'Umm Natasha, ek baat puch sakta hun?' The absence of sarcasm or anger in her voice encouraged Sameer to seek some answers to what was playing in his mind since he had seen Naina with those unknown people.

'Puch sakte ho par main jawab dungi ya nahi iski koi guarantee nahi hai.' Natasha keep her voice plain but her eyes were filled with amusement.

Sameer hesitated for a few moments, but the inquisitiveness gnawing at the back of his mind for so long prompted him to try, 'Naina ne un logon se koi loan wagerah le rakha hai kya? I mean, kya woh usey paison ke liye pareshan kar rahe hain? Ya fir... kisi baat ko lekar blackmail... tumne hi kaha tha tum Naina ke baare mein sab jaanti ho toh yeh baat bhi zarur pata hogi.'

When he did not hear a response from Natasha immediately, he quickly added to clarify, 'Main sirf isliye puch raha hun kyonki woh log rudely baat kar rahe the. Aur Naina ne unhe kuch nahi kaha, balki mujhe wahan se chalne ko bola... aur mujhe unke saamne apna boyfriend bhi bola. Naina kyon aisa karegi? Woh toh mujhpe bhadak jaati hai jab main kisi ko aisa kehta hun.'

Natasha took a deep breath, 'Dekho Sameer, Naina ki life mein kuch complications hain lekin usey unke baare mein baat karna pasand nahi hai. Woh sirf bohot close logon se apne issues share karti hai. I'm sorry, main tumhe kuch nahi bata sakti. Agar tumhe yeh sab janna hai toh... toh Naina se hi jaan sakte ho, jab who khud batana chahe.'

She heard the click of the bathroom door. Hurriedly, she whispered into the phone, 'Naina aa agyi. Usey pata nahi chalna chahiye ki maine tumse baat ki thi. Okay bye.'

Sameer still had the phone stuck to his ear, his mind in even more confusion now as he wondered, 'Ladki hai ya koi puzzle? Aise kya issues hain jinke liye itni secrecy chahiye? Kahin chori wori ki thi kya, jisey un logon ne pakad liya aur ab blackmail kar rahe hain? Waise dekhne se blackmailer type toh nahi lag rahe the, ache khaase the.'

Natasha grinned at Naina, 'Hey, dinner ready. Aaj maine tere liye Nutty special pav bhaji banayi hai. Tere jitni achhi nahi hai par...' she fluttered her eyed dramatically, '...pyaar ko pehchano jaani, taste pe mat jao.'

Naina couldn't hold back a smile at her antics, 'Nautanki kahin ki.'

Natasha placed a hand on her heart, letting out a sigh, 'Hayee, sundar ladkiyan pyar ko nautanki samajhna kab band karengi? Jaaneman, yeh mera pyar hai tere liye, sachha wala. Isey nautanki keh kar mere pyar ki value ko kisi plane ki tarah crash mat kar.'

Naina could see that her friend was trying to make things normal, and bring a smile to her face. She took a step ahead and wrapped her arms tight around Natasha, 'I love you Nutty. Pata nahi tere bina mera kya hota. Tu meri life ka North star hai. Jab bhi main kho jaati hun tu hi mujhe raasta dikhati hai.'

Natasha hugged her even tighter, feeling relieved that Naina sounded better, 'Babydoll, hamara bachpan ka pyar hai, hum paida hi ek dusre ke liye hue hain.'

When she stepped back after a while, Naina's gaze fell on the phone in Natasha's hand, 'Tu call pe thi kya? Kisse baat kar rahi thi?'

It was then that Natasha realised that she had forgotten to end the call. Quickly pressing the button, she silently cursed Sameer, wondering why he did not disconnect, before giving a sheepish smile to Naina, 'Woh... Rahul ka call aaya tha. Is week ka schedule banana hai na, uske liye puch raha tha. Nothing important.'

At the other end, Sameer stood with open mouth. The exchange between two girls had left him dumbfounded.

'Hain kya yeh dono? Aise kaun baat karta hai apne dost se? Naina usey Nutty bulati hai wahan tak toh fir bhi theek hai lekin woh Nutty... mera matlab Natasha, kya kya bolti hai... jaan, sweetheart, babydoll! Chee! In dono ko sharm nahi aati? Sunkar aisa lagta hai jaise...' He put a brake on his thoughts. They were taking a direction that he strongly did not want to believe.

'Jaane do.' Throwing the phone on bed, he gave up, 'At least Naina normal sound kar rahi thi. Jo bhi hai, itna serious nahi hai shayad, jaisa din mein lag raha tha. Din mein toh usey dekh ke laga jaise kisi shock mein chali gayi hai. Lagta hai Anu jaisi drama queen hai, kisi choti si baat pe itna bada reaction de rahi hogi.'

In spite of pacifying himself, he spent a troubled night. The scene he had witnessed on the pavement earlier played repeatedly in his mind. Even when he did manage to get some sleep, his dreams consisted of different scenarios of how it could have unfolded... one with Naina lashing out at the woman when she implied wrongful notions... one where she strongly berated the guy for interrogating. He even dreamt about a scene where she blasted him for being there and coming to her.

When he woke up next morning, he had a headache.

'Yeh ladki mujhe pagal karke chodegi.' He muttered, rubbing his temples as he kicked the blanket aside and walked to the washroom.

Around lunchtime, Sameer decided to go and meet Munna. Maybe he was aware of something about Naina. Upon reaching his office, he paused after stepping out of the elevator. Should he go and see Naina... just to make sure that she was fine. After some contemplation, he decided to do so.

The door to her room was ajar. He could hear her voice. Looked like someone was with her. Would it be okay to go while someone unknown was present, or maybe more than one? There was a small gap of silence, then she started to speak again.

'Oh phone pe baat kar rahi hai.' Sameer realised and placed his hand on the knob, about to step in, when her voice made him halt his step.

'Aapse kaise naraaz ho sakte hain Prakhar ji... bilkul nahi... aap jaisa kahenge waisa hi karungi... kal shaam, okay... aap nahi bhi kehte toh bhi mujhe aana hi tha... aapse zyada important kaun ho sakta hai... of course Prakhar ji, main aapse jhooth kyon bolungi.'

Her voice was coated with sugar, and filled with delight. There was no trace of the lost, melancholic girl he saw the previous day. And the way she was talking, was clearly a form of flirting. His jaw tightened. He spent the whole night worrying about her, and here she was, being all frisky and chirpy while she casually flirted with someone on the phone, making plans to meet that person next evening.

Sameer turned and walked away. All his concern transformed into exasperation. Why the hell did he bother to waste his time and energy over a girl like her who changed moods faster than he could blink. And probably men too... going by the new name he just heard. Why were so many men attracted to her... Nakul, Param, and now this Prakhar? Probably because this is how she talked to them, and they fell for her false charm. He was an idiot, to run ahead and try to save her from unwanted attention. Maybe it wasn't unwanted... maybe she enjoyed all that.

'Kya hua bhai, gusse mein laal pila kyon ho raha hai?' Munna's voice brought the realisation that he had already reached the room of his friend.

'Kuch nahi.' Sameer shook his head. Munna might not have fallen for Naina but he definitely had an elevated opinion of her. He dropped the idea of mentioning anything about her problems.

Munna smiled, 'Oho main samajh gaya. Tu mujhse naraaz hai kyonki maine kal ka program cancel kar diya tha. Sorry yaar, kal mummy ko unki ek dost ke yahan puja mein lekar jaana tha. Aas paas hota toh woh khud chali jaati lekin un aunty ka ghar opposite direction mein tha. Itni dur mummy ko akele bhejne ke liye mera dil nahi maana. Akeli woh cab leti bhi nahi ki bekaar itna kharcha kyon karna aur metro se wahan jaane ke liye do baar change karna padta. Mummy ko metro ki aadat bhi nahi hai. Isliye main cab se le gaya tha unhe. Fir bhi aate aate late ho gaye hum. Shaam ko kaafi traffic tha.'

'Hmm.' Sameer nodded, 'Itni dur waise bhi hum log tabhi jaate hain jab kuch urgent ho. Warna koi traffic ko jhelkar sirf coffee pine toh nahi jayega.'

'Aur kya. Koi vella hi hoga jo sirf khane pine ke liye ghanton road pe bitayega.' Munna concurred.

'Aur woh vella main hun. Gadha hun ek number ka.' Sameer lashed out his anger in the form of self criticism, 'Pata nahi kya sujhi jo chal pada lunch karne ke liye itni dur ke restaurant mein. Na waha jaata na...'

He stopped as suddenly as he had started. He did not want to admit that he had been worried for Naina. There was no point explaining how he made a fool of himself by getting concerned when she languished over something which she had clearly driven out of her mind today with ease, and was back to her slick mannerism.

'Na?' Munna looked up with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, 'Kuch hua kya? Kisi se panga ho gaya tera?'

Sameer sighed, leaning back in the chair, 'Kuch nahi yaar. Panga wanga nahi bas bore ho raha tha toh do ghanta drive karke ek aisi jagah chala gaya jiske baare mein insta pe bohot dekha tha. Achha restaurant tha par poora din waste ho gaya uske chakkar mein.'

Chuckling, Munna enquired, 'Sahi bata, yehi baat hai ya fir se gharwalon ne kuch keh diya. Tera mood kuch zyada hi ukhda hua lag raha hai.'

Sameer was shocked that he had completely forgotten what his father had said about getting married, and his mom's eagerness to speak to some pandit. He told Munna about the conversation at home regarding this.

Munna narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, 'Iska matlab tujhe agle chaar paanch mahino mein shaadi karni hi padegi. Sameer, shaadi koi choti baat nahi hai. Kya socha hai tune?'

'Pata nahi yaar.' Sameer was even more frustrated, 'Samajh nahi aa raha itne kam time mein shaadi ke liye ladki kahan se laun? Girlfriend nakli bana sakta hun lekin wife... kisi ko nakli wife toh nahi bana sakta na. Shaadi nakli nahi ho sakti.'

'Toh asli shaadi ke liye asli girlfriend kahan se layega? Jo itne saalon se nahi mili ab do teen mahine mein milne ka chance hi nahi hai.' Munna was equally nonplussed.

Though they were aware of the impending timeline, it suddenly loomed on them much earlier than expected, causing a dilemma once again. The gravity of situation brought too much of pressure, and the two friends exchanged worried glances as they contemplated the daunting task ahead.

Munna carefully observed Sameer's face as he provided a suggestion, 'Ab toh ek hi kaam ho sakta hai... tu Naina se hi shaadi kar le.'

Sameer was bewildered, 'Are you crazy?'

'Isme itna shocking kya hai?' Munna argued, 'Naina woh pehli ladki hai jise tune itne kareeb se jaana hai, jiske saath time spend kiya hai, fake hi sahi lekin apni girlfriend ke jaise treat kiya hai. Kisi anjaan ladki se zyada jaanta hai tu usey. Toh Naina se shaadi karna ek sensible decision ho sakta hai.'

'Sensible decision nahi yeh sabse badi bewakoofi hogi.' Sameer scoffed in a stern voice, with a mix of confusion and indignation in his eyes. What he had heard a while back was playing in his mind. He was unable to comprehend that if Naina was so much against the idea of falling in love, why she acted sweetly with other men, while showing only her contempt to him.

Munna shook his head, 'Nahi Sameer, Naina ek shaant aur soft ladki hai.'

Sameer could not hide his irritation that bubbled over in his sharp words, 'Naina waisi nahi hai jaisa tu sochta hai. Uske jaisi ladki se main saat janam mein bhi shaadi nahi karunga. Maine hamesha se ek pyar bhare rishte ka sapna dekha hai Munna. Aur Naina... uske saath aisa rishta kabhi nahi ban sakta, kyonki woh har baat pe takkar lena chahti hai, har baat pe khud ko sabse better prove karna chahti hai. Woh shant nahi toofan hai. Maine notice kiya hai ki uski har kisi ke saath koi na koi problem hai... iska toh ek hi matlab hai, ki problem ka reason woh khud hai, uska behaviour hai. Rahi baat pyar ki, toh pyar ka usne jaise antidote le rakha hai, naam sunte hi bhadak jaati hai. Usmein ladki jaisi koi baat hi nahi hai. Na koi nazakat na pyar ke ahsaas. Woh asal mein ek gusse wali masterni hai, abhi bhi wohi behenji hai jaisi tab thi jab humne pehli baar usey dekha tha. Personality se bhi aur soch se bhi. Naina se shaadi karne ka matlab hai ek aisi life jismein ladne jhagadne ke alawa kuch na ho. Aur main aisi life toh bilkul nahi chahta.'

Naina had finished working on the design that she started in the morning. It had come out well. But she wasn't sure about the placement of text. Rather than sending it to Munna and waiting for his approval and suggestions, she decided to go and show it to him, in order to save time and prepare the final draft. She was at the door when she heard Munna's voice that froze her right outside.

'Kisi anjaan ladki se zyada jaanta hai tu usey. Toh Naina se shaadi karna ek sensible decision ho sakta hai.'

So Sameer was with him. And Munna wanted him to get married to her. Unthinkable. She was about to barge in, to let him know that it was the most outrageous idea she had ever heard. But Sameer's instant retaliation made her halt. His sharp words, as savage as the previous analysis of her character, fell in her ears. After rambling out his opinion of hers, when his vocabulary dried up, Naina quietly turned and left. She did not feel the need to question him or confront him. His notion about her didn't matter at all. She already had enough on her mind. A deranged person like Sameer Maheshwari was not someone she wished to tutor at this point.

Inside, neither Munna nor Sameer got an inkling that Naina had overheard their partial conversation.

Munna raised a hand to silence him when Sameer was about to start again after a brief pause, 'Tujhe usse shaadi nahi karni woh teri marzi hai par ulta seedha mat bol. Pehle ki baat aur thi Sameer, hum Naina ko jaante nahi the, lekin ab, itne time se main usey dekh raha hun. Naina waisi bilkul nahi hai jaisa tu bolta rehta hai. Woh ek bohot achhi ladki hai.'

He did not like how Sameer talked about Naina. He had grown to like and respect her a lot. She was a sorted person, dedicated to every responsibility that she took upon, compassionate and empathetic towards everyone... she had even agreed to help Sameer when he needed her, in spite of him being arrogant and rude to her all the time. What else was needed to show how considerate and rational she was. But Sameer was blinded by his own theory about her and was fixated on his notions of love and a perfect partner. It was impossible to make him see what was visible to others around him... Naina was a great person.

And he showed it in his next statement, 'Agar yeh natak nahi karna hota toh main usey kabhi mudke bhi nahi dekhta. Aur tu keh raha hai usse shaadi kar lun. Seriously Munna, mera aur Naina ka koi match nahi hai.'

Conceding defeat for the moment, Munna sighed, 'Fine. Toh dhund le apne liye apne sapnon ki raani. Warna che mahine baad aa jaana, tujhe koi na koi job dilwa hi dunga yahan.'

'Tujhe itne serious matter mein bhi mazaak sujh raha hai?' Sameer shot a vexed look at Munna.

Munna leaned forward on the table, stressing on his words, 'Mazak nahi sachhai bata raha hun. Dadaji tujhe business se bahar kar denge toh kya karega? Koi job toh chahiye hogi na. Meri company na sahi kisi aur office mein apply kar dena. Main toh kehta hun tu abhi se dekhna shuru kar de. Kyonki mujhe nahi lagta tujhe itne kam time mein teri pasand ki dulhan milegi. Toh birthday tak wait kyon karna. Jis inheritance mein tera hissa hi nahi hoga uske liye time waste mat kar. Aur haan, thoda attitude tone down kar lena... interview mein iski wajah se reject kar sakte hain. Ab tu maalik nahi bas ek employee banne wala hai toh uske liye khud ko taiyar kar le.'

Sameer stared at him in disbelief. His thoughts had not ventured to this stage till now. Amidst Dadaji's declaration and the drama that ensued, he had never imagined that one day he would have to leave the environment that he had taken for granted since he got into the family business.

His eyes widening in shock as he tried to process Munna's announcement, he asked, 'Yeh tu kya keh raha hai Munna? Kya Dadaji mujhe office mein bhi nahi rehne denge?'

Munna shrugged, 'Pata nahi. Ho sakta hai tujhe jaane ko na kahein. Lekin status toh badal hi jayega. Agar unhone tujhe apne bagal wale kamre se nikaal kar koi cubicle ya combined desk pe ek chair de di toh tu wahan baaki sabke beech mein baith payega?'

The scenario started to play in Sameer's mind like a film... him sitting with Rajat Randhawa and Aniket Sheron, two people he abhorred because of their behaviour and lack of capabilities. Would he become one of them, would they treat him like a junior, would they be telling him how to do his work like he was telling them about theirs till now... it all felt extremely scary and obnoxious.

'Aisa toh nahi karenge papa aur Dadaji.' His voice lacked conviction as he murmured, more to himself than to Munna.

*****

In the evening, when Sameer reached home, Ambika was impatiently waiting for him.

She beamed as she saw him, 'Main kabse tera wait kar rahi thi. Pehle socha phone pe hi bata dun. Fir socha nahi, tera reaction dekhne ke liye shaam tak ruk hi jaati hun.'

'Kya hua mummy?' Sameer was surprised to see his mother getting overexcited about something, 'Aap toh aise khush ho rahi ho jaise koi lottery lag gayi.'

She pressed his arm, 'Lottery meri nahi teri lag rahi hai, beta.'

Anaya sauntered in the living room, bubbling with the same exuberance, 'Haan bhai, aap sunoge toh khushi se uchal padoge. Ab aapko aur wait nahi karna padega.'

Sameer chuckled, pinching her cheek, 'Tu sachmuch ghar chodke jaa rahi hai?'

'Mummy!' Anaya swatted his hand away, her smile turning to frown instantly, 'Bhai ko bolo us baat ke liye forever tease karna allowed nahi hai.'

When Anaya had just turned a teenager, her rebellious streak made her threaten her family that she would run away from the house every time her demands were not met. Ambika and Girish had to lock the door of her room at night sometimes, so that she wouldn't try to do anything foolish. Few years later, when she had come out of that phase, Sameer would often tease her, saying that half the time he would ask his parents to not listen to her, so that they could get rid of her and live in peace. The joke did make a comeback at times, even now.

Ambika, anxious at their banter, pulled at his arm, 'Ab yeh bachpana chod aur responsible banne ki aadat daal. Naina ke saamne bachhon ki tarah ladoge toh woh kya sochegi? Usey aisa lagega ki shaadi karke galti kar di. Hamara bhi impression kharab karwaoge tum dono.'

Anaya huffed, 'Meri koi galti nahi hai. Bhai ko bolo khud pe control rakhein. Kabhi bhabhi ko aankhein dikhate hain kabhi mujhe.'

'Bhabhi?' Sameer did a double take. Anaya always called Naina by her name. What was this abrupt shift?

Amabika flashed a wide smile, 'Wohi toh batane wali thi main, par tum dono ne milke mujhe fir se uljha diya. Pata hai Sameer, panditji ne shaadi ke liye February ki date di hai. Iska matlab, agle mahine teri aur Naina ki shaadi tay ho gayi. Ab humein Naina se milne ke liye wait nahi karna padega. Woh hamare saath rehne aane wali hai, teri wife banke.'

Sameer's jaw dropped, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. The words hung in the air, and he struggled to process the unexpected revelation. Marrying Naina next month? The thought felt surreal, like a plot twist in a story he hadn't anticipated.

Next update on Saturday