Next morning all were in lighter mood as everyone eagerly waiting for the arrival of Kaushal Mamu and Nidhi Mami.

Their flight was scheduled to arrive at 4 in the evening..

At aarti Kuhu looked at Abir and Mishti...

Smiling at each other....

Mishti giving prasad to Abir...

and just shook her head rolling her eyes.....as if their interactions were too confusing for her to understand..

Kunal ....looking at her... raised his eyebrows in question.

She signalled him to be patient...

After Arti..as Parul was about to go to kitchen to organise breakfast Abir stopped her..

" Massi ...aapse kuch baat karni thi.. "

"Haan Abir batao na!"

"Yahaan nahi massi..thoda confidential hai..Kya..aap thodi der baad study mein as sakthe hain?"

Parul was surprised at Abir's request and nodded ..

" Mein wait Kar Raha Hoon..aap aayiyega"

Abir walked In the direction of Study ..

Parul turned and her eyes fell on Mishti coming her direction with Prasad...

" Thanks Mishti..beta Kya aap breakfast arrange Kar sakthi ho...ek urgent kaam aagaya hai.."

"Why not Massi..aap jaayiye...mein dekh loongi.."

Mishti moved to the kitchen shortly followed by Kuhu and Kunal..

"Mishti...Tera gussa Hawa ban gayi Kya...Abir bro se smilingly baatein Kar rahe ho..?"

Kuhu asked impatiently..

"Phir se jhagda hua tha ?? Kab !? Kaise!? Kyun!?"

Kunal's dramatics brought a big smile in Mishti''s face..

" Woh..kuch nahi..humne Jo chotu sa mis understanding tha woh clear Kar di...and Kuhu..he is onboard with our plan.."

Mishti looked at Kuhu with triumph..

" Wow Mishti...tum ne Abir bro ko Bata bhi Diya Aur unhone maan bhi liya...!!?.. great.."

Kuhu was wonderstruck and Kunal was looking at their exchange with out a clue...

" Koi mujhe bhi batayega ki Kya ho Raha hai mere Ghar mein..!??"

Kuhu turned to face him as Mishti suppressed her smile at Kunal and Kuhu's expression and started breakfast arrangements with the staff...

" Chal batati Hoon...lekin...keep it down will you?..itnaaaa drama?!"

Kuhu walked to the stairs and Kunal waved to Mishti as he followed Kuhu..

*****

Abir was in deep thought as he sat on the edge of the large antique table adorning the Study..

Parul noticed his preoccupied mood as she closed the door..

" Kya baat hai Abir? You look stressed... Toronto mein sab theek chal Raha Hai na??"

Abir snapped out from his thoughts and nodded.

" Haan..Piya is managing fine there..baat ,..umm.. Mishti ki Hain...I mean both Mishty and Kuhu.."

Parul looked at him confused...

" Bache toh theek lag Rahi thi ...phir tum itne stress mein kyun ho?"

Abir made Parul sit and narrated how Rajshri's insurance was barely sufficient for covering the costs..."

"Ismein stress ki baat Kya hai Abiir...bhagwan ki kripa se hum Rajshri di ki help karne ki position mein heina..."

Parul's voice trailed as she sensed that this was not Abir's problem..

" Mishti ne kuch kahaa??!"

Her gentle question got a small nod from him..

And Abir told Parul how he did the payment....how Mishti came to know about it and her reaction to it and at last Mishti''s decision to sell their home at Greenville..

Parul listened silently..

" Massi...she is going to talk about this matter with Maa...I would like your help in making Maa agree to this sale..."

Parul looked at him in mild shock...

" Why would Meenu di agree ...she will make Mishti understand that we are family..and we take care of each other...Haina Abir..."

" I don't know Massi..if she is able to convince Mishti then no problem..Maa.. she will try her best too....but as far as I know Maa respects her individuality and self respect...bachpan se...woh zid pakdegi toh eventually maan hi jaayegi.."

" Haan ..woh toh Hain..! You said a valid point ..so after Meenu di agrees?

Abir explained his solution to Parul massi...

She sat there listening and a smile started to develop as Abir reached the conclusion..

" Saap bhi mare Aur lathi bhi na toote..." She said smilingly..

"Eh Massi.."

" Well...I second your plan...kind of solving two problems with one solution and if I am guessing right it should appear that this solution is coming from Meenu di ..right..?If at all Mishti gets wind of this arrangement??!"

Abir nodded to Parul's question..

" Tum kab se darpok ban Gaye...! " Parul got up and patted Abir's cheek ..

" Darpok..mein.. Massi..aap yeh.."

Abir looked flustered as Parul looked at him affectionately..

" Agar Mishti ko pata lag..gayi..ki yeh tumhara kaam hai Meenu di ki nahi toh...uski gusse se dartha hai na?!!"

Abir smiled sadly...

" Uski gusse se dar nahi Massi.......dar is baat ka Hain ki kahin woh phir se humari zindgi se chale na jaaye. Aur mein phirse uski wajah banoo....yeh mein nahi chahtha...."

Parul looked at him reminiscing old days with a smile..

" Hum unpe gussa hote hai jinpe humein haq hota hai...Maine dekha hai na tum donon ko bachpan mein...woh bachi thi phir bhi tum uskeliye sabse important thi..Aur ..yeh baat bhi Hain ki jab hum kisiko apna manthe hai to unke taraf se kuch aisa waisa ho toh bohot dard hota hai.."

Abir stood Crest fallen before Massi..

Parul's face beamed with pride as she held Abir by his arms..

"And I am proud of you beta...jis tarah tum use protect karne ki soch rahe ho...bohot theek soch rahe ho.. Kuch bhi nahi hoga..mein Tera saath Hoon..sab sambhaal loongi..tu stress mat Lena is baat ko lekar...Chalo breakfast karthe Hain..

*****

After breakfast as usual Abir started for the office and Mishti for her classes..

Kunal was a little pre occupied since Kuhu told him about their plans

Kuhu was happy that Abir had given the green signal...all will be okay...and went to Rajshri to share the news..

Meenakshi too was there chatting with Rajshri...her instincts telling her that Rajshri is hiding something from her...

Just then Kuhu barged in calling Dadi..but stopped short as she found Meenakshii sitting beside the bed..

"Aao Kuhu...hum tho yahaan Koslu air Nidhi ki baare mein baat Kar rahe the..tum hi ho Jo unse nahi mile ho ab Tak right...

Baitho tho... kisse sunloge toh ek idea mil jaayega ki tum aakhir kis se Milne wali ho..!!"

" Yes aunty..sure..aap batayiye.."

Kuhu pulled a chair and sat there listening to their talk and laughing at the funny anecdotes

****

As Meenakshi left Rajshri called Kuhu...

" Itne der tum kis baath ko apne pet mein leke idhar udhar dekh Rahi thi...?"

" Ohh Dadi...mein itni transparent Hoon...I need to work on that..Meenu aunty ko bhi laga hoga...oh God..!"

" Baat Kya Hein beta..." Rajshri asked seriously...

" Woh Mishti ne Abir bro se baat ki...."

" Phir se jhagda hua hoga... Abir apne zid pe Aur yeh Mishti apni zid pe....ab itni bhi jaldi Kya thi use.."

Rajshri looked flustered by Mishti''s act...

" Dadi..poori baat toh sunlo...Abir Bhai maan Gaya..!"

Rajshri looked at Kuhu in shock...

" Abiir....Abiir..man liya...kaise..." Her voice trailed ..

Kuhu understood then that her Dadi was not ready to say farewell to her home...

She hugged her daadi sideways..

"Kuch mahi Dadi...mujhe pataa hai ki aap ready nahin hai...Yeh baat meine uthaya tha.. Mishti toh ready bhi nahi thi..lekin..kuch problem ki vajah se Abir bro ne aapka bill pay Kiya tha..Aur yeh jaankar Mishty unse naaraz ho gayi thi...."

Rajshri clutched Kuhu's hand tightly... eyes starting to tear..

" Pata nahi Kal in donon me jhagda hua tha ya baat Hui thi...aaj toh dono khush hi lag rahe Hain...Aur Mishti ne bola ki Abir bro maan Gaye Hain.aur woh time dekhke Meenu aunty see bhi baat karegi..'..

*****

Meenakshi was on her way back to Rajshri's room to take her phone she left by the bedside table...

But the voice of Kuhu slowed her steps as she listened to Kuhu's narration of yesterday's event..

And her brows tightened as she heard that Abir is okay with selling Rajshri's home..

****

Kunal..was entrusted to pick Kaushal and Family from the Airport..and he begged Nanu to come with him...

" Nanu... please yaar...mujhe akele NidhiMami ke saamne phek rahe ho... please have mercy on me..."

Nanu... enjoying Kunal's trepidation set a serious face and slapped him on the shoulder..

" Apni Mami ke baare mein kuch bhi keh dete ho...Meri bahu hai woh.."

Then looking at Kunal he said pleadingly..

" Are Baksh do..woh airport mein hi Mera band baja degi....tum chal na..."

Kunal looked at Parul and Meenakshii who suppressed their smile at Nanu's antics..

*****

The arrival of Koslu Mamu and Nidhi maami with Ketki increased the happiness of the Rajvansh Mansion..

Abir too reached home tailgating Kunal's car..

Parul opened the main door ..

Kaushal and Nidhi Rajvansh beamed at the family...

Abir and Kunal stood on either side of Ketki...Kunal doing his theatrics while Abir sidehugging Ketki with affection..

Kaushal started to enter..but was stopped by

" Ruk jao.."

Meenakshi and Nanu..came to the front..

"3 saal ke baad aise hi ander ghusoge...Gadheda.."

" Woh Bapuji... welcome welcome..."

Nidhi tried to move in and take aashirwad from Nanu...as Kaushal held her by arm.and pulling her close... corrected her...

"Welcome nahi mariwali...thank you bolna hai..Aur woh bhi koi welcome bole tab.."

Abir and Kunal were in splits as Ketki facepalmed herself..

" Toh ab Kya Kare husband..."

Nidhi was confused...

" Ab hum aapko welcome karenge..."

Mishti came with aarti ki thaal followed by Kuhu...

Meenakshii smiled and urged her to go to Kaushal...

" Mishti beta...tum ho?....lekin tumhare Baal ko Kya hua..."

Kaushal asked surprised...as Nidhi maami.. did a Nazar utaroing with a big smile...

Mishti smiled at all and did aarti for all...

She put the thilak on Mamu and Mami..and they entered inside to seek Nanu's aashirwad..

Ketki was in awe to find two stunningly beautiful girls ...

She elbowed both brothers ...who were till that moment desperately seeking what their hearts desired....

Mishti went to kethki and welcomed her with a warm hug...

" Chotu si doll thi tu mereliye...ab Kitni Badi ho gayi hai...tumhe mein yaad hai Kya..?!"

"Kaash aisa welcome humein bhi milta..."

Kunal said Sotto voce...

" Bhai ko Mila hockey stick Aur mujhe Mila gaaliyaan....aur Dekho...ise mil Rahi hai jhappiyaan..."

" Aap itna jealous kyun ho Kunal bhayya...aajaoo..jhappi share karthe Hein na.."

"Yeh Hui na baat...Bhai aajao.."

" Hei Nanko...Kya..."

Kunal pulled Abir as Mishti''s arm opened up......to include the Bros in their mega jhappi..

Abir felt the bliss as her hand slid along his waist... enclosing him in it's warmth...just as his hands trailed softly around her shoulder..

" Arre mujhe bhi koi bulao party mein...hi Ketki.. I am Kuhu...ab mein kahaan ghusoo..!?"

Abir didn't leave Mishti nor she attempted to loosen her hold...but Kunal left his on Abir so that Kuhu can join....

Meenakshi and Parul looked at the bachaparty and sighed in happiness...

*****

Rajshri was delighted to see Koushal and Nidhi...

" Aap ko dekhne keliye hi aaye Hein Rajshri di...ab hum bhi aapko destiny denge...."

Nidhi sat beside Rajshri's bed ..

Kaushal masked his smile as Rajshri eyed him not to ridicule her...

" Haan Rajshri behn...jab suna ki aap Aur Mishty beta yahaan hai...toh mile Bina Raha nahi jaa Raha tha....Aur Jaise Maine baat Meenu di se kaha...Abir ne ek team ko Rajkot bhej Diya ..ab aaram se 1 mahina yahaan vacation Kar saktha hoo...."

" Thoda toh badwork karna chahiye na..aap Abir par all work daal rahe ho.."

Nidhi interrupted her husband..

" Bad work nahi maariwali ..hard work.aur destiny nahi company Dena hai humein Rajshri behn ko...Kya mein aisa mamu.hoon Kya Jo apne bhanje se saara kaam karvao?!"

All smiled at his comment..they sat there reminiscing the times they were business partners and then when they lived together..

******

"Wow Mishti di..my room is beautiful... Parul Massi ne bataya ki aapne Meri room decorate Kiya tha.."

Ketki turned to Mishti...as all were seated for dinner...

Mishti reminisced the day and butterflies flipped in her ..

"I just helped Massi...and I am glad that you like it.."

They chitchatted about Rajkot..as Mishti was eager to walk down her memory lane..

__

" Atul ko bhi laana chahiye tha na...use bhi deknne ko milta.."

Nanu said to Kaushal.

" Uska board exams aanewala Hain na...Aur woh chashmish books ke ander se thode hi baahar aayega...US jaane ki baat se bhi excited nahin the...isliye use Nidhi ka Ghar chod ke aaya hai.."

"Haan haan bapuji..he is very very dubious.."

Nidhi said with pride..

Kunal burst out laughing as others joined in..

" Mariwali...apne bete ko badnaam karoge... dubious nahi.. studious... studious.."

" Haan wohi..same same different different.."..

Abir looked at Mishti who was trying to suppress her laughter politely and their eyes locked...both set of eyes sparklingly sharing the inside joke ..

After dinner the girls went to Kethu's room..

Kethki was an inquisitive Peppy girl . The three of them sat chatting about favorite actor , actresses, films , friends...

" Kuhu di.. Mishti di...."

Kethu started to ask something when both Mishti and Kuhu said simultaneously..

" Nooo"

" Tum humein nam hi bula lo..di bulaane ki koi zaroorath nahin hai..

"Okay okay..name only...toh mein yeh poochne jaa Rahi thi ....ki...aapka .. Boyfriend ya boyfriend's Hein?"

" Wow...Rajkot ki ladki ...tu is sawaal poochne keliye Mari jaa Rahi thi Kya??..."

Mishty and Kuhu attacked kethu with cushions..

" Hei...I just wanted to know...okay me first..I don't have a boyfriend...haan.. crushes toh bohot baar hua Hain...ab Mishty di...oops Mishty...aapka boyfriend Hein Kya..?"

Before Mishty could respond Kunal plopped beside her...

" Iski toh boyfriend hai na... dashing Kunal Rajvansh..."

Kethu's eyes popped out in shock..

Seeing Kethu's reaction Mishty smacked Kunal...

" Kuch bhi....aisa kuch bhi nahi Hain kethu...Aur Mera koi boyfriend bhi nahi Hain.."

Mishty totally missed the shadowing of Kuhu's face at Kunal's words as well as Abir's look of torture as he saw Kunal's coziness with mishty.

" Bhai..yeh humaari Choti behna boys topic pe iss "sweared off men " tag wali ladies see pooch rahe Hain.... should we be worried!??"

Mishty turned swiftly.. to see Abir standing .. leaning on the door...

" Well ..Kethu and I have an agreement.. whoever she likes ..she gets to tell me first and he gets to meet me first...Haina Kethu.."

Abir came in and sat on the couch..

" Wah bachu ...tum toh pehle see hi Bhai ko pata ke rakha hai na?"

" Kyun nahi..Mera Bhai hai...Aur mere sabhi friends ko boyfriend's Hein....even Mera Bhai use chashmish Atul ka bhi ek girlfriend Hein.."

" Hein!!!!"

Abir and Kunal chorused in surprise.and looked at each other...laughingly..

" Chokra Rajvansh ka naam India mein na sahi Rajkot mein Roshan Kar Raha Hein...Good ..!"

Abir said in between the laughs..

" Itni surprised kyun ho...haan...uska study partner..usi ke Kaisa chashmish...and bookish...ab batao...Abir bhai..aapki GF ke baare mein...Kya naam bataya tha Parul massi ne...shiya,..Riya...aisa kuch..."

Abir sat there not responding to Kethu's question ..his eyes darting to Mishty''s..who became suddenly interested in Kethu's anklets..

" Are yeh Mami ki bimaari tujhse bhi hone lagi hai Kya...Riya viya nahi..Piya..!"

Kunal supplied..

" Haan Jo bhi..mein miloongi na use..tab okay kardoongi Varna cancel...theek hai Bhai.."

Kethu's question brought Abir back to the talks..

" Totally accepted..ab tum itni long travel karke aayi ho ..rest le lo theek see..jet lag bhi hoga..kal aaram se uthna...hum sab Kal milthe Hain...Nanko..! Chalo..!"

"Hum bhi chalthe Hain...time ka pata bhi nahi Chala..ache se rest Lena Kethu... good night..!"

Mishty too got down of the bed followed by Kuhu...who hugged Kethu wishing her good night..

As four of them walked to their rooms.. along the corridor talking ..

Abir's eyed the hall where a serious but pleasant discussion was going on between Nanu,Meenakshii, Parul and Koushal....

Meenakshi looked up and locked her eyes with Abir's..her face shadowing...