TERI MERI YAARI

~22~ the sleepover

HEYYAAAA PEOPLE!!! 

YEAHH IK.. TOO LONG. 

MISSED ME?? (NAHI KIYA TOH BHI BOLDO KYA HI HAI)

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NANDINI'S POV:

Today was surprisingly not too bad. It was great to be honest. Arrival of Siddharth was something I expected the least, but now, if not most, I do cherish his presence. And coming from a person like me who doesn't believe in too much socialization, he's a great guy to spend time with. Well I don't know much about the emotional aspect about how much I could depend on him emotionally, but did his presence lessen the pain I was carrying within myself from so many weeks? hell yess!

He was the reason why I returned back home smiling like a fool. The last time I had such a smile on my face was when things were normal between me and Kabir. It doesn't mean that I am replacing him, don't get me wrong. But when efforts are one sided, the spark eventually dies irrespective of whether your relationship consists of love in a romantic way or love in a friendly way. And the spark between me and Kabir is on the verge of death. Flickering, trying to protect itself from the harsh wind of miscommunication, or more like, lack of communication. 

And even though I've promised that he won't be replaced or I won't stop being friends with him, it doesn't mean that I'll be putting efforts constantly when all I get from the other end is negligence. My efforts are nearing to zero and it must be hella visible. And you know what? I don't care anymore. And today's experience proved that I could be happy, even though less, I would still be able to spend day without emptiness and my face could learn to smile again and my heart could feel lively again. 

All thanks to a certain newly entered person in my life. 

A smile plastered on my face as I used the key to open the door to my house. I could listen to a lot of chaos going on inside our house and that led me to be completely surprised. Because, as long as I remember, only dadu and dadi were supposed to be in the house right now and maa and dad were supposed to be present at their workplace. Could there be a burglar? A shiver ran down my spine as I picked up a rock from the small garden maa has grown around our house and got ready to attack whoever was inside and was causing a problem to my fam. 

Oh god please help me!

I recited my prayers and slowly twisted the key with the rock held tightly in my hand which was hidden behind my back. I opened the door completely and raised my hand up in the air with my eyes closed due to fear. 

Silence. 

That was all I could hear around me, therefore, being suspicious, I opened my one eye to see what's going and what I saw brought an immediate smile on my face.

NANDINI: dad!!

I ran inside and engulfed my dad in a tight hug, because, come on ya'll! I was a total daddy's girl! I mean who wouldn't be!

I released myself from the hug and looked at everyone's faces which were in total shock and a little bit of fear in their eyes as they were looking at something. When I turned my gaze towards where their sight had landed, I found the rock to still be held in my hand and understood why they all were in shock. I lowered my head due to embarrassment and ran towards the outside to throw away the rock and returned back to where I was. 

NANDINI: I thought it was a burglar hehe. 

They all released a sigh of relief and nodded in understanding while I turned towards dad with the corners of my lips tipped up to form a huge smile on my face. He responded to me with a similar smile and kissed my forehead, but I could sense that he was tensed and that led me to be tensed as well. 

SATHYA: Hi princess! I have something to deal with. I'll talk to you later. 

I was a little hurt but then dad never puts me above anything, so, if he was telling that he had to deal with something important, then it truly must be something important. I looked at dadu and dadi who were trying to control their laughs and that led me to be utterly confused. Hence, I walked towards them and secured a seat beside Dadu. I hit my shoulder slightly to his, trying to gain his attention, in which, I was successful. 

NANDINI: What's going on?

DADU: Try and take a closer look on what's going on. You'll know everything. 

NANDINI: What do you mean?

DADU: Come on, just look at what your dad is doing. 

I gave him another confused glance and turned my head towards the front, where I attempted to understand what's going on. 

And that is when I understood so as to why my grandparents were giggling like teenagers who got a month worth of gossip to discuss. 

Maa was roaming around the entire house being excited about god knows what, meanwhile dad was behind her, trying to convince her? Well, that looked cute, but it would look even more cuter if I knew what was going on actually.

This went on for about 20 more mins after which, dad just let out a tired sigh and dropped his body on the couch, while pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and finger, showing how tired and frustrated he was. 

Me being the caring daughter that I was, occupied the space beside him on the couch and nudged his shoulder as well like I did with dadu. 

He looked at me and gave me a tired smile to which I reacted by raising my eyebrows asking what was going on. 

SATHYA: Nothing princess. You know, your mom just acts a bit, I mean, a lot stubborn sometimes. 

NANDINI: *confused* Why? What did maa do?

SATHYA:  Your maa has been acting like a stubborn teenager. She says she wants to go visit her best friend.

NANDINI: You mean aunt Aayat?

SATHYA: Yes.

NANDINI: what's the problem in that?

SATHYA: You see, princess, it wouldn't be a problem if she was asking for just a visit for a few hours. But she wants an entire freaking sleepover. One freaking night. 

NANDINI: Wait. A sleepover? One whole night?

SATHYA: Yes, and as a bonus, she wants to have breakfast there as well. 

NANDINI: And you can't stay away from her even for a few hours. An entire night is out of question. 

SATHYA: See princess! you get me so well! I just wish your mom would be that understanding as well. 

I just patted his head a little and laid my head on his shoulder with my eyes closed. If assurance could be a place, it was my dad's embrace for me. 

I was soaking in the feeling of peace with my head laid on his shoulder, when he slightly patted my head, indicating me to provide him with my attention.

NANDINI: Yes, dad?

SATHYA: Princess, you see, your mom listens to you, whatever you ask for. 

NANDINI: So?

SATHYA: So, you see, maybe you could ask her to return after dinner and not stay the night and maybe, just maybe she would listen to you and stay back?

NANDINI: So you want me to convince her to not go there?

SATHYA: No! that is not what I meant. I just don't want her to stay away for a night. 

NANDINI: hmmm I see..

SATHYA: Well, you know, if you don't mind then you could even ask her to not go-

NANDINI: Don't you think you're being greedy, dad?

SATHYA: No! I was just joking. Haha. Just ask her to return after dinner. That would be more than enough for me. 

I just stared at his face for a moment and then nodded making him smile wider than he ever had. 

I looked towards mom, who was happily packing her bag to go visit aunt Aayat. Uff their love for each other. They were soulmates in friends for real. 

NANDINI: Maa? Could you come here for once?

She looked at me with a smile and nodded while taking quick steps towards me and sat beside me with excitement. 

LYKA: Yess my dear? you needed something? 

Her eyes were glowing with happiness while her face looked red due to excitement. My mom has always been a happy and calm woman. She comes out to be excited and hyper only a few times. And I didn't want to throw water on her plans and make her gloomy. 

NANDINI: So? sleepover at your best friend's place?

LYKA: Yess! but your dad needs to stop sulking for that. 

I turned towards dad while he just turned towards the opposite side like a disappointed kid. 

Cute af.

LYKA: Look at him! who would tell he's a grown ass man?

SATHYA: Well, you see, I am fully grown and you are speaking to my daughter right now. Who's obviously on my side. 

My mom looked at me and my dad alternatively with her eyes filled with horror meanwhile my dad just smirked at her. 

LYKA: No! there's no way you father-daughter duo are going to change my plan. Come on you people I get so less time to spend with my friends-

NANDINI: Mom you know what, take me with you too. 

LYKA: I knew it! why don't you just- wait what? what did you say?

My mom's face looked even more happier while my dad's face turned pale. 

SATHYA: Exactly! what are you saying, princess? you are supposed to take my side!

NANDINI: *sigh* I want to go too, dad. I miss aunt Aayat and I also want to meet her daughters. Change of air you know. 

SATHYA: but- 

LYKA: No buts now! you will drop me and our daughter like a good husband and father and not sulk about it. Now, let me prepare for the night!

Mom practically hopped back to where her bag was and resumed her task while humming a song. Me, dadu and dadi were just admiring her meanwhile dad was still sulking. 

SATHYA: You betrayed me! princess! I thought we both were on the same side. 

NANDINI: *sigh* just look at her dad, how excited she looks. It's too rare of a sight to witness. 

He stared at maa for a bit and smiled while a slight shade of reddish pink covered his face. 

Lovesick.

SATHYA: You're right. Just one night. I can work with it maybe.

I just giggled at him and kissed his bicep to which he reacted by patting my head. 

LYKA: Nandu! go pack your bag with your night dress and toiletries. We'll be leaving in some time. 

I got up from my spot on the couch and passed her a salute. 

NANDINI: aye aye captain!

They all just giggled at my gesture meanwhile I just chuckled and ran upstairs to do the needed. 

While I was packing, All the events that took place today were running through my mind, and eventually, I smiled once again. 

Life, its so unpredictable. You could be crying one moment and smiling the other. 

While packing, suddenly, image of a little Kabir crying when he was traumatized due to a nightmare hit my head and I paused my movement. 

He would be fine, right?

Well, he's a grown up now. He won't get nightmares now I guess. 

I shook my head to drive away all the thoughts about him. 

Tonight was going to belong to me, maa and happiness. 

No one had the right to ruin it. 

I repeat, no one.

I closed the zip of my bag and laid on the bad while my brain was clouded with many thoughts. But just at the right time, mom called for me. 

LYKA: Nandu! come down if you're done! we're leaving in some time. 

I let out another sigh and picked up my bag and phone to head downstairs. 

Tonight is all about me, maa and our crazy little reunion with her best friend. 

No one else would be allowed to ruin it.

Not even the thoughts of a certain someone.
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END OF THE CHAPTER!!

STAY TUNED FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE SLEEPOVER!

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