"Mumma, Fried Rice ke liye Soy Sauce lena hai. Aap hamesha bhool jaati ho. Aapko pata hai mujhe aapke haat ka bana fried rice hi khana achcha lagta hai"

"Haan bachcha! Chalo achcha hua tumne yaad dila diya. Aisle number 12 mein hai shayad."

I walk to the aisle number 12 where all the sauces bottles were displayed. I pick the soy bottle and turn around when another customer bumps into me from behind and the bottle in my hand slips and falls on the ground. I shut my eyes tightly out of fear while I unknowingly hugged that person.

"I am so sorry, I didn't expected you would turn" he said to me while he held me by my arms.

I opened my eyes feeling embarrassed and tried walking away from his embrace without looking at him when he pulled me again towards him suddenly.

"Be careful, those glass pieces, you would hurt yourself", he expressed concern.

"Thank you"

I looked at him and so did he. Our mouths were open agape out of shock.

"Kullu?", I said.

"Motti?", He blurts.

"Mumma, yeh kya ho gaya? Are you alright?", Nidhi said with concern.

"I am alright bachcha. Sambhalke, kaanch hai. The bottle slipped from my hand.", I said to her.

The store attendant cleaned up the mess. I said sorry to him. I picked up another bottle and placed in my trolley as I spoke to Kullu, I mean Sidharth.

"Kaise ho Sidharth?"

Sidharth: I am fine, Shehnaaz. Tum kaisi ho?

"I am doing great"

Sidharth: What a pleasant surprise to find you here in Australia.

"Mein khudh surprised hoon Sidharth, tumhe yaha dekhke. She's my daughter, Nidhi."

Nidhi: Hi!

Sidharth: Hi Nidhi. What grade are you in?

Nidhi: Year..

"Aaa.. Nidhi, get a Chilli Sauce as well dear before I forget.", I cut her in between, earning a glare from her. As she goes four steps away I resume speaking to Sidharth as he looks at me, "Aa.. oh, sorry, she is in Year 7"

Sidharth: Lovely! Okay Shehnaaz, I'll see you around sometime later. My son is waiting for me at the cash register. I had forgotten to pick up his favourite noodles. (Nidhi comes back with sauce) Here is my card, if you ever feel like calling me and catching up. Bye.

I nodded as I took the card and pushed into my handbag. He opened his arm for hug and I looked at Nidhi and again at him. He immediately took back and forwarded his hand for a handshake.

He walked past and though I pretended hard to not look at him, I stole a glance at the exact same moment he looked back. We both gave a soft smile to each other.

Flashback:

14 years back

Somewhere in Dehradun in SVG college, a very shy and innocent Shehnaaz walked into the corridor of the college. It was her first day and she was late. She searched for her class while all the students were gone inside their respective classes. She was nervous and tensed at the same time. Her face showed an expression that she was on the verge of crying anytime.

Who do I ask? There is no one around to help. Babaji, aaj pehla din aur zindagi mein pehli baar late huyi hoon. Please meri madad kar do! Please!!

She prayed and pleaded God for help. She noticed a boy tieing his shoe laces. She thanked God and hoped he could help.

Shehnaaz: Excuse me! Could you please help me? Can you tell me where is First year Vocational Arts Class please?

He didn't look up but pointed at the direction. "That way!! 3rd door!!"

Shehnaaz: Thank you so much.

She ran towards the direction. The boy stood up straight and looked at her running, her back was facing him. She stopped just before entering the door and looked back at him. She gave a sweetest soft smile ever to him and his lips formed a curve automatically.

His eyes widened as he called her to stop but she had already entered the room which happened to be a Sports Boy's dressing room. The boys were getting ready for their football match. Some were dressed while some were still getting dressed while few were in their undies.

"Excuse me, sir may I come eee...", She stood shocked..

They looked at her in shock and she was panic-stricken. She shivered as the boys yelled at her for entering the room shamelessly.

Undressed Guy: What the hell?

Dressed Guy: (laughed) Yes, please come in. There is a body building competition going on..

She immediately turned and ran outside. She started crying hiding behind the pillar. The boy who have her the direction ran close to her.

"Hey!! You are crying?", He asked her.

"Tum? Baat mat karo merese. Pehle hi mein lecture ke liye late ho rahi thi. I joined the college 2 weeks late and today happened to be my first day in college. Bada mazza aata hai na tum jaison ko dusro ka mazzak banakar?", Shehnaaz spoke as she weeps.

"Hey, what's my fault? Meine bola 3rd door aur tum 4th door mein guss gayi. Looks like you skipped to count the first door which was right infront of us when I told you the address."

She wiped her tears and looked into the direction and found that he was right.

"I.. I am sorry!", She said feeling embarrassed.

"It's okay! Don't cry. Waise bhi koi waha pura nanga toh nahi tha, jo bhi the kam se kam undies toh pehna hi hoga. Late ready hone ki saza hi samajhle and listen, take my advice and don't think of attending the lecture now. Sharma sir bahut strict hai. Puri class ke saamne beizzati kar denge toh phir se Ganga Jamuna bahana start kardogi.", He advised.

"Is it? Phir mein kya karu?", She gulped and spoke with fear.

"Hmmm.. Mere saath football ground chalogi? Mere teammates abhi ready ho rahe hai. I can give you company for sometime aur jab tak dusra lecture shuru na ho jaye tab tak match dekhlo.", He suggests.

"Hmmm.. okay.", She nods with a smile.

"Ye huyi na baat! By the way, mera naam Sidharth hai. I am in Third Year, Commerce. Tum?", He enquired.

"Shehnaaz!", She smiled.

He spoke to her about the college and the lecturers giving her useful insights. Once his teammates were on the ground, he excused himself and started to play the match. Her eyes followed him and she cheered him and celebrated his goals. Few other girls from his class stared at her since they crushed upon him.

As days passed, they became good friends. They would spend time together during off lecturers and after school hours. The other girls in his class were jealous of Shehnaaz since he didn't give as much attention to them in last 2 years as he gave the new girl, Shehnaaz.

Sidharth: Ye motti, itni der kyu laga di aaj aane mein?

Shehnaaz: Kya kaha tune?

Sidharth: Meine kaha, itni der kyu laga di aaj aane mein? Kam sunayi deta hai kya tujhe?

Shehnaaz: Usse pehle kya kaha?

Sidharth: Kya kaha? (He wonders)

Shehnaaz: (frowns) Motti? Mein tujhe motti dikhti hu?

Sidharth: Haan.. ab tu motti hai toh motti hi bhulaunga na?

Shehnaaz: Ye le. (hands him a tiffin box) Zindagi mein pehli baar meine Aloo ke paranthe banaye, tere liye.. kyuki tujhe pasand hai.. mein tere liye itna sochti hoon.. aur tu meri beizzati kharab kar raha hai? Dafaa ho, mujhe tere se baat nahi karni..

She walks away annoyed. He looks at her perplexed.

Sidharth: Arey, ise kya hua? Abhi dosti mein kaisi beizzati? (He looks at the box) Aloo ke paranthe.. Shehnaaz ka gussa.. pehle kisko attention doon?

He runs behind her..

Sidharth: Shehnaaaaaz.. ruk na Shehnaaz sun toh.. (he holds her wrist) Kya hua yaar, itna kya gussa ho rahi hai? Apna dimaag tanda kar le isse pehle ki meri Aloo ke paranthe tande ho jaye..

Shehnaaz: Achcha tujhe abhi bhi pronthon ki padi huyi hai.. mujhe hurt hua uska kuch nahi?

Sidharth: Arey, yeh kya baat huyi Shehnaaz, tu meri dost hai, ab itna bhi kya beizzat feel karna.. sirf moti hi toh bola..

Shehnaaz: Tu bhulaye to bhi theek hai, phir saara college bhulaayega.. tab kya karu bol?

Sidharth: Muh toddh dunga ek ek ki aagar kisine tujhe motti bola toh.. tu sirf meri motti hai..

Shehnaaz: Phir motti bhulaya.. (frowns)

Sidharth: Achcha baba, tu mujhe motta bol de ya phir lamboo bol.. mein bura nahi manunga..

Shehnaaz: Rukh pehle sochne de.. hmmm.. mein na tujhe Kullu bulaungi.. Kullu..

Sidharth: Kya? Kullu? Sounds like Ullu.. Abey kuch aur bula..

Shehnaaz: Nahi, ab toh yahi bulaungi.. Kullu kullu kullu... (Teases him)

Sidharth: Phir toh mein bhi tujhe Motti hi bulaunga.. motti motti motti..

Shehnaaz: Okay Kullu..

Sidharth: Double okay Motti.. ab khane de mujhe Roti.. I mean Paranthe.. (Laughs)

Shehnaaz: Haan.. Padhai mein hai maha lallu.. Sidharth ka dusra naam hai Kullu!! (Laughs)

Flashback ends..

Nidhi: Mummaaa.. Kaha kho gayi.. meine poocha, who is he?

"Hmmm.. Kullu.. Aaa.. I mean.. Sidharth!", I corrected myself.

Nidhi: Sidharth who?

I glare at her. "Nidhi, bade hai wo tere se.. He was my senior in my college"

Nidhi: Sirf Senior mumma?

"Huh? Hmmmm..", I don't give her proper answer.

Nidhi: Mumma, I am a teenager now. Itna toh pata hai mujhe ki sirf senior ko koyi bhi funny name 'Kullu' se nahi bulaata. Bolo na mumma.. sirf senior the kya?

Haaye Rabba, this girl should have been in CID. "Nahi, mera best friend tha.. aur kuch?", I say it a bit annoyed so that she stops interrogation. But Nidhi is Nidhi, she just wouldn't stop there. Curious teenage girl!!

Nidhi: What are you talking Mumma? Woh aapke best friend the aur aap ne unse theek se baat bhi nahi kari.. kyu mumma? Mein hoti toh ab tak ghar bula liya hota aur chai naste ke saath bahut saare baate bhi karti.

"Hmmm.. toh usne card diya na beta. He was in hurry. He said he stays closeby toh mil lenge kabhi..", I avoid the conversation as I start self billing the items.

Flashback resumes

Sidharth sticks his tongue out teasing and eats the Paratha.. Shehnaaz looks at him eagerly..

Sidharth: Kya dekh rahi hai? Khaayegi? (He forwards the tiffin)

Shehnaaz: Nahi.. (pushes his hand) Pura tumhare liye hai.. bolo naa.. kaisi bani hai?

Sidharth: Bahut hi bakwaas bani hai.. (she makes a sad face) aisa bolne ka chance hi nahi hai.. isse achche aloo ke paranthe meine zindagi mein nahi khaaye.. World class!! (He gestures super sign with his hand 👌)

Shehnaaz: (Excited) Haaye!! Sachchi!! Todha sa mujhe bhi de na!

She goes to take a bite from tiffin and he pulls back his tiffin faraway from her hands.

Sidharth: Jaa be! Canteen mein jaake samose tuss motti. Mein nahi de raha..

Shehnaaz: Kullu! Pura thodi hi na maang rahi hoon, thoda sa taste toh kara de.. jaldi jaldi mein meine taste bhi nahi kiya..

Sidharth: Nahi bola na! (Strictly)

Shehnaaz: Jaa kuttey, merese baat bhi mat karna aaj se. (She frowns and turns to leave)

Sidharth: (holds her by her wrist) Abey yaar.. rukh!! Ye le.. (he feeds her one bite) Tuss!!

Shehnaaz eats it and makes a weird face. Sidharth looks at her rolling his eyes.

Shehnaaz: Kullu.. yeh world class nahi third class hai.. isme namak hi nahi hai..

Sidharth: Third class kise boli be motti? Achchi hai, sirf namak hi missing hai. First time ke liye achchi hai..

Shehnaaz: Sorry Kullu, agli baar yaad se namak daalungi ismein. Pakka!!

Sidharth: Ye huyi na baat.. namak ke saath thoda sa Aamchur powder bhi daalna aur thodi si lal mirch powder bhi..

Shehnaaz: (frowns) Achcha!! Abhi toh tu bola sirf namak missing hai.. (keeps her hands on her hips) Aur kuch?

Sidharth: (smiles) Bas! Saath mein thoda achaar bhi le aana aur paranthe pe jyada mhakan lagana..

Shehnaaz: Kamine.. motta ho jayega..

Sidharth: Achcha hai na.. tu bhi motti, mein bhi motta.. dono motte motte dost, paranthe khaate baitenge.. class jaaye bhaad mein..

Shehnaaz: (face palms) Haaye, Sharma sir ki class hai. 2 minute mein bell ho jayegi phir bahut beizzati hogi aur class se bahaar phenkenge wo alag.. chal bye!!

She runs to her class while Sidharth finishes the parantha and goes to his class a little late.
.
.
Shehnaaz stood in the washroom crying. The washroom wall had a big heart with the name Sidharth and Shehnaaz written inside it. All the girls laughed at it and then looked at Shehnaaz. Shehnaaz felt humiliated since they took another meaning for their friendship.

She started avoiding and meeting Sidharth. She came just in time for lectures and left to home immediately as her classes got over. During any off lectures she spent time in the library. She missed him and felt heartbroken yet she didn't wanted to give up the thought of avoiding him.

On the other hand, Sidharth at first thought may be she was busy but since it became a routine, he felt intrigued as to why she was not meeting him. Days turned into week and weeks into month. He searched for her in campus but she was just not visible to him. She always managed to escape his eyes somehow.

Flashback ends..

Nidhi: Woh visiting card batana to zara?

"Kaunsa?", I pretended as if I didn't know what she was asking about.

Nidhi: Aapke best friend ka aur kiska?

"Kyu?", Why does she want it? I just don't want to talk about him to anyone.

Nidhi: Do na mumma. Kitna sawaal puchti ho aap?

"Achcha, mein sawaal jyada puchti hoon? Tum toh koi saadhvi mahatma ho, sarva antaryami jo kabhi koi sawaal nahi puchti, kyuki tumne saare duniya ka gyaan arjit kiya hai.", I spoke as if I had a verbal diarrhoea just to divert her mind but she glared at me not getting even a little diverted from her topic.

"What? I don't remember where I kept it?" I tried my last excuse.

Nidhi: Mumma, your making my doubt turn into reality. I think there is more to it? You are just showing me the tip of the iceberg whereas there is much more underneath. Something is fishy kyuki mujhe pata hai ki aapko pata hai ki card aapke handbag mein hai.

"Oh haan! Handbag mein rakha tha. Ruko mein doondti hoon", no I simply don't want to give up and allow her to dig the secrets further. I pick my handbag and open it. I could see the card yet I pretend searching for it and finally declare that I might have dropped it somewhere. She frowns and before she starts giving me any unnecessary gyaan, I excuse myself and go to the kitchen.

Yes, you are right! I am scared of my teenage daughter's questioning spree. It's more like she is my mom and I am her daughter. Arghhh, when will I get to do the mother's role? I was an ardent child myself and followed whatever my parents asked me to do blindly but my child gets me to do whatever she wants.

As I start cooking for evening dinner after placing the groceries in its proper place which I bought from the store, my daughter walks in casually.

Nidhi: What's the menu for dinner, Mumma?

"Since, we've got soy sauce finally. Will make your favourite fried rice.", I declare with a smile.

Nidhi: Hmm.. nahi Mumma. Not today. Aloo parantha banao na mumma please.

"Huh? Aloo parantha?" I pinch myself making her feel annoyed. "Nahi, I was just wondering kyuki tumhe aloo ke paranthe itne nahi pasand na isiliye."

Nidhi: Aisa kuch nahi. Bahut din ho gaye the toh I just felt like eating it today.

"Okay baba bana dungi.. khush?", I ask her.

Nidhi: Haan.. (smiles) love you!!

"I love you too", I say as I kiss her forehead making her annoyed as she hates getting kissed by me. Typical teenage behaviour. "Sorry!"

Nidhi: It's okay. By the way, I've called my friend for sleepover tonight. No need of extra dinner for her but can you join us for a game atleast?

"Yes, why not?", I accept the offer right away.

Nidhi: Teek hai, kuch achcha sa pehen lena. Last time mein uske yaha sleepover pe gayi thi toh uske 50 year old parents bahut hi achche se taiyyar hoke presentable lag rahe the. Aap toh  unse bahut choti ho, kuch cool aur happening pehen lo. Samjhi?

"Okay, meri maa" I say as I fold my hand.

_________________________

To be continued.. ❤️❤️