Being alone in the hotel room gave Sameer a chance to ponder about his actions earlier. He did not know what prompted him to react in that way. If the distance from Naina had left him frustrated, the way she crashed into him left him breathless. And when he saw how she tried to shrink into herself to avoid touching his bare torso, how she lost her voice and how her cheeks flamed up, a fluttering sensation spread through his chest.

Finally their closeness did have an affect on her. The realisation had sent his heart galloping, its beats pulsating through his veins with a new desire. Strange, intoxicating thoughts started to churn in his brain, making him apprehensive. The intimacy of the moment felt dangerously inviting. He had wanted to prolong it. But couldn't. After Naina had left the small closet space, her scent lingered around him, a fresh, invigorating and a very pleasing fragrance. He wanted more... more of the touch, more of the feel, more of the delicate sweep of her lashes, more of the gentle tinge of colour on her cheeks, more of the soft press of her frame against himself, more of... her.

As he had stood under the shower after that, another realisation hit him. Their silent war was over. And it had lifted a sizeable weight from his mind. When she did speak to him, it felt good. It felt great. He did not want to be at the receiving end of her silent treatment again. For that, he had to make sure to talk to her before he left for Mumbai. Hastily, he got ready, in half the time he usually took, and had walked out.

To his relief, Naina was still in the room. Before his mind and heart could venture into prohibited territories again, he had blurted an apology. Naina had again surprised him, by taking the blame on herself and apologising. Why was she so easy with accepting a mistake, or with saying sorry? And it wasn't even a mistake. Was Naina this vulnerable? Was she suffering because of being too good? Was the emptiness in her eyes caused by her such behaviour?

At that moment, her turmoil of last few days had flashed before his eyes... and all he wanted was to ease her pain. He did not think twice before taking her in his arms, nor offering her the much needed support for... for whatever she wanted.

Sameer drew in a long breath, staring at the ceiling as he lay in the center of the hotel bed. She had not replied. He wasn't expecting one so soon either. But he wished she did. The weight of his thoughts pressed on him, yet he couldn't find a way out of the maze of emotions he was trapped in. Sleep wasn't easy for Sameer that night.

Next two days, every member of his family kept a keen eye on Naina, though inconspicuously. She was mostly lost in thoughts, they noticed. And it pleased Dadaji the most.

'Lagta hai hamara plan kaamyaab ho raha hai.' He exclaimed at their secret meeting the night before Sameer was to arrive, 'Naina kitni udaas lag rahi hai. Sameer ke na hone se usey achha nahi lag raha. Bas yehi toh dekhna tha.'

Girish was a bit apprehensive, 'Udaas hai ya sirf shaant hai... kehna mushkil hai.'

Ambika concurred with her husband, 'Haan papaji, thodi chhup hai par Sameer ko miss kar rahi hai aisa yakeen se nahi keh sakte.'

Dadaji hummed, 'Chalo dekhte hain. Agar yeh vaar khali gaya toh agla khelenge.'

'Agla plan?' Ambika's eyes started to shine with hope again, 'Woh kya hai?'

With a winning smile, Dadaji leaned back in his chair, 'Waqt aane pe pata chalega. Agar Sameer hamare saath chaalaki kar sakta hai toh main bhi uske baap ka baap hun.'

Girish laughed aloud, 'Yeh aapne sahi kaha papa. Balki mujhe toh lagta hai yeh saari planning wala dimaag Sameer ne aapse hi paaya hai. Kyonki main toh bohot seedha sada aadmi hun. Haina Ambika?'

'Haan, ekdum jalebi ki tarah.' Ambika twisted her mouth, 'Kam nakhre nahi uthaye hain maine aapke. Sameer jo yeh phooli hui naak leke ghoomta hai na, aapse hi mili hai virasat mein.'

Girish quickly touched his nose, appearing stunned at her accusation, 'Main... phooli hui naak? Kab, kahan? Ambika, main toh kitna shareef hun. Tum kaho toh din kehta hun tum bolo toh raat. Arey yaar tumhe toh khush hona chahiye ki itna henpecked husband mila hai. Agar similarity nikalni hi hai toh yeh kaho na ki Sameer bilkul meri tarah kitni perfect biwi leke aaya hai. Kyon papa, maante ho na?'

A blush spread on his wife's cheeks as he pulled her in a side hug, kissing atop her head, 'Arey bhai, hum toh aapko dekh dekh ke apni kismat pe khush hote hain, aur sochte hain ki agar ek baar fir se jawan hone ka mauka mil jaaye toh aajkal ke youngsters ki tarah date pe jayenge.'

'Badmaash.' Dadaji smiled at his unabashed behaviour. He was glad that the relationships in his family were bound by love. All he wanted now was to see the same love bloom between the newly married ones. At the earliest. Even if Sameer had tried to fool them, one thing was good, that he had chosen the perfect girl for himself.

For once, Sameer did not mind the flight at ungodly hour. He left the hotel at four in the morning, and was saying adieu to Mumbai at six, before his usual waking time at home. In a way, he was thankful for the packed schedule of last two days which did not leave him much time to dwell in his thoughts. He had several meetings, a site trip, office inspection and a party with the staff on the previous evening. Now, as the aircraft soared in the sky, he could not help feel excited at the prospect of being back home... with his family. Yes, that was it. No, the impatience wasn't for one particular person. Not at all.

Everyone was having breakfast when Sameer arrived. He first touched his grandfather's feet for blessings, then wished his parents, his eyes scanning the room to search for the face that wasn't around.

'Anu ko dhoond raha hai?' Ambika said lightly, 'Abhi aa rahi hai. Keh rahi thi aaj usey thoda late jaana hai. Tu fresh hoke aaja. Breakfast karte hain.'

Sameer nodded, then thought perhaps Naina was still in the room. Taking two steps at a time, he hastily went up the stairs. At the table, the three elders looked at each other with contended smiles on their faces.

Just as he disappeared from the room, Naina sauntered out of the kitchen, 'Lijiye mummy, aapki special tulsi wali chai. Jaise aapne kaha tha bilkul waise hi banayi hai, slow gas pe.'

Ambika sniffed it once before smiling gratefully at her, 'Thank you beta. Agar galey mein itna dard na hota toh tumhe disturb nahi karti. In logon ko kitna bhi bolo, full gas pe jhatt se boil karke le aate hain. Mazaa nahi aata. This smells so good.'

As Naina pulled a chair, Anaya noisily barged down the steps, 'Good morning family. Kya chal raha hai?'

'Chai pe charcha.' Girish promptly replied, 'lekin desh ke baare mein nahi, sirf chai ke baare mein.'

Anaya rolled her eyes, 'Please papa. Subah subah apne thake hue jokes se bore mat karo.'

'Arey joke nahi hai.' Girish said in his defense, 'Pehle itni der tak teri mummy ne yeh bataya ki unhe tulsi wali chai kyon chahiye, fir humein pata chala hamara ek bhi cook unki pasand ki chai banana mein unsuccessful hai. Uske baad ek lamba explanation tha ki woh khud kyon nahi bana sakti, aur fir jab Naina ne offer kiya ki woh bana degi toh teri mummy ne detail mein samjhaya ki chai actually banani kaise hai. Ab tu khud bata ismein joke kahan hai?'

'Okay okay!' Anaya chuckled, 'Aap toh senti ho gaye. Fine, I'm sorry ki maine itne serious topic ko joke maana. Anyway, yeh batao bhai kab tak ayenge?'

'Main already aa gaya hun madam slow motion.' Sameer's voice resonated in the room, making her turn back to look at him coming down, 'Tu room se bhi nahi nikli aur main Mumbai se flight leke tujhse pehle yahan pohonch gaya.'

His eyes danced between Naina's back and Anaya's face, which had lit up seeing him. She exclaimed, 'Hi bhai. Kaisa tha trip?'

Sameer reached the table at the same time when Naina turned her head to the side, acknowledging his presence with a smile, but no words. Sameer closed the remaining distance between them, bent a little as he curled his arm around her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes, 'Hi sweetheart, missed me?'

Naina's smile froze, but she quickly recovered and was about to answer when he made her go stiff again... by dropping a soft kiss on her hair and speaking close to her ear, 'I missed you too.'

She gulped, trying to look normal as she knew others would be watching them.

She couldn't be more thankful to Anaya when the chirpy girl carried on the conversation, until she heard what Anaya had to say, 'Pucho mat kitna miss kiya bhabhi ne.' She nudged Naina playfully, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, 'Bata dun?'

Sameer let out a laugh as he settled on the chair beside his wife, 'Tu kya batayegi, mujhe jaise pata nahi hai. Roz phone pe yehi kehti thi ki mujhe kitna miss kar rahi hai.'

Naina's face turned beetroot red. They had not talked on phone once, not even exchanged a message. She knew he was putting up a show. She just felt... felt strange at the receiving end of such affection.

Dadaji cleared his throat, 'Sorry beta, mujhe Sameer ko akele bhejna toh nahi chahiye tha par wahan ka kaam bhi zaruri tha. Maine kaha tha Sameer se ki tumse bhi puch le...'

Embarrassed at his clarification, Naina swiftly shook her head, 'Nahi Dadaji aisi koi baat nahi hai. Waise bhi mera jaana possible nahi tha.'

The old man nodded wisely, 'Woh bataya Sameer ne. Chalo trip ke liye time nahi ho paaya lekin kal shaam office ke baad toh free ho na?'

'Ji? Ji dadaji.' Naina didn't know what that meant.

Dadaji looked at Sameer, 'Kal Chauhan ke club mein annual party hai. Tujhe Naina ke saath jaana hai.'

'Mujhe?' Sameer was shocked, 'Par unki party mein toh hamesha mummy papa jaate hain na? Main kya karunga Dadaji? Akele kitna boring ho jayega. Papa, aap log hi chale jao na.'

Girish narrowed his eyes, 'Achha? Boring hai toh hum jaayein aur happening ho toh tu jayega? Hum kya tujhe buddhe nazar aate hain?'

'Ab ho toh nazar aaoge hi.' Sameer muttered under his breath.

'Buddha hoga tera baap.' Girish scoffed, 'Papa, ab toh main bilkul nahi jaane wala iss party mein. Sirf isi mein kyon, har aisi party jismein business discuss hota hai wahan aap isey hi bhejo.'

Ambika swatted his arm, 'Offo, aap fir se shuru ho gaye. Na Mumbai ke baare mein pucha na uske khud ke baare mein. Bas lage jhagda karne.' She turned her attention to Sameer, ignoring her husband, 'Beta, actually kal mujhe aur tere papa ko meri friend ke yahan jaana hai. Uske bete ki shaadi hai. Yeh party bhi important hai isliye tu aur Naina chale jao. Please.'

With a smile, Sameer nodded. He did not enjoy these parties at all. The oldies were busy telling younger ones how to live their life, not just at work but outside as well. And the new owners were there only to blow their own trumpet, how they fared better than their predecessors. It was always a huge party, thrown at the end of financial year, and attended by every known name in the business world of Delhi.

Next half an hour passed in talking about his trip. Then they all got up to get on with their day. Sameer followed Naina to the room. The moment they were inside, he shut the door and confronted her, 'Tumne ek baar call tak nahi kiya.'

Naina continued to gather her things, 'Kych kaam tha hi nahi. Hota toh kar leti.'

Sameer hesitated before asking the next question, 'Uh... tumne socha? Jo maine kaha tha?'

After taking a deep breath, Naina turned to face him. There was a grateful smile on her face, 'I appreciate ki tum mere liye Nutty banna chahte ho. Honestly, tum soch bhi nahi sakte mere liye yeh kitni badi baat hai. Main poori koshish karungi ki main bhi dost banke reh sakun. Lekin Nutty se jo mera rishta hai usey shayad koi samajh hi nahi sakta, usey jeena toh bohot dur ki baat hai. Hum dono ne ek dusre ko har dard se guzarte hue dekha hai. Ek tarah se hamara dard same to same hai. Isiliye hum ek dusre ko samajh sakte hain.'

When she paused for a moment, Sameer cleared, 'Main Natasha ki jagah nahi maang raha Naina. Main bas tumhe...'

She raised one palm, making him go quiet, then continued in a gentle voice, 'Main tumhe galat nahi samajh rahi. Main try karungi ki jab bhi mujhe ek dost ki zarurat ho main tum mein usey dekh paun. Par uske liye mujhe thoda waqt lagega. Sameer, tumne pehle bhi kai baar meri help ki hai, mujhe mushkil situations se nikala hai. I can't thank you enough for that. I hope main fir se aisi kisi musibat mein na padun, lekin agar aisa hua toh tumse share karungi. Tumne theek kaha tha, saath rehte hue hum beparwah nahi ho sakte. So let this be mutual. Abse hum dono ek dusre ko better understand karne ki koshish karenge.'

After a silence of a few seconds, Sameer let out a small smile, 'Fine. Toh aaj hamari dosti ka... real sense wali dosti ka, pehla din hai. We must celebrate. Shaam ko mere saath coffee pine chalogi?'

The surprise on Naina's face was quite evident. For a second, Sameer thought she would refuse, but when she nodded, he was elated. Just as she was about to leave, he remembered how she had gone numb and blushing when he had given her a part hug and kiss outside.

'Uh Naina...' He called out, making her halt and turn her gaze to him, '...woh bahar... main... sabke saamne...'

Naina felt the same rush of heat to her cheeks. She quickly averted her eyes, 'I know, dikhane ke liye tha. I understand. Bye.'

After she was gone, Sameer looked around the room. He felt an unexpected surge of warmth wash over him, knowing that he was back with her. The realisation hit him with surprising clarity... what he said wasn't just a pretence, he had actually missed her.

Naina had not expected Sameer to pick her up from the office. She was surprised to see him at the door of her cabin in the evening.

'Munna se milne aaye ho? Woh aaj jaldi chalaa gaya tha. Aunty ke kuch test karwane they isliye.' She explained.

'Munna ka schedule pata hai mujhe.' Sameer nervously ran a hand through his hair, 'Main tumhe... woh coffee ke liye... subah plan kiya tha na?'

'Oh haan.' Naina picked her bag, feeling a bit awkward, 'Let's go.'

The cafe was a popular hangout in CP, though she had never been here. It was well known for being real expensive. She could neither afford it, nor understand the need to spend a bomb for just a cup of coffee.

The warm, inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but the atmosphere between the two of them was kind of uncomfortable.

Sameer cleared his throat, offering a tentative smile, 'Mujhe yahan ki coffee sabse zyada pasand hai. I'm sure you'll like it.'

Naina nodded, took a sip from her steaming cup, and concurred with him, 'Right. Bohot achhi hai.'

A pause, then he roved his eyes around, 'Vibe bhi cool hai. Yahan aake relaxed feel hota hai.'

Naina followed his gaze. The interiors were quite fresh and breezy. Unlike the cafes which were dark and closed, this one had large windows, making it look bright and inviting.

'It's quite pretty. Main pehle kabhi nahi aayi yahan.' Naina admitted.

Another pause.

Naina could literally hear Natasha's voice in her mind

Idiot, show some enthusiasm. Sameer ne khud offer kiya hai. Iska matlab pataa hai tujhe? Naina meri jaan, he's trying to get close to you. Maine kaha tha na, woh tujhe like karta hai. See, Nutty is always right when it comes to matters of heart!!

'Shut up!' Naina hissed.

'Huh...' Sameer was confused, 'Maine kuch kaha hi nahi.'

Her eyes shot up to him, her face flushed, 'Nahi, tumhe nahi... kuch soch rahi thi. Sorry.'

Both went back to their coffee, taking a sip as the silence stretched out between them. Sameer fidgeted with the handle of his mug, stealing a glance at Naina. They had literally been living in the same room, then why was it so difficult to have a simple conversation now? Perhaps, they had become so used to picking up fights and arguments that now this unstructured time felt alien.

Finally, he decided to come out clear, 'Mujhe laga tha hum saath mein bahar jayenge, as friends, toh apne baare mein baat karna easy hoga. Par yahan aake aisa lag raha hai jaise hum blind date pe aaye hain.'

Soft laughter spurted out of Naina, at his absurd, yet apt description, 'Sach mein. Samajh hi nahi aa raha kya bolun.'

He leaned forward to the edge of his chair, 'Yaad hai jab tum first time mili thi? Tab ek second ke liye bhi chhup nahi hui thi. Kya kya suna diya tha mujhe aur Munna ko.'

Her eyes narrowed, 'Jaise tum toh bade khamosh they. Baat main aur Munna kar rahe they par tumhe beech mein apne judgements paas karne they.'

Sameer frowned, 'Main kahan...' Suddenly it occured to him that the air between them had eased, only because they were back to bickering again.

He let out an exhale, shifting back, 'Hum fir se argue karne lage.'

The realisation made Naina smile, easing away the tension, 'Shayad hum dono mein bas yehi common hai. Ya toh jhagda, ya khamoshi.'

Sameer was quick to grab the opportunity, 'We can change it. Try karte hain.' He thought for a while, then looked at her eagerly, 'Main start karun?'

Naina bobbed her head, uncertain what he planned to do next.

Sameer started to tell her about his childhood, how pampered he was, and how much he enjoyed all the attention. Naina listened to his tales, learning where his attitude came from.

'Fir Anu aa gayi. Mujhe laga mere liye ek companion aaya hai, lekin dheere dheere sab uspe zyada focus karne lage toh mujhe gussa aata tha.' He carried on, 'Lekin jaldi hi mummy samajh gayi ki main Anu se jealous hone laga hun. Unhone mujhe zyada attention dena start kar diya. Kuch dino baad unhone mujhe Anu ke har kaam mein involve karna shuru kiya, jaise uski shopping, uske toys, uska baby food, aur babies wale games. Mujhe achha lagne laga. Papa batate hain ki meri jealousy aise gayab hui jaise kabhi thi hi nahi. Anu ke liye main itna possesive ho gaya ki agar kabhi mummy usse tez awaaz mein kuch kehti toh main mummy ko daant deta tha ki meri baby sister ko gussa mat karo.'

Naina smiled, 'That's so sweet. Tum dono ka bond abhi bhi bohot pyara hai.'

Sameer proudly exclaimed, 'Hum ek dusre ko kitna bhi tease karein par humein ek dusre ki sabse zyada fikr rehti hai.'

Naina looked amused, 'Dekh ke guess karna mushkil hai. Tum dono ki baatein sunkar toh lagta hai tumhe ek dusre ki leg pulling mein mazaa aata hai.'

Sameer threw his head back and laughed. It made him look different. Naina had never seen him laugh this way... whole heartedly. Perhaps because they were talking about the people he genuinely loved... his family.

A moment later, he straightened, and stated, 'Your turn. Ab tum kuch batao, apne baare mein.'

Naina suddenly looked uncomfortable. She threw a glance at her watch, 'Late ho raha hai na. I think we should go.'

As they drove back home, Sameer came to a conclusion... there was something about Naina's childhood that disturbed her.

Next update on Monday