Sonali was packing some paranthas when Naina entered the kitchen.
"Aa gayi tu... yeh maine raaste ke liye alu paranthe banwaye hain... rakh le... aur iss dabbe mein fruits hain... thode se biscuit bhi hain... aur isme namkeen rakha hai... ek thermos mein chai bhi de dun?" Sonali fumbled with all the packets.
Naina placed a hand on her shoulder, "Sonali, hamara sirf paanch ghante ka safar hai... paanch din ka nahi... itna sab nahi chahiye... bas thode paranthe kaafi honge."
Sonali turned... her eyes were damp, "Main bohot miss karungi tujhe, Naina."
Naina hugged her tight, "Miss toh main bhi karungi, Sonali... par tujhse zyada din mile bina nahi rahungi."
Sonali pulled back and looked at her in surprise, "Tum log wapas aane wale ho?"
Naina shook her head, "Tum sab aoge na... hamari shaadi ke liye."
"Naina, tere gharwaale maan gaye?" Sonali screamed in excitement.
Naina pursed her lips, "Nahi, abhi baat nahi ki, lekin main manaa ke hi rahungi... aur agar unko koi problem hogi toh chachaji ne shaadi toh karwa hi di hai hamari... main woh ghar chod dungi."
Sonali widened her eyes, "Tu ghar chod sakti hai?"
Naina took a deep, determined breath, "Sameer ke liye toh main duniya bhi chod sakti hun... ghar kya hai... jinhe main apna parivaar maanti hun, jo meri parvaah karte hain, unka ashirwaad hai mere saath... baaki sab ko agar mere sar pe haath nahi rakhna toh koi baat nahi... aaj tak unke pyar ke bina jee rahi thi, aage bhi zaroorat nahi hai... lekin Sameer ke bina jeene ka main soch bhi nahi sakti."
Sonali felt a sense of pride at her friend's courage and resolve.
"Tu jab bulayegi, hum aa jayenge... balki mummy aur bhaiya bhabhi bhi aayenge saath... Naina, main tere aur Sameer ke liye roz bhagwan se prarthana karungi ki jaldi se jaldi tumhari shaadi poore tareeke se ho jaaye." She hugged Naina again.
They all had breakfast together. For once, even Rahul was quiet. He too was sad for his friends... not only because they were leaving for good but also because he knew how tough it would be for them to stay without each other... he had seen the depth of their love and was a witness to the pain they felt for each other's sufferings. He didn't want any more drama in their lives. They deserved all the happiness.
"Sameer, tumhe station chodne main aur Sonali dono chalenge." He stated.
"Nahi Rahul, tum log nahi aaoge." Sameer was prompt.
Before Rahul could insist, he continued, "Please, tum log agar station aaoge toh aisa lagega jaise hum iss ghar se hamesha ke liye jaa rahe hain... tum aaj bhi aise hi apne darwaze se bye bolna jaise tab bolte ho jab hum hostel jaate hain... matlab jaate the... main iss ahsaas ke saath jana chahta hun ki hum aate rahenge yahan... iss ghar se jo yaadein judi hain... tum logon ke saath jo khushiyaan baanti hain woh dil mein hamesha ek khushbu ki tarah rahengi... aur wohi khushbu humein baar baar yahan kheench ke layegi."
Rahul was overwhelmed... he nodded, accepting Sameer's decision.
When the cab arrived, Rahul instructed John to take their suitcases down. Sameer hugged him, thanking him once again. Naina and Sonali said a tearful goodbye to each other.
Rahul came towards Naina and took her in a side hug, giving a wink to Sameer.
"Ab bhadak mat jaiyo... maine pehle hi kaha tha tujhe, meri behen jaisi hai yeh." He made a face, seeing Sameer stare at him.
Looking at a stunned Naina, he smiled, "Jab se tumhari wajah se Sonali meri zindagi mein aayi hai tab hi maine usse keh diya tha... Naina ko hamesha apni woh behen manunga jo bhagwan ne mujhe nahi di... aur jab bhi tumse milunga aise hi gale lagaunga jaise bada bhai apni behen ko pyaar se lagata hai... tumhare iss jalkukde pati ko jalna hai toh jale... mujhe koi fark nahi padta."
