Same day evening

Manik was holding me by my shoulders while we reached downstairs. He made me sit on the couch and papa sat beside me. he looked concerned "beta you should take care of yourself, itne weak kese ho gye aap?" papa asked lovingly. "mai thk hu papa..aap tension mat lijiye..thora fever hai bas...theek ho jaega" i said.

"abhi apko hamare ghar me aye 2 months hi hue hain..and you have fallen sick...alok and sheetal will think we don't take proper care of you" papa spoke softly but sadly.

"amma appa kabhi asa soch v ni sakte hain...because they know that i have got the best in-laws in the world" i said chirpily. Maa papa mukti and manik all of them smiled. Soon the coffee came for them and a glass of orange juice for me. We were sipping and talking. Manik discussed with papa about khurana , sitting near maa while mukti sat with me and papa.

"ma'm...abhimanyu murthy...nandini ma'm ke bhai ae hain" Samantha informed. And mine and mukti's eye twinkled. Oh i know how it feels when the name of the person you love pops up unexpectedly and how your heart starts racing when you realise that they are gonna be face to face with you. I can understand mukti! I did self talk till bhai entered the house. I got up and walked to him excitedly...i wanted to run into his arms but somehow i felt drained to do that. We had a warm hug. It had been just a week since i had met him but i felt it to be ages. I felt happy that he came to see me.

He broke the hug and looked at me intently "kaisi hai tu??" he asked. "mai bolna toh chahti hun ki mast hun..but unfortunately yaha pe bahut log hain to contradict my statement!" i said giggling. Bhai looked beyond me to the people who were waiting to welcome him . he took me in a side hug and we walked to them "sorry, aunty..bina inform kiye hi mai agya...bas iski tabiyat theek ni h..suna toh khud ko rok ni paya" bhai apologised. "beta main toh soch rahi thi tum dopahar me hi aoge , sheetal k sath" maa tried to make him at ease. "ji aunty , i wanted to come but office me kuch important meetings lined up the toh late ho gya!!" bhai informed.

Then bhai touched their feet and hugged manik and passed a shy hi to mukti to which mukti replied with a slight tinge of red and hi' in whisper..

Manik pulled both of us to sit on couch and the talks started. Maa herself got up and supervised the coffee and snacks that should be given to bhai.

"beta , have you come directly from office?" papa asked bhai.

"ji uncle" bhai replied.

"arey bhai neyonika..abhimanyu direct office se aya hai..he must be tired and hungry...ek brilliant cup of coffee ho jae" papa spoke a little loud because maa was in the kitchen.

"mai dekhti hu" i said and tried to get up but mukti stopped me, "nandini , you sit , mai dekhti hu" she said and i obeyed as this was good.

I enquired about the works of office and bhai informed me each and every thing. I said that because of me many projects must be pending as i had the blue prints with me, but he assured me and said that i should join only when i am fully recovered.

I saw mukti and maa coming out with trays in their hand. Maa always self served to people who are near and dear ones. Mukti placed the tray on the table and maa sat down asking mukti to serve the coffee and snacks. Oh how romantic! I cooed in my mind when mukti passed the coffee to bhai and their fingers brushed.

Later when coffee and snacks were finished,
"beta take abhimanyu to your room. You can rest also and bhai - behen k bich kuch baatein v ho jaegi" maa suggested and i thanked her in my mind. As i really needed to talk to him. Just then manik received a call and he walked to the study with papa.

"mukti tum v chalo hamare sath" i offered mukti to join us.

"nahi nandini tumlog jao...baatein karo..mai ati hun thore der mein" she replied and i didn't press further.
...

Bhai and me , we were sitting in my room and talking.

"choti, i wanted to talk to you about mukti" bhai said a little nervous

"ha bhai, bolo" i encouraged him to speak because i knew what was coming

"i have decided that i want to have mukti forever in my life" bhai said confidently

"hmmm" i signalled him to go on

"what do you think, should i ask her first or directly ask amma appa to approach your in- laws to ask her hand in marriage?" i could tell he was hell confused

"bhai, shadi is a very big decision and responsibility, aur abhi apki aur mukti ki age v kya hui hai...i think you two should first explore yourself, your relationship, the beginning of it..the little little happiness of it...shadi toh kabhi na kabhi ho jani hai...uske pehle k moments enjoy kar lo...that's why i would suggest ask mukti first, win her trust, confidence, let her know how much you love her.." i explained and bhai listened carefully.

"but agar usne mana kar diya toh?" he had his own doubts.

"bhai you love her na??" i asked rhetorically

"of course, i do.." he replied promptly

"then change her no into a yes!" i smacked his arm and he laughed

"acha do you think, she likes me, i mean even a little??" he spoke and showed me the quantity through his fingers.

I laughed this time "bhai..you are so dumb..aaj tak isi lye ek larki ni pati apse!! Don't you see how she blushes whenever you talk to her or for that matter, even your presence around her , is enough to make her blush!!

What do these signs tell you??" i asked him annoyedly and he smiled sheepishly

"she likes me..." bhai said
blushing...awww

"who likes whom??" suddenly we heard manik's voice and found him standing with mukti. Bhai got frightened , so i had to manage the situation "wo bhai was informing me about the love story of one of our colleagues which is a matter of gossip in our office"

"oh" was manik's reaction and bhai sighed. While mukti's expression said that she had not totally believed what i said. Good for her! And bhai...she is going to grill bhai tonight, for sure!
After talking for a while, it was 10 in the night when bhai left for home.
......

2 days later

"nandini " manik chanted for the 100th time in last 5 minutes, while following me wherever i was going.

"nandini plzz yaa" he tried to get my attention yet again

"manik...plz" i imitated his tone while rolling the chart paper in which i had the designs ready for the new project. I put a rubber band to prevent it from unwrapping.

"nandini you should rest..office next week se join karna plzz" he repeated the same sentence again following me to the closet . i picked my bag and came out. He followed me out speaking "you have not recovered fully"

I began stuffing my bag with the essentials while he followed me continuing his rant "look at yourself, how lean like a stick you have become" he flapped his hand up and down the length of my body to validate his point. Finally my bag was done, i zipped it up. "you are so weak still, i feel like if a storm comes, it will blow you away with it" he said following me, "manik, its Friday today...sirf aaj office jaungi, fir 2 days toh holiday hi hai" i said taking out my phone from the charger and placed it in my jeans pocket. "but.." he started again. I turned to face him.

Before he could realise what i was doing i pushed him and he fell on the bed on his back. I sat on his stomach with my legs on his either side. I loosened the knot of his tie and fiddling with it, i came close to his face "mai dikhau tumhe...mai kitni weak hun??" i spoke seductively and blew air on his face. He clutched my waist "nandini ..." he stated with a lot of difficulty as he was already getting turned on. I didn't move away and traced my finger over his cheek bone to his lips. He closed his eyes to control the wild desires that were building up inside him. I slid my fingers seductively through the length of his throat to the knot of his tie and his grip on my waist tightened. I whispered near his ear "kya tumhe sach me lagta h main weak hu?" he whipered a no' almost as if in a trance, because in his mind he knew that i have recovered fully. I smiled at my achievement and kissed on the mole above his lips "thank you" i said. His one hand moved from my waist to his own mole where i had just kissed. Taking the opportunity, i got off him. He was still reeling in the moment lying on the bed. I smiled. Suddenly he opened his eyes realising that the contact of our bodies was missing. He saw me smiling victoriously and then realised that i had tricked him.
"so abhi tumne bola k i am not weak. So i am going to office . see you in the evening" i said and ran out. I know he must be sitting there shaking his head at my antics.
.....

Same night

It's Friday tonight!! I was so excited. I came out wearing my night dress.

[ignore the heels and accessories]

He was reading some files. I went to the dresser , brushed my hair, applied lotion, killing time so that he could finish his work. But i noticed that he had no intentions of putting down the file. Probably he was trying to escape. So i got up from my place and went on the bed on my knees and pulled the file from his hand. He looked at me startled, but didn't get angry, means reading the file is not important , so i carefully placed the file on the side table while he asked me "nandini, what are you doing, i need to read that file"

"kal padh lena...now, its our time" i said moving close to sit beside him.

He smiled "ok...bolo..."

I looked at him in disbelief "manik tum kya karne ki koshis kar rahe ho?? Its Friday night...OUR NIGHT.." i emphasised on the words so that he could get my point.

Even if he did...he acted innocent " yeah its our night...islye toh maine file rakh diya" he said

"toh ab...?" i tried again, seductively tracing my finger over the helm of his vest on his chest.

"ab...?" he said without making any move to reciprocate my advances.
"ab.." i trailed of while nearing his lips. I cupped his cheek and fused my lips with his. It had been 3 days since we had kissed. He took a moment before kissing me back. But when he did...shedding off his wall of self control, he poured out all his hunger, longing. He bit , sucked and licked my lips. Our tongues fought like enemies trying to conquer the other. His hands were lost in my hair. I reached to pull up his vest but he stopped kissing me and pulled back, and held my hand "nandini we are not doing it" he stated panting. I frowned still breathing hard.

"manik i am fine now" i tried to convince him.

"not yet..so we are not doing it" he stated again looking away. I could see the veins of his forehead popping out which happens only when he is trying very hard to control his emotions.

"matlab main ek baar bimar kya hui...tum puri life mujhe touch ni karoge?" i asked him sadly

"nandini...tum pagal ho...puri life ni.." he said

"matlab tumne kya pandit se muhurt nikalwaya hai?" i asked sarcastically and he started laughing

"nahi baba...bas kuch din.." he said

"theek hai bta do!...kitne din...i will wait.." i replied almost hurt now

"next week" he said

I shifted away from him and slid on the bed to sleep on my side , my back facing him, muttering "main bimar kya hui..yeh toh mere liye hi punishment ho gyi!...bimar hona bhi crime hai.."

"nandini...jaan.." he tried to cajole me and placed his chin on my arm

I jerked away "mat bolo mujhe jaan" i said . He pulled my arm with force to look at him. He cupped my cheek

"tumhe kya lag raha hai...mere liye ye sab karna asan h? Tumse dur rehna mujhe acha lagta hai?? Main ye sab sirf hamare liye kar raha hun...tumhari health se jyada jaruri mere lye kuch v ni h...ek baar tum puri energetic ho jaogi toh it will be more enjoyable...trust me" he said looking into my eyes and i hugged him tight "we have lots and lots of time" he whispered in my ear and rolled on the bed along with me. he rocked me to sleep.
...

Next morning

We were having coffee sitting in our balcony when manik's phone rang.
He took out, it was an alarm . "its mukti's birthday!!" manik said excitedly and i panicked "when ??today??? Oh shit i haven't planned anything...how will all the arrangements be done on so short notice?" i was ranting non stop. Manik shushed me "shhh nandini...birthday is not today...its next Saturday...i have set an alarm for a week ahead to do the planning and preparations" he informed me and i breathed a sigh of relief.

"so what is the plan?" i asked
"don't know you tell me" he asked
"i thought we could have a theme based party" i suggested

"hmmm sounds girlish..." he commented

"btw which theme?" he asked
"fairytale princess" i said

"do you think she will like it?" he asked sceptical as mukti looks like a tomboy

"manik , i have seen pictures of mukti of her teenage days..she used to be very girlish...i guess after the harshad
incidence , she has cocooned herself in this pretended shell of hers...we have to bring her back" i explained
Manik held my palm and kissed my knuckles " you are like a god sent angel for my family." He said
I got up from my chair and sat on his lap and snaked my arms round his neck "angel for your family and devil for you!" i said dramatically widening my eyes and curling my lips. He laughed throwing back his head. Oh how i love this charming smile of his!
"oh i have definitely seen the devil' in bed " he whispered making me blush.

I couldn't speak further and looked down. He held my chin up "i love you" he whispered and i felt shy and hid my face in his chest. He chuckled "you are such a baby" he said while running his hands on my back.

"acha ok let's get back to the planning" i brought him to focus on our plan after a while , catching hold of myself. He nodded.

We discussed over the setting, type of invites, cuisines and other things to do in party. After a while when we were discussing about gifts, manik fell silent as if thinking something.

"manik, kya hua?" i asked him.

"i wanted to say something.." he paused

"so what's the problem? Say it na?" i asked

"you know about mukti's past and i know it has been very bad. It will be difficult for any guy or his family to accept mukti with her past...tum asa mt samajhna ki..kyuki mukti ke liye larka search karne me problem hogi..islye main usey tumhari family ya abhimanyu ke gale bandh dena chahta hu...but its just that ki mujhe lagta hai ki mukti k lye abhimanyu se acha larka koi ni ho sakta...in fact main jab past me dekhta hun...toh i remember situations during our marriage , when we friends were not there for mukti, abhimanyu was always there giving her company, taking care of her. I am sure this is the result of your parent's upbringing. Agar tum itni understanding aur caring ho ...toh abhimanyu toh hoga hi..he is just perfect for mukti.." manik breathed after he finished speaking. "what do you have to say about this? " he asked me expectantly.

I smiled as this was what i had always wanted and he made it so easy.
"but manik...my family is not as rich as yours...mukti ko thore adjustments karne honge...do you think , you can ignore this fact? Will papa ever agree to give his daughter below his status?" i wanted to clear all my doubts.

"nandini, as far as i know, your family is quite well to do...i am sure mukti will have just enough money to fulfil all her wishes...besides she earns too...i mean the music albums we do...the pay is equally divided amongst us..she can handle her expenses more than easily...and keeping these things aside...love and care is more important than money...i have full faith in mukti...she doesn't care for money as much as she craves for love...and about dad...i am sure he shares my opinion on this...for him mukti's happiness is more important" he replied calmly

"hmmm" i replied thoughtfully.

"nandini there is no pressure from my side...i just shared my opinion , if abhimanyu and your family doesn't agree ,it won't be a issue...don't think that since i am your husband , so your family is under any obligation to accept my wish" he said taking my silence in a wrong way..but i let him complete before speaking. It's time to spill the beans!

"manik...don't take me wrong for informing you late that.." i paused

"that.." he urged

"that bhai is already in love with mukti" i said in one breath

"what????" he exclaimed loudly but not in anger.

"yes" i smiled sheepishly

"this is such a good news!!! Tumne mujhe pehle kyu ni btaya??" he questioned me.

"because i was unsure of your reaction" i stated the fact.

He hugged me tight "oh nandini you don't know how happy i am!! Finally i can see some light in mukti's dark life!!" he said and broke the hug suddenly

"wait a second!! Are they already in relationship and i don't know??" he asked baffled

"NO manik...mukti will never do that...hiding things from you...she doesn't even know about bhai's feelings...in fact no one knows...except me" i informed him

"so what is he waiting for???" manik asked

"he is afraid of mukti's reaction...that she will turn him down" i said

"will she??" he asked me

"may be.." i said with a dance of my shoulders

"but why..." he asked

"being a guy , you won't understand a girl's sentiment...so let me handle this..and you relax and focus on the birthday preparations and please don't discuss this with mukti"

"arey but why , you will explain then i will definitely understand girl's psychology" he reasoned

"manik..." i crooned getting up from his lap..."i don't have time to waste in explaining you things!! I got to talk to bhai!! I am so happy!!" i twirled in happiness and then hopped and jumped and entered our room and and picked my phone and dialled bhai's number!

Manik came in shaking his head on my weird dance moves and said that he is going to see maa-papa-mukti. I bobbed my head still grooving on my imaginary music. He came forward , pecked my lips and was out of the room in a jiffy. It took me seconds to realise what happened and when i did, i blushed to no end.

Bhai picked the phone on last ring.

"hello" he croaked

"bhai its 11 in the morning and you are still sleeping!!! Unbelievable!!" i chided him.

"arey uth gya meri maa...bol kya hua? Tu theek hai?" he asked

"main theek hu...par aap itni der tak so rahe the...amma appa kitne bore ho rahe honge" i said sadly

"arey ni...choti.!!..amma ki friend ayi hui hai...holidays start ho gye h na..islye " bhai informed

"oh" i said

"toh bta...kyu call kiya?" he asked

"bhai...i think you should propose mukti on the coming Saturday...its her birthday!!" i said

"what!!!" i know he must have jumped off bed

"haan" i laughed "make her birthday special bhai" i stated which sounded like a plead. My little sis-in-law deserves all the happiness of the world!!
__________________________________
Credits to the writer- Manini Mehra