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IN SEARCH OF HER...

CHAPTER 8

"Main tumse kabhi naaraaz nahi ho sakta Naina... kabhi nahi... kyunki... kyunki main tumse bohot pyaar karta hun. I Love You Naina... I Love You..."

Sameer had finally confessed his love to her, this time not during a live interview, but to her directly. He had been waiting for this moment since a long time. And now, when he had confessed his love, he was content. But his confession wasn't done yet.

"Naina... mujhe toh tumse pehli nazar mein hi pyaar ho gaya tha. Jo time humne ek saath Marine Drive par guzaara, wohh meri zindagi ke sabse haseen lamhe the, jisse main kabhi bhool nahi paaunga. Uss din tumse milke aise laga, jaise mere pyaar ki khoj khatam hui thi. Uss din main mera dil haar gaya tha tum par Naina..."

Naina's tears didn't stop while Sameer continued with his confession, "Tumhari inn jheel jaisi aankhon mein main kho gaya tha, tumhari iss pyaar bhari muskuraahat par dil aa gaya tha mera. Jab tumhare saath baitha toh lagaa ki bas wohh pal wohi tham jaaye aur main bas tumhe dekhta rahun, tumse baatein karta rahun. Aisa pehle mere saath kabhi nahi hua tha, sach mein. Tumse milkar samajh aaya ki pyaar kya hota hai."

Wiping her tearstained face again, he teased, "Tumhe kya lagta hai ki main yunhi kisi bhi ladki ki bucket list poori karne mein help karta hun? Nahi... Naina... main toh sirf aur sirf tumhari sabhi wishes poori karna chaahta hun. Jab tumne apni bucket list mujhe dikhaayi, tabhi maine mann banaa liya tha ki main hi tumhari wohh saari wishes poora karunga. Isliye tumhe night club le gaya, tumhe drink karne diya aur fir uss raat uss room mein..."

Before he could say more, Naina palmed his mouth to stop him from saying the obvious that had happened in that hotel room. But Sameer didn't want to be stopped, so he removed her palm, "Naina... humne koi galti nahi ki thi uss raat, jo tum mujhe bolne se rok rahi ho. Jo bhi hua tha wohh hum dono ki marzi se hua tha. Main toh bas tumhe yeh bataana chaahta hun ki uss raat ne meri zindagi poori tarah se badal di. Main tumhe meri zindagi ka hissa banaana chaahta tha, hamare beech ek rishta banaana chaahta tha, jo maine kabhi kisi ladki ke saath nahi banaaya tha... par... par tum mujhe bina bataaye uss subah wahaan se chali gayi."

Though Sameer was aware of the reason behind her disappearance, still he asked, "Kyun chali gayi thi mujhe uss room mein akela chodkar? Bolo Naina... Kyun bhaag gayi thi tum? Naa koi message choda, naa koi note. Jab main chaahta tha ki hum ek saath ho jaaye, toh fir tum mujhe koi mauka diye bina kyun chali gayi Naina? Maine aisa kya kar diya tha ki tum wahaan se bhaag gayi Naina?"

Sameer stared at the tears that were still flowing from her eyes. He instantly wiped her cheeks, "Naina... please kuch toh bolo... Main kuch pooch raha hun tumse aur bina tumhara jawaab jaane main yahaan se kahin nahi jaaunga Naina aur naa tumhe jaane dunga... I want all my answers today..."

This is what Naina was afraid of. How could she tell him the truth? But this was what she had wanted, right? She wanted a proper communication with him to clear the air between them. They needed to talk about the so-called girlfriend named Soniya.

But before Naina could form some reply, the door was flung opened. Sameer and Naina both turned towards the intruder and froze seeing Vishakha Maheshwari standing at the door with confusion written all over her face.

"Sameer...", he heard her mother call out to him while entering the cabin. "Tum Mumbai kab aaye? Aur hume inform kyun nahi kiya? Wohh toh abhi security ne kahaa ki tum aaye ho, isliye yahaan dekhne aa gayi." Soon enough she reached him and engulfed him a tight hug.

Kissing him on his forehead, she asked, "Kaise ho beta? Humne bohot miss kiya hai tumhe. Waise yahaan aise achanak hume bina inform kiye kaise chale aaye?" Sameer hugged her back, "Main ekdum thik hun mummy. Aap kaise ho? Aur papa kaise hai?" The little usual conversation continued between the mother-son duo.

Naina didn't know what to do, stand there or leave. Though she knew both of them, she felt like a stranger. But she decided to stay as Vishakha had already seen her here, there was no running away now.

After finishing her chat with Sameer, Vishakha stood facing her, "Naina... tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?" Then noticing her tearstained face and her son's face, Vishakha asked, "Tum dono ek dusre ko jaante ho? Ek minute, tum dono iss cabin mein akele kya baatein kar rahe the?"

Naina looked at Sameer for help and he replied instead, "Mummy... hum... hum ek dusre ko jaante hai. Wohh... wohh... hum pehle mil chuke hai, yahaan Mumbai mein."

Naina fidgeted with the ends of her new dupatta which didn't escape Vishakha's eyes. She saw through her nervousness. And again, her tearstained pricked her heart. "Naina... tum thik ho?", she was definitely worried now. Turning to her son, she questioned, "Sameer... kya chal raha tha yahaan? Aur tumne aisa kya kahaa ki wohh rone lagi?"

At the precise moment, Vivek entered the cabin, "Arey Sameer... tum kab aaye?" He stood at the entrance and looked at all the faces. What exactly was going on here, Vivek thought.

Sameer broke the silence, "Hey papa... main abhi mummy aapke baare mein hi pooch raha tha." He embraced his father trying to defuse the situation. Turning towards his mother, he spoke, "Mummy... papa... aap aapke cabin mein chaliye... main... main thodi der mein aata hun. Mujhe Naina se kuch baat karni hai."

A look passed between his parents and they nodded. The door closed to his cabin as they left, leaving Sameer and Naina alone. Sameer didn't want to talk about his love with his parents in front of Naina, that would be a little embarrassing for her.

"Sameer... mujhe... mujhe ab jaana chahiye." As Naina turned to leave, Sameer held her wrist, "Hamari baat abhi tak khatam nahi hui hai Naina. Tumne mere sawaalon ka jawaab nahi diya hai ab tak."

"Dekho Sameer... yeh mera workplace hai. Please... baahar sab aa gaye honge. Aur abhi tumhare parents ne bhi hume yahaan saath dekh liya hai. Pataa nahi wohh hamare baare mein kya soch rahe honge?" Meeting his gaze, she continued, "Main tumhare saare sawaalon ke jawaab dungi Sameer. Par yahaan nahi... Please... let me go for now."

Sameer stared at her. She was right. This was her workplace and he himself didn't want anyone to point fingers at her. Making up his mind, he pulled her in his arms, he couldn't resist doing that. "Thik hai. Abhi ke liye main tumhe jaane de raha hun, par hamari baatein abhi poori nahi hui hai. Naina... tum... tum mujhe promise karo ki aaj shaam tum mujhse milogi. Main tab hi tumhe iss cabin se baahar jaane dunga."

Naina had no option and she didn't want to create any scene in her workplace. So, she agreed, "Thik hai. I promise, ki main tumse office ke baad milungi. Ummm... Par hum kahaan milenge?"

Sameer smiled, "Wohh main tumhe baad mein message kar dunga. And I hope ki iss baar mujhe reply milega." Without replying to him, Naina left his cabin hurriedly while Sameer was happy to finally see her, hear her and touch her.

After few minutes, Sameer made his way towards his father's cabin. He knew it was time to tell them about his love as he had promised them over the call. His parents had given him freedom to choose his career and never forced him to be active in their business. This cabin was made for him only on his insistence, that someday he would be a part of this business.

As Sameer made his way towards his father's cabin, every person on the floor greeted him and wished him luck for the upcoming matches. When he passed by Naina, she just briefly smiled at him. She had freshened up quickly and joined her department.

Taking a deep breath, Sameer knocked once on the door before entering his father's cabin. As he joined his parents, he could clearly see many questions on their faces. He waited but none of them spoke anything and kept observing him.

Unable to take the silence, Sameer asked, "Aap logon ko kuch nahi poochna mujhse, toh main chalta hun. Mujhe practice ke liye late ho raha hai."

His mother reacted first, "Accha ji... ab late ho raha hai huh? Naina ke saath uss cabin mein akele baat karte waqt time waste nahi ho raha tha tumhara aur ab iske nakhre dekho. Pataa nahi kya kahaa isne Naina se ki wohh rone lagi hogi? Vivek aapne Naina ki shakal dekhi thi, kitni nervous ho gayi thi wohh?"

Vivek couldn't control his laughter, "Ab bas bhi karo Vishakha... kitna chillaogi apne bete ko?" Turning to his son, he continued, "Toh beta... ab tum bolna shuru karo. I am sure that you have a lot of talking to do."

Sameer faced his parents and started narrating how he met Naina for the first time, obviously skipping the intimate details of their night stay in the hotel. He was not going to share these personal details with them.

"Mummy... papa... I am in love with Naina.", Sameer declared to his parents confidently while they stared at him stunned. "Toh Naina wohi ladki hai jiske baare mein tune apne live interview mein bola tha? Yeh wohi Naina hai jiske liye tune gaane gaaye the?", Vishakha asked in astonishment.

Sameer agreed looking at his parents, "Naina wohi hai jisse aapka beta bohot pyaar karta hai." Vishakha asked again, "Toh fir Naina ro kyun rahi thi abhi?" How could he tell his mother the whole truth? How was he going to escape this question? Yet he had to try.

"Mummy... wohh khushi ke aansoon the. Hum uss din ke baad aaj mile hai. Mujhe saamne dekhkar Naina ko yakeen nahi ho raha tha aur fir jab usse samajh aaya ki main sach mein yahaan hun, toh uski aankhen namm ho gayi." Whatever he said was the half-truth, but that would do for now.

Vivek asked, "Toh kya iska matlab yeh hai ki Naina bhi tumse pyaar karti hai?" "Naina kuch kehti uske pehle hi aap dono aa gaye, aur hamari baat adhuri reh gayi. Par mera dil kehta hai ki Naina bhi mujhse pyaar karti hai, warna mere diye hue gifts nahi pehenti.", he said that with a smile.

Vivek looked at Vishakha who was staring at her son who was head over heels in love with Naina... the girl she was fond of too. Sameer was really lucky to find a gem for himself. Vishakha would love to have Naina as her daughter-in-law.

While her mother stared at him, Sameer asked, "Kuch toh boliye... aap dono ko meri pasand, pasand toh hai naa?"

Vishakha gave her husband a look and got up from the seat, "Sameer... uth... abhi ke abhi uth tu? Tune soch bhi kaise liya ki hume koi problem nahi hogi? Tu hume bataayega ki tujhe kisise pyaar hai aur hum maan jaayenge, yahi socha tha naa tune?"

Vivek interrupted, "Vishakha... kyun apne bete ko ched rahi ho? Ek toh bechaare ko ab tak suke ke pyaar ka jawaab nahi mila, aise hi tension mein hai. Ab tum aise bologi toh, uski sach mein jaan nikal jaayegi."

Sameer understood that his mother was just teasing him, "Mummy... aapne toh sach mein mujhe dara diya tha." Vishakha chuckled, "Ab aaya naa oonth pahaad ke neeche. Ab tak ladkiyon se durr bhagta raha hai, aur ab dekho, Naina se durr bhi nahi raha jaa raha."

Palming his cheeks, she continued, "Naina bohot achi ladki hai. Aur hum khush hai ki tumne Naina ko chuna hai. Sameer... Naina se acchi jeevan saathi tujhe kabhi mil hi nahi sakti thi. Tu bohot lucky hai kyunki Naina ek naayaab heera hai. Main jaanti hun ki tum dono ek dusre ko bohot khush rakhoge. And I am sorry beta... hume nahi pataa tha ki tere cabin mein kya chal raha hai, warna hum disturb karne aate hi nahi, kyun Vivek?"

Sameer chuckled hearing his mother's teasing, "Mummy... aap bhi naa..." Saying that, he hugged her, "Thank you... main jaanta tha ki aapko meri pasand acchi hi lagegi." Vishakha caressed his back lovingly, "Aaj main bohot khush hun Sameer... jaanta hai kyun? Kyunki main khud chaahti thi ki tu Naina se mile aur usse apni jeevan sangini banaaye. Par bhagwaan ki leela toh dekho, ki Naina wohi ladki hai jisse tu itna pyaar karta hai."

"Jab tune apne pyaar ka izhaar media ke saamne kiya tha naa, tab main darr gayi thi. Wohh ladki kaun hai, kaisi hai? Hume kuch pataa nahi tha. Isliye darr gayi thi ki kahin tune apne liye koi galat ladki toh nahi chunn li. Par aaj yeh jaankar main bohot khush hun ki Naina hi tera pyaar hai. Bas jaldi se ab usse hamare ghar ki bahu banaa kar le aa, toh mujhe ek pyaari si beti mil jaayegi."

Sameer wiped the happy tears from his mother's face, "Aapki yeh wish bhi bohot jald poori hogi mummy... Naina bohot jald ghar aayegi meri jeevan saathi bannkar aur aapki beti bannkar. Chaliye ab main chalta hun, practice bhi karni hai. Teen din baad meri match hai yahaan. Aap dono aayenge naa dekhne?"

Vivek hugged his son, "Hum zaroor aayenge beta... Aur usse bhi saath laayenge, thik hai?" Sameer hugged his father tightly, when he spoke again, "We are proud of you and your choice, Sameer... And all the best, match ke liye bhi aur apne pyaar ke liye bhi."

Sameer took his leave from his parents and left the office but not without taking a glimpse of his girl. He would try to survive till the time he would meet her at evening.

Naina couldn't believe that Sameer had really come to meet her that too so early in the morning. All the doubts that she had about him having a girlfriend had vanished into thin air after hearing his confession.

No one had even done so much for her apart from her parents. But now, Sameer took care of her and pampered her with sweet gifts even if he was away from her.

The love declaration during his live interview meant nothing after he confessed his love today in front of her. This feeling was different. She didn't miss the way Sameer had taken care of her today and had keep touching her. She could clearly see that he wasn't able to keep his hands off her.

When they had met for the first time, Naina had never thought that a day would come when they would be together as lovers. Though she too had fallen in love with him at first sight, she hadn't expected him to fall for her too.

She was happy... too happy... after hearing his confession today. But she was scared to trust him with her heart. But before she could have asked him about Soniya, his parents had appeared.

How could Naina forget about his parents? What they must be thinking about her? By now, Sameer would've told them about their relationship. Then she paused her thinking, what relationship exactly they were in? She hadn't yet confessed her feelings to him. So, technically, they weren't in any kind of relationship.

Naina was restless the whole day which was noticed by almost everyone in her department. Her senior had even asked her, if she was okay. She had smiled in response and told him that she was fine.

Naina grew nervous every single time when she saw Vishakha or Vivek. The couple were aware of her nervousness and had deliberately kept away from her. Sameer had asked them to give her space for today as still they weren't committed to each other.

There were many questions which needed to be answered between them which was going to happen tonight by hook or by crook. Neither Naina nor Sameer was going to throw this chance away. It was high time that everything should be out in the open.

The day was too slow for Naina and Sameer. While Sameer was busy in his practice and workouts, Naina was waiting desperately for his message. She had already called her parents and informed that she would be coming home late tonight as she was going out for dinner with her colleagues. She didn't want to lie, but for now she couldn't just tell them about Sameer, could she? Her parents hadn't questioned much and were happy that finally their daughter was making friends.

Looking at his happy and jovial mood, the teammates and Reyansh looked relieved. They had seen their captain's foul mood since last one week. While his manager knew the truth, Sameer's teammates were clueless.

Reyansh had told Sameer that he had maximum of three hours in the morning to meet Naina as he had somehow managed to delay their practice for later. And then if everything was fine, Sameer had all the time in the evening to meet his Naina again, citing that he was going for dinner at his parent's place.

Once Sameer came back to his hotel room after his usual practice, he finally messaged her, "Naina... be ready in an hour. I will pick you up from your office. See you soon."

Naina's mobile finally beeped with an incoming WhatsApp notification. And all her nerves loosened. She read the message twice and was worried instantly. How could he come to pick her up here? Everyone would know what was going on between them? Was he insane to decide something like this?

When Sameer's mobile pinged, he was elated to see a message from his love. He instantly opened the message which read, "Tumhari tabiyat toh thik hai naa, yaa paagal ho gaye ho? Tum mujhe yahaan pick karne aaoge toh sabko pataa chal jaayega hamare beech kya hai. Tum mujhe restaurant ka naam bataao main wahaan khud aa jaaungi, tumhe mujhe pick karne aane ki zarurat nahi hai Sameer."

Sameer smiled reading her message and replied, "Madam... pehle mujhe yeh bataao hamare beech exactly kya hai jo sabko pataa chal jaayega?"

Naina read his reply and grew angrier, "Sameer... yeh mazaak karne ka time nahi hai, please meri baat samjho..."

"Naina... trust me please... koi mujhe nahi pehchaanega. Main jab tumhe message karun tab neeche aa jaana. Thik hai... can you trust me on this Naina?"

Naina went for quiet for few seconds before replying, "Ok... I trust you Sameer... I will wait for your message. See you later..."

Sameer was on cloud nine reading her last message. Her trust on him meant that she would give him a chance for a relationship. She would definitely listen to what he had to say about Soniya. This evening was going to be his last chance to make her speak about her feelings for him and he was not letting her go till she confessed her love tonight.

Naina freshened up as her others colleagues left while Sameer too had a quick shower and got ready for the evening. When almost all the employees had left the office, Naina's phone rang and she instantly picked it up.

"Main aa gaya hun, tum jaldi se neeche aa jao Naina.", Sameer had waited for everyone to leave the office premises and then decided to give her a call.

Naina replied, "I will be there in few minutes." As she reached at the entrance, her gaze was fixed on Sameer who was leaning on his bike, waiting for her. He had again worn a hoodie and covered his face with mask. He had disguised himself yet again. Looking at him, her face broke into smile. It felt like deja vu...

Sameer watched her coming his way with a smile and his heart raced. He would do anything to keep that smile on her face forever. He was so in love with her. He just hoped that Naina would confess her love too.

Naina reached him and moved her gaze from him to his bike, "Not bad Sameer... tumne sahi kahaa tha ki koi nahi pehchaan paayega tumhe." Sameer leaned a little towards her, "Par tumne mujhe pehchaan hi liyaa naa?"

Naina lowered her lashes in shyness while Sameer shook his head, "Chalein?" She nodded and Sameer started his bike and waited for her to join him. This was the second time that she was sitting on his bike and she loved this feeling to sit behind him. Slowly she wrapped her hands around his waist, feeling him. She would never get tired of this.

As Naina settled behind him and wrapped her hands around him, he was elated. Sameer drove towards his decided destination. She watched in fascination as his bike turned towards the place, they had first met. He took a round around Marine Drive while she enjoyed the feel of it.

Soon Sameer took another direction which Naina had no idea about. After fifteen minutes, his bike entered the basement of a huge residential tower. As Naina got down, she asked, "Tum mujhe kahaan lekar aaye ho Sameer? What is this place?"

Sameer descended after parking his bike. "Patience Naina... tumhe abhi pataa chal jaayega." He held her hand and led her towards a private elevator.

Naina watched him silently while he pressed the last floor of the tower. Both of them kept staring at each other till the lift dinged announcing its destination. So many questions swam in Naina's mind.

Sameer held her hand, as the elevator opened and walked towards the only door on the floor. Entering the code, Sameer opened the door and waited for Naina to walk in first. Understating his unsaid wish, she stepped in his penthouse.

As Naina entered, she was in awe watching the most beautiful and lavish penthouse. Sameer followed behind her and watched her reactions.

"Yeh kiska ghar hai Sameer?", Naina asked as she looked around in fascination. She had never seen such an extravagant apartment in her entire life. Soon Sameer showed her around the whole penthouse, avoiding her previous question.

Making her sit on the couch, Sameer went to the kitchen to fetch water for them. He was out in a couple of minutes with two glasses of water.

As they settled on the couch comfortably, Sameer spoke, "Toh ab hum hamari adhuri baatein poori kar sakte hai?"

Naina nodded and he asked, "Toh batao... uss subah tum mujhe akela chodkar kyun chali gayi thi?"

Taking a deep breath, Naina spoke, "Iska jawaab jaanne se pehle tumhe mere sawaalon ke jawaab dene honge Sameer."

Sameer knew Naina had a lot of questions for him and he was ready to reply, "Thik hai Naina... pehle tum poocho. Aaj main tumhare saare sawaalon ke jawaab dunga."

"Jab hum pehli baar mile, tab tumne mujhe yeh kyun nahi bataaya ki tum national football team ke captain ho? Tum ek bade celebrity ho, mujhe yeh bataana tumne zaroori nahi samjha Sameer? Hamari pehli mulaqaat hi jhooth se shuru hui thi."

Sameer knew she would bring this up, "Naina... tum thik se yaad karo. Maine tumhe mera poora naam bataaya tha, mere face se mask bhi hataa diya tha, taaki tum mujhe pehchaan sako. Aur jab tumne mujhe nahi pehchaana, toh samajh gaya ki tum mere baare mein kuch nahi jaanti."

Taking her hand in his, Sameer continued, "Naina... maine bohot ladkiyon ko mere ird-gird ghoomte hue dekha hai, jinhe sirf mere naam aur status se pyaar hai, par maine kabhi aisi ladkiyon ko attention nahi diya, kyunki main jaanta hun wohh sab mere saath kyun rehna chaahti hai. Par jab main tumse mila aur tumne mujhe nahi pehchaana, toh mujhe pehli baar aisa lagaa ki main kisi ladki ko jaanna chaahta hun, usse dosti karna chaahta hun, jise naa toh mere kaam se matlab hai aur naahi meri pehchaan se. Maine tumse jhooth nahi bola tha Naina, par mere baare mein sach bhi nahi bataaya, kyunki pehli baar main ek normal zindagi chaahta tha, tumhare saath time bitaana chaahta tha. Agar main tumhe bataa deta ki main football team ka captain hun, toh kya tum mujhse baat karti Naina, kya tum mere saath normal rehti, kya tum mujhse dosti karti, kya tum apni life share karti, kya tum wohh hone deti jo uss raat hamare beech hua? Bhale hi maine apni real identity tumhe nahi bataayi, par meri dosti, meri neeyat, mera pyaar, sab saccha tha Naina."

Naina pondered over his reply, "Haan... agar uss waqt mujhe pataa chalta ki tum kaun ho toh shaayad main tumse dosti nahi karti Sameer... hamare beech kuch normal hota hi nahi. Par main iss baat se nahi mukad sakti ki tumhari neeyat, tumhari dosti, sab sacchi thi. Wohh maine mehsoos kiya tha. Toh tum mujhe apni real identity ke baare mein kab bataane waale the Sameer?"

"Naina... bhale hi hamari dosti jhooth se shuru hui thi, par main tumhe uss subah apne baare mein sab sach bataane waala tha, kyunki main tumse alag nahi hona chahta tha. Tumhare saath mujhe ek rishte ki shuruwaat karni thi, jo main sab sach bataakar karnewaala tha."

Without beating around the bush, Naina asked further, "Soniya kaun hai?" That was a direct question and Sameer smiled. He had been waiting for this to come from her, but not so soon. He had anticipated more interrogation before the topic of Soniya would come up.

"Tum Soniya ko kaise jaanti ho?", Sameer asked looking straight in her eyes. Naina knew at that moment that she had to speak the truth.

"Uss subah jab main fresh hone gayi tab tumhara mobile bajh raha tha. Aur fir jab maine phone uthaaya, toh saamne se ek ladki ki aawaaz aayi aur... aur... usne kahaa ki tum uske fiancé ho." She recollected Soniya's exact words and repeated to Sameer, "Tum jo bhi ho, yaad rakho ki Sameer mera boyfriend hai aur hum bohot jald shaadi karne waale hai."

Sameer fisted his hand in anger. How dare she call herself his fiancé? Naina noticed his reaction and continued, "Usne fir ek message bhi bheja tha." She again recited the message that was engraved in her mind and heart from that day, "Hey Sameer baby... where are you and who are you with? I tried calling you so many times. We were supposed to meet last night, but I think you were busy somewhere else. But its fine... Let's meet up tonight and I know you will rock my world. I Love You baby... See you tonight..."

Sameer had no recollection of reading such message. He instantly pulled out his mobile from his pocket and searched for the said message and soon found it too. Reading the message again, he cringed. How dare she? How dare she message something like this to him when they were just friends. And then, he suddenly knew why she had done this. Soniya had deliberately messaged to create misunderstanding between them and was quite successful too. He wasn't going to spare her; that was for sure.

Keeping the phone aside, Sameer watched Naina's misted eyes. She had gone through so much because of Soniya. Looking at her now, he understood how much it must've hurt her. He shifted closer to Naina and pulled her in his arms. She too went easily, needing his touch.

"Naina... I am so sorry. Main jaanta hun ki tumne uss time mere baare mein kya socha hoga. Maine tumse kahaa tha ki main single hun. Aur yeh call aur message ke baad tumhe lagaa hoga ki maine tumhe cheat kiya. Par Naina... maine tumse jhooth nahi bola tha, main sach mein single tha. Main kabhi tumhe sapne mein bhi cheat karne ka nahi soch sakta Naina. I've fallen in love with you at first sight. I can never ever think of cheating you."

Wiping her tears, Sameer revealed the truth, "Soniya meri family friend hai. Hamare parents kisi conference mein mile the aur friends bann gaye. Aur unki wajah se main aur Soniya friends bane. Mere liye wohh sirf ek friend thi Naina, par uske liye main ek friend se jyaada bann chuka tha. Kuch mahino baad uske parents ne hamare saamne shaadi ka proposal rakha aur maine usse tabhi manaa bhi kar diya tha. Mere parents ne bhi mujhe force nahi kiya tha iske liye, kyunki unke liye meri marzi maayne rakhti hai. Soniya ko yeh accha nahi lagaa aur tab se hi mere peeche padi hai. Naina... aur ab jab mujhe yeh pataa chala hai ki usne hamare beech jaanbujhkar misunderstandings create ki hai, toh ab usne wohh friendship bhi kho di. Soniya is nothing to me anymore Naina."

Naina could hold no more and she hugged him tightly, "Sameer... mujhe uss waqt sach mein lagaa tha ki tumne mujhe cheat kiya. Bohot gussa aa raha tha tum par. Isliye main tumhe bina bataaye wahaan se chali gayi. Par jab ghar jaakar shaanti se socha, toh mera mann nahi maan raha tha ki tum ek cheater ho sakte ho. Par kahin naa kahin mujhe lagaa ki tumne mujhe dhokha diya tha. Pehle apni sahi pehchaan nahi bataayi aur fir yeh Soniya ke call aur message. Kya sahi hai, kya galat, mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha. Aur sach kahun toh mujhe lagaa ki tum mujhe bhool gaye honge. Isliye maine kabhi tumse baat karne ki yaa tum tak pohonchne ki koshish nahi ki. Main... main... toot gayi thi Sameer... kyunki mujhe lagaa ki tumne mujhe dhokha diya tha..."

Naina wept silently while Sameer rubbed her back softly. He wanted her to speak and take out her frustration out of her. This was the only way to make her free from all the sadness and pain.

When Naina stopped crying, she loosened her hold and looked at him. Sameer's heart pained seeing her swollen eyes, but this was necessary. She needed to let go of all the pain and hurt that she had suffered. This was the last time that she would be crying because of him and Soniya.

Naina wiped the corner of his eyes that had misted. She now knew what she meant for him. The misunderstanding had cleared now. There was nothing that could stop them from being together. But still there was a lot to speak, she had to talk about her feelings, let him know what she felt for him.

It was now or never for her...

How was the update?

Will Naina confess her love to Sameer?

Some more Samaina moments coming up in the next chapter with another twist...

Any guesses for the twist?

Well... this is a short story which will be ending in the next two updates and an epilogue...

I will be starting another Samaina short story whose prologue starts from a scene of the show, just like I had written Tanhayee and I am sure you will like it too...

Any guesses about the track which I will be writing next?

I will update soon...

Till then, take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️