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FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 46

As the music played, all the couples continued dancing to the romantic tunes. Sameer & Naina were lost in their own world. As the music stopped, everyone headed towards the food counter to relish the delicious meal.

It was already midnight when Sameer & Naina along with Nanu reached home. Nanu bid goodnight to them & retired to his room. Once they reached their room, Sameer held her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

Leaning towards her ear, he whispered, "Tumhe meri shart yaad toh hai naa? Aaj poori raat hume jaagna hai." Without turning, she replied, "Mujhe yaad hai..." She wriggled out of his hold & ran into the washroom after collecting the nightwear.

After few minutes, Sameer heard the click of the washroom door & turned. He sucked in a breath as his gorgeous wife appeared. Naina had worn the same black sleeveless night suit which she had worn in San Francisco. She walked consciously towards him while he stood rooted to his spot.

Naina saw the look on his face & mumbled, "Aap... aap bhi fresh ho jaaiye, tab tak main hamare liye coffee le aati hun." She stopped at the door & turned, "Aapko... aapko kuch khaane ko bhi laaun?"

Sameer stared at her for a few more seconds & replied, "Ummm... Nahi... sirf coffee hi le aao." As the door closed, he turned towards the washroom to freshen up. When Naina entered the room, she saw Sameer carrying a mattress towards the balcony.

He came back in the room to collect the pillows & noticed her standing near the door. "Arey... tum wahaan kyun ruk gayi?" Coming out of her trance, she entered the balcony with two cups of coffee.

Sameer settled next to her & took his cup of coffee. They sipped their coffees in silence for the next few minutes. Before Naina could get up to keep the cups away, Sameer took charge & kept them beside the mattress.

Naina didn't know what to say & how to start the conversation, so she continued looking at the shining stars in the sky while her husband continued looking at her glowing face. After few minutes of silence, Naina couldn't hold it any longer & asked, "Sameer... aapko award nahi mila, toh aapko zara bhi bura nahi lagaa?"

Sameer turned his gaze towards the sky, "Naina... maine bachpan se kisi bhi cheez ke expectations karna chod diya hai, toh bura kyun lagega? Yeh 'Best Entrepreneur Of The Year' ka award toh har saal hota hai aur har saal koi ek hi jeetta hai. Aur waise bhi mera maanna hai ki hume hamare kaam par focus karna chahiye, naaki iss awards mein."

"Award jeetna yaa haarna, yeh kisi ki accomplishments toh nahi decide karta naa? Waise main tumhe yeh bataa dun ki mujhe already yeh award mil chuka hai. Ab har saal toh mujhe hi award nahi de sakte naa?", he teased.

Naina was listening to him attentively & was happy to know that he had won the same award earlier. She just wished if she too would've been present at that function to watch him getting the prestigious award.

Sameer shifted closer to her & asked, "Yeh sab chodo. Tum batao... college mein sab thik toh chal raha hai naa? Tumhe agar studies mein koi help chahiye ho toh mujhe bataa sakti ho. Main tumhari help kar dunga."

Naina smiled, "College aur padhai sab accha chal raha hai. Aap apne kaam par focus kijiye, main apni studies manage kar lungi. Ab tak toh kuch problem nahi hui, par jab mujhe aapki madad ki zarurat hogi, toh main aapko bataa dungi." Sameer encircled his hand on her shoulder & she leaned & shifted closer to him.

Sameer pulled the thin sheet over their legs & enjoyed the cool breeze. Naina inhaled his fragrance & was lost in his warmth. They stayed silent for the next few minutes feeling each other's warmth.

Gathering some courage, Naina asked the question that was on her mind since yesterday. "Sameer... aapne... aapne media ke saamne hamari shaadi ka announcement kyun kiya??? Aapne... aapne hi toh bola tha naa ki hum kisi ko bhi hamari shaadi ke baare mein nahi bataayenge. Toh fir aapne mujhse kuch kahe bina itna bada kadam kyun uthaaya???"

Sameer was expecting this & he was prepared too. "Tum iss announcement se khush nahi ho kya Naina???" He counter questioned her. Looking into his eyes, she replied, "Main khush hun Sameer... bas yeh sab itna achanak ho gaya ki samaj nahi aaya ki yeh sab sach bhi hai yaa nahi."

Holding his gaze, she continued, "Pehle lagaa ki main koi sapna hi dekh rahi hun, jo aankh khulte hi toot jaayega. Par yeh sapna nahi tha, yeh sab toh sach mein ho raha tha. Sach kahun toh kal media ko dekhkar main darr gayi thi, nervous thi, ki agar unhone mujhse kuch pooch liya hamare baare mein yaa hamare rishtey ke baare mein toh main kya jawaab dungi? Kya bataaungi unhe?"

"Maine aaj tak yeh media waalon ke baare mein suna tha, unhe tv par dekha tha, par kal main pehli baar unke saamne thi Sameer. Mujhe nahi samaj aa raha tha ki main kya karun. Agar mujhse kuch bhi galti ho jaati toh aapka naam, Nanaji ka naam kharaab ho jaata, jo main bilkul bhi karna nahi chaahti thi. Agar meri wajah se aap logon ke image par koi sawaal uthta toh wohh bilkul bardaasht nahi kar paati main Sameer."

Sameer pulled her closer & wrapped his hand around her waist while she got comfortable resting her head on his chest. She could clearly hear his raging heartbeats which made her aware of their position, but she didn't care. She wanted to spend the night with him at this balcony under the shining sky & she wanted to make it memorable.

After a long silence, Sameer spoke, "Main jaanta tha ki award function mein media waale honge, aur wohh mujhse tumhare baare mein sawaal karenge. Naina... maine bohot se aise functions attend kiye hai aur mere saath hamesha hi Nanu yaa toh Munna Pandit rehte the. Itne saalon mein kabhi maine kisi ladki ko apne aaspaas bhi nahi aane diya aur issi wajah se main kabhi kisi ladki ko aise functions mein nahi le gaya."

"Isliye main jaanta tha ki media waale tumhare baare mein sawaal karengi hi. Aur maine kal dophar ko hi decide kar liya tha ki main hamari shaadi ke baare mein sach bolunga." Hooking his finger under her chin, he made her look at him, "Maine apni insecurities toh tumhe bataa di thi par tumne kabhi uss baare mein kuch bola hi nahi, apni zindagi ke baare mein kabhi kuch bataaya hi nahi."

"Naina... main itne dinon mein yeh samaj gaya tha ki tum hamari shaadi ko lekar insecure ho, aur iska kaaran bhi main hi hun. Maine hi tumhare saath itna buraa behave kiya tha, kitne bure bure ilzaam lagaaye the tum par, inn sabke bawajood tumne iss shaadi ko sacche dil se nibhaaya, patni ka har farz poora kiya."

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "I'm sorry Naina... maine jo bhi kiya, wohh maafi ke laayak nahi hai, par fir bhi tumne mujhe maaf kiya, mujhe aur Nanu ko apni family ki tarah khayaal rakha, infact tumne hamari iss choti si family mein apni jagah banaa li Naina."

"Mujhe pataa tha ki tum iss shaadi ko lekar insecure ho, hamare rishtey ko lekar insecure ho. Isiliye maine sabke saamne hamari shaadi announce kar di, taaki tum insecure naa raho."

Kissing her forehead, he continued, "Hamari shaadi ko saat mahine se upar ho gaye hai Naina aur tumne har wohh farz nibhaaya hai jo ek patni ko nibhaana chahiye, fir wohh Karwa Chauth ka vrat rakhna ho yaa fir mere har chote se chote kaam ko karna ho, tumne sab kuch kiya, bina kuch maange, bina kuch chaahe. Tumne hamesha mera saath diya, mere saath khadi rahi."

Laughing a little, he said, "Tumne iss Khadoos Sameer Maheshwari ko badal diya Naina. Meri zindagi mein sirf Nanu, Munna aur Pandit hi the. Par tumse shaadi hote hi, mujhe mehsoos hua ki main meri life mein kya miss kar raha tha."

"Jab maine papa ko dusri aurat ke saath dekha, tab toh mujhe kuch thik se samaj nahi aaya tha. Jaise jaise main badaa hua, mujhe sab samaj aane lagaa. Meri maa ke guzarne ke baad, main akela ho gaya. Bhale Nanu, Munna aur Pandit saath the, par fir bhi akela tha. Jab badaa hua toh mann banaa liya tha ki main kabhi kisi ladki ko meri zindagi mein jagah nahi dunga."

"Shaadi... iss rishtey par se mera vishwaas uth gaya tha mera. Main nahi chaahta tha ki kisi bhi ladki ke saath shaadi karke main apni yaa uski zindagi barbaad karun. Jis rishtey mein vishwaas hi naa ho, usse main nibhaa bhi kaise pataa? Papa ne jo meri maa ki saath kiya, uske baad mujhe yakeen ho gaya tha ki shaadi mere liye nahi hai."

Looking deeply in her eyes, he confessed, "Par tumne mujhse shaadi karke mera nazariya badal diya Naina. Maanta hun ki maine tumhe shuru mein galat samjha, par main aisa hi tha Naina. Kisi par bhi bharosa karna, mere nature mein tha hi nahi."

"Tab mujhe lagaa tha ki tumne mujhse shaadi sirf mere paison ke liye ki hai. Dheere dheere jaise din beete, main tumhe dekhna shuru kiya. Tumne har ek baar mujhe aur meri soch ko galat saabit kiya. Maine tumhara saccha aur saaf dil dekha. Jise main naatak samajta tha, wohh toh sacchai thi. Tum sach mein Nanu ki fikar karti thi, unka dhyaan rakhti thi, mera dhyaan rakhti thi."

"Sabse jyaada mujhe tab bura lagaa jab tumne mujhse paise lene se manaa kar diya. Agar tum mere paise use karti toh shaayad main sach mein tumhe gold-digger hi maan leta. Par tumne aisa nahi kiya, tum Preeti ke café mein part-time job karne lagi. Yeh sab dekhkar main samaj gaya ki tumne mujhse mere paison ke liye shaadi nahi ki thi."

Taking her in his arms, he took few deep breaths, "Naina... tumne mujhe har kadam mein bataaya ki tumhare liye tumhari self-respect bohot important hai. Tum unn sab ladkiyon ki tarah nahi ho jo sirf paison ke liye shaadi karti hai. Sach kahun toh maine aisi hi ladkiyaan dekhi hai jinhe mujhse jyaada mere paison aur property mein interest tha. Sab mere naam ki wajah se mujhse rishta jodna chaahti thi."

"Jab Nanu ne mujhse kahaa ki unhone tumhare Nanaji se vaada kiya tha ki hamari shaadi hogi toh main thoda sa darr gaya tha. Aise kaise main bina tumhe jaane, tumse shaadi kar leta. Par fir Nanu ko heart attack aaya aur fir sab kuch badal gaya."

"Main Nanu se itna pyaar karta hun ki agar uss waqt wohh mujhse khaayi mein kudne ko bhi kehte toh main wohh bhi kar leta." Naina pressed her palm on his mouth & shook her head in a no.

He smiled & pulled her hand away from his mouth, "Nanu meri zindagi hai Naina. Unke liye main kuch bhi kar sakta hun, kuch bhi." Naina knew this, she had seen the way the grandfather & grandson treated each other. They loved each other more than anyone in this world. Infact, they were each other's world.

Naina was quietly listening to her husband whereas Sameer was disclosing some facts that led him to declare their marriage in front on the world. He continued, "Jab maine tumhari aawaaz phone par pehli baar suni thi naa, tab hi mere dil ne pehli baar dhadakna band kar diya tha. Kuch tha tab tumhari aawaaz mein, jisse main tumhari taraf khincha chala jaa raha tha."

"Fir jab hum pehli baar mere kamre mein takraaye the, tab... tab tum sirf towel mein thi." Naina blushed & closed her eyes, reminiscing their first meet in his room. "Naina... tab bhi mera dil ruk gaya tha. Bohot si ladkiyon ne mera dhyaan khinchne ki koshish ki thi pehle par mujhe kabhi koi farak hi nahi pada tha. Jab tumhari aawaaz suni aur fir tumhe dekha, toh bas main sab kuch bhool gaya."

"Fir Nanu ne mujhse hamari shaadi ki baat ki, toh lagaa ki tum bhi baaki sab ladkiyon ki tarah hi nikli. Mujhe lagaa ki tumne Nanu ke saamne accha rehne ka naatak karke unhe fasaa liya. Tab lagaa ki tum jaan bujhkar mere saamne uss towel mein aayi thi, taaki tum mujhe seduce kar sako."

Closing his eyes, he whispered, "I'm sorry Naina... mujhe tab yahi sab lagaa tha ki tum mujhe aur Nanu ko apne jhaanse mein fasaa rahi ho. Par shaadi ke baad tumne meri har soch, meri har baat ko galat saabit kiya. Jo hua main usse badal toh nahi sakta Naina, par haan fir maine meri har galti ko sudhaarne ki koshish ki."

"Tumhare liye mobile, laptop, kapde, wohh sab kuch laaya jisse tumhari zindagi aasaan ho sake. Maine tumse dosti ki, tumhara saath dena shuru kiya, ek pati hone ka farz nibhaana shuru kiya, kyunki tum wohh sab deserve karti ho Naina... You deserve to get all the happiness Naina..."

Naina's eyes had already misted listening to him. She clutched his t-shirt & spoke, "Sameer... aap bhi khushiyaan deserve karte hai." As he realized that his wife was crying, he unhugged her & wiped her tears. "Maine yeh sab isliye nahi kahaa taaki tum rone lago."

Naina smiled faintly & he continued, "Aaj main keh sakta hun ki Nanu ne meri zindagi ka ekdum sahi decision liya tha." Naina held her breath & he met her misty eyes, "Tumse shaadi karwaane ka decision bilkul sahi tha Naina... I'm happy that he chose you for me. You're the perfect life partner I could ever asked for Naina."

The tears that rolled down from her eyes didn't get a chance to fall down as Sameer kissed her each & every tear away. Unable to control himself, he kissed her softly on her lips. When they couldn't breathe, they parted reluctantly. Naina went into his embrace instantly, finally feeling at home.

Sameer breathed her fragrance & felt sated. He had finally let her know what place she had in his life. She deserved to know the truth & now she knew. But had he confessed everything?

"Naina... inn saat mahino mein maine tumhe acche se samjha hai, aur isliye tumhare bina kahe main tumhari insecurities samajh gaya. Main samajh gaya ki tum ab bhi iss shaadi ko lekar insecure ho. Aur hogi bhi kyun nahi, maine jo kiya tha, uske baad tum kya, koi bhi insecure hi hota."

"Tumhe yeh hi darr tha naa ki agar main tumhe sab ke saamne apni wife ka darja nahi dunga toh kya hoga? Naina... inn saat mahino mein tum dheere dheere meri iss boring zindagi ka ek important hissa ban gayi ho. Ek aisa hissa jo mujhse yaa iss family se kabhi nahi toot sakta."

Rubbing her back, he continued, "Naina... tumne meri zindagi ke saath saath, mere dil mein bhi jagah banaa li hai. Tum meri dost hi nahi, par sahi maayno mein meri jeevan saathi bann gayi ho."

"Uss din San Francisco mein jab tum paani mein bina kuch soche samjhe kudi toh lagaa ki tum sach mein paagal ho. Tumhe swimming bhi nahi aati thi, fir bhi tum mujhe bachaane mere peeche kudi. Uske baad apni jaan ki parwaaah kiye bina, tumne meri jaan bachaayi. Tab samajh aaya ki main tumhare liye, tumhari zindagi mein kya maayne rakhta hun. Yeh wohi kar sakta hai jo khudse pehle kisi aur ko rakkhe, jo tumne bhi kiya. Tumne apni jaan ke pehle meri jaan ko rakkha, khudse pehle mujhe rakkha."

Sameer wanted to say that he knew about her love for him for which she didn't care for her life. His life meant everything for her & he knew it. He knew her love was unconditional but he also wanted her to confess it on her own. So, he didn't say anything about it. He knew someday she would definitely speak about her feelings. If he was lucky, he would hear it today itself.

"Bas... iske baad maine decide kar liya tha ki tumhe sabke saamne main apni wife ka darja dunga. Sabko bataaunga ki tum meri biwi ho, meri jeevan sangini ho, jiske liye Nanu aur meri khushiyaan sabse jyaada maayne rakhti hai."

"Maine wohi kiya jo mujhe bohot pehle kar lena chahiye tha Naina. Khair... jo hona tha wohh ho gaya, aur hum abhi usse badal nahi sakte. Lekin hum apni aage ki zindagi ko sawaar sakte hai, ek saath. Agar... agar tum chaaho toh Naina..."

"Maine kal tumhe bina pooche, sabke saamne hamari shaadi declare kar di. I'm sorry for that, par main tumhe khush dekhna chaahta tha aur main jaanta tha ki tum iss announcement ke baad khush hi hogi."

He again hooked his finger under her chin & met her gaze, "Khush ho naa tum???" She nodded, "Main khush hun Sameer... bohot bohot khush hun." Sameer smiled widely & replied, "Main bhi... main bhi bohot khush hun Naina."

Naina shifted a little & rested her back on the pillow. Sameer gazed at her & she gestured him to sleep on his lap. He missed few heartbeats & followed her gesture. She felt herself shiver a little as his head touched her lap.

Her fingers on its own accord moved & brushed his hair. His heart summersaulted as he felt her fingers brushing his hair. He felt like heaven, this feeling was surreal. He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of her touch.

Naina watched his face which shone under the moonlight. She wanted to touch & feel each & every inch of his face, but she controlled the urge. Sameer said what he felt for her since the starting & he too owed the truth in return. Though he didn't say in clear words, but she understood that he liked her & wanted to continue their marriage.

Naina made up her mind & started, "Main choti thi jab mere mummy-papa guzar gaye. Unke jaane ke baad mujhe mere Nanaji ne hi sambhaala. Hamare paas jyada paise nahi the, par fir bhi meri padhayi nahi ruki. Nanaji meri har choti se choti icchayein bhi poori karte the, fir bhale unke paas paise ho yaa naa ho."

"Main tab se hi badi ho gayi thi Sameer, sab samajhne lagi thi main. Main dheere dheere apni icchayein apne mann mein hi rakhne lagi. Main nahi chaahti thi ki meri wajah se Nanaji par koi karza ho."

Without meeting his gaze, she continued, "Main tab se hi part-time job karti thi, taaki Nanaji par saara bojh naa aaye. Meri padhaai, mere kapde, khaana peena, bohot kharche the aur main jyaada kharkhe nahi badhaana chahti thi. Isliye maine part-time job karna shuru kiya, jisse meri padhaai ke kharcha nikal jaata tha."

"Main tab se hi paison ki keemat jaanti hun Sameer. Thode paison mein hi hum ghar chalaa lete the. Kayi baar mahine ke anth mein hamare paas paise nahi hote the, tab hum sirf paani ke saath biscuits khaa lete the."

Her eyes misted but she didn't let the tears fall this time. "Main mann lagaakar padhaai karti thi kyunki jaanti thi college mein admissions ke liye mere paas fees nahi thi. Mere naseeb acche the ki mujhe scholarship par college mein admission ho gaya aur fir maine har saal top kiya."

"Bhale hi hamare paas paise ki kami thi par pyaar... pyaar ki kami kabhi nahi hone di. Bas aise hi hamari zindagi chalti rahi. Aur fir ek din sab badal gaya. Nanaji ki tabiyat thik nahi rehti thi, aur ek din achanak wohh behosh ho gaye."

"Unko main turant hospital le gayi aur tests karwaane ke baad hume pataa chala ki unhe cancer tha. Cancer ke last stage mein the Nanaji toh koi ummeed bhi nahi thi ki wohh thik honge. Uss din main bohot royi, kyunki kahin naa kahin main yeh jaan gayi thi ki mere Nanaji bas kuch hi din jeene waale the."

"Mummy-papa ke jaane ke baad Nanaji hi meri duniya the aur ab toh wohh bhi nahi rahe. Jab unka aakhri time paas aaya, unhone mujhe ek diary di aur ek number par call karke unhe bulaane ko kahaa. Maine itne saalon mein yeh naam bohot baar suna tha, par kabhi mili nahi thi."

"Jab Nanaji ne aakhri saans li tab unhone mera haath aapke Nanaji ke haath mein diya tha aur kahaa tha ki ab se main unki zimmedaari hun aur unhe apna vaada poora karne ka time aa gaya hai. Aur uske baad, uske baad... unhone hamesha hamesha ke liye apni aankhen band kar li."

Few tear drops made its way & Sameer wiped it softly. "Fir Nanaji ke saath main aapke iss ghar mein aayi. Thode din toh main room se hi baahar nahi aayi thi. Par fir Nanaji mein mujhe apne Nanaji nazar aane lage. Yeh ghar mujhe apna sa lagne lagaa."

"Nanaji ne bohot baar aapke baare mein bataaya aur ek din mein unse chupkar aapke kamre mein gayi. Aapki photo se roz baat karne lagi. Aisa lagaa jaise mujhe ek dost mil gaya hai. Aapki aankhon mein itni gehraayi thi ki main naa chaahte hue bhi aapki tarah kheenchi jaa rahi thi."

Without meeting his gaze, she continued, "Fir ek din maine aapki aawaaz phone par suni aur tab main bhi aapki tarah saans lena bhool gayi. Uske baad jab bhi phone bajta toh main usse uthaane ke liye daudti, aapke phone ka intezaar karne lagi kyunki main firse aapki aawaaz sunna chaahti thi."

"Aur fir ek din aap achanak saamne aaye aur tab... tab main aap mein itna kho gayi ki mujhe yaad hi nahi raha ki main sirf towel mein thi." Biting her lower lip, she met his gaze finally, "Jitne acche aap uss photo mein dikhte the naa, usse jyaada handsome aap real mein hai."

"Sameer... main nahi jaanti wohh khinchaav kya tha, kyun tha, par kuch toh tha, jo mujhe aapki taraf, aapki unn aankhon ki gehraai ki taraf khinch raha tha. Fir uske baad hamari shaadi ke baat hui, aur aapne... aapne jo bhi kahaa mere baare mein, mere character ke baare mein, wohh sunnkar mera dil hi toot gaya. Main bohot hurt hui thi Sameer. Isliye maine shaadi se bhi inkaar kar diya tha."

"Fir Nanaji ko heart attack aaya aur sab kuch badal gaya. Hum dono ne unki khushi aur hamare Nanaji ke vaade ke liye ek dusre se shaadi ki. Maine soch liya tha ki main aapko kabhi maaf nahi kar paaungi. Mujhe baad mein aapke past ke baare mein pataa chala aur main aapka behavior samajhne lagi. Kyun aap kisi par bharosa nahi kar paa rahe, uska reason pataa chala aur mera dil pighalne lagaa."

"Aapne meri self-respect, mere character par sawaal uthaaye the Sameer... jo aaj bhi mujhe chubhte hai. Par maine wohh seh liya kyunki jaanti thi ki aap par kya beeti thi. Fir dheere dheere aapne wohh sab kiya jo ek pati apni patni ke liye karta hai."

"Aapne meri convenience ke liye mujhe mobile, laptop aur kya kuch nahi diya. Main thik se college aa-jaa sakhun, isliye aapne mujhe college drop karna shuru kiya aur fir driver ko bhejte the mujhe pick karne, taaki main sahi salaamat ghar aa paaun."

"Main jitna aapka dhyaan rakhti hun naa Sameer, usse jyaada aap meri care karte hai. Main jaanti hun ki aapne unn gundon ka kya haal kiya tha jinhone mujhe hurt karne ki koshish ki thi. Yehh toh wohi kar sakta hai jo ladkiyon ki izzat karta ho."

"Pehle jo bhi hua ho, par thode dinon baad hi aap badalne lage Sameer. Aap bhi toh meri har choti se choti wish ko bina kauch kahe poora karte hai, fir wohh café mein part-time job karna ho, yaa college mein padhna, yaa NGO ke liye kaam karna. Aapne hamesha mujhe support kiya hai Sameer, hamesha mere saath khade rahe hai."

"Agar main patni hone ka har farz nibhaa rahi hun tohh aap bhi toh shuru se wohi kar rahe hai. Aapne wohh sab kiya jo ek pati ko karna chahiye. Haannn... maanti hun aap thode khadoos hai."

Sameer raised his eyebrow while she continued pointing towards his heart, "Par yeh dil bohot accha hai, jo sab ke baare mein sochta hai. Baahar se aap bhale hi kitne bhi strict aur khadoos dikhe, par yeh dil toh ekdum saaf hai, jo sabki khushi hi chaahta hai."

"Maine pehle bhi kahaa tha aur aaj bhi keh rahi hun Sameer ki aap hamesha mere liye pehle hi rahenge. Main hamesha aapko sabse aage rakhungi, khudse bhi pehle." She leaned a little & kissed his forehead, "You deserve happiness too Sameer... aapne bhi bohot kuch sahaa hai aur ussi wajah se aapne khudko khushi se durr rakha hai."

"Jab tak main aapki zindagi mein hun, tab tak main kabhi kisi dukh yaa dard ko aap tak pohonchne nahi dungi. Main poori koshish karungi ki aapko aur Nanaji ko khush rakh paaun."

Sameer replied, "Tum hume khush rakh rahi ho Naina... tumhare iss ghar mein aane se sab kuch badal gaya hai. Pehle sirf main aur Nanu hi the ek dusre ke liye, par ab tum bhi ho. Aur hum khush hai, bohot khush hai."

He got up from her lap & searched for something in his pocket. As he took out the chocolate bar, Naina smiled happily, "Chocolate... aapko kaise pataa chala ki mujhe kabse kuch meetha khaane ka mann ho raha tha?"

Sameer just shrugged & tore the wrapper. He forwarded the bar to her & she had already started eating without offering even a single piece to him. Sameer was happy watching his wife relishing her favourite chocolate heartily.

The chocolate bar vanished in few minutes & then Naina realized that she hadn't even offered a single piece to her husband who was staring at her intently. She cleared her throat & spoke a little apologetically, "Sorry... main wohh aapko chocolate offer karna hi bhool gayi."

Sameer replied huskily, "Tum chinta mat karo, main apni chocolate ka share le lunga." While Naina kept thinking about his words, Sameer pulled her close & kissed her, tasting her favourite chocolate from her mouth. Naina surrendered & enjoyed his closeness.

Sameer stopped abruptly & asked hoarsely, "Do you... do you lo..." And he stopped. Meeting her confused gaze, he asked again, "Do you like me Naina???" He so desperately wanted to hear it but she hadn't uttered a single word about her feelings.

Naina wasn't sure if she should confess that she loved him. Instead, she played it safe for now, until she was sure about his feelings. Meeting his burning gaze, she replied, "I... I like you Sameer..."

I Love You was on tip of her tongue, but she resisted. She couldn't just say it & get rejected. She didn't want to scare him away with her feelings. She knew Sameer liked her, so there was no harm in confessing the same. But love, she would wait for the right time, till she felt that her husband reciprocated the same feelings.

Sameer leaned again & kissed her passionately making her forget about everything. As he parted, he whispered, "I Like You too Naina... I Like You so so much..." Naina released the breath that she was holding since her small confession.

She hadn't expected that Sameer would accept this so easily. But he had, making her rethink about her decision of not confessing her love for him. Naina kept those thoughts away, as Sameer rested on the pillow & pulled her in his embrace.

They continued talking about their school life & college life for the next few hours. They didn't know when they drifted to sleep while talking during the night.

When the first rays of sun fell on the couple, they woke up with a bright smile. Though they didn't get the full goodnight sleep, still they looked fresh when they joined Nanu for breakfast.

The next three months passed quickly as they got to know more about each other & they started spending more time together. Naina was sure that Sameer loved her & would eventually confess his feelings while Sameer thought the same about her.

One evening, Sameer came back home early, only to announce that he was heading to London the next morning for almost a month. He had to take care of some project there & that would take around a month to wrap up his work.

Naina's heart sank hearing the news & her eyes misted immediately. She helped him pack for his long work trip while Sameer too felt bad for leaving her alone here. But he had no choice, he couldn't take her along as she couldn't miss her college for a month, especially when her finals were approaching.

The couple spent the entire night cuddling each other. When Sameer left the next morning, Naina controlled her tears & bid him goodbye with a smile. As he left for the airport, Naina ran to the room & let her tears flow.

It wasn't even a minute, when the door to the room opened & Sameer walked in hurriedly. Before Naina could react, Sameer had pulled her in his arms & kissed her senseless. As he came up for air, he whispered, "You better miss me Naina... or else I'm going to punish you when I'm back. And this time, the punishment won't end only with a single kiss. I want more..."

Saying that, he left her & walked towards the door & stopped. He turned & spoke, "No more tears Naina... I will be back soon..." And he was gone... Naina closed her eyes & replayed his words.

"I want more", was the only sentence that caught her attention & she shivered when she realized what he was actually asking for... Blushing to the roots, she wiped the tears & got ready for the college.

How was the update???

Any idea what's coming up next???

Will try to update as soon as I can...

Till then, take care & stay safe...

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️