ARJUN'S POV

"You look different today" Daadi said as she came to her chair on dining table.

"Different?" I asked

"I came back yesterday night so I didn't see you. But today when I'm seeing you, you look lot different as I saw you last time" She said

"It's nothing like that daadi" I told

"It is Duggu. You look, relaxed. Like a breath of fresh air" She said and a face came in front of me.

"Fresh air Bhaiya" Ruhaan teased and I smacked his head.

"Oww! Badi maa look at him" He whined to mom where as she narrowed her eyes.

"I too have chachi if you're playing this card" I warned Ruhaan when all the women chuckled as we had our breakfast.

"But, this is true Arjun. You look as if someone just put away burden from your shoulders" Nishant said

These both won't leave until they get to know what has happened.

"It's Sunday. How about we all go anywhere" It was Nishi of course who spoke.

"Yes! Let's go on family outing" Chachi exclaimed

"I'm out" I said to receive a smack from mom.

"You're in." She deadpanned

"But mom, I've works" I said

"Come on chachu. It's Sunday. No one works on Sunday" Nishi whined and I sighed

"I won't go to any adventure park" I stated

"So how about Water park" Ruhaan exclaimed

"In last November ? " I snapped

"Oops. Right. Little Arjun bhaiya will catch cold " He giggled

"Lame" I stated

"It's not lame but joke's on you" Nishant smirked and I know these were exact words of Naina that's why he's saying it.

"Let's do something at home. Let's play something. We'll together make something. Let's just do things which we used to do in childhood" Daadi suggested and everyone looked at her.

"Perfect Maa" Dad exclaimed

"Yes! And let me give a call to my favorite girl" Aashi said and looked at me while I looked everywhere but at her.

"Naina." Mom grinned

Naina, everyone's favorite. Bringing smiles to each face unknowingly.

"Till you all do this work, Let me just have a quick meeting for my small venture" I told and stood up after breakfast and gestured Ruhaan and Nishant.

As I went to my room, I saw both of them following me.

"Okay, what I'm telling you both right now. You aren't supposed to tell anyone" I warned

"As if we've told anyone before" Nishant mocked

"Okay, so the thing is....I.. I mean she... No I mean we.. " I tried to say but didn't know what to even say.

"Okay she means Naina di" Ruhaan said and I glared him.

"Arjun, what's it. You've never stammered in your life" Nishant asked chuckling.

"No. I'm not stammering. I don't know what to speak. Okay, let me just tell my version I guess. I love her" I said and they both looked at me.

Not shocked, but with a bored look.

"Okay this look wasn't expected" I added

"We knew you love her. Since start
It's you who didn't know. What's new in it" Nishant asked

"Fucking great. Okay, reframing it. We love each other" I said and they both again gave the same look which spoke we know it. What's new!

"What the fuck guys" I snapped and Ruhaan chuckled

"We know that too. You both love each other since a long. It's obvious to us who knew that you both have a thing " Ruhaan said

"Great. Okay. Then you must know this too that We both are going to get married" I spoke in a go and this time they both looked at me... Shocked.

"What? " Nishant asked

"Surprised? " I asked

"Say that again" Ruhaan asked

"Naina & I, we are ready for marriage. I mean, I'm ready for getting married" I said and the next instant they both screamed and hugged me.

"Oh my God. This is the news. Damn, how this happened. What happened. And man, you really want to get married" Nishant asked and I nodded.

"We just, well as I said, we both realised we love each other and I'm sure of it. Sure of her. I want to get married to her." I said and Ruhaan hugged me tightly.

"Please get married soon. I wanna call her bhabhi (sister in law) will all the rights" He chirped and I chuckled

"Let this one deal with Marrians get past. After that we'll tell families. But before that, mouth zipped. And Nishant, you can tell that to Aashi but make sure, she doesn't get over excited and blurts out things" I said and he nodded

"And Naina's coming" Nishant smirked

"Okay guys. No teasing her" I warned when they both looked at each other and smirked.

"Let's go" Ruhaan grinned and pulling me with them, we all came downstairs.

"Okay. So guys. It's 11 am. And we've 11 pm. That means twelve hours. So, what do you think we should do" Aashi asked

"Aashi bhabhi, when's Naina di coming" Ruhaan asked

"She was denying at first but then I had to hand over the phone to daadi. And she couldn't deny" Aashi grinned and everyone chuckled

"She'll be here in half an hour" Daadi told

"Okay okay. So let's decide on games and menu for lunch and dinner" Mom said

"We'll order from hotel." I suggested

"Actually, let's do one thing. We'll order dinner but we'll make lunch. How about it" Chachu suggested and we all nodded

"Great. Each one of  us will suggest one game starting from you daadi. And mind us Arjun, no tennis" Dad stated

"What. No ways. Tennis is must" I said

"No it isn't. Other then you, Nishant and Ruh, no one knows T of Tennis" Chachi said

"Fine." I huffed

"Okay badi daadi. You start" Nishi exclaimed

"Hide and seek" Daadi told

"Good one maa" Mom grinned and I chuckled as I was seeing the inner child of everyone coming out already.

"Badi daadi no 2 " Nishi said and we all chuckled

Well yeah! Nishi calls mom this.

"Sitolia (seven stones) " Mom told

"Bade dada" Nishi asked next

"Aankh micholi (blind man's buff) " Dad told

"Daadi" Nishi asked chachi

"I don't have anything in mind.. Ask daadu" She said and Nishi looked at chachu.

"Honestly I too don't have. Aashi? " Chachu asked

"Dog and bone? " Aashi said and everyone looked at her.

"What's that?" Daadi asked

"Daadi, that game where two teams are there and one hanky is there. From each team a member comes and one who steals the hanky wins point" I told

"Ohh! Rumaal jhapatta" Daadi said

"Exactly" I replied and she nodded

"Arjun chachu? " Nishi asked me

"Cricket" I told

"I knew he'll say this only" Nishant chuckled

"Okay dad. You tell? " Nishi asked

"How about Dumb Charades in night" Nishant asked

"Great! " A voice exclaimed and we all turned to look at the intruder.

My sweetest intruder.

Control your fucking smile Arjun!

"Naina" Daadi smiled and she came touching her feet and wished her.

"How are you" Daadi asked

"All good. How you've been. How's health" She asked back

"All good. Look at me. In this saree and sport shoes" Daadi said and she giggled.

She wished everyone and I was waiting impatiently for her to take my name.

Wow! I was behaving like a love sick puppy!

"Hey" She mumbled looking at me

"Hi" I replied and another instant she looked away talking to everyone except me and her small smile and little blush didn't go unnoticed by me.

"Okay. So I guess, we must first cook half the lunch so that we won't get tired while cooking other half." Mom said

"Yes. And oh we can do one thing. You make lunch, we men will see dinner" Chachu suggested

"No no. Rather do one thing. We'll make, you serve and then vice versa" Chachi told and everyone agreed at this.

So as decided all the women went to kitchen while we men gathered things needed for the day.

I too went to my old room and picked out the cricket kit which I used as a kid.

As I came with them, I saw Nishant coming with seven marbles for seven stone game and Ruh had a blindfold and hanky in his hand of course with their cricket kits.

"Look at us. Playing cricket with tennis balls again" Ruh said and I chuckled nodding

As we took the things downstairs, I saw Naina coming out from kitchen and her eyes met mine.

For a second she looked at me and then hid her smile turning away and went to daadi.

And then she went back to kitchen when I heard her.

"I don't know how to make perfect roti (chappati) " She told mom

"Why? " Mom asked

"I mean, I tried sometimes and it's even round, but it's uneven thickness ruins it" She frowned and I chuckled at it.

"No problem. Once you get married, tell your mother in law that I don't know how to make chappati. I'll make other things and your son will make chappati" Mom said and she looked at mom and giggled.

"I'm for sure saying this" She said and gave me a small look of smirk and I went to daadi while smiling at her idiotic reply.

After an hour, everyone was out in garden area where we started playing Dog & bone first.

We made two teams in total.

In one team it was Mom, Aashi, chachu, Naina and Ruhaan where as in another it was dad, chachi, Nishant, me and Nishi.

Daadi told she'll be umpire in every game.

The game started with Ruhaan and Nishi and well ended up with Nishant and Naina in which Nishant won.

"Okay so the score is Team Ruhaan 0 and Team Nishi  1" Daadi announced and we all cheered

"It's okay guys. We'll win the next one" Ruhaan said

"Keep imagining" I smirked

"Oh we will mister" Naina snapped and I smirked more.

"Okay okay. Before these two fight we'll go to the next game. It's seven stones" Daadi announced and we all hooted.

The game was going on equally and Naina hit the stones. As she ran there for stacking them, I had ball in my hands.

"Hit Arjun. Throw it" Dad exclaimed and I looked at Naina who looked at me and then hurriedly at the stones.

I really wanted to throw the ball to hit her but I don't know why I just couldn't.

"What are you thinking Arjun. Just throw it" Nishant groaned but I couldn't.

And there she.. Won .

"Whoo hoo! We did it" She screamed and hugged her team mates while I threw the ball turning when I saw my team mates.

"What were you even thinking" Nishi asked

"Well, I... Yes. I was making game fair. Score equal" I lied when Nishant glared me.

And I just remembered the Vivah movie seen.

Exactly same! Ugh! My team just lost!

"So someone was saying something before" Naina smirked and Ruhaan giggled

"Many games are left" I stated when their team laughed

"Okay okay. Now let's play cricket" Daadi announced and I smirked.

"Now let's see who wins" I smirked

"Okay game will be of 5 overs. No fast bowling okay" Daadi warned before hand and everyone nodded.

"Let's do the toss" Ruhaan said and tossed the coin as Naina picked Tails.

And well, it came tails.

"Whoo ho. Won the toss, will win the match" She boasted

"Okay. Captain Naina. What do you choose? " Daadi asked

"Bowling" She replied and her team was set on ground.

And the match begun.

Honestly, Nishant and chachi really played amazing.

And well our team scored 102 runs.

"Not ba Eh. You now need 103" Nishant smirked

"We will" Aashi stated and their team came to bat.

And won't lie, the team played real well but was all out on score of 96.

"Well played champs. " Dad said and Naina looked sad.

"It's okay. It was a game" I told

"But I wanted team to atleast hit century" She said

"You played well short cake" I said and she looked at me and then smiled.

"Okay. Everyone. Lunch now." Mom told and we all followed because honestly everyone was hungry like hell.

"You women now sit. We'll take it from here" Dad said mom and she smiled nodding.

All the women sat on the dining area where as, we men re heated the food and taking it all, we went to dining area.

We all served everyone as well as our plates and took our places.

I looked at Naina, who was sitting right beside me again and a small smile came on my lips.

Everyone was talking and discussing about the played games or games to be played when I filled Naina's plate with one more chappati and vegetable.

"I'm full" She whispered

"Sush. Eat one more. It won't come out" I replied and she sighed

"What happened Naina" Chachi asked

"Um, nothing." She replied and had that one more chappati.

After lunch, we all rested for a bit while chatting and then started with next game which was, Blind man's buff.

Now again there were teams, the rule was made that if the same team memeber is caught then the point will be -2 and if memeber of another team caught point will be +1.

And well... In this game opposite team won !!

"Aren't we settling down on a equal scores. Two by two " Ruhaan said

"Yes. And now will be the amazing thing. One who wins this one will lead and then last game will decide winner" Nishant added

"Hey but tell me one thing daadi. What will be the team which loose will do" Naina asked

"Yes good point Naina didi. " Nishi spoke

"Okay. The one team which loose will have to feed everyone on winning team with their favorite thing for whole week without even denying" Daadi suggested

"That's amazingg" Naina grinned looking at me

If she wins, she's going to everyday eat Tandoori cheese momos and mud pie.

"Okay! So it's... Hide and seek now" Chachu exclaimed

"Is there any place which can't be used for hiding? " Naina asked

"The whole mansion is ours" Mom grinned and everyone laughed.

"Hey but wait, how can we play it in group" I asked

"One person at time from seeker team. And the players of seeker team will be in garden area. At the end the team which will have more score wins" Nishant suggested

"Great. So who will go from our team for seek" I asked

"You of course" Nishi smirked

"Okay okay. And from yours? " I asked the another team

"Vrinda aunty" Naina replied and we nodded.

The first one for seek was Mom and as she counted till 100 we all hid ourselves.

Truth to be told, Naina was real clever in choosing mom because She knew each and every nook & corner of mansion and she found us all easily.

She even knew that I'll choose office room for hiding.

So she caught me too. In fact I was the one to be caught first.

"So, Vrinda scores full. And now if Nishi's team want to win they've to tie the match atleast" Daadi announced and the opposite team hooted.

"Arjun. Come on. We need to win this" Chachi encouraged and I nodded.

I went to garden side and counted till hundred.

"I'm coming" I announced and went inside.

I knew where Mom would be hiding hence I went to temple area.

"Mom, Busted" I smirked as I saw her toes.

"How" She whined and I chuckled

"Next time don't show toes" I smirked and she chuckled nodding.

Chachu was in kitchen and I found him in washing area behind door.

Ruhaan was in gym as expected behind the shower and Aashi well...

Aashi was exposed because Ahaan woke up from sleep second time and was crying and she had to go to him.

Ahaan was already in my team!

"We've just one hope now" Mom said and I smirked

"I very well know where she might be" I said and went to library.

But to my surprise she wasn't there.

As I was going downstairs I saw the door of my room slightly ajar.

No. She won't be here!

But what if she's!

Thinking this, I was about to go into my room when the lights went off & I heard a small scream.

"Naina" I mumbled worriedly and ran inside room.

Since it was already half past six there was dark.

"Mom, invertor" I asked yelling from upstairs.

"It's in service" Mom told and I sighed

"Okay Naina. Games aside. We don't wa.. " I was saying before which the walk in opened and she ran hugging me tightly.

"Shit. I thought, I'm alone" She whispered as her heart beat was fast.

"I'm here. Calm down. " I mumbled kissing her forehead.

"I lost the game that means" She frowned and I glared her when she frowned more but shut her mouth.

Afraid like hell, yet thinking of game! Idiot!

"Where ever we're. We'll stay in positions. As the light comes back, we'll start game from there" I announced going out side from room towards the railing and then came back to the room.

"Wh.. Why didn't you tell them that you found me" She asked when I smiled and pulled her hand such that she came on my lap.

"You wanted to win right" I asked

"Yes but that'll be unfair" She replied when I didn't say anything and just pulled her into a kiss.

From the moment , she entered mansion, I just wanted to kiss her so badly and hold her in my arms.

"Ar.. Arjun" She moaned my name

"Don't turn me on right now" I whispered

"The door is open" She mumbled breaking the kiss and I looked at her and then at the door.

Kissing her lips again, I kissed her forehead.

"Now tell me. Why you're being unfair for me" She asked

"If it makes you happy, I'm ready to be unfair to whole world" I whispered

"You didn't mean that. You can't support me someday if I'm wrong" She said

"I won't. But I know, there won't be a situation where you'll be wrong in such a way that I've to leave your side." I told and she smiled kissing my cheek.

"You didn't throw ball on me in seven stones too" She pouted

"That honestly I couldn't. I mean, I tried to hit you with that ball, but I just couldn't" I sighed and she giggled

"You know you made me remember the scene from Vivah movie" She said

"Hey. Same! I too remembered the same" I told and she grinned

"Today was amazing. Your family is amazing. And you're just the Best" She Said and I hugged her.

"You make me the best" I replied

"That was real cheesy" She said

"You like cheesy sentences" I stated making face

"Okay I like them but you don't need to react that way" She whined and I chuckled

"I love you" I mumbled and found her smiling

"That's also cheesy" I mocked just to get a punch from her when I chuckled again.

And at the same time, the lights came.

"Win it. The last game has to be fair! Okay" I said and she as usual clicked out her tongue and gestured door.

"Such an... Ungrateful bitch" I muttered

"Get lost" She said and I sighed going out.

"Okay, where ever you're Naina, come out. I couldn't find you" I announced

"What! No Arjun! We'll loose" Dad said from downstairs

"But I've searched everywhere before lights went off" I replied going downstairs towards them when I looked at Nishant glaring me.

"Bastard" He cursed and I hit my elbow on him.

"And here I'm" Came Naina's voice in all glory and she walked towards her team as they cheered.

She looked at me for a second and then smiled at them.

"You did that again. Why! " Nishant pointed out

"Look at her Nishant. That grin on her face. That glow when she knows, she has made others happy " I pointed out at the point which I like the most about her.

"I can do anything in this world to let that curve be permanent on her face" I added

"Whipped man. Totally whipped" Nishant chuckled and I smiled.

"Okay. So now the score is equal. Team Ruhaan 3 and Team Nishi 3. Now one last game will be deal breaker!! " Daadi announced and everyone hooted

We all gathered into living room and started playing dumb charades .

And it was really fun until , Ruhaan's team won.

And they danced like mads.

"We wonnnn! " Naina grinned hugging each member of her team.

"And now Tandoori cheese momos and chocolate mud pie everyday." She grinned especially looking at me and I sighed blinking my eyes.

"God. This day was amazing. I loved it" Aashi spoke as finally they all sat down.

"We had a small kid in our team, who didn't know movies, that's why we lost. We were in actual just four" I defended

"Oh hello. Excuse me. When it was about other games, she was player and now you're saying this. How mean. See Nishi, your chachu is how mean" Naina mocked

"He is. I was the best player of the team. We lost two games because of you chachu. You couldn't hit Naina di with a sponge ball. Ugh! Shame on you. And you couldn't find her in your own house. Shame on you again " Nishi said and I looked at her shocked.

Wasn't she in my team! Since ever!

"Dinner. Men, in kitchen. Dinner" I stated standing up when everyone laughed which I ignored and went inside.

"Aru, just cook something light. You all  are also tired. And the lunch was heavy" Mom told before I left and I nodded.

"So, what's cooking " Dad asked

"You and chachu too go and have rest. We three will manage" I said

"We can help if you want" Chachu told

"Okay then cut onions dad" Ruhaan smirked and chachu glared him while I chuckled denying.

"We'll manage" I assured and they both nodded heading out.

"So, what you cooking today, because we both know, whatever it is, it'll be Naina's favorite" Nishant smirked

"Daal rice and Hot cocoa souffle " I said and Ruhaan looked at me.

"What! Daal rice. I know badi maa told us to make light, but this" He asked

"It's her comfort food" I said and Nishant smiled

"Daal rice it is" He told and Ruh nodded taking out the jars.

Soon the dinner was made.

"I smell chocolate already" A voice came and I looked at the intruder.

"And I smelt tadka too " She said when I smiled and handed her the casserole of rice.

"On the dining table" I told and she nodded.

We took the other edibles and the ladies served the dinner.

And as I looked at Naina, she smiled seeing her plate.

She then looked at me and mumbled a thank you while I blinked my eyes.

Naina doesn't shy away to get into her comfort zone and then eat.

Another thing I just love about her.

Crossing her legs on the chair and eating dal rice with hands.

At the end when I served the dessert to everyone she grinned.

"Naina di grins like a kid" Nishi said and everyone chuckled

"She's a kid" I mocked

"You better watch your back. Kids can kick anyone, anytime" She replied

"Those are notorious kids who doesn't listen to elders" I stated

"Get lost Bufo" She huffed but then moaned at the taste.

"This souffle is ridiculously amazing" She said

"Ridiculously? " Nishant asked

"Oh because this ridiculous person made it" She mocked again and everyone laughed

"See! The habits of kids doesn't go away" I pointed out.

"But today, not only her. We all were kids. Actually thankyou Maa. You made us all remember our childhood" Chachi thanked

"Yes Daadi. You know, I remember that we used to play these games till we were what somewhat 15-16 years. Then the schools, coaching , competitive exams, colleges, work etc etc, they just made us so busy that we forgot how it's like to breath in open air. Today we reminisced our childhood memories. Thankyou so much daadi. And thankyou to each one of you. You've all always made me feel like I'm just your part. It feels like my second home. Thankyou" Naina whispered as a small tear left her eye and I was just about to walk towards her but Nishant stopped me denying.

And I sighed. Can't go and hug her right now because me hugging is so unnatural that... It'll create havoc right now.

"You're our part. And stop being senty." Aashi said hugging her.

"I literally love you all so much!" She mumbled and looked at me and a small smile came on my lips.

"Okay I'll leave now. Again, thankyou everyone for such an amazing day. This will be always , always the best memory" She thanked again and mom smiled at her.

"How did you come" Mom asked

"My car aunty." She replied

"Okay. Drive safe. It's night. Or else I'll send Ruh with you. Driver will drop your car tomorrow morning" Mom told

"No no aunty. It's completely alright. It's just 9:30 pm. I'll manage" She said and bid everyone bye and left.

I looked at her disappearing figure and this urge to run to her and hold her to me increased more but I knew, it had a little time.

"She's such a sweetheart" Chachi told

"Honestly. She Lights up the whole home" Dad agreed

"Yes. Just like Nishi. I mean, she doesn't ever feel like our friend's daughter. She feels more like ours. As if has a connection with us" Mom too said

"Vrinda. People doesn't come close by blood. They come close by heart. Or jo rishte dil se dil tak jude hote hai na, unhe duniya ki koi taakat nahi tod sakti (the relations which are connected heart to heart can't be broken by any power in this world) " Daadi spoke and I looked at her.

She's always, always so true!

"I love daadi's one liners. They're classic. Daadi, if I've a girlfriend in future, tell me some good one liners to impress her okay" Ruhaan goofed when chachu smacked his head.

"Girl friend huh" Chachu said

"Arey! No I mean.. " He chuckled where as we all shared a giggle.

After some minutes we all left for our rooms tired but happy.

I saw her message of good night and texting her back, I smiled and slept.

Daadi's words rang in my ears once again!

And I smiled thinking, the older people in our home really have seen a life more then anyone of us has lived!

_____________________________________

Hey guys. Hope you all are doing amazing!

So, how was the chapter!

Honestly, I got back to the days where all the kids of our colony used to gather at night after dinner and we used to play!

Those were the best time of life ❤

And I really tired to put them in this chapter, of course with the small moments of our sweethearts💗

I hope I was able to take you all back in the same childhood!

Do vote, like, share and reviews are always welcomed.

Update soon.

Till then...

Big Hugs ❤