Na Jaane Kyon...

Poore chaand ki yeh aadhi raat hai

Title is a song from the movie 'Ramleela - Goliyon ki rasleela'

At the dinner table, before the entire family joined them, Ayush hopped off his chair and ran to nanu, tugging at his arm. Presently, they were the only ones present in the dining room.

Nanu bent down, bringing his ear close to Ayush's face as he cupped his hand over his mouth, showing all signs of sharing a secret, "Nanu, maine dono ko manaa liya. Aapne kaha tha na unko bolun shaadi karne ke liye... Naina ne kaha woh Sameer papa se shaadi kar legi... aur Sameer papa bhi. Ab aap mujhe big wala gift doge na?"

Nanu's face shone with the right amount of excitement at the news, "Oye shabash. Mujhe pata tha tu yeh kaam kar lega." Lowering his voice, he quirked up a brow, "Aaram se maan gaye ya tujhe roothna pada?"

Sameer pulled a chair opposite nanu, looking at both of them with interest. Moments later, Vishakha took her seat, followed by Preeti and Naina. They all were intrigued by the confidential conversation going on between the eldest and the youngest member of the family, neither of whom seemed keen to share it with them.

Oblivious to others, Ayush grinned, whispering again, "Maine itne pyar se kaha ki dono maan gaye. Sameer papa ne kaha yeh toh achha idea hai."

Nanu shot a quick glance at Sameer, stifling the full throated laughter, "Tere Sameer papa ko tu yeh idea nahi deta toh usse khud se kabhi yeh khyal aata hi nahi." Clearing his throat to bring his volume down, he asked, "Naina mumma ne kya kaha?"

Ayush had an expression of extreme responsibility when he stated, "Naina ne kaha main jisse kahunga woh shaadi kar legi. Kyonki bhai ko hi toh apni sister ki shaadi karani hoti hai. Isliye maine kaha tum Sameer papa se kar lo."

Nanu pecked his cheek, then narrowed his eyes, "Lekin ab tu bhai thodi hai. Sameer agar papa hai toh Naina..."

Ayush placed his hands on waist, giving a weary look to nanu, "Aap sabko aapke friends kuch nahi batate kya? Jab Naina Sameer papa se shaadi karegi tabhi toh meri mumma banegi... kyonki mumma papa ki shaadi hona rule hota hai."

Nanu raised his brows, as if in realisation, and gave an understanding nod, "Yaar tu toh bada intelligent hai, isliye tere friends bhi intelligent hai. Lekin mere ek dost ne bhi kuch bataya hai. Sunega?"

Ayush nodded fiercely.

Nana made him sit on his lap, and pointed at Vishakha, talking in normal volume now, "Tere Sameer papa ki mummy... teri aunty nahi dadi hai, aur Vivek dadu. Aise hi Rohan abse tera chachu aur Deepika..."

"Mujhe pata hai buaa. Preeti ne bataya." Ayush waved his head at Preeti.

Deepika, who had just joined them, squealed at her new title, "Wow, ab tu mujhe buaa kahega?"

Ayush grinned, elated that it made her so happy.

Nanu patted his back, "Shabash. Lekin Preeti bhi..."

Preeti intervened, "Nanu, abhi rehne dijiye na. Ek saath itne naye naam sunke confuse ho jayega. Jab shaadi ho jayegi toh main khud sikha dungi."

Nanu nodded, then looked at Ayush, "Lekin mera naam bhi badalna padega. Nanu toh main inn sabka hun. Tu mujhe nanu nahi kahega."

Ayush gave him a sad look, "Aap mere nanu nahi banoge?"

"Main abse tera bada dadu hun. Kya bolega?" Nanu pinched his cheek.

"Bade dadu!" Ayush rolled the name on his tongue, pondering for a while, then his eyes lit up, "Jaise Angad ke dadu dadi hain waise mere bhi dadu dadi... aur aap bade wale dadu, kyonki aap sabse big ho?"