Flashback Continues...

With all the new happenings, suddenly love was in the air for me. Things were pretty good between me and Aryaman, atleast that's what I thought.

Standing out side the college gate, I was about to call my driver uncle, when out of nowhere Aryaman appeared and with him my blushy smile also returned.

Aryaman : hey babe...

Nandini : hi...what are you doing here???...basketball ki practice nehi hai kya aaj???

Giving a toothy smile, Aryaman said " will you come with me???"

Confusedly I asked " kaha???"

Aryaman (smiling) : surprise hai madam!!!...just answer me in yes or no!!!

Getting super happy I replied " yes I would!!!...wait I will ask driver uncle to take us wherever you want!!!"

Aryaman : no need!!!...yaha se five minutes ka walking distance hai!!!...and moreover...I want some alone time with you!!!

Nodding my head in understanding, I started to walk along  Aryaman.

Soon we reached a zebra crossing, where we had to cross the road to go to the other side.

I was about to cross the road without noticing the signal, when Aryaman held me back by my arm and said " why in a hurry babylove????"

Okay, I wasn't expecting 'babylove' wala endearment and my cheeks started to turn red involuntarily.

Holding each other's hands we finally crossed the road.

On reaching the other end, I found a tea stall . Aryaman led me towards it.

Making me sit on one of the corner benches, he moved towards the stall to get some tea.

Well, sitting in a tea stall is definitely a first for me.

I was lost in my thoughts, when Aryaman returned with two pots of tea.

Taking his seat beside me, he placed the tea pots on the shabby table in front of us.

Playfully I asked Aryaman " accha ... I have a question..."

Thinking a bit,  Aryaman said " umm
.... I will reply to your question!!!... but in return you have to answer me something truthfully!!!"

Nodding my head in confirmation, I said " okay done...but first my question!!!"

Encouraging me Aryaman said " go ahead babe..."

Looking at Aryaman's face, I asked " what do you like about me???"

Taking few minutes, Aryaman replied " you are a very sweet girl Nandini... that is what I like about you!!!!"

Curiously I asked " and...."

Aryaman added " and you are as sweet as a muffin!!!...actually...my muffin!!!"

Blushing like hell, I started to look everywhere, except Aryaman's face.

Turning a bit serious, Aryaman asserted " okay now it's my turn...and answer me truthfully..."

With the nod of my head, I urged Aryaman to continue.

I was expecting some ground breaking questions, but Aryaman asked " Do you love me? "

Wait whaatttt!!!!

Blinking my eyes in disbelief, I just managed to say " umm...Yes..."

Licking his lips Aryaman just added " same here "

OMG !!! did he just...propose me!!!!!

My chain of thoughts were interrupted when Aryaman further said " but...ek problem hai!!!"

Feeling disappointed, I asked " kya??? "

Aryaman continued " Nandini...in past I had been in a very toxic relationship!!!...jisske chalte...I don't believe in relationships anymore!!!"

Blankly I said " okay!!!...toh ab???"

Aryaman tried to console me " even  if we can't be in a relationship!!!... I am still going to love you !!!...and make you blush!!!"

Shoving away my thoughts, I replied " as long as you are going to love me ...I don't want any relationship ka tag!!!..just don't dare to forget that I am your girl!!!"

Giggling helplessly Aryaman replied " yup...you are my girl now!!!!"

After spending some quality time with Aryaman, I left the tea stall to meet Muku, who was waiting for me in the pub.

Poison Ivy

Pushing through the ccrowd, I reached Muku who was standing by the bar counter.

On seeing me, Muku just hugged me excitedly.

Analyzing Muku's super mushy behavior, I figured out that she was on the way of losing her senses.

Gulping her third glass of whiskey, Muku complained " ghar pein kya diwali ki saafai kar rahi thi that you got soooooooo damn late!!!!"

Getting a bit shy, I replied her " I didn't get the time to go back home!!!"

Looking super concerned Muku queried " then where were you all this time????"

Not at all meeting Muku's gaze I answered " woh Aryaman took me to a tea stall..."

Mukti (chuckled) : if I am not wrong
..then there is more details to your little tea stall wala date!!...so tell me what's cooking???

Giving my blushy smile I finally told Muku " ummm....Aryaman asked me whether I love him or not!!!...and I said yes!!!!"

Jumping like a baby Muku immediately hugged me tight " ohhhh my god!!!!...I can't believe you are finally in a relationship!!!"

Breaking the hug, Muku read through my sad smile and asked " kya hua???...you don't seem happy???"

That is when I narrated Muku the reason of Aryaman not wanting a relationship.

And I ended my monologue by saying " apparently Aryaman is commitment phobic!!!...so I am not gonna force him for a relationship!!!...instead I will wait!!!!"

Mukti (calmly) : whatever decision you take I got your back always!!!....soo chill and enjoy this phase!!!

I just nodded my head in understanding.

Teasingly Muku commented " abhi taak pyaar ke liye log kuch bhi karte hai bass sunna tha!!!...aaj dekh bhi liya!!!...you...the great Nandini Murthy joh chai ko haath taak nehi laagati...actually went to a tea stall for her first date!!!...not bad haan!!!"

Rolling my eyes, I just said " shut up Muku!!!"

Getting full dramatic Muku said " haan bhai...ab pyaar mil gaya hai toh dost ki kya zarurat hai!!!"

Smacking her head, I asked " Aliya kaha hai???...she was supposed to join us naa???"

Sipping her whiskey, Muku commented " woh madam Dhruv se milne gayi hai!!!"

Nandini (confused) : kaun Dhruv???

Mukti : Dhruv is Aliya ka boyfriend!!!

Before I could say anything further, Muku started telling me about the history-geography  of Dhruv and company " Dhruv, Bhai and Cabby are kindergarten friends!!!...pant mein susu karne se leekar...college mein sutta marne taak...these guys have done everything together!!!...college mein ek seminar ke through three of them had gone to Singapore for two months internship!!!...in fact aaj subha ko hi wapas aye hai!!!...inn teeno ko dekh ke mujhe kabhi kabhi laagta hai ki yeh log fevicol se chipke hue hai!!!...saala itna mazbut jod hai ki toot ta hi nehi!!!!"

Nandini (calmly) : woh sab toh theek hai Muku!!!...but yeh baata...instead of spending time with your brother...why are you getting drunk here????

Snorting Muku replied " arrey bhai dad ke saath ek meeting attend karne chale gaye hai !!!...issliye didn't even get the chance to meet him naa!!!"

I was trying to absorb every details Muku blurted in her inebriated state, when she started dragging me to the dance floor, screaming on top of her voice " I just love this song!!!!...chal naa let's dance!!!!!"

Yaara Tere Sadke
Ishq Sikha
Main Toh Aayi Jag Taj Ke
Ishq Sikha (x2)
Jab Yaar Kare Parwah Meri
Mujhe Kya Parwah Iss Duniya Ki
Jag Mujhpe Lagaaye Pabandi
Main Hoon Hi Nahi Iss Duniya Ki
Tumhi Din Chadhe
Tumhi Din Dhale
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi (x2) ( Twirling me around Muku started to sing happily on top of her voice)

Everytime Every Minute Of The Day
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi

Tumhi Din Chadhe
Tumhi Din Dhale
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi

Dil Ki Takhti Par Hoon Likhti
Ishqan Ishqan
Jag Kya Jaane Dil Ko Mere
Ishqan Kiska (x2)
Rabb Yaar Gale Le Saar Meri
Mujhe Kya Parwah Iss Duniya Ki
Tu Jeet Meri Jag Haar Meri
Main Hoon Hi Nahi Iss Duniya Ki
Tumhi Din Chadhe
Tumhi Din Dhale
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi (x2) (Keeping me as the center point, Muku kept on dancing around me, ignoring the fact that other people also existed in the club)

Everytime Every Minute Of The Day
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi

Tumhi Din Chadhe
Tumhi Din Dhale
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi

Bann Ke Chaahat Nazron Se Khat Likhna Likhna
Tu Hai Jaisa Mujhko Waisa Dikhna Dikhna (x2)
Besabak Sarooron Ka Saaki
Mujhe Kya Parwaah Iss Duniya Ki
Tu Paas Mere Jag Paas Mere
Main Hoon Hi Nahi Iss Duniya Ki
Tumhi Din Chadhe
Tumhi Din Dhale
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi (x2) (Looking at her with affection I sang)

Everytime Every Minute Of The Day
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi

Tumhi Din Chadhe
Tumhi Din Dhale
Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Sakha Tumhi

Finally the song came to an end. Dragging a drunk Muku towards our table, I forcefully made her sit. It is then I noticed that Muku's phone was constantly ringing.

Without looking at the caller id I received the incoming call "chhoti where the heck are you????...main aur Cabir kab se tera pub ke bahar wait kar rahe hai!!!...do you want us to come in and get you???"

Suddenly the amplifier was bursting in the background, that I found myself shouting on the phone " main Mukti ki friend bol rahi hu!!!....give me five minutes!!!...humlog bass abhi bhar aa rahe!!!"

Cutting the phone call, I somehow supported Muku to stand on her feet and slowly moved towards the exit.

As soon as I and Muku came out of the pub, I saw a tall guy walking upto us.

Looking really concerned, the guy sighed " kitni pee rakhi hai yaar chhoti tune???"

Okay...so the guy I guess is Muku's brother.

Removing Mukti's hand from my shoulder, the guy supported her to stand.

Within a few seconds another cute looking guy also joined us.

Mukti's brother complained to the other guy " dekh yaar Cabir yeh chhoti ne kitni pee rakhi hai!!!...bhai tu isse lee jaake car mein bitha!!!....aur dekh backseat pein ek bottle mein nimbu paani hai!!...isse jaaga ke peela!!!...if mom sees her like this naa..then toh humari khair nehi!!"

Following the instructions, the other guy carefully took Muku away .

Extending his hand the guy said " hi ...main usska bhai Manik.."

Shaking his hand I commented " aur main usski dost Nandini"

Manik (concerned) : raat bahut ho gayi hai!!!!..if you want..we can drop you!!!

Nodding politely I said " no it's fine...mere driver uncle wait kar rahe hai "

Scratching his nape Manik just said ' ohh'.

After few seconds of awkward silence, Manik fished out a business card from his pocket and handed it to me.

Reading my confused gaze, Manik added " just WhatsApp me on this number...when you get back to your home safely..."

Giving a polite smile I just said " sure...and good night..."

Manik : good night Nandini

Parting our ways I straight away went to my car and settled in the backseat.

Due to tiredness my eyes voluntarily closed, deporting me to the peaceful land of sleep.

If driver uncle had not nudged me, I would have slept in the car only.

After taking a bath, I settled in my bed and started to search for my phone to set alarm  for the next day.

Grabbing my purse from the bedside table, I forcefully took out my mobile, with which Manik's business card also dropped on the bed.

Remembering about Manik's words I immediately texted him on WhatsApp .

Nandini : hi...Nandini here!...I reached home safely

Instantly his reply came " oh..that's great!!! ...even we got back 20 minutes ago!!!"

Due to my short nap in the car, I was not feeling sleepy now.

Instinctively I texted back Manik " so ...tell me something about yourself Manik??? "

Manik : well...I love perfection in everything I do!!!...in short...you can call me Mr Perfect!!!😎

Hmm....self obsessed for sure !!!!

I humbly texted back " sorry I am not a perfectionist like you!!!...rather I am Miss Imperfect reincarnated!!!"

Manik : wow!!!. we are like two sides of the same coin!!!..tab toh humari khub jamegi!!!

And all I could text was " maybe!!!!...."