"Ek minute Ishita. I am not done yet"
Ishita stopped in her tracks. By the time she turned back, Raman was already on the stage, his back facing her. She wondered what he was upto now.
Romi had dimmed the lights by then. The atmosphere was illuminated with the harmonious playing of the guitar.
Hai Saaz Tu, Tera Tarz Main
Tu Hai Dawa, Aur Marz Main
Dildar Tu, Khud Garz Main
With that he turned to face her, holding the guitar in his hands and singing
Hai Geet Tu, Tere Lafz Main
Tu Hai Dua, Aur Farz Main
Azaad Tu, Aur Karz Main
She was awestruck. She could not decide what touched her heart. Was it the effortless playing of the guitar or the words that left his mouth? Was it his new avatar or his eyes that conveyed that he genuinely meant each word he said? She was still in daze when a few happy tears ran on her alabaster cheeks.
Hai Shaam Tu, Tareef Main
He was in front of her in a few steps and wiped the tears on her cheeks with the next line
Tu Chain Hai, Takleeef Main
He saw lovingly at her
Tujh Se Mila Toh Paa Liya,
Har Cheez Main
He threw the guitar towards Mihir who continued playing it while Raman offered her his hand asking for a dance
Hai Khwaab Tu, Taabeer Main,
Maana Tujhe Taqdeer Main
She willingly gave her hand in his
and he sang the next line thanking her for accepting his hand
Tera Hua Iss Bheed Mein,
Iss Bheed Mein
He took her to the stage
Hai Teri Meherbaani
The lights came back as he sang the next line
Ki Andheron Se Hum Mukhar Gaye
She was amazed at the perfect tuning of song and the lights. She had to admit that her husband was a PERFECT PLANNER.
He twirled her around
Hai Teri Meherbaani,
Ki Bin Jaane Hi Hum Sanwar Gaye
She landed in his arms now.
He slowly swayed along with her
Hai Tu Hi Toh Hai Wafa,
Tu Baarish Meri, Savera Mera
He turned her around, embraced her from back and swayed along
Main Tera Hoon Raasta,
Hai Kashti Teri, Kinara Mera
Now he went around her
Hai Teri Meherbaani,
Ki Andheron Se Hum Mukhar Gaye
He stopped in front of her holding her hands in his
Hai Teri Meherbaani,
Ki Bin Jaane Hi Hum Sanwar Gaye
The song had ended, so had the music but the moment had not ended for the two lovebirds. They were lost in each other's eyes. Raman, mechanically lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them. Her eyes were all for him and a wide smile plastered on her lips. He could not help noticing her pink lips that were inviting him to lock them with his. Forgetting the surroundings he inched closer to her.
Mrs. Bhalla & Mrs.Iyer covered their mouth with one hand and their grandkids eyes with the other. Others had their mouth hung while Romi had his eyes glued to see what next. Everyone present had lost their sense except one who intervened timely stop his brother and lovely sister from embarrassment
"Bhai family show hai. Control" Mihir said immediately climbing onto the stage and placing a hand on Raman's shoulder.
Raman & Ishita jerked away. Raman ran his hand in his hairs with embarrassment. Ishita did not dare to meet anyone's eyes, so kept looking down, her cheeks flushed.
"Pehle hi patha hotha ke tumhara ye irada hai to lage hathon honeymoon suite bhi book kara lethe. Hotel wale discount bhi de dete. Itne chote family function keliye itna bada hall jo book karwaya hai tumne!" Bala winked at Raman.
"Bala Ruhi aur Shravan bhi hain yahan pe. Bachhon ke samne ye kaisi batein kar rahe ho?" Raman said trying to save his skin.
"Bada jaldi yad aya ke yahan pe bachhe bhi hain. Shukr manao ke mai waqt pe agaya. Warna bachhe to uncensored trailer dekhne wale the 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' ka" Mihir teased Raman.
"Ok mere baap! Thank you" Raman joined his hands in front of him. Ishita was preparing to escape when Raman held her hand and turned towards the teasing duo "Ab kya tum donon stage khali karne ki kripa karoge? Mujhe Ishita se kuch kehna hai" he begged.
"Mujhe kuch kehna hai
Mujhe kuch kehna hai" Mihir sang annoying him more, which earned him a deadly glare from Raman. Scared of his brother, he was about to make an exit when Bala stopped him. His evil intentions clear from his gesture "Ek shart pe hum stage se utrenge"
"Kya hai?" Raman asked annoyed.
"Ye Musical Concert hai. Hai na Mihir?" Bala asked dramatically and Mihir agreed.
"Oh mujhe to patha hi nahi tha. Thanks for the kind information" Raman commented sarcastically "Ab aage?" he said gritting his teeth.
"To tumhe jo bhi kehna hai wo tumhe gaake bolna hoga" Bala challenged him
"Wah Bala! Kya idea hai. I like it" Mihir supported him.
"Ye kya bakwas kar rahe ho. Dono abhi utarte ho ya..."
"No...no...no...no...challenge to tumhe accept karna hi padega. Kahin Punjabi Madrasiyon se dar to nahi gaye" Bala knew to hit the right buttons.
"Bhai ab to apko challenge accept karna hi padega. Baat hamare pind ki hai. Come on Bhai you can do it"
"Come on Bhai dikha do. Duniya ko hila do" Romi screamed from his place. Simmi whistled.
"Shava puttar shava. In madrasiyon ko dikha de ke hum kisise nahi darte. Chak de phatte"Mrs.Bhalla did a bhangra.
"Hum bhi dekhte hain ke Raman kaise gake bolta hai" it seemed Mrs.Iyer had taken the challenge seriously.
"Come on Papa! You can do it" Ruhi joined the cheer league.
"To Raman kya kehte ho? Challenge accepted?"Bala questioned.
Ishita was continuously begging her jiju to stop with her eyes. But now the matter had changed into a war. So there was no looking back.
Raman removed his over-coat, raised the sleeves upto his elbow as if getting ready for arm-wrestling and said
"Challenge Accepted"
Stay tuned Dhun Abhi Baki Hai