Sameer stared at Naina, his mind racing with confusion and disbelief. Surely, he had not heard it right. The events of that particular morning in hospital replayed in his mind. How could those people be her family? Or was she talking about some other incident?

'Tum... tum kab ki baat kar rahi ho Naina,' he began hesitantly, breaking the heavy silence between them, 'Kaunse hospital mein? Jab aunty ke saath... Munna ki mummy ko...'

Naina nodded once, halting his stuttered enquiry. Sameer was left speechless. That was enough for him to know that there was no misunderstanding. The revelation was like a punch in the gut. It all made sense now, but it also made it that much worse. How could family treat Naina with such cruelty? He could remember everything from that day... the harsh words, the condescending tone, the blatant slander of her character. He had felt that Naina was known to them but never in his wildest imagination could he guess that they were her immediate family. Which brother talked to his sister in such crude manner.

Yes, he and Anaya had their share of arguments and squabbles but what he had witnessed between Naina and her brother was nothing like bickering between siblings. Such bitterness, such hostility... he had seen this kind of enmity only in films. And the woman, Naina's bhabhi, was nothing but pure venom. He recalled the previous encounter with them, when he had gone out alone and had ended up meeting Naina, along with these people. Even then, the woman had said some atrocious things. That was the first time Naina had proclaimed that he was her boyfriend. Was she trying to tell them that she had someone to lean on? Or was she showing off?

They had also talked about money. Sameer wondered what need would those people have for money. They seemed quite wealthy. Why would they demand money from Naina, knowing her financial status. From what he knew, Naina barely owned anything. Or was he ignorant about her real status? Was it a feud for some huge inheritance? Was Naina fooling him?

His gaze focused back on the girl in front of him. Her face was pale, eyes filled with hurt and shoulders slumped in embarrassment. The thought flew out of Sameer's mind instantly. This was no pretense. What he was seeing was a broken person, dwelling in the shame and pain brought on by the revelation about her family. It was the first time he was seeing her this shattered, a stark contrast to the strong, confident, defiant Naina he had always come across. She appeared so lost, that he was sure if he was not holding her arms, she would have slumped to the floor.

Tightening his grip, yet keeping it gentle, he finally spoke up, 'Why? Woh log aise kyon behave karte hain tumhare saath? Problem kya hai?'

Naina let out a shuddering breath, 'Problem yeh hai ki main unki zindagi ka hissa hun. Unse related hun.'

'Matlab?' Sameer did not understand, 'Tum unki behen ho isme tumhari galti kaise ho gayi?'

Naina looked at some faraway point over his shoulder, speaking as if in trance, 'Galti ka pata nahi par sazaa zarur mili hai mujhe. Hamesha se. Aur ab bhi mil rahi hai.'

'Naina please khul ke batao.' He insisted, 'Unhe tumse paise kyon chahiye? Dekhne se laga toh nahi ki unhe koi financial issue hoga. Agar koi family crisis hai toh batao na. Main help karunga.'

Slowly, her eyes lifted to his face. They were still the same, dry and empty. So was her voice, 'Jab legal system bhi mere liye kuch nahi kar sakta toh tum kya help karoge?'

'Legal system?' He narrowed his eyes, 'Unhone tumpe koi case kiya hua hai?'

She let out a long breath, composing herself, and shook her head, 'Nahi. Koi case wase nahi hai. It's... it's nothing.'

Her mask was back. But Sameer was not ready to let the matter drop.

'Toh woh dono itne rude kyon hain tumse? Kyon tumne unhe shaadi mein nahi bulaya? Woh tumse paison ke baare mein bhi kuch keh rahe they na? Kyon? Unhe tumse paise kyon chahiye?'

The surprise on Naina's face changed her stoic expression, 'Paise? Nahi... aisa kuch nahi hai.'

She tried to move out of his hold, averting her eyes. She did not think Sameer would remember the mention of money regarding the house. No way could she tell him about this requirement of hers. How would she face him if he got to know she was thrown out of her house by her own brother, because her father had failed to include her not only in his will, but his life too.

'Naina.' Sameer frowned, his concern deepening as he kept his grip firm, not letting her away, 'Tumhe unse darne ya ghabraane ki zarurat nahi hai. Tum meri wife ho. Har mushkil mein main tumhare saath rahunga. Agar tum poori baat bata dogi toh...'

'Batane jaisa kuch nahi hai.' Naina shrugged, 'Jaisa tumne dekha woh log mujhe pasand nahi karte. Hamari aapas mein banti nahi hai. Isliye shaadi mein nahi bulaya. Na woh mujhse milna chahte hain na main unse. Meri family bas Nutty hai.'

'Aur main?' Sameer's voice was low, but his eyes had an intensity that left Naina puzzled for a moment... till he added, 'Tumne kaha tum meri family ko apna maanti ho.'

She nodded, 'Sach kaha hai maine. Itna pyar toh mujhe poori life mein nahi mila jitna yahan pe sab dete hain.' And then she let out a sad laugh, 'Lekin yeh pyar sirf ek saal ke liye hai. Uske baad mujhse koi milna nahi chahega. Obviously, unhe iss baat ka dukh aur gussa dono honge ki main unke bete ko chor ke chali gayi.'

Sameer kept looking at her, feeling the weight of her words. Off late, he had stopped thinking about the time when they would end the contract. He had once mentioned to Naina that she should ask for divorce so that he gains the sympathy of his family. The thought hurt him now, much more than he could have fathomed. But he could not deny the reality of their relationship. It had to end in a years' time. Somewhere deep inside his heart, he felt a pang of guilt. He quashed it before it could spurt more unanswerable questions in his mind.

Naina could see the play of emotions on his face. He seemed to be some sort of dilemma. She raised her brows, 'Ek saal zyada lag raha hai kya? Agar tum chaho toh hum usse pehle bhi contract khatm kar sakte hain. Dadaji keh rahey they tumhare birthday par woh ek announcement karne wale hain. Ek baar tumhe sab kuch mil jaaye toh hum iss jhoothi shaadi ko khatm kar denge.'

'Tumhe zyada hi jaldi hai sab kuch khatm karne ki. Haina?' He shot back in a voice filled with pent up frustration, 'Itni takleef hai kya yahan rehne mein?'

'Mujhe koi takleef nahi hai.' Naina answered softly, 'Mujhe toh yahan sabke saath bohot achha lagta hai. Jitna socha bhi nahi tha utna pyar milta hai. Sach Sameer, kuch time ke liye hi sahi par mujhe family dene ke liye thank you.' She conveyed her gratitude, her voice filled with sincerity.

The raw honesty in her words made Sameer's heart ache. His hands dropped to his sides. The eyes which seemed barren just a few minutes back twinkled with warmth now as the edges of her lips curled a bit to form a pleasant smile. If he was pained by her words, a weight seemed to lift off his chest seeing her smile. He did not understand why her sadness affected him so much. Why the mere mention of her leaving created a void in his heart? Something needed to be done about this maze of conflicting thoughts that had ensnared him in a web. Like every other problem, he sought a solution from his two friends.

Munna and Pandit promptly responded to his message for meeting in the evening at a restaurant they had recently discovered. It had large open area with curtained seating, giving privacy from other guests. Sameer wanted a secluded arrangement for this discussion and this place suited his requirement fairly well.

*****

Naina was working on the laptop when her phone started to ring in the evening. She was alone in the room after Sameer had left to meet his friends. It was still some time to dinner and others were resting after a long day at Golf Course. She decided to work on the reports to be prepared on Monday. The name flashing on the screen brought a smile to her face. She switched off the light of the room and went out to the terrace before flicking the green button.

Natasha's face appeared on the screen, her smile bright and cheerful, 'Haye meri jaan. Teri shakl dekhte hi din bhar ki tiredness gayab ho jaati hai. Yaar Naina, tu yahan aaja na. Tu saath hogi toh main aur energy ke saath saare schedules mein perform kar sakti hun.'

Naina smiled after scrunching her nose at her, 'Why not? Mere paas yahan koi job thodi hai. Main toh tera personal Glucon D hun. Jab Nutty madam ko thakan hui, ek glass Naina de do usey.'

Natasha grinned, 'Waah. Tera sada hua joke sunke mera dimaag alert mode mein aa gaya. Warna yahan sab itne formal aur sophisticated rehte hain ki puch mat. Yaar main taras gayi hun ghatiya jokes aur useless gossip ke liye. Thodi dose de na. Bata wahan kya chal raha hai. Tera pati parmeshwar bana ya abhi tak devil mode mein hai?'

Naina shook her head, 'Wakai tera dimaag jung kha gaya hai. Level kitna gir gaya. Wapas aake kya muh dikhayegi yahan?'

Natasha grinned, 'Worry not jaaneman. Teri company mein level bhi badh jayega aur status bhi. Aakhir tere Mr Maheshwari ki iklauti saali hun.'

'Nutty.' Naina narrowed her eyes, 'Tu iss shaadi mein kuch zyada hi invest nahi ho rahi?'

'Toh tu hoja na invest.' Natasha winked, 'Main toh kehti hun...'

'Shutt shutt shutt up.' Naina drawled to put a stop to her suggestion even before it was uttered, 'Tu wahan baith ke kuch bhi bakwas kehti hai. Isse achha tu apne schedule ki baat kar. Bata wahan kya scene hai? Koi pilot wilot mila ya abhi bhi diya... nahi nahi, phone ki search light on karke dhoond rahi hai?'

Natasha sighed heavily, 'Puch mat behen. Ab toh lagne laga hai shayad bhagwan mere wale ko banana hi bhool gaye. Meri flight to take off hone ka naam hi nahi le rahi.'

Naina chuckled, 'Ho sakta hai tu galat destination ki ticket book karke baithi hai. Apne options ka circle expand kar. Kya pata pilot ho hi na teri destiny mein.'

'Offo. Zaruri hai aisa prediction karna.' Natasha fumed, 'Pilot pe tick nahi lagwa sakti toh kam se kam cross toh mat laga.' She frantically waved her hands, 'Go... go... go... Naina ke kahe hue words dafaa ho jao. Mere aas paas bhi mat aana. Maine kuch nahi suna.'

'Nautanki.' Naina laughed out at her antics, 'Bas kar ab. Koi dekhega toh pagal samjhega.'

Natasha let out a tired breath, 'Woh toh sabhi samajhte hain mujhe. Tera pati included. Achha seriously, tuney meri baat ke baad observe kiya? Uska behaviour alag laga tujhe?'

Naina pursed her lips as the morning interaction came to her mind. Sameer's actions had started to leave her perplexed since last few days. At times he would be extremely thoughtful and compassionate, then suddenly turn into a jerk again. But the way he offered to help her with her family issues today morning, she was not just grateful but pleasantly surprised too. He had not passed any judgmental remark, nor had he been sarcastic. He was genuinely concerned and trying to be helpful. If she was honest with herself, he did not annoy her anymore like he used to do during their initial encounters. She had come to realise how compassionate he was.

'O madam.' Natasha's voice pulled her out of her thoughts, 'Teri Nutty ka sawaal hai koi Board exam ka question nahi jo answer karne se pehle revision kar rahi hai. Bol na, Sameer mein changes nazar aaye kya tujhe?'

'Nutty, main yeh nahi kahungi ki uska attitude bilkul changed hai par haan, ab woh pehle ke comparison mein thoda understanding ho gaya hai. Lekin tu jo samajh rahi hai waisa kuch nahi hai. Isliye please tu baar baar yeh sab mat bol.' She glanced behind her and looked back satisfied when she found the room to be dark, 'Kabhi usne sunn liya toh tujhpe bhi chillane lagega.'

A faint smirk appeared on Natasha's face, 'Okay. Whatever makes you sleep better at night.'

They chatted for some more time. Naina doubled up in laughter as Natasha recounted her stories from training sessions. They both purposely avoided to talk about their respective families.

Later, at dinner time, Ambika asked Naina about Sameer. When she got to know that he had gone to meet Munna Pandit, she smiled, 'Fir toh dinner pe aane ka matlab hi nahi. Jab yeh teeno weekend pe saath baithte hain toh duniya jahan ki khabar hi nahi rehti.'

Dadaji smiled, 'Woh toh sahi hai par ab woh akela nahi hai. Naina beta, ek baar call karke puch lo ki dinner pe ayega kya. Aisa na ho wapas aake rooth jaaye ki tumne uska wait nahi kiya. Bachpan wali roothne ki aadat abhi gayi nahi hai uski.'

'Ji dadaji.' Naina looked for her phone, then realised she had put it on charge after her long chat with Natasha. After telling the same to Ambika, she went to her room and placed the call.

*****

In the restaurant, the three friends were on their second drink when Pandit felt that Sameer had been hardly speaking anything since they arrived here. He was the one to call them, saying that he needed to discuss something important.

He narrowed his eyes in suspicion, 'Kya hua Sameer? Tune kaha koi zaruri baat hai aur ab muh pe taala laga ke baitha hai. Fir se koi panga kar diya kya?'

Sameer sighed, 'Nahi yaar. Maine kuch nahi kiya.'

Munna quirked up a brow, 'Naina ke saath jhagda toh nahi kiya? Kuch dino se office mein bhi thodi chhup lag rahi hai. Tune kuch keh diya kya usey?'

Sameer frowned, 'Naina ki har problem ke liye main responsible hota hun kya? Haan woh upset hai par meri wajah se nahi. Family issue hai.'

Munna and Pandit looked at each other in surprise, before Munna shot his query, 'Family problem? Aur tere yahan? Lekin tere gharwalon ko toh Naina bohot pasand thi.'

Pandit shook his head in disbelief, 'Yaar aunty toh saas bahu wala drama nahi kar sakti. Na Anu nakchadhi nanad ban sakti hai. Uncle bichare toh kisi se kuch nahi kehte. Dadaji...' He pondered for a moment, '... Dadaji ne daant diya kya kisi baat pe?'

Before Sameer could open his mouth, Munna was quick to counter him, 'Nahi ho sakta. Dadaji Sameer ke saath strict hain par Anu ki tarah Naina ko bhi bohot pyar karte hain. Yeh kaam kisi jalne wale rishtedar ka lagta hai. Warna teri family mein toh sab itne achhe hain.'

Sameer rolled his eyes, 'Abey meri family ki baat nahi kar raha.' His eyes softened, 'Haan sab achhe hain par achhi toh Naina bhi hai. Kitna khyal rakhti hai sabka. Bina kahe sabke mann ki baat samajh jaati hai. Dadaji ka routine, papa ka diet chart, mummy ki medicines... sab yaad rehta hai usey. Anu bhi apne designs ke baare mein aksar uske saath kuch na kuch discuss karti rehti hai. Naina ke saath sab aise rehte hain jaise woh isi ghar mein paida hui ho.'

Pandit smacked the back of his head, 'Gadhey, tere ghar mein paida hoti toh teri behen hoti na. Naina teri behen hai kya?'

Sameer's shot him a furious look, 'Meri behen kyon hogi? Dimag kharab hai kya tera? Naina meri wife hai. Bolne se pehle kuch toh socha kar.'

Munna tapped the table impatiently, 'Haan bhai pata hai sabko ki woh teri wife hai. Mudde pe aa. Hua kya hai Naina ko? Ghar pe kisi ne kuch nahi kaha, tune koi naya kaand nahi kiya toh fir baat kya hai? Kaunsi family ne problem khadi kar di?'

Sameer leaned back in his chair, 'Naina ka bhai... woh yahin rehta hai, Delhi mein, apni wife ke saath.'

'Kya?' Munna Pandit asked in unison, shocked.

Sameer nodded, 'Mujhe bhi aisa hi jhatka laga tha. Main mila tha unn dono se. Lekin tab pata nahi tha woh kaun hain. Woh dono bade badtameez hain yaar. Naina ko itni ghatiya baatein boli. Usey kya kya nahi sunaya. Balki uske bhai ne toh Naina pe haath uthane ki koshish bhi ki. Woh toh main beech mein aa gaya aur usey rok liya.'

Both his friends were looking at him with wide eyes.

Sameer shrugged, 'Unka aapas mein kya issue hai yeh mujhe nahi pata par kuch bohot serious hai jiski wajah se Naina kaafi pareshan hai.' Suddenly, he remembered something, 'Munna, yeh baat pakka Sagar se bhi related hai. Naina ne mujhe sab kuch toh nahi bataya par usne kaha tha ki unka matter legally solve nahi ho sakta. Tu sagar se puch ke dekh. Ho sakta hai Naina isi baat ke liye sagar se milti ho.'

Munna quickly placed a call to his cousin. But Sagar refused to give any details.

'Sorry Munna. Case ki baatein confidential hoti hain. Main tujhe kuch nahi bata sakta.' His voice on speaker was heard by other two as well.

Sameer asked earnestly, 'Mujhe toh bata sakta hai. Naina biwi hai meri. Uski confidential baatein janne ka right hai mujhe.'

Sagar was silent for a few seconds, then uttered in a flat voice, 'Naina teri wife hai toh tujhe pehle hi pata hona chahiye tha. Agar usne nahi bataya toh iska matlab saaf hai... she doesn't want you to know.'

Sameer felt a flash of anger course through him, making his voice stiff, 'Usne nahi bataya kyonki woh mujhe pareshan nahi karna chahti hogi. Agar main usse puchunga toh woh kabhi manaa nahi kar sakti. Do din mein yeh baat khud uske muh se na sunn li toh mera bhi naam Sameer nahi. Shart laga le.'

Munna Pandit tugged at his arms from both sides, gesturing him to stop but Sameer went on, 'Aur haan, next time meri wife se milne ka plan banaye toh yaad rakhna, saath mein main bhi aunga. Jahan Naina jayegi wahan Sameer jayega. Samjha?'

'Fine Sameer.' Sagar was not agitated, 'Main tujhe koi challenge nahi de raha. Na tujhe Naina ke saath aane ko manaa kar raha hun. Main bas itna keh raha hun ki work ethics mujhe iss baat ki permission nahi dete ki main kisi bhi client ka case usse puche bina third party se discuss karun. As a lawyer, yeh breach of trust hota hai. Please understand. Agar Naina ek baar bol de toh mujhe batane mein koi problem nahi hai. But not like this.'

Munna quickly picked the phone before Sameer could utter some more nonsense, 'Okay okay Sagar. Tu sahi keh raha hai. Naina sabse pehle teri client hai. Koi nahi bhai. Sameer bhi itna toh samajhta hai. Chal baad mein baat kartey hain. Bye.'

Next update on Sunday 😊