With a glass of whiskey in hand, Sameer stared at nothing, his eyes narrowed to slits.

Munna suggested, 'Tu ek baar Naina se baat kar le Sameer. Keh dena tujhe galatfehmi hui thi kyonki...' He thought for a while then came up with a lie, '...kyonki pehle kisi ne tere saath aisa dhokha kiya tha.'

Pandit clapped, 'Kya dimaag lagaya hai bhai. Kamaal plan hai Sameer. Uska gussa bhi thanda ho jayega or tujhe thodi hamdardi bhi mil jayegi.'

Sameer gave his friends a frustrated look, 'Tumhe lagta hai mujhe uski hamdardi ya kisi bhi baat se fark padta hai? Bhad mei jaaye woh. Jo sochna hai soche. Main uske liye jhooth kyon bolun? Kya main shakal se itna paidal lagta hun ki ek ladki mujhe ullu bana sakti hai? Yeh dhokhe wali kahani pe mujhe khud hansi aa rahi hai use kaise bharosa hoga.'

Munna shot back, 'Toh tu hi bata de Einstein, kaise manayega use. Tere brilliant dimaag ke pitaare se kisi ek dhamaal idea ko toh bahar aane de. Warna andar pade pade unpar deemak lag jayegi.'

'Main kyon manaunga?' Sameer shrugged, 'Meri lagti hi kya hai? Jaise woh us din kisi se phone pe apne boss ki burai kar rahi thi aise main bhi apne dost ke saamne uske baare mein wohi keh raha tha jo mujhe lagta hai. Kisne kaha tha use darwaze se kaan lagakar hamari baatein sunne ke liye?'

Munna retorted, 'Ab tu hadd se aage jaa raha hai Sameer. Usne apne boss ke liye wahi kaha jo woh ghatiya aadmi uske saath kar raha tha. Lekin tune Naina ke liye ulti seedhi kahani bana di. Dono mein fark hai. Agar tera koi lena dena nahi hai toh kyon saara waqt uski baatein karta hai, kyon uski har harkat ka analysis karta hai? Woh apne raaste hai, tu chupchaap apne raaste jaa. Lekin nahi, tujhe toh uske peeche peeche chalkar uski har baat pe apna expert comment dena hai.'

Pandit, who was quietly listening with his eyes darting between them, finally spoke up, 'Munna sahi keh raha hai Sameer. Tune ek shareef ladki ko Komolika (TV show reference) bana daala. Isse pehle ki woh Komolika se Monjolika ban jaye, iss aag ko bujha de. Hum tere saath chalenge. Tu bas ek baar dheere se sorry bolna fir hum dono zor shor se maafi maang lenge. Tu uske baad chahe kuch mat bolna.'

Sameer took a sip of his drink and leaned back on the recliner, 'Main usse pehle bhi kuch nahi bolunga. I don't care.'

Pandit worriedly looked at Munna, 'Tu hi kuch idea nikaal ab. Isne toh yuddh ka elan kar diya aur khud patli gali se khisakne ka soch raha hai.'

Munna let out an exasperated sigh, 'Kuch toh karna hi padega. Safed jhanda leke main hi jaunga. Koi aur option nahi hai.'

"Main chalunga tere saath, 'Pandit declared.

They both looked at Sameer.

He rolled his eyes, muttering, 'Tumhari marzi. Waise zarurat nahi hai.'

Next morning, Munna waited for Naina in the meeting room. She arrived after a few others so he couldn't talk to her. She seemed absolutely normal... shaking hands, speaking to team members, smiling. The presentation was done in one hour. Her ideas of previous day proved to be an instant hit with the team and they decided to develop them, confident that the client would instantly approve the project.

After the meeting, Naina went back to her cabin. She still had a headache. Maybe a coffee was what she needed. After getting one for herself from the coffee station at the end of the corridor, she was walking back when she saw a peon carrying something to her cabin.

He was returning when she entered, his hands empty.

'Kuch kaam tha, Devkilal ji?' She asked.

'Madam, aapke liye reception pe kuch aaya tha. Wohi dene aaye the hum.' The elderly man smiled pleasantly.

Naina smiled and thanked him before going inside while wondering, 'Reception pe kya aaya tha? Maine toh kuch order bhi nahi kiya.'

Her eyes fell on a package wrapped loosely in a thin opaque paper. After carefully removing the paper, she stared at the flowers... two roses, with a small card attached to their stem. The card had one handwrittem word 'Sorry'. There was a sad emoji drawn under it.

Her eyes narrowed. Sameer Maheshwari did not seem like a person who would apologise for his mistake. That too, in this manner. Two roses? What was he trying to imply?

''Use dekhkar toh lag bhi nahi raha tha ki use zara bhi guilty feel ho raha hai. Fir phool bhejkar sorry kehne ka kya matlab hai? Impossible. Uske jaisa arrogant insaan kabhi sorry nahi bol sakta.' She was very sure.

Thinking about this would be a waste of time, so she decided to dump the flowers in dustbin and carry on with the work.

By lunch hour, she had received two more such packages, with two flowers and a sorry card each.

'What the hell!' She fumed after getting the third one, 'Yeh kya tareeka hai? Main uski girlfriend hun kya jo aise phool bhej raha hai? Pehle mujhpe duniya bhar ke shak karta hai fir office mein naam kharab karwane ke liye aisi harkat karta hai. I cannot take this.'

Picking up the package, she walked to Munna's room.

In his cabin, Munna chewed his nails, 'Mujhe abhi bhi lagta hai phool bhejne ka idea sahi nahi tha Pandit.'

Attempting to sound wise, Pandit said, 'Ladkiyan phoolon se sabse zyada impress hoti hain. Tune kaha na ki subah ki meeting mein Naina bilkul normal lag rahi thi, bachi khuchi kadwahat phoolon ki khushbu se khatam ho jayegi.'

'Lekin tune naam bhi toh nahi likhwaya card pe. Agar use pata hi nahi chala phool kiski taraf se hain toh? Kahin yeh na soche ki office mein koi use pareshan kar raha hai.' Munna expressed his concern.

Pandit gave a knowing smile, 'Sawaal hi nahi uthta. Phool dekhte hi use kal wala kaand yaad ayega. Naam isiliye nahi likhwaya. Agar woh ise Sameer ki sorry samjhe toh apna kaam ho gaya, kyonki hum dono toh saamne se keh hi denge. Aur agar ise hamari taraf se maafi mangne ka tareeka samjhe toh bhi chalega. Uska dil dukhaya hai toh double sorry banti hai.'

Munna tapped his fingers on the table anxiously, 'Itni tension kisi naye project ki bhi nahi hoti jitni yeh Sameer ka bachha deta hai. Baithe bithaye mujhe mushkil mei daal diya.'

There was a knock at the door.

Munna stiffened, then asked the person to come in.

Naina opened the door. Her eyes moved from Munna to Pandit, then back to Munna.

Pandit stood up from his chair, smiling weakly, 'H... Hi Naina.'

Her face did not show any hint of curve at the lips as she mumbled an inaudible Hi to him then placed the package on Munna's table.

'I'm sorry lekin mujhe tumhare dost ki yeh harkat irritate kar rahi hai.' She said, pointing at the flowers which now peeked out of the package.

Munna shot a glance to Pandit who stammered, 'Har... harkat? Konsi harkat? Maine toh sirf...'

'Tum nahi.' She waved off his defense, 'Woh badtameez judgemental Sameer Maheshwari. Mujhe subah se phool bhejkar sorry bolne ka kya matlab hai? Agar sach mein sorry feel kar raha hai toh saamne aakar kahe, jaise kal shor machakar duniya bhar ke saare crimes mere naam ke saath jod raha tha.'

An exchange of look passed between Pandit and Munna, which Naina noticed... and it dawned on her.

'Oh! Toh tum log dosti nibha rahe ho.' Her eyes hardened, 'kyonki tumhara woh dost toh khud ko kabhi galat maan hi nahi sakta.'

Pandit quickly tried to do damage control, 'Phool humne isliye bheje the kyonki kal ki baaton se jo tumhe kaante chubhe unpe phoolon ka marham lag jaaye.'

In spite of her exasperation, she wanted to chuckle at Pandit's silly metaphor. He always came up with comments that made no sense yet were humorous. And Munna, he was an extremely thoughtful and considerate person. She couldn't pour out her anger on them. Being a friend of that impudent jerk was a torture enough.

Her face eased, as she felt sympathy for these two, 'Tum dono se mujhe koi shikayat nahi hai. Tumhe sorry kehne ki zarurat bhi nahi hai.'

With rounded eyes, Pandit exclaimed, 'Kya sach mein? Matlab tum kal ke kaand pe gussa nahi ho?'

Munna mentally slapped his own forehead.

In reply, Naina's voice turned icy, 'Toh tum maante ho ki woh kaand tha. Isiliye maafi mangne ki koshish kar rahe the. Lekin kya is kaand ka director jaanta hai ki usne jo kiya woh galat tha? I'm sure uske khyal tumse match nahi honge, warna woh yahan hota. Woh apni galti pe bilkul sharminda nahi hoga, balki uske hisaab se toh yeh koi galti hi nahi hogi.'

Munna was amazed how rightly she had assessed Sameer. But he had to defend his friend.

'Nahi nahi use bohot bura lag raha tha. Sorry kehna chahta tha par himmat nahi hui isliye nahi aaya.' He said.

Naina smiled, 'Tum uski safai mat do. Main usse sorry sunne ka intezar bhi nahi kar rahi. Usne mere baare mein jo kaha, uski personal thinking hai. Mujhe koi fark nahi padta.'

Munna tried to salvage his image, 'Sameer bura nahi hai Naina. Dil ka bohot achha hai. Maanta hun tumhare baare mein usne kuch zyada hi bol diya par dost ke naate keh sakta hun unme se aadhi baatein usne yun hi keh di hongi. Tum use jaanne lagogi to samajh jaogi ki woh bohot pyara insaan hai.'

Naina replied bitterly, 'Mujhe na usme koi interest hain a use janne mein. In fact, main use toh kya kisi ko bhi janna nahi chahti. Ladkon mein hi interest nahi hai mujhe.'

Pandit gasped sadly, 'Oh! Matlab tumhe ladkiyon mein... achha achha. Koi baat nahi. Its okay. Hum... hum samajhte hain.'

Naina rolled her eyes, 'Khaak samajhte ho tum. Ek baat batao, tumne aur tumhare dost ne har baat ko galat samajhne ki koi special training li hai... ya fir yeh paidayishi talent hai?'

Pandit blinked stupidly.

Munna quickly said, 'Yeh kuch bhi bolta hai. Tum isko chodo. Lekin Naina, please gusse mein koi aisa kadam mat uthana jisse tumhari problems badh jayein.'

She narrowed her eyes, 'Matlab? Yeh dhamki hai kya? Tumhare dost ke khilaf complaint womplaint na kar dun yeh keh rahe ho?'

'Arey nahi nahi.' Munna shook his head vigorously, 'Mera matlab tha kahin tum... yeh job... matlab resign toh nahi karne wali na?'

Naina stared at him silently for a few seconds, then replied flatly, 'Tumhare idiot dost ke ghatiya dimaag ki wajah se main apni life twist nahi karungi. Yeh job mere liye bohot important hai aur mujhe bohot pasand bhi hai. Uski baaton se effect hoke job chod dun, itni bewakoof nahi hun.'

Munna heaved a sigh of relief, 'Thank you Naina. Main toh kal se itna dara hua tha ki kahin tum gusse mein aisa kuch na kar do, kahin Thakkar ki company mein wapas na chali jao.'

Naina's heart filled with a new warmth at his concern. Their first meeting had brought them till here only because of his attention to smaller details, like her mention on the phone about needing a job, her hatred for her company, her need to get away from that lecherous boss, and now, reaching the conclusion that she would have to go back to same place if she resigned... Munna had not just been helpful but protective of her. He was everything she wanted in Anuj bhaiya.

A gentle smile spread on her face, 'Thank YOU. Tumhari wajah se main aaj yahan hun. And I love my job. Isliye main kahin nahi jaane wali.'

Pandit brightened instantly, 'Iska matlab...'

Munna chided him before he blurted something inappropriate again, 'Bas kar Pandit. Aur matlab samajhne ki koshish na hi kar toh achha hai.'

He scratched his head, 'Samajh toh pehle hi gaya. Abhi toh main bas puch raha tha.'

'Kya?' Naina laughed, amused at his goofy antics, 'Mujhse puchna hai kuch?'

"Haan.' Pandit ignored Munna's glaring eyes and asked, 'Sab clear ho gaya toh tum hamare saath dinner pe chalogi? Hamari treat.'

Munna did slap his forehead this time.

Naina pursed her lips, 'Sorry, par dinner pe jaana toh possible nahi hoga. Lekin haan, hum log neeche chal ke coffee pi sakte hain.'

'Okay. Toh abhi chalein?' Pandit easily accepted.

Munna realised it was almost lunchtime. So they made their way to the cafe downstairs. Naina could not help but feel that when Sameer was not with them, Munna and Pandit were quite enjoyable company.

Sameer reached under Munna's office building but decided against going up, 'Fir se nazar aa gayi toh raashan paani leke chadh jayegi. Jaise office mein nahi morche pe nikli hai. Munna ko phone karke neeche hi bula leta hun. Uska lunchtime hai, saath mein lunch kar lenge.'

He was about to press the call button against Munna's name when a feminine laughter drew his attention to the direction of voice.

And his hand froze.

Munna and Pandit were walking towards the cafe... with Naina. And she was not just chatting with them, but laughing too. They all seemed to be at ease with each other.

He couldn't believe his eyes. The girl who was raging with fury last evening comfortably entered the cafe with his best friends, seemingly enjoying the company. And both of them, Munna and Pandit, the traitors, were talking to her as if she was their closest buddy.

'Jaadu karti hai kya? Pakka hypnotise karna jaanti hai. Kaise uske saath ghule mile jaa rahein hai Munna Pandit. Aur woh maharani, kal toh shole barsa rahi thi hum teeno pe aaj aise hans bol rahi hai jaise mere nahi iske dost hain, woh bhi saalon purane.' His temper flared.

Without waiting, Sameer sat in his car and sped away.

Pandit called him up after Munna and Naina went back to the office, to tell him about the events of the day, but Sameer did not talk, saying that he had to rush for a meeting. That evening, he refused to go out with his friends, citing an inescapable business dinner.

Sitting alone at home, he couldn't take Naina out of his thoughts. She somehow managed to drive him to frustration every single time. He always knew this girl was trouble. She was a turbulence that had disrupted their peaceful life, and was now threatening his bond with Munna and Pandit. How could his own brothers ditch him and join hands with the girl he despised so much.

Next day being Saturday, he got up late after a sleepless night. Since he was still miffed with his friends, he decided to spend the day watching Netflix. Turning to the suggested movies, that he watched often, he clicked on first choice, Shahrukh Khan's Kal Ho Na Ho.

'Pyar toh bohot log karte hain, lekin mera jaisa pyar koi nahi kar sakta. Kyonki kisi ke paas tum jo nahi ho. Kaash main tumhe bataa pata ki main tumse kitna pyar karta hun Naina. I love you, I love you very much Naina.'

Sameer stopped and played the next movie, irritated by the name.

Ranbir Kapoor in Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani looked lovingly at Deepika Padukone and said, 'Tumhare jaisi ladkiyon flirting ke liye nahi bani Naina, pyar ke liye bani hain.'

Frustrated, Sameer stopped, and moved on to the next movie, watching Sushmita Sen and Salman Khan in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. To his horror, not only the heroine was named Naina, but the hero had the name Sameer.

He snapped his laptop shut, muttering angrily, 'Duniya mein ladkiyon ka koi aur naam nahi hota kya? Jidhar dekho Naina, jidhar suno Naina. Aisa lagta hai Naina naam ke aliens ne attack kar diya hamare planet pe.'

In the evening, he was spending some time with Dadaji in the garden, trying to divert his mind when his mother stepped out, phone in hand.

'Sameer, tu free hai kya?' She asked.

'Haan mummy. Kuch kaam hai?' Sameer was ready to do anything to keep his mind away from whatever was her name.

Ambika quickly gave some instructions to the person on phone, then said, 'Aaj driver nahi hai toh jaake Anu ko le aa. Woh toh keh rahi thi cab le legi lekin mujhe cab pasand nahi hai. Andhera hone laga hai upar se usne chaniya choli wali dress pehni hui hai.'

Sameer took the address from her and drove off to pick his sister from her dance class, where she was practicing for the upcoming Dandiya night.

As he stood waiting outside the place, tapping his foot, he noticed several girls and women come out one after the other, wearing similar outfits. His eyes moved in every direction, searching for his sister... till they encountered the very trouble he wanted to avoid.

Naina was talking to a lady outside the hall. All smiles, she seemed to be agreeing with whatever the lady was saying. Unlike others, she was in a suit, but not like the previous dull kurta. She was in a bright pink flared suit, with her dupatta resting on one shoulder and tied near her waist on the other side. Her hair were bunched on top of her head. Yet again, she looked very different from the previous two personas he had seen.

Sameer rubbed his eyes to be sure he wasn't hallucinating. But she was still smiling and waving her head at the lady when he opened them again. Was she really Naina, or a twin, or a lookalike?

That moment, Anu rushed out of the hall and waved at Naina before looking around. When she spotted him, she trotted straight towards the car, holding her ghagra to avoid tripping.

'Bhai.' She waved a hand in front of his eyes when he did not respond to her greeting.

'Oh tu aa gayi. Main... main tujhe hi dhoond raha tha.' He blinked, moving his gaze away.

'Kahan khoye ho aap? Open the car. Mera bag bohot heavy hai.' Anu grumbled.

Sameer pressed the button on the key and the car opened with a beep. After placing her bag on the back seat, Anu was putting her seat belt when she noticed Sameer adjusting the rear view mirror.

'Kise taad rahe ho?' She teased, 'Koi pasand aa gayi kya? Waise mere batch mein zyadatar married ladies hain. Hum chaar ko chodkar. Bas main, Tashvi, Ridhima aur Pari hain jinki shaadi nahi hui. Kahin wrong number mat lagaa lena.'

'Baaki sab married hain?' Sameer was shocked.

'Haan.' Anu gave him a strange look, 'Isme itna kya react kar rahe ho? Married bola hai mafia nahi.'

Sameer was confused. Was Naina married?

Surprise!! Next update on Saturday