Wajah Tum Ho

14. Dekho Chaand Aaya

Raaste hain, kat te jate hain,
Dooriyaan hain, kam nahi Hoti hain.

Translation: The journey keeps getting short but the distance never decreases.

It was probably the best day of my life, having him so close to me is the best thing I can imagine. He's like a gift of God to me. It was as if the God was impressed with me and decided to give me the best gift I could ever get. I don't know what would I have done, had he not been here. I kept the hair brush down and came out of the room to walk downstairs. Advik was waiting for me but then dad called him for some business related talk so he had to go. As I approached the living area, I found my whole family laughing and talking happily. Their laugh brought a smile on my face, it's like their happiness reflected on my face.

"Are Nandini, tu wahan kya kar rahi hai puttar?"

I looked at, where papa was sitting, beside maa. I smiled and shook my head at him, indicating that I'm fine. He smiled back and gestured me to come closer. I walked towards them and took my place beside bhai who immediately smiled and drapped his arms around my shoulders.

"Nandini puttar tu aur Advik kahan reh gaye the?"

Biji asked in her sweet voice and I don't know if it was incorrect of me to think if I saw a glimpse of mischivousness in her beautiful eyes but then this question of hers brought a kind of awkwardness and nervousness in me as to what I should say. I'm sure as hell my cheeks would've become a tomato right now. I looked at Advik who was sitting adjacent to me, beside bhaiya who smirked at me. Advik blew me a kiss and winked at me making me roll my eyes at him mentally, of course.

"Haan bhabhi, kahan thi aap, Biji is asking you something."

My oh-so-sweet sister in law, who was sitting beside bhai's either side flashed me her white, sparkling teeth along with her phone's screen that had the selfie of Advik and mine. Wait what? How did she get it? I examined closely and found Advik had posted that photo of ours on SNS. So this is what got his attention earlier today. I saw Bhai smirking at me as well from the periphery of my vision.

"Kuch nahi Biji bas aankh lag gayi thi."

I replied trying to be calm and convincing. Keyword 'trying'.

Aree but pehle toh kabhi bhi tu dopeher(afternoon) ko rest nahi karti thi.

And here comes my best friend, high on sarcasm, ready to taunt me, and expose my lies and I'm sure had Biji not been here, they all would've shown maa papa our pic who would've teased the hell outta us.

Are tum log chup karo. Meri beti subah se itna kaam kar rahi thi isliye thak gayi hogi. Ab usko pareshaan karna band karo.

And I was saved. Courtesy: My savior, maa, the only person who understood me the best after Mumma. I smiled victoriously at Navya who made a bad face but then her expressions told me I'll see you later.

Biji: Acha yeh sab chodo aur meri baat suno. Gautami, Nandini aur Navya kal subah tum teeno Ko yaad hai na kal karva chauth hai?

We nodded our heads in agreement and turned attentive towards her.

Biji: Bohot ache. Toh kal tum teeno tyaar rehna, subah 5 baje tak taaki tum log apni apni sargi le kar kha Sako. Thik hai?

We nodded at her to which she smiled and was about to leave when a voice interrupted her.

Kya Mai bhi yeh fast rakh sakti hoon Biji?

We all turned back and saw Kritika staring hopefully at Biji who in turn observed Kritika with her scrutinized gaze.