"BB, wake up." I was pulled out from my sleep by the incessant shouting by Rai.

"Let me sleep Rai." I swatted her hand away and pulled up the duvet to my face.

There was silence for sometime... Wow did she actually listen to me? Miracle!

That is when she touched my arm and shook my slowly to wake me up. Annoyed I grabbed her hand and was about to push her when my hands felt something... a ring. Rai doesn't wears rings... Then who..?

Half opening my eyes I tried to focus at the intruder... Oh it's Meenakshi... What?

I sat up on the bed with a start and left her hand as soon as I realised it.

"Sorry, I thought it was Raima disturbing me again."

"It's ok. But you should hurry up. Bhaia is very punctual." She said with a smile and left the room.

That is when I noticed Rai standing near the door with a huge grin.

"You brat, why didn't you tell me that she was here?" I looked at her with mock anger.

"BB you just asked me not to disturb you so I didn't." She replied making a cute face.

"You... Come here." I chased her as she ran away from the room giggling.

With a smile on my face I entered the washroom to get ready for the day.

I came out after a while to find everybody sitting in the garden. Rishabh was reading a newspaper, Ansh was frantically texting someone, Raima was giggling at something Rimisha said, Misha bhabhi was setting up the breakfast and Meenakshi was helping her.

"Ohh Agneesh is here... Come on we were waiting for you." Misha bhabhi asked me to sit and set up a plate for me.

"BB today the breakfast is prepared by none other than Rishabh bhaia." I looked at Rishabh surprised. He can cook? Since when?

I remember in our college he used to come down to my room and forced my roomie and me to cook for him.

He caught my surprise and gave me a small smile, "All credits to Misha."

We were chatting and deciding on our plans for the day when Misha bhabhi snatched his newspaper.

"Why don't we go on a cycle ride? Like we did last time we cycled all the way to the lake."

"Great idea. I will ask for some cycles."

With this a fear came on me. I hate cycles and I don't even know how to ride them.

When everyone was busy I slowly pulled Meenakshi aside and told her about my situation.

"I will teach you."

"But they will laugh."

"I won't laugh promise." As she smiled instantly putting me to ease.

Soon the cycles were here and I sat on one of them trying to keep my balance. I peddled for a while as Rishabh and Ansh helped me. As soon as they left me I crashed into a nearby tree.

Second time I maintained my balance quite well and did one lap. After this Meenakshi cheered me and I looked at her. Due to not being careful, I lost my balance and fell again.

Half an hour and a million attempts later I was able to maintain my balance and not get distracted. Finally we went on road. The Naini Lake wasn't very far away so cycling to it was a good idea.

We left the house together, Rishabh and Rimi on same cycle and everybody following him. I being a novice was left a lot behind them but Meenakshi was beside me all the time and we started chatting about things.

"Why are they cycling like half a mile away from us?" I asked her.

"To give us some time to talk to each other." She rolled her eyes and let me tell you no one can do it better than her.

"Ok but they don't have to go this far." I said and she smiled.

"I know, right!"

"So shall we play something?"

"Like twenty questions?"

"Sure, you go first."

"Your favourite color?"

"Blue."

We continued this for a while till we reached the Lake. I was totally taken away by the beauty of that lake.

At some distance clouds looked as if they were touching water and everything seemed so serene. It was silent and there were very less people around. The only noise came from a vendor selling something far away and some birds flying overhead.

I was taking in the beauty of the place when Meenakshi tapped me.

"Hey."

"Yeah, sorry. I was just..."

"I know, every first timer has this reaction." She giggled and then handed me a bowl of Maggi, "This is the best one in this area."

We sat together and started eating it.

"So when was the first time you came here?"

"When I was around 7 I came here with ma and papa. That is when papa taught all three of us horse riding." She gave a nostalgic smile and I looked at her a bit concerned.

"So you tell me something about your family." She hurriedly changed the subject.

"I have ma and papa, I am their single child and... Yes that's all."

"Okay. Isn't the weather too beautiful?" She looked at the clouds and smiled.

"Is this the moment where I look at you and say Yes very beautiful?" I teased her.

"Ohh, and now you ruined the moment." She pouted and I just wanted to ki... Shut up Agneesh!

I had come to Nainital for a special reason. I had to tell Meenakshi something I haven't told her yet. It was late enough but better late than sorry.

"Umm Meenakshi... I had to tell you something." I said nervously and she turned with a look of concern.

"Meenakshi... Actually back in college I had flings with a few girls but later I got serious with one of them... We couldn't get married because she wanted something different from her life and I had the responsibility of my parents... If you want to know anything about her or about our relationship, you are free to ask." I took a deep breath after saying this and looked at her again.

Something flicked in her eyes but before I could read it, it was gone.

"I actually knew about this." Taking in my shocked expression she continued, "I heard Bhaia and Mishu talking about this and he wondered if you were going to tell me this."

"So umm... I know I should have told you earlier..."

"Shh... It's okay. Now I know you better. At least you won't hide anything from me." She smiled and my face mirrored it.

"By the way where is Rishabh?"

"Oh he has gone with Mishu for some quality time." She said with emphasis on quality time.

"Ohh... I see." I turned around to look at others only to find Rai playing with Rimi and Ansh still busy on his phone.

"I wonder what Ansh Bhai is typing about so furiously on his phone?" Meenakshi spoke out loud and I realised that they don't know about his affair yet.

Well not my story to tell.

After a while, we were back to the Haveli.

It was a tiring day. We went to a few other places after the Lake.

I slept as soon as I saw my bed.

It must have been some time of me sleeping when I woke up due to guitar playing somewhere.

Going out of my room, I saw the whole haveli was empty except for the caretaker. I asked him where everybody went and he told me that they were in the backyard having a bonfire night.

I went outside only to find Meenakshi singing Bol Na Halke Halke. Damn her voice! So beautiful I could actually listen to it all my life.

I asked Rishabh and others to be silent as she can't see me as I was standing behind her.

Soon I joined her in between and sat next to her as she looked at me with surprise.

Everybody joined us and we just sat next to each other enjoying the night, knowing that it is one of those many nights when I would feel really blessed to have Meenakshi in my life.

_______________________________________
                    AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey,
Sorry for updating tooo late.
Hope you like it.

Love love ♥️
A.S.