The moment they entered the room, Sameer put Naina down, averting his eyes.

She let out a relieved exhale, 'Thank God! Main toh darr gayi thi ki aaj tumhe mauka mila hai aaj pakka mujhe gira doge.'

When he still did not meet her eyes, Naina gave him a suspicious look, 'Mujhe aisa kyon lag raha hai ki yehi plan tha tumhara... gharwalon ki wajah se poora nahi kar paaye isliye ab muh phula ke khade ho.'

Without a word or a glance, Sameer walked away briskly towards the washroom. Banging shut the door behind him, he tried to shake off the unsettling feeling that had stirred within him. He placed his hands on the sink counter and gazed at his reflection when his eyes drifted to the right side of his chest, where Naina had nestled her head. With a frustrated sigh, he shook his head fiercely, as if trying to shake off the image that replayed in his mind like a relentless loop... of her warm, soft body pressed into him.

The pounding of his heart drummed in his ears. His pulse was racing to give it a tough competition. A dryness gripped his throat as a realisation stung him.

He was getting physically attracted to Naina.

'Nahi. Yeh theek nahi hai.' He angrily exclaimed, 'Jab maine aaj tak kisi ke liye aisa feel nahi kiya toh ab kyon? Jisey main pyar nahi karta uske liye koi aur feeling bhi nahi aani chahiye. Mera har ahsaas, har emotion, saara pyar sirf uss ek ladki ke liye hai jo ek din meri zindagi mein ayegi, mera pehla pyar banke.'

Shutting his eyes, he let out a long exhale, 'Calm down, Sameer. Control yourself. Naina ke liye aisa feel karna possible hi nahi hai. Pehli baar kisi ladki ko apni baahon mein uthaya hai isliye... warna Naina jaisi ordinary ladki ke liye mera dil aise kabhi nahi dhadakta. Jab ek bed pe sote hue mujhe kabhi usey choone tak ka mann nahi hua toh ab kyon.'

And then it occurred to him that except for the first day, he had not seen Naina sleeping on the bed. At night, she would be sitting up against the headboard, perched on the edge, reading some book till late. She must be sleeping after him, because he couldn't recall a day in last one week when she switched off the lamp while he was still awake. And every morning, she was up before him. His mouth pressed in a thin line... was she doing this on purpose? Did she have trust issues?

His eyes widened in shocked surprise. Did she really think he would make a move on her? His mind reeling with disbelief, he could not fathom the absurdity of this idea. Silently, he resolved to keep a safe distance from now on, and try not to show closeness even in front of his family, who was already convinced. They were now married to each other, after all. It was proof enough.

Naina was typing into her phone when he sauntered into the room.

She looked up briefly, a little frown marring her brow, 'Theek ho na? Pain toh nahi ho gaya fir se? Ya pair twist ho gaya? Kya hua?'

'Kuch nahi.' He said drily, and walked out to the terrace. Naina kept her eyes on his back till he disappeared, then went back to her phone.

When Sameer did not turn up for quite some time, she went down alone. From the living room, she could hear the sound of laughter, where the family was probably watching a show or a movie. She joined them.

Anaya giggled as Naina took a seat next to her, 'Lo, hamari heroine toh aa gayi. Bhabhi, aapka hero kahan hai? I mean, bhai kahan hain?'

Girish added, amidst peals of laughter, 'Arey Naina, usey bhi bula lo. Dekho zara, tum dono pe saalon pehle film ban chuki hai, aur humein pata tak nahi tha.'

'Huh?' Naina was baffled, 'Humpe?'

Ambika elbowed her husband before replying to Naina, 'Inka matlab hai is film ke hero heroine ka naam Sameer aur Naina hai. Bas itni hi similarity hai. Aur kuch nahi.'

Dadaji added with nonchalance, 'Haan beta, aur kuch same nahi hai. Arey iss film ke Sameer ne toh Naina ko apni nakli wife bana ke apni maa se milwa diya.'

Naina felt her heart fall to the bottom of her stomach.

Anaya doubled up laughing at the scene on screen, 'Oh God! Nakli biwi ke liye kitne papad belne pad rahe hain. Bichara Salman.'

'Salman nahi Sameer.' Girish chuckled, 'Aur bichara bilkul nahi hai yeh bewakoof. Sahi thappad maarti hai iski mummy.'

Even in the cool room, Naina felt beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she realised what was going on in the movie. She discreetly texted Sameer

SOS. Jaldi neeche aao.

Few seconds later, she heard him scrambling down the stairs.

Ambika was the first to notice him, 'Dekh toh Sameer, Naina ko nakli biwi banake...'

'Nakli biwi?' He jumped in alarm, colour draining from his face, 'Kya... kya matlab hai aapka? Naina nakli biwi nahi hai meri.'

Ambika pulled at his wrist, making him sit, 'Offo, teri nahi movie wale Sameer ki. Tu bhi aaja, dekh kitni mast movie hai.'

Sameer stole a quick glance at Naina, only to find her looking at him nervously, biting her lower lip. Instantly, he directed his gaze to the TV screen. Within seconds, it was clear which movie had his family in splits.

Maine pyar kyon kiya

When he had initially met Naina, one day he had stumbled upon this movie, and was horrified to know that the lead pair was named Sameer and Naina. He had not watched it further. And now, as scene after scene was unfolding in front of his eyes, he knew what Naina meant by SOS.

'Yeh... yeh aap log kya lagake baith gaye. Kuch aur nahi mila kya jo itni purani si bakwaas film dekh rahe ho.' He shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

Dadaji swatted his wrist when he reached for the remote, 'Tujhe nahi dekhni toh aankhen band kar le. Humein toh bada mazaa aa raha hai.'

Anaya poked his shoulder. When he looked at her, she fluttered her eyes, 'Kya hua bhai? Too close home?'

'What... what do you mean?' He gasped, 'Mera... mera iss movie se kya lena dena. Main toh bas...' He trailed off, feigning nonchalance.

Girish narrowed his eyes, 'Tere kyon chidiya, totey, kabootar, sab udd gaye? Movie hai yeh, teri life ki kahani nahi.'

Sameer cursed the person who planned the names of the characters for this movie. Even if the names were same, why did it have to be about a fake marriage... that too, faking in front of Sameer's mom, who was his only family.

Suddenly, Anaya started to laugh hysterically, 'Oh no! Nakli bachhe bhi. Woh bhi do do. Wow.'

When her laughter was slightly in control, she called out to her brother, 'Bhai, kahin aap bhi thode din mein ek... ya do... ya usse bhi zyada bachhon se introduce toh nahi karwane wale na?'

Ambika chided her in fake annoyance, 'Hush Anu, Sameer aisa kyon karega? Uski shaadi movie wale Sameer ki tarah nakli thodi hai. Haina beta.'

Feeling cornered, Sameer grumbled, 'Aap log mere peeche kyon pad gaye ho? Iss stupid si movie mein mere naam ke siwa kuch bhi same nahi hai.'

'Hai toh. Hum sabko pata hai.' Girish declared, glaring at him.

Sameer felt the ground shift beneath his feet. He gulped, staring blankly at his father.

A triumphant smile bloomed on Girish's face, 'Naina. Woh bhi same hai na. Haan, baaki sab tumhari story se opposite hai.'

Sameer did not know whether to feel relieved, or pull his hair in frustration. He gave a side glance to Naina. Her eyes were fixed to the screen, her face stoic. Yet, he could feel her discomfort, in the way her fisted hand was wrapped by her other palm tightly. She was tensed, no doubt.

Anaya nudged him, and he sheepishly shifted his gaze from his wife to his sister.

She whispered with a straight face, though her eyes were sparkling with mischief, 'Aapki toh real hai na... fir sharma kyon rahe ho? Saath mein baith sakte ho.'

'Pakka yeh faaltu movie teri choice hogi.' Sameer muttered with clenched teeth, 'Toh saamne dekh na chup kar ke. Idhar udhar kya dhund rahi hai.'

Unable to wipe the grin off her face, Anaya pointed at him accusingly, 'Choice toh aapki lagti hai. Hum jab movie decide kar rahe the toh yeh Netflix ke recent watches ki list mein thi. Lekin humne kisine nahi dekhi. Iska matlab pakka aapne hi dekhi hogi. Sach bolo bhai, yeh movie aapki inspiration hai kya?'

Sameer's mouth fell open, 'Inspiration? Kya... kya matlab hai tera?' He hissed, 'Aisi ghatiya inspiration...'

Anaya pressed his arm, winking, 'Inspiration as in... mere liye Naina naam ki bhabhi laane ki inspiration. Sameer naam ke saath Naina kitna suit karta hai. Best jodi... Sameer Naina.'

Sameer casted a glare at her, sharp enough to etch glass. He couldn't help but wonder if there was more to her teasing than met the eye. But as quickly as the suspicion arose, he pushed it aside.

Anaya innocently wrapped her arm around Naina's shoulder and shifted her focus to the movie, laughing hard as onscreen Sameer received another tight slap from his mother.

Rest of the day, the real Sameer was the target of whole family, who decided to direct all their jokes about comparison with the movie to him, leaving out Naina from this torture. He was fuming internally, but tried to appear unaffected.

Dadaji commented, 'Waise filmon ki kahani asal zindagi se kaafi alag hoti hai. Mujhe nahi lagta real life mein nakli rishte ke naam pe kisi ko itne din tak dhoka diya jaa sakta hai. Rishte toh phool ki tarah hote hain. Asli aur nakli ka fark khushbu se ho jaata hai. Dekhne mein chahe kitna bhi sundar ho, lekin nakli phool kabhi khushbu nahi deta.'

Anaya's asked, her voice tinged with curiosity, 'Khushbu toh theek hai Dadaji, lekin asli phool bohot jaldi murjha jaate hain. Aur artificial wale saalon saal utne hi sundar dikhte rehte hain. Toh fir better kaunse hue?'

Patting her head, Dadaji smiled, 'Bohot sahi sawal pucha tune. Teri baat theek hai. Lekin rishta jo hota hai, woh ek phool nahi, balki phholon ki woh kyari hota hai jisme har mausam mein alag phool khilte hain. Kabhi kabhi patjhad bhi aata hai, aur kyari sookhne lagti hai. Lekin pyar ki baarish hote hi fir se rangon bhare phool khilne lagte hain. Beta, yeh baat tum teeno bachhe yaad rakhna, apne har rishte ko sambhal kar rakhne ke liye usey har mausam mein pyar dena... dukh ho ya khushiyon ke din, kuch khone ka dard ho ya koi nayi achievement, uski baat pe gussa aaye ya uski harkaton se pareshan ho... yeh mat bhoolna ki woh ek insaan hi tumhara sachha saathi, tumhara humsafar hai. Apne rishton ki kyari ko sambhal kar rakhna, jisse uski khusbhu hamesha tumhe mehkaati rahey.'

Naina silently absorbed the words of wisdom, amazed at the simplicity of the old man's metaphor. Was life this easy to understand? How could Dadaji explain something so complex so deftly? Was this the reason behind the beautiful bond that existed in this family among all relations... that they had Dadaji as their guiding star?

Ambika lovingly placed a hand on Naina's shoulder, 'Kya soch rahi ho beta? Papaji bilkul theek keh rahey hain. Ups and downs toh sabki life mein aate hain. Agar kisi saathi ka haath thaam ke uss waqt ka saamna karo toh woh waqt utna bhi mushkil nahi hota. Tum aur Sameer ek dusre ke wohi saathi ho. Ek dusre ka haath hamesha thaamey rakhna.'

With a small smile, Naina nodded. At a distance, Sameer chewed his lip. All this talk would have been fine if...

Anyway, between Naina and him, all this wasn't required. As he had decided, he would keep a distance from her, and keep their interactions to minimum. He had to kill the feeling of attraction before it could arise again. He managed to stick to his resolution for the rest of the day, citing work pressure and keeping himself busy. Next day being Sunday, he again locked himself in the study till afternoon. It was around noon when he entered the room to get some documents from his office bag. The room was vacant. He sighed in relief and went to the closet. The minute he stepped in the open doorway, he was transfixed to the spot.

Naina was standing on a stool, trying to pull down her suitcase from top of the cupboard.

Slowly, he walked ahead to reach the stool, and crossed his arms, 'Yeh tum kya kar rahi ho?'

Without giving him a look, she frowned, 'Dikhta nahi hai? Suitcase utar rhi hun. Pata nahi itni unchi cupboard kyon banwa rakhi hai. Jaisi naak waisi cupboard.'

Sameer could not hold back his agitation, 'Khud liliput ho, doosron ko kyon dosh deti ho? Bas ka nahi hai to Mohan ko keh deti. Lekin tumhe to aadat hai na, khud ko self sufficient prove karne ki.'

Naina let out a sigh before turning towards him, hand on waist, 'Kyonki main hun. Tumhari tarah saara din Mohan yeh Mohan woh nahi karti rehti. Uske paas jaise tumhara paalna hilane ke alawa koi kaam hi nahi hai.'

The way she looked at him, he was livid, 'Kya kaha? Paalna? Main tumhe paalne mein baitha hua baby nazar aata hun?'

'Nahi ho kya?' Naina raised her brows in mock surprise, 'Alele, hote toh shayad thode bohot cute lag sakte the par... woh chance bhi gaya.'

She turned and went up on her toes to drag the handle. The weight of suitcase, as it surged ahead, made her lose balance and Naina fell backwards. Sameer stood frozen, not moving a muscle. In a desperate attempt to save herself, she flailed her arms, when her fingers caught onto the front of his shirt and she tried to grasp it to save herself.

With a tearing sound, the front of Sameer's shirt gave way while Naina fell on the floor with a thud. Sameer looked down at himself, aghast. One panel of his shirt was completely ripped off, while the other hung loosely to one side, leaving his chest bare.

With a major part of the shirt now in Nainas hand, she lifted herself to a sitting position with a groan. She looked up at him angrily, but when she saw his state, her eyes dropped and a hue of colour spread on her face. She mumbled a meek 'Sorry'.

But Sameer was boiling, 'Sorry? You have any idea yeh tumne kya kiya hai?'

Naina did not look up, clearly embarrassed as she pulled away the parts of his shirt tangled in her fingers, 'I'm really sorry.'

'Main police complaint kar sakta hun. Sexual assault hai yeh.' He spat, his voice dripping with rage.

Forgetting all about being conscious, she looked up with a jerk, horrified, 'Sexual assault? Pagal ho gaye ho kya tum? Aisa soch bhi kaise sakte ho? Tumhe bhi pata hai galti se hua.'

He narrowed his eyes, and exclaimed with a mocking twist of his lips, 'Achha? Galti se? Mujhe kaise malum? Ho sakta hai tumne jaan ke kiya ho, meri hot body dekhne ke liye. Dekho dekho kaise aankhen phaad phaad ke dekh rahi ho mujhe.'

'Shut up.' Embarrassed, Naina lowered her eyes, 'Maine aisa kuch nahi kiya. Achanak gir gayi toh jo haath mein aaya pakad liya.'

'Waah waah. Kya bahana hai. Miss Naina, saaf saaf kaho na ki girte hue tumhe mauka mil gaya apne dirty mind ke armaan poore karne ka.' His resolve to remain aloof was making his tone stern and sarcastic.

Sick of his accusation, she wrapped her arms around her knees and glared back at him from the floor, 'Sahi kaha tumne. Girne lagi toh maine socha gir hi rahi hun toh lage haath kuch benefit ho jaaye. Time bohot tha planning karne ke liye, aakhir itni upar se neeche jo aana tha. Tum nazar aaye toh khyal aaya ki tum kitne hot ho. Socha kyon na iss free fall ka fayda utha ke tumhe taada jaaye. Fir pata nahi kab girungi. Isliye plan banaya ki tumhari shirt pe attack karti hun. Aur dekho, itni planning ke baad main successful bhi ho gyi. Kya maze se baith ke tumhe nihaar rahi hun.'

He was staring at her, his eyes reduced to narrow slits, his nostrils flaring. He didn't know what was about to hit him.

Her face scrunched in disappointment, 'Lekin Mr Maheshwari, jitna socha tha utne hot ho nahi. Thoda gym wym jaaya karo. Thodi body banao. Jisse dekhne mein mazaa aaye. Mera girna toh waste hi ho gaya. You are...' And she gave him a thumbs down.

His jaw hit the floor. He couldn't believe Naina's audacity, and stuttered, 'Tum... tum... you're... shameless.'

She merely raised her brows, but did not attempt to look away.

He turned and walked swiftly towards the washroom door. When he was about to shut it, his gaze fell on her. Naina was slowly getting up, her hand pressed on one side of her waist. She winced as she straightened, then slightly twisted herself, wincing again. Her lips rounded as she let out an exhale. Then she bent her arm to check the elbow. Sameer could see the bruise, a reddish mark where her skin must have grazed against the floor. She merely shook her head at it, and jerked her arm couple of times, keeping her eyes shut hard, but her face betrayed the pain she was definitely experiencing with every movement.

He felt a tinge of regret. Had he blocked her fall, or better, prevented it by catching her before she hit the floor, Naina wouldn't have got hurt... at least for now. Howeve, she wouldn't get hurt later either. Why would she... it wasn't like he was giving her any false hope, Their terms were clear.

But then, why was he affected? Why was he the only one who was getting different feelings?

He wasn't sure but it did look like she hadn't yet noticed the instances of their increasing proximity. Or was she completely unaffected by it? How was it even possible? When he himself was feeling the heat of it, even though he had no emotions attached to this relationship, would she not be stirred even a tad bit? Why was he the only one? Why?

The complexity of the situation was killing him. Quietly, he shut the door and threw aside his torn shirt. When he looked into the mirror, his eyes widened. There was a faint trail of nail marks on his chest. He touched the scratch marks lightly with his fingertips. It stung slightly, very slightly. The sting did not worry him... the marks did. What if someone noticed them? He shuddered at the mere thought. No one would ask directly, but he could imagine what anyone could think.

Gulping hard, he pulled out a polo neck from the rack and slipped it down his neck, 'Bina aag ke bhi sabko dhuaan nazar ayega. Aur agar Munna Pandit ne dekh liya toh tease kar karke meri jaan le lenge.'

The movie mentioned in the chapter today is the one I had mentioned earlier too, in one of the chapters. At that time, I wasn't aware that sharing names wasn't the only similarity. The movie also has a fake marriage concept, which leads to a real marriage. I was told about this by one of the readers. It was her suggestion to bring this scene, where Sameer is teased because of the movie. mathurmuskan thanks for the idea❤️

Believe me, it's just a coincidence... as always 😊

Next update on Friday