Hello friends...

I'm back with the next update...

I hope you all are doing fine...

I'm sorry that I'm not able to reply to your lovely comments from past few updates...
I will try to reply each one of them as soon as I can...

Enjoy reading...

FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 43

Naina still couldn't believe that Sameer had made her sleep on his bed. These new changes weren't something that she had expected. Something had changed in her husband & she wanted to know the reason behind this.

Sameer's gaze clashed with hers as he came out from the washroom. She was feeling very much nervous. In San Francisco, there was no choice but to share the bed. But here, the situation was different. Sameer had himself taken this step for her which was not expected at all.

As Sameer neared, her heartbeats accelerated & she kept staring at him. His each & every step towards her made her shiver. She reminisced the first night of their marriage when she had walked towards the couch to sleep & he hadn't stopped her. That hurt & pain was still present there, the rejection of not being with her husband from the very start of this marriage was painful & unforgettable.

After more than six months of marriage, Naina was finally on his bed. Sameer was anxious as he took slow steps towards his lovely wife who too looked nervous like him. He switched off the lights on the way, the bed side table lamp was the only source of light in the bedroom.

Controlling his raging heartbeats, he slipped beside her on the bed. Pulling the thin sheet over him, he switched off the lamp too. There was total darkness in their room now, only the rays of roadside streetlights penetrated from the balcony which helped them to see each other's silhouette.

Though they were surrounded by darkness, they could feel each other's intake of breath. Their hearts thudded loudly as they were very much aware of each other. This shouldn't have been new to them, they had already slept next to each other from past few nights, yet this was different, this was more intimate. Being in their own house, in the same bedroom & sleeping on the same bed was more personal.

Sameer wanted to close the distance between them & take her in his arms, but he resisted. He couldn't scare her away now with this sudden proximity. He had to take baby steps towards her & make her comfortable first, in their room, especially on this bed. He knew that even she was wide awake like him.

"Naina... So jao... tum thaki nahi ho kya itni lambi flight se?" Sameer finally broke the silence & awkwardness between them. She turned to face him & replied, "Aap bhi toh nahi thake hai?" He too turned to her, "Hmmmm... Sach kahu... thak toh bohot gaya hun main, par pataa nahi neend kyun nahi aa rahi?"

She hummed in response, "Mujhe bhi neend nahi aa rahi." He asked, "Tumhara haath ab bhi dukh raha hai kya?" She denied instantly, "Nahi Sameer... ab haath nahi dukh raha, bas thodi sujan hai, wohh dheere dheere kamm ho jaayegi."

"Lao... mujhe dekhne do..." Sameer said & moved closer to her to check if her arm was still paining. As he touched her bare arm, she shivered with his touch. Sameer too felt her slight shiver, but he didn't react. Instead, he pressed her arm lightly to see if she felt any pain.

But she didn't react or yelped in pain which confirmed that she was fine. Before he could take away his hand, Naina placed her hand on his & asked, "Yeh sab kya hai Sameer???" Though he understood the meaning behind her question, he acted innocent. "Kya, sab kya hai Naina??? Mujhe samajh nahi aaya???"

Naina wanted to hit him on his head & ask frankly but she refrained from asking directly. "Aap jaante hai main kya poochna chaah rahi hun Sameer..." He still acted innocent & asked, "Naina... jo bhi poochna hai seedhe seedhe poocho. Mujhe sach mein samajh nahi aa raha tum kya kehna chaah rahi ho."

Taking a deep breath, she replied in irritation, "Kuch nahi... So jaaiye... Good night..." Jerking his hand away & turning away from him, she closed her eyes in a huff while Sameer smiled watching her angry avtaar.

Sameer knew what she was asking but for now, he didn't want this conversation between them. He would give all the answers she desired, but all at the right time. His actions would speak louder than his words. He would slowly make her feel what he was doing & she would surely understand what he was upto. Closing his eyes, he drifted to sleep, planning his next course of action.

The next morning when Naina opened her eyes, she was taken aback. She could feel his breath on her cheeks. She lifted her eyes to see the most handsome man sleeping next to her, whose face was only few centimetres away from hers. His hand was wrapped around her stomach possessively & his leg had caged her on the bed.

Naina couldn't move as she knew that he would get up even with her small movement. Her eyes rested on his charming face & she kept gazing at him lovingly. After few minutes, she heard his gruff voice, "Aur kitna ghurogi Naina???" Saying that, he opened his eyes & smiled watching her stunned expressions.

"Main jaanta hun ki main bohot handsome hun, par ab itna bhi mat dekho ki mujhe sharam aane lage..." He said teasing her while she blushed looking away instantly. She tried to get up but his hold on her tightened & she squirmed, "Sameer... Please uthne dijiye... bohot late ho gaya hai. Mujhe college aur aapko office jaane ko late ho jaayega."

Sameer glanced at the clock in their room & groaned. He loosened his hold on her & she moved away quickly & rushed in the washroom. He gazed at her till she vanished behind the washroom door.

Ruffling his hair, he got up & started with few push-ups. It was a while that he hadn't worked out properly, so he thought of doing some push-ups till his lovely wife appeared. Naina came out after half an hour & saw him working out in the balcony.

She stared at his body which shone with his sweat & drooled over him watching him working out so effortlessly. Sameer had sensed her presence, but he didn't turn to look at her, instead he continued with his exercises.

After he finished his routine work out, he turned to his beautiful wife who was now standing in front of the mirror & combing her hair, her eyes glued to his reflection. He stood few feet away from her & held her gaze.

He took just a step towards her & she ran away from the room mumbling, "Main neeche jaakar dekhti hun naashta banaa hai yaa nahi..." Sameer chuckled once she left the room & went to freshen up. He got ready in the next half an hour & was downstairs with his Nanu at the dining table, waiting for the breakfast & his gorgeous wife.

Naina joined them on the dining table in the next ten minutes & Ramdhari served them breakfast. Sameer kept stealing glances of his beautiful wife throughout their meal while Nanu kept the conversation going about the NGO.

Once done with their meal, Naina & Sameer went back to their rooms to collects their respective bags. As they were seated in the car, Sameer tuned in the FM radio & a soothing song resonated...

Neele Neele Ambar Par...

Chand Jab Aaye...

Pyaar Barsaaye...

Mann Ko Tarsaaye...

Aisa Koi Saathi Ho...

Aisa Koi Premi Ho...

Pyaas Dil Ki Buja Jaaye...

Sameer hummed with the song while his wife enjoyed his voice more than the one playing on the speaker. As the song finished, she complimented him, "Sameer... aap sach mein bohot accha gaate hai. Aapne kabhi isse professionally pursue kyun nahi kiya?"

Without turning to her, he replied, "Naina... main guitar bajaata hun aur gaana gaata hun kyunki mujhe accha lagta hai, dil ko ek alag sa sukoon milta hai. Issi ne mujhe zinda rakha, issi ki wajah se meri zindagi mein thehraav aaya, sukoon mila. Agar main chaahta toh accha singer bann sakta tha, par maine nahi kiya, kyunki main Nanu ka sapna poora karna chaahta tha aur unka sapna tha ki main Maheshwari Industries ko one of the best companies banaun. Aur bas, main wohi kar raha hun..."

Naina wasn't satisfied, so she asked again, "Aur aapka kya sapna hai Sameer? Kya aap kuch nahi banna chaahte? Aapne kuch toh socha hoga na, ki aap bade hokar kya banna chahte hai?" He thought before replying, "Meri beeti zindagi mein jo kuch bhi hua, uske baad maine apne liye koi sapna hi nahi dekha. Aaj main jo bhi hun wohh Nanu ki wajah se hun, toh unka sapna hi mera sapna bann gaya. Aur maine issi mein khush hun."

Naina wanted to argue but she had to cut short as Sameer stopped the car at the entrance of her college. She saw Preeti & Kabir waiting for her. Sameer too joined her to meet his friend & his wife's best friend.

Before they could greet each other, Preeti jumped in excitement & hugged Naina. Sameer was stunned for a moment but calmed down the next instant seeing the happiness on Preeti's face. He raised his eyebrow at Kabir who just smiled in response.

"Preeti... Kya hua???", Naina asked in confusion when her best friend left her. Preeti replied enthusiastically, "Naina... main bohot bohot khush hun... Tujhe pataa hai ki Bhai 'Best Entrepreneur of the Year' ke award ke liye nominate hue hain aur main yakeen se keh sakti hun ki Bhai hi yeh award jeetenge."

Sameer came forward & congratulated his friend, "Congratulations Kabir & all the best..." He shook hands with Sameer & replied, "Fir toh tujhe bhi congratulations & all the best, kyunki tu bhi nominate hua hai na."

Naina turned to him in swift motion & asked, "Sameer... Aapne mujhe pehle kyun nahi bataaya?" Taking her in a side hug, he replied, "Kyunki mujhe bhi nahi pataa tha Naina... mujhe bhi tumhari tarah abhi hi pataa chala hai. Maine kal se koi mails ya calls attend nahi kiye, isliye shaayad yeh skip ho gaya hoga."

Preeti was surprised with the sudden display of affection from his side, but Kabir was happy with this scene. He had always wanted Sameer to accept his wife publicly & with this public display, he was sure that Sameer was definitely on the right path while Preeti was still sceptical about his motives.

Sameer kissed his wife's forehead gently & whispered, "Apna khayaal rakhna aur main do baje tumhe lene ke liye car bhej dunga, toh sambhal kar ghar jaana. Shaam ko milenge. Take care." Waving a goodbye to her & the siblings, he walked off towards his car.

Sameer waved at her again as his car sped away towards his office. Kabir too bid his goodbye & left towards his office. While entering the college, Preeti wrapped her hand around Naina's arm & asked, "Yeh itna badlaav kab se ho gaya? Tera pati itna kaise badal gaya? Kya hua hai inn paanch dino mein? San Francisco jaakar itna parivartan, mujhe toh yakeen hi nahi ho raha ki yeh wohi Sameer hai jisne yeh condition rakhi thi ki tum dono sabke saamne pati patni ka rishta nahi jataaoge aur aaj dekho, kaise tujhe gale lagaa raha tha sab ke saamne."

Naina herself didn't have any answers to her best friend's queries, so she remained mum while Preeti continued, "Poori college ke saamne Sameer ne tujhe hug kiya, aur toh aur forehead par kiss bhi kiya. Mujhe toh ab bhi yakeen nahi ho raha hai yeh sab. Kahin main koi sapna toh nahi dekh rahi na? Naina... Sach sach bataa kya hua tha San Francisco mein? Yeh Sameer Maheshwari itna kaisa badal gaye?"

Naina pinched her best friend on her arm & she yelped, "Naina... yeh kya kar rahi hai? Mujhe lag gayi naa?" Naina replied, "Tune hi abhi kahaa naa ki tujhe yeh sab sapne jaisa lag raha hai, isliye chimti kaati, taaki tujhe pataa chale ki yeh sab sapna nahi hai, yeh sab sach mein hua hai, yahi hakikat hai Preeti."

Naina didn't want to tell her best friend about what all happened in San Francisco the last two days. This would always be between the couple, no one else would know this. Sameer had told everything to Nanu & that was fine with her.

But if her best friend came to know about this, she definitely would give an earful to Sameer & she didn't want that. Naina knew that Preeti didn't trust Sameer even now & wasn't on good terms with him, so she had to keep few things away from her best friend, especially when it's related to her husband.

Pulling her away, Naina said, "Yeh sab chod aur chal jaldi, warna lecture miss ho jaayega." The girls attended all the lectures one after the other & then went back home. As promised Sameer had sent his driver to pick up Naina & drop her home.

Once at home, Naina had lunch with Nanu & retired to her room to study which she had missed from the last few days. Sitting on the bed, she studied for some time & then slept for a while. After getting up, she spotted her diary in her handbag & smiled. It was a long time that she had written something in her diary.

Picking up the diary, she penned down...

Hiii Diary....

Kaisi ho tum???

Main toh thik hi hun...

Nahi... nahi...

Thik nahi, main toh bohot khush hun...

Jaanti ho, maine San Francisco mein kitna mazaa kiya...

Maine bohot jagah bhi dekhi...

Sameer le gaye the mujhe ghoomane aur mujhe unke saath ghoomna, waqt bitaana bohot accha lagaa...

Aisa lagaa jaise mere har sapne poore ho rahe ho...

Maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki main India ke bahaar kabhi jaa bhi paaungi...

Main toh pehle kabhi Ahmedabad ke baahar bhi nahi gayi thi...

Aur ab jab gayi bhi toh seedhe San Francisco...

Sab sapne jaise lag raha tha... Sameer ke saath ek hi kamre mein rehna, ek hi bed par sona aur poora din ghoomna...

Maine Sameer ke saath bitaaye hue ek ek pal ko mere dil mein qaid kar liye hai, jo main marte dum tak nahi bhoolungi...

Yeh sab haseen yaadein hamesha mere saath rahengi...

Pataa nahi shaadi ki pehli anniversary main Sameer ke saath manaaungi yaa unke bina, par ab se har ek pal jo bhi unke saath bitaaungi, usse mere dil mein basaa lungi...

Jab se hum San Francisco se laute hai, Sameer kuch badal se gaye hai...

Matlab... accha badlaav hai, par Sameer yeh sab kyun kar rahe hai???

Aisa kya hua hai jisse Sameer ne unki almari mein mere kapdon ke liye jagah kar di aur toh aur mujhe unke saath unhi ke bed par sone ko kahaa???

Aisa lag raha hai jaise unhone apni zindagi mein mere liye jagah banaa li ho...

Kya maine unki jaan bachaayi isliye toh yeh sab nahi kar rahe???

Yaa unhe bhi mujhse pyaar hone lagaa hai???

Kya unko bhi mujhse pyaar ho gaya hai, jaise main unse karti hun???

Nahi... nahi...

Sameer kabhi mujhse pyaar nahi kar sakte...

Main unki dost zaroor bann gayi hun, par unka pyaar nahi bann sakti...

Sameer kabhi mujhe uss nazar se dekh hi nahi sakte...

Unhe toh ekdum modern si aur unke status ki ladki se hi pyaar ho sakta hai...

Lekin agar sach mein Sameer ko mujhse pyaar ho gaya toh???

Toh...

Toh...

Main bohot khush ho jaaungi...

Bohot bohot bohot khush...

Few tears rolled down her cheeks & she continued writing while wiping her tears...

Naina... khuli aankhon se sapne mat dekh...

Sameer mujhse kabhi pyaar nahi karenge...

Jo bhi waqt main unke saath guzaarungi, mujhe unhi lamhon ke sahare apni aage ki zindagi bitaani hogi...

Toh jyaada soch mat aur jo ho raha hai usse hone de...

Taking a deep breath, she calmed down her raging heart...

Chalo Diary...

Abhi thodi der aur padhai kar leti hun...

Fir waapis jaldi milenge...

Bye...

Naina closed the diary with a smile & placed it back safely in her handbag. She got back with her studies till evening & then she joined Nanu for the evening tea. She wasn't allowed in the kitchen as instructed by her dear husband which Nanu & Ramdhari followed religiously.

Sameer returned home early & joined Nanu & Naina in the living room after freshening up quickly. Naina was happy to see her husband home so early. When they sat for dinner, Sameer updated Nanu about the 'Best Entrepreneur of the Year Award', where he & Kabir were nominated.

Nanu wished him all the best & was very much sure that his grandson would win this award as he deserved it. Naina too encouraged him & they all relished his favourite dishes heartily. After dinner, they retired to their rooms.

One evening, Naina had gone to visit the NGO & Sameer came home early. He had got a surprise gift for her & he was sure that his wife would love it. Nanu too was excited to see the reaction of Naina once she was home.

It was after an hour or so, when Naina arrived. She saw that Sameer & Nanu were discussing some project & she walked towards their room. As she entered, she saw a something placed on the table near the couch which was covered with a red cloth.

Naina walked swiftly towards it & pulled the cloth away. She gasped seeing the gift & tears made its way in her eyes instantly. "Kaisa lagaa yeh surprise?", she heard her husband's whisper.

She turned instantly & hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much Sameer... yeh... yeh... meri life ka sabse best gift hai... Aapne... aapne yeh yaad rakha yahi mere liye bohot badi baat hai Sameer..."

Naina sat down on her knees & played with the small fishes in the fish tank which her husband had gifted her now. She had a radiant smile on her face throughout while Sameer adored her more.

Days passed & the relationship between Naina & Sameer gradually progressed. Sameer took care of Naina's each & every need which surprised his friends, especially Preeti. Others were aware that once Sameer took a step towards his wife, he would surely treat Naina as his queen.

Preeti had started to treat Sameer politely after watching his care for her best friend, though she didn't trust him much. For Naina, she started to come around Sameer as she saw her best friend was happy with his presence & she didn't want to spoil whatever was brooming between them. She could clearly see that Sameer was genuine this time, but she didn't want to give in. She had a nagging feeling about all this which she herself couldn't understand.

It was the weekend when the 'Best Entrepreneur of the Year Award' was going to be announced & everyone seemed nervous & excited. Sameer & Kabir weren't much nervous as they knew that the best & the deserving one would be presented with that award.

Preeti & Anjali had taken Naina with them for shopping for this prestigious ceremony. But Naina wasn't sure if Sameer would like her to accompany him. She was doubtful as she remembered her conditions which specifically mentioned that she couldn't declare their marital status to the world.

Naina thought many times that if he had mentioned clearly to not to disclose their relationship to the outside world then why did he take her to San Francisco & introduce her as his wife. Was the non-disclosure condition of their marriage applied to her only?

With all this confusion in her mind, she had joined her friends a day ago before the award function for shopping but didn't buy anything, citing that she didn't like anything. Her friends weren't aware of her thoughts & believed her.

On the day of the function, she was nervous as neither Sameer had mentioned to her about the function, nor he had asked her to join. She wasn't sure if she should go along with him for this important function.

Nanu, Munna, Pandit & her friends were going to attend it, but she wasn't sure if she would be joining them or not. All the friends were having lunch at Sameer's place, when Preeti asked, "Naina... tune kal kuch shopping hi nahi ki, toh aaj kya pehenne waali hai?"

This drew everyone's attention while Naina fidgeted with the spoon. "Wohh... meri thodi tabiyat thik nahi lag rahi toh shaayad aaj main nahi aa paaungi." Preeti got up from her place & was next to her in an instant before anyone could say anything.

"Kya hua hai tujhe???", she said keeping her palm on her forehead to check for the temperature. "Bukhaar toh nahi hai???" Anjali asked, "Kya hua Naina?" Naina looked at all the worried faces & replied nervously, "Wohh... mujhe headache ho raha hai."

Pandit added, "Naina... main abhi tumhe tablet deta hun, thoda aaram karlo, shaam tak thik ho jaayega. Fir toh aa sakti ho naa???" All the while Sameer kept looking at his wife who seemed nervous about something & he had caught on her lying. He knew that she was lying about the headache, he could see it on her face.

Naina replied, "Maine tablet already li hai, par ab tak kuch asar nahi hua. Aisa hi raha toh sar dard aur bhi badh jaayega, aur main nahi chaahti ki meri wajah se function mein koi problem ho. Isliye main nahi aaungi function mein."

Nanu too felt that something was going on in her mind & she was deliberately trying to get away from the function. He remained silent & glanced at his grandson who was staring his wife with a blank expressionless face.

No one could make Naina agree to attend the function while Sameer & Nanu watched everything silently. It was after their lunch, she retired to her room to study, when Sameer walked to her & sat beside her.

Taking the book away from her hand, he asked, "Neeche sab se jhooth kyun bola ki tumhe headache ho raha hai aur tum function mein kyun nahi aaogi?" Naina was stunned knowing that he had caught her with her lies.

She stammered, "Wohh... wohh... sach mein... sach mein mujhe... mujhe headache ho raha hai..." Sameer glared at her, "Jhooth mat bolo Naina... Ab main tumhe itna toh jaanne lagaa hun ki mujhe pataa chale ki kab tumhe headache ho raha hai aur kab nahi. Toh ab sach sach bolo, neeche jhooth kyun bola? Aur tum function mein kyun nahi aaogi?"

Naina lowered her eyes & few tears slipped from her eyes. Seeing his wife in tears, Sameer was instantly alert, "Naina... kya hua??? Tum ro kyun rahi ho?" He took her in a hug & rubbed her back, till her sobs subsided.

Still hiccupping a little, she looked in his deep brown chocolaty eyes & spoke, "Kis hakk se aapke saath chalun main Sameer??? Ek dost bann kar yaa aapki biwi bann kar???" Sameer was confused with her statement & she continued, "Aapne hi toh agreements mein condition rakhi thi ki hum kabhi apni shaadi ke baare mein kisiko nahi bataayenge. Baaharwaalon ke saamne hum ajnabee honge."

Sameer cursed himself while she spoke, "Aaj function mein hamare saare dost toh honge hi aur Nanaji bhi. Fir aapke business acquaintances bhi toh honge. Nanaji sabke saamne mujhe aapki wife bataa denge toh aapko accha nahi lagega, isliye main function mein nahi aana chaahti aur... aur..."

Sameer coaxed her, "Aur... aur kya Naina???" She lowered her eyes & asked, "Aapne bhi toh mujhse nahi kahaa saath chalne ko? Fir main kaise aa sakti hun?" Sameer didn't know what to answer her, but he cursed himself for making her feel so uncomfortable.

Taking her face in his palms, he caressed her cheeks gently & replied, "Main jaanta hun ki ab bhi tumhare dimaag mein wohh agreements aur conditions aate honge. Itne mahino se hum saath reh rahe hai, toh kya tum mujhe itna hi samajh paayi Naina? Kya maine kabhi bhi wohh agreements ya conditions ke baare mein tumse kuch kahaa?"

"Hum husband wife hai aur sabse acche dost bhi, toh kya tumhe lagta hai ki main tumhe apne saath itne important function mein nahi le jaaunga? Naina... tum meri life mein special ho, bohot special ho... toh ab yeh agreements aur conditions hamare beech nahi aane chahiye."

Kissing her softly on her forehead, he whispered, "Chalo... ab jaldi se acchi waali smile de do aur..." Naina probed, "Aur..." Sameer gazed in her eyes lovingly & asked, "Aur Mrs Naina Sameer Maheshwari... kya aap mere saath aaj shaam iss award function mein chalengi???"

Lowering her lashes, she blushed & nodded in acceptance. He mumbled, "Paagal ho tum Naina... itni se baat ke liye itne bade bade aansoon?" Naina hit him on his chest lightly & hugged him happily.

Sameer rubbed her back slowly & asked, "Tumne kal kuch shopping kyun nahi ki Preeti aur Anjali ke saath???" She lied again, "Kuch pasand hi nahi aaya???" Tightening his hold on her, he spoke, "Fir se jhooth... Meri wife ko kuch pasand hi na aaye, yeh ho hi nahi sakta."

Naina smiled & she replied, "Kuch lene ka mann hi nahi hua. Main aapke saath jaaungi yaa nahi, jab yahi sure nahi tha, toh kya kharidti main?" He understood her now & just hummed in response.

Looking at the clock, Naina mumbled, "Abhi itna time bhi nahi hai ki main mall jaakar kuch accha pehenne ko le aaun." Sameer stood up & walked towards his cupboard. His sudden walkout confused Naina & she kept staring at him.

He came back in the next few minutes after searching for the bag he had bought months ago for his lovely wife. He forwarded the bag towards her & said, "Yeh main bohot pehle hi tumhare liye laaya tha. Tab dene ka koi mauka nahi mila, toh ab shaayad tumhare kuch kaam aa jaaye."

Naina opened the bag & was stunned to find a beautiful saree which included the blouse & the underskirt. She jumped in happiness & hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Sameer... Thank you so so much... aapne yeh saree kab li Sameer?"

Pointing towards the bag, he said, "Aur bhi kuch hai andar, wohh bhi dekh lo." Naina opened the bag again & was again stunned seeing the contents. The bag consisted of all the matching jewellery she would need. Then she remembered that he had done the same thing when he had brought the black netted saree for the fresher's party.

She gazed at him & asked, "Kya... kya aapne yeh saree uss black saree ke saath li thi Sameer, jo humne fresher's party ke liye mall se li thi???" Sameer smiled at her & agreed, "Haannn... Naina... mujhe tab yeh bhi saree pasand aa gayi thi aur fir maine yeh bhi le li. Tumhe kahaa ki main wallet shop mein bhool gaya hun aur fir shop mein jaakar isse kharid li aur uss salesgirl ko kahaa ki iss blouse ko bhi tumhare measurements ke hisaab se fitting kar de."

Naina gasped hearing the revelations & she remembered the whole shopping thing. Then suddenly something struck her mind & she asked, "Aapne hi uss salesgirl ko jaanbujhkar aapke office ka address diya tha naa, jisse mujhe yeh sab pataa naa chale???"

Sameer nodded, "Haannn... maine hi mere office ka address diya tha. Mujhe yeh saree bohot acchi lagi thi aur main jaanta tha ki tum aise hi isse nahi logi, isliye sahi mauke ka intezaar kar raha tha. Aur dekho, aaj wohh mauka bhi mil gaya."

Holding her by her shoulder, he asked, "Kya tum aaj ke function mein yeh saree pehnogi Naina???" She blinked the tears away & nodded, "Haannn... Main yahi saree pehnungi Sameer."

Looking at the saree again, she spoke, "Maanna padega Sameer... aapki choice bohot acchi hai..." Sameer gazed at her with a smile & replied, "Jaanta hun, meri choice bohot acchi hai aur yeh rang tum par bohot accha lagega."

Naina blushed & looked away instantly while her husband adored the red tinge on her cheeks. Shaking his head, he said, "Chalo... thoda padhai karlo, fir shaam ko jaldi ready bhi hona hai. Function mein saat baje pohonchna hai."

Naina picked her book again & started studying while Sameer started working on his laptop. It was already five in the evening when Naina was back in the room with his favourite coffee & snacks. "Chaliye Sameer... Pehle coffee pi lijiye aur kuch khaa lijiye. Aapne thik se kuch khaaya nahi tha lunch mein."

Pulling her next to him, he said, "Toh madam, aap bhi kuch kha lijiye kyunki tumne bhi kuch nahi khaaya tha lunch mein..." Naina bit her lower lip which didn't escape her husband's eyes. She looked at him, "Wohh... sorry... maine lunch mein sabse jhooth bolaa."

Sameer smiled at her & said, "Ab wohh sab bhool jao, aur jadli se kha lo, fir ready bhi toh hona hai. Waise bhi sabse jyada time tumhe hi lagega ready hone mein." Naina squinted her eyes at him, "Jii nahi... sabse jyaada time toh aap hi lagaate hai taiyaar hone mein."

"Accha... main late karta hun..." Sameer tickled her & she squealed in peals of laughter. "Sameer... bas... bas... kijiye..." Tears sprung in her eyes & finally after few minutes, Sameer left her. Both of them rested on the bed for some more time & then relished the coffee & the sandwiches made by her.

Sameer was the first one to freshen up & get ready. He headed downstairs to give his wife some privacy to get ready. Nanu too was ready & was delighted to hear that even Naina was going to accompany them to the award function.

It was already six in the evening, but there was no trace of Naina. Sameer glanced at his wristwatch again to check the time & he mumbled to himself, "Bola tha naa ki Naina ko ready hone mein time lagega."

At that precise moment, he heard the tinkling sound & he saw her descending the stairs. All the air whooshed out of his lungs & he stood rooted to his spot watching his wife. She was ready to kill his poor heart today.

Naina looked stunning in the bright red net saree. What caught Sameer's attention was her red painted luscious lips. As usual Naina hadn't applied much make-up, yet she looked gorgeous & breath taking. Sameer's gaze didn't leave her all the while.

Nanu tried to control his laughter watching his grandson's stunned face & whispered, "Sameer... Mooh band karle, warna makkhi andar ghoos jaayegi." Sameer came back to his senses & blinked his eyes to come back to reality.

As Naina reached them, Nanu complimented her, "Naina... tum bohot acchi lag rahi ho aur mujhe accha lagaa ki sar dard hone ke bawajood tum hamare saath function attend kar rahi ho. Ab tabiyat toh thik hai na?"

Naina glanced at Sameer & didn't have a heart to lie to Nanu, so Sameer took over, "Haannn... Nanu... ab Naina bilkul thik hai. Lunch ke baad medicine di thi maine aur usne aaraam bhi kiya tha. Toh ab thik hai Naina..."

Naina felt guilty that Sameer had to lie on her behalf. Nanu patted her head gently & said, "Chalo... ab hume nikalna chahiye warna late ho jaayenge." Nanu as usual took the front seat leaving the back seat for the couple.

Naina too was stunned to watch her husband in a black three-piece suit which he had paired with a red tie. She smiled to herself thinking, "Sameer ne yeh red tie meri saree se match karne ke liye toh nahi pehni?"

Her thoughts broke as he whispered near her ear, sending shivers down her spine, "Mrs Naina Sameer Maheshwari... aaj bohot hot lag rahi ho iss red saree mein..."

Their costumes for the award function...

How was the update???

So what do you think, who is going to win the most awaited award???

A surprise coming up in the next update...

Next update will be posted on next weekend...

I'm sorry, I'm running short on time & I'm not getting much time to write...

Till then take care & stay safe...

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️