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FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 56

Sameer continued sitting near the tree even when his arm hurt terribly. The pain was unbearable, yet his eyes stayed fixed on her window. When he saw Naina, his hands automatically moved and he held his ears. He had wanted to apologize to her every time she came in front of him, but he couldn't. It was five days since he was here in Shimla and he hadn't got a chance to talk to her properly and apologize.

Today, when he saw those morons teasing Naina and trying to touch her, his temper had flared badly. One thing kept nagging him, had she been teased even before this? She was staying alone for over a month here. Had she been treated like that before? He was here today to safeguard her, take her home safely. But what if that had happened in the past one month, how did she face it all alone?

Sameer felt miserable as he knew that he was the reason behind her moving here alone. It was because of him that Naina had left Maheshwari Mansion and Ahmedabad forever. His guilt increased manifolds as the reality of her staying alone hit him hard now. There was no one to protect her from such eve teasers.

He was thankful to Naniji that she had allowed Naina to stay with her and trusted her so much. But what if she wouldn't have been around Naina? He shivered thinking about the consequences. Where she would've stayed? Who would've taken care of her? How she would've survived alone without any help?

Sameer had seen the way she interacted with others in the NGO. Though she smiled at everyone, her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. He could clearly see the pain and lost look in her eyes. He was the sole reason for her cold and distant behaviour. His heart ached for her, he yearned to have her in his warmth. He wanted to hear her melodious voice which always called out to him. He missed her; he missed his lovely wife terribly.

It was already ten days, but Sameer couldn't find any chance to talk to Naina. She kept away from him and never crossed his path. She still kept looking after him from afar. She had noticed that he never ate his meal before her in the NGO. She didn't want him to starve because of her, so she started having her meals on time. She spotted him staring at her many times as if pleading to her to give him a chance to speak and apologize, but she never gave him that. She always made it a point to be surrounded by the teachers or the kids, so Sameer would never find her alone.

Though Sameer had many chances to talk to her when they walked back to the bungalow, he avoided it as he didn't want to create a scene on the middle of the road. He knew Naina deliberately kept herself occupied around the teachers and the kids to avoid any kind of conversation with him. Sameer made it a point to speak to her as soon as possible but luck wasn't in his favour. His wait to talk to his better half was going to be very long.

Sameer called up Nanu and Preeti every night and updated them about his failure for not being able to apologize. Nanu supported him and asked him to be patient and strong. What shocked Sameer the most was that Preeti too was supporting him and was trying to help him by giving such terrible ideas that he used to laugh out hard and say, "Preeti... agar main aisa kuch karunga naa, toh Naina kabhi nahi maanegi aur ulta mujhe hi pitne lagegi." The laughter that he heard from the other side of the line soothed him. At least her best friend was trying to help and boost him which touched his heart. Half the battle was already won.

From the past ten nights, Naina saw him sleeping on the road. Whenever she met his gaze, he used to hold his ears and mutter sorry innumerable times till she pulled the window shut. She felt bad for him, but she couldn't voice it out. She couldn't tell him to go to the hotel and rest as he would come to know that she still cared for him. Naina didn't want to show this side of her so soon, she was controlling her feelings immensely which shocked Sameer as well as her. She saw his face turn paler and paler day by day. He wasn't getting enough sleep and she had seen him sneezing many times which worried her but still, she couldn't say anything to him.

Naina was in contact with Nanu and Preeti but neither of them informed the other about Sameer's presence in Shimla. Naina knew the moment she would mention about Sameer, they would try to convince her to forgive him and give him a chance. She didn't want to give a second chance to their relationship only for the sake of others. She wanted that feeling to come from within her.

From the past ten days, Naniji hadn't put the blanket over him on Sameer's insistence. He said that he would accept the blanket only if his Maina would cover him with it. Naniji hoped that one day Sameer would get what he wanted. She prayed for them. Within ten days, she had seen his determination to get his love back and she just prayed for their reunion to happen soon.

Naniji has seen the vulnerability in Naina's eyes many times and understood her stand as well. Though Naina hadn't shared anything with her, still Naniji could understand her behaviour at times. She saw her restlessness when Sameer would be out of her sight at night. She had seen her glancing at the tree and the road many times when Sameer would be out for his work. If Naina thought that no one would see though her care and restlessness for Sameer, then she was highly mistaken because Naniji and also Sameer could see through her easily. It was just a matter of time and all her feelings and pain would come to the forefront. Sameer knew this for a fact. He had seen her feeling miserable for him whenever he was out of her sight.

Apart from Naniji, there were few more people who had felt the undercurrents between the two. While some were happy, one specific person fumed in anger. My Iyer had already sensed that Sameer and Naina knew each other from before. The way Sameer stared at her and the way Naina avoided him made it very much clear about them.

The other teachers too had noticed Sameer's behaviour when he was around Naina which had raised doubts in their minds. But they didn't mind, they had known Naina from past one month. Though she wasn't the talkative type, still she was very kind and helpful towards all.

Priya was the only person who didn't like the attention that Sameer was pouring towards Naina. For first, she didn't like Naina at all since the time she had joined the NGO. All the teachers always praised her. She felt that Naina's entry in the NGO had lessened her value amongst the teachers and the kids as well. And now, with Sameer always trying to get her attention fuelled her anger and jealousy. Priya had kept Naina close to her to keep a watch on her. She had many times tried to find some or the other fault in her work, but Mr Iyer was smart enough to understand Priya's intention.

One evening while returning home, Naina had got a news that it was going to snow that night. Her heart thudded as she knew that Sameer too was aware about it. How could she tell him not to sleep on the road that night? She didn't want him to know about her care and feelings. How would she stop him from sleeping that night on the road? She thought of going to him many times and telling him to go back to his hotel, but her courage failed her. The moment their gazes locked, Naina would look away and turn in the opposite direction, then how could she tell him?

When that night, Sameer followed her to the bungalow, he sensed that she wanted to say something but couldn't. He could sense her behaviour now as he was habituated with her actions. He stayed quiet and followed her. If she wanted to say something, then she will... who was he to stop?

Sameer knew what she wanted to say, he knew her enough. But how could he miss this chance? If she cared for him, she will stop him from staying the night outside her room on the road. She will have to talk to him tonight by hook or by crook. When he had got the news about the snowfall, he wasn't happy. But then he thought of the after effects. This was the perfect situation to get her talk to him. Tonight, he would know if she cared for him at all.

Naina freshened up quickly and joined Naniji for dinner. She tried to talk to Naniji who could ask Sameer to go home, but she couldn't do that. What if Naniji told her to do so? She felt helpless. How would she stop Sameer from waiting outside? While returning home, she had worn a sweater and wrapped a shawl around her to fight the chilly weather. She had noticed that Sameer had just worn a denim shirt which was paired with denim pants. She had thought helplessly, "Inhe thand nahi lag rahi kya?"

As soon as the dinner was done, Naina rinsed the vessels and went upstairs to her room. The window was already closed as she had shut it in the morning while leaving for office. Her hands shivered as she opened the window slowly. The weather had changed drastically since evening and it was too cold now.

Naina had never experienced the snow till now. This was going to be her first experience and his too. But what an experience was it going to be for them? As she opened the window, she couldn't see anything clearly. She stared at the tree intently and found him sitting there. Her heart stopped beating. She closed her eyes in frustration and cursed, "Inhe samaj nahi aa raha kya ki aaj ki raat yahaan rukne ki zarurat nahi hai. Ek toh aise hi jhat se sardi ho jaati hai zara si thand se aur aaj toh baraf bhi girne waali hai. Inhe apni tabiyat ki zara bhi chinta hai yaa nahi?"

The moment she finished her last sentence she saw that the snow had started drizzling. She immediately closed the window and paced in her room. Sameer hadn't even worn a sweater or jacket to feel any warmth. She kept rubbing both her palms as she was feeling a little cold. Naniji had told her to switch on the heater in the room if she couldn't bear the cool temperature.

Naina immediately switched the heater on and again continued pacing. After ten minutes, she could hold no longer and opened the door. She saw Sameer standing near the tree with his arms around his body. Shaking her head, Naina wrapped herself with the shawl tightly and ran downstairs.

Sameer had seen her opening the window before and had smiled to himself. She couldn't avoid him tonight. As the snow started drizzling, she had shut the window. He felt disappointment creeping in his heart. What if it doesn't matter to her that he was waiting for her in this snowfall.

After few moments, Sameer had started sneezing as this weather was totally new for him. He had adjusted to the cold climate now, but this snow was a totally new thing for him. He shivered and rubbed his palms and arms. It was after ten minutes; he saw Naina opening the door and running towards him.

His heart raced as he saw her approaching him with shawl wrapped around her petite body. He had noticed many times that she had lost weight for sure. He had never seen her relishing any kind of meal since past few days. She ate only for survival, to show others that she was normal, happy and content.

As Naina stopped in front of him, Sameer's eyes misted. His love had finally come to him and he was happy to know that she still cared for him. She spoke, "Aap... aap please hotel chale jaaiye. Aapki... aapki tabiyat kharaab ho jaayegi iss mausam mein." When he didn't react to her words, she closed her eyes in frustration. She knew he was stubborn and won't move from there even if she requested.

Making up her mind, she held his hand and pulled him towards her room. Sameer's heart stopped beating as he felt her warm touch after such a long time. He remembered the day when she had kept her hand on his arm to stop him from killing that moron. But this was different. She had willingly held his hand and touched him. His happiness knew no bounds.

He glanced at the ground floor where he saw Naniji wiping her tears and closing the window with a smile. Naniji too was worried for Sameer. She knew that Naina cared for him but would never say it in words. She had noticed Naina's restlessness and helplessness as the night fell. Naniji knew that she had wanted to tell her to ask Sameer to go away tonight, but she couldn't. The way she cared for Sameer was clearly visible in her actions. Naniji was a little upset that Naina never discussed her pain and past with her. Though she knew about all the happenings from Sameer, she had wanted Naina to let out her pain too. Maybe tonight something good would come out of this snowfall. She lit a small diya in front of Ganesh Idol and prayed for their happiness and reunion.

On the other hand, Naina opened her door and pushed Sameer inside her room. He willingly moved inside and looked around for the first time. He noticed her neat and clean large bedroom. He instantly felt warm as the heater was working in full swing. As he was about to take a step ahead, Naina caught his arm and he turned in a flash.

Her red eyes were enough to tell him that she was angry. She shouted, "Aapko samaj nahi aata kya kuch? Aaj snowfall honewala tha, yeh baat aapko pataa thi naa? Fir kyun rukna chaahte the aaj road par? Bimaar padna hai kya? Aapko jyaada thand bardaasht nahi hoti, toh fir kyun ruke the aap? Hotel mein nahi reh sakte kya? Dus din se aap yahaan mere room ke saamne sote hai. Kya milega yeh sab karke aapko, huh? Aap shaayad bhool gaye hai ki Nanaji aapka ghar par intezaar kar rahe honge. Par aap toh yahaan bimaar padne ki planning kar rahe hai itne dinon se. Ek baar toh unke baare mein soch lijiye. Aapke siwa kaun hai unka iss duniya mein? Unke liye hi please yeh sab karna band kar dijiye. Aapko kuch ho gaya toh... toh main kya kahungi unse, kaise nazrein mila paaungi Nanaji se? Socha hai aapne kuch? Bas apne baare mein sochte hai hamesha, yeh nahi unn logon ke baare mein bhi soch le jo aapse itna pyaar karte hai, jo aapke liye jeete hai."

Sameer stood transfixed at his place as he heard Naina scolding him after a long time. He wasn't used to this Naina Devi avtaar, but he loved it nonetheless. She was scolding him as a typical wife and like a typical husband he was listening to her rants with a smile.

When Naina watched him smiling, she shouted again, "Main kab se itna chillaye jaa rahi hun aur aap... aap smile kar rahe hai." Sameer instantly bit his inner cheek to stop himself from smiling like a fool. But what could he do when he could clearly see her care for him and his Nanu. This was his Maina who cared for everyone selflessly. He had hurt her and broken her so badly, yet she had overcome that and had pulled him inside her room so that he didn't feel sick. This was his selfless Naina... his Maina...

They stared at each other for a few minutes silently. Naina closed her eyes and her mind alerted her for what she had done. She now realized that she had brought him to her room to save him from the snowfall. She had broken her own promise to stay away from him. What had she done? And why? Couldn't she control her emotions and feelings for him a little longer?

Sameer read each and every emotion that crossed her face. Her expressions were still transparent and easy for him to read like before. He knew that she was trying to withdraw and was going to go back in her shell. But he couldn't allow it now. They were alone in her room and he had got the perfect chance to apologise. This was now or never for him.

Before she could turn away from him. Sameer whispered, "Naina..." And she stilled. His husky voice was enough for her to stand rooted to her place. Sameer didn't touch her and stood just a foot away from her. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable. He just wanted to apologize and get a second chance for their relationship. He had come here to take her back and not give up. He would never give up on their relation.

"Aankhen kholo Naina... meri taraf dekho..." His soft voice made her shiver and she complied. She met his watery gaze with her misty one. The pain was evident in both of their eyes which only screamed of hurt and pain.

Sameer spoke, "Naina... acchaa lagaa jaankar ki tum ab bhi meri tabiyat ki chinta kar rahi ho, Nanu ke baare mein itna soch rahi ho. Tum... tum toh jaanti ho naa ki main yahaan kyun aaya hun? Fir kyun mujhe tumse baat karne ka koi mauka nahi de rahi tum? Agar tum meri baat pehle din hi sunn leti toh mujhe har raat tumhare kamre ke saamne nahi sona padta. Tumne mujhe ek mauka bhi nahi diya apni baat kehna ka Naina, toh main kya karta? Tum jaanti ho naa ki main yahaan kyun aaya hun Naina?"

Naina lowered her eyes which was a reply in itself. Her silence was killing him but he continued, "Main tumse maafi maangne aaya hun Naina. Maine... maine tumhe bohot galat samjha, tum par bohot ghatiye ilzaam lagaaye, tumhe kya kuch nahi kahaa aur... aur tumhare saath zabardasti karne ki bhi koshish ki. Naina... please mujhe maaf kardo. Mujhe... mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha tumhare saath. Hum patni patni hai, toh iska yeh matlab toh nahi hai ki main tumhe kisi bhi cheez ke liye force karun. Maine jo kiya wohh galti nahi thi Naina wohh gunaah tha. Main maafi ke kaabil nahi hun Naina, par fir bhi tum mujhe maaf kar do please. Maine tumhare aur Kabir ke rishtey ke baare mein kya kuch nahi kahaa. Maine jo dekha aur sunaa wohh sach nahi tha, ab... ab mujhe sach pataa hai Naina... Mujhe Kabir aur Nisha ke baare mein sab pataa chal gaya hai. Maine kitna galat samjha tum dono ko, kitni gandi gandi baatein ki. Chiii... main... main khudse hi nazrein nahi milaa paa raha Naina... please mujhe maaf kardo Naina... please mujhe maaf kardo..."

He sat on his knees and cried. He couldn't hold his tears after the apology. Naina was already in tears as everything came back to her in flashes, his words, his actions, everything that happened that night. Naina stood immobile for a few minutes till Sameer stopped his crying.

He got up and looked at his life, "Naina... kuch toh bolo... tum yun chup mat raho please. Mujhe daantna hai daanto, mujhe maarna hai maaro... kuch toh karo Naina... kuch toh kaho..." He wanted to shake her and make her speak. But he wouldn't touch her till she forgave him. After she had told him in the NGO in clear words to not to touch her, he had decided to stay away and promised himself that he would never try to touch her. So, he had maintained his distance till now. Though he craved for her nearness, her touch, all of her, still he controlled his urge to get close to her.

The tears flowed continuously from her eyes as all the wounds and hurt was scratched opened again. She cried and cried for some more time and Sameer didn't stop her this time. He wanted her to let out all the pain from her heart once and for all.

Naina spoke between her sobs, "Kya kahun huh main aapse? Kya bolun main? Kya sunna chaahte hai aap? Uss raat... uss raat aapne mujhpar ek baar bhi bharosa nahi kiya, toh main ab kya bolun? Maine... maine poocha tha naa aapse ki aap mujhpar trust toh karte hai naa? Tab aapne haan kyun kahaa, jab sach mein kabhi bharosa kar hi nahi paaye mujhpar? Ek saal... ek saal main aapke saath rahi, fir bhi aap mujhe samajh nahi paaye. Ek saal baad bhi hum wahin the jahaan shaadi se pehle the."

She hiccupped in between and continued, "Shaadi se pehle aapne wohh agreements aur divorce papers banwaaye, tab main aapke reasons samajh sakti thi. Jaanti thi ki aap ek hi jhatke mein kisi bhi anjaan ladki par bharosa nahi kar paate. Par ek saal saath rehne ke baad bhi aapne mujhe gold-digger kahaa, mujhe characterless kahaa. Kya... kya itna hi samajh paaye the aap mujhe uss ek saal mein? Kya aapko sach mein lagta hai ki maine sirf aapke paison ke liye aapse shaadi ki thi aur Kabir se mera affair? Chiii... aap yeh sab soch bhi kaise sakte the, kaise soch sakte the mere baare mein aisa?"

Closing her eyes, she wiped her tears, "Uss din main agar sach bhi kehti toh kya aap meri baat maan lete? Meri baat par vishwaas karte? Agar main Kabir aur Nisha ke baare mein aapko bataa deti toh kya usspar bhi bharosa karte? Boliye... karte mujhpar vishwaas? Sunte meri baat?" She shouted, "Boliye naa? Karte meri baat par vishwas? Nahi naa? Kyunki aapko sirf wohi sach lagaa jo aap dekhna chaahte the. Har aankhon dekhi baat sach nahi hoti? Uss din jab aapne mujhe Kabir ke saath NGO mein dekha, tab hi kyun andar nahi aaye sawaal karne? Tab hi kuch kehte toh shaayad aaj... aaj hum saath hote."

She closed her eyes and let her tears flow again, "Har ladki ki tarah mere bhi shaadi ke kuch armaan the, par aapne ek ek karke mere saare sapne tod diye, kucchal diya unhe. Shaadi ke pehle wohh agreements aur divorce papers sign karke mere dil ke kitne tukde hue the yeh main aapko bataa bhi nahi sakti. Aur ek saal baad bhi aapne wohh agreements mere mooh pe maare. Aur ek baar fir aapne mujhe meri jagah dikha di. Kis jagah ki baat kar rahi hun main bhi, aapki zindagi mein mere liye koi jagah kabhi thi hi nahi. Agar hoti toh aap mujhpar thoda vishwas toh karte. Sab ke liye shaadi ek aisa bandhan hota hai jo janmon janmon ka rishta hota hai aur hamari shaadi ki shuruwaat toh divorce papers sign karke hui thi, jiski expiry date pehle se tay kar di thi aapne. Mujhe hamesha darr lagta tha ki ek saal ke baad main kya karungi, kahaan jaaungi, kaise khud sab manage karungi. Isliye maine job karna shuru kiya, taaki main thode bohot savings kar paaun, jo mujhe aage kaam aate, kyunki ek saal baad toh hamara divorce honewala tha naa?"

Sameer cringed as he heard her words. How much he had hurt her and broken her from the start of their marriage. He had wronged her from the start and had done the same even after staying with her for a year. Did he even deserve her selfless love? He wasn't sure about it anymore.

Naina continued, "Maine jab se aapki tasveer dekhi aapke kamre mein, tab se hi aapse pyaar karne lagi thi. Jaise jaise din beet-te gaye, waise mera pyaar badhne lagaa... Ek ummeed thi ki aap bhi mujhse kabhi naa kabhi pyaar karne lagenge, par wohh ummeed kabhi poori nahi hui. Aur jab uss raat aapne mujhse kahaa ki aap bhi mujhse pyaar karne lage hai toh main khush ho gayi thi, par wohh khushi bhi jyaada der tak nahi tiki mere naseeb mein. Aapne sahi kahaa ki pati patni ke rishtey mein kabhi kisi ko kisi bhi cheez ke liye force nahi karna chahiye. Uss raat... uss raat aap jab mere kareeb aaye toh mujhe kuch alag mehsoos hua tha, jo... jo pyaar nahi tha... wohh... wohh... zabardasti thi... aur uske baad jo bhi hua usne mere dil ke itne tukde kar diye ki ab main chaahkar bhi kabhi mere dil ko jod nahi paaungi. Aaj bhi jab main aankhen band karti hun toh mujhe uss raat ki har ek baat yaad aati hai, jo mujhe firse tod deti hai. Jitna marzi chaahun main aage nahi badh paa rahi."

Naina met his teary eyes and asked, "Aapke paas toh sab the, par mere paas kaun tha huh? Koi nahi... koi nahi tha mere paas, jiske saath main apne dukh dard baant sakun. Log kehte hai ki pati patni ek dusre ke humsafar hote hai, jo ek dusre se apne sab sukh dukh baant sakte hai, jo do dil ek jaan hote hain. Par jab mere humsafar ne mujhe yeh dukh dard diye hai, toh main kisse mere yeh sab dard baant-ti? Aapne toh kabhi mera haath ek patni ki tarah thaama hi nahi, toh hum humsafar bhi kaise bante? Jis shaadi ki shuruwaat hi agreements se hui ho, uss shaadi ko waise bhi tootna hi tha."

"Naina...", his voice choked as he heard her hurting words. She shouted, "Ekdum chup... aapne hi kahaa naa ki main kuch bolun, toh ab aap suniye... bolne dijiye mujhe aaj. Kya aapko sach mein lagaa ki mera Kabir ke saath affair chal raha hai? Aap aisa soch bhi kaise sakte hai? Kya aapko iss ek saal mein kabhi bhi mere pyaar ka ehsaas nahi hua? Main hamesha har wohh kaam karti jo aapko pasand tha, aapke zindagi mein aapke hisaab se dhal rahi thi main, khudko badal rahi thi... Kya yeh sab nahi dikha aapko? Bas ek jhatke mein keh diya ki main Kabir ke saath rangraliyaan manaa rahi thi, usse pyaar ka izhaar kar rahi thi. Kya aapko kabhi meri aankhon mein aapke liye pyaar nahi dikha? Thoda sa bharosa kar lete aap, mujhe bolne ka mauka dete, mujhe samajhte. Aap aisa kaise kar sakte hai mere saath, aise... aise ilzaam kaise lagaa sakte the mujhpar?"

Naina sat down on her knees and cried badly, venting out all the hurt and pain. She had needed this. She had wanted an outlet to let go of all this, but in front of whom she could've done it? She cried many times alone, infact every night, but she could never speak out her pain even at that time. Tonight, Sameer had given her this opportunity to do this.

Sameer wasn't good either. Each and every word gave him more guilt and pain. He had known that she loved him, yet he had not trusted her. Could he tell her that he knew about her feelings since they were in San Francisco? How could he do this with her? Why didn't he trust her? He loved her, then why didn't he trust her and hear her side for once calmly? But then again, he thought that was it really his fault? Anyone in his place would've concluded the same. He was sorry for not trusting her and treating her badly that night, but still his mind and heart weren't sorry for what he assumed at that time. His insecurity was something that he had to fight alone and now, he knew that those insecurities were the root cause of everything and he was trying his best to put all of those behind and start a new life with Naina if she forgave him and accepted his love.

Sameer too sat down on his knees in front of her and whispered, "Naina... mujhse bohot badi galti ho gayi hai. Main meri har uss galti ke liye maafi maang raha hun Naina, jo maine jaane anjaane mein ki hai. Uss raat jaisa maine tumhare saath behave kiya wohh mujhe nahi karna chahiye tha. Mujhe... mujhe jalan ho rahi thi Kabir se... ki tumne usse chuna mere upar. Pehli baar maine pyaar kiya hai Naina, aur jab ussi ehsaas ko main tumse share karna chaahta tha, tab maine tumhe Kabir ke saath NGO mein dekha aur jab wohh sab sunaa... toh maano mere dil ke saath saath meri zindagi bhi ruk gayi thi. Pehle yakeen nahi hua ki tum aisa kuch kar sakti ho. Par jab tumne Kabir ko haan kahaa, tab maine tumhari aankhon mein bhi wohi pyaar dekha aur mujhe lagaa ki shaayad wohhh pyaar jo maine mehsoos kiya tha mere liye wohh toh Kabir ke liye tha. Main maanta hun ki mujhe Kabir se jalan hoti thi, kyunki wohh tumhare liye perfect tha. Jaanti ho Naina, jab tumne ghar chod diya, tab maine apne dil ko samjha liya tha ki Kabir hi tumhare liye perfect Jeevan Saathi hai, kyunki wohh har maayne mein mujhse accha aur saccha hai. Main tumhe khush dekhna chaahta tha aur main tumhari khushi mein khush bhi tha. Par fir bhi mera dil maanne ko taiyaar hi nahi tha ki tum Kabir se shaadi karogi. Ek aas thi ki tum mere paas waapis aaogi. Jab Kabir ke saath maine Nisha ko dekha, tab jaise meri jaan mein jaan aayi ho. Par tab tak bohot der ho chuki thi Naina, maine... maine tumhe kho diya tha Naina... kho diyaa tha..."

Sameer cried which made Naina look at him with her teary eyes and he continued, "Kisine... kisine meri help nahi ki. Mujhe tumhara pataa nahi bataaya. Maine kahaan kahaan nahi dhoonda tumhe Naina, par tum kahin nahi mili. Har roz... har roz tumhare mummy papa se baatein karta. Unse maafi maagta kyunki maine unki beti ko kitna hurt kiya tha, aakhir meri wajah se hi toh tumne ghar choda tha naa. Ek mahine tak maine tumhe poore Ahmedabad mein dhooda. Aur issi ek mahine mein mujhe tumhari kahi hui saari baatein yaad aati rahi. Aur issiki wajah se aaj maine singer banaa hun, jo main hamesha se banna chaahta tha. Tumne mujhe mere uss sapne ko poora karne ka hausla diya Naina, jo maine kahin kho diya tha."

Sameer met her gaze and asked, "Tum jaanti ho main yahaan tum tak kaise pohoncha hun?" Even if she was still angry on him, she shook her head in reply and he smiled. This was a good sign, he thought and continued, "Main ek raat tumhare mummy papa ki tasveer se baatein kar raha tha aur ro raha, ki koi meri help nahi kar raha tumhe dhoondne mein aur achanak mere haath se ek paper gir gaya. Jab usse dhoodne ke liye maine apna haath table ke neeche daala, toh tumhari personal diary mere haath aayi."

Naina widened her eyes in shock, "Toh meri diary wahaan room mein hi gir gayi thi? Mujhe... mujhe lagaa ki wohh kahin safar mein hi kho gayi hai?" Before she could say more, he said, "I'm sorry Naina... main jaanta hun ki kabhi kisi ki personal dairy nahi padhni chahiye... par... par maine... maine tumhari personal diary ussi raat padh li."

Naina narrowed her eyes, "Aapne meri personal diary padhi? Aap... aap aisa kaise kar sakte hai?" Sameer held his ears again and apologized, "Im sorry Naina... par main padhna chaahta tha... tumhare baare mein sab kuch jaanna chaahta tha. Jo baatein tumne kabhi mujhse share nahi ki wohh mujhe uss diary se jaanne ko mili. Aur... aur tumhara yahaan ka pataa bhi mujhe ussi se mila. Tumhare internship ka letter ussi mein tha aur main yahaan aa gaya. Naina... main yahaan Shimla sirf tumhare liye aaya hun, tumhe ghar waapis le jaane aaya hun main Naina..."

Naina stood up and turned away from him. "Yeh nahi ho sakta ab. Main... main waapis Ahmedabad nahi jaaungi. Aur kis ke liye jaaun?" Sameer too stood up and replied, "Pehle meri tarf dekho Naina..." She didn't have any more strength to fight with him, so she turned to face him.

"Naina... wahaan Nanu hai... Preeti hai... Hamare itne acche dost hai aur... aur main bhi hun... Aisa kyun keh rahi ho ki koi nahi hai wahaan? Tum apne ghar mein rahogi Nanu aur mere saath..." She smiled, "Maanti hun sab wahaan hai, par kis rishtey se main wahaan rahungi? Jahaan tak mujhe yaad hai hum dono ka divorce ho gaya hai. Hamare beech koi rishta nahi hai ab."

Sameer wiped his tears and replied with a broad smile, "Tumhe kisne kahaa ki hum dono ka divorce ho gaya hai?" She asked in confusion, "Aapne hi toh divorce papers par meri sign li thi, bhool gaye kya aap?" Sameer shook his head and replied, "Tumne divorce papers sign kiye the Naina... maine nahi... maine wohh divorce papers kabhi sign hi nahi kiye the... fir... fir hamara divorce kaise hua?"

Naina was stumped with this. He hadn't signed those papers and they weren't divorced. Sameer saw the shock on her face and continued, "Yahi sach hai Naina... maine wohh divorce papers kabhi sign hi nahi kiye... naa shaadi se pehle... naa hi ab... toh iska matlab samajhti ho tum?"

Naina still couldn't react and he continued, "Iska matlab yeh hai ki tum ab bhi meri wife ho Naina... tum ab bhi Mrs Naina Sameer Maheshwari ho... aur hamesha rahogi... Main yahaan tumse maafi maagne aaya hun, tumhe lene aaya hun... Aaj jis tarah tum mujhe apne kamre mein laayi ho, usse yeh toh saabit ho gaya ki tum ab bhi meri parwaah karti ho. Tum bhale mujhe aaj maaf naa karo, par mujhe poora vishwaas hai ki ek din tum khud mujhe maaf bhi karogi aur mere saath Ahmedabad waapis bhi chalogi... Mrs Naina Sameer Maheshwari... main apni dulhaniya ko waapis liye bina Shimla se nahi jaaunga... Fir bhale mujhe roz road par hi kyun naa sona pade."

While Naina stood rooted to her spot hearing all the revelations from him, Sameer walked out of her room and into the snowfall with a strong determination to take her back to Ahmedabad...

How was the update?

Next update on Sunday...

Till then take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha... ❤️