Sorry for yesterday. I had the update ready but I was not happy with what I had written so I decided to scrap it and write a new one. Since this whole thing has been written in less than a day, there was no time to edit it. Sorry if you find some mistakes. Do point out and I'll correct them.

On their way back from the washroom, Ritika told Naina how she had been noticing Sameer's concern for her every action since they arrived.

'Mujhe laga shayad tumhari good news hai.' She grinned as Naina's eyes widened, 'Uski aankhen tumhari har movement ko follow kar rahi thi. Tum kya kha rahi ho, kya kar rahi ho, chair se uthi toh usne haath aage badhaya tha, help karne ko par shayad tumne notice nahi kiya. Pari ko uthane lagi toh usne khud aakar Pari ko goud mein le liya. Koi bhi dekhke aisa hi sochta jaisa mujhe laga.'

Naina pursed her lips as they walked through the corridor.

Ritika stated in a warm voice, 'Sameer se main do baar hi mili hun pehle. Mujhe pata tha woh achha hai par itna sweet hai yeh aaj dekha. You're lucky. Jab actually mein good news hogi na tab woh tumhe ek kadam nahi lene dega akele. Dekhna kitna pamper karega.'

Naina was glad they had reached the restaurant. The direction of conversation was making her uncomfortable.

However, the moment they entered, Sameer held her arm and took her aside before worriedly whispering to her, 'Naina, tum chupchap kyon chali gayi? Tumhe kuch chahiye? Mujhe bata toh deti. Main...' He hesitated, '...agar kuch chahiye toh main arrange kar sakta hun.'

Naina gave him a look that he did not understand, then merely shook her head and walked to where others were gathered. Sameer pushed his hands in pocket and followed her.

Naina put aside everything about this conversation and occupied her mind with her surroundings. It was a pleasant afternoon. The old couple was affectionate and lively. She had also enjoyed meeting Rohit and Ritika, and little Pari who was adorable. Yet, she could not shift her mind from certain confusing thoughts.

While driving back, or even after reaching home, Sameer did not say anything that could confirm what Ritika had told her. She could not even question him either, because she didn't want to let him know she was aware of it. But was he actually carrying a pad? Why? She had taken extra ones for herself in her bag. Why did he feel the need to do so? What did he think... that she had no idea how to handle it? It wasn't her first time in such situation. Why was he doing things to the extent to embarrass her like that? Slowly, the confusion began to shift into frustration and anger. On one hand, he made fun of her plight in front of his friends, and now, he was creating a false impression in front of other friends, just for his own image. Or if he was trying to ease his own guilt, why he had to do it at her cost? It was infuriating, his attempt to show off his care to everyone. It wasn't needed. They just had to pretend like a normal married couple, not go out of the way. She would have to make this clear to him.

Just when she was simmering internally, Sameer unknowingly added to her annoyance by asking, 'Tum thak gayi hogi na? Aisa karo tum aaram karo. Main aaj bhi dinner room mein laane ko keh dun?'

'Tumhe itna drama karne ki zarurat nahi hai.' Naina snapped sharply, 'Main theek hun aur agar nahi bhi hun toh tumhe kyon bataun? Tum hote kaun ho puchne wale? Ya fir iske liye bhi apne doston ke saamne mera mazaak banane ke liye tumhe aur details chahiye?'

The pained look on Sameer's face was not visible to her because she was not looking at him. He swallowed the guilt, and stated in a low voice, 'I'm sorry.'

She waited for some illogical argument from him, in his defence, but when nothing came, she turned to look at him.

Sameer stood in the center of the room. The light from the lamp on the side wall was falling softly on his face. And in that light, she could see his glistening eyes. There was a change in him. He looked so pained, and almost pleading, that something stirred within her for a moment. Slowly, Sameer raised his one hand to hold his ear, and looked at her with earnest eyes... the silence between them thick with unspoken words.

She steeled herself, tearing her eyes from the intensity of his gaze, and added in a rough voice, 'Maine pehle bhi kaha tha, iss concern aur sympathy ko mujhpe waste mat karo. I don't need it from you. Na akele mein na sabke saamne. Hum dono normal rishta dikha dein utna kaafi hai. Aisi harkatein karke sabko bhram mein mat daalo ki hamare beech bohot gehra pyar hai.'

The words were desperate to trickle out of Sameer's mouth, that it indeed was his deep love, but he restrained himself. All he could utter was another apology, holding onto one ear, 'I'm really sorry, Naina. Woh sab... main woh sab nahi kehna chahta tha. Kabhi nahi.'

He did not have to specify what he was talking about. They both knew it very well. The way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her as if he genuinely regretted all his words... it still felt too little, too late, and it stung more than she wanted to admit. Naina was tired of his fluctuating stance. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

With a bang, her hands joined together as she stepped towards him, her eyes fierce, 'No, I'm sorry. Sorry ki mujh jaisi ladki ke saath tumhe yeh drama karna pad raha hai. Isliye request kar rahi hun, please keep it bare minimum. Tumhe mere liye pads carry karne ki, ya mere khaane par dhyan dene ki koi zarurat nahi hai. Hum dono jitna ek dusre ke maamlo se alag rahenge utna jhagda kam hoga. Kyonki honestly, main thak gayi hun. Mujhe na jhagda karna hai na koi argument. Jab tak hamare alag hone ka time nahi aata, dur raho mujhse.'

Without waiting for any reaction from him, she walked away, slamming shut the door of closet behind her.

Naina's outburst sent an unexpected jolt through Sameer. When she had asked about his dinner previous night, he had seen the concern behind it. It felt like she was softening. He had tried his best to make her comfortable in her present state, desperate for the forgiveness for all his irresponsible actions. But now, he could see how badly she was still hurting. The echoes of his previous derisive remarks had formed a barricade around her heart, which wasn't easy to break.

He took a deep breath, a forlorn look in his eyes, 'Nahi Naina, ab hum alag toh nahi ho sakte. Kabhi nahi. Aur yeh yakeen dilane ke baad hi main tumhe apne dil ki baat bataunga. Tumse dur hone ke baare mein toh main soch bhi nahi sakta. Kyonki tum zindagi ho meri. I love you Naina. I really love you.'

Coming week was quite a hectic one for Naina, as she had to arrange a few big brand campaigns with Munna. She was staying till late in office, at times leaving early in the morning as well. There was one solace though. Sameer was keeping to his schedule of morning workout, hence she was able to grab enough sleep. At night, he would go to bed quite early, making it convenient for her to sleep on time.

As she sat in office one evening after a long, tiring day, she recalled that after she had admonished him, Sameer had not tried to speak to her about the same topic or asked for forgiveness but he did not stop talking to her, even when they were alone. He would call out to her for small things, ask her about her day, tell her how much he enjoyed some particular dish in dinner... if nothing then ask the time. Mostly, she did not react. But a few times, she answered unknowingly.

It was his attempt to maintain a normalcy that baffled her, especially after she had lambasted him ruthlessly. That day, her anger was more because of her hormones than his actions. An unduly painful period, exasperation for being at the receiving end of his help, and his exaggerated display of concern had fueled her anger and burst her dam of patience. His face was writ with confusion and hurt at her onslaught, but he did not try to stop her or pacify her. His eyes seemed to be begging her though, in a silent plea of understanding... and maybe, forgiveness.

Naina rubbed her face in frustration, 'Bhaad mein jaaye. Mujhe koi fark nahi padta. Dus baar maafi mangne se sab kuch normal ho jayega kya? Aaj bechari shakl banake sorry bolega kal fir apni ego ke ghode pe chadh ke naye naye naam dega mujhe. I don't think usey koi pachtava hai. Bas guilty feel kar raha hai. Apni uss feeling se bahar aane ke liye saare natak kar raha hai. Warna Sameer Maheshwari aur kisi ko sorry bol de... impossible. Pehle kaise react karta tha sorry ke naam pe, aur ab, din mein dus baar bolta hai. Lekin ab uski jhoothi sorry mujhe nahi chahiye.'

She checked the date on her phone, and a smile appeared on her face, 'Next week Nutty wapas aa jayegi. Uske saath baith ke apne dil ki bhadas nikal lungi toh mood bhi theek rahega.'

But her happiness lasted just for two days.

Naina had just returned to the office late in the evening from a full day of shoot outdoors when her phone announced a video call from Natasha.

'Hey.' Naina beamed, 'Kab ki flight hai? Packing ho gayi? Dekh, land karte hi mujhe call karna. Main...'

'Naina.' Natasha interjected her enthusiastic blabber, 'Ek minute... meri baat sun.'

Her tone, her face, her unexpected solemn expression made Naina's heart sink. 'Kya hua Nutty? Tu theek toh hai? Kuch problem ho gayi kya?' And then a shadow of fear appeared in her eyes, 'Tera result... course ka result... uska...'

'Arey yaar.' Natasha again cut her short, 'Main koi nalayak student nahi hun jo tujhe mere result ki tension ho. Topper hun, teri tarah. Ace kiya hai academy mein.'

Naina flared her nostrils, 'You idiot. Dara diya mujhe.' Then grinned, 'Congratulations. Mujhe pehle hi pata tha tu top maaregi. Ab jaldi bol kab land kar rahi hai. I can't wait anymore.'

Natasha pursed her lips, her eyes filled with regret, 'Uske liye hi call Kiya hai. Thodi tension ho gayi hai.'

Naina giggled, 'Bakwas band kar. Ab teri acting se ghabrane wali nahi hun main. You can't fool me everytime.'

Natasha flashed a piece of paper, which looked like a letter, 'Appointment offer. Abhi tak accept nahi kiya hai maine. I want to ask you.'

Naina was perplexed, 'Appointment? Kahan? Singapore mein?'

Natasha explained that because of her exemplary performance in the course, she had been offered the position of a Flight manager, a step above her present role of flight attendant. But she would have to do a stint of another three months based at Singapore.

'Maine abhi haan nahi kaha hai.' Natasha gave her a worried look, 'Mujhe pata hai tu kabse mera wait kar rahi hai. Main khud wapas aana chahti hun. Tere paas. Lekin mere instructor ne bola yeh bohot achhi opportunity hai aur main lucky hun jo mujhe direct promotion mil raha hai. Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Ek dil karta hai accept kar lun. Lekin dusri taraf wahan aane ko becahin hun. Tu bata main kya karun.'

Rolling her eyes, Naina instantly chided her, 'Ek number ki gadhi hai tu. Ismein sochne jaisa kya hai. Of course you should accept. Promotion mil raha hai Nutty. Yeh toh celebrate karna chahiye aur tu haan naa ka ping pong khel rahi hai. Stupid, say yes.'

'Par aisa karne se mera aana delay ho jayega.' Natasha pouted, 'I miss you yaar.'

'Toh do din ki leave leke aaja.' Naina flashed a bright smile, 'Khoob masti karenge. Fir jaake join kar lena.'

When her friend still looked dejected, Naina sobered up, 'Nutty, jhooth nahi bolungi, tere naa aane se thodi disappointment toh hai par tujhe jo itna achha chance mil raha hai apne dream ko poora karne ka uske liye mujhe bohot khushi hai. Aur fir tu aa bhi gayi toh main tere saath rehne toh nahi aa sakti na. Mera contract abhi baaki hai. Toh itna bura kyon manana? Dekh na, agar tujhe Singapore ka yeh training assignment nahi mila hota toh main tujhe chorkar teen mahine pehle hi alag rehne lagi thi. Maine toh apne selfish interest ke liye yeh decision liya tha. Lekin tu apne career ke liye wahan rahegi.'

Natasha opened her mouth to offer some contradicting argument but Naina raised her palm to quieten her and smiled, 'Please do it Nutty. Mere liye. I feel so proud of you. Main chahti hun agli baar jab uncle ya tere dono brothers tujhse milen toh...'

'Naam mat le unka.' Natasha fumed, 'Mujhe unse milne mein koi interest nahi hai.'

'Kuch hua hai kya?' Naina furrowed her brows at her reaction.

'Kal mummy ka call aaya tha.' Natasha gritted her teeth, 'Kehne lagi ab toh tu wapas aa rahi hai beta, toh papa ki baat maan kar Ankit se mil le. Ankit ke papa ke saath collaboration hona hamare business ke liye important hai.'

Naina could not believe it, 'Aunty bhi? Lekin woh pehle toh teri side thi.'

Natasha gave a wry smile, 'Meri side? Mummy kabhi papa ke aage bol hi nahi paayi. Isliye toh mujhe ghar chorna pada. Tujhe pata toh hai Naina mere ghar ke men kis mentality ke hain. Mummy ko manipulate karke mujhe kisi ke palle bandhana chahte hain, sirf apne faayde ke liye.'

Naina took a deep breath, 'Fir toh tujhe bilkul nahi aana chahiye Nutty. Not that tujhe unse chupne ki zarurat hai. Par unhe jawab dene ke liye teri growth zaruri hai. Don't let this opportunity pass. Offer accept kar le.'

In the end, she was able to convince Natasha that it was best for her to go ahead with the offer. Only after the call ended, Naina felt a deep feeling of emptiness invade her. She was extremely happy for her friend, but she was not able to rid herself of the feeling that if not for Natasha, she was all alone in the world. This was just a small period of three months. But she could see the same fate for herself in future. Unlike her, Natasha was not averse to the idea of marriage. She would surely find someone who would value her for the strong individual she is and give her a blissful life. Naina also wished for such life for Natasha. She wasn't selfish. Yet, the nagging feeling of loneliness that would engulf her after that made her pensive.

Munna was leaving when he noticed the light through Naina's door. He knocked before opening the door a crack. He was surprised to see her sitting silently, her eyes fixed on the table. Probably the knock had gone unheard.

'Naina.' He called out softly.

'Huh.' She jerked out of her thoughts, looking up in daze.

'Tum abhi tak yahan kya kar rahi ho?' Munna was worried to see the disoriented expression, 'Tabiyat toh theek hai na? Main sameer ko...'

'Nahi.' Naina was quick to get up, dragging her bag to shove the laptop in it, 'Main bas... bas jane hi wali thi. Kuch kaam tha pending. Socha woh karke nikalti hun. Bas jaa rahi hun.'

'Sure?' Munna raised a brow, 'Koi problem toh nahi hai na?'

'Nahi Munna.' Naina smiled gently, 'Kaam ke chakkar mein time ka pata nahi chala. All good. Let's go.'

They came down the elevator together. Since Munna had to go to a relative's house nearby to pick his mother, he hailed an autorickshaw after Naina assured him that she would be walking to the metro station.

At home, it was almost dinner time. Ambika glanced at the clock, then asked Sameer, 'Aaj Naina ko late aana tha kya? Usne subah bola toh nahi. Kaam hota hai toh message kar deti hai lekin aaj message bhi nahi aaya. Tujhse baat hui kya?'

Sameer had been anxiously eyeing the main door for the past one hour. Naina was late. He had sent a message but she had not seen it yet. He knew she would not answer his call but now the tension surmounted his hesitation.

He sprang up from his seat and went outside, leaving a faint answer for his mom, 'Main call karta hun.'

As expected, she did not pick up. After trying three times, Sameer banged his fist against the wall, frustration and fear evident in his action. Naina had been late a few times last week but today his heart was filled with an inexplicable premonition. Munna had mentioned to him how busy they were at office, hence it was understandable. Naina herself had been informing Ambika regularly about her timings. But today, no one was aware of her whereabouts. Naina usually kept her phone on silent during shoots or interviews but she could at least reply to the text.

Sameer checked the time. It was past nine. He called up Munna.

'Haan bhai, kya chal raha hai?' Munna's vibrant voice, mixed with the sound of multiple voices from background made him frown, 'Tu ghar pe hai?'

'Nahi, chachaji ke yahan hun.' Munna replied, 'Mummy ko lene aaya tha toh sabne kaha dinner karke hi jaana.'

'Aur Naina?' Sameer blurted.

'Naina?' Munna was taken aback, 'Naina mere saath kyon hogi? Woh toh ghar ke liye nikal gayi thi.'

Sameer felt his heart sink to the bottom of his stomach, 'Munna... Naina... Naina ab tak aayi nahi. Na call utha rahi hai na text ka reply diya hai. Please tu call kar na. Agar tujhse baat hoti hai toh...'

Munna was quick to understand, 'Ok ok. Main karta hun. Fir tujhe batata hun.'

He called Naina's number after disconnecting. Her phone was off. After another try, Munna called up sameer who picked up in half ring.

'Baat hui? Kahan hai woh? Kuch kaha usne?' Sameer demanded, his voice rising in panic.

Munna revealed, 'Call nahi laga. Phone off aa raha hai.' He then recalled Naina's troubled state earlier and asked, 'Sameer, fir se kuch keh diya kya tune? Aaj Naina disturbed lag rahi thi. Aisa mujhe laga.' He told about the evening incident, calculating that it was past one hour since they left the office together.

Sameer felt his world crumbling down around him as he reacalled the time when Nakul had come after her to office. What if someone again... dread gushed through his bones like hot lava. He had to go find her. He had to...

The sound of gate made him spin sharply.

'Naina.' His voice resonated in the quietude, an echo of desperation and concern mixed with relief as she stepped on the patio.

Sameer rushed to her, his voice laced with an undercurrent of fear as he held her by shoulders, 'Tum... theek ho?'

'Haan.' Naina squirmed, fazed by his trembling voice, 'Mujhe kya hoga?'

Sameer looked her from head to toe, as if to assure that she was indeed fine. She was here but why was she delayed... his mind was still a whirlwind of worry and fear, the anxiety of what Munna had told him spiraling his thoughts in various directions.

'Tumne kisi ka call kyon nahi liya? Message bhi nahi dekha. Kya hua bolo. Itni late kaise ho gayi? Kisine...' The urgency in his voice conveyed the feeling of helplessness that he felt but he could not put his fear in words.

Naina had taken the metro which she needed to change half way. Lost in thoughts about her conversation with Natasha, she had missed the stop and gone in completely different direction. The realisation came when she saw everyone getting up to exit the train. She had to take the same route back then change to reach home. It had costed her an hour of time, and a dead phone which she noticed when she tried to call up Ambika. This extreme reaction from Sameer was unexpected, and a bit extra.

She narrowed her eyes, 'Ek ghanta hi toh late hui hun. Phone dead ho gaya isliye inform nahi kar paayi. What's the big deal?'

Sameer felt the gripping tension of last half an hour melting into overwhelming gratitude. His heart, which had been racing with fear, now thudded with a different kind of intensity... a profound realisation that he could not imagine a life without her, even for a moment.

Without a second thought, he stepped forward and took her in his arms, pulling her close as if he never wanted to let go. The sheer relief of having her safe in his embrace was almost too much to bear.

Naina stood frozen in his arms, her mind racing to process this vulnerable side of his.

'Uh...' She pushed at his shoulders, 'I'm... I'm okay... sab wait kar rahe honge.'

With a sigh, he lifted his head, but did not move away. The tenderness in his eyes, the dampness of his lashes, the lines etched on his forehead... it baffled Naina.

Before she could think more, or move away, Sameer held her face within his palms, and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead.

Next update on Thursday