Hie
I guess me and you,
we both were waiting for this chapter.
So here we go....
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Sonakshi kept her head as she couldnt stand with his strong gaze. Something in her mind told her to be confident and just flaunt about her beauty and walk off of him with the sway, he doesn't deserve to have effects on her. But rest of her 90% brain completely freaked out with consciousness towards her look. Has she applied alot of make-up? Did she overdo it, as required for the dinner? Is he not liking her, or found something really funny about it and so he is gazing continously? Is she looking weird in suit-salwar?
She practically started panicking inside as well as outside, her chunni wasnt still pinned perfectly with her suit and so it was disturbing and coming on the way all the time. Her hands haphazardly tried to fix it but then her hair were coming in between and her dangles, they were getting stuck in the hair. Everything just seemed like messing around, it's all his fault. It's all his bloody fault, why he had to stay and even stare at her like that. She hates how much control he has on her, unknowingly. She tried to calm her countenance as much as she can. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her hand over her shoulder beneath which the dupatta was having its own drama. Her body freezed and heart started racing like a horse.

She didn't pay attention when he stepped towards her, always engrossed in herself so much. She couldnt even lookup at him. He gently pressed her hand, in order to calm her down, and then let her hand hang down while he took hold of her dupatta and flipped her suit a little to get ahold of the safety pin holding both pieces of cloth.
His hands touched her bra-strap, she closed her eyes, out of embarassment? I dont know. He carefully opened the pin and then fixed the dupatta on right place, looking behind her for if it was lying on perfect length back there, and then closed it. There, he did it!
She just wanted to look up at him and find one good reason to not panick or go crazy thinking all those stupid things but couldn't gather up the courage.
He held her chin and lifted it up. She was amazed by his move, i must say. She looks at him and he smiles, a really warm and soothing smile. She felt her heart relaxed and she smiled back, a little on the corners.

Before they could just go with their romance any further, Dinesh interrupted them in between and Dev immediately left her hand and walked away to Dinesh.
Dev took out his keys and forwarded it to Dinesh who denied.

Dinesh:- are bhau, apan cycle se aage kabhi badha hi nhi, gadi Wadi Apne Ko nhi aati, aap chalao na, Mai rasta batata jounga.

{ Are bhau, I've never gone further a cycle, I don't know how to drive a car. You do it, I'll guide you}

Dev:- oh koi ni koi ni. Aaiye. {Oh it's ok, come}

Dev sat on the driver's seat while sonakshi was about to go back when Dinesh opened the front door for her and she hesitated but just to respect Dinesh's move of chivalry, she sat in.
Dev huffed a sigh. Of relief? You never know.

The two planners sat in on the back and Dev filled life to the engine..
Vroooommm.....

Me:- that sound is for bikes
Also me:- meri gadi, meri Marzi!

Dev put the radio on and going through some channels he stopped at an English song DONT GIVE UP ON ME.
He was kind of hoping Sonakshi's mood might light up with the song. And thankfully, it worked. She kinda started swaying very little in herself and mouthing the song. And then suddenly the chorus hit and she screamed.

I'm not....giving up..
I'm not givin up givin up no not yettt....
Even when I'm down to my last breath...
Even when they say there's nothing left...
So don't give up on

I'm not giving up
I'm not givin up givin up no not me.....
Even when nobody else believes....
I'm not going down that easily..
So don't give up on me....

Dev was chuckling the whole time hearing her terrible voice and kiddish enthusiasm. While Dinesh ji started clapping, that made Sonakshi suddenly pull her voice and hands and eyes very low. Dev chuckled harder and she gave him one of her deadly glares. He pretended actually to control his laughter in which he was clearly failing, hehehe.
The whole time, Sonakshi was awkward as well as little happy. She just decided to let go of bitter things happened lately and enjoy the very moment. It may not occur again.

Meanwhile Dinesh ji guided Dev and they reached in to a small colony, it was difficult to take the car in, took them half an hour after all the horns and "aye bhau, apni bike/redi/cycle hatao na thoda"
{ brother please move your cycle/bike/cart aside a little}.
They finally stopped the car in the street, which was only of the car's size in width, they found a small house out of which a lady drapped in Marathi style saree standing outside. Looking forward, they found there were alot of ladies drapped in sarees and suits were standing outside their houses. Sonakshi felt really weird as the whole Street was watching them, some people literally hanging half their bodies on the balcony railing and smiling at them for no good reason. Dev came out. Dinesh came out with Tina and opened door for sonakshi. She stepped out and Dev was standing beside her.

The lady looked like in her middle thirties, she stepped forward to greet but before she could reach them two kids, a boy and girl ran to them and stood in front of Sonakshi and Dev smilingly.

Kids:- Hello madammmmmm

Sonakshi(nervously chuckling):- hie...hie kids.

Boy:- My name is Yash Gaitonde, I study in 3rd class in Glory Public School. My father's name is Dinesh Gaitonde and mother's name is Prabha Gaitonde. I love my family so much.

Sonakshi just didn't get it why he said all that, that too blocking her way to go inside. People started giggling and Dinesh ji seemed proud about it. This is going to be the most confusing dinner ever.

She came back out of her reverie when she found out the girl there, she was reciting the same thing and sadly she missed out on her name. She smiled at both of them and Dev picked the boy in his arms and said something in Marathi, much sounded like "good boy" and ruffled girl's cheek.

"Are bahar hi Khade rakhoge mehman Ko ya andar bhi aane doge" a voice came from inside, mature, little shaky, which clears her old age. It was obviously the host, Dinesh ji's mother whom they were here for.

Prabha introduced herself in broken Hindi to Sonakshi and Tina and made way to let them in the house. It was definitely a small house but well settled and decorated with small crafts, Some by kids and some seemed mature to be of kids. Tina looked over the drawing room and then peeped inside to have a look in the insides of the house when Sonakshi poked her elbow a little to stop her and behave herself.

Prabha made them sit together and their daughter immediately came up with water for them. Sonakshi took a glass and gulped the whole in one go. She sure as hell needed that. Feels like she was dropped in Jupiter to have the Mehman-nawazi. Totally alienated environment and situation.
Dev was observing her whole time so he whisked near to her and leaned to whisper in her ears. She was taken aback and she jumped aside of him a little.
Dev looked up at Prabha and their kids who were continuously staring them with an "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" grin. We actually call it toothy grin. But okay, my writing, my words.

Bullshit

Dev nervously smiled on them and pulled Sona by her elbow and whispered.

Dev:- calm down, they are not aliens, behave normally.

Sonakshi:- I know, I know...they are just.....I have never been in situation like this before..okay...judge me

Dev:- smile..... Sonakshi smile....they are watching us.....(smiling to them again) just feel like Earth and talk to them, they are really waiting for you to talk. They are nice people.

Sonakshi:- okay...be here okay...I'm gonna need you.

And suddenly realises what she said, she did mean it but..... perhaps she didn't want him to know she meant it. And before she could fix her words gamble, he replied with
"I'm always here". They could have shared an eyelock, but kids started yelling suddenly. Felt like they were fighting by literally pulling their mom's pallu and Prabha, oh poor Prabha, she was giving them death glares and then smiling at the guests nervously to make sure it's all fine..

Dev stood up and started talking with the kids which gave Sonakshi courage to talk to Prabha. She asked Prabha to sit beside her and Tina joined them.
Sonakshi initiated with basic questions like
"How much educated she is" "when did she marry" "weren't she had any career plans".
Prabha answered them all with her innocence which Sonakshi was admiring her.
Dev got busy with the kids.

Sometimes later, Boss lady enters with Dinesh to the drawing hall. Sonakshi stood up and touched her feet, accidentally Dev did the same just a second later her. Nirmala ji(Dinesh's mom) blessed them and smiled warmly at them.

Nirmala to Sonakshi:- Tum bhot pyari ho beti(caressing her cheeks) or is suit-salwar me to Maine socha hi nhi tha tum aaogi. Tum jaise Sanskari padhe likhe bachhe hi Desh ka, maa-baap ka Nam uncha krte h.

{ You are beautiful, dear. And I never expected to see you in Indian attire. Literate and mannered kids like you always make their parents and country proud.}

Sonalshi felt her eyes getting damped with the overwhelming love she received, and mention of parents was also a reason.
Dev was totally in aww with the scene when suddenly Nirmala ji turned to him and patted his cheeks saying
"Or Tum....iska Dhyan rakho, itni achhi wife Mili h tumhe, kadr kro uski "

Bang bang....!

Surprised, amused, shocked, embarrassed, confused....all in one were Dev and Sona right then. They looked at each other with wide eyes and turned to Nirmala ji again to clarify the whole misunderstanding but Nirmala ji turned to Prabha and ordered her to start serving food to them.

Tina and Dinesh high-fied each other silently. Dev and Sonakshi still looking at each other when Yash tucked at Dev's jeans and said

"Are uncle...madam Ko hi dekhte rahoge ki kuch bologe bhi"

Add fuel to fire, there it is.
Sonakshi tucked her hair behind her ear and nervously went to sit on her place. Tina started chatting and showed concern over the misconception the family was having and advised her to clear it as soon as possible.
Sonakshi agreed to her.

Prabha cleared the table while Nirmala started serving the hot deliriously made sizzling Pav Bhaji. She made four plates and served Bhaji, Raw onion pieces with cut out chillies and mango pickle and then finishing it with the hot roasted pavs. She gave one to Dev and he was literally dieing to eat it. Prabha made Sonakshi's plate when suddenly Dev stopped her saying "Are maaji isme mirchi mat daliye, inko teekha jyada suit nhi krta"

Sonalshi looked up at him. She felt like blushing for he noticed and even cared. Her mind suddenly went to their first hug which was because of the chilli. He remembered. That's all that mattered that time.

Nirmala:- are waah! Tu to Abhi se hi Sona beti ki itni care krne lga, maaji ka Aashirwad Dil se lga liya lagta h, chlo achha h, q Sona beti(turning to her) shi kiya na Maine...(started chuckling seeing her blushed red face)

{ Oh wow, you started caring for her right only now, great, seems like you took my blessing by heart, well-done, so Sona dear (turning to her) I did a good job no...(started chuckling seeing her blushed red face)}

This whole fake husband-wife thingy has to stop as soon as possible as it is making hell for her to behave normally and keep her cheeks from redenning after every comment they seem to make on them.
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Well well, 2102 words.
Phew...
You better appreciate my hard work readers.

By the way, I loved scripting this one.

Precap:- Nirmala giving some oldie-experienced-marriage tips to Dev and Sona.

Don't forget to fill color in the little star button in your left corner and comment down what's in your mind.

Be happy
Signing off
Shruti