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झूला झुलाए ये पनघट
नदिया किनारे ये आँगन
निंदिया तू आना हवा के संग
मुझको भी तू दिखाना अपने रंग
तेरा-मेरा गलियों में यूँ फिरना
फिरते-फिरते रातों को यूँ थकना
थक के नानी की गोदी में सोना
परियों के देस जा के ना आना
ये मेरी है कहानी
ये मेरी कहानी...✨🤌🏻__________________________________________________________________________

Nitya was lost in her peaceful slumber. Her expression was in a good state of calm, with no signs of the tension from the earlier days of her exams.

She shifted on the bed lazily, lying comfortably across the mattress as she hugged one of her soft toys - it was a human sized panda. A thick blanket was spread all around her body, the blanket was cozy and it covered all of her body except one of her legs.

One of her legs was sprawled lazily across the bed, She was peacefully comfortable as the cold breeze of the AC gave her the comfort she needed in her peaceful slumber.

Untill....

Her phone started ringing abruptly with a kind of audio that could easily cut through the peaceful silence like a sharp knife.

The ringtone was annoyingly noticeable in the silence.

But Nitya didn't even move, she didn't even stir, still very peaceful in her comfortable position.

[ AN : aise kaise itni jaldi uthegi... kumbhakaran for a reason!]

The voice of the ringtone appeared to grow louder as if demanding her attention.

As the call was missed, the ringtone stopped, the surroundings were the part of silence again,- peaceful and cozy.

Nitya moved a little as the volume grew, but she didn't wake up fully.

Just as the atmosphere was going to shift to the peaceful silence again, her phone ringed again.

The same terrible ringtone ringing all around the room - again.

This time, Nitya stirred.

And as the volume began to grow, her eyes fluttered open - slowly and lazily.

She groaned in frustration, her face still buried in her blanket, her feet still curled up and her body hugging the same soft toy.

She woke up fully. Her expression - a mix of frustration and irritation on her features.

She ran her hands through her hair lazily, still half asleep and groggy. She put the loose strands of her hair back to their place.

She reached out for her phone, still ringing, the ringtone never failing to cut the silence. She extended her hand towards the side table and glanced at the number flashing on the screen.

Guard Bhaiya. It showed.

"Great! Ab guard bhaiya ko bhi meri neend se problem hone lagi... " She muttered to herself, frustration still lingering on her features.

[Great! Now even guard bhaiya has problems with my sleep!]

She picked up the call and held the phone to her ear as she said "Hello?"

The voice from the other side was helpless as the guard said "Beta, Aap zara entrance par aa jayenge please...? Yaha ek Banda aaya hai, keh raha hai ki naya neighbour hai... I can't let him enter the house because of strict instructions. Aap ek baar aakar mil lo please." His voice was almost a plea.

[ Beta, can you please come to the entrance gate once? There is a guy standing here who claims that he's a neighbour... I can't let him go inside because of strict instructions.. Can you please come to the entrance for a few minutes?.]

Nitya's brows furrowed in confusion as she listened to his words but decided not to argue. She nodded slightly, understanding his request and said "Okay bhaiya, mai aati hoon."

[Okay bhaiya, I'm coming...]

She tied the loose hair back into a messy bun, a clutcher swiftly holding her hair into place as it avoided the hair to fall further down.

She straightened up, got up from her bed and swiftly smoothened the fabric of her oversized T shirt, trying to look presentable before stepping out of the house.

Still groggy in sleep, she reached out for the glass of water on the side table and took a sip.

She got out of her room, the grogginess from her sleep slowly disappearing. And walked towards the door of the house.

She clicked it open and stepped out of the house. The swift breeze of air welcomed her to the surroundings and she breathed in peace.

She carefully went towards the gate.

And, her eyes narrowed in confusion at the sight in front of her.

A boy was standing there, appearing to be the same age as Nitya. He was noticeably quarrelling with the security guard that was standing in front of the gate, the security guard was trying to calm him down, a helpless look on his face.

"Aap aisa soch bhi kaise sakte hai? Aapko lagta hai mai koi chor ya gunda hoon? Aapko pata bhi hai mai kitne Shareef aur respectable khaandaan se hoon? Humare yahan aisi neech harkat koi karna door ki baat hai, aisa kuch soch bhi nahi sakta! Aapki himmat kaise hui aisa ilzaam lagane ki?" He said, his voice was laced with defence and a tone of pride. The guard gestured to him to calm down, his face was a mixture of helplessness and a person who was trying hard to justify himself as he tried to desperately calm him down.

["How could you even think something like that? Do you think I'm some kind of thief or a thug? Do you even know how respectable and decent a family I come from? In our family, not only would no one ever do such a disgraceful act, we wouldn't even think of something like that! How dare you make such an accusation?"]

Nitya seemed oddly familiar with the sight, her narrowed eyes filled with confusion and a strange feeling of recognition. She had known this for a long time, as if from long ago...

Paying no heed to the guard's persistent attempts to calm him down, the boy went on "Nahi aapko kya lagta hai? Bataiye? Aapko lagta hai The Mehras jaise izzatdar khaandaan ka ladka, The Dhruv Mehra yaha aakar chori ya badtameezi karega?" His voice was filled with agony and defence.

["Oh really? What do you think? Tell me. Do you honestly believe that a boy from a respectable family like the Mehras — Dhruv Mehra himself — would come here and commit theft or behave indecently?"]

Nitya's furrowed eyebrows eased for a fraction of seconds. A part of her mind spoke, she had heard that name before.

Then, as if on cue, one part of her mind drifted back into nostalgia. Her heart filled with emotions so thick, you could almost cut it with a knife.

Dhruv Mehra.

The same name, 8 years back.

Class 2nd B, Little Angels School, Nagpur.

Her childhood best friend. Her partner in crime and every mischief.

She had eventually forgotten him. But one part of her mind didn't. The memories - as clear as ever, clashed into her mind.

Their playful banter, their persistent fights, their hand in every possible scenario that created a sense of disturbance in the school, their bond was something else - something pure but with a sense of playfulness and occasional mischief in it.

They had been best friends since their class nursery. Inseparable, as if bounded and stuck by glue. They had separated because of Nitya's transfer to Mumbai in their 2nd grade, for her parents'new hospital in Mumbai.

But there he was again, every memory, every mischief flooded into her mind laced with nostalgia and a feeling of getting back something she'd lost - a long time ago.

She clung to the main gate.

And then, the same mischief flooded her mind again.

"Abbee Dhruv tu!??" She said, her voice laced with recognition and reunion.

[Hey Dhruv! You??]

Dhruv stopped mid sentence, and turned to face Nitya. His brows furrowed as confusion lingered on his face. He was taken aback by the sudden interruption and the informal tone of her words.

"I'm sorry... Do I know you?" He managed to say, brows still furrowed, a confused look on his face that practically screamed that he had not recognised her.

"Hawww!! Thode saal baat kya nahi hui... Bhool gaya behen ko?? Gajni ke avataar!!" She clutched her chest dramatically and exclaimed in mock offence.

{ Hawww.. Just because we didn't talk for a few years, you forgot your sister??]

"Aap kya keh rahi hai... I genuinely dont understand at all..." He said, extremely politely as his brows furrowed even more, his voice was now also a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.

[What are you talking about?]

"Abbee... agar neighbors ke ghar aana hota hai na, toh zara name plate bhi padh lena chahiye. Aise hi kahi bhi ghuse nahi jaana chahiye, dekh udhar!" Nitya said, pointing at the nameplate at one side of the gate.

 [ if you want to go to a neighbour's house, you should look at the name plate first! ]

Dhruv looked at the nameplate and blinked. He read it again, as if he had misread it earlier and now, his furrowed eyebrows slowly eased, as recognition dawned on his face.

There, his eyes looked at the name plate and his mind read, The name plate - very clearly displayed four really familiar names.

THE ARORAS

Dr. Rajeev Arora

Dr. Meera Oberoi Arora

Master Adarsh Arora

Miss Nitya Arora

He read the names again, his mouth agape as realisation struck him.

Nitya Arora. Class 2nd B, Little angels school, Nagpur.

The same memories flooded in his heart too. The same silly fights, the playful banter, the constant mischief tugging at their lips whenever they found the opportunity to create some disturbance in the school.

"Iska matlab..." He said, his voice a mixture of recognition and reunion and he tried to process everything. Then, he almost shouted "Abee Nitya tuuu!??"

[Does this mean? Nityaa youu???]

"Haa main! Gajni kaheen ke! Vaise.. yaha kya kar Raha hai?? Main road to udhar hai, bheek nahi maangni kya?" She said sarcastically with mock seriousness as she tried to hide the amused smirk threatening to appear on her lips.

[ Yeah! It's me... anyways, what are you doing here.. the main road is at that side, don't you want to beg there?]

Dhruv gave a reaction full of mock offence and said, "Haww! Tu sudhri hi nahi abhi tak?" He shook his head side to side in exasperation. And then he pointed at the neighbouring house.

[Hawww... didn't you get mature over the years?]

He pointed at the same house where the trucks were earlier lauding cartons in, the trucks were vanished now and some workers were diligently doing their work, smoothly transferring every piece of furniture that was laid in the garden as the truck had left.

"Hum log yaha shift hue hai!" He excitedly pointed to the house.

[ We have shifted here!]

"Chhiii!! Ab tera manhoos chehra roz dekhna padega?? Hey bhagwaan kya julm hai" Nitya said in mock seriousness, jokingly looking at the sky as if asking the Gods to undo their decision.

[ Ewwww, that means I'll have to see your face everyday from now on?? What is this injustice, God!]

Dhruv laughed at her antics and quickly gave the sky the same look as her. "Hey bhagwaan! Isi ladki ke baaju me Ghar kyu de diya? Ye toh mujhe apne jaisa pagal kar degi" He said, sounding serious.

[ Ohh Good! Why did you transfer me beside her house... now she will make me mad because of her antics!]

But both of them knew they weren't serious at all.

Nitya led him inside the small outdoor garden and they began walking side by side. They occasionally teased and lightly hit each other, their bond returning, becoming alive again.

They talked about their earlier mischief and their playfulness in their old school, both of their voices laced with nostalgia and the strange ache of growing up too fast.

They chatted for a long time, merrily recounting all their moments from their childhood and gossiping about their teachers and friends, they remembered all their mischief, occasionally shouting "teri galti thi!" "Mai toh nirdosh thi/tha"

[ It was your fault! ]

[ I wasn't the one at fault! ]

"Hum kya mast bigdail bachho waali harkatein karte the yaarr kitna maza aata tha... saare teachers humare peeche hi pade rehte the... Tu yaha jabse aayi tabse Neel ne mujhe vaisi harkatein karne hi nahi di... khud bhi padhai me ghusa rehta tha aur mujhe bhi jabardasti ghusata tha" He said, talking about his slightly older brother, Neel Mehra, who kept disciplining him after the days of Nitya's transfer.

[ We used to do such crazy things as kids yaarr! Ever since you shifted here, Neel never let me do such things... He was engrossed in his studies and urged me too to accompany him]

Before Nitya could respond, a sharp and stern voice cut through their conversation.

"Nitya, Ye kaun hai?"

[ Nitya, Who is this? ]

Nitya and Dhruv turned to find Adarsh standing just a few steps behind them. Brows furrowed in suspicion, hands folded and resting on his chest.

"Areee bhaiya! Aapko yaad hai ye Dhruv, mera 2nd class ka bestfriend?? Ye yaha shift hua hai!" Nitya said excitedly as she pointed at the neighbouring house behind the walls of the garden.

[ Bhaiyaa! Do you remember him? Dhruv, my childhood bestfriend? They have shifted here!]

Adarsh's furrowed brows eased and he smiled as recognition hit him. "Kaisa hai chhotu?" He came forward and hit Dhruv's head lightly.

[ How are you, chhotu? ]

"Achha hoon bhaiya, aap kaise hai? Aur kya kar rahe hai aaj kal?" Dhruv asked, his curiosity piqued as he inquired about his older brother's life.

[ I'm good bhaiya, how are you? And what are you doing nowadays?]

"Kuch nahi abhi bas MBA kar raha hoon... Abhi first year ke final sem exams hai uski hi tayari kar raha hoon.. fir thodi chhuttiyaan aur 2nd year." Adarsh said.

[ Nothing much, just persuing MBA currently... the first year final sem exams are approaching, then I'll just enter in 2nd year after a few holidays ]

"MBA?? Aapko pata hai Aaru didi bhi vahi karne wali hai.. is saal first year hoga. Infact hum shift hi Aaru didi ke college, Bade papa ke transfer aur mummy ke boutique ke vajah se hue hai" Dhruv grinned.

[ MBA? Do you know that Aaru didi will also do the same this year... this will be her first year. Infact, we have shifted because of her college, bade Papa's transfer and mummy's boutique ]

"Kyaa??? Aarohi didi bhi aayi hai?? Mujhe milna hai unse!! Le chal na mujhe" Nitya said excitedly.

[ Whatt?? Aarohi didi has also come? I want to meet her... take me along yaar ]

"Arree voh unke BBA ke finals ke baad ayegi.. 15 din baad... aur Bade papa badi mummy aur Neel jaldi aayenge kyunki Aaj Neel ke boards hue.. voh CBSE wala hai na.. maine 10th me non schooling ki na isliye state board me hi le liya admission " Dhruv said.

[ Oh, she'll come after her BBA finals... in 15 days. And Bade Papa, Badi Mummy, and Neel will come earlier because Neel had his board exams today. He's from the CBSE board, you know. I did non-schooling in 10th, so I took admission in the state board.]

"Non schooling kyun?" Adarsh asked in confusion.

[ Why non schooling?]

"Aree bhaiya voh i was injured very badly at the end of 9th... vaise toh attendance mil jaati par mummy ne bola ki ek saal karle non schooling.. mere boards just 3 din pehle khatam hue" Dhruv explained.

[ Oh bhaiya, I was badly injured at the end of 9th... otherwise I would have gotten attendance, but Mom said I should do one year of non-schooling. My board exams just got over three days ago. ]

"Ohh achha vaise ab toh theek hai na?? Kaunse school me admission le rahe ho dono? Stream Sochi koi??" Nitya inquired.

[ Oh, okay... you're fine now, right? Which school are you both taking admission in? Have you thought about any stream? ]

"Haa PCM hi lenge aur iss saal school toh karni hai so CBSE me hi admission le lenge.. vaise school ka abhi tak socha nahi hai" Dhruv said.

[ Yes, we'll take PCM only, and since we have to attend regular school this year, we'll take admission in CBSE. We haven't decided on the school yet though. ]

"Aree achha?? Ye Nitya toh PCB lene wali hai aur tumne agar socha nhi hai toh you both can consider her school.. unka curriculum and all is really good" Adarsh said.

[ Oh really? Nitya is going to take PCB. And if you haven't decided yet, you both can consider her school. Their curriculum and everything is really good. ]

"Ohh, mai aaj mummy papa se baat karta hoon fir iske baare me" Dhruv said.

[ Ohh, I'll talk to mummy papa about it today then. ]

"Aur Kajal aunty ke projects?? Voh toh Nagpur me hi honge na? Toh voh kaise manage karne wali hai?" Nitya asked.

[ And what about Kajal aunty's projects? They'll be in Nagpur only, right? So how is she going to manage? ]

"Aree badi mummy ke kuch final projects hai Nagpur me fir uske baad toh Mumbai me bohot clients ready hai Ghar leke.. they are just waiting for her to come here." Dhruv said.

[ Oh, Badi Mummy has some final projects in Nagpur, and after that, she already has many clients ready in Mumbai with houses lined up. They're just waiting for her to come here. ]

"Aur Rajesh uncle ki company bhi toh Nagpur me hi hai??" Adarsh inquired.

[ And what about Rajesh uncle's company?]

"Aree voh toh 8 saal pehle chhoti si thi.. ab toh all over India 8 branches hai aur Mumbai me headquarters hai... sabke careers and all ko dhyaan me rakh kar hi decision liya humne" Dhruv said as he smiled proudly at his father's achievements.

[ Oh, that was eight years ago when it was just a small setup. Now there are eight branches all over India, and the headquarters is in Mumbai. We made the decision keeping everyone's careers and everything in mind. ]

"Ohh nice yaarr... Abhi toh hum firse bachpan wali harkatein kar sakte haii I'm soo excited yayy!!" Nitya said excitedly.

[ Nice yaar, now we can continue our childhood antics again!!]

"Haan... bhaiya bachke rahiyega hum dono se... Abhi toh picture baaki haii!" Dhruv said as he matched her energy with full enthusiasm.

[ Yess bhaiya, be prepared now... the movie is about to start ]

"Tum dono kabhi nahi sudhroge" Adarsh said, shaking his head in disbelief at their antics.

[ Both of you will never get mature! ]

They chatted further for half an hour, Dhruv told them stories about what happened in Nagpur before they had transferred and gave them full fledged gossip sessions.

Nitya and Adarsh listened to him narrating the stories animatedly, occasionally gesturing by his hands and his posture. The more they listened to the stories, the more their eyes filled with nostalgia and remembrance. The school, the society, the neighbours, the childhood mischief, simply everything about their earlier life came alive at once.

Dhruv's narrations tied both of them into a nostalgia that neither of them could get away from. In fact, they didn't want to get away from it. They remembered all of it and smiled as their eyes sparkled with a hint of nostalgia and reunion.

After their chat session of half an hour, Dhruv checked the time on the small analogue watch that he had worn on his hand.

"Chalo abhi mai chalta hoon... It's 5 PM, mummy papa abhi aate hi honge.." Dhruv said reluctantly.

[ I'll leave now, it's 5 PM... mummy papa will come any minute. ]

"Vaise.. Tu aaya kyu tha, like tujhe thodi pata tha ki yahan hum rehte hai toh fir...?" Nitya inquired.

Dhruv took out a circular cookie box from the bag that clinged on his shoulder from the past minutes and held it up.

"voh mummy ne bola tha ki ye de aana, neighbours ke saath achhe relations bhi jamane hai... par ye toh tu hai, ab tujhse kaisi formality... mai hi khaa lunga" Dhruv grinned.

{ Mom had said to give these cookies to the neighbours to maintain good relations, but this you! and I cannot do this formality in front of you so I will do the hounour to eat this]

Nitya immediately snatched the box from his hold. "Bhakk yaha se!" she said in mock offence.

"Bhukkad!" Dhruv said in mock-indignation.

"Gajni!" Nitya said matching his tone in full swag.

"Aree ruk, Tune khana khaya hai ya nahi... Ye kumbhakaran Nitya toh so hi rahi hogi itni der... Mai abhi banane hi wala hoon hum dono ke liye kuch, tu bhi khaakar hi chale jaana." Adarsh said, his voice aced with concern and care.

[ Hey wait! Did you eat or not? I was going to make something for me and Nitya now.. eat here only today..]

"Arree nahi bhaiya.. Abhi mummy papa aayenge toh hum jaane waale hai sab saath bahar khana khane.. Bohot din ho gaye kahi nahi gaye toh aaj family time bhi spend kar lenge saath sab." Dhruv said as he politely addressed his concern.

[ No, bhaiya... mummy papa will come now so we are going outside to eat today... It has been days since we went out together. It will be a nice family time session too. ]

"Achha thik hai fir... par jab sab log aa jaye tab zaroor aana ghar par dinner karne.. It will be a good reunion party you know" Adarsh said as Nitya nodded excitedly.

[ Okay then, but come here again for dinner when everyone comes... it will be a nice reunion party ]

"Haa bhaiya zaroor aayenge.. Chalo abhi mai chalta hoon.." He said as he turned and walked towards the entrance gate.

[ Yes bhaiya, we will definitely come.. I'll leave now ]

He turned again to wave a final goodbye by a gesture of his hand, "Byeeeeee" He said while deliberately stretching the word playfully.

Nitya and Adarsh waved back and watched him go while they turned to enter the house, slowly marching from the garden to the main entrance door.

Just as Dhruv turned to the front again and took a step, he bumped into someone.

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