I won't go home

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Aaruj's POV

Everything was going according to my plan--RNFISC. The name was an abbreviation of Restoring Nia's Faith In Santa Clause.

I smoothly landed in her balcony. But when I entered inside her room, I had tripped over something. I cursed myself loudly for not being careful. Soon I realised Nia wasn't in her room. I could figure it out easily though it was dark. If she was there at that moment she would have screamed atleast.

I had called her in the evening only to make sure she would be home when I surprise her. Even though I knew Joshi family was not present in the house, I still contemplated touring around the house to search Nia.

I noticed someone entering the door slowly. It didn't take me long to figure out who it was.

It was Nia.

Before I could even open my mouth, she striked my arm with pan or some kind of utensil. I couldn't help but growl due to the pain inflicted.

All of a sudden, I was trapped inside the bedsheet. After struggling for a while I finally released myself. I saw Nia stumbling on the floor. I was helping her up but she pushed me back. I again grabbed her arms and held her captive before she could kill me with her newly found defence skills.

I told her to turn on the lights. I thought she would recognise my voice but she didn't.May be I had scared her too much with my present appearance.

When she turned on the lights and looked at me, I greeted her"Merry Christmas!!"

"Aaruj Singh Rathore."

Finally She had recognised me. I grinned at her like a cheshire cat,in response.

"Are you insane?"She hissed.

Okay.I wasn't aiming for that.I was hoping for something like you look cute in this santa clause outfit.

"I..."she cut me off before I could even complete my sentence.

"You could have been killed. I could have hit you with the pan right on your head.You could have died."She retorted.

"But baby look I am still alive."I said spinning in my over weighting outfit.

This costume is heavier than tons of bricks.

"Why you do such things Aaruj?"She continued her outburst."Why you are always so consistent on giving me mini heart attacks?"

"Sorry Nia.I wanted to surprise you.I wanted to let you know that you deserve every happiness in the world.I wanted to make you feel special.I wanted to give that six year old little girl--a Christmas she never had.But I guess like always I have screwed up things while trying to make them right."I looked at the floor guiltily.

And then I felt my santa pants slipping down."Oh! Oh!"I panicked holding them to my waist.

"What?"Nia shot me a confused look.

"My pants are slipping down."I said trying not to look embarrassed.

Soon her serious face broke into a smile.

"Don't laugh.It's a serious situation."I hissed still pinning my hands to my waist.

This made her break into a fits of laughter"From..where...did..you...get this horrible costume?"

"It's rented from the shop nearby my place.That man assured it was still in good condition."I answered as I decided in my mind to give few beatings to the shop owner when I return it.

"You are looking so funny. Have you stuffed some cushion inside this dress. Your stomach looks funny.I think I should click your pictures."with this Nia pulled out cellphone from her pocket of the pyjama and started clicking pictures.
I protested for a while then gave up."Fine.Click pictures. Go ahead. I wouldn't even hold up these."with this I let go of my red pants.

I was wearing boxers anyway and that shirt or whatever the thing santa wears on his upper body was long enough to cover my knees.

She let out a shriek and closed her eyes with one hand."Hey pervert! Pull your pants up."

"Why?Does seeing me without pants makes your heart beat faster."I teased her.

"Wear it before I strike you with that pan.This time I would aim directly for your head."She warned,her hand still covering her eyes.

"I am more comfortable this way you know."I replied before chuckling.

"Aaruj Singh Rathore, you are pulling those pants up right now or you will be banned from entering my room for the rest of your life."Her words screamed finality. So as much as I liked her mortification, the threat she just gave me was enough to stop my drama.

I pulled the pants upwards and held them up at the waist."I did what you wanted now you can open your eyes."I informed her.

For a moment,she just stood in the position she was a while ago."You are not lying, are you?"She asked.

"No baby.I am not."I assured her.

After hearing it, she slowly removed her hands from her eyes.Then she opened one eye to make sure I was telling her the truth.

I chuckled at her and patted my waist with a hand while the other secured the pant at it's place."See.I wore it again."

"Thank god."She said."Don't you pull that stunt on me again."

"Sorry."I apologised genuinely holding my ears but soon I realised my dilemma and my hand flew to my waist in time, securing the bottom wear firmly at it's place.

"Aaruj, sit on the bed."She ordered."We need to fix your pants."

May be I was cursed you know when it comes to giving surprises. Not a single one works the way I have planned.

"I am such a failure."I commented before letting out an exasperated sigh.

"You are not.You are a fabulous guy who do things that I would never do for you even when I love you so much."She said looking into my eyes.I saw an appreciation for me in hers and at that moment, I didn't regret anything.I didn't regret my idea of surprising her. I didn't regret wearing this horrible dress that weighted like tons.Not even my pants that were causing the major problem currently.

"It's not you who screws up surprises. May be it's me.I don't know how to react to things that overwhelm me."She said cupping my face in her hands. Then she brushed her nose against mine."Why do you do all these things love?"She asked in her sweet voice.

"When I first saw you Nia.I really envied being you.Helping Pranjal with all your might even though you knew you were putting yourself into a trouble.There are times when I feel you are too good for me.I have done so many wrong things in my life.But when I look at you and watch you loving me so dearly, I feel like I have to do something special to keep you loving me in that way.I feel like I am a good person when you smile because of me.You deserve every good thing in the world and I will be a big fool if I don't even strive to give those things to you."I kissed her nose and looked back in her beautiful eyes.They were glassy.

"Miss Tantrum,why are you crying?"I asked her.

"Wo puchte rahe humse
humari ankho mein ashq kyun aaye
Ab kaise kahe ki,
Hum unke ishq mein
hasne -rone ka fark bhul gaye."

Translation:He asks me why I am crying? How could I even describe him that it's his love that has made me forget everything. ..even the difference between tears and smile.

"Say what?"I asked.

"Nothing. It's a poem from Rehan's diary. He read it to me the other day in college. Sahi matlab aaj samajh aya hain(I can relate to those lines now.)"She smiled to herself.

"No poetry jargons please."I warned her in mock serious tone.

"We need to do something to fix your pant, Mr.Santa."She reminded me.

"Oh yeah."I agreed.

"Now sit quietly on this bed. And let me think."She ordered.

I did what was being told like some good obedient kid while Nia paced back and forth in front of me.

"What is the severity of this situation?"She asked hesitating a little.

"What severity?"I shot her a confused look.

"Duh! Your pants."She retorted.

"Oh!"I said"I think the buckle has loosen up or something."

"Well if we know the cause behind downfall of your pants. We could fix it easily."She replied.

"Downfall, Nia? Seriously?"I glared at her.

"Sorry."She said trying hard not to laugh.

"You are enjoying it, aren't you?"I narrowed my eyes at her.

"A little may be."She chuckled.

"Fine.Then I am going to continue the strip episode from earlier."I threatened.

"Then I will ready myself with pan."

This shut my mouth again.

"Check and tell me what's exactly wrong with them."She said.

"Fine."I was about to remove my pants when she yelled again.

"Dokyavar padlay ka?(Did you hit your head and went crazy)"She asked me.

"Huh?"I shot her a confused look.

"Not here you pervert.Check it in the bathroom."She retorted.

"Oh! I thought you wanted to see me without pants again."I wiggled my eyebrows and she shook her head in annoyance.

I trudged towards the bathroom but she suddenly stopped me.

"Let me check few things first."with these she peeped inside the bathroom.

"Don't worry I wouldn't pry in your personal space."I assured her.

"Such a gentleman!!"She rolled her eyes."Now go."She pushed me further inside the bathroom.

I checked my pants and let out a tired sigh as I realised not only the buckle had loosen up, it was missing too.

Santa needs help.Where are the elves?

****************************************
Nia's POV

"Mr.Santa will you come out from that bathroom now?"I banged the door after waiting for good five minutes.

"My situation is hopeless Nia."He sounded gloomy.

"Why?"I asked.

"The buckle is missing. There is no way we can fix this bloody pants."He replied.

"Don't worry we will do something."I tried cheering him up.

"I said there is nothing we can do. Nothing. I am doomed."He emphasised on the last lines.

"Aaruj, we will fix it. Don't worry."I assured even though I wasn't sure about it myself.

"There is nothing that can be done. Nothing. Nada."He yelled.

"Nada!"I exclaimed.

"Nada as in nothing."He huffed.

"Nada."I again repeated the word as a new idea hit my brains.

"Wait."I told Aaruj"Just stay inside."

"What? Why? What are you doing?"He bombarded me with questions.

"For now. Just do one thing. Shut up."I ordered and went to the cupboard.

After rummaging for good ten minutes through my wardrobe, I finally found what I was looking for.

I held the old pyjama in my hand and tried pulling out the string that was inside the top of the clothing.

At the same time, Aaruj decided to peek through the bathroom door."Hell No.I am not wearing any girl cloth ever in my life.Kaha mein tumhe mera pyar samjhata tha tum toh Dadima ke camp ki member nikali.(I thought you loved me but you belong to Dadima and Co. You are also making me wear such clothes)"

"Oh mere buddhu Santa Clause, mein apko ye pehenne ke liye nahi keh rahi Hu.(Oh my naive Santa Clause, I am not telling you to wear my clothes)."I was finally successful in removing the string from the pjs and dangled it in my hand."All we need is this."

After convincing Aaruj for half and hour he finally agreed to tie the nada around his santa pants. And it worked as the pants remained firmly at his waist with the help of the cloth string. I shot him a smirk. He just shrugged off in response.He trudged towards something near my bed and picked something from the floor.

It was old red sack, exactly like the one santa uses to carry gifts.

"You brought me gifts?"I asked in surprised manner.

"Nope. I brought stones in this sack."He commented sarcastically.

"Now your head must be empty."I smirked after making a solid comeback.

Beat that, Aaruj Singh Rathore.

He just shot me a glare and then deposited himself on the bed again, while opening the sack.

"Come here."He patted near the empty place beside him on the bed.

"I am okay here."I said stubbornly.

He narrowed his eyes at me but then gave up."Fine."

He pulled out something from the sack. It looked like some CD.

"I brought you this. It has collection of some old rotten songs that you like to listen to."He held it in front of me and I quickly grabbed it.

The CD had collection of songs sung by  Kishore Kumar and Muhammad Rafi. It also had some beautiful songs of Lata Mangeshkarji as well.

"I love you."I said jumping up and down in excitement.

"I love you too."He smiled."But that's not it."

Then he pulled out a soft toy that was mostly coloured in blue.As I looked carefully I noticed it was Bubble from power puff girls.I almost snatched it from his hand and hugged the soft Bubble tightly.

"Lucky Bubble."He murmured.

I narrowed my eyes at him in mock anger. He pouted in response.

When his charms failed to impress me he gave up and dug his sack for the next item. He produced the poetry book from Ghalib--The one I was looking for since long time.

He held it in front of me."If you want this, You will have to give me something."He said with a devilish grin.

"Will a punch do?"I asked keeping my hands on my waist.

"Humare nasib mein toh bas frying pan or punch hi likhe he.(I am only destined to have beatings of frying pan and punches on face)"He sighed dramatically. I couldn't help but chuckle.

He had that devdas(Sad lover) look on his face so I decided to do something for him since he had made all these efforts just to make me happy. So I walked to the bed and sat beside Aaruj. I knew he was looking at me from the corner of his eyes though he pretended to look at the floor.

I held his face in my hands and pushed it towards my face. When I pecked his cheek, he wrapped his arms around me while giving me a peck on mine.

"Thank you for giving me the best Christmas of my life."I said resting my head on his shoulder.

"Pleasure is mine."He said kissing the top of my head."Now Miss Nia Subhash, do you believe in Santa?"

I looked at him. I could see he was waiting for my answer impatiently.

"No. I don't believe in Santa. Because I have someone who is way better than him."
*****************************************
It was a free period, we were chilling inside the semi-empty classroom. Some students were playing with their phones. Some were talking and few were taking a nap. I envied all of them as I looked back at my friends who were busy in debating over an outing place.

"We are going to Imagica. Decided."Sasha declared. Zeenat nodded her head in agreement.

"Oh C'mon. We could go to some other place yaar. I have already been to Imagica twice."Meenakshi, one of Zeenat's close friend agrued.

"Pranjal, where do you wanna go?"Zeenat asked.

"Nowhere."He said nonchalantly.

"Wow. This place sounds sooooooo......boring."Sasha remarked.

"Sasha, our unit test are coming up.We need to prepare for them instead of planning this stupid hangout."

"Enough pranjy. Our exams are still a quarter away. And I had asked for suggestion, not lecture. My ears will start bleeding. So please stop."She said dramatically. Everyone else sitting around them chuckled.

Pranjal crossed his arm over his chest before shooting daggers at Sasha.

"Dude, what you say?"Sasha asked me suddenly.

I straightened up and answered.
"Esselworld."

"What?????"Sasha and few other exclaimed in unison.

"Why you guys are looking at me like that?"

"Esselworld really, Nia?"Sasha asked.

"Yeah. Haven't you heard that song when you were kid:

Esselworld mein rahunga mein. Ghar nahi jaunga mein(I will stay forever in Esselworld. I won't go home)

I always wanted to go since I had seen that advertisement."I revealed.

"You are such a grandma. You always have soft corner for old things. Old songs. Old cartoons. Old and worn out books."Sasha smiled as she nudged me with her shoulder.

"Ouch."I winced.

"Hey Kevi, why are you sitting so far? Come here. Keep your better half(by she which meant his guitar) aside for a while and join the discussion."Zeenat called out to him.

He got up and neared us, sitting in the chair beside me since it was the only place unoccupied.

The debate was resumed again. So far it was useless cause we hadn't decided on the hangout place yet. Everyone had their different opinions and no one was agreeing with the other.

"So there are four places that we have shortlisted by far.First is Imagica."Zeenat announced.

Sasha and the one who supported this suggestion banged their desks.

"Then there is, Esselworld."Zeenat winked at me and I banged the table alone cause no one else wanted to go there except me. Sasha chuckled and I slapped her arm.

"Then there is Nehru Planterium."Zeenat looked at Pranjal and so did the rest of us.

"As I said earlier,it's awesome."Pranjal defended.

"Arey yaar koi school ka educatuonal trip ja raha hain kya?(Is it some sort of educational school trip)" Kairav commented.

"People shouldn't give opinions when no one is willing to consider them."Pranjal hissed.

"Oh my god! Bhai tune toh meri ankhein khol di.(Bro, you just opened my eyes)"Kairav chuckled.

And someone from the group hollered"Pranjal baba ki jai ho.(All hail Pranjal Baba)"

When I realised who was it. It didn't take me long to settle the matter."Babaji ka ashirwad lo.(Seek his blessings)".

Chaitanya's lips tightened in a grim line.

Everyone else in the group chanted after me"Ashirwad. Ashirwad."

Chaitanya reluctantly got up and joined his hands in front of Pranjal. The latter raised his hands in mock blessing and shot me a coy smile. I winked at him in response.

Rest of the people just broke into loud cries only to be quited by an angry voice.
"Hey losers, I am trying to sleep here. will you shut up?"Jay warned all of us.

"We won't."Kairav retorted.

"Offcourse. You wouldn't. Not before I beat you to pulp."Jay replied through gritted teeth.

"Oh really?"Kairav challenged.

Jay got up from his chair and neared Kairav in a heartbeat.

Not another fight please.

Chaitanya was to Kairav's side in no time. Warren immitated his actions and stood beside Jay.The fight could break into any minute but a familiar voice interjected."Yaar Jay canteen chal. Bhuk lagi hain.(Jay let's go to the canteen. I am famished)"Rehan said.

May be Aaruj would have done the same thing as Rehan if he was here now. It has been only 24 hours since he left. But I am already missing him.

I was brought back from my train of thoughts by Jay's angry voice.

"I am not going anywhere, Rehan."Jay shot a withering glare at Kairav.

Even before Jay could punch Kairav, Rehan dragged him forcefully out of the classroom, Warren in tow.

"Kevi, don't waste your energy on that jerk. He isn't worth it."Sasha said.Some of the people from group nodded their head in an agreement with her.

"Guys, let's get back to our discussion."Zeenat reminded."Another place is Elephanta caves."

"It's cool but we will have more options in terms of enjoyment if we go to Imagica."Geeta interjected.

Zeeshan who had just walked inside the classroom and joined our conversation, murmured something in Zeenat's ear.

"Well there is one more. And the next one is Khau Galli(Food lane in Mumbai)."Zeenat rolled her eyes.

"The best option."Every guy in the group said in unison.

"Boys, it's outting for god's sake. We can't spend our whole day eating."Sasha shot all of them a

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