Abir was truly enjoying the campus .. clicking away at Mishti..and the background of the NYU..

Unaware of roving eyes of girls who seemed to slow down their pace as they passed him....some devouring him hungrily...

And Mishti...she was too concious of her self and the girls around her ...she picked up their vibes instantly...

" Abiir... enough..ab mein student
co ordinator ke office jaati Hoon...you wait here.."

Mishti pointed to the administration block confirming it on her map.

"Okay..do you need any help over there..?." 

"No.. thanks..umm..I don't know how much time this process will take..."

"I am okay.No worries..I will be waiting outside."

Abir said jovially..

Mishti nodded and looked around...many were eying Abir expectantly..and she curbed the  wave of possessiveness that gnawed  within her..

Everything went smoothly inside and Mishti collected her course details and required course materials from concerned section..her classes would start officially in two weeks..

Now she need to finalize Kuhu's admission..and then get back home fast.

She spotted Abir sitting on a bench focused on his camera display..

Just then her phone rang...

" Kunal....how are things going on there....." 

She asked in a low voice..

" Tum ithne dheeme kyu bol Rahi ho? Still inside office?"

"Nahi...abhi baahar aayi hoo.."

"Toh...haan whatever...NYU finished ryt...ab driver se kaho jaldi fordham leke jaane keliye...and don't forget ..humne Bhai keliye gift le li hai....tum is sab ke chakkar mein woh mat bhoolna.."

Mishti was stupefied for a moment..

OMG ...Abiir keliye gift lena tha..ab kaise...

"Mishti...tum sun Rahi ho na....you okay?"

" Kunal....gift .woh...kaise??! .Abir mere saath hai...mein kaise gift kharidne jaa sakthi hoon?"

Now it was Kunal's turn to be stupefied..

" Bhai...Bhai tumhare saath hai...yeh kaise...tum donon...both are fine right..?!!"

"Kunal..." Mishti warned him at his lame joke..

" Woh Chotimaa MetroCard Diya tha mujhe aaj jaane ke liye...Shayad Abir ne suna aur woh... woh mujhe ...akele....I mean..he wanted to know the route and safety and all..."

" Chotimaa me tumhe MetroCard Diya?? I thought you were going with driver ..and.."

Kunal paused ..

" Kya Kunal..?"

" Bhai ne Badimaa se kuch nahi kaha....seedha tumhe leke gaya..."

" Nahi...I don't think Chotimaa iss bare mein jaanti Hain...mujhe Abir baahar mile the.."

" Anyway it's great ki Bhai tumhare saath hai...mujhe pata hota toh..mein hi aajaata...yahaan to sub Kuhu hi toh Kar Rahi hai....she is a pro in decoration..wow...ek idea.. great...!"

"Kya...?'

" Tumne kaha tha na hum Bhai ki balcony ke neeche wali patio mein surprise party karenge...toh as per our planning woh balcony mein aayenge na....toh wahaan bhi decoration ho jaye..."

"# wonderful idea kunal"

Mishti heard Kuhu in the background..

" Lekin jab hum aayenge...Abir balcony Chala gaya toh...use pata chal jaayega na..."

" That's what I am saying...tum donon Ghar jaldi mat aana..."

" What...??! Kunal...yeh kaisa idea hai...?"

"Mishti... don't worry....Ghar pe mein sambhaaltha Hoon.....aur Bhai ko tum sambhaalna...mein Bhai ko call kartha Hoon abhi...you just go along with what I say to him..."

Abir was immersed in looking at Mishti's pics...

His eyes softened as he skimmed through the snaps...she was wonderfully photogenic..and all her clicks were masterpiece to him..

He felt her presence as if some sixth sense enabled him with Mishti alert..

" All okay...?"

Mishti nodded and Abir noticed her fidgeting..

Something was bothering her for sure but Abir decided not to push her..

He looked at her intently waiting for her response..then packed up his camera and stood up..

"Then let's go..you are on time...."

He walked ahead and Mishti followed thinking of how to get out of her problem.. without Abir getting to know about their plan.

Abir's phone rang..it was Kunal's video call..

" Bhai..thanks aap Mishti ki saath ho... mujhe abhi Mishty ne bataya ki woh akeli hi jaane waali thi ..uhh... your clothes...??."

" Rehne do Nanko..aur tum Ghar pe Kya Kar rahe ho?Tumhe toh college mein hona chahiye.."

" Woh Bhai...wohi bolne ko phone Kiya tha..Mera farewell program ka rehearsals chal Raha hai...toh mein aaj raat apne doston  ke saath honga...song selection steps wagerah discussion you know.."

Abir sighed." Okay Nanko....lekin massi see kehkar jaana"

"Bhai..aap ek kaam kyu nahi karthe ....you have already taken day off no? Mein toh farewell Tak busy hi rahoonga...toh Kya aap Mishti ko aaj.. sightseeing leke jaaoge... Mishty ka bada Mann tha....lekin mein yahaan phasa hua that toh..aap leke jaao na usse ..."

" Lekin.." Abir looked at Mishty who was.looking at him earnestly... trying to pick up their talk...

" Bhai...if you do this for me it'll be great... Mishti bhi Khush...aur ab Tak toh kuch bigda nahi na aap donon ke beech mein...haha...thode friendly bonding bhi karlo donon.."

Abir thought of spending the day with Mishti...and his contentment till now... elation welling up in his mind....tinged with sadness....

May be these are the only moments that will be left with him to live his life .... tomorrow onwards he will have to look at her from a distance....feel her through his emotions....

" Bhai...agree na...'

" Lekin Mishti.....mujhe nahi lagtha ki woh manegi....aur  Massima.will be worried....."

Abir...laid out his concerns..

"Aap maan Gaye...!!? Great...!!. Massima ko tension kyu?. Mishti toh aapke  saath hai...! Mishti ko phone .do..."

Abir signaled Mishti to take the phone with a nod..

She took it and turned away from Abir..

"Mishti....kuch thoda drama karna inkaar waale..Bhai maan gaya...ab tum thodi protest Karo aur sight seeing keliye ready ho jaao.."

Kunal's urgent instructions made Mishti to protest in real..

"Kya..kunaaalll...lekin...Badimaa...Chotimaa.."

" Sub mein sambhaal loonga...tum Bhai ko 9 baje se pehle Ghar mat aane Dena.uske baad ka arrangements mein kardoonga....aur woh gifts keliye keh Dena ki tum hum sabkeliye gifts Lena chahthe ho..kuch bhi kehna...lekin 9 baje se pehle Ghar mat aana..."

Kunal cut the call before Mishti could answer..

"Let's go...tumhara kaam abhi baaki hai.." 

Abir looked at her and she nodded..

As they sped to fordham University..Abir seemed busy in his thoughts and then on his phone.. apparently working.... Mishti... felt awkward much ..

" Abiir... sorry..Meri wajah se tumhara day kharab hua..tum chaho toh..wapas office jaa sakthe ho...I can manage...just drop me at the campus.."

Abir patiently heard Mishti...

" Ho gayi...??.FYI..mein kisike pressure mein yahaan tumhaare saath nahi Hoon...tumhareliye nahi...Meri tasalli keliye mein tumhare saath aaya Hoon..

Aur tumne mujhe kyu nahi bataya ki tumhe New York dekh ni hai..?"

He paused and looked into her eyes...

"Mishti..hum dono.. tum aur Kunal ki tarah...umm...close nahi ho...utni..ache friends bhi shayad nahi ban sakthe...lekin tum mujhse har baat keh sakthi ho..har cheez maang sakthi ho..samjhi?"

Mishti was lost  in the  softness of his voice and the honesty in his caramel eyes...all she could do was nod...

Abir took a box from the backpack...

" Tumhe bhook tho lag Rahi hogi na.. breakfast theek see Kiya nahi hoga jaldi mein...yeh lo.."

"Waise tum bhi subah breakfast complete nahi Kiya tha...yeh lo.."

Mishty took the sandwich and gave it to Abir..

" Tumhe kaise pata...' Abir asked as he took a bite.

" Maine dekha na...tumhare toast wahi plate mein pade hue the..pata nahi massi ne tumhe office  jaane kaise Diya..
A

ur Snacks keliye Mark ko thanks kehna....."

Abir smiled at her take at Parul massi and consideration towards Mark..

" Sure..."

At Fordham..

Both of them went to the students Dean together and secured an appointment for Kuhu..

" Wow..Kuhu must be talented to get scholarship for this design and management course.."

Abir was impressed with Kuhu's choice..

" Mishti tum  Masters social work mein Kar rahe ho...tumhe idea hai Kya Nanko...usne abhi Tak kuch decide Kiya hai Kya..."

Abir tried Nanu's method of fishing...

Mishti and Kunal had that discussion when they were out arranging Abir's birthday..

Kunal had expressly said he wanted to surprise his family by his choice..

" Woh...Kunal..umm... he is still thinking ... haven't decided yet..it seems.."

Mishti''s reply was half-hearted and Abir understood her reluctance...

He mentally went through the management courses offered by NYU..

" Toh..ab...hum.. wapas Ghar chalthe Hain Abiir.. lekin..."

Abir was  not ready for their time together to end so soon..and he jumped at her "lekin"...

" Tum toh sight seeing karna chahthi thi na... Kunal..will be troubling me if I didn't do what he asked..."

He said as they walked through the streets..

"Woh ..Kuhu ke saath aate hai na phir kabhi...woh toh mujhe maar hi daalegi agar Maine uske Bina yeh sab dekhne gaya toh..lekin.. mujhe.. mujhe..Chotimaa keliye ek gift kharidni thi...aur massi ke liye bhi...aur..."

Kunal keliye bhi....Abir filled the blanks...

Mishti deliberately mentioned Meenakshiii to gauge his reaction ...

"Okay...so we'll first do the shopping..uske baad nearby we'll have lunch and then we can go back... alright with you?"

Abir's tone was brusque...

Mishti nodded and exhaled in relief...

Abir spotted a boutique...

"Maa aur massi keliye Tum yahaan se gifts le sakthi ho.."

Mishti brought a smile at her face .." tum..aa rahe ho?"

"No..need to do some phone calls....you carry on.. I'll wait outside..tum time le lo..no problem.."

Mishti entered the boutique and looked out... asking herself..

Ab kaise .??. ladies boutique mein..Abir keliye mein Kya loo..!!

Hurriedly she selected shawls for chotima and Parul Massi and had them gift wrapped.

"Ho gayi?!!"

Abir was surprised at  speed with which she finished the shopping..

" Woh..I need to get something for Kunal.. can you help .. please?"

Mishti put the question to Abir in one breath...

Though..he expected her need .. Abir didn't expect her request to help her ...

"Mein..umm.."

"Abir... please.." Mishti unwittingly pouted and Abir was slain.....

Mishti browsed through the men's section keeping an eye on Abir..

Abir looked bored by her selections... nothing was bringing any reaction out of him..

"Kunal ko bracelets pasand nahi....toh  jewelry types out...

Wallet , belt , shoes..sab hai na uske pass ..toh use Kya gift karoo...'

Mishti acted confused...as Abir looked on... thinking how fast she did shopping for maa and now how much time she was taking to buy something for Kunal...

Just for a fraction of the second Mishti saw his eyes brighten...and her eyes homed into the reason...

Her eyes lit up as she knew what to gift him...now she just needed to distract him..

She looked at the book section and then at Abir..

"Abir......can you get me some water.."

" Uh.. okay... you stay here.. I'll get a bottle.." Abir walked out while Mishty hurriedly took the gift meant for Abir and a random book from the display..

As Abir came in he noticed the book Mishty selected.." Better off friends"... being giftwrapped..

" Thanks.."

Mishty felt relieved as she had already paid for both items and made it urgent thàt she didn't wait for "the gift" to be wrapped...just put the box inside her backpack as Abir returned.

**********

"Kunal...yeh toh top notch idea hai...lekin Abir Bro ko Zara bhi doubt hua na toh poora plan flop ho jaayega.."

Kuhu was essentially thrilled at the prospect of Abir's birthday celebration..

Mishti had suggested that they do it beneath his balcony..there was a small patio and Kuhu and Kunal had beautifully laid out the area with lights...banner and decorations..

They planned to keep everything dark till the Go signal...at 12'o'clock..

" Ab Chalo... lights hi tho hang karni hai...lekin..bro ke room se hi yeh' possible hai...mein room se balcony mein aati hoo...tum neeche wait Karo."

Kuhu said and Kunal nodded.

"Jaldi karna .Mishty se Bhai ko engaged rakh payegi Kya...?"

Kunal was a bit worried at the task he gave Mishty..

" Tum nahi jaanthi usko....woh har situation ko sambhaal leti hai.."

Kuhu's words brought smile on Kunal's face.

Parul was passing through the hall and saw Kunal standing outside.. looking up.. Abir's room?!..she looked up..and then saw Kuhu entering Abir's room..

Yeh Kya chal Raha hai...!!!!

"Kunal..yeh sab Kya chal Raha hai..."

Kunal turned around at his mom's voice..

Parul saw the arrangements and decoration around her and Kuhu.. dangling the wires along Abir's balcony...

"Yeh sab..??!"

" Maa...yeh sab aaj raat ki preparations hai..."

Kunal said with a broad smile...

" Abir..Abir...maan Gaye..." Parul was overjoyed..

" Nahi Maa...hum Bhai ko surprise denge..mein aur Kuhu yeh sab khatam karke aap sab ko humara plan batane Wala tha..."

Parul's happiness disappeared from her face..

" Kitne saalon se try Kar Rahi Hoon use manane  ki..woh iss Ghar ka bada beta hai..Ghar ki Khushi hai woh...apna janamdin bhi apnon ke saath manana nahi chahtha hai woh...Dii ko thoda khushi milta .lekin aaj bhi woh der se aayega..aur khane ke baad kaam..phir kamra band karke so jaayega... ya..loft mein painting karega..."

Kunal started smiling...

"Maa aapko pata hai Bhai iss waqt kahaan hai?!"

" Yeh Kaisa question hai Kunal...woh aaj bade jaldi mein tha office jaane keliye.. office mein kaam hi kartha hoga na...! Tum bhi na..."

" Toh aap keliye pehla surprise news...Bhai office mein nahi Hain...!!!"

"Abir office mein nahi Hain..?! Kya Matlab...?..shayad kisi client se Milne gaya hoga.."

" Offo Maa...poora toh sunlo..."

" Haan bataao abhi...Abir Kahan hai?"

Parul asked Kunal ..

" Bhai Mishti ke saath Hain...aur Maine Mishti se keh Diya hai ki koi bahana banake Bhai ko 9 baje Tak Ghar aane mat Dena..."

Parul was just standing before Kunal...

Silent and apparently shocked...

" Maa...aapko bhi jhatka laga na.... mujhe bhi ...jab Mishti ne bola ki Bhai Uski saath hai toh..I thought.. unbelievable..!..phir usne bataya ki Badimaa ne use metro se jaane Diya...acha hua Bhai Mishti ki saath hai na??"

"Lekin Abir toh.. office..."

Parul was still having difficulty in believing what she just heard.

" Mein mein.. chalthi hoon.."

She turned to leave..but was stopped by Kunal..

"Ab aap badimaa see jaake yeh baat mat kehna...Bhai thoda gusse mein hai ki Badimaa ne Mishti ko aise hi bhej diya...main nahi chahtha ki in donon ke beech phirse ladaayi ho.."

Parul nodded and patted Kunal's cheeks..

"Of course beta...lekin..Dii..woh kuch nahi kahega,..woh bhi thodi pareshaan hai Mishti ko lekar..mein unhe yeh baat batayega toh unhe better feel hoga na? Aur unhe pata bhi chalega ki Abir aaj kis mood mein hoga...theek hai?"

" Haan woh tho hai...toh aap Badimaa aur Massima ko birthday surprise me baare mein batayiye...hume Nanu  see bhi discuss karna hai ki Bhai ko kaise uljhe rakhne chahiye.."

" Mein Bohoth Khush Hoon ..Tum, Mishti aur Kuhu ...teenon me milkar Ghar ki khushiyaan wapas laa rahe Hein..."

Parul contained her happiness in her smile and left..

"Kuhu...thoda left...wahaan upar..." 

Kunal directed Kuhu... getting a mock angry look in return..!

********

As they sat beside each other in the taxi cab Abir looked at his phone again...

Mishty was confused..

"Abir..hum..kahaan jaa rahe Hain...."

" Well lunchtime Hain...obvio..lunch keliye jaa rahe Hain...'

"Lekin....."

Mishti was silenced by a shh..sign ...

They got off the cab at a beautiful place...

" Abir....where are we?..Is this??"

"Mishti...just planned sightseeing for you.. and this is the Central Park..."

" But you said you were taking me to lunch... Abir...this is a big park..and I am not even wearing comfortable shoes.."

Mishti pointed at her platform heels..

Abir laughed at her antics...

" Mishti..Chill...Mein tumhein yeh poora park daudane nahi laaya Hoon... we'll get around a bit...have lunch and again cover some more beauty of nature...then we'll leave..."

"And tell me whose gonna bring the lunch here...Abir...you must be hungry....."

They walked along the stone paved path bordered with vibrantly coloured trees...

Abir never wasted a moment to soak in the nature's beauty onto his lenses..

And they talked comfortably.. avoiding.. certain topics...

Mishti stopped short as she noticed the direction Abir was taking...

A picnic spot..

Baskets and comfortable rugs displayed..under a picturesque Cherry blossom tree..

" Yeh sab...'

Mishti was dazed at the beauty of the place...cool shadow of the tree provided the perfect picnic spot.

" Well..I thought this would be best ... better than cafes or restaurants..you can have your view and food...hmm...Mark outdone himself this time I guess..."

Abir said sheepishly...as Mishti spotted Mark waving at them from an exit point.

Mishti was confused at what was going on...

Such an elaborate lunch arrangement..??!

Mishty sat on her knees on the soft rug... taking in the surprise..

May be Abir was used to making such impromptu lunch or dinner meetings.... with..Piya..!!

 Mark would have thought of Piya and made this romantic set up...

Obviously he didn't know it was her ....the person introduced to him as Abir's kis sis..

If he knew he wouldn't have done this...

And Abir...

He too was acting a bit awkward...

For the first time in the day her face  shadowed...which she hid well by..acting busy with cutlery..

**

Abir stood still ...mesmerised by the blend of beauty in front of him...he needed to capture this moment..but ...

Well he was willing to risk everything than let go of his treasure..

Abir took the camera and speedily snapped at her...

"Abir yeh Kya Kar rahe ho.."

Mishti protested as she too snapped out of her bleak thoughts..

"You forgot?? I am just cataloguing your day out......umm...proof that I did take you for sightseeing? Aur Khana bhi khilaya.. Nanko ko dikhana hai na...."

Abir rolled out excuses hoping fervently that she would allow him to take her pictures to his hearts content..

Mishti was thankful to Abir for breaking the awkwardness that fell between them..

" Ab bas bhi Karo... Mark ne itni effort lagaya Hain..lunch thandi ho jaayegi.."

Abir sat cross-legged and Mishty laid out his plate for him...

"Khichdi?! Tumhein khichdi pasand hai Kya... lekin bachpan Mein toh Tum bohot drama karthethe the na jab chotimaa khichdi banati thi?"

Mishti  looked quizzically at Abir...

," Umm...woh... actually..mujhe khichdi pasand hai...woh tab tumhein ...Tumhari favorite hai na...toh jab Maa khichdi banati thi toh mujhe bohot gussa aata tha.."

Abir's owning up of his antics made Mishti smile..and her grievance spilled out.. 

" Tab tum mujhse gussa tha....woh..ummm..Ab?..Ab jab Mein chotimaa ki saath Hoon toh tum Nazar uthake bhi nahi dekhthe.." Kyu..?"

Abir fidgeted...

"Mishti..itne saalon Mein humare beech Mein Jo problems tha woh humari bachpana tha. lekin Maa aur mere beech ka faasla Mera bachpana nahi...woh faasle mere saath bade hue Hain...

Tumhare aane se kuch badla bhi nahi..haan lekin aaj Maa ne Jo Kiya...theek nahi Kiya..!"

"Ab tum chotimaa se iss baat pe ladoge?..nahi Abir mujhse promise Karo ki tum chotimaa se is baat ko leke kuch nahi kahega.."

Abir looked at the hand in front of him...

"Pakka vaada Abir..?"

Abir smiled at the childhood reference..and entangled her  little finger with his..

" Pakka vaada....ab khush...acha khasa ladakoo mauka haath see nikal gaya."