Pandit sprawled on the sofa, "O bhai Ramdhari, chal ab le aa plate bhar ke. Mere sasural wale chale gaye. Ab main apne asli rang mein aa sakta hun."

Preeti gave him a smack on the arm, "Jaise abhi tak toh vrat rakha hua tha na. Aaye ho tabse khaa hi rahe ho."

Ramdhari brought a plate of samosas, "Lijiye Pandit bhaiya, apki pasand ke samose humne zyada hi mangwa liye the. Pata tha aap aane wale hain."

Preeti gave a proud smile as Pandit shook his head sadly, "Yaar Ramdhari, mere zakhmon pe samose ki chatni mat daal. Ab main samose nahi khaata."

Everyone was startled at his revelation.

Munna gave him a grave look, "Tera aur samose ka toh janmon ka rishta tha... toot kaise gaya?"

"Kya kahun yaar, woh Harsh ke paida hone ke time khana choda tha kyonki Preeti ko uski mehek se problem hoti thi. Baad mein ek do baar khaya toh mujhe hi samose ki mehek achhi nahi lagi, aur pet bhi kharab ho gaya. Bas tabse khaya hi nahi. Dil bhi nahi karta." Pandit explained sheepishly.

Munna narrowed his eyes, "Aisa toh tab hota hai jab..." He looked at his pregnant wife.

Swati swatted his arm while Sameer burst out laughing.

Pandit pursed his lips, "Udda lo mazak yaaron. Tumse puchunga jab tumhara bhi kisi bachpan ke pyar se talaq ho jayega."

Swati smiled, "Pyar nahi tha, Pandit. Warna tu chodta nahi. Jisse pyaar hota hai usko kabhi chod nahi paate."

Pandit gave a fond smile to Preeti, "Sach kaha, bhabhi. Pyar ka ahsaas bhale hi der se hua lekin ek baar hua toh aisa hua ki ab Preeti se aage kuch nahi hai. Shayad samosa bhi isliye nahi achha lagta kyonki Preeti ko zyada pasand nahi hai."

Naina nudged her sister, giving her a teasing smile.

Preeti blushed, "Kya hai? Sab mujhe kyon aise dekh rahe ho. Mera pyar toh sabse kam umr ka hai. Behen, teri kahani eleventh se shuru ho gayi thi aur iss Swati ki toh shayad school mein admission lete hi shuru ho gayi hogi."

It was Swati's turn to blush as Munna stared at her with wide eyes, "Hain? Swati, itni pehle se? Fir mujhe itne papad kyon bilwaye?"

Sameer was amused, "Tune kaunse papad bel liye, Munna? Main toh eleventh se Swati ko teri baaton pe sharmate hue dekh raha hun."

Munna gave him a bewildered look, "Bhai tujhe kya pata usse pehle kitne kitne jatan kiye hain iss sachhe aashiq ne. Sixth class se pehle dekhti tak nahi thi mujhe. Uske baad kabhi kabhi gussa karne ke liye dekh leti thi. Mujhe toh iski woh nazar bhi maar daalti thi."

Naina raised her brows, "Sixth class, Munna? Tab toh hum log ladkon se baat bhi nahi karte the."

Munna frowned, "Baad mein kaunsa kar lete the, bhabhi. Eighth class mein pehli baar Swati ne mujhe naam se bulaya tha. Hindi ki madam ke kehne pe mujhe awaaz laga ke class se bahar jaane ke liye kaha tha. Mere liye woh din kisi happy budday se kam nahi tha. Maine toh shaam ko mandir mein sawa rupay ka prashad bhi chadaya tha."

Pandit clutched his stomach, laughing, "Isliye leke gaya tha mandir? Uss din toh keh raha tha koi bohot badi mann ki ichha poori hui hai. Class se bahar nikale jaane pe kaun prashad chadhata hai?"

Munna glared at him, "Swati ne naam se bulaya isliye chadhaya tha. Tujhe pyar samajhna ab tak nahi aaya."

Preeti looked at Swati, "Tujhe kab ahsaas hua, Swati? School mein tune kuch zyada bataya nahi lekin mujhe lagta tha ki tu Munna jijaji ko pasand karti hai."

Swati gave a side glance to Munna, "Mujhe pata hi nahi chala kab Munna se pyar ho gaya. Iski harakatein, jo pehle gussa dilati thi, achanak achhi lagne lagi. Eighth class mein the hum jab ek din yeh school nahi aaya toh main bechain ho gayi. Tab laga iske liye itni fiqr kyon hai. Bas uske baad dheere dheere iski saari bewakufiyan pyari lagne lagi. Lekin maine kuch kaha nahi. Laga ki hamari umr nahi hai inn sab baaton ki. Fir jab Naina ko Sameer ke pyar mein pagal hote dekha toh samajh aaya ki pyar ke liye umr nahi bas yeh yakeen zaroori hai ki hamara dil ab sirf kisi ek ke liye dhadakta hai."

Sameer looked up at Naina, and found her gazing at him with love filled eyes... and his heart bloomed at the thought of her love at first sight for him.

Swati gave a shy glance to Munna who was sat with lowered head, "Bache hue saal school mein bas aise ni nikal gaye... ek doosre ko chup chup ke dekhte hue. Main toh sharma jaati thi lekin Munna ne bhi kabhi seedhe meri taraf nahi dekha... iski baaton mein chahe iske dil ka haal bayaan hota tha lekin nazar mila ke baat nahi karta tha kabhi. Isliye maine bhi kuch nahi kaha. Sach kahun, jab school khatam hua toh darr gayi thi... ki hamari kahani kya yahin tak thi. Lekin college ke pehle din jab gate mein ghuste hi sabse pehle isko aur Pandit ko dekha toh jaise jaan mein jaan aa gayi."

Munna brightened, "Arre Swati, tune soch kaise liya ki hum alag college mein ho sakte hain? Main toh roz tere ghar ke chakkar lagata tha, dekhne ke liye ki tu kaunse college mein jaa rahi hai. Bas pata chalte hi seedhe pakad laaya Pandit ko wahin. Aur college mein aate hi tujhse apne pyar ka izhaar bhi kar diya. Bachpan se jo naow dol rahi thi, teri haan sunke ekdum kinare lag gayi."

Swati pouted at him, "Bachpan se itna sab karte the toh sagai ke baad kya hua? Mujhe aisa lagne laga tha jaise tumhara pyar nahi main koi zid thi... aur sagai hote hi zid poori ho gayi isliye mujh pe dhyaan dena chod diya."

Sameer nodded, "Swati theek keh rahi hai, Munna. Hum log bhi hairan reh gaye the. Yakeen hi nahi hua ki jo Munna hamesha se sirf Swati ke ird gird chakkar lagata tha woh achanak dooriyan bana lega... woh bhi tab jab ghar walon ki manzoori mil gayi hai, tum dono ki sagai ho gayi hai."

A wave of guilt passed through Munna's eyes, "Kya bolun, bhai. Ek din gaon se kuch rishtedaar aaye the. Jab woh mummy papa se baat kar rahe the toh mere kaanon mein unki baatein pad gayi. Keh rahe the Swati se rishta karke ghar ki maan maryada ki bali de di hai hum logon ne. Unke hisaab se ghar ki bahu kabhi sar bhi nahi uthati aur Swati mujhse prem vivah kar rahi hai. Kehne lage aisi ladki se kya ghar ke riti riwaaz sambhlenge jo shaadi se pehle hi kisi ladke ka haath pakad ke ghoomti hai. Mummy ne samjhane ki koshish kari ki aisa kuch nahi hai aur hum dono ne kabhi aisa kuch nahi kiya jisse unhe bura lage, lekin tauji ne mummy ko daant diya. Bole ki tum logon ke saamne natak karte hain bachhe lekin bahar walon se puchna kabhi... saare sheher mein gul khilate honge... aise hi thodi itna bada faisla liya ki shaadi karke saath rehna hai... kya pata kabse kya kya chal raha hoga... ek din sabki gardan sharm se jhuka denge."

Swati was aghast, "Munna, itni saari baatein hui. Tumne kabhi poori baat batayi kyon nahi? Hamesha ghar ke  mahaul pe baat daal di. Tumhe batana chahiye tha, jisse main bhi samajh paati ki tumhara bartaav achanak badal kyon gaya."

Pandit gave him a serious look, "Haan Munna. Agar ussi samay yeh sab bata deta toh mil ke hum log kuch hal nikal lete. Kam se kam tum dono ke beech doori toh nahi aati."

Munna wiped his face with his palms, "Kya batata yaar. Ab lagta hai mera dimaag shayad unn rishtedaron jaisa zyada hai. Unki baatein sun li lekin mummy papa ka jawab nahi suna. Bas dimaag mein bitha liya ki ghar mein ho ghar se bahar ho, Swati ko door hi rakhunga jisse koi galti se bhi ungli na utha sake ispe. Yeh samajh mein nahi aaya ki jiss Swati ke naam ke liye door reh raha hun usko hi sabse zyada takleef de raha hun. Agar tum dono mujhe sahi raasta nahi dikhate toh pata nahi meri Swati ko aur kitne dard jhelne padte meri wajah se. Sangeet ke din achanak papa mummy ki baatein sun ke pata chala ki unke khyal tauji jaise hain hi nahi. Sharm aayi khud pe ki main bhi mummy papa ki tarah nahi balki tauji ki tarah soch raha tha."

Sameer rubbed his back, "Chal chod purani baatein. Achha hua tujhe ahsaas ho gaya aur yeh bewakoofi tune khatam kar di."

Munna hugged Swati, before speaking, "Tune sach mein meri bohot saari bewakoofiyan bardaasht ki hain, Swati. Lekin jabse Sameer aur Pandit ne mere kaan kheeche tab se samajh aa gaya ki main kitna galat tha. Fir se kabhi koi bewakufi karun toh iss baar tu hi mere kaan kheench lena. Swati, I love you. Dubara tujhe kabhi rone nahi dunga."

She rested her head on his shoulder, her one palm placed on her belly, "Nahi rone diya kabhi, mere bandar. Shaadi ke baad ek din bhi tumne mujhe kisi baat ke liye dukhi nahi hone diya."

Sameer smiled warmly at Munna, "Tu samajhta hai pyar ko isliye galti bhi sudhar li. Warna iss Pandit ko kitni mushkil se ahsaas dilaya tha, yaad hai?"

Preeti again gave an annoyed look to Pandit.

"O bhai logon, kyon band baja rahe ho meri. Mushkil se aaya par dimaag thikane aa toh gaya na. Ab kyon gade murde ukhad ke meri sherni ko jagaa rahe ho?" Pandit whined.

It was Naina who swatted his arm this time, "Chup kar, Pandit. Meri behen ko itna sataya aur ab bichara ban raha hai. Pata hai, isne humein tak nahi bataya tha ki yeh kabse tujhe pasand karne lagi. Bechari apne dil ki baat ko chupa ke khud hi aansu baha leti thi. Kyonki teri nazar kabhi khaane se uthti hi nahi thi."

Pandit gave a remorseful look, "Bataya tha Preeti ne mujhe. Pata nahi mujhe pehle kyon nahi samajh aaya. College mein roz milte the toh yeh khyal nahi aaya ki mera dil jo college aate hi khushi se khil jaata tha uska kaaran canteen ya poori mandli nahi balki sirf ek thi."

Preeti rolled her eyes, "Ab sabke saamne deenge maarne ke liye zyada lambi mat karo apni love story. College mein tum sach mein canteen ke naam pe hi khush hote the."

Pandit held her hand, looking earnestly at her, "Nahi Preeti, dil sabse zyada tumhe hi dekhna chahta tha. Bas zara samose kachodi ke tel mein dooba hua tha isliye ahsaas phisal jaate the. Jab college khatam hua aur roz milna band ho gaya toh main bas tumhe hi miss karta tha. Har baat mein lagta tha Preeti hoti toh kya kehti, Preeti kaise dekhti, Preeti kya kehti... yaad nahi karta tha kyonki ek pal ke liye bhi bhoola hi nahi. Par gadha hun na... samajh nahi paaya."

She smiled mischievously at him, "Achha hua meri shaadi hone se pehle toh samajh gaye. Warna mujhe talaq lena padta... iss let lateef petu se shaadi karne ke liye."

Pandit pulled her in his arms, shuddering at the thought, "Shaadi kaise hone deta tumhari... itna bhi gadha nahi hu."

Naina giggled, "Rehne de. Baat agar sirf tere haath mein hoti toh aaj bhi kunwara hota. Haan apni behen ko jaanti hun... shaadi usne bhi nahi ki hoti. Bahane banane mein shuru se Preeti number one rahi hai... har baar kisi na kisi bahane se bach jaati chachiji chachaji ke laaye rishton se."

The kids were tired of playing by now. They started rubbing there eyes, feeling sleepy. Since they had already eaten the baby food, Naina warmed up some milk for both of them and the little ones settled cozily in their mother's laps, their eyes drooping as they were fed on bottle milk.

Swati touched her belly tenderly, "Ek din isko bhi aise hi apni goud mein sulaungi."

Preeti flicked her brows, "Dekha. Agar meri tarah tabhi Naina ki baat maan li hoti toh aaj hi sula leti. Maine toh ussi waqt soch liya tha ki bas ab Naina ka saath dena hai."

Naina gave her sister a solemn look, "Preeti, tujhe har baat ki itni jaldi hoti hai fir itni badi baat mein tu chup kyon ho gayi?  Do saal tak kisi ko nahi bataya... na mujhe na Swati ko. Aise kaise haar maan li tune?"

Preeti pursed her lips, weaving her fingers through her son's hair.

Swati prodded, "Bata na, Preeti. Tune iss baare mein kabhi baat hi nahi ki. Tere saath roz college jaate hue bhi mujhe pata nahi chal paaya. Itni safai se dil ki baat kaise chupa li tune? Bina lade haar maanne walon mein se toh nahi hai tu... fir yahan kyon koshish nahi ki... kyon hamesha ki tarah koi plan nahi banaya iss Pandit ki aankhen khulwane ka?"

Preeti looked sideways as Pandit pressed her arm. He nodded.

With a deep breath, Preeti began, "Jab hum first year ke result aur chhuttiyon ke baad college gaye tab mujhe pata chala ki jo ajeeb si bechaini mujhe itne din se ho rahi thi woh Pandit ko na dekh paane ki wajah se thi. Uski ek jhalak se hi ek sukoon, ek khushi si cha gayi dil pe. Main chah kar bhi uski taraf pehle ki tarah ghoor ke ya gusse se nahi dekh paa rahi thi. Aur ladne ko toh dil maan hi nahi raha tha. Canteen mein bhi apne samose ussi ko de deti thi. Shayad yeh ahsaas Naina aur jijaji ka pyar dekh ke hua tha. Woh log jab do mahine yahan the toh unki ek doosre ke liye tadap dekh ke pata chala ki aisi hi uthal puthal mere mann mein bhi toh hai. Maine ek do baar koshish bhi ki Pandit ko samajhne ki. Lekin isko toh bas masti mazak khaane pine ke alava kuch kaam hi nahi tha. Second year issi kashmkash mein nikal gaya. Jab Swati ki sagai hui tab Pandit ko maine Munna jijaji se kehte suna ki woh bohot khush hai ki apne dono doston ki tarah phans nahi gaya. Usne kaha ki yeh sab pyar vyar ka chakkar jhamela hi hai, bekaar mein masti chod ke ladki ke aage peeche ghoomo, ghar walon ki daant maar saho aur fir itni jaldi aise sagai shaadi mein bandh jao. Usse apni azaadi bohot pasand thi. Maine tabhi soch liya ki ab main apne dil se Pandit ka khyal nikal dungi."

"Phir?" Munna was zapped... he didn't recall this conversation but then, he was so overwhelmed that day at the formal acceptance of his love that nothing else was making any sense to him... or else he would have smacked Pandit there and then, to have such thoughts.

Preeti chewed her lip, "Phir maine third year mein saari ummiden chod di. Koshish ki lekin wapas pehle jaisi nahi ban paayi Pandit ke saath... phir bhi thodi bohot ladai kar leti thi, jisse dil usko sirf ek dost maan sake."

Naina pressed her hand. She could very well relate to Preeti's pain of seeing a person everyday with the realisation that he wasn't meant to be a part of your life even when your every breath was for him.

Pandit shifted closer to Preeti, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "Preeti ko meri wajah se jo dukh mila uske liye main kabhi khud ko maaf nahi kar sakta. Jab isne pehli baar mujhe bataya ki usne apne dil ki baat do saal tak sabse chupa ke rakhi toh socha Preeti ke haath se maar hi khane layak hun main. Hum log subah se shaam tak saath rehte the college mein, saari baatein karte the ek doosre se par sabse zaroori baat karna bhool gaya. Main duniya ka sabse bada andha tha. Tum sab logon ka pyaar dekh ke bhi samajh nahi paaya. Sameer ne bhabhi ki aankhon mein apne liye pyar pehchaan liya, Swati bhabhi Munna ki itne saalon ki shararaton mein apne liye apnanpan pehchan gayi lekin main na toh Preeti ki aankhen padh paaya na khud ke dil ka haal samajh paaya. Sameer, Munna, tum dono agar meri aankhen nahi khulwate toh pata nahi kya hota mera. Thank you."

Munna looked at everyone's serious faces, then laughed loudly, "Arre Pandit, teri gaadi patri ki taraf apne aap hi chal padi thi. Woh Rishi aaya tha na, Sameer ki shaadi mein... humse zyada uske dhakke ne kaam kiya. Tera chehra jal bhun ke koyla ho gaya tha jab usne ek din bola ki Preeti pasand hai usse. Bhai sach keh raha hun, tere kaanon se dhuan nikal raha tha. Haina Sameer?"

Preeti widened her eyes. Rishi had been saying a few things to her but she didn't know he had openly declared that he liked her. She glanced at Pandit, who was fuming again... and a contented smile spread on her face.

Sameer sniggered, recalling Pandit's reaction, "Tab tera dhuan dekh ke humein badi thandak mili thi. Usse pehle humein shaq toh tha lekin jab bhi tujhse baat karne ki koshish ki tune mazaak mein taal diya."

Pandit whimpered in pain as Preeti landed a loud smack on his leg, "Bas mazaak hi karna aata tha tumhe. Gadhe the ya joker? Ya fir dono?"

He rubbed his leg, pressing her closer to himself, "Arre yaar purani baat ho gayi. Unn do saalon ke liye kitna maarogi... ab toh hamare pyaar ke do saal se zyada ho gaye ab toh maarna band karo... woh bhi sabke saamne."

She gave him an indulgent smile, scrunching her nose at him.

Pandit scratched his head, looking at his friends, "Baat galat nahi hai tumhari. Rishi ke muh se Preeti ka naam sun ke itna gussa aaya mujhe ki agar woh Rahul ka bhai nahi hota toh shayad uski dhulai kar deta. Baad mein socha bhi ki mujhe itna gussa aaya hi kyon. Lekin jawab nahi mila. Jab ek din tum done ne bola ki aankh band kar ke dekhun kiska chehra dikhta hai toh Preeti ka hi chehra baar baar nazar aaya... band aakhon se hi nahi khuli aankhon se bhi. Lekin ek baat tumko manni padegi... ek baar jo maine apne dil mein jhaank liya toh fir zameen aasmaan ek kar diya isse manane mein."

Munna exclaimed, rubbing his hands, "Tab toh Pandit khana pina sab bhool gaya. Mehendi wale din jab Preeti ka jawab nahi mila toh iski haalat dekhne layak thi. Humne zindagi mein pehli baar kuch aisa suna jiski kalpana bhi hamare kaan nahi kar sakte the."

He looked around as everyone peered at him with inquisitive eyes, then stood up and declared dramatically, "Pandit ne kaha 'Mujhe bhook nahi hai... mujhe kuch nahi khana'. Kasam se, do baar apne kaanon mein ungli daal ke saaf kiya ki jo sun raha hun woh sach hai ya dhoka ho raha hai mujhe."

They all burst out in laughter.

When the sound finally died down, Sameer looked at both his friends, "Yaar kitni ajeeb baat hai na... Preeti aur Naina dono ne do saal tak apne dil ki baat ko chupaya... aur fir apne pyar ko chod dene ka faisla kar liya. Pandit, tu aur main, dono inke kasoorvar hain. Humne itne aansu diye hain inhe."

Naina shook her head, "Aisa mat socho, Sameer. Woh baatein purani ho gayi. Main aur Preeti bohot khush hain. Jis pehle pyar ka ahsaas tum dono ne hamare dil ko karaya tha uss pyar ko manzil tak bhi tum dono ne pohochaya hai. Haina Preeti!"

Preeti nodded, "Achha hi hua thoda dard jhelna pada. Uss dard se hi pyar ki gehraai maloom hui... jab rote hue bhi dil sirf tumhari khushi chahta tha... apni nahi. Pandit, main khud ko bohot lucky maanti hun ki tumse pyar kiya aur tumne pyar paaya bhi."

Munna gave a regretful look to Swati, "Dost toh inka hi hun. Isliye kuch na kuch kaand toh mujhe bhi karna tha. Sab kuch sahi hote hue bhi maine tujhe rulaya. Haan mujhe pata hai tu bhi bhabhi aur Preeti ki tarah kahegi ki bhool jao... ab toh sab theek hai na... pyar ne woh saare dard mita diye... Lekin Swati, ek baat hai... bhagwan ne sach mein ladkiyon ka dil bohot bada banaya hai. Tum teeno ne hum teeno ko bina sawal jawab ke maaf kar diya."

Three of them stood up and faced their respective wives.

"I'm sorry." They held their ears and said in chorus.

Naina and Preeti had their sleeping kids in their laps so they could not get up and Swati was sitting in the same position for so long, making it difficult for her to move.

They smiled at their husbands, while Naina spoke up, "Hum teeno hi uth nahi sakte warna gale laga lete tumhe."

Sameer grinned, "Hum teeno toh jhuk sakte hain na."

They bent down and hugged their wives, gratified.

Pandit turned towards the kitchen and hollered, "O Ramdhari ji, samose manaa kiye the, yeh nahi kaha tha ki karwachauth ka vrat rakha hai. Jitna bhi khaana hai kitchen mein sab le aa... aaj kuch zyada hi bhook lag rahi hai."

The room was again filled with happy chatters and teasing as the plates of food emptied in no time.

"Chal behen, ab hum log nikalte hain. Bachche toh kabke so gaye. Tum log bhi thak gaye hoge." Preeti said after all the plates were cleared away.

Swati sighed, keeping her palms on her belly, "Tumhare wale soye hain, mera wala toh abhi utha hai. Poori masti ke mood mein hai."

Munna grinned, quickly placing his hand over hers, "Fir se chalu ho gayi iski football practice. Sun chotu ya chutki, jo bhi hai, din mein khela kar. Koi chowkidaar thodi banna hai jo raat ko jaagne ki practice ho rahi hai."

More laughs pervaded in the room.

Pandit took Harsh from Preeti, patting his head against his shoulder, "Yaar, aaj sach mein bohot mazaa aaya. Unn dinon ki baatein karke aisa laga jaise wapas unn dinon ko jee liya. Hum sab sach mein kismat wale hain jo tab bhi saath the, aaj bhi saath hain aur aage bhi hamesha saath rahenge."

Munna concurred with him, "Sahi keh raha hai, Pandit. Aaj saari yaadein taaza ho gayi. Aur apni galti ka fir se ahsaas hua toh fir se kasam kha li ki ab apni jaan se zyada pyari biwiyon ko aur bhi pyar karna hai... unn galtiyon ka harjana dene ke liye."

Sameer hugged both his friends while Naina hugged the girls.

Once they left, Sameer asked Naina to take Sana to the room to put her to sleep while he helped Ramdhari to clean the room.

The longest chapter till date. One of the readers wanted this type of conversation between the six, talking about how they fell in love and how they realised. I hope this update is up to your expectations.

Next one will be tomorrow evening.

One more thing... now that Sana is one year old, I'm planning to take a few leaps as the story needs to cover some more aspects of their life before it ends. So please be prepared for a jump.