OUR BONDING

I woke up hearing the sound of my alarm. It's 6 already, I went to freshen up. I came out after bathing and dressed into a simple yellow cotton kurthi and blue jeans. I did my hair and went downstairs. I made coffee for both of us and went to his room to wake him. When I entered his room, I saw him sleeping like a small kid. I kept the cups on the table and opened the windows, so that sun rays can peep in. When sun rays fell on his face, a frown appeared on his face. I went and sat beside him and tapped on his shoulder and said, "Veer get up, we need to go to temple."

He woke up and sat on the bed hearing my voice. I gave him his coffee cup and said, "Good morning Veer" he replied, "Good mornong to you too Misti" we started having our coffee. I finished my coffee first and said, "Veer you finish your coffee, then freshen up and come down stairs"

Then I came downstairs and I got a text from Nikhil, "Good morning, have a nice day." I replied, "Good morning and All the best for your deal" Nikhil came to Mumbai because of some deal and the way he told me about the deal, I understood that it's very important for him. I then called Veer's manager to check about the arrangements. I then prepared breakfast for us and packed it in a box, so that we can have it on our way to orphanage after visiting temple.

I called my father

"Good morning Dad"

"Morning Princess, how's Veer?"

"He's good, he's getting ready as soon as he comes down we'll go to temple."

"Oh cool, but I want to know how was Veer's reaction after seeing Nikhil. I mean was he angry or did he say something to Nikhil because yesterday when he called me, he was very angry. He's also angry on me because I let you go alone."

"Yes he was very angry. He didn't say anything to Nikhil, but Nikhil came in between when Veer was shouting at me for coming alone. And then they had very heated argument. I somehow stopped them and came back home. Veer has come you speak to him"

I put the phone on speaker and gave to Veer, both of them were silent and not speaking anything. Then I hit on Veer's arm and signalled him to speak. Then he spoke,

"Uncle sorry for yesterday. I was very rude to you"

"No it's okay Veer, I know you were worried. Even I was worried at first but then got relaxed after knowing that Nikhil was also there with her. But you don't know Nikhil so you were worried for her."

"Yes, but I should have trusted you when you said she'll be fine with him. I'm sorry, I don't know why but I can't trust Misti with anyone."

"Do you you why I didn't held anything against you about yesterday's incident?"

"No uncle"

"That's because, I know how protective you are in her matters. And I also know you'll be okay only after seeing her and you'll not be able to stay angry with her."

"Yes, I couldn't stay angry with her for long time, after all she's my Misti"

"I don't know what you'll do during her marriage. I think we'll have to first take your permission before fixing any alliance for her"

"No uncle, she's your daughter. You shouldn't take my permission. And anyway you'll choose the best for her. But I'll not let you fix the marriage date until I'm sure that he'll take care of my Misti"

"Okay okay let's talk about this later. Now you guys go"

"Okay bye uncle. Have a great day."

"Bye Veer"

He gave back my phone. I hugged him and said, "love you" he hugged me back and said, "love you too" then I came out of the hug and said, "Now let's go" and we came out and headed towards temple.

We went to nearby Shiv Mandir, did our prayers. I organized Anndaan(food donation) with the help of his manager, like we do every year. And then we had our breakfast on our way to orphanage.

We distributed clothes and books for them and also gave donation for that orphange. Then we played for a while with the kids, then we cut the cake and sat on a bench in the garden eating the cake and watching kids playing. but what caught our attention was 2 kids playing there. They looked like exactly who we used to be when we were in their age.

The girl was wearing a frock and two piggy tails and the boy was wearing t-shirt and short. They both were in their own world not bothering anyone around them. I decided show Veer and turned to his side. He was also looking at them only. I leaned on his shoulder and asked, "Are you thinking the same?" and he nodded his head as yes. Then I called those two kids. They came running to us, I asked the girl, "Why are you not playing with your friends?" She smiled and said, "Thai(sister) I'm playing with my friend only" I ruffled her hair lovingly and said, "I'm asking why you both are not playing with other friends" Her reply shocked me, she said, "My friend is introvert, he doesn't talk much and don't mingle with anyone. I don't like forcing him so, I play with him only" That girl is just 8, but she speaking very maturely. I turned towards the boy and asked, "Don't you like to play with others?" he nodded his head as no. I asked him, "why?"

He said, "I cannot spea.. ak continously. I've stuttering problem, hear... hearing me everyone makes fun of me. My Aai Ba... Baba left me here, as I cannot talk properly. So, from then, I sto... stopped talking with everyone. (pointing towards his friend) She never made fun of me and under... understands everything even before I say to her. She takes care of me and also fights for me if any... anyone bullies me. So, I only play with her" I hugged both the kids tightly and Veer also joined the hug soon. After few moments, I broke the hug and said pointing Veer, "He's my best friend. You both remembered me our childhood. You both look like us. Love you both. From now I'll always come to meet you both whenever I come to Mumbai." I then sent them to play, I turned towards Veer and said, "Veer can you arrange a doctor for that kid, so that we can help the kid" He replied, "Yes, I was also thinking the same. I'll inform my manager to arrange a doctor for the kid" I hugged him tight and said, "Veer, You're the best" he smiled and said, "I know" and I playfully bet him on his arm. After that I slowly said, "Veer, those kids reminded me one incident from our childhood" He smiled and said, "The trip one?" I nodded my head as yes.

We were studying in class 7, there was a trip from our school. It was a one day trip to a water park. I'm very scared of water and Veer knows this. I know that Veer will also not go, if I'll not go. So, I thought to go just for the sake of Veer because Veer always wanted to go there. I gave our names to the teacher without informing Veer. Then the day has come, We have to leave early morning itself, I got ready and went to Veer's house. When I went to his room, I saw him still sleeping. I woke him up and he was shockd seeing me, "Misti why did you come so early?" he said in his sleep. I said, "Veer did you forget that we're going to the trip today"

He said, "Misti, I cancelled our names. We're not going anywhere, so better go to your room and sleep" I was shocked, I angrily shouted, "Why wasn't I informed about this?" He glared at me and said, "Misti even after knowing about your fear, you think I'll come there? I know you're doing this for me because I wanted to go there. But Misti this not important than you for me. We don't need to do this. I already informed Mumma, she said she'll take us for movie. So now go and sleep for sometime in your room. Then we can call aunty and uncle that we're going out with Mumma and if your mom is also free then we can ask her to come with us. Now go" I was about to say something but seeing his glare I didn't say anything. I went to my room in Veer's house and slept for a while as I woke up early because of trip. And then we went out with Veer's Mom as my mom had some work.

That incident not only reminded us our friendship, but also Veer's Mom. How we enjoyed with her the whole day roaming around in the mall and playing games. We really miss her, our eyes filled up with tears, I hugged him tight and we stayed like that to give strength to each other.