Naina was surprised to see the dinner platter. How was it possible? The bowls were filled with the food that she found most comforting in this condition. There was a simple tadke wali dal, steamed rice and green chutney. Both she and Natasha found this combination very soothing and acceptable when they suffered such extreme pain during their periods.

She looked at Sameer with curious eyes, 'Aaj dinner mein yeh bana hai?'

He shrugged, 'Ho sakta hai lunch mei bahar ka khana khane ke baad abhi sabko light khane ka mann ho.'

The reason seemed believable. If it was a coincidence, it was the most calming coincidence ever. Naina decided to not ponder over it and enjoy the meal while it was hot. Though the taste of dal was different from what they made at home, the combination was extremely satisfying.

Sameer smiled as he saw her relishing the food. The effort was worth it.

Flashback

When he had gone to the pharmacy and asked for some medicine for her pain, the helper asked him if the patient was allergic to anything. He had no idea. The helper stated that this information was very crucial because if he gave something which caused any allergic reaction, it might become an emergency. That scared the hell out of Sameer. He could not ask Naina. That left only one way to find out.

He was about to place the call to Natasha when he realised that she might not pick up his call after what Naina would have told her. So he quickly typed a message

THIS IS URGENT
Please, mera message ignore mat karna Natasha. Naina ko is waqt tumhari help ki zaroorat hai. Usey periods ki wajah se bohot zyada pain ho raha hai. Uske paas painkiller nahi hai. Tum jaanti ho Naina mujhse baat nahi karegi. Na hi meri help legi. Lekin main usey pain mein nahi dekh sakta. Pharmacy se medicine lene aaya hun. Kya Naina ko kisi drug se allergy hai?

Thankfully, Natasha replied within a minute, 'Nahi. Naina ko koi allergy nahi hai.'

She told him the name of the medicine that he needed to pick up. But the helper suggested a different one, saying that if the pain was severe, this would give more relief. To be on the safer side, Sameer had taken both of them. Since Naina's present condition was quite bad, he gave the more effective tablet to her.

While she drifted into sleep, he recalled that the helper had asked him to make sure his wife had something to eat, else the medicine will not be very effective. He also remembered his sister being pampered by Ambika whenever she suffered cramps. Anaya liked to eat some particular items and Ambika made sure she was given her choice.

He needed Natasha once again.

Naina ko khane mein kya pasand hai? Kya woh kuch special khana prefer karegi? Agar uski koi specific likes aur dislikes hain toh please bata do.

This time too, Natasha replied almost instantly. He had himself gone to the cook and instructed him to prepare the food exactly as Natasha mentioned.

Flashback ends

Sameer stretched his arms and yawned loudly before declaring, 'Mujhe toh bohot neend aa rahi hai. Tumhe kuch chahiye toh bata do. Main laa dunga. Uske baad main sone laga hun.'

Naina looked at him, the words slipping out before she could remember that she wasn't talking to him, 'Aur tumhara dinner?'

The moment she heard her own question, her face hardened and she looked away, as if she wasn't interested in the answer.

Sameer contained the smile within him as he collected the tray and placed it on the table.

With a straight face, he stated, 'Maine kar liya.' On purpose, he did not point out her concern.

Once he had disappeared into the closet to change, Naina swallowed, wondering why she bothered to ask. Probably it was the way he had taken care of her needs that she...

The phone call broke her thoughts, bringing a smile to her face as she looked at Natasha through the video call.

'Ab kaisa hai pain? Are you feeling better? Kuch khaya?' Natasha's face was etched with worry.

Naina flashed a broader smile, 'Khud dekh le. Better lag rahi hun ya nahi. I'm fine sweetie. Medicine bhi le li aur khana bhi kha liya. Tu fikr mat kar aur so jaa.'

Natasha grinned in relief, 'Thank God! Us waqt teri shakl dekh ke main kitna darr gayi thi pata hai.' She was worried again, 'You looked like you are going to pass out. Yaad hai ek baar jab tu faint ho gayi thi. Doctor ne kaha tha agar pehle se health aur diet sahi na ho toh pain badh jaata hai. Naina, tu theek se khaati piti nahin kya?'

Naina shrugged, 'Tere paas hi toh thi. Tu bata tune khilya ya nahi.' She did not want to worry her friend more by telling her that she had almost passed out today as well.

Natasha frowned in fake anger, 'Chaar din thi mere paas. Hamesha ki tarah apni galti mere sar mat daal. Yeh long term effects hain. Tu ghar par bhi khane ki chor thi. Itni si baat tere super intelligent dimag mein naahi aayi ki khana koi indulgence nahi necessity hai. Idiot hai ek number ki.'

Naina made a face, 'Offo Nutty, ek toh waise hi bimar hun upar se tu daant rahi hai. So mean yaar.'

Natasha did not budge, 'Bimar nahi hona toh next week jaakar apna checkup karwa. I'm sure sau deficiencies hongi.'

'Yaar tu wahan rehke bhi kisi hostel ki warden ki tarah hadkati rehti hai mujhe. Okay fine. Kara lungi checkup. Ab toh smile kar de.' Naina gave up.

It did not take even a second for Natasha to change her expression to an elated one, 'Achha laga tujhe normal dekh ke. Chal ab rest kar. Eat well and take care of yourself. Warna wapas aake peetungi tujhe.'

Naina smiled fondly, 'Okay baba. Don't worry. main theek hun ab aur apna khyal rakhungi.'

After cutting the call, Natasha sighed, looking at the blank screen, 'Tum firse mujhe confuse kar rahe ho Sameer Maheswari. Samajh nahi aata tum chahte kya ho. Kabhi Naina tumhari wajah se itni dukhi ho jaati hai aur kabhi uske dard ko kam karke uske chehre par smile bhi tum hi lekar aate ho. Tum normal nahi ho sakte? Iss paar ya uss paar? Ab main kya karun bolo? Tumhari side lun ya tumhe Naina ke side se dhakka maar ke alag karun? Why man, why?

Next morning, when Naina opened her eyes, the first thing she checked was Sameer's side of bed. Finding him gone again, she did not bother to get up and went back to sleep instantly. The medicine after dinner had helped her to sleep without disturbance at night. Yet, she wanted to remain cocooned in the comfort of her bed for some more time.

Later, when she went down around breakfast time, Anaya caught her eye and winked. Naina did not understand the tease in her glance.

When they were laying the table together, she nudged Naina and whispered, 'So?'

'What?' Perplexed, Naina looked at her.

Anaya giggled, 'Alone time? Hmmm. Nice nice.'

'Kya matlab?' Naina didn't get it.

Anaya pinched her arm, 'Its okay bhabhi. Maine kisi ko nahi bataya. Your secret is safe with me.'

'Anu tum kya keh rahi ho mujhe kuch samaj nahi aa raha.' Naina turned to her in confusion, 'What secret?'

Anaya quickly checked around then leaned towards her to whisper, 'Bhai ko maine hi help ki thi. He told me you guys wanted to spend some time with each other. Unhone bataya aapko achha nahi lagta agar ghar mein sabke rehte hue aap dono apne room mein raho.'

Naina's eyes widened as Anaya explained further with a teasing glint in her eyes, 'Unhone kaha aap jabse wapas aayi ho, time hi nahi mila aaram se baithkar ek dusre se baat karne ka. He sounded so desperate. Bechare mare jaa rahe they aapke time ke liye. Isliye maine mummy ko bahana laga diya. Don't ask kya bola. Woh mera secret hai. Always happy to help love birds. Kabhi aapko bhi zarurat pade toh you can count on me.'

Naina was astounded. She had no idea Sameer had painted such a picture. Her face flushed in embarrassment. Anaya took that to be a blush.

She pinched Naina on the cheek, 'Oho bhabhi, itni si baat ke liye blush karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Honestly, mujhe toh bohot achha lagta hai jab aap dono ka pyar dekhti hun. You know, pehle mujhe thoda darr lagta tha ki pata nahi bhai kaise behave karte honge apni girlfriend ke saath. Unka attitude, unka arrogance... you know what I mean. Jab aapko first time yahan laaye they, tab bhi kuch weird se they. Aapne khud kaha tha woh kabhi aapki praise tak nahi karte. Remember?'

Naina remained silent.

Anaya gave a wide smile, 'Par ab unka pyar samajh aane laga hai. Jab aap yahan nahi thi toh unka haal dekhne layak tha. Ekdum Devdas types. Teen din toh shave tak nahi kiya. He was missing you so much. Aapke wapas aane ke baad bhi office aur baaki time hum sabke saath spend kiya aap dono ne. Unki itni bechari si shakl dekh kar mujhe toh taras hi aa gaya. Aisa karo aap log aaj kahin bahar chale jao. Date par.'

This last line was heard by Sameer as he entered the room after his jog.

'Nahi Anu.' He declared before Naina had a chance to refuse, 'Aaj nahi. Naina ne kal kaha tha na abhi usey trip ki tiredness hai. Is weekend usey rest karna chahiye. Naina, tum chaho toh aaj bhi room mein lunch kar sakte hain.'

When he had woken up in the morning, Sameer first checked if she was sleeping comfortably. In fact, whole night he had been aware of her every movement. He had gone to bed quite early. Naina had stayed up for sometime, before taking another tablet. He was worried she might get up in the night because of the pain. Thankfully, she did not. The medicine worked. For once, he thought of staying back in the room, in case she needed help again, but that would go against his plan. With a sigh, he had left the room.

Now, as he looked at her, she appeared distraught. He wondered if she was forcing herself to be here with everyone when she was still feeling unwell.

Anaya quirked up a brow, her smile intact, 'What say bhabhi? Achha offer hai. Le lo. Mummy papa ko kya bolna hai woh main dekh lungi.'

She knew it would be an easy task. She did not even have to make any excuse. The moment she told Ambika Sameer wanted to be in the room for dinner, Ambika was elated. They all wanted Sameer and Naina to accept their relationship at the soonest. This was a step in the right direction. No one had any qualms about their vacant chairs at dinner time.

'Nahi.' Naina uttered quickly, turning away from them, 'it's... it's okay. Hum sabke saath hi khana khayenge.'

'Lekin Naina...' Sameer came towards her, his face etched in worry, '...agar tumhe...'

She flaunted a deliberate smile at him, 'I said it's fine.'

They did not get a chance to talk more as Ambika walked in. Looking at Sameer, she scrunched her nose, 'Offo, tu abhi tak aise hi ghoom raha hai. Jaa jaldi se naha kar aa fir breakfast karte hain. Baatein karne mat baith jaaya kar. Apne gym session ke baad please fresh hokar hi aaya kar. Aise aadhe kapdon mein nahi.'

Girish, who had entered after her, let out a laugh, 'Adhe kapde? Ambika, achhe khase shorts aur tshirt hain. Tum bechare ki izzat ka band toh mat bajao. Woh bhi uski biwi ke saamne.'

Sameer looked down at himself. Dripping in sweat, he had been standing in his workout clothes, running shorts and a loose tshirt which was devoid of sleeves. Yet, he couldn't be called half-dressed , as his mom stated. That too, in front of Naina. His face heated up. Wiping it with the small towel in hand, he sprinted up the stairs.

Later, while they all were having breakfast, Girish told them, 'Mera dost yaad hai aap logon ko, Vineet, jo Bangalore mein rehta hai?'

Ambika brightened, 'Arey haan, bilkul yaad hai. Unki wife Nibha se ab bhi baat hoti hai kabhi kabhi. Last time unke bete Rohit ki shaadi mein hi milna hua tha. Kitne saal ho gaye.'

Girish smiled, 'Woh log aajkal Delhi aaye hue hain. Kal baat hui thi toh maine kaha tha ghar pe aane ko. Abhi thodi der pehle Vineet ka message aaya ki agar aaj hum log free hain toh aaj mil lete hain.'

Dadaji shook his head sadly, 'Agar woh log bahar kahin bula rahe hain toh main nahi jaa paunga. Aaj thodi thakan lag rahi hai. Main ghar pe hi rest karunga.'

Girish looked at his father in alarm, 'Kya hua papa? Agar aapko koi problem hai toh hospital chalte hain. Kaisa feel ho raha hai? Sugar check ki thi subah? Aur BP?'

Dadaji started to laugh, 'Itna buddha nahi hun ki jitna tum log samajhte ho. Kal shaam club mein kuch bachhon ke saath badminton khel liya. Isliye kamar mein zara dard ho gaya. Sugar, BP sab sahi hai mera. Tu apna control mein rakha kar.'

Sameer frowned, 'Badminton khelne jitne bhi young nahi hain aap dadaji. Kahin gir jaate toh? Aapko khelna hi hai toh hum log hain na. Aap hamare saath khelo. Jab bologe main peeche net laga dunga.'

'Arey nahi yaar,' Dadaji dismissed his concern with a wave of hand, 'chote bachhe they. Do chaar shots maar ke dikhaye they bas unhe. Thoda jhatka lag gaya hoga. Aur kuch nahi. Main theek hun tum log apna program banao.'

Girish looked at others, 'Vineet Imperial mein ruka hai. Usne wahin aane ko bola hai, lunch ke liye. Tum logon ka kya scene hai aaj ka?'

Anaya instantly agreed, but Sameer was reluctant, 'Papa aaj mushkil hoga. Actually aaj mujhe kuch kaam hai.'

Girish looked at Naina, but before she could say anything, Sameer added, 'Naina bhi nahi jaa sakti. Usey meri help karni hai.'

Ambika knitted her brows in hesitation, 'Agar sab busy hain toh kisi aur din ka rakh lo na Girish. Unhe kehna ghar pe hi aa jaayein. Aaram se baithkar baatein karenge. Hotel mein itna free thodi ho sakte hain.'

Girish shrugged, 'Woh log Ritika ke kisi rishtedar ki shaadi ke liye aaye hain. Kal se functions start ho jayenga. Aaj bhi shopping jaane wale hain shaam ko. Vineet ne kaha ghar aa gaye toh shopping jaana reh jayega. Maine bhi insist nahi kiya. Pranjal ke saath itna sab manage karna possible nahi hoga.'

Ambika sighed, 'Rohit Ritika ka kitna mann tha Sameer aur Naina se milne ka. Shaadi mein bhi nahi aa paaye they. Pata nahi iske baad unka aana kitne time mein hoga. Chaar saal baad ab aaye hain.'

Naina did not like the look of disappointment on their faces.

She picked her phone and typed a message. Sameer's phone screen lit up. He peeked at it, and his eyes widened. Grabbing the phone, he checked the message.

Mujhe kya help karni hai tumhari?

He typed back

Kuch nahi. Maine isliye manaa kiya kyonki tum theek feel nahi kar rahi. Aise mein tumhe bahar jaana achha nahi lagega.

Naina read his answer and pursed her lips. Then typed

Papa ko bolo hum log chalenge. I told you I'm fine.

He looked at her. Naina blinked, urging him to agree to the lunch program.

Sameer turned to his dad, 'Papa, I think we can come. Main apna kaam baad mein dekh lunga.'

Girish was ecstatic, 'Sure? Problem toh nahi hai?'

'Nahi papa.' He smiled, 'Main aur Naina dono chalenge. Rohit se bhi milna ho jayega.'

Ambika breathed in relief, 'Fir theek hai. Unhe bhi achha lagega.'

When they went back to the room, Sameer offered an explanation, 'Maine tumhara naam isliye liya tha jisse tum bhi ghar pe rest kar sako. I thought tumhe... tumhe uncomfortable lagega... iss condition mein.'

Naina shot him a hard look, stressing on first two words, 'Iss condition mein har month sab kuch karti hun, har jagah jaati hun. Sab ladkiyan jaati hain. Life rukti nahi hai paanch dinon ke liye.'

'Oh!' His mouth rounded, 'Par kal...' He fell quiet when she glared at him. He had no idea if Naina always suffered like this or yesterday was an exception. Last three months, he hadn't come to know anything. But now, he decided to keep a check.

For the outing, Naina planned to wear a suit. She would be meeting those people for the first time. She did not know what she was expected to do as Sameer's wife or a daughter-in-law. Perhaps she could observe Ritika and copy her.

Anaya had told her about the family. Vineet uncle was Girish's college time friend. When he got married to Nibha aunty, he shifted to Bangalore because her whole family and business was there while Vineet was all alone since his parents passed away long back. Rohit was their son who was same age as Sameer. He fell in love with Ritika at a very young age and when he joined his father in business at the age of twenty six, he got married to Ritika. Now they had a daughter who was two years old.

When they reached the hotel, Vineet and his wife were waiting for them in the main lobby. They both were short and little rounded, and a pleasant couple.

Nibha cupped Naina's face with both hands, 'Tum apni photos se kahin zyada pyari ho. Mujhe lagta tha Sameer itna sundar hai pata nahi uske saath kaisi ladki janchegi. Par tum toh bilkul sahi match ho uske liye. Bhagwan ne ekdum perfect jodi banayi hai.'

Girish chuckled, 'Nahi bhabhi ismei bhagwan ka contribution nahi hai. Jodi in dono ne khud hi banayi hai.'

Vineet laughed aloud, 'Woh bhi sahi hai. Warna gharwale kisi ko palle bandh dete hain toh phans jaate hain. Jaise Nibha phans gayi mere saath. Apne papa ki wajah se aaj tak mujhe jhel rahi hai.'

His wife swatted his arm playfully, 'Sharam karo. Dada ban gaye ho lekin bolne ka saleeka nahi aaya. Bachhe kya sochenge.'

Vineet placed a hand on Sameer's shoulder, 'Achha tum batao, main kahin se dada lagta hun kya? Arey dada toh uncleji hain. Agar aaj woh bhi aate toh comparison ho jaata.'

Sameer smiled politely, 'Dadaji thode thake hue the isliye nahi aa paaye. Aapko yaad kar rahe they.'

Vineet flicked his brows at Girish, 'Tera beta teri tarah chaalak hai. Asli sawaal ka jawaab nahi diya. Ghuma diya mujhe.'

Everyone laughed and walked towards the restaurant. Just as they were settling down, a young couple walked in, with a toddler in a pram. Sameer and Naina got up and stood with them, a little away from the parents while Anaya remained seated with the elders. Sameer made the introductions. Unlike his parents, Rohit was tall and well built, in fact quite robust. Ritika was matching in his height but was much slimmer.

Sameer looked on as Rohit effortlessly picked up his daughter and made her wave at 'chachu and chachi.'

When Naina was talking to Ritika, he exclaimed, 'Tu kaafi change ho gaya hai Rohit. I still remember ki tu kehta tha bachhe tujhe irritate karte hain. Flight mein chote bachhhe dekh ke tujhe itna gussa aata tha.'

Rohit gave a sheepish smile, 'Idiot tha main. Ritika ne meri akal durust ki. Warna maine toh saaf keh diya tha ki no kids.' He fondly patted his daughter's cheek, 'Imagine, itni sweet si doll kahan se aati agar main apni baat pe ada rehta.'

Sameer smiled too as the little girl giggled and placed a kiss on her father's cheek, 'Sach mein bohot sweet hai. Hey baby, chachu ke paas aaoge?'

He raised his arms. The girl looked at her father with wide eyes, then circled her arms around his neck and hid her face.

Ritika, who saw this, chuckled, 'Uff Sameer, Pari pehli ladki hogi jisne tumhe reject kar diya. Haina?'

Sameer could not help stealing a glance at Naina. But she wasn't looking at him. He shrugged, 'Pehli toh definitely nahi hai.'

Both Rohit and Ritika appeared shocked. She blurted, 'Wow. Wife ke saamne aisa confession? Interesting.'

'She knows.' Sameer stated simply, his eyes on Naina.

That was when, for a brief moment, her eyes met with his, before she looked away. He did not miss the flicker of a hint of curiosity in her otherwise blank gaze.

Ritika's loud gasp made him turn his eyes back to them, as she uttered, 'Belive karna mushkil hai. Yaad hai hamari shaadi mein kaise ek poora group tumpe fida ho gaya tha. Tumhare woh friends they na, kya naam tha unka...'

Rohit offered quickly, laughing at the memory, 'Munna Pandit. Sameer ko bachane ke liye bechare kya kya karte hain.'

Ritika looked at Naina, her voice excited, 'Pata hai woh paanch ladkiyan thi. Rohit ke tauji ki daughter ki friends. Sab ki sab Sameer ke peeche pad gayi. Aisa lag raha tha unhone kasam kha li hai ki koi ek toh Sameer ko pata ke hi rahegi. Koi coffee la rahi thi, koi rasmalai, koi ice cream. Aur yeh bechara, sabse chupne ki unsuccessful koshish kar raha tha. Rude bhi nahi ho sakta tha kyonki shaadi ka mahaul tha.'

Naina kept a smile pasted on her face. Such girls were the ones who had given him the inflated ego. But not every girl was like that. Sameer Maheshwari should know.

Ritika narrated further, 'Pheron par toh unhone hamari jagah ispe phool barsane shuru kar diye.'

Sameer felt a deep embarrassment, 'Bas karo Ritika. I'm sure they were just having fun. Auron ko bhi cehd rahi hongi.'

Rohit added with conviction, 'Nahi yaar Ritika sach keh rahi hai. Un paanchon ne tujhe apni Draupadi banane ka plan shuru kar diya tha lekin tere Munna Pandit ne tujhe bacha liya.'

Naina could not help the chuckle as she repeated, 'Draupadi?'

Rohit grinned, 'Don't take me wrong. Unhe paandav banna tha Dushasan nahi.'

Sameer fumed at Rohit, 'Kya bakwaas kar raha hai?'

Ritika doubled in laughter, making Naina also giggle with her. Sameer's ears turned red and he gestured to Rohit to stay quiet, which he did.

But Ritika was not ready to leave the story halfway, 'Sameer, yeh toh Naina ko batana hi padega ki Munna Pandit ne kya kiya.'

By now, the interesting narration had piqued Naina's interest. She asked curiously, 'Kuch ulta hi kiya hoga. Haina?'

Ritika pointed at Sameer and uttered before she burst out laughing, 'Unhone kaha Sameer nahi yeh Sameer baba hai, brahmchari hai.'

Rohit continued when his wife couldn't, 'Ladkiyon ko Pandit ne kaha ki Sameer ka ashram hai, Pune mein. Agar woh paanchon chahen toh uske followers ban sakte hain. Lekin uske liye unhe sansaar ki moh maaya ka tyaag karna hoga.'

Amidst peals of laughter, Ritika squealed, 'Aur kaha ki jab bhi usse milo, hi hello nahi, bolo Ommm.'

Couldn't resist bringing Sameer baba. He has to be in each of my story 😁

Next update on Tuesday