17. Breaking Ice

A/N: Huge sorry for this delayed updt!I knw many of my frndz n reviewers r waiting for LP updt. But kya karuu… stressful days, lack of time, saga is still on :/

But yea.. I took out sometime and penned down this updt. 5 din laga isey type karne mei :/

Anyways. I end my bak-bak. Hope ya enjoy this chap.

All my friends, lovely ppl who rvwd- thank you. Love you all.

Enjoy!

Those who read but don't rvw- bhai ab tho rvw karlo. Rvws make my day! :D :P

. . .

Laal Paranda

. . .

Chapter 17

Breaking Ice

. . .

Contd. From prev chap-

Purvi rushes to the nursery. There's nothing but silence that's occasionally broken by the tapping sounds of water droplets falling from the leaves of trees present inside. She quickens her pace and enters the green house. Once again there's darkness, and a small LED lamp at one of the corners provided some illumination.

She smiles as she sees a lean figure standing at the far end tending to some saplings. He's tall, slightly dark skinned; his jet black hair neatly jelled. She could see a faint coloured picture of him. Any sense she has leaves her and before she can think properly her legs carry her to her destination. And the next second- she's hugging him from behind.

He stiffens as he feels someone has hugged him from behind. He was so lost in his work that he didn't notice her running to him. But one thing, he didn't need to turn around to know who it is… he knows it's her. It's her for real. She has come because he asked her to, but why is she hugging him?

Her delicate are looped around his neck as she continues to hug him from behind.

Purvi- "I love you…"

His eyes widen. Did she just… say….

Purvi- "I know aapko shayad main pagal lagti hu. But yahii sach hai. ki main aapse pyar karti hu… nhi jaanti ki kab hua pyar. Aur kaise hua. Par hua hai. aur aaj yaha aakar hi ye ehsaas hua ki main aapko nhi kho sakti. Kisi bhi haal mei nhi."

Rajat almost chuckles in disbelief. A thousand emotions rush to him at once and he stands in a daze. This is… unexpected!

Purvi- "ye sach hai ki maine aapko dekha nhi. Baat bhi nhi kia. Par aajtak ek bhi aisa din nhi jismei maine aapke bare mei na socha ho… Duur rehke bhi aisa laga jaise.. jaise… har waqt aap mere dil ke paas ho. Ab aap hi bataao na kaise… kaise itne kum waqt mei bina kuch bole aap mere dil mei bas gaye. Kaise?"

Rajat smiles and happy tears form in his eyes after hearing her confession. This is unexpected. Well she has said it all. And he is an idiot who couldn't find right words to say the same all along.

A moment later rajat's still dazed with the sudden turn of events but she lets go of him.

Purvi- "I'm sorry. …."

He blinks and turns around.

Purvi- "Main bhi thodi pagal hu… maine.. jo mann mei aaye kehdiya ek baar bhi nhi soch aki aap mere senior hai aur.. aap tho mujhse pyar bhi nhi karte!"

She's looking down and has tears in her eyes. He proceeds to hold her shoulders and can only utter one word-

Rajat- "Purvi…"

And she looks at him, his features albeit clear.

Purvi- "Rajat sir.. aap…"

Rajat- "haan Purvi. its me."

Purvi- "mujhe laga tha ki aap honge… par aapko… matlub aap.. aapne mereliye wo sab…"

Rajat- "I'm sorry Purvi."

She's happy that he has broken his silence. She's happy that she now knows who her secret admirer is. Its her senior, senior inspector Rajat Kumar. Great! But wait…

Rajat- "maine wo sab tumhe khush karne k liye kiya tha…"

He lets go of her shoulders and takes a deep breath.

Rajat- "I dint plan to hurt you Purvi. Tumhare feelings k saat khelne ka iraada nhi tha.. I'm sorry."

She gets it. He's sorry because he doesn't love her. Right?

Rajat- "jab maine suna ki tumhe ek secret admirer chahiye. Tho main tumhari choti si khwahish puri karne ka soch liya. Aur kuch nhi socha. Bas tumhe khush dekhna tha mujhe.. lekin mujhe nhi pata ki.. ye sab aise… itne din se tum hurt thi. I'm so sorry Purvi."

There's silence as she takes it the wrong way.

Rajat- "Purvi maine tumhe khush tho kiya par saat mei ghum bhi diya.. main confuse hogaya tha. Mujhe kuch nhi samajh aaraha tha ki main tumhe kaise sach bataaun. Tumhe face karuu tho kaise karuu. I- I'm sorry…"

Purvi- "Galati aapki nhi hai sir.. Galati meri hai…"

He blinks again… looking at her.

Purvi- "Galati meri hai ki maine socha bhi nhi ki aap mere liye kya feel karte honge. Mujhe tho ye bhi nhi pata tha ki aap kon hai. fir bhi aap se pyar kar baithi. Tho mujhe.. mujhe ye sazaa milni chahiye.."

Rajat- "Purvi.."

Purvi- "mujhe pata hai sir aap jo kehna chahte hai. seedhe keh nhi paa rahe. And its fine… its OK. I know aap mujhse pyar nhi karte. Kyu ki main.. main tho ek mamuli junior hu aap k liye.."

Rajat- "Purvi please…"

Purvi- "khaas dost bhi nhi hu…"

Rajat- "aisa nhi hai Purvi.. tumne galat samjhliya meri baaton ko"

Purvi- "par fir bhi aapne meri choti si khwahish puri ki.. uss k liye thanks.."

Rajat- "Purvi stop.."

Purvi- "its ok sir aapko koi safaai dene ki zarurat nhi hai.." *teary*

Rajat- "purvi.." *tensed tone*

Purvi- "kyu ki safaai mei kabhi sacchayi nhi hoti sir…"

Rajat- "Purvi stop. Meri baat tho suno…" *pleads*

Purvi- "plz sir aap kuch mat boliye.."

she's about to walk away but he holds her hand and pulls her towards himself into a hug.

She cries letting those tears she's holding fall. Love is indeed painful. He cries too, coz well you can't see the person you love in pain-

Rajat- "kissne kehdiya tumse pyar nhi karta main…"

He parts from hug to hold her shoulders..

Rajat- "Purvi tum sirf meri junior nhi ho. Meri zindgii ho tum Purvi."

She smiles through her tears unable to believe what she heard-

Rajat- "meri baaton ko galat samjhliya tumne. Main tumhe sorry bol raha tha kyu ki itne din se main kuch bhi keh nhi paaya. Sab jaante hue bhi. Ye jaante hue bhi ki main tumse pyar karta hu. Ye sab jaante hue bhi, apne feelings ka izhaar nhi karpaaya…"

She smiles suddenly realizing what he said-

Rajat- "ye sahii hai ki maine sirf tumhe khush karne k liye secret-admirer ka drama kiya. But dheere dheere tumse judi har ek baat mujhe acchi lagne lagi. Tum udaas hoti tho mujhse dekha nhi jaata tha. Tabhi mujhe pata chala ki yahi hai wo ladki jiski ek muskaan dekhne k liye main duniya lutaa sakta hu. Yahi hai wo ladki jo mere kareeb na hote hue bhi mere dil k bohot kareeb pohoch gayi… par haan. Ye sab khul k kehne se dargaya tha main Purvi. Mujhe laga tum, tum mujhe thukra dogi. Aur jo dosti hai. wo v toot jayegi. Par ab.. ab koi dar nhi hai. koi jhijak nhi hai"

She laughs now, faint blush creeping up in her cheeks as he brushes her tears..

Rajat- "I love you Purvi.."

She smiles and wipes his tears… both smile at each other and he repeats those magical words looking straight in her eyes.

Rajat- "I love you Purvi… I love you too!"

Purvi- "I love you!"

And they hug again. He lifts her up while hugging her and twirls her around. Happiness engulfs them and they laugh out as if they are the happiest beings alive on the planet.

boy- "chachuuuu…."

A little boy comes running interrupting their moment of joy and Rajat puts her down to smile at the boy.

Ajit- "chachuu aap khush ho?"

Rajat nods and picks up the kid.

Ajit- "main bhi khush hu."

The boy looks at Purvi who is all smiles…

Ajit- "arey wah didi bhi khush hai…"

Purvi pulls Ajiit's cheek… Rajat smiles…

Ajit- "aur wo paudha bhi."

Rajat- "kya hua paudhe ko?"

Ajit- "chachuu, wo jo paudha tha jo sadne lagaa usske naye patte nikal aaye…"

Rajat- "achha?"

Ajit- "haan… chalo na dekhte hai…"

So they walk out of the green house to take a look at the plant that Ajit was referring to…

They all smile looking at the fresh leaves that grew on the plant.

Ajit- "naye patte dekho na… mera paudha khush hai chachu. main v khush hu. Achanak sab accha hogaya hahaha…"

Rajat- "sach mei Ajit. Nayi khushiyon ne dastak dii hai aaj zindgii mei…"

Rajat smiles looking at purvi; she smiles back. They spend a little time together before parting ways.

Purvi- "sir main… kal milti hu aapse…"

She doesn't look him in the eye and he smiles. He never knew she's of shy types.

Rajat- "main chod duu tumhe ghar?"

Purvi- "uhh nhi."

Rajat- "kyu nhi?"

Purvi- "wo papa ne dekhliya tho.. sou sawaal karenge…"

Rajat- "ohh." *sly smile*

Purvi- "good nyt sir.." *hides smile*

Ajit- "good nyt didi.."

Rajat- "good nyt Purvi…"

Purvi- "good nyt sir. Byee Ajiit"

Purvi kisses on the boy's cheek; gives a smile to Rajat and walks away.

That night Rajvi go to sleep in their homes with a smile on their faces. And the ice is broken.

. . . / \ . . .

The same night, 11:30 pm, Ishu's place-

Ishu is sitting by her computer table busily working on laptop, occasionally smiling in the middle.

Girl- *sings* "haye ye mera dil churaake legaya…"

In one swift motion she closes her lappy n turns around…

Ishu- "Pree?"

Preet- "haye ye mera dil… churaake legaya. Churaane wala mera qatil…"

Ishu- "pree… tum-"

Preet sings again- "haye ye mera dil… churaake legaya. Churaane wala mera qatil…"

Ishu- "pree. Tum yaha? Soyi nhi ab tak? Sade gyarah bajgaye."

Preet- "sone hi jaane waali thi Dii. But dekha ki yaha light on hai. tho yaha aagayi…" *naughty smile* "kya kar rhi thi Dii aap…"

Ishu- "tum batao.. tum kya kar rhi ho? Aur dekh rhi hu ki aajkal bohot gaana gaa rahi ho. Gaane sunn rhi hai? ya padhai kar rhi hai?"

Preet- "Dii gaane v sun rhi hu aur padhaai bhi. Waise… gaane sunne se na stress kum hojata hai. mood accha hojata hai. aur mausam bhi ek dum romantic hojata hai."

Ishu- "achha?"

Preet- "haan. Ab pucho na Dii. Ki ab maine ye waala gaana kyu gaaya?"

Ishu- "kyu gaaya?"

Preet- "kyu ki… mujhe pata hai ki meri dii man hi man kisi k liye ye gaana gaa rhi hai."

Ishu- "pree tum! Kis k liye?" *hides smile*

Preet- "arey Dii. Ab tho main.. ahh mujhe hi jija ka naam lena padega kya? Plz di. Mujhe na sharam aa rahi hai. unka naam nhi le sakti sorry!"

Ishu- "KYA? Tu.. tu kyu sharmaayegii? Dekh tu kuch zyada hi.."

Preet- "relax Di. Mazak tha. Main thori na jija ji pe dore daal rhi hu." *laughs*

Ishu- *glare*

Preet- "waise aapk dil mei unke liye feelings nhi hote na, tho aap aisi jealous nhi hoti.."

Ishu- "jealous? Me? Huh? Pree mujhe sona hai. hut jao"

Preet- "come on di.. ab tho maan jao. Haan mujhe pyar hua pyar hua allah miya."

Ishu- "pree tu chup karegi? Mujhe sonaa hai." *serious face*

Preet- "OK so jao. Lekin pehle wo kaam tho khatm karo jo adhura reh gaya hai."

Ishu- "kya?"

Preet- "wohii photo editing.. come on Di, I knw aap laptop pe kya kar rhi thi. Aapke team k group photo; uss mei aap aur bhalu saat mei hai na. tabhi tho uss photo ko scan kia. Aur ab photoshop mei aap k aur jija ji k close up pic nikaaloge. hai na?"

Ishu- "Kyaa? Nhi Preeto.."

Preet- "plz di. Aapko ye sab karne ki kya zarurat, jiju ko aap sach bataate tho.. tho aaplog saat mei photo k liye pose de sakte hai na-"

Ishu- "Pree tu, tu mujhe mat bataa ki mujhe kya karna hai. ok."

Preet- "dii mujhe samajh nhi aaraha.. ab tho band karo naa ye luka-chupi ka khel."Ishu- "pree. Maine kaha na. ki sahii mauka aane pe usey bataungi tho.."

Preet- "dii kya aajtak ek bhi mauka nhi mila? I think aap bohot darpok hai. tabhi tho kuch nhi ho raha aapse"

Ishu- "pree tu… tu aajkal bohot taang adaa rhi hai mere maamlo mei. Acchi baat nhi hai samjhii."

Preet- "Maine kaha taang adaaya dii. Ab maine thodi na Dushyant jiju k saamne aapka bhanda foda. Hmm?"

Ishu- "matlub?"

Preet- "matlub Dii. Main aapko finally, matlub aakhri chance de rhi hu. Agar aapne jiju ko sach nhi bataaya na…"

Ishu- "tho?" *folds arms & glares*

Preet- "tho main khud jaakar unse sach kahungii.." *smirk*

Ishu- "Pree shaitan tujhe kyu itnii fikr hai- arey main khud bataungii meri maa. kal kuch zyada hi special hai. agar sab sahii hua tho kal hi keh dungi." *smiles*

Preet- "great! I hope aap iss mission bolo-sach-bolo mei fail nhi hongi miss Walia. Agar fail hui tho-"

Ishu- "fail hone ka tho sawal hi nhi. jald hi iss mission ko complete karungi choti Miss Walia."

Preet- "awesome! Now that's my Dii"

Both sisters share a laugh.

Preet- "accha dii main jaa rhi hu sone. Aap bhi jaldi sojao. Bhalu k tasweer dekhte raat bhar bait mat jana.."

Ishu sighs- "Preeto. Baksh de mujhe meri behna. good nyt. Ab jao" *smiles*

Preet- "jaati hu di." *giggles*

Ishu- "jaa naa…"

Ishu pushes her out and closes her door… pree just smiles n shouts…

Preet- " goodnyt Dii.."

. . . / \ . . .

The same night 12:01 AM

Shergil Residence:

A guy is trying to wake up another guy who's fast asleep on his bed-

Guy 1-"rey duffer uth! Uth main keh raha hu…"

Guy 2- "sone de na yarrr…"

Guy 1- "barah bajgaye yar…"

Guy 2- "arey.. tho kya.. sone de yar…"

Guy 1- "kitnaa soyega?"

Guy 2- "yar wo paper work… k waje se.. bohot thak gaya. ab sone de…" *sleepy face*

Guy 1- *sigh*

Guy 2- "ek minute… rey tu mere ghar pe kaise?"

Finally the guy on the bed sits up with a confused look. Everywhere around is darkness. Suddenly lights are turned on &

Guy 1 (Kavin)- "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you.. happy birthday dear duffer! Happy birthday to you!"

Guy 2 (Dushyant)- "Kavin… tum yaha?" *wide smile*

Kavin- "as usual mere dost tujhe birthday wish karne aaya. Tum jaante ho na ki, kavin kuch bhi bhool sakta hai. lekin apne dost ka birthday nhi…"

The guy (Dushyant) who's now sitting on his bed smiles in disbelief.

Dushyant- "mujhe tho gussa aana chahiye tumpe lekin... pyar aaraha hai." *smiles*

Kavin- "arey love you too." *laughs*

Dushyant laughs as he gets up to hug Kavin. Soon his mom, dad and dadi too rush inside singing birthday song for him. His mom& dad hug him. Dadi too blesses him and Kavin fetches the chocolate cake he placed on side table.

Dushyant- "KV, kal wish kar sakta hai na. itni bhi jaldi kya hai. sabko jagaa diya."

Kavin- "duffer! Birthday k din bhi soyega kya?"

Dushyant- "ye birthday ki raat hai yar.."

Kavin- "tu chup kar. Tera koi sunega nhi… chal fatafat cake kaatle."

Dushyant- "yar tu jaanta hai na. aadhi raat ko main cake nhi khaata-"

Kavin- "arey mere baap! Mat khaa. Main khaunga thik hai? at least cut tho kar."

Dushu's dad- "KV bilkul sahi kehraha hai Dushu. accha hua KV puttar tu aagaya warna ye tho aaj v sojaata.."

Dushu's dadi- "KV beta, tumhare aate hi ronak aagayi iss ghar mei.."

Dushu's Dad- "sach mei.."

Dushu's mom- "mujhe pata tha ki har saal ki tara iss saal bhi KV zarur ghar ayega. Tabhi tho… maine wo tumhari fav kheer banayi hai KV… khayega kya.."

Kavin- "sure aunty. But pehle iss duffer ko cake kaatne dete hai!"

Dushyant- "rey pagal aadhi raat ko kheer? Huh?'

Kavin- "tujhe kyu padii hai? khaunga tho main na.."

Dushyant- "tu nhi sudhrega.." *chuckles*

Kavin- "naa never! Chal mere dost. come on! Cake cut karo.."

So Dushu washes his cute sleepy face & cuts the cake as kavin holds it. Everyone clap & sing birthday song. Kavin proceeds to feed a piece of cake to him but he resists-

Dushyant- "Kavin, as usual tu cake tho laya. Par as usual main isey kal subah khaunga yar plz…"

Kavin- "naa.. iss bar wo nhi chalega.. small piece khaalo yar"

Dushyant- "main kal khaunga yar. Maine tho brush v karliya hai…"

Kavin- "arey chota piece khaane se daat nhi sadenge tere… mera promise…"

Dushyant- "yar plz no!"

Kavin- "ek minute! As usual se mujhe yaad aaya. Ki as usual maine cake tho laya but usey tere chehre pe decorate nhi kia.." *naughty smile*

Oh.. oh… O_o

Dushyant- "Kavin.. main tumhe warn kar raha hu. Zara si bhi Cake mere chehre pe lagaya na tho.." *scared look*

Kavin- " kya karlega… huh?"

Dushyant- "K plz. Yar cake chehre pe lag gaya tho mujhe face wash karna padega aur meri neend kharab hojayegi yar no… ohh-"

But K, the naughty boy grabs his friend and in a swift motion applies the cake on the latter's face.

Dushyant glares at kavin for a moment. Everyone laughs looking at his face which is now completely choco colored.

Dadi- "arey chocolate bhai k bare mei sirf suna tha Dushu puttar. Aaj dekh v liya." *laughs*

Dushyant- "Dadi… chocolate bhai nhi. Chocolate boy… ye KV kaha gaya?"

Dad- "wo tho kab ka bhaag gaya. Neeche hoga.. arey… "

Dushyant dashes out of his room & finds Kavin rushing down the stairs-

Dushyant- "Kavin ruk! Ruk main kehta hu. tu marega aaj. Khoon kardunga main tumhara-"

Kavin- "Duffer! Maar khaane ko koi rukta hai kya?"

Dushyant- "Kavin tune mujhe dobara duffer kahaa na tho main.. main…"

Kavin- "kya karlega?"

Chasing goes on…

Dushyant- "abhi dekh kya karta hu.."

Kavin runs into the garden with Dushyant hot on his heels. D catches hold of K's jacket and playfully hits him in stomach.

Kavin- "Margaya main… aunty mujhe bachaao"

K tries to escape.

Dushyant- "K ruk.. bohot maar khayega tu…"

D's mom rushes there to rescue K who's doing drama-

Kavin- "ahh margaya main. Ahh cake leke aaya tho tu mujhe maarta hai. haan?"

Dushyant- "maara kaha. Ye drama band kar tu. Itnaa bhi nhi laga tumhe… lekin ab lagega.."

Mom- "KV Dushu bas! Aaj k din mat lado tum! Dushu beta jao muu dhoke aao.."

Dushyant- "aaj fir se bach gaya tu.."

Kavin- "haa haa… jaa moo dhole apna. bada aaya mujhe maarne"

K pulls out his tongue & D walks away smiling. A while later, K, D and everyone enjoy the kheer & cake served. K wishes D again before taking leave from everyone.

Dushyant- "yar Kavin yaad hai na kal subah…."

Kavin- "haan yar 8 am. Wohii pe milunga,"

The friends hug. D watches K drive off on his bike and smiles.

Dushyant thinks- 'K bhi na.. thoda pagal hai. nhi nhi pura pagal hai. fir bhi usk bina kuch bhi acha nhi lagta. Thank you Rab ji. Aisa dost mujhe dene k liye…' *wide smile*

. . / \ . . .

Nxt morning 8:15 AM, gurudwara-

There inside… A girl in her early twenties is offering prayers…

Ishu prays- "Oh Rab ji. Har saal ki tara; iss saal bhi yahi dua hai. ki mere dost pe koi aanch naa aye. Koi musibat naa aaye. Koi taqleef na ho usey. Duniya ki sari khushiyan usey mile aur sau saal jiye mera Bhalu."

Ishu continues her talk with Rab ji- "aur iss saal Bhalu ka birthday tho aur bhi special kyu ki aaj main jaanti hu, ki wo kaisa dikhta hai, kya karta hai, mujhe kitnaa yaad karta hai. aur ye sab hua sirf aapki waje se. aap ka laakh-laakh shuriya rab ji. Aap hi ne ussey milaaya hai mujhse. Ab bas… usey sach bataane ka rasta v aap hi dikhao…"

She finishes her prayers with a smile and sets off towards the children home run by the gurudwara.

. . .

Meanwhile, Kavin & Dushyant reach the place. Offering prayers, they are stepping down the huge stairs when someone calls one of them-

Person- "arey puttar ji!"

Dushyant turns around. It's the same old man who has earlier promised him to let him know about his billi.

(refer : chapter Hit & miss for the incident)

Dushyant- "arey aap. Satsriakal!"

Sardar ji- "jeete raho puttar. Arey itne din se kaha the tussi?"

Dushyant- "ji wo naukri hi kuch aisi hai.. ki.."

Sardar ji- "arey koi gal nhi puttar. Aaye tho sahi waqt pe aaye ho.."

Dushyant- "jii…?"

Sardar ji- "arey wo kudi jisko tum talaash rahi ho. Wo yahii hai… aao main usey milaata hu tumse."

Dushyant- "billi?"

Dushyant & kavin follow the old man.

Sardar ji- "chalo main dikhaata hu. Arey oh manpreet! Ruk oye. wo tumhari didi kider hai?"

Boy- "Didi.. wo tho bachhon mei mithaaiyan baat rhi hai.."

Sardar ji- "mithaai? kyu oye?"

Boy- "wo Dii ne bataya ki unke dost ka janamdin hai aaj… tho isliye"

The kid takes another bite of laddu before dashing his way towards somewhere.

Sardar ji- "arey ohhh aahista chal oye!"

Dushyant smiles widely while Kavin nudges him. The former gives the latter a glare before resuming their walk.

They finally reach the children's home adjoining the gurudwara. (The children's home & the school adjoining the holy place are maintained by the gurudwara's trust.)

K & D keep looking around. Many kids are playing in the large front yard there.

Sardar ji- "arey wo rahii Laado. Badii sohni kudii hai…"

Dushyant & Kavin look at the direction the sardar ji is pointing. Dushyant smiles as he finally spots the girl sitting under a huge banyan tree with a box of sweets in her lap.

She is wearing a nice cream coloured Punjabi suit; her hair's tied up into a long plait. Her duppata is draped over her head and shoulders and wait… she is wearing the same Laal Paraanda, her favourite ribbon which he has gifted her in their childhood.

Sardar ji- "lo ji. Maine tho apnaa kaam kardiya."

Dushyant- "ji shukriya. Mujhe uss din k baad lagaa tha ki main usey kabhi dekh bhi nhi paunga. Par-"

Sardar ji- "oh puttar ji. Uss din maine tumse kahaa tha ki jin jinko milnaa hai. wo rab k marzi se ek na ek din milke hi rahenge… iss mei mera koi haat nhi hai puttar. Sab unki marzi hai.."

The sardar leaves giving a smile. K pats D's back and D walks on towards where she's sitting… but before him, a little boy rushes to her.

Little girl- "didi. didi aapne mujhe laddo nhi diya.."

Boy- "didi mujhe ek or chahiye.."

Ishu- "haa haa kyu nhi lelo.. ye rahe aur laddoo"

She gives sweets to few kids who come to her and smiles adoring them. The kids run away smiling. But two in particular catch her eye. As she watches the small boy & girl standing a few feet away in front of her; she can't help but see herself and her bhalu in them…

He too watches where she's looking and both remember a certain incident from childhood..

"happy birthday Bhalu…"

A 10yr old billi wishes him after distributing sweets to the kids gathered in their street. The kids run inside his home to grab other savouries while he thanks her.

"thank you Billi… tho kaha hai mera laddoo…"

"hai na mere paas.."

"aur mera gift?"

She hands him a small package.

"aur mera dusra gift.."

"wo tho sirf mere Bhalu k liye hai. Duniya ka sabse accha dost!"

She kisses him sweetly on the cheek.

Ishu blushes slightly at the memory.

Pata nhi kyu.. kyu bachpan mei uss k puchne pe main usey kiss dedeti thi… *blush*

Dushyant smiles & takes more steps closer…

11 yr Billi then hands him his laddoo.

"yeh lo tumhari mithaai.."

"isska aadha hissa tumhara.."

"bhalu aaj tumhara birthday hai. aur ye tumhara sweet hai…"

"arey billi, jo mera hai. wo tera v tho hai…"

And they feed each other.

Present-

Dushyant kneels down before her & clears his throat-

Dushyant- "ek laddoo mujhe v milegi?"

That's when she looks at him. He's kneeling down on one leg, his palm out stretched. She smiles after making sure it's him in real… A moment later-

Ishu- "haan.. kyu nhi…"

She places one large motichur laddu in his hand. He divides it into two equal parts-

Dushyant- "isska aadha hissa tumhara…"

Ishu- "sir.. par.. mere paas.. or bhi laddoo hai.."

She can help but smile widely. He's offering her a share in his sweet just like he used to…

Dushyant- "haan aur honge! Par main dekh raha hu. Ki kab se tum sab mei laddoo baat rhi ho. Par khud nhi khaa rahi."

She smiles big shaking her head. Happy tears leak from her eyes. He reaches brushes them off but she hastily wipes them with her kerchief.

Dushyant- "kya hua.."

Ishu- "kuch nhi, bas aajj main bohot khush hu… thanks…" *wide smile*

She takes her share of laddoo and begins eating.

Ishu- "arey aap.. aap uuper baithiye na."

She pats the space next to her and he joins her on the bench. There's silence as both consume their laddoo's. She turns to him suddenly. Mission bolo-sach-bolo.

Ishu- "sir mujhe.. aapse kuch kehna tha." *tensed face*

Dushyant- "hmm main sun raha hu.." *keen look*

Ishu- "sir wo.. main.. main kehna chahti hu ki.. main.."

Dushyant- "kaho na."

Ishu- "uh.. samjh nhi aaraha ki.. kaise kahuu.."

'Tum mere senior nhi hote tho ye aasaan hota yar…'

Dushyant- "kaise bhi kehlo. Main samjh jaounga."

'Plz billi. Ab ye luka-chupi band karo yar.'

Ishu- "wo darasal baat ye hai ki-"

Girl- "DIDIIIIIIII"

A girl comes running interrupting them.

Ishu- "kya hai…"

Girl- "didi didi aapko na chachu bulaa rhe hai"

Ishu- "unse kaho main aari hu.."

Girl- "nhi abhi aao na aap.."

Ishu- "tum jao.. main aungi.."

Ishu- "sir.. main kehna chahti hu ki. Bachpan mei main-"

Person1- "Ladooo jaldi aa puttar! Teri zarurat hai…"

Ishu- "aayi chachii…"

Dushyant sighs.. and she makes a sad face.

Ishu- "I'm sorry sir. Jaana hoga."

Dushyant- *nods*

Ishu- "tho kabhi aur…"

Dushyant- "hmm…"

So she walks off grabbing the little girl's hand. He sighs watching her retreating figure.

Dushyant- "sach nhi bol sakti billi. Birthday wish tho kar sakti hai naa…" *shakes his head*

suddenly..

Ishu- "Sir…"

He looks up.

Ishu- "Happy birthday…"

She smiles at him and he smiles back happy to see that she has walked back to wish him.

Girl- "happy birthday bhaiya…"

Dushyant- "thank you Ishita. Thanks pretty girl."He takes the bunch of red roses the little girl has brought for him and smiles. He's sure these are from her, his billi. Khul k bol nhi sakti, gift nhi de sakti. Darpok billi…

Giving one last smile the girls walk away. K who has been watching this from a few feet away sighs..

Kavin- "nhi inse tho kuch nhi hoga. Ab K the cupid ko hi kuch karna padega.."

D joins him. He's apprehensive that K might tease him again but surprisingly K is quiet. Well silence can mean calm before the storm. He knows it.

Kavin- "kya yar! Woh kuch kehti nhi tum kuch bolte nhi... aisa tho kaise chalega yar?"

Dushyant- "kabhi kabhi khamoshi bhi bohot kuch boljaati hai Kavin…"

K doesn't speak further and both walk out of the place.

. . .

Its Sunday, day-off & his birthday. So they enjoy the rest of the day and the day ends with a small get together at D's place. Everyone reaches there to wish him happy birthday.

Divya- "Happy birthday sir."

Dushyant- "thanks Divya."

Divya- "sir hum logo ko samajh nhi aaya ki kya leke aaye aap k liye…"

Dushyant- "ohh its not needed guys. Tum log aaye. Wo kisi gift se kum h kya?"

Mayur- "fir bhi sir. Chota sa tohfa humari taraf se…"

Mayur & Divya hand him a gift wrap. Sachin gifts him a watch. Pankaj & other juniors gift him glares. Freddy gets a package of sweets. Kavin just gives him a hug & a kiss on cheek.

Kavin- "main hu tereliye mere yar. Wohi tho hai mera gift.."

Dushyant- "haan haan I know tu khud ek gift pack hai.."

Dushyant hugs his friend & smiles.

Dushyant- "oh god! Itne gifts. Guys main baccha nhi hu… I'm seriously overwhelmed. Thanks for coming guys. Chalo kuch khaalete hai."

Divya- "rukiye sir. Ab bhi ek gift dena baaki hai…"

Dushyant- "Divya?"

Divya hands him a gift wrap. In there is a box full of… yum! His fav sweet from childhood!

Dushyant- "tumne tho apni gift dedi. Ab ye kissne bheja.."

Divya- "plz sir. Aap ye sawal mat karo. Main v jawab nhi depaungi. Promise jo ki hai friend ko.."

Dushyant- "yar saaf-saaf bolo na.."

Divya- "na chahte hue bhi bohot kuch boldiya maine sir. Bas yu samajh lijiye ki; ye kisi khaas dost ki taraf se khaas gift."

Dushyant- "par kon yar. Bolo tho…"

Divya- "come on sir! Aap intelligent hai. zara sochiye.."

Dushyant's mom- "arey chalo sab log dinner time hogaya."

His mom calls everyone for dinner. So everyone disperse from the hall into the dining room.

Dushyant stands there thinking and and eating a spoonful of the sweet dessert. That taste… he knows this gift is from her!

Yummy Rabdii made by Billi's mom.

'Itne saal baad, Billi ki taraf se Rabdii. Iss saal tho mera birthday wakaii special hai..'

He smiles before joining others for dinner & its his best birthday ever; after ages!

. . . . . . .

Nxt chapter-

More ishyant moments. And K the cupid strikes ;)

Kya hai Kavin ka plan? Will it work? Agley chap ka wait karo :P

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A/N: Alright that was somewhat boring, I knw I say this is boring blah blah evry time.. bt ya this tym sahii mei lag raha hai ki filler hai :P

Anyways hoping its not that boring! :D

I know well there are many stories waiting in queue. Unko bhi updt karungii… so nxt chap wil b delayed :/

N Nxt chap will be better, I assure you. And as of romance… aajayega guys… aahista-aahista. I don't want to rush things. For now enjoy this silent love story :D ;)

And… and… plz do rvw! Tc. Love ya all.