Pratap closed her eyes with his hands.
" Come on Princy hum bacche nahi rahe." She frowned.
" Really? Are you telling me or reminding yourself?" Pratap asked, smiling as she frowned.
As they entered Prajapati, he let go of her eyes and held her hand instead. He had decorated the place differently; all the flowerpots and plants were neatly kept aside, a dinner table with candles and two chairs at the furthest end opposite a music system and the place was dimly lit with scented candles and decorated with flowers and drapes.
" You... did this?" She asked, smiling at the new decor.
" Technically, the event management people did this."He shrugged.
" Ha, ha, Funny, why do you even try when you can't make jokes?" She taunted.
" Now stand here." He made her stand right in the middle of the room.
" Why the..." She couldn't complete the sentence as white, pink and red rose petals fell on her like raindrops, and she looked up smiling.
"Oh my gosh! This is like movies!" She gushed as she twirled.
" Yes, it is", he chuckled as he turned on some soft music. He then came up to his wife and held both her hands as they looked at each other, with a more confused smile. He removed the flower petals from her hair with his right hand, one by one, as their eyes were locked.
" What are you staring at?" She blushed a little with a faint smile.
" There is no one and nothing in the world I would rather see today than you, here, right now."
" Mushy!" She giggled as he watched her, then pulled her closer by her waist as she held his collar and smiled.
" Plan kya hai?" She asked, looking away.
" Plan? Plan toh bohot kuch tha Madam, but aap ne barbad kar di."
" Maine?" She frowned.
" Ji haan, mujhe ghar jana hai, great idea, Amar, let's pack!" He taunted her voice as she slapped his hand.
" Sab kitne khush hai dekho iss event ko leke."
" Anniversary unki hai ya meri?" He frowned as she laughed.
" Wait..." She was trying to remember something, but he stopped her thoughts.
" No."
" No?" She asked, confused.
" No talking of people."
" Then?"
" Then, I have some desserts for you." He indicated at the table with his eyes as she looked behind him.
" Wow, Jaleebi!" She jumped before running to the table.
" Bhukkad!" He laughed as she picked up two.
" How dare you?" She narrowed her eyes at him.
" Kha lo, waise bhi, jab tak khaogi nahi, tumko chain kaha milegi!" He smiled, amused.
She ignored his glances as he watched her eat.
" This is yummy. You also have!" She gave him a jalebi as he ate from her hands.
"Pata hai yeh Jalebi kaha ki hai?"
" Kaha ki?"
" That village shop jaha se you used to have jalebi." He smiled. " I ordered them."
" Tum yeh sab...." She asked, confused.
" Aj main tumko ek raat mein 5 saal ki journey karvane wala hoon my Princess." He bowed as her eyes widened.
" Accha? Woh kaise?"
" Dekhti jao." He shrugged, winking.
They were out on the moonlit porch as she looked up at the sky.
" Kya dhoond rahi ho?" He asked as she looked up,
" Mera wala taara!"
" Tumhare baju mein baitha hai, waha kaha dekh rahi ho." He flaunted proudly.
" Cheesy!" She pointed at him. " Sach batao."
" Kya?"
" Woh tara dikhta bhi hai ya..."
" Mujhe kaise pata."
" How you waste money...."
" Don't start!" He stopped her with his hand.
Ajabde was feeling a little cold in the breeze, so he decided to walk back in much against her wishes.
" Kitna boring music hai, so you!" She winced.
" Really? Lo." He handed her the remote. " Choose your kind of song."
" Phir kya hoga?" She narrowed her eyes with a smile.
"Phir..." He acted like thinking. " Phir hum waltz karenge!"
" No! " She frowned." Main thak gayi Ballroom dances se.... kal bhi toh..."
" Toh tum bolo kya karenge!"
" Crazy dance!" She smiled with her eyes twinkling.
" What kind of dance form is that?" He asked, confused.
" Ajabde Punwar type!"
"Mrs Pratap Singh type!" He corrected.
" Woh bhi!" She jumped. " I will teach you!"
She turned on the stereo. To her surprise, as the intro music played, Pratap walked backwards to the dance floor and said with his fingers, " Watch me." As she narrowed her eyes and smiled. He started moving to the groove. Her eyes went wide in amusement as he danced like her.
Pehli Baar Tumko Maine jab dekha tha, Sun Lo Yaar ke Maine kya socha tha! He acted like thinking, making her smile. Laga ke tumse hai milna dabahi, iss dil ko hi samjhane maine kaha... He pulled her by her hand and jumped a step closer. Iss raste na jaana kabhi rahi, yeh tere liye hai hi nahi... He shook his head to some crazy moves, as she joined in, shaking her head in a rhythm with her as they danced around the dance floor. Dil mera bol utha, hone do ab jo bhi ho. She held his collar, asking Kya dil ki sunn li tumne? Kya rah chun li tumne? He pulled her by the waist. Ha dil ki sunn li maine, haan rah chun li maine! She moved out of his grip and was doing some crazy moves to Laga ke muswaare sunte ho dil ke, laga ke thode se ho tum deewane se, karoge dil ki hi baatein fir milke aur honge yeh baatein badi hasseen! Pratap watched with a smile as she jumped, making her hair fall on her face. He stepped forward and removed them from her face, taking her hand as their eyes met, and he smiled. Lehero mein jaise lehre mile mil gayi dil o ki Dhadkan, Chalte hi chalte raho mein khoye khoye hai dono tann mann... He went back to waltzing after watching her crazy dancing. They sang together with the stereo like they had no care in the world. Pehli Baar... Pehli Baar...
They sat on the porch as he half leaned on her, and she tried to push him away in vain.
" Main chalti hoon." She said, looking away.
" Kya? Abhi?"
" Agar Amar ne dhoonda toh?"
" Toh Heer will call, am sure." He held her hand and played with her hair.
" Tumhe pata hai." She was suddenly excited as she looked at him wide-eyed. " Amar ne humare liye surprise plan kiya hai!"
" Really?" He smiled, but it faded " Ohh no! Uske surprises..."
" Ohho! Heer ke sath." She added.
" Then it's fine... I hope." Pratap shrugged. " Accha suno"
" Kya?"
" Tell Amar.. umm... kal party mein apne birthday ke tarah na kare." He carefully chose his words so that she wouldn't start defending Amar and end up fighting.
" Ohho my Baby knows that, woh baccha tha tab!"
" Accha ek saal mein tumhara Beta bada ho gaya?" He taunted.
" Kitne acche pictures ayee thee uske." She gushed.
" Haan, Koi apne 3 tier cake ke upar swimming pool samajhke jump kare toh acche hi aate hai photo uske." He taunted.
" Tumhara fault tha!" She pointed her finger at him.
" Hai? Mera? Kyun?" He asked cluelessly.
" Haan, blue sa cake tha, usne pucha Papa cake hai, tumne hi bola nahi, swimming pool hai."
" Mujhe kya pata tha ke itna intelligent baccha hai tumhara." He chuckled.
" He is intelligent!" She narrowed her eyes.
" I know, Mera beta hai!" He smiled.
" Wah, acchi baatein toh mera beta aur bura hua toh tumhara!" She complained.
" Kya plan kar raha hai?"
" I have no idea, bola Choco promise, so seriously kar raha kuch." She smiled.
" Wait, I have something for you, Jo, I totally forgot." He sat up.
" Maine bhi liya hai tumhare liye gift." She smiled.
" For a change, dikhao!" He looked excited.
" Kal dekhna!"
" Raat ko?" She shot him a glance as he gave a teasing smile.
" Haan haan, Amar ke saath." She taunted.
" Amar ko toh aj Mausi ki company itna acchi lagi kal bhi rahe lega, or he will be too happy to go back to his old bedroom!" He smiled.
" Main chalti hoon!" She got up as he pulled her back.
" Ji nahi."
" Kyun?"
" Kyunki tum aye toh late, islie punishment milegi." He smiled as she looked away.
" Kaisa punishment?"
" Watch the sunrise with me, here."
" Kya? Mom uth jaegi." She said, shocked.
" Toh bol dena ke walk pe gayi thi." He shrugged casually.
" Woh samajh jaengi."
" Toh? Husband hoon!"
" Ohho Princy!"
" Aakhein bandh karo. "
" Kyun?" He stared at her as she obeyed.
He walked to her back and pushed her hair to one side, as she inhaled at his touch. Five years down the timeline, nothing had changed; he still made her feel the same kind of nervousness every time he did something unexpected. He unhooked the Mangal Sutra, making her frown.
" What are you..."
" Hush!"
He placed a brand new, sleek, diamond-studded one on her neck as she smiled.
" My first gift."
" There are more?"
" Yes, and if my plans work, you will have the best gift you've ever wanted."
" And that would be?" She turned towards him with a clueless frown.
" Husshh." He winked. " Secret."
" I hate secrets."
" And I love you."
" Mushy!" She pointed again as he shook his head, making her laugh.
" You know a prince always behaves like a prince, tumne hi kaha tha ke my life will be a live fairytale, am just fulfilling your wishes." He smiled. " Happy Anniversary, Love!" He hugged her as she hid her face in his chest, which felt like the most peaceful place in the world to her for the last five years.
" Happy The Day You Made A Mistake!" She smiled.
" Yeah, that too!" He chuckled as she looked wide-eyed and hit his hand. " Dekho sunrise!"
" That's the light, the sun is not up yet, pagal ladki."
" Wohi, tumhe sab pata hai."
" Haan itna toh pata hai."
" Main ..."
" Haan jao." He kissed her hands. " See you in the evening." She nodded and was about to leave when he asked,
" Suno, kya pehenogi?"
" Surprise." She stretched her hands like a kid, which made him laugh. " Go, see you at the party."
She nodded, and before leaving, she came back for a tight hug as he kissed her forehead before running off, frowning at his " Gir maat jaana!"
Ajabde reached home, glad that only Heer was awake.
" Amar..."
" He slept well, still sleeping." Heer smiled as she closed the door carefully. " Maasa called."
" Kab aa rahi hai?"
" In an hour." Heer smiled. Ajabde quickly changed back to her yellow kaftan with pink leggings and tied her hair up before going into Amar's room quietly. The boy was sound asleep as she smiled, remembering his funny antics and kissing his forehead. Sleeping with his mouth open, he looked so much like Pratap. Pratap's habits annoyed her, but the same habits in Amar made her love him more. Amar opened his eyes to see who it was, then went back to sleep, cuddling against her as she held him close.
" Jija Maa sa aur Babosa aa gaye." Heer called her from her nap. Amar woke smiling.
" Mujhe milna hai." His excited shout woke Ajabde.
They got down as Amar ran to hug Jaso and Asha. Although he was closer to Heer, he loved the duo.
"Beta Ajab. " Mamisa hugged her as she hugged tightly. " You look tired." Heer pressed her lips to hide a smile as Ajabde shot her a glance.
"Haan.. woh... main..."
" Lagta hai, Kunwarsa ke bina neend nahi aati inko." Jaso taunted as they laughed.
" Ab bas beta, tum mere Heer ke liye bhi kisi ko dhund lo, main relieved ho jau." Mamisa spoke as Ajabde looked at Heer, blushing and smiling.
" Mamisa, aap chinta na kare, iske liye sab se accha ladka dhundungi main!" Ajabde smiled.
" Accha? Kunwarsa se bhi accha?" Asha asked, smiling.
" Woh toh possible hi nahi." Mamisa smiled.
" Uske jaisa koi hoga toh chalega na Heer?" Ajabde asked as Heer looked wide-eyed.
" Hum... Hum... woh... Hum e puja ke liye jana hai...." She rushed out, as everyone laughed.
" Come on Princy hum bacche nahi rahe." She frowned.
" Really? Are you telling me or reminding yourself?" Pratap asked, smiling as she frowned.
As they entered Prajapati, he let go of her eyes and held her hand instead. He had decorated the place differently; all the flowerpots and plants were neatly kept aside, a dinner table with candles and two chairs at the furthest end opposite a music system and the place was dimly lit with scented candles and decorated with flowers and drapes.
" You... did this?" She asked, smiling at the new decor.
" Technically, the event management people did this."He shrugged.
" Ha, ha, Funny, why do you even try when you can't make jokes?" She taunted.
" Now stand here." He made her stand right in the middle of the room.
" Why the..." She couldn't complete the sentence as white, pink and red rose petals fell on her like raindrops, and she looked up smiling.
"Oh my gosh! This is like movies!" She gushed as she twirled.
" Yes, it is", he chuckled as he turned on some soft music. He then came up to his wife and held both her hands as they looked at each other, with a more confused smile. He removed the flower petals from her hair with his right hand, one by one, as their eyes were locked.
" What are you staring at?" She blushed a little with a faint smile.
" There is no one and nothing in the world I would rather see today than you, here, right now."
" Mushy!" She giggled as he watched her, then pulled her closer by her waist as she held his collar and smiled.
" Plan kya hai?" She asked, looking away.
" Plan? Plan toh bohot kuch tha Madam, but aap ne barbad kar di."
" Maine?" She frowned.
" Ji haan, mujhe ghar jana hai, great idea, Amar, let's pack!" He taunted her voice as she slapped his hand.
" Sab kitne khush hai dekho iss event ko leke."
" Anniversary unki hai ya meri?" He frowned as she laughed.
" Wait..." She was trying to remember something, but he stopped her thoughts.
" No."
" No?" She asked, confused.
" No talking of people."
" Then?"
" Then, I have some desserts for you." He indicated at the table with his eyes as she looked behind him.
" Wow, Jaleebi!" She jumped before running to the table.
" Bhukkad!" He laughed as she picked up two.
" How dare you?" She narrowed her eyes at him.
" Kha lo, waise bhi, jab tak khaogi nahi, tumko chain kaha milegi!" He smiled, amused.
She ignored his glances as he watched her eat.
" This is yummy. You also have!" She gave him a jalebi as he ate from her hands.
"Pata hai yeh Jalebi kaha ki hai?"
" Kaha ki?"
" That village shop jaha se you used to have jalebi." He smiled. " I ordered them."
" Tum yeh sab...." She asked, confused.
" Aj main tumko ek raat mein 5 saal ki journey karvane wala hoon my Princess." He bowed as her eyes widened.
" Accha? Woh kaise?"
" Dekhti jao." He shrugged, winking.
They were out on the moonlit porch as she looked up at the sky.
" Kya dhoond rahi ho?" He asked as she looked up,
" Mera wala taara!"
" Tumhare baju mein baitha hai, waha kaha dekh rahi ho." He flaunted proudly.
" Cheesy!" She pointed at him. " Sach batao."
" Kya?"
" Woh tara dikhta bhi hai ya..."
" Mujhe kaise pata."
" How you waste money...."
" Don't start!" He stopped her with his hand.
Ajabde was feeling a little cold in the breeze, so he decided to walk back in much against her wishes.
" Kitna boring music hai, so you!" She winced.
" Really? Lo." He handed her the remote. " Choose your kind of song."
" Phir kya hoga?" She narrowed her eyes with a smile.
"Phir..." He acted like thinking. " Phir hum waltz karenge!"
" No! " She frowned." Main thak gayi Ballroom dances se.... kal bhi toh..."
" Toh tum bolo kya karenge!"
" Crazy dance!" She smiled with her eyes twinkling.
" What kind of dance form is that?" He asked, confused.
" Ajabde Punwar type!"
"Mrs Pratap Singh type!" He corrected.
" Woh bhi!" She jumped. " I will teach you!"
She turned on the stereo. To her surprise, as the intro music played, Pratap walked backwards to the dance floor and said with his fingers, " Watch me." As she narrowed her eyes and smiled. He started moving to the groove. Her eyes went wide in amusement as he danced like her.
Pehli Baar Tumko Maine jab dekha tha, Sun Lo Yaar ke Maine kya socha tha! He acted like thinking, making her smile. Laga ke tumse hai milna dabahi, iss dil ko hi samjhane maine kaha... He pulled her by her hand and jumped a step closer. Iss raste na jaana kabhi rahi, yeh tere liye hai hi nahi... He shook his head to some crazy moves, as she joined in, shaking her head in a rhythm with her as they danced around the dance floor. Dil mera bol utha, hone do ab jo bhi ho. She held his collar, asking Kya dil ki sunn li tumne? Kya rah chun li tumne? He pulled her by the waist. Ha dil ki sunn li maine, haan rah chun li maine! She moved out of his grip and was doing some crazy moves to Laga ke muswaare sunte ho dil ke, laga ke thode se ho tum deewane se, karoge dil ki hi baatein fir milke aur honge yeh baatein badi hasseen! Pratap watched with a smile as she jumped, making her hair fall on her face. He stepped forward and removed them from her face, taking her hand as their eyes met, and he smiled. Lehero mein jaise lehre mile mil gayi dil o ki Dhadkan, Chalte hi chalte raho mein khoye khoye hai dono tann mann... He went back to waltzing after watching her crazy dancing. They sang together with the stereo like they had no care in the world. Pehli Baar... Pehli Baar...
They sat on the porch as he half leaned on her, and she tried to push him away in vain.
" Main chalti hoon." She said, looking away.
" Kya? Abhi?"
" Agar Amar ne dhoonda toh?"
" Toh Heer will call, am sure." He held her hand and played with her hair.
" Tumhe pata hai." She was suddenly excited as she looked at him wide-eyed. " Amar ne humare liye surprise plan kiya hai!"
" Really?" He smiled, but it faded " Ohh no! Uske surprises..."
" Ohho! Heer ke sath." She added.
" Then it's fine... I hope." Pratap shrugged. " Accha suno"
" Kya?"
" Tell Amar.. umm... kal party mein apne birthday ke tarah na kare." He carefully chose his words so that she wouldn't start defending Amar and end up fighting.
" Ohho my Baby knows that, woh baccha tha tab!"
" Accha ek saal mein tumhara Beta bada ho gaya?" He taunted.
" Kitne acche pictures ayee thee uske." She gushed.
" Haan, Koi apne 3 tier cake ke upar swimming pool samajhke jump kare toh acche hi aate hai photo uske." He taunted.
" Tumhara fault tha!" She pointed her finger at him.
" Hai? Mera? Kyun?" He asked cluelessly.
" Haan, blue sa cake tha, usne pucha Papa cake hai, tumne hi bola nahi, swimming pool hai."
" Mujhe kya pata tha ke itna intelligent baccha hai tumhara." He chuckled.
" He is intelligent!" She narrowed her eyes.
" I know, Mera beta hai!" He smiled.
" Wah, acchi baatein toh mera beta aur bura hua toh tumhara!" She complained.
" Kya plan kar raha hai?"
" I have no idea, bola Choco promise, so seriously kar raha kuch." She smiled.
" Wait, I have something for you, Jo, I totally forgot." He sat up.
" Maine bhi liya hai tumhare liye gift." She smiled.
" For a change, dikhao!" He looked excited.
" Kal dekhna!"
" Raat ko?" She shot him a glance as he gave a teasing smile.
" Haan haan, Amar ke saath." She taunted.
" Amar ko toh aj Mausi ki company itna acchi lagi kal bhi rahe lega, or he will be too happy to go back to his old bedroom!" He smiled.
" Main chalti hoon!" She got up as he pulled her back.
" Ji nahi."
" Kyun?"
" Kyunki tum aye toh late, islie punishment milegi." He smiled as she looked away.
" Kaisa punishment?"
" Watch the sunrise with me, here."
" Kya? Mom uth jaegi." She said, shocked.
" Toh bol dena ke walk pe gayi thi." He shrugged casually.
" Woh samajh jaengi."
" Toh? Husband hoon!"
" Ohho Princy!"
" Aakhein bandh karo. "
" Kyun?" He stared at her as she obeyed.
He walked to her back and pushed her hair to one side, as she inhaled at his touch. Five years down the timeline, nothing had changed; he still made her feel the same kind of nervousness every time he did something unexpected. He unhooked the Mangal Sutra, making her frown.
" What are you..."
" Hush!"
He placed a brand new, sleek, diamond-studded one on her neck as she smiled.
" My first gift."
" There are more?"
" Yes, and if my plans work, you will have the best gift you've ever wanted."
" And that would be?" She turned towards him with a clueless frown.
" Husshh." He winked. " Secret."
" I hate secrets."
" And I love you."
" Mushy!" She pointed again as he shook his head, making her laugh.
" You know a prince always behaves like a prince, tumne hi kaha tha ke my life will be a live fairytale, am just fulfilling your wishes." He smiled. " Happy Anniversary, Love!" He hugged her as she hid her face in his chest, which felt like the most peaceful place in the world to her for the last five years.
" Happy The Day You Made A Mistake!" She smiled.
" Yeah, that too!" He chuckled as she looked wide-eyed and hit his hand. " Dekho sunrise!"
" That's the light, the sun is not up yet, pagal ladki."
" Wohi, tumhe sab pata hai."
" Haan itna toh pata hai."
" Main ..."
" Haan jao." He kissed her hands. " See you in the evening." She nodded and was about to leave when he asked,
" Suno, kya pehenogi?"
" Surprise." She stretched her hands like a kid, which made him laugh. " Go, see you at the party."
She nodded, and before leaving, she came back for a tight hug as he kissed her forehead before running off, frowning at his " Gir maat jaana!"
Ajabde reached home, glad that only Heer was awake.
" Amar..."
" He slept well, still sleeping." Heer smiled as she closed the door carefully. " Maasa called."
" Kab aa rahi hai?"
" In an hour." Heer smiled. Ajabde quickly changed back to her yellow kaftan with pink leggings and tied her hair up before going into Amar's room quietly. The boy was sound asleep as she smiled, remembering his funny antics and kissing his forehead. Sleeping with his mouth open, he looked so much like Pratap. Pratap's habits annoyed her, but the same habits in Amar made her love him more. Amar opened his eyes to see who it was, then went back to sleep, cuddling against her as she held him close.
" Jija Maa sa aur Babosa aa gaye." Heer called her from her nap. Amar woke smiling.
" Mujhe milna hai." His excited shout woke Ajabde.
They got down as Amar ran to hug Jaso and Asha. Although he was closer to Heer, he loved the duo.
"Beta Ajab. " Mamisa hugged her as she hugged tightly. " You look tired." Heer pressed her lips to hide a smile as Ajabde shot her a glance.
"Haan.. woh... main..."
" Lagta hai, Kunwarsa ke bina neend nahi aati inko." Jaso taunted as they laughed.
" Ab bas beta, tum mere Heer ke liye bhi kisi ko dhund lo, main relieved ho jau." Mamisa spoke as Ajabde looked at Heer, blushing and smiling.
" Mamisa, aap chinta na kare, iske liye sab se accha ladka dhundungi main!" Ajabde smiled.
" Accha? Kunwarsa se bhi accha?" Asha asked, smiling.
" Woh toh possible hi nahi." Mamisa smiled.
" Uske jaisa koi hoga toh chalega na Heer?" Ajabde asked as Heer looked wide-eyed.
" Hum... Hum... woh... Hum e puja ke liye jana hai...." She rushed out, as everyone laughed.
