Next morning,
Mini woke up, again almost on Neil.
His one hand was on her shoulder, wrapped around her and another hand was on her bare abdomen under her shirt as he was pressing and massaging her gently when sleep took over him.
She slid herself off him and removed hair strands from his face.
She glanced at the window to see the weather was cloudy and dark. Sort of early morning type.
She looked back at Neil. In messy hair and tired face, smiling while sleeping, he looked so cute, adorable and obviously charming too.
Her smile widened when she slid her fingers on his jawline and he sighed in sleep, holding her closer.
Hearing a knock on the door, she stood up without disturbing his sleep. Yawning and rubbing her eyes, she opened the door.
She opened her eyes but then saw Ashok and Meeta.
They were surprised to see her in a sleeveless satin shirt with shorts reaching her mid thighs. Her hair messed up and she was rubbing her eyes.
Mini: Aap log yahan?... Itni subah subah...
Ashok: Tumne kaha tha kal..... aaj aane ke liye... phone nahi lag raha tha to hume laga kahin kaam ke liye nikal na jao.
Mini was still a little drowsy and she frowned irritatedly.
Mini: (turned behind to see the clock and rubbed her eyes to see clearly) Par itni subah...
Ashok: 10 baj raha tha to...
Mini opened her eyes with a jerk.
Mini: 10?... (looking at the clock) Yeah right... (stepped to her bag and took out her phone to find it discharged again) Shit yaar...
She plugged in the charger and switched it on. She read a few messages, sighed and replied back before turning.
Mini: Par aap log baad me call kar lete to bhi chalta... Flights to kharaab mausam ki wajah se delay ho gayi hai na saari.
Ashok: Sorry... par... Tumne kaha tha ki kabhi nahi milogi agar aaj nahi mile to isiliye samajh nahi aaya time aur baad me aakar risk lene ki himmat nahi thi...
Meeta: Hum baad me aate hai.
Mini: a... Ruko... Aa hi gaye ho to.... ruk jao.... thodi der wait karlo... main ready hokar aati hu... phir neeche restaurant me baithke baat karte hai.
Both nodded.
Mini: Aa jao andar.
They came inside and saw Arya sleeping on the extra single bed and Neil sleeping on one side of the double bed.
The couch had two suitcases open and things were messed up a little. She shifted the suitcases aside to make space for them.
They sat and saw Mini went to the bathroom taking her clothes after gulping down some medicines.
Almost a few mins later, Mini came out rubbing her hair with the towel. Jerking back her hair, some droplets fell on Neil's face. A sleepy grunt escaped his mouth and he turned the other side in sleep, tugging the comforter on his face.
Neil: (still in deep sleep due to tiredness) Ammhmnk... Miiini... 5 min aur pls.
Mini shaked her head at his antics and dried her hair with the hair dryer and made a messy bun when heard another knock at the door.
Mini opened the door and it was their breakfast.
Mini took the tray and thanked the waiter once while closing the door and kept the breakfast on the table.
Mini: (to Ashok and Meeta) Chalein?
Ashok: Tumhara breakfast?
Mini: Main neeche hi kar lungi.... (extending her hand to the door) Aap chalo... main aati hu...
They agreed and walked out of the room but turned at the door while Mini thought they left.
They saw Mini sat on the bed, beside Neil and took off the comforter from Neil's face.
Mini: (patting on his cheek) Neil... Listen.
Neil tiredly turned to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her lap.
Neil: Hmm?
In half sleep, he remembered Mini was feeling pain last night but today her voice was calm and soothing. He opened his eyes and looking at her, cupped her face with his hand on her jawline, swaying his thumb on her cheek.
Neil: Ab pain to nahi ho raha na tumhe?.... Medicine le li?.... Aur tumhare per ki swelling?... theek ho gayi kya?... (lifting his head a little) Let me see...
Mini: (resting his head again on her lap) Are tum tension mat lo.... Medicine le li hai maine.... Pain hai halka sa but it's bearable.... Aur swelling bhi hai thodi par it's ok...
Neil sighed exhaustedly.
Neil: And you?... Are you fine?...
Mini: Yeah I am...
Neil: (tugging her hair strand behind her ear) Bas tum na zyada load mat liya karo faltu baaton ka... Maine kaha tha na dimaag thoda kam chalaogi na to efficiently chalega...
Mini chuckled.
Mini: Main papaji se baat hi karne neeche ja rahi thi isiliye uthaaya...
Neil: Vo aa gaye?
Mini: Hmm...
Neil: Should I also come?
Mini: (caressing his tired face) I can handle it... You are tired na... Kal bhi to theek se so nahi paaye tum... Take rest.... Main bilkul theek hu.... Don't worry.... Arya yahi hai... So rahi hai.... Dhyaan rakhna.... Theek hai?
Neil: Hmm... I will.... (tugging her face closer and pecked on her forehead) You take care... aur kisi baat pe zyada exertion mat le lena pls... Kuch bhaari utha mat lena ab galti se bhi... Yaad rakhna... And koi bhi... choti si bhi problem ho to just give me a call.... Hmm?
Mini: (pecked him) Hmm.... Jab tak Arya so rahi hai... tum bhi aaram karlo.... Kal bhi so nahi paaye the na theek se.... Breakfast bhi aa gaya hai.... Arya uth jaaye to dono saath me kar lena.... Ok?
Neil: (retreating back from her lap) Thanks yaar.... Bahot neend aa rahi hai... (closing his eyes) Pls close the curtains also na...
Mini: Hmm... (putting comforter back on him) Bye.
Neil: Bye...
She got up from the bed and closed the curtains. AsMe stood out of the room, not to let her feel awkward.
Mini saw Neil again got asleep and came out of the room. Shutting the door without making any sound, she locked it with the card as Neil had another with him.
They took the lift and went to the ground floor at the restaurant.
Mini sat in front of Ashok and Meeta and ordered food and juice.
There was utter silence between them cause AsMe didn't knew what Mini's mind has and Mini was in her own dilemma to start the convo.
Mini: a... I thought about what you said yesterday.
Ashok: Kya tum mujhe maaf kar paogi?
Mini: (sipping the juice) Mujhe humesha se yeh lagta tha ki aapko meri koi care nahi thi.... mujhse kabhi koi attachment nahi tha... actually I even thought ki main aapke liye shayad kabhi matter hi nahi karti thi... Isiliye you didn't tried to contact me... lekin ab jab I had got to know ki situations galat the... To I can understand... I mean... I know situations affects the mind a lot... a... m.... Honestly I can't forgive you... Mujhse yeh nahi hoga ki aapne jo kuch kiya hai uske liye main aapko maaf kar paau...
Ashok's face got paled.
Mini: All I can do is... Main aapko ek last chance de sakti hu... for you to amend yourself... I think we can make a fresh start.
Ashok's teary eyes gleemed with a hopeful smile.
Ashok: Can we?
Mini: If you too want to.
Ashok: I really do.
Meeta smiled emotionally.
Ashok: Thank you beta.... Thank you so much.
Waiter brought Mini's breakfast.
Mini: Hmm.... Wanna have something... Aapne kuch order nahi kiya?
Meeta: Actually tumne kal jab kaha tha na.... to meet today.... tab se tension hi itni thi ki pata nahi kaise react karogi... aur kya baat karni hogi.... to bhook hi nahi lagi.
Mini: Then order anything you would like to have.... Yesterday it was just that... Mujhe thoda time chahiye tha.
Meeta: We can understand.
They ordered their breakfast and were having it.
While having breakfast,
Mini: To aap log London se Wales kab shift hue aur kyu?... Just for business?
Ashok: Hmm...
They talked about their conversations about AsMe's lifestyle here.
Ashok: Vaise..... Tum yaha?
Mini looked at Meeta as she thought he would have known from her.
Meeta: Hamara tumhare yaha aane wali baat pe conversation hi nahi hua kal.
Mini: Oh... Nevertheless... (to Ashok) Mere project ke liye aayi thi... I have my own photography firm.... AMN photography ltd.... and this project is a partnership from the leading magazine company of Australia.... for a new magazine series.
Ashok: Wonderful... To course wagera sab Patiala se hi kiya tumne?
Mini: Nahi.... Australia se course kiya tha.... 6 saal pehle mere paas mail aayi thi about the acceptance of my admission for college to padwa ke din se hi preps karke 1-2 din me to nikal gayi thi main....
Ashok: Oh... Impressive.... m.... to..... To ab tum professional trip pe apni family ke saath hi travel karti ho?... I mean..
Mini: Am.. Hmn.... Vo to bas.... main Arya ko time nahi de paa rahi thi.... a few months back because of a job I was doing at that time isliye uske vacations pe... Neil and I thought to come together with Arya.... Ab shaam ko flight hai to nikal jayenge.
Meeta: Oh... Hamari bhi flight hai... Where are you off to?
Mini: Delhi.
Meeta: The 8 pm one?
Mini: Yeah.
Meeta: Oh... We will also join you... Humari bhi coincidentally same hi flight hai...
They saw Neil walked out of the elevator to the reception with Arya.
Ashok: You are happy with Neil na?
Mini: Hmm...
Arya was running ahead while looking behind wearing a headphone on her head and Neil seemed to deny her to do so. She got collided to a boy and the boy fell down on the carpet.
Arya taking off the headphone, helped him get up and said sorry to him. He forwarded his hand and Arya looked at Neil. Neil swayed his head and she handshaked with him with a smile.
The boy's mother also was with them and they had a brief talk.
AsMe saw Mini with a tensed frown when Arya collided and then got relaxed when Arya was fine.
Ashok: Neil tumhara khyaal rakhta hai na?
Mini: (still looking at ArNe with a smile) Vo mera mujhse bhi zyada khyaal rakhta hai.
Meeta: How's Arya?.... She seems so chirpy and footloose yet so mature. You both are bringing her up so well together. Tumhari aur Neil ki parenting looks just so perfect.
Mini: (chuckling while signing glancing at Meeta in between) It just 'looks' perfect baaki parenting ka P bhi nahi hota mujhse.... Neil handles Arya very well..... Usko kisi bhi baat ke liye manaana ho... behlaana ho... fuslaana ho.... Mera department nahi hai vo... Par usko support karna ho.... koi zaruri baat samjhaani ho.... Connected feel karwaana ho.... ya kal ki tarah... rote hue sambhaalna ho.... to main kar leti hu...
Meeta: To tumhari life ke baare me.... tumhari family ke baare me batao... Neil aur Arya to jaan ban gaye honge tumhari?.... Arya ki wajah se din to kab nikal jaata hoga pata bhi nahi chalta hoga tumhe...
Mini: Hmm.... Dono zindagi hai meri... Drama company hai meri Chutanki.... itne nakhre hai madam ke by god... Neil itna pamper karta hai na usko.... Isiliye to pura din Neil Neil Neil karti rehti hai.... Main school se lene jau to raaste me hi pure din ki kahaani sunaati hai... Veerbalika Veerbalika bol bol ke aage peeche ghumti rehti hai... Lekin yeh fixed hai ki shaam ko jab tak Neil ghar nahi aata tab tak apna saara homework wagera sab finish kar legi.... Jab vo aa jaye to usko jab tak pure din ki baatein nahi bol leti tab tak sone nahi jaati.... Jab kabhi Neil late ho jaaye to kitni hi koshish karlo neend hi nahi aati usko... majaal hai madam bina lori sune so jaaye... (seeing Arya chuckling after saying something teasingly to Neil) Par uski choti choti shararton ke baad jab khi khi karke aise hasti hai na to kitna bhi thake hue ho hum dono... chehre pe smile to hamare bhi aa hi jaati hai.
AsMe saw a beautiful smile on her face as she was adoring them both while talking to them.
Meeta: Tum tino ekdum picture perfect family lagte ho.
Mini: Vo to hai.... Sab yahi kehte hai....
Neil holding Arya's hand came to the restaurant's door and looked around to spot Mini looking at them already.
He blinked his eyes, nodding lightly asking her to come for a sec.
Mini: Main aati hu.
Mini got up and went to them. Arya with her headphones on her head and Neil's phone in her hand, hugged her and she pecked her on her cheek, caressing her head.
Neil: (glancing at Ashok) So... you are giving him a chance... right?
Mini: Hmm...
Neil smiled and kept his hand on her shoulder.
Neil: Everything will get back on track. You don't need to worry.
Mini nodded with a smile.
Neil: Tumhari meeting?
Mini: Vo saari flights postpone ho gayi to sab ne message kiya ki sab thak bhi gaye hai to shaam ko meeting rakh lete hai.
Neil: Ok... Actually main aur Arya soch rahe to go some malls nearby.... Thode bahot gifts aur chocolates le lenge...
Mini: (smiling excitedly) Nice idea... Main bhi free hu to chalti hu tumhare saath... Let me get my purse... Maine vahin chod diya.
Neil nodded adoring her smile.
Mini turned but again turned back.
Mini: Main M se hi puch leti hu na... Yaha ke best mall ke baare me... Jahan ek hi jagah me almost sab kuch mil jaye... What say?
Neil: Perfect.... I am waiting for you at the entrance.
Mini came to AsMe and picked up her purse.
Mini: M... Can you tell me any nearby mall... jisme sabke liye gifts wagera le sakein hum log.
Meeta: Yeah sure... Idhar Coral One bahot accha mall hai.... You can find anything and everything you want.
Mini: Nice.... Mujhe location forward kar do na.
Ashok: Hum saath chalein tumhare?.... We won't even disturb you both agar matlab tum comfortable nahi ho to?.... par bas tumhe thodi der khush dekh lunga to bhi chalega...
Mini: You can come if you want to.
Ashok: Thanks.
.
.
.
Mini walked out of the hotel and saw Neil waiting for her, against the car while Arya was sitting inside.
Mini: Neil.... Papaji aur M bhi aa rahe hai... They'll lead us the way...
Neil: Vo sab to theek hai... tum yeh batao ki are you sure you are wearing (pointing to her heels) these to the mall?...
Mini: (confused) Why?
Neil: Swelling already hai... Pain ho jayega itna chalogi heels me to.
Mini: Yeah right... maine yeh to socha hi nahi.... Main shoes pehen ke aati hu.
Neil: Aaram se... Don't hurry.
Mini: Hmm.
She went inside. AsMe heard their convo and smiled at his concern. They saw Mini going inside and Neil walked to them seeing them out of the hotel.
Neil was still able to remember Mini crying while remembering her teen days and nodding while sobbing hard when last night he got to know that her father had hurt her many a times and even slapped her. Neil felt enraged at him again but he tried to remain as calm as possible as he had to just make him understand through his words.
Neil's back was facing the hotel's entrance now and he was facing Ashok with Arya in his view so that he could stop the convo if she gets off the car as Neil didn't wanted her to hear their talks.
Neil: Uncle... m... Can I call you that?
Ashok: Yeah sure beta... Of course.... actually main tumhe thanks bhi bolna chah raha tha. Tumne Mini ko manaaya mujhse baat karne ke liye.
Neil nodded.
Ashok: Kal baat hote hote heatup ho gayi thi... I am sorry agar tumhe bura laga ho to....
Neil nodded and stepped to him.
Neil: Can I talk to you about Mini?
Ashok: Yeah Yeah sure.... Go ahead.