Thankfully, the girls had moved away. He heaved a sigh of relief at not being caught by them. But the relief was not enough to erase the worry that had started to gnaw at the back of his head the moment he had seen Anaya with Naina. This time Natasha had intervened but Anaya would look for another chance and talk to Naina. He had to meet her and let her know in advance about Anaya's suspicion.

'Anu is baare mein Naina se kuch kahe isse pehle Naina ko yeh baat batani padegi.' He fished out his phone to call her.

But his calls went unanswered. He could see her with Natasha and some other unknown people. By the look of it he could understand that they were not very well known to her but she was familiar with them. Maybe they were Natasha's friends. At present, his concern was not her company. She herself didn't seem very interested in the people around her. But then, why wasn't she picking her phone. His eyes glanced over her frame. There was no bag. The outfit couldn't have any pockets either. Maybe she wasn't carrying the phone because of the way she was dressed.

In exasperation, he shoved the phone back to his pocket and muttered in frustration, 'Phone toh saath rakhna chahiye na. Kisi ko emergency mein baat karni ho toh kya maharani ke ghar wapas jaane ka intezaar karey? Usse pehle toh Anu isey pakad ke bhadka degi. Bhagwanji, kuch toh hone do... ya toh Naina ko yahan se gayab kar do ya kuch aisa kar do ki Anu wapas chalne ko keh de.'

'Bhai, main kyon wapas jaungi abhi se?' Anaya's voice made him jump.

'Tu... tu yahan... kabse khadi hai?' He tried to mask his fear, wondering how much of his rambling had reached her.

To his relief, she replied, 'Main toh abhi hi aayi hun lekin aap kya budbuda rahe ho? Wapas kyon jaane ko kahungi main? Abhi toh shaadi ka pura program baaki hai. Waise main aapne puchne aayi thi ki aapne bataya kyon nahi Naina bhi aane wali hai.'

Sameer gulped, yet tried to appear nonchalant, 'Aise hi. Socha... socha tujhe surprise deta hun.'

Anaya wasn't that easy to fool. She narrowed her eyes, a knowing look in them, 'Surprise mere liye hai ya aapke liye? Sach bolna, aapko bhi pata nahi tha na ki woh yahan aane wali hai?'

He shrugged, 'Zaruri thodi hai mujhe uski saari activities ke baare mein pata ho.'

Her curious eyes scrutinised him but her tone was full of accusation, 'Naina ne bataya mujhe ki aap dono ki baat nahi hui. And it has to be because of you. Bhai, am I right?'

Before he could defend himself, she exclaimed in frustration, 'Honestly, mera boyfriend aisa hoga toh main ek second uske saath nahi rehne wali.'

And she walked away, grumbling something about how urgently she needed to talk to Naina.

Sameer sighed, feeling the weight of the world seemingly falling on his shoulders, 'Asli ho ya nakli, relationships maintain karna aasan nahi hota. Mujhe aisa kuch karna padega jisse Anu ka shak dur ho jaaye. Lekin sabse pehle Naina ko batana hai, par woh mile tab na.'

He had no option but to keep a watchful eye on her. Talking with someone or the other, she seemed to be having a good time while he felt like a stalker sneaking behind wherever she went, keeping her in his line of sight.

Few minutes later, she got up from the table where she was seated with a group, and walked ahead. Before he could reach her, a girl, dressed in a real heavy lehenga waved at her. Naina listened to her, nodded and went out through the main door, towards the passage adjacent to the hall. He followed her. She went to the washroom. He waited outside, a little away from the washroom entrance. But after she came out, instead of walking back towards the passage, she entered a room on the opposite side.

'Yahan kya kar rahi hai?' Sameer fumed but was curious.

Checking around to make sure no one was there, he stealthily went near the room. The door was ajar.

Room was filled with a lot of stuff... clothes, bags, packed gifts, bouquets and what not. There was a couch and a couple of chairs. It looked like a place given to the family of bride where they could keep extra things. Naina seemed to be searching for something. Silence in the room meant there was no one inside beside her.

'Yahin baat kar leta hun.' Taking it to be a good opportunity, Sameer stood near the door.

Naina nearly jumped out of her skin when he called her name.

Keeping a hand on her heart, she hissed, 'Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho, aise choron ki tarah... woh bhi dulhan wale kamre mein? Normal logon wala koi kaam nahi aata kya?'

Sameer was peeved at her tone, 'Tum bhi toh yahan ho. Main aa gaya toh abnormal ho gaya?'

Naina placed her hands on waist, 'Yeh room ladki walon ka hai. Tum Tarun ki side se ho na? Toh tumhara yahan aane ka kya matlab? Ya fir tumhe yeh saaman unki car mein rakhne ke liye bheja gaya hai.'

Sameer eyed her annoyingly, 'Tumhe main yahan kaam karne wala lagta hun?'

Naina shrugged, 'Mujhe kya pata? Maine tumpe research thodi ki hai. Mere paas faltu time nahi hai.'

Seething in anger, Sameer retorded, 'Mujhe bhi shouk nahi hai tumse milne ka.'

'Toh kyon aaye? Maine toh nahi bulaya.' Her frustration boiled over.

'Kyonki tumhe har us jagah pohonchna hota hai jahan mujhe jana ho. Mujhe toh believe hi nahi hota tumne mujhpe research nahi ki. Lagta hai jaise mere poore circle ki information lekar, perfectly plan karke meri life mein ghusne ke liye saara drama kar rahi ho.' He scoffed bitterly.

She snapped back in a sharp voice, 'Aa gaye wapas apni planning ki story pe. Tum shayad bhool rahe ho Sameer Maheshwari, ki main tumhari life mein nahi aayi, tumne mujhe invite kiya hai, khud ko bachane ke liye. Tumhe itni problem hai mujhse toh khatam kar do na contract.'

Sameer's voice filled with frustration and anger, 'Tum ladkiyon ko sab kuch khatam karne ki itni jaldi kyon hoti hai? Koshish bhi nahi karni tum logon ko. Bas jhat se keh dete ho "khatam karo". Yahan tum aur wahan Anu.'

Through the corner of his eyes, he noticed Anaya stepping into the passage the moment he uttered her name, but before he could stop Naina, she exclaimed loudly, 'Aur tum ladkon ki kya problem hai? Dikhave ke rishte mein bhi...'

Rest of her words muffled as Sameer's hand clasped over her mouth, while he held her arm with other hand, pushing her inside the room.
It appeared his sister had heard her name, and the heated voice following that. She looked around, confused. Then walked in their direction.

Sameer hissed in Naina's ear when she tried to push him away, 'Shhh. Bahar Anu hai. Usey pehle hi humpe shak ho raha hai.'

To his horror, one side Naina tugged hard at his wrist to pull away his hand from her mouth and other side, Anaya curiously came towards the room, her eyes searching.

'Don't move.' He growled, 'Anu idhar hi aa rahi hai.'

Somehow, she managed to move his hand enough to snap back, 'Toh kya? Anu se...'

Through the crack in the door, her voice drifted out making Anaya sharply swing her head in their direction.

Before she could enter the room, Sameer looped an arm around Naina's waist and again covered her mouth to silence her. In one sweeping motion, he pulled her to a small gap between wall and a large cupboard in the room, blocking both of them from direct view from the door.

Naina's eyes turned wide. In the narrow space, she was too close to him, just a couple of inches away from being pressed against his body. His face, however, loomed over hers as he attempted to glance at the entrance. Her hands, because of the shock of being held like this, rested on his chest. The moment she got aware of it, she pulled them back with a jerk. Her action made Sameer look at her. Only then did he realise their awkward position. Her flashing eyes left no doubt that the moment he removed his hand, she would scream and blast him. But he couldn't afford to do so at the moment, with Anaya just a few steps away. He couldn't see her, but a long shadow across the floor made it clear that someone stood in the doorway, blocking the light from outside.

'Please.' He mouthed, without a sound, and gestured with his eyes towards the door.

Naina's eyes darted in the direction. She too noticed the shadow. Turning her gaze back to him, she tugged at his arm that was wound over her waist. He quickly pulled it back. She then flicked her brows to ask him to remove his hand from her mouth. He shook his head, scared that she would make some noise. She clasped his wrist and dug her nails in it. Sameer winced in pain but kept his hold in place. She then frantically started to remove his fingers, breathing hard. Her face had turned red. Her other hand clutched the front of his shirt. That was when it hit him... he was not just blocking her mouth, but her nose as well. She wasn't able to breathe.

With a jerk, he pulled his hand back. Naina took in a big gulp of air. Her eyes closed, she heaved, and swayed a bit.

'Naina.' Sameer whispered, immediately holding her shoulders to steady her.

In the silence of the room, his voice reached Anaya, who was turning to leave. She had a feeling that she had heard Sameer and Naina's voice from this room. And it felt like they were arguing. She had come over to check. Since the room seemed empty, she had put away the feeling as her illusion and was about to go. But hearing the rustling sound, and some whisper, she treaded in slowly.

With her eyes shut, Naina was taking deep breaths, while Sameer was holding her close, panic writ large on his face. Without thinking, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and brought her out from the confined space.

'Bhai!' Anaya's shocked voice made him look to the side.

And the panic doubled. Seeing Naina's state, she would definitely kill him today.

'Woh main...' Holding Naina close, he stammered, '...main Naina ko... nahi, Naina se... matlab usey...'

Hearing Anaya's voice, Naina's eyes shot open. She noticed her proximity to Sameer, and quickly moved away from him.

Anaya's eyes swept from her appearance to her brother's embarrassed yet terrorised expression, then her gaze moved to their place of hiding. A slow realisation made her eyes go wide.

'I'm... I'm so sorry.' She raised her palms in apology, 'I really am.' Then chuckled, 'Mujhe nahi pata tha main aap logon ko disturb kar rahi hun. Mujhe laga aap dono shayad jhagda kar rahe ho... par yahan toh...'

She winked at Naina, then showed a thumbs up sign to her brother before turning and ran out, not forgetting to shut the door properly behind her.

'Isey kya hua?' Sameer was fazed by her strange reaction.

But before he could think more, Naina held her head and slumped on the edge of the couch.

'Naina.' He immediately knelt beside her, 'Tum theek ho na?'

Her eyes shot up to him, back to their fiery form, 'Tum andhe ho, bewakoof ho ya poore pagal ho?'

'What?' He stared at her, confounded.

She gritted her teeth, 'Pehle mera almost murder kar diya, fir Anu ke saamne...aise hakla kyon rahe the tum? Clearly nahi bol sakte the? Tumhari harkat aur meri shakal dekh ke usne kya ka kya samajh liya. Look at me. How will I face her now?' She pointed not at herself but ahead.

'Kya bol rahi ho tum?' Sameer wondered if her mind had been effected due to lack of oxygen for those few seconds.

But when he turned in the direction she was showing, he noticed a full length mirror. However, he didn't need a mirror to see her. His eyes drifted back. Only then he observed the change in her appearance.

Her hair were a bit dishevelled, the skin on the lower part of her face was red, her lipstick was a little smudged too, because of his hold. But her breathless condition seemed better now.

Naina rolled her eyes, and poked his forehead, 'Akal nahi hai kya? Tumhe samajh nahi aa raha humein aise dekh ke Anu ne kya socha hoga?'

'Lekin Anu toh baat poori kiye bina hi bhaag gayi.' He began, 'Mujhe laga tha woh fir se lecture degi par usne...' Slowly, the meaning of Anaya's reaction dawned on him, making him go quiet.

After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, he finally asked hesitantly, 'Did she... did she really think we were... making out?'

'What else?' Naina muttered, lowering her eyes.

'I'm... I'm sorry.' Sameer's voice was tinged with both exasperation and concern.

Naina stood up, rubbing her forehead, 'Tum aaye kyon the yahan?'

Sameer got up too. He told her about Anaya's suspicion, her accusation, and her warning about breaking the relationship.

'Main tumhe batana chahta tha lekin tumhara phone pata nahi kahan hai.' He explained.

To his surprise, Naina slipped her hand and miraculously brought out her phone from the folds of her lehenga.

He could not hide his amazement, 'Isme pocket bhi hoti hai?'

Deciding not to react to his foolish questions, she checked it. There were indeed two missed calls from him.

'Shayad shor ki wajah se suna nahi.' She mumbled.

'Look Naina.' Sameer took a step towards her, 'Maine sirf isliye tumhara muh band kiya tha jisse Anu ko hamare ladne ki awazein na sune. Mujhe pata nahi chala ki tum saans nahi le paa rahi. I'm very sorry. Tum theek ho na?'

'I'm fine.' Naina replied, 'Agar tum bata dete toh yeh saara drama hota hi nahi.'

Sameer shrugged, 'Tum sunogi nahi toh kaise bataunga. Us din bhi meri baat sune bina phone kaat diya tumne. Aaj uthaya hi nahi.'

'Toh text kar dete.' She stated, 'At least mujhe situation pata hoti toh aaj almost marne wali naubat nahi aati.'

A look of guilt flashed again in his eyes, 'I'll be careful next time.'

'Next time?' She scoffed, 'Next time aisa karne ki koshish bhi ki toh marne ki turn meri nahi tumhari hogi.'

An angry retort came to the tip of his tongue, but he chose to remain silent. Her red face and dilated eyes had actually made him numb with fear few minutes back. It was his mistake.

With a sigh, Naina moved towards the mirror and unclasped the clutcher in her hair. Straightening her long tresses with fingers, she lifted some strands from the sides and neatly bunched them in the clutcher before cleaning her stained lips with a tissue that she picked from the table. She then brought out a lipstick from her pocket and started to apply. After layering the lips with two coats, she pouted and dabbed them with the tissue before putting on another coat. Satisfied with the result, she took a step back and smoothened her lehenga, then checked her appearance first from one side, then other.

Without giving a glance to Sameer, who still stood in the room, she headed out.

'Naina.' His voice stopped her at the door, and she threw a questioning glance at him.

He took a few steps towards her, 'I hope you are okay.'

'I said I'm fine.' Her voice was softer this time.

She paused for a moment, then looked at him, 'Mujhe pata hai humein tumhari family ke saamne pretend karna hai. Isliye aage se mujhse related koi bhi baat ho toh mujhe usi waqt bata dena. Aur please, thoda dur rehkar acting karenge toh better hoga. Mujhe pasand nahi koi mujhe is tarah se touch karey.'

She was gone before he could react.

The concern was instantly replaced by anger as his bitter words reverberated in the silent room, 'Main kaunsa mara jaa raha hun na isey hug karne ke liye. Ek toh sorry bola upar se iska attitude bhi sahun. Samajhti kya hai apne aap ko.'

When he reached the main hall, he found Naina with Anaya, surrounded by a group of girls and boys of their age. He recognised most of them. They were the children of his parents' friends, a group he and Anaya had grown up with, and were well acquainted, even if not very friendly with some of them.

But what was Naina doing with them?

'Hey Sameer.' Nitin called out to him, 'Arey yaar main soch raha tha tu humein bhul kyon gaya. Ab pata chala.'

Another one, Mrinal, chuckled, 'Tu toh chupa rustom nikla yaar.'

Anaya waved to him, 'Bhai, come here. Maine sabse Naina ka intro karwa diya. After all, sabko pata hona chahiye mujhe itni pyari habhi milne wali hai.'

Sameer's eyes darted to Naina. Her face was flushed, her fingers nervously wrenching against her belly.

Neither of them were ready for this to be announced publicly.

Next update on Sunday