The first day into my marriage and I was literally finding it difficult to breathe around him.
Randheer was leaving no opportunity to hang around me but what do I do expect fluster and falter after... last night.
Last night - Haaye Rabba! The very thought of it made my heart thump so hard.
To add to this, I had actually discussed the nomenclature of 'suhaag raat' with him back then and had conveniently ignored his tiny reaction to it as well. How very ignorant and stupid of me?!

Over and above that he was looking so exceedingly handsome in that off-white pathaani! Unha-to' nazrein kive hataavaan?!

As the morning progressed, I quelled down the feeling a bit. I was a bit more at ease.
I hadn't stayed back in the room to sit in the alcove. I had stayed back because I was waiting for him.

After lunch, I had been sitting downstairs with everybody. Randheer had disappeared after lunch. I was told Bauji had sent him for some work. Bauji-Mummyji, Mamiji-Mamaji themselves weren't at home.
I was back in my room.
This sounded so different- felt so different.

I took a seat on my jhula turning to one side. The windows of the alcove were open. I opened the windows to the right of the jhula as well. The sun was setting, painting the room a silken orange.

'Savere se toh mere aas paas ghoom rahe the! Ab main yahaan aayi hoon to khud gayab ho gaye?!', I grumbled. But then I smiled again. It was silly to grumble about something this trivial! I hit my forehead slightly.

Bending my legs, I reclined against the suspending metal chains and reflected. It had been such a beautiful day.
With a satisfied smile, I shut my eyes for a siesta. The jhula was swaying lightly. The soft blowing wind, made me smile a bit wider.

I was woken up by a footsteps. Randheer had just walked in the room with two bags in his hand. Smiling to myself, I straightened, he realized he had woken me up.
'Oh. Maine jaga diya aapko! Maaf kar dijiye! Main toh bas-'
'Ari koi baat nahi. Main toh yoon hi araam kar rahi thi. Neend nahi aayi thi mainu!', I clarified.
'Aap sach keh rahi hain?', he asked unsurely.
'Haan Randheer !'

Putting my feet down, I shifted a bit, making space for him.
'Ye dekhiye!', he said, bending down to a bag near his feet. He pulled out a big frame out and showed it to me. It was my first painting. He had actually got it framed?!
'Ab bataiye issi kahan lagaaen?', he asked eagerly.
'Hum sacchi isse yahan lagayenge?', I asked unsurely, getting off the jhula.
'Haan Amrit! Tay hua tha na!'
'Ji, tay toh hua tha'
'Toh, yahan thik hai?', he asked gesturing towards the wall behind him, between the two windows, to the left of the Jhula. I nodded with a smile.
Taking off the painting which already hung there, above the mantle cabinet set, he said, 'Isse hum study mein laga denge!'
Fondly he hung my (or rather our painting) there. Even though it was just a simple painting, I simpered, well pleased with myself.

As I turned, I saw him taking out another frame from the bag.
'Vo Haveli waali tasveer hai?', I asked eagerly.
'Ji!', he replied with a bright smile and held it out to me. 'Ye bhi taiyaar hai!'
It was a beautiful beige coloured haveli - protruding lattice-work balconies, verandas and a garden upfront. Modern but traditional at the same time.
And now that's what a painting is supposed to look like - like it isn't one. It was so brilliant!

I was already embarrassed my painting, which Randheer had so keenly put up on the wall. I wasn't comparing them. That was out of question. But why is he so delighted at this childdish painting of mine?! He shouldn't be!
'Bohot khoobsurat hai Randheer!', I exclaimed. 'Aapko toh aadat hogi na taareefein sunne ki ! Aap toh itni achi painting karte hain!'
'Aisa nahi hai', he replied thoughtfully. 'Mukund, Mummyji- Bauji, yaar-dost ye toh kaafi taareef kiya karte the par jiski taareef sunni thi unse kabhi taareef sun hi nahi paaya!', he said with a trace of longing in his voice.
'Kisse?'
'Mere professor...Professor Basu'
'Par vo kyun bhala?', confused, I asked.
'Professor kabhi kisiki taareef nahi karte the. Ache se ache student ki bhi nahi. Unka maan-na tha ki professor ke taareef karne se us student ke mann mein ghuroor aa jaata hai ki unme koi baat hai, jaise vo kalaakar hain. Vo kehte the ki koi kisi ki kitni bhi taareef kyun na kare, tasveer banaane waale ko mann-hi-mann pata hota ki uski banai gayi tasweer mein kya kami hai, kahan behtari ki gunjaish hai.

Kabhi bhi humaari koi tasweer poori hoti, to vo hume hi uske saamne khada kar ye poochhte the ki usme kya kami hai, kahan strokes behtar ho sakte the, kaunse rang aur achi tarah ubhar kar aa sakte the.
Vo bas chaahte the ki hum unda se unda kaam karein, seekhte rahein!
Par mere mann mein reh gaya ki zindagi mein ek tasweer toh aisi bana paaun jo unke kaabil-e-gaur ho', he said with a sigh. He put the painting back in the bag and placed it against the wall.
'Professor Basu Dehradun mein rehte hain?'
'Rehte the. Vo nahi rahe', he replied quietly.
'Oh', I said, thinking about it.
'Mann ki kuch baatein shayad poori honi likhi hi nahi hoti', he added, taking a seat at the jhula.
'Waise aapke professor ne toh khud hi aap mann ki baat poori hone ka raasta bataaya hai!', I said with grin, seating myself beside him. 'Aur aap hai ki yoon hi gumsum ho rahe hain!'
'Ji?', he asked softly, turning towards me.
'Professor kehte the na ki banaane waale ko pata hota hai ki banai gayi tasweer asal mein kitni sundar hai?! Toh aap jee bhar ke painting kijiye! Jis bhi din vo tasweer banegi jo Professor ki tareef ke kaabil ho toh aapko khud-ba-khud pata chal jaayega!', I beamed.
'Haan Amrit! Baat toh aapki sahi hai!', he said considering it with a smile, and hugged me all of a sudden.
Half- blushing, half-beaming, I was slowly trying to getting used to these.
'Aap aaspaas rehti hain toh ... geet gaata hai dil. Jaise ...aapki maujoodgi hi mujhe ilhaam hai mere liye, kuch khaas, kuch naya, kuch acha karne ke liye.'
'Mainu bhi aisa hi lagta hai!', I said, nestling in deeper into him. 

Pulling back he said, 'Aapki lessons dubara shuru karni hai! Aur chhuttiyaan nahi milengi aapko!', he said strictly.

'Mera kya kasoor? Ambala toh aap gaye the!', I said with puckered eyebrows.
'Haan par... chhuti toh aapko mil gayi na!', he said in a matter-of-factly tone.
'Par mainu toh chhuti nahi chahiye thi...', I said
'Acha thik hai. Ab nahi milegi!'
'Par aapko ek vaada karna padega! Ki aap bhi meri yoon hi koi taareef nahi karenge. Jab tak main wakayi kuch acha na banau. Thik hai?'
He looked at me for a while, and then agreed. 'Mushkil hai par thik hai - waada!'
I too smiled, now satisfied.

He turned to me again, 'Aapne jis kitaab ke baare mein bataya tha, aapne kahaaniyaan likhi uske liye?'
'Chaar kahaaniyaan likhi hai ab tak.', I said, looking up and recalling for a second.

'Bas chaar? Nahi Amrit aise nahi. Mujhe aapse agle mahine tak kayi aur kahaaniyaan chahiye!', he said adamantly.
I nodded obediently with a suppressed smile. 'Ji editor sahab!'
'Aur... aapne koi naam socha hai us kitaab ka?', he asked eagerly.
'Nahi...', I said thoughtfully. 'Maine socha tha, ek baar kahaaniyan poori ho jaayein, naam uske baad tay kar lenge!'
'Hmm. Ye bhi thik hai!', he said thoughtfully. 'Kavitaon waali kitaab ke liye bhi aur kavitayein likhni hongi aapko'
'Kisi... khaas mozoo par?', I questioned.
'Nahi Amrit. Jo aapko likhne ka mann ho aap likhiye. Apne tassavur ko udaan lene dijiye!', he said dreamily. 'Koi bhi aisi cheez jisse aapko prerna mile! Koi aisi baat jo aapke mann ko chhu le! Jaise aap aaj tak likhti aayi hain!'
I nodded with a broad smile.
He swayed the jhula a bit and, I leaned in against him. We stayed there for quite some time leisurely.

'Uh Amrit ...'
'Hmm...?'
'Mujhe ek baat bataani thi aapko', he said sheepishly. 'Mere dil ka chota sa raaz hai. Maine socha tha kabhi bataunga nahi par ... chaliye bata hi deta hoon.'
'Aur kitne raaz chhupa ke rakhhe hai aapne?', I demanded with furrowed brows.
He promptly said, 'Nahi Amrit-'
'Sach?'
'Ji! Maine sachmein mein kabhi kuch nahi chhupaaya aapse!', he said earnestly.
'Toh fir ye kyun?'
'Kyunki... mujhe laga aap pata nahi kya sochengi. Par maine jaan-boojhkar kuch nahi kiya. Aapke bhi toh kuch raaz honge?', he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
'Mere toh kayi raaz hai!', I said haughtily.
'Amrit?!', he exclaimed with a surprised smile. 'Aur aapne mujhe kuch nahi bataya!'
'Dil ki baatein kuch... dil mein hi rehne dijiye...', I said looking down.
'Ye bhi thik hai! Mere bhi ye baat dil mein hi rehne dijiye..', he said changing his mind.
'Par aapko fir baat shuru hi nahi karni chaahiye thi na! Ab aapko bataani padegi!', I complained.
'Rehne dijiye na Amrit. Bhool jaaiye. Koi baat nahi thi!', he tried to dismiss it.
'Nahi Randheer bataiye na!', I requested again.
Clearly he didn't want to reveal whatever it was but now that he had mentioned it, he couldn't back off. 
A bit hesistantly he said, 'Amrit vo din yaad hai jab main daftar se kaafi der se lauta tha?'
'Haan yaad hai mainu. Maine intezaar kiya tha par tussi kab aaye mainu pata hi ni chala!', I said, recalling. Things had been weird that day. 
Still dubious he said, 'Vo darasal... main jab pohoncha toh maine aapko balcony mein hi soya hua paaya. Aur meri wajah se aapko koi pareshaani ho ye mujhse dekha nahi gaya. Isiliye main upar aaya tha, taaki aapko ache se palang pe sula doon. Aur...'
'Aur....?', I questioned, 
'Maine aapko baazoun mein uthaaya aur ...aapne neend mein mujhe aapne baazuon mein baandh hi liya', he said casting his eyes down with a soft blush.
I looked at him widening my eyes. Honestly I wouldn't put it past myself to do this but - Good Lord, this was so embarassing! 
'Aapki neend na kharab ho isiliye main kaafi der tak wahin baitha raha. Aap lagbhag poori raat meri baahon mein hi soyi thi!, he said quietly with an embarrassed smile. 
The first words I mumbled, were, 'Toh... woh sapna nahi tha?'
'Sapna-? Ek minute? Amrit?!', he looked at me in astonishment. 
'Nahi nahi kuch nahi', I babbled, trying to cover up.
'Nahi nahi nahi Amrit. Apne abhi kaha sapna', he said with a twinkle in his questioning eyes. 'Aap..ne sapna dekha tha kuch aisa... Us din?'
Seeing no way out I nodded with a sheepish smile. 
'Matlab aapko kahi na kahi ilm tha is baat ka', he said thoughtfully. 'Amrit aapne toh mujhe kuch bhi nahi bataya??', he said with a smirk. 
I mentally mumbled, 'Sapne toh inne dekhe hai. Aapko toh ek bhi nahi bataana maine!'

'Amrit?' he asked again with a questioning smile. My face was growing hot. First that dream, and then I get to know it's a dream after all. Wow! 
Turning crimson, I said, 'Abhi bhi kyun bataya aapne? Main toh sapna hi samajhke ...'
Holding my chin gently, he said, 'Apni biwi ko surkh hote hue dekhna tha' 
'Uske liye toh aapko ek lamhe hi kaafi hai', I muttered under my breath, almost inaudibly. I'm pretty sure he didn't get to hear it. 

Some time later, I noted the other bag he brought.
'Aap kuch aur lekar aayein hain?', I asked.
'Um nahi!', he replied with a sparkle in his eyes. 'Main toh nahi, aapke Jijaji de gaye kuch aapke liye!'
Quickly getting up, he proceeded to the alcove. I followed curiously.
He revealed a big dark brown pot teeming with white pansies and suspended by three metal chains.
I beamed widening my eyes and slightly jumped. Randheer too smiled broadly and handed them to me. I lifted them a bit higher, running my hands over them. They were so so pretty. I loved them already!

Then I looked back at him. 'Par jijaji khud kyun nahi aaye?', I questioned.
'Use kuch kaam tha, usne kehelwaaya hai ki kuch der mein poora karke vo bhi aa jaayega. Tab aap use shukriya-ada kar dijiyega!'
I nodded in approval and looked around the room.
'Isse lagaayenge kahan?'
Taking me by surprise, he lifted me by my legs and gestured towards the top of the alcove. 'Yahaan'
There was nail right in the middle. He could have said that first. Why did he have to take my breath away all the time?!

He brought me down slowly but stopped mid-way, my arms around his shoulders. Befuddled, I kept staring at him. After what felt like minutes, he whispered huskily.
'dil ko zara toh thaam lijiye o dilruba,
itni tez dhadakna bhi... sahi nahi...',
Turning the deepest shade of red, I cast, my eyes down, biting my lip.

paaya maine paya tumhe

rab ne milaya tumhe 

honto pe sajaaya tumhe 

nagme se gaya tumhe 

paaya maine paya tumhe 

sabse chhupaaya tumhe

sapna banaya tumhe 

neendon mein sajaya tumhe 

tum jo aaye zindagi mein

baat ban gayi

ishq mazhab ishq meri zaat
baat ban gayi
tum jo aaye zindagi mein
baat ban gayi

sapne teri chaahaton ki
sapne teri chaahaton ki
dekhti hoon ab kayi
din hai sona ...aur chaandi
raat ban gayi!
tum jo aaye zindagi mein
baat ban gayi

paaya maine paya tumhe

rab ne milaya tumhe

honto pe sajaaya tumhe

nagme se gaya tumhe

paaya maine paya tumhe

sabse chhupaaya tumhe

sapna banaya tumhe

neendon mein sajaya tumhe 

*

We had just come downstairs when we saw, Mukund Jijaji and Radha jiji just walked in. Neero Bhaiya had opened the door.
Radha jiji rushed to me and hugged me tight.
'Amrit! Kaisi ho tussi?!', she asked eagerly.
'Ekdum acchi!', I replied with an bright smile and pulled back.
'Ohji woh to hona hi hai! Humare Damaadji hai hi inne change! Unhaade de kol te tuhaanu ekdum tuhaanu vadhiya vadhiya hi rehna hai!' A soft blush crept upon my cheeks.
'Humaari Juliet usse jyaada pyaari hai!' Jijaji added, fondly flicking my chin. 'Main toh kehta hoon kismat ho toh ya mere jaisi ya mere yaar jaisi!'
'Mere Veerji ko bhool gaye aap!', I said with furrowed eyebrows.
'Maafi huzoor!', he said holding both his ears pretentiously. 'Tumhaari Vashma sabse achhi, sabse samajhdaar, sabse pyaari! Aur Uday sabse khushkismat!'
I nodded with a huff.
'Acha humara tohfa kaisa laga?!', he asked eagerly.
'Bohot bohot pyaare!', I exclaimed. 'Par ye bataiye, tay kisne kiya tha ?', I asked with raised eyebrows.
'Amrit! Innu 'phool-patte' kahan samajh aande hai?! Hein!', Radha jiji chimed in, brushing him off. 'Maine hi chune hai tumhaare kamre ke liye!', she added with a proud smile.
'Haan par laaya toh main tha na?! Thoda sa, itna sa shrey toh mujhe bhi milna chaiye na?', Jijaji asked with a frown.
'Jhooth- mooth ka shrey maine nahi dena tuhaanu!', she replied, turning her face away.
'Acha baba thik hai! Jaisa aap kaho!', he gave in. Turning to me, 'Voh tohfa inki taraf se tha. Main toh mehez daakiya tha!'
'Par... jethaani toh kehti thi ki pati-patni ka sab kuch katthe hota hai. Kalle kalle kuch nai..', she said thoughtfully. ' Ohji phir is hisaab se toh mera tohfa matlab aapka bhi tohfa!'
'Ohji yahi toh main keh raha hoon kabse!', Jijaji said dramatically.
'Acha ji samajh gayi main! Amrit tum bhi samajh gayi na?', she asked cutely.
I nodded with a chuckle.
'Acha aap dono gappe maaro. Main abhi aaya!' Jijaji said courteously and withdrew. Keerti and Yash joined us, with subdued smiles for reasons unknown. Disregarding it, we conversed for a while.

'Uh Bhabhi!', Gautam rushed to my side with a suppressed smile.
'Ji ?', I asked with a confused smile.
Stifling a chuckle, he leaned in sideways and mumbled, 'Zara peechhe mudiye na'.
Still puzzled, I turned around. Randheer stood a small distance away, in conversation with Jijaji and waved towards me with a grin.
The end of my sari was stuck to cuff button of his sleeve. And my dearest husband was moving around and now standing behind me without a care in the world. He didn't even bother to take it off. Radha chachi and Yash-Keerti burst out laughing. Utterly embarrassed I slowly hid my face behind my hands.
But then I advanced to him, looking elsewhere.
'Aapne innu khola kya nahi?!', I muttered, trying to untangle it.
'Koshish ki thi', he said innocently, with a tiny frown. I did not believe him a bit.
'Mainu toh bata sakte the na!', I said miffily. Jijaji stood there laughing softly, making me ever more awkward.
He shrugged cutely.
'Ek baat batao Amrit, ye pehle din se issi tarah lattu tha ya.. naya naya surroor hai?', Jijaji asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
'Mainu nahi pata, inhi se poochlo tussi!', I replied whimsically with an embarrassed smile.

That's when the there was a knock on the door.
'Lagta hai Uday Puttarji aur Vashma bhi aa gaye!', Radha Chachi noted.
I was about to rush to the door when Randheer stopped me.
'Amrit ek baar meri baat maanengi?', he requested sweetly.
'Ji ?'
'Jab tak main na kahu, bahar mat aaiyega na', he said with a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
I too eager to meet them but I nodded.
Randheer even gestured Neero Bhaiya to not open door and himself walked down to do the same.
As expected, it were Veerji and Vashma.
'Satsriakaal RaiSahab!', Uday greeted Randheer.
Randheer greeted him back.
When they were about to enter, Randheer blocked their entry.
'Aaj aapko andar aane ki ijazat nahi hai!',
I and Radha chachi exchanged confused smiles.
Stunned, Veerji spoke up, 'Randheer ?-'
'Tum nahi Uday!', Randheer clarified, placing a hand over his shoulder. 'Yeh rok toh bas inke liye hai!', gesturing towards Vashma.
Annoyed, Vashma crossed her arms.
'Oh iske liye! Ohji phir thik hai aap karo jo aapko karna hai!', Veerji exclaimed in relief. Vashma looked at Veerji flabbergasted, who came in without even glancing at her. He came up to me and embraced me joyfully and we turned to towards the door again.

'Yeh bhi bata dijiye ki maine kiya kya hai?!', Vashma asked miffily.
'Bade sataaye hue hai hum aapke!', he said whimsically. 'Itna tadpaaya, tang kiya, aur itna chheda! Ab palda mera bhaari hai toh thoda sa badla toh banta hai!
Aapne apni saheli se milne nahi diya mujhe! Itni asaani se aapko apni patni se toh main bhi nahi milne dunga!'

Vashma widened her eyes in disbelief. I had too the exact same reaction.
After considering a while, with a piercing look Vashma asked, 'Main kaun hoon?'
'Vashma.. Sahni..?', Randheer replied, confused.
'Main.. kaun hoon?', she emphasised again, gesturing towards me.
'Amrit ki sabse achi dost?'
'Aap kaun hain?'
'Amrit ka pati?'
'Ye ghar kiska hai?'
'Hum... sabka?', he said unsurely.
'Hmm!.. Iska matlab Amrit ka?', she reconfirmed dramatically.
He nodded, still confused.
'Toh jo Amrit ka hai, voh mera hai. Aur aap mujhe mere ghar mein aane se nahi rok sakte!', she said with a cheeky smile.
Randheer opened his mouth to protest but fumbled for words. Poor Him!
'Aur 'aapki patni' se milne nahi denge?! Ek awaaz lagaani hai maine! Rooth ke baith jaayegi aapki patni aapse - fir karte rahiyega Amrit Amrit! Lautke mere paas hi aana hoga! Kijiyega minnatein! Ek nahi sunni maine!'
I stifled a chuckle. I was having the time of my life. Catching her eye, I gave her a thumbs up. She grinned.
As a panicky Randheer turned from Vashma towards me, I sobered my expression.

'Ab bhi kuch kehna hai aapko ?', Vashma asked with raised eyebrows.
Stilling trying to get the better of her, he started, 'Vashma par- '
'Mujhe andar jaana hai!', she said authoritatively.
Without a word, he slid aside, making way for her.

All the cousins chortled at his defeat.
She rushed in embracing me tight, 'Kaisi hai meri navi navi shadi-shuda saheli?!'
I was just all smiles. 'Mujhe pata hai poochne ki bhi zaroorat nahi!', she said herself with grin. We sat down on a takht. Everyone else too took a seat.
Turning towards Randheer, who walked in with a defeated smile, she said 'Aapse baat karni baaki hai ab!'
'Ji mujhse ?', he asked, making an innocent face, seating himself on my other side.
'Ji haan! Ab aapse likhit mein ek moaheda chahiye mujhe!', she said.
'Likhit mein? Aapko bharosa nahi mujhpar?', he asked, eyebrows puckered.
'Kiya tha bharosa! Kya mila? Dhoka! ', she added with a humph.
Stroking the back of his neck, Randheer agreed. He had no choice after all. Before we could get up, Yash stood up enthusiastically, 'Main abhi kaagaz-kalam laaya!', and rushed upstairs to the study.

'Bhaiya galat insaan se dushmani mol li aapne!', Gautam remarked.
'Haan Randheer! Kuch zyada hi himmat nahi aa gayi tujhmein?', Jijaji added.

Gesturing at me, Randheer said, 'Aji himmat toh inko dekhke aa gayi, mujhe kya pata tha iska injaam yeh hoga!'
'Bhugto!', Jijaji added with a chuckle.

As Yash handed the paper-pen along with a board to Randheer, Vashma dictated,
'Likhiye
"Main Randheer Raizada" '
He wrote.
" - Pati, Amrit Raizada"
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he put down the words.
"ye manta hoon ki Amrit Raizada ko Vashma Sahni sabse zyaada pyaar karti hai."
Randheer looked up with an annoyed expression.
'Likhiye!!', Vashma pestered. I suppressed yet another giggle.
Exhaling a bit, he wrote it down.
"Aaj ki gayi galti main kabhi dubara nahi dohraunga aur - Vashma Sahni ko pareshaan karne ki kabhi jurrat nahi karunga! Aisa khayaal apne mann mein bhi nahi launga!"

Starting to protest, Randheer said 'Vashma par-!'
Vashma shot him a look.
Radha chachi chimed in, 'Ohji khayaal pe tussi kaise pabandi laga sakti ho, hein?! Damaadji khayaal toh laa hi sakte hai mann mein!'
'Acha thik hai. Akhri line mat likhiye!', she said, giving him a concession. 'Khayaal aap laa sakte hai. Par- bas khayaal!'

With a meek pretentious nod, Randheer jotted it all down.
'Dastakhat!', Vashma added with a serious expression. With a chuckle Randheer signed it. Vashma too signed it and she made me sign it along with everyone else present.
'Ye hui na baat! Uday samhaal ke rakhna isse! Badi keemti cheez hai!', she said handing it to Veerji.
Meanwhile Randheer's hand closed over mine. I turned to him for a second and then we averted our gaze.

'Uday Bhaiya? Aap-par bhi issi tarah raub jamaati hain bhabhi ?!', Gautam asked teasingly.
'Raub? Maalikana haq jataati hai merepe!', Veerji exclaimed. 'Aur Randheer toh sirf iske sataaye hue hain. Main toh Amrit te Vashma dono ka sataya hua hoon!'

'Ji?', Gautam asked in surprise.
'Aur nahi toh? Itni sharaarti hain dono! Ek baar bachpan mein Mogar Bhua ke kamre mein chhupke se pataakhe laga diye the inhone. Ghar mein kisine kisinu kuch poochhya hi ni aur inni pitaayi hui meri ki us din kya batau!' he said wearily.
Vashma and I exchanged grins.
Veerji continued, 'Thodi badi hui toh kahaan ki kahaan gayab ho jaati hoon. Aur zimme mere ki ghar pe kisinu khabar na ho! Par majaal hai ki batake jaaye mainu ki kahaan jaa rahi hai. Batao ji aisa bhi koi karta hai?'
'Aapne kabhi jaan-ne ki koshish nahi ki kahaan jaati hai yein?', Yash asked curiously.
'Poochhne se kade bataati nahi thi. Peechhe aane inhone mana kiya tha', he replied with a shrug.
'Oye, tu bol sakta hai ki merese darta tha isiliye kabhi koshish nahi ki!', Vashma added whimsically.
'Oye koi darta-sharta nahi tha main!', Veerji retorted.
'Toh fir kade aaya kyun nahi humaare peechhe?!', Vashma asked with raised eyebrows.

'Mainu laga, jo thoda bohot azaadi mil rahi hai innu, use swaad le laen do. Koi toh bharose waala insaan chaiye na tumlogon ko bhi? Aur waise bhi baaton baaton mein adhi bol-patti toh waise bhi khol hi deti thi tum!', he said with a chuckle.
Turning to Randheer, he said, 'Ohji aapki toh itni baatein hoti thi ki main kahu!'
'Veerji?!-', I said widening my eyes.
Gripping my hand tighter, Randheer said, 'Batao batao Uday!'
'Badi taareefein hoti thi ji aapki! Punjab mein aapke charche waise hi kam kahan the! Inke toh chehre ke rang hi badal jaate aapka zikr hote hi!'
'Aur Amrit ke paas toh khaas khabri bhi thi! Vashma Baig!', Vashma added boastfully.
Randheer was listening in rapt attention, occasionally stealing glances at me. And I had accepted in my mind that today was 'Embarrass Amrit' day for them.
Veerji continued, 'Ji jab maine bataya innu ki aapke rishta aaya hai Amru ke vaaste toh inki khushi dekhne laayak thi!'
Could someone please stop Veerji?! I flustered so hard. Moreover I could feel his eyes upon me throughout this discussion.
I could just see Gautam, Keerti and Yash looking at me with teasing smiles.

'Inhe toh aapko dhoondne mein bhi maine madad ki thi!', Veerji added.
'Par saray par toh sirf ye dono ...?', Randheer mumbled thoughtfully.
I looked at him pleadingly, and he realised what he had blurted out. I so wanted to hide somewhere right then. What was Randheer doing?!

'Saray? Nahi nahi main toh library ki baat kar raha hoon', Veerji corrected him.
'Library?', Randheer asked in surprise.
'Ji ji!', Vashma took up the tale.
'Main aur Uday library gaye the ek kaam se', she said exchanging a glance with Veerji, 'aur thodi der baad hi Amrit bhaagte bhaagte aayi wahaan. Usse mandir mein pujaariji ne bataaya tha ki aap wahi aaye hue hain aur us waqt shayaad library mein honge. Kuch pehchaan bhi batayi thi aapki - umm... shayad peele rang ki shirt-'
'Nahi Vashma! Safed rang ki shirt aur jamuni rang ka muffler kaha tha unhone!', I said, putting her right.
'OOHHH!!', all of them exclaimed together. Great! I had dug my own grave. I hid my face behind a hand with a embarrassed smile.
'Kahaan kahaan gayi thi aap mujhe dhoondte dhoondte?', he whispered to me.
I was tongue-tied. I didn't reply.
'Duniya bhar ke liye prem kahaaniyaan likhne waali Amrit, apni hi baatein sunte hue itni khaamosh?'
I was blushing under gaze.

'Par fir us din mulakat hui?!', Jijaji asked with a questioning smile.

'Nai jijaji!', Vashma replied. 'Us din humne wahan Sharfu Miyan ko Randheer samjh liya humne! Aur bichaari Amrit ka toh dil hi toot gaya! Use laga ki uske Bauji uska vyaah usse dugne umar ke aadmi se karwa rahe hai.'
Randheer looked at me with an amused expression and then fiddling with my ring, he gently asked, 'Toh mujhse milne ke baad inke dil pe rafu hui ya nahi?'
'Rafu?!', Vashma exclaimed. 'Iske resham se dil pe zari ki kadhaayi ho gayi!'
'Aye... haaye..!', they exclaimed.
I turned scarlet, wishing I could hide my face behind the end of my sari.

*

We all had been chatting for a couple of hours when Mummyji-Bauji walked in alongwith Mamaji-Mamiji.
'Arey aa gaye tum sab!'
'Ji chachiji! Ab aur Amrit ko le jaane ke liye ruka hi nahi gaya humse.', Vashma exclaimed.
'Le jaane ke liye?', Randheer asked with a quizzically, looking around at everyone. Shoot! Even I had forgotten about Pag Phera.
'Rasm hai na puttar! Pag Phere ki!' Bauji reminded him
And that big grin on his face turned into a disheartened look in an instant.

'Ji hum bhi bas tuhaadi raah vekh rahe si!', Veerji said. 'Ab ijaazat dijiye ji!'
'Beta khaana toh khaake jaana!', Mummyji said.
'Chachiji voh darasal Ammi-Abbu Mogar Bhua, sab ghar pe intezaar kar rahe hai!', Vashma clarified. 'Kaafi der bhi ho gayi hai'

'Thik hai bacchon.', Mummyji nodded with an understanding smile. 'Unko aur intezaar karwaana bhi thik nahi'
Jijaji and Radha Jiji were staying for dinner at Raizada Sadan.
Vashma and Veerji had almost turned to leave when I stopped them, 'Mainu do mint do. Main bas abhi aayi!'
'Amrit par-'
'Do minute Vashma !' I pestered and slightly hurried upstairs.
Needless to say, Randheer had followed me upstairs.

I was in the hallway when he started,
'Abhi na jao chhod kar...
ki dil abhi ...bhara nahi ...

Abhi na jao chhod kar
ki dil abhi bhara nahi'

Gliding his hands down my forearms and lifting my hands, he looked into my eyes.

'abhi abhi toh aayi ho
abhi abhi toh

Abhi abhi toh aayi ho
bahaar bann ke chhaayi ho
hawa zara mehek toh le
nazar zara behek toh le

ye sham dhal toh le zaraa

main thodi der jee toh loon
nashe ke ghoont pee toh loon
nashe ke ghoont pee toh loon

abhi toh kuch kaha nahi
abhi toh kuch suna nahi

Abhi na jao chhod kar
ki dil abhi bhara nahi'

I did not reply because I did not have anything to reply. I just looked looked back with a dejected smile.
'Main deewar koodke aata aapse milne... par Prem Niwaas ki toh aisi koi deewar hi nahi hai!', he said bumping his fist on his other hand.  'Galat baat hai!', he said with a pretentious frown. 
I chuckled a bit, lowering my gaze.
'Muntazir se zyaada intezaar nahi hoga! Subah hi aa jaunga aapko lene!', he said tenderly.
I nodded meekly. After a little while to ourselves, we returned downstairs.

*
I had received a lovely welcome at home. Kabir ran into my arms as soon as I entered. Zaida Chachiji and Mogar Bhua had prepared a meal of all my favourite dishes. We had dinner together. Making the drawing room our dwelling, we chatted, joked, laughed, and made merry. And it seemed everyone had suddenly acquired a right to tease me about Randheer every now and then.

Back in my room, I just put Kabir to bed. He had insisted to sleep near me.
I stood in the balcony, looking for the moon but couldn't find it. Nevertheless I stayed there, my eyes shut, slowly sliding an hand over the other arm, feeling the wind and ... his touch, which had stayed back with me.
The next moment I heard the long cherished tune again. As I opened my eyes, I saw him standing in the opposite balcony, playing his harmonica.
I took a seat there, leaning against the wall.
Another night spent in the balcony.