"Nandini .... Nandiniii.... Nandiniii"

"Gopuuu ...... Gopuuu ....... Gopuuu "

These two names were roaming on the streets of Deccan in the evening . Their bikes were competing with the air as they were going crazy to win the battle of best rider because it's not only limited to the word Vahini now it's beyond that , it's the matter of prestige . Though Gopal respects Nandini nd treats her like a friend nd not like a typical girl but still his manly ego was never letting him lose the match though she was quite better than him in riding bike.

Not only Gopal but other friends of their group treats each other like friends and not according to their genders but still the difference between girl nd boy is there , their friendship is traditional , innocent nd it's pure without touch of selfishness , vulgarity and disrespect. In their childhood they were many but gradually everyone grew older and started drifting due to their own reasons but these 6 people of almost same age remained close to each other . Manju was sitting behind Nandini on her bike which Nandini stole secretly in the afternoon because that bike belongs to her big brother who is in London for further studies since last month nd this bike is no use for other family members as they don't dare to learn riding nd believes in walking or bullcart ride .

Ramu was sitting behind Gopal on his bike which belongs to his big brother . But his bike is dull nd older than Nandini's bike because Manik's father bought this second hand bike for Manik when he cleared his 12th with second rank in whole Ferguson college, 2 yrs back . But more than Manik, Gopal uses it regularly because he is usually free nd useless for almost all the time. Namdev another friend of them who is in 10th was waiting for them , on his bicycle at the end point of this race to declare the winner , he didn't chose to sit behind Gopal because he thought he should be alive to give his board exams and similarly Jija also couldn't join them as her family is finding groom for her and one family was supposed to come in the late afternoon to see her .

Meanwhile on the other side ,

"I tell you Sunita , the kids of this new generation are officially spoilt brats..... Now see how careless Gopu is , all the time he is outside the house roaming here and there with his friends ..... He is totally useless and I doubt he will cleared his 12th or not " Leela vented out her frustration in front of ladies who were gossiping, bickering about things happening around them since the early evening. Not to forget they were also doing the work of vegetables sorting.

"He is kid Leela " Menaka as usual took his side.

"No Taai u r not taking his side ..... He is almost 18 and see our Manik he is also a boy ..... But he was always a sensible kid ..... And we should not talk about his studies ,he is topper " hearing appreciation for her son Menaka's heart filled with the proud and she smiled wholeheartedly.

"Exactly ...... I totally agree with you Leela ..... Manik is very sensible and even other kids are easy to handle but Nandu nd Gopu are total brats ..... In the morning only I scolded her a lot for her clothes but still she is wearing them " Indu complained about her brat daughter.

"Vahini she is not brat ..... She is just ambitious and talented girl ...... U should be proud of her , her thoughts nd thinking are too mature nd revolutionary " Shamal took the side of her niece who have stayed with her for two years.

"Exactly she is different child and don't ruin her potential Sunbaai (daughter in law) " Gangadhar , Nandini's grandfather said sternly. He was going outside, so hearing on going conversation about Nandini he stopped and took her side . She is wearing her modern clothes even after her mother's denial is just because of him . He was a great teacher before independence and he is one of the freedom fighter who survived , people in their area respects him alot , no one says word after his final statement .

"Ho Aaba" looking down at floor Indu nodded in front her father in law and he left from there.

"Now you can't do anything but try to convince Nandu at least ask her to not wear such clothes in our area " Menaka spoke and other ladies agreed on it , even Shamal agreed reluctantly. They are the ladies who drapes themselves in Navari saree , covering their bodies from top to bottom , they just can't accept this sudden change that too for their daughter .

"I will " she huffed and they heard the knock on already opened door.

"Ohh Manik you ...... I am Seeing you after years..... Come inside " Shamal asked him and he silently came inside with two big kettles in his hands.

"U r here ?" Indu questioned because Manik very rarely visits their house .

"Umm yeah ..... I came to give you this" he showed one of the kettle and Indu went inside to bring the vessel.

"Why u, Aarav ? ...... And where is Gopu ?" Leela asked annoyingly . Because Gopal is unofficial milkman of their area , actually Laghate have farms , cows nd buffaloes so basically they are farmers and they do buisness of milk. Usually Gopal is always free so it's his duty to deliver milk.

"Kaki he is out for some important work so ..." Manik took his side because his brother forgot about milk delivery since he was busy in some stupid race and Manik don't have any idea where it's going on .

"See Taai I told u na he is useless ...... I am not gonna leave him " Leela said and packed their leafy vegetables as it's almost evening and they need to be at their home.

"Indu Kaki ..... Aai gave these sweets for u " Jija came inside the house with sweets in her hands.

"So ur marriage is fixed ..... Congratulations dear " Jija nodded silently and blushed . Ladies blessed her . Manik poured milk into vessel and gave it back to Indu .

"Wait, why are you alone ? ...... Where is Nandu , she was with you na ?" Indu's question took her off guard and she realised that her friend is not returned to home yet , it's a trouble.

"Ho .... Haa ..... She is still at home .....I need to go ...... Bye we will come back soon " she hurriedly went outside of the house.

"Aai .... Kaki..... I am also going " Manik also went outside , he started following Jija as he knew where she is going.

"Hey Jija wait ...... Do u know where are they?" Manik asked after coming to her side.

"Yeah"

.........................||

"Nandiniii ........ Nandiniii ....... Nandiniiiiii" they heard her name but this tone wasn't cheerful instead it was panicking.

"Stop the bike " Nandini stopped her bike just 5 inches before the Jija and 2 foot behind her winning goal.

"Vahiniiii I won the game" before Nandini could answer back to Jija or see Manik chuckling little bit to himself , Gopal screamed with the excitement.

"U idiot Jija ....... I lost the game because of you ...... Now tell me which hell was going to eat you that u decided to ruin my winning game " Nandini exaggerated loudly.

"The hell called ur mother is burning with the curiosity to find her daughter ..... So before she found out that u weren't at my home please consider to save urself for riding this piece of junk next time " Jija too said sarcastically.

"Ohh Bappa ..... I am worried for ur kids Jija ..... They are going to have constant headache " others were enjoying their bickering . Jija rolled her eyes.

"Okay girls stop bickering and let's go to home ...... My Aai would create trouble if she won't find me soon inside the house" Manju who was sitting behind Nandini spoke out of fear . It's not allowed for girls to be outside the house after evening , they can roam around at each other's places ,limited to their premises , but can't go far .

"Still bottom line is I am winner, Vahiniiiii" Gopu teased and Nandini glared him .

"Gopuuu ....... I think ur done with this ..... Let's go to home " Manik's stern voice made them shut their mouths because they respects him and they are afraid of him , including Nandini. She is very rebellious but only she knows how his stern voice is enough to scare her but she don't show her fears to anyone not even Manik.

"Aarav Dada u r here?" Gopu lowered his head.

"Yes ..... Now give me keys nd sit behind ...... Jija u three also start ur ride ..... Keep ur speed in check ....... I will follow u guys till ur houses , it's dark nd it's not safe" he made it clear for them and they agreed to him without any word. Ramu nd Namdev followed them on Namdev's bicycle. Their houses are in Sadashiv Peth only.

Manik stopped in front of Nandini's house he waited for her to keep that bike in it's place secretly , just like she braught it out , some hours back.  Only four were left and others are already inside their respective house.

"Jija u could have come two minutes late" Nandini whispered her disappointment while coming to the front side of her house . She was walking in speed, looking down while tugging the hair behind her ears. She was conscious about his constant gaze on her , which was giving her jitters in her stomach.

"Finally our queen is here " they heard Indu's taunt for Nandini.

"Wo Aai I was ..... Umm I was busy with ...."

"She was busy in stealing Gandharva Dada's bike and riding it in full speed on the streets of Deccan " Manik literally dug the grave for her and left from there after wishing good night to Indu .

........................||

"What is this Nandini? " Indu was burning with the anger and Nandini was cursing Manik in her mind.

"Aai I was just showing them my new talent" she spoke out the truth skipping the part of racing.

"Why don't you understand u r not supposed to do all these things? ...... How many times u r going to make me embarrassed in front of everyone , Nandini ?".

"Why Aai ? ...... It's not sin and there is no rule book which says I am not supposed to do this ...... I am not killing anyone or something like that " she knew she is hitting her head on rock but still she tried.

"U r a girl Nandini...... U r supposed to be good at all households  ...... I was mother of Gandharva at ur age and see what r u doing ? ...... I am worried that anyone is going to marry you or not " Indu was almost about to cry , Nandini's different thinking nd ways of doing things always makes her more worried for her.

"What about my studies nd my freedom ? " This fight is going in another direction, now.

"I agree u r good at studies but no one wants more educated daughter in law for their son's  ....... And u want freedom for what ? ..... To wear such clothes ?" Indu said disgustingly by looking at her clothes.

"Aai u know what, it's been almost 23 yrs to independence but we are not independent yet  ....... U guys are still stuck at ur orthodox thoughts and I don't know how many  years it will take me to say , yes India is independent country " she also raised her voice and Indu slapped her .

"I don't know anything ...... U r not wearing such clothes, that's final...... And I should not see u anywhere near to that bike again...... I am responsible for ur upbringing and I don't want anyone to question u " Indu said sternly and Nandini looked at her with tears and disappointment in her eyes.

"Please try to be a mother first " she said and left from there, crying .

......................||

"Dada why u did that with Nandini ? " Gopal asked after climbing down from bike , he was disappointed with Manik for doing this.

"I don't want to talk about it " he said curtly.

"U know she just came here yesterday ...... She was very happy to see us after 2 years ..... She was happy that she is going to live with her family Nd u ruined it all ..... Her mother will hurt her and credit goes to you " Gopu accused Manik.

"It's better for her " .

"No it's not " Gopu too raised his voice.

"Yes it is ...... There are no lights on streets and it's not safe for her ..... And u know it better that without bike too she roams here nd there even in dark nd I don't want to take risk of thinking she might be riding bike in darkness on unknown roads ...... Her mother will hurt her but she will be safe because Kaki won't let her go near to that bike again"  Manik spoke out his worry in his scary voice .

"She is responsible girl , dada and u don't need to snatch her freedom " Gopal said nd went inside the house without looking back at Manik.

"I want her to be safe, Gopu" he sighed , murmured to himself and went inside the house.

...................||

In the late night,

Grumpy Nandini sneaked inside her Grandmother's blanket to seek some love and care for herself. She snuggled to her more .

" Ladubaai (sweetheart)" she caressed her hair.

"Aaji" Nandini sniffed .

"What Sunbaai did this time?" She asked knowing her daughter in law very well . 

"She slapped me ..... And u please scold her in the morning" Nandini complained about her Aai in front her Aaji . Because she is her dear Aaji and she will took her side . Her Aaji nd Ajoba are her safe place.

"U must have done something , am I right?" she asked suspiciously.

"I am sleeping ..... Good night" she snuggled more and ended the subject . Her Aaji engulfed her in her protective warmth and Nandini slept instantly .

..................||

"Dada" here Gopu too came outside of the house where his brother was sleeping on Khot under the old , tall Neem tree . They both sleeps outside in summers.

"Hmm"

"I am sorry Dada" Gopu said after keeping one hand on Manik's waist and one leg on his legs .

"Why?" Manik raised his eyebrow.

"I shouldn't have raised my voice in front of you " he respects him so much .

"It's okay" Manik caressed his hair.

"And besides that I know u care for her " he teased Manik.

"Gopu sleep" he said sternly .

"Soo much care" he earned one punch on his back and slept while laughing . He slept instantly as he was very tired. 

"She is too precious" Manik said to himself , looking at the stars filled sky. He remembered words of 7yrs old Nandini
' U know Manik , u r so beautiful and shiny just like stars ..... But stars are not male nd u r male so u r my Beautiful moon .... Okay?' he chuckled , how innocent nd dumb little Nandini was.

................ End .................||

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?

....................... Aish ❣️..................