They reached the hotel and seeing Neil lifting the bags, Ashok asked if he can help and Neil agreed.
They reached their room and kept the stuff on the bed.
Neil: Mini... Jab tak tum meeting me busy ho.... Main Arya ko yaha paas ke clinic me le jaakar tetanus shot dilwa deta hu... Infection na ho jaye... Kal metal ne slit kar diya na.
Looking up at Mini, he saw Mini looking at him with a can-you-really-even-think-of-it.
Neil: What?
Mini: I think tumhe wait karna chahiye.... Meri meeting ke baad main free hu tab chalte hai.
Neil: Ek booster hi to dilaana hai... I can get it done na.
Mini: You know if there is any clinic here?
Neil: No... But I'll find.
Ashok: I'll lead him to nearby one. You don't worry.
Mini: Thanks.
Neil forwarded the car keys to Mini.
Neil: Tum car keys rakh lo then... In case you would need.
Mini: Ahan... You take it... I would be here itself... Hotel walo se baat ho gayi hai.. They said they have the conferrence room available for today.
Neil: Fine.
They left the room and AsMe went ahead while Mini was closing the door.
Mini: Tumne kickboxing sikhi thi tab tumhe defence blocks sikhaaye the kya?
Neil: (unexpectedly confused) H?... Ha... par kyu?
Mini: (shaking her head) Hmm... To socha ja sakta hai..... (patting on his shoulder) Kaam aayenge.. Jao... All the best.
Neil nodded still confused.
Mini took off the headphones Arya had on and pinched her cheeks at her tantrum of listening songs and playing games in Neil's phone in deal of agreeing to remain calmed because of her injuries on legs.
Mini: (pecking on her forehead) Main meeting ke liye ja rahi hu.... Neil ko pareshaan nahi karna.... Be a good girl pls.... Bye.
Arya was confused why she was saying so but nodded
She was chirply talking while Neil drove exactly behind Ashok's car.
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AsMe led the way to the nearby clinic.
The doctor checked Arya's wounds and told the nurse to give her the injection.
Nurse nodded and came to Arya.
Nurse: This is the form to certify the vaccination.
Neil: Ok.
Neil filled the form and gave it to her.
Nurse took the papers and turned to Arya.
Arya saw her filling the injection and stood up on the bed.
Arya: I.. In.. Injection?... Kyu?
Neil: Arya.. Injection nahi lagwaogi to infection ho sakta hai na?
Arya: (backed off) Nahi... Injection nahi lagwaungi main.
Arya saw her filling the injection and stood up on the bed.
Arya: I.. In.. Injection?... Kyu?
Neil: Arya.. Injection nahi lagwaogi to infection ho sakta hai na?
Arya: (backed off) Nahi... Injection nahi lagwaungi main.
Neil came to her seeing her staring scaredly at injection.
Neil: Suno... Dekho chota sa hi to hai.. Pata bhi nahi chalega...
Arya: Nahi!
Meeta: I think we should hold her and get her injected.
AsMe came towards her.
Arya: (pointing out a finger to them) Don't come near me.... Main strangers ke paas nahi jaati.... I don't like.
Neil: Ha ha... Theek hai... Baitho.... (To AsMe) Aap peeche hi raho.... She won't feel comfortable.
Arya: Injection nahi lagaana.
Neil held her arms and made her sit.
Neil: Accha listen to me.
He glanced at the Nurse and she came close from behind. Arya was looking at her so Neil made her face him by holding her chin.
Neil: Veerbalika kya bolti hai?... You are very brave right....
Nurse kept her hand on Arya's arm and she turned her face. She jerked her hand off and stood up again.
Neil tried holding her but now she didn't even let him hold her.
Arya: Peeche raho... Main warn kar rahi hu Neil... (scaredly glancing at injection) Main... main self defence karungi.... Neil peeche raho....
Neil: Are par.... Suno na... Tum...
Arya saw him coming close and immediately moved her hand tiltedly. Neil cautiously blocked it with his hand before it could hit on his nose and within a sec, she moved her foot to his arm.
AsMe was shocked seeing her hitting so swiftly and Neil blocking her getting surprised by her moves.
As soon as he blocked her foot to hit him her, other hand hit like a chop and it was really a hard move with her carpal bones hitting on his nape, causing a nerve spasm on his neck.
Arya: Main nahi lagwaungi injection!
Neil was surprised to know she had learnt so much in just a couple of months that too months back.
Neil knew this won't stop as she won't be calmed like this after all she is Mini's student.
He held her wrist and tugged her. His firm grip made her loose her balance and he wrapped his arms around her as soon as her head hit his torso.
Arya: Neil chodo mujhe!
She pinched him hard on his wrist to get off his grip and he winced but held her tighter.
Arya: Nahi lagwaana mujhe injection!... Aaaaa....
The nurse injected her at her right arm and she screamed loudly not able to move in his grip.
Neil closed his eyes tightly at her loud scream knowing he can't even move to cover her mouth or else she'll get violent.
Meeta was surprised how she was reacting and how Neil was handling her.
As soon as nurse moved back after injecting, Neil freed her sighing and she started hitting her fists on his torso irritatedly.
Arya: I hate you... I hate you... I hate you Neil!
Neil looked at her frown and irritated reaction.
Arya: Main baat nahi karungi ab tumse.
She pushed him back and got off from the bed, folding her arms.
Arya: Mujhe Veerbalika ke paas jaana hai abhi!
Neil: Arya...
He stepped to her but Arya pushed him back again.
Arya: Mujhe nahi baat karni tumse... (stomping her feet) Mujhe Veerbalika ke paas jaana hai.... jaana hai.. jaana hai!
Neil: Ok Ok.... Chal rahe hai abhi.... Hmm?
Arya folded her arms again, turning her face away from him.
Neil sat on his knees in front of her and held her hands curling his finger around hers.
Neil: Sorry.
Arya: (her rage calmed but her tone was still annoyed) Mujhe koi sorry vorry nahi sunna tumhara... Kitna zor se pakda tumne.
Neil: Accha look at me.
Arya looked at him and he held his ears.
Neil: (making convincing face) Sorry Choti Madam... First mistake na.... agli baar itna zor se nahi pakdunga... pakka.... is baar to maaf kardo... pls?
Arya with an annoyed face, wrapped her arms around his neck.
Neil felt relieved seeing her calmed. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her in his arms, pecking on her cheek.
Neil: Thank you.
Arya: Par aise nahi maanungi main.
Neil: (with an ab-kya-karu face) To kaise manogi?
Arya: Tum meri saari baatein manoge.
Neil: Kitne din?
Arya: 1... nahi nahi... 2... nahi... 3... n..
Neil: Aise to aap badhaate hi ja rahe ho....
Arya: Ok ok... 5!... Final 5.
Neil: 5?... Zyada nahi hai?
Arya: (frowned at him, folding her arms) Gussa main hu ya tum?
Neil: Aap.
Arya: To main decide karungi ya tum?
Neil: Aap.
Arya: To 5 final.
Neil: Okay.
Arya: (showing tantrums) Mujhe khaana bhi tum khilaoge... Mera homework bhi tum karaoge... Mujhe park bhi lekar jaoge... Aur main jitne bolungi utni chocolate bhi dilaoge.
Neil was nodding at her, chuckled lightly.
Arya: (frowningly hit her fist on his arm) Has kyu rahe ho tum?
Neil: Mini sahi kehti hai... Tum bilkul uspe gayi ho.... (pinching her nose) Choti si nakhre wali Hitler Madam.
Arya chuckled.
Arya: To Deal?
Neil: Lekin aapne chocolate dilaane ki baat kari hai... Khaane ki nahi... Ok na?
Arya frowned.
Neil: Yeh to Veerbalika ka rule hai na?... Ek se zyada chocolate ek din me sirf birthdays pe... Vo nahi tod sakte.
Arya: Vo khud rule todti hai.....
Neil: Mini wrong rules todti hai... Correct nahi... Jis rule me logic na ho vo follow karne ka koi meaning thodi na hota hai.... Lekin yeh rule correct hai because aapki health ke liye hai.
Arya: Mall me chocolate hi chocolate to kha rahi thi na Veerbalika... to?
Neil: Mini ki tabiyat theek nahi lag rahi thi isiliye kha rahi thi.
Arya: To deal?.... Main khaungi daily one hi... Lekin jitni bolungi utni dilaoge tum.... Hmm?
Neil: Hmm... Deal!
Arya: (in a childish demanding tone) To do aaj ki chocolate.
Neil: Are?.... vo to subah hi ho gayi na?
Arya: (jerking her legs in air and Neil held her firmer wrapping his other arm around her) Nahi... Vo to kal ki thi na... (calmed her jerking legs while tapping her finger on her cheek thinking something) amm... Aaj chocolate nahi pastry lenge... maine bandage bhi karwayi aur injection bhi to lagwaaya hai na?
Neil: Ok fine... Abhi lete hue chalenge... Theek hai?
Arya: Ok.... (smiled excitedly and pecked on his cheek) I love you.
Neil: (smiled shaking his head on her antics) I love you too.... (dramatically pretending wiping off his sweat) Huh... Chalo at least aapko manaana aapki Veerbalika ko manaane se zyada asaan hai... Shukar hai matarani ka....
Arya giggled and Neil's smile widened and he pecked on her forehead.
Neil: (turned to Nurse) Done mam?... Anything else?
Nurse: Vaccination ka certificate banwa lijiye then you can take her.
Neil: Hmm...
They sat on the couch and Nurse was writing from the form to the certificate.
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Ashok and Meeta walked out of the clinic.
Ashok: Tum sahi hi keh rahi thi Meeta..... Shayad kuch zyada hi jaldi kar di maine Neil ko judge karne me.... I should have tried to understand him.
Meeta: Aur nahi to kya?... Abhi dekha na tumne... Kis comfortable tarike se sambhaala usne vo situation... Also kitna pyaar se manaaya bhi Arya ko... Main to dekhe hi ja rahi thi dono ko... Kitne pyaare lag rahe the na dono saath me.
Ashok: Hmm...
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Meanwhile inside, glancing at the form once, the nurse gave it back.
Nurse: Sir you forgot to sign in this form for Ms Singh.
Arya: Ms Arya Babita Hanuman Singh.
Nurse: Yeah yeah right....
Neil: I have signed.
Nurse showed Neil the father's column empty.
Neil: I am her guardian... Here is my signature.
Nurse: Oh sorry... I didn't saw.... So how are you related to her?
Neil: I am her elder sister's partner and I have her legal guardianship.
Nurse: Can you show me the papers?
Neil: Yeah...
Neil showed her the soft copy of the papers.
Nurse: Ok thanks.
Neil got her certificate ready and they came out of the cabin. Arya with closed eyes, was leaned on Neil's shoulder because of the injection effect.
Meeta: Everything's fine now?
Neil: Hmm.
They came out of the clinic with AsMe.
Neil was about to walk to the car.
Arya: (snuggling to his neck) Pastry!
Neil: Are yeh certificate to rakhne do car me...
Meeta: I'll hold it... You can get her pastries... (showing a shop) That bakery has brilliant ones.
Neil: Thanks.
Neil gave the certificate he was holding and went to the nearby bakery shop to get her pastries.
Meeta glanced at the certificate.
Meeta: Ashok see.
They saw Arya's name as 'MS. ARYA BABITA HANUMAN SINGH'
Ashok: Arya Mini aur Neil ki beti nahi hai?.... Babita aur Hanuman Singh ki beti hai?... Lagta hi nahi.
Meeta: Ho sakta hai Babita aur Hanuman ke jaane ke baad uska apna koi raha nahi ho isiliye Mini aur Neil ne decide kiya ho to raise her up....
Ashok: But Neil aur Arya ko dekh ke koi nahi keh sakta ki Arya uski koi nahi lagti.
Meeta: But what I feel contented about is ki at least 18 ki tender age me she didn't had to see pregnancy and all.
Ashok: (sighed) Huh... Yeah.... Thank god... Maybe uski shaadi bhi itna jaldi na hui ho...
Meeta: Yeah right... And it's nice that they are planning their family now after bonding so well in their relation.
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Neil came out of the bakery, holding Arya and the bag of pastries. He made Arya sit on the passenger seat and kept the bag of pastries on the back seat before coming back to Meeta.
Neil: (taking the certificate) Thanks... (to Asme) I hope we didn't took much of your time... You would also have had work na.
Ashok nodded in a no with a small smile.
Ashok: Take your time. Aaj vaise bhi hamari flight hai to bas packing hi karni thi... vo tumhe hotel chodne ke baad kar lenge... We are free.
Neil: Thanks.
Ashok: To ab chalein?
Neil: Sure.
AsMe turned to their car and walked while Neil's phone rang and he looked at it while walking to the car.
Neil: (picking up the call) Hello sir... What?
Hearing his voice AsMe turned. They saw Neil was holding his car door but then closed it and walked behind the car.
Neil: No no sir I understand... We apologize to the inconvenience caused.... Yeah I'll look into the matter myself.... Yes... Surely.... We are grateful that you are giving us another chance... Hmm.
The call got cut and Neil immediately did another call.
Neil: (scolding tone) What's happening there?.... Maine jab online planner pe sab likha tha to how did this mistake happened?.... Ha clients ne call kiya tha mujhe..... I know schedule tight tha but still... Last time Inaaya se galti ho gayi thi and she apologized in front of the clients... right?... Iss baar Harman ko bhi yahi karna chahiye tha.... but ulta vo excuses bana raha hai?... That too ki main to vahan nahi hu to kaam kaise hoga..... So pathetic it seems.... Harman ko bolo abhi ke abhi jaakar upar wale floor pe jaaye and unse apologize kare.... You know I don't tolerate this kind of behaviour..... Ha theek hai Harman ko hi do phone main hi samjhaata hu usko..... (furiously) I told you professionalism is a must... Main kitna bhi busy hu.... Kahin bhi hu.... How does it matter when client management me kabhi koi issue nahi aaya aaj tak..... I know my responsibilities and you should also know yours... Stop you silly excuses.... Otherwise I won't take a min to send your contract termination letter.... Go and apologize to them right now.
He cut the call and looking up at the sky, rubbed his forehead knowing they have messed up there and he had to fix it up. It's not a very big thing for them as the order was small but still he could see things piling up for him to complete. The accounts handling was remaining, the salary calculation and bank procedures are remaining. He would be requiring many hours of constant write up to gather things well. Since the staff has beared the last month's salary without the percentage profit amount just because he wasn't there to calculate and issue it because of Mini's condition. He needed to make sure being on time this month with their salaries of this month and the profit of both the months alongwith the compensation.
Thinking all of this, he had his mind messed up. Sharing it all with Mini would have to wait for some time too as he knew she would help him out either by exerting herself or by pushing her rest of the things aside and he didn't wanted either of them.
AsMe were looking at him and could understand there is some issue which he is facing but then saw Arya getting off the car and walking to him.
Arya: Neil... Kya kar rahe ho?... Chalo na.
They saw Neil closed his eyes for a sec and sighed out before turning back to her.
Neil: (with a small smile, lifted Arya up) Ha chal rahe hai Choti Madam.... Ek call karna tha bas... Ho gaya.
AsMe noticed how he calmed himself before talking to her and didn't let his work pressure affect Arya.
Arya saw he was tensed and had a frown on his forehead.
Arya: Tension me ho... Ab kisne kya kar diya?
Neil: Kuch nahi bas kaam theek se nahi hua.... aur... mera thoda kaam baaki bhi hai... Accha listen... Aap Mini ko mat bataana abhi ki kuch gadbad hai... Kitne time baad to itni khush hai na... Pareshaan ho jaayegi faltu me... Hmm?
Neil raised his gaze when she removed his hair strands gently from his forehead.
Arya: (dramatically) HAW!.... Tum mujhpe shak kar rahe ho?.... Jab Veerbalika Delhi chali gayi thi job ke liye.... to maine bataya tha usko jab kabhi tum tension me ghar aate the?.... Bolo?.... Tab main nahi to kaun dhyaan rakh raha tha tumhara?...
Neil chuckled knowing it's her try to relieve him that she did many a times before when Mini wasn't with them to comfort him.
Neil: Par aapko worry karne ki kya zarurat hai?.... Hum bade hai na... Dekh lenge... Ok?
Arya: Not Ok... Main bhi badi hu!... Bacchi nahi hu main...
Neil: Ha ha... You are a grown up girl now... Accha ek kaam karte hai... aap meri help karwa dena... Ok?
Arya nodded enthusiastically and Neil smiled.
Neil: Chalein?
Arya: Ha.
Neil made Arya sit in the car again and put on her seat belt before sitting in himself.
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They returned back to the hotel and AsMe left as they too had flight today and had to pack their stuff. Neil was feeding the pastry to Arya while he still felt slight pain at his nape. Mini entered the room and taking off her handbag, kept it on the table.
Mini: Tum aa gaye?.... Mujhe laga you would take time... (to Arya) Tum theek ho?
Arya swayed her head with her mouth filled with pastry piece.
Neil turned and observed her health was fine and then spoke.
Neil: Tumhe nahi lagta that you are asking this question to the wrong person?
Mini: I know.
Mini chuckled looking at Neil. Seeing Mini chuckling, Neil passed her annoyed glare.
Neil: You could have specified at least.
Mini: (dramatically raising her palms defensively while chuckling) Maine pehle hi warn to kiya tha na.
Neil: But you knew I underestimated.
Mini: Mujhe laga you will be able to handle it well.
She laughed seeing him pressing his nape with his head tilted. Neil shaked his head at her antics.
Mini: Kitne pad gaye?
Neil: Ek hi... Baaki rok liye the.
Mini: Ek me hi yeh haal hai?... Nerve spasm?
Neil: Yeah.... Bahot hard move tha by god.... you know just after pinching so strongly tumhari Chutanki kitna zor se chillayi?..... abhi tak kaan baj rahe hai mere.
Mini turned to Arya with a surprised face. She gulped down the bite and complained.
Arya: Neil ne ekdum pakad hi liya tha.... Main hil hi nahi paa rahi thi.... Kya karti?.... Bolo?
Arya too giggled with Mini.
Mini: (smirking) So?... What do you say?
Neil: Kehne ke liye hai hi kya?..... Ek saal bhi ho gaya hota to qatal hi kar diya hota ek zara se injection ki wajah se.... 2 mahine ki training me itne swift moves?..... (joining his hands and bowing to her dramatically) Charan kaha hai maate aapke... apne aashirwaad ki kripa hum jaiso par bhi karein.
Mini laughed and Arya too giggled at his drama.
Neil: Ha ha... (making faces) Ek bechare shareef ahinsavadi insaan pe zulm karke dono behne na ab khi khi kar lo....
Mini: Aur tum sade hue muh bana lo...
Tilting his head a bit, Mini slowly swayed her fingers firmly on his nape.
Neil winced slightly and was holding her elbows.
Mini: Thoda pain hoga abhi.
Neil: Hmm... (Mini slid her thumb on his nape pressing a little harder) Ah... (She lifted her hand then and Neil tilted his head side to side and back once) Huh... Better.
Mini: Good.
Arya: Dekha Neil... Veerbalika bhi care karna seekh gayi.
Mini: Seekh gayi matlab?
Arya: Are tum pehle kitni buddhu thi... Bilkul pyaar vyaar karna kahan aata tha tumhe... aur ab dekho... tum Neil ki kitni care karti ho... jaise Neil tumhari care karta hai...
Neil chuckled looking at Mini.
Mini frowned a little and kept her fists on her waist.
Mini: Accha?... (sarcastically) Yeh sahi hai... Taunt bhi maaro to bhi Neil ki to taarif hi karni hai tumhe... (to Neil) Dekho meri behen hijack karli hai tumne... ab to maine chodna nahi hai tumhe.
Neil: (holding Arya in his arms, with his chin on her head winked at her) Chodne ko bola kisne hai Mini Madam.
Mini's eyes widened as he flirted in front of Arya.
Arya raised her head and looked at him.
Arya: Matlab?
Neil realised what he spoke in front of Arya and shrugged it off.
Neil: Kuch nahi.. Ainvayi... Chidha raha hu tumhari Veerbalika ko.... Ek baar muh haath dholo... phir nikalte hai.... Hmm?
Arya: Ok.
Arya went to the bathroom.
Mini: Tum Arya ke saamne hi shuru ho gaye?
Neil: (stroking the back of his head) Sorry... Maine realise hi nahi kiya.
Mini: (hitting her fingers on his forehead) Idiot ho tum!...
Neil: Accha listen.... I talked to the car agency... They will pick up the car from the airport.... But for it we have to leave 2 hours before boarding.
Mini: Fine then... Nikalte hai.... Airport lounge me baithenge.... Kaam to ho hi gaya hai na... Hotel me baithe baithe bore hone se to accha hi hai.
Neil: Hmm... You are completely comfortable na?... Pain?... Discomfort ya koi aur issue to nahi hai na?.... Pakka na?
Mini: Abhi to nahi hai.... Maine pill le li thi to ho sakta hai uski wajah se ho par abhi koi problem nahi hai.
Neil: Ok.