"What!!?"

Mishti's voice was raised a bit and Kunal closed her mouth with his palm...

"Dheere...bol...tu darthi Kyu hai...aur koi solution hai Tere pass...?"

Kunal tried to make Mishti understand.

'You have to do this.Bhai toh room lock kartha hai toh tum ya kuhu kisi ek ko unke room mein chupna padega aur barah baje switch on karna hoga.Kuhu se kehdu Kya ...sab chopat hi ho jaayega.."

Nanu too looked at her imploringly..

Mishti was now in a fix..

Just then Parul came there with the house keeping staff bringing up her dinner..

"Massi...yeh Kya plan...."

Mishti was not allowed to complete..

Parul signalled Nanu and Kunal out of the room.

"Jaldi fresh hoke Khana khalo ..mein tumhe chupa deti hoo.."

Parul smiled broadly..

" Massi aap bhi..." Mishti could not believe what was going on and smiled at Parul's enthusiasm.

******

Rajshri smiled as she tried to get up from the bed upon seeing Abir..

Abir went to her side helping her to sit up and adjusted the pillows..

" Thodi pareshaan Hui thi Mishti keliye...lekin jab Kunal ne bola ki tum uski saath ho toh Meri chintha door Hui..

Abir.. smiled..

" Ab thanks mat kehna massima..aapko pehle hi mujhe Bata Dena chahiye tha ki Mishti ko aise jaana Hain.."

"Abir bro...! Ab batao bhi Kya Kya hua aaj?

Aapko Mera college kaisa laga?"

Kuhu chimed in ..and Abir told both ladies about the Mishti and Kuhu's colleges and a watered down account of their sightseeing..

******

As he shouldered his backpack and walked into his room Abir saw Nanu.. walking towards him..

" Mein tumhara hi wait Kar Raha tha...

" Nanu... mujhe Pata hai ki aap Mera wait kyun Kar Rahe Ho.."

Abir opened his room and ushered Nanu in..

" Kya ..tumhe pata hai..? Kaise..?

Nanu asked confused..

Abir carefully kept his backpack on bed and turned to face Nanu..

" Ismein itna bhi brain lagaane ki Kya zaroorath hai...? aap already white flag ki tarah hi dikh rahe ho.Mujhse yeh kehne keliye wait Kar Raha hai ki mein maa se jhagda mat Karo.."

" Haa haan..wohi tho ...wohi toh kehne aaya tha.."

Nanu let out a relieved breath..

Abir took off his jacket and slid off his T shirt..

" Lekin Nanu...Maa Mishti ko leke itni laaparvah kaisi ho sakthi hai..pata hai aapko use panic attacks aata hai..aur aise hi bhej Diya.."

Nanu..was silently observing Abir..who took the towel and put around his neck ..visibly irritated...

" Abir"

Nanu called him and Abir looked at him ..

" Acha laga tumhe Mishti ki parvah karthe hue dekhkar...lekin Meenu...Shayad woh Mishti ki khuddari ko maanthi hai... Mishti is a strong girl Abir..woh shayad manage Kar leti..lekin ab is baat ko yahi band karthe Hain ..theek Hain?"

"Mein konsa maa se ladne Wala hoon.Aur aapse pehle Mishti ne mujhse  promise liya hai ki mein iss bare mein maa see ladoonga nahi.."

Nanu's face lit up...

"Tab toh sab kuch okay Hain...tum fresh hoke aajaao..hum saath mein dinner keliye jaayenge.."

" Five minutes.." 

Abir shouted out as he entered the bathroom..

******

Abir's eyes searched for Mishti in the dinner table and was  therefore oblivious to the looks exchanged between the family members across the table..

Rajshri too was absent ..so he assumed Mishti was with Massima..

" Kuhu ..Kunal.gaya Kya?"

He asked..to which he got a nod ..

Massi kahaan gayi ? Abir looked around.

******

Just as Abir and Nanu left the room Parul signalled Mishti to be ready.

Mishti was in a very tight spot... All were excited about Abir's birthday surprise... Massi toh sport Nikli...lekin.. Her heart beat increased....

She haven't been to Abir's room till now...and now she has to stay there for three hrs.. hiding..!

Mishti took the small box which held Abir's gift  ... opened and looked at it in apprehension....will he like it.?..

No time to think now..she  slipped it  into her PJs pocket.. along with her phone.. after putting it in the silent mode.

Parul guided Mishti into Abir's room..

Mishti looked around taking in the layout of the bedroom..

It was more of a sanctuary than a bedroom.. totally different from Kunal's room.. which was total mess.. Mishti did a fleeting comparison..

The elegance of wood and glass was beautiful...

Full length Bay windows gave an opulent look to the room..

The room itself was divided into two levels...

A lower bedroom cum office and a higher loft..she spotted books ..canvas ..and guitars over there..

The headstand of the bed was impressive but the picture that adorned the wall above took her breath away...

His backpack lay on the bed..

His watch and car keys were on the side table of the bed..

" Mishti..tum iss stairs ke peeche chupna.....aur yeh hai balcony light switch..aur daro math..Abir gussa nahi hoga..umm..shayad thoda hoga..pata nahi..lekin hum Hein na.."

"Massi ..mein Badimaa se nahi mili hoo..woh tension mein hogi..Kya aap unhe bolenge ki main theek hoo.."

Mishti requested Parul.

" Rajshri di  ko Sab plan pata hai..tum unki chintha mat karo..mein abhi chalti hoon.dining table pe  mujhe nahi dekha toh Abir  shak karne lagega..theek see chupna.."

Mishti took a deep breath...

Now what ever happens she must be ready to face it...

******

Abir was unusually in a hurry to get back to his room..

He hastily finished his dinner and told Parul that he was going to work a bit and then sleep.. Parul nodded innocently..

Abir closed his door and locked it..

Sagging a bit he took deep breaths...

Even her smell haunted him now...he thought wryly....

Sighing..he took out the camera out of his backpack...

Powered on and made himself comfortable on the bed...

From the first pic to the last pic he couldn't take his eyes off the display... viewing on the camera display didn't fulfill his appetite....his mind craved for more..and he got up and walked up to his office table to get his personal laptop...

******

Mishti tightly closed her eyes and held her breath as she felt his shadow move on her ...

Oh God...yeh kahaan phasaa Diya.. She mentally gave all galies that came to her mind to Kunal...and doubled up beneath the loft stairs...

Abir told Alexa to dim the light and put some soft music..he uploaded the pics onto his laptop and contently watched the slideshow...

The pic on subway..

The one with NYU in the background

The one under the cherry blossoms..

The one with kids..

The one at Brooklyn bridge sun set point..

And innumerable ones in between..

His heart filled with love and the realization that she was close..just a few footsteps away from him...was making him crave for her more...
her presence ..
her fragrance....
he felt as if it still lingered with him....

He kept away the camera and once more indulged in his favorite pictures..as time went he slid into sleep...into dreams  he never had before.

******

Mishti slowly let out her breath and relaxed...once she felt Abir's rhythmic breathing...

She checked the time ..30 mts more..

She messaged Kunal to know if everything was set ..and got back a picture of himself and kuhu standing beside the gorgeous cake..

Sending angry emojis in return Mishti slowly got up... stretching herself  ....from being cramped under the stairs..and stood still at the sight before her.

Moonlight from the window fell on the figure sleeping soundly on the bed..his face as serene as she saw earlier in the Park...on her lap ..

Mishti reminisced how difficult it was to cup his face gently and place him on the makeshift pillow..she had been dreading his waking up...but apart from an indistinct frown he had continued to sleep...

Now he was in front of her...an arm thrown to a side and the other on his chest..

After switching on the balcony lights..

Mishty took the small gift box from her pocket..and stealthily approached the bed..

As she opened the box .

Moonlight fell on the silver infinity bracelet...

https://twitter.com/Surya64469043/status/1297974187697479681?s=19

Mishti unclasped the bracelet and slowly threaded it beneath his left wrist resting on his chest...and clasped it..

******

Abir was happy...

She made him complete...and she had come to him...the way her delicate fingers threaded through his hair ..the way her lips brushed his forehead. .and slid to his lips..only to tease.... rubbing her nose onto his ..and moving...

Moving away... 

fading away..

" Math jao...."

He tried to stop her ....

Abir's hand jerked as he woke up with a start and instinctively he knew someone was moving away from him...

Upon reflex he caught the person and pulled towards him...the intruder lost balance and fell upon him....

******

Mishti fell hard on his chest...but before he could say something or shout she put her palm over his mouth...

" Abiir....calm.down...its me..."

It took a second for him to realize...

As she saw recognition and horror Dawn in his eyes in that order Mishti removed her hand..

" Mishti.!!!!?"

Abir scrambled up as Mishti stood up at the bedside...

" Tum....tum mere room mein kaise.."

Abir looked around and saw the bright lights in his balcony...

"Tum balcony see aaye ho....! OMG .......lekin tum.aise Kyu aayegi...I mean..Mera Matlab.."

Abir ran hands through his hair in frustration.and. walked to the balcony..

"Happy birthday Abiir.."

"Kya..haan..."

Abir didn't register her wish but then he turned to face her...

"What...?!!"

"I said Happy birthday Abiir.."

Mishti came to him and took his hand and directed him to the balcony with her eyes...and he was mesmerised..

Just as the balcony door opened confetti fell over both ...Abir was absolutely surprised to see his patio lit up with decorative lights and his family and Massima smiling at him..

" Surprise Bhai...

Happy birthday to you...

Mishtiii Bhai ko leke aaona neeche...thoda dhakka lagaana padega..."

Mishti pulled Abir through the stairs down his balcony...

Kuhu ran to him and hugged him wishing happy birthday..

Kunal hugged him wishing and patted him ..

Some time in between Mishti had left his hand...but her warmth lingered..

Abir took blessings of Nanu, Massima, Massi and even Meenakshi's..

Then they cut the cake ..Abir shared a piece with all..

https://pin.it/3EF8i3b

Cr: Pinterest

"Ab Bhai gift time...pehle sabse Chote se start karthe Hain..."

Kunal announced..

" Wow...pehle mein..." Kuhu did jump with joy..but Kunal stopped her.

" Tum nahi...iss Ghar mein Sab  se young or energetic sirf aur sirf Nanu Hain..Nanu.aajayiye.."

Abir's eyes searched for Mishti and found her standing beside Massima... talking to her...

" Yeh lo Gadheda...Mera gift..a cool jacket for the second coolest dude of the house.."

Nanu hugged Abir with love..

One by one all have the gifts ..Kunal looked at Mishti in askance and she nodded in reply...

Abir caught this interplay and tensed ..were they going to declare their relationship..??!!

Kunal took out an envelope and presented it to Abir..

" Bhai yeh mere aur se aapkeliye gift Hain...waise apna Paisa toh mein kamatha nahi hoo..lekin aapkeliye yeh zaroor mehnath karke hi laaya hoo.."

Abir smacked Kunal a bit hard..

"Yeh tu Kya bole jaa rahe ho Nanko..tumhe aisa sochna bhi nahi chahiye...Nanu...ise Kya hogaya..aur yeh Kya hai..?"

He opened the envelope and was stunned...

" Abirr is mein Kya hai?"

Meenakshi asked seeing Abir's shocked expression.

"Maa..yeh ladka...tum.. Nanko.."

Abir even forgot the way he behaved to Meenakshi..

" Yeh iska acceptance letter Hain..New York Law school mein.. in corporate finance."

All were equally dazed at Abir's Revelation... except Mishti..who knew all along..

Abir's eyes met hers ...now lit with adoration...and he thought Kunal will choose Mishty''s college..she  already knew when he asked her today..

Kuhu too sensed that Mishti knew this earlier...some how she felt left out. ..

"I want to help you Bhai...not as a manager..or whatever post you will happily give me when I ask..I want to help you on my merits.."

Abir pulled his Nanko into a bone cracking hug...

" Ab sab Senti mood se baahar aajao..kitne mushkil ae hum theenon ne yeh plan Kiya . Idea Mishty ka tha..decorations kuhu aur planning  Kunal...Haina Mishti..is ki toh special mention honi chahiye . Tumne toh jaise Maine bola waisa hi Kiya.. sightseeing ka bahana kaisa tha Bhai..?. .aur toh aur  Bhai se Lada bhi nahi..aur Bhai ke room mein 3 khanda chupke bhi baitha..."

"Tera toh khair nahi Kunal... Mishti ko gussa kuch khanton se aa Rahi hai aur tu nahi bachne Wala...woh ab isiliye chup hai ki Teri chop na hojaaye..sab ke saamne.."

Nanu laughed looking at Mishty''s miffed face..

Abir was feeling the sense of loss second by second...

So she didn't enjoy the day with him?!

She lied to him..?!

She tolerated him because Kunal asked her to do so..?!

The crushing weight of his dreams was physically hurting him as he rubbed his chest through the fabric of his T shirt..

Until something unusual registered in his mind..

❣️❣️

"Mishti..tumne Bhai ke liye gift kuch bhi nahi liyaa.kya?.."

Kunal's question startled Mishti..

"Woh..mein.." Mishti was about to answer but Kunal cut in between..

" Tum Bhai ke saath thi isliye gift  nahi le paya na...it's okay...hum Kal kharid lete Hain..ab poora din ka time hai . don't worry.. I'll help."

❣️❣️

Abir noticed something rubbing along with his hand on his chest...

It was only then he noticed the infinity band on his wrist..

Yeh kaise...?? Yeh kisne...??

Surprise flooded with in him with the realization that he had seen this bracelet ..

Today..!!?

Mishti??!..

His eyes shined with the discovery that she could read him..

❣️❣️

Mishti..was at loss what to say....and her eyes went to the diamond bright eyes looking at her in disbelief....

His fingers toying the exquisite bracelet..

Mishti felt her whole body shiver just as someone touched her soul ....fate entwining ...them..

Abir  casually hid the bracelet beneath his long sleeves.....and winked at her..

" Haan Mishti..it's okay..I don't mind.. I am happy that you planned this..is se zyaada Kya gift ho saktha hai."

He said on a serious note ..but his eyes were giving away his mischief...

Mishty caught up his antics and was entirely confused.

Seriously!?

He definitely know she gifted him with the bracelet and now he is pretending ...

Itna drama..?! Bade besharam ho..! 

Her eyes told him..

And his eyes laughed some more..

And another pair of eyes lit up in wonderment seeing the covert interplay happening amidst the family banter...

************