Devansh was in an important meeting when his phone rang.

Kiss me….close your eyes and miss me, close your eyes

I can feel your lips-

Dev flushed with embarrassment and quickly put his phone on silent. He looked around to see everyone either looking at him with irritation or hiding their laughter.

He cleared his throat and apologized. Only he knew the way he wrapped up the meeting.

It was 8 PM by the time Devansh reached his home. But instead of going to his own, he marched towards the one just opposite theirs.

“ISHI! Kaha hai tu bandariyan? Aaj bachke dikha de mujhse!”

(Where are you monkey? Save yourself from me today!)

He heard a shrill shriek and marched in that direction.  He saw Rishika make a beeline towards her room, in order to hide from him but he was obviously faster and caught her midway.

“Aaah! Dev! Sorry! Sorry! Chhod de please! Dobara nhi krungi pakka!”

(Leave me please! I will not do it again promise!)

Dev held her by his waist and carried her to her room, while she kicked her leg, trying to free herself, knowing he would tickle-attack her the moment he got her alone. 

“Tujhe pata tha na meri meeting hai. Phir bhi tune call kia. And that ringtone! I’m going to kill you!”

(You knew I had a meeting. Yet you called.)

“Nhi please! Sorry Dev! I promise dobara nhi krungi! Aaaaaahhhhh! Mummy!”

(No please! Sorry Dev! I promise I will not do it again!)

Her mother heard her scream but shook her head. It was their daily drama. They would tease each other, pull pranks and stuff and then chase each other around the house.

Devansh threw Rishika on the bed and held her hands above her head. He tickled her mercilessly, making her shriek and double up with laughter.

“Aaah! Bas please! Sorry! Sorry! Dev ruk jaa ab!”

(Dev stop now!)

He finally stopped having mercy on her and slumped beside her. Her chest heaved and she chuckled. Soon, both of them were laughing.

“I can imagine everyone’s faces jab wo ringtone baji hogi.”

(I can imagine everyone’s faces when that ringtone played.)

She giggled and he gave her a stink eye, before chuckling.

“Lagai kab tune wo?”

(When did you apply it?)

He asked, still confused. It wasn’t there until this very morning. She smiled sheepishly and said.

“Wo maine sirf apne naam pr laga di thi kal hi. Isliye baaki calls aane pr tujhe pata nhi chala.”

(I applied it only on my name. That’s why you did not know when anyone else called.)

She grinned at her work proudly and he rolled his eyes. They laid on the bed, their legs dangling from one end, staring at the ceiling.

“Ho gaya ho dono ka ladke toh bahar aao! Dinner ready hai.”

(If you are done fighting then come out! Dinner is ready.)

They chuckled when they heard her mother’s voice.

“Kaha jaa raha hai tu? Dinner toh krle.”

(Where are you going? Have dinner.)

Her mother stopped him when he started leaving.

“Arre nhi aunty! Mummy bhi khila degi. Phhatt jaaunga mai. Aap log khaao mai phir kabhi join krunga. Bye aunty! Bye uncle! Bye bandariya!”

(No aunty! Mummy will also feed me. I will burst. You eat I will join you some other time. Bye aunty! Bye uncle! Bye monkey!)

Rishika poked her tongue out at him, making him snicker and rush back to his house.

It was a Sunday and everyone knew that Rishika’s Sunday breakfast was fixed at Komal aunty, aka, Devansh’s house. 

She happily skipped to his house and rang the doorbell. It was opened by a little boy. Rishika grinned and bent down to face the boy.

“Arre mere chhota packet! Kaunsa game khel raha hai?”

(My little packet! What game are you playing?)

She asked. Hriday was Devansh’s nephew. His elder brother, Vedant’s son.

“Temple Run!”

He grinned and showed her the phone screen. Rishika patted his head and greeted everyone before going inside the kitchen to greet her Kammo aunty and Priyanshi bhabhi.

“Hello cuties!”

She greeted and hugged them both. 

“Kaisa hai mera bacha?”

(How is my baby?)

Komal asked and Rishika pouted. She rubbed her belly and said.

“Bhooka hai aapka bacha.”

(You baby is hungry.)

Both the ladies chuckled at the drama queen.  Rishika’s eyes twinkled on seeing the hot puris being taken out of the oil.

“Aaloo Bedmi!”

Komal smiled and nodded.

“Aaram se baith ke khaale! Jaa!”

(Have it while sitting! Go!)

Rishika didn’t waste another moment and rushed out.

“Arre plate toh leti jaa!”

(Take the plate!)

“Dev hai na!”

(Dev is here!)

She yelled back and made her place beside Dev. He gave her a stink eye and turned his plate away. She glared at him and pulled it towards her. Before he could snatch it back, she had already made a morsel for herself.

“Bhuki bandariya!”

(Hungry monkey!)

She pinched his thigh, making him jump in his seat and hiss. He glared at her for a second before going back to his food, seeing her gobble it up.

Once she was well fed, she sighed and slumped against his shoulder. His parents smiled seeing the two. It was a weekly occurrence for them. They knew the two were inseparable since childhood.

Rishika’s phone pinged and she picked it up to see who it was, before twisting her face in annoyance and keeping it back, face down.

Dev caught her expression and picked up her phone. She let him and he frowned.

“Ye kaun hai?”

(Who is that?)

“Colleague hai.”

(Colleague.)

“Pareshaan kr raha hai?”

(Is he troubling you?)

His voice was laced with concern. Rishika scowled remembering the man.

“Pagal kr dia hai. Na office mai peecha chhodta hai aur na hi ghar mai. Kitni baar bol chuki hu mai ki mai interested nhi hu. Pr nhi! Will you go out with me, Rishika? Arre nhi jaana bhai! Kitni baar bolu?”

(He has made me crazy. He doesn’t leave me alone in office or at home. I have said that I am not interested. But no! will you go out with me, Rishika? I don’t want to! How many times do I say it?)

She said in exasperation and slumped against him again. His brows furrowed.

“Next time kuch bole toh bol dio ki tera already boyfriend hai. Aur phir bhi pareshaan kre toh meri baat kra dio. Mai dekh lunga uske aage.”

(If he says something next time just say you already have a boyfriend. And if he still troubles you then ask him to talk to me. I will handle.)

She hummed and he leaned his head against her for a moment. A gesture of comfort.

Rishika did what Devansh had asked her to. Thankfully, the man was decent enough to atleast back off after knowing that she was already in a relationship.

It was the second Saturday of the week and Rishika had an off. She was helping her mother in dusting the house while her father cleaned the washrooms and bathrooms of the house. It was their weekly routine.

Rishika was standing on a stool and cleaning the top of the almirah when her gaze fell on a very old album. She carefully held it because its pages were falling out and got down from the stool.

She wiped the dust off the album and sat on the floor cross legged, spreading the album in front of her.