Worrying start to NY🤣
The food was excellent, not one word not one gesture of the senior Munjals was worrisome or in poor taste. They treated Tushar Pallavi and the kids and Nidhi like they had known them for years
Nidhi was shy and reticent, her daughter was trying not to go upstairs to see Pradyut
Pallavi and Tushar got a house tour from Pia, the boys were shown the large family room with a giant wall to wall projection. They argued and fought over which video game to play
Taaruni stayed with them afraid there was going to be a mishap
He knew the boys were visiting, he showed up like God
“Press, Restore” he growled from the door
Taaruni’s face was warm, the room was dark thankfully
Her hands were sweaty
She quickly sat down by Sahil
“Mujhe do”
“NO BUA… NO” he shouted
“Sahil… shhhh” she ordered
“Bua you can have my wemote” Aseem gave her his and climbed on to her lap and started sucking his thumb staring at the screen/wall in anticipation
“Aseem, no thumb in the mouth”
He removed it and put it back in 10
Pradyut walked over anyway
“Can I see the remote please”
“Umm..”
“Abhi kaho NO” she goaded her nephew
But he was a wimp, he handed it right over
Pradyut sat by her on the same couch and toggled with the setting
“Do u wike candy?” Aseem wanted to know, he reached and touched Pradyut with his wet thumb
And hand
“Aseeem” she growled pulling his hand back
“Yeah I DO like candy”
“Can I have candy?”
Taaruni laughed under her breath
Pradyut was so gullible
He fell for it
She knew her nephews
“Go with me” “I will get u some” he was still staring at the screen
“Bua?”
“Umm.. no”
He immediately flung himself on the rug below and spun like a starfish throwing a hissy fit
Pradyut fixed the TV handed the remote and hoisted the kid up
“Don’t give him candy” she ordered
“BYE BUA” Aseem waved walking away
She chased them to wherever they were going
Aseem got a LARRGE candy bar
“Aap kholo usko bahut maar padegi” she screeched
He started eating without opening
“Bhabhi is very strict, good luck,” Taaruni mocked and walked away
“Protect me” he mock begged
“The opposite” she paused smiled and threw that at him
She promptly complained to Pallavi and to Tushar and to her mother
Sumedha was amused by taaruni’s earnestness
“He spoils kids, Pia should have one soon I hope” she said wistfully
“Tarooooo” Nidhi scolded
“Ma he is eating a candy bar WITH wrapper”
“tarooooo”
“Ruko” Sumedha giggled as she sent Umeshji to bring her son
Pradyut sauntered in with Aseem covered chocolate, sorry chocolate covered Aseem
Aseem was walking
“Awwww… no more godeee?” she urged her nephew to climb into his arms
“Bua, chocayt?”
“Nah betu mwah give to the man” she urged
Pradyut’s clothes were chocolate stain free
What the f---
Pallavi laughed it off
Nidhi gave her a private scolding
Dinner was excellent, Pia mostly avoided Taaruni
They all watched old Hindi songs together
No drinking no dancing
Nidhi’s favorite kind of NY eve
The clock struck midnight
Couples hugged each other, Pradyut’s friends and their Gfs and wife, and Pia’s friend and Veer’s
The living room was full
Pallavi and Tushar slow danced to the Kishore song playing on TV
Wish her betaaa” Sumedha ordered her son in the crowd
“no thank u” she told her MIL and scooted back
He walked up and enveloped her in his arms, bend down and kissed her neck “I am told I am gay, so you have nothing to worry about” he said
Her heart literally leapt to her mouth when his body the molten flare of mischief in those navy eyes, the plum cashmere sweater a soft sheath on the steel frame body
Up close and personal his face was broad and firm, his jaw square, a dark shadow blooming on his cheek, he was formidably masculine
Ughhh
The kind of dude who would sell his own grandma for profit
Jerk!!
The curiosity unfurling inside her spiked a sweet thrill of terror at her own daring
His moist lips landed on her bare neck a few inches under her right ear
What began as a shrill admonition ended up being a gasp as her nerves in her neck sent an electrifying charge coursing through her veins
“Pradyut” she wailed, as the force of her forward momentum to free herself caused her to plaster herself on his body
His mouth stayed on her neck
