"Don't worry Pushu. Your Daddy won't do anything stupid."

"Promise?", Pushkar asked hopefully.

"Promise.", Rajat assured.

~•~

"Batao na! Pehenogi kal ye saree?", Ranbir asked hopefully.

Prachi fumed at him and folded her hands. Turning her face adorably towards the other side, she said, "Sirf isiliye kyonki Papa khush honge."

Vikram raised his eyebrows.

Ranbir insides danced the conga, but his mouth fell open. "Yaar kamal karti ho! Seedhe muh jawab kyun nahi deti? Haan! Ye ek word bol deti bas?"

Prachi gave him the famous, made-only-for-him narrowed glare, picked up her kurti and left. Ranbir looked at the others, who sniggered and left. Assuring that nobody was around, he bumped his fist in the air. "Yess!"

He quietly left as he heard the door of the washroom opening.

~•~

It was party time!!!

(Will you guys forgive me if I don't write the description of the hall? 🤧 Quite bad at it. Plus, need to focus on the story, else will break the link. 🙏🏻)

Ranbir greeted Pushkar with a warm hug, who too hugged him quite awkwardly, but did not show it. Rajat too accepted the welcome, but excused himself.

'Prachi Ranbir ki wife hain? Par mujhe laga ki uski shaadi to ... Par Pushu ne kaha tha ki uski shaadi mein problems hain. Lagta hain yahi baat hain. Nevertheless, I need to inspect everything.'

"I hope everything's ok? Just the way we had planned?", Ranbir asked Pushkar.

"It's perfect. Simply perfect!", He replied.

One of the foreign guests commented, "This is simply amazing. Keesne plan khiya hein ye shab?"

"Of course Prachi!", Both Ranbir and Pushkar answered.

Their eyes met as soon as they spoke. Several emotions passed between them, awkwardness, confusion, guilt and insecurity.

"Hey look at her! Vo khitni shundar hein!", The same person exclaimed.

As soon as both of their heads turned into the direction the man had pointed, they stopped. Mesmerized would have been an understatement for their condition. They were smittened.

Dressed in Ranbir's chosen saree, Prachi was walking, or rather gliding down the stairs, looking heavenly beautiful. Her long hair, today tied in a long plait with her hair parted from a side, a lovely silvery-golden tiara adorning her hair, bangles jingling merrily on her wrist, long jhumkas hanging from her earlobes; Ranbir's heart swelled with pride as his gaze fell on the payals which he had bought for her, and most importantly, his mangalsutra and his sindoor enhancing her beauty. On the other hand, those two objects of pride broke Pushkar's heart. But, as soon as she greeted a sweet "Namaste" to an elderly lady, their hearts began dancing again. Uff!

Stop looking at her! A heart cried out.

You stop looking at her! The other one fumed. 

She's mine! The former fired back.

Whatever! The latter scowled.

"Beautiful!", both pronounced unconsciously.

Ranbir looked suspiciously at Pushkar, who quickly looked away and pretended to be busy talking to the foreign guest.

Shahana's heart was at peace. A proud smirk appeared on her face as she recalled certain events.

Flashback

Shahana quickly hid behind the refrigerator as she heard the three goblins entering the kitchen.

"Mujhe teekha laga hain Buji, mujhe paani chahiye, jaldi!", Buji's little pig in a wig cried.

"Don't work beta, we'll get it for you!", Pallo, her guardian angel consoled her.

As she drank the water from the nearby jar, Shahana mouthed a 'yess'.

"Pyaas to mujhe bhi lagi hain!", Aliya exclaimed and drank some water from the same jug.

"Main bhi thoda paani pi hi leti hoon.", Saying so, Pallo too drank some water.

All three of the bitches began feeling dizzy.

Yep! Sleeping pills.

Yawning widely, they left for their rooms, deciding to take a small nap before the party. Oh they had no idea that it was gonna be a cat's nap!

Shahana hopped out of her hiding and danced in glee with her partners in the good crime.

Flashback ends

"Aaj to koi kabab mein haddi nahi hogi! Yay!", Saying so, she hopped away.

The hosts and secretaries of their companies announced the collaboration of the two famous empires. After some award ceremonies, the announcement for dance was made.

Tho Ranbir did not have the heart to wipe out the lovely smile off Prachi's beautiful face, he decided to make her jealous. He came near her and whispered in her ears, "Couple dance. Let me bring my wife! My baby!"

Prachi felt bad. As soon as he left, she felt some pain in her belly. She was about to fall backwards, when she felt a strong arm around her waist.

Ranbir hadn't been too far when he heard a small shriek from the behind. He immediately turned around and saw her falling down. He was about to rush towards her, when he saw Pushkar holding her.

A strange monster took birth inside him.

He was about to thank him for saving his Prachi, when he heard people shouting, "C'mon, dance!"

Their position, unfortunately made people think what they shouldn't have. Both Pushkar and Prachi felt awkward, but they could not simply refuse. After all, it was a GRAND PARTY, with many renowned people attending it.

Music ...

Pushkar straightened her and softly took her towards the stage, while Ranbir simply watched them helplessly, not able to understand what had happened in a few seconds.

Sajde mein yun hi jhukta hoon,
Tumpe hi aake rukta hoon,
Kya ye sabko hota hain?

As they reached the stage and face each other, Pushkar got down to his feet and offered his hand to Prachi. Ranbir recalled how he had done the same in Renu's anniversary party.

Humko kya lena hain sabse,
Tumse hi sab baatein abse,
Ban gaye ho tum meri dua ...

As Prachi contemplated whether to take his hand or not, Ranbir opened his mouth to involuntarily stop her, but no words came out. As the crowd cheered, Prachi placed her tiny hand into Pushkar's large ones.

Khuda jaane ke main fida hoon,
Khuda jaane main mit gaya ...

Smiling softly, his heart fluttering, he got onto his feet and gently pulled her towards himself. As she rolled in, her back landed on his chest while, he held her other hand with his free one. Ranbir closed his eyes.

Khuda jaane ye kyun hua hain,
Ke ban gaye ho tum mere khuda ...

Pushkar closed his eyes, feeling the void in his heart healing, while Prachi simply swayed into his arms for the sake of dancing, a tiny amount of pain in her belly bothering her.

Music ...

Prachi then rolled out of his arms and landed again on his chest, this time facing him. Both of them maintained some distance between them. Ranbir looked away painfully, the monster inside him burning in fury.

Music ...

"I...I'm sorry Prachi. I was just trying to help you. Inn logon ne pata nahi kya socha! I'm ... I'm extremely sorry.", Pushkar apologised honestly, as they swayed on the tunes of the song.

"It's ok Mr. Pushkar. I understand, and I don't blame you for that.", Prachi smiled.

Tu kahe to tere hi kadam ke main nishaanon pe,
Chalun, rukun ishaare pe ...

Pushkar and Prachi held each other's hands and swayed their legs back and forth one by one, their hands too following the same. Ranbir passed a fake smile to one of the guests.

Tu kahe to khwabon ka banake main bahana sa,
Mila karoon sirhaane pe ...

Pushkar pulled Prachi gently and hugged her lightly. Ranbir's heart was about to explode. His heart pained everytime Pushkar touched Prachi. He gulped hard and breathed heavily.

Ho tumse dil ki baatein seekhi,
Tumse hi ye raahein seekhi,
Tumpe marke main to jee gaya ...

Prachi twisted round and round holding Pushkar's finger. He then pulled her towards himself, placed one hand on her waist, the other beneath her head and gently leaned over her. Ranbir's blood boiled.

Khuda jaane ke main fida hoon,
Khuda jaane main mit gaya ...

Pushkar again turned Prachi towards the front and held one of her hands. One of Pushkar's clients whispered in a voice audible to Ranbir, "I hope it's not business, the other way round." He bawled his fists. They waved their hands in a rainbow-shape. Enough!

Khuda jaane ye kyun hua hain,
Ke ban gaye ho...

Unable to stand their proximity, Ranbir stormed out of the hall into the corridor, the music slowly dying away.

As soon as he reached into one of the deserted corridors, he leaned over a pillar, breathing heavily, sweat beads forming on his forehead. As soon as he closed his eyes, pictures of their moments flashed across them. Shaking his head as though trying to shrug off the horrifying pictures, he breathed exuberantly again. He looked around and found himself on the same terrace where he had spent some lovely moments with Prachi during Aliya and Purab's anniversary, 3 years ago.

Panting, he walked briskly towards the table and sat down on the sofa beside it. Breathing heavily again, he drank a whole jug of water. The moment he realised that the water had finished, a sudden wave a anger coursed through his veins. Furiously, he threw the jug away, breaking it into pieces. As he touched his forehead, he noticed sweat beads on it. Sighing, he took a tissue paper from the table.

He recalled how Prachi had cleaned his jacket.

She wasn't there to help him today. Sighing sadly, he himself cleaned his face and leaned back onto the sofa, trying to calm down.

Music ...

He felt something soft caressing his face. Blinking, he opened his eyes and found Prachi dancing beside him, enjoying the cool breeze. He almost laughed out of happiness.

Dil kahe ke aaj to chupa lo tum panahon mein,
Ke dar hain tumko kho dunga ...

Prachi, who was busy feeling the breeze, spreading her arms wide, suddenly gasped softly as she felt Ranbir hug her tightly from the behind. He hugged her as tightly as possible, nuzzling his head in her neck, spilling some tears.

Dil kahe sambhal jara khushi ko na nazar laga,
Ke dar hain main to ro dunga ...

Prachi broke the hug and turned him around, wiping his tears gently with her pallu. Holding her tightly by her waist, Ranbir gently pushed her backwards and leaned over her. She bent her head completely, while he placed his lips on the part of her skin beneath her chin, passionately pouring out his love for her.

Ho karti hoon sau vaadein tumse,
Baandhein dil ke dhaange tumse, ye tumhe na jaane kya hua ...

Prachi straightened up and cupped his face. She again wiped his tears and gave him her lovely smile, which washed away all of his pain.

Khuda jaane ke main fida hoon,
Khuda jaane main mit gaya ...

Prachi dragged Ranbir towards the edge of the terrace and began showing stars and planets to him, jumping up and down in happiness as she saw a shooting star pass, while Ranbir simply smiled, mesmerized by her innocence.

Khuda jaane ye kyun hua hain,
Ke ban gaye ho tum meri dua ...

Pranbir hugged each other, his arms stroking her head, while she fell asleep, placing her hand on his chest, calming down his furious heart.

~•~

"Sir?", someone called out.

"Sir? Sir?", Ranbir heard someone calling him. Where was he? Why was everything black?

Involuntarily opening his eyes, he realised that he had been asleep on the sofa. Focusing his eyes, he opened them clearly and found a waiter staring down at him.

"Sir aapke liye nimbu paani laaya hoon.", He said, offering a glass full of lemonade.

"Kyun?", He asked, rubbing his eyes and straightening up.

"Sir aapne galati se sharab ko paani samajh ke pi liya tha.", He answered.

"Wha-? Ouch!", He gasped as a sudden pain shot in his forehead.

"Sharab yahan kisne rakhi thi? Tumhe pata hain na ki sharab allowed nahi hain ghar mein?", He scolded the poor fellow, who simply looked down.

"Ab Prachi kya sochegi mere baare mein?", He shouted at him, as though it was his fault.

Suddenly, he heard Prachi from behind him, "Mere sochne se kya farak padta hain? Tumhari baby kya sochegi vo socho!"

Turning around, he saw Prachi coming towards him, with two bowls and a napkin kept on a tray. She signalled the waiter to go. Keeping the tray on the table, she continued, "Khair, uski to aadat hain logon ko nashe mein karna. Isiliye I don't think vo tumhe daantegi."

"Tum nahi daantogi?", He asked timidly.

Prachi got up from her place and without answering his question, made him sleep on the sofa. She sat above his head and wrapped a napkin around his neck, while he looked at her in confusion. She took the bowl and dipped her fingers into it, and collected some oil from it.

Applying some of it on his forehead, she said, "Main tumhe kyun daantungi? I mean, kis haq se?"

Glaring at her for ruining such a peaceful moment, Ranbir taunted her, "Peene hi nahi vala tha main sharab. Par meri baby nahi mil rahi thi na, isiliye baby ke na milne ke gum mein pi li."

What a stupid bahana boy! Braniac and Hearty snapped.

Prachi's working hands stopped. "Thik hain. Gum mein hi raho phir. Main chalti hoon. Mujhe vaise bhi party enjoy karni hain." She got up, washed her hands with the water kept in the tray and was about to go, when she felt him sliding his hand on her wrist, tightly, yet gently.

Frowning her eyebrows, she turned around, only to find him holding her hand, watching her longingly.

"Ruk jaao...", He pleaded softly.

Averting her gaze from him, she asked him, "Kyun?"

Composing himself, he answered, "Eh ... kyunki ... tumhara mujhpe haq hain na! I mean ... agar haq nahi hota to mujhe tel lagane nahi aati na tum?"

Their eyes met. Her frown cleared, as well as her pursed lips opened slightly, while he silently prayed that she stayed.

"Party mein jaayegi to dobara uss Pushkar ke saath dance karna padega. Ruk jaao please!!!"

Sighing resignedly, she bent down and offered him the glass of lemonade, which he readily took. As he began drinking, he felt his gaze on her.

"K-kya ... hua?", He asked her, gulping as she again stared at him with her famous made-only-for-him narrowed gaze.

"Haath chodoge mera?", She scowled.

Realising that had been holding her hand, he immediately left it, mouthing a sheepish 'oops'.

He finished the lemonade and happily laid down while she massaged him head. Such a relief it was! Her massaging his head, her calm face caressing his soul, her presence relieving him of all pains, her fragrance calming his nerves down ... all of his tensions seemed to simply fly away. His Prachi was beside him. What else could be so soothing?

After a few minutes of massaging, Prachi realised that Ranbir had fallen asleep. She washed her hands and was about to go when she felt a tug on her shoulder. Turning around, she found that her pallu had been tied tightly to his fingers.

She recalled how he used to do the same in their rented house, when he did not want her to leave him. Tears swelled up in her beautiful eyes. Sobbing, she quickly freed her pallu from his fingers and ran away crying.

~•~

Yo buddies! New update!

I am soooo sorry for the dance but that was necessary. We have the compensation later oj tho. 😉 And ... Personally, I'm not satisfied with the way I portrayed Ranbir's emotions. Just try to add some more intensity while imagining his state ok? Lol. 😅

I know this one's a small update with less content. People were too eager to read the next part and Gran needs this phone. So instead of being late, I thought of updating this much.

Do tell me if you like it. Constructive critisism is appreciated.

Not proofread.

#Pranbir.

Love,
Vaidehi. ❤️