Hello friends...
I'm back with the next part...
Thank you each and everyone for having patience with my updates...
Thank you so much for showing so much support and showering love on my stories...

I hope you will like this update, afterall our Samaina will be in front of each other after a long time...

Enjoy the update and do give your reviews...

FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 54

Sameer didn't sleep all night and waited for the next morning. At around six a.m., he was ready and headed downstairs with his luggage. Nanu was surprised and happy to see his grandson up so early. Nanu sipped his tea silently and waited for his grandson to say something. He was also shocked to see that his grandson was carrying a large trolley bag.

Sameer went to the temple first, prayed for a few minutes which surprised his grandfather as Sameer had never done it before. After taking the Almighty's blessings, he joined Nanu in the living room. He sat down near his grandfather's knees and rested his head comfortably. Nanu brushed his fingers in his hair and after sometime, he felt some wetness on his pyjama. "Sameer... Kya hua? Tu ro kyun raha hai?" He looked at his grandfather and replied happily, "Nanu... yeh... yeh toh khushi ke aansoon hai... mujhe... mujhe Naina ka pataa chal gaya Nanu... mujhe Naina ka pataa chal gaya... Naina... Naina... Shimla mein hai..."

Nanu's eyes misted instantly as he heard those words. He smiled, "Jaanta hun..." Sameer wasn't shocked with it as he knew that apart from him, everyone was aware of his wife's whereabouts. Nanu continued, "Yahaan se jaane ke teen din baad hi Naina ne phone kiya tha. Mujhe har ravivaar ko phone karti hai ab. Preeti ko jaise hi pataa chala tha Naina ke baare mein, wohh gayi thi Shimla, Naina se milne. Tabhi mujhse phone pe baat hui thi. Uske baad har ravivaar ko mujhse baat ki, apni khabar deti hai."

Sameer listened quietly and thought, "Naina ne har hafte Nanu se baat ki? Maine kahaan kahaan nahi dhoonda Naina ko aur Preeti... Preeti ko pehle hi kaise pataa chal gaya Naina ke baare mein?" Nanu understood his dilemma and told him how Preeti got to know about her best friend from her college and how she had gone to meet Naina in Shimla the very next day. He didn't speak more as he wanted Sameer to find about Naina by himself when he would meet her in Shimla.

Nanu knew that it was going to be a difficult task for his grandson to seek forgiveness from his love. Whenever he had spoken to her, Naina had neither asked anything about Sameer nor had broached his topic. Her conversation was full of talks about her internship and the NGO where she was teaching the kids. She also used to mention about the old lady whom she called Naniji. She even asked about Ramdhari, but never dared to ask about Sameer. It was a long way for Sameer to seek forgiveness and bring his love back.

Sameer had finally found where Naina was. But how? Before Nanu could ask, Sameer narrated how he got to know about it. Nanu listened calmly and was happy. As he finished, Nanu spoke, "Toh isliye subah jaldi uth gaya hai tu? Tu... Tu Naina ko lene jaa raha hai abhi?"

Sameer nodded with a smile, "Haannn... Main apni Naina ko lene jaa raha hun. Main jaanta hun ek mahina ho gaya hai Naina ko yeh ghar chode hue. Aur maine jo bhi kiya, uske baad Naina mujhe itni aasaani se maaf nahi karegi. Main poori koshish karunga ki Naina mujhe poore dil se maaf kar sake. Main usse manaa lunga Nanu, bas mujhe Naina ek mauka de de. Ek aakhri baar Naina mujhe maaf karde toh main usse yahaan le aaunga, hamare iss ghar mein, hamari zindagi mein. Nanu... mujhe bas aapka aashirwaad chahiye hai ki main jald se jald Naina ko waapis laa paaun."

Nanu blessed him whole heartedly, "Mera aashirwaad toh hamesha mere bacchon ke saath rehta hai. Bas ek baat yaad rakhna Sameer... yeh tera aakhri mauka hai. Iss baar kuch aisa mat karna jisse Naina ke dil ko fir se koi chot pohonche. Tune pehle hi bohot kuch keh diya hai, ab aisa kuch mat karna jisse baat aur bigad jaaye. Naina pehle se hi toot chuki hai, ab aisa kuch mat karna jisse wohh hum sabse baat karna bhi chod de."

Sameer smiled amidst his tears, "Main aisa waisa kuch nahi karunga Nanu. Yeh ek mahine mein mujhe meri Naina ki keemat pataa chal gayi hai. Naina ki meri zindagi mein kya jagaa hai, yeh samajh chuka hun main Nanu. Main Naina se bohot pyaar karta hun aur ab main kisi bhi haalat mein usse kho nahi sakta. Aap fikar mat kijiye Nanu, main Naina par kabhi apna gussa nahi nikaalunga. Infact, ab se gussa karna band. Main samajh chuka hun ki main gusse mein bohot kuch keh jaata hun, bohot kuch aisa kar jaata hun, jiski wajah se maine Naina ko bohot hurt kiya hai. Iss baar Naina ek alag hi Sameer ko dekhegi, jo sirf usse pyaar karta hai, jo uska hai aur hamesha uska hi rahega. Aap bilkul chinta mat kijiye Nanu, main Naina ko manaakar jald se jald yahaan le aaunga. Aapko... aapko mujhpar bharosa toh hai naa Nanu?"

Nanu shed few tears along with him and nodded, "Haannn... mujhe tujhpar bharosa hai, thoda time lagega par tu hi Naina ko iss ghar mein, hamari zindagi mein waapis laa sakta hai Sameer." "Aur hume bhi...", came a chorus from the entrance. Nanu and Sameer turned to the voices and smiled watching Munna, Pandit, Kabir, Nisha, Anjali and Preeti. Though Preeti had reluctantly tagged along with her better half.

Sameer came forward and hugged his friends. He had messaged them that he had found Naina and he was headed to Shimla that same day. He saw everyone's eyes turn misty as he told them how he got to know about Naina being in Shimla. Everyone saw Sameer finally smiling wholeheartedly after so many days. And why shouldn't he be happy? He was finally going to meet his Naina after a month. He had all the reason to be cheerful about it. Didn't he?

Sameer turned to Preeti finally who was standing a little away from him, next to Nanu. He had observed her many times, he knew that she had drifted away from her own brother too. Pandit had told him that she wasn't talking to his brother and Nisha much since Naina had gone away. For the sake of everyone, she talked to them whenever it was needed.

Preeti looked at him coldly and he spoke, "Preeti... main jaanta hun ki tum Kabir se aur khaaskar mujhse bohot naaraaz ho, gussa ho, aur hona bhi chahiye. Maine... maine kaam hi kuch aisa kiya hai, jo... jo maafi ke laayak nahi hai. Kabir ne toh anjaane mein galti kar di, par maine... maine jo bhi kiya wohh sab gusse mein kiya, jo bhi hua wohh anjaane mein nahi hua tha. Main koi safaai nahi de raha, bas ho sake toh at least apne bhai ko maaf kar dena. Main jaanta hun ki tum mujhe maaf nahi karogi, par fir bhi ummeed karta hun ki jab main Naina ko yahaan, iss ghar mein waapis le aaunga, tab tum bhi mujhe maaf kar sako. Aur thank you... tum hi Naina ki sahi maayno mein best friend ho, jisne Naina ka teen din mein hi pataa lagaa liya. Thank you, aise waqt mein bhi tumne Naina ko akela nahi choda. Thank you, Preeti... Thank you so much..."

As Sameer was about to turn, he heard Preeti's voice, "Sameer..." And he stopped in his tracks. He hadn't expected her to call him out and speak. As he faced her again, she started, "Naina ne hamesha sirf tumse hi pyaar kiya hai Sameer. Tumhari aur Bhai ki wajah se aaj wohh hum sabse durr Shimla mein hai. Naina ke liye tum hi sab kuch ho aur isliye usne hamesha tumhe sabse jyaada importance di hai. Meri dosti se bhi jyaada uske liye tum maayne rakhte ho Sameer. Tumhari choti si choti baat bhi usse bohot affect karti hai. Tumne usspar trust nahi kiya, usse hurt kiya, uska dil toda aur isliye aaj wohh yahaan hum sabke saath nahi hai. Haannn... main naaraaz hun... gussa hun... Bhai se... tum se... kyunki tum dono ki wajah se aaj meri dost wahaan Shimla mein akeli reh rahi hai. Naina ne hamesha tumhe mujhse upar chunaa hai Sameer, isliye mujhe gussa aata hai, jalan hoti hai tumse. Naina ko maine apni best friend, apni behen maana, usse itna pyaar karti hun... aur tum... tumne usse itna hurt kiya aur fir bhi uske liye tum hi important ho. Tumhare kuch bhi keh dene se Naina ko kitna affect hota hai, yeh mujhse behtar koi nahi jaanta Sameer."

Taking a step ahead, Preeti stood in front of Sameer and continued, "Tum Shimla jaa rahe ho naa? Jao... lekin meri ek baat acche se sunn kar jao. Wahaan tum jis Naina se milne jaa rahe ho naa, wohh Naina wohh seedhi saadhi naazuk si Naina nahi hai... bohot badal chuki hai wohh... itna ki... ki usne meri baat tak nahi maani, nahi aayi mere saath Ahmedabad waapis. Jo Naina hamesha tumhare aaspaas smile kiya karti thi, aaj wohh thik se muskura bhi nahi paati. Jo hamesha sabko khush rakhti thi apni maujudgi mein, wohhh aaj kisiko apne aas paas bhi nahi aane deti, khush rehna bhool gayi hai wohh... Jiski aankhon mein hamesha khushi ki chamak dikhaayi deti thi, wohh bhi kahin kho gayi hai, uski aankhon mein sirf khalipan dikhaayi deta hai ab, jaise uski zindagi mein se sab chinn gaya ho. Jo Naina hum sabse pyaar karti thi, aaj wohh wahaan akeli rehkar khudse bhi pyaar karna bhool gayi hai."

Preeti closed her eyes and let the tears flow along with all the people who could feel her pain. She continued, "Jao Sameer... Jao... Main yeh kehna toh nahi chaahti par sach yahi hai ki sirf tum usse waapis laa sakte ho. Meri behen ka dil jo toot chuka hai, usse tum hi jod sakte ho. Main bhagwaan se prarthna karungi ki jo Naina kho gayi hai naa, usse tum waapis laa paao. Jo Naina poori tarah tootkar bikhar chuki hai, usse tum apne pyaar se sametkar hamare paas yahaan laa pao. Bhale Naina ne kabhi iss ek mahine mein tumhare baare mein kuch nahi poocha yaa kahaa ho, par main jaanti hun ki wohh aaj bhi wohh raat nahi bhooli hai, kyunki uski khamoshi bhi bohot kuch keh jaati hai. Usne khudko itna bejaan banaa diya hai ki wohh khulkar jeena bhi bhool gayi hai. Jao Sameer... hamari Naina ko waapis le aao. Sirf tum hi usse waapis laa sakte ho. Main meri best friend ko bohot miss kar rahi hun Sameer... Please meri behen ko waapis le aao... Laaoge na Naina ko waapis? Main usse aisi haalat mein nahi dekh sakti, nahi dekh sakti... tum... tum usse waapis le aaoge naa?"

She asked innocently while Sameer just closed the distance between them and took her in a warm hug. They cried for the same person who was their world. Sameer spoke softly, "Main Naina ko mere saath lekar hi waapis aaunga Preeti... tumhari dost aur meri wife jyaada dino tak Shimla mein akeli nahi rahegi. Main usse apne pyaar se waapis le hi aaunga Preeti... yeh mera vaada hai tumse... ek vaada hai ek bhai ka apni behen se..." Wiping her tears, he continued, "Tum ab bilkul bhi chinta mat karo Preeti, Naina ab se kabhi akeli nahi rahegi. Peechla ek mahina bhale hi usne akele bitaa liya ho, par aage se kabhi akela nahi chodunga usse... I promise ki main ab Ahmedabad sirf Naina ke saath hi lautunga..."

Nanu hugged both of them and then kept his hands on their heads. "Ab rona band karo tum dono. Ab rone ke din gaye. Mera Sameer ab hamari Naina ko jaldi hi waapis le aayega. Tab tak hum sab tum dono ka intezaar karenge. Jab waqt mile tab mujhe phone karna Sameer. Nahi toh mujhe chinta lagi rahegi." All the friends joined the hug and cried for a bit. Sameer took blessings from Nanu and bid his goodbye to everyone.

Sameer reached airport in the next twenty minutes and boarded the plane. In the next three hours, he was in Delhi. As there were no flights from Delhi to Shimla available, he took the bus and reached Shimla around ten at night. He already knew Naina's address as he had personally called up the CEO of the multinational company where she was doing her internship. The CEO being his school friend had helped him and forwarded her address to him without any questioning. But Sameer had explained his reason to his friend which helped him to get the address easily without any hitch.

When he stood in front of the small bungalow, he noticed that the lights on the first floor were on. He kept watching for any signs of his life and stood there for more than an hour. Though his body screamed of tiredness, he didn't budge from there. He just wanted to have a glimpse of his lovely wife for now. Just one sight of her and all his tiredness would leave his body.

It was over two hours but there was no sign of Naina. Sameer leaned back on the tree trunk opposite the bungalow and kept his luggage beside him. He had lost all hopes of seeing Naina that night. But suddenly, as if his prayers were heard by the Almighty, Naina came near the window and shut them slowly.

For Sameer, that moment ran in front of his eyes in a slow motion as he saw his life closing the window. Though he couldn't see her face clearly, he was happy for a small glimpse of her. Naina drew the curtains and in the next moment, the lights in her room went off. Sameer sighed; he knew he had to struggle a lot in the next few days to get her forgiveness first. Naina wouldn't join him back to Ahmedabad until she would forgive him for his mistakes. Sameer picked up his luggage and went to the hotel for the night. He had to do something to get close to her, so that he could keep a watch on her and find out her timetable.

Sameer reached the hotel room and called up Nanu who was anxiously waiting for his call. After few minutes, he disconnected the call and rested on the bed. He had to make a plan to stay close to Naina. He wanted to know how she was managing here all alone. Was she renting that apartment or was a PG there? He needed to know as he had no idea about her accommodation arrangement.

Sameer was told by his CEO friend that Naina came for her internship from nine to one on week days. So, he decided to visit that house and find out about her staying arrangement. He wanted to check if the place was safe for her. If all was well according to him, then he also wanted to get an accommodation in the same bungalow. Closing his eyes, he drifted to sleep while dreaming about his lovely beautiful wife.

On the other end, Naina was anxious. She didn't know why but she felt restless the whole day. She couldn't concentrate on anything. She even made few mistakes in the office and while teaching the kids in the NGO. She was on edge that day for some reason, as if something was going to happen again in her life.

In the evening, she had picked up her new phone and had downloaded the YouTube app. When the first video of Sameer had gone viral on YouTube, Naina wasn't aware about anything. A couple of days back, she had been sitting in the garden of the NGO and was preparing herself for her next class, when another teacher had come rushing to her and had showed her Sameer's video.

Naina's heartbeats had stopped already as she saw his face almost after three weeks. Her eyes misted as she heard the lyrics of the song. She didn't blink at all throughout the song and continued watching the person who was the reason behind her happiness and her pain too.

"Naina... yeh video kitna mast hai naa? Kya handsome ladka hai, aur kitna accha gaata hai. Kya aawaaz hai yaar... Abhi kal hi yeh gaana upload hua hai, aur dekh kitne views bhi ho gaye. Main toh fan ho gayi hun yaar iss Sameer Maheshwari ki... Wowww... kya kamaal ka gaana hai, jaise apne pyaar ka izhaar kar raha ho. I just hope wohh single ho, warna mera dil toot jaayega.", the colleague said dreamily.

As the other girl gushed over Sameer's voice and his handsome face and body, Naina's blood boiled. But she controlled her emotions and got away from her before she could break the other girl's teeth. After that, she didn't know how the rest of the day passed by. The moment she reached her room at night, she sat down on the bed with a thud and cried aloud. She didn't care if anyone or even Naniji heard her sobs.

Naina had turned cold towards everyone since she had come to stay in Shimla, except Naniji. She talked to people only when it was required while she maintained her quiet demeanour in front of the others. People called her names but she didn't care. She knew people thought that she was having attitude and was arrogant, so she wasn't mixing with the others. But that wasn't the case.

Naina was so broken that she didn't want to make any more fake relations or even friendships. She was happy and content with the few people she had in her life now. Yet, she missed HIM, a lot... Her heart pained every moment when his charming face would pop up in her thoughts randomly. She wanted to leave her past behind and move on, but she couldn't do it. Was it so much easy for anyone to just move on and forget the person whom they loved so selflessly and unconditionally?

Naina had seen many cases where people moved on so easily without any problems whatsoever. Was even that called love in the first place? Was it love at all? Every time she thought of Sameer, her heart pained, because still she loved him, infact more than before. His absence in her life pricked her heart. Though Sameer had hurt her in the most terrible way, her heart was still beating only for him. She could never think of moving on in her life. Sameer was her first and last love.

Even if she loved Sameer so much, yet she wasn't ready to forgive him for whatever he had said and done on that night. She had only wanted him to love her and trust her unconditionally. But none of them happened. Neither he loved him nor did he trust her. Her heart ached for his love, for his trust, for all of him. Even if Sameer had told her that he was going to confess his love for her on their first wedding anniversary, Naina wasn't sure if that was love. If he had loved her truly, then he would've trusted her, not blamed her for her relationship with Kabir. What he had done with her on that night was unforgivable. She made it a point to remember all that he had said on that night, so that she could make herself strong. She had been weak whenever it came to her feelings and the people she loved, but this time she had decided to take her life back in her own hands. She was ready to fight her own feelings and the person who was her life.

From the last couple of days, Naina had been hearing about the videos of Sameer and her heart raced every time she heard his voice. Her colleagues in office and NGO continued with the banters about the hot and sexy Sameer Maheshwari. She wanted to scream and tell the whole world that he was hers, but she couldn't. She had no more right on him now. They were divorced, so she had no right over him.

After she saw his first video, she had made it a point that she wouldn't see his videos any more. Though her mind had stopped her from wanting to watch him but her heart ached to see him, hear his soothing voice. Before her heart could win over her mind, she got flashbacks of everything that had caused her pain. His words rang in her mind incessantly which made her decision strong to stay away from those videos. She knew the moment she would watch his face, all her resolution to stay away would fail.

But today, she was missing him terribly, her heart wanted to have just a glimpse of him and so, she had bought a new mobile. Naniji had many times prodded her to buy a phone so that she could be in contact with her. Naniji all the time kept saying, "Arey Naina... phone saath rakhegi toh main bhi call karke koi saamaan mangaa sakti hun naa. Ab meri umar mein mujhse jyaada baahar aana jaana nahi ho paata, toh tujhe hi bol diya karungi agar kuch chahiye hoga toh." And so, finally Naina had bought a new phone. Though the real reason for buying it was different.

Naina had immediately called up Nanu and Preeti and had given them her new mobile number. When she had talked to Nanu and Preeti, she had felt some sort of happiness in their tones. She couldn't understand what it was though. But her heart had raced for some unknown reason. As if something was going to happen soon.

While Sameer had stood waiting for her single glimpse, Naina was watching all his videos in her room on loop. She could clearly see his dishevelled state, the gentle stubble as he wasn't shaving, his dark circles as he wasn't sleeping much, his pale face as he was tired. Even in this state, he looked dashing and handsome as always. She observed that he had made his videos in their room, no... his room now. The last video was posted just a day ago and that was the only one which had been shot in the garden.

Naina somehow was sure that she was the reason for the lack of happiness on his face. She also knew that Sameer must have got to know the truth by now and so, he had decided to do this. She was happy that he was following his dream and passion for singing. Had he stopped going to office? Many questions arose in her mind but she had no answers. She never asked about him to Nanu or Preeti. But still her heart ached for him. She wanted to know what he was doing. After watching him on the mobile screen and hearing his voice, she was craving to see him, hear him in person.

She sighed sadly, "Yeh main kya soch rahi hun? Sameer ko toh pataa bhi nahi hai ki main Shimla mein hun. Ek mahina bhi ho gaya mujhe Ahmedabad chode, aur aisa lag raha hai ki kitne baras ho gaye mujhe yahaan aakar." Pausing the video, she traced her finger on his face on the mobile screen, "Sameer... aap bohot accha gaate hai... Jab pehli baar suna tha tab hi mujhe pataa tha ki aapko singing karna bohot pasand hai. Par aapki aawaaz mein ab main wohh dard mehsoos kar sakti hun, jo koi aur nahi kar sakta. Aur uska kaaran bhi jaanti hun." She blinked her tears away and exited the app.

Keeping the phone away, she stood up to close the windows. It was too late and she had to get up early the next day. As she pulled the handle of the window, her heart started racing. Did she feel his presence around? No... it can't be. How could he be there in the middle of the night? She blamed her hallucinations on those videos that she was watching a while ago. She closed the windows slowly and switched off the lights. But still her heart was pounding badly. What was with her heart today? She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, unknown to the fact that her heart had truly felt his presence. Her love had waited for her outside her room for a long time just to get a small glimpse of her.

The next day, she got up early and got ready to go to the MNC. As she stepped outside, her heart raced again, but she ignored it and left for her internship. Once Naina was out of Sameer's sight, he walked towards the bungalow. He had wanted to follow her and pull her in his arms. He was carving for her so badly. But this was not the time. He had many things to take care of first.

Controlling his emotions, he stood in front of the bungalow. He pressed the doorbell for a couple of times. After few minutes, the door opened and a old lady appeared in front of him. She asked, "Tum... tum kaun ho? Dekho... agar tum koi salesman ho, toh main bataa dun ki mujhe kuch nahi chahiye. Tum jao." Before she could close the door on his face, Sameer spoke, "Ummm... Auntyji... main... main koi salesman nahi hun. Wohh... wohhh... main... main Ahmedabad se aaya hun. Mujhe aapse kuch baat karni hai."

As the old lady heard the mention of Ahmedabad, she was scared and opened the door slightly, "Tum... tum Ahmedabad se ho? Kahin tum... tum mere bete aur bahu ki koi khabar toh nahi laaye? Kuch... kuch hua hai kya? Bolo..." Sameer held her shivering form and said, "Nahi... main aapke bete aur bahu ke baare mein koi khabar nahi laaya hun."

The old lady sighed in relief, "Toh... toh tum kyun aaye ho yahaan? Main toh nahi jaanti tumhe. Kaun ho tum aur mujhse kya baat karni hai?" Sameer struggled to speak standing on the door, so he requested softly, "Main koi chor nahi hun aunty... mujhe... mujhe aapse Naina ke baare mein baat karni hai. Toh... kya main andar aa sakta hun?"

The old lady now knew who he was and got straight to point, "Kya tum Sameer ho?" Sameer blinked twice before he spoke, "Jee Aunty... main... main Sameer Maheshwari hun..." Did she know about him already? What had Naina told her? Had Naina revealed everything to her?

The old lady opened the door widely and allowed him to enter her house. Afterall, she had a lot of questioning to do. Sameer glanced around the house and sat on the couch opposite the old lady awkwardly. She scrutinized him for a few minutes and asked, "Toh... ab bolo... kya baat karni hai tumhe Naina ke baare mein?"

Sameer didn't know what to say and from where to start. He asked the first question that came to his mind at that moment, "Aap... aap mera naam kaise jaanti hai?" She met his gaze and replied, "Main bas jaanti hun. Ab tum bolo, kya baat karne aaye ho mujhse?"

Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Kya Naina aapke yahaan paying guest hai? Ummm... aap kitna rent charge karti hai? Kya... kya Naina manage kar paati hai?" The old lady sat motionless for a few moments and asked, "Main tumhe kyun bataun? Tum lagte kaun ho Naina ke?"

Sameer hadn't expected this cross questioning. He knew that the lady knew something about him and so, she wasn't ready to answer him. But he had to try. "Dekhiye aunty... main aapko acche se nahi jaanta par... par Naina ko jaanta hun. Toh please mera yeh sab jaanna bohot important hai."

The old lady studied him keenly and asked, "Thik hai... main tumhe sab jawaab dungi, par usse pehle tumhe mujhe bataana hoga ki tumhara Naina se kya rishta hai. Kya lagte ho tum Naina ke? Aajtak koi nahi aaya hai iss ghar mein Naina se milne, sivaay wohh Preeti aur Pandit ke."

Sameer understood that the old lady was quite close to Naina and was trying to protect her. But he was no creep who had come after Naina just to get her information, he was here to take her back to Ahmedabad, to their home. As her intent gaze was still fixed on him, Sameer relented. He knew only truth could get his way to Naina. And he did exactly that.

Sameer replied, "Main Naina ka husband hun, Sameer Maheshwari." The old lady's eyes widened and she asked, "Ho hi nahi sakta? Naina ne kahaa tha ki uska koi nahi hai iss duniyaa mein, koi family nahi hai uski. Toh... toh tum uske pati kaise hue? Tum... tum kuch bhi bakwaas mat karo. Chalo utho... niklo iss ghar se..."

Before the lady could shout on him anymore, he sat beside her and opened the gallery on his mobile. He showed their pictures to her which made her tongue-tied. As he kept his mobile in his pocket again, he spoke, "Main sach keh raha hun aunty... main Naina ka husband hun."

The lady mumbled, "Par Naina ne toh..." Before she could complete her sentence, he interrupted, "Main aapko sab sach bataaunga, par aap bataaiye ki aap mera naam kaise jaanti hai?" She replied, "Wohh... ek baar meri tabiyat thik nahi thi, tab Naina mere saath soyi thi. Wohhh... neend mein tumhara naam le rahi thi. Jab Preeti aayi thi, tab bhi maine tumhara naam kai baar suna tha. Isliye... isliye mujhe lagaa ki tum wohi Sameer ho."

Closing his eyes, Sameer drew in a sharp breath. His Naina used to scream his name in the middle of the nights. What had he done to her? Why had he hurt her so much? Why had he broken her so much? His eyes turned misty and he met the lady's curious gaze.

Taking a deep breath, Sameer narrated everything to the old lady. He had no option here, he had to speak the truth, if he wanted to stay close to his Naina. There was no one who could help her apart from this lady. She listened silently without interrupting.

Half an hour later, Sameer cried terribly in front of her, "Aunty... Naina... Naina meri wajah se aaj Shimla mein akeli reh rahi hai. Meri wajah se usne apni padhaai, apna ghar, apna Ahmedabad, sab chod diya. Main... main usse maafi maange aaya hun, Naina ko waapis apne ghar le jaane aaya hun. Kya... Kya aap meri madad karengi?"

The old lady didn't know what to say to him. She was angry on him and felt bad for whatever Naina had gone through. She too cried as she now understood Naina's silence, her hurt, her pain, her cold behaviour towards others. She turned towards Sameer and saw his dishevelled state. She could clearly see the pain in his eyes. She knew he was speaking the truth.

The old lady got up and headed towards the kitchen. She was back in five minutes with a plate and a glass of water. She offered water to Sameer and he took it gladly. As she forwarded the plate towards him, he denied. The lady smiled, "Tumhe dekhkar lagta hai ki tumne subah se kuch khaaya nahi hai. Khaa lo Sameer... Naina ne hi yeh aloo parathe banaaye hai."

Sameer smiled amidst the tears and accepted the plate. He ate quietly and relished the aloo paratha made by his wife after a month. He was happy and sated as he finished the two aloo parathas. He tears didn't stop. The aloo parathas tasted the same, he had missed this so much.

The old lady smiled at him and asked, "Ab bolo... kya jaanna chahte ho tum mujhse?" Sameer then enquired about Naina's accommodation and her timetable for the day. The old lady replied, "Naina subah nau se ek baje tak wohh company mein jaati hai. Fir wahaan se seedhe NGO mein jaati hai. Shaam ko kareeb saat baje tak wohh waapis aa jaati hai. Waise raat ka khaana khaane ke baad wohh apne room mein chali jaati hai."

Sameer asked, "Aapne bataaya nahi aap kitna rent leti hai." She smiled, "Main koi rent nahi leti Naina se. Main jaanti hun uske paas itne paise nahi honge jisse wohh mujhe rent de sake. Par wohh ladki bhi sunti kahaan hai. Jab se aayi hai, tab se ghar ka sab kaam usne sambhaal liya hai. Hamare liye khaana wohi banaati hai aur saamaan bhi khud hi le aati hai."

Sameer stammered, "Aunty... aap... aap mujhe bataaiye kitna rent pay karna hai... main... main pay kar dunga." The old lady didn't like it and hit him on his shoulder, "Yeh kya kabse aunty aunty lagaa rakha hai. Naina mujhe Naniji bulaati hai, toh tu bhi mujhe wohi bula. Aur maine Naina ko yahaan rent ke liye nahi rakha hai. Jab main Naina se bus mein mili thi naa, tabse hi maine usse apni family ka hissa banaa liya hai. Aur family member se koi bhala rent leta hai kya? Naina toh meri poti jaisi hai."

Sameer smiled gratefully at her while she patted his cheek. "Sameer... Naina ne mujhe tumhare baare mein kuch nahi bataaya, aur naa hi maine kabhi kuch poochne ki koshish ki. Aaj tumne sab sach bataa diya, aur maine itni duniyaa toh dekhi hai ki yeh keh sakun ki tum sach mein apne kiye par sharminda ho. Main tumhari madad karungi, par yeh baat sirf hum dono ke beech rehni chahiye. Naina ko pataa nahi chalna chahiye ki mujhe sab pataa hai, usse... usse shaayad accha naa lage. Samajh rahe ho naa Sameer? Maine Naina ko kabhi khulkar muskuraate hue nahi dekha... Jab bhi usse baat karti hun toh lagta hai ki wohh kahin kho gayi hai. Uski aankhon mein dard dekh sakti hun, par main usse pooch nahi saki, kyunki mujhe lagaa ki jab waqt sahi hoga, tab wohh khud bataa degi. Par wohh bacchi ne khud ko poori tarah se patthar banaa liya hai, jaise koi feelings hai hi nahi usme. Sameer... maine kai baar usse rote hue sunaa hai, aur sach kahun toh uski wohh haalat mujhse dekhi nahi jaati. Bura lagta hai ki aisa kya hai jo Naina ko itna taklif de raha hai. Aaj jab tumne sab bataaya toh sab samajh aaya ki kyun Naina itni udaas hai, itne dard mein hai. Sameer... tumne jo kiya wohh sahi nahi tha, par main maanti hun ki hamesha sacche pyaar ko ek dusra mauka toh milna chahiye. Aur isiliye main tumhari madad karungi. Bas yeh abhi Naina ko pataa nahi chalna chahiye. Main bas Naina ko khush dekhna chaahti hun, aur pataa nahi kyun mujhe lagta hai ki tum hi wohh khushi Naina ko de sakte ho."

Sameer couldn't believe what he heard from Naniji. Preeti had already warned him about Naina's life here, but now after hearing it from this lady, he was heartbroken. What had he done to his lovely wife? He had seen her forlorn face in the morning and that had hurt him much more. He was the reason for her condition. After talking to Naniji and getting the directions of the NGO, he walked back to his hotel. Once in his room, he called up Nanu and told him about the old lady and his plan to move forward. Nanu gave him blessings and disconnected the call after few minutes.

Sameer left for the NGO and met the owner. After an hour or so, he was back to his hotel to collect something and was back to NGO before Naina came back. He sat on a bench in the garden in front of the kids and played the strings of his guitar. He knew it was time for his lovely beautiful wife to come.

Closing his eyes, Sameer played the guitar and started singing,

Meri saanson mein basa hai tera hi ek naam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Meri saanson mein basa hai tera hi ek naam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Tu mere din mein raaton mein...

Khamoshi mein baaton mein...

Baadal ke haathon mein bhejoon tujhko ye payaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Meri saanson mein basa hai tera hi ek naam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Aankhon mein tasveer hai jaise tu meri taqdeer hai jaise...

Us dil se is dil tak aati dhadkan ki zanjeer hai jaise...

Aankhon mein tasveer hai jaise tu meri taqdeer hai jaise...

Us dil se is dil tak aati dhadkan ki zanjeer hai jaise...

Khwaabon khwaabon tu mile na jaane kya hain silsile...

Palkon par ye pyaar ke na jaane kitne gul khile...

Tere khwaab sajaate rehna ab hai mera kaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Meri saanson mein basa hai tera hi ek naam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Phoolon par shabnam ki nami hai rangon ki mehfil si jami hai...

Mausam bhi manzar bhi main bhi kehte hain bas teri kami hai...

Phoolon par shabnam ki nami hai rangon ki mehfil si jami hai...

Mausam bhi manzar bhi main bhi kehte hain bas teri kami hai...

Baagon mein hum jo milein to gaayein saari koyalein...

Mehke saara ye samaa havayein mehki si chalein...

Teri khushboo se bhar jaayein kaliyon ke ye jaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Meri saanson mein basa hai tera hi ek naam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Teri yaad humsafar subah o shaam...

Tu mere din mein raaton mein...

Khamoshi mein baaton mein...

Baadal ke haathon mein bhejoon tujhko ye payaam...

The moment he finished singing, he opened his eyes and clashed with the ones which he so desperately craved to see. Naina stood rooted to her spot as she met his deep chocolaty brown eyes. She was so lost in his voice and him that she didn't realize when her colleagues stood beside her.

Everything had stopped around them. The time stood still. It was only them who held each other's gazes. The loud applauses of the kids and others around brought her back to reality. The urge to run and go straight in his arms was strong but she controlled her emotions and masked them. Sameer saw the cold mask dropping on her face and saw her moving away towards the room in the corner even without acknowledging his presence.

This was going to be tougher than he had expected. He had never imagined this cold Naina. The Naina who loved him so selflessly and unconditionally was missing now. He had seen another version of Naina now which he never wished to see.

As Naina reached the common room, her colleague Priya rushed to her. "Naina... Naina... yeh wohi Sameer Maheshwari hai jiske gaane hum kuch dino pehle mobile pe dekh rahe the. I can't believe ki wohh ab se issi NGO mein sab bacchon ko guitar sikhaanewala hai. Yaar... yeh real mein kitna handsome lagta hai, ekdum Salman Khan jaisa dikhta hai naa real mein... haaye... main toh aaj ghaayal ho gayi uski uss ek nazar mein hi... haaayeee..." Priya continued praising him, his singing and his looks which infuriated Naina a lot, but she controlled herself.

After few minutes, Naina got up and headed towards her class. On the way, she saw Sameer standing with the owner of the NGO, Mr Ramkrishnan Iyer. He called Naina, "Accha hua Naina tum aa gayi... Inse milo, yeh hai Mr Sameer Maheshwari... aaj se yeh sab bacchon ko guitar bajaana sikhayenge." Turning to Sameer, he continued, "Yeh hai Naina Agarwal... yahaan bacchon ko maths sikhaati hai."

Sameer forwarded his hand for a handshake as he desperately wanted to touch his wife. Actually, he wanted to pull her in his arms but he knew better. For now, only a handshake would do. But he wasn't ready to face his stubborn wife yet because Naina faked a smile at him and joined her palms together. "Namaste..." The only word that he got to hear from her. His heart pricked at her actions but he smiled nonetheless and followed her gesture.

Mr Ramkrishnan Iyer continued, "Naina... tum inhe NGO dikha do aur sab bacchon se milva do. Main khud hi yeh sab karta magar mujhe bacchon ke liye naye guitars lene jaana hai. Sameer ne itna bada donation diya hai usse kharidne ke liye. Ab guitar bajaana sikhaa rahe hai toh bacchon ko bhi lagenge naa?"

Naina smiled at the owner and refused politely, "Sir... mere class ka time ho raha hai. Mere paas time nahi hai. Aap kisi aur ko keh dijiye." As soon as she finished her sentence, Priya came running from behind, "Sir... main... main Sameer ji ko NGO dikha deti hun aur bacchon se bhi milva dungi. Mera koi class nahi hai abhi." Turning to Naina, she smiled, "Tu jaa Naina... main Sameer ji ko sambhaal lungi."

Naina gave her a tight smile and left towards her class without giving another glance to Sameer. He stood motionless even after Naina disappeared from his sight. Another voice of Priya shouting his name in his ears broke his reverie and he followed her silently with his aching heart.

All the time, Sameer remembered the words of Preeti and Naniji that Naina had changed and was behaving coldly with everyone, rang in his mind. Watching that behaviour was worse than hearing them from Preeti and Naniji. Sameer had never thought that Naina would behave in this way with him. She had outright ignored him. She didn't even acknowledge his presence. She didn't smile openly as she used to do before.

Priya kept talking but Sameer hadn't heard a word, he was just busy in his thoughts of Naina. This was the first day and he was miserable watching Naina's indifference towards him. He knew he had to be more patient with her, but his heart pained every time she avoided him.

When Priya was introducing the kids to Sameer, even Naina was present in the class. He talked to each and every kid and asked about their interest in playing guitar and singing. The kids were more than excited to learn guitar from him as even they had seen his videos. Sameer knew that his videos were a major hit and he was now recognized everywhere as a terrific singer. He was gaining recognition from different parts of the country and was even offered a song in some movie which he had kept it on hold for a while. For him, his first priority was to get Naina back in his life, in his home and in his world. The rest would have to wait.

Sameer left the class reluctantly once the introductions were done. He lingered for few more minutes to continue watching his Naina. But Priya spoke, "Chaliye Sameer ji... main aapko dusre bacchon aur teachers se bhi milva deti hun." With that, he had left the class half-heartedly.

Once Sameer left, Naina breathed finally. She was messed up from inside. Why was he here now? What was he upto? How did he come to know about her staying in Shimla? And how come he was here in the NGO? Many questions came to her mind and as usual she had no answers. Whom should she ask them? Should she talk to Nanu or Preeti? No... She hadn't spoken to them about Sameer till now, so talking to them was out of question.

The rest of the day passed slowly for Sameer and Naina. Sameer wanted to be around his wife while Naina wanted to be away from him. As she left from the NGO, Sameer followed her till the bungalow. He wanted to close the distance between them and walk beside her, but his courage failed him every time he thought to do so.

Naina reached the house and met Naniji. After cooking and having dinner with Naniji, she got back to her room. Naniji didn't mention about Sameer to her and saw Naina playing with her food in her plate. She knew that Sameer had joined the same NGO as Naina's.

This time when Naina went to close the window at night, she felt his presence around and instantly looked around. She saw him leaning on the tree on the opposite road. Taking few deep breaths, she closed the window. She sat down resting her back on the wall below the window and spoke, "Kyun aaye hai Sameer aap yahaan? Kyun???"

How was the update???

Next update on Monday...

Till then take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️