Title is the song 'Hum marr jayenge' from movie 'Ashiqui 2'

"Sameer, tujhe apni mummy ki Mehsana wali Taiji yaad hain, jab tu London se aaya the toh milne aayi thi?" Vivek asked at the breakfast table.

Sameer thought for a while, "Gaurav bhai ki dadiji?"

"Haan wohi. Pichle hafte Gaurav ke paas shift ho gayi hain. Tujhse aur Rohan se milna chahti hain. Naina Preeti se bhi." Vivek informed.

Sameer nodded, "Fine papa. Unhe kab leke aana hai bata dijiye. Main ya Rohan chale jayenge."

Nanu shook his head, "Nahi beta, ab bhabhiji ki tabiyat aisi nahi hai ki yahan aa sakein. Badi mushkil se Gaurav ke paas aayi hain. Unki kamar mein bohot dard rehta hai. Uthne baithne mein takleef hai. Woh travel nahi kar payengi."

"Oh! Phir kaise karenge?" Rohan asked.

Nanu looked at his grandsons, "Aane wale weekend pe hum log chalenge Gaurav ke yahan. Saturday subah jaake Sunday wapas aa jayenge.

"Uhh mummy, sabka jaana zaruri hai kya?" Sameer looked tentatively at his mother.

"Of course Sameer. Taiji tum dono ke saath tumhari wives se bhi milna chahti hain." Vishakha stressed.

Rohan was excited, "Mazaa ayega mummy. Sabke saath pehli trip."

Vivek looked up curiously, "Tujhe koi kaam hai kya Sameer? Jahan tak mujhe yaad hai yeh poora week relaxed hai, weekend pe jaane mein problem nahi honi chahiye."

Looking at Naina and Preeti, he continued, "Tum dono ka koi program hai?"

Naina shook her head, "Nahi papa. Aur agar kuch hota bhi toh postpone kar dete. Woh milna chahti hain toh hum zarur jayenge."

Preeti affirmed the same.

It was decided that they would all be leaving on Saturday morning, four days later.

Naina was surprised at Sameer's reluctance. Even now, as they drove together to office, he didn't even look at her. It was something unusual.

"Kya baat hai Sameer, tumhe jaane ka mann nahi hai?" She asked in soft voice.

He gave her a quick glance before turning his attention back to the busy road, "Aisa kuch nahi hai. Lekin tum... shayad tumhe achha na lage."

"Kyon? Dadiji mujhe napasand karne wali hain kya?" She chuckled, amused at his reasoning.

Strangely, Sameer neither smiled with her, nor his frown eased. Naina was sure something was bothering him. She decided to bring it up only after they reached office. Presently, heavy traffic of South Delhi needed his complete attention. Her thoughts drifted to the family they were supposed to meet. Gaurav was Sameer's cousin, elder in age by a few years. His wife, Saloni was a soft spoken girl. Both had come for their reception, then Rohan's wedding. Gaurav's father had passed away two years back. His mom appeared to be a gentle natured woman. Naina was unable to find a reason for Sameer's sudden stiffness. He was quite amiable with entire family on both occasions.

Upon reaching office, she walked with him to his room.

"Sameer, tum kis baat se tensed ho? Gaurav bhai aur Saloni bhabhi jab yahan aaye the toh aisa nahi laga tumhe unse koi problem hai." She asked after shutting the door.

Sameer gently held her hand between his palms, looking at her, "Problem bhai bhabhi se nahi hai... jagah se hai, jahan woh rehte hain."

A nervous apprehension made Naina shudder. She knew even before Sameer uttered the name.

"Agra."

She stared at him silently. He didn't speak either, giving her time.

"Tum nahi jaana chahti toh main mummy ko manaa kar dunga." He offered, his eyes searching hers.

"Kya kahoge?" The initial shock wavered slightly.

"Kuch bhi. Mujhpe chod do. Main samjha dunga sabko." He said in a firm voice.

Naina inhaled deeply, straightening up, "Hum chalenge."

His eyes scanned her face for any conflict. He didn't want her to force herself.

"Sure?" He asked after a few minutes.

Her other hand clasped over the back of his palm, a light smile curling her lips, "Tum saath ho toh kahin bhi jaa sakti hun, Sameer."

Had it not been for the smile, that reflected in her eyes too, he would have thought she was doing it only for the family. Lifting their joined hand, he planted a soft kiss on her fingers, "You are very strong."

Ayush was excited to go to Agra. He looked at Naina as the family prepared to leave, "Naina mumma, hum phir se apne wale house mein rahenge?"

She kneeled beside him, cupping his cheek, "Hamara ghar yeh hai Ayush. Ab hum hamesha yahin rahenge... sabke saath."

Nanu glanced at them. Though Naina seemed fine, he was aware that there was a discord with her relatives. Sameer had once mentioned that her reason to come to Delhi was to get away from those selfish, money hungry people who wanted her to send Ayush to an orphanage and herself get married, leaving all property to them. They had no empathy for Naina or Ayush, nor any genuine grief for her parents' tragic death. He just hoped the trip didn't cause her any trouble. Knowing her reluctance to even meet any of her relatives, he had told Gaurav that they were neither interested to visit the markets or go to see Taj Mahal, which was considered a must for every visit to Agra.

The two hours journey wasn't uncomfortable, owing to the smooth Expressway. Since Deepika was with them in same car, Ayush did not complain about the travel. Only when they entered the city, Naina felt a tightening around her heart. These roads were the ones she frequented with her parents. Memories came flooding back.

Ayush peered out of the window, "Hum aa gaye kya?"

He didn't have much recollection of the place, except that they had a house here. Being too small, the town didn't bring any emotional tenderness.

Deepika shifted near him, looking out from the same window, "Hum Agra pohonch gaye. Tujhe pata hai yahan Taj Mahal hai."

Ayush turned to her, "Taj Mahal? Woh kya hai?"

Deepika spread her arms, "Itna bada wala ek white colour ka palace."

"Wahan kaun rehta hai?" Ayush's curiousity was piqued.

Deepika shrugged, "Ab toh koi nahi rehta."

"Oh achha. Woh toh hamara house hai. Big wala, white colour ka. Jahan hum pehle rehte the." Ayush declared intelligently, deducing from her description.

Deepika poked his forehead, "Tera ghar Taj Mahal thodi hai pagal. Woh ek tomb hai."

When Ayush asked what a tomb meant, Deepika explained to him. Something stirred inside Naina.

After their conversation, Ayush folded his knees and raised himself, to see as much of the town as he could, grinning happily.

The house where the three cars halted few minutes later was in other corner of the city. Naina looked around. It was a fairly large, old fashioned house. The open area just inside the metallic gate was cemented, unlike fancy gardens of modern houses. Main door opened and Gaurav's welcoming smile greeted them. He touched the feet of elders, hugged his three cousins and folded hands to wish Naina and Preeti. Bending down, he patted Ayush's cheek, "Hello Ayush. Riddhi aapko yaad kar rahi thi."

Riddhi was his two year old daughter who Ayush had become extremely fond of. Hearing her name, he gloated, "Usse apne bhaiya se milne ka mann ho raha tha na?" Being elder to someone gave him a sense of smug gratification.

The cute, bubbly little girl came running out next moment. Her eyes lit up on seeing Ayush. Without paying any heed to her father's instructions to greet elders, she hugged Ayush, "Ashu bhaiya."

Ayush grinned at others, explaining on her behalf, "Abhi bohot small hai na, Ayush bolna nahi aata."

Nanu laughed aloud, "Bohot choti hai. Tu sikha dena. Aakhir bada bhai hai."

Before entering the main hall, Naina clutched Sameer's arm. He gave her a concerned look. Touching her neck to make sure that she had her mangalsutra in place, she adjusted her dupatta, "Main theek lag rahi hun na?"

Sameer had been mesmerised by her traditional look when she had dressed up in the morning. But he stopped himself from telling her in his way. He wasn't sure how she was feeling, going back to the same city which she left far behind. She was a little quiet, but didn't look tensed. When she had clasped his hand as they left their room, he pressed it gently, to assure her.

Vishakha had told both girls that since the old lady gave lot of importance to symbols of marriage, they needed to dress up for the part.

A flowing suit in yellow, with dark pink dupatta was enough to set Sameer's pulse racing. On top of that, she had slipped on some bangles. At every small movement she made, his eyes darted to her, at their tinkling sound. A small bindi, touch of sindoor, black and gold mangalsutra with a pendant of their initials... her extreme married look made him long to take her in his arms and admire each of these in his own way. The dangling earrings seemed luckier than him, kissing her cheeks at every jerk of her head. He was fascinated, yet jealous of them.

"Bolo na Sameer. Kahan kho gaye?" She shook him slightly.

"Tum mein." He whispered, his riveting eyes roving over her.

A blushing smile curved her lips, "Achha yeh batao sab sahi hai na. Kuch kami toh nahi hai."

"Perfect. Ekdum perfect ho tum... like always." He joined his index finger with his thumb.

"Pakka na?" She smoothed her hair, which she had left open.

He leaned slightly, lowering his voice, "Room mein chalo, phir batata hun kitni perfect lag rahi ho."

"Dhatt." She stalled him with a hand on his chest and quickly entered the large room.

Sameer let out a swoosh of air, threading his fingers through his hair before following her.

The house was set up with grand but cosy furniture. It's opulence could be seen in high ceiling, ornate chandelier, metal work on heavy wooden doors, patterned marble flooring... but it looked warm and lively.

"Aao Naina, kahan ruk gayi thi? Saaman ke liye maine Hari ko bol diya hai." Saloni held her hand, leading her to the center of the room.

Gaurav's mother was an affectionate woman, who engulfed Naina in her arms, exuding motherly warmth, "Maa se milne ke bahane hi sahi tum log aaye toh. Sabko dekh ke dil khush ho gaya."

The older lady was helped out after they finished with tea and snacks. She blessed each one of them.

Nanu sat in front of her, "Kya baat hai bhabhiji, aap toh ab bhi waisi hi dikhti hain jaisi meri shaadi mein thi. Aisa kya khaati hain? Humein bhi bataiye."

The old lady was no less. She smiled at nanu, "Devarji, agar slip disc ki wajah se kamar saath nahi chodti toh main apni inn saari bahuon se aage rehti. Kam mat samajhna."

Naina and Preeti, who were expecting some old, preaching type of person, were taken aback. Others laughed at what they were used to.

She then looked at the two newest daughter in laws, "Beta, idhar aao dono. Mere paas baitho."

Making them sit in front of her, she took out two pouches and handed to them, "Yeh ginni hai, mera ashirwaad. Waise toh zevar dete hain, lekin mujhe pata hai aajkal zevar pehenne ka chalan nahi raha."

She eyed them from top to bottom, then gave a wide smile to Vishakha, "Lekin tune apna kaam poori tarah kiya hai Vishakha. Dono ko bahu banakar hi laayi hai."

Vishakha was a little surprised as dadiji always insisted on dressing up properly. Before she could say anything the old lady remarked, "Ab aise mat dekh jaise mere seeng nikal aaye hain. Bhai samay ke saath badalna achha rehta hai. Kyon devarji."

Nanu was impressed, "Waah waah bhabhiji. Aapne toh sau take ki baat kahi. Jo samay ke saath aage nahi badhta woh thehre hue paani jaisa ho jaata hai. Aur bhai, waqt sirf umar ko badhane ke liye thodi hai, samajhdaari ke safed baal bhi toh deta hai."

Dadiji smiled warmly, "Aapki aisi baaton ki wajah se hi aapke bhaiya bade hone ke bawjood aapse salah lete the. Unhone mujhse kaha tha ki jeevan mein kabhi koi kaam karne se dil dare toh Jai Prakash ko yaad kar lena. Aapki himmat aur samajhdaari toh poore gaon mein misaal hai."

Nanu looked at Gaurav's mom, "Asha beta, iss tareef ko hazam karne ke liye aaj tumhare haath ka jaljeera pina padega."

"Jee bilkul. Maine bana ke rakha hai aapke liye." Asha immediately gestured at the girl who had been helping her in the kitchen.

Taking a sip, nanu swayed his head in relish, "Har jagah ka jaljeera piya lekin jo baat tumhare haath mein hai woh kahin nahi."

While others got busy in their own talks, dadiji fondly looked at Naina and Preeti, "Maine jo kaha woh jhoot nahi hai. Main bhi ab apni bahuon ke rehen sehen mein zabardasti apni pasand nahi thopti lekin sach toh yehi hai ki inn sab shringar ke saath roop nikhar jaata hai."

Preeti hunched her shoulders, "Hum bhi sach batayein dadiji, toh achha lagta hai aise ready hona, lekin kabhi kabhi. Roz office ke liye itna sab karne lage toh time se pohonch hi nahi payenge."

Dadiji looked at them in wonder, "Tum dono office jaati ho? Naukri karti ho?"

Preeti gave a fearful look to Naina, unsure whether she had said something which wasn't supposed to be mentioned.

Naina smiled pleasantly, "Jee dadiji. Hum dono naukri karte hain."

"Achha? Kaisa lagta hai office mein? Saare aadmiyon ke beech... ajeeb nahi mehsoos hota?" She asked in a low voice.

Emboldened, Preeti replied, "Office mein hamare jaisi bohot si ladkiyaan hain. Sab ek saath kaam karte hain. Kuch ajeeb nahi lagta. Kyonki wahan aadmi ho ya aurat, sab ek jaise hain... koi farq nahi."

Dadiji let out an exhale, "Dekho zara. Zamana kitna badal gaya. Jab meri shaadi hui thi toh bahar toh chodo, baithak mein bhi nahi gayi thi shuru ke kuch saal, kyonki wahan sasurji hote the."

Asha, who heard her last remark, replied, "Kyonki maa aap gaon mein thi. Shehron mein tab bhi itni bandish nahi thi."

Dadiji sighed, "Haan shayad." Her smile was back as she turned her eyes to new brides, "Agar mera beta yahan sheher mein aake apna kaam shuru nahi karta toh main aaj bhi wohi pehle wali dadi rehti. Mahaul ke badlaav se insaan ke andar khud hi badlaav aa jaata hai."

After a hearty lunch, everyone was shown their rooms where they went to rest for sometime. Naina had to forcefully put Ayush to sleep so that Saloni could take Riddhi for her siesta. Both kids were inseparable since they met.

"So gaya Ayush?" Sameer asked when Naina entered the room.

"Bohot mushkil se sulaya hai." She shut the door, and peeled off the dupatta from her shoulder, carelessly dumping it on nearby chair.

Sameer noticed how some hair strands escaped her grip when she tied them in a messy bun. Getting up from the easy chair, he walked to her with soft steps, and took her in a hug from behind.

She arched her head to look at him, smiling.

"Tum theek ho na?" He asked.

She tugged at his arms, making him loosen them, and turned around. Giving him a squeezing hug, she answered, "Ab theek hun."

He placed a kiss on top of her head. They stayed like that for a while, till she moved back.

"Bohot garmi hai. I need a shower." She said.

"Haan chalo." Holding her hand, he started towards the washroom.

She swatted his arm, "Chup karke yahan baitho."

He pouted, "Paani waste nahi hoga na."

"Shut up." She turned to the suitcase to take out her clothes.

When she reached the door of washroom, he called out, "Naina."

"Hmm." She turned.

"I love you. Shower mein nahi aane diya phir bhi." He grinned.

She shut the door, chuckling softly.

Evening was spent in fondly remembering the times when all cousins would get together. Whether they were in any city or the house in village, it did not deter their spirit of having fun. Though Gaurav was the eldest, it was Sameer who kept their recklessness in check, most notorious being Deepika.

Rohan playfully pulled her pony, "Yaad hai Deepu jab tu bade wale ped pe chadh gayi thi aur phir utarte time darr gayi."

Deepika frowned, "Aur aapne mujhe aur dara diya, kehke ki andhera hone ke baad yahan chudail aa jaati hai."

Gaurav laughed, "Baad mein dadiji se kitni daant padi thi humein."

Dadiji looked at the bunch of them, "Tum sab aate the toh raunak rehti thi. Ab toh gaon mein dil hi nahi lagta."

Sonali sat with her, "Isiliye hum kehte the aap hamare saath aake rahiye. Uss ghar ka moh chod dijiye. Kitna achha lag raha hai aapke aane se."

Dadiji patted her head, "Ghar toh eent pathar ka hota hai beta. Uska kya moh karna. Yaadein ghar mein rehne walon se banti hain. Ghar ke har kone ko dekh ke aap uska saamaan nahi yaad karte, yeh yaad karte ho ki uss kone mein rakhi kursi se aapka pota kaise khush hoke koodta tha, aangan ke ped yaad dilate hain ki bachhe kaise unpe jhoole daalte the, rasoi ke bartan ab bhi uss khaane ki khushbu se mehekte hain jo sabki pasand se banta tha. Agar wohi apnapan, wohi ghar wale kahin aur saath rehte hain toh wahan yaadein ban jaati hain. Main pehle isliye manaa nahi karti thi ki mujhe ghar chodna se aitraaz tha. Beta, paida hui tabse gaon mein rahi hun, toh sheher ki hawa mein thodi ghabrahat hoti hai isliye socha jab tak sehat saath deti hai yahin reh lun. Lekin ab yeh dard badh gaya toh chali aayi tum sabke paas."

Nanu agreed with her, "Sahi kaha aapne bhabhiji. Pyar, rishta aur yaadein insaan se hoti hain, parivar se hoti hain jagah se nahi. Hum kisi ko dekh ke yeh nahi sochte ki iske saath falaan jagah gaye the. Lekin haan, jagah ko dekh ke sochte hain ki yahan toh hum kisi apne ke saath aaye the."

Asha gave a relieved look to her mother in law, "Jaise hum gaon ke baare mein sochte hi maa ki chinta karne lagte the. Ab saath rahengi toh humein bhi tension nahi rahegi."

Vishakha pressed taiji's hand, "Aur mujhe bhi jab baalon mein tel lagwana hoga aapke paas aa jaungi."

Dadiji let out a sigh, "Tere baalon mein hi tel daalti thi, baaki koi nahi lagwata tha. Aur yeh tumhare bachhe, yeh toh tel se aise door bhaagte the jaise main inki maalish nahi kar rahi inhe tel mein talne wali hun."

All had a hearty laugh.

Dinner was as homely as everything in the house. Though they had cooks and helpers, Saloni and Asha constantly kept checking in the kitchen to ensure that food was to the liking of dadiji and nanu, besides others. Saloni was thankful that Riddhi ate her meals properly, in Ayush's company.

Ayush pestered her to finish her daal when she made a face, "Agar tum saara finish karogi toh jaldi se mere jitni badi ho jaogi. Phir school bhi jaa sakti ho. Ma'm tumko bhi good boy bolengi."

Deepika chuckled, "Woh girl hai buddhu. Usse good girl bolengi."

"Oh sorry." Ayush slapped his forehead, grinning sheepishly.

Dadiji laughed at his antics, "Bachhon se ghar kaise bhara bhara lagta hai. Warna sannata hi rehta hai."

Naina didn't know what Sameer had told her about Ayush, but she was thankful that inspite of being from the village, dadiji didn't raise any questions about his adoption... or its reason.

When Naina stood in the balcony of their room at night, looking down at the street, nostalgia seeped into her. She was in the city where she was born, she had grown up. The warmth of people in this house reminded her of her mother's affection. As a child, her mother always insisted to put oil in her hair. Weekly massages were routine. So was taking part in kitchen work. On weekends, her mom made her watch how she prepared for the dishes, then cooked. After Naina was big enough to handle the knife and hot vessels, she had started trying dishes herself. Everything was fun... till life hit them with such a blow that every routine, every notion of happiness was snatched away.

Had it not been for Ayush, she wondered if she would have survived.

Her thoughts shifted when a pair of arms wrapped around her.

"Kya soch rahi ho?" Sameer had been with Gaurav and Rohan on the terrace, till he excused himself and came down.

She shook her head. Sameer leaned to press his cheek on hers when the dampness made him straighten.

He held her by shoulders and turned her, "Naina, kya hua? Tum ro kyon rahi ho?'

It was then that she realised she was silently crying. Rubbing her cheeks with the back of her hand, she smiled quickly, "Nahi ro nahi rahi. Shayad der tak ek jagah dekhne se ho gaya."

He cupped her face, speaking gently, "Agar tum chaho toh ro sakti ho. Itna control zaruri nahi hai."

She gulped, and plastered herself to his chest, her arms around him. A wave of emotions smothered her. The tears rolled down her face, forming a wet patch on his tshirt.

"Naina, mujhe pata hai yahan aana tumhare liye aasan nahi hai. Yeh jagah tumhe woh sab yaad dila rahi hai jise tum bhulna chahti ho, jisse door hone ke liye tumne yeh sheher, apna ghar choda. Isliye main aana nahi chahta tha. Tumhe iss tarah dard mein dekhna mere liye bohot painful hai." He stroked her back, keeping her in his arms.

After a while, she looked up, smiling through damp eyes, "Yeh dard jagah ka nahi hai. Jaisa nanu aur dadiji ne kaha, yaadein logon se judi hoti hain. Aaj Asha aunty ko dekh ke mujhe apni mummy ki yaad aa gayi. Shayad isliye dil bhar aaya."

Sameer pursed his lips, gathering strength to ask his next question.

"Naina." He said in a wavering voice, "Kya tum... ghar jaana chaogi?"

She stood still, staring at him. It was the same question that was gnawing at the back of her head ever since she came to know of this program. She was pushing it away repeatedly... but now it was right in her face... waiting for an answer.

After what seemed an eternity, the dispute in her eyes settled, and she looked up at him, "Kya hum kal subah thodi der ke liye wahan jaa sakte hain?"

He nodded, pulling her again in his arms.

Next update on French Fries Day 😂