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FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 59

The next morning Naniji had to leave for Delhi as her sister was not well. Sameer was happy that he would get to spend some alone time with his wife while Naina was conscious about the whole thing. The sudden departure of Naniji was a boon for Sameer as he got a chance to woo his wife.

It was the weekend and Naina did not have to go to her office that day. They had to leave for the NGO in the afternoon though. Sameer was already waiting for Naina at the dining table, when he heard her scream. He ran towards her room and stopped in his tracks as the scene in front of him made him go numb. Naina was lying flat in the washroom and was screaming in pain. Another shriek from her and he ran towards her.

Looking at her tearstained face, Sameer stuttered, "Na... Naina... yeh... yeh kya hua? Tum... tum yahaan aise kaise gir gayi?" Meeting his misty gaze, she said, "Wohhh... wohh... zameen gili thi aur mera... mera pair slip ho gaya."

Sameer asked, "Tum... tumhe kahaan lagi hai Naina? Tumhe kahaan dard ho raha hai? Tum... tum uth sakti ho?" She replied, "Mere right haath bohot dard kar raha hai..." Sameer asked again, "Kya tum uth sakti ho?" She tried to get up on her own but slipped again. He did not think twice before picking her up in a bridal style and walked towards her bed. He picked up her phone and searched for the doctor's number. The doctor arrived in the next ten minutes while Naina kept crying in pain. Sameer's heart thudded loudly and he kept pacing around the room while waiting for the doctor's review.

Once the doctor checked Naina, he said, "Sameer... Naina has sprained her right arm aur back mein bhi pain hai. Isse ab do se teen din sirf aaram karna hoga, koi kaam nahi karegi Naina. Agar uss haath par jyaada zor diya, toh sujan aur badh jaayegi aur pain bhi. Main iske right arm ko sling lagaa raha hun aur medicines de rahaa hun. I would advise her to rest completely. Ice pack use karna, thoda relief milega. Aur thode exercises bataa raha hun wohh kal se shuru karna. Her arm will be good in a couple of days."

Turning to her, the doctor continued, "Naina... Jaise maine abhi kahaa tumhe bilkul bhi kaam nahi karna hai. Agar jaldi thik hona hai toh rest karo. Thik hai... ab main chalta hun. Kal waapis aaunga." Sameer paid him the fees and led him to the door.

He asked in concern, "Doctor... Naina jaldi thik toh ho jaayegi naa? Usse jyaada dard toh nahi hoga naa?" The doctor looked at his worried face and smiled, "Do not worry young man, she will be fine in the next two to three days. Just let her rest." Patting his shoulder, the doctor left.

When Sameer entered her room, he saw Naina still resting on the bed. Without making any noise, he left towards the kitchen to make tea for her. After fifteen minutes, he entered her room again holding a tray. He kept it on the side-table and looked at her tearstained face.

Sameer did not want to wake her up but had to do it. Both of them had not eaten anything since morning and she had to take her dose of medicine now. Touching her left arm, he shook her a little. He called out softly, "Naina... Naina... utho... dekho main hamare liye naashta laaya hun."

Naina had already made his favourite aloo parathas early in the morning which Sameer had now brought for their breakfast. She had packed few for Naniji too. Naina opened her eyes slowly and tried to get up, but she could not do it on her own. Sameer saw her efforts to get up for a while and knew that she would never ask for his help.

Sameer resisted for a while and then took charge. He spoke, "Main... main help kar deta hun." Naina was not prepared for his touch again and said, "Main... main khud uth jaaungi Sameer." He gave her a stern look, "Haannn... dekh raha hun, kaise khud uth rahi ho." Before she could stop him, he sat beside her and helped her to get up. She inhaled his fragrance and closed her eyes again. She had missed him and now because of her sprained arm, she had to depend on him which was going to be a torture itself.

Sameer made her sit on the bed and adjusted the pillow behind her back. Their proximity in the bungalow and her room made her nervous and excited at the same time. He placed the tray on the bed between them and asked, "Chalo... pehle naashta karlo, fir medicines bhi leni hai naa?"

As Naina brought her left hand to break a piece of aloo paratha, Sameer held her hand. "Left haath se khaane ki zarurat nahi hai Naina. Agar tumhe problem naa ho, toh main... main khilaa dun?" She was not sure if she should allow him to do so, yet she nodded giving in to her heart.

Sameer fed her one paratha and she picked up the tea cup with her left hand. He raised his eyebrows at her and she replied, "Ab iss haath se cup toh uthaa sakti hun main." He wanted to laugh out at the way she had pouted while saying that, but controlled it. Once they were done with their meal, he gave her the medicines and sat beside her. As Naina put the medicine in her mouth, he held the glass near her mouth. She drank water and swallowed the tablet. All the while she held his gaze steadily.

Sameer picked up the cups and the tray. "Ab tum aaram karo... Main... main aata hun baad mein." She just nodded again. Before she could turn around to keep the pillow properly, he again sat next to her and helped her to sleep on the bed comfortably. Pulling the curtains close, he walked out of her room to let her rest. Sameer called up Mr Iyer and informed him about Naina's condition. He also told him that they both won't be able to come to the NGO till she recovered.

Naina woke up after few hours and got up herself as the pain was not much. She walked to the washroom and freshened up. Glancing around her room once, she made her way downstairs. She had searched for Sameer in his room, but he was not around.

As she descended the stairs, her eyes searched for him. She heard some noises coming from the kitchen and made her way towards it. She stopped in her tracks watching The Sameer Maheshwari trying to cook.

Sameer turned at that instant as he sensed her presence. Naina widened her eyes and entered the kitchen, "Yeh aap... aap kya kar rahe hai?" He looked around the platform where he had created a mess of everything. He was trying to make dal rice for them but it seemed that he could not do it even after watching several videos on the YouTube. He was so busy with making the dal that he had forgotten about rice and had burnt it.

Naina controlled her laughter but failed and burst out laughing. Sameer stood awkwardly looking at her but was happy to see her laughing heartily at his expense. He could mess up the kitchen everyday if she would laugh this happily all the time. He wanted to be the reason for her smile and her happiness now and was feeling content after hearing her voice of laughter after so many days. He had missed watching her laugh this way. From the time he had arrived in Shimla, he had hardly seen her smiling, so this laughter was a balm over his guilty heart. He so wanted to take her in his arms and pamper her, sooth all her pain and hurt, but he could not do it for now.

Naina stopped laughing when she felt him approaching her. Her heart missed few beats as he stood close enough to her. Sameer took her face between his palms and wiped the corner of her eyes. He was happy wiping this wetness as this was the result of her hearty laughter.

Even after wiping the tears, he did not move his hands away. He asked huskily, "Bohot hasi aa rahi hai? Kyun?" She bit her lower lip to supress her laughter once again which distracted her husband as his eyes lowered to her pink luscious lips. The moment froze as she shivered watching the intensity of his gaze on her lips.

Sameer reluctantly moved his gaze from her lips and looked in her eyes. Their sweet bubble broke as the cooker whistled loudly and they moved away. She again looked around the kitchen platform and giggled. "Waise... aap kya banaa rahe hai?" He deliberately turned away and replied, "Main hamare liye dal rice banaa raha tha."

Naina waited for a few minutes till she heard the five whistles of the cooker. "Ab cooker utaar lijiye. Dal gal gayi hogi. Ab sirf tadka lagaana hai." Sameer followed her instructions and opened the lid of the cooker to check if the dal was properly boiled. Naina guided him through the rest of the recipe and he followed it quietly and made the rice again.

When Sameer served the dal rice for them, he was not sure if he had made it properly. He first tasted a spoonful of it himself and thought it was edible enough to eat. Again, he fed his wife and she did not resist it this time. She was surprised to see that Sameer was making efforts for the things he never did in his life so far. She was speechless watching him do that. No one had ever done this for her. She had learnt that Sameer was unpredictable these days. Though she had laughed heartily seeing the mess in the kitchen, she was touched watching his efforts.

Once done with their meal, Sameer picked their plates and cleaned the dining table. Naina had just taken a step towards the kitchen, when she heard his voice, "Naina... khabardaar... tumne sunaa naa doctor ne kya kahaa tha? Tumhe koi kaam nahi karna hai, bas aaram karna hai. Agar tum kitchen ki taraf mudi naa toh, toh... mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Main... main sab saaf kar dunga. Tum chup chaap yahaan baitho. Main... main pehle tumhe medicines de deta hun."

Sameer rushed upstairs to her room and brought the medicines. She swallowed the tablets silently and watched her husband cleaning the kitchen counter. She felt bad that he had to do all the chores by himself. For the next couple of days, she could only guide him, till the sling on her arm was removed.

The flashbacks of the morning came rushing to her mind. She had been thinking about him only when she had slipped near the bathroom door. She had finished washing her clothes and then had forgotten to clean the bathroom. She had not told Sameer that the floor was slippery as she had forgotten to clean the soapy water from the floor. Her mind was full of his thoughts since last evening after they had returned from the NGO. His presence around her was affecting her more since last few days.

Sameer taking a stand for her in front of those unknown people in the NGO had blown her mind. Though she had gone quiet after the episode last day, her heart and mind were again battling amongst themselves. Her heart was already softening towards him while her mind was still alerting her to be careful.

Sameer returned after cleaning the kitchen and rinsing the vessels too. Naina was surprised to see that he had actually cleaned it very well, she had not expected that. She had noticed that the floor too seemed freshly cleaned. She asked curiously, "Sameer... aapne... aapne farsh bhi saaf kiya hai kya?" He rubbed his neck nervously and nodded, "Haan... wohh... tum so rahi thi toh, toh socha ki thodi ghar ki saaf safai kar deta hun." Naina gaped at him open mouthed. "Aapne... aapne kyun kiya? Main... main kar deti naa?"

Sameer folded his hands over his chest and asked, "Kaise karti tum?" She again shut her mouth and turned away from him. He approached her slowly and held her left elbow. When she turned, he saw her misty eyes. He had already anticipated that she must be crying. "Kyun ro rahi ho tum? Maine... maine kuch galat kar diya kya?"

Naina met his worried gaze and shook her head, "Nahi... wohh aapko meri wajah se yeh sab kaam karne pad rahe hai. Agar main subah thoda dhyaan deti toh girti nahi, aur yeh chot nahi lagti mujhe. I am sorry Sameer... aapko yeh sab kaam karna pad raha hai." Sameer wanted to take her in a hug so badly but controlled his urge.

"Naina... tumhe buraa lagaane ki zarurat nahi hai aur sorry kyun bol rahi ho? Tum jaanbujhkar toh nahi giri thi naa? Sach kahun toh mujhe yeh sab kaam karke mazaa aa raha hai. Aur yeh sab kaam sirf tum hi kyun karogi? Aage se main... main tumhe sab kaam karne mein help karunga. Ghar ka kaam sirf ladkiyon ne hi karna chahiye, yeh kaunsi kitaab mein likha hai? Infact, mujhe lagta hai ki sabko ghar ke kaam aana hi chahiye aur mil jhulkar karne chahiye. Maine jo kaam aajtak nahi kiye, wohh main ab se karunga. Aaj jab maine yeh sab kaam kiye tab samajh aaya ki kitna mushkil hai sab karna. Tum ladkiyaan kaise sab kaam ek saath kar lete ho? Ghar ka kaam aur office, dono saath mein sambhaalna kitna mushkil hai, wohh main ab samajh gaya hun. Isliye, aaj se sab kaam hum dono milkar karenge. Bas abhi ke yeh teen din tum mujhe sikhaa dena, kya kya aur kaise sab karna hai. Thik hai..."

Naina could only stare at her husband after hearing his words. Was he for real? He wanted to share the household chores with her? How could he do it? She had not seen this in any of the households till now. The Sameer Maheshwari was ready to learn the daily chores and help her. This actually came as a shock for her.

She stuttered, "Yeh... yeh aap kya bol rahe hai Sameer? Mere rehte hue aap... aap kaise kaam kar sakte hai? Abhi toh majboori hai, isliye aapko sab karna pad raha hai aur Naniji bhi nahi hai yahaan, par jab main thik ho jaaungi toh aap koi kaam nahi karenge. Kabhi kisi ladke ko ghar ke kaam karte hue dekha hai?"

Sameer held her shoulders and made her sit on the couch. He sat down near her knees and replied, "Mujhe yahi soch toh badalni hai Naina. Tum shaayad jaanti nahi ho, par jo students foreign jaate hai apne studies ke liye, unhe bhi yeh sab kaam sikhne padte hai, khud karne padte hai. Haannn... maanta hun ki house help use kar sakte hai, par jiska budget usse house help rakhne ko allow naa kare, unhe toh yeh sab khud hi karna padta hai. Agar hostel mein rehte ho, fir bhi kitne din tak baahar ka khana khaayenge. Ghar ka khaana ghar ka khaana hota hai aur ghar ka kaam karne mein kaunsi sharam? Hamare ghar mein bhi toh Ramdhari hi sab kaam karta hai naa? Sach kahun Naina, toh mujhe kabhi mauka nahi mila yeh sab karne ka, par ab jab mujhe yeh mauka mil raha hai toh main bhi sikhna chaahta hun. Meri nazar mein ladka aur ladki equal hai, toh kaam bhi milkar hi karna chahiye fir wohhh baahar ka kaam ho yaa ghar ka."

Naina just kept staring at the handsome man who was sitting near her knees. How could she be so lucky to have him as her life partner? And she stilled. What did she say? Her life partner? Had she forgiven him already? Her heart and mind battled again. Sameer saw the changing expressions on her face and knew that she was fighting herself yet again.

He got up and forwarded his hand towards her, "Ab room mein chalein?" That broke her trance and she held his hand. They walked back to her room together and he made her sit on the bed. He came downstairs and brought the ice packs.

Naina continued looking at him as he moved her dupatta away from her arm. He pushed the cloth away from her arm and held the ice pack where it was swollen. Naina shivered with his touch which was felt by Sameer too, but he did not react. Without moving his gaze from her arm, he asked, "Thand lag rahi hai?"

Naina lowered her eyes, "Ummm... haannn..." Sameer kept the ice pack on the bedside table and switched on the heater in her room. He knew that she had not shivered because of the ice pack. She was affected by his closeness which he did not regret at all. He continued placing the ice pack on her arm for another few minutes.

Naina was feeling sleepy due to the effect of the medicines and Sameer knew it instantly. He made her lie down on the bed and covered her with the thick blanket. The climate was chilly and so, he let the heater on. He sat down on the chair beside her bed and continued staring at her sleeping form.

His mind wandered, "Accha hua main yahin ghar mein tha, jab Naina subah giri. Agar main Naniji ko chodne bus station jaata toh pataa nahi Naina kaise khudko sambhaal paati. Pataa nahi, Naina kab mujhe poore dil se maaf karegi? Main... main koshish toh kar raha hun badalne ki aur meri koshish rang bhi laa rahi hai. Maine Naina ki aankhon mein aaj bhi mere liye pyaar dekha hai aur main jaanta hun ki wohh din dur nahi jab Naina mujhe sach mein maaf kar degi. Uska chehra padh sakta hun aur jaanta hun ki uska dil meri taraf jhook raha hai, par uska dimaag uska saath nahi de raha. Bohot jald Naina ka dil aur dimaag sirf ek hi naam bolega... Sameer... Sameer... Sameer... bas uss din ka mujhe besabri se intezaar rahega." With these thoughts, he too drifted to an uncomfortable sleep on the chair itself.

Naina opened her eyes after an hour or so and saw Sameer sleeping on the chair next to her bed. She stared at him and her eyes misted instantly. She herself did not know why her eyes watered. But she could feel her racing heartbeats. She remembered how he had helped her since morning and taken good care of her.

She got up slowly as still her arm and back were hurting. She sat on her bed in front of him and looked at his face closely. This was the perfect chance for her to watch him without any disturbance, she definitely could not do this when he was awake. Her finger itched to touch his silky hair that were falling on his forehead.

Unable to resist herself, her fingers brushed his hair away. Now, she can watch his face more clearly. She stared at him for a few more minutes. "Jaanta hun main bohot handsome hun, par ab zara mujhe ghoorna band karo, mujhe sharam aa rahi hai.", Sameer teased her without opening his eyes which shocked Naina. He was awake?

"Aap... aap jaag rahe hai?" Sameer opened his eyes and met her gaze. He saw the red tinge rising on her cheeks as he had caught her red-handed. He nodded, "Main toh bohot time se jaag raha hun. Bhala iss chair par kaise neend aa sakti hai?" He watched her arm and asked, "Ab bhi dukh raha hai?" She nodded, "Haann... thoda thoda dard hai abhi. Par subah se kamm hai."

Sameer wanted to tease her more for gawking at him but he resisted, he did not want to make her uncomfortable. He got up and forwarded his hand towards her. She looked at him and said, "Main... main khud chal sakti hun." He stared at her for a few seconds and then started walking towards the door, "Tum fresh ho jao Naina. Main chaai banaakar laata hun." He said without turning back and ran to his room to freshen up himself.

As Sameer was preparing tea for them, Naina stood behind him. "Aapne chaai banaana kab sikha?" He turned the gas off and poured the tea in two cups. "Mujhe Nanu ne chaai banaana sikhaaya hai. Jab bhi kahin outstation jaata toh khud banaa leta, kyunki mujhe wahaan ki banaayi hun chaai yaa coffee pasand hi nahi aati thi."

Naina asked, "Aap toh hamesha se coffee peete hai naa? Fir yeh chaai kyun pee rahe hai?" Sameer made her sit at the dining table and kept the tea cup in front of her along with a plate full of biscuits. He sat next to her and replied meeting her curious gaze, "Coffee mujhe sirf kisi khaas ke haathon se banaayi hui pasand hai, isliye main abhi filhaal apne haathon se bani iss chaai se kaam chala raha hun."

Naina flushed as his words registered and looked away. They had their tea in silence, both busy in their own thoughts. When Sameer asked her what she would like to have for dinner, she replied after a small pause, "Ummm... Kya hum aaj pizza order kar sakte hai? Mujhe... mujhe bohot mann kar raha hai pizza khaane ka."

Sameer knew that she was not a fan of junk food, so why she wanted to eat pizza tonight? And then as if something struck his mind and it dawned on him. She did not want him to cook and so, she was asking him to order pizza. He squinted his eyes and asked, "Tumhe kabse pizza khaane ka mann hone lagaa? Jahaan tak mujhe yaad hai tumhe yeh sab khaana pasand hi nahi hai, fir aaj achanak pizza khaane ka maan kyun ho raha hai tumhara?"

Naina gulped the rest of the tea and replied after thinking for a while, "Wohh... bas... aaj khaane ka mann kar raha hai, toh kar raha hai." She could not think of any appropriate reply. Sameer closed his eyes and took few deep breaths. "Naina... main jaanta hun ki tum nahi chaahti ki main kitchen mein koi kaam karun. Par iss samay baahar ka khaana khaana is not good for your health. Main jaanta hun ki main tumhari tarah accha khaana nahi banaa sakunga, par try toh kar sakta hun naa? Jaisa bhi ho, ghar ka banaa hoga."

Naina knew she was caught and did not fight him further. She said, "Thik hai... par main bhi yahin kitchen mein rahungi aapke paas, aapke saath." Sameer relented, "Thik hai. Waise bhi tumhare bina main khaana kaise banaa paaunga? Tum sirf mujhe guide karogi yahaan baithkar." She agreed and finally, the cooking class started.

Sameer's eyes watered as he started cutting onions while Naina looked at him sympathetically. As all ingredients were ready, she told him the whole procedure and he followed it sincerely. He made Dal khichdi for them and also fried some papads. While doing so, a drop of hot oil burnt his hand and he yelped.

Naina was beside him in a second, "Kya hua Sameer? Maine kahaa tha naa ki papad talne ki zarurat nahi hai. Main keh rahi ni naa kabse ki tel garam hai, zara dhyaan se papad daalna, par aap meri koi baat sunte hi nahi hai kuch." Sameer looked at her amused as she continued her rants and kept scolding him. She led him to the sink and kept his hand under running water.

While Naina was searching for something in the drawer, Sameer asked, "Kya dhoond rahi ho kabse?" Without turning to him, she replied, "Main... antiseptic cream dhoond rahi hun." And continued talking to herself, "Yaahin toh rakhi thi maine, ab kyun nahi mil rahi? Achaanak kahaan gaayab ho gayi?"

Sameer stood behind her and replied, "Uski zarurat nahi hai Naina, bas halki si chot hai, thik ho jaayegi. Tum... tum yeh sab chodo aur chalo khaana khaa lete hai." He held her hand again and pulled her towards the dining table. He again fed her the meal and gave her the medicines. He knew that something was wrong as he saw her touching her head again and again.

"Naina... tum thik toh ho naa? Bohot sardard ho raha hai kya? Main doctor ko bulaa dun?" She looked at him stunned as how he came to know about her pain. As if he could read her thoughts, he replied, "Tum kabse apne sar ko dabaaye jaa rahi ho. Toh lagaa ki shaayad tumhe headache ho raha hai."

Naina looked away and replied, "Haannn... wohhh shaam se hi halka halka headache ho raha hai." Sameer cleaned the dining table and their dishes quickly and led her to her room. As she was about to lie down on the bed, he stopped her. "Ruko Naina... main abhi aaya." He rushed to her washroom and she gaped at his retreating figure, "Yeh mere washroom mein kyun gaye?"

Sameer came back in a couple of minutes with a bottle of hair oil. He sat next to her, "Main abhi tumhare baal mein tel lagaa deta hun, fir dekhna kaise ek jhatke mein hi tumhara headache gaayab ho jaayega." Before Naina could stop him, he had already pulled the hairband open and her long hair cascaded down.

Sameer knew that she won't allow him to do this and so, before she could say anything, he had pulled her hairband. How could he miss this chance to touch her silky soft hair? Sameer sat behind her and opened the bottle. He took some hair oil in his palms and rubbed them together.

The moment his palms touched her scalp, she shuddered. How could she escape this? Her heart took over her mind this time and she closed her eyes, feeling his fingers brushing her hair every now and then. She reminisced the days when she used to give him a hair massage. She had wanted him to do the same someday to her too and when it was happening, she could not believe it. His touch was breaking her resistance power slowly and she feared to lose it this time.

Sameer was on cloud nine though. His dream to be close to her and applying hair oil to her hair made him happy. This is what he had wanted to do from a long time when Naina was staying with him in the Maheshwari Mansion. He had wanted to touch and feel her hair many times, but had resisted. But today, he had got that chance and he was not going to miss it for anything. Whenever he had headache, Naina used to oil his hair and now, he was doing it for her.

Once he applied hair oil to all her hair, he picked up the comb and started combing her hair. Naina stilled as he started combing and then tying her hair in a braid. The first thing that came to her mind was how came he knew to make a braid? Sameer though could not see her face, replied, "Ummm... maine kuch time pehle YouTube par videos dekhe the ki kaise baal bandhte hai, isliye yeh braid pehli baar try kar raha hun." He took few attempts to tie it properly and he finally succeeded on his fourth try.

Naina's eyes misted knowing very well that he was trying to help her and win back her love. She would never forget this day in her life as she had seen different shades of Sameer Maheshwari today. The rude and arrogant person was long forgotten and this new Sameer Maheshwari was a totally different person. What had not changed even now was his care for her and she was happy about it.

Once he was done, he spoke softly, "Ummm... ho gaya." He himself looked at the braid and thought, "Not bad..." Naina just touched her hair with her left hand and was sure that it was fine. Though it was a little loose, she did not say anything. His efforts were enough to shut her mouth. He asked, "Thik hai naa? Ab jaisa bhi banaa hai, tumhare paas aur koi option nahi hai." She turned to face him and smiled, "Thank you... main dekh toh nahi sakti par dekhe bina bhi keh sakti hun ki accha hi banaaya hai."

Sameer again walked towards her washroom to keep the bottle away and came back with a small bottle of balm. He made her rest on the bed and rubbed her forehead with the balm softly. Her eyes misted automatically and she closed her eyes instantly. Naina did not want him to see that his actions were breaking the walls that she had built since the day she left Ahmedabad. She did not know when she drifted to a peaceful sleep after so many days.

Sameer watched her serene face which reflected her pure heart and soul. He desperately wanted her to forgive him and accept their relationship. And he was sure that he was already half forgiven, or else she would not have allowed him to stay at the same bungalow. He just had to show his love, trust and care towards her and she would be his forever soon.

As he was about to get up, he felt a tug and was stunned to see that she had held his hand unconsciously in her sleep. He wanted to go back to his room but he could not. How could he leave her alone when she was so much in pain? Closing his eyes, he made a decision and stayed back in her room.

He again sat on the chair and continued watching her. After few minutes, his mobile rang and he knew who would call him this late. He picked up the call and talked to Preeti for the next few minutes softly. He could not leave the room as his hand was still in Naina's hold. He told Preeti about her best friend's condition and she panicked. He told her that he was taking care of her best friend and she would recover in the next couple of days.

The next morning, when Naina opened her eyes, she found Sameer sleeping uncomfortably on the chair again. The chair was quite close to her bed. Her heart pained watching him sleeping this way. Then she noticed that she had held his hand and understood that it was her who had stopped him from leaving her room.

Naina slowly loosened her hold and tried to get up. Her little movement woke him up too. He looked around and remembered that he had fallen asleep in her room last night. He looked at her with sleepy eyes and asked, "Tum... tum thik ho? Abhi bhi dard ho raha hai kya?"

"Abhi bas thoda thoda dard hai, par main thik hun ab." He nodded and asked again, "Tumhe... tumhe koi bhi help chahiye ho toh mujhe bulaa lena, main... main baahar hi hun." She agreed and went to get ready for the day. Sameer too went back to his room to freshen up.

It was over an hour that Naina had not come out of her room which made Sameer a little worried. The tea was already prepared along with some sandwiches. He paced outside his room. "Main pehle knock karta hun, shaayad Naina ready ho rahi ho. Agar koi jawaab nahi aaya toh main darwaaza kholkar andar chala jaata hun. Haannn... yahi thik hai."

Sameer knocked on the door twice but there was no reply. He again tapped the door but still no answer. He finally gave in to his decision and opened the door hesitantly. When he entered, he saw the entire room was quiet and empty as well. Naina was not there in her room. He walked towards the washroom and knocked, "Naina... Naina... tum... tum andar ho naa?"

"Ummm... Sameer... main... main thodi der mein baahar aa jaaungi... aap... aap jaaiye yahaan se." As he heard her panicked voice, he knew something was wrong. He tried again, "Dekho Naina... agar koi problem hai toh mujhe batao, main... main help kar dunga. Tumhari aawaaz sunnkar lagta hai ki zaroor koi problem hai. Bolo Naina... Kya hua hai?"

Naina was mortified. How could she tell him that she was unable to pull the zip of her dress? With so much difficulty she had worn that dress. She knew that this problem was going to arise, but she could not wear the other dresses too. This zip one was the one dress that she could pull on her body easily with a sprained arm.

Sameer spoke loudly this time breaking her thoughts, "Naina... baahar aao. Kya problem hai? Tumhe sling pehenne mein koi problem hai kya? Tum jaldi baahar aao, main tumhe waapis sling pehna dunga." Naina was not sure that what to do now and how to face him. His voice boomed again, "Naina... agar tum do minute mein baahar nahi aayi toh main... main darwaaza tod dunga. Aur tum jaanti ho ki main yeh sach mein kar sakta hun."

Naina had no choice left now. With slow steps, she opened the door and met his worried gaze. Sameer watched her as she stood at the entrance of the washroom uncomfortably. What shocked him more was the way the towel was wrapped around her shoulder.

"Kya hua hai Naina? Yeh... yeh towel kyun lapeta hai tumne? Dekho Naina... jaldi bolo kya baat hai." She closed her eyes for a minute. When she opened her eyes, she saw how tensed Sameer was. He was waiting for her reply.

She started hesitantly, "Sameer... wohh... wohhh... Main mere dress... dress ki zip... zip band nahi kar paa rahi hun." He looked at her stunned. He now understood her problem and looked at her dress again. His eyes stayed at her face for a few moments and he asked, "Main... main band kar dun."

Naina's face heated as she heard his question. How could she allow him to do that? But did she have any other option. Who else would help her in this situation right now, even Naniji was not here?s She contemplated for a few minutes while Sameer kept looking at her changing expressions.

He said, "Main... main aankhen band rakhunga Naina... let me help you. Kab tak hum dono yahaan aise hi khade rahenge?" She knew he meant his words. When he said, he would close his eyes, then he would. And who was she lying to? She trusted him despite whatever happened in their past.

Making up her mind, she met his gaze. "Thik hai, par... par aapko aankhen band karne ki zarurat nahi hai." These words made his heart race rapidly. Everything went in a slow motion in front of his eyes as she turned her back to him. Before she could take off the towel, he placed her hand on hers and stopped her.

Naina did not know what he was doing. But then, she felt his touch and she shuddered. He pulled the zip up slowly under the towel and ignited each and every cell of her body. He too shivered with this new intimacy between them. He had never done this before. They could clearly hear their erratic heartbeats in that silent room.

Once the zip was done with, Naina pulled the towel away. He helped her to wear the sling again and then quietly left for breakfast. They had their meal in silence. Both of them did not know how to start the conversation again. It was very much awkward for Naina to meet his gaze. Whatever happened in her room a while ago replayed in her mind on a loop. Even now, her skin tingled where he had touched her.

Sameer got a call from Abhimanyu while Naina called up Preeti and talked to her. When they were discussing something about Preeti's café, Naina heard some voice coming from the terrace. She continued talking to her best friend and walked towards the terrace slowly.

She stood at the entrance and saw Sameer arranging the strings of his guitar. She knew that Sameer had not posted any video since he had started staying in this bungalow. Sameer adjusted the camera too and took his place on a bean bag that was kept at the terrace.

As he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he inhaled her fragrance. His eyes moved towards the entrance and he started singing,

Neele Neele Ambar Par, Chand Jab Aaye...

Pyaar Barsaaye, Humko Tarsaaye...

Aisa Koi Saathi Ho, Aisa Koi Premi Ho...

Pyaas Dil Ki Bujha Jaaye...

Neele Neele Ambar Par, Chand Jab Aaye...

Pyaar Barsaaye, Humko Tarsaaye...

Oonche Oonche Parvat Jab Choomte Hain Ambar Ko...

Pyaasa Pyaasa Ambar Jab Choomta Hai Sagar Ko...

Pyaar Se Kasne Ko, Baahon Mein Basne Ko...

Dil Mera Lalchaaye, Koi Toh Aa Jaaye...

Aisa Koi Saathi Ho, Aisa Koi Premi Ho...

Pyaas Dil Ki Bujha Jaaye...

Neele Neele Ambar Par, Chand Jab Aaye...

Pyaar Barsaaye, Humko Tarsaaye...

Thande Thande Jhonke Jab Baalon Ko Sehlaayein...

Tapti Tapti Kirne Jab Gaalon Ko Chhoo Jaayein...

Saanson Ki Garmi Ko, Haathon Ki Narmi Ko...

Mera Mann Tarsaaye, Koi Toh Choo Jaaye...

Aisa Koi Saathi Ho, Aisa Koi Premi Ho...

Pyaas Dil Ki Bujha Jaaye...

Neele Neele Ambar Par, Chand Jab Aaye...

Pyaar Barsaaye, Humko Tarsaaye...

Chham Chham Karta Saavan Boondon Ke baan Chalaaye...

Satrangi Barsaaton Mein Jab Tan Mann Bheega Jaaye...

Pyaar Mein Nahaane Ko, Doob Hi Jaane Ko...

Dil Mera Tadpaye, Khwaab Jagaa Jaaye...

Aisa Koi Saathi Ho, Aisa Koi Premi Ho...

Pyaas Dil Ki Bujha Jaaye...

Neele Neele Ambar Par, Chand Jab Aaye...

Pyaar Barsaaye, Humko Tarsaaye...

Sameer sang the whole song looking at her while Naina stood at the entrance mesmerised. She was so lost in listening to his wonderful voice that she had forgotten that Preeti was still on the call. She too had heard Sameer's song and was impressed with it. She knew that her best friend had probably forgotten all about her and was busy gawking at her husband. She disconnected the call from her end and decided to talk to her best friend about him later.

Sameer kept the guitar away and stopped the video recording. Picking up all the things, he walked towards her. Naina was still standing at the entrance and had not moved an inch. Sameer clicked his fingers in front of her eyes and asked huskily, "Kaisa lagaa gaana?" She looked away red-faced and replied, "Accha tha..."

Sameer smiled looking at her flushed state and thought to let it go for now. She had been standing at the door for a while now and needed to rest. They walked back to the living room and the rest of the day passed with Sameer taking care of his wife.

That night when Naina went to bed, she spoke, "Sameer... main... main ab thik hun... aap aapke kamre mein sone jaa sakte hai." Though he did not want to leave her alone, he agreed half-heartedly. That night both did not sleep a wink. Both were restless for some reason.

It was Monday the next day and Naina had to go to her office. Sameer tried to convince her to rest for a day more, but she refused. He agreed reluctantly on one condition that he would drop her to the office and pick her up too. Naina too agreed and they left towards her office. Sameer met Aarav and told him to look after her. He could not stay around her in the office and make her uncomfortable. Bidding goodbye to them, he left towards the NGO.

The next few days, Sameer took care of Naina and was beside her all the time. The sling was removed and she was fine now, yet she did not stop Sameer from dropping her to office and picking her up. Everyone knew by now that they were married and no one dared to talk behind their backs. Naniji was not back yet, she called them every day and kept in touch.

It was another weekend when the doorbell rang early in the morning. When Naina opened the door, she screamed in happiness looking at the couple standing in front of her. "Preeti... Pandit... tum dono... yahaan kaise???"

Her scream was enough to wake up the entire neighbourhood. Sameer came running downstairs and was shocked to find his best friend and his wife's best friend at the door. Preeti hugged Naina tightly while Pandit and Sameer hugged and patted each other's backs. Sameer and Naina were happy to have their best friends in Shimla.

While Naina took Preeti to her room, Sameer pulled Pandit in his. When they met for breakfast after an hour or so, Naina went to make coffee for them while the others remained seated in the living room.

Sameer turned to Preeti and asked, "Kaisi ho Preeti?" She shifted next to him and hugged him. "Main tum dono ko dekhne ke baad ab ekdum mazze mein hun. Tum batao baat kahaan tak pohonchi?" He looked towards the kitchen and replied, "Naina ne ab tak lafzon mein kahaa nahi hai ki usne mujhe maaf kar diya, par uski aankhon mein wohi pyaar, wohi izzat, sab dekh sakta hun main. Bas zubaan par abhi tak wohh baat nahi aayi. Hum dono ke beech sab pehle jaisa ho toh gaya hai, par baat wahin hai jahaan pehle thi. Naina ne mujhe ab tak maaf nahi kiya hai."

Sameer'e eyes misted and Preeti wiped them away, "Fikar not... main ab aa gayi hun naa, toh hum sab milkar Naina ko manaa hi lenge... Kyun Jijaaji?"

How was the update?

Well... I am a little sad to announce that this story will be coming to an end in the next two updates...

Ignore the mistakes please...

Next update on Sunday...

Till then, take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️