Kuchh Ankahi Baatein

Nanu

Nanu was resting in his room when Sameer knocked on the door and asked, "Nanu, aap so gaye kya?" Nanu smiled and adjusted himself, sitting comfortably with his back resting against the headboard of the bed.

Nanu smiled, "Nahin nahin, andar aa ja, tera hi intzaar kar raha tha... mujhe pata tha tu aane wala hai.. aaja mere paas baith"

He gently pulled him close and made him sit beside him, studying his curious eyes that seemed filled with countless questions.

Nanu asked : haan toh pehle yeh bata tujhe aaj ka din kaisa laga... tu khush toh hai na...

Sameer smiled and replied, " bahut jyaada... yeh mera best birthday tha, aur aapke rehte mujhe kabhi kisi cheej ki kami hui hai kya... aur haan mujhe mera birthday gift bhi bahut achchha laga...

Nanu : Mein yahi chahta hun ki tu hamesha khush rahe... jahaan bhi rahe... teri khushiyon ko kabhi kisi ki nazar na lage...

Sameer hugged him back and said, "nahin mujhe toh hamesha aapke paas hi rehna hai, bas aise hi...

Nanu patted on his head lovingly, "tu toh abhi tak bachcha hi hai... par ab bada ho jaa... bahut jimmedariyaan uthaani hai tujhe aage jaakar... mein chahta hun tu mera naam khoob roshan kare.. mere saare sapne poore kare"

Sameer looked at him, a little hesitant, gathering courage before speaking, "woh... Nanu... mujhe aapse kuch poochna tha... if you don't mind."

Nanu smiled warmly, sensing exactly what was on his mind, "haan toh pooch na... itna kya soch raha hai? Kya jaanna chahta hai? Mini ke baare mein na...?"

He paused, trying to recall, then his smile softened even more, "arey nahin... tu kya bulata hai usse... haan woh... Naina. Bada pyara naam hai... bilkul ussi ki tarah."

Sameer looked up, slightly surprised that Nanu had understood him so easily, while Nanu's eyes held a mix of fondness and quiet understanding, as if he already knew what was coming next.

Sameer smiled, lost in the thought of her, and said softly, "haan... naam toh bahut pyara hai... aur woh bhi..."

He suddenly realized what he had just said and stopped mid-sentence, quickly shutting his mouth. His slight embarrassment didn't go unnoticed—Nanaji let out a soft chuckle, amused by his innocence and the way his feelings so easily showed.

Sameer looked down for a second, then, trying to regain composure, asked curiously, "waise, Nanu... aap Naina se kab mile the? Shayad... hamare school ke function mein na...?"

His eyes held a mix of curiosity and anticipation, eager to hear anything—no matter how small—that connected Nanu to her.

Nanu smiled, his eyes turning thoughtful as he recalled the memory.

"Nahin... pehle bhi kai baar usse school ke functions mein dekha tha, par kabhi zyada baat nahin hui. Par asli mulaqat toh meri usse Diwali ke din hui thi... tu bhi toh gaya tha na mere saath mandir..."

He paused, looking at Sameer with a knowing expression, "maine bataya tha na... jab ek ladki ne mere paon mein kaanch lagne se bachaya tha... wahi thi yeh teri Naina. In sab mein usse khud ke haath mein chot bhi lag gayi thi... par phir bhi usse meri hi chinta thi... aur tab toh main uska naam bhi theek se nahin jaanta tha"

Sameer listened intently, his eyes widening slightly as he pictured the moment. Then, a flicker of confusion crossed his face, "par... aapne toh uska naam Mini bataya tha baad mein mujhe...?"

Nanu smiled gently, lost in the warmth of that memory, "haan... woh darasal jab agli baar mujhe mili na, toh pooja ke baad hum aise hi baith kar baat karne lage. Tab usne bataya ki uske Chachaji usse pyaar se 'Mini' bulate hain... kabhi kabhi. Aur pata hai kya bola usne? Kehne lagi ki mujhe dekh kar bhi usse wahi ehsaas hota hai... toh main bhi usse Mini hi bulaun..."