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FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 25

When Sameer reached his office, Munna & Pandit were already waiting for him in his cabin. They got busy with their work for the next two hours. There was some problem in the air conditioner & it wasn't working properly. Though the fans were placed in his cabin, still Sameer was sweating as he was too habituated to the air conditioner.

Sameer took out his handkerchief & wiped his forehead & neck with it. What he didn't notice is that while taking out his handkerchief, he had pulled out Naina's hankie. Munna & Pandit gaped at him for few moments & then burst out laughing loudly. Sameer sat there confused on seeing them laughing so much.

"Tum dono itna hass kyun rahe ho?", Sameer asked in confusion. His best friends glanced at each other & then Munna asked, "Hume nahi pataa tha ki tune ab ladkiyon waale hankies use karna shuru kar diya hai?" Sameer's gaze landed on the handkerchief he was holding & he froze for a second.

A smile appeared on his face automatically when he reminisced the way Naina had wiped the vermilion from her nose, the blush that had crept all over her face when he was staring at her reflection in the mirror. Munna & Pandit stopped laughing & stared at their best friend who was lost in some other world.

Pandit murmured, "Dekh raha hai Chenu? Hamara dost ab kisike sapno mein khone lagaa hai, kisika rumaal dekhte hi chehre pe yeh haseen si muskuraahat aa gayi hai." Munna replied, "Haa Ponga... Sab dikhaayi bhi de raha hai aur samaj bhi aa raha hai. Bas hamare dost ke chehre pe yeh muskuraahat hamesha bani rahe."

Unable to control himself, Pandit teased, "Bhai... Kya baat hai, ek toh pehli baar ladki ka rumaal laaya hai, aur usse dekhte hi chehre par muskuraahat toh dekho, aisa lag raha hai jaise kitne saalon baad ek viraan se kamre mein kisine bulb hi bulb lagaa kar roshni faila di ho." Sameer's trance broke hearing his best friend's teasing, "Wohhh... wohhh... aisa kuch nahi hai. Lagta hai main galti se Naina ka hankie saath le aaya."

Munna asked, "Achaa... toh yeh rumaal galti se aa gaya hai na? Thik hai... aisa kar yeh mujhe de de, hum shaam ko Naina ko de denge, waise bhi hum aaj tere ghar jaanewaale hai shaam ko." Before Sameer could react, Munna had snatched her hankie from his hand.

Pandit saw some red marks on the hankie & asked, "Yeh ispe laal rang ke kuch daag lag gaye hai, isse dho dena chahiye. Aise kharaab rumaal thodi lauta sakte hai hum Naina ko?" Sameer replied without thinking, "Arey... wohh koi daag waag nahi hai, wohh toh jab main Naina ko sindoor lagaa raha tha toh thoda uske naak par gir gaya tha, Naina ne bas issi hankie se saaf kiya tha, ussi ke nishaan honge." His best friends gawked at him without blinking their eyes even once.

When Sameer realized what he had blurted out in front of his friends, he closed his eyes in mortification. After a few moments when he opened his eyes, he saw his friends smiling at him teasingly. "Tohhh... tune aaj Naina ko sindoor lagaaya?", Munna wanted to confirm if they had heard it right the first time.

Pandit continued, "Aur Sameer tune Naina ka rumaal kya sach mein galti se apni jeb mein rakkha tha?" Sameer looked at his best friends & gave in finally, "Haannnn... Maine hi Naina ko aaj sindoor lagaaya tha aur maine... maine... pataa nahi kyun uska rumaal apne paas rakh liya?" He narrated the whole thing from how he found out that Naina wore the nuptial chain & put vermilion in her hair regularly since marriage, skipping their intimate moments.

His friends were happy hearing that he himself had taken the initiative & put vermilion in her hair. They knew Naina enough that she would follow this religiously. They wanted to tell their dumb best friend that he should give a chance to Naina & accept her as his wife, but they didn't. They wanted their friend to realize on his own & take that big leap of faith. They would definitely push him in her direction whenever needed & now they even had Kabir on their team who would help to straighten their friend's mindset.

"Ummm... Yeh hankie mujhe de do, main khud Naina ko raat ko de dunga." Though their friends knew that he won't give it back to his lovely wife, yet Pandit handed it over to him happily. Sameer pocketed it & continued with their work. After lunch when Munna & Pandit left to their cabins, Sameer sat quietly & closed his eyes.

He again took out her hankie from his pocket & inhaled her fragrance. "Naina...", he whispered with a smile. He had sent his driver to pick up his beautiful wife from the college & drop her home safely. The message pinged at that very moment which read, "Main ghar aa gayi hun. Fresh hokar main Nanaji aur Preeti ke saath lunch kar lungi. Aap bhi kuch kha lijiyega, kaam mein itna bhi mat busy ho jaana ki lunch karna hi bhool jaaye aap. Shaam ko jaldi aana aur car sambhalkar drive karna. See you soon... Take care..."

Sameer read the whole message with a smile. He was so engrossed in reading her message that he didn't realize when his friends were back & were now watching him with playful smiles. "Naina ka message hai?", Pandit asked. Sameer replied still smiling, "Haannn..." Pandit continued, "Kya likha hai?" Sameer replied, "Yahi ki..." And he stopped being aware of his surroundings suddenly & then glared at his best friend, "Tu kya poochne ki koshish kar raha hai kab se Pandit???"

Pandit pouted, "Main bas jaanna chahta tha ki Naina ne aisa kya message bheja hai, jise padhte hi tera chehra itna khil khila uthaa. Bol na kya likha hai Naina ne???" Sameer squinted his eyes at him, "Yeh kab se kya Naina... Naina... lagaa rakha hai. Bhabhi hai wohh tum dono ki toh Bhabhi bulaaya karo usse. Samjhe???"

His best friends lifted their eyebrows at him in surprise. Though they were the happiest but they didn't let him show. "Arey waahhh bhai... hume nahi pataa tha ki Naina hamari Bhabhi hai, kyun Munna???" Munna hit Pandit on his shoulder, "Ponga... Ab jab Sameer khud hume Naina ko Bhabhi bulaane ko keh raha hai toh isme problem kya hai?"

Munna turned to his best friend, "Waise Sameer... agar tu hume Naina ko Bhabhi bulaane ko keh raha hai toh kya hum iska yeh matlab samjhe ki tune Naina ko apni biwi ki jagah de di hai?" Sameer froze & met his friend's gaze, "Munna... Main... main yeh samaj gaya hun ki Naina meri biwi hai, par usse biwi ke hakk dene ke liye mujhe khudko thoda waqt chahiye, hum dono ko waqt chaahiye. Hum ab bhi ek dusre ko acche se nahi jaante, bohot kuch hai jo ek dusre ko bataana hai, samjhaana hai."

Pandit replied, "Thik hai... Jis din tu Naina ko apni zindagi mein teri biwi maanega, usse sab hakk dega, ussi din se hum Naina ko Bhabhi bulaayenge, par tab tak wohh hamare liye sirf Naina hi rahegi." Sameer knew that his friends were right. He looked at Munna who spoke, "Naina hamare liye hamesha Bhabhi hi rahegi Sameer. Humne toh shaadi waale din se hi usse hamari Bhabhi maan liya tha. Jab tu khud apni shaadi sabse chupaana chaahta tha, toh fir hum kaise Naina ko sabke saamne Bhabhi bula sakte the."

Pandit continued, "Jis din tu khud Naina ko sabke saamne apni biwi maanega, tu Naina ko uski sahi jagah dega aur usse apni zindagi mein khushi khushi accept karega, uss din hume koi nahi rok paayega Naina ko Bhabhi bulaane se, khud tu bhi nahi..." Sameer very well understood that whatever his friends said was true & he accepted without a word.

On the other end, when Naina & Preeti were done with their lectures, they went to library to collect some books. On the way to the library, Preeti saw a known face & halted near the principal's office. "Arey Mehta uncle... aap yahaan kya kar rahe hai???", Preeti asked Shreya's father.

He smiled faintly at her & replied, "Main toh yahaan Shreya ka admission cancel karne aaya hun. Maine usse Delhi bhejne ka faisla kiya hai. Bas yahaan ki sab formalities poori ho jaaye toh main usse Delhi bhej sakun." Preeti & Naina shared a look, "Ummm... Uncle... Aise achaanak Shreya ko Delhi kyun bhej rahe hai aap???"

Naina too was curious to know the whole matter & stood there with Preeti to hear it. "Ab tum Shreya ko toh jaanti hi ho na Preeti? Wohh ladki itna bigad gayi hai ki main kya karun kuch samaj nahi aa raha. Pehle hi usse ek baar police se bachaaya hai aur ab waapis main aisa nahi kar sakta. Kal raat wohh kisi party mein gayi thi, jahaan fir se police ki raid hui aur iss baar wohh arrest ho gayi. Jab maine inspector se sab information nikaali tab pataa chala ki kisine unhe information di thi ki wahaan drugs party ho rahi hai."

Preeti asked, "Inspector ne bataaya ki kisne call kiya tha yaa uski koi information mili aapko uncle?" He shook his head, "Nahi beta... wohh toh inspector ne nahi bataaya par mujhe aaj subah kisika phone aaya tha aur usne bataaya ki Shreya yahaan college mein bhi kisi ladki ko bohot tang karti hai aur bohot bhala bura sunaati hai."

"Ummm... Kya aapko Sameer Maheshwari ka phone aaya tha?", this time Naina asked curiously though she knew the answer. Shreya's father turned to her, "Haann beti... Sameer ne hi mujhe call kiya tha aaj subah aur usne mujhe bataaya ki kaise meri beti kisi ladki ko pareshaan kar rahi hai aur uska naam kharaab karna chaahti hai. Sach kahun toh ab main bhi uski yeh sab harkaton se pareshaan ho gaya hun. Sameer ne mujhe suggest kiya ki main Shreya ko rehab mein bhej dun, jisse uski drugs ki aadat toh chut jaaye. Baaki ka dheere dheere shaayad wohh khud hi samaj jaaye toh accha hoga."

Preeti held Naina's shivering hand & turned to Shreya's father, "Uncle... Sameer ne aapko jo bhi bataaya wohh sach hai. Naina hi wohh ladki hai jisse Shreya ne badtemeezi ki thi. Maine bhi usse apne tarike se samjhaya aur fir Sameer ne bhi. Par mujhe yeh nahi pataa tha ki wohh ab bhi drugs leti hai. Shaayad rehab mein rehkar Shreya ki yeh aadat chut jaaye."

He nodded & turned to Naina, "Beti... Shreya ne jo bhi kuch tumse kahaa, uske liye main tumse maafi maangta hun." "Arey uncle... aap please sorry mat boliye. Maine toh Shreya ko kal hi maaf kar diya tha. Aap bade hai aur mujhse maafi nahi maang sakte. Shreya ne kal hi maafi maang li thi aur maine usse maaf bhi kar diya tha. Raat gayi, baat gayi. Ummm... Uncle... Kya aap Shreya ko yahin kisi rehab mein nahi bhej sakte, mera matlab hai ki Delhi bohot durr hai aur fir aap Shreya se kaise mil paayenge?", Naina as always was concerned.

"Tum chinta mat karo kyunki main bhi thode dinon mein Delhi shift ho raha hun. Aur wahaan meri behen ki family bhi hai, wohh tab tak Shreya se milne jaate rahenge. Aur Beti... main jahaan tak Shreya ko jaanta hun, usne tumse maafi nahi maangi hogi, isliye please ho sake toh usse maaf kar dena. Ab main chalta hun. Tum dono apna dhyaan rakhna aur Naina... tum bohot lucky ho ki tumhe Sameer jaisa ladka mila jo tumse itna pyaar karta hai. Main khud Sameer se Shreya ka rishta karvaana chahta tha par fir jab aaj usne tumhare liye jo bhi bola, wohh sunnkar main samaj gaya ki tum Sameer ki life mein bohot special ho, warna jis Sameer ko hum sab jaante hai, usne kabhi kisi ladki ke liye yeh sab nahi kiya."

Shreya's father came forward & blessed her, "Tum aur Sameer hamesha khush rehna." Saying that, he left from the college whereas Naina stood rooted to her spot watching his retreating figure. Preeti tugged her hand, "Naina... Chal library se kuch books collect kar lete hai." She walked with her best friend in a trance & picked up some random books.

When they came out of the college, Preeti saw her lost in thoughts. "Ummm... Naina... chal main bhi tere saath ghar chalti hun. Aaj Bhai bhi important meeting ke liye baahar gaye hai toh lunch mein saath nahi honge. Main tere aur Nanaji ke saath hi aaj lunch kar leti hun." Naina sat down in the waiting car & thought, "Roz toh khud aate hai mujhe pick karne, aaj kyun nahi aaye? Driver ko bhej diya." Her heart replied, "Kahin kisi kaam mein busy honge. Har roz thodi tujhe lene aayenge. Sameer ko Maheshwari Industries bhi sambhaalni hai."

Preeti saw her lost in thoughts again & nudged her, "Kya soch rahi hai Naina?" She looked at her with the same lost expression & Preeti understood that she was still thinking about Shreya & her father's words. Taking a deep breath, Preeti said, "Dekh Naina... Uncle jo bhi kar rahe hai wohh thik hi hai. Shreya rehab mein rahegi toh hi sudhar paayegi. Drugs addiction ki aadat acchi nahi hai. Shreya ko treatment ki zarurat hai."

Naina agreed, "Tu thik hi keh rahi hai Preeti par pataa nahi Shreya ki papa ki haalat mujhse nahi dekhi jaa rahi thi. Kitne bebas ho gaye the jab Shreya ke baare mein sab bataa rahe the. Bhagwaan kare Shreya ki drugs ki aadat jald hi chut jaaye aur uncle ko unki acchi waali beti mil jaaye."

Preeti knew that she was worried for Shreya but she also knew that her best friend's thoughts were right now wandering towards her husband. And maybe hers too. "Naina... mujhe nahi lagaa tha ki Sameer sach mein Shreya ke papa se uske behavior ke baare mein baat karega. Ek din hi hua hai aur Sameer ne uncle ko sab bataa diya. That was too fast yaar Naina. Jo bhi hua accha hi hua, warna pataa nahi Shreya aur kya kya karti. Aur agar waapis wohh mujhe tere aas paas bhi dikhi hoti na toh sach mein main uski shakal ka poora ka poora nakshaa bigaad deti iss baar. Par chalo accha hai ab na Shreya yahaan hogi aur na mujhe kuch karna padega."

Naina heard her best friend's words but her mind was somewhere else. She wanted to confirm something with her husband but that would have to wait till he comes back in the evening. "Ummmm... Naina... Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai ki Sameer ne hi uss inspector ko uss party ki information di hogi?" There she had said it aloud. The same thing was going on in Naina's mind too. Could Sameer, do it???

She met Preeti's gaze & she winked, "Yahi soch rahi thi na tabse, isliye chehre ki saari hawaiyaan udd rakhi hai." Naina replied, "Haannnn Preeti... Sameer ne aisa nahi karna chahiye tha." Preeti squinted her eyes at her best friend, "Kyun??? Naina... Sameer ne jo bhi kiya wohh sahi kiya. Shreya issi laayak thi. Usse uski sab aadatein chodni hongi aur jo Sameer ne kiya usse main sehmat bhi hun aur khush bhi. Kaash main hi yeh kar paati bohot saal pehle toh Shreya aaj aisi badtameez na hoti."

Naina didn't know what to reply. At one side, she was happy to know that Sameer had done all this for her but at the other side, she felt bad for Shreya & her father. Naina looked at her best friend who was already watching her soft smile, "Preeti... Kal toh tu Sameer ko accha sa sabak sikhaane ko taiyaar thi aur aaj achanak itna Sameer ka side kaise le rahi hai, huh???"

Preeti turned away from her & looked outside the window, "Main abhi tak kuch bhooli nahi hun Naina... Bas teri kasam waapis le, fir dekh kya haalat karti hun Sameer ki." Naina chuckled, "Wohhh toh main kabhi nahi karungi Preeti... Jab tak main zinda hun, wohh kasam toh bani rahegi."

Though Preeti had turned away from her best friend, but the truth was that she was liking the way Sameer was protecting his wife. Her heart was already melting towards him, his actions were making her think about his feelings towards Naina. If whatever happened between them before the marriage was kept aside, Sameer hadn't treated Naina badly in their presence. Infact whatever she had heard & seen since last two days made her think that somewhere Sameer had started liking Naina which was reciprocated by her best friend too.

The car stopped right in front of the Maheshwari Mansion breaking Preeti's thoughts. Both the girls entered the house & Nanu was delighted to see them. Preeti joined Nanu in the living room while Naina went to freshen up. When she entered the room, she messaged Sameer, "Main ghar aa gayi hun. Fresh hokar main Nanaji aur Preeti ke saath lunch kar lungi. Aap bhi kuch kha lijiyega, kaam mein itna bhi mat busy ho jaana ki lunch karna hi bhool jaaye aap. Shaam ko jaldi aana aur car sambhalkar drive karna. See you soon... Take care..."

Naina read the message twice before sending. She kept the phone aside & went to the washroom. After ten minutes, she was back to see her best friend waiting in her room. "Accha hua Preeti tu bhi aa gayi. Chal tu bhi fresh ho jaa fir lunch kar lete hai." Preeti walked towards the washroom & stopped, "Sameer ka message aaya hai, padh lena..." And the door closed.

Naina stood there immobile for a few moments. Had her best friend read her message too??? She shook her head & picked up her mobile, "Maine Munna aur Pandit ke saath thodi der pehle hi lunch kar liya hai. I'm sorry... aaj main thoda kaam mein busy hun isliye tumhe pick karne nahi aa paaya. Shaam ko jaldi ghar aa jaaunga aur Ramdhari ko kehna ki raat ka khaana thoda jyada banaaye, Munna aur Pandit mere saath ghar aayenge dinner ke liye. Aur main car ekdum dheere dheere drive karunga... See you soon... Thoda aaraam kar lena... Take care..."

The smile on her face was intact even when she was having lunch with Nanu & Preeti. Nanu was happy seeing her happy while Preeti knew the exact reason behind her smile. They finished their meal between constant chattering from Preeti. She too had read that message & was somehow content with the progress they were making.

After the meal, Preeti was about to leave when Nanu stopped her, "Preeti... Ab aaj raat tak yahin ruk jao, maine Kabir ko bhi raat ko dinner ke liye bulaaya hai, thoda NGO ka kaam discuss karna hai. Waise Naine ne bataaya ki Munna aur Pandit bhi aa rahe hai dinner ke liye toh tum bhi ruk jao." He turned to Naina, "Aisa karo Anjali ko bhi bula lo, sab milkar ek saath dinner kar lenge. Waise bhi kal shanivaar hi hai, na koi college hai aur na koi office."

Naina called up Anjali to invite her for dinner & she agreed to come little early to help in the meal preparations. Nanu retired to his room while Naina & Preeti were back in her room. Preeti kept glancing at Naina for few times which didn't go unnoticed by her best friend.

Naina closed her book & stared at her friend, "Kya kab se dekhe jaa rahi rahi hai? Kuch bolna hai toh bol na???" Preeti fidgeted with her pen for a while & then asked, "Last time jab main yahaan aayi thi tab hum dusre kamre mein the aur aaj iss kamre mein hai... Kyun???"

It had literally skipped Naina's mind that they were in her new room now. She looked around, "Last time hum jis kamre mein the, wohh room mein main shaadi se pehle rehti thi aur shaadi ke baad main iss kamre mein rehti hun, Sameer ke saath. Last time jab tum aayi thi tab tumhe shaadi ke baare mein pataa nahi tha, isliye tujhe purane waale room mein le gayi thi aur ab toh tujhe sab pataa hai toh yahaan baithne mein koi problem nahi hai."

Preeti gaped at her friend, "Tera matlab hai ki tu iss kamre mein Sameer ke saath rehti hai?" Naina nodded, "Haan... hum dono issi kamre mein rehte hai. Tu aise kyun pooch rahi hai? Shaadi ke baad toh pati patni ek saath ek kamre mein hi toh rehte hai na?" Preeti hesitated, "Nahi... matlab... haannn... Actually, mujhe lagaa ki tu aur Sameer alag alag kamre mein rehte hoge."

Naina understood what her best friend wanted to say but was not able to speak up. "Preeti... Humne shaadi toh hamari marzi se hi ki hai aur Nanu ko hamare kisi bhi agreement yaa conditions ke baare mein pataa nahi hai, toh hum alag alag kamre mein kaise reh sakte hain? Maanti hun main aur Sameer ek dusre ko acche se nahi jaante par hum dono ajnabee bhi nahi hai. Shaadi ke baad se ek saath rehkar ek dusre ko thoda thoda samajne toh lage hi hai. Aur waise hi mujhe sirf ek saal hi toh rehna hai yahaan. Ek saal khatam, yeh shaadi khatam, iss ghar mein mera rehna khatam, sab khatam..."

Naina hid her tears while Preeti let it flow. "Naina... Iss ek saal mein agar tujhe Sameer se pyaar ho gaya toh? Tab kya karegi? Kya Sameer ko chodkar jaa paayegi tu? Iss ghar ko chodkar jaa payegi?" Naina drew in a sharp breath, "Mujhe Sameer se pyaar ho gaya hai Preeti..." It was time that she spoke what she wasn't ready to accept herself. She let her best friend know about her feelings. She couldn't hold onto them anymore & she didn't want to keep away anything from her best friend.

Preeti knew this, she had figured it out at the fresher's party only. Naina's eyes would never lie & she had seen that love shining in her eyes whenever Sameer was around. Naina continued looking blankly at the open page of her book, "Jab pehli baar Sameer ka photo dekha, tab hi mujhe pehli nazar mein pyaar ho gaya. Jab pehli baar maine Sameer ki aawaaz suni tab uss aawaaz se bhi pyaar ho gaya. Shaadi ke baad jaise jaise main unke kareeb aati gayi, mujhe unse dheere dheere aur bhi pyaar hone lagaa. Hamari shaadi bhale hi ek saal ki hai Preeti, par main iss ek saal mein apni poori zindagi jee lungi. Choti si choti yaad mere liye anmol hogi, kyunki Sameer ke saath bitaaya hua har ek pal mere liye bohot kimti aur anmol hai. Inhi yaadon ke sahare main apni poori zindagi kaat sakti hun Preeti, kyunki mujhe pataa hai ki main Sameer ki jagah kisi aur ko kabhi nahi de paaungi, wohh pyaar fir se nahi kar paaungi kisise. Mere liye yeh rishta, yeh pyaar, janmon janmon ka hai Preeti..."

Preeti's eyes misted again seeing the love her best friend was having for her husband. "Naina... agar Sameer ko tujhse pyaar nahi hua toh?" Naina smiled, "Uski zarurat nahi hai Preeti. Main Sameer se expect nahi karti ki wohh bhi mujhse pyaar kare. Main unse pyaar karti hun, utna hi kaafi hai mere liye. Sameer ko toh aisi ladki se pyaar hoga jo unke status ki ho, jo bohot khubsoorat ho aur unke saath acchi lage. Main toh ek maamuli si ladki hun, na mera status Sameer se match hota hai aur na main itni khubsoorat hun ki unke saath acchi lagun. Bas yeh ek saal khatam ho jaaye toh Sameer bhi aazaad ho jaayenge apne pasand ki ladki se shaadi karne ke liye."

"Naina... Tum Sameer ko kisi aur ke saath dekh paaogi?", Preeti asked in a choked voice. Naina met her misty gaze, "Main yahaan se itni durr chali jaaungi ki mujhe unhe kisi aur ke saath dekhna hi na pade." Preeti hugged her best friend & cried her heart out. Naina felt someone wrap her hands around them & she heard Anjali's voice, "Aur agar Sameer ko bhi tumse pyaar ho gaya toh kya karogi Naina? Kya tab bhi usse chod kar jaa paaogi tum?" Preeti & Naina parted & looked at her. "Sorry Naina... main ghar pe bore ho rahi thi toh socha jaldi hi aa jaati hun aur tumse acche se baatein kar paaungi. Sorry isliye ki maine tum dono ki saari baatein sunn li."

"Sorry mat bolo Anjali... Tumhe bhi toh sab pataa hi hai." Anjali sat next to Naina & side hugged her, "Ab yeh rona dhona chodo aur acchi acchi baatein karo, jaise main kehne jaa rahi hun. Naina... tumse kisne kahaa ki tum khubsoorat nahi ho? Jo baahar se dikhta ho, wohi hamesha khubsoorat nahi kehlaata. Dil bhi accha hona chahiye, jaise tumhara hai. Aur main Sameer ko bhi jaanti hun. Dekha hai maine ki kaise wohh tumhe dekhta hai. Sach kahun Naina, Sameer ne kabhi aajtak kisi ladki ke saamne nazar uthaakar nahi dekha, sivaay tumhare... Jab Sameer tumhare aas paas hota hai tab wohh bilkul alag hota hai, tab aisa lagta hai ki yeh toh mera bhai hai hi nahi, koi aur hi hai. Naina... Iss ek saal mein bohot kuch ho sakta hai aur mujhe toh poora yakin hai ki Sameer bhi ek na ek din tumse pyaar karne lagega. Dekh lena..."

Preeti remained quiet & Anjali asked, "Preeti... Tumhe kya lagta hai?" She met her best friend's gaze, "Sameer ko saabit karna hoga ki wohh Naina ke laayak hai. Main samaj sakti hun ki uska past bohot bura tha par iska yeh matlab toh nahi na ki wohh Naina ko aise hurt kare. Main bas Naina ko khush dekhna chaahti hun. Agar uski wajah se Naina ki aankhon mein aansoon aaye toh main Mr Sameer Maheshwari ko nahi chodungi aur tab Naina ki koi kasam nahi rok paayegi mujhe."

She held her best friend's hand, "Naina... Main tere saath hun... hamesha... main tujhe kabhi akela nahi chodungi. Yeh shaadi rahe yaa na rahe, par yeh Preeti Sehgal hamesha tere saath rahegi." "Aur main bhi...", Anjali said & placed her hand on theirs. "Aur Preeti... jab bhi Bhai ko maarna ho, toh mujhe bhi bula lena, meri bhi iccha poori ho jaayegi." Naina & Preeti looked surprised but then everyone broke into peals of laughter & had a group hug.

The time passed by & the girls together prepared dinner while Ramdhari was sent to the market to bring rasmalai for everyone. Nanu was delighted to hear the sounds coming out of the kitchen. Sameer, Munna & Pandit came home at their usual time. The duo joined Nanu in the living room while Sameer went to freshen up in his room.

The moment he entered; he felt her presence & looked around. But he couldn't find her. He walked inside & the door to the washroom opened. Sameer stood rooted to his place when he saw his gorgeous wife in a light pink anarkali dress. She too halted in her tracks & all the words that Anjali said rang in her mind.

She took hesitant steps towards him & asked, "Aap aa gaye? Chaliye jaldi fresh ho jaaiye, khaana bhi ready ho gaya hai. Main neeche jaa rahi hun aap sabke ke liye coffee banaane. Jaldi aaiyega." When she turned to leave the room, he held her wrist & pulled her in his warm embrace. This immediate sudden gesture surprised her but she melted in his arms feeling at home.

Sameer had been missing her whole day. He couldn't even make it to pick her up after college. He had even thought of calling at one point of time to just hear her voice, but had controlled the urge somehow. He was desperately waiting to reach home & have her in his arms. And now here he was, holding her in his arms, finally feeling at peace.

The door opened suddenly & both of them broke apart with a jerk. Preeti froze at the door & looked at the two of them. Sameer instantly walked towards his cupboard & collected his clothes. Naina walked out with Preeti, a little embarrassed. Preeti though had a mischievous smile on her face all the while.

When Sameer joined everyone in the living room, he sat next to Anjali as Preeti was already sitting next to Naina & Nanu. Just then Ramdhari came out of the kitchen & served coffees to everyone. Sameer lifted the cup to his lips but then kept the cup away. Everyone was confused with his behaviour. Nanu asked, "Kya hua barkhurdaar? Tujhe toh coffee bohot pasand hai na, toh fir cup kyun baaju mein rakh diya?"

"Aaj coffee kisne banaayi hai?", Sameer asked hesitantly. "Ummm... aaj coffee maine banaayi hai Sameer.", Anjali said with a smile. Now it dawned on his Nanu & friends that he wanted to have coffee made by his lovely wife. Without meeting anyone's gaze, he replied, "Ummm... mujhe coffee peena ka mann nahi hai Nanu."

At that precise moment, the doorbell rang & Ramdhari opened the door. Everyone except Sameer, Munna & Pandit knew that Kabir was going to join them for dinner. As Sameer saw Kabir entering, he shot up from his place with his friends. Anjali should've warned Munna about Kabir's arrival tonight but it had skipped her mind to inform him as she was busy with Naina & Preeti.

Before Sameer could move towards him, Nanu greeted him, "Arey Kabir beta... tum aa gaye... Bohot der kardi tumne, mujhe lagaa aaj nahi aa paaoge tum." Sameer now understood that Nanu had invited him for dinner, he should've known that when Preeti was here, Kabir would be here too.

"Yeh Naina ko bhi Kabir ki behen hi mili thi best friend banaane ke liye?", he mumbled to himself but was loud enough for his friends to hear. They chuckled listening to his rants. Kabir sat next to Preeti while Naina had returned to the kitchen to make Sameer's favourite coffee. She was overwhelmed when she saw her husband keeping away the cup of coffee that Anjali made even before tasting it. How did he know that she hadn't prepared that coffee?

She smiled to herself & made two cups of coffees. She asked Ramdhari to serve the coffees to Sameer & Kabir. She followed him out of the kitchen & sat next to Sameer. Her mere touch brought a smile on his face. When Ramdhari served the cup of coffee to him again, he accepted it happily. He inhaled the aroma of the coffee & smiled. He started sipping the coffee while Anjali winked at Naina making her go red in front of everyone.

Nanu spoke, "Kabir... Maine tumhe isliye bulaaya kyunki tumse bohot important baat karni thi. Tumhe toh pataa hai ki hum har saal NGO mein celebration karte hai. Har baar Munshiji sambhaal lete hai par iss baar unki tabiyat kuch khaas thik nahi rehti. Isliye main chahta hun ki tum isski zimmedaari lo. Yeh celebration ki sab taiyariyaan tum karo. Main jaanta hum ki tum tumhare kaam mein busy rehte hoge, par thoda time iske liye bhi nikaal lo."

Kabir immediately agreed, "Arey Nanaji... Main NGO ke liye kitna bhi time nikaal sakta hun. Aap fikar mat kijiye main sab sambhaal lunga." Nanu continued, "Ek aur problem hai, jo teacher NGO mein ladkiyon ko dance sikhaati thi, unhe kisi urgent kaam se unke gaanv jaana pada hai, toh tum kisiko jaante ho jo unn ladkiyon ko iss function ke liye dance sikha sake?"

Kabir glanced around & knew what he had to do, "Haannn Nanaji... Naina hai na... Wohh khud itna accha dance karti hai toh I'm sure ki wohh unn ladkiyon ko acche se iss function ke liye practice karwa degi." Before Sameer could interrupt, Nanu spoke, "Arey waahhh... Yeh toh maine socha hi nahi." He turned to Naina, "Naina... Kya tum unn ladkiyon ko ek dance performance bithaane mein madad kar sakti ho?"

Naina glanced at her angry husband who had fisted his hands at his sides. She had no choice here & she agreed, "Ji Nanaji... Main unn ladkiyon ki help kar dungi." Kabir further spoke, "Naina... Kya tum meri bhi thodi help kar dogi yeh celebration ki taiyaari karne mein?" Nanu added on her behalf, "Kyun nahi Kabir? Tum aisa karo Naina aur Preeti, dono ki help le lo. Yeh weekend dono bhi ghar pe hi hai na? Tum sab milkar plan kar lena."

Preeti was excited, "Thank you Nanaji... Warna yeh weekend Naina ne mujhe padhaane ki thaan li thi. Aapne bacha liya mujhe." She turned to her brother, "Bhai... Main aur Naina, dono aapki help karenge. Boliye kya karna hai?" Kabir looked at his sister with a smile & opened his laptop, "Pehle theme aur decorations se shuru karte hai."

He was searching for some good theme while Preeti called Naina, "Naina... Idhar aana, mujhe kuch samaj nahi aa raha." Naina got up reluctantly & sat beside Kabir as he was sitting in the middle of the couch. She glanced once at her fuming husband & then got busy in shortlisting the theme for the celebration.

Sameer wanted to let out his anger but he couldn't do it in the presence of everyone. Except Nanu & Preeti, everyone was aware of Sameer's anger as his body had turned rigid in rage. His anger spiked when he saw Kabir shifting closer to Naina on the pretext of showing something on his laptop...

Nanu called out, "Bacchon... baaki ka sab kal dekh lena, abhi dinner kar lete hai." Naina was the first to sprint away from the living room as she was more than uncomfortable sitting next to Kabir. Preeti & Anjali helped Naina in serving the dishes to the others on the dining table.

Naina gave special attention to her furious husband who wasn't ready to eat. She served his plate & stood next to him, "Sameer... Aap please thoda kha lijiye na? Kuch aur lenge aap?" She slowly murmured near him. He looked at her pleading eyes & said, "Tum bhi baitho mere baaju mein, tab hi main khaaunga."

Preeti & Anjali had heard their small talk & smiled at each other. They deliberately left the chair next to Sameer vacant for Naina & moved to sit next to Kabir & Pandit. When Naina finally settled next to Sameer, he took the first morsel to his mouth. Naina & his friends sighed in relief & continued their meals amongst lots of bantering. They relished the rasmalai brought by Ramdhari.

Once the dinner was done, Kabir spoke, "Naina... Main tumhe kal lene aa jaunga. Ek baar tum unn ladkiyon se bhi mil lo, unse baatein kar lo toh tumhe unke liye kaisa dance performance bithaana hai, yeh bhi samaj aa jaayega." Nanu added, "Kabir sahi keh raha hai Naina. Kal tum NGO chali jaana aur unn ladkiyon se mil lena."

Before Nanu could say anymore, Naina replied, "Kabir... Aapko mujhe lene aane ki zarurat nahi hai. Mujhe kal NGO Sameer chod denge." She turned to her hot husband & asked, "Aap mujhe kal NGO tak chodne aayenge na?" Sameer was happy that Naina had directly asked his help instead of going with Kabir.

Sameer happily agreed while Nanu & Preeti watched on with amusement. Everyone bid their goodbyes & left toward their homes. As Preeti left with Kabir in his car, she asked, "Bhai... Kya chal raha tha wahaan? Aap har kaam mein Naina ko kyun involve kar rahe hai? Aap toh kisi aur ki bhi help maang sakte the na? Toh fir Naina hi kyun? Aap jaante hai na ki Naina Sameer ki biwi hai aur meri best friend bhi? Main nahi chaahti ki Naina ko koi bhi hurt kare. Aap bhi nahi Bhai..."

Kabir smiled hearing his sister's concern for her best friend. "Ghar chal main sab bataata hun..."

How was the update?

Sorry for updating late...

I was busy last week & then wasn't well for the last couple of days...

So, what is going to happen next???

Stay safe & take care...

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤