"hey," Manik said on the phone.

" Hi" Nandini replied 

" I hope I have not disturbed you! Its so late" Manik asked.

" no of course not....But why are you breathing so hard?"

" Wo I climbed some stairs to reach the terrace, that's why.....I am sorry I just saw that you had called....I must have been busy in the function"

" Its ok...I understand....By the way how was the finction?"

" It was good.All the guests have arrived. Aaj haldi ceremony thi"

" Great! But why are you on terrace? You could have talked while lying on the bed...It would have been comfortable"

" Nandini...There are guests everywhere in the house...In my room too" he explained.

" Oh by the way...How many rooms are there in your house??" She asked.

" It's a 3 BHK, Nandini." 

" Ok so one is your parents' room, one yours and the other one for your sisters?"

" You can say that...But at times we have to compromise...Like when my mausi comes, my father sleeps with me...Because maa and mausi can't stop gossiping" Manik chuckled.

" Once we get married, you know we can take loan and buy a big house and we can together pay the interests. You know new house v ho jaega and jyada load v Ni hoga!"

" I haven't thought about that...I was planning to do executive MBA"

" That's great Manik! You should do that...It will widen your scope and about house you can think araam se"

"About the house Nandini I think you should make up your mind in order to adjust with my family. We are not rich people Nandini...Even when we will have enough money, our lifestyle will not change"

" Manik , please don't take me wrong. Ghar k baare mein Maine  ase hi bola.. For everyone's benefit. As for me, I will be happy anywhere , where we are together!" Nandini said sincerely.

" Ok" he said.

" Leave all this...Tell me do you miss me? In these 6 months mujhe toh tumhri adat ho gayi hai...Subah mein mom mujhe jaga Rahi thi toh maine galti se tumhra Naam le Liya...Wo California mein Tum mujhe call kar k uthate the na islye!" Nandini said and giggled.

" Mujhe tumhri yaad kse aegi ...Tum toh mujhe uthati Ni thi..." Manik teased.

" Ohoo! How mean Manik...Main tumhre lye khana bnati thi! Bhul Gaye tum?"

" Khana jisme namak jyada hota tha!" He was enjoying himself.

" Par tumne kV bola Ni???" She asked self doubt evident in her voice.

" Nandini tum Sikh Rahi ho av...I didn't want to discourage you!! Aur av v  main bas majak kar Raha hu...Tum itna effort Laga Rahi thi...That was sweet of you!"

" Next time se tum mujhe btaoge when you find something lacking in the dishes! Av main mom se cooking Sikh v Rahi hu" She ordered.

" Yes ma'am" Manik smiled.

" So tum toh mujhe miss Ni hi kar Rahe ho" Nandini said disappointed.

"Hey now don't start crying yaar! Maine bola na main majak kar Raha tha...I don't miss you because you are never away from my thoughts! I love you...You know that!"

" I love you too Manik! Acha suno , day after tomorrow , I will come to your house, toh main kya pehnu? Tumhri maa se main pehli Baar milungi na!"

" Nandini mujhe Ni pta yaar...Ye sab!"

" Tumhe Ni pta hoga toh kisey pta hoga? Manik btao mujhe...Kya pehnu ? Salwar kameez, saree, ya lehenga??" She chided him.

" Oh god ! Kaha fans gya main! Mujhe kse pta hoga tumhe kya pehanna chahye? You look good in everything...Aur maa Ko clothes se impress karogi kya tum!"

" Manik, dekho...First impression toh kapro se hi Banta h! Uske Baad hi mauka Mila toh baat hogi toh nature pta chalega unhe mera...So tell me!"

" UFf! Ok saree pehen lo!" 

" Ok!! Thank you thank you!!"

" You are one exasperating woman...I hope you know that!"

" Yet you love me! I am surprised!! Acha leave all that...Ye btao tum mujhe introduce kse karoge? I will have to behave accordingly na!"

" God ye maa se milna Ni...Pakistan pe surgical strike karne ka plan jyada lag Raha!!"

" Manik!!!"

" Fine! I will introduce you as my friend...To be on safer side...Because I have to wait till Arzoo's marriage gets over!"

" Friend??"

" Special friend...Whom I kiss occassionally and have slept cuddling her once in boy's hostel!"

" This is a very unique introduction...You should go ahead with this!"

" Yeah yeah of course! Tumhe marne ki bahut jaldi h!"

" Manik you are funny!"

" Thank you...I am glad that I can make you smile even if it is at my own cost...But miss BB  I need to go now! I have been away for too long...Maa must be looking for me!"

" Ok 'MJ'..(my janu). GOOD night! With lots of kisses!"

" Good night"
........
" Manik kaha h? Bahut der se dikhai Ni de Raha h" manik's mother asked to no one in particular.

" Wo Manik bhaiya toh kisi Ko call karte hue terrace ki taraf Jaa Rahe the...Thori der pehle" informed one of the cousins.

" Manik aaj kal bahut phone par Laga rehta h Sarika ( name of manik's mother) videsh ja kar Apne Sanskar na bhul jaye...Isse pehle shadi kar do uski!" Said one of the aunts trying to wound manik's mother.

Manik was behind the door, when he heard this. He stopped there to listen to what his mother has to say.

" Manik kabhi Apne Sanskaar Ni bhulega..Aur wo meri marzi k against kuch v Ni karega...Aap chinta Mt kijiye didi" said his mother confidently.

Manik felt a sudden stab of guilt. His mother's faith in him, he never wants to lose that. What kind of situation he has put himself in. He cannot bear to lose any of the two women in his life. Probably once Nandini comes into the home, she will prove herself to be the right choice for Manik and be the DIL, his mother always dreamt of! Yeah everything lies in hope. I shouldn't lose hope!

With that he opened the door , smiling.

" Kisi ne mujhe yaad Kiya??" He asked playfully.

His mother had a face splitting smile as soon as she saw him.

" Agaya beta! Kaha tha itni der se!! Chal dinner karle..Sabne kha Liya sirf tu bacha h!"

" Aur maa Apne?" He asked raising his eyebrow. She flushed and Manik knew she had not.

He took her to the dining space and took out food in a single plate and then they both sat and ate , feeding each other.