Recap: Abhi Meenakshi moments at office - reunion with Dadu & Malu.

Meenakshi was in an hurry to prepare the dinner since Abhi also wished to join them. She was happy and excited since he is here to taste her food after a short gap.

"May I help you madam?" She turned back to see Abhi standing at the door with a smile.
"No I think. I don't want my boss to work along with me in the kitchen."she smirked before turning back.
"Oh that really hurts. You are so mean Meenu."he said placing his hand above his heart and pretending to be get hurt. She giggled.

She was chopping onion when he suddenly grabbed the knife from her hand making her confused. He started chopping it while she was staring at him in surprise.
"Abhi, what are you doing? You don't need to do this."she said trying to take the knife back.
He looked at her with a pained expression and she averted her gaze realizing what she said.
"Please Meenu. I feel like a stranger for you whenever you are calling me Abhi. Call me Ram. You have no idea how much I am craving to hear that from you again."he said.

"Please give that knife back to me. I can do this alone."she said to change the topic.
"This is not the first time I am coming to this kitchen. I know each and every corner here well. For God sake I am that old Ram itself. And I don't want to be a guest for you. That's the last thing I wish."he said getting annoyed.

She didnt want to hurt him more and allowed him to help her. They cooked together while talking and cherishing their old moments in that kitchen. He felt relieved. Atleast the way she is behaving with him is not making him feel like a stranger eventhough her words are still taunting him.

After finishing the works they served the dinner together and joined Dadu and Malu on the dining table.
"Abhi, did you inform your parents about your late arrival?" Dadu asked him.
"Yes Dadu. I already informed them that I will not be coming for dinner."he said and Meenakshi smiled while serving more food for him. He was amazed.
"Meenu my stomach will blast out soon if you are serving me like this. This is more than enough."he said and the others grinned their teeth.

Dinner finished with little chatting and laughs. Meenakshi was washing the utensils when he again came to kitchen.
"Surprise for my wonder girl."Abhi said and she turned back to see him with a box in his hands.
"For me?"she asked in surprise.
"Yes only for you."he confirmed while she stared at him for a long minute cannot believing his words.
"But you said that you didn't buy anything for me?"she asked.
"Yeah I didn't buy anything for you. This is for the person who made me feel special for many months and who made me the most happy in life."he said and she smiled before taking the box from his hands.

"Thank you"she said and he frowned. She didnt mind it and started opening the box curiously. She saw a teddy bear in that box and suddenly her all happiness gone. She glared at him.

"What's this? Do you really think that I am still a kid to play with a teddy bear?"she asked angrily.
"Or is this for Malu?"

"No Meenu. This is exactly for you. I couldn't find any other thing that can match your level of thinking."he said with a smirk. Her face became red due to anger. She started hitting him with the same teddy while he was trying to escape from her hits. He caught her hands at a point and made her look at the teddy for once. She was wondered seeing a card sticked to the teddy bear along with a few chocolates. It took no more seconds for her to read it.

To the limited edition on this earth, my dear craziest friend,
I am really proud to have you as my friend. And I will be even more happy to be more than a friend for you if you allows. There will be so many girls on this world, but believe me my wonder girl, there will be no other Meenakshi like you. I don't know what gift from me can make you happy. I am just confused. That's why this unpredictable gift. Because you are always unpredictable to this world. Be that limited Meenakshi forever. Dont change for anyone. Because your craziness have more fans than you.
With all love, your Ram.

She smiled reading the note and her hands automatically wrapped around Abhiram's shoulder and she hugged him tightly making him feel butterflies inside his stomach. He hugged her back.

"Thanks a lot. You know what. I don't want any expensive gifts like other girls. This card and your words on it is enough for me. Believe me. This chocolates made my day. "she whispered in his ears.

"You are unpredictable" He smiled.
She pulled back from him and he felt awkward.

"Mr.Abhiram Khanna, kitchen is not the right place for blushing."she said while eating the chocolate made him embarrass.

"Can we go for a midnight walk like we do before?"she raised her eyebrows and he jumped in happiness like a kid.
__________

"So did you miss me these days?"Meenakshi asked while kicking a stone that was laying on her path.

"I really did. But it was Ms.Stone hearted Meenakshi who didn't attend my calls and avoided me brutally." Abhiram replied but she was not paying attention.

"Hey look at there."she suddenly held his arm and pointed at an ice cream seller who is returning back after his job with the small vehicle in which he is carrying ice cream to be sold.

"I want ice cream now. You are such a billionaire. Please feed me enough ice cream that can fill my stomach mr.billionaire."she said like a kid holding and shaking his hand. He gave her an unbelievable look before sighing.

"Wait here. I will be back soon."he went towards the ice cream seller while she seated down on the road side. After 5 minutes he came back with 4 cups of ice cream. She started licking her lips seeing the ice cream cups in his hand and got excited.

"3 cups for me and one for you. Isn't it?"she asked standing up.
"No"he shook his head.
"2 for me and 2 for you."he said making her pout.

"You are not a kid like me. You are matured and responsible."she said and he was confused.

"So what?"

"You can't eat ice creams like me. People will make fun of you. After all you are the Managing Director of Khanna Constructions."she said making him chuckle.

"Here. Eat as much you want."he handed over the entire cups to her.
"You are so sweet."she said while sitting down along with him.

She started eating the ice creams while he was looking at her admiringly. He couldn't hold back the smile he was having.
"Here. Have this."she said forwarding one cup of ice cream towards him.
"No Meenu. You eat. I don't want."he shook his head.
"Dont say no to Meenakshi. You know me well. Eat this before I apply this on your face."she threatened placing the ice cream cup closer to his face.

"Oh no. I will eat."he took the ice cream cup and started eating while she chuckled.
"Good boy."she commented.

They ate in silence and it was Meenakshi who stood up first after finishing her part of ice creams. He followed her while she started walking.

"Meenu, don't you want to meet my parents?"he asked.
"But I already met him when they came here that day."she replied.
"It's not like that. Actually mom and dad wants to meet you after I tell our story to them. Can I bring them to our home for once?"he asked.
"It's your home too. Why are you asking me permission?"she said in an ignorant tone which made him smile.

"Wait wait."she suddenly stopped on her tracks remembering something.
"What's now?"he asked in confusion.
"Did you tell everything to your parents?"she asked raising her eyebrows and coming closer to him.
"Yes"he nodded.
"Everything?"she asked with a shocked expression.
"Yes. Why are you asking?"he didn't have any idea what she is asking about.

"Did you tell them about our kiss too?"her eyes widened now.
He chuckled.
"Hello it was not our...it was only your kiss. You kissed me shamelessly without asking my permission."he teased her making her frown.
"Seriously did you tell about that too?"she asked
"Why this much tension? You were not hesitant to tell about that kiss to Dadu. Now what happened?"he asked seeing the change in her.
"Oh god. What might be they thinking about me now? You spoiled everything."she scolded him.

"I didn't. Why are you bothering about that? Did you have any plans to impress your future in laws?"he asked and she glared at him.

She started walking in an offended mode. He quickly followed her and stopped her holding her wrist.
"Ok I am sorry. I didn't drag any topics that you don't want to discuss."he assured her.
"Did you tell them that you proposed me?"she asked before he completes.
"No. Why? Did you want me to tell them that I loves you?"he asked getting confused.
She didnt reply.

"You are hiding a lot of things from your parents. That may create rift between you and them again. Don't make a single chance for breaking this relationship that patched up once."she said before walking slowly.
He stood there confused for a long time before joining her back.

"Meenu, sometimes I can't understand you." He said and she laughed.
He held her shoulders and make her face him.
"Not a joke. Tell me do you want me to tell my parents that you are not only a friend for me, but more than that?"he asked seriously.
"Are you sure that I am still your friend?"she asked making him shock.
"What? Did you cut my name from your friend list too?"he almost shouted echoing his words.

"Hey dont raise your voice. Let people sleep peacefully."she warned.
"I don't care. Didn't you tell me that I am still your best friend eventhough I made a mistake?"he shook her holding her shoulders.
"Dont you think that things have changed between us?"she asked and he gave her an unbelievable look.

"Hey relax." She tried to calm him down. But he was angry and walked away without waiting for her. She ran behind him and stopped him by pulling his shirt collar from back. Both of them lost their balance and fell down on floor.

"Ouchhhhh.."she screamed while wiping the dust from her elbows.
"I thought you are a man. But you don't even have the power of a kid."she said making him scowl.
"Says the one who pulled me down."he glared at her.
She laughed.

"Why are you laughing?"he asked getting annoyed.
"Because you are so cute when you are angry."she giggled.
He turned his face away from her.
"Hey relax man. I was just joking. You are always my best friend."she said.
"I don't believe you anymore."he said in a low tone.

She smiled and stood up.
"Ram, Can we be friends again? I swear I won't hurt you with my stupid jokes anymore. If you are willing to be Meenakshi's friend again, hold this hand. Only one condition, don't hide things from me any more."she said forwarding her hand for him.
He was surprised hearing the word Ram from her again.

He slowly held her hand and instead of getting up pulled her down. Now she is in his lap. Her eyes widened while he smirked.
"Leave me Ram."she struggled to get up from his lap.
He laughed.

"So friends?"he gave his hand and she happily held it.
"Let's forget everything and start it fresh. Agreed?"she asked.
He nodded with a wide smile.

"Ram, You are meant to tolerate all my craziness. No escape for you from this."she said
"My pleasure ma'am"he laughed along with her.

Sometimes if we lost trust in a relationship, we have to walk back once again through the paths we travelled and regain everything from the beginning.
x---------x

Precap: Abhiram's mom knowing about his love for Meenakshi.

I tried my best to make this chapter convincing. But after reading it, I think something is missing and it's not up to the mark. My brain is on leave since I am spending most of the time for studies now a days. May be I will edit this chapter in future when I get time. Please spare me.

Thank you.
- Teju