Hi All,
Thank you for all liking my earlier FF . Here's the second meeting of the amazing duo . I have tweaked and adapted some of my earlier writings. Hopefully they can match to some degree the sweet sizzle and the fun of our awesome show. Sincerely hope you all like it. Thank you for reading. And please keep those comments coming.
Part II
* * * *
After helping Vishakha choose the sarees, Naina rushed home.She bumped into her father Rakesh Agarwal.
Where were you? You forgot to serve Arjun his breakfast, he had to go for job interview.' Her father voice matched his irritated expression.
I send Naina to meet Maheshwariji's grandson.' Naina's Taiyaji answered for her. He had called asking for her.'
Ab kal hi toh party mein gaye the? What is all this nonsense? Seems like god has come to live in our area. Rich people and their natak.' Rakesh muttered even as he pushed his feet in his shoes.
Did Bhaiya leave?' Naina asked.
What else? He is not as irresponsible as you. Silly girl.' Rakesh left the house heading for college. His expression always seemed like he was chewing on a bitter gourd.
Milli Sameer se?' Bela chachi, Naina's younger aunt, asked as she wiped the dining table.
Ya I met him. Saardu!' Naina muttered under her breath.
He is nice.. Ameerica returned but he still speaks Hindi.' Bela praised going into the kitchen.
Every Indian should know how to speak their mother tongue.' Bela's husband, Anand joined them. He was dressed to go to work. Right Naina?' He placed an affectionate hand on Naina's head.
Absolutely Chachaji. Where is Preeti?'
Probably in her room. No college today?' Taiyaji asked.
Not today Taiyaji.' Naina replied even as she headed in the room she and Preeti shared.
Eh maharani ruko.'
Naina grimaced and stopped. It was her Taiji. It was like Hitler was reborn except in this birth he wore a sari, had a never ending arsenal of taunts and was married to Naina's older Uncle.
Yes Taiji.'
College ki chutti hogi but I never get a day off. So you both have to help me. There are ten thousand things to do.'
Ji! I'll get Preeti.' Naina nodded. I'll be right back.'
Naina found Preeti spot jogging, a pair of headphones stuck in her ears. Naina pulled them out.
"What ya Naina. I have to exercise. Not all of us are blessed with your figure or your hair. Some of us have to work for it.'
Naina raised a brow. Really yesterday you are had two helpings of chocolate ice cream at dinner and ate four pieces of peda. Eat less sweets Preeti.'
Preeti exhaled noisily. Like I said not all of us can be like you.'
Listen get ready we have to go shopping.'
For?' Preeti coiled her headphones neatly.
For shoes!'
Ohhh fun. I really want those silver Manolo Blahnik sandals I saw in the mall last week.' Preeti made face. Wish I had the money to buy those.' A naughty smile shone on her face. Maybe your Vishakha Aunty can get them for me.'
Pagal hai kya!' Naina frowned and flashed a wicked smile of her own. We are not going to the mall. We are going to a shop in the Arya Nagar area.'
Preeti shook her head. Naina my dear sister we never buy from there. Those shops are cheap and jhatak.'
Naina winked at her. But what if I'm buying for someone cheap and jhatak.'
Preeti scratched her chin. Taiji ke birthday is still six months away.'
* * * *
Next day, the Maheshwari clan, including Sameer, sat at the dining table and were about to begin breakfast. Naina traipsed in, a smile on her face.
Sameer instantly was lost to the smile. In his eyes, it vaulted her from beautiful to stunning.
Unaware of his complimentary thoughts, Naina briefly and disdainfully glanced at him.
Sameer grinning, wickedly thought, I know how to get you!' Catching Naina's eye, his eyes at a leisurely pace, travelled all over her. Within seconds, a tell-tale blush crept up Naina's cheeks.
What would happen if I were to actually touch her?' The unbidden thought shot to his mind. Sameer immediately quelled it. Naina was not his type. Moreover, god forbid, if I ever harm a hair on that lovely head, my own family will plunge the knife in my heart. Nanu and Bhaiya will probably toss a coin, to see who gets the first stab,' he whispered to his libido.
Gaanda aadmi!' Naina thought. Today she had adorned a loose T-shirt and baggy jeans, yet Sameer's intimate examination made her want to pull burlap sack over her head. Naina resisted the urge to tug at her clothes.
What good timing Naina, come join us for breakfast,' Nanu warmly invited.
Thank you Nanaji but I just ate. I only came to give you these. My notes are scribbled alongside the articles.' Naina handed him some loose papers.
What are those?' Sameer quizzed.
These are the articles for our annual magazine which I had asked Naina to proofread,' his grandfather replied.
She is an experienced proofreader or maybe a qualified editor?' Sameer inquired. Naina did not miss the veiled sarcasm.
Naina is extremely creative and multi talented. You should go through corporate brochure and catalogue of our company. Page by page, line by line, it was all her work,' Nanaji praised.
Yes that was done very well indeed,' Sameer's brother agreed taking a gulp of the juice next to him.
Naina is awesome!' Seema mouthed, pointedly looking at Sameer.
Sameer had seen the brochure under discussion. That was quite neat, he thought. However, he did not say it.
Please . . . that was no big D. You all guided me through it.' Naina was more at ease being the backbencher, unnoticed, invisible.
Naina beta, if you want to rise in life, learn to take praise as well as the brickbats for your work,' Nanaji advised. Sameer and his brother slyly rolled their eyes. Their grandfather's penchant for dropping such pearls of wisdom was a great source of sneaky amusement for his grandsons
Naina nodded, solemnly, absorbing Nanaji's words. Sameer on seeing her serious expression hid a wry grin.
Naina good you are here. How would you like your eggs?' inquired Vishakha, emerging from the kitchen, followed by two servants carrying trays laden with breakfast. It was a tradition at the Maheshwari household, to prepare a variety of dishes at each meal, irrelevant of the people at the table.
They are probably making up for the drought forever present, in some part of the world, Naina silently mocked, as she declined the invitation, No thank you Aunty I just ate.'
Then sit and have a cup of coffee with us,' Vishakha directed, pointing at the empty chair next to Sameer, who accordingly pulled it out for her.
Sure!' Naina slid into the offered chair, purposely, stepping hard on Sameer's foot. Oh! I'm so sorry.'
No harm done,' Sameer responded, trying to ignore the throbbing toe.
Are you sure? The sole of my sneakers is very hard.'
Seema took a large swig of her coffee; Sameer immediately glanced at Naina's feet.
Good god!' Sameer scowled; today Naina's sneakers were gigantic. A thick layer of dried mud, caked on either side. What he did not know was that the ghastly, oversized, and psychedelic sneakers were bought yesterday. The mud zealously applied and dried overnight with a hairdryer.
Aren't they nice?' asked Naina, modeling her foot solely for Sameer's viewing displeasure.
Sameer could not keep the sneer out of his voice, Don't you have any other footwear except sneakers? What are you . . . one of the William sisters?'
Bingo! Naina clamped her lips tightly, holding on to the fake injured expression, hovering on her face.
Vishakha immediately censured, Sameer that is not for you to say!'
Yes your mother is right. Don't tell Naina what or what not to wear. Remember, your own yellow dungarees? Or those tight pink pants, which you lived in?' His brother too, rose in Naina's defense.
A dull red covered Sameer's face, as he shot back, The dungarees were cream. And the maroon, not pink pants was something that mom got for me from one of the trips she went on.'
Just when Sameer assumed the worse was over, his mother confessed, Sameer I didn't say anything then as you really liked them but those pink pants from Harrods were actually a gift for Sonia bua's elder daughter. She was quite plump at that time.'
For a second there was complete silence and then Nanaji guffawed, his laugh loud and booming. His brother followed suit and so did Seema and Naina. The muscle working in Sameer's jaw, only increased the mirth, overflowing, on the dining table.
This is way better . . . I practically lost control of my bladder, Naina reflected, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands. However, she could do nothing about the wide smile; it refused to budge from her face
Thanks Mom!' Sameer glowered at Vishakha.
What did I do?' Vishakha replied in all innocence, trying to bite down her broadening grin.
Very funny!' Sameer made a move to get up, his appetite gone.
Naina leaning closer, whispered, Much unpolished and what was that word . . . gauche of you to wear women's clothing.'
Instantly, Sameer realized that Naina had overheard his chatter with Seema yesterday. Now Naina, had taken this to another level, and Sameer sure as hell was not the kind to turn the other cheek. You little brat, apologize right away and I might forgive you.' Sameer offered her a last chance of escape.
At Sameer's look, Naina felt a strange sense of excitement rush through her veins. Her face, like the rest of her body tingled. Tossing, the glorious mane over her shoulder, she challengingly scoffed, Apologize? You must be out of your mind. This time you've messed with the wrong girl!'
The intention was not to mess, Naina Agarwal. But now I promise . . . you shall be thoroughly messed with!' Sameer softly declared with a glint in his eyes. They both stared at each other, unable to look away
Oddly breathless, Naina stuttered a hushed, Bring it on!' Using every ounce of will power, she managed to glance away, breaking the hypnotic effect of the enemy's eyes.
The others at the table had stopped laughing. All their attention fixed on Naina and Sameer, as they could not hear the soft exchange going on between the two.
I'm done!' Sameer got to his feet.
I'll be off. Preeti is waiting for me,' Naina said. The two headed in opposite directions, both experiencing a sudden need to get away from the other.
Damn! What was I thinking? I almost kissed a millennium behenji and that too in front of everyone,' Sameer breathed, shutting himself in the bathroom. On second thoughts, cancel the kiss. I wanted to shake her! I will do exactly that the next time she comes around,' Sameer promised his reflection, as he adjusted his shirt and something else. Women only fidget with their hair that much, and dogs with their tails.
It's only the absolute joy of victory that is making my heart gallop like a horse on steroids,' Naina muttered, speedily exiting the Sarin household.
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