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FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 57

Naina stood frozen at her place still dazed. She could not believe his words. They were not divorced? Sameer had never signed those divorce papers came as shock for her. She had started a new life here in Shimla as she had assumed that she was alone and had no family to call her own, especially after that night when Sameer had brought those agreements and divorce papers in their conversation. She had thought that Sameer would have submitted those divorce papers in the court and then the proceedings of the mutual divorce would start soon. But this... this revelation of Sameer not signing the divorce papers was not something that she had ever imagined even in her dreams.

Naina did not know for how much time she stood stunned with the sudden disclosure. She shivered and rubbed her arms to feel some warmth despite the heater working in her room. There was no end to her thoughts as Sameer's words rang in her mind continuously. She took few deep breath to calm her racing heart. But nothing worked.

The shrill sound of her mobile brought her back to reality and she looked around. The surroundings finally registered and she closed her eyes. The ringing stopped and started once again in few seconds. She walked towards her bed and picked up the call. The loud voice from the other end spoke, "Naina... kahaan thi? Pehle phone kyun nahi uthaaya tune?"

Naina heard the voice of her best friend and took few breaths to control her emotions. Her voice choked, "Pr... Preeti..." Just her mere name in a low voice alerted her best friend and she asked, "Naina... Kya hua? Teri aawaaz... tu thik toh hai naaa? Naina... sacchi sacchi bataa kya baat hai? Kya hua hai?"

When Naina did not reply, Preeti asked again. "Naina... dekh... mujhe... mujhe ab darr lag raha hai. Bataa naa? Kya hua hai? Dekh abhi tu mujhe bataayegi nahi naa, toh main main pehli flight se Shimla pohonch jaaungi." This broke Naina's resistance and she let her control on her emotions slip. She cried on the phone and that was it for Preeti on the other end who just disconnected the call promptly.

Naina instantly understood and called her back. Preeti picked up the call and replied, "Naina... tu... tu ro mat... main kal jo bhi pehli flight hogi, usse jald se jald Shimla aa jaaungi. Tu jaanti hai naa ki tu akeli nahi hai... main... main hamesha tere saath hun." Though Naina felt light hearing her soothing words, she needed to stop Preeti from coming down to Shimla just for her.

Naina spoke, "Preeti... Tu... tu please mat aa yahaan. Main jaanti hun ki tu bhi café ke kaam mein busy rehti hai. Please... yahaan aane ki koi zarurat nahi hai. Main... main thik hun. Bas... bas teri yaad aa rahi thi aur teri aawaaz suni naa, toh mann bhar aaya." Preeti chuckled at the other end, "Main koi choti bacchi nahi hun Naina... jo toh kuch bhi bolegi aur main maan jaaungi. Ab sach sach bataa baat kya hai, fir decide karungi ki mujhe Shimla aana chahiye yaa nahi."

Naina knew that her best friend would come to Shimla tomorrow itself, if she did not tell her the real reason for her sudden breakdown. Taking a deep breath, Naina started, "Preeti... tujhe pehle mujhe promise karna hoga. Main jo tujhse kehne waali hun, usse sunnkar tu gussa nahi karegi. Pehle promise kar."

Preeti sighed at the other end and replied, "Thik hai... Main promise karti hun ki main gussa nahi karungi. Ab jaldi jaldi bataa warna main packing shuru kar rahi hun." Preeti knew that this had to be related to Sameer, she had wanted to talk to Naina about him but she feared her reaction. But today after she heard her sobbing, she instantly knew that it was because of him. It was high time that her best friend should talk about him.

Naina wiped her tears and sat down on the bed. "Preeti... abhi... abhi thodi der pehle Sameer yahaan the. Unhone... unhone kahaa ki... ki hum... hum ab bhi married hai. Sameer ne kabhi wohh divorce papers sign hi nahi kiye the Preeti. Mujhe... mujhe lagaa ki hamara divorce ho chuka hai."

Preeti too was shocked with this revelation as she herself did not know any of this. Sameer had not signed the divorce papers? They were still married? When Naina did not hear anything from the other end, she shouted, "Preeti... Preeti... tu... tu... hai naa?" Preeti came back to her senses and asked, "Sameer ne yeh baat kisise kahi kyun nahi? Usse lagaa ki tu Bhai se engagement karne waali thi. Tab bhi kyun nahi bola yeh sab? Paagal hai kya, aise kaise apni biwi ki sagaai kisi aur ke saath hone de sakta tha wohh?"

Naina replied, "Unhone kahaa ki wohh meri khushi ke liye mujhe Kabir ke saath bhi dekh lete." Naina told Preeti everything from the start. What happened that night and what all was going on since Sameer's arrival in Shimla. Preeti quietly heard her best friend and was not shocked with all the news as Sameer too had told her all that was happening every day. But she was not going to tell that to her best friend. She was going to be the middleman between them. The only shock she got was when Naina told her about the happenings of tonight.

Naina asked, "Preeti... mujhe... mujhe ab kuch samajh nahi aa rahaa. Main ab tak wohh raat bhooli nahi hun, ab bhi wohh sab baatein mere dil aur zehen mein gunjti hai, toh main... main kaise unhe maaf kar dun? Aur jab unhone kahaa ki hum ab bhi married hai, toh... toh pataa nahi kyun ek taraf khushi bhi hui yeh jaankar ki Sameer ne wohh divorce papers sign nahi kiye, aur dusri taraf ek ajeeb sa darr bhi lag raha hai, jaise kahin waapis Sameer mera dil naa tod de."

Preeti replied, "Naina... main tujhe nahi kahungi ki kya sahi hai aur kya galat. Tu jo bhi faisla legi, main uss mein tere saath hun. Mujhe yeh jaankar jhatka toh lagaa ki Sameer ne divorce papers sign nahi kiye." Taking a pause, she continued, "Main toh yeh soch rahi hun ki usne yeh kiya kyun? Matlab ki usne shaadi se pehle aur ab bhi wohh papers sign nahi kiye, iska koi toh reason hoga naa? Tune... tune Sameer se poocha nahi?"

Naina replied, "Nahi... main toh unki yeh ek baat sunnkar hi itne shock mein chali gayi ki mujhe pataa bhi nahi chala ki Sameer kab mere room se chale gaye. Jab tera call aaya tab maine hosh mein aayi." Preeti screamed at her from the other end, "Naina... yeh kya bol rahi hai? Sameer... Sameer uss snowfall mein tere room se kahaan chala gaya? Tu uski tabiyat kharaab naa ho, isliye apne room mein laayi thi naa?"

Naina shivered yet again as she realized her folly. She replied hastily, "Hey bhagwaan... maine... maine yeh kya kar diya? Sameer ki tabiyat kahin kharaab naa ho jaaye iss mausam se? Preeti... main... main tujhse baad mein baat karti hun." Naina did not even hear her best friend's goodbye and disconnected the call quickly.

Naina ran towards the window and opened to find Sameer but he was nowhere around her premises. She sighed in relief and thought, "Lagta hai hotel waapis chale gaye." That night Naina could not sleep at all. All the memories hit her hard this time. The tears continued flowing and she was restless for some reason.

When she reached the NGO the next day, she did not find Sameer anywhere which shocked her. She had not even seen him earlier that morning when she left for the office. And now he was not present in the NGO too. Where was he? Should she ask someone about him? No... she did not want the others to complicate her life any further. She spent the rest of her day restlessly waiting for a glimpse of him.

That evening when she walked to the bungalow alone, she missed his presence. She knew that he followed her only for her safety and she was glad about it. She always felt safe when he was around her.

Naniji saw through her restlessness but stayed mum. They had dinner and Naniji noticed that Naina hardly ate anything. Naniji too had not seen Sameer since morning. She had thought that the couple would have sorted out their problems and would be together this morning. But she was shocked when she saw Naina coming down alone for breakfast. She had wanted to ask Naina about Sameer, but she could not.

When Naina opened the window that night, she did not find Sameer on the road too. Now, she was more than worried. What must have happened? Where was he? Why was he not there in NGO and her place today? Where had he disappeared since last night?

On the other end, Sameer was sleeping in his hotel room unconscious to his surroundings, unknown to the fact that he had been sleeping the whole freaking day. He opened his eyes weakly and observed his surroundings. He was in his hotel room. But why was he here? He had returned to his hotel room after revealing the little secret that he had kept away from everyone. Then he remembered that he had walked till his hotel in that snowfall and then everything blurred.

Sameer tried to get up, but he was not able to. He shivered terribly and the realization dawn on him that he was having fever. Somehow, he managed to call the reception and asked for a doctor. He cannot fell ill now; he had a lot to do and convince his wife and take her home. The doctor prescribed some medicines and left his room.

The room service brought some soup and rice for him as they were told by the doctor. But Sameer had no strength to eat himself, still he managed to have some rice and soup. He took the medicine himself and drifted to sleep instantly. His mobile was switched off due low battery, so no one knew about Sameer's whereabouts.

Nanu and Preeti too were worried as they could not contact him. Pandit and Munna knew in which hotel he was staying, so they called the reception. What they heard from there shocked them. Their Sameer was sick and was having fever. Nanu and his friends knew that Sameer could not take care of himself when he was ill. Preeti asked Nanu if she should go to Shimla and handle this.

Nanu smiled, "Uski zarurat nahi hai Preeti. Naina... Naina hai naa wahaan... wohhh Sameer ko sambhaal legi." Preeti looked at him in confusion, "Nanaji... Naina ko toh pataa bhi nahi hai ki Sameer ki tabiyat thik nahi hai, fir... fir kaise sambhaalegi wohh Sameer ko?" Nanu patted her head, "Pataa nahi hai, toh pataa chal jaayega Preeti. Naina jab Sameer ko NGO mein nahi dekhegi toh khud jaayegi usse dhoodne... ab hamari Naina bhale Sameer se gussa ho, par usse taklif mein nahi dekh paayegi."

Preeti was not convinced with this. She knew that Naina had no idea about Sameer's fever, then how would she help him recover? She prayed to God to let Naina somehow know about her husband. Preeti had told Nanu and his friends about Sameer's revelations last night which had stunned everyone to silence. When the news finally registered, they were elated. Even Munna and Pandit had no idea about all this.

At the other end, Naina was restless with Sameer's sudden disappearance. Few thoughts crossed her mind, "Kahin wohh Ahmedabad waapis toh nahi chale gaye? Nahi... Nahi... wohh... unhone kahaa tha ki mere bina waapis nahi jaayenge, toh nahi jaayenge. Par fir aaj poora din kahaan gaayab hai? Waise itne din se jahaan jaati hun wahaan peeche peeche chale aate hai. Ab... ab... jab... jab main unse baat karna chaahti hun, toh pataa nahi kahaan hai."

She was restless the whole night and did not sleep a wink. She rushed to the NGO the first thing in the morning and directly met Mr Iyer. She asked him if he knew where Sameer stayed and Mr Iyer gladly helped her. Naina left towards the hotel to check on Sameer. Her heart raced as she finally reached the hotel.

As soon as she asked the reception about Sameer Maheshwari, the receptionist asked about her identity. Naina knew if she had to reach him, she would have to reveal her real identity. She said, "Main... Main Sameer Maheshwari ki biwi hun. Wohhh... kal se koi contact nahi hua hai unse isliye... isliye main yahaan aayi hun. Aap please mujhe unka room number bataa dijiye, mujhe... mujhe unse milna hai."

The receptionist was not sure if Naina was speaking the truth or lying. Before the receptionist could say anything, the manager came forward and asked, "Aap Naina Maheshwari hai naa?" She nodded and he smiled, "Sameer ne aapke baare mein bataaya tha pehle. Accha hua aap aa gayi. Sameer... Sameer ki tabiyat thik nahi hai kal se. Usse bohot bukhaar hai aur weakness bhi. Doctor kal aaye the check karne. Thodi der mein waapis aayenge Sameer ko dekhne."

The manager turned to the receptionist and asked for the master key. The receptionist was not happy with the turn of events. She had doubted Naina when she introduced herself as Sameer's wife. She knew that Sameer was a famous singer and so many females used to come to enquire about this. But when she had heard Naina, she was stumped. She thought that Naina was one such fan and was stooping low just to meet Sameer. But before she could have raised her voice and shood off Naina, the manager had intervened and she was glad about it. She was no fan of Sameer Maheshwari and was just doing her job.

The receptionist handed the master key to the manager and turned to Naina, "Sameer Sir ki haalat bohot hi kharaab hai kal se aur wohh... wohh bohot time tak behosh bhi the. Shaayad unhe jab hosh aaya tab yahaan call karke doctor ko bulaane ko kahaa. I'm sorry madam, mujhe nahi pataa tha ki unka koi apna bhi hai yahaan, pehle pataa hota toh kal hi aapko call kar deti main."

Naina just said a thank you to her and turned towards the manager who started walking towards the elevators. They reached Sameer's room on the third floor and the manager opened the door. Naina rushed inside to see Sameer sleeping on the bed. Her eyes misted instantly as she saw his state. He looked paler than she had seen him last.

Without another thought, she hurried towards him and checked his forehead for temperature. He was burning. She instantly looked at the manager, "Abhi ke abhi doctor ko bulaaye. Inhe ab bhi bohot bukaar hai." She instantly got up and ran to the washroom. She came back again and asked for a bowl. The room service was called and instantly a bowl of cold water was brought.

Naina opened the cupboard and found a clean handkerchief. She dipped the kerchief in the cold water and kept on his forehead multiple times. All the while, her tears did not stop. The doctor arrived in the next ten minutes and checked Sameer again. Naina rubbed her palms nervously.

The doctor spoke, "Inka bukhaar toh kam hi nahi ho raha. Aap... aap kaun hai?" Naina looked at the doctor in his eye and replied, "Main inki wife hun." He nodded and continued, "Dekhiye... mujhe lagta hai ki inhone thik se kuch khaaya nahi hai kaafi dinon se. Inhone sirf ek hi dose liya hai medicines ka, shaayad isliye ab tak bukhaar nahi utra hai. Ab aap yahaan hai toh inhe kuch khilaaiye aur fir yeh medicines de dijiye. Main abhi inhe injection de rahaa hun, toh do-teen ghanto mein hosh aa jaayega. Sameer ko dekhkar lagta hai ki yeh thik se sote nahi hai. Ab aap yahaan hai, toh Sameer ka acche se khayaal rakhiye. Thik se khaana khayenge aur aaram karenge toh jaldi thik ho jaayenge." He turned to the manager, "Main kal waapis aaunga. Ab chalta hun."

As the doctor left, Naina had made a decision and turned to the manager. "Main Sameer ko apne saath le jaana chaahti hun. Main inhe iss haalat mein yahaan room mein akele nahi rehne de sakti. Main... main inhe apne ghar le jaa rahi hun. Kya... kya aap meri help karenge inhe le jaane ke liye? Kya aap koi car arrange kar sakte hai jaane ke liye?"

The manager was not sure about this but he had seen her worry and care for Sameer in the past few minutes. Sameer was his friend and he had told him about his wife Naina and why he was here. The manager agreed, "Main abhi car arrange karta hun." As the manager left, Naina called up Naniji and informed her about her decision. Naniji too agreed with her and asked her to come soon.

Withing few minutes, with the help of the manager and few more staff people, Sameer was taken to the car. The manager himself drove the car and within ten minutes, they reached Naniji's bungalow. Naniji was already waiting for them. As she saw the car approaching the gates, she asked his household help to assist the hotel manager and Naina to take Sameer to the other bed room on the first floor.

As they made the unconscious Sameer rest on the bed, Naina rushed to the kitchen to make khichdi. The manager told Naniji that he would send Sameer's luggage the same day. As Naina returned to the room, the manager bid his goodbye and gave her his card, "Agar koi help chahiye ho toh mujhe iss number par call karna." Naina smiled, "Thank you... aapne meri bohot help ki. Aap Sameer se milne zaroor aaiyega."

The manager said, "Mera naam Rahul hai aur thanks ki zarurat nahi hai Naina. Main Sameer ka dost hun, toh please koi formalities nahi. Bas mere dost ka khayaal rakhiyega. Main usse milne waapis zaroor aaunga. Aur aaj hi uska saamaan main yahaan bhijwa deta hun. Ab chalta hun." Saying that, he left.

Naina somehow with the help of Naniji managed to feed some khichdi to Sameer and then gave him the medicines. Sameer was still burning in fever. Naniji brought a bowl of cold water and a clean napkin. Naina continued keeping the cold napkin on his forehead about an hour. Naniji was in the room and was observing Naina and Sameer. Naina took satyed with Sameer and took care him for the rest of the day. Naina did not sleep at all and kept putting the cold napkin on his forehead.

The next morning, Naniji checked his forehead and mumbled, "Bukhaar pehle se kamm ho gaya hai, par ab bhi hai." Naina had heard her but she did not stop keeping the cold napkin on his forehead for another hour. She went to the kitchen to make some vegetable soup for him and when she returned, she saw Naniji keeping that cold napkin on his forehead. She teared up instantly.

Controlling her emotions, she entered the room. Naina patted Sameer's cheek a couple of times to see if he could get up. He opened his eyes slowly and looked at her with slight smile, "Naina..." His dull voice brought tears in Naina's and Naniji's eyes. With their help, Sameer got up and Naina fed him some soup. All the while, he continued staring at her and Naniji left the room quietly giving them privacy.

As Naina finished feeding him, Sameer asked, "Tumne... tumne kuch khaaya Naina?" She lowered her eyes and shook her head. Before he could say more, Naniji entered the room again with two plates, one contained some fruits while the other had two chapatis and sabzi. She kept the plates on the bed and looked at Naina, "Beti... tu bhi kuch khaa le, kal se kuch khaaya nahi hai. Aur yeh fruits main tum dono ke liye laayi hun, baad mein khaa lena. Main ab neeche apne kamre mein jaa rahi hun, thoda aaraam kar leti hun."

As Naniji turned to leave, Naina caught her hand and stood up to hug her, "Thank you Naniji... thank you so much..." Naniji wiped her tears and looked at Sameer, "Iska khayaal rakhte rakhte tu khud beemar mat pad jaana. Khaa lena thik se. Samjhi..." Naina smiled amidst her tears and nodded.

As soon as Naniji left, Naina sat down on the bed again and gave medicines to Sameer. He shook his head and turned his face away. "Pehle tum kuch khaao, uske baad main medicines khaaunga." Sameer knew how stubborn Naina was. She won't touch the food till he recovered.

Naina spoke, "Sameer... aapki davaai ka time ho gaya hai. Please... pehle davaai khaa lijiye. Main... main khaana khaa lungi." Sameer picked up the plate and broke a piece of chapati and dipped it in the sabzi. He forwarded the morsel towards her mouth and she ate it without any resistance. She also knew how stubborn he was, so she did not fight him on it and she finished her meal. Once done, Naina gave him the medicines again, and he swallowed it making faces.

Sameer rested again while Naina sat near the bed and called up Mr Iyer. She informed him about Sameer's health and also told him that they won't be able to come to NGO for a couple of days till Sameer recovered. She also called up the HR head of the MNC and informed them about a family emergency and so, she won't be able to attend office for a few days.

Naina saw that Sameer had already drifted to sleep, so she walked towards the window and called up Preeti. She updated her about Sameer's health and also asked her to inform Nanaji. She could not inform Nanaji about his grandson's health. After talking to her for a few minutes, she disconnected the call. She walked back towards the bed and touched her palm on his forehead. The fever had come down but still his forehead was a little warm. Naina continued staring at him and did not know when she too drifted to sleep.

It was after two hours that Sameer opened his eyes. The sight in front of him stole his breath as he saw his wife curled up beside him. He released the breath he was holding as his surroundings registered. He knew the moment Naina would wake up; she would get uncomfortable. Though he was weak and could not get up on his own, he tried and shifted away as a gentleman.

The mere movement woke up Naina with a start and she looked around in a daze. As her eyes landed on Sameer, she asked, "Kya hua? Kuch... kuch chahiye tha kya?" He knew if he blurted the real reason for his movement, she would be embarrassed. Taking a deep breath, he just said, "Paani..."

Naina got up instantly and filled a glass of water for him. Sameer was going to take the glass from her, but she directly forwarded the glass towards his mouth and he sipped silently staring at her. Naina felt his intense gaze on her but she did not dare to look at him.

She knew why he was moving away; she had seen it on his face. She was embarrassed that she drifted to sleep next to him, but she did not let it show on her face and asked him if he wanted anything. Right now, only his health was important for her, nothing else mattered. She would fight with him once he recovered and get all the answers which she wanted to know from him.

Sameer sipped the water slowly and continued looking at her. Her lowered eyes were an indication that she had not forgiven him. She was doing all this only as she felt it was her responsibility to take care of his health. Sameer knew that somewhere she would be blaming herself for his sickness and that's why she was doing all this.

As he finished drinking, he spoke, "Naina... ab... ab main thik hun. Mujhe... mujhe ab chalna chahiye." Naina glanced at him once and replied, "Aapke kapde uss almari mein rakh diye hai maine. Dekh lijiye ek baar sab saamaan aa gaya hai naa? Kuch reh gaya ho toh bataa dijiyega, main... main hotel ke manager ko call kar dungi, wohh le aayenge."

Sameer stared at her, what was she saying? His clothes were arranged in the cupboard, but why? Though he was having some difficulty speaking, he asked softly, "Kyun?" That one word was enough for Naina to meet his gaze. "Aap ab se iss kamre mein rahenge. Kahin hotel mein rehne ki zarurat nahi hai. Roz sirf mujhe dekhne ke liye road par bhi sone ki zarurat nahi hai. Dekh liya naa aapne iss wajah se kaise aapki tabiyat bigad gayi? Kya zarurat thi aapko uss raat aise hi nikal jaane ki? Maine uss snow se bachaane ke liye aapko mere kamre mein laayi thi, aur ussi baraf mein chalkar waapis hotel chale gaye? Pad gaye naa bimaar? Agar main kal nahi aati aapko dekhne hotel mein, toh pataa nahi kya ho jaata? Aapko toh kisi aur ki fikar hai hi nahi."

Sameer loved the way she was scolding him again but still he interrupted her, "Fikar hai, isiliye yahaan Shimla mein hun." Naina looked away as she understood his meaning. She replied, "Aap yeh mat samajhiyega ki maine aapko maaf kar diya hai. Main yeh sab sirf Nanaji ki liye kar rahi hun. Unhe accha nahi lagega jab pataa chalega ki aap... aap bimaar hai."

She got up from the bed and spoke, "Main... main aapke liye coffee banaakar laati hun." She knew that he never drank coffee in her absence. Ramdhari had told her about his no coffee rule. She herself did not understand why she was doing all this. Though she had reasoned that she was doing all this because of Nanaji, her heart knew that she was lying. She had been scared after seeing him in that hotel room. Her heart had taken over all her rational mind. She followed her heart as always and brought him here.

After the revelations that night, her heart had won all the arguments with her mind. And so, she had brought him to the same bungalow where she lived. Even if she had not forgiven him, she cared for him, loved him. She had ignored him continuously since the last few days, but after their conversation that night, her heart had started melting. But still her sane mind warned her to be careful. She could not risk her heart yet again and get it broken harshly. So, she had decided to keep him around. She did not want to risk his health and life. Even if she was angry, she knew her responsibilities.

Sameer saw his mobile that was kept on the bedside table. He sat there on the bed and called up Nanu. He knew that he would be worried that he had not called him since last two days. Nanu picked up the call after few rings and was relieved to hear his grandson's voice. He kept his mobile on speaker and his friends and Preeti talked to him. Preeti wanted to share what Naina had told her, but she remained quiet about it. Sameer told them that he was staying in the same bungalow as Naina. Everyone was shocked to hear that, but were relieved that Naina had taken that step herself. He disconnected the call after few minutes as he inhaled the fragrance of his all-time favourite coffee.

Naina walked in with a tray of cups and kept it on the bed. Naniji too joined them in a couple of minutes. Naina forwarded the cup to Sameer and Naniji and then picked up her own cup. Sameer inhaled the aroma once again and took a sip. As always, he groaned while Naina hid her smile behind the cup. Naniji looked at him in amusement as he relished the coffee heartily after such a long time. She looked at Naina and was happy to see the small smile playing on her lips.

Naniji spoke, "Sameer... tumne toh hume daraa hi diyaa tha. Pataa hai tumhe kitna jyaada bukhaar tha. Agar Naina tumhe dhoondne hotel nahi jaati, toh pataa nahi kya ho jaata. Hume toh kuch pataa hi nahi chalta. Sameer... tumhe apni tabiyat ka khayaal rakhna hoga. Tum aisi laaparwaahi mat kiya karo. Agar Naina tumhe yahaan nahi laati, toh tumhe kaun thik karta? Naina ne saari raat jaagkar tumhari seva ki hai."

Sameer whispered softly, "Jaanta hun." Naina looked at him at that moment and saw his misty eyes. She knew he was feeling miserable for making her do all this. She wanted to say that it was fine but she did not. She did not want to give any hopes but yet she had given him that unknowingly.

Once Sameer finished his coffee, Naina gave him few biscuits to eat. Though he was not hungry, he could not deny her after what all she had done for him. He ate slowly while Naina watched him silently. She wanted to ask many questions but this was not the right time. Once he would be fit and fine, there was no escape for Sameer then. He would have to answer her.

The next day, Naina went to the nearby market to buy some essentials. Naniji had stayed back with Sameer to take care of him. Naina returned in an hour with bags full of groceries and something important that had crossed her mind several times in the past few days. While Sameer and Naniji rested, Naina got back to her important work in her room.

Sameer was happy to be around Naina. His sickness was a boon for him as he got to spend some time with his dear wife. Though she never talked to him except for his meals and medicines, her presence gave him some solace and hope that all will be fine soon. Her one step towards him had given him a much-needed assurance that she will soon forgive him and be with him forever.

As the night approached, Naina got back to preparing dinner while Naniji gave company to Sameer. He felt bad that because of him, Naina was not able to attend the office and NGO and had to be around him all the time. The care with which Naina attended Sameer all the time touched his heart and he felt guilty for all his misdoings. He regretted that night terribly when he had accused her badly. He hoped that she would forgive him soon, so that he could give her the rightful place that she deserved in his life.

It was already the third day, when Naina was giving medicine to Sameer, he spoke, "Naina... tumhe ab meri wajah se yahaan rehne ki zarurat nahi hai. Main ab thik hun. Tum... tum office aur NGO jaa sakti ho. Tum already teen din se mera khayaal rakh rahi ho. Ab mujhe bukhaar toh hai nahi, bas thodi weakness hai. Main thik ho jaaunga. Tum apne internship aur NGO par dhyaan do. Meri wajah se apni zindagi mat roko. Naniji hai naa mere saath, wohh mujhe company dengi."

Naina didn't reply him and continued doing her work. Sameer got up from the bed and walked towards her. He stood at a safe distance from her and said, "Naina... tum... tum sunn rahi ho naa?" She turned to him with a blank face, "Naniji jyaada upar neeche nahi kar sakti iss umar mein. Aap meri chinta mat kijiye, main... main thik hun."

Sameer wanted to take her in his arms and sooth her pain. But he could not do it. For now, he had to keep that distance. Taking few deep breaths to control his emotions, he walked back to the bed slowly. Naina stared at his back and wiped the lone tear that rolled down her cheek.

How could she tell him that she cared for him more than herself? She could not trust anyone apart from herself to take proper care of him. She knew that Naniji too would take good care of Sameer but she did not want to stress her out because of her old age. When Sameer drifted to deep slumber, Naina sat beside him and continued staring at his face. His face still looked pale, but had got some glow back.

The three days stubble made him look more handsome. Her hand itched to touch his face and his hair that were falling on his forehead. Unable to control herself, she touched his cheek and felt his stubble which pricked her soft skin, yet she continued doing it. The other hand caressed his hair. She did not know for how much time she kept sitting next to him and caressed his face and hair.

It was the sound of her mobile that broke her trance and she moved away in embarrassment. She closed her eyes and cursed herself for letting her control slip. What if Sameer was awake? Her phone rang again and she picked it up hurriedly. Her best friend asked about Sameer's health and continued talking to Naina about her café.

Preeti asked, "Naina... tu bataa... kya kar rahi thi?" That question made her look back at Sameer and she replied, "Kuch... kuch nahi... bas aise hi baithi thi." Preeti knew that her friend stuttered only when she was trying to hide something. She let it go for now and changed the subject. They continued talking for few minutes and Naina got back to him.

She covered him with a thick blanket. Again, her heart thudded as she saw his face. Controlling the urge to kiss his forehead, she turned and switched the lights off on her way to her room. As the door shut behind her, Sameer opened his misty eyes. He touched his cheek which Naina was caressing before and blushed. With a smile on his face, he closed his eyes welcoming his wife in his dreams.

After two days, Naina got ready to go to her office leaving Sameer with Naniji. Sameer too was feeling much better now and was going to resume his work in the NGO the same day. Naina silently went to his room in his absence and kept a packet for him on his bed. She left for office after having breakfast with Naniji and Sameer.

Sameer and Naniji talked for sometime and then he got back to his room to get ready. He was going to go to the NGO early that day. As he reached his room, he found a packet on his bed. "Yeh kya hai?" He opened it and was stunned to find a sweater. He touched the woollen sweater and his eyes teared up. He had never worn a sweater before. But this... he was never going to take it off.

Sameer wore the sweater instantly and felt the warmth. This warmth was not because of the wool but this was the warmth that he had craved since a long time. It was his Naina's love that was giving him the warmth and strength that he needed. Looking in the mirror, he smiled, "I Love You Naina... this is the best gift that I have got in this lifetime. I Love You Forever..."

Naina reached her office and was a little bit anxious. What would he think about the sweater that she had woven for him? This was the first time that she had done something like this. What if he thinks that she has forgiven him? No... she has not forgiven him yet. Then why had she made that sweater for him? What was the need? Her mind questioned.

Her heart debated, "Sameer ke paas koi sweater hai hi nahi. Toh maine banaa diya, uss mein kya hua? Iska yeh matlab toh nahi hai ki maine unhe maaf kar diya hai. Main unhe waapis bimaar padte hue nahi dekh paaungi, isliye sweater banaaya. Haa... issi wajah se banaaya hai maine wohh sweater."

While arranging his luggage in the cupboard, she had seen that there was no sweater at all. So, she had decided to make one. She had gone to the market that day to buy one for him but she did not like anything. She decided to make one for him rather than buying. She just hoped that he would not think that she has forgiven him. If he thought so, then she would say it in clear words that he is not forgiven yet.

When Naina reached the NGO during lunch time, she spotted HIM instantly as he had worn her handmade sweater. She noticed that it fitted him properly and he looked much better. Sameer sensed her before he caught hold of her sight. He smiled widely and rubbed his arms in a gesture to tell her that it was beautiful. Still looking at him, she smiled slightly and he walked towards her.

As he reached, he said, "Thank you Naina... Iss sweater ke liye... mere liye aaj tak kisine yeh nahi kiya hai, toh tum samajh sakti ho ki iski kya ehmiyat hai meri liye. Thank you once again..." Naina looked at him and said curtly, "Maine wohi kiya jo mujhe karna chahiye tha, par iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki maine aapko maaf kar diya hai."

Saying that, she left while Sameer continued staring at her retreating figure with a broad smile, "Aaj nahi toh kal tum mujhe maaf kar hi dogi Naina... Abhi toh bas shuruwaat hui hai. Tumne mujhe apne saamne rakhkar yeh toh saabit kar diya ki tumhe meri kitni fikar hai, ab bas dekhna hai ki kab tak tum mujhe maaf nahi karti. Jo bohot jald hoga Naina... Wohh time dur nahi jab tum meri baahon mein hogi, hamesha hamesha ke liye." He ruffled his hair and walked towards his next class with a radiant smile.

Unknown to both of them, someone had seen their little interaction from afar and was burning in jealousy...

How was the update?

Next update soon...

Till then, take care and stay safe.

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️