Kabhi to nazar milao

Diwali

Naina had decided to stay back in Mumbai this year again. She could not leave Sameer here and go to Ahmedabad to celebrate Diwali.

"Tum sach mein nahi jaana chahti? Kya tumhara man nahi hai Preeti aur chachaji chachiji ke saath Diwali manane ka?" He questioned her decision.

"Mera man tumhare saath rehkar Diwali manane ka hai... jahan tum wahan main." She tilted her head, smiling.

"Lekin Naina, main saath chal padunga Ahmedabad... tum mere liye kyon akeli rehna chahti ho." He knew how much she loved her family and how Diwali was a time she really enjoyed with all of them.

"Sameer, agar hum dono ek saath chale bhi gaye toh bhi saath toh nahi mana payenge na... tum apne ghar mein rahoge aur main apne ghar mein... agar tum nahi hoge toh meri Diwali adhuri hogi." She tried to convince him that she was happy, which she was.

He looked into her eyes, "Main toh apne ghar mein rahunga par tum apne ghar mein nahi hogi."

She raised up her brows in question... then, realising what he meant, held his hand between her palms.

"Agli Diwali pe apne ghar mein hi rahungi, tumhare saath... aur uske baad aane wali har diwali aur baaki saare tyohaar hum dono apne ghar mein manayenge."

His eyes brightened as he imagined Naina lighting diyas... all decked up in a beautiful saree and glittering jewellery.

They decided to go shopping the next day as the college was closed for Diwali vacations.

At night, Naina was busy making notes for the chapter covered before vacations when there was a knock at the door. Most of the students had gone home for the festival. She wondered who could be there as she picked up her dupatta before opening the door.

"Aapka phone hai," the guard of their wing stood outside the door.

Going down the stairs, Naina wondered who could it be since she had spoken to Preeti and chachaji chachiji the previous day only.

"Hello?"

"Hello Naina?" The voice made her alert and she was tensed.

"Bua dadi... namaste... kaisi hain aap? Aaj aapne kaise phone kiya? Sab theek hai na? Aapki tabiyat toh theek hai na?" She let out a long list of questions.

"Arre ruk toh sahi... kya masterni ke jaise ek ke baad ek sawal puchti hi jaa rahi hai... theek hun main." Phulla bua chided her.

Naina smiled at her pyar wali dant,"Woh aap kabhi phone nahi karti isliye thoda ghabra gayi thi... shukar hai aap theek hain."

"Haan toh mujhe kya hoga... kuch hona ho toh mere dushmano ko ho... achha sun... maine isliye phone kiya hai ki tu Diwali pe ghar nahi jaa rahi  hai toh akele kyon rehna... yahan aaja... iss bahane mujhe bhi achhe se tyohaar ka maza lene ko milega." Bua dadi explained the purpose of her call.

Naina didn't know how to refuse, "Woh bua dadi... main woh... ghar bhi nahi jaa rahi... isliye..."

"Yeh kya badbada rahi hai... mujhe pata hai nahi jaa rahi... Anand ka phone aaya tha... ussi ne bataya ki tera TV wala program aane wala hai isliye tu yahin rahegi... par mere paas toh aa sakti hai na." Bua dadi would not listen to any excuse.

"Lekin main kaise... " Naina was caught in a tough situation.

Then she heard the old lady chuckle, "Pata hai kyon nahi aana chahti... main kab keh rahi hun akeli aa... usse bhi saath leke aana... Diwali wale din dono yahin ruk jana... usse keh dena maine bulaya hai... sab saath mein Diwali manayenge."

Naina could have jumped in joy had the guard not been standing right outside the booth.

When she told Sameer the next day he could not believe his ears.