Chapter 14: Diwali

A few weeks later:

It is Diwali time:

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At Thunder Riders Racing Club:

(The soft warmth of the Diwali sun blanketed the race track as preparations for the small puja were underway.

Purab stood near a table where an idol of Goddess Lakshmi was placed, decorated with flowers and diyas.

Bhoomika adjusted Prakhar's kurta while Naina arranged a few plates of sweets and fruits.

Vikram arrived just as the priest began the chants, wearing a crisp kurta-pajama, his face calm but his eyes observant.

The group gathered around the puja setup. Prakhar sat on Purab's lap, clapping along as the priest's voice echoed softly.

The sound of mantras and crackling diyas mixed with the scent of marigolds and burning incense.

Naina sat cross-legged next to Bhoomika, her hands folded, silently offering her prayers.)

(After the aarti was done and everyone took blessings, Purab handed the prasaad to Vikram.)

Purab: (smiling lightly) Bas, Lakshmi maa ka aashirwaad sab par bana rahe.

Vikram: (nodding) Wahi toh sabse zaroori hai.

.

.

Soon,

(Bhoomika busied herself with Prakhar, who was running around excitedly. Naina watched them, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Purab and Vikram, moved a little away from the group)

Purab: Vikram. Main aapse ek baat kehna chahta hoon.

Vikram: Haan, Purab, bolo.

Purab: (tone firm yet calm) Naina... she really looks happy. uski aankhon mein jo sukoon hai, wo mujhe bahut mahino ke baad dikha hai. aap samajh rahe ho??

(Vikram's expression softened as he listened.)

Purab: Bas ek cheez yaad rakhna— uska dil mat dukhaana. She only deserves happiness in her life, nothing else!!!!

Vikram: (calmly) Tumhara concern genuine hai, and I understand that. Tum dono puraane dost ho, aur uska khayal tumse behtar koi nahi rakh sakta.

Purab: (his voice firm) Woh toh theek hai, lekin is baar baat sirf dosti ki nahi hai. Aap samajh rahe ho na? Naina ke peeche ab sirf main nahi hoon. Uske peeche ek pura parivaar khada hai. Main, mera parivaar, uske bachche, aur woh log jo usse pyaar karte hain.

Vikram: (listening intently, his expression serious) I know, Purab. Aur main tumhe yeh vishwaas dilata hoon, ki main badal gaya hoon.... I will never hurt her!!! Main koi bhi galti nahi karunga, iss baar.

Purab: (still cautious, but softening slightly) Dekho Vikram, main yeh nahi keh raha, ki aap se kabhi koi galti nahi honi chahiye.... (smiles) Hum sab insaan hain... we are bound to make mistakes. But please keep in mind that, ab jo bhi aap karoge, uska asar sirf Naina tak nahi rukega. Uske peeche ek poori team hai, jo tumhe jawaab degi.

Vikram: (placing a hand on Purab's shoulder) Purab, I understand. Main kabhi jaan-boojh kar uska dil nahi dukhaunga. I promise you.

(Purab gave him a small nod, trusting his words.)

.

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Just then,

(Bhoomika approached them, pulling her dupatta in place and smiling warmly.)

Bhoomika: Kya secret baatein chal rahi hain yahaan?

Purab: (teasing) Secret nahi, bas Diwali ke plans discuss kar rahe thay.

Bhoomika: (turning to Vikram) Vikram ji, aapko ek baat kehni thi. Hum bahut time se soch rahe thay ki, sab milke kabhi lunch ta dinner karte hain..... now that everything has fallen into place, it's the most logical thing to do.

Purab: yes.... Mummy aur papa bhi, abhi tak Kiara se nahi milay. They would love to meet her.

Vikram: (smiling politely) Bilkul. That sounds lovely. We should definitely plan a lunch soon. but abhi bacchon ke 3rd term exams aa rahe hain. uske baad rakh lein?

Bhoomika: haan... haan.... Aap jabhi bhi kahein....

Naina: (joining in) Lunch pe toh mujhe aunty ke haath ki bani jalebi khaani hai!!! milegi naa????

(The group laughed lightly at her playful tone before deciding to wrap up for the day.)

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Cut to:

Later,

In Vikram's car:

(Vikram drove Naina back to her apartment in his sleek black SUV.

Naina leaned back, gazing outside seeing the people flood the market areas to do a little last minute shopping.)

Naina: (small smile on her lips) Pata hai, Vikram ji... Diwali ka maza toh bachpan mein hi aata tha. Ab toh pollution ki wajah se fire cracker pe ban hi lag gaya hai.

Vikram: (faint smile appearing) Haan, bilkul. Woh masti toh bachpan waali hi thi. Ghar ke saare cousins milke, terrace pe rockets chhodte thay, aur ladiyoon ka ek pura dher lagte thay ground pe.

(Naina's smile widened as her eyes lit up with nostalgia.)

Naina: Exactly! Aur woh zameen chakri—hum kitne excited hote thay, unhe ghoomte huay dekh kar. Main aur Pogo, toh ek doosre se compete karte the ki kaun zyada time tak jalta hua anaar ko pakadta hai!!

Vikram: (grinning, his tone playful) Mujhe toh bombs phodne mein mazaa aata tha. Woh phatne ki awaaz, dhuaan—pata nahi kyun, par bachpan mein woh sabse zyada thrilling lagta tha.

(Naina turned towards him, her smile softening, and her voice dropped a little.)

Naina: (gently, eyes distant) Mujhe rockets pasand thay.

(Vikram glanced at her, noticing the sudden shift in her tone.)

Vikram: (curious) Kyun? Rockets mein kya khaas tha?

(Naina looked outside the window, the memories clouding her eyes for a moment. She took a deep breath before speaking.)

Naina: (softly, her voice fragile) Jab rockets upar jaate thay na, mujhe lagta tha ki, main apna pyaar apni maa tak bhej rahi hoon. Main sochti thi ki, shayad unn tak mera message pahunch raha hai.

(The car grew silent. Vikram's playful smile faded as he looked at her, his expression unreadable.)

Vikram: (gently) Naina...

(Naina blinked a few times, quickly brushing away the emotions that had surfaced. She smiled faintly, trying to lighten the moment.)

Naina: (forcing a little laugh) Bas... bachpan ki baatein thi. Rocket chhodne ka ek apna hi charm tha.

Vikram: (speaks softly) Kuch cheezein, kuch aadatein, bachpan mein hi chooth jaati hain. par kuch yaadein dil mein hamesha ke liye reh jaati hain.

(Naina nodded, looking back out the window as the car moved forward, her thoughts lingering in the quiet space between them.)

Vikram: (speaks softly, without looking away from the road) Naina.... mujhe ye bilkul bhi accha nahi lag raha hai ki, tum Diwali pe akeli ho. (his grip on the steering tightens, and he sighs) Main chah kar bhi tumhaare paas nahi aa sakta, Naina. apne ghar ki pooja chodkar kaise aaun?

(Naina turned her face to him, a faint smile appearing as she understood the weight of his words.)

Naina: Vikram ji, it's okay. I'm not alone. Wahaan society wale hain, pooja hoti hai, sab kuch hota hai. Don't worry about me. main samajhti hoon. Sabki apni- apni responsibilities hain. aap tension mat lo.

.

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Soon,

(The car slowed to a stop as they reached her apartment building.

Naina was about to get off when Vikram stopped her.

He turned slightly, stretching his hand to reach into the back seat.

He pulled out a small gift packet wrapped neatly and handed it to Naina.)

Naina: (surprised) Yeh kya hai?

(Vikram didn't reply immediately, just gestured for her to open it.

She carefully unwrapped the package and froze when she saw the bag—a jewellery store packet.

Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out a pair of delicate gold jhumkas.)

Naina: (shocked) Vikram ji, yeh kya hai?!

Vikram: (looks at her softly, his voice steady) Yeh ek chota sa gift hai, Naina. Kisi ke liye jo mere life mein roshni le kar aayi... meri Lakshmi ke liye.

Naina: (eyes widen, her voice barely above a whisper) Vikram ji, thank you, but... main yeh nahi le sakti.

Vikram: (firmly, yet with warmth) Nahi, Naina. Tumhe yeh lena hi padega. Mujhe mana mat karo, please!!! Tumne bhi toh mujhe, gold ke cuff links diye thay!!!

Naina: (rolls her eyes at him) toh yeh koi competition thodi naa chal raha hai!!!! And waise bhi, those were small cuff links!!! Yeh jhumke, kaafi heavy lag rahe hain!!! Must've costed you a lot!!!

Vikram: Tumhe cost ki chinta karne ki zaroorat nahi hai!! Aur waise bhi, Diwali pe, Lakshmi ji ka khayal toh rakhna padta hai, hai na??

(Naina stared at him for a moment, conflicted, but the kindness in his eyes was hard to resist.

She finally took the jhumkas, clutching them carefully.)

Naina: (softly) Thank you, Vikram ji.

(Naina looked at him with a gentle smile, her hand resting lightly on the car door handle, ready to leave.

Vikram leaned forward to cup her face with the palm of his hand,  and then placed a tender kiss on her forehead, lingering for a brief second.

Naina closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the affection. Her heart felt both heavy and full.)

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Author’s Note:

Wow! Calling your lady the ghar ki Lakshmi!! Now that is some respect!!

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