Na Jaane Kyon...

Tum jaan jaan kehke meri jaan le gaye

Title is the song 'Dil leke dard e dil de gaye' from movie 'Wanted'

It was the second half of May, and Delhi was sweltering in dry heat. Schools were closed for summer vacations, markets remain deserted during daytime, roads were less crowded. Only those who couldn't avoid it, ventured out during daytime.

At the breakfast table, Rohan informed nanu about his upcoming Mumbai visit. Since he had completed one year of his training in the unit there, he had returned to Delhi office after his marriage.

Nanu looked at Preeti, "Beta, tum bhi chali jao. Do din ki hi baat hai, ho sake toh chutti le lo."

Rohan gave a wide smile, "What an idea nanu." He quickly turned to Preeti who sat next to him, "Please yaar chal pado na. Warna main kaam kaise karunga."

Preeti gave him a strange look, "Main kaunsa tumhe office ke kaam mein help karti hun."

"Arre lekin tum nahi aayi toh saara time tumhe miss karta rahunga aur phone karta rahunga. Kaam ka time hi nahi milega." Rohan made a sad face.

Vishakha let out a sigh, "Papa, aapne kuch zyada hi training de di hai mere beton ko."

Nanu laughed, "Achha hai na. Khush rahenge dono."

Rohan smiled, "Aur agar Preeti saath chalegi toh aur bhi khush ho jaunga."

She nodded, "Okay. Kal subah jaana hai na. Kal waise hi meri chutti hai. Do din ki le lungi."

Rohan gave her a quick hug, making her frown. Nanu laughed, while Vishakha rolled her eyes.

Sameer and Naina came down after a while, and joined the family for breakfast. Though it was Saturday, they were to go for a meeting, in a restaurant.

Preeti eyed Naina's full sleeve top, "Tujhe garmi nahi lagegi ismein?"

Naina smiled, "Its okay."

Vishakha concurred with Preeti, "Haan Naina, kuch comfortable pehen lo. Informal meeting hai. Kya farq padta hai."

"Main theek hun mummy. Restaurant mein bhi AC hoga." Naina replied.

Vishakha looked at her thoughtfully, "Naina, agar tum yeh soch ke hesitate karti ho ki hum log kya sochenge, toh aisa kuch nahi hai. Tum jo chahe pehen sakti ho. Yeh koi filmy sasural nahi hai jahan hum bahu ko Christmas tree ki tarah saj dhaj ke rehne ke liye kahenge."

Naina had actually picked a sleeveless top then decided against it, not sure if Vishakha would approve of it, since she had never seen her wear cut sleeves. In fact she was always in sarees, though not traditionally dressed.

Preeti had the same observation, "Mummy, aap kyon hamesha saree pehenti hain? Jahan tak mujhe yaad hai, maine aapko aise hi dekha hai bachpan se."

Vivek looked at his wife, "Ab batao. Meri toh kabhi sunti nahi, ab Preeti ke sawal ka jawab do."

Vishakha chided him in low voice, "Kya aap bhi. Bataya toh tha aapko. Sabke saamne bolna zaruri hai."

Sameer narrowed his eyes, "Mummy, aapki kuch purani photos hain, shayad mere paida hone se pehle ki, usmein aapne jeans pehni hui hai. Lekin maine bhi aapko real mein saree ke alava kuch aur pehente nahi dekha. Aisa kyon?"

"Offo tum log toh peeche hi pad gaye." Vishakha frowned, "Mujhe saree pasand hai bas isliye."

Naina felt there was some other reason. She looked at Preeti. She herself had known Vishakha for a short span. But Preeti had known her since childhood. Maybe she had some idea.