Yashpal Rajvansh aka Nanu..walked back from the front door to the hall immersed in deep thought..

He could not believe that what he saw in the kitchen..

Two warring parties.. almost always on wrong sides .. fighting fiercely on silliest things and with a lot of hurt and bitterness between them over the years....

And he saw them in such an intimate situation and comfortable banter...!!

He actually thought he was having a daydream.!!

And Abir was not even at home...!

He had been so confused that he had forgotten where he was going and hit the chair leg..

Nanu sat on the sofa...

The way they parted...like someone caught them red-handed and the way Abir and even Mishty spinned stories..

Both of them wanted to keep this a secret!?

Nanu remembered the elation he felt at seeing them together....and he had also seen the way .... her one touch avoided a clash of words that would have ruined the whole day.

Mishty...

He had sensed her aesthetic nature from childhood itself...and her bonding with Meenu was quick and deep...as if she considered Meenu as her mother like Rajshri...

And now the way Abir acted..

As if he was not at all interested in dropping Mishti by her college....and the contradictory way by which he was waiting for and cajoling her ...

He had noticed the thawing of hatred and growing warmth between them...ah..Abir's birthday..then Abir's care towards Rajshri and Mishti...

At that time he had just hoped for a civil relationship....At the most.. a friendship between them...

But the thing he witnessed today.!

This could be the best thing to happen for this family...

Finally a bridge between Mom and Son..

Nanu exhaled in relief...

Okay..let this be their secret.. for now... After all it's too early and they too really need to work on their relationship with out pressure...

*****

Meenakshi and Parul were eyeing  their dad doubtfully..

Who was in deep thought..

" Aaj Bapuji ko Kya hogaya Hein..kis baat kii tension le rahe Hein wo?"

Parul asked Meenakshii..

" Abir ka ..aur kiska.? Usne toh mujhe Dara hi Diya tha.. Bapuji ko bhi uski fikr hone laga hoga..Chalo unse hi poochthe Hein.."

Both joined Nanu who upon seeing his daughters put on his smiling face..

" Bapuji aap Abir ko leke pareshaan hei na..?"

Meenakshi"s question did take him aback for a second..but he nodded cautiously..

" Pata nahi aajkal uske man mein chal Kya Raha Hein... achanak Ghar se jaana..mahinon Ghar na aana..Aur aaj dekho achanak vapas aana..aap Ek baar usse baat zaroor karna Bapuji..Mera toh sunta nahi ..Aur ise patana use aata Hein.." she nodded towards Parul.

Nanu too was making the connection between Abir's sudden uncharecteistic behaviors.

"Waise...Ek baat aap donon ko batana tha.. Bharti called and told me that Nihaal has a very good opinion about Mishty...haan humne kahaan Hein ki uski studies complete karne ke baad hi kuch decisions lenge..lekin itna toh pata Chala ki Saxena's like Mishty..!"

Meenakshi's words surprised Nanu..

" Tum abhi  se hi Mishty keliye rishtha bhi dhoond liya Kya..use pata bhi Hein Kya..?.aur Rajshri...?"

" Bapuji...Saxena's humare family friends Hein...Aur humari tarah traditional log bhi.. and Nihaal is their only son...and a successful one too..Mishty humari beti toh nahi Hein ..lekin mereliye beti se Kam nahi Hein..Aur Rajshri bhi Nihaal ko jaanti Hein . Ab apni bachi keliye ek aisa Jana pehchana family Aur ladka Chun ne mein problem Kya Hein... Mishti toh Lakshmi Hein..dekho humare yahaan aayi aur humari Kitni tarakki Hui..jahaan bhi jaayegi wahaan Roshan karegi Meri princess..."

Parul too sided with Meenakshii..

" Haan Bapuji...Aur Rajshri di keliye Badi relief ki baat hogi.."

" Umm.. mujhe nahin lagtha ki ab Mishti se yeh baat kehna theek Hein.."

Nanu said catagorically..

" Woh apni decisions khud lene wali ladki Hein..Aur is samay uskeliye apni padhayi aur ek stable job hi important Hein...woh loan wali bath tum log bhool toh nahi Gaye ho....use chukane ke baad hi woh apne bare mein kuch sochegi..."

" Haan Bapuji..uska solution bhi heina humare pass.uss bare mein shaam ko batate hein.."

Meenakshi started to get up and go but stopped short as she heard Nanu..

" Meenu...Ghar ki lakshmi ko Ghar mein hi rakhne ke bare mein bhi soch saktha hei na..?"

"Bapuji...aapka Matlab..??"

Parul's voice sounded sceptical..

Meenakshi interjected..

" Kunal abhi bacha Hein..Aur Mishti aur uska dosthi bohot purana Hein..agar in donon ke beech kuch hona tha toh woh ab tak humein pata Chala hota.. Mishti toh Kunal ki padhayi ki peeche aise padi Hein ki Parul nahin woh uski Maa Hein.."

Meenakshii smiled fondly...

" Par mein toh.."

Nanu's words were cut by Meenakshi's Stern voice.

"Nahi Bapuji..aapka soch apko bachon see kitna lagav hogaya Hein yeh batate Hein...lekin Mishti ko leke mein koi risk nahi Lena chahthi Hoon... Mujhe office jaana Hein..Parul aaaj tum please  Bapuji ka khayal rakhna..aaj  kuch Ajeeb harkathein Aur khayal aa rahe Hein inke man mein.."

As Meenakshii moved away Nanu shook his head in despair...

Mishti keliye Abir ...

Aisa  khayal Ek baar bhi nahi aaya Meenu ko..!

Shayad woh dono hi sahi Hein...

Jab sahi waqt aayega tab unka saath Dena theek rahega..

****

Later..

Abir was back in his room...in his loft ..

Soft music playing and his fingers chiseling the minute details on his canvas...

The same painting he had left incomplete months ago...

He had a purpose now and wanted the time spent without her to be in her thoughts..

He reminisced how shyily she responded when he kissed her good bye at her campus..

Of course it was a forhead kiss...

But the way her whole body tautened when his lips pressed on to her skin..he could sense that from the feel he got from his arms holding her bare arms...
He had made her wear the jacket and how she stood meekly at his ministrations...

Abir slapped himself mentally...

You are never going to get enough of her...!

A message beeped on his phone..

"Going to work... you'll be at the hospital na..5 ish."

Work..?

His brows arched in puzzlement..

She is working
somewhere.else.?..other than Eve & Tal...he knew Neil was still in Toronto involved in fashion week..and at present she was free...then..?

Why..? And with whom..?

All these questions raised their heads in his mind..

He wanted to call her then and there...but restrained himself..

He'll be meeting her  in a while and before that he need to see how his Massima is doing.

He had checked with Nihaal in the morning and got info that she was having a tough day ...so Mishti will need his support today ..

He had informed Kunal to bring the girls straight back home..

Kuhu won't be able to see her Dadi suffering..

How he wished he could spare Mishti the pain too..

But his girl.. she won't listen,.she would want to be with her Badimaa..to give and gain strength ..

Though her working somewhere unknown to him nagged him..he let it rest for the time being.

*******

Mishti arrived at the hospital a bit late...

Of course  she did work at Rajvansh travels but it doesn't mean that she can very well shrug her duties...
She had to keep the files of their permenent clients and on off clients separate with full details within..and even though Chotima won't object her leaving early..it didn't seem right to her... sneaking out to meet her son ..she was already doing that...

She bit her lips...

She was always in awe of her Chotima...

For giving her Badimaa the courage and companionship when she needed the most..

For giving them a sanctuary from the berating public..

For building a strong business foundation like Rajvansh travals which Abir was now taking to international heights..

She had picked all these things while spending time at Rajvansh Sadan..and now here.

And she too was intrigued about Abir's relationship with Chotimaa...

Back then she had tried asking him directly why he hated his mom.

But his response was silence..

From Kunal she could gather that Abir loved his papa very much.. but that fateful day of her Badepapa's accident his Papa too went missing.and Abir blamed chotimaa for his missing and for filing charges against him...and then for not trying to find him.. even after his repeated requests..

Now she knew that he resented his Mom for relocating abruptly to NY too..this from Nihaal's accounts of their school days..

Well..if she want to mend their relationship she should be able to have a good one with both...and now Chotima was an enigma ..

She had no idea as to how Chotima was going to react to the news that she is in love with her son..

And how will she be able to hide her happiness from Badimaa..?!

She will see her face and will surely get the wind of her secrets...

Mishti pursed her lips as she rushed into badimaa's room.. embroiled in the thoughts...

She was encompassed in two strong hands...!

Abir...

But badimaa..? What if she see this..?

She tried to pry out of his grip which prevented her from seeing her Badimaa....as she whispered urgently.

" Abir..Kya Kar rahe ho... Badimaa..dekh.."

She then heard the heaving voice coming from the beds direction..and her eyes turned worried..

" Badimaa..theek toh Hein.. Abir..?"

Her eyes flew to his and seeing his misted eyes she pushed him hard and stepped towards the bed where the nurses were helping out a totally drained but still lurching Rajshri..

Abir followed her.. just a breath away...

The doctor turned to look at her and kindly whispered her to keep away..

Mishti stopped and took a step back.. sagging on to her wall of support...his arms holding her steady..

" Doctor said this time her reaction to the drug is a bit draining...but she is a fighter and you know it.."

Abir's voice by her ears sounded jumbled to her...

Of course she was a fighter..A major surgery followed by radiation..and first round of chemo had transformed her into a frail , bald and fatigued shadow of herself...but that sparkle in her eyes did stay put...

Abir thought of his first look of his Massima after 6 months ...

He was heartbroken...

Though Nihaal did update him on all developments while he was in Toronto , he had purposely omitted to mention her appearence..and even when he met him today in his department he just told him to be bold...and he hadn't understood what Nihaal meant till he saw Massima..!

This was why Massima ignored his video calls and he in his preoccupation dismissed it as her preference to phone calls...

And to realize that Mishti had to face all the pain of seeing her Badimaa wither away.....Alone.!...

That his actions only served to torture her more .. even to the extent that she had  opted to work instead of spending time with her Badimaa ....

All this...when he had promised her that he would be with her as a friend..to share her load of suffering.....burned him..!!

Rajshri was in no state to speak and since she was weak no body but medical personals were allowed to go near her...

But the caretaker had whispered to her that she had a visitor.. Rajshri turned to look at the glass partition...and a wide smile bloomed in the parched lips...eyes wide ..and then they scrunched in pain as bouts of heaving made her roll her head sideways,.

Abir wiped away his tears on his shoulder as he held Mishti''s limp frame...

He then  took her outside and made her sit on the chair outside Rajshri's room.

" Abir... what's happening..?..Badimaa..aisi kyun Hein.."

Her listless bewildered look had torn into him...

And she had faced Massima's radiation and the first chemo alone...he very well knew that Mishti would have sheilded Kuhu from any unpleasant situation...and Kunal would have supported her..

But he had promised her that both of them will take it one day at a time together and he abandoned her...!

Abir's heart wrenched at the pain he invoked in her and his shock in seeing Massima's condition and his realization broke his resolve to be strong for her...

Tears started flowing out of his penitent eyes...and dropped onto her hand holding his...

" I am so sorry Mishti...I am such a fool ..I promised you that I will be by your side in this and went into hiding like a coward at the first thought of rejection...I failed you..in many ways and I am sorry.."

Mishti.. looked up at his teary face negating his claims...and cupped his face .. softly wiping away his tears and pressing light kisses on his eyes..

" Abir ..chup ho jaao..maafi mat maango..!..Tumne Jo himmat di thi...wohi Mera Sahara tha na..haan Mein tumpe gussa thi...lekin ab nahi.... Badimaa pehli baar itni weak lag Rahi Hein...ab Tum bhi yahaan hein....dekh na..woh jaldi theek ho jaayegi.."

Abir tried to calm himself as he found Mishti comforting him..while she herself was totally blown by Massima's appearence.

***

Nihaal jogged to Rajshri's room..

Abir had left him downstairs when some collegues stopped him to have a discussion..

And that was half an hour before..

He really wanted to be with Abir when he saw Rajshri aunty..it was difficult for him to hide many a fact from Abir in these months..

He hid her depleted physical condition..

He hid Mishty's working with Neil... which was now out in open..but not her stint in Rajvansh travels... Mishti had warned him...Nihaal smiled remembering her fiery ways and his bewilderment at Abir's actions..
Both are impossible...!! Why can't they behave civilly for a change..

He was also hiding a teeny crush..

His Mom..thinks herself being subtle..but all talks about Mishti was pointing to some thing in her mind...

And he liked her too...but though she was a great girl...she was kinda aloof..and everytime Mom talked about Mishti another shy smiling face came into his mind...

Nihaal rubbed his hands in desperation..

He need to tell Abir that he likes his sister..!
But how?!

He reached the corridor and his eyes fell on the two people sitting on chair .. holding on to each other.

Abir.!!..and in his hold .. which seemed a bit intimate was ..Mishti..!!

His eyes widened as he saw Abir holding her tight telling her something and kissing her forehead..

What stunned him was Mishti''s response...

She was shaking her head in a no and held Abir's  face in her hands ..and pressed her lips on his eyes...she then pulled his face to rest on her shoulder... comforting him..

Nihaal was shell shocked at this view and after the initial inertia he decided not to intrude a private moment..and though his eyes were locked on the duo comforting each other.. he slowly turned back..

***

Abir looked sideways to Mishti as he drove ..

She was deeply affected by the hospital scenario..he could tell that by the silent sighs and casual rubbing of her eyes...

The doctor had comforted both that this was normal reactions in patients with GBM for this compound..and her body will acclimatize with it in no time and targeted killing of the cancer cells will take place giving her a boost in getting rid of the treacherous enemy..

But Mishti was still upset and he wanted to cheer her up..

He checked the navigation system and entered a key word..and opted the start guidance .

Seeing Mishti again taking her phone and doing research on chemo made him extend his hand to her...over the console...

Mishti looked up and with a faint smile she clasped it.. keeping her phone aside..

" Tum tension Mein ho?"

Mishti shook her head first..bit her lips and then nodded slowly..

" Ghar jaldi jaana Hein??"

Mishti looked at him quizzically...as he continued

" If I am right I remember you coming home late.. after 8..Now it's only 6. May I take you somewhere...? Ab na mat bolna kyunki I already have your permission to date you properly..."

Mishti turned to face him..

" Lekin Ghar Mein sab..sirf Mera nahi tumhara bhi intezaar Kar rahe honge?"

" Hmm..Kunal ko call kartha Hoon Aur keh deta Hoon ki hum hospital Mein Hein aur der lagenge aane Mein.."

" Itna jhoot..!! OMG Abir...nahi.. Badimaa ko leke jhoot mat bolna.."

" Okay ...keh doonga ki Nihaal ke saath walk pe jaa rahe Hein.."

Mishti stifled her laugh at the Abir who was trying to spin a conceivable lie ..

A slow relieved smile crept up Abir's lips as he saw her eyes sparkling..

" Just some .... "you me time"..maan jao na Mishti..Ghar jaake phir se ladna hei ..toh kuch TLC bantha hei na.?."

Mishti sighed..

" Woh toh Hain...donno how long we will be able to fool others with our lousy acting skills.."

" Hei na..toh kuch time yahaan spend Karthe Hein... enjoying the wind and water.."

Mishti looked around as Abir parked the car efficiently..and got out.

" Cruise..??!"

She asked as he opened her door..

" Yeah.. a mini cruise actually.. don't know much about this but we'll give a try.."

Mishti was feeling chilly and as she took in the scenary before her she rubbed her palm..

Abir noticed this and pulled out his jacket..
" Wear this..too. you'll be warm.."

Mishti put on it imbibing his warmth and inhaling him..

" Tum... tumhein thand nahi lagega Kya..?"

Mishti asked him as he rubbed his hands together..

Abir smiled naughtily at her and she guessed what he was going to say from his looks...she blushed beautifully as he said..

" Tum ho na mere pass ...you are my warmth..."

Mishti...held his arm and pointed to the cruise boat ..

"Chalo..ab aise hi baatein karthe rahenge Kya?.."

Abir stopped short.. turning to face her..

" You sure.. tumhein..paani boat..all these..I should have asked you earlier....if you are not comfortable hum vaapas jaate Hein."

Mishti looked at him with all love in her eyes..

" You know what.. mujhe us din se panic attacks kyun aate the.? I think it's because I saw you hurt badly..Tum itni important kaise bangaye mereliye woh mujhe yeh panic attacks yaad dilaati rahi..
Lekin ab tum mere saath ho ..pass ho ..Aur haan..theek thaak ho...toh I am comfortable anywhere.with you...."
Abir pulled her into a bear hug ...not even able to believe that he was bestowed with such devotion all these years....

As she stood feeling the wind blow at her face Mishti contently laid her head on the broad chest of the man who despite being flawed ..loved her and did things for her just to see her smile...
She looked up to him as he hugged her tight ..
" Abir.. thanks for this ..it's soothing and I feel like everything is going to be okay soon..!."

Later

Dinner time at Rajvansh Mansion.
All were in a sombre mood after hearing Mishti's watered down account of Rajshri's condition...

Meenakshii had comforted her .

During the dinner She told her that for some days she was going to be with Rajshri in the mornings...

Abir looked quizzically at his Mom...

Meenakshii continued ..

" Tum Greenville Jane ke baare Mein Socha tha na..kyun na tum ..uhh..apni boss se personal leave keliye application dekar Greenville jaane ki tayyariyaan shuru Kare..send a mail ...I mean..Abir ka toh bharosa nahi hei na..ab woh vacation pe Hein toh is se acha mauka nahi milega woh apartment bechne ki.."

Abir and Nanu both started coughing as soon as they heard Meenakshi's proposal.. looking at each other in unison..!

Kunal groaned...

" Mere sem exams ko bhi abhi aana tha... Mishti tum nahi toh mujhe studies Mein help kaun karega..?."

Mishti was sitting dazed .and confused..

Boss se personal leave.. lekin boss toh uski saamne hi baithi Hein..??

Chotima aisa kyun kaha?

She doesn't want Abir to know that she worked for Chotima?

And Going to Greenville...

With Abir...!!!

Kuhu encouraged  Mishti..

" Hum heina Kunal.keliye.. Mishti Tum befikr hoke jaao tumhare laadle ko Mein sambhaal loongi. I too know how to be strict...! Oh No..!..you are so going to miss out the Valentine's day celebration in your college.waise kisiko himmat nahi hogi tujhe propose karne ki...oops.."

She cupped her mouth as  Kethu kicked her under the table...

"Uhh.. Valentine's day huh.."

Nanu muttered under his breath...as he looked sideways to  see Abir's reaction...

" Mujhe aur bhi kaam Hein..I won't be able to make it.."

Abir blurted out as took the reins of his tattered composure and held tight..

He was going to swoon alright ..but he can't afford to agree with out a resistance..!!

Meenakshi's face clouded  but Nanu chuckled at Abir's response.

" Are Mishti akeli hi kaafi hei..bus tum yahaan se use guide Kar Dena...Aur agreements honge .. Mishti tumhein fax Kar degi..tum correction ya approval yahaan se Kar Dena.."

Abir looked at Nanu in disbelief and then to Mishti who was looking at Meenakshii.. question in her eyes ..

He saw Meenakshii send a subtle signal to Mishti and was now intrigued..

" Umm...itna effort Mishti ko akeli lagana padega na Abir... it's only a matter of two or three days.. Mishti toh iskeliye tumhara hi wait Kar Raha tha na?"

Parul who was already part of Abir's plans for Greenville apartment was a bit confused at Abir's disinterest and decided to nudge him.

"Bhai.. Maa sahi keh rahi Hein .she was waiting for you to come back..and  she can stop working and concentrate on her studies after this stupid loan fuss na?"

Kunal too urged Abir on Mishti's behalf.. voicing his displeasure on her stand on the finances.

Massi and Kunal's words were like petal shower for Abir's ears after Nanu's stonepelting on his happiness..!

" Hmm..Okay ..but. just make her promise that she'll be good to me...I don't want to fight with her again and ruin my vacation.. ruined.as it is.."

Mishti sat still ..her eyes fixed on her plate..not daring to look up into the impish twinkle she was sure to find in his eyes..

"Mishti Bhai bhi sahi keh Raha Hein...I mean... you can boss over me anytime..but thoda sambhalke with Bhai.I dread the firecrackers when you guys are together."

Abir's look turned apprehensive as Mishti blifted her eyes..

Was she crying..?

Mishti said in a Stony voice.

" Kunal...I am indebted to this Bhai of yours na...so I know my place .I will stay deaf and mute even if he irritates me okay .."

" Bas ab no more discussion..Abir Tum Mishti ki saath Greenville jaa rahe ho... finalized."

Nanu thumped on the table with his verdict.

Mishti lowered her eyes and inhaled in the excitement and laughter.. threatening to bubble out..

She is going to Greenville.. with Abir.!!