Chapter 1 - Mujhse Friendship Karoge!

4 years ago

Shweta

@2111_shweta

“From here you roll on your back and move to the other side. And return immediately moving your leg in a circle like this and end in this sitting position.”

“Weeeeee!” She squealed while rolling, making the others laugh.

“And pose!” He sat with an arched back mimicking the instructor.

“Sharon, Rey, no masti!” The instructor warned them.

“Yes ma’am!” They both replied holding back their giggle.

“Let’s do this part on music and then we’ll dismiss.” The instructor said looking at the time.

“Aaj bohot maza aaya!” Sharon got up after they were dismissed.

“I agree!” Rey got up after her. “Chal abh uncle humare liye ruke honge.”

“Aaj toh aunty ka turn tha na hume pick karne ka?” Sharon asked.

“Maa ka turn parso hai, aaj uncle ka hai. Tujhe kuch yaad hi nahi rehta.” Rey swatted on her head and ran out to save himself from getting beaten up by her.

“You!” Sharon ran behind him trying really hard to hit him.

“Kahan bhaag rahe ho tum dono?” Gautam asked as Rey and Sharon ran past him.

“Uncle dekho na isse, mujhe maar rahi hai.” Rey complained.

“Dad isne mujhe pehle mara!” Sharon went to hit Rey when Gautam picked her up.

“Shh! Baitho yahan!” He made her sit on the bonnet of his car and saw Rey making faces at her. He picked up Rey as well and made him sit next to Sharon. “Sorry bolo!” Gautam looked at Rey.

“Sorry.” Rey pouted.

“Sharon tum bhi.” Gautam looked at her.

“But meine usse nahi mara!” Sharon protested.

“Sharon!”

“Sorry.” She mumbled.

“Good! Now you look civilized.” He smiled at them. “Ice cream khane jana hai?” He asked, making their eyes spark.

“Dad aap hi hume roz pick karne aao.” Sharon demanded.

“Haan, koi aur hume ice cream khilane lekar hi nahi jata.” Rey complained, getting inside the car.

…

“Mom! I’m home!” Sharon announced as soon as she entered her house.

“Aagayi meri guddi!” Avantika picked her up and kissed her cheek.

“Mom! Stop calling me that! Mein abhi badi ho gayi hoon! Next week mera fifth birthday hai!” Sharon complained.

“Okay big girl! But mere liye tum meri guddi hi rahogi!” She pulled her cheeks making her wail.

“Kheench kheench ke mere cheeks bahar hi nikal do aap sab log.” Sharon flared her nostrils and sat on the couch.

“Kaun mere baby ke cheeks pull karta hai?” Gautam sat next to her.

“Rey! Voh jab bhi pull karta hai mere cheeks, voh full red hojate hai.” She complained.

“Aur voh jab yeh kar raha hota hai tum kya karti ho?” Gautam asked her knowingly.

“Mein uske cheeks pull kar rahi hoti hoon!” Sharon laughed.

“Chalo abhi bohot masti hogayi. Go to your room, freshen up and finish your homework.” Avantika instructed her.

“Mom bhook lagi hai.” Sharon said getting off the couch.

“Ice cream khane ke baad bhi bhook lagi hai?” Avantika squinted at her.

“Haan!” Sharon ran to her room giggling.

“Tumhi ne bigaad rakha hai usse.” Avantika scolded Gautam as she went in the kitchen to get some snacks for Sharon.

“Papa hum kahan ja rahe hai?” He asked.

“Mumbai.” Rishi answered.

“Aur wapas kab aayenge?”

“Swayam beta, hum Mumbai humesha ke liye shift ho rahe hai.”

“Par kyun?” Swayam asked.

“Kyunki papa ka office Mumbai shift hogaya hai.” Kavya answered.

“Toh sirf unhe jaane bolo. Meri school yahan hai. Aur mujhe kahin nahi jana.” Swayam threw tantrums.

“Theek hai tum yahin ruko. Mein aur tumhari mom Mumbai ja rahe hai.”

“Jao! Reh lunga mein akela!” Swayam walked out of their room.

“Rishi, bachcha hai yaar voh.” Kavya turned to go out behind Swayam.

“Ruko, mein baat karta hoon uss se.” Rishi went after Swayam.

“Mujhe kahin nahi jana.” Swayam said softly as Rishi settled himself on the porch next to Swayam.

“Tumhe pata hai Mumbai mein humare jo neighbors honge unka beta bhi tumhari umar ka hai.” Rishi tried to explain. “Tum humesha complain karte ho na ki yahan tumhari age ka koi nahi hai for you to play?”

“But uske bhi toh friends honge na. Voh mere saath kyu khelega.” Swayam looked at Rishi.

“Tumhari friendship hojayegi uss se toh phir tum sab ek saath khel sakte ho, ek saath school ja sakte ho. It’ll be fun.” Rishi cheered him up.

“Mujhe mera school bohot pasand hai.” Swayam folded his arms across his chest and huffed.

“Mere liye chalo?” Rishi looked at him with hopeful eyes. “Live there for a while, wahan school attend karo. If you still don’t like it there, hum wapas aajayenge Bikaner.” He persuaded.

“Promise?” Swayam pulled out his pinky.

“Pakka promise!” Rishi held his pinky and smiled warmly at him. “Chalo abhi jaldi jaake tumhare toys pack karlo. I don’t want to hear any complaints about any missing ones later on.”

Swayam happily ran into the house. Kavya saw him and walked out to Rishi.

“Maan gaya?” She asked.

“Mana liya!” He chuckled.

“Karlega na adjust voh?” She asked, concerned.

“Mera beta hai voh. Kahin bhi adjust karlega!” He replied proudly.

…

“Papa, hum Mumbai pakka shift ho rahe hai?” Swayam asked over dinner.

“Haan.” Rishi answered.

“Toh kya main wahan dance school mein admission le sakta hoon?” Swayam asked meekly.

“Yeh dance ka bhoot kabse sawaar hogaya?” Rishi squinted at him.

“Aap hi ne toh isse summer camp mein enroll karwaya tha. Wahan se lautne ke baad yeh bas dance dance karte rehta hai!” Kavya shook her head.

“Papa please?” Swayam pleaded. “I won’t complain about shifting to Mumbai either.”

“We’ll see about it.” Rishi gave him an assuring smile.

“Yes!” Swayam air fisted and then finished his dinner in excitement.

“Chalo atcha hai. Dance ke bahane mann bana rahega iska.” Kavya smiled looking at Swayam.

“Papa meri packing hogayi hai. Hum kab nikal rahe hai?” Swayam asked Rishi.

“Hum next week shift ho rahe hai.”

“Mumma mera bike helmet nahi mil raha. Main aise hi ja rahi hoon.” Sharon screamed from the door.

“Kahan ja rahi ho?” Avantika walked out to the living room.

“Khelne ja rahi hoon!” Sharon answered.

“Park se aaj jaldi return aana. Dinner ke liye hum aaj Rey ke ghar jaane wale hai.” Avantika instructed her.

“Main uske ghar hi ja rahi hoon.” Sharon informed.

“Okay ma’am.” Avantika smiled. “Aur tumhara bike helmet tum uske ghar chod aayi ho. Don’t forget to wear it!”

“Yes mom! Abh main jau? Dad bahar wait kar rahe hai.”

Avantika nodded at her. Sharon gave her a flying kiss and ran out of the house.

“Mom kya instructions de rahi thi?” Gautam asked as she came out.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t listening.” Sharon showed her tongue.

“Tum bohot badmaash hote ja rahi ho.” Gautam gave her an angry glare.

“Dad!” She wailed. “Chalo na jaldi. Wahan Rey wait kar raha hoga mera.”

“Okay, okay. Pick up your pace then.” Gautam started walking. Sharon rode her bicycle alongside him.

“You’re fifteen minutes late!” Rey mocked as Sharon reached.

“I was searching for my helmet.” Sharon gave an excuse.

“Tu voh waise bhi nahi pehenti.” Rey rolled his eyes and got on his bicycle.

“Both of you, wear your helmets!” Rannvijay walked out carrying them.

“Paa!” Rey wailed.

“Safety first!” Rannvijay placed Rey’s helmet on his head and handed Sharon hers.

“Fine!” Rey and Sharon both fastened them and rode off.

“Dono kitni jaldi bade hogaye.” Gautam looked at the two.

“Kahan bade huye hai. Bachhe hi toh hai. Bas baatein badi badi karne lag gaye hai.” Rannvijay chuckled.

“Yahan kaun shift hua?” Gautam asked looking at the house across the street.

“Rishi!” Rannvijay answered.

“Atcha voh yahan shift hua? Mujhe last bola tha ki kahin South Bombay mein shift hone wala tha.” Gautam squinted.

“He couldn’t find a decent place there, so I asked him about this one. He agreed.”

“Abhi jaake disturb nahi karte hai. Looks like abhi bhi unpacking chal rahi hai.” Gautam told Rannvijay.

“Aaj dinner pe mil hi rahe hai na hum sab.” Rannvijay reminded him.

“Right! See you then.” Gautam left bidding bye.

“Coast is clear. Dono chale gaye hai!” Sharon informed Rey.

“Finally!” Rey grinned at her. “Let’s race!”

“Obstacles?” Sharon asked him.

“Same as always! Pehle sidewalk pe chadhaana cycle ko.”

“Without stopping haan.” Sharon added.

“Yeah!” Rey nodded. “Then crisscross between those trees. Then get down from there and wheelie!”

“No wheelie yaar!” Sharon groaned.

“Tu seekh toh gayi hai.” Rey frowned.

“Nahi na.” She made a sad face.

“Try toh kar.” Rey persuaded. “Pehle ek practice race karte hai.” He suggested.

“Fine.” Sharon agreed.

They both rode to the end of the road and started their obstacle course. They got to the last stage and Sharon hesitated to wheelie. But on Rey’s persistence, she pulled her front tyre up and managed to do it successfully! Rey stopped near the gate to his house, which was their finish line.

“I did it!” Sharon stopped next to him.

“See, I told you!” Rey grinned at her.

“Chal abh teko harati hoon!” Sharon rode back to the start.

“No chance!” Rey followed her.

They both started their race and Rey was immediately in the lead. Sharon caught up to him in no time. She got down the sidewalk and started wheeling. Rey slipped while getting down the sidewalk and halted for a short second to regain his balance.

“Bola tha na hara dungi!” Sharon mocked him.

She didn’t realize that someone had walked out to the street. To avoid bumping into him, she turned abruptly and fell down. He quickly rushed to her and picked the cycle off her. Rey too rushed.

“Ow!” Sharon wailed in pain.

“Are you alright?”

“She fell because of you!” Rey glared at him.

“Maine kya kiya?” He looked puzzled.

“Tu iske saamne aaya!”

“Jaan bujh kar nahi aaya tha main.” He clarified.

“Oh please!” Rey rolled his eyes at him.

“Rey!” Sharon shouted. “Uske saath baad mein ladh. Pehle help me!”

“Itni bhi nahi lagi hai. Khud uth ja.” Rey mocked her.

Sharon tried to get up taking support of her hands, but they were bruised, and she hissed in pain. She saw a hand in front of her and looked up to see who offered it. Sharon went to take it, when Rey swatted his hand away and offered his own.

“Swayam!”

“Aaya mumma!” Swayam shouted.

“Kya hua?” She walked out to the gate seeing the three children standing there.

“He pushed her off her cycle!” Rey accused Swayam.

“Yeh dekho aunty meko lagi bhi.” Sharon showed her scratched hands.

“Nahi mumma yeh dono jhoot bol rahe hai.” Swayam widened his eyes at them.

“Swayam, sorry bolo.” Kavya looked at him.

“Par maine push nahi kiya!” Swayam huffed.

Juhi had come out to call Rey and Sharon in, when she spotted the commotion and walked to them.

“Kya hua?” Juhi asked.

“Mere bete ne aapki beti ko cycle se giraya. Voh aisa usually karta nahi hai. Pata nahi kyun kiya usne aisa.” Kavya explained.

“Yeh meri behen nahi hai!” Rey cringed.

“Tum dono ki kya masti chal rahi hai? Kyun usse blame kar rahe ho?” Juhi looked at Sharon and Rey.

“Maa par Shar ussi ki wajah se giri hai.” Rey explained.

“My hand is bleeding!” Sharon shrieked. “Mumma!” She wailed.

“Tum dono bhaago andar. Aur Rey first-aid box nikal ke rakhna.” Juhi instructed them.

“Aunty, I swear, maine nahi giraya usse.” Swayam took a step forward to Juhi.

“What’s your name?” Juhi smiled at him.

“Swayam.” He answered.

“I believe you Swayam. Aise sad face mat banao. It doesn’t suit you!” She ruffled his hair.

Swayam smiled at her and went in.

“Usse jyada toh nahi lagi thi na?” Kavya asked Juhi.

“It was just a scratch.” Juhi disregarded it. “I’m Juhi by the way, Juhi Singhania.” She forwarded her hand.

“Kavya Shekhawat.” She shook her hand.

“Dinner ke pehle yahin mulaqaat hogayi.” Juhi laughed.

“Haan.” Kavya smiled. “Yeh dono aapke bachhe hai?”

“Nahi. Ek hai voh kaafi hai.” She chuckled.

“Chalo phir, dinner pe milte hai phirse.” Kavya smiled.

“Sure!”

Gautam and Avantika Rai Prakash

Kavya and Rishi Shekhawat

Rannvijay and Juhi Singhania

Gautam, Avantika, Rannvijay and Juhi are college friends. They fell in love during their college and married each other just after their graduation. Gautam and Rannvijay are architects while Avantika and Juhi have done business management. They all joined their parents’ business right after graduation. Now they have branched out completely from there and started their own firm called RS Industries.

Rishi and Kavya had an arranged marriage. After completing his course in architecture, Rishi joined a local firm in Bikaner. He always aspired to move to a metro city. During one of his projects he came across RS Industries and got in touch with Rannvijay. Rishi did a few projects with him as a freelancer. Eventually after working for a few years, Rannvijay and Gautam decided to partner up with Rishi. Kavya is currently a housewife.

“Hi, come on in. Welcome to Mumbai!” Rannvijay greeted Rishi, Kavya and Swayam in.

“Thank you.” Rishi smiled and they all walked in.

“Finally we meet!” Gautam got up to greet Rishi.

They all exchanged greetings and settled down to talk in the living room.

“Have you settled in properly?” Avantika asked Kavya

“Almost! House is still a mess though.” Kavya smiled.

“Koi help chahiye ho toh please let us know.” Juhi told her.

“What’s your name young man?” Gautam looked at Swayam.

“Swayam.” He smiled at them.

“Tum yahan humare saath baith ke bore ho jaoge. Peeche garden mein jao. Sharon aur Rey wahin honge.” Rannvijay suggested.

“Haan theek hai.” Swayam agreed and went out through the back door.

“All good? You seem a little tense.” Avantika looked at Kavya.

“I hope he gets along well with them. Abhi thodi der pehle jhagad rahe the teeno.” Kavya smiled lightly.

“Jhagad rahe the?” Gautam squinted.

“Sharon cycle se gir gayi thi aur Rey aur Sharon, dono ne conveniently blame Swayam pe daal diya tha. And they were arguing about it.” Juhi explained.

“Yeh Sharon bhi na!” Avantika shook her head. “Kitni baar usse kahan hai ki khelte waqt dhyaan rakha kare, par roz ek nayi chot leke ghar aati hai voh!”

“Bachhe hai yaar. Karne do unhe masti. Abh nahi karenge toh kab karenge?” Rannvijay disregarded their concern.

…

“Hi.” Swayam walked up to Sharon who was sitting alone on a bench.

“Hi.” Sharon smiled at him.

“I’m Swayam.” He introduced himself to her.

“I’m Sharon. Nice to meet you.” Sharon forwarded her hand.

“How’s your hand?” He took a seat next to her.

“Chotasa scratch tha. Kal tak theek ho jayega.” She inspected her hand.

“Tum yahan akeli kyun baithi ho? In the dark?” Swayam asked her.

“I’m not a kid, who is scared of the dark!” Sharon flicked her hair. “Kal mera fifth birthday hai.” She grinned.

“Advanced happy birthday!” Swayam wished her.

“What are you doing with him?” Rey walked to them.

“He came here.” Sharon told him.

“Come with me!” Rey pulled Sharon. Swayam followed them.

“Oh my God!” Sharon shrieked seeing a life sized greeting card with her photo on it. “You made this?” She looked at Rey.

“Happy birthday!” Rey opened the card for her and inside it was written ‘Happy Birthday to Shar!’ in huge letters on a background of colorful hand stamps.

“Thank you!” Sharon hugged Rey.

“Maine bola tha na ki main sabse pehle wish karunga aur mera surprise teko bohot pasand aayega!” Rey said proudly.

“Surprise bohot amazing hai but you are late!” Sharon mocked him. “Swayam already wished me.”

“She is my best friend. How could you wish her before me?” Rey glared at Swayam.

“Sorry I didn’t know.” Swayam replied.

“First you pushed her off her cycle and now you’re here trying to steal my best friend!” Rey was annoyed.

“I did not push her.” Swayam stated.

“Yes you did!” Rey sneered.

“Rey, he didn’t. Mera dhyaan nahi tha.” Sharon intervened.

“But ussi ki wajah se tu giri na?” Rey argued.

“She was not looking ahead while riding. Isiliye voh giri.” Swayam argued back.

“Main teri side le rahi hoon aur tu meko blame kar raha hai?” Sharon widened her eyes at Swayam.

“I’m just telling the truth.” Swayam replied.

“Shar chal, iss se friendship nahi karni.” Rey mocked Swayam.

“Mujhe bhi tum dono se nahi karni.” Swayam went back into the house.

…

“How long have you known each other for?” Kavya asked over dinner.

“Hum chaaro college friends hai.” Gautam answered.

“Haan, and we joined dad and uncle in their company as soon as we graduated.” Rannvijay added.

“But humara background architecture mein tha toh we started getting bored being just steel merchants. We wanted to design our own stuff. And so we both started RS together.” Gautam explained.

“I saw their journey and was really impressed by the quick growth. I reached out to Rannvijay and we did a couple of projects together. Eventually over the last five to six years our bond has become really strong and he offered me this partnership.” Rishi told them.

“It’s so strange ki hum inn paanch saalon mein ek baar bhi in person mile nahi hai.” Gautam pointed out.

“That’s because you never came to Bikaner. Rannvijay se bohot baar mil chuka hoon main.” Rishi chuckled lightly.

“Tum dono itne shaant kyun ho?” Rannvijay looked at Sharon and Rey.

“Mera birthday hai kal!” Sharon pouted.

“Aur hum yahan baith ke daal chawal kha rahe hai.” Rey sulked.

“Birthday kab hai?” Avantika asked, folding her arms.

“Kal.” Sharon answered.

“Toh abhi chup chap yeh khao. Warna kal ki party cancel.” Avantika warned.

“Aunty aap cancel nahi kar sakti!” Rey flared his nostrils at her.

“Point noted angry young man! Koi party cancel nahi ho rahi.” Gautam chuckled lightly.

“Swayam tum kuch kha hi nahi rahe ho.” Juhi looked at him.

“Nahi aunty, bas hogaya.” He smiled at her.

“Sharon, tumne kal kitne logon ko bulaya hai?” Gautam asked her.

“Mere saare school friends ko.” She answered.

“Arre full dance class ko bhi toh invitation de rahi thi tu.” Rey chuckled.

“Dance?” Swayam looked up at them.

“Full nahi. Only a few!” Sharon swatted Rey’s arm.

“You both like to dance?” Kavya asked them.

“We are the best, aunty!” Sharon flicked her hair.

“Swayam, you’ve got company here.” Rishi smiled at him.

“Tum bhi karte ho dance?” Gautam asked him.

“Haan uncle.” Swayam smiled at him.

“Show us something!” Sharon grinned at him.

“Abhi?” Swayam asked.

“Yes! Why not?” Rey smirked. “We both will dance, and Shar will pick the best dancer.” He challenged.

“Okay!” Swayam accepted.

“Chalo garden mein!” Sharon got up.

“Sharon finish your food first!” Avantika scolded her.

After dinner they all gathered in the garden. Rannvijay got the cassette player outside along with a few cassettes for them to choose from. Both Swayam and Rey chose the song ‘Dholi Taro Dhol’. Rannvijay smiled inwardly and went to play the song.

“Swayam aise kyun behave kar raha hai?” Kavya looked at Rishi, worried.

“Bachhe hai, let them be.” Juhi overheard her and smiled.

“Mujhe laga tha yahan uske easily friends ban jayenge.” Kavya told her.

“Aap tension mat lo. Yeh teeno bohot achhe friends banne wale hai.” Gautam assured her that.

“How can you be so sure?” Rishi asked him.

“Teeno ko dance pasand hai. Let them dance together once, they’ll be inseparable!” Juhi smiled adoring the three.

“Ready?” Rannvijay asked and they both nodded.

Swayam and Rey both started dancing to it. As the song went into chorus they both started doing the same steps from the movie. Sharon too joined them. The three of them danced together and they were thoroughly enjoying it. The song ended and the parents applauded proudly.

“Teko bhi iss song pe dance karna pasand hai?” Sharon asked Swayam. “Yeh mera aur Rey ka current favorite song hai.”

“Mera bhi!” Swayam grinned back.

“Kal party mein aarahe ho na?” Sharon asked Swayam.

“Par main tumhara friend nahi hoon.” Swayam said.

“Hum aise kisike saath bhi dance nahi karte.” Rey smirked.

“Exactly!” Sharon walked up to him. “Swayam..” She furrowed her brows. “Surname kya hai?” She asked him.

“Shekhawat.” Swayam answered.

“Swayam Shekhawat, will you be my friend?” Sharon forwarded her hand.

“Yes Sharon, I will be your friend!” Swayam shook her hand.

“Great!” She grinned at him. “Meet my best friend Rey. And Rey, meet my new friend Swayam.” Sharon introduced them.

“Shar, I already know him!” Rey rolled his eyes.

“Terese pehle na voh mera friend bana hai. So you better keep quiet and shake hands with him!” Sharon sneered

“Swayam, yeh pakdo.” Kavya handed him a gift box.

“Yeh kya hai?” Swayam asked.

“Birthday girl ke liye gift hai.” She told him.

“Kya hai isme?” He asked.

“Ghungroo.” She told him.

“Uske paas toh honge na?” He looked at her.

“But you can gift her another pair, right?” She smiled at him and he nodded.

“Ready hogaye tum dono?” Rishi walked out of the room.

“Haan papa.” Swayam smiled at him. “Chale?” He started walking out of the house.

“Isse Mumbai atcha lagne laga hai.” Rishi chuckled at Swayam’s eagerness.

“Friends jo ban gaye.” Kavya smiled. “I feel so relieved.”

“Me too!” Rishi smiled back at her.

“Maa papa chalo, hume late ho raha hai!” Swayam yelled from outside.

Swayam entered the house followed by Rishi and Kavya. He looked around and saw a lot of kids running around, but found Rey sitting idly on the couch. He walked up to him.

“Hi.” Swayam sat next to Rey.

“Hi.” Rey greeted back.

“Tum yahan akele kyun baithe ho?” Swayam asked.

“Yeh pagal Shar ki wajah se!” Rey frowned.

“Matlab?”

“Usne sabko bulaya hai and now she is busy with everyone. Mere liye time hi nahi hai!” He sulked.

“Kyun na hum dono yeh party enjoy kare? Phir voh tujhe miss karegi toh usse hume join karna hi hoga.” Swayam suggested.

“I like this plan!” Rey grinned.

“Great!” Swayam grinned back. “Yeh main maa ko deke aata hoon.” He pointed to the box.

“Shar ke liye hai na? Voh wale table pe rakh de.” Rey pointed to a table which was filled with gifts.

“Yahan gifts aise hi chod dete hai?” Swayam came back after placing it on the table.

“Haan. Aur phir cake cutting ke baad usko jaake deneka.” Rey told him. “Tu kahan se shift hua?”

“Bikaner.” Swayam answered.

“Voh kahan pe hai?” Rey asked.

“Rajasthan mein hai.” Swayam told him.

“Rajasthan mein camels hote hai na? Maa ne bataya tha. Tu camel pe baitha hai?” Rey asked, excited.

“Haan main ek baar baitha hoon.” Swayam replied.

“Tum dono yahan kya kar rahe ho?” Sharon stood in front of them with her hands on her hips.

“Exactly!” Rey agreed to her question. “Swayam peeche garden mein chal. Wahan bohot games hai. Let’s go and play!”

“Tu nahi jayega!” Sharon glared at Rey.

“Main ja raha hoon!” Rey glared back.

“No!”

“Yes!”

“You will not go!”

“I am going!” Rey left.

“Rey!” Sharon yelled behind him, but he didn’t stop.

“Sharon, chalo beta. Cake cut karna hai.” Avantika called her.

“Meko nahi cut karna!” Sharon ran to her room.

“Tum ro kyun rahi ho?” Swayam followed her.

“Tu yahan kyun hai? Tu uske saath khelne ja raha tha na?” Sharon looked at Swayam.

“Haan, but aaj tumhara birthday hai. So pehle main birthday girl ke saath khelunga.” Swayam smiled at her.

“Promise me tu voh cheater ke saath nahi khelega!” Sharon pulled out her pinky to him.

“I promise.” Swayam entwined his pinky with hers. “Aur waise bhi he is rude.” He complained further.

“He is not rude.” Sharon told him.

“But he made you cry on your birthday.” Swayam argued.

“Rey mera best friend hai. Tu usse kuch bhi nahi bula sakta.” Sharon sneered at Swayam.

“Toh yahan chup ke baithi ho tum?” Gautam said from the door and looked at her tear stained face. “Tum abhi big girl ho gayi ho, phir bhi ro rahi ho?” He asked her.

“Sharon!” Rey walked into the room. “Kaisi bhootni lag rahi hai.” He laughed looking at her face.

Sharon walked up to him angrily and pulled hard on both his cheeks.

“Ow! Sorry, sorry na!” Rey wailed.

“Mera face spoil hua teri wajah se!” She frowned.

“Chal main makeup karta hoon tera. Phir hum bahar jayenge cake cut karne. Muskaan aur Armaan bhai bhi aagaye hai.” He informed.

“Sharon, tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?” Avantika walked in. “Kabse bula rahi hoon tumhe.”

“Aunty, Sharon makeup lagane ja rahi thi.” Rey said with a mischievous grin.

“Sharon!” Avantika looks at her. “Yeh kya haal banake rakha hai? Tum sab bahar jao, aur tum chalo mere saath.” She took Sharon into the bathroom.

“Why do you lie so much?” Swayam asked Rey as they came out.

“I don’t lie. Main bas masti kar raha tha.” Rey corrected him.

“But you made her cry.” Swayam pointed out.

“So what? Even she has made me cry so many times!” Rey complained.

“You two are weird.” Swayam mumbled.

“Rey, Sharon kahan pe hai?” Armaan walked to them.

“Aap late kyun aaye? Kabse wait kar raha hoon main.”

“Muskaan aur uske tantrums. She changed ten times because usse dress pasand nahi aaraha tha.” Armaan rolled his eyes.

Swayam looked up at Armaan awkwardly, not knowing what to say. Armaan looked back at him and smiled.

“Tum new ho. I haven’t seen you pehle kabhi.” Armaan asked Swayam.

“Haan main teen din pehle hi yahan shift hua.” Swayam answered. “Main Rey ka new neighbor..”

“Swayam humara new friend hai bhai, isiliye aapne nahi dekha hai isse.” Rey interrupted Swayam. “Aur yeh Armaan bhai hai. My old brother.” Rey introduced them.

“Older.” Armaan corrected him.

“Old brother!” Swayam started laughing. Rey joined him with his tongue out.

…

The party ended and Sharon, Swayam, Rey, Armaan and Muskaan sat in the backyard opening all the gifts that Sharon received.

“One more water bottle!” Sharon frowned, opening it. “I’m not a small kid!” She huffed putting it away.

“Swayam, tune kya gift diya?” Rey asked.

“Maine..”

“I haven’t opened it. Wait!” Sharon stopped him and looked for the gift box. “Kya hai isme?” She asked, rattling the box.

“Open and see.” Swayam smiled at her.

“Ghungroo!” Sharon looked at it with wide eyes and a huge grin on her face.

“Did you like it?” Swayam asked her.

“I love it! Last week mere ghungroo toot gaye the. This is a perfect gift.” She held it in her hand. “Chalo main tum sab ko dance karke batati hoon.” She ran inside the house. They all followed her in.

Sharon went into the living room and pulled out a cassette from a drawer. She inserted it in and sat down to tie her ghungroo. Rey walked to the cassette player and pushed the play button when she was ready. The kathak music played from ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’ and she started dancing to it. A little into the song, she stopped and signaled Rey to stop the song.

“Itna hi sikhaya hai.” She pouted at them.

“Abhi meko bhi join karneka mann ho raha hai.” Muskaan said looking at her.

“Do classes attend karke tu bore hojayegi. Toh rehne de!” Armaan mocked her, making Rey laugh.

“Tu jyada hass mat!” Muskaan warned Rey.

“Mujhe bhi dance class join karna hai.” Swayam spoke.

“Tu humara class join kar sakta hai. We have so much fun there.” Sharon jumped in joy.

“Pehle papa ko manana hoga.” Swayam looked at them hopefully.

“Usme kya hai. Mana lenge hum.” Rey looked at Sharon and she agreed.

“Sharon ne itna atcha dance kiya. Tum dono bhi kuch karke dikhao.” Armaan looked at them.

As soon as he said that, it started thundering outside. Swayam chuckled and went to the cassette player and hit the fast forward button. He hit play and looked at Rey.

Ghode jaisi chaal

Haathi jaisi dum

O sawaan raja

Kahan se aaye tum

Rey grinned back at him and they both started doing the hook step. The music played and they started doing some random steps. Swayam stretched his legs slowly and attempted to do a full split in the middle of the song, to impress everyone. The music had become slow by then, when they heard a loud tear and they all burst out laughing.

“Pant phat gayi!” Sharon laughed holding her stomach.

Swayam sat down embarrassed, covering himself. Rey went ahead to mimic Swayam and in turn tore his pants as well. Sharon, Armaan and Muskaan got down to the floor, laughing at both of them.

“Stop laughing!” Rey glared at them making them laugh even more.

“Kya ho raha hai yahan?” Rishi walked in on them.

“Voh..” Rey and Swayam looked at each other and they both burst out into a fit of laughter as well.

“Uncle, yeh dono ki pant phat gayi.” Sharon said in between her laughter.

“Chalo abhi ghar tum sab.” Rishi said, shaking his head.

“Mamoo kahan hai?” Armaan asked.

“Rannvijay and Juhi left a while ago. He has asked me to drop you home.” Rishi answered.

“Bye Shar.” Rey got up to hug her.

“Chee!” Sharon covered her eyes.

Rey pulled the scarf that he saw hanging on a chair and tied it around his waist.

“Rey mera scarf!” Sharon complained.

“Abh yeh meri lungi hai.” He mocked her and ran out of the house.

“Bye Sharon.” Swayam got up carefully and hid himself behind Rishi.

“Bye!” Sharon giggled looking at him.

“Please?” Sharon and Rey stood in front of Rishi making innocent faces.

“Arre par..” Rishi tried to intervene.

“Uncle please na?” Sharon pleaded.

“Mujhe Swayam se baat toh karne do.” Rishi argued.

“Usne khud bola hai hume ki usse dance class join karna hai. Bolo na Rey.” Sharon nudged Rey.

“Haan uncle. Aap mana nahi kar sakte.” Rey told Rishi.

“Atcha? Kyun?” Rishi folded his arms across his chest.

“Kyunki..” Sharon thought. “Haan, kyunki usne bola ki voh wapas Bikaner chala jayega agar aapne mana kiya toh.”

“Really?” Rishi raised his brows at Sharon and Rey.

“Papa maine aisa kuch nahi bola hai.” Swayam walked out to the living room. “But mujhe dance class join karna hai.”

“Theek hai.” Rishi smiled at him.

“Toh chalo jaldi. Warna hum late hojayenge. Aur ma’am chillayegi.” Sharon jumped up.

“Kahan hai yeh dance class?” Rishi got up and walked out of the house. They followed trail.

“Address nahi pata.” Sharon thought and looked at Rey.

“Uncle, kaise jaate hai voh pata hai meko. Chalo.” Rey told him.

“Ruko main Rannvijay se address puch ke aata hoon.” Rishi asked them to wait by the car.

“Mar gaye!” Sharon muttered.

“Kya hua?” Swayam furrowed his brows at her.

“Aaj humara class nahi hai.” Rey answered.

“Haan, yeh sab humne uncle ko manane ke liye bola. Abhi Rann uncle sab sach bata denge unhe.” Sharon huffed in anger. “Rey bola tha maine, ki plan weak hai.”

“Tu address lane wali thi. Not my fault!” Rey told her.

“I think we should go and tell papa the truth.” Swayam walked into Rey’s house.

“Aagaye!” Rannvijay looked at the door.

“Class ke liye late horaha hai?” Juhi asked Rey and Sharon.

“Maa voh..” Rey looked down.

“Aunty hum voh..” Sharon too looked down.

“Aunty yeh dono bas meri help kar rahe the papa ko manane ke liye.” Swayam told Juhi.

“I know that.” Juhi nodded. “Jhoot kyun bola tum dono ne?” She asked.

“Kal Swayam ne bataya ki uncle ko dance class ke liye manana padega. Toh Rey aur meine socha ki agar uncle ko aaj hi mana liya toh Swayam ka admission hojayega.” Sharon answered.

“Atcha agar tum sab chale jaate aur wahan jaake Rishi ko pata chalta ki aaj tum dono ka class nahi hai, tab kya hota?” Rannvijay asked them.

“Yeh toh humne socha hi nahi!” Rey held his head.

“Sab Rey ki galati hai!” Sharon blamed Rey.

“Main Swayam ka admission karwane wala tha but abhi tum dono ki jhoot ki wajah se main nahi karunga.” Rishi told them.

“Papa?” Swayam looked at him with a sad face.

“Sorry uncle. Swayam ki koi galati nahi hai. Usse pata bhi nahi tha yeh sab.” Sharon told him.

“Haan uncle. Hume jhoot nahi bolna chahiye tha. Sorry.” Rey apologized.

“Papa please? You had promised me.” Swayam walked up to Rishi.

Rishi was about to agree when Rannvijay signaled him to wait. He nodded.

“Uncle, Swayam humare saath join hoga toh hum dono ko company mil jayegi.” Sharon tried to convince Rishi.

“And uncle we promise aage se hum kabhi aise jhoot nahi bolenge.” Rey looked at him.

“And why so?” Rannvijay smiled at them.

“Hum jhoot nahi bolte toh uncle gussa nahi hote aur Swayam ko join karne dete classes.” Sharon said.

“Sorry Paa.” Rey hung his head low. “Yeh mera idea tha.”

“Tum dono jitne pranks chahe karo but don’t start lying.” Rannvijay ran his hand over their heads.

“Papa please maan jao na. Mujhe inn dono jaisa dance seekhna hai.” Swayam pleaded Rishi.

“Okay! Hum abhi jaayenge wahan.” Rishi smiled at him. “Tum dono chal rahe ho na?” He looked at Sharon and Rey.

“Haan!” Sharon agreed.

“Tum log jao. Mera mann nahi hai.” Rey told them and walked to his room.

“Usse kya hua?” Rishi asked.

“Apni mistake realize huyi. Theek hojayega voh.” Juhi told him. “Aap inhe lekar jao isse pehle yeh dono aapka sar khane lage.”

“Sharon, Rey kyun nahi aaraha?” Swayam asked her.

“Voh jab sad hota hai usse masti karni nahi pasand. Voh kal aajayege.” Sharon told him.

“Usse bulate hai na.”

“Voh nahi manega.”

“Try toh karte hai.”

“Ok chalo.” Sharon led the way to Rey’s room. “Rey chal na.” Sharon knocked on his door.

“Nahi aana meko!” Rey yelled.

“I told you!” Sharon looked at Swayam.

“Rey you have to come!” Swayam demanded.

“Kyun?” Rey opened the door.

“Because you are my friend and friends don’t leave each other alone.” Swayam told Rey.

“Chal na. Itna kyun bhaav kha raha hai tu?” Sharon groaned.

“Tu nahi aayega toh main bhi nahi jaunga.” Swayam smirked at him.

“Aur main bhi nahi.” Sharon joined in.

“Main aajaunga. Par Rishi uncle maanane bhi toh chahiye. He was very angry at us.” Rey looked at them.

“Hum mana lenge!” Swayam and Sharon looked at each other and laughed.

Hello!

Just a quick note, this chapter is based in 1999, and they are five year olds.

I'll be taking a few time lapses in the first few chapters of this story showing their childhood. The story is going to pick up as they reach high school. So please hang in there!

Question of the update:

How long do you take to befriend someone?

: @taarey1025

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Posted: August 7, 2020