Hello friends...

I'm back with the next part...

On occasion of our hero's birthday, I'm giving this update...

I hope you will like it...

Enjoy reading...

FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 7

Naina didn't know when she dozed off. Nanu came to Sameer's room to check on him but the sight that greeted him brought a smile on his face. He was happy to see that Sameer had slept on Naina's lap while she was sleeping uncomfortably in a sitting position, her head resting on the backrest of the bed, her left hand resting on his arm while the other rested in his hair.

Nanu walked inside the room without making any noise & shook Naina slowly. He knew if Sameer saw her right now in his room that too in this position, he would again call her names. Yesss... he had heard the entire conversation yesterday. He knew that something drastic had transpired between the two & now he knew what exactly had happened. By calling her a gold digger & characterless, Sameer had crossed his lines. Somewhere he doubted his upbringing. He hadn't taught him to misbehave in this way & treat girls recklessly. Now, Nanu understood why she wanted to take up the part-time job. She didn't want to be dependent & rely on him for anything.

Nanu shook her again & called out softly, "Naina... Utho..." She opened her eyes & saw Nanu first. Then she felt something heavy on her lap & her eyes moved towards the source. Her eyes widened when she saw Sameer sleeping on her lap. When did that happen? And when did she fall asleep? She looked at Nanu & mumbled, "Wohhh... wohhh... main raat ko Sameer ka temperature check karne aayi thi. Unka fever kam hi nahi ho raha tha toh maine thandi pattiyaan rakhi unke sar par, bohot der baad unka bukhaar thoda utar gaya. Par pataa nahi, meri aankh kab aur kaise lag gayi."

Nanu smiled hearing her blabbering & spoke in a low voice, "Tum itna kyun samjha rahi ho mujhe? Maine kuch nahi poocha tumse. Waise tum kuch dino mein Sameer ki patni banne ja rahi ho, fir ab toh tumhara poora hakk banta hai uske paas rehne ka." Naina didn't know what to reply to that. He saw Sameer steering a little & Naina too felt him moving. While he moved his head a little in sleep, she got a chance to move away. She held his head without disturbing his slumber while Nanu slowly placed the pillow under his head & Sameer drifted to sleep again.

Naina instantly left & walked back to her room. She directly entered the washroom to have a long shower. She needed some time to ponder over whatever happened since yesterday. She was so wrong to judge Sameer. Even if he had hurt her by calling her names, she was ready to accept him as her husband & take the relationship forward. She knew it was a difficult task but still she was ready to face it head on.

While she was showering, her mind was occupied with a lot of thoughts. "Sameer toh mujhse agreement sign karvaane waale hai aur unhone kahaa tha ki ek saal baad hum divorce le lenge. Main iss ek saal mein meri poori zindagi jee lungi, pataa nahi uske baad kaise rahungi, kya karungi. Inn kuch hi dinon mein mujhe kitna lagaav ho gaya hai iss ghar se, Nanaji se aur..."

She paused & closed her eyes, "Sameer... Aapne mujhe bohot hurt kiya hai aur main jaanti hun aage bhi aap ek bhi mauka nahi chodenge. Aapka bharosa jeetna itna aasaan nahi hoga, par koshish zaroor karungi. Mujhe pataa hai ki yeh sab karne mein main tootungi bhi par haar nahi manungi Sameer. Iss ek saal mein main poori koshish karungi ki shaadi ko nibhaa saku, jaanti hun bohot mushkil hai. Mere Nanaji hamesha mujhse kehte ki shaadi ek bohot pavitra bandhan hai, jiski neev vishwas aur pyaar hota hai. Aur hamare beech toh aisa kuch nahi hai, fir bhi main koshish karungi ki hamare rishtey mein pyaar ho na ho par vishwas zaroor hoga, taaki aap aage chalkar kisi aur par bharosa kar pao, waapis iss shaadi ke bandhan mein bandh pao."

She finished with her bath & got ready for the day. It was still seven in the morning so she headed towards the kitchen to make breakfast. She handed over the plate of poha & coffee to Ramdhari, "Yeh Sameer ko kamre mein de aaiye bhaiya. Unhe fir davaai bhi deni hai." He walked towards Sameer's room with Naina following him. He knocked once & Nanu replied from inside, "Andar aa jao."

Ramdhari entered while Naina stood outside the room away from Sameer's sight. Once done with the breakfast, Nanu made him have his medicines. After a while, Mundit arrived as they were informed by Naina that Sameer wasn't well. They stayed for an hour & left to take over the office in his absence.

After everyone left him alone to rest, his mind drifted to last night. He didn't know when he had dozed off. He had got up late night to find himself sleeping on someone's lap. The warmth that he felt was so comforting that he didn't open his eyes & snuggled more sleeping comfortably. He was sure that it wasn't Nanu. So, was she there in his room? No... that can't be. She would never come here late night.

When he got up in the morning, he had seen the bowl of water & the white cloth on his bedside table. He had sensed that someone had been placing that cold cloth on his forehead last night. Just to clear his misunderstandings, he had asked Nanu hesitantly, "Nanu... Kya aapne der raat yeh thandi pattiyaan rakhi thi mere sar par?" Nanu understood that his grandson wanted to know who did that, so he replied casually, "Kaunsi pattiyaan barkhurdaar? Main toh subah hi aaya tha tere kamre mein. Tere sone ke baad main bhi apne kamre mein chala gaya tha, thak gaya tha aur neend bhi aa rahi thi."

Sameer even asked Ramdhari about it & when he too denied that, he was sure that it was HER who had come to his room & done that. He shuddered when he remembered his cuddling on her lap seeking her warmth. 'God... How can I do that?', he cursed himself. 'And what the hell she was doing here late night?", his mind again questioned. He kept her thoughts away for the time being & rested.

Sameer stayed home for the next three days working from home as Nanu didn't allow him to attend the office. Naina had joined the café & went there every afternoon. Preeti & Naina bonded so well that no one could tell that they had met just few days ago. Kabir who used to visit the café once in a day would come twice a day now. Preeti had seen his growing interest in Naina, but kept mum. She wanted him to realize his feelings first. She was very fond of Naina by now so she didn't mind her brother's interest in her. She decided to stay away from it for nowa & let time have its way between them.

Preeti knew that there was something that was bothering Naina but she didn't want to interfere right now. She wanted Naina to tell her on her own so she didn't pester her much. Naina was enjoying her time in the café with Preeti but whenever Kabir was around, she grew anxious. She was aware of his intense gaze on her many times but just for the sake of Preeti, she kept quiet & didn't confront him.

Just two days before marriage, Sameer got a call from Neel that the papers were ready. He immediately asked him if he could visit his office & deliver the papers in person. Neel agreed & told him that he would come in the evening. Sameer wrapped up all his meetings before Neel visited him. He informed his assistant that he should allow Neel to directly enter his cabin as he was free.

Neel came to Sameer's office by five in the evening & handed over all the agreements. He asked Sameer to go through them once, if he wanted to make any changes. Sameer sat down on his couch along with Neel & read the papers twice. Satisfied with everything that was mentioned in the agreements, he spoke, "Thanks Neel... Main sirf tum par bharosa kar sakta hun inn papers ko lekar. Kisi aur se karaata toh wohh Nanu ko bataa dete. Waise I hope ki tum yeh sab kisise nahi kahoge?"

Neel smiled in return & zipped his lips. "Sameer... All the best. Aur fir kisi kaam mein zarurat ho toh I am just a call away." They hugged each other & both of them left the office together. While going home Sameer's thoughts wandered to the last few days. He hadn't seen Naina around. All the meals were sent to his room directly. Nanu & Ramdhari often came to check on him but he hadn't seen her even once. Even today, he hadn't seen her while having breakfast.

Where was she? Had she forgotten that they were getting married in the next two days? He smiled wickedly after glancing at the file next to him. It was time to meet his to be wife today. When he entered the living room, he saw Nanu sipping his evening tea with the same people with whom he had met just a few days ago for giving his measurements.

"Arey... Sameer... Tu aa gaya. Jaa fresh ho jaa aur isse bhi saath le ja. Pehen kar dekh le fitting barabar hai yaa nahi." He walked to his room with the bag & freshened up, but didn't try the clothes. He came down again in search of her but couldn't find her. Nanu asked, "Kapde thik se ho gaye?" Sameer just shook his head without replying & kept looking around.

Nanu understood & smiled naughtily, "Kise dhoond rahe ho Sameer?" He instantly turned conscious as if caught red handed. "Main... main kisi ko nahi dhoond raha. Wohh... wohh... main Ramdhari ko dekh raha tha, ab tak coffee nahi laaya meri." He shouted, "Ramdhari... Meri coffee laa jaldi." Nanu smiled watching his antics. He knew that Sameer was not aware of Naina's part-time job & he didn't even feel the need to reveal it. He wanted him to see for it himself. Certain things shouldn't be said but should be made to realize & that's what Nanu wanted to happen. He wanted Sameer to realize his mistakes by himself.

Naina came a little late & directly headed to her room to freshen up. In her hurry, she didn't notice Sameer sitting in the living room, waiting for her. He had indirectly asked Ramdhari about Naina's whereabouts & was informed that she was out since afternoon. After freshening up, she came down to have her dinner. She directly entered the kitchen & served herself with two rotis & sabzi. She sat down at the dining table & started eating.

She heard someone clear his throat behind her & she turned in an instant. She already knew who it was before her eyes met his dark brown ones. From the last few days, she had kept herself away from him reluctantly. He wasn't well & she didn't want to bother him more with her presence. But she had kept a watch on him & his health. She prepared the breakfast & lunch before she left for the café. She used to remind Ramdhari Bhaiya to serve him food in his room & Nanu would give the medicines. It was as if all the breath had whooshed out from her lungs when she met his intense gaze.

Sameer stood in front of her motionless as he remembered himself sleeping on her lap & the way she had spent that night with him while he was unwell. He took in her appearance slowly. She had worn a white cotton nightwear. She looked breathtakingly beautiful in that simple outfit. He held her stare & ordered, "Dinner khatam karke mere kamre mein aa jaana, tumse zaroori baat karni hai."

When he turned to leave, he saw Nanu standing just behind him. He came forward & sat beside her, "Naina... Maine tumhare kamre mein shaadi ka joda aur gehne rakh diye hai. Dekh lena sab thik hai yaa nahi." He caressed her head lovingly & retired to his room after bidding goodbye to both the youngsters. Sameer stood there for few moments & left to his room.

Naina had lost her appetite but still finished her meal. She finished her kitchen chores & left to his room directly. On the way, she stood before a mirror to see if she looked good. She tied her hair in a bun & walked towards his room, already knowing why he had called her. She stood outside his room, taking a deep breath & preparing herself mentally, she knocked on the door.

Sameer opened the door & gestured her to enter. She took hesitant steps & walked in. He closed the door & locked it. Naina grew nervous at this while he chuckled, "Iski aadat daal lo tum ab se, do din ke baad se tumhe issi kamre mein rehna hai mere saath." He sat down on the couch & asked her to sit, "Baitho Naina..." Her heart skipped beats when she heard her name from him after a long time.

Naina sat down at the other end of the couch maintaining a great amount of place between them. She fidgeted with the hem of her nightwear which was noticed by Sameer. He could see her nervousness & was satisfied with it. "Naina... Tum jaanti ho maine tumhe yahaan kyun bulaaya hai?" She looked at him meeting his eyes, "Haannn..."

"Good... Toh yeh lo." He handed over the file to her & continued, "Iss file mein prenuptial agreement hai aur uske saath aur do agreements banaaye hai maine." She gave him a confused look & he smiled, "Maine divorce papers bhi abhi banvaa liye hai aur dusre agreement mein maine kuch conditions add kiye hai. Usse acche se padh lena kyunki tumhe iss ek saal ki shaadi mein wohhh nibhaane honge."

Naina didn't know how to react but still she asked, "Aap hi bataa dijiye wohh conditions kya hai." Sameer smiled wickedly, "Jaisa tum kaho. Dekho Naina... hum dono yeh shaadi sirf Nanu ke liye kar rahe hain, unka vaada poora kar rahe hai. Warna main tum jaisi ladki se kabhi shaadi nahi karta. Well forget that. Let's get to the points directly. Main tumhe sab agreements samjha deta hun. Acche se sunn lena."

Naina's eyes had misted hearing his taunt & she composed herself. She didn't want him to see her tears, she didn't want to appear weak in front of him. Mustering up some strength, she spoke, "Kahiye... Main sunn rahi hun." Sameer turned fully in front of her, "Prenuptial agreement mein yahi likha hai ki divorce ke baad tumhe meri property aur mere business mein se koi share nahi milega. Divorce ke baad tum meri kisi cheez par apna hakk nahi jama paaogi Naina. You won't get any monetary benefits after the divorce."

She nodded already knowing about it. He continued, his eyes holding her gaze, "Maine divorce papers abhi isliye banva liye taaki tumhe koi aas, koi ummeed na rahe hamari shaadi se. Jaise hi shaadi ka ek saal complete hoga, tum apne raaste aur main apne. Hum dono yeh papers abhi sign karenge taaki main ek saal baad isse court mein submit kar sakun."

Naina again nodded, she hadn't expected this now. But she knew this would happen someday, it was just that she wasn't mentally prepared for this. Keeping her emotions in check, she asked, "Aur teesra agreement?" Sameer was trying to gauge her expressions but couldn't see through her. She had maintained a stoic face, hiding her emotions very well which were unreadable by him.

Without wasting time, he continued, "Teesre agreement banaane ka bohot important reason hai. Jaanna chaahogi Naina?" Did she have a choice? She nodded, "Boliye..." "Tumhe toh yaad hi hoga naa ki tumne mujhe thappad maara tha aur tumne mujhse, The Sameer Maheshwari se shaadi karne ko manaa kiya tha. Mujhse shaadi karne ke liye yahaan ladkiyon ki line lagi padi hai aur tum... tumne mujhse shaadi karne se manaa kiya? Ab iski sazaa toh milegi hi na?"

Naina's gaze didn't waver from him & she sat there in all her calmness. Even if there was a storm building in the pitch of her stomach, she remained unfazed. Looking at her peaceful face with no reactions, Sameer continued, "Sabse pehla condition yeh hai ki tum hamari shaadi ki baat kisi ko bhi nahi bataaogi. Hum sirf iss ghar mein husband-wife honge, sirf Nanu ko dikhane ke liye, baahar nahi. We will be strangers outside. Samjhi???"

There was nothing new in this, she had known this beforehand only. She waited to hear the next conditions & she nodded yet again, "Haannn... Samajh gayi." "Second condition yeh hai ki we won't consummate our marriage. I don't want ki ek saal ke baad iss rishtey se koi baccha ho. Jab shaadi tootni hi hai toh mujhe iski zarurat nahi lagti. Tum mujhse durr rahogi." Naina sat speechless after hearing this, even she wouldn't have done that. But still, it hurt her.

Maintaining her calmness, she agreed, "Thik hai." "Teesra condition yeh hai ki tum mera har chote se chota kaam karogi, jaise ek biwi karti hai. Mere khaane se lekar, mere kapde, mere room ki saaf safaai, sab tumhe hi karna hoga." She looked confused, "Main yeh sab waise bhi karti toh yeh condition kyun add kiya?" Sameer smiled sweetly at her, "Arey poora sunn toh lo. Isme yeh bhi likha hai ki tumhe mere saath har pal rehna hoga, meri assistant bann kar. Office wali nahi huh. Main wohh risk nahi lunga. Jab bhi main kahin outstation meeting ke liye jaaunga toh tumhe mere saath aana hoga. Do you get that? Kyunki mujhe pataa hai ki yahaan rehkar tum Nanu ko apne jhaanse mein fasaa kar, kuch na kuch jaaydaad apne naam karva logi. Jo main kabhi nahi hone dunga. Isliye maine yeh include kiya. Ab meri biwi itna toh kar sakti hai na mere liye?"

Naina didn't know what to say anymore & nodded again. "Thik hai." "I'm impressed Naina... Tumne kisi bhi conditions ko counter question nahi kiya. Good... It's good for you. Ab ek aakhri condition, divorce ke baad tum mujhse, Nanu se yaa Munna-Pandit se koi rishta nahi rakhogi. Koi contact nahi hoga tumhara hamare saath. You will be a total stranger after the divorce materializes."

He stood up & asked, "Bolo... yeh sab manzoor hai tumhe?" She got up too & stood just a foot away from him. Her eyes held his stare, "Laaiye... main sab agreements sign kar deti hun." Sameer's chest burnt somewhere seeing her agree to everything that he had asked for. He had thought that she would reject it outright. But here she was standing in front of him maintaining her self-respect. She seemed unaffected which pricked his heart. He himself didn't know why he didn't like her easy acceptance of everything.

When she saw that Sameer was staring at her & not moving, she herself picked up the file & asked loudly breaking his trance, "Pen please." He got the pen from the bedside table & handed it over to her. Taking a deep breath, she signed the papers. Tears had clouded her eyes but she blinked them away harshly. She couldn't show him her weakness. She would never cry & give satisfaction to him, even if her heart was breaking.

"Tum ek baar sign karne se pehle padh toh lo Naina.", he said looking at her. She met his gaze confidently, "Main aap par itna bharosa toh karti hun ki mujhe inn papers ko padhne ki zarurat nahi lagi. Waise bhi mujhe aapke har conditions manzoor hai toh padhkar kya badalne waala hai."

She handed over the file to Sameer after signing each & every page without even reading a single word & just trusting him by his words. Her hands trembled when he took the file from her. Without uttering a word, she left his room, her head held high. She knew what she was getting into. She was the one who was going to be heartbroken by the end of the marriage. This Sameer Maheshwari was going to ruin her for all the lifetimes.

The minute she closed the door to her room, she sat down & allowed the tears to finally flow. She had signed her destiny of broken marriage herself. Can she blame anyone? Yesss... She blamed only her destiny for this. She was destined to be alone. She had no one to love. She closed her eyes & something flashed in her mind.

She remembered her words that she had spoken to her Nanaji, "Main aapko chodkar kahin nahi jaaungi Nanaji. Agar kisiko mujhse shaadi karni hogi toh usse ghar jamai banna padega, kyunki main aapko kabhi akela nahi chodungi. Iss zamaane mein koi ghar jamaai toh banega nahi, toh meri shaadi kabhi nahi hogi. Iska yeh matlab hai ki main hamesha aapke saath rahungi."

She cried, "Nanaji... Aap hi mujhe pehle chodkar chale gaye. Aur ab jab shaadi ho bhi rahi hai toh wohh shuru hone se pehle hi khatam hone ke liye. Meri shaadi ki toh expiry date bhi hai Nanaji. Kisine aisi shaadi nahi dekhi hogi. Divorce aksar shaadi mein pati-patni ki anban ki wajah se hota hai, par meri shaadi hone se pehle hi maine unn divorce papers par sign kar di hai. Aisa kabhi hua nahi hoga aajtak. Meri zindagi mein aage kya honewala hai yeh mujhe nahi pataa. Haannn... par itna pataa hai ki main kabhi aapki parvarish par ungli nahi uthne dungi Nanaji. Main iss shaadi ko acche se nibhaungi. Ek patni ka har farz hamesha nibhaungi, marte dum tak."

She got up & walked to her bed where she found the bridal wear & jewelry that Nanu was talking about. She didn't have any strength to try it now. She put it away in her cupboard without even seeing what contained in those packages. She switched out the lights & laid down on her bed trying to sleep.

After Naina left, Sameer stood at the same place for almost five minutes. It was the shrill ring of his phone that broke his stupor. He picked up Neel's call & spoke to him, informing him that Naina has already signed the agreements. Neel went silent on the call hearing it & then spoke a little hesitantly, "That sounds good. Ummmm... I think you need to rethink about her seriously. Even without meeting her, I can say she isn't what you're assuming her to be. Her actions are speaking volumes Sameer. Just think about it."

Sameer didn't let Neel's opinions change his mind but he was already on edge now. How could he have two opposite thoughts for the same person? His heart & mind were at war. But eventually his mind won & silenced his heart. He kept the file away in the locker, so that no one could see it. He tried sleeping but couldn't. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw her hazel brown orbs shining at him. He got up with a huff & moved towards the window.

He saw someone's silhouette in the garden. He squinted his eyes to see who it was. The girl's whose eyes weren't allowing him to sleep was sitting on the grass. He slowly moved out of his room & tiptoed to garden. Naina was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize his presence. He sat beside her & gazed at the sky.

It was when he asked her why she was there late night, she came back to reality. She couldn't lie to him, so replied truthfully, "Neend nahi aa rahi thi aur kamre mein ghutan ho rahi thi, toh yahaan aa gayi, khuli hawa mein, inn sitaaron ke beech.", she said while pointing towards the sky. He kept looking at her face for a while & then hummed in response.

Both of them sat there for an hour in silence lost in their own world. No one initiated any talks. Naina was the first one to get back to her room. Sameer followed her after a while. Even if they were silent for the entire hour, they were aware of each other. Naina didn't speak as she knew that she couldn't share anything with him & the same went for Sameer too. But what surprised him more that he found her presence & silence soothing to his heart. That had never happened with him. He regarded her as gold-digger & characterless, yet he found her presence comforting his heart. What was going on with him, he himself didn't understand.

They slept late that night thinking about each other. The next day went fast for both of them. Sameer kept busy the whole day completing his important work & meetings so that he could keep the next day free for himself. Naina informed Preeti that she would not come the next day as she had to attend someone's wedding. That day she left early too, as Nanu had called a girl to apply mehendi on her hands.

The girl drew intrinsic design on both her hands & legs. She wanted to keep it minimal as she didn't want to draw Preeti's attention. But the girl didn't listen to her & followed Nanu's instruction. By the time the mehendi was done, Nanu fed her dinner & she was sent to her room to rest.

Sameer came home late that night & skipped the dinner. It was Nanu who served a plate of food for him & went to his room. He kept the plate at the bedside table when Sameer came out after freshening up. "Nanu... Mujhe aise bhi bhook nahi hai. Aap khaana kyun laaye?" Nanu smiled in return & made him sit beside him, "Bhookhe pet nahi sote Sameer. Thoda sa khaa le." Nanu himself fed him & Sameer hugged him tightly getting emotional.

"Barkhurdaar... Tu aise ro raha hai jaise kal shaadi ke baad tujhe yeh ghar chodkar jaana hai. Beta... Tu Dulhan nahi hai..." Nanu laughed out loudly after seeing his grandson's comical expressions. Naina stood outside his room & saw the scene with teary eyes. Her life was going to change drastically from the next day. She missed her Nanaji a lot.

Nanu saw her standing outside & called her out, "Naina... wahaan baahar kyun khadi hai? Andar aa ja." She didn't come in & left to her room. Nanu found it a little strange & left to meet her. She sat on her bed looking at her grandfather's photo & cried silently. He walked in her room & caressed her head. "Apne Nanaji ko miss kar rahi hai na? Main bhi bohot miss kar raha hun. Kaash wohh aaj hota tujhe Dulhan bante huye aur teri shaadi hote hue dekhne ke liye. Kal hamara kiya hua waada poora bhi ho jaayega. Kaash wohh hota yeh sab apni aankhon ke saamne dekhne ke liye..."

Nanu'e eyes misted & Naina sobbed loudly hugging Nanu. He cried remembering his friend while Naina too cried for the same reason but there were tears for something else too. Those tears were for her broken dreams, her broken life & her broken heart. Sameer stood at the entrance watching the other two with a heavy heart. His emotions were betraying him. He wanted to be strong but that looked like a struggle now. A struggle between his heart & mind who were having different set of opinions for the girl who was crying heartily right in front of his eyes. He went away to his room & opened the locker & read the agreements again. That did it. He was back to his ruthless attitude remembering her slap & her denial to marry him.

The next day everyone woke up early as the couple had to go to the court for registering their marriage & then to the temple to marry in front of the deity & the sacred fire. Both the bride & groom got ready in their rooms. Sameer reached the living room first where Nanu, Munna, Pandit & Mr Purohit were waiting. He joined them & after few minutes Naina too descended the stairs.

Everyone's gazes landed on her & she turned conscious. She had never worn a heavy silk saree before. She went to Nanu directly & took his blessings. He took the couple towards the small temple in their house & did a small aarti. It was time to leave to the court & they left the house.

Nanu & Mr Purohit drove in one car while Mundit accompanied Sameer & Naina in his car. Sameer stole some glances of her. She looked stunning in the red silk saree. Her hair were done in a braid & few small jasmine garlands (gajras) were pinned to her hair & the fragrance was intoxicating. The small golden necklace with matching golden earrings completed her look. There was no make-up on her face except for the kajal & light lip gloss. What caught his attention was the mehendi on her hands & the color had deepened to dark brown. The red & golden bangles matched her outfit. Munna & Pandit coughed together to disturb their friend's lingering gaze on his beautiful to be wife.

Sameer immediately looked away in embarrassment. Naina was very much aware of his stare. She too had checked him out at home while they stood offering their prayers in front of the deity. He looked like a movie star who looked handsome in the cream-colored simple kurta with delicate golden work on the neckline which was paired with a same color churidaar.

There was a different glow on the couples' face when they reached the court. Munshiji joined them there. Everyone waited till their names were called & they stood in front of the sub-registrar. He asked them if they were ready to sign. First Sameer signed the document & Naina followed after him. Nanaji & Munshiji signed as witnesses from Sameer's side while Munna & Pandit signed from Naina's side. The sub-registrar signed the document & sealed it with a stamp.

That stamp made Naina gasp as now she was officially Sameer's wife. The sub-registrar congratulated them & then everyone hurled their congratulations by hugging them with teary eyes. When they left the court, their minds & hearts were full of different set of emotions.

They reached the temple next where Panditji was already waiting for them. Nanaji handed over the prenuptial chain (mangalsutra) to Panditji who kept it on a decorated plate which also included a small box of vermillion (sindoor).

Sameer & Naina sat down next to each other in front of the holy fire after exchanging the flower garlands (varmala). Their hearts thudding as fast as it could. Naina wasn't looking at anyone while Sameer looked at each & every smiling face there. Panditji started reciting the chants. The couple walked seven rounds (pheras) around the sacred fire while Panditji made them aware of the promises that they had to keep in their marriage with every round. The moment Sameer put the mangalsutra around her neck, her eyes misted & when he filled her hairline with the sindoor, some of it fell on her nose. She closed her eyes & a single tear escape her eye.

Sameer saw that & his hand on his accord wiped it away. She immediately opened her eyes feeling his touch on her cheek. Their eyes met & this time it was different. The surreal atmosphere around them had created some magic & they forgot everything. They sat there holding each other's loving gaze.

"Vivaah sampan hua...", exclaimed Panditji & their magical spell broke, bringing them to reality. They took blessings from Panditji & then Nanu & Munshiji too. Mundit hugged them which surprised Sameer that they really hugged her. Both his friends congratulated her, "Welcome to the family Bhabhi..." Sameer stood stunned hearing that while the others seemed happy.

After taking God's blessing & offering their prayers, they left towards home. Naina entered the house after pushing the rice filled pot with her right foot. Ramdhari then brought a wide vessel filled with vermillion water & Naina dipped her feet in it & then walked inside the house. She couldn't understand what she was feeling right now.

Nanu led her to Sameer's room & spoke softly, "Aaj se tum iss ghar ki bahu ho, Sameer ki biwi, toh aaj se tumhe yahin rehna hai. Ramdhari ne tumhara saaman shift kar diya hai. Naina... Main jaanta hun tumhare dil mein aaj bohot kuch chal raha hoga. Main bas itna keh sakta hun ki jo bhi karna dil se karna beti. Tum mere Sameer ke liye ek perfect life partner ho. Bas iss rishtey ko thoda waqt dena, sab thik ho jaayega." He blessed her wholeheartedly & opened the door for her.

Naina too hesitant steps & entered her new room. She was looking around when again the door opened & Sameer walked in. She lowered her eyes & then she heard the most huskiest voice, "Welcome to our room, Mrs Naina Sameer Maheshwari..."

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With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤