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FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 55

Naina sat below the window of her room for a long time. She couldn't move when she knew that Sameer was standing right opposite to the bungalow. Her heart was pacing rapidly. She just wanted to go down and run straight into his arms. The distance seemed too much for her. Closing her eyes, she let the tears flow.

She mumbled, "Kyun aaye hai Sameer ab yahaan? Kyun? Jab maine yahaan meri nayi zindagi ki shuruwaat kar li hai, toh fir ab kyun? Itni mushkil se main aapse durr reh paa rahi hun. Aise achanak yahaan mere saamne aakar aapne meri poori mehnat par paani fer diya. Aaj jab aapko maine apne saamne dekha toh... toh main yakeen nahi kar paayi ki aap... aap yahaan sach mein hai. Main hi jaanti hun ki aaj maine kaise khudko aapke paas aane se roka hai. Aapko dekhkar jitni khushi hui naa, usse jyaada mere dil mein dard ho raha hai. Aapke kahe hue har wohh shabd, har wohh harkat meri aankhon ke saamne aa gayi Sameer... Aur mujhe yaad aa gaya ki main yahaan Shimla mein kyun aayi hun. Main yahaan apni nayi zindagi mein aage badhne aayi hun. Uss zindagi mein aapke liye koi jagah nahi hai Sameer... koi jagah nahi hai. Bhale main aaj bhi aapse bohot pyaar karti hun, par iss baar main meri zindagi meri marzi se jeeungi, kisi ko bhi meri self-respect par, mere character par ungli nahi uthaane dungi. Aapko jo karna tha wohh aapne kar diya, par iske aage wohi hoga jo main chahungi. Main jaanti hun aap yahaan mujhse maafi maagne aaye hai, par main aapko maaf nahi kar paaungi Sameer... nahi kar paaungi aapko maaf..." Saying that, she cried her heart out.

Sameer stood opposite the bungalow for a long time. He had seen her closing the window and had noticed her looking at him. His heart had missed few beats as their gazes met only for a few seconds. He had wanted to call her out. He wanted to close this distance between them. But he had to wait. He knew that this wait was going to be the longest in his life.

Sameer saw Naina drawing the curtains but the lights were still on. What was she doing now? Last night she had switched off the lights as soon as she had pulled the curtains shut. It was already more than half an hour but the lights were still on. Now, he was worried. Was she doing any official work or was making notes for her next class tomorrow? Or was she... and he realized with a start that she must crying. Crying for him... crying for his sudden appearance here... crying for feeling miserable... crying for being so strong since a month...

His eyes misted and Naniji's words rang in his mind about her dream and her loud sobs. His heart was aching and he knew that even she was feeling the same. All this is only because of his anger, his misunderstandings, his lack of faith on her, his so-called judgements. He kicked the tree in frustration which hurt him in return. He sat down near the tree and wiped his tears away. He decided, "Yeh time rone ka nahi hai Sameer... tujhe apni Maina ko manaana hai, usse apni galtiyon ke liye maafi maangni hai, apne pyar ka ehsaas dilaana hai, usse apne saath waapis Ahmedabad le jaana hai. Mujhe khudko sambhaalna hoga, thoda sabar rakhna hoga. Naina ne apne dil ke aaspaas jo deewar banaa li hai, unhe todna hai, usse apne pyaar par yakeen dilaana hai. Jo pyaar Naina ne mujhse kiya, wohh ab lautaane ka time aa gaya hai. Naina... tum jitna marzi mujhse aankhen churaao, yaa mujhse durr rehne ki koshish karo, par main tumhe har kadam par apne pyaar ka ehsaas dilaaunga. Tum bas dekhti jao Naina, main kaise hamare beech ki sabhi dooriyaan mitaatu hun. I Love You Naina... aur issi pyaar ki wajah se tum mere paas waapis aaogi. Main bhi dekhta hun ki tum kab tak mujhse dur reh paaogi. Tum kaho yaa naa kaho, par main jaanta hun ki tum ab bhi sirf aur sirf mujhse pyaar karti ho. Main iss pyaar ko aise hi bujhne nahi dunga. Tum meri ho Naina, aur hamesha meri hi rahogi. Bas kuch aur din aur tum mere saath hogi, yeh mera vaada hai..." He continued sitting near the tree and didn't know when he dozed off. The tiredness from last few days catching up finally.

Naina got up finally and headed towards her bed. She switched off the lights and rested on the bed. Sleep was far away from her eyes. Sameer was here which was like some dream for her, but she knew that this wasn't any dream. Sameer was here, for her. She tossed and turned for a couple of hours but sleep had eluded her. She got up restlessly and walked towards the window.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the window slowly without making any noise. The sight that greeted her made her speechless. She saw Sameer sleeping near the tree who was sightly shivering because of the cold climate. She instantly closed the window and turned around. Why was he still here? Why was he sleeping on that footpath? Didn't he stay in any hotel?

Naina turned cold herself as she remembered that Sameer couldn't bear the cool temperature. He would fall sick by morning for sure. He wasn't used to this cool weather. This was stark opposite to the climate of Ahmedabad. She herself had taken a whole week to adjust to this climate. What was wrong with him? Can't he take care of himself? What was the need to sleep there on the first place? Can't he just go back to his hotel room? Naina kept questioning herself for few more minutes. She opened the window few more times to check if he was still there and every time she saw him curled up and shivering.

Taking few deep breaths, she calmed down and decided, "Main itna kyun soch rahi hun? Mujhe yeh sab se koi farak nahi padna chahiye. Mujhe Sameer ke yahaan rehne se koi farak nahi padna chahiye. Main yahaan meri nayi zindagi shuru kar chuki hun, aur ab meri zindagi mein kisi ke liye jagah nahi hai, khaaskar Sameer ke liye." She walked towards her bed and slept after few hours. Unknown to both of them, someone had put a thick blanket over the sleeping form of Sameer.

The next day, Sameer woke up with a start as someone tapped on his shoulder continuously. The shopkeeper had come to open his shop and had seen Sameer sleeping near the tree. As he got up, Sameer noticed the thick blanket. He glanced at the closed window and smiled widely. He thought that Naina had come downstairs and covered him with that blanket. His happiness knew no bounds. He danced for a few minutes which irritated the shopkeeper and he insisted the dancing star to go away.

Naniji had just opened her door and saw Sameer dancing for some reason. She glanced at Naina's room once and walked towards him. She asked, "Arey waahhh Sameer... kis khushi mein itna naach rahe ho tum?" Catching his breath, he said, "Aap yeh blanket dekh rahi hai Naniji... yeh Naina ne raat ko mujhe odhaaya hai. Main jaanta tha ki Naina mujhe mushkil mein nahi dekh paayegi, wohh jaanti hai ki mujhe jyaada thandi bardaasht nahi hoti, isliye usne hi yeh mujhpar daala."

Naniji raised her eyebrows and asked, "Toh tumhe lagta hai ki yeh blanket Naina ne tumpar daali thi?" He smiled widely, "Jee Naniji... aur kaun daalega? Main toh kisi aur ko jaanta hi nahi yahaan." Naniji turned to check if Naina had woken up and again looked at Sameer. "Tumhari soch kaafi acchi hai Sameer... par yeh blanket Naina ne nahi, maine raat ko tum par daali thi. Thandi mein kaamp rahe the tum. Naina bhale hi tumhe dekh rahi thi raat bhar, par wohh nahi aayi tumhari madad karne."

Sameer stood frozen hearing her words. It wasn't Naina who had covered him with the blanket? Naniji had done that. His small bubble of happiness burst terribly and his eyes misted again. How can he even think that Naina would come down and cover him with the thick blanket? He should've known that Naina wasn't going to forgive him this easily and wouldn't fall for such silly tricks. He had knowingly continued sleeping there to see if Naina cared about him, but she hadn't.

Naniji smiled softly and then said in a curt voice, "Sameer... yeh sab karke tum Naina se maafi nahi le paaoge, ulta usse hi jyaada taklif de rahe ho. Yeh sab karoge toh khud bimaar pad jaaoge. Tum bimaar nahi pad sakte Sameer. Tumhe Naina ko apne pyaar ka ehsaas karwaana hai, apni galtiyon ke liye maafi maangni hai."

He nodded understanding her words. "Naniji... main Naina ko ek saal se jaanta hun aur mujhe pataa hai, aaj nahi toh kal Naina khud mujhe yeh blanket odhaane aayegi. Aap... aap please aage se mujhpar yeh blanket mat daaliyega. Main dekhna chaahta hun ki kab tak Naina mujhe andekha karti hai. Bimaar pad bhi gaya toh bhi mujhe koi farak nahi padta. Mujhe dekhna hai ki Naina ko kab tak meri taklif se koi farak nahi padta. Naina mujhse bohot pyaar karti hai Naniji aur mujhe pataa hai yeh pyaar hi usse mujh tak waapis laayega."

Naniji shook her head in frustration and said, "Tum paagal ho Sameer. Kaun apni jaan aise daanv par lagaata hai bhala? Tumhe apni sehat ka khayaal rakhna hoga, tab hi apni Naina ko waapis le jaa paaoge. Pyaar ka toh pataa nahi, par main bhi dekhna chaahti hun ki tum Naina ko kitna jaante ho. Main bhi uss din ka intezaar karungi jab Naina khud yeh blanket lekar tumhare paas aayegi." Wiping the tears from his face, Naniji told him to freshen up and join her later. Sighing heavily, he made his way to the hotel.

Naina got up with a start when she heard her mobile ringing continuously. As she glanced at the clock, she rushed towards the bathroom, ignoring her phone. She got ready hastily in half an hour and picked up her handbag and laptop. She was already running ten minutes late today.

As she descended the stairs, she glanced around to check if Sameer was still there. She sighed in relief not finding him around. As she was about to cross the gate, Naniji called, "Naina... kuch khaa toh le..." Naina turned and replied, "Naniji... abhi nahi... bohot late ho gaya hai." Without hearing Naniji's next words, she disappeared from her sight. Naniji just shook her head and mumbled to herself, "Ab yeh ladki bhi khaana peena chod degi kya? Kisiko apni sehat ki padi hi nahi hai."

Naina spent the first half day in her office restlessly. She had wanted to see if Sameer was alright after sleeping near the tree last night. She hoped that he would be fine. Even if she was angry and upset with him, she never wanted him to fall sick because of her. As soon as the clock struck one, she left towards the NGO hurriedly. She was too much desperate to see Sameer. She called herself few names for being so soft hearted but she herself couldn't help the feelings that were making her miserable.

As she reached the NGO, she looked around for him. Not finding him around, she made her way towards the common room and settled down. She was surprised to find the room empty at this time. This was actually a break time for all, so whenever she entered, the room used to be full of all the teachers. But today, she found it vacant. She thought, "Aaj koi chutti toh nahi hai, fir sab log kahaan gaayab ho gaye?"

At the precise moment, she heard some footsteps and turned. Priya came running, "Accha hua Naina tu bhi aa gayi. Chal, sab tera hi wait kar rahe the." Naina didn't understand what was going on. Before she could ask anything, Priya held her hand and pulled her towards the hall where all the teachers, staff and the kids were waiting.

As soon as she entered, she gasped watching the arrangements. The hall was beautifully decorated. She looked around for certain someone and found him standing near the food counter. He was already staring at her with such intensity that she felt to hide somewhere. The Owner of the NGO cleared his throat and took over. "Hello everyone... aap sab yahi soch rahe hai naa ki yeh sab itne decorations aur party kis khushi mein rakkhi gayi hai. Iska jawaab aapko Sameer denge, kyunki yeh sab unhone kiya hai, yeh party unhone organize ki hai. So, I request our new music teacher to take over now..."

Sameer came forward and took the mike from Mr Iyer. "Hii everyone... Sabse pehle thank you Sir... aapne mujhe permission di, tabhi main yeh party yahaan organise kar paaya." Turning around, he spoke, "And thanks all of you for joining me here without knowing the main reason for this party."

Sameer's eyes stopped at one particular person and he continued, "Actually... yeh party maine bohot khaas reason ki wajah se organise ki hai. Aap sabhi toh jaante hai ki maine bohot saare videos YouTube par upload kiye hai aur main itna famous singer bann gaya. Mujhe "Aspiring Singer of the Year' award ke liye nominate kiya gaya hai, jo do hafte baad announce honewala hai. Mere Nanu toh abhi Ahmedabad mein hai aur mere friends bhi wahin hai. Ab jab main yahaan hun, toh yeh khushi mein aap sab ke saath hi manaana chahta hun."

Loud applauses continued and he was congratulated by everyone except one. Naina stood away from him and kept watching him for any sign of illness. But she couldn't find anything wrong with his health and she sighed in relief. But that too didn't last much as she saw Priya lurking around him for his attention. She whispered to herself, "Yeh Priya kya madhumakkhi ki tarah Sameer ke aas paas mandraa rahi hai? Kuch kaam nahi hai kya isse? Bhook lagi thi naa isse kabse, toh khaane kyun nahi jaa rahi? Yaa fir Sameer ko hi khaane ka mann hai iska?" She was so much irritated that she wanted to pull that girl away from his side.

After a few moments, a reporter arrived and joined the party. Few questions were asked to the most handsome aspiring singer. The reporter asked, "Mr Sameer Maheshwari, aapne achanak singing ko apna career kaise banaaya?" Sameer was well prepared for this interrogation and he replied, "Waise sach kahun toh maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki main kabhi bhi singing ko mera career banaaunga. Aap sab shayaad yeh toh jaante hi hai ki main mere Nanu ki company ka CEO hun. Main bachpan se hi gaata tha, guitar bajaata tha, par isse sirf maine apni hobby banaaya. Mere Nanu ne mujhe ek nayi zindagi di, aur issi wajah se main unka sapna poora karna chaahta tha, isliye maine Maheshwari Industries ki kamaan sambhaali. And I made my grandfather proud. Maine unki har baat maani aur main uss mein successful bhi raha. Par yeh sab sapne poore karne mein mera yeh singing ka passion kahin peeche choot gaya."

The reported asked instantly, "Fir aisa kya hua ki aapne singing ko as a career choose kiya?" Sameer glanced once at his wife cum life and replied, "Bas koi meri zindagi mein aaya jisne mujhe mere passion se aamna saamna karva diya aur maine sirf uske liye yeh singing firse shuru ki?" The reported asked, "Kya aap hume uss inspiration ka naam bataa sakte hai, Mr Sameer Maheshwari?"

Sameer wasn't dumb to reveal her name to the world so easily, but he didn't even want to miss this chance to make Naina realize what she meant for him. He smiled, "Well... main uss inspiration ka naam award function mein zaroor bataaunga. Jab wohh mere saath hogi. And no more personal questions please..." The reporters continued with the questions which weren't much personal. Sameer answered each and every question gladly and kept glancing for his love once in a while.

Priya was standing beside Naina and was staring at the handsome singer. She whispered to Naina, "Naina yaar... main kya hi bolun Sameer ke baare mein. Jab se yahaan aaya hai naa, meri nazar usse hat-ti hi nahi. Kitna handsome hai... uski body dekhi hai tune? I'm sure wohh roz gym jaata hoga. Uske baal bhi kitne soft aur shiny dikhte hai naa? Mann kar raha hai ki main unn baalon mein..."

Before Priya could complete her sentence, Naina cut her midway, "Main abhi aati hun..." Naina mumbled to herself while walking away, "Mann toh mera kar raha hai tera baal khinchne kaa, aayi badi Sameer ke baalon ko haath lagaane. Mann toh mera kar raha hai, tera galaa dabaane ka, kitna bole jaa rahi hai kabse." Unknown to her, Sameer had heard her mumblings as he stood right behind her. The reporter had just left after taking his interview. He had requested him to have lunch but he denied politely and left citing that he had some more interviews lined up for the rest of the day.

Sameer who stood behind her, whispered, "Naina..." And she froze. What was he doing behind her? Had he heard her self-talk?" She saw Priya watching them keenly and burning in jealousy. Naina turned around to come face to face to her handsome man. Sameer asked, "Kya tum mujhe congratulate nahi karogi Naina?" Just the mere whisper of her name was enough for her heartbeats to accelerate.

While Sameer forwarded his hand once again in a hope to get a chance to touch her, Naina ignored it yet again and replied, "Congratulations Mr Maheshwari." That pricked him badly, she wasn't ready to even call his name. He hadn't heard his name from her mouth since more than a month now, he so desperately wanted her to call him in the same way she used to call him at their home.

Naina knew she was hurting him directly, but he had to suffer her wrath, didn't he? Before Sameer could say anything, Priya appeared. "Hey Sameer ji... congratulations... I'm sure aap hi yeh award jeetenge. Main toh already aap bohot badi fan bann gayi hun. I'm sure meri tarah bohot si ladkiyan aapke gaane sunti hongi. Aapne aapki fan following dekhi hai, sab se jyaada ladkiyaan hi hai, aur unn mein se main bhi ek hun Sameer ji... Kya aap... aap mujhe autograph denge please?"

Priya offered a pen and forwarded her palm, "Abhi ke liye aap mere haath par hi autograph de dijiye. Paper nahi hai mere paas." Sameer saw Naina's face from the corner of his eyes and smiled to himself. "Ummm... haath par sign karunga toh thode time mein mit jaayega. Aap fikar mat kijiye, mere paas paper hai." He took out a small diary from his pocket and signed on a page. Tearing that paper, he handed it to her with a smile.

All the while, Naina stood beside Sameer and saw the small interaction. Though her blood boiled whenever Priya came near Sameer's vicinity, she didn't let it show on her face. No one could see the jealousy that crept in her for Priya, except for her very own man. Though Sameer enjoyed her jealousy, he knew it was risky for fuelling it more.

Sameer asked, "Aapne khaana nahi khaaya hai ab tak? Ummm... aap aur Naina... kuch kha lijiye." She nodded and left towards the food counter dragging the reluctant Naina with her. As Priya started to serve herself, Naina walked back to the common room as she had lost her appetite. Sameer noticed her leaving without eating anything but couldn't do much as he was surrounded by Mr Iyer and other teachers who were enquiring about his life in Ahmedabad.

Naina had skipped her breakfast and now she was also not having her lunch. Sameer too hadn't eaten anything since morning. When he had reached the bungalow to see Naina leave and meet Naniji, he had heard their conversation about breakfast and so, he knew that his lovely wife was skipping her meals since morning. Her faced looked pale and that affected him more. He had got the news of his nomination last night only and then he used this reason to throw a party and fulfil his life's stomach. But all had gone in vain as Naina left the hall without even having anything.

While Naina had gone to freshen up, Sameer brought a plate of her favourite food and kept it near her handbag along with a note. After few minutes, Naina came out and was surprised to see that plate. Her eyes misted but she wiped it before anyone could notice. She saw a note below the plate and read it, "Gussa mujhse ho, toh khaane pe utaarne ki zarurat nahi hai. Khaana khaa lo Naina... please... tumne subah se kuch nahi khaaya hai, hai naa?"

There was no name written on it, yet she knew who had written that note and who had brought the plate for her. Though she was hungry, she didn't want to give in to Sameer's advances. She was about to pick up the plate and keep it aside, when Priya walked in. "Arey Naina... tu kahaan chali gayi thi? Khaana bohot accha hai. Tu bhi jaldi se khaa le, thodi der mein classes shuru ho jaayenge."

How could she avoid eating now, as she saw Sameer and other teachers walking inside? She knew that she had no option left. She also reasoned to herself that she shouldn't waste food. So, she ate the food as fast as possible. She couldn't even relish her own favourite meal as she could sense his intent gaze on her.

Naina picked up her plate and walked towards the hall once again to keep the plate. As she turned, she bumped into Sameer who was following her. Before Sameer could hold her, she balanced herself and moved away from him. He saw the anger in her eyes which spit only fire for him. "Mujhe haath lagaane ki zarurat nahi hai Mr Maheshwari. Main akeli khudko sambhaal sakti hun."

Her words pricked his heart yet again and he moved away from her creating a lot of distance between them. It seemed as the distance was never going to diminish between them. Naina walked past him with a heavy heart. Her heart ached as she had uttered those words. She knew the moment Sameer would touch her, she would lose the battle and she couldn't do it. She wasn't ready to forgive him.

Sameer stood rooted to his spot as he had heard those words. All the happenings flashed in his mind as he remembered that night clearly. He had forced himself on her just to prove that he had the power over her. But he hadn't realized to what extent he had hurt Naina with his actions and words. Now, he knew what he had done had hurt her soul and so she wasn't even ready to touch him. He rushed towards the washroom and washed his face multiple times. The flashbacks came back to him again and again and he felt miserable. The guilt increased multiple times as he realized his sins.

Sameer was so angry on himself that he punched his hand on the wall, only to get hurt, but he didn't care. He kept punching the wall, till his hand bled. Mr Iyer who had just entered the washroom, saw Sameer in a messed-up state. He rushed to him and asked, "Sameer... yeh kya kar rahe ho? Dekho... kitna khoon nikal raha hai. Chalo jaldi medical room chalte hai."

Before Sameer could protest, Mr Iyer had dragged him towards the medical room. The doctor treated his wounded hand which didn't affect him at all. Along with his hand, his heart too was bleeding. Who would tend to his wound there? This tough demeanour shocked Mr Iyer as he had seen his charming personality before but this wasn't what he had expected.

There was something definitely going on with his life, Mr Iyer deduced. But he had no right to interfere in Sameer's personal life. Somewhere he had an idea why Sameer had joined his NGO but Mr Iyer didn't voice it out. He wanted Sameer to disclose it himself.

Once they left the medical room, Mr Iyer spoke, "Sameer... Main nahi jaanta ki tum itne bade aadmi hone ke baad bhi, iss NGO mein kyun kaam karne aaye ho. Par jo bhi ho, agar tumhe kabhi bhi meri help chahiye ho toh mujhse keh dena, main tumhare saath hoon. Maine tumhari aankhon mein pyaar ki wohh kashish dekhi hai jo ek zamaane se maine kisiki aankhon mein nahi dekhi. Tum acche ghar se ho, ek acchi neeyat se yahaan aaye ho, toh kabhi khudko akela mat samajhna. Tumhe jab bhi meri zarurat padegi, toh bas keh dena. Mujhse jitna hoga, main tumhari help karunga Sameer..."

Sameer just nodded and left from there. He headed directly to the class. As soon as the kids saw his injured hand, they asked questions but he just replied that he fell down and hurt his hand. The kids believed him and their classes continued. The news of his injured hand soon reached everyone.

Some teacher came running to the common room to share the news as he himself had seen Sameer's injured hand. Priya reacted instantly, "Hey bhagwaan... Abhi toh ek hi din hua hai NGO mein, aur unhe haath mein chot lag gayi. Main... main dekhkar aati hun ki kahin unhe kuch chahiye toh nahi."

As she got up to leave, another teacher commented, "Priya... tum itna hyper kyun ho rahi ho? Bas chot hi toh hai aur wohh thik hai. Maine dekha ki wohh bacchon ko guitar sikhaa raha hai aaram se, jaise kuch hua hi naa ho. Tum baith jao, aur apne class ki taiyari karo, bus dus minute mein tumhari agli class hai naa?"

Priya pouted and sat down on her seat reluctantly. She mumbled, "Main ek baar dekhne hi toh jaa rahi thi. Kaunsa pahad gir jaata agar main Sameer se mil aati toh?" All the while, Naina sat there frozen on her seat. Sameer had hurt his hand? And who was to be blamed for that? She hadn't heard anything after that as her mind and her heart were battling again.

Her heart wanted to run to him and see for herself while her mind reminded her that she needn't care about it. He didn't deserve her care, her attention at all. Her mind won the battle yet again as she remembered that night again and she got back to her work of checking the homework.

Sameer and Naina didn't cross path that day till evening. When Naina walked back towards her room, she sensed him behind her. But she didn't turn, she didn't want to give him any kind of satisfaction that she cared. Sameer followed her till she reached the bungalow safely. He didn't call her, didn't try to talk to her, he just followed her silently.

Sameer again stayed that night on the road in front of her room. Naina came to the window several times to check on him and every time she saw him shivering during that chilly night. This continued for the next four days. As Sameer had told Naniji that she need not put the thick blanket over him, she reluctantly agreed to him. But she felt bad everyday as she tended to his sickness by offering him breakfast and medicines. She was in awe of him as he ate only when Naina would eat her meals.

Naina wasn't aware about any of this. She always saw him all good every day in the NGO. She had seen his injured hand from afar and her heart pained. She resisted the urge to go to him and ask him if he was fine. For four days, he hadn't tried to talk to her. Infact, he didn't talk to anyone, he just smiled at everyone politely and replied in monosyllables.

On the fifth day, Sameer was sitting in the garden and was waiting for Naina to leave but she was busy in making a question paper for the surprise test for the next day. She kept so busy that she forgot to check the time. The kids who were playing in the garden requested Sameer to sing a song for them and he obliged. He too had wanted to vent out his pain and what would be better than to sing...

Picking his own guitar, he started,

Sau dard hain sau rahatein...

Sab mila dilnashin ek tu hi nahi...

Sau dard hain sau rahatein...

Sab mila dilnashin ek tu hi nahi...

Rukhi rukhi si yeh hawa...

Aur sukhe patte ki tarah...

Shehar ki sadko pe main...

Laawaris udta hua

Sau raste par teri raah nahi...

Sau dard hain sau rahatein...

Sab mila dilnashin ek tu hi nahi...

Behta hain paani behne de...

Waqt ko yuhin rehne de...

Dariya ne karwat li hai toh...

Saahilon ko sehne de...

Sau hasratein par tera ghum nahi...

Sau dard hain sau rahatein...

Sab mila dilnashin ek tu hi nahi...

Sameer didn't know when the tears had made its way in his eyes and continued flowing till, he felt someone wiping his tears. He opened his eyes to find everyone standing there with misty eyes. He looked at the small angel standing in front of him who had wiped his tears. He smiled a little while the small girl just hugged him. The tears started again and he let it flow. One person stood afar and saw the scene with a heavy heart.

Sameer had opened up his heart while singing that particular song. Naina trembled and sat down on the chair. His voice... it had pain, it had resignation. She felt the pain, the guilt, his yearning for her, his love for her... She didn't know what to do. The pain that she was feeling from last one month hadn't yet come out.

She smiled amidst her tears, "Aap apna dard apne gaane se bayaan kar dete hai, par main kaise karun? Jo dard maine apne dil mein dabaa rakhaa hai, usse kaise baahar nikaalun? Ab toh yeh aansoon bhi kamm padne lage hai mera dard chupaane ke liye." She wiped her cheeks and collected her belongings. She left without glancing at the broken Sameer who sat there on the bench surrounded by the kids.

Sameer had seen Naina leaving but couldn't follow her as the kids kept him occupied. It was already late at night and he didn't want her to go alone. The roads were as it is very deserted when he finally left from the NGO. His heart sank as he couldn't see Naina on the way. He called up Naniji immediately to check if Naina had reached home safely. When she said that Naina wasn't home yet, he swallowed hard. He picked up his pace and started running.

As he ran for a few minutes, he saw Naina walking ahead. As he neared, he saw that a couple of boys were following her on a bike. His eyes turned red in anger and he increased his pace once again. He didn't run this time, he just took long strides and reached them in a minute. The other guys didn't notice him and still continued their teasing.

One of the guys on the bike spoke loudly, "Arey madam... hum kabse keh rahe hai ki hum aapko ghar chod dete hai." The other one joined, "Abey saale... tu pehle bike se utar, fir hi toh wohh bike pe baithegi naa. Samajhta hi nahi hai tu kuch. Chal ab tu utar..." The first one said, "Arey yaar, hum mein se kisiko utarne ki zarurat nahi hai. Hum madam ko hamare beech mein bithaate hain naa, fir toh mauja hi maujaa..."

They laughed loudly while Naina controlled the urge to smack their faces. Naina had left the NGO in a vulnerable state and hadn't realized that she was walking all alone on the whole way. The moment she heard some honking from behind, her reverie broke. It was then she realized her mistake of walking alone on that deserted lane. She remembered that something like that had already happened with her while she was in Ahmedabad. Kabir had appeared for her rescue that night. But today... who will come for her rescue? Her heart called out a name unconsciously and she closed her eyes.

The bike stopped beside her and one of the guys got down. He tapped her shoulder and then tried to hold her from behind. But the moment he touched her; he was dragged behind by someone. Naina had sensed HIM before that touch itself. She turned around and whispered, "Sameer..." Her knight in shining armour had come for her rescue this time. Her heart had wished him to be here with her. Though she pretended to be strong in front of everyone, but she wasn't in the state to fight these two guys like last time.

When Sameer had heard those comments for his love, he saw red. As he reached, he saw one of the guys trying to hold Naina and his entire being had changed within a second. He dragged that guy away from Naina and had beaten him black and blue. The other guy too got down and tried to hit Sameer but Naina's hero had already known his tricks.

He punched both the guys one after the other while Naina stood there immobile for that period. She couldn't look away from that scene playing in front of her. "Tune meri Naina ko haath lagaakar bohot badi galti kar di saale... main tujhe chodunga nahi." Sameer continued hitting while the guys roared in pain.

Both the guys tried to get hold of Sameer at once but he was unstoppable, afterall they had tried to tease his love and touch her. Sameer got hold of the guy who had tried to hold Naina and twisted his hand, "Issi haath se tune usse pakda tha naa? Ab tu iss haath se kabhi koi kaam nahi kar paayega." He was almost on the verge of breaking his hand, when he heard Naina's voice, "Sameer... chod dijiye usse... wohh... wohh mar jaayega." But Sameer ignored her words and continued hitting him.

Naina ran to him and held his arm, "Sameer... please... please ruk jaaiye... wohh... wohh... sach mein mar jaayega." He replied, "Naina... isne tumhe haath lagaaya hai, isse toh waise bhi main zinda nahi chodunga. Samajhte kya hai yeh log? Raah chalte kisi bhi ladki ke saath chedkhaani karenge aur koi inhe sabak nahi sikhaayega. Ek wohh din tha jab maine unn dono gundo ko electric current dekar maar daala tha, aur ab yeh hai. Inhe toh main apne haathon se maarunga, taaki kabhi koi kisi ladki ke saath aisa behave naa kar sake."

Naina understood him, yet pleaded, "Sameer... please chodiye usse. Main... main nahi chaahti ki aapko jail ho. Please Sameer... chodiye usse... aapko... aapko meri kasam hai." And he stopped right there. He got hold of the guy's collar and spoke, "Aaj tum sirf Naina ki wajah se bach gaya hai. Agli baar kisi bhi ladki ko chidhaane se pehle yaa haath lagaane se pehle meri yeh maar yaad kar lena."

Sameer pushed that guy away and turned to look at his life, "Tum... tum thik ho Naina?" She just nodded and he continued, "Kya zarurat thi aise akele nikalne ki NGO se? Time dekha hai tumne? Agar main... main time par nahi aata toh? Tumhe khudka khayaal rakhna hoga Naina, tum aise akele nahi chal sakti aise sumsaam raste par. Agar... agar tumhe kuch ho jaata toh... toh mera kya hota, socha hai kabhi?"

Naina stood rooted to her spot as Sameer scolded her. He understood that he was getting nagry on her for no reason. So, he closed his eyes and tried to calm down. Naina saw innumerable expressions on his face and understood his dilemma, but she remained quiet. They both turned to leave, when suddenly the other guy came from behind and tried to poke the knife in his back. Sameer had intuitionally turned away and the knife scratched his arm.

Naina screamed loudly as she saw Sameer's arm bleeding. Before that guy tried to hurt Sameer with his knife again, Sameer caught hold of his hand and twisted it. The knife fell down from his hand and Naina grabbed it immediately. She pointed the knife towards the guy and shouted, "Agar tum abhi ke abhi yahaan se nahi gaye naa toh main yeh churi tumhare aar paar kar dungi. Meri kasam ki wajah se aaj tumhara wohh kamina dost bach gaya, par tum nahi bachoge." She went ahead and almost pushed that knife in his stomach but suddenly she was pulled behind by Sameer.

"Kya kar rahi ho tum? Pehle mujhe kasam deti ho, aur ab khud usse maarne chali ho?" She replied, "Aise kaise jaane dun usse, usne aapko maara. Dekhiye kitna khoon nikal raha hai." The first guy who was almost dead shouted and told his friend to take him to the hospital. But then they heard the police siren from a distance. Before they could get back on their bike and leave, the police had arrived and arrested both of them.

Naina gave her statement and they left. All the while Sameer was beside her. They reached the bungalow where they saw Naniji waiting for Naina. As soon as she saw both of them, she came out instantly. "Kya hua Naina? Itni der kaise ho gayi tumhe?" Naniji then looked at Sameer and instantly her gaze fell on his bleeding arm. "Tumhe... tumhe kya hua? Yeh... yeh chot kaise lag gayi?"

Naina replied, "Naniji... pehle andar chalte hai. Doctor ko bulaa lete hai. Inhe... inhe bohot chot lagi hai. Fir main aapko sab bataati hun." Naniji immediately took the couple inside her house and called her family doctor. The doctor arrived in the next few minutes as he stayed just two blocks away.

He treated Sameer's wound while Naina kept chanting some mantras mentally. Naniji looked between the couple and smiled. She thought, "Sameer thik hi kehta tha, Naina jyaada din tak apna pyaar nahi chupaa paayegi. Sameer ko zara bhi taklif mein nahi dekh paayegi."

Once the doctor finished, he said, "Jyada ghabraane ki zarurat nahi hai. Ghaav jyaada gehra nahi hai. Kuch dinon mein thik ho jaayega. Main tumhe tablets de raha hun, do din khaane ke baad lena aur jab jyaada dard ho, tab hi lena. Aur ho sake toh jyaada se jyaada aaram karna. Iss haath ka kamm istemaal karna. Baaki you are all fine. Young man... waise yeh chot lagi kaise?"

The doctor and Naniji questioned. Sameer was about to speak when Naina spoke and told them the real story. Naniji was in shock but the doctor praised the couple for being so brave and fight them. Once the doctor left, Naniji turned to Sameer and Naina, "Tum dono fresh ho jao, hum sab saath mein khaana khaayenge."

Sameer had wanted to stay but he didn't want Naina to be uncomfortable in his presence. So, he refused politely. "Nahi Naniji... mujhe... mujhe bhook nahi hai... Maine NGO mein kuch khaa liya tha pehle, toh bhook nahi hai abhi. Waise bhi bohot der ho gayi hai... main... main chalta hun." Naina knew he was lying; she wanted to stop him and make him eat his meal as he had to take his medicine. But her voice didn't come out, she couldn't speak. She saw him leaving with drooped shoulders but still she couldn't stop him.

Naniji who saw all this, felt bad for both of them. Though she hasn't known both of them from before, but she could see and feel the undercurrents between the couple. She knew it wasn't going to be easy for Naina to come around Sameer after what had happened between them a month ago.

Naina skipped her dinner too and went to her room. How could she eat when she knew that even Sameer didn't have anything? At late night, Naina got up to check if Sameer was outside. And there he was sitting near the tree with his eyes closed. Naina's heart pained watching him and the tears rolled down her cheeks.

Sameer felt her presence at the window and looked up to see her standing there and staring at him. His eyes misted and his hands automatically held his ears. He mumbled a sorry which caught Naina's attention. In these few days, Sameer hadn't apologized. Why now? Why was he apologizing now? Then she realized that she never gave him a chance to speak and apologize. Whenever she opened the window at late nights, he used to be sleeping and shivering. Then when would he apologize?

How was the update?

Will update soon...

Till then take care and stay safe...

Ignore the mistakes please... I've been an emotional mess while writing this chapter and so had no heart to read it again to check for any mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️