Mishti snuggled closer to the warmth,.

Abir..was however awake... holding her close to him...

They had talked for a long time...she sharing bits of her life at Greenville..and him sharing his in New York..and sleep slowly made her eyelids droop..

He had made her lay down and laid beside her..her head resting on his shoulder..

Looking at the sky which was now calm...

Reminiscing the months of agony and the pure Bliss of the feel of her touch upon his heart...

Thanking his partner for giving him his heart's desire and content..

And his stomach growled..

Abir regretfully remembered that he had missed dinner in his delay and excitement and kinda fear of facing his Angel...who now was contently sleeping glued to him..

He looked at her serene face ..

Eyelids having a bluish hue...,.
cheekbones accentuated..
lips ..a bit swollen...and deep pinkish...

He pressed a light kiss on her forehead and again felt the hunger pangs..

Till now he was feeling replete...but now ..

Mishti moved a bit and as though sensing something was not normal she cautiously opened her eyes...

Her look fell on her arm now resting on a muscular chest...palm inside his  t shirt resting on his heart...

Her eyes widened as Abir looked at the reality check she was doing in her mind..

"Good morning..."

He chuckled at her shocked face turning pink with shyness..as the nights events rushed in her eyes..

" Oh God..mein yehi so gayi...!"

Mishti was alarmed at her being in his room...as she sat up.. urgently..

" Mein .. mein jaa Rahi Hoon..."

Mishti slipped out of the diwan but Abir held her ..

"Mujhe umm.."

She cupped his mouth...

" Shut up Abir...kuch bhi.."

He blinked and shook his head in the negative sense and she heard his stomach growl..

She looked at him quizzically and he nodded..

Mishti took her palm off and looked contrite.

"You are hungry.... tumhein batana chahiye that na ki tum dinner skip kardiya tha?"

She looked at her watch and then Abir ..who was looking at her with puppy dog eyes..

" It's 5 ...mein jaldi fresh hoke aati Hoon Aur tumhein kuch bana deti Hoon..tab Tak tum fresh hoke kitchen mein aajao.. okay.."

" Tum fresh ho jao..hum saath jaayenge.."

Abir stood up stretching himself...

Mishti''s eyes feasted on him .

Mentally slapping herself for forgetting herself in front of him she turned and alighted the steps...

***

The early morning routine of Rajvansh Mansion started with the health regime of the  fitness freak in the family..

He would be up before sunrise....

Have his regular soaked almond snack first thing in the morning then jog one or two lap on the way to his yoga place in the lawn garden..

But that day things turned out to be different...

*******

M

ishti freshened up fast Still trying to come to terms with everything happening to her and put on a yellow sleeveless side  top and white Capri..

Abir is starving...she left her wet hair as it is and dashed out of her room...
Abir was waiting for her... leaning on the door sill.. looking dapper in tracks and round neck navy blue polo t Shirt
She reached by him and signalled him to follow...

He tapped his cheeks and stood still looking elsewhere

Mishti was now getting a hang of flirty Abir..

And she shook her head slowly..

As Abir pouted and made a sad face  she shrugged and walked towards the stairs..

Abir joined her in a second..

" Itni akdu kyun ho?!"

He whispered to her as he linked his fingers with hers...

No one was awake ..and Mishti lit a lone light bulb.

" Mein pancakes banati Hoon..aur coffee bhi...."

Mishti whispered to him ..

Abir obediently sat on the kitchen platform as he silently adored her ..
The way her profile glowed in dimlight..

The way she pursed her lips as she broke the eggs and mixed the dough...

The way she stealed glaces at him occasionally...

The way she nodded her head whenever their eyes met and his brow raised a question...

And the way water drops from her hair found its way to him... whenever she turned in a hurry...

Mishti was concious of his gaze feathering her all over...and was sure she was going to burn the pancakes if he continued his eating her up with his eyes..

"Abiiirr..."

She called him a bit  irritated at his antics...

"Uhhm"

He asked as he casually moved to her and adjusted the hair falling over her face..

" Seriously Abiir... Chotimaa ko toh ek second bhi nahi lagne Wala ki umm.. humare..beech...uhh.."

Mishti bit her lips as Abir looked at her with comical anticipation..

" Tum kuch keh Rahi thi..."

He looked at her attentively..

Mishty got his teasing and reciprocated nicely..

" Tum aise sadoo lines marthe raho...kisiko bhi pata chal Gaya toh.
I will be sent to Greenville or you will be sent to Toronto..or wherever.."

Abir knew she was right.,

"Haan I know.. lekin aaj mujhe tumhari haathon see khaana Hein..ab toh koi utha bhi nahi Hein..na..Uske baad no PDA...only PDA..I mean private..okay.."

Mishti smiled and shook her head exasperatedly as she kept aside the dough to rise and put on the coffee maker..

She leaned opposite to him on the counter taking in the way he looked at her still and blushed..

" Hmm...we both need a lot of work...you can't blush like that every time I look at you..."

Mishti blushed again and Abir got off from his place and headed slowly to her...

Mishti''s eyes widened as her hands clasped the countertop...

" Abiiir...."

" Well...I did ask you.. lekin tum nahi diya..toh..ab.."

His hands pressed over hers as he moulded on to her ... Mishti took short breaths as she was feeling dizzy at the fresh fragnance ..Abir's scent emanating from him...

He rubbed his nose on her forehead...

Inhaling his favorite smell in the world..

His lips followed suit as he pressed a light kiss on her forehead....

Then slowly eased away from her ...his eyes intent at the way her eyes were half closed..her heaving bosom and her  hold on the counter top... twitching...

It took some seconds for her to realize that he had indeed moved away...

As her bewildered eyes met with his challenging ones ... slowly her fiery streak returned...

" Seriously...yeh Kya tha..."

" Kya ..Maine toh kuucchh nahi Kiya..."

Abir said innocently..

" Ab breakfast chahiye toh door hi raho..nahi tho Jala hua pancakes mein apni haathoen see khilaaoongi..."

Mishti said with fake angry look..

Abir chuckled..

" Woh bhi mein kha loonga...koi shak?"

Mishti rolled her eyes and started pouring out the coffee onto two mugs..and gave one  to him..

" Abiir ..ab mujhe karne do... remember who is hungry..okay?!"

She started make pancakes and after making enough for Abir she kept the batter aside..

Abir took the plate laden with pancakes and the maple syrup and set them up on the countertop..

Mishti looked at him quizzically as she walked up to the set up.

Abir put hands on her waist..and lifted her to place her on the counter top..

" Ab khila do.."

Mishti pulled his nose ...

" Khud hi khalo...who gets this much pampering...ab bhi 2 yr old bacha Hein Kya.."

Abir looked contrite and Mishti cupped her laugh..

" Ithu sa daant aur itna long face.."

She broke a piece of the pancake and dipped it in the syrup and brought it to his lips...

He happily took it in his mouth and caught her hand when she was about to break another piece..

" Abir yeh Kya...ab khana bhi Hein ki nahi...uhh.."

Her breath struck as Abir licked her syrup laden fingers slowly..

She withdrew her hand hastily..as Abir chuckled merrily..

" Tum itne bade flirt nikloge ..yeh mein nahi jaanthi thi.....kaise intense angry looks dete rehthe the mujhe...kahaan pata that ki Ek din  aisa bhi aayega ki tum mujhse flirt bhi karne lagoge.."

Mishti fed him another mouthful..

" Uhh..umm even I didn't know...ki tumhein sharmana aati bhi Hein... always saw you ready to fight...I haven't forgotten about the hockey stick..and now ek Nazar mein hi gulaal phael jaati Hein gaalon pe.."

His hand moved along her chin to her nape...as she blushed all over again...and said demurely..

"Guess we have to learn a lot about each other yet..."

" Ooh ya...I mean there is a lot to learn na..."

Abir moved closer as Mishti shook her head with widened eyes... even as she unconsciously wet her lips in anticipation...

Suddenly the sound of a chair scrapping brought both of them to their reality..!!

"Aisa bhi koi chair rakhtha Hein Kya...pair thod Diya..!"

Mishti saw Nanu limp to the dining table and jumped off the kitchen top..

Her frantic look matched that on Abir's face..

Both moving away from each other and simultaneously concern filled in both eyes for Nanu..

Abir moved first and reached Nanu..who was trying to get seated on the chair..

" Nanu..Kya hua..Aap theek tho Hein.."

" Haan..lekin pair...uhh..Abiir...tu kab vaapas aaya... Thanks beta..."

As he got comfortably seated ..he saw Mishti coming to him with an ice pack..

" Nanu..aapko chot kahaan parr lagi.?.dikhao mujhe..."

She kneeled before him as he pointed out his left ankle..

" Abir ..tu kab aaya..?..kisine bataya nahi...aur..Sam ne darwaza bhi nahi khola.."

" Woh Nanu...raat ki flight delay ho gaya tha...Cancel bhi ho saktha tha..so I didn't inform..par jab pohuncha toh..ise call Kiya..yeh Meri room wali balcony door khola aur ..."

Mishti bit down her laugh as she heard him lie to Nanu in the face..and kept the ice pack in the place..

" Mishti beta..zyada nahi lagi Hein..woh badam Wala bowl idhar kardo...
Aur.. Abir..yeh Kya Hein.."

Nanu pointed to the side of his mouth..

Abir rubbed with fingers to find a blob of syrup..

Mishti looked up and sensing his hesitation she chimed in.

"Woh Nanu.. mein pancakes bana Rahi thi...mujhe aaj jaldi jaana tha aur Abir ko bhook bhi lag Raha toh Maine socha ki kuch bana hi leti hoon..heina"

She looked at him and he nodded obediently..

Nanu adjusted his specs and for a second looked at both..

" Acha .. pancakes..toh Mishty der kis baat ki... mereliye bhi banado.. bhagwan see aashirwad leke aate Hein  tab Tak...chal Gadheda,.thoda help Kar mandir Tak.."

Abir helped Nanu to get up and looked over to Mishti with a lost puppy pout..

Mishti supressed her laugh and said..

" Wow Nanu..aapko bhi pasand Hein...abhi bana deti Hoon Aap keliye bhi..Kuhu ko bhi pasand Hein..."

Abir rolled his eyes at her as he helped Nanu to the mandir..

By the time Abir brought back Nanu to the dining table.. Mishti had set their plates and coffee  for Abir and soaked almonds and orange juice for Nanu.....

As others came all were awestricken by the scene before them...

Staff came in and started prepping for the breakfast...

Kunal in his jogging attire stood still for some seconds soaking in the moving tableau in front of him..

" Abir Bhai you are back ..and Nanu... Mishti aap logon ko kaise pata Chala..aur breakfast bhi itni jaldi.."

His whining as he side hugged Abir was cut off by Kuhu..

" Wow ..Abir bro..Aap aagaya.!!.and. pancakes.. Mishti tu ne banayi na..keep some for me " she tugged Kunal..

" C'mon we'll finish the run fast..I can't wait..."

Kethu who was still sleepy hugged Abir and sat beside him...

The most confusing reaction was Meenakshi's..

She came out of her room hearing the ruckus and was mildly shocked to hear Abir's voice..
her eyes went to Parul's room from where she too was coming out in a state of urgency..

Abir never came back without informing..and that too risking flight in the bad weather as yesterday was so out of character for him...

All sounds dimmed as Meenakshii and Parul joined the family..

" Ah Meenu..dekho kaun surprise Dena seekh Gaya Hein..!!"

Nanu adorned a cheerful look sensing the grey clouds in her face..

" Abir.."

Meenakshi's voice was Stern and Abir's face too changed.. anticipating beratement.

" Tum itne urgently kyun aagaye...itne kharab mausam mein ..that too without informing anyone...Parul tumhein pata tha Kya..?"

Meenu turned to Parul who shook her head...and signalled Abir ki yeh Kya hein ! !

"You have done well in business but that doesn't mean you can be irresponsible to your family..itna risk lene ki Kya zaroorath thi.."

Meenakshi was now genuinely angry..

Mishti who was standing between Nanu and Abir was realising things she had forgotten ......being unaware inside the ecstastic bubble of her first love...

Abir took such a risk for her...

And if anything had happened ..she remembered the thunder strike and the snow storm....she would never have known this happiness..

The dread of losing him even for a second was unbearable and she could sense the panic Chotimaa  felt when she thought her son was being irresponsible for taking such risks..

" Maa...there was nothing to worry about..and no risk at all.."

Abir started to defend himself when he felt a light pressure on his arms...

Mishti had managed to hold his arm..in front of everyone..but under the table ...

She pressed again and Abir exhaled slowly..

" I am.sorry Maa..I should have waited to come back...and sorry for not informing too..it was umm.. irresponsible of me ..I agree..but..I badly wanted a break  ..and things were smoothly going there..so I thought I'll give a surprise to all of you.."

Parul's eyes widened as her gaze shifted from Abir's calm admission of his mistake..and his apology...to Meenakshi's face which too mirrored her incredulity..

Before anyone could comment at Abir's changed attitude towards Meenakshii... Nanu let out a painful aah..!

" Bapuji..Kya hua..yeh ice pack..? "

Meenakshi came to Nanu in a hurry..

" Woh Chotimaa..Nanu ke pair kahin takra Gaye the...Maine ice pack lagaya ki kahi swelling na ho jaaye.."

Mishti informed Meenakshii
Nanu pacified everyone...

" Ab theek hei beta..ab thoda position change hua toh ek dard hua..ab Sab log coffee peelo aur fresh hoke aarti keliye aajao..

Abir got up..and thanked Mishti formally..

" Thanks Mishty for the breakfast..they were yummy.."

Nanu who was sipping his orange juice coughed...

And signalled all that he was okay..

" Aaj aapko Kya ho Gaya hei Bapuji.."

Parul slightly rubbed Nanu's back to ease his breathing..

Abir looked at Mishty and she nodded discreetly as all were focused on Nanu..

*****

Later after Arti and everybody's breakfast   Nanu  was made to sit with his leg upright as per telephonic advise from Nihaal via Kethu..    

" Tum aur Nihaal toh kafi friendly lag rahe Hein..."

Abir had commented when kethu speeddialled Nihaal and surprisingly he took it at one ring..

" Woh Rajshri aunty ki poochne keliye call Kartha  tha aur unke saath time bhi spend kartha tha .toh.."

Kuhu had rescued kethu by calling her to get ready for the college..

Parul asked Abir who was leisurely scrolling through the newspaper..

" Good that you are back..Mark was a bit ...umm..how should I put it..lovesick as you were away.."

Kunal and Nanu guffawed as Meenakshii put on her reproving face but with a smile.

Abir looked at his maasi being the funny at his expense..

" Umm..I meant it when I said I am taking a break from work Massi...catch-up on some painting.music..may be travel..."

A pindrop silence filled the hall after his declaration as even Mishti who was coming downstairs stopped at her track .

Kunal was the first one to recover..

"OMG..am I hearing voices...Bhai aap vacation pe ho.. great.. we'll plan something.".as he said that his face changed and enthusiasm fizzled out..

Abir looked at him and then to  Mishti who was shooting daggers at Kunal...

" Sorry Bhai..koi plans nahi...next week se Mera semester exams Hein..aur my tutor is a tough sadoo ladki...toh permission nahi milega.."

Kunal's long face and pointing fingers to Mishti made everyone laugh..

" Mishty ki baat sun na Kunal...plans phir kabhi bana Lena..ab padhayi pe concentrate karna..

Abir yeh sahi decision liya Hein...tum na bohot hardwork karliya ab thoda relax bhi karlo"

Parul was all smiles at Abir's decision.

"Abir are you sure..?..tum Kal phirse office office karke nikal toh nahi padoge..."

Meenakshi who was astounded by Abir's decision was still sceptical about it and couldn't stop herself from voicing her doubt..

Abir looked at Parul like why she is not believing him...

" Well I will forward you the email I sent to Mark asking him to inform our employees that I will be unofficially on leave from today..of course I am to be breifed by Mark on the work front..but just that...and that too I am not going to do for some days.."

" So sad bro ..we too could have made some plans with you..but it's fashion week and valentine week ..college is a must and then Dadi too..so sorry.."

Kuhu said and Kethu nodded..

Abir placated the trio as they appeared very much distressed over their unavoidable schedules..

"No worries ..I will be happy with my own space...and hobbies..Ab college keliye late nahi ho Raha Kya tum sabko..Chalo.."

Kunal looked at Kuhu and kethu..

" Chalo.."

" Bye Mishti.."

Mishti who was sipping her the milk waved  her hands at them.

Abir looked puzzled as to why Mishti was not going with them..

" Umm..why she is not coming with you guys...?"

Kuhu replied..

" Woh actually it's difficult for Kunal to drop us and then drop Mishti and go to college himself..toh Mishti ne hi kaha ki woh khud manage Kar legi.."

" Bhai...why don't you drop Mishti to college..aap free ho..uski bhi help ho jaayegi..."

Kunal suggested and  Nanu coughed... covering his smile..

Mishti too started coughing while eating and  she drank the hot milk in a gulp..

" Mein kyun..why should I ? Mein vacation par Hoon  is ka Matlab mein kisike bhi  driver ban jaoon ..?'

Abir was in no position to express his joy so he just got into the skin of
Mr. Offensive Rajvansh ..!!

" Ohh... tujhe woh driver banayega.... acha... subhah subhah  uski aankh nahi khulthi...tune use uthaya..Aur phir khana bhi banvaya ...Aur ab tujhe uski driver ban ne mein problem Hein!!"

Nanu looked at Abir innocently..

" Mmmm.. Nanu...mein chali jaaoongi .mujhe kisi ki bhi help nahi chahiye...Kunal tum late ho rahe ho ab time waste mat Karo Aur chalti bano.."

Mishti recovered her composure and ordered Kunal out sternly..

" Kahaan tha na...my tutor is a tough nut..bye..."

******

As Kunal left Mishti finished up her breakfast put on her jacket matching her boots and got ready to go...and was mildly surprised at Abir waiting for her beside his BMW X7.

He smiled at her and signalled her to get in..
Mishti made a face and stood still..

" Tum late ho jaaogi.."

" Tumse Matlab..?..I don't want some one to feel pressured to drive me to the college.. tumhein apni painting karni hei na...Kar lo.."

" Mishti..mein toh mazak Kar Raha tha..Tum kuch zyada hi seriously le Rahi ho...acha baba sorry.."

Abir pinched his ear. ..and she laughed..!!

" Seriously...you were joking...??!"

Abir shook his head as he opened the door for her..and came around to the driving seat.

" I too was joking..waise Tum acting kamaal ke karthe ho..agar jhat se maan lete toh Shayad Chotima aur Nanu..donon ko lagtha ki kuch gadbad Hein.."

As the car shot out of the Rajvansh gate Abir's fingers entwined with Mishti''s...

"Abir...sambhal ke..drive Kar rahe ho na.."

Mishti tried to caution him but Abir smilingly held her hand as he put the car in semi autonomous mode..

" No worries..it's safe to an extent and I am a careful driver...I wouldn't risk the precious cargo.."

Mishti smiled at his references and let him hold her ...

" I missed you..and I love Kunal for this suggestion. I would have gone mad otherwise... without seeing you.. the whole day..."

His voice was heartfelt and it echoed in her eyes...

But Mishti was having a nagging doubt...she rolled it over in her mind a bit and decided to ask Abir...

" Abir ...did Nanu see us ...ummm...like together... together..?"

Abir looked at her sideways...

" I don't think so...but I kind of felt like him pulling my leg ..but we do that all the time..so..may be he didn't see us..."

Mishty was relieved and turned her attention to him  as her hand found a way to slide along his arm holding her palm...

******