Mrs. Malhotra went to meet Sameer the very next morning, she was impatient to wait even for a single day more.
"Sameer" she called on entering, he was getting ready for office
"Mom, plz cum in" he said, "Why did u cum, u shud have asked me to do that………"
"That's ok beta" she clarified, "Getting ready?" as he nodded
"Did u want to say anything?" he asked
"Hmmm, actually we were thinking of ur marriage" as he stared at her, "I know beta, U might think that why are we thinking of it so soon….." he thought it jus that way only
"Ya actually Mom….."
"Wat had happened, we can't change that, but u should move on in life…..one such incident cannot make u feel so defeated"
"It hasn't Mom, believe me" he said holding her by her shoulders, "Its jus that I don't want it so soon… as u said rightly" he said smiling
"Then when are u going to?" she asked concerned
"I'll Mom, but…….."
"I understand, but u can atleast meet the girl, isn't it?" she suggested, "If u dun like her, then we would not force u"
"Who's she?"
"U remember Mehr? Mr. Singhania's daughter?"
"Hmmmm, I do" he replied
"We are considering her for u………..u had made gud frnds with her at the party isn't it?"
"Ok I'll meet her for u" as it brought a smile on her lips, "But Mom………"
"But wat beta?"
"I won't go to their place to meet her as I did to…….." he left it midway
"Ohk, that's not a problem, we can call them here only, jus a warm dinner, will that be okay for u?"
"It will be" he said
"Very Good" as he smiled at her, "I just want u to be happy Beta" as she kissed his forehead n he hugged her back
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Ashi was busy in arranging her things when Rahul called her up,
"Hi Rahul" she replied in happy tone
"Hi……How was ur Diwali?"he asked
"It was pretty good, though we had a very private one"
"Rimi must have rocked it for sure!" he stated
"U know her better, if she had not been with me, I don't know how I wud hav been…………."
"Is anything wrong?"
"No why?"
"I had never heard u say anything like this about her, so just thought that…………"
"No no, it's just that I was thinking if today she was not there to convince Maa-Baba, then I wud hav not been able to take this trip"
"That's true"
"She's an angel to me" as Rahul smiled, "U know I used to call her that only when she was born………"
"Then start calling her that again" he suggested, "The way she's proving this name right, she deserves it"
"Hmmm" as she smiled
"So what were u doing?"
"Nothing much, jus going through my clothes, n arranging my wardrobe"
"Oh so u have already started packing?"
"Not exactly, but sorting them for sure"
"Hmmm, someone's super excited to meet 'her water' isn't it?"
"What? No I'm not" she said, but was forced to blush at the thought, spclly mentionaing him as 'her water'
"Okay Manish had just informed me that we might be leaving on 10th"
"10th? U mean this Sunday?"
"That's right sweety, so not many hours left for what u hav wished for" he teased again
"Off ho won't u stop it?" she asked irritated
"Nope"
"Then bye"
"Ohk do ur packing, I'll inform u of the meeting, ok?"
"Hmm bye"
"Bye"
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Mr.Malhotra had called up Singhania, who had been one of his associates since long, to discuss about this proposal, n he had been gladly informed that they themselves were looking out for someone nice for their daughter, n who else could it be, better than Sameer for this………so Mr.Malhotra had invited them for a cozy dinner at their place, this weekend!
When the news reached Suhaan, he got a bit worried; he was unsure who to ask about this, so he went to his Mom...
"Mom, wat this so urgent?" he asked
"Wat?"
"I mean why are u people thinking of Bhai's marriage so soon?"
"B'coz it's needed"
"I din't get it, how do u know it's needed?"
"U won't undersand this, I'm his mother and I know wat's right for him"
"Ya but Bhai is still not out of that………" he left it as he was not sure what he might say about her
"That is why we are thinking of it so soon" she declared, "It will be good for him if he gets involved with sumone else"
"And he has given his nod for this?"
"Yes" she said
"Really Mom?" asked Snigs from back, n she nodded, "Did he really say that?"
"Yes, n that's why we are calling them for dinner"
"Dinner? Wen?" came out another from him
"This weekend" his Mom said
"Great Mom" added snigs while he sat confused
"Actually Sameer didn't want to visit them for sumthing like this……..so we thought of inviting them over here"
"Hmm, but why this very weekend?" he asked
"What's wrong in it?" asked Mrs.Malhotra, "Look Suhaan, last time too, u were not happy with the idea, n see for urself wat's happened" she carried on in a stern voice, "I don't want anything to happen wrong this time for Sameer"
"So u mean wat happened was b'coz of me?" he asked
"I didn't say that but……."
"Suhaan why are u not comfortable with this thing?" asked Snigs
"I'm Dids, but why this weekend only?"
"What's wrong with this weekend?" she asked
"I'll be a bit busy" as they stared at him
"We are not thinking about ur marriage this time, its Sameer's, u need not be there, if u have sum other engagements" joked Snigs
"Ha ha ha very funny!" standing up, "I need to be there"
"I din't get it"
"I wanna see for myself that whether……."
"Whether?" she asked
"She's worthy of Bhai or not" completed he
"Oooo……..n how'll u get to know that?" she asked
"I don't know, but I have to stay with Bhai this time"
"But we have already asked them for dinner this Saturday" interrupted his Mom
"Saturday?" he asked
"Yes Saturday"
"Uff ho can't u say that earlier?" he said, "I was confused just like that"
"But may I know, what will be keeping u busy this weekend?" asked Snigs
"Ahh…I'll be leaving for Mahabaleshwar this Sunday"
"All of a sudden?" his Mom asked
"Not all of a sudden Mom, u know I go for this trip every year, don't I?"
"When are u coming back then?"
"Mom I'll be back in a week or so, don't worry"
"Ok, does ur Dad knows this?" she asked
"I'll tell him soon" he said, "Gud then I'll see u later" saying he left
"I don't know what he will do this time?" his Mom sighed
"Don't worry Mom, he'll never do anything which will prove bad for Sameer, n of late he's been all the more protective about him"
"Hmmm, let's just hope this one turns out well"
"It'll Mom" she said
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
They had gathered yet again at their favorite spot to discuss their schedule…….
"Great so we are all set for 10th" said Ankur n all shouted a yes in unison, the other occupants were bound to glance at them, their group was the most visited one, the staff almost enjoyed their presence
"Ok that's decided but wat else? I mean what about the travel n the bookings over there?" asked one
"What's the big deal in that?" asked Ishaan winking at others, indicating towards Atul, their cyber freak, "Look who's at work" he was already checking out the probable ways for the trip
"Ok all we need is at least a transport with an accommodation of 40…………." said Suhaan
"Why 40? We are hardly 20-25 in number" said one
"Dude will that suffice? I need space, wat say guys?" he asked n all agreed yet again
"Ok managing a bus will be dun, wat next?" asked Mohit
"The venue where we will meet" suggested one
"Ah…. is that necessary?" asked one
"Of course, or I'm sure sumone is gonna get lost, right?" Manish teased looking at Ravs
"But Ravs will be joining us right there, isn't it?" Sneha asked her
"Why can't I cum along?" she asked in return, her tone rude as ever
"Ya u can, but u never do that, so just curious" he asked "Are we lucky enough to know the reason?" Ishaan queried as she preffered to ignore it
"Is it sumthing essen…….." said one
"No no not sumthing, surely it is sumone" laughed Priya signaling at Suhaan, where he felt it irrelevant to budge on, Manish knew it was not him, but he tried to look fine
"Aren't they pulling her leg a bit too much?" Tamy asked Siya
"No no, she's always after him, u don't know" she said, "U know what she had done last time?" Ashi was overhearing it without letting them know
"Wat?" asked Tamy
"She usually joins us at the spot n last time she asked even Suhaan to join her"
"Did he……." curiousness evident in her voice
"No way, n thank heavens he didn't, or he wud hav never been able to join us" saying she giggled, Ashi felt relieved hearing this
"Oh that's so very true!" exclaimed Tamy
"N u know we had organized a trekking schedule, thanks to Suhaan, where she was not with Suhaan……."
"Then who was with him?"
"Soniya" she said, "N can u believe it……….she almost tried to push her off the cliff?"
"Wat are u saying?" Tamy asked with her eyes blown wide
"Again thank……."
"……God?" asked Tamy
"Ya ofcourse him, but Shashank too who saved her" she completed, "I tell u, she's so very dangerous when it comes to Suhaan" she said n Tamy turned to Ashi
"Wat?" Ashi asked
"Nothing, jus be careful enough that she doesn't lands up u in trouble" Tamy explained
"But what am I have to do with that?" she asked further
"Didn't u see how she fumed when Suhaan supported u last time?"
"But that was in general, not to me in particular" Ashi said
"Who knows" said she
"Is there any problem?" asked Siya
"No not at all, everything's fine" cleared Tamy
"Ohk attention everybody" clapped Ankur to draw other's attention towards him, spclly who were chatting
"Ya all have been decided, so just listen to the schedule" added Sharib, n all listened
"We have zeroed in on two spots to meet up, now say which one would suit more"
"Ok which two?' asked one
"Hmm one is Shopper's stop at Andheri and the other is Hotel Siddhartha at Bandra…."
"But why only two? I mean there are so many places left" said Sneha
"Because we have been booked upon a Volvo coach n they have their respective pick up points" explained Ishaan
"Oh great! Already booked? Kewl!" said Siya
"I think hotel Siddhartha wud be a nice place to meet, wat say?" sumone opined
"Ohk no problem with that" agreed many
"Oh n the time is 2200hrs, the journey is approximately of 7-8 hrs, so a night one would be cool, isn't it?" asked Manish, "We would reach there by 0630hrs in the morning"
"Yaaaaaayyyyy!" a whirl of excitement crossed their faces as they shouted
"Fine then, its Sunday, 10th at 2200hrs at Hotel Siddhartha" declared Suhaan getting up
N soon they dispersed to their respective joints…………..
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Saturday, though seemed as more of a routine, was not actually that. Sameer had been to office as usual but not to forget he was having his normal tensed moments, everytime he thought of the meet with Mehr, he was unknowingly reminded of Aayesha. Despite being declaring it loudly to everyone, that he's fine, he was not fully fine, n he, only he knew that……….
From the evening onwards, the Malhotras' were preparing themselves for welcoming their special guests, Mr.Malhotra was back earlier than usual, Sameer too was back, n Suhaan made it sure that he was back before the guests.
"Oh gud Bhai u are here" he asked
"I know" Sameer replied smiling, "But wat's bothering me more is that wat's wrong with u?"
"Wrong? Hav I dun anything wrong?"
"I mean how are u home so soon?" he cleared
"Didn't u hear that guests are coming tonight, so I thought that it would be nice if I get back soon, isn't it?" he replied winking
"Seems like u have started to take ur responsibilities seriously, hmm?"
"Of course, but u seem to be very late realizing that"
"U know wat I think u shud visit London more often" he stated
"Really" Suhaan asked punching him lightly in the stomach
cccc
The moment they arrived, Suhaan had glued himself behind Sameer,
"Gud evening Mr.Singhania" greeted Mr.Malhotra
"Evening Mr.Malhotra" he greeted back
"Ah………. let me introduce u to my family" Mr.Malhotra said
"Ya sure, that would be nice" said he
"Well I think u know almost everybody else except……." his eyes went for Suhaan, "My younger son……"
"Hello Uncle, hello aunty" greeted he, "I'm Suhaan"
"Hello beta, wat do u do?" asked Mr.Singhania
"Ah….I'm still trying" he replied
"He'll be joining me the next month" added his Dad
"Oh that's gud, then Sameer would hav some help too" Mr.Singhania said looking at him
"Ya sure, I would love to have that" Sameer said encircling his hand around him
"Well, my son Angad would be joining soon, right?" as he looked towards him, n Angad nodded,
"Hi hope to do some great work together" said Angad to Suhaan
"Sure I'll be looking forward to it" replied he
"N this my daughter Mehr, she's completed her diploma in fashion n had joined her mother at our fashion house" Mehr, simple from out but her beauty lies in her eyes,
"Ya I know that" said Snigs, "Hi Mehr"
"Hi Snigdha Di" she greeted, "Hi Sameer"
"Hi" Sameer completed it with a smile
"Mehr u can call me only Di, like Sameer does, isn't it?" n Sam looked at her surprised, Suhaan was seated with Angad
N soon Sameer n Mehr were seen seated in the garden, to let them talk freely
"U know u have been much quieter than the last time" said Mehr
"Really?" he looked at her, "I din't notice that"
"How would u? Now u tell me hav I changed?"
"Ah…..I dun think so" he quickly replied
"Can I ask u something?"
"Ya sure plz" he said
"U might be knowing why we are here right?" he nodded meekly, "So I think we shud get clear about our past lives now only"
"Hmm so tell me did u have someone in ur…….."
"Ya kinda, but believe me it was just a passing affair, we were in the same college n u know right……" she cleared
"I believe u"
"So easily?"
"Hmm, shudn't I?" he asked
"No I mean men don't do that so easily"
"But I do, may be I trust people very easily"
"That's the difference I noted first when I met u"
"So u had already noted that?" he asked
"Ya, now tell me about urs" she demanded
"I never had anyone, believe me" he said in a sumwat like tone of hers making her laugh
"I believe u" she did that too
"So easily?"
"Ya…….ah………what about that girl whom u were supposed to marry previously?"
"Hmm, it was like she had someone in her life n I thought of……."
"Letting her go" completing it for him
"Exactly"
"That's so sweet of u" she said,
"Thanx" smiling at her
"Ah…….Bhai" Suhaan interrupted
"Suhaan cum" said he
"Bhai Dad's been calling u in" he said
"Oh fine" as he stood up, "Let's go in then" as she nodded n stood up
"No he's calling u only" he declared, "She can stay back"
"Ohk fine, I'll be back soon"
"Not a problem" said Mehr, as he went
"Can I?" Suhaan asked
"Oh ya sure" as she gestured him to sit
"So how do u like him?"
"Ah…..he's pretty gud" she said
"Isn't he the best?"
"I can't say that but ya he's a got heart of gold"
"Actually, I wanted to talk to u so sent him in" he stated
"Talk to me? About what?"
"About him" said he, "Actually sumthing had happened last time, n so I need to be clear about that"
"Last time? Oh u mean that broken one?" as Suhaan stared at her surprisingly, "He told me that she loved sumone else n so he let her go"
"Did he?" he asked, "Oh I'm so sorry to say all this to u, the thing is that I was bit………u might be thinking that I'm sum kinda bad guy who had come to threathen u right?"
"Right!" she said, "But all for only reason….."
"What?"
"For that u love ur Bhai too much, isn't it?"
"Hmmm that's right"
"Sameer is very lucky to have a brother like u"
"Then I'm double lucky to have him as my Bhai" he said, "N u can be lucky too, even more than me"
"How is that?"
"U know it better……..Bha…" he stopped
"I think u can call me that soon" she winked
"Already decide…." he was stopped
"Suhaan……Dad didn't call me" said Sameer on returning
"I know" he stated blankly
"Then why did u…………?" he stopped seeing Mehr's laughing face, "Is everything alright?"
"Ya ya everything's fine" she said as Suhaan neared him
"She's cool" he whispered in Sameer's ears before leaving, to which he smiled
"What did he say?" he asked her
"That I can be lucky too" as he gave her a puzzled look, "I can marry u………..provided………"
"Provided? Are u imposing conditions?" she nodded
"Hmmm"
"Wat's that?" he asked
"If u stay this much gud all ur life" n he blushed
"Are u serious?"
"Wat do u think?"
"I think……….." as she neared him, n took his hand in hers
"I liked u wen we first met, its jus that I never realized it till today"
"N now?"
"Now I know that u are the one for me, if u think that too" he nodded n they strolled in the garden hands in hands
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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