Kabhi to nazar milao

Chance

Sameer's mind started working. Naina was alone... of course, Preeti and Swati were there, but they were on his side. He had time till evening, when the irritating lady with the heavy voice will be back. He could not miss this chance. 

"Kuch sochna padega... din ka time hai... koi bhi dekh sakta hai... kya karun?" Sameer pondered.

"Bhai mujhe bhi bata de... main bhi banunga", Pandit entered the room, munching on a samosa... holding a plate with two more.

"Kya... kya banega?" Sameer gave a puzzled look to him, as Munna came along, eating a banana.

Pandit looked at Munna," Hamara bhai itni gehri soch mein tha toh mujhe laga ki soch raha hai pradhanmantri kaise banunga... toh maine kaha mujhe bhi bata de... main bhi banunga".

Both looked at each other for a moment and then, burst out laughing at their own joke.

Sameer was not amused. He wanted a plan. Fast.

He looked at them for help, "Yaar,  ye sab chodo... mujhe batao hum Naina ke ghar kaise jaa sakte hain"?

Munna looked at him fondly,  "Sameer, mere bhai, kabhi sapne mein bhi nahi socha tha ki tu aisa pagal ho jaayega pyaar mein... tu toh nafrat karta tha pyaar ke naam se... "

"Aur Naina hamari bhabhi banegi, yeh to agle janam ke sapne mein bhi nahi soch sakte the", Pandit chipped in.

Sameer smiled at his best friends, "Haan yaar, maine bhi nahi socha tha ki main iss had tak pyaar kar sakta hun... sach kahun to Naina ne hi mere andar ke saare dard, saare dar, saare dukh nikal ke meri zindagi ko khushiyon se bhar diya hai... jitna woh mujhe pyaar deti hai, jitni meri parwah karti hai, jaise meri choti se choti cheez ka khyaal rakhti hai... aisa lagta hai mere adhoore jeevan ko usne poora kar diya hai, mere khalipan ko samet ke,  apna saath mujhe dekar usne meri zindagi ke saare andhere door kar diye."

Munna Pandit enveloped him in a hug, wiping their eyes. They had never seen him so happy. During their two years of school, although he used to laugh and enjoy with them, there was always a sadness in his voice, an emptiness in his eyes... which had completely disappeared now. They thanked God for this bliss in their friend's life.

"Acha ab emotional mat karo... kuch plan banao", Sameer was overwhelmed with their love for him.

Munna gave a teary smile, " Arre, bhabhi ke ghar jaa rahe hain...  shaan se jaayenge... hamein kaun rok sakta hai. "

"Haan... safari suit nahin hai ghar pe isiliye itni bahaduri beh rahi hai... warna dekhta", Pandit tried to remind them of the dangers of their destination,  and continued, "Yaar Sameer, tujhe uss khadoos safari suit ki hi beti mili thi pyaar karne ke liye... bhai, saari zindagi thapadon se swaagat karega tera",  receiving a smack on his head from Sameer.

They decided to drive straight to Naina's society, park the bike a little away, and reach her house one by one... after making sure no one was looking.

The girls had finished watching one movie.  They felt hungry and decided to make pakodas.  All three got busy in the kitchen, working together and teasing each other.

" Pata hai Swati, raat ko sawa dus baje jijaji ka phone aaya tha... mummy ne to pakad hi liya tha par maine sambhal liya", Preeti raised her imaginary collars.

"Achcha, shaam ko to baat ki thi... phir raat main phir se kyon phone kiya? " Swati wanted to know.

"Pata nahi... ab toh hamari behen hamari nahi rahi... kuch batati hi nahi hai... bus baat karne ke baad laal laal hoke ghumti rehti hai",  Preeti said with a long breath.

" Hayee Naina, bata na... phone pe jijaji ne kiss kar diya kya", Swati's direct question made Naina and Preeti's eyes wide.

And Naina ran to hit Swati with the ladle she was using to mix the batter. Preeti tried to come in between to save Swati, who picked up the box of besan in front of her to save herself. In all the pulling and pushing, the box fell on Naina... covering her with besan all over. The three stood in shock for a few moments and then the kitchen was filled with the happy sounds of their laughter.