Sameer opened the passenger door of his car and nudged Naina to get in. She lifted one foot but retreated as she realised her drenched state. When she looked down at her soaked clothes, Sameer could feel her hesitation.

'It's okay. Get in.' He urged.

Slowly, Naina slipped into the warm, comfortable seat. Sameer immediately shut her door and jogged to his side. He wanted to leave before Nakul could get to them again. Had it been only him, he would have definitely given a befitting reply to Nakul's offensive remarks. But he could understand Naina's reason to let the matter be, this being her place of work.

Settling into the driver seat, he glanced at her. She hadn't put on the seat belt.

'Naina, belt laga lo.' He instructed, keeping his voice low.

Without a word, she stretched the belt and tried to buckle it. When she appeared to be struggling with it for a while, Sameer noticed how her hands were trembling. Before he could offer to help though, she managed to click the buckle in its groove. Sameer glanced at her from head to toe. She was completely drenched. Her puffer jacket had probably protected her body but her hair, face and trousers were soaked. Clenching her hands together against her belly, she had pursed her lips hard yet he could see the slight tremor of her chin as she sat quietly, looking ahead.

He turned to grab his thick jacket from back seat and offered to her, 'Yeh le lo. Warna thand lag jayegi.'

Again, she silently grabbed the jacket and covered herself with it, like a blanket. Sameer switched on the heater before starting the car. No words were exchanged between them till they reached the building complex.

On the way, Sameer had only been thinking about Nakul's sheer audacity to not just behave in this manner with Naina but openly challenge their relationship. It clearly meant that he had been keeping an eye on Naina for much longer than she had thought. He was sure she had also come to the same realisation.

After the car came to a halt outside her building, Naina uttered in a soft voice, 'Thank you.'

He wanted to ask her a few things, but seeing her disturbed state, he merely nodded before picking his phone, 'Main Natasha ko neeche bula leta hun. She'll help you.'

'Nutty nahi hai.' Naina responded, looking up at the dark windows of her apartment, 'Flight pe gayi hai. Kal dopahar tak wapas ayegi.'

'Oh!' Sameer halted, then glanced at her with concern, 'Will you be fine?'

'Hmm.' She mumbled, but her tensed face, furrowed brows and nervous twisting of hands belied her claim.

She removed the jacket that she had carefully placed over herself, unclasped the belt and moved her hand to the door handle.

'Jacket pehen lo.' He stated, as he could see the plants swaying in strong breeze, 'Bahar hawa chal rahi hai.'

'Lekin...' She hesitated, '...tumhari expensive jacket geeli ho gayi toh kharab ho jayegi.'

'Sirf ek jacket hai Naina, kharab ho gayi toh phenk dena.' The words came out sharp. He was annoyed at her. Even at such a time, she had to single out their differences rather than thinking about herself.

She paused for a few seconds, as if contemplating, then wrapped the jacket around her shoulders and stepped out of the car. Instinctively, her gaze drifted to the road. She checked the surroundings, craning her neck to look in all directions. From inside, Sameer realised what she was doing. He had not thought of this possibility till now. Of course, Nakul could come here too. What if he got to know that Naina was alone at home.

Quickly, he alighted from the car and walked around with hasty steps, declaring in firm voice, 'Main tumhe ghar chod deta hun.'

'I'm... I'm okay. Tumne already kaafi help kar di hai. Ab main chali jaungi.' She insisted, but in reaction, she heard the beep of his car being locked.

Naina had barely opened her mouth to assure him that she just had to take a flight of stairs and she would be fine, when a car turned in the lane they were standing. The headlights fell on her, at the same time, sound of horn shattered the quietude surrounding them. The suddenness made Naina jump in fright. But the car crossed them and sped ahead, entering the adjacent building complex.

Sameer had tensed up too, at its appearance, but he recognised easily that it wasn't Nakul's car. However, the way Naina gaped at it, shaken and wide eyes, he sensed her fear. The incident had rattled her confidence greatly. Her eyes lacked the fire, her voice quivered and she was getting intimidated by every movement around them, even when it was a stray dog some distance away, or the shadow of swinging branches of a tree on the roadside.

He slightly touched her elbow and nudged, 'Chalo.'

Silently, Naina walked towards her apartment building, followed by Sameer. She stopped at the entrance and filled in his details in the guest register with the guard before taking the stairs. Sameer waited at the door till she entered the dark house and switched on the lights.

Removing the jacket, she turned to him, 'Dryclean karwa ke de dungi.'

Sameer stepped inside and grabbed the jacket from her, 'Zarurat nahi hai.'

Naina took a deep breath before speaking in a soft voice, 'Thank you once again. Agar tumne Nakul ke baare mein nahi bataya hota toh main aaj usse lift le leti. Mujhe koi idea nahi tha Nakul aisi harkat kar sakta hai. Woh hamesha hamare saath well mannered aur respectful tha. Lekin aaj maine uska asli chehra dekha.'

Sameer narrowed his eyes, 'Kya kiya usne?'

Naina gulped as she recalled his low, menacing laugh when she mentioned that she knew about his past deeds.

A surge of anger shot through Sameer's body at her silence, 'Naina, kya kiya Nakul ne? Did he hurt you? Usne... usne badtameezi ki tumhare saath?'

Naina narrated the complete sequence of events, from the time she saw him to the minute she ran into Sameer.

He gritted his teeth, 'Tumne mujhe call kyon nahi kiya? Maine kaha tha na Nakul tumhare saamne aaye toh usi waqt mujhe batana.'

Naina blinked, 'Main... main kuch soch hi nahi paayi. Teen din se sab taraf nazar rakh rahi thi. Lekin Nakul kahin nahi dikha. Aur aaj... aaj mujhe late ho gaya, fir achanak baarish ho gayi. Cabs bhi nahi thi. Aise mein Nakul ke baare mein bhool hi gayi thi. Usey ekdum se dekh ke main dar gayi. Usey pata tha ki Nutty aaj flight pe gayi hai. Usey yeh bhi pata hai ki hum dono pehle se ek dusre ko nahi jaante. Iska matlab woh... woh bohot pehle se...'

She bit her lip, repulsed at the thought of being watched constantly by a creep while she went on about her life, unaware.

Looking at Sameer, she contemplated aloud, 'Police mein complain kar deni chahiye na.'

Sameer shook his head, 'Usse kuch nahi hoga. Main Nakul ko jaanta hun. Woh paise khilakar ek ghante se bhi kam mein bahar aa jayega.'

Naina's heart sank, 'Iska matlab main kuch nahi kar sakti? Mujhe hamesha ghar se nikalte hue yeh dar rahega ki pata nahi kahan Nakul mera raasta rok lega, ya har waqt yeh sochti rahungi ki koi mujhpar nazar rakh raha hai. Kya iska koi solution nahi hai?'

He could understand her predicament. It wasn't possible to lead a normal life with such fear. After thinking for a while, he stated, 'Solution toh hai. Agar tumhe acceptable ho toh.'

'Kya?' She clutched her jacket tighter, controlling the shivers that rocked her.

Sameer ran a hand through his damp hair, feeling the chill as well since his clothes were slightly wet too, 'Pehle tum change kar lo fir batata hun.'

Naina took off her squishy shoes and soaked socks, placed them near the door and went inside. Within minutes, she was back, holding a small portable heater. She plugged it in near the lone sofa in the living room and switched it on.

Straightening, she pointed at the sofa, 'Hamare paas yehi ek heater hai. Tum iske saamne baithoge toh warm lagega.'

Without waiting for any reply, she went back to the room and shut the door. Sameer took a seat right in front of the small device, rubbing his hands as the hot air warmed his chilled fingers. When he had reached Naina's office, the rain had reduced to a drizzle. It had still managed to make his clothes and hair uncomfortable but he wasn't drenched like Naina, who was out for much longer, that too when it was raining heavily.

He had been sitting for about ten minutes when a mug of steaming brew was placed on a small table in front of him. He looked up.

'Coffee.' Naina held a similar mug, 'Ab batao kya solution hai.'

Sameer picked up his mug and took a sip. The strong taste and soothing scent of coffee instantly comforted him. After a couple of quick gulps, he conveyed to her what he had in mind.

She asked in a thoughtful voice when he stopped speaking, 'Will it work?'

Sameer shrugged, 'Yeh best option hai. Let's hope it works.'

She let out a long breath, 'Okay. I'm ready.'

Another ten minutes later, they were near the car again. Naina placed newspapers on the passenger seat before opening the rear door and settling in the back.

Sameer gaped at her, 'Main tumhara driver hun?'

She frowned, 'Aage wali seat geeli hai. Wahan kaise baith sakti hun. Mere kapde fir se geele ho jayenge.'

'Seat toh meri bhi geeli hai.' He pointed at the faint damp patch on the driver seat, 'Main bhi baith raha hun na, fir tum kyon nahi?'

Naina did not move from her place, but offered him another stack of newspapers from her bag, 'Yeh laga lo. Tumhe drive karna hai toh baithna hi padega. You don't have an option.'

Muttering under his breath, Sameer placed the newspapers before sitting. He adjusted the rear view mirror, glaring at her through it, and started the car. Even when he was concerned for her, he couldn't help seeth at her every other action.

Naina wasn't surprised to see the huge farmhouse when they reached their destination. It was one of the most expensive areas of Delhi. She had never been to any house here before, nor had ever imagined that she would be visiting one of them.

Sameer drove in after giving his name to the guard at the heavy black gates. The driveway was lined with cars, seven of them, Naina counted. No wonder Nakul gloated with egotism.

A servant opened the door when they alighted from the car. They must be having cameras all around, Naina concluded.

Sameer casually walked in, holding her hand. He seemed to be familiar with the surroundings. Standing in the center of a massive living room, where every corner, every object screamed of opulence and luxury, he commanded, 'Nakul aa gaya?'

'Bhaiya toh abhi nahi aaye.' Servant replied politely.

'Uncle kahan hain? Unse baat karni hai.' Sameer asked in the same authoritative voice.

'Abhi bulata hun.' The servant scurried towards a passage.

Sameer called after him, 'Aunty ko bhi bulana.'

Minutes later, a tall, elderly man walked out from one of the rooms. His face lit up on seeing Sameer, 'Arey Sameer beta, good to see you. Kitne dinon baad aaye ho. How are you?'

'I'm good uncle.' Sameer smiled, 'Aap kaise hain?'

'Badhiya.' The man laughed, 'Hamesha ki tarah. Girish aur main sabse fit hain, isliye baaki sab ki tarah buddhe nahi hue jo kabhi BP, kabhi heart aur kabhi sugar ki dawayen khaani pade.'

A pleasant looking woman, presumably his wife, entered the room, smiling warmly, 'Welcome Sameer beta.'

'Hello aunty.' Sameer greeted her.

He pulled Naina closer to himself, still holding her hand as he introduced her to them, 'Yeh meri fiancée hai, Naina.'

Naina slightly bent her head and murmured a soft greeting to both of them.

'Naina. What a beautiful name.' The lady smiled, patting her cheek, 'Apne naam ki tarah tum bhi bohot beautiful ho.'

Sameer looked at her, 'Naina, yeh Batra aunty aur uncle hain, Nakul ke parents.'

Batra uncle asked in a cheerful voice, 'Nakul ko jaanti ho tum? Sameer aur Nakul ek hi school mein padhte the, jaise main aur Girish, Sameer ke papa... itni purani dosti hai hamari.'

Aunty asked the servant to get something to eat then asked them to sit, 'Last month kitty mein Ambika ne bataya tha ki tum shaadi karne wale ho. Mujhe naam yaad nahi raha par woh Naina ki bohot tareef kar rahi thi.'

Uncle quirked up a brow, 'Date decide ho gayi kya? Kahin tum invitation dene toh nahi aaye?'

Sameer lowered his head for a while, then looked at them with determination, 'Uncle, aunty... mujhe aap dono ko kuch batana hai. Nakul ke baare mein.'

Their expression changed suddenly.

Sameer continued, telling them about Nakul's interest in Naina, and then gave them an account of the evening incident.

Aunty's face turned ashen, 'Nakul ko pata nahi hai kya ki Naina tumhari fiancée hai?'

'Pata hai aunty. Lekin woh fir bhi Naina ke peeche pada hai.' Sameer stated.

She looked at Naina, 'Kabse pareshan kar raha hai tumhe?'

'Ji aunty.' Naina was startled by such a question, 'Woh mujhe... mujhe...'

Sameer answered on her behalf, 'Nakul shayad kaafi time se Naina par nazar rakh raha tha lekin isey pata nahi chala.' He told them about Nakul's stalking.

When the servant was placing trays of snacks and drinks on the table, Nakul walked in, staggering. Without glancing in their direction, he bellowed, 'Bhaskar, mere room mein bottle rakh de. Aur haan, ek ice pack laana. Saale ne itni zor se...'

'Nakul.' Batra uncle roared before he could rant more.

'Not now dad.' Nakul slurred, taking the stairs to go up, 'Mera mood theek nahi hai. Kal baat karenge.'

Aunty called out in a softer voice, 'Nakul, Sameer tujhse milne aaya hai.'

Nakul halted instantly, and turned his head in their direction. His gaze landed on Naina. He did not move, staring at her with piercing eyes.

Naina clenched her hand, looking away.

Nakul scoffed, then came over to them, looking angrily at Sameer, 'Yahan kyon aaya hai?'

Aunty got up immediately, her eyes filled with concern as she noticed the blue mark on her son's cheek and a cut on his lip, 'Yeh kya hua Nakul? Fir kisi se jhagda kiya kya?'

Sameer got up, 'Maine maara hai aunty.'

'Oh!' She gasped, but did not say anything to either of the boys.

Taking a step closer to Sameer, Nakul hissed, 'Hamare beech ki baat ko ghar lane ki zarurat nahi hai.'

Sameer warned in a voice that could clearly be heard by everyone in the room, 'Baat hum dono ki nahi, Naina ki hai. Naina se meri shaadi hone wali hai. Uske baare mein sochna bhi mat. Usse dur reh.'

Uncle held Nakul's arm, trying to drag him away from Sameer, 'Bohot ho gaya Nakul. Ab tak maine teri harkaton ko ignore kiya lekin ab toh tune hadd hi kar di. Sameer tere bhai jaisa hai. Apne bhai ki hone wali biwi ke saath aisa kaise kar sakta hai tu?'

'Kaisa bhai, kiska bhai?' Nakul snarled, 'Yeh koi bhai wai nahi hai mera. Aur Naina... woh iski nahi meri pasand hai. Main abhi usey yaad dilata hun.'

He then took one unsteady step towards Naina.

He tried to hold her hand. Naina could not take it any longer. She gave a hard slap on Nakul's injured cheek. He winced, placing a hand on his cheek as he stumbled backward. His parents watched helplessly.

Next moment, he charged at her, his eyes blazing, 'Tumne mujhe thappad kaise maara.'

Sameer held his shoulder, moving in between him and Naina, 'Mujhse baat kar, meri hone wali wife se nahi.'

Batra aunty pleaded, 'Nakul beta yeh tu kya kar raha hai? Kal hi toh tujhe Sukriti ki photo dikhayi thi. Tune pasand bhi ki thi. Tu toh usse shaadi karega na.'

Nakul glared at his mom, 'Shaadi aur main?' He pointed at Naina, 'Mujhe koi Sukriti nahi yeh pasand hai. Sameer se kaho mere raaste se hat jaaye. Naina sirf meri hai.'

'Bhabhi hai teri.' Sameer hollered, jabbing at his chest, 'Tameez se baat kar warna tere ghar pe hi teri dhulayi kar dunga. Aur is baar main tujhe jail se bahar nahi nikalne dunga.'

Batra uncle pulled at his son's arm, 'Tu hosh mein nahi hai Nakul. Kya bakwaas kar raha hai.'

He called out to the servant, 'Bhaskar, isey iske kamre mein lekar jaa. Aur bottle mat dena. Pehle hi both pi rakhi hai.'

Nakul tried to free himself, leering at Naina, 'Chodo mujhe. Naina khud chalke mere ghar aayi hai. Naina... chalo main tumhe apna room dikhata hun.'

A sharp blow from Sameer landed on his face. Nakul groaned in pain, falling back.

Batra uncle dashed to pick him up, 'Nakul, tu chup ho ja aur apne room mein jaa. Hum subah baat karenge.'

Getting up with the help of his father, Nakul let out a maniacal laugh, 'Room mein jaunga... lekin Naina ko leke. Yeh Sameer ka bachha mujhe rok nahi sakta.'

Sameer reached out to grab his throat with one hand, making him choke and splutter for a bit before shoving him away, more harshly than before. Nakul landed on the floor with a loud noise, his face contorted in pain. Aunty kneeled beside him, her eyes filled with tears.

Batra uncle held Sameer's arm, 'Beta, main Nakul ko samjha dunga. Abhi tum yahan se jao. Abhi yeh hosh mein nahi hai. Jhagda karke koi fayda nahi hoga.'

Sameer was filled with rage. But he knew that in present condition, it was impossible to make Nakul see or understand anything. He glared at the fallen figure. Nakul's foot was twisted at an odd angle. He screamed in pain when his mom tried to make him sit up. He did not seem capable of causing any problem at least for the night.

Looking coldly at Batra uncle, Sameer said, 'Theek hai uncle. Abhi hum chalte hain lekin agar Nakul ne fir se Naina ko approach karne ki koshish ki toh main usey arrest karwa dunga. Main aap dono ko yeh pehle hi bata raha hun.'

Batra uncle's face hardened with a steely resolve, 'Uski naubat nahi ayegi. Main Nakul ko New York office ka charge deke usey US bhejne ka intzaam karwata hun. Tum fikr mat karo. Woh Naina ko dubara pareshan nahi karega.'

Next update on Wednesday