Abir....

Mishti uttered the name and the person sauntered in...

" Nanko...yeh le tereliye Ghar se Teri Badimaa ne bheja hai..."

Abir handed over the basket of fruits and snacks to Kunal..who eagerly started opening it but stopped...

" Bhai is that what I think in your hands is"

Abir kinda protected the package as Kunal was ready to pounce on it..

" Calm down Mera Sher...woh mein Mishti keliye laaya hai..."

Mishti slightly pinked up at the attention she was getting...but looked quizzically at both the package and Abir...

"Mishti...jaldi jaldi..pakdo..pighal jaayega.." 

Kunal urged her to take it from Abir...

She opened it feeling the chill ...

"Spanish delight. !!! OMG....!! I love  you..!"

Mishti jumped in delight and impulsively hugged Abir tight...

Abir was stunned by Mishti''s action and once it sinked in  that his Mishti is hugging him ....his arms rose involuntarily to enclose her...but stopped as he heard Kunal.... clapping..

"Mishti tum aaj Toh surprise pe surprise de rahe ho...agar Bhai ko pata hota ki pighalne wale ice cream tub se Tera mood pighlega Toh woh kabka ice cream ka retail khola hota tereliye.. Bhai..Sach mein...ab aap pe gussa aa Raha hai.."

His hands dropped down as Mishti''s loosened around him and she adjusted her specs to cover up her awkwardness...

"Mujh pe gussa...ab Maine Kya Kiya.. tereliye bhi hai ismain.."

Abir tried to talk off handedly..

" Itne saal Meri Mishti ki bachi ko mujhse door rakhne ke liye gussa aaraha Hain...kitna acha hota..agar aap donon .."

Kunal cupped his mouth...and gagged himself.. looking at the changing expression on Abir's and Mishti''s face...

" Mein bhi na..itne saare favorite cheeze saamne Hain Aur Kya baat leke baith Gaya."

Hurriedly he took his tub from the bag and started at it...

Mishti looked at her tub and Kunal's..

Sirf do!??

Abir sat on the couch flipping his phone and swiping on it..

The tub of ice cream was pushed in front of him...

"Tum kha Lo na...."

Abir said with surprise ...

" Woh Toh mein kha loongi...Meri favorite Jo laaya hai tum...share?!"

Mishti put an extra spoon inside and sat holding the tub beside him...

" Bhai...mujhse share mat poochna...Mera Toh ho Gaya..aap Mishti se hi le lo ab.."

Kunal said as his phone chimed an incoming message...

Looking at the notification he got up and asked to be excused...

" Bhai ek important call karna hai.excuse me..mein aata hoo"

Kunal walked out of the foyer..

" Massima ...kaisi hai.. updates Mila doctor se?"

Abir asked Mishti as he scooped a spoonful..

" Hmm..she is stable.. they said.. her brain activity is also normal under the circumstances..umm tumhara work finish ho Gaya..I mean.. you are here..."

" Work Toh Kal dekhlenge..ab tum ice cream khalo..."

Abir urged her to eat..

"Tumhein kisne bataya ki mujhe Spanish delight sabse pasand hai...oh no ..Kuhu se poocha kya..."

Abir nodded smiling..and his eyes struck at her lips...blobs of cream rested there  .

The sudden urge to lick it away holding her in his arms  spooked him ...

" Mishti...on your face.."

Mishty looked at Abir in slight confusion and rubbed her other cheek...

"Wahan nahi..."

Mishti rubbed her chin this time..

"Yahaan.."

Abir's fingers moved slightly along her chin ..his thump slid along the underside of her lips rubbing away the cream...

Mishti was enchanted by his touch.her eyes flew to his face ... and.his eyes was trained on her lips...

"Umm.now okay.."

Abir withdrew his hand with reluctance...as Mishti herself rubbed off her lips...

Silently they shared the tub of ice cream.

Abir asked suddenly..

"Tomorrow Kuhu has her appointment right.?! she is prepared na?. otherwise they'll cancel her admission..."

Mishti had totally forgotten about that...

"OMG I completely forgot about that..Mera bhi classes do din mein start honewala Hain."

Mishti was disturbed as to how to manage tomorrow...

" I"ll take some time off and will take her ..and you don't worry.. she'll be fine.."

" But Abir ...tum itne busy rehthe ho..Aur.. nahi..mein Chotimaa ko call Kar deti Hoon.."

" Koi zaroorath nahi...mein Aur Kuhu Kal 8 O'clock nikal rahe Hein...and she told you to take care of yourself and Dadi..."

Abir and Mishti looked at Kunal ...

" Kuhu ne tumhe call Kiya...?"

Mishti was a bit miffed..

" Seriously Mishty you should have seen your face today..uske baad tumhe lagtha hai ki Kuhu uski tension ko leke tujhe call karegi..."

Kunal told her bluntly...

" Mera koi important kaam nahi hai na . Convocation date is fixed.... so farewell ki rehearsals start hone ko hai... I am totally free to be at service..haan..in exchange you can help me with the rehearsals..."

Mishti..punched him softly on his arm..

"Thanks Kunal...tum ne Mera tension ek second mein bhaga Diya...I mean humara.."

She looked at Abir and he nodded ..as he stood up.

" Toh mein...chaltha hoon.. Nanko..chal so ja... Mishti ise time pe uthana..."

Abir said to Mishty as Kunal snickered ..

" Sleepy head se kehkar koi fayda nahi...mein alarm lagatha Hoon."

Mishti rolled her eyes at his comment.

Abir once again looked at the duo as both took out the blankets and made arrangements to sleep... hammering down the spikes of jealousy as he watched their antics as Kunal threw a cushion at Mishti.

*****

Sometime around the dawnbreak Rajshri stirred...

Her fingers moved slightly and her parched lips moved..

*****

Mishti was gently awakened by the nurse caring for Rajshri..

" Ma'am...wake up !! your mom is awake.and brought to her room ..you can see her for few minutes.."

Mishti got up and immediately freshened up.

She woke up Kunal and both eagerly went to the glass panel...

Mishti was told to wear the scrubs before going near to Rajshri.

She slowly went to her side...

Doctors were prompting Rajshri to recognize her.....

Rajshri's eyes widened when she saw Misht..

"M.. M.Mishti"

All let out a breath of relief..

Mishti took her hand in her hands...and smiled tearfully...

****

Kuhu was happy to get the good news about Rajshri...

But could not go along with the Rajvansh's to the hospital as per the plan as she had her appointment.. visiting time was from 9 and she was leaving now..

Kunal came early from the hospital and was ready in record time that Parul was impressed..

" Kya Kunal..Tum itni jaldi ready hogaya..ek khanta lagaatha tha pehle..."

Kunal rolled his eyes at the dig from his mom... stuffing toast into his mouth..

"Kuhu..theek see kha le..thoda time Toh lagega lautne mein..Aur jaldi vaapas aana.."

Parul reminded her smilingly..

Abir came down ready to go to hospital .

Kuhu and Kunal were just about to leave...

Meenakshi came to the hall all smiles on her face..

" Kunal..beta ek minute...ek good news sunkar jao..

" Wow...ek Aur good news today..." Said Kunal looking at the message in his phone.

Abir looked at Kunal knowingly..

Meenakshi looked at him quizzically..

"Mishti ka message Hain...Massima is talking.. normally..ab aap bataiye Badimaa..Kya news Hain?"

" Koslu as Raha Hain...! in two weeks..."

"What...Koslu Mamu... that's great news..Abir Bhai is baar Mamu ko khoob maska lagana Hein.."

Kuhu looked at Kunal for clarification...

"Mera Maamu Kaushal Rajvansh .woh India..  Rajkot mein Hein.."

Abir too was glad that Koushal Mamu was coming .He was Abir's best friend and guide in the years when he was rebellious to the core.. Now the CEO of Indian division of Rajvansh's..

" Ketu  Maami Sab aa rahe hai na Massi.." Abir directed his question to Parul to which she looked at Meenakshii and got a nod.

" Haa Abir..woh bhi aa rahe Hain..."

"Wow.. great day..! Badimaa maa..hum late ho rahe Hein..chaloo Kuhu.."

Kuhu waved at all as they wished her luck for her interview..

*****

At the hospital  Meenakshii,Parul and Abir waited with Mishti to get their turn to see Rajshri..

All were happy with the recovery of Rajshri..

" Ab Mishti. tumhein Ghar aana padega..now she is recovering..mein Aur Parul abse morning   yehi spend Kar leti hoo.bohut gossip karni hai humein...Haina Rajshri..."

Meenakshi said to both Mishty and Rajshri..

Mishti meekly nodded in agreement and Abir looked at her in anticipation...

" Abir..tum Mishti ko Ghar le jao Aur phir office chale jaana...mein Sam ko phone Karthi Hoon ki woh Mishti ka khayal rakhe..."

Meenakshii.. looked at Rajshri and she closed her eyes in agreement..

******

Mishti was concentrating on her phone flipping  fingers.. kept on her lap..consciously studying them as she sat beside Abir in the car...

Yesterday's touch of his fingers on her lips was  making her tremble... even now..!

" Tum theek ho na!?"

Upon Abir's enquiry She nodded without looking at him...

" Umm... Kuhu's message...donno..lots of emojis..decode karna padega.."

Abir smiled at that .

" Tumhare classes bhi start hone wale hai na..so message me your requirements and I will get them delivered home...Kuhu se bhi bol Dena..."

Mishti started to protest...but stopped short as he said candidly..

" I will give you the bill okay...no need to fight now.."

Mishti sat back a bit embarrassed..

" Massima..you feel she is okay.?...abhi..physio Sab karke dekhni hai na... tumhein Kya lagtha hai? "

Abir asked  about her feelings upon seeing Rajshri incapacitated...

" Badimaa.. strong Hein...woh haar nahi maanegi....she is my strength Abir...I don't want to think for a second that I will lose her...wohi Meri family Hain..."

Mishti's eyes misted as she turned her face away from Abir.....but stilled as his fingers sought her hand in reassurance.

"Massima kisi ko bhi chodke jaane wali nahi Hain...and what about us...mein....mein tumhara koi nahi Hoon?"

Abir's voice was gruff with mild reproach as he put out the question.. with thumping heart...

Mishti rolled her other hand into a fist...biting down the pain at the unanswerable question...

" Tum mere liye Sab kuch ho.."

She wanted to say that aloud...

" Tum aur Kunal mere bachpan ke dost ho....and I am sure I can depend on you both to take care  of me and Kuhu..

I am sorry ki Badimaa tumhein..tumse... mereliye..."

Mishti stopped as his hand entwined  her fingers and pressed hard...

" That's between me and Massima... Mishti you don't get to decide that.."

Abir's tone was serious and Mishti knew from the set of his jaw that he had taken Badimaa's words to heart..

From being" like "his kid sister to his actual responsibility....!

Mishti wanted to make clear to him that she can never think of him as her brother....

But she didn't have the energy to fight with him...so she quipped.

"aisa responsibilities mat le lo jise tum sambhaal na sakoge....I know I am a hand full...and I assure you Kuhu is ..."

"Okay okay... let's keep it as friends.. helping out each other as you wish...ab theek hai...na.."

Abir didn't want to take his hand away from hers..but maneuvering the car too was important...

She patted his hand signing the deal with a smile and withdrew hers...

"Waise tumhein pata hai Kya ki Koslu Mamu aarahe Hein.."

Abir said with a wide grin..

Misti's eyes went wide in surprise..and then she cupped her mouth holding her laugh..

" Koslu uncle..!..Aur Nidhi aunty..bhi.. Abiir..I mean..kya...  woh abhi bhi ??!.."

Mishti paused but her eyes twinkled in mischief..

Abir let out a mock sigh...

" Haan..she is still learning English.. even after 12 years..!!."

"Aur ketu ..ab toh Badi hogayi hongi..."

Mishty was thrilled..

" Hmm...theen saal pehle aayi thi toh Choti thi..ab legally adult ban gayi Hein..."

The car entered the Rajvansh mansion .

" Wow...so we get to outnumber you boys.."

Mishti laughed openly....

Abir looked at her face mesmerised by the deep dimples that appeared....

Mishti''s door was opened by the watch man.. shaking Abir from his tranquility..

"Ummm...uhh.. that's not possible...you know we three are deadly right !"

Abir said as both of them entered home...

Mishti looked at him quizzically.

" We three..?? .tum Aur Kunal .. toh sirf do Haina..teesra kaun..."

Abir eyed to the hall...

Nanu was enjoying music with head phones on...!

Mishti doubled up in laughter and reflexively caught Abir's hand for support....

******

Nanu as he turned towards the door was greeted with the most loving sight he had in years...

A beaming Abir and a laughing Mishty..

Holding on to each other....

*****

Kuhu was ecstatic as she viewed her campus..

Her interview was over  and successful...her classes were to start shortly and now they were on their way back...

" Kunal can we go to a mall...I need to get some supplies... Mishti''s classes are starting na..woh agar bag lene gayi na...sadoo Wala hi leke aayegi..."

" Sure hum thoda chill bhi karthe Hain na.after shopping.. ice cream...tumhareliye..."

Kunal turned the car into the parking of a mall..

As they walked together Kuhu was happy.. chatting about what not and Kunal patiently nodded and interjected with appropriate remarks..

" Mishti  ki bas chale you woh bed se hi uthke college jaati...thoda uska fashion statement badalni hai mujhe..."

Kuhu said excitedly as they entered a boutique...

" Kuhu... Mishti's style is different from you...woh aisi hi theek hai..."

Kunal said that and got a glare from Kuhu..

" Okay ...you get whatever you want... I'll watch.."

Kuhu bought  stylish bags for college purposes and some ensembles for both of them..

As she was about to pay Kunal slid his credit card...

" No lady pays when she is with me..."

Kuhu giggled at his attitude dialogue delivery..

As they walked back sipping cold coffee.. Kunal seemed to scan the area..

Kuhu became suspicious of his actions.

" Kya baat hai Kunal..tum.itne cautious kyun ho..."

Kuhu looked around and noticed a group of girls looking at them...

" Oh...Kunal..Kya tumhara ex girlfriends hai Kya yahaan...I never asked you the details...just assumed...ki"

Her voice thinned as she fumbled with words..

" Assumed what?...ki mein ek flirt hoon...!??.

are aise koi assume kartha hai Kya..?"

His voice held a hurt.

".well.bata hi deta hoon....I have dated... that's all.. nothing ever serious...um...Aur..tum...tum kabhi .."

Kuhu..felt a bit of strange feeling building up from her gut....

" Bohot hi personal question pooch rahe ho..?"

She tried evasion..

They reached at the parking and got into the car..

" Arre...tum mujhse pooch sakthe ho...I too have a right to know ki yeh kaisi ladki mere Ghar mein reh Rahi Hain..."

"Acha tohh apne BF se poocha Kya ki woh kaisi ladki Hain and all..."

Kuhu retorted...

Kunal smiled fondly at the mention of Mishti.

" Uska toh mujhe pata Haina...poochne ya batane.ki Kya zaroorath..! She has trust issues..mere alava uska koi boy friend nahi hua hoga... and I bet she never went on a date.."

Kuhu sulked at the exact narration of Mishti's life..

" Haan...but we had an amazing bunch of friends...we always hanged out together till that Avi tried his luck on Mishti.."

Kunal's face shadowed as he remembered the incident..

" Mishti always used to say that we can't take Dadi for granted...if we love some random guy...it means we are going away from her...and that was never an option for me or Mishti..."

Kuhu's voice was whimsical...

" Toh you both have sweared off guys Kya?!"

He put up his carefree attitude as Kuhu looked at him..

" Mishti ka toh pata nahi...but I think one should live life ... we'll see..ab tum batao ki tumhein kaisi girlfriend pasand hai...you know.. beautiful.. smart... fashionable... extrovert...batao."

Unconsciously Kuhu described herself ..!!

Kunal swallowed the lump of apprehension he felt as words tumbled out...

" Umm... beautiful of course... physically that's enough...and she should be my confidante..My secret Haven ..My partner in crimes and my best friend..."

Kuhu felt something jerk from her heart and a squeezing pain..

*********