The aircraft took off from Delhi airport in the middle of night. Sitting next to the window, Naina looked out as the lights on land slowly hid behind a cover of clouds, and it became pitch dark outside. While her eyes were fixed on that nothingness, her mind was not able to move away from the events of evening. How the day had changed from their comforting conversation in the morning to this revelation a few hours later.

Naina had not forgotten even a single word. They echoed in her mind, each one stinging like a fresh wound. She clenched her fists, trying to keep her emotions in check. Was this the same Sameer who was being nice and gentle to her since last few days? How could she not see that it was all an act? How could she trust him with such fragile aspect of her life that she kept hidden from everyone?

She took a deep shuddering breath, cursing the vulnerable moment when she told Sameer about the identity of Anuj. The fight, his injury, the risk he had gotten into for her... all had left Naina somewhat shaken. The knife was a proof that the men had every intention of harming anyone who troubled them. And they would not care even if it was fatal. The very thought had chilled her to the bone. And then, when he told her about what Dinesh and Roop had done to him, she had felt bad for him.

If she was worried about him, his concern for her was also evident. It had come as a surprise that Sameer had noticed her terrace moments and wanted her to share whatever was troubling her. The sequence of events prompted her to put some trust in him and she had told him about her brother and bhabhi's identity. Better sense had prevailed immediately after and she had refrained from telling more.

In the evening, when Ambika asked her to call Sameer, she had gone to their room to make the call, where her phone was plugged in for charging.

The call... shattered everything.

Sameer had taken the call by mistake probably because he did not speak anything. Before she could react, he started to talk to Munna Pandit. What she heard left her stunned. he was talking about her, in the exact same manner as she had heard him talking in Munna's office, when she had joined. It came as a shock that his views about her had not changed over last few months. She was furious at the way he was portraying their relationship, as if she had it all rosy while he was the sufferer. She was making up her mind to take him to task for it when he began the pity story about her brother's behaviour.

Naina felt her breath catch in her throat, a sharp pain piercing her heart. He reduced the most sore part of her life to a mere gossip. With every sentence of Sameer, her ears burned and her blood turned cold. Without any feeling, he boasted about being charitable by offering to help her. After constantly harping upon how fake their marriage and his concern were, now he was showing off his generosity? Offering money in charity?

The sting of his words ripped out her heart. The pain was overwhelming, churning a mix of betrayal, hurt and anger inside her. He had claimed to be a friend and understand her but today, his words came as a harsh reminder of how superficial their bond really was.

She was filled with conflicting feelings of rage, hurt, bitterness and disappointment. She had remained strong in front of the world, because she had kept this vulnerable part of her life under wraps. Sameer had ripped away the cover ruthlessly, laying bare her insecurities and failures. Just like he was mindlessly telling his friends, he might have told his family too, or some more people. The betrayal was unbearable.

When she could take it no more, she had cut the call. Perhaps everyone around her was aware what a mess her life had been. She had never felt so exposed, so raw. The thought had left her in a deep turmoil, feeling all alone. She didn't know whom to turn to, whom to share the anguish with. The mask of strength she wore so diligently was slipping, and she needed someone to help her hold it together. For her, that someone had always been Natasha.

It took every ounce of her willpower and self control to go back and join the family.

Ambika instantly noticed her pale face, 'Naina, tum theek toh ho? Chehra kyon utra hua hai? Tabiyat kharab hai kya?'

The only word Naina could come up with in answer was, 'Nutty!'

Ambika furrowed her brows in concern, 'Natasha ki tabiyat kharab hai? Wahan akele kaise manage karegi? Koi dost hai kya wahan pe?'

And Naina had found a way out. She needed a break. A break to pull herself together. She told everyone that Natasha was unwell and she wanted to go to her. Girish had immediately called up his agent to arrange for the ticket. Everyone was quite considerate. For a moment, she felt bad feeding another lie to them. But then, she swallowed the bitter pill and accepted the fact that it would be more painful for them to know about their son's truth. At present, she just needed some time... and Natasha.

Six hours of flying meant nothing to Naina. She neither moved, nor slept. She did not have anything to eat either. The weight on her chest was too heavy for any other bodily requirement. She had not informed Natasha about her coming. Calling her would mean telling the reason. And Naina was not in a condition to talk about anything over the phone. She had to see her.

It was around eleven in the morning in Singapore when Naina pressed the bell of the apartment. She heard the sound of a door opening inside then footsteps, and then, the main door opened to reveal the face she longed for.

'Naina?' Natasha gasped in disbelief, then rubbed her eyes hard before opening them wide again. When the scene in front of her remained unchanged, she squealed aloud and pulled Naina in her arms.

'Oh my God! Yeh surprise hai ya meri jaan lene ki conspiracy. Tu achanak yahan... kuch hint hi de deti yaar jab kal raat ko baat ki thi. Pata hai mera kya haal ho raha hai? Bas heart attack aate aate reh gaya.' The words spilled out in fast, energetic, ecstatic blabber while she kept Naina in a bone crushing hug.

A meek voice reached her, 'Jaan toh tu le legi meri agar ek second aur saans nahi lene di.'

Natasha took a hasty step back, 'Sorry sorry.' She held onto Naina's shoulders, her eyes filled with concern, 'Tu theek hai?'

Naina gave a tired smile, 'Haan. Ab andar aa sakti hun? Ya immigration ki tarah yahan bhi form bharna hoga?'

Natasha slapped her forehead before ushering Naina inside with a sheepish grin, 'Offo, gadhi hun main. Tujhe dekh ke pagal hi ho gayi.'

She called out as she dragged the suitcase inside when Naina stopped in the first room, 'Arey wahan nahi andar aaja. Room mein aaram se bed pe pasar ke baat karenge.'

Naina entered the bedroom and once again was enveloped in a warm hug. She wrapped her arms around Natasha and closed her eyes, soaking in the tenderness that she was missing since two months.

Natasha swayed with happiness, 'Kasam se Naina, tune dil khush kar diya. Itna bada wala surprise. Mera toh birthday bhi nahi hai. Meri jaan, teri deficiency ho gayi thi mujhe. Ab dose mili hai toh jaan mein jaan aayi.'

'Mujhe bhi.' Naina's voice was a mixture of relief and pain.

When she finally let go, Natasha waved at the room, 'Tu rest kar main chai leke aati hun. Fir aaram se baithenge. Wahan washroom hai. Aur drawer mein mere ghar ke kapde hain. Apna bag baad mein unpack karna.'

In the kitchen, she drew in a long breath before placing the pan on the stove. Her friend's sudden appearance at her door had elated her immensely, but she could read in Naina's body language that something was wrong. Something that had affected Naina gravely.

Adding tea leaves to boiling water, she thought out aloud, 'Zarur Anuj bhaiya ne koi naya tamasha kiya hoga. Unke baare mein kisi se baat bhi nahi kar sakti. Ya fir Tina bhabhi ne kuch kaha? Nahi, unki kadwi baaton ki wajah se Naina achanak yahan aa jaaye aisa nahi ho sakta. Kuch bada hua hai. Par kal raat ko toh usne kuch nahi bataya. Iska matlab jo bhi baat hai uske baad ki hai. Warna mujhe kal hi pata chal jaata. She was fine yesterday.'

When she carried the tray with tea and some snacks, Naina had washed her face and was sitting on the bed, but she hadn't changed.

'Sorry Nutty, main aise aa gayi. Aaj Sunday hai isliye mujhe laga tu free hogi. Main zyada din nahi rukungi. Aur tu meri wajah se apna koi program bhi cancel mat karna. Mera... mera mann ho raha tha tujhe dekhne ka, tujhe miss kar rahi rhi. Bas isliye... par tu apni classes mat skip karna.' Naina tried to sound normal as she offered explanation to Natasha.

Handing the steaming cup to her, Natasha narrowed her eyes, 'Tu Naina hi hai na? Ya AI se create ki hui Naina ki duplicate?'

Naina rolled her eyes, 'Drama.'

'Aur nahi toh kya.' Natasha twisted her lips with fake anger, 'Do mahine hi hue hain humein alag hue aur tu aise formal ho rahi hai jaise do saal baad mil rahi ho.'

Naina couldn't help but smile, 'Tere saath do saal kya bees saal baad bhi formal nahi hone wali main. Dekh lena.'

This was the first genuine smile on her face ever since she had arrived. Natasha observed her face. There was a hollowness in her voice, the eyes hid some pain, making dark circles appear under them. Her lips were pressed together, like she was controlling herself.

'Naina.' Natasha said softly, 'Anuj bhaiya ne kuch kaha kya? Bhaiya bhabhi se mili thi tu? Koi... koi baat hui hai na.'

The hand holding the cup shook a little but Naina quickly regained her composure, and drew in a long breath, 'Mujhe shaadi nahi karni chahiye thi Nutty. Bohot badi galti ho gayi. Bohot badi.'

Natasha felt her heart fall to the bottom of her stomach. Was it not about Naina's brother? Till last night everything was going fine at Sameer's house. What happened in such short time?

'Kya... kya kiya Sameer ne?' Her voice stiffened, 'Usne kuch aisa waisa...'

'Nahi.' Naina was quick to dismiss her line of thought, 'Aisa kuch hota toh main...' She shut her eyes for a moment, '... I can deal with that. You know it.'

'Toh kisi aur ne kuch kaha? Uske ghar pe?' Natasha was impatient till another thought crossed her mind and her eyes rounded in horror, 'Pata chal gaya tumhare contract ke baare mein? Kisne bataya? Oh God Naina, sabne tujhe blame kiya kya? Unhe apne bete ki galti nahi nazar aayi? Kya bola? Main abhi call karke puchti hun aunty se, Anu se, sabse. Idea tera nahi Sameer ka tha. Fayda bhi usi ka tha. Fir tu kyon sunn rahi hai? Bolti na sabko ki jo kehna hai apne sahabzaade se kaho. Aise kaise tujhe...'

'Ghar pe kisi ne mujhe kuch nahi kaha Nutty.' Naina's raised voice brought her angry outburst to a halt, and her face scrunched in confusion as she stared at Naina with several questions looming in her eyes.

Naina lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper, 'Ghar pe kuch nahi badla lekin... lekin Sameer bhi bilkul nahi badla. Woh ab bhi waisa hi hai. Usne... usne mera trust tor diya. Ek baar bharosa kiya tha maine, sirf ek baar. Ek hi din mein usne bata diya ki maine kitni badi galti ki hai uspe bharosa karke. Uski nazron mein main family se nikali hui faaltu ladki hun jiske liye uske paas sirf pity aur charity hai.'

Natasha had known Naina since they were kids. Life had not been easy for her right from the beginning. Fate had thrown one blow after the other at her. But Naina had endured every storm with courage. However broken she was emotionally, she had not shown her weakness by letting her tears leave her eyes. Except a few times which could be counted on fingers. Even today she did not give in but Natasha was stunned to see some dampness in her eyes.

She shifted next to Naina and put a hand on her shoulder, bewildered, 'Sameer ko kaise pata teri family ke baare mein? Kya fir se Anuj bhaiya mil gaye they tumhe? What happened?'

Blinking hard, Naina threw her head back to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat before meeting Natasha's eyes. Then, she told her what she had shared with Sameer in one weak moment. And then narrated everything that she had overheard, in precision.

Natasha stared, bewildered by what she had heard. She had not expected such heartless, inhumane conduct from Sameer. Not when his actions reflected something completely opposite.

'How could he? Andha hai, gadha hai, dimag se khiska hua hai yeh pata tha lekin itna ghatiya ho sakta hai yeh nahi socha tha.' Her voice conveyed her disbelief and anger, 'Uske muh pe kheench ke do thappad kyon nahi marey? Aur woh Munna Pandit? Bade dost bante hain. Unhone roka nahi Sameer ko aisi giri hui baatein karne se? Kya socha tha aur kya nikle yeh teeno. Itni hadd tak gir gaye.'

Naina recalled, 'Munna Pandit rok rahey they shayad. Unki baatein clear nahi sunn rahi thi. Woh phone se dur they aur restaurant ka shor bhi tha. Lekin Sameer unpe bhadak raha tha ki woh meri side kyon le rahey hain. According to him, Munna Pandit ne mujhe uske gale ka dhol bana diya hai.'

Her face fierce with protective anger, Natasha punched into the pillow, 'Dhol toh main bajaungi Sameer ke bachhe ka. Uske paas Munna Pandit hain toh main bhi tere saath hun.'

Naina put a hand on her arm, 'Nutty, Munna Pandit ki koi involvement nahi hai. Woh dono toh hamesha se mere saath itne achhe hain. Unpe mat chillana.'

Natasha looked at her in wonder, 'Tujhe abhi bhi sabki padi hai? Naina, tu sabko bhaad mein jaane de aur khatm kar de yeh contract. To hell with this bigda hua arrogant raeeszaada. Hone de jo hoga uske saath. Apne kiye ka phal zara woh khud bhi chakhey. Pata chalega kitna kadwa hai.'

Taking in a long breath, Naina leaned back against the headrest, 'Pehla khyal mujhe bhi yehi aaya tha. Khatm kar deti hun yeh contract. Chali jaati hun sab kuch chor ke. Lekin neeche gayi toh sab log mere liye ekdum se pareshan ho gaye. Mummy ko meri tabiyat ki fikr ho gayi aur mere muh se yeh nikalte hi ki main tere paas aana chahti hun papa ne foran ticket book kara di. Woh sab sach mein care karte hain Nutty. Pyar kartey hain mujhe ek beti ki tarah. Unhe kaise itna bada shock dun? Nahi, maine ek jhooth bola hai unke saamne lekin ek sach bolne ki himmat nahi kar sakti. Iss sach se unka bharosa bhi toh toot jayega. Aur bharosa tootne ka dard kaisa hota hai yeh jaante hue main unhe yeh dard nahi de sakti.'

Natasha's voice softened, filled with empathy, 'Toh kya socha hai? Kya karna hai ab?'

After a few moments of silence, Naina looked out the window, 'Kuch nahi. Sab waise hi chalta rahega jaise chal raha hai. I have learnt my lesson. The hard way. Isliye ab kisi pe trust nahi karungi. Kisi pe nahi.'

'Naina.' Natasha tried to reassure her, 'Trust woh karta hai jo sachha hota hai. Tera dil saaf hai isliye tuney uspe trust kiya.'

Naina suddenly squeezed her eyes shut and covered her face with her palms, letting out in frustration, 'Why did I do it? Kyon bataya maine? How could I be so stupid?'

Natasha's heart twisted in her chest. She could see the depth of her friend's anguish, and it pained her to witness Naina in such a vulnerable state. The topic of her family was very sensitive for Naina. Whatever had happened through the years had left a great impact on her self worth. And now, after Anuj told her the reason of their mother's death, along with the added burden regarding the house, Naina was emotionally exhausted. Despite her outward appearance of strength, deep down, the scars of her past had left her more vulnerable to the hurtful words or actions of those around her.

Natasha tugged at Naina's wrists till she pulled her hands down. With a gentle nod, Natasha said, 'I know it's wrong. It's very wrong. Par yahan galat tu nahi woh hai. Isliye khud ko blame mat kar. Naina, tune hi kaha tha ki Sameer ab pehle ki tarah nahi raha, rude nahi hai, dost banna chahta hai... jab usne tujhe aise signals diye toh tera usey Anuj bhaiya ke baare mein batana koi badi baat nahi hai. Tune sirf itna hi toh kaha ki woh tere bhaiya bhabhi hain. Ismein kya galti ki? It's just an introduction.'

Naina's eyes were distant as she recounted the meeting in hospital, 'Introduction ki wajah se hi usey pata chala ki mere bhaiya bhabhi mujhe kaise treat kartey hain. Ab tak woh koi anjaan log they lekin jab woh meri family ho gaye toh unki taraf se milne wali kadwahat Sameer ke liye juicy topic ban gayi. Agar main na batati toh...'

Natasha cut her short stiffly, 'Agar... agar... agar... pata hai yeh agar kitna bada roadblock hai? Agar yeh nahi kiya hota toh woh nahi hota, agar wahan nahi gaye hotey toh accident nahi hota, agar suraj nahi doobta toh raat nahi hoti, agar padhai ki hoti toh pass ho jaate...'

'Nutty.' Naina drawled wearily.

'Don't Nutty me.' Natasha said in a stern voice, 'Yeh nonsense baat nahi hai reality hai. Jab bhi kuch galat hota hai sab usmein apni agar laga dete hain. Arey bhai sab itne hi gyani ho toh yeh agar baad mein kyon yaad aati hai, pehle hi bata dete. Lekin pehle koi nahi sochta ki agar baarish mein bahar gaye toh pair fisal ke gir sakte hain aur fracture ho sakta hai isliye jaana cancel.'

Naina let out a sigh, 'Isliye pehle hi socha tha maine ki usey kuch bhi nahi bata sakti. Par nikal gaya muh se.'

'Haan meri jaan.' Natasha patted her hand, 'Aisa hi hota hai. Hum sabkuch control nahi kar saktey. Kabhi kabhi kuch baatein, kuch actions bina plan kiye ho jaate hain. Ab woh achha result dein ya bura yeh toh kismat ki baat hai par jo hona hai woh hoke rehta hai.'

Naina pursed her lips and lowered her head.

Natasha could feel her helplessness. She smiled warmly, her voice soothing, 'Aur iss saare kisse mein achha result kya hai pata hai? Ki tu yahan aayi. Main toh tujhe dekh ke bohot zyada khush hun par tu...' She narrowed her eyes, lifting her hand to form a pinch with her thumb and index finger, '...itni si toh khush ho sakti hai na?'

Sharing her burden with Natasha had eased the weight on Naina's heart. To the dark cloud of every situation in her life, Natasha was the silver lining. Naina knew it wouldn't be easy to move past the hurt but if she could find a way to heal, it could only be with Natasha.

With a somber face, she shook her head, 'Nahi ho sakti.'

Natasha's face fell.

Spreading her arms to the sides, she gave a weak but grateful smile, 'Kyonki mujhe itni khushi hui hai tujhe dekh ke.'

With a big grin, Natasha jumped on her and took her in another super tight hug. Naina embraced her back with same fervour, relieved for this one relationship that had never failed her.

New cover is up, with much in love Sameer, and the image of Naina that has been on his mind ever since he saw her in this saree

The beautiful creation is by pkambli83
Thank you so much di ❤️

Next update on Friday