Moran: Every day, I love you more

Birbal ki Khichdi - 5.2

(Staff quarters, PSAF)

As Karan and Faizi had a long meeting that day, Monami postponed her biryani plans for dinner, instead of lunch. As she didn't have any other plan, she decided to spend the rest of her afternoon at Koel's place only. Nikhil watched a bit of cartoon, while the ladies chatted. Later, as Koel cleaned the house, Monami helped Nikhil with his studies. Then the trio ate lunch together, after which Nikhil went out to play.  Koel and Monami then spoke to Faizi's mother on the phone and after having their evening tea, they went to the academy's mess where they had all the ingredients and the big handi needed for cooking.

(Academy mess kitchen)

Both the women were novice at cooking, but they tried all their might to follow along with Faizi's mother on video call. Monami, even though being the slower one, insisted on doing most things on her own, as she really wanted to learn and cook for her Khadoos. While Koel started handling the chicken, she saw Monami looking here and there in the kitchen cabinet, as though searching something.

Koel: Kya dhund rahi ho tabse Monami? Tell me?

Monami(with a triumphant smile): Mil gayi! Ye dhund rahi thi..

Monami showed her a small-sized handi and kept it aside. She pulled out a packet of paneer from her groceries bag and cut it into pieces in a bowl and kept it for marination.

Monami: Arre, tum log toh khaloge Chicken! Main kya khaungi, hawa 🙄? Toh maine socha..same process se main apne aur Sanju ke liye paneer biryani bana leti hu 🙂

Koel: Arre good idea. Sab onions and rice toh prepared hi hai.. sab commonly use kar sakte hai.

It took them quite long for both the biryanis to get cooked. In the meanwhile, Chhotu in the kitchen, helped them prepare Raita.

Finally the biryanis were done, it smelled heavenly and the aroma filled the entire mess. The ladies went back to their rooms to freshen up and come back to meet their partners.

As it was Sunday evening and Dilbaghji was on leave, almost everybody had gone out for dinner. So they had cooked the biryanis for a small number of people only.

Monami received a message from Karan that he was done with his meeting and would freshen up and join her in the mess, he suggested the rest of them to start and not wait for him as he could get late.

In the meantime, Sanjana and Sid reached the mess, followed by Faizi and Nikhil. The men helped them arrange the tables with the cutlery while Monami and Koel served the biryani in plates. As the tables in the mess were 4-seaters, they decided to have the 3 couples sit on separate tables, just to get a group date vibe - together but still with a bit of space to themselves.

Monami: Sanju, ye lo tumhari Veg Biryani 😀 Koel, Chicken Biryani ki handi bahar hi le chalte hai, sabko refill karna aasan hoga.

Koel: Haa, that's better!

Sanjana: Thank you keh reho hain Monami! Tumne humare liye dhyaan rakha.. waise tumhari plate kaha hai?

Monami: Haa bas Karan aa jaaye, toh main apni plate bhi le aaungi!

Faizi (after having the first spoon, over dramatically): Arrree waah! Humari ammi sahi kehti hai, biryani sirf ek dish nahi hai, ye toh ek ehsaas hai! Koel Begum, tumhare haath kaha hai, aaj toh inhe chumna banta hai itni acchi biryani banane ke liye!

Koel blushed at the compliment, while the rest chuckled.
Koel: Shut up Faizi! Aur waise bhi majorly toh Monami ne banaya hai, maine toh sirf help kari hai!

Faizi: Oops 😋 accha hua Karan ne nahi suna, nahi toh maar deta hume. Monami biryani bahut acchi bani hai, trust me when I say this!
Ab tumhare haatho ke saath ye toh kar sakta hu (and gave a fist bump to Monami).