HAPPY READING

"Pehla nasha
Pehla khumaar
Naya pyaar hai naya intezaar
Kar loon main kya apna haal
Aye dil-e-bekaraar
Mere dil-e-bekaraar
Tu hi bata

Pehla nasha
Pehla khumaar .......... he sang while I was playing the guitar.

Usne baat ki kuchh aise dhang se
Sapne de gaya vo hazaaron range ke

I sang .. while strumming the strings. He was looking at me with pure admiration.

Usne baat ki kuchh aise dhang se
Sapne de gaya vo hazaaron range ke

I was pouring out my feelings through the song. Our eyes locked . He gave me a heart warming smile.

Reh jaoon jaise main haar ke
Aur choome vo mujhe pyaar se

And with those words .. he came near me . Our faces were a few inches apart. He cupped my face .

"NETRA", He called out my name in his euphonious voice .

"hmm" I hummed closing my eyes

"Net.... meow ... meow"

I frowned in confusion and then he licked my face........ WHAT , WAIT ...

I opened my eyes in an instant and started rubbing of the saliva from my face. My eyes adjusted with the morning daylight only to find my cat showering me with playful licks ..

I was disappointed would be an understatement, but looking at the cutie who was sprawled on me as if I was her bed, melted away the frustration of an incomplete dream.

I closed my eyes again only to hear a shrill yet exasperated voice of my mother

" kya karu mai iss ladki ka .. madam ji ki aaj flight hai aur ye soo rhi hai ... packing krne ke liye toh naukar lage hai ,haina? .... pura din soo .. raat me drama dekho , insta chlao kyuki nishacharo ko raat me neend kaha aati hai "

("What should I do about this girl? Madam has a flight today, and she's still fast asleep.servants are expected to handle the packing right? She sleeps all day then watches dramas at night, scrolls through Instagram. no wonder nocturnal like her struggle to get any rest!")

" AAAA RHIIII HUUU MUMMAAA" I finally replied her

("coming mom")

"Nhi beta aur solo .. kal pakad lena flight ... kya hi jaldi hai", mom replied sarcastically.

("Not at all, dear. Go sleep. Catch the flight tomorrow. What's the rush?")

My mother's tone held an unusual frustration. Maybe because she did not want me to go far away from Delhi.

My parents have always been overprotective for me. I haven't spent a day without them till date. It felt kinda pricking and annoying sometimes but they cared for me non the less. Today I felt a mix of emotions. 2 years back when I started preparing for NEET, I was determined to get a college and escape this household which felt like a cage at that time.

lekin kehte haina ki "jb chootne ka wkt aaya toh pinjare se mohabbat hogyi" ( I fell in love with the cage just before getting freedom")

I snapped out of my thoughts hearing a knock at the door ..

"come in"

My brother Aarush and dad entered my room followed by my mom who was holding a rolling pin ...

" mummy yrr aa rhi hu plz maarna mat" (" mom I am coming, plz don't hit me now ")

"YOU BETTER GET UP NOW YOUNG LADY", MY BROTHER SAID IN HIS DEEP VOICE. He is 3 years older to me but acts as if he is my father.

"Yah yah .. don't order me around now ........ I said but was held back from speaking further by my mother's glare"

(Author:: Indian mom's and unki aankho ki shakti ... kasam se medussa ki aankho se jyada drr mummy ki aankho se lagta hai ... upar se haath me belan .. kali maa ka avtaar )

"DAD..... YOUR SON AND WIFE ARE TROUBLING ME " I COMPLAINED

My dad chuckled and said " I'll get grounded if I say something"

"yah he will have to sleep on the couch" my brother added only to receive a glare from both my parents ...

I controlled my laugh and spoke " okay guys I will get ready now .. and yes I have packed everything mom I am a big and responsible girl now"... I said getting up from the bed.

I tried to get out of the bed only to fall on the floor ... my legs got tangled in the blanket ... "ouch mumma!!"

My parents helped me get up controlling there laugh ... "big and responsible girl" my brother mimicked me ..

I shot him a deadly glare

"KUTTA" I muttered under my breath.

" I heard that"

" sunane ke liye hi bola tha" I remarked before making my way towards washroom preventing myself from tripping twice in the way..

"sambhal ke" Dad said.

I was all ready in a shirt and cargo pants, convenient for travelling . My mom was on the verge of crying .. looking at her I realised how much I am going to miss this place.

Delhi ... the love of my life ... the city I was born .. where i spent 18 years of my life, making friends , doing adventures ... how much I'll be missing my family .. the regular playful banter of my parents , fights for t.v remote and snacks with Aarush bhai. I'll miss the roads , the traffic , pollution everything ...

How will I adjust calling 'golgappe' as 'panipuri'? How will I eat 'pav' when i'm used to eat 'kulche'. If I call onions 'pyaaz' instead of 'kanda' will the vendor understand?? ..... stupid things I know ..

" Mom please don't start your waterfalls now. I'll return with a white coat and make you guys proud" I said softly.

"Dad please take care of her or she you know naa how much the work load will increase when I won't be around" I said playfully..

" haa jaise ghar ke kaam tu krti thi .. chai banane bolo toh use jala deti hai badi aayi 'work load will increase wali'" .. she too joined the playful banter.

With this lighthearted banter yet heartfelt goodbyes, I left for the airport with my brother... the ride was unusually silent ..

i finally said breaking the silence, "don't you dare enter my room in my absence".

" your room , forget it ... now it would be my girlfriends room", he smirked ..

"don't you dare doing those dirty deeds on my bed ... you have your own room for it"... I said faking disgust.

we both burst out laughing ...

"will you miss me bhai" I asked

" missing you nugget ... never , infact mai toh khush hu mujhe doo room milenge , jyada khana milega and t.v ke remote ke liye ek chipkali se ladna nhi padega".. he said while laughing

"Kutta bhai hai mera" I Muttered

"I heard that "

" haa kutte sunane ke liye hi bola" I smirked .

"teri toh" ..........

" teri toh kyaa " I showed my fist

"teri toh aarti utaarni cahiye .. itni dur jo .... itni dur jo jaa rhi hai........ padhai krne " he replied nervously

"better"... i said as he exhaled ..

we arrived at the airport

I unbuckled the seat belt and came out and so did my brother. We walked in with luggage ...

"Netra , do take care of yourself . I can't afford losing my only chudail right. On a serious note agr koi bhi problem ho toh don't hesitate calling me or dad alright"

I nodded and hugged him " I'll miss you guys bhai" .. I said

"Awww meri chudail bhen rooyegi kya ab?"

I hit him hard in his stomach... you don't understand emotions do you?

"Ouch mad woman .... I do right calling you 'chudail' .. " He winced slightly

'Passengers of _____ are requested to check in now ", the announcement was made.
Now I could see tears at the corner of his eyes.

"Bye" I said my voice heavy with emotions

"Bye" Aarush replied turning away as if trying to hide his tears ..

I checked in and boarded my plane.

Finally the beginning of "The Memorable 5 Years" .

I am coming Mumbai
Swagat toh karo hamara 😏😏

End...

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