The title... not a dialogue from the show, but the concept of this story ❤️

It was around twelve thirty in the afternoon when Sameer entered the first floor room in Pandit's house, while Munna Pandit were anxiously chewing their nails. The moment they saw him, they jumped, speaking at the same time.

'Tu khud aa gaya?'

'Naina ne kya kaha?'

'Ghar pe kisiko pata chala kya?'

'Naina ne sab kuch sun liya?'

'Scene kya hai?'

'Shaadi ka kya hoga? Chalegi ya...?'

Sameer wearily sat on the bed. Both boys fell silent, waiting with raised brows, curious to know the outcome of his blunder.

When he did not utter a word, Pandit could hold no longer, 'Abey muh mein dahi jama hai kya? Bol na kya hua ghar pe?'

Sameer lowered his eyes, 'Naina... usne sab sunn liya.'

'Aur?' Pandit prompted him for more info. This much, they were already suspecting.

Seeing his state, Munna asked in desperation, 'Usne bataya toh nahi na? Ghar pe...'

'Kuch nahi bataya usne.' Sameer's voice turned louder, 'Itna sab hone ke baad bhi Naina ne kisi se kuch nahi kaha. Sabke saamne woh aise hi behave karti rahi jaise hamesha karti hai. Koi shikayat nahi ki. Ghar pe kuch nahi badla.'

'Ahh! Thank God.' Pandit slumped on the couch, exhaling in relief, 'Bach gaya tu.'

Next moment, he perched up stiffly on the edge and looked at Sameer in anger, 'Yeh baat phone pe nahi bata sakta tha? Kal se call kar rahey hain tujhe. Pata hai darr se hamari kya haalat ho rahi thi? Zindagi mein total jitni Hanuman chalisa nahi padhi utni kal se aaj tak padh li maine.'

Munna sat down next to Sameer, and asked in a softer voice, 'Message kar sakta tha. Hum toh sirf isliye pareshan they ki tu kuch bata nahi raha tha. Tujhe usey akela chor ke nahi aana chahiye tha Sameer.'

Sameer pursed his lips, then uttered in a defeated voice, 'Naina chali gayi. Woh kal raat hi... Natasha ke paas chali gayi. Singapore.'

Munna Pandit were taken aback. Before Munna could ask more, Pandit burst out angrily, 'Toh aur kya karti. Tere muh se jo uske liye phool jhar rahey they unse tere liye haar banati? Bhai tarah tarah ke log dekhe hain duniya mein. Koi dil se sochta hai koi dimag se. Koi sach bolta hai koi jhooth aur koi mauka dekh ke mixture bhi bol deta hai. Lekin tu, tu alag hi item hai. Tere muh ka dil aur dimag se koi connection hai hi nahi. Aisi freelance bakwaas kar deta hai, aur woh bhi itne confidence ke saath ki kabhi kabhi humein bhi lagne lagta hai tu sach bol raha hoga. Lekin asliyat yeh hai ki tujhe khud nahi pata tu jo bol raha hai us baat ka janm sirf teri zubaan pe hua hai.'

Munna agreed with Pandit, 'Haan Sameer. Kal jo tune kaha woh sahi nahi tha yaar. Kisi ke haalaat ke liye uss insaan ko toh zimmedar nahi thehra sakte. Aur yaar, Naina ne tujhe kabhi koi takleef nahi di. Balki tujhe pareshani se bachaya hi hai. Do din pehle toh tu keh raha tha Naina kitni achhi hai sabke baare mein kitna sochti hai aur kal pata nahi kya kya ulta seedha bol diya. Yeh sab theek nahi hua. Kitna bura laga hoga bechari ko.'

Sameer kept sitting with his head hanging in shame.

Pandit got up and came down to sit on the other side of Sameer, his anger changing into concern for his friend, 'Tujhe sunaya? Ya jo haath mein aaya utha ke de maara.' He looked at him from head to toe, 'Hmm, kutai toh nahi hui lag rahi. Fir aisa luta pita kyon baitha hai?'

While Pandit got worried about Sameer, Munna's anger spiked up, 'Ab guilty feel kar raha hai? Haina? Kyon? Tujhe fark kyon pad raha hai? Agar tu uske liye kuch feel hi nahi karta toh yeh guilt kahan se aaya? Achha hai sunn liya. Wohi toh tera asli opinion hai Naina ke liye. Galat keh raha hun main?'

Sameer shut his eyes, his voice pained, 'Mat bol aise Munna. Naina bohot hurt ho gayi.'

Some moments of silence ensued, in which Munna Pandit exchanged a look. They could see Sameer's slumped shoulders, sunken eyes, fallen face... remorse was written all over him.

Munna put a hand on his shoulder, his tone gentle now, 'Tujhe bhi pata hai ki tujhse galti hui hai. Isliye bura feel kar raha hai. Agar sach mein Naina tere liye kuch nahi hoti toh tujhe itna guilt nahi hota. Usey hurt karne ka pachtawa hai tujhe. Kyonki usey dukhi karke tu khud dukhi ho gaya hai. In sabka matlab kab samjhega?'

Pandit grabbed his arm, 'Ek baar thande dimag se soch. Kitne mahino se teri har baat Naina se shuru hoke Naina pe khatm hoti hai. Har khyal Naina ka hota hai. Har waqt uske ird gird rehta hai aur nahi rehta toh wapas jaane ki jaldi karta hai. Jab saare sign uski taraf hi ishara kar rahe hain toh fir kiska intezar hai tujhe?'

Munna added softly, 'Sameer, tera intezaar khatm ho gaya hai lekin tujhe pata nahi chal raha ki Naina hi woh ladki hai. Tera dil usey pehchan chuka hai isliye dukhi hai lekin tune aankhen band kar rakhi hain. Tera dimaag jis baat ki taraf ishara kar raha hai teri ego usey accept nahi kar rahi. Bhai, time rehte jaag ja. Naina ne itna kuch hone ke baad bhi ghar pe kuch nahi kaha yeh tere liye sabse bada ishara hai. Warna iss baat pe woh contract tor sakti thi.'

Sameer sighed heavily, then looked at both of them, 'Usne contract nahi tora. Par rishta tor diya. Mere saath. Jaane se pehle Naina ne saaf saaf keh diya ki abse hamare beech mein kuch nahi rahega, na dosti na koi fikr. Bas dikhawe ke liye married rahenge hum, sabke saamne. Akele mein, woh mujhse baat tak nahi karna chahti. Meri shakl tak nahi dekhna chahti.'

Pandit narrowed his eyes, 'Yeh baat kehte hue teri awaaz kyon kaanp rahi hai? Tu toh hamesha se aisa hi rishta chahta tha na? Yehi condition toh thi teri. Fir ab mujhe aisa kyon lag raha hai ki tujhe iss baat se bohot fark pad raha hai.'

The admission wasn't easy, coming out in a whisper, 'Tu sahi keh raha hai Pandit. Tum dono hamesha se sahi they. Galat main tha. Is galti ka ahsaas ab mujhe hua hai isliye aaj mujhe fark pad raha hai. Kyonki main jaan gaya hun ki main Naina se pyar karta hun. Bohot pyaar karta hun. I love her.'

The two boys fell into stunned silence. Their eyes darted from Sameer's lowered head to each other and back. Their faces were a canvas of mixed reaction... shock, disbelief, wonder, confusion. Munna's face was frozen in a mix of surprise and understanding. He blinked rapidly, trying to process the sincerity of Sameer's confession. Pandit looked as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning, his mouth hanging open in astonishment.

Rubbing his ear, he blurted in broken words, 'Kya... kya kaha tune? Kya... tu... tu sachmuch... Naina se... woh Naina jo tere ghar mein rehti hai... usse pyar karta hai? Usi Naina se... jiske saath tune contract marriage ki hai? Usi Naina se jo kal tak... behenji thi, musibat thi, irritating...'

'Bas kar Pandit.' Munna admonished him, the fog in his brain clearing slowly, 'reverse gear mat daal. Sameer ne saaf saaf bola hai. Haina Sameer?' He too wanted a confirmation, 'Yehi kaha na tune? Tujhe... tujhe Naina se pyar ho gaya hai?'

Sameer nodded, but sounded lost, 'Pyar toh bohot pehle ho gaya tha. Ahsaas ab hua hai.' He raised his head, a rueful look on his face, 'Tum dono ne mujhe baar baar bola, lekin main apni baat pe adaa raha. Pata nahi kyon main iss sach ko nahi samajh paaya. Woh gussa, woh irritation shayad isiliye tha kyonki mera dil Naina ki taraf khinch raha tha aur main pehli nazar wala pyar dhoond raha tha.'

Pandit glared, his words laced with accusation, 'Toh ab teri pehli nazar wale pyar ki sanak khatm ho gayi? Ya chaar din baad fir se...'

'Nahi Pandit.' Sameer smiled faintly, 'Mujhe ab jaake pata chala ki yeh kahani toh tabhi shuru ho gayi thi jab Naina se nazar mili thi.'

'Kya?' Munna exclaimed, stunned, 'Lekin tab toh... tab tune pata nahi kya kya kaha tha uske baare mein. Sameer, jab hum usse pehli baar mile they tab tune kitna jhagda kiya tha. Bhool gaya kya?'

Pandit was more confused than before, 'Bhai, tujhe pata hai na tu kya keh raha hai? Kahin Naina ne sach mein kuch de ke toh nahi maara kal tere sar pe jiski wajah se ulta seedha bole ja raha hai? Waise bhi bina sar pair ki bakwas karna teri aadat ban gayi hai.'

Sameer let out a long, tired exhale, 'Tu sahi keh raha hai Pandit. Bina sar pair ki bakwaas. Apni isi aadat ki wajah se maine apna pyar milne se pehle hi kho diya. Tum dono ne samjhaya tha ki agar maine der kar di toh shayad bohot der ho jayegi. Par maine tumhari baat nahi suni. Aur ab... ab sach mein der ho gayi hai.'

Pandit shook his head vehemently, 'Na na na, abhi ka nahi tu pehle ka scene clear kar. Matlab tujhe sirf itna hi realise nahi hua ki tujhe Naina se pyar hai balki yeh bhi samajh aa gaya ki tera pyar kab shuru hua tha... jab tu pehli baar mila tha usse? Aur yeh gyan prapti aapko kaise hui maharaj? Sar pe seb aake gira ya tarbooz?'

Munna shushed him, 'Offo Pandit usey baat toh poori karne de.'

Throwing his hands in air, Pandit got up and spat out in anger, 'Isse zyada kya poori karega? Jisey pyar karta hai usey hi apni life se nikaal diya apni bewakoofi se. Ab bacha kya hai poora karne ko. Hum jo itne mahino se iske bheje mein yehi baat daalne ki koshish kar rahey they tab chaura hoke kehta raha aisa kabhi ho hi nahi sakta. Toh ab kis baat ke liye iske aansu ponche? Kya kehkar iski peeth sehlayein. Jab mujhe hi itna gussa aa raha hai toh Naina ko kitna aaya hoga.'

Munna gestured with his eyes, asking Pandit to mellow down before he said, 'Gusse se zyada shayad woh hurt hui hogi. Haina Sameer? Kya kaha Naina ne?'

Sameer told them everything that Naina had said, adding that she gave Natasha's illness as the reason of leaving but he believed it was only because of him. Munna had been fearing the same reaction. He could understand Naina's state of mind better than his other two friends. He had seen tough situations in life, both emotionally and financially, and was aware how much it hurt when people showed fake sympathy or offered charity. If Naina had revealed this aspect of her life to Sameer, she must have done so in good faith. Her financial needs, or her family complications were not a topic that she could have appreciated being talked about in such casual and derogatory manner. Sameer had gone too far this time.

Pandit broke the silence, much in control now, 'Matlab? Kya Naina contract khatm hone tak Natasha ke saath hi rahegi?'

Sameer's shoulders slumped a little more, 'Wapas ayegi woh.' He then looked at his friends, his eyes 'Pata hai, itne dino tak main sochta raha ki tum log kyon usey mere saath fit karna chahte ho. Naina toh mere layak hi nahi hai. Lekin ab pata chala main hi Naina ke layak nahi hun. Itna kuch hone ke baad bhi woh wapas aakar ghar mein meri wife banke rehne ko ready hai.'

Munna looked at him, wishing that this realisation had come a bit earlier, 'Wapas toh aa rahi hai lekin kya Naina kabhi tujhe maaf kar payegi?'

Sameer did not know the answer to that question. It was something he badly wanted, yet he knew the chances of it were not just grim, but nearly non existent. In his heart, he knew the painful truth, that he had ruined whatever little hope was there. His heart had to pay for the mistake it committed, of not recognising the feelings while he had time.

'Kya tu uski jagah hota toh mujhe maaf karta?' His sad smile conveyed the regret he felt.

Pandit, who had been intently listening for a while, asked with a faint trace of hope, 'Fir bhi tu koshish karega na? Pyaar ko maan liya par haar toh nahi maanega?'

In stark contrast to his dismal mood, Sameer pursed his lips with determination and stood up before he let out in an earnest voice, 'Nahi, main ab peeche hatne ki galti nahi karunga. Naina ke dil se yeh nafrat mita ke rahunga. Usey mere pyar ka yakeen na bhi aaye par usey yeh jataa ke rahunga ki mere dil mein uski kya jagah hai. Munna Pandit tum mera saath doge na?'

Pandit screamed in excitement and pulled Sameer into a forceful embrace. Munna joined in, elated that Sameer had not just realised and accepted his feelings but was prepared to put in all efforts .

When they pulled apart, Pandit patted his arm, 'Bhai, ab jaake mila humein apna wala Sameer. Tu fikr mat kar. Hum tera poora saath denge. Abse Naina sirf Naina nahi, hamari bhabhi hai. Aur apni bhabhi ko khush karne ke liye hum jee jaan se koshish karenge. Sau kya hazaar baar sorry kahenge jab tak usey yakeen nahi ho jaata ki yeh wali sorry hundred percent asli hai.'

Sameer answered, his voice steady but his eyes showing a flicker of uncertainty, 'Sirf sorry kehna shayad kaafi na ho. Nahi Pandit, tum dono uske saamne aisa kuch mat kehna. Maine Naina ka dil apni baaton se tora hai par uske dil mein jagah banane ke liye mujhe baaton se nahi apne dil aur dimaag dono se kaam lena hoga. Usey dikhana hoga, apne tareeke se ki main sharminda hun. Aur mujhe uski kitni parwah hai.'

'Parwah hi nahi pyaar bhi hai.' Pandit nudged him, grinning teasingly.

Sameer shook his head, 'Pyar ki baat karne ka time abhi nahi aaya hai. Mujhe seerhi ka ek ek step lena hoga. Jaldbaazi karke main Naina ki nazron mein aur girna nahi chahta.'

Munna hummed, a thoughtful look in his eyes, 'Yehi theek rahega. Sirf sorry bol dene se kaam nahi banega. Tujhe Naina ka vishwas jeetna hoga. Haan Sameer, tera plan sahi hai. Har kadam soch samajh ke rakhna mere bhai. Aur yaad rakhna, hum hamesha tere peeche rahenge, iss seerhi pe tujhe sambhalne ke liye.'

*****

By the time Naina and Natasha were back home, it was midnight.

Naina looked at the time apprehensively, 'Nutty, mujhe Munna ko bata dena chahiye na ki mujhe leave chahiye. Abhi wahan 9:30 hue hain. Zyada late ho gaya kya?'

Natasha rolled her eyes, 'Munna hi toh hai. Tujhe awkward lag raha hai toh laa main call kar deti hun.'

'Nahi.' Naina grabbed the phone from Natasha's hand.

'Naina?' She was surprised, 'What's wrong? Don't tell me tu Munna Pandit se bhi baat nahi karna chahti. Listen, woh dono hamesha se Sameer ko samjhate rahe hain...'

'I know I know.' Naina sheepishly put away the phone, far from Natasha's reach, 'Actually maine... maine ghar pe yeh bola ki tu bimar hai isliye mujhe aana hai. Main mummy aur baaki sabke saamne aur kya kehti Nutty? Wahan na reh paane ka kya reason deti? Sorry.'

Natasha slapped her forehead, 'Itni si baat. Yaar Naina, itne chote se jhooth ke liye koi guilty feel karta hai kya? Tu kaunse time period ki hai madam? Galti se iss era mein paida ho gayi. Tujhe toh bhagwanji Harishchandra ke zamane mein rehne dete toh sahi rehta.'

Naina simply looked away. For her, a lie was a lie, however insignificant.

'Okay baba.' Natasha raised her hands in resignation, 'Main kuch nahi kahungi. Bas last suggestion. Munna Pandit ko sab kuch pata hota hai. Tu unse asli baat mat chupa. Saaf saaf keh de Munna ko ki uske dost ki wajah se tu yahan aayi hai. Keh de ki iss waqt tu uss nalayak Sameer ke saath nahi reh sakti isliye kuch din yahan rahegi. I'm sure Munna can manage.'

Naina was quite convinced by Natasha's point of view, but she could not bring herself to talk to Munna about everything right away. She decided to make the call next morning.

The following day, Natasha had to leave early for her class. Naina stayed back at home though Natasha was keen to take her along to show her the institute.

'Campus kya hai koi five star resort samajh le, itne achhe halls, corridors, gardens, fountains. Library bhi hai. Tu aaram se sab kuch dekhna, cafe mein khaana pina fir meri classes ke baad hum dono wahin se shopping chalenge.' She had proposed.

But Naina had cited a headache, 'Raat ko neend nahi aayi isliye bohot dull lag raha hai. Tu jaa. Main yahan comfortable hun. Waise bhi shopping nahi karni mujhe.'

Natasha wanted her to be out of the house, so she wouldn't think about back home. But Naina still looked exhausted, both from irregular sleep pattern and emotional upheaval. She did not pester much. Though she was normal and peppy in front of her friend, Natasha was quite worried. After such a bitter confrontation, how would Naina stay with Sameer. Would she be able to hide her distress from the family? The contract still had ten months to go. It was a long time to share a house, a room, your life with a person who thought so low of you. She clenched her teeth in exasperation. Why did Sameer do this? How could he have such sickly opinion of Naina, even after living with her in the same room for two months. Her protective instincts for Naina were way stronger than her initial hope to get the two together. Naina had dealt with enough hatred for a lifetime. She needed someone who could cherish her, love her, and had respect for her. Sameer did not seem to be that person.

With a frustrated sigh, she texted Munna, 'Tumhara Sameer sudhrega nahi na. Iss baar limit se bahar chala gaya hai. Munna, please Naina ko leave mat dena. Kaam nahi hoga toh woh yehi sab soch soch ke pagal ho jayegi. Work from home karne ko kehna. Aur koi questions nahi. Uske baad usey call ya message mat karna. Teeno mein se koi nahi. Naina needs time to recover.'

Her phone was on silent through the classes. Later in the afternoon, when she checked, she had three messages from Munna and several missed calls from both Munna Pandit. She decided to see the messages first.

'Natasha Naina kaisi hai ab? Please call me.'

Ten minutes later...

'Naina ka call toh nahi aaya par message kiya tha usne. Jaisa tumne bola maine usey work from home ka option de diya. Aur kuch nahi pucha. Natasha tum toh bata do woh kaisi hai? Aur tum? Tum bimar nahi ho na? Mujhe lagta hai Naina ne yahan se nikalne ke liye aisa kaha. Am I right?'

Fifteen minutes later...

'Please Natasha ek baar call pick kar lo. Mujhe aur Pandit ko bohot tension ho rahi hai. Sameer bhi guilty feel kar raha hai. Sach mein. Bas ek baar baat kar lo. Fir se nahi kahenge.'

In between, there were five missed calls. And a few after that.

After pressing against the name, Natasha adjusted her earbuds.

'Hello Natasha.' Munna's harried voice boomed instantly.

'Hi Munna. Pehle main bolungi. Iss baar jo Sameer ne kiya hai, uske liye main wapas aake uski ek baar toh jam ke kutai karungi. Aur haan, tum dono se koi shikayat nahi hai... sivay iske ki tum uss dimag se paidal insaan ke dost ho. Sachhi Munna, usne Naina ko aisi chot di hai jiska dard aasani se nahi jaane wala. I didn't expect this from Sameer. maine usey Naina ka khyal rakhne ko kaha tha, uska saath dene ko kaha tha. Aur Sameer ne kya kiya... uski dukhti rag pe vaar kar diya. Naina keh toh rahi hai ki contract poora karegi lekin pata nahi iss haal mein kab tak jhel payegi woh.' After a pause, she added, 'Mera ho gaya. Ab tum bolo.'

She could tell from Munna's voice that he was upset, 'Natasha, sach mano, jab bhi Sameer aisa kehta tha humne hamesha usey rokne ki koshish ki hai. Usne jab bhi... khair ab unn baaton ka koi fayda nahi. Bas itna keh sakta hun ki Sameer... woh bohot sorry feel kar raha hai. Woh maanta hai jo bhi kaha woh sab sach nahi hai. Naina ke liye... uski feelings waisi nahi hain. Naina jab wapas ayegi toh usey bhi lagega ki Sameer badal gaya hai. Uh...' He was hesitant before he asked, '...Abhi toh Naina kisi se baat tak nahi karna chahti shayad. Isliye phone bhi nahi kiya. Bas ek text bhej diya 'need a few days leave for personal reason'. Jaanta hun usey kaisa feel ho raha hoga. Isliye chahta hun yeh sab jald se jald theek ho jaaye. Naina kab wapas ayegi?

'Agar mere haath mein hota toh Naina ko tab tak apne paas rakhti jab tak main yahan hun. Lekin aisa possible nahi hai. Fir bhi, Naina ko thoda time lagega.' She told him honestly.

After Munna had cut the call, he texted Pandit, 'Baat ho gayi.'

Immediately, his phone began to ring.

'Haan Pandit. Natasha ka call aaya tha.' He narrated whatever Natasha had told him.

'Abey tune saaf saaf bataya kyon nahi ki Sameer asal mein Naina se pyar karta hai. Yeh sunke woh thodi narm ho jaati. Fir Naina ko samjhane mein woh bhi hamari help karti. Pehle ki tarah hum teeno milke yeh kaam jaldi kar sakte hain Munna.' Pandit stated his logic.

Munna rubbed his forehead as he replied, 'Pandit, meri ek baat dhyan se sunn. Is maamle mein humein beech mein nahi aana hai. Sameer apne dil ki baat khud Naina se kahega. Kaise kahega, kab kahega, yeh uspe hai. Jo kahani usne adhuri chori hai uss kahani ko aage le jaane ka raasta Sameer ko dhundna hoga. Usey prove karna hoga ki uski feelings sachhi hain. Jab tak woh khud dil se koshish nahi karega, usey maafi nahi mil sakti.'

Pandit was taken aback, 'Kya bol raha hai Munna. Humne kal hi toh Sameer ko promise kiya ki hum uska saath denge. Ab usey zarurat hai toh hum apni baat se palat kaise sakte hain?'

His voice heavy with the weight of his decision, Munna explained slowly, 'Dekh Pandit, Hum Sameer ke saath zarur hain par Sameer ki galti sudharna hamari nahi uski responsibility hai. Yeh pyar ki jung hai. Agar Sameer Naina se sachha pyaar karta hai toh iss jung ko jeetne ke liye mehnat bhi usey karni hogi. Hum usey support karenge, peeche rehke. Naina ko diye hue dard ki dawa khud Sameer ko banna hoga. Isliye yaad rakh, yeh baat kisi ke saamne na aaye. Kisi ke bhi nahi. Maine isiliye Natasha ko bhi kuch nahi kaha. Aur haan, Sameer ko yeh bhi mat batana ki humne Natasha se contact kiya tha. Jab tak Naina nahi aati, usey apne guilt ko sehna hoga.'

Pandit was reluctant initially but Munna's theory made him see the situation in different light. Eventually, he agreed to go as Munna suggested. Now they had to wait for Naina to come back.

Next part on Friday

For next few weeks, updates would be minimum three days apart.
I might have to miss one or two in between if work pressure gets unmanageable. I'll inform if such a situation arises. Sorry in advance 🙏🏻