Life Partners

She entered their room and her eyes widened seeing the mess. "Yeh kya haalat banake rakha hai room ka!! Abhi toh clean karke gayi thi.. yeh log meri baat maane toh na.. " she started cleaning the room and arranging the things at their designated positions. But stopped asher eyes caught something more precious. She picked & caressed his shirt.. and a smile appeared on her face as she held the shirt closer to her heart. His handsome face flashed before her eyes.. his carefree attitude, his charming smile, his non stoppable chattering.. she giggled remembering her first thought about him when she saw him for the first time.

"Yeh kitna bolta hai.. i mean koi ladka itna jyada kaise bol sakta hai yaar! Is he straight..?" She asked with a confused expression. "Ajabde! Have you gone crazy?! Kitna accha ladka hai. Itna handsome hai, Fun loving hai aur sabse important bohot understanding aur responsible hai.. haan, bas thoda jyada bolta hai but you can't reject him on that basis ok?!" Her friend soubhagyavati said.
Ajabde laughed sarcastically "correction madam! Thoda jyada nahi..bohot jyada bolta hai" soubhagyavati signed "ajab... dekh tu na.." meanwhile hansa entered the room in a haste "jaiwanta ka call aaya tha.. aur unki taraf se rishta pakka hai!" She squeeled in excitement. soubhagyavati looked at ajabde teasingly whereas ajabde looked at them with mixed expression. 

She laughed aloud but smiled remembering how he extended a hand of friendship on their wedding night to make her feel comfortable with him around.
"Pata hai ajabde.. dosti ka rishta duniya ke sabse khoobsurat rishton mein se ek hai, par yeh akeli aisi jasbaat hai, jo har ek rishtey mein basta hai. Kyuki kisibhi relation ko nibhane keliye pehla foundation hota hai friendship.. mein tumhe kisi cheez keliye force nahi karna chahta. Mein chahta hu ki hum pati patni se jyada ek dusre ke acche dost bane taaki mann mein koi baat, koi hichkichav nah rahe. jo bhi mann mein aaye saamne freely bol sake.. So inshort kya tum meri dost banna chahogi?" He asked forwarding his hand after giving a brief explaination about relationship. He narrowed his eyes as ajabde burst out laughing. "Oh Hello, mein koi joke nahi suna raha yaha, tum itna kyu has rahi ho?" He asked. Ajab steaded herself "actually kya haina.. mujhe pata tha tum bohot jyada bolte ho but itni sensible baatein bhi karte ho, aaj pata chala" she giggled again. While pratap just rolled his eyes "ha ha very funny" he turned around to go but stopped by ajabde's voice "Ae Mr.!! Mere dost banoge?" Pratap stared at her amused whereas Ajabde continued "Dekho ab pehle tumne dosti ka haath badhaya tha, issiliye ab tum mana bhi nahi kar sakte!" She said. Pratap laughed and approached her with a smile "Friends…" both smiled at each other. 

Ajabde came out of trance and looked at her bracelet.  She smiled slightly carressing the beautifully carved letters "Best Friends Forever" how can anyone be so good. She still feel jealous how her parents love him more than her.. but she love to be loved less than him. Because she knew even pratap love and respect her parents a lot.. may be a percent more than her.

"Mein kuch nahi sunne wala! Samjhe na aap?! Chup chap room mein jaayiye aur araam kariye." ajabde entered the kitchen hearing the chaos. "Kya horaha yaha?" She enquired. "Ajabde.. yeh dekho yeh kya kar rahi hai.." pratap complained. "Kya?" Ajabde asked confused. "Ajabde.. kya tum iss janaab ko lekar thodi der keliye bahar jaaogi..? Yeh mujhe chain se khaana banane bhi nahi de raha" hansa frowned. "Mom aap toh please chup hi rahiye. Ek toh tabiyat kharab hai upar se khana banana hai.. mein toh kehta hu aap apni iss beti ko bhi saath le jaayiye. Aaj khana mein banaunga" he said excited.. "ek min. Mein kyu jaau bahar? Maa aaram karegi kyuki woh bimaar hai par mein toh nahi. Tum dono jao bahar mein banalungi" ajabde said arranging the utensils on the stove. Both hansa and pratap looked each other amused. "Madam.. aapko Cooking ka C bhi aata hai?" Pratap asked. "Jee ha! Mujhe sab aata hai… aap dono hatiye yaha se" she said moving forward. "Kya horaha hai yaha? Ajabde.. tum damaad ji ko kyu pareshaan kar rahi ho? Pratap beta aap aayiye hum baahar baithenge" mamrakh said and turned to move outside but pratap stood fixed to his place. "Ek min paapa.. aapko mein accha nahi lagta toh seedha bol dijiye na.. aise ghuma phirake kyu bol rahe hai?" His voice depicted hurt. All exchanged confused look. "Mein kuch samjha nahi betaji.. aap kya bol rahe hai?" Mamrakh asked. "Dekha mom.. paapa abhi bhi mujhe baahar wala hi samjhte hai. Ajab ko toh 'aap' kehke nahi bulate na aap.. aur nahi aise formality se baat karte hai.. toh phir mere saath aisa kyu? Haa.. aise hak se thodi na bulayege mujhe.. Kyuki jamaai thodi na beta hota hai.. jamai toh jamai hota hai- paraaya.. ab sirf beta boldene se sachka beta thodi na hojaunga mein" he finished. Hansa and mamrakh were speechless. Pratap was about to march out of the kitchen receiving no reply from any of the three present but mamrakh was fast enough as he said "Hansa..aaj mein aur mera beta milke khaana banayenge. Tum apni beti ko leke bahar baitho.. phir dekhna humari jodi kya kamaal karti hai.. kyu pratap? Sahi bol raha hu na.." pratap stopped at his place and looked at mamrakh his eyes shined and reflected how he meant every single word of what his said.. "thanks paapa.." he said. both smiled at each other and mamrakh gave pratap a fatherly hug before pulling his ear "ahh.. paapa kya kar rahe hai.. chodiye na.. mom, ajab ab chup kyu khadi ho dono.."pratap pleaded like a kid. But the ladies just giggled looking at the scene. "Mein toh samaj gaya lekin, agar tum agli baar se thank you, sorry jaise formalities ke saath baat karoge toh do chaar thappad bhi khaoge.. samjhe?" Maamrak said in a serious yet playful tone. "Done! Aage se no formalities! Toh ab.. captain.. lets get to work?.." pratap said escaping from his clutches where as mamrakh smiled "sure son." They seemed very excited. But the ladies were little unsure. "Ah, pratap..Don't tell me you're gonna cook for real.. i mean.." ajabde started but pratap interfered. "Oh hello! I can cook better than you ok.?! So please itni shocked expression dene ki zaroorat nahi hai" Pratap said. "What do you mean by you can cook better than me huh?" Ajabde asked. "I mean what i said wifey.." he smirked. She felt jitters and her heart skipped a beat hearing the word 'wifey' from him. Yes she indeed was his wife and he called her by this name several times before but now a days she was feeling different being with him. Her cheeks heated up when she looked up at his eyes. her heart raced double the speed when he came near. She found herself staring at him for more than required. Her mind always revovled around him 'what's wrong with me..! What are these feeling for.. am i in love with him?' She wondered. Days passed and now ajabde was enjoying the feeling of first love, a new stage in their relationship.

Ajabde slapped her forehead laughing at her foolish stupid antics.. but again smiled remembering his care.

"Have you gone crazy!! Kisiko bataye bina aisa kaise chali gayi tum? Ek call karne mein kitna wakt lagta hai?. Call chodo atleast you could have left me a message damn! " pratap was way too much angry for her carelessness. 
"I'm not crazy pratap.. meine tumhe call karne ki koshish ki but it wasn't reachable.. aur.." she tried to convince. "Par agar tumhe kuch hojata toh i would've gone crazy!!" He roared. "Ab chalo yaha se" he grabbed her hand and marched towards the car. Ajabde was stunned at first as she wasn't expecting this reaction from him but later she felt nice. 'He looks so cute when he gets into an angry man mode..' she chuckled as she allowed herself being dragged by him.

She smiled looking at their big wedding poster on their room's wall. 4 years passed for their marriage and 2 years after udaysingh's death.
Tears flowed down as she remembered that dreadful day. Pratap being in his worstest condition calmed every member as a responsible son. A painful smile came on her lips. "We miss you dad.." she muttered carressing udaysingh's photo kept on the table. "Aapka beta na bohot bure hai. Bohot pareshaan karte hai mujhe. Pehle toh aap meri team mein hote the na, toh koi mujhe kuch nahi bolta tha. ab dekho koi meri baat hi nahi sunta ek sirf shakti aur ranimaa hai jinko meri parwa hai, heer toh ab behen se meri devrani hogayi hai, woh ab meri kaha sunegi.. aur aapke bete ne toh baccho ko bhi bigaad ke rakha hai... dono itna bolte hai.. bilkul apne daddy jaise! din bhar bas chapad chapad.. par pata hai dad, sab aapko bohot miss karte hai specially ranimaa. Sabko dikhati nahi par kabhi kabhi ekdam chup si hojati hai.. mujhe bilkul bhi accha nahi lagta. Aur pratap.. woh dikhate nahi, sabki responsibilities jo hai unpar.. par woh bhi aapko bohot yaad karte hai..  aap aajayiye na wapas.. badle me, mein aapki saari man pasand dishes banaungi.. ha ha.. aap fikar mat kariy, seekh li hai meine cooking.. ab mein khaana jalati nahi. Agar aap isse rishwat samjh rahe hai, toh yahi sahi.."
She sobbed little. "Par please.. wapas aajayiye na dad.." her voice shook as she closed her eyes letting the tears flow down her cheeks.

The door opened as a little chirpy voice made its way inside. "Mumma!! Dekho meine daddy ko phirse hara diya.. and Diya won again!!" The little baby girl announced excitedly while running towards her mother. Ajabde quickly wiped her tears and picked up the bundle of joy in her arms and swirled around.. "Accha.. aapke daddy aaj phirse haar gaye?" Ajabde asked. "Haa.. pata hai daddy humesha mujhse haar jaate hai.. aur diya humesha 1st aati hai" diya laughed. "Oye miss. Chotu! Ball uthake bhaag kar aane ko jeetna nahi kehte samjhi.." pratap said entering the room. "Haww. Diya.. that's not fair.." ajabde said. Diya was silent for few seconds and then she got down from ajabde "par mumma.. aapne hi toh kaha tha na, ki everything is fair in love and war.." she then approached pratap and hugged him by his legs " and i love my daddy a lot.. right daddy?" she looked up at pratap. Pratap and ajabde looked at each other with a smile and then at diya "Absolutely right meri jaan.. !" Pratap picked her up and started swirling around and slightly tickling her in between. The room was filled with laughter. "Waise amar kaha hai?" Pratap asked after their laughter session got over. "Woh aur kaha hoga.. ya toh apni kaki ko tang kar raha hoga.. ya phir apne shakti kaka ke saath milke koi nayi video game khel raha hoga.." she signed. Just then the door opened "Choti.!! Jaldi idhar aa... shakti kaka humare liye dher saare gifts laaye hai.." amar said. "Sacchi dada..?" Diya asked excited.. "ha.. ab jaldi chal." The kids ran to their shakti kaka. "Arre.. araam se tum dono.. Yeh shakti bhi na.." ajabde signed.

She turned to go but pratap caught her by wrist. "Tum ro rahi thi..?" His question was direct. "Nah-nahi toh mein kaha.." she said looking everywhere but him. "Phir dad ki tasveer kidki ke paas kya kar rahi hai ajabde.." he asked taking the photoframe in his hand. She looked up at him and found his eyes already teary.. he sat on a nearby couch with the photoframe. "Pata hai ajab.. dad humesha bolte the. Ki mujhe unke tarah banna hai. The Man Of The House. you know.. woh bolte the ki rishton ki dor jitna khubsurat hoti hai utna hi nazuk bhi hoti hai. Usse jitna hosake utna apna time do, taaki rishton ka dor mazboot aur ghehra ban sake..  kaam toh hota rahega but family comes first. par mein itna dhyaan nahi de paaya kyuki mujhe yeh nahi pata tha na, ki dad itni jaldi humse root jayege. But now i'm just trying to lead according to his principles. Mein bilkul dad ki parchaayi banna chahta hu ajab. Taaki log mujhme mere dad ko dekhe.. taaki mein bhi apni family ko ek saath khush rak saku jaise dad rakha karte the.." a lone tear trickled down his cheek.
"Mujhe pata hai pratap.. tum dad ko bohot miss karte ho, Bas dikhate nahi.." Ajabde asked sitting beside him. Pratap signed with a smile "Kabhi kabhi life kitni complicated lagti haina? Jinko hum apne aap se bhi jyada pyaar karte hai woh humse itni door chale jaate hai ki… aur, aur jinka zindagi mein kabhi naam bhi nahi suna hota, kabhi kabhi woh hi humari zindagi ban jaate hai. Jaise ki tum" pratap said looking at her lovingly. ajabde smiled leaning on his shoulder as pratap continued "waise ek baat batao, tum mujhe miss toh karogi na jab mein marjaa…" he was stopped by her as she immediately placed her palm on his mouth before those dreadful words could escape his lips. "Chup! Bilkul chup! And listen Mr. Pratap singh.. i'm not done with you yet.. samjhe na. Aur waise bhi agar tum kahi chale bhi gaye toh waha kisime meri jitni himmat nahi hogi, tumhari bak bak sunne keliye. Aur mujhe abhi tumhe bohot jhelna hai.. samjhe?!" he smiled at her teary eyes as he removed her palms. "Hmm.. toh mein bak bak karta hu?" He asked with his eyebrows raised. "Correction. Bak bak nahi.. bakwaas karte ho tum! Jaise abhi kar rahe the. Woh toh mein hu jo tumhari har bakwaas sun leti hu.. koi aur hota na.." her voice chocked and before she could complete her sentence pratap embraced her tightly. "I love you.." he whispered which calmed ajabde a bit. "Dobara kabhi aisi baatein mat karna please.." she said in a low voice. "kabhi nahi." Pratap said tightening his hold on her assuring that he'll always be there for her forever.

After a few minutes pratap broke the hug "toh ab maharani ji ka gussa shant hogaya ho toh kuch khane ke liye bhi dedo.." he said. "Abhi abhi toh lunch kiya tha! tum nah ladkon ke character se poora opposite ho, jyada bolte ho. jyada khate ho.. halka sa bhi manners nahi. Pata nahi mein kaise fhas gayi tumhare saath" She said while getting up but Pratap pulled her back. "Tum khud fhas gayi thi. Meine thodi na force kiya tha tumhe… pata hai mere kitni deewaniyaan thi, thi kya aaj bhi hai.. tum chaho toh tumse mila du?" He suggested. Ajabde pulled him closer by his collor. "Milaake toh dekho unn chudailon ko.. unki muh nah thod du na.. toh mein bhi Mrs. Ajabde pratap singh nahi.. tum sirf mere ho.. samjhe.?!" "Not bad.. someone is getting jealous haan..?" pratap smirked And leaned closer. Just then the door banged open and they jerked apart. "Yaar ab kon hai… pehle knock karke toh…" he stopped abruptly and screamed when someone pulled his ear "ahhh!!" "Kya bol raha tha phirse bol.." the person said. "Ahh ranimaa.. mein nahi.. yeh toh ajab bol rahi thi.. ahh!" Pratap said and ajabde's eyes widened. "Kya.. mein..? ranimaa yeh jhoot bol rahe hai.. meine toh aisa kuch nahi.." ajabde tried to clarify. "Mein sab jaanti hu ajab. Ki kon shaitaani kar raha tha.. kyu pratap?" She said again pulling his ears again. "Ahh ranimaa.. chodiye na please…" pratap screamed again where as ajabde giggled seeing the duo. "Ranimaa.. jaane dijiye na.." ajabde said. "Tum chup raho ajab... aur tu, mein teri maa hu. Samjha na.. acche se jaanti hu tujhe aur teri bahano ko.." she left his ear and continued taking a glance at ajab "aur yeh yaha sirf teri patni nahi iss ghar ki bahu yani meri beti bhi hai.. toh isko tere se bhi jyada kaam hota hai.. ghar sambhalna kya choti baat hai??.." "hein.. mere se bhi jyada kaam.." pratap murmered. "Khair! tere dimag mein meri baat jaayegi toh nahi.. haina?" She asked. "Ha.. kya. nahi.. ranimaa kya aap bhi" he looked down sheepishly. Jaiwanta shook her head at him and ajabde smiled seeing her brave husband behaving like a small kid infront of his ranimaa. "Ajab.. pehle tum iss buddhu ko kuch samjhake shant karo uske baad zara neeche aana.. tumse kuch zaroori baat karni hai." Jaiwanta said in ordering tone and Ajabde nodded in yes. Jaiwanta stopped at door and turned "waise itna jyada zaroori baat bhi nahi hai, toh take your time. But ajabde.. itna bhi late mat hona." She said and left giggling.
Pratap pulled ajabde as soon as jaiwanta went. "Hmm.. so? Ab toh ranimaa ki bhi permission milgayi.." pratap smirked pulling her more closer. "Kitne besharam hona tum.." ajabde said. "Apni patni se kaise besharmi.. ab mein toh tumhara hi pati hu. nai.." he said before both of them broke into laughter. Ajabde kept her head on his chest while pratap's hands found their way around her waist.

They very well knew the value of every single relation. They weren't perfect as individual but their relation made them perfect for each other. They experienced and enjoyed every feeling thouroughly. Friends, Competitors, Lover, Parents for their little ones, daughter & son for their parents.. and managed very relation carefully with love and respect. And at the end of the day they were partners for life. Who encouraged & supported each other in hard times. She corrected him when he was wrong. He loved her for her soul and encouraged her thoughts. They shared every pain, happiness, tears, laughter, both complimented each other perfectly. They weren't two separate individuals.. they were one. One as soul. They were life partners.

Pyaar Ka Rang

"Finally engagement hogayi..! Kitna cute lag rahe na dono.. but Itna thak gaya na mein.. par jo bhi ho shaadi ke ghar me kuch jyada hi maza aata nahi?" Shakti asked leaning back to the wall.. "hmm.." the reply seemed little dull. "Oye! Mana ki bohot thak gayi hai, par itna bhi kya laash jaisi awaaz nikal rahi ho?" Shakti said before continuing when he got no reply "ajab.. kya baat hai, bhai ke baare mein soch rahi ho?" This grabbed her attention. "Kya? Pagal nahi hu mein.. jo uss casanova ke baare mein sochu. Huh." Shakti chuckle at the expression ajabde made. "Hmm.. toh yahi baat hai!" "Bola na aisa kuch nahi hai!!" She snapped "shant shant jhansi rani! Waise tumhe pata hai woh ladki jo dada ke saath ghoom rahi hai woh kon hai?" He asked. "Koi bhi ho mujhe kya.. " she said. "Abe teri problem kya hai? Pehle meri poori baat toh sun.." shakti said irritated. "Mera problem ek hi hai. tera dada! Aise toh badi deenge maarta rehta hai 'mein bohot shareef hu, seedha saadha hu' huh.. jhoota kahi ka! Ab dekho kaise uss miss beauti-fool ke saath has has ke baat kar raha hai.. mere saath toh kabhi itne acche se baat nahi ki.. acchese chodo yeh toh kabhi seedhe muh baat bhi nahi karta!" She paused and glanced at shakti who was sniggering. "Tu has raha hai?! yaar.. mein jaa rahi hu" she started walking towards their designated room in the hall "arre.. baby doll! sun toh..!" He suppressed his laughter and ran behind her but failed to catch her pace. "Pagal hai bilkul.. man mein itna pyaar hai par bol hi nahi paati.. aur mera yeh ghadha bhai! Itni pyaari ladki hai, kuch samajtha hi nahi.! Ab mujhe hi kuch karna padega.. nahi toh yeh dono pagalon ke chakar me, mein pagal hojaunga.. Chal beta shakti lag jaa kaam pe" he smiled a determined one.
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"Dada! Dada!!" Shakti's voice wasn't reaching pratap as the hall was totally packed up and the sounds of dhol taasha along with loud music wasn't allowing him to hear his own voice let alone reach his brother. Pratap was guiding the guests on stage as people flooded to wish the newly engaged couple who will be happily married soon. But finally pratap's eye caught him shouting something and shakti grabbed the opportunity as he waved his hand indicating him to approach him.. "Yaha aao na.." and it worked as pratap marched towards his direction.. "kya hua?" He asked. "Woh mom ne bola ki dulha dulhan ko lagne wali haldi laana hai" he grinned. Pratap narrowed his eyes at him "haa toh laake dedo.." he turned to go. "Kya. Nahi! suno na dada! Woh mom ne bola ki aapko bolu haldi laane keliye.." he said. "Oh! Toh theek hai, mein mom se baat karlunga.." pratap smiled and turned to go but shakti came in front of him making him take a step back. "Mere agyakaari bhai! Mom bechari waha kaam mein busy hai, tum please unhe pareshaan mat karo yaar! Aur waise bhi meine bola na ki mom ne hi bola hai, ki aapko boldu haldi laane keliye.. room mein rakha hai. Ab kya tumhe apni bhai ke baaton pe bhi vishwas nahi?." Shakti said in a melodramatic tone "ha ha theek hai jaa raha hu. Tu apni dramebaazi limit mein rakh! Nautanki..!" Pratap signed as he headed towards the rooms. "Dada! Pehle se 2nd room! Second!!" Shakti shouted and smiled satisfied when pratap showed a thumbsup sign indicating he got what he said. "chalo.. plan A successfull. now its time for plan B" he smiled evily
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Pratap entered the room and started searching for the haldi bowl. "yeh shakti bhi na.. Yaha toh koi haldi waldi nahi rakha hai." He was looking here and there when he heard a clicking sound. He turned around for the source and found the door closed. "Yeh door.. kaise bandh hogaya?" He muttered as he ran towards the door and tried to open the door but it felt as if it was locked from outside "Oye!! Kon hai bahar? Kisne lock kiya darwaza ha? Jaldi kholo. dekho, yeh mazak ka wakt nahi.." he shouted but to no avail. "Kon itna chilla raha hai?" Ajabde came out of the bathroom shouting at the person who was yelling this loud but stopped in her track when she spotted pratap there. Shock was clearly evident on their faces. "Tum!" He narrowed his eyes as he scanned her top to bottom she was looking gorgeous in her elegant lehenga choli. With all her jewellaries on and minimal makeup. Her kohl eyes were wide and her red lips sligthly parted.. 'hold on to your horses pratap! Damn this door!' He turned and concentrated on the locked door. "Agr... koi hai? Darwaza kholo."

At other side of the door shakti was having a great time listening to his brother's helpless voice. He somehow sensed it wasn't due to irritation but due to nervousness and this made him grin more wide. "Bohot bhaagte the na ek dusre se.. ab bhagke dikhao.." he whispered as he smirked at the locked latch and walked out whistling his favourite tune..

#Room#
Pratap glanced at ajabde, she was still standing fixed to her place. Her heart was beating double the speed. Her hands were cold.. his black eyes looked all the more deep as he stared back at her. He seemed all the more charming in his indowestern sherwani..  'Oh how she can spend her entire life staring at his handsome face' she smiled and signed at the thought. Whereas pratap shook his head at her and turned his gaze again on door "mujhe ghoorna hogaya toh yaha aake thoda help bhi kar sakti ho!" He said while checking the knob of the door. This brought ajabde back to reality as she closed her gaping mouth and turned her gaze. "Mein..? mein kyu tumhe ghooru? pagal thodi hu mein.." she fumbled looking here and there. "Arre yaar koi hai kya bahar.!? Darwaza kholo jaldi.." he continued banging the door without replying. Ajabde glanced at him when she didn't got any counter reply and this irritated her. She looked around and got a knife that was lying in the table and hopped towards the door but she stumbled as her lehenga came her way and she ended falling in pratap's arms.  Her both hands were on his shoulder and his hands held her through waist.. hearts skipped a beat as eyes met. Ajabde downed her eyes not able to take his intense gaze. They parted away and an awkward silence prevailed between them. "Ah.. mein shakti ko call karta hu shayad woh hume yaha se nikaal sake." Pratap said. Ajabde managed to nod. "Ek min. Yeh chaaku yaha kaise aaya? oh my god! Kahi tumne toh yeh sab plan nahi kiya? Mera khoon karne keliye?!" He exclaimed. "What!! Have you gone mad?! Mein tumhe kyu maarungi?" Ajabde asked amused. Pratap laughed sarcastically "toh kya yeh chaaku mein koi aatma aagayi.. jo khud chalke yaha aayi?" "Dekho.. mein yaha.," ajab picked up the knife and took a step forward as pratap moved a step back. " dekha.. tum mujhe hi maarne aayi ho.. chudail, dayan! Peeche hatho!" "Chup! Mujhe koi shauk nahi tumhara murder karne me.. woh toh mein isse lock kholne ke baare me soch rahi thi.." ajabde said looking at the knife in her hand. "Tum ladkiyon ke paas dimag toh hota nahi but aankhe toh acchi dikhti hai ya nahi. Chaaku ka size dekha hai? Isse kisika gala kat sakta hai lock nahi! Bewakoof.." He shook his head while ajabde's mouth was wide open at his remark.. "oh hello! Bewakoof hoti na, toh yaha tumhari tarah har baat pe argue karti baithti.. nah ki yaha se bahar nikalne ki koi tarkeeb sochti, samjhe?" "Arre ha.. tumne toh bohot badi cheez discover kiya nai?! Aur mein koi argue nahi kar raha bas sach bata raha hu. Aur rahi baat tarkeeb ki mein shakti ko abhi call kar leta hu toh.." he paused as he rechecked all his pockets 'mera mobile! Mera mobile kaha gaya?' "Oh shit!" He muttered under his breath and glanced at ajab where as ajabde gave a confused look. And finally after a few seconds of complete silence, pratap moved towards ajabde grabbed her hand and made her stand infront of the door "try!" He said. "Huh?" Ajabde was indeed confused.. "meine kahi suna tha ladkiyon ki koshish kabhi kabhi kaam kar jaati hai. Toh apply your theory and try to break the lock." He said and sat on the nearby cot. Ajabde looked at him preplexed and at knife in her hand and then at the closed door. "Nahi nahi rehne do.. tum shakti ko call karo woh nikalega hume yaha se." "Yaar kamaal karti ho. Pehle toh mere mana karne ke baawajood bhi, itna confidence ke saath chaaku leke lock kholne chali thi. Ab khud bol raha hu toh mana kar rahi ho! Woman!" He signed amused. "Shut up! Mobile do apna mein khud kar lungi tumhare sahare baithungi toh poori raat yahi pe.." "oh for god sake! Poori raat tumhare saath! No ways!" Pratap said in a hurried tone. Ajabde shook her head "mobile..?" "Nahi hai!" He shrugged. Ajabde raised her eye brows at him. "Woh mom ke saath hai.. unko uncle se baat karni thi aur mein usse wahi pe bhool gaya. So woh ab unhi ke paas hai" he cleared her doubt. "Kya!!" Ajabde's mouth was wide open. Where as pratap looked away sheepishly. "Ab theek haina.. bhool gaya toh bhool gaya! Insaan hu robot nahi jo sab yaad rakhu.." "ab kya kare..?" "Dekhthe hai agar koi yaha se guzarega toh awaaz lagaayenge.." pratap suggested. "Accha.. aur woh kaise?" Ajabde asked. Pratap scanned his surroundings and smiled when he found a chair at the corner. He adjusted the chair near the window which was way too high to reach without a chair. "Iss khidki ko kholdu bas.. phir., khul gaya" pratap opened the window after few efforts. "Hello…. Koi hai?!!" He called aloud so that his voice can reach any passerby but it wasn't working "tumse ek kaam theek se nahi hota mein try karti hu.." ajabde climbed the same chair and this disbalanced pratap as he stumbled and for a support he held the nearby locker but instead grabbed something which is not fixed at it's place and in a reflex pratap grabbed ajabde's wrist for support but she came along with him and landed on floor. And the unfixed bowl fell on them which seemed like some kind of liquid. They were inches apart when ajabde leaned in closer to his face in a trance. Pratap howered his eyes on her face, admiring her beauty but something more curious caught his eyes, his eyes widened at her right cheek which was by now smeared with haldi. He jerked her back & stood straingtening himself while ajab fell on her back. She hurriedly stood up facing her back to him, dusting her clothes. 'Tum kar kya rahi ho ajab! Abhi toh badi badi baatein kar rahi thi ki uske baare mein sochna nahi usko ignore karna hai aur ab..' she thought amused. 'Yeh mujhe pagalkhana bhijwake hi maanegi..!' Pratap thought calming his racing heart "Umm.. woh tumhare chehre pe haldi lagi hai, saaf karlo.." he said still not facing her. Ajabde came out of her thoughts & touched her cheeks to check what's wrong. "Yeh haldi... kaha se.." she turned around to say something but paused when she saw his condition was more worse than hers as he was almost half drenched in haldi. His left cheeck, neck and upper chest part was smeared with haldi. "Tumhare chehre par bhi.. woh.." she didn't continue further but pratap understood as he touched his cheeks.. he looked at his hand and then at ajab. Eyes met and looked away as they knew what it meant..  and the same awkward silence filled the room.

The door opened as shakti and jaiwanta along with heer made their way into the room. "Yeh ho kya raha hai?" Jaiwanta enquired. "Woh mom.. kya haina ki.. woh haldi.." pratap stammered. While jaiwanta guessed the situation and smiled knowingly. While shakti and heer chuckled looking at their siblings and then at each other. "Aaj bechare dulha dulhan ki haldi hone se rahi.. kyuki saari haldi toh yahi hogayi, kyu dada?" Shakti smiled mischieviously. Pratap and ajabde looked at each other awkwardly "shakti ke bacche, tujhe toh mein.." pratap began but was stopped by shakti "arre dada.. mujhe baad mein dekhlena pehle fresh toh hojao.. ya phir haldi ka rang aise chad gaya ki ab isse mitane ka man hi nahi horaha.. Hmm?" Shatki nudged. Pratap rolled his eyes at his brother's antics. "Di.. ab chalo bhi.!" Heer dragged ajabde who let her do so after casting a quick glance at pratap. Jaiwanta smiled at them "shakti jaldi se aur haldi piswao.. haldi ki rasm keliye der ho rahi hai.." she left after asking him to do the required as soon as possible to which shakti obliged happily. He left after saying " ahem, meine suna hai, ki dulha dulhan ki haldi agar kisi kuwaro pe lage toh unki bhi shaadi jaldi hojati hai.." "shakti..!!" Pratap warned and his one look was enough for shatki to ran out of the room.
Pratap heaved a sign of relief. He smiled as he touched his haldi smeared cheeks .. "hmm.. waise itni buri bhi nahi hai.." he smiled running his fingers in his hair slightly messing it up recalling the previous incident.