CHAR KADAM SAFAR ABHI JAARI HAI

Part 10 (c)

Chapter dedicated to KothariNikita
Because it is Sheer Bliss

Raman's POV

All throughout my walk my mind was stuck at the surprise and trying to guess what it could be. I thought of many possible scenarios but it was hard to decide if I was right as she had not given me a single clue.

I finished my walk early today as I was eager for the surprise.

As I walked into the house, the living and the dining area was a delightful sight as it was filled with my dear and near ones: Maa, Amma, Appa, Bala, Vandu, Shravu, Abhi, Simmi, Nirvan, Mihir, Mihika and not to forget Neelu. The women were walking to and forth making and serving breakfast while the men busied themselves with politics and business talks as they savoured the delicacies.

I heard the tawa sizzle as Amma poured the batter onto it and the air was filled with the aroma of 'nariyal ke tel ka tadka' . Looks like South Indian breakfast is on the menu this morning.

My stomach growled reminding me that I was hungry or rather the idea of crispy dosas with spicy coconut chutney made me hungry.

But my mind instructed it to wait as it was more excited about the surprise my wife had prepared than the dosas her mother was preparing.

"Ishita kahan hai?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Kamre me hai. Tera hi wait kar rahi thi. Tu aaja baith jaa, mai Neelu se kehti hoon ke use bulaye" Maa answered.

"Nahi Maa. Mai khud hi jaake bulata hoon. Mujhe thoda fresh hona hai, toh mai room me hi jaa raha hoon" I neatly denied her.

"Fresh hona hai ya koi aur plan hai saaley......saahab" Abhi teased.

"Plan toh pichle saal banaye the jispe tune paani pher diye the Jeeje....Badla baaki hai. Kisi na kisi din zarur badla lekar rahunga" I twisted his arm playfully.

"Toh ab tak liya kyun nahi badla?" Abhi said.

His hand was still in my hold when Simmi came to serve him a dosa.

"Bhai kya kar rahe ho? Lag jayegi unhe" Simmi vouched for him.

"Yahi...." I said pointing towards her while leaving Abhi's hand "Yahi wajah hai ke mai aaj tak tujhse badla nahi le paaya. Tere moo se aah nikli bhi nahi ke isko dard hone laga. Aur mai apni behen ko dard me nahi dekh sakta" I said.

"Awwww...Bhai! You are so sweet" Simmi hugged me.

"Rehende tu. Tujhe toh Simmi ke nazar me khud mahaan banna hai. Isiliye dialogue baazi karte rehta hai. Asal me toh tu jalta hai ke Simmi mujhe tujhse zyada pyar karti hai" Abhi mocked.

"Aieeee....Sochna bhi mat. Meri behen mujhse zyada pyar karti hai. Samjha na" I warned him.

"Bas bhi karo aap dono. Bachpan se isi topic pe ladte dekha hai. Lagta hai abhi tak bade nahi hue ho aap dono" Simmi chided us.

We pouted sadly for being scolded by her.

"Ab please bachhon ki tarah rona mat shuru kardena" Simmi teased making everybody laugh.

"Rone se yaad aaya puttar! Ishita kal rath kyun ro rahi thi? Tune baat ki usse?" Maa asked concerned.

"Hmmm...Aap logon ka andaza sahi nikla...MOODSWINGS" I sulked.

"Dekha! Kaha tha na humne" Vandu said.

"Sahi ho aap log. Problem kya hai ye toh diagnose karliya. Par solution kisine nahi diya" I complained.