Originally posted by: sarahgul
yayy love it ash!!! 😛😛 Cant wait for the next chapter. Behir are soo adorable. 😳 I just loved the way you showed bela as a independent girl.. Love it.. Keep it up 👏
Originally posted by: _nakshi_
Next part plss
Originally posted by: abi_niki
Wonderful writing... 👏👏Nice ff.⭐️⭐️ Try to give index in first page.
Originally posted by: The.Wanderer
Next part will take some time. I was not going to update daily but then last three chapters happened in the flow so I updated but now it will not be possible. I don't have a bank of chapters and nor do I have the time to make one. I will write as and when I get time. So sorry... 😔
Originally posted by: _nakshi_
Don't be sorry it's OK when u have time u update... Its u who Need to put efforts to think and make an update humara kya we will always have list.. So don't be sorry and don't be late too update as soon as u can 😃
Originally posted by: asifiqbalsh
Nice parts dear
Simply loved it
Jealous bela was treat
Mahir won the bet & bela fulfil his demand.
Waiting for next one soon
Thanks
CHAPTER 8: REMINISCING THE CHILDHOOD
Next morning when Mahir woke up, he saw that Bella was fast asleep and snoring delicately. Careful not to disturb her, he got out of the bed and put on his scattered clothes. One glance at his mobile showed him that Sumitra had called him multiple times the previous night. He remembered that he had forgotten to inform Sumitra that he was planning to stay with Bella at her baba's place. He hurriedly dialled Sumitra's number.
Mahir: Hello, ma...
Sumitra: Where the hell are you Mahir?
Mahir: I am with Bella. Sorry I forgot to call you to inform you about the same.
Sumitra: Okay. Fine. Now bye.
Mahir heard her disconnect the call. He turned around to see Bella step out of the room fully clothed. She had once again insisted on putting on her clothes in the middle of the night.
Bella: What happened?
Mahir: Ma was worried. But I spoke with her.
Bella: Don't worry I had texted her last night that you were coming here.
Mahir: Then why did she call me so many times?
Bella: Maybe because she expected you to call her, like you always do.
Mahir: Yeah, I should have done that. I will apologise to her when we reach home.
Bella: Hmmm. You do that. Coffee?
Mahir: Yes. You go and freshen up. I will prepare one for you.
Bella nodded and went to the bathroom to freshen up. After taking a bath, she came out wearing a bathrobe and sat down at the dining table. Mahir was waiting for her with a steaming mug of coffee. He waited eagerly for her to take a sip and smiled enthusiastically when she closed her eyes in pure bliss as soon as the coffee hit her taste buds.
Mahir: So? What do you think??
Bella: It's beautiful. How did the flavour get so intense?
Mahir: I had a friend in college. He had taught me this trick. He told me to add a dash of cinnamon to the coffee.
Bella: Wow. This is the best coffee that I have ever tasted. It's decided then. Every weekend, you will prepare my morning coffee.
Mahir: Definitely. And Bella? I had no idea that you could dance so well. Last night was... Magical.
Bella: But had seen me dance on our... ahem... wedding night...
Mahir: That doesn't count. I was avoiding looking at you that night. If I had continued to look at you, I would have never passed your test.
Bella: Well I am a Visharat in Kathak. Dancing is my hobby. I learnt it for myself and mind relaxation.
Mahir: I don't know what the hell Visharat means but if you like dancing then, you should continue with it.
Bella: Well, I mostly did it for myself and well...
Mahir: You can do it for me now. I want to see you dance more often. Got it?
Bella: Fine.
When Bella had finished her coffee, she went and changed into her street clothes while Mahir took a bath. He came out find that Bella had already pressed his shirt so that it did not look too crumpled. He put on his shirt gratefully. They both proceeded towards Sehgal House where a volcano named Sumitra was waiting to burst over Mahir.
Sumitra: (As soon as BeHir entered, ignoring Mahir completely) Hello dear! I hope your baba is fine now?
Bella: Yes ma. He is well.
Sumitra: Thanks for informing that you both were going to spend the night at your flat. Unlike some people, you actually care for me. (Gave Mahir a very dirty look)
Mahir: Ma, I forgot. I am so sorry. Last night was well...
Sumitra: Okay. Fine... I can guess but I don't need the details. Now go and change out of those clothes. Mercifully they are not stained with.. ahem... lipstick marks... But I cannot say the same about... ummm... your skin.
And she pointed towards a love bite had had formed on Bella collar bone.
Bella: (Blushing furiously, while Mahir is giving her a sly look) Ma...
Bella rushed from there. Mahir followed her soon after.
Bella: Now I get it. I wondered from where you get this hidden naughty streak. You get it from ma.
Mahir: Yes ma does have a naughty streak to her personality.
They both were lying on the bed, cuddling. There was a moment's silence. Bella suddenly turned and gave him a light kiss on his chin and then a peck on his right cheek.
Bella: Hey Mahir, the coffee was really good. Where did you even find cinnamon there?
Mahir: Well, your spices box is pretty well stocked. I rummaged in the kitchen and found it. By the way, when was the last time you were here? Your kitchen is pretty well stocked.
Bella: Just before I came to stay at your place before the wedding actually. Me and Suhani sort of a bachelorette party there with baba and uncle.
Mahir: Who has a bachelorette party with their father?
Bella: Well, we did. And so the kitchen is well stocked. Actually me and baba would visit on every weekend. It was a sort of our holiday home...
Mahir: But you have not visited since our wedding..
Bella: Well it would look really odd if I rush outside to be with my baba every weekend.
Mahir: That's not fair. Okay how's this for a deal? Every month, second weekend we spend there with baba. Okay?
Bella: We? As in even you will accompany us?
Mahir: Of course. Now I am a part of your family. I will accompany you wherever you go. Just like I can't have a moment alone with my ma, even you will not have a moment alone with your baba.
Bella: Hmmm. Fair enough.
Mahir: You and Suhani have been friends since childhood right?
Bella: Yes. We were born in that house and have been together literally since we were born. After my mother died, it was Suhani's ma who helped baba care for me. I was barely six then. I have very few memories with my ma but a lot of them with Suhani's ma.
Mahir: But Suhani...
Bella: Yes Suhani's ma is no more. We lost her a couple of years ago. It was painful to lose a mother second time around...
Bella had tears in her eyes as she remembered Suhani's ma and the moments that she had spent with her. There was a moment's silence as Mahir rubbed her back soothingly. Finally Bella composed herself.
Bella: You know I am glad that I got a third chance to enjoy a mother's love. Sumi ma is as loving as Suhani's ma was. I have not interacted much with Polo mom but...
Mahir: (Chuckles to himself) Don't go on her looks. She is very loving and caring in her own way. Once she takes to you, she will do anything to ensure that you stay safe. Just give her some time. I know ma will never differentiate between you and Suhani, but Polo mom will also be very caring towards you.
Bella: Can I ask you something?
Mahir: Go ahead...
Bella: You and Yuvi call her mom... Ma doesn't have a problem with that? Please don't get offended but that relationship has intrigued me for years.
Mahir: Don't worry; I am not offended in any way. It is but obvious that you are intrigued. Initially ma had a problem with mom staying in the same house. I was eight when ma found out that dad had another family with Polo mom and Pratham. Pratham was six then, same age as Yuvi. Those were horrible days. Ma and dad would fight regularly. Kuhu was just a baby, but Yuvi understood to some extent what was going on. Dad was adamant that mom and Pratham would stay with us. You might not believe it but Yuvi was a very sensitive child. He would insist on sleeping with me when ma and dad would fight. Dad had brought mom and Pratham to our house and the elders would fight constantly. Kuhu and Yuvi would be in my room with me. Me being the eldest one, tried to ensure that they were not affected by the fights in any way. Pratham would be very alone. Sitting in his room, crying his eyes out. One day the fights escalated to the extent that elder were throwing things at each other and loud bangs could be heard from the living room. We were all in my room, really sacred by the noises. Just then we heard someone sobbing in the adjacent room. When I went to investigate, I found Pratham shaking badly and crying. When he saw me he came running to me and hugged me. That day he called me Bhai for the first time. I knew whatever problems the elders had with each other, I couldn't leave him alone that day. I took him with me to my room. Yuvi and Kuhu were a bit reluctant to accept him as one of us, but I somehow convinced them. Next day when ma came to wake us up, she saw that I was sitting on the bed with my head resting on the bed frame, little Kuhu was sitting between my legs with her head somewhere on my torso. Pratham and Yuvi were sleeping with their heads on each of my laps. I think that scene changed a lot of things around the house. From that day onwards the fights reduced considerably. They did not go away completely but at least for our sake, the elders would keep things civilized. And then one day I found out that some boys were teasing Pratham for being the other woman's son. Some parents are just so insensitive. They say anything in front of their kids and the kids repeat whatever their parents say. Yuvi informed me of that and I went to have a talk with the class teacher but she did not pay any attention and the same thing happened the next day as well. After a couple of more days, I decided to take the matters in my own hands. I got into a fight with those boys and got injured in the process. Naturally my parents were called and since ma was at nani's place for some reasons, Polo mom came and took me to the hospital and also complained about the teacher to the principal for not taking any action against those kids. Ma was really touched by that gesture of hers. Even Pratham and Yuvi were hurt as they had tried to help me but mom made me and Yuvi her priority and we were the ones with maximum bruises. Neither mom nor ma ever differentiated between us kids. Kuhu complains but deep down even she loves Polo mom. Since that day, ma has never objected to anything that mom has done and even mom tries to make sure that ma doesn't get hurt by her actions. Sometimes I feel that I compelled ma to accept dad's other family and that she has to bear this pain in silence because of me.
Bella was looking at Mahir with newfound respect in her eyes.
Bella: No Mahir, whatever you did was the right thing to do. And see, Pratham loves you so much. If you would have him to his own devices that night, your relationship with him would have been very bitter.
Mahir: That's true.
Hesitantly Bella broached a topic which she had been meaning to broach for quite some time now.
Bella: Mahir, you really love Yuvi, don't you?
Mahir: What?
Bella: Be honest with me. You have brought him up almost like your own son right? You were never an elder brother to him. Even when he spoke of you, it would be with the same amount of respect that people speak about their dads. I know he loved you tremendously. Whenever he spoke of you, only then eyes would shine with genuine affection and warmth. It was this warmth and affection that he had for you made me think that he probably had the capacity to love. That would console me whenever I thought about the inevitable future.
Mahir: But Bella, what he did with you... How can I forgive him for that?
Bella: Mahir running away from the Mandap was wrong but then it got sorted out right? It was a good thing that he ran away. Imagine if I would have gotten married to him?
Mahir: I can't. As selfish it may sound, I can't imagine you as my younger brother's wife. It would have been so awkward and painful. For both of us.
Bella: See? He indirectly did us a favour. Look he needs to understand that what he did was wrong but it has been nearly a month since our wedding. We don't know where he is. We need to initiate the contact. He is family after all.
Mahir: But won't it be awkward for you if he is in the same house? I mean with both of us married and all...
Bella: Well I was ready for the awkwardness for a long time Mahir. When I was to get married to your brother, I was ready to face the awkwardness in my relationship with you. I always had feelings for you. In fact you were my first crush. And then when I got to know you, I had always hoped for a life partner like you. I don't know when it happened but it did. From wishing for a life partner like you to wanting you as my life partner; I don't know when that wish changed. But as days went by and you continued to encourage me to marry Yuvi, I lost hope and understood that I was never more than a colleague to you. It did not help that I had always found you physically attractive as well. I had consoled my heart to live with the sexual as well as emotional tension between the two of us for the rest of my life. But then we ended up married and I had a hard time keeping the smile off my face during the wedding. And I know even you had a hard time keeping a straight face. I know even you were prepared to live with that tension. Now at least the awkwardness will go away after a few interactions with Yuvi. When he ran away, he made it clear that he did not desire me anymore. So no need to delay meeting him anymore. He is happy in his life and I am happy in mine. We are all grownups and we can deal with this in a mature manner instead of avoiding it like kids. Call him Mahir. He is your brother after all.
Mahir: If you are so sure then...
Bella nodded her head and Mahir pulled out his phone to contact Yuvi. But to his surprise, Yuvi's phone was not reachable. After trying a couple of times, he sent him text.
Mahir's text: I hope you are fine. Come home soon. I miss my brother.
Once that was done, both Bella and Mahir sat in silence for a few minutes. After few minutes silence,
Bella: You four must have gotten into a lot of mischief as kids right?
Mahir: Errr no. Me and Pratham were the good boys, never getting into trouble but Yuvi and Kuhu? My god! They would get into some or the other mischief every single day. Not a single day went by without the both of them getting punished. Me and Pratham would get into trouble for trying to hide their mischief.
Bella: Oh My God! Don't tell me you were one of those prim and proper nerdy boys in school.
Mahir: You make it sound like it is a bad thing.
Bella: Well it is. What is the point of attending the school if you have not gotten into some mischief at some point?
Mahir: Well I did beat up those boys...
Bella: Mahir... Mahir... That doesn't count. That was for a reason. I am not saying you should have gotten into fist fights for no reason, but playing some harmless pranks on the teachers, or other students... Now that is called enjoying the school life.
Mahir: You did all of that?
Bella: God! Yes. Me and Suhani would prank other students all the time. And we would eat tamarind and bers (Indian Jujube fruit) during the lectures and then throw the seeds on the heads of the passersby during the break.
Mahir: What is that?
Bella: You don't know what tamarind is?
Mahir: Of course I know what a tamarind looks like. And I have heard that it is very sour. But what is the other thing that you mentioned?
Bella: You don't know ber? Indian Jujube? And what was that? You have heard that tamarind is very sour? As in you have never tasted it?
Mahir: Tamarind is used in cooking and is not to be eaten just like that, right?
Bella: God! Mahir...
Bella was looking at Mahir in an incredulous manner.
Mahir: (Suddenly self conscious) What? Why are you looking at me that way?
Bella: Mahir, you have never tasted tamarind. You don't know what is ber. I don't believe you man. Okay, please tell me you have tried baraf ka gola at least once in your life?
Mahir shook his head and Bella looked at him appalled. How could anyone survive without those essentials?
Bella: Mahir!!!! How could you? Look it's decided then. I am taking you out on a date. And I will plan that date. It will include all the things that you missed as a child and young man. Got it???
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