Ek Duje Ke Vaaste

78. Hero's Birthday!

Hey ! Welcome to part 78...

In Mallika's room, Monika and Mallika shared a candid conversation.

Mallika : "Seriously Monika, Sumedh ka face dekh kar mujhe bahot hasi aarahi thi jab mai aise stupid guesses kar rhi thi... Aur especially jab maine kaha ki mai Delhi ja rahi hun..." 

Monika : "Inshort, tune use kal ke surprise ke pehle itna bada shock dediya ki uski Angel yani mallika apne Hero, Sumedh ke birthday par nahi hogi..."

Mallika : "Haan... Par sach kahun toh mujhe thoda thoda bura bhi lag raha tha, use last mein sad dekhkar woh meri wajah se kal apne birthday ke din party hone tak sad rahega..."

Monika : "Koi baat nahi, kal jab woh surprise dekhega na toh dekhna use double nahi triple khushi hogi..."

Mallika : "Haan... Bas kal ka intezaar hai, Bhagwaan ji! Mai bas yahi chahti hun ki kal sab ache se ho jae Bina kisi gadbad ke, please..."

"Tathaastu!"

Both of them turned around hearing the voice and saw Ruby maa entering, adding her touch of humor, They share a laugh, the room filled with the warmth of their camaraderie, as they anticipate the joyous surprise awaiting Sumedh on his birthday.

In midnight ;

Sumedh wrestled with restlessness, tossing and turning in a futile attempt to embrace sleep.

Sumedh : "Yakeen nahi ho raha ki, Mallika mera birthday bhul gayi hai... Aur agar use kal yaad bhi nahi aaya toh... Nahi, Nahi, yaad aa jayega... Par kya fayada, woh yaha hogi bhi toh nahi... Abhi Phone karun kya... Baat karne ka bhi bahut mann kar raha hai... Kar hi leta hun..."

He picked up his phone and dialled her number. After two rings, a sudden surge of uncertainty caused him to cut the call.

Sumedh : "Arey, lekin.. Uthayegi toh mai kya bolunga? Ye toh maine socha hi nahi... Par isme sochne wali kya baat hai bol dunga ki baat karne ka man tha toh kar liya..."

Again, he dialed her number, but the same pattern emerged—cutting the call after two rings.

Sumedh: "Lekin itni raat ko baat karna theek rahega kya... Kharab hi kya hai?"

Once more, he initiated the call, only to halt it after two rings.

Sumedh: "Nahi nahi, ye mai kya kar raha hun. Woh so rahi hogi is wakt, uski neend kharab ho jayegi... Subah hi baat karunga!"

On the other side, Mallika, disrupted from her slumber, grew increasingly perplexed by the persistent calls. Frustration tinged with amusement colored her expression as she checked her phone, only to discover Sumedh's attempts to reach her.

Mallika, chuckling softly, couldn't help but be amused by Sumedh's late-night indecision. 

Mallika : "Sorry, Sumedh, I know ki tumhara is wakt kya haal hai, par tumhe kal tak intezar karna padega..."

Next Day;

In the warm morning light, Sumedh descended, engrossed in a phone call...

Sumedh : (on call) "Thank You.. Thank You so much... Yeah.. Ok... Ha.. Okay, Bye."

As he concluded the conversation, Naina greeted him.

Naina: "Happy birthday, Bhaiya!"

Sumedh: "Thank you... Naina, koi dikh kyun nahi raha?"

Naina : "Kaki aur Tanuja bhabhi mandir mein hai... Bade baba aur Badi Aai ko subah gaon jaana tha toh woh log bhi abhi gye hai!"

Sumedh : "Aur baki sab?"