need it. And Nidhi..take care. Ok? All the best for your future and be happy.

Finally the management members, where all the 4 members are non doctors also attend. Ranganath personally guides them to the Dias. Although they knew Ashu for a long time, their relationship never went beyond professional. 3 of them just wish him and move on but Mr Bhandari had something to add to his wishes: Great going Dr Ashutosh! But shaadi itni jaldi? Iss jaldbaazi ki wajah apne junior par pyaar hain ya kuch aur? Kahi aisa toh nahi ki doctor saab..haan..(His suggestive laugh gets abruptly cut off at the look on Ashu's face. The look was capable enough to freeze the anti-freeze. He quickly realizes that there was an invisible line around Dr Ashutosh which no one dares to cross. Not even the management team, who were technically his bosses.)

Before Ranga could intervene or he himself could stammer out an apology, Nidhi grins and gives a mock sigh: Arre sir, meri aisi kismat kahaa! (Stunned silence ensues for a second before Bhandari gives a half hearted laugh, an awkward nod and moves away. Ashu looks at her, the anger the statement had caused still evident in his eyes. But one look at her grin and the cute blink of her eyes through which she tells him to take it easy, all the anger vanishes into thin air.)

Ashu: You enjoyed that, didn't you? (Nidhi bites her tongue softly between her teeth but her expression is unrepentant.)

Music stops and everyone looks at at Armaan who comes to stand at the centre stage with a mike in his hand: Hello! Good evening and welcome everyone to this wedding reception of Dr Nidhi and Dr Ashutosh. I am Armaan, Ashu's friend, brother, nagger all rolled into one. (Chuckles and laughter goes around the hall.) I just want to make an announcement that tonight the newly wedded couple will be leaving on their honeymoon..for one week. (Ashu and Nidhi look at each other in confusion before Ashu turns his glare on Armaan) No need to glare at me Dr Heartstone..arrangements have already been made. (He turns towards the audience and continues as if sharing a secret) Woh kya hain na..its a surprise to both of them. They didn't know about it until now. (And turns to once again look at Ashu and Nidhi) So you guys will leave to the airport in another hour. Until then..enjoy the music and the dance. Ashutosh..Nidhi..wish you a very happy married life. (He hands over the mike and comes and hugs Ashu. Taking the cue, Maansi comes to hug Nidhi.)

Ashu: Armaan..yeh sab kya hain?

Armaan: Both of you are going to Kerala tonight. Your packing has been taken care of. Ranga has taken care of your official chuttis and here is your intenary along with your tickets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlFTRHJsGxY

Ashu automatically takes the cover: Lekin..(He looks at Nidhi who is looking at the cover with eyes bright with anticipation and curiosity. He extends it to her and the way she almost snatches it from his hand and opens it puts an end to any protest that he might have made at his friend's extremely expensive gesture. He hugs Armaan) Thanks yaar.

Armaan smiles and pats his back repeatedly: Go and enjoy. Par filhaal..

He gestures towards the music being played and shows the empty dance floor. Armaan and Maansi practically push the couple on to the dance floor. Nidhi places her hand on his shoulder and he instinctively wraps one hand of his around her waist. The palms of their left hands join and fingers entwine as their feet move to the rhythm of the music. She twirls around once before placing both her hands on his shoulders and he pulls her closer with both his arms that are now firmly wrapped around her waist. Their eyes meet and hold as the rest of the world fades away. Slowly a few other couples join the dance floor including Armaan and Maansi and Ranga and Anji. But for these two, no one else exists at that moment and no one notices CV looking at them from afar before getting up and leaving the venue as silently as he had come.

Ashu looks into her eyes: Pyaar karti ho mujhse?

Nidhi's eyes shine bright as stars: Shaq hain aapko?

Ashu shakes his head: Kyon Nidhi? Kyon itna pyaar karti ho?

Nidhi: Pata nahi. Buss..karti hoon. (Her hands slide from his shoulders to his neck until her palms are almost touching his jaw) Mujhko apne gale lagalo aye mere humraahi..tumko kya batlaau mein ki tumse kitna pyaar hain..

The flushed look on his face and the locking of his jaw suggests the amount of control he is exerting on himself in an effort not to snatch her into his arms. Mujhe apna banaalo Nidhi aur apne se kabhi alag mat karna..mein jeenahi paaunga. He suddenly gets impatient to be alone with her..away from everything and everyone: Is it time to go yet? Flight kitne baje hain?

Nidhi: Bhook lagi hain. Kuch khaake nikalte hain. Anji said the cab is here and waiting.

Ashu stops dancing and guides her away from the dance floor with his arm around her waist: Let's go then.

Verma Residence:

DB opens the door to Yog: Aagaye? Hogayi tasalli? (Yog sighs and sits down in his usual rocking chair. DB's pain quickly replaces her anger. She comes to sit in front of him and hesitates a little before asking) Dekha usko?(Yog nods) Kaisi hain? (Tears start rolling down her cheeks) Chaar din hogaye bachchi ko dekhe..

Yog looks at her with a neutral expression: Khush hain. Sab log aaye reception party mein. Dono dance bhi kar rahe the.

DB closes her eyes: Pata nahi log kya kya kehte honge iss jodi ko dekhke..kya kya sehna padega meri bachchi ko..

Yog: Most of the guests were staff and doctors from KGH Bua..and all of her friends were there too. Solanki told me Anji refused to listen to him and left for the reception. I am not surprised though. Anji and Nidhi always have been inseparable.

DB's anger sparks once again: Yeh Anji bhi na..sab iski wajah se hain. She knew everything. She could have told us na.

Yog: Why are you blaming HER Bua? Humaari beti ne humse sachchai chupayi toh isme Anji kya karsakti hain?

DB: Don't say that. Nandini always said she has two daughters..Nidhi and Anji. She should have come to us.

Yog: She wouldn't Bua. She is Nidhi's best friend and loyal to the core. Wahaa jaake aisa laga ki KGH staff also didn't seem too surprised or shocked.

DB: That means the whole world knew before us! (She gets up) Cha! (And walks away. Yog also gets up after a while and goes to his room to stand in front of his wife's photograph)

Yog: Dekha Nandini..humaari beti ne kya kiya? Apne se 18 saal bade aadmi se shaadi karli. Meine manaa kardiya toh ghar se bhaag ke dono ne mandir mein shaadi karliya. (He sits down on the bed) I have failed Nandini..failed as a father. Tumhaare jaane ke baad I failed. May be all this wouldn't have happened had you been here. You would have may be explained things to her differently and she would have listened to you. She idolised you..she would have listened to you. Par mein kya karta..army waala hoon na..teek se yeh sab cheezen kehnahi paata. I just gave her a no and expected her to follow my order. I couldn't tell her properly..I couldn't explain properly that it was wrong. Yeh..yeh pyaar galat hain. (A whispery kind of voice reaches him from the echoes of his past..Yog..pyaar kabhi galat nahi hota. Haan..pyaar mein LOG zaroor galatiyan karte hain. He looks up startled at his wife's photograph.) Aur agar issi pyaar mein Nidhi ne yeh galati ki ho..toh? Tab kya Nandini? (The smiling image of his wife remains unchanged.)

Next day evening: Kerala: Kumarkaum Lake Resort:

Nidhi runs around opening the doors and peeking through the windows: Arre suniye, idhar dekhiye, yahaan toh pool bhi hain. Par yeh kya? Open bathroom?

Ashu laughs: It's not an open bathroom Nidhi. The walls are almost 15 ft high on all 4 sides. No one can see you.

Nidhi continues to frown: Haan par roof toh nahi hain. Kissi ne chadke dekhliya toh?

Ashu rolls his eyes: I think they have better things to do than climb a 15ft wall with no support.

Nidhi grins: Chaliye..lets go and explore some more. Dinner mein toh abhi bahut time hain. Its still 5.00. I saw a cute tea stall outside the resort. May be they will have our AKC.

Ashu blinks: AKC?

Nidhi: Adrak Ki Chai. (They quickly shower, change and she loops her arm through his and pulls him out of the room. She has been on the same upbeat mood all through the journey and it had started to give him a strange kind of peace. He drowned himself in her hearty laughs, infectious giggles, naughty and often ribald comments about the surrounding and the people. And the touch..he realises that Nidhi is a very touchy and demonstrative person. She had her arm looped through his or her fingers entwined with and a couple of times even gave him one armed hugs. She slept in the flight with her head resting on his shoulder. It's as if after all those months of separation she is gorging herself with his presence in her life. He observes her fingers often touching her mangalsutra as if it's her most treasured possession. They walk out of the resort and have the tea at the tea stall which indeed specialized in AKC and later go for a long walk around the resort before coming back to sit on the deck chairs to watch the lake view among the darkening skies and twinkling lights. They reach the restaurant for dinner which included candle lights, live music and a panaromic view of the lake, with its banks almost covered with thick coconut trees on both sides and the houseboats rocking along the banks. Since they already were staying in the resort as guests, they were shown straight to the table.

Ashu observes her taking in the view: Achcha laga? (Nidhi nods)

And for the first time they realize that this one is different from chatting over a cup of coffee in the coffee shop or even in the canteen and that it's just the two of them. Neither knows how to start the conversation. Waiter comes, gives them the menu and slips away. He finally forces his eyes away from her and looks around: Aaj mausam achcha hain na?

Nidhi: Ji. But I personally love rains. Baarish mein bheegna mujhe bahut achcha lagta hain.

Ashu's eyes smile at her: Baarish, elaichi chai, gobi parata, asha Bhonsle, Kishore and old hindi songs. Toh aur kya kya pasand hain Dr Nidhi ko?

Nidhi thinks: Hhmmm ice cream. Plain nahi. Crunchy ice cream like butter scotch. But no nuts and fruits in it. Aur aap ko? Adrak chai, Rafi, Lata, old Hindi songs and?

Ashu shrugs slightly: Daal chaawal, thoda teekha sabzi, any sabzi and..

Nidhi adds on with a small smile, remembering the incident at home when he had refused to even touch the kheer made by HK: And meeta bilkul nahi. Right?

Ashu looks at her: Right. (Waiter comes and they place their orders) So, how is the PG course coming along?

Nidhi tries to put on a serious face: Yeh sawaal KGH ke dean poochrahe hain ya..?

Ashu shakes his head: I don't think I am the dean here Nidhi.

Nidhi grins: Jaanti hoon. Phir bhi..aap ke muh se sunna chahti thi. So my reply now is also not to the dean. Ok? (Ashu nods his ok with a smile) Don't talk about work. I am tired. So let's talk about something else please.

Ashu laughs out loud. Nidhi is spellbound by that laugh: I love your laugh si..I mean..(She gives a tired sigh) Mein kya bulau aapko? Batayiye na please?

Ashu's laughter stops but the smile lingers: Jo tum chaaho.

Nidhi thinks some more before her entire face lights up as if the idea has finally struck her: Chweetu kaisa rahega?

Ashu, who is about sip some water almost chokes on it: Wh..what?

Nidhi sits back as if mightily pleased with the name: Chweetu. Achcha hain. Mein aapko Chweetu bulaaungi. (And her face brightens further as mischief takes over her expression. She gestures with her hands) Just imagine..aap rounds kar rahe hain KGH mein aur mein piche se "Chweetu lunch kare?" bulaungi. (She claps her hands) Mazaa aayega!

Ashu shakes his head as a chuckle slips out. She has one of hands folded on the table and the other stretched palm down towards the middle of the table while he has both his hands folded on the table. He slowly covers her hand with his and after a second she turns her palm so that their fingers get entwined. Waiter serves their starters and leaves. Nidhi fiddles with her fork before looking up at him: Ek baat poochu? (He nods) Aap ne bura maana kya uss din? You came to talk to baba and I called you up and asked if you were going to leave me again..(Ashu starts to shake his head) Its not that I didn't trust you or anything..you know..

Ashu: I understood Nidhi..and trust me when I say that leaving you is not an option for me any more.

Nidhi nods: Par..tab mein darr gayi thi..aapko paakar khone ka darr..I blamed myself when you left..I still do I guess..if I hadn't told you..

Emotions flood and choke him from all directions: I survived because of those words Nidhi..I left but you didn't let go of me. You were there with me..no matter where I went.

Both of them try to bring themselves out of those painful memories. Nidhi swallows and changes the topic: Looks like its going to rain. (Ashu turns his head to look out and she takes the opportunity sneaks her free hand out, picks a gobi piece that's been left in his plate and quickly puts it off in her mouth. The sudden stillness in his face and body are the only indications that he has seen the whole thing. His eyes hold hers as he extends his own hand and picks up a piece from her plate and eats it.

Ashu: So, your friend Anji and Ranganath..

Nidhi nods: Dating. Finally! Poora ek saal hogaya Dr Ranganath ne propose kiye!

Seeing that she is done with her dinner, Ashu: Chale?

Nidhi nods and both make their way out after signing the check. Right on cue it starts drizzling and within seconds the drizzle turns into a downpour. Nidhi's eyes go wide with delight and she literally jumps up and down clapping: Baarish! Wow! Awesome! Chaliye na baarish mein bheegte hain!

Ashu is taken aback: What? No! You will catch cold.

Nidhi rolls her eyes: Our room is close by only na. Kuch nahi hoga. Bheegte hue chalenge.

Ashu catches her arm and pulls her back: Koi zaroorat nahi hain. We will wait here until it stops.

Nidhi pouts then immediately decides to issue an open challenge: Dean of KGH is afraid of a little rain!

Ashu: I am not afraid. I just said..

Nidhi pokes her tongue at him: Dean of KGH is afraid of rain.

Ashu folds his hands: Am not.

Nidhi: If you are not, then race me till our room in the rain. Lets see if you can actually catch me or not..(And runs into the rain before the last word is out. Her laughter rings out on the almost empty deck and soon she hears another pair of running feet behind her) Chweetu can't catch me.. Chweetu can't catch me.. Chweetu can't caaa..

Her sentence gets cuts off as he wraps his arm around her with a laugh and lifts her up in the air. She squeals as she tries to free herself and a couple of guests passing by with umberallas give them strange looks. Neither care as she finally slithers down his arm and starts running again and with a laugh he takes after her again. They reach their cottage entrance at a run and almost crash into the door simulataneously. She takes in his laughing eyes and the utter joy on his face. As if unable to resist, she cups his cheeks and kisses him on the lips. The kiss is awkward for a few seconds as she tries to get a proper hang of it but as desire catches fire within her, her lips open to get a better taste of him. He pulls himself away with a groan, digs into the pocket of his jeans for the key card, pushes it roughly into the slot and drags them both inside before closing and locking the door. Their rough breathing echoes through the silent still room. Nidhi catches hold of his collar and pulls him closer..a silent demand to pick up where they had left off a few seconds ago. Her name comes out as a rough growl from somewhere deep in his chest as he pushes her against the wall and resumes the kiss. Tongues soon join the play as the kiss deepens..both quenching and inflaming their thirst for each other. The tremour in his hands betrays and reveal his emotions as he traces her waist and back before cupping her breasts through her wet shirt. Her breath hitches up and her neck falls back breaking the kiss midway. Not to be deterred, his lips travel down her jaw and neck. Her hands loosen their grip on his hair and travel down his back and make a futile attempt to untuck his shirt from his jeans. He catches the edge of her t shirt and pulls it up with a rough sigh of impatience before tackling his own shirt. Buttons fly as he rips it open and pulls her to him. That first hug without the barrier of their tops sends a jolt of pure electricity through both of them and at the same time brings him back to his senses. His breath shudders out and he slowly loosens his hold on her and draws back. The cool breeze touching her skin makes her turn her back on him and cross her arms in an instinctive gesture of modesty. His arms wrap around her from behind. His lips touch the pt where her neck and shoulder meet and she rolls her head back over his shoulder and her eyes drift shut. His soft kiss on her neck turns into an erotic one as he starts tasting her with his tongue and nips her softly with her teeth: Nidhi..you are ok with this, right? (She nods in affirmative) Please look at me Nidhi..(She turns slowly to face him..with her arms still crossed over her chest. Her shy loving eyes meet his blazing ones. His fingers dig into her hair once again as he brings her closer to him) you love me, don't you? (She nods) Say it. Say you love me.

Her heart recognizes his cry of loneliness and his plea for reassurance: I love you. I love you. I love you..

He hugs her tight squeezing the breath out of her. Shyness takes leave at that point and clothes dissolve into useless puddles across the room as they acquaint themselves to each other first with reverence and soon with a kind of desperation. Her curious fingers slowly give way to tentative lips. The only sound that he is capable of making is her name. Nidhi..Nidhi..Nidhi..Nidhi..His mouth travels from her neck to her shoulders to her chest. Her back arches as she feels the tug of his lips and her fingers burrow themselves in his hair as he continues to feed on her. His voracious appetite contains a desperate attempt to erase all the pain of his past and his hold on her tightens as he finds himself tethering on the edge of sanity: You are mine, aren't you..Nidhi? Aren't you? Say you are mine. Forever mine..Only mine..Say it Nidhi..Nidhi..Nidhi Nidhi..say it.

He smothers her face with kisses with each word and she forces herself to open her eyes. Their panting breaths do nothing to dry the sweat rolling off their faces and bodies: Yours..only yours..forever yours.

He raises himself over her and her legs wrap themselves around his before tentatively sliding around his waist. Barely hanging by a thread, he manages to rumble out: Tell me if it hurts and I will stop. Ok? (Nidhi tightens her arms and legs around him in response and his tortured groan indicates the snap of his thread thin control): Make me yours Nidhi..take me..take me into you Nidhi..

Her neck arches back at the first feel of him and his mouth smothers her small cry of pain along with his own groan. The moments that follow take those both into a world of their own where they lose themselves in each other for the first time and their sweat slicked bodies shudder under the impact of the tempest created by their passion. Peace, unlike anything he had ever known before claims as the paradise of her arms anchors him. He had never been to paradise before.

Chapter Fourteen

Nidhi turns to look at the dining area from her place in the kitchen: Good morning baba. Chai ya coffee?

BB smiles and sits at the dining table: Good morning beta. Chai. Why did you get up so early? Aaplog toh kal raat ko hi aaye the na. You should have taken rest. College hain kya?

Nidhi: College toh kal se hain baba. Aaj chutti hain. Waise bhi..mera body clock ka alag hi timing hain. I wake up around this time 6 days a week. Par pata nahi isko kaise pata chal jaata hain lekin Sunday ko aate hi alarm band hojaata hain.

BB laughs: Arre jab mein college mein tha na..roz savera jaagjaata tha. Lekin kambhaqt exams ke time pe I could never open my eyes. It was always like get up in the last minute aur bhaago hallticket leke. (Nidhi chuckles and hands him his tea cup) Toh aaj ka kya program hain?

Nidhi: Kuch khaas nahi baba. I need to unpack my stuff properly and see what books I need and things like that. Haan..par khaana mein pakaaungi aaj.

BB and HK get delighted look on their faces and chorus out: Rasam?

Nidhi laughs: Baba! Nahi. I will cook something special. Aap ko JS kitne baje jaana hain?

BB takes the cordless phone: Aaj JS ki chutti. (He gives Nidhi an affectionate look) Aaj bahu ki pehli rasoi hain aur mein aur Hiraman apne bahu ke saath baitkar khoob saari baaten karenge..kyon Hiraman?

HK: Ji Mathur saab. Bilkul.

Nidhi: Kaka..naashte mein Dr..uh..woh kya khaate hain?

BB grins: Pehle toh toast ya cornflakes. Ab ka toh pata nahi. (Nidhi tilts her head with a small frown. BB comes close and puts an affectionate hand over her head) Tera saath paane ke baad beti, aisa lagta hain ki mein ek naye Ashutosh ko dekhraha hoon. Tumne apne pyaar se uski zindagi hi badal diya hain Nidhi

Nidhi shyly bows her head: Meine kya kiya baba..

BB: Pyaar mein gehre se gehra ghaav bharne ki shakti hoti hain Nidhi. Aur mein jaanta tha..jiss din tum mere bete ki zindagi mein aaogi uski zindagi poori tarah rangon se bhar dogi. Apne baba se baat ki?

Nidhi loses her smile and shakes her head: Shaadi ke agle din gaye the lekin..

BB nods: Unka dard aur gussa dono jaayaz haina beti. (He looks at her downbent head and sighs) Chalo..dil chota na kar. Badon ka gussa..unka pyaar hota hain. Mein bhi ek baar baat karke dekhta hoon. Ok? (Nidhi nods and gives him a tentative smile.)

Ashu shouts from the room upstairs: NIDHI..NIDHI..(BB grins at the way his bahu runs up the steps.)

Nidhi pokes her head into the bedroom: Ji?

Ashu gestures to the shirt that he is wearing: Button toot gaya.

(Nidhi grins and walks into the room. She quickly gets the needle and thread and starts stiching up the button with quick efficient movements. He wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her closer. She gives him an "I know what you are up to" look and continues.) You really are good with the needle.

Nidhi: Ma taught me a little bit of embroidery during my holidays. (She knots it and leans in to bite the thread and cut it off. His fingers move up from her waist to her back.) Loji..hogaya. (His arms wrap around her tightly until she is plastered against him chest to thigh) Kya baat hain Dr Ashutosh Mathur..aaj subah subah..(Ashu's lips make a foray across her neck and she giggles and moans as his stubble tickles and arouses her. His lips smother her giggle and his fingers dig into and muss up her hair. They draw apart with panting breaths and flushed faces. He rubs his thumb roughly over her lips before kissing her again with a helpless groan. Her sari pallu gets pulled away before his fingers start attacking the hooks of her blouse. Her own lips travel down his neck and her tongue pokes out to taste his adam's apple.) I think..I think Dr Heartstone is.. going to be..late now.

Ashu pulls away, gives a hurried look at the time, exclaims and after hastily adjusting their clothing, he rushes off and Nidhi runs behind him and literally stuffs a hurriedly made sandwich into his mouth. Nidhi and BB spend the day getting to know each other in a better way. After she finishes unpacking and starting the washing machine with the clothes from their trip, he pulls up a chair near the kitchen so that they can talk while Nidhi does her cooking with the help of HK. She tells them all kinds of stories about her childhood and her mom: Aap ko pata hain baba, my mom used to make super delicious paneer pakodas. I swear they were the best! (Then suddenly gets an idea) Aaj mein banau? Kaka..ghar mein paneer hain kya?

HK: Haan beti. Ashu ko bhi pasand hain toh kal hi laaya. (BB gives an enthusiastic nod and rubs his hands expectantly.)

At KGH:

Ashu: Hello Dr Ranganath! How are things?

Ranga: Fine sir. No problems in your absence. How was your.. uh..trip sir?

Ashu: Fine. Good. Get me the case files of the post operative patients please. I will go through them before starting my rounds.

Ranga: Sure sir. (He hesitates) Sir, are you not feeling well?

Ashu frowns: I am perfectly fine. Aisa kyon poochrahe hain?

Ranga: Nahi..woh..(He gestures to Ashu's unshaven face and gives an awkward shrug)

Ashu shakes his head: Don't ask. (Ranga nods and for the first time hears his boss actually grumble about something) SHE didn't like the clean shaven look.

Ranga stifles his laughter: Oh. I guess you don't have a choice then sir. Chalta hoon. Will get you the files right away. (He hands over the files to Ashu and later comes out to call Anji and update on the latest developments.)

Ashu takes out his phone to send a sms: No flowers :(

His phone pings within seconds: Bahaaron phool barsaao mera mehboob aaya hain..mera mehboob aaya hain ;)

His face splits into a wide grin. And another message pops up right behind: Ey phoolon ke raja..bahaaron ke maalik..tera muskuraana gazab hogaya..

His shout of laughter halts the wardbody passing by his cabin and his eyes almost bug out at the sound of the hearty laughter coming from within the cabin. Dr Heartstone is laughing! He knows how to laugh?! He runs to tell his friends.

Around lunch time, he gets another sms: Yeh raaten yeh mausam nadi ka kinaara yeh chanchal hawaa..

He frowns for a second before smiling and typing his reply: Toh aaj aapke haath ka khaana hain! Whats on the menu?

Her reply: Paneer pakode, Gobi muttar sabzi, dal makhni, roti and..me ;)

Ashu's feet come to a halt as he is making his way to the canteen for lunch. He shakes his head as he types his reply: Temptation personified. On my way.

That evening: Nandini Shelter for boys:

CV looks up from his place in the office at someone knocking and entering. His polite smile of welcome is quickly replaced by a grim expression at seeing BB standing in front of him: Namaste Vermaji. (CV nods reluctantly. BB walks into the room and takes a seat. silence reigns for a few moments as BB gathers his thoughts and CV doesn't try to fill in the gap in any way) Vermaji..I am not here to say that whatever my son has done is right. I know its not a small thing and I know that with this act, he has broken your trust in him and also in your daughter. But Vermaji, ab jo hogaya so hogaya na. We can't undo it. Aakhir apne hi bachche hain. Maaf kardeejiye unhe. Beti ki shaadi pitah ke aashirwaad ke bina adhoori hi rehti hain. She lost her mother and misses her father Vermaji.

CV: Then she should have thought of that before doing what she did. (He gets up and joins his palms telling BB to leave in the most polite way possible)

BB sighs and gets up but turns back to face CV before opening the door to leave: Aapki beti meri bahu bankar mere ghar aayi hain Vermaji. Lekin woh uss ghar mein meri beti bankar rahegi. Aur mujhe apne bete aur uske pyaar par poora bharosa hain. Woh Nidhi ko apne palkon pe bitake rakhega. Yeh..yeh mera vaada hain aapse. Aur humaare ghar ke darwaaze aapke liye hamesha khule rahenge. Namaste. (And leaves.)

Same day: Late evening: Verma residence:

Anji walks in with her backpack: Hello uncle. Hi DB. CS, thodi chai milegi? Ma ghar mein nahi hain. (CS nods happily and goes into the kitchen. DB remains silent but CV gives a smile)

CV: College se aarahi ho Anji?

Anji nods: Ji. College aur wahaa se Nidhi se milke aarahi hoon. Woh apne honeymoon se waapas aagayi hain na! (She gives DB a sidelong glance before enthusiastically continuing) Uncle..she is just glowing I tell you. Aur mein jeejaji se bhi mili thi. Aaj Nidhi ki pehli rasoi hain na..so he came for lunch and stayed back. I saw their trip photos too. Ek haathi ke saath photo khichvaayi hain Nidhi ne..

DB screams: HAATHI? (And suddenly remembers herself and looks away bringing a small smile on Anji's face)

Anji: Haan DB. Aur usne toh jeejaji ko bhi nahi choda. She pulled him along and there is a photo for both of them with that baby elephant.

CS comes with the tea and gives it to Anji: Meine bhi woh poto dekha. Bibiji aur dactarsaab mast lagrahe hain saabji.

DB glares at CS: Tum wahaa kyon gaye the?

CS gives her a sullen look: I was missing bibiji. Aur uss din jab dactarsaab aaye the humaare ghar, tab unhone unke ghar ka pata diya aur bola jab dil karen aajaana. (He smiles in fond rememberance) Aaj toh bibiji ke haath ke paneer pakode bhi khaake aaya hoon DB! Memsaab ki yaad aagayi. Bibiji ke haathon mein bhi wahi jaadoo hain.

DB gets up and walks away. Undeterred, Anji continues: Aap ko pata hain uncle, jeejaji had a clean shaven look after marriage. Par madam ko pasand nahi aaya. She is making him grow his beard back again. Kehti hain..woh jaise hain waise hi achche hain. (She places her palm on CV's arm) Woh bahut khush hain uncle. Agar kami hain toh buss yahi ki aap aur DB uski khushi mein shaamil nahi hain. (CV locks his jaw before he too gets up and walks away from the room leaving Anji and CS sighing a little sadly but nodding at each other in silent understanding that they would continue to keep up their efforts.)

The next three weeks pass with Ashutosh and Nidhi getting into a routine at home and at work. After the initial hiccups of who should shower first and whose clothes should go where, one of the first things he does is getting her a new car so that she doesn't have to depend on him during the night shifts or even to come and go from the college. If their timings coincided, both left together in Nidhi's car and after the college, Nidhi spent her time in the library until he was done with his work in KGH and both came back together. Colleagues and friends slowly start getting used to seeing this odd couple as a "couple" and don't fail to notice the change this imp of a girl brought in the stern no nonsense dean of KGH. Now he has a relaxed air about him, he smiled more and his face visibly brightened whenever it fell on his young and usually chirpy wife. Flowers continue to get changed everyday and Ashu continues to bring one of them home to put it in the vase that now has its fixed place on the side table of their bed. His sleep turns restless and disturbed during her night shifts and they end up spending most of those nights exchanging sms.

One Sunday:

Nidhi continues to run her fingers through his greying hair: Chweetu..

Ashu, who is resting his head in her lap and dozing after a hearty lunch mumbles sleepily: Hmmm?

Nidhi: I..I miss my baba Chweetu. I want to see him once. (Ashu opens his eyes to look at her sad face. She hastily continues) Baba and DB go to a temple every Sunday. Even I used to go with them. I want to go there today to see if..

Ashu bends her down to kiss her lips softly: We will go in the evening. Ok? (Nidhi nods and smiles. Ashu closes his eyes once again. She smiled and that's all that mattered to him.)

That evening: Hanuman Mandir:

The temple is still resounding with the sounds of the bells rung during the aarti as CV and DB make their way to the steps to sit for a while before heading back home.

DB's eyes glaze with tears: Ek woh din tha jab hum chaaron milkar harr ravivaar ko yahaa aate the. Mein, tum, Nandini aur Nidhi. Phir Nandini chaligayi aur hum teen aate the. Ab dekho toh..Ek din mein chalijaaungi aur..

CV: Bua..aap aisi baaten mat keejiye. (Right then his gaze falls on the couple who are climbing up the steps of the mandir. Nidhi and Ashutosh. She is dressed in a baby pink and black combination sari with her pallu covering her head and pooja ki thali in her hand and Ashu is in his usual formal shirt with sleeves rolled up and trousers. She looks at them and stops..a tentative happy smile on her lips and a kind of hopeful expectant look on her face. DB frowns at the silence from CV and turns to see what or rather who he is looking at. Her face brightens as she looks at Nidhi..in the traditional attire with the sindoor in her maang, bindi on her forehead, mangalsutra and the bangles adorning her hand and most of all the peaceful contentment on her face. Meri bachchi! DB's heart goes out to Nidhi but she forcibly makes herself look away. CV gets up) Chaliye bua. Apne ghar chalte hain. (And leaves without even giving his daughter a second look. Once DB is seated in the car, both of them look up at the steps to see Ashu putting a hand around Nidhi's shoulders in a one armed hug before gently guiding her into the temple. CV reluctantly confesses.) I saw them once before..you know. I had stopped at a traffic signal and saw Nidhi having ganne ka ras at one of the shops. He was also there. He refused to have it I think but I saw her laughing and pushing her glass to his mouth. I saw Ashutosh shaking his head with a smile before giving in and tasting it.

DB: Inn dono ko logon ki parvaah hain hi nahi lagta hain. Pata nahi kya kya baaten horahi hongi..

CV shakes his head: You know Nidhi bua. Usne mann banaliya toh buss banaliya. She is not going to give a hoot to what anyone says. Jo usko sahi lagta hain woh wahi karti hain.

DB snaps: Lekin hum toh aise nahi hosakte na. Jahaa bhi jaati hoon buss wohi darr lagarehta hain ki koi yeh na pooche suna hain ki aap ki ladki ghar se bhaagke apne se dugne umr ke aadmi ke saath shaadi karle? Ab chaloge bhi ya aur kuch dekhna baaki hain? (CV starts the car.)

In the mandir:

Ashu: Give them time Nidhi.

Nidhi nods: They would forgive us, wouldn't they?

Ashu nods: Yes. (He pushes back the tendrils of her hair falling over her forehead) Dil chota mat karo. Mein hoon na? (She nods) Now..where is my smile?

Nidhi smiles and looks at him: Aap ki smile?

Ashu nods and runs a hand over his beard: If you can say this is YOUR beard, then why can't that smile be mine?

A soft laugh escapes her: Not bad Dr Heartstone.

Ashu: Ab Dr Sweetheart ke sangat ka asar toh dikhega hi na. Chalo. (Both of them go into the temple and pray.)

A couple of days later: KGH Canteen: Lunch time:

A group of around 8 PG students, including Nidhi are sitting in a circle chatting and catching up. Topics shift from their classes to professors to night shifts before landing on the ever hot topic – Nidhi, Mrs Dean of KGH.

Jyothika: Nidhi..oops..sorry..Ma'am..(Nidhi throws a book at her and she ducks) Ab Mrs Dean ko aur kya bulaye yaar!

Nidhi: Shut up Jyothika! (Then she winks) Waise naam bura nahi hain. (She points her nose in the air) Mrs Dean! Waah! Has a nice solid ring to it. (Everyone dissolves in a fit of laughter)

Rihaan: Hey suna hain naye batch of interns aaye hain KGH mein! 7 of them. 4 boys and 3 girls. Dr Ranganath told me.

Priyanka munches on a few chips: Ab dekhna yeh hain ki Dr Heartstone introduction ke baad kitne bachte hain.

Nidhi giggles: I skipped that one that day.

Jyothika rolls her eyes: It wouldn't have made any difference. He had a soft spot for you from day one and it was way too obvious. Lekin mein aur Priyanka fasgaye uss din. (She clears her throat and tries to imitate) Dr Jyothika..yeh hospital hain fashion house nahi!

Nidhi starts shaking her head before the sentence is complete: Arre..aise nahi. Woh aise thodehi na bolte hain..

Priyanka: Tu karke dikhaana yaar. (Nidhi tries to say no but soon a chorus starts demanding her to imitate her husband in the dean mode.)

Nidhi sighs and relents, giggles a little before clearing her throat and adjusting her coat. She assumes a serious expression on her face and gets up: Dr Nidhi Verma..the 4^th intern. (She raises her hand in a stalling gesture) Welcome to KGH. Normally you would have been shown to the door for showing up late on your first day but since I saw the situation, I can understand and you are excused. (A slight pause where she adjusts her imaginary eye glasses. Chuckles and whistles go around the canteen as the rest of the doctors also pull and turn their chairs to watch the show.) You are good at thinking on your feet and didn't panic. That's indeed a good quality. Please don't lose it. (She resumes her normal voice) Ek din kya hua Ranganath ne sir ko file laake dene mein derkardi. I was there. (She winks at Rihaan who gets up and takes the position of Ranganath by wiping the imaginary sweat on his forehead. Nidhi continues her show.) Dr Ranganath..yeh kya hain?

Rihaan: Sir..woh..mein..(Nidhi lifts her eyebrow just like Ashu drawing a huge round of applause from the audience) I got delayed sir..

Nidhi leans over the table by placing the tips of her fingers on it: How long have you been working here Ranganath? When I say now, I mean NOW. Not 10 minutes later and CERTAINLY NOT 20 minutes later. (Everyone laugh and start clapping again. Nidhi bows down at her waist in a thank you gesture..first to her centre, then to left and then to her right and comes face to face with the dean himself who is leaning against the entrance of the canteen for God knows how long and watching the whole show for God knows how long. Feet shuffle and people get up and start moving around and try to resume their conversation. Nidhi's face turns pink and then red before she gives a hasty look at others, bites her tongue before facing Ashu again. He gives her his typical Heartstone look complete with eyebrow raised before turning and walking out.

She quickly picks up her bag and runs out of the canteen after him: Chw..I mean..Sir..Dr Ashutosh..please wait. (She realizes that she is shouting and shuts up her mouth and stops running behind him. But her walk is brisk as she tries to catch up with his long legged stride. She sees him going into his cabin and goes after him after a cursory knock. She looks at him with a guilty naughty expression..an expression that makes him regret the fact that they are in the hospital where he can't do a damn thing. Some of his feelings must have shown in his face because her face lights up and if possible, her eyes become even naughtier. She backs up a step and asks innocently) Aap aise kya dekhrahe hain sir? Aap toh jaante honge na ki mein ek shaadi shuda ladki hoon.

He shakes his head at her super naughty expression: Nidhi don't you think you should leave all this to when we are at home where at least I can DO something about it?

Nidhi chuckles before nodding and backing off: Chalti hoon. Shaam ko milte hain. (Ashu nods) Sir..(He huffs a small laugh at the way she calls him and waits for her to continue) I love you sir. (And starts to run from the cabin only to run smack into Ranganath. Both stumble and back a couple of steps.) Oh..uh..Ranganath..hi..uh..sorry..I wasn't..sorry. (And quickly slips away with her face crimson red.)

Ranga clears her throat before looking at his boss whose cheeks are streaked with red. He coughs again: Good afternoon sir. I just wanted to introduce you to Dr Bhatt. Dr Bhatt, this is Dr Ashutosh, our dean. Dr Ashutosh, this is Dr Bhatt, Oncologist from Canada that I told you about?

Ashu shakes the man's hand: I have heard a lot about you. Thank you for coming Dr Bhatt.

Dr Bhatt nods: Not a problem. I will go through the reports once again before deciding on the next step. (Ashu nods and both men shake hands once again before taking leave.)

Once out of the cabin, Dr Bhatt turns towards Ranga: He is your dean? Dr Ashutosh? (Ranga nods) But I was told that he is a strict no nonsense kind of a guy!

Ranga: Absolutely sir. No two ways about it.

Dr Bhatt chuckles: The strict no nonsense guy knows the art of flirting, huh! (Ranga stumbles and Bhatt pats him consolingly) Don't worry about it. I have seen worse things at my hospital over there. It's all quite common in these environments. Doctors and nurses..doctors and juniors..rest assured. I won't tell anyone.

Ranga shakes his head vigorously: Sir..please..you misunderstand. Dr Nidhi is his wife.

Dr Bhatt stops walking: What?

Ranga nods: She worked here as an intern and they fell in love and got married about a month ago. She is now doing her MD Pead in KG medical college.

Dr Bhatt: Intern! But..he is what? 40?

Ranga smiles: He is 42. She is about 25.

Dr Bhatt raises his eyebrows and shakes his head before resuming his walk: And I thought US and Canada were strange places where weird things happen!

Ranga: Love can happen anywhere sir.

That night: AshNi's residence: Study room:

Nidhi looks up from her book and scribbling pad at Ashu, who comes and stands near the door: Aagaye? Baba aur HK ko drop kardiya JS mein? (Ashu nods) Yeh get together ka idea achcha hain. Baba took the music cds along with him you know. (Ashu enters the room and closes the door. Nidhi bites her lower lip and a look of anticipation enters her eyes) Aapne darwaaza kyon band kardiyaji?

Ashu folds his hands and leans against the closed door: Kaafi achcha nakal utaarti ho apne dean ki! (Nidhi bites her tongue but suppresses her giggle.) And what was all that about in my cabin?

Nidhi looks at him innocently: Ji..mein kuch samjhi nahi.

Ashu: You know what Dr Bhatt assumed? (Nidhi shakes her head but chuckles erupt between her closed lips) He thought I was flirting with my junior and it is paying off big time. He told Ranganath not to worry..that these things happen. (Nidhi bursts out laughing and falls back in the deewan holding on to her stomach. She tries to stop, takes one look at him and starts again. Ashu waits until she is done.) So..what were you saying this afternoon?

Nidhi: Ji?

Ashu starts advancing towards her: Tum shaadi shuda ladki ho..

Nidhi nods and shows him her mangalsutra: Haan. Dekhiye..aur meri maang mein sindoor bhi hain.

She looks angelic and guileless..as if sugar wouldn't melt in her mouth. The little rogue! He thinks with tender amusement and comes and stands until he is almost over her: And you are sure your husband would mind if you..

Nidhi gives him a horrified expression: Yeh aap kya kehrahe hain sir? Pati hain woh mere. He would mind, wouldn't he?

Ashu gets down on his knees and pulls her up until she is also on her knees in front of him. His fingers glide over her face before sliding to her neck and chest: But somehow..I am sure he wouldn't mind if I do this. And..(he takes her hands and puts them over his shirt buttons) I think he would definitely approve if you did this.

Nidhi's nibble fingers start unbuttoning his shirt slowly but surely: You are sure my husband wouldn't mind, sir? Because..(She pushes the shirt away from his chest and rubs her face over his chest) because I just love doing this.

Ashu tunnels his fingers through her hair and closes his eyes as he guides her mouth: I am sure..I think he would be in the 7^th heaven if you do this.

Nidhi's lips nip him softly making him groan: But sir..I love my husband so much. How can I..

This is new. This mixture of desire and amusement. With a soft laugh he puts his arms around her and topples her onto the deewan before falling on her but making sure his weight doesn't crush her: Oh..I am sure you love your husband. And he will not say no to something you want so much now, will he? (Lowering his head he kisses and licks at her smile as if he could taste it.)

Nidhi takes his hands in hers and pushes them under her night shirt, arching instinctively to give him better access: If that's the case..(Her own hands push and pull away with his clothing. By now, they are both breathing hard, gasping with their hearts pounding.)

Ashu undresses her with quick efficient movements: I do agree that an affair with my junior would look odd but what to do Dr Nidhi..we have to accept that somethings are beyond our control..right?

Nidhi nods and pushes him until he is flat on his back and she is astride him before attacking him with her lips, teeth and tongue: I agree sir. This is senseless (But by now her speech comes out a little slurred with passion and desire) and foolish..(She nicks his flat abdomen making him arch and growl)

Ashu's fingers grip fistful of the deewan spread: Ye..yes.

Nidhi: We have to stop.

Ashu: Not yet..not yet. (The feel of her lips on him snaps his control completely and he pulls her up over him and latches on to her breast) Your boss loves this Dr Nidhi. Nothing beats this. You should keep your boss happy, right?

Nidhi clutches his head and arches her back, her body seeking the intense pleasure that he is offering her: Oh please..yes..yes..thats..thats what my husband says too.

Ashu brings her over his lap and a guttural sound comes from his chest as he seems to reach a new place inside her. With every helpless movement she makes, he pulls her hips back to his, his fingers sliding across her with flirting strokes until their movements speed up and become almost desperate..until both of them spliter and fall apart in each other's arms. Panting he hugs her tight: You do have a way with your dean Dr Nidhi. That was amazing.

Nidhi places a soft tired kiss over his chest before settling herself down comfortably on top of him: Thank you sir.

Chapter Fifteen

After 6 months: At a park:

HK is walking beside BB: Yeh achcha hain Mathur saab. Sab kaam chodke mein bhi aapke saath walking subah subah!

BB laughs: Walking zaroori hain Hiraman. Ab iss umr mein hum unn dono ki tarah squash toh nahi khelsakte na!

HK nods: Haan..aur subah ka chai naashta toh Nidhi bitiya hi samgbhaalti hain.

BB nods: She is a nice girl Hiraman. You know, I used to worry that he would never like a girl or get married par der se hi lekin mere bete ne ek hire jaise ladki ko chuna hain.

HK looks at BB: Aap ko kabhibhi unn dono ke umr ke faasle ke baare mein darr nahi laga Mathur saab?

BB thinks back: I was taken aback initially. But..Hiraman..zindagi ne mujhe yehi sikhaaya hain ki kuch cheezen humaare samajh ke baahar hoti hain. Agar Bhagwaan ne inn dono ki jodi banaayi hain toh koi na koi wajah toh hogi na. Aur Nidhi bhi apne umr ke hisaab se kaafi matured hain. Jiss tarah se woh Ashu ke jeevan mein ghulmilgayi hain, kya farak padta hain.

HK nods: Humaara Ashu bahut khush hain Mathur saab. Pichle ki dard ya tadap nahi hain usme. He is content and happy..even joyful. Jistarah se woh aajkal hasta hain gaata hain..aap ne dekha?

BB: Haan. (He gives a sad kind of smile) You know na Hiraman he was just 7 or 8 when I got him. After his father was convicted, the child service people asked me what I intended to do with him. I told them he will be my son from this day on. He was standing there, right beside me..thin, frail, his wide innocent eyes staring at some distant skies. I could feel the waves of his fear reaching and touching me, you know. One father already abused him and now another guy is saying he will be the father. He used to hide under the bed in the night..never spoke much. He was shivering and stammering the first time he came to ask me if he has any clothes to wear. Khelkood ki baat chodo, it took me 2 years to get him to smile. Even after he started trusting me, I think for a very long time he felt that I had no choice where he was concerned..that he was kind of dumped into my lap. I think that's why Nidhi's effect on him is so strong. Not only the fact that he is crazily in love with her but also that she CHOSE him over the whole world..even her own family.

HK nods in agreement: Pehle toh I used to find it odd..the way she pampers him and all..but then I saw that he loves that. (He grins) I think sometimes he deliberately eats less just to get the scoldings from her.

BB laughs: It works both ways na. Do you see the way he coaches her in her studies? Pakka khadak master banjaata hain. And he takes her career more seriously than she does. The other day he was talking to me about whether should remain a doctor in KGH or in some other hospital or get her open her own practice. Said..if she works in KGH, people would say dean got her the job and her talent would never be recognized that way.

HK: I just wish Nidhi ke gharwaale bhi ab maanjaay Mathur saab. Usko apne baba ki bahut yaad aati hogi na.

BB: Haan Hiraman. Even I am praying for the same. Anji kehrahi thi ki Sarojji ka pighalna shuru hogaya hain. Now, she looks forward to Anji's visits so that she can get Nidhi's news. Waise Ashu doesn't let Nidhi be down for long. Kaise bhi karke uski hasi waapas laakar hi rehta hain. (He glances at the watch.) Chalo. Ab toh naashte ka waqt bhi hogaya. Ghar chalte hain. (Both men come out of the park and make their way home.)

About the same time: At the squash court:

Nidhi collapses on the bench and wipes her sweat as she waits for her husband to complete the game and come out. A man comes and sits on the next bench and gives her a polite smile: I enjoyed watching your play. (Nidhi smiles and he gestures towards Ashu) Woh aapke..uncle hain?

She grins and shakes her head and she gets up, picks the water bottle and backpack as she watches Ashu come out of the court: He is my husband. (Before he could stumble out an apology, she continues) and thanks for the compliment. Bye. (And walks away. Both of them sit in the car with Nidhi in the driver seat.)

Ashu takes the water bottle: So..who am I this time around? Big brother or uncle or father?

Nidhi chuckles: Uncle.

Ashu shakes his head with a rueful smile: After 6 months, I thought people would have got used to it. (Nidhi laughs and pulls his cheek before starting the car.)

At Home:

BB looks up: Aagaye tum dono? Kaisa raha aaj ka match?

Ashu: Poochiye mat baba. Iss ladki ko squash mein koi interest nahi hain.

Nidhi: Oye hello..I won the match today.

Ashu rolls his eyes: Yeah..yeah! Baba, she never takes the game seriously. Wahaa pe bhi apni masti!

Nidhi puts her fists on her waist: It's a game sirji. Its not meant to be taken seriously. Baba, yeh toh aise khelte hain jaise khel nahi koi jung ho.

Ashu: And you don't play at all. Koi rules nahi koi regulations nahi. And the only way you win is by cheating.

Nidhi: Mein cheating karti hoon? (Ashu nods and BB silently opens the newpaper.) Mein? (Ashu nods again. Nidhi stomps her foot in anger and goes off to their room. Ashu exchanges a small smile with BB before following her.)

He leans against the door frame and observes his wife throwing the backpack in one corner before picking up the towel. His voice softly starts humming: Dekho roota na karo..baat nazron ki suno..

Nidhi glares at him as she replies: Hum na bolenge kabhi..tum sataya na karo..

She throws his towel at him and pushes him towards the bathroom. He wraps the same towel around her and pulls her along with him: khuli palak mein jhoota gussa band palak mein pyaar..jeena bhi mushkil..marna bhi mushkil..

Nidhi's glare slowly turns into a pout before becoming a smile as she tries to pull herself out of his arms: Chod do aachal zamaana kya kahega..

Ashu pushes her into the bathroom before closing the door and locking it. Seconds later warm water sluices their bodies as Ashu cages her in his arms: Inn adaon ka zamaana bhi hain deewana..deewana kya (His song ends abruptly as she leans against the wall and opens her arms to him. With the shower beating down on them, their bodies recreate the magical dance that's just theirs alone.)

The next day: In KGH: Ashu's cabin:

Ashu throws the head cap and face mask on the table before taking his phone out in the draw. He frowns at the display. 6 missed calls from Anji. He clicks the call back button but hardly gets a chance to say hello before Anji starts her usual chatter.

Anji: Kya jeejaji..kitne time se try kar rahi hoon. Phone kyon nahi utaya? Mujhse naraaz hain? Pata hain subha se 6 baar try karchuki hoon.

Ashu smiles as he settles down in his chair: Aap se naaraaz kaise hosakte hain saali sahiba! I was in the OT since morning. Boliye..kya hukum hain.

Anji laughs: Jeeju aap sach mein bahut sweet ho. Pata hain..uss din aap aur Nidhi mere college aaye the na..mujhe pick karne, tabse mere saare friends aap pe fida hogaye hain. One is even planning to get "A" tattoed on her arm. (She laughs as she imagines her jeeju's horrified expression) Don't worry. I am just kidding. Waise I just called to tell you that tomorrow is Nidhi's birthday. Aap ko pata hain kya?

Ashu closes his eyes: Haan Anji. Pata hain. I knew it last year too. But..

Anji sighs: Last year ki baat mat keejiye Jeej. Aunty guzargayi thi aur aap chalegaye the..Nidhi was like some zombie that day. (She cheers him and herself up) Par issbaar kuch special keejiyena aap Nidhi keliye. I know I am kind of interfering but..

Ashu cuts her: Anji..you are not interfering. I know what you are saying. I agree with you. I was thinking..may be all 4 of us can go to that dhaba that she loves..woh jo Lucknow Delhi highway pe hain na..

Anji: Aap dono jaayiye na. Beech mein kabab mein haddi kyon?

Ashu: With your exams and her studies, you guys hardly get time to catch up and chat Anji. She misses you.

Anji's entire face softens: Aapko pata hain..when Nidhi first told me that she is in love with you, I kind of got worried and panicked. But I should have known. Her selection is always superb. (Ashu gives an awkward laugh) Achcha teek hain. Sab milke chalte hain. Ranga and I will come to your place and we will leave from there.

Ashu: Ok.

Anji: And jeeju, thank you for talking to Ranganath about the wedding date. When his parents had come to meet na, I myself wanted to tell them to wait until after my finals par mein bahut dar gayi thi. I so wanted to ask you and Nidhi to come and talk.

Ashu sighs: Anji..Nidhi and I being there would have only increase the awkwardness. You understand na. And as for the marriage date, Ranganath is a sensible guy.

Anji jumps up a little: But all the same, if you hadn't talked to him pata nahi kya hota. So..thank you jeejaji. Chaliye ab rakhti hoon.

Ashu: Bye. (Ashu cuts the call, ponders a little bit before dialing another number.) Hello? Col. Verma, Mein Ashutosh..(silence is the only reply he gets. Ashu sighs.) Sir, I know you are angry with me. Lekin kal aapki beti ka janamdin hain. Aur uski khushi uske poore parivaar ke bina adhoori hain. Kal agar aap humaare ghar aayenge toh..(He hears the phone getting disconnected and closes his eyes. Nidhi..I am sorry Nidhi. I am sorry I made you choose. I am sorry I took your family away from you. I know you never blamed me..not once. He rubs his palms over his face. God mein kya karu! How long would this go on..how long before Nidhi starts regretting making her choice..He shakes his head forcefully as if forcefully dislodging that thought. No. She wouldn't regret. Not my Nidhi. She loves me. She is happy with me. And I will do everything in my power to make sure she stays that way.)

Midnight: AshNi's bedroom:

Ashu shuts the beeper quickly, rolls and wraps himself around his wife from behind. With a soft hum she pushes herself closer to him and pulls his palm under her cheek. He nuzzles his face in her neck and gives her a soft nick: Happy birthday!

Nidhi blinks her eyes open and turns towards him. With a happy grin and pulls him over her and hugs him: Thank you Chweetu. Aapko kaise pata?

Ashu settles himself over her comfortably as her body completely cushions his. He unbuttons and pushes her night shirt away before resting his head on her chest with a blissful sigh: I knew it last year too Nidhi. I even bought a gift for you. But..

Nidhi starts to push him away: You bought a gift for me? (He nods) Last year? (He nods again) When you were in Delhi? Hatiye hatiye..I want to see. Where is it? Oh please..dikhayiye na..I want to see. Aur iss saal ka gift kya hain? Mujhe dono chahiye.

Ashu places a tender kiss on the place where his head was resting a moment ago before getting up and opening the bed side draw and pulling out two gift wrapped boxes. One a long rectangular box and another a small square one: Happy birthday.

Nidhi switches on the light and sits on her knees all trace of sleep completely vanished as her eyes sparkle with excitement: Last year wala kaun sa hain? (Ashu gives the rectangle one. She snatches it, smacks his cheek with a resounding kiss and tears the wrapper open as Ashu watching her with a look of utter contentment on his face. Inside is a beautiful platinum bracelet with a small flower joining both the ends. Nidhi touches it softly with slightly trembling fingers before looking at him with tear glazed eyes) You got this for me last year? (He silently picks it up and puts it around her wrist. Their lips meet in a soul searing kiss and minutes tick by as they take their fill of each other and together push away those painful days from their memory. Both of them are panting by the time they come up for air.) Iss..iss saal wala gift kahaa hain? (He extends the second one and she opens it a little slowly. The box opens to display a spectacular set of single diamond ear rings set in a gold setting.) You planning to spend all your savings before our first wedding anniversary? (Ashu frowns and she grins before smoothing down the frown with her fingers. She kisses them before quickly putting them on and showing it to him by pushing her hair away.) Kaisa dikhraha hain?

Ashu just looks at her before placing a kiss of salutation on her forehead: Nidhi..you are happy, aren't you?

Nidhi frowns before crawling into his lap and sitting astride. She loops her arms around him: What kind of a question is that Chweetu? I love you and I am loving the life that I am living with you. Kabhi kabhi toh jeekarta hain ek bada sa box lelu aur saare yaadien ko usme chupaakar rakhdoo. The last 7 months have been..beautiful and precious. (She cuddles up to him and rests her head on his chest. His arms close around her in respose.) Waise aap itne sochte kyon hain? I will tell you if I had any problem na.

Ashu tightens his arms and closes his eyes: I feel guilty for making you choose Nidhi. Your baba lost his wife and I took his only daughter away from him.

Nidhi: Mere baba hume accept karenge Chweetu. Aap dekhiyega. He loves me too much. Its just that he feels let down and hurt right now. I know that in his heart of hearts he trusts my judgement. Army waale hain na..he won't accept defeat so easily. He will come. He will bless both of us and soon will start bossing you around too.

Ashu falls back on the bed with her still on his lap and in his arms. He pushes her night shirt away and hides his face in her neck with her long hair covering him in a kind of dark heaven: Nidhi..the ever optimist. Mine..all mine!

No matter how many times she hears that tone of possessiveness from him, it never fails to squeeze her heart. Is he telling me or reassuring himself? She smothers his face and neck with small pecks before pushing his t shirt up and away from him before directing her lips to attack his chest: Uh huh..all yours..forever yours. And YOU, Dr Ashutosh Mathur, are MINE! You better..(Her soft bite makes him arch up and growl) you better remember that when that..that intern starts flirting with you again.

Ashu rolls until she is under him once again. His nibble fingers undress her under a minute: Which intern?

Nidhi moans as his lips play havoc with her ear but manages to growl: That girl..Binat..I saw the way she looks at you. I don't like it. Tell her that you are married and that you love your wife very much. You know..this is not fair. Girls have mangalsutra and sindoor to tell the world that they are married. How come..ahhh..don't stop..oh..I love it when you do that.

His lips leave her body for a moment: How come what?

Nidhi pushes his head back, silently demanding to resume what he has stopped: How come men don't have anything that shows that they are married?

Ashu's chuckle is swolled up by her lips: You want me to have the sindoor or the mangalsutra?

Nidhi giggles as she imagines the scenario and pushes him back onto the pillows before climbing on top of him: Better yet. I will give you a hicky. (She touches his neck) Here. You are in your scrubs most of the day and the whole of KGH along with that Binat can see it and back off. (And proceeds to do just that.)

The next day morning: Verma residence:

CV closes the album and places it back in his cupboard. Happy birthday beta. Have a wonderful day and a beautiful year. I know you probably think I am heartless and can't forgive you. Kya karu. I always thought Nidhi meri beti hain. Jo mein kahoonga woh baat uske sar aankhon par. Meri beti meri baat KABHI nahi taalegi. Meri kheenchi hui lakeer KABHI paar NAHI karegi. But the fact that you chose someone else over me..your own baba..you chose someone you hardly knew over ME..the fact that my trust got smashed to pieces in one shot..you couldn't wait for a while? Or try to explain things to me? I know you and Anji have probably planned this. She comes here frequently to give your news and tell me that you are happy and content in your life..that AShutosh and his family takes good care of you. Anji toh uske jeejaji ke khilaaf ek lafz bhi nahi sunti. I guess now..even I have started to look forward to her visits. (He sighs.) Dekhte hain..shaayad..but when I heard his voice yesterday..it was like..

DB: Yog! YOG! (DB enters CV's room and sits on the chair with a helpless look on her face and pain in her eyes) Aaj bachchi ka janam din hain. Kuch yaad bhi hain ki nahi? (CV nods) Tujhe kya lagta hain..uske pati ko pata hoga?

CV hesitates before finally saying: Anji..bataarahi thi ki shaam ko chaaron milkar baahar jaarahe hain. Nidhi ke favourite dhabe par. She said he knows.

DB: Anji aaj jaayegi na usse milne. Mein usko uske mann pasand gulaab jaamun banaake bhejdoongi. (CV opens his mouth only to have DB fairly scream at him) BUSS..tum na baat karna chaahte toh na sahi. I can't be that way any more. You don't want me to go to her house. Fine. I won't go. But I can't cut off my relations with her like that. Arre..ma na sahi lekin ma ki tarah toh paala hain na meine. Mein bhejrahi hoon BUSS. Iske aage tumne kuch bola toh meri kasam. (And stomps away towards the kitchen screaming for CS)

A little after breakfast: AshNi's residence:

Anji comes into the house singing: Happy birthday to you dear Ni..dhi..

Nidhi comes out of the kitchen and hugs her: Thank you Anji.

BB: Good morning Anji beta. Sabse pehle yeh batao Nidhi ki saari kaisi hain. My gift.

Anji looks at Nidhi in her peacock blue and silver sari: Waah uncleji..aapke selection ka toh jawab nahi. Jeej ne kya diya? (Nidhi shows her earrings and Anji exclaims) HAAA..wow! Kya baat hain jeejaji..maanna padega! (And gives a flying kiss to Ashu only to earn a hard slap on her back from Nidhi) Ouch..maarti kyon ho yaar! Jeejaji dekhiye na..aapki biwi dinbadin violent hoti jaarahi hain. (Ashu coughs into his tea before wiping his mouth and adjusting his shirt collar. Nidhi smothers her laugh and sends him a subtle wink.) Nidhi..I got something for you. (Saying that she extends the steel snack box to her.)

Nidhi opens it and grins: Gulab jamun? Thanks Anji. (She picks one and puts it in her mouth. After chewing a couple of times, her eyes fill up as she looks at Anji) Yeh..yeh DB ne bheja hain na Anji? Sach bata..(Anji nods and both friends hug each other tightly with Ashu and BB exchanging a look of surprise and tentative relief. Ashu gets up and comes to Nidhi as the friends draw apart, wipes her tears and softly pats her cheek.)

Anji: DB called me this morning and gave this Nidhi. Uncle was also there. He didn't say anything but he didn't stop her either.

Ashu: Nidhi..chalo..tumhaare baba se milke aate hain. (Nidhi nods at BB and HK before going up to get her bag.)

Anji: Ab mein nikalti hoon. Shaam ko milte hain jeejaji. Tell Nidhi that she will get her gift in the evening.

BB: Bye beta. (Once Anji leaves, BB looks at Ashu) Are you going to go their house?

Ashu: Nahi baba. We will go to the orphanage. We were anyway planning to give some gifts to the boys over there. Issi bahaane milna bhi hojaayega. (BB nods and soon the couple leave.)

About an hour later: Nandini home for boys:

CV, from his place at the class room door, turns to look at the approaching car. His smile of welcome freezes on his face as he sees his daughter and son in law getting down from it. Nidhi gives him a tentative smile as Ashu goes to open the trunk and take out the packets they had bought to distribute among the boys. Why am I not surprised? I guess I knew in my heart of hearts that she would come here today. The boys, already anticipating her arrival have been busy making greeting cards the last couple of days. Right on cue, there is a shout from within the class and all the boys come running out to meet their Nidhi didi. Her tentative smile turns into grin as she looks at them and accepts all their wishes, hugging the younger ones and shaking hands with the older ones.

Nidhi: I got something for all of you. (A big cheer goes around in the crowd.) But first, I want to introduce you all to someone.

One boy pipes out: We know him didi. We saw him in the function last year.

Nidhi nods: Haan. Ab yeh mere husband hain. Dr Ashutosh. (Ashu smiles and waves at them and they chorus out a Namaste sir.) Ab chalo. Sab log andar chalo and I will show you what I got for you. (They pull Nidhi along with them and all through this CV remains standing in the same place with a complete neutral expression on his face. As soon as Nidhi goes inside, he turns to go in the opposite direction but Ashu's words stop him in his tracks.)

Ashu: Aapki beti aapse milne aayi hain sir. Woh aapko bahut miss karti hain. She always talks about you. I once asked her how come she is so matured in her thinking and she said its all because of my baba. Unhone zindagi mein bahut kuch dekha hain..aur zindagi se bahut kuch sikha hain. And whatever he learnt, he taught me. (He stuffs his hands in his trouser pockets and goes closer to CV.) Don't punish your daughter for what I did sir. Inn sab mein Nidhi ki koi galti nahi hain. I pushed her away once for lots of reasons. And once I got back and pounced the marriage proposal on her, I think she got scared that if she asked for more time from me, I would leave her again. I had promised her I wouldn't. Par baat kehne mein aur wohi baat maanne mein farak hota hain na. And I promise you..mein aapki beti par aanch nahi aanedoonga. I know I am not the ideal partner for her in your eyes but..

Nidhi's voice makes them both turn: Chale?

Ashu looks at her looking at her baba with a small smile: Baba..DB se kahiye mujhe gulab jaamun bahut pasand aaye.

She bends to touch his feet but he steps back: Humaare ghar mein ladkiyan paau nahi chooti. (And walks away inside without a backward glance.)

Ashu puts his arm around her: He will come around soon Nidhi. Don't give up.

Nidhi swallows before squaring her shoulders and facing her husband with a determined smile: Give up? Woh kya hota hain Chweetu? (He pats her cheek in appreciation and she loops her arm through his.) Chaliye..aaj classes nahi hain lekin library mein kaam hain.

A couple of days later: AshNi's residence:

Ashu comes fresh out of shower rubbing his hair with a towel: Nidhi, back from the nightshift already?

Nidhi plops down on the bed: hmmm

Ashu comes and sits beside her: Hey whats this? Aise hospital kapdom mein hi letgayi. Come on, get up and change. Nidhi! don't be..(He catches her arm as if pulling her to get up only to realize that she is literally burning up) NIDHI? You have fever? (Panic seizes him.) Nidhi! come on open your eyes and answer me. Since when do you have the temperature? KAKA! Get some water in a bowl and a towel please!

Nidhi squints her eyes open a bit: I think last night. I was feeling odd. Body pains. Took a paracetamol. Urrgghh. I feel so cold Chweetu. Help! Do something.

AShu: Shhh. Ok relax. KAKA! Where are you?

BB: Ashu, what happened? Hiraman went to the market.

Ashu: Nidhi is burning up with fever baba. Stay here please and I will go and get some water for spunging and a thermometer.

BB comes and covers her with blanket, feels her forehead, checks her pulse and examines her with his steth. AShu rushes to the medicine cabinet and gets a crocin pain relief.

BB removes the steth: Looks like some kind of viral Ashu. Her chest is a bit congested too.

Ashu growls: Viral toh hogi na baba..kaise birthday ke din Anji aur yeh madam chaar chaar icecream khaaliye the..aur ooper se baarish mein bhi bheege the. Ranga and I kept telling par yeh dono sune tab na. (He shakes his head and makes a quick call to Ranga and instructs him to reschedule all his appointments. He is going to take off for the next couple of days unless there is an emergency. Then he props up Nidhi, gives her the medication and some ORS just in case. BB leaves the room and Ashu quickly spunges her body with a damp cloth until temperature goes down a bit. He dresses her in her PJs and covers her up with blanket again. All through this, Nidhi is completely out of it. Once the temp is gone down, he forcefeeds a few bites of bread before giving her the antibiotic. News travels fast so in a few mins Anji calls Ashu: Jeeju, whats wrong? Ranga said Nidhi is not well and you took off?

Ashu: Fever Anji. I think some kind of viral. I started the antibiotic but it will take a few days to recover.

Anji: Want me to come over?

Ashu: Today I think I will be here. But tomorrow I have a surgery that can't be postponed. So will need your help tomorrow.

Anji: Sure. I will be there. Sorry jeej..I guess icecream kuch zyaada hi hogaya.

Ashu sees Nidhi moving: Its ok. Don't worry about it. Its just a viral. Am I reassuring Anji or myself? Listen Anji, I will talk to you later, ok?

Anji: Bye. Call if you need anything.

The next few days pass in a haze for Nidhi as Ashu and Anji take turns in taking care of her. Even BB joins them and tries feeding her some rasam rice. When Nidhi protests, all he said was, "You did it for me, now its my turn. No talk. Only eat." On the third day, Nidhi comes down slowly to the sound of the landline ringing and lifts it up as she is the one closest: Hello? (silence) Hello? (Still no answer but Nidhi starts coughing. BB and HK come running. HK takes the phone away from her hand and glares at her.)

BB: Beta, kuch chahiye kya? Why did you come down? You need rest.

HK: Ab chupchaap andar jaao bahu mein dood mein haldi daalke leke aata hoon. Peelena.

BB: No more talking. Aaj badi mushkil se Ashu ko KGH bheja hain meine. Usko pata chalgaya ki tum utkar kaam karnelagi ho toh mujhe daant padegi. Chalo.

Nidhi grins weakly: Kaka..phone. (BB helps her back to her bed)

HK says hello but by now, the phone gets disconnected by CV. When Anji had told him about Nidhi falling sick, his instinct had been to run to her. Finally, he couldn't hold back any more and called Ashu's residence number and heard his daughter being pampered by not one but all the 3 men in the house. Shyama, who has just walked into the house, sees him disconnecting the phone: Kyon bhai saab..aakhir raha nahi gaya na..beti ke bina!

(CV doesn't reply and Shyaman continues) Buss..ab bahut hogaya bhai saab. You are not talking to her and refused to let buaji go there..buaji toh do din se teek se khapee bhi nahi rahe hain..subah se shaam tak mandir mein rehti hain. Whatever happened has happened. Nidhi married Dr Ashutosh and is happy in her life. Anji aur CS hume pal pal ki khabar dete hain na. Ab kissbaat par aap apne zidd par ade hain? Jo hochuka woh hochuka. Jinn logon ko bolna tha woh bolchuke. Agar aap ko samaaj ki fikr hain aur woh samaaj aapki beti ko taana maar raha hain, toh kya aap iss ladai mein aapki beti ka saath nahi denachaahenge? (CV gives a kind of startled look to Shyama before turning back to face the open window. Kiss muh se jaaunga bhabhi! All these months I rebuffed every overture made by Ashutosh and Dr Mathur. Ab milu bhi toh kaise?)

Unless he had to go to KGH, Ashu spent all his time with Nidhi and BB realizes that when it comes to Nidhi, his son forgets that he himself is a doctor. It has taken about 5-6 days but finally Nidhi is on the path of complete recovery and everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

On the 6^th day night:

Nidhi gets up from her place in the sofa to the sound of the door bell and opens the door to Ashu: Hi!

Ashu looks at her..the tension and weariness slowly ebbing away from his body: Hey..how are you feeling now?

Nidhi, even as a new bride, had quickly caught on the fact that he loved it when she opened the door for him. But today, all though there is that relief in his eyes, that usual joy is missing. She frowns as she closes the door behind him: I am fine. Back to normal. Kal se college bhi jaaungi. (Ashu nods and sits down on the sofa with his head leaning back and eyes closed. She comes and sits beside him.) Kya hua?

Ashu shakes his head: Nothing. I..lost a patient today.

Nidhi: Tumour ka case tha?

Ashu: No. That idiot had locked himself out of his house and got the brilliant idea to jump into his balcony from his neighbour's. 4th Floor. (He shakes his head.) Log sochte kyon nahi Nidhi? How much would it have cost him to break open the door? I felt so damn helpless. It was too late. I was too late. 37 years old..married. He had 2 small daughters..a wife.. parents..family..

Nidhi smiles sadly to herself. And he thinks he is like his biological father! Wordlessly, she goes and gets him a glass of water. He gulps it down in one go before putting it carelessly on the floor and pulling her closer to him. The next moment he wraps his arms around her waist and rubs his face over her tummy. Her fingers run through his slightly greying hair: You did everything that you could Chweetu. (And who better than you to know that somethings are not in our hands. She quickly blinks and tries to cheer him up a little.) Come..I will give you a nice massage. You will feel better. (His only reply is to tighten his arms around her and push her sari away from her tummy with his cheek and nose as his mouth opens to lick and taste her. She bites her lower lip before going down on her knees before him and kissing him fully on his lips.)

He pulls away with a harsh, almost painful sound: Baba..kaka..

Nidhi: Baahar gaye hain.

As if that's all that is needed to break his control, he follows her down onto the carpet. With slightly trembling fingers he undresses her and himself, almost tearing away the buttons of his shirt. He pulls her over his lap and gives her a small shake as her eyes drift close: Nidhi..no. Look at me. I want to look into your eyes as I drown myself in you. Don't close your eyes. (Pure bliss envelopes him as she takes him into her warmth.) Yes..yes..yes..mujhe apna banaalo Nidhi. Nidhi..!

6 weeks later:

Nidhi is still reeling from her appointment with Dr Kothari. What do I do? Should I tell him or wait for a few more days? But how does waiting change anything? May be I am needlessly worrying. He has changed so much in so many ways since our marriage. May be he would be happy..may be he would..!! She slowly makes her way to the study where Ashu is busy on his laptop gathering some info on a particular type of tumour which is going to operate on in a couple of days. He raises his head when she enters and closes the door, gives her an abstract distracted smile before going back to his work.

Nidhi: Ji, mujhe aap se kuch kehna hain.

AShu's eyes are still glued to the laptop: Haan Nidhi, bolo.

Nidhi swallows, braces herself and says: I am pregnant.