As Naina stepped outside the campus gate, Neha snorted "Le aa gaya tera pseudo-" but Shefali swatted Neha's arm in reprimand "It's not funny!" Neha winced "Yaar, main toh mazak kar rahi thi... aur main thodehi... woh toh uss din Rita and gang bol rahe thay." Shefali frowned "As I said, it's not funny! Ek baar Naina ko bata diya ke usse leke log kya baatein karte hai... that's enough."

Whilst Neha continued grumbling about how she had not meant anything, Naina spotted the subject of their conversation. Looking effortlessly dashing,  Sameer sat by the tea stall frequented by NID's students. He was dressed in simple dark jeans and checkered shirt, which he had now opened a bit to dull down the formal look from the morning. And while waiting for her, he was sipping a cup of tea.

She did not miss the glances being cast in his direction by the horde of girls standing close, as she took some quick strides towards him. Rita and gang was one of the groups assembled near the tea stall. Some irritation flared within - Jiss din yeh aata hain tabhi sab kaise yeha mela laga deti hai?! Kaka ko toh isse free chai peelani chahiye... itna extra business jo mil jata hai. Aur uppar se isse dekh kar toh shayad sab bina cheeni ki chai bhi khushi khushi pee lengi!

Knowing how she had a tendency to get attached to specific style or look for months, his lips curved a little noting her attire - Lagta hai yeh saal khadi ke naam hai! Aaj kal madam college student kum aur koi yuva neta jyada lagti hai!

The moment he started "Hi... ready to go? Main-", she interrupted "Aaj kyu aaye ho?!"

Returning the empty glass to the vendor, he lifted a brow "Kya matlab aaj kyu aaya hu?? Har Tuesday aur Thursday aata hu... jab humara afternoon timetable match hota hai. Toh aaj kyu nahi aata?"

She tsked "Maine bola toh tha subhe ke aaj mera college ke baad Dhalgarwad Market jaane ka plan hai! Tum toh sath aane se rahe..." Seeing him squint, she added impatiently "Sameer! Subhe jab tumhara tiffin tayar kar rahi thi tab maine clearly tumhe bataya tha. Pata nahi kaha khoye rahate ho aaj-kal... Kabhi toh meri koi baat sun liya karo!"

Coloring a little, as he guessed where his mind had probably wandered off to when she had shared her plans for the day, he muttered "Bus bhool gaya..." and then added in a cajoling tone "Naina... par ab main aa hi gaya hu to please market kal chali jao... ab toh uss taraf bohot traffic bhi hoga. Aur mujhe Papa ke sath gaav jaane se pehele bohot saare assignments bhi complete karne hai." Reading the uncertainty flickering in her eyes, he added "Chalo, raaste mein tumhe Sagar ka Samosa khelata hu."

The promise of her favorite snack squashed any further argument. Waving goodbye to her friends as they zoomed away on his bike, Naina announced cheerily "Baad mein woh corner wale shop se sab ke liye jalebee bhi ke jaate hai." It was now his turn to nod in agreement.

* * *

A couple of days passed, and the time for Vivek and Sameer's trip to their village, Raipur, approached. They were scheduled to leave for Raipur on Friday morning, post an early breakfast, and return two days later.

Thursday night just when the family was about to start dinner, the gate opened. It was Sameer's closest friends, Munna and Pandit. Rightly guessing it to be them based on the unique sound made by Munna's bike, Sameer sprang to his feet and opened the door.

Glancing toward the dining area, Pandit stated the obvious "Lagta hai dinner chal raha hai."

Munna first laughed "Nahi toh kyai iss waqt breakfast kha rahe honge!" and then nudged his friend "Sameer, ja tu aaram se khana kha le... hum toh bus-"

Vishakha called out "Tum dono bhi aa jao... plate lagti hu tumhari."

Walking towards the dining area, Munna responded "Aare nahi Mausi! Mummy ne ghar pe aaj pav-bhaji banayi hai." Closely following him, Pandit added "Mere ghar pe Pav-Bhaji toh nahi bani hai... par jo bhi banna hai khana padega! Warna aage ke do din sirf lamba lecture khane ko milega."

As everyone laughed, Munna addressed Vivek "Uncleji, kal aap aur Sameer gaav jaa rahe hai, toh issiliye isse milne aane thay." Turning to Sameer, Pandit exclaimed "Best of luck Bhai!"

"Best of luck kiss liye?!" Vivek voiced the question in everyone's heart, and then added laughing "Itna bhi bura driver nahi hu main! Sameer, aisa kya bola hai tune inn dono ko?"

Whilst Sameer appeared like a dear caught in front of a spotlight, casting a deadly glare at Pandit, Munna rushed to answer "Aare Uncleji, iss ponga ka toh angrezi humesha se hi weak raha hain! Happy journey ki jaageh Best of luck bol diya." As Pandit nodded along looking a little flustered, Munna added "Chal Sameer, hum chalte hai... bus tujhe bye bolne aaye thay." Sameer ushered them out "Main aata hu na gate tak..."

The moment they were outside the door, Munna swatted Pandit's head "Tu toh na ponga ka ponga hi rahega!" Sameer too scowled at him "Bina soche bolne ki bimari hi hai tujhe! Best of luck?? Seriously?!" Munna laughed "Sukhar maan Bhagwan ka ke tujhe 'Vijayi Bhav' ka ashirwad nahi dina... warna toh yeh English ka bahana bhi nahi chalta."

Pandit "Yaar, dil se nikali achi mano kamana ko tum log nazarandaaz kar rahe ho! Ho gayi galti se mistake... ab kya bacche ki jaan loge?!"

As Sameer opened the gate. shaking his head whilst still giving Pandit a dirty look, Munna spoke "Acha isse chod... aaram se jaa aur aaram se wapas aa..."

Pandit perturbed from Munna's little censure, muttered "Wapas toh aayega hi na... koi gaav mein sannyas leke thodi na baith jayega!"

Overlooking Pandit's input, Munna continued "Aur ho sake toh ek phone karna mujhe."

When Sameer returned to the dining table, the elder women were busy issuing more mundane instructions to the Vivek.

Suddenly, Naina remarked "Sunday ko kitne baaje tak wapas aayoge aap log?? Sameer, yaad hain na humme Richa ki party mein jaana hai..."

Richa, the daughter of a close family friend, was getting married in about ten days.

He uttered "Woh party iss Sunday hai?! Yaar main toh bhool hi gaya tha..."

"Sameer! Richa ne char baar phone kiya tha... bohot excited hai woh saare planning ko leke. Holi party in December! Ekdum bin mausam barsaat... Socho na kitna maza aayega!"

Vivek frowned "Yeh kya ajeeb idea nahi? Shaadi se pehele youngster's ka alag party toh samajh aata hain.... par holi??!"

Smiling broadly, Naina shared "Kaka-baba, Richa aur Parag peheli baar holi ke din mile thay. Issiliye woh dono apni love story ka beginning celebrate karna chahate hai."

Looking worried, Vishakha uttered "Yeh kya baat hui bhala? Pata chala itni sardiyon mein holi khelne ke chakar mein shaadi ke waqt dono ko zukaam hi na ho jaaye!"

"Par Mumma, idea toh bada romantic hai... peheli mulaqat ka woh jadu... kuch khaas hota hoga na..." Naina uttered with a dreamy look. Reading the longing in her heart, Sameer impulsively asked "Mummy, Naina aur main pehili baar kab mile thay?" then realizing what he had asked, he quickly added, "matlab... hum sab isse kab mile thay?"

Reaching out to lovingly pat Naina's head, Vishakha smiled nostalgically, "Do mahine ki thi yeh jab iske naamkaran mein gaye thay hum sab. Ekdum chottisi nanhisi gudiya lag rahi thi. Moti moti ankhon wali gudiya! Rama ne bohot chaav se iska naam Naina rakha tha."

As Naina nervously gulped at the mention of her mother, oblivious to her emotions, chuckling lightly, Nirmala addressed Sameer "Shayad pehli baar itna chota bacha dekha that tune... toh bus isse ek tak dekhe ja raha tha! Waise tu bhi toh chottasa hi tha... teen-char saal ka hi tha... nahi Vikhasha??" "Haa... sawa teen saal ka tha..." Vishakha calculated.

His eyes were inadvertently drawn to her thinking - Nazar toh aaj bhi issi pe aake ruk jaati hai...

Further thoughts were put to a halt, when glancing at the wall clock Vivek stood up "Sameer, tumhara dinner khatam ho jaye toh bedroom mein aana... tumhe kuch papers dikhane hai."

While Sameer ate, Naina quickly sorted the plan for the Sunday, "Dekho, party twelve thirty ko chalu ho jayengi... toh tum Kaka-baba ko bolna ke tumhe directly Richa ke farmhouse pe hi chode. Waise bhi tum log highway se ussi direction se aayonge, right? Thoda late bhi ho jaaye ko koi baat nahi, main Richa ko samjha dungi. Aur main tumhare liye koi white kurta leke aayungi. Toh wahi change kar lena, thik hai?"

Preoccupied with thoughts of the trip, Sameer just nodded and dashed upstairs after quickly scarfing the rest of his dinner .

* * *

The next morning, after rushing through breakfast the travelers were ready to hit the road just after eight. Though the journey was just about four hours, under Nirmal's supervision, the car was stocked with food and water to last the two men for at least two days! A bag was filled for Kusum with dry fruits, medicines, smelly ointments for joint pains, and a new electric heating pad, and another with sweets and savory snacks for her family.

After watching the car drive away, Vishakha addressed Naina "Aaj lunch hi thoda jyada banati hu, toh sham mein dinner nahi banana padega. Aaisa karte hain sagai ki thodi shopping nipat lete hai. Shobhna-ben ki saree aur tera lenhenga bhi le aate hai. Kitne baaje aayegi tu aaj college se?? Maaji aur main uss hisab se tayar rahenge."

Thrilled with the proposal, Naina tightly hugged Vishakha from the behind "My Mumma!!!" Smiling, the older lady immediately uttered the expected response, "Mera bacha!"

This had become their thing long back.

For the first couple of years after she entered the Maheshwari household, Naina had addressed Vishakha as Kaki.

She was about seven years old when one day after returning from school, she had clung to Vishakha and whispered in a wobbly voice "My Mumma..."

Taken aback, Vishakha had muttered "Kya ho gaya beta? School mein teacher ne data, ya kissise jhagda ho gaya??"

Unsuccessfully, trying to blink away the tears, the little girl had mumbled "Swati jab Seema auntie ko 'My Mumma' bolti hai toh woh usse 'Mera Bacha' keh ke uttha leti hai... Mujhe bhi..."

Swati, who was Naina's new classmate had recently moved to Ahmedabad from Mumbai. The two girls had instantly hit it off and become best friends in less than a week.

Vishakha had immediately picked her up and kissed her cheek, "Mera Bacha!" Wiping the tears, she had added "Rone wali kya baat hai? Hum bhi aisa hi karenge, thik hai?"

Wide eyed, Naina had asked "Kaki, kya main aap ko humesha Mumma bula sakti hu??" Eyes brightened, Vishakha had responded "Bilkul beta." Ecstatically shocked, Naina had sought confirmation "Succhi?!" When the older lady beamed back "Succhi!", after planting a sloppy kiss on Vishakha's cheek, the young girl had wriggled out of her embrace and raced through the house telling everyone "Kaki ab meri Mumma hai! Kal main Swati ko bolungi, meri bhi Mumma hai!"

Excitedly finalizing the shopping trip for the evening, the ladies headed inside.

Though Shobhana's saree and gifts for a few other important guests were quickly found, the hunt for the perfect lehenga proved quite challenging. Especially considering the search had to be limited to gulabi lehengas only. It felt like the universe was out to teach Nirmala a lesson, and all stylish, pink lehengas had disappeared from the market! And the few pink lehengas that the ladies liked were so heavily embellished that they were more suited for a bride.

After they had exited empty handed from what seemed like the hundredth shop, looking harassed, Vishakha uttered "Naina... mujhse lagta hai ab koi blue joda hi lele... woh peechli dukkan mein tujhe jo silver embroidery wala sky-blue pasand aaya tha na wahi le lete hai. Payal ko keh denge ke tune usska maan rakhne ke liye apna plan change kar diya. Woh bhi khush aur hum bhi khush! Maaji, neela lele??"

Feeling fatigued, Nirmala too was almost already to give in, but replied "Ek aakhri woh Mohanlal ka dukkan dekh lete hai... acha maal rakha karta tha woh. Ratna-ben bata rahi thi bete ki shaadi ki sari kharidari wahi se ki thi."

Though both younger women nodded along, Naina was grumbling on the inside - Pata nahi yeh Mohanlal ke paas aisa kya alag maal hoga jo pure bazaar mein nahi hai?! Dadi gulabi pe hi kyu atki hai? Kaunse Dadaji ab mujhe gulabi lehenga mein dekhne wale hai?

Luckily, Mohanlal indeed turned out to be their savior that day and presented them with a beautiful coral-pink lehenga with minimal embroidery making it just right for the occasion and Naina's role in it. As they settled the bill, all the women were silently thanking Bhagwanji for the fruitful end to their shopping spree!

* * *

Vivek and Sameer were having a hearty breakfast at Jagdish's house. Though it was a Saturday morning, which would usually have been a working day for both, today they weren't on the clock. Kashi had produced quite a spread of aloo sabji-puri along with an assortment of kachoris and bhajiyas. The conversation at the table was mostly focused on the work that was required to fix some roof related problems with the Vivek's ancestral home. As Jaggu's kids had left for the school, it was just the two guests and the host couple.

Kusum was indeed bedbound these days. And to everyone's bitter disappointment, there were signs of dementia too. The previous day, she had repeatedly asked the same questions, and at times some very irrelevant ones too. At one point, she had enquired about Jaiprakash's health and then rabbled on for a long time about how he always treated her like an elder sister and was helping her pay for Jaggu's education. To start with, she had addressed Sameer as Rohan. After they had explained who he was, she had been very confused as to how Sameer could be so grown up.

Her current state had left Sameer feeling very forlorn. It was hard to reconcile this picture of her to the memories of a lively Kusum Dadi who had always treated him with some extra tenderness.

When Kashi started to serve him another Puri, Sameer objected "Kaki, ab aur nahi! Kasam se bohot pet bhar gaya hai." She immediately picked up another container "Acha puri nahi toh kachori lelo... khaas tumhare liye banayi hai. Bua humesha batata hai ke tumhe bahut achi lagti hai! Kehti hai Rohan aur Naina ko samosa pasand hai, toh bachpan sab aapni farmaish pe ad jaate thay."

Vivek chuckled "Kashi... humare ghar mein toh yeh samosa vs kachori war saalon chalta tha! Mujhe toh yeh samajh nahi aata tha ke ek sath dono kyu nahi banate thay..."

As Kashi started justifying how much extra work it would take to cook both together, Sameer nibbled on the kachori in his plate pensively thinking - Toh Kusum dadi ko mujhe kya pasand tha yaad hai... par mujhe hi nahi pechana kal...

"Aaj kaisi hai Kusum dadi? Kal se kuch better??" he hopefully asked Jaggu, who shrugged "Kal raat der se soi thi... phir aaj subhe der tak neend mein thi. Par thik lag rahi thi jab chai-biscut khilaya maine aap log aane se pehele. Ab Kashi nashta dengi unhe."

Glancing at the clock, Kashi rose to her feet "Kheer banayi hai unki... abhi khilati hu."

"Main bhi aata hu aap ke sath." Sameer uttered and quickly stuffed the leftover kachori in his mouth.

His apprehension turned to joy on entering the old woman's room, when Kusum exclaimed "Sameer! Aare tu kaise aa gaya yeha?? Aa pass baith beta... kitna dubla ho gaya hai... Kashi kuch khane ko la isske liye."

Extremely relieved that Kusum was having a good day, Sameer crouched next to her bed and holding her hand smiled "Dadi, chinta mat karo... Kaki ne bohot bhar pet nashta khila diya hai mujhe! Kachori bhi banayi hai. Ab aap kha lo."

As Kashi fed her some kheer, Kusum enquired about the family in Ahmedabad. She was thrilled to hear about Rohan's upcoming engagement and expressed a wish to see Payal. Sameer assured her "Ha Dadi, sagai ke baad hum sab Payal Bhabhi ko leke aayenge."

Smiling, Kusum asked "Aur apni Naina kaisi hai? Kallage khatam hua ke nahi uska?" When Sameer shared "Bus ab panch-che mahine mein graduation pura ho jayega", Kusum uttered "Chalo acha hai... Nirmala Bhabhi toh uske kallage khatam hone ke din gin rahi hongi! Itnisi jab usse ghar leke aaye thay..." Patting his head, she added softly "Tu bhi toh chotasa tha..." and then chuckled "Pure raste muh phula ke baitha tha ke meri Mummy ke godh mein yeh har waqt kyu bhaiti hai!" After going silent for a few moments, Kusum continued "Jitne pyar se teri Maa ne usse pala hai shayad hi koi aur kar sakti. Naseebon wali hai apni Naina jo itna acha ghar mila hai!"

Awkwardly clearing her throat, Kashi prompted her "Bua... kheer thandi ho jayegi... pehele kha lijiye. Phir ji bhar ke baate karlena!"

Whilst Kusum had breakfast, Vivek popped into the room and sat chatting with her. Well, he mostly conveyed all the instructions and best wishes sent by Nirmala and Vishakha.

Some fifteen-twenty minutes later when Vivek stood up "Bua, woh ghar ki chat ki baat karne Jaggu humme Chikli mein contractor se milane le jaa raha hai. Waha hoke aate hai. Aap thoda aaram kar lijiye."

"Papa... Aaj toh... inki tabiyat bhi behetar hai... agar mera koi khaas kaam na ho toh main yahi Dadi ke pass ruk jau?." Sameer asked earnestly. Knowing there was no guarantee of when Kusum's memory might fail her again, Vivek nodded "Ha ruk jao. I will update you later."

As Vivek left the room, Kashi muttered "Main bhi thode kaam dekh leti hu... kuch lage toh awaaj laga dena mujhe, thik hai?"

For the next hour or so Sameer sat listening to Kusum recount the stories of his childhood. Of all the mischief he, Rohan and Naina had got up to! 

Most of which he had heard many times before. 

And some for the very first time.

When he stepped out of her room, Kashi asked "Kuch chahiye Bua ko??", but he shook his head "Shayad thak gai hai... aankh lag gai hai unki." Kashi smiled "Ha...aaj bahut dinon baad baith ke itni baate ki unhone. Tumhe kuch do? Chai ya coffee?" Again, shaking his head, he shared "Kaki, main zara gaav mein chakkar laga ke aata hu..."

Raipur, like most Indian villages, had one single tar road surrounded by a mishmash of numerous dusty lanes. There were about a dozen two-story houses in the village, of which one belonged to the Maheshwari family. With the older kids at school, only toddlers sitting on portable cots with some grandparents on the porch could be spotted, while their mothers were busy tending to the never-ending household chores. Every now and then the silence was broken by the bleating of goats and barking of dogs. Hens could be spotted in most yards trying to dig out some worms from the soil.

Most of locals seemed to know who Sameer was and greeted him with nods and something on the lines of 'ram-ram... kisa ho?'. Returning their greetings, he slowly made his way to the one general store which he knew stocked soft drinks. After grabbing a cold bottle of Thumbs-Up, he ambled around for a bit soaking in the languid surroundings and contemplating the fact that this was the place where his roots lay, where his father and grandfather had been born and raised. And probably many generations before that too. As he walked past an ancient banyan he smiled slightly thinking of his and Naina's father swinging from its hanging roots.

Once at the edge of the village, his eyes lingered over the acres of visible fields and the woods in the distance. He recalled how his father used to religiously bring the family to Raipur a couple of times a year, till Sameer had probably turned thirteen or so. They would stay for a few days, pay homage to their Kuladevi, visit distant relatives and old family friends, and enjoy the fresh produce from the fields.

Then one year, Vivek had stopped bringing the kids to the village saying it was hard to fit it in their busy schedule. But Sameer wondered if it had something to do with an argument that had taken place between his parents and some of their acquaintances from the village during one visit. The kids hadn't been privy to the subject of the argument, but it had clearly upset his parents a great deal cause they had packed the kids in the car and drove away half-way through their scheduled stay. Despite some persistent probing from Sameer, neither of his parents had doused his curiosity. Strangely, Rohan had unquestioningly adhered to their instructions, making Sameer wonder if he knew more than he was letting on.

Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Sameer glanced around taking slow deep breaths. With every inhale he drew in hope and serenity, and with every exhale he pushed out the doubts and indecisions that had invaded him for a while now.

But now his heart, free of any self-imposed shackles, riding a wave of euphoria, felt like it was among the clouds! He wanted to fly to where she was, and drench her with all the love eager to burst from within.

Unaware of the storm about to sweep her off her feet, in the coming months, Naina was bent over her desk, doodling in her sketchbook.

* * *

(Happy Sunday dearies!

Hope you liked this part. The stage has been set for the story to change gears and hope you enjoy the  upcoming ride :)

Lots of love, May)