The weather was pleasant in Ahmedabad for June. But there was a storm brewing in Nirmal Jyoti Society's Aggarwal house.

"Naina, kuch toh kha le. Kal raat se kuch nahi khaya tune" Chachiji pleaded to her

"Jab tak aap sab ijazat nahi de dete, main aise hi bhook hartal pe hoon" Naina announced, not budging a bit.

"Arre shaadi kara do iski. Maine pehle hi kaha tha. Par koi sune tab na" Taiji was now worried about her niece's 'hunger strike'. She seemed to be serious on her campaign.

"Aap log Naina Ko jaane dijiye na. Dekhiye kaise ek raat mein choose hue aam ki tarah ho gayi hai. Uski woh purani wali frock bhi fit ho rahi hai use ab" Preeti started her drama.

Naina glared at Preeti for her remark mouthing 'tujhe toh main baad mein dekhti hu' while rubbing her stomach.

A whole family meeting was called at dinner when situation became worse. Naina had now locked herself in the room and the ladies had started crying loudly, the 'ladies' included Preeti mostly which attracted neighbours too.

"Aaj tak kisi ne bhi aisa karnama nahi kiya hamare Parivar me" Tauji seemed very angry
"Bacchi ne Zid pakad li hai. Jaane dete hai use Mumbai. Agle hafte joining hai uski" Chachaji was assertive now

"Theek hai. Chali jaye. Par wapas aane ko mat kehna" Naina's father said, giving up

"Aap yeh kaisi baatein kar rahe hai. Hamari bacchi hai woh. Aap chinta mat kijiye kuch gadbad nahi hone dunga"

"Kuch bhi hua na,saari zimmedari tumhari. Hume koi matlab nahi abb" Tauji, the lawyer said with a finality and turned to leave.

Preeti heard the entire exchange and jumped towards their bedroom door, knocking loudly twice

"Behen, packing mein main teri help karu ya khud hi kar legi?"

Naina, on the other hand was sulking in a corner, complaining to God-
'Bhagwan iss baar jaane do, aage se kuch nahi mangungi'

On hearing Preeti's words, she immediately opened the door and asked excitedly-

"Sab maan gaye?"

"Waise hi kuch samajh le. Wahan jaake mujhe bhul toh nahi jayegi na?" Preeti was emotional now, as they had never lived apart for 20 years

"Tujh jaisi nautanki Ko koi bhul Sakta hai kya?" Naina hugged her tightly in happiness.

The overall atmosphere of the house changed in seconds to a happy one as everyone started preparing for Naina's Bombay journey.
___________________________________________
On the other side of the city, Sameer was now residing in his cousin Munna's house and could feel the displeasure of his father coming out towards him in waves.

"Bhai tu bikul chinta mat kar. Mai papa Ko sambhal lunga. Woh chidchide hai par Dil ke acche hai."

"Nahi Munna, main aur tera ehsaan nahi le paunga. Meri factory ka hissa toh hai na, jitna bhi hai. Mai usi se Bombay mein jaake settle ho jaunga. Idhar kuch rakha nahi hai ab yaar" he said sadly, leaning on the headboard of the bed
" Aur udhar jaake karega kya?"
" Kuch bhi. Par aise ab nahi reh sakta"
"Tu Mama-"
"Jis insaan ne itna bada dhoka diya hai, uske paas wapas jaane ka sawal hi nahi uthta. Main kuch karta hu"

Thus began the journey of two persons, blissfully unaware of each other, travelling towards the same destination.

Should I continue the story? Please tell as it'll give me encouragement 😊